State of the Union addresses have long since devolved into political Kabuki Theatre. Accomplishments lauded and future promises are all to be taken with a hefty grain of salt. The play continued on Tuesday night as President Donald Trump delivered his 2019 version of this self-congratulatory exercise. His remarks generally followed the normative pattern (a … Continue reading Things Said and Unsaid
New Year, Old Patterns
It was wishful thinking, I guess, that the New Year would bring new energy to moving the wheels of government forward in positive directions. 2019 begins with a partial government shutdown, paralyzed by a battle that is purely political. As a Democratic House begins operation this week, it is not unreasonable to expect that the … Continue reading New Year, Old Patterns
H.W. and My Dad
During the past week, many commentators observed how the death of George H.W. Bush marked the end of an era—not just the last of the “greatest generation” to occupy the White House, but more significantly the loss of civility, kindness and human decency among those who occupy the Oval Office. Culminating in a funeral service … Continue reading H.W. and My Dad
Impermanent, Imperfect, Incomplete
While on vacation some weeks back, Blythe and I visited the Gamble House in Pasadena, a great example of the American arts and crafts movement and featuring influence from Japanese architecture. During the docent’s tour, I was struck by her references to a principle in the Japanese aesthetic called wabi-sabi that formed a basis for the house’s design, … Continue reading Impermanent, Imperfect, Incomplete
How Are You, Christine, Really?
We have an incredibly short memory span in this country and a news cycle that is even shorter. Just three weeks ago we were mesmerized when a California professor, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, riveted the country with her testimony accusing Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault. Her mesmerizing morning testimony was quickly eclipsed … Continue reading How Are You, Christine, Really?