Forward
As of Jan. 2025, here is the final vote for President. I highlight the Kamala Harris vote as Harris and Walz were my preference. I am only a single voter, but over 75,000,000 others voted as I did. Individually we lack strength; working together in various ways we are strong.
January 20 is inauguration day. I am not sure of my writing schedule, but at this moment, I want to offer access to a review of the recent past, and some simple suggestions for the future. Most likely my inauguration post will be January 18. It will be a recollection about trading conflict for cooperation.
In the days remaining in January I hope to offer some brief data points which may be useful to you as a citizen. Just check in once in awhile to see if there is something new. There is a “weather forecast” of how the incoming administration will act, but until it actually hits we won’t know what the “weather” will actually be.
In the interim, know, especially, who your local Congressperson is and his or her contact information. Ditto for your U.S. Senators, state Senator and Governor.
Get to know those who represent you, and communicate respectfully – as you would like to be treated. Remember, you are not their only constituent. For example, your congressperson represents about 700,000 citizens including you. For good or ill, the U.S. Congress is, and state legislatures are, “we, the people”. They are “us”, not “them”.
Know who all of the other elected representatives represent you and their contact information. Voters are the boss, and also ultimately accountable for their choice.
Attend at least one local meeting, such as City Council, of school board, if for no other reason to see who your representatives are, and how government works.
Be extremely vigilant about mis- and dis-information and be very cautious about what information you pass along to others. Disinformation is a major crisis in our country, and we have good reason to expect it will get worse. If something is too good (or bad) to be true, it probably isn’t true. If the reporter is known to be dishonest, the safest course is to believe nothing at face value. This is a matter of common sense. [The January 13, 2024, Weekly Sift is well worth your time. I recommend subscribing to this.]
So long as I am able, I plan to continue these blogs, which are frequent and on assorted topics. Regular visitors know me, some from long experience. If you’re new, check me out. I’ll add you to a subscriber list if you request.
Here are links to my last two months posts, most recent first, including if applicable the number of comments (in parens). I find the comments very interesting and informative and look forward to them: Jan. 11, The Felon; Jan. 9, Farewell, Jimmy Carter (8); Jan. 8, Pacific Palisades (9); Jan. 6 Politics (8); Jan 4 Larry Long; Jan. 3 Politics (3); Dec. 29 Jimmy Carter (7); Dec. 30 Bob Dylan “A Complete Unknown” (15); Dec 25 “Away in the Manger” (9); Dec 12, A House Divided (7); Dec. 9 Syria and the rest (5)
Next planned post: January 18, 2025.
COMMENTS (more at end of post):