For this week: Optimist; Russian semantics; state of the States; free speech and the Holocaust; "new" work; Syria; sports and politics.
Optimist, 15 April.  Richard Overton is nearly 112 years-old, African American, and the nation's longest lived WW II vet, and perhaps the world's 3rd oldest man. Talking with a friend in Austin, he said he would like to visit the new Smithsonian African American History museum. His friend had just introduced Overton to "...billionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist Robert Smith, who [had] donated $20 million to the museum." Smith inquired, "What are you [and your friends] doing next weekend?" It was off on a private jet to Washington, D.C., for a private before-hours tour of the museum. Job well done, Mr. Smith.

Vozhd or just leader? What a difference the past makes! In Russian, vozhd translates to "leader," but, as columnist Fred Weir writes, for many Russians, the word still stirs  uneasy memories -- or, for younger Russians, leaned tales -- of Joseph Stalin and the past. Leader, tyrant, or both? In any event, the reference is not something Vladimir Putin seems to particularly relish, but something he readily understands and is increasingly not loath to embrace.

Good times, but poor states. According to the Economist article, in the midst of supposedly "good" economic news, many US states are experiencing tough economic times. Consider: 

 "...unemployment at a 17-year low...stock markets near all-time highs... 27 states revenues fall below expectations in 2017. Standard & Poor’s... downgraded over a dozen states since 2016... sluggish revenue growth... [a]ntiquated tax systems... services-led economy....[l]ow inflation...prices of services [up] 2.6% per year, [but]....sales-tax receipts [down] an annual rate of 0.4%..."

What is rotten in your state? Is it relying on those "rainy-day funds and other one-time gimmicks." Teachers in AZ, WV, and elsewhere are absolutely certain that their state legislators care little about raising taxes to increase revenue to improve their states' educational systems -- not to mention infrastructure, services, and/or salaries. Only in OK did the state "...pressured by striking public-school teachers...[vote] to raise taxes and fees in the state by $400m. It is the [OK’s] first tax rise in 28 years."

Kids, money and guns. It is ironic that students and their demands for change may be the new driving forces behind much needed changes in schools and school financing.

Fracking and $$$$. If your area has oil under the soil, you have no doubt been subjected to TV ads touting the lengths to which energy companies have gone to insure your safety. The ads feature neatly groomed, spotlessly clothed spokespersons (all wearing the required hard hats) walking and talking with supposed residents about.... well, you know, their company/industry's overriding concern for your safety.
     Have you not wanted to be there, to ask one simple question: "Would you like this fracking operation to located within 400 yards of your home?" Indeed, "Is there one of these operations even within sight/sound of your home?"

Hungary and illiberal democracy. Victor Orban won an unprecedented third term, capturing 67% of the parliamentary seats. He declared his "illiberal democracy" party firmly in control. His victory "...will doubtless deepen Hungary’s cultural and generational divide, widening the rift between liberal Budapest, which mostly voted against him, and the more traditional countryside. Doubtless, it will inspire nationalist demagogues in other parts of Europe, too." The situation now seems different from when I visited Budapest in 2006 during the 50th anniversary celebrations of the 1956 uprising.
     It gives one pause. Just what is an "illiberal" democracy? After all, this is Hungary, where, in 1956, citizens rose up and fought a valiant, albeit losing struggle, against a Soviet army which then reinstated a brutal dictatorship. In 1956, women emptied the cities' restaurant's kitchens, pouring the cooking oil down the city's hilly cobble stone streets, stranding Soviet tanks below, while others from the high ground poured gunfire and Molotov cocktails down hill.
     Re Orban's long range plans, this article from Foreign Policy. "Hungary’s leader used fearmongering propaganda to win. As he entrenches his power, the country’s democratic backsliding will get even worse."
     Today, you can visit the "House of Terror...located at Andrássy út 60 in Budapest, Hungary. It contains exhibits related to the fascist and communist regimes in 20th-century Hungary and is also a memorial to the victims of these regimes, including those detained, interrogated, tortured or killed in the building." The ÁVH (Hungary's Soviet-backed national security police) were among the most brutal in Eastern Europe.

Free Speech. Apparently more than a few young Americans do think speech that is offensive to minorities should be prohibited. Too tender ears???  

Holocaust. Younger Americans also appear ignorant about the Holocaust. Maggie Astor reports "[A] survey released Thursday, on Holocaust Remembrance Day, found that many adults lack basic knowledge of what happened — and this lack of knowledge is more pronounced among millennials, whom the survey defined as people ages 18 to 34." Even more disheartening, "Thirty-one percent of Americans, and 41 percent of millennials, believe that two million or fewer Jews were killed in the Holocaust; the actual number is around six million. Forty-one percent of Americans, and 66 percent of millennials, cannot say what Auschwitz was. And 52 percent of Americans wrongly think Hitler came to power through force." Back to the classroom, folks!

The "new" work. You might want to watch the "CBS Sunday Morning" (15 April) segment on the idea of a guaranteed minimum income and how work will change in the years ahead.

Syria. His campaign-era pronouncements not withstanding, with the latest military strikes against Syria, President Trump has thrown the "fat into the fire." Ann Applebaum notes, "Russia is lying about Syria. But Trump has no credibility to counter it." With his past tweets/statements, he has painted himself into the proverbial corner. Interestingly, he has placed his bets hoping the assistance of Britain, France, and UN will pull him through.
     Doubts remain about the actual attack and how much it did not "endanger" Russian facilities.

Politics and sports. Cassandra Casanova, a former rabid San Antonio Spur's fan, explains why Goodwill got all of her team paraphernalia. When the coach went public with his strident anti-Trump views, she deserted. Our president is nothing if not a lightening rod.

Thank you for reading. I hope your spring has begun in earnest.