Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
And so, it finally happened. After over a year of false starts and running up a down escalator. Last week, Friday August 20, my office held a small but pleasant retirement ceremony for me, then I was gone.
I am now officially retired from full time work and back home in Charlotte. I guess, let the fun begin?
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
“To be in public office right now is to constantly ask yourself, how do I make sure that we’re standing on the right side of history? There’s a simple answer. The wrong side of history will always tell you to be afraid. The right side of history will always expect you to be courageous. Expect courage from people around you, and it will show up. Expect fear, and fear will rule the day. “
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker
Today we have new profiles in courage in opposing the Trump regime.
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
I am officially in the home stretch to my second retirement. While these past several months have felt like I’m running up a down escalator, I’m still plugging. And the clock keeps ticking, as clocks always do.
With an official retirement date of August 31, I can see light at the end of this tunnel – and it’s not a train.
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
I’ve written a number of posts on immigration during the twenty years of this humble blog’s existence. All four of my grandparents are immigrants. Several of my aunts, uncles, and cousins are naturalized American citizens. Both my first (ex-) and present wife are immigrants and naturalized American citizens. Most of our family friends are immigrants that I’ve met through my wife.
I happen to believe the best thing about America is how, throughout our history, we have been able to accept and assimilate people from many different cultures and make them “Americans.” My beliefs appear to now put me into complete opposition to the current monstrosity of our federal government.
I’m good with being on the side of people coming to America.
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Over the years I’ve lived in the Washington D.C. metro area (“DC”), I’ve tried various techniques for commuting. All these techniques have been focused on making the best of a truly sucky situation. The best technique was, of course remote work and just not commuting at all. But, since the end of March I no longer have that option.
So, my latest and probably last pre-retirement commuting technique involves commuter trains and bicycles. Call it “alternate commuting for this modern age.”
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Today is officially “No Kings Day.” This is the day we – again – protest against the monster in the White House. Now with music to fit the occasion.
I started writing this post as an angry screed against our wanna-be king trump. The music I looked for was angry music, filled with defiance and rage against the would-be two-bit penny-ante dictator and his sycophants currently running our nation. Music that would fit the mood of a national protest against Trumpism and the hate-filled monsters who’s life goals are seemingly built around destroying the lives of other people who just want to live free and build a better life for their children.
But, then, I realized I was taking the wrong road.
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
I’ve been struggling these past months to cope with the ever-swelling horrors of the Trump administration. It’s increasingly difficult to wrap my head around the staggering levels of corruption, viciousness, and pure evil practiced by apparent human beings leading our government. Not to mention, the convivial corruption, viciousness, and pure evil practiced by people seemingly enraptured by the cult of trump.
How in the fuck did we get here?
Estimated reading time: 51 minutes
Winnie and I recently returned from two-weeks of cross-country adventures in Peru. During our trip we took a boat ride around marine sanctuary islands; rode a dune buggy in sand dunes; flew over hard desert to view the lines of Nazca; spent three nights in a jungle lodge keeping our snacks locked away safe from monkeys; hiked a portion of the Inca trail between Cuzco and Machu Picchu; and toured a number of Incan archeological sites. We also drove over an 18,000-foot mountain pass; viewed Lake Titicaca; got altitude sickness; and (briefly) lost my luggage to a Peruvian airline. It was quite the trip.
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
In a few days, Winnie and I will be heading out on a vacation trip I’ve wanted to do since about 1979. We’re headed to Peru for a two week tour of this magical South American country.
Sympathy for the Farmers?
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
I recently answered another Quora question that has received pretty strong positive response. This question related to farmers who are now facing foreclosures and loss of their farms due to Trumpian policies. The kicker, of course, is that Trump swept most rural communities in his 2024 election victory.
My answer is pretty harsh against a community of professionals I once had great respect for. Such is the life in Trump’s America.
Opinions & Commentary Quora Re-Posts
Family Farmers quora trump