Words and pictures exposed to light. A space of notions, impressions and breezes. Text and photography by Tom.
Saturday, November 7, 2020
American Gratitude-Thank You Women
Wednesday, November 4, 2020
America in Waiting
President Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site Indianapolis courtesy photo
As America waits I share history and sentiment. I spent a lot of time at this wonderful historic site, serving on the board and eventually as president of the Benjamin Harrison Home board of directors. There is a connection to where we are now.
Harrison was elected in 1888, defeating Grover Cleveland in a campaign that had its share of controversy and dispute. Harrison, who had served in the Senate, lost the popular vote by 90 thousand but won the electoral college 233 to 168. Almost 80% of eligible voters, some 11million, cast their ballots.
Harrison was an advocate of civil rights and voting rights but America at that time was not ready. It would be another 32 years before women were extended the right to vote. Harrison spoke often in favor of African American rights. Most modern Americans know little if any of Benjamin Harrison, who's Grandfather was William Henry Harrison, the 9th President. He was also the great grandson of a name sake who signed the Declaration of Independence. Dispute over tariffs cost him his re-election bid, as he was defeated by Cleveland, the man he beat four years earlier. His one term is a rich tapestry of an emerging American nation on the cusp of the 20th Century.
Watching recent campaigns painfully serves to inform how poorly educated we Americans are about our history. The last 4 years has been a catalogue of ignorance and lies. If we knew our history, perhaps we'd be better citizens.
The 2020 campaign will be studied as an oddity. There will be volumes to come but already Tom Friedman writes the US is the loser in this election.
"We have just experienced four year of the most divisive and dishonest presidency in American history, which attacked the twin pillars of our democracy-truth and trust." Friedman wrote and I agree.
My Irish friend Jack, a devotee of US history and culture, wrote to me on election day with a powerful assessment I share here.
This could be a day of days or the end of days.
It is truth and logic. I am embarrassed at America's decline in the eyes of the world. I am embarrassed by Trump, his destruction of the Republican party, and those who support him and condone his attack on truth and trust. His gains for his partisans are not worth the destruction he has rendered.
It troubles me this nation has descended where millions can condone unAmerican and boorish behavior by a man who is ultimately a Russian stooge playing a starring role in sowing division, discord and eroding our confidence and trust in who we are. He did it for his own aggrandizement. It is a fact that we cannot dismiss. And as we pick through the next four years and beyond, it is a recent history we must account for. He fueled it for gain and greed and we are a divided people.
There is work to do, rebuilding the United States, despite ourselves. We hope the days of the divider, working only for his base, are over. We need a uniter, a healer, a president for all Americans and a leader for the world.
For the time being, stay positive. Catch up on your sleep.
Saturday, October 24, 2020
America Enduring
Thursday, October 8, 2020
Erratic and Menacing in America---ENDING IT!
Wednesday, September 30, 2020
Debate America
presidential debate: a foggy forecast
The big winner are the vendors providing the coffee and snacks for the meetings underway at the networks, newspapers, campaign leadership and the debate commission offices or zoom meetings.
There's a lot of thrashing to do before another debate goes up. Once again American cultural norms have been savaged by the spurious mongrel called Trump.
Photo by Doug Mills New York Times- Biden did not hurt himself. Trump did not help himself.
- Republicans have tried to distance themselves, a signal Trump pooped on his efforts to get swing voters. One of Frank Luntz's focus group, Ruthie from PA said she was undecided going into the debate, but will vote for Biden becasue Trump behaved like a "crackhead."
- Biden answered any questions about his agility. He was able to hold focus and communicate with voters despite having Trump yammering away. Biden can handle any crisis or critical decision to be made in the Oval Office and there will be no bully clown in the room.
- There was a significant tune out as the melee continued meaning a lot of people are fed up with Trump and his fouling of America.
Sunday, September 27, 2020
America Convoluted
do we deserve trump?
- Trump is alone among all Presidents since polling began 80 years ago to have never received approval from a majority of voters.
- Pew Research finds that 9 in 10 Trump supporters are White-Democrats; 6 in 10 are White
- 3 out of 5 Biden supporters say Whites have an advantage---only 5% of Trump supporters think that.
- Biden supporters think Fox News, OANN and evangelical pastors have duped or "brain washed" Trump supporters.
- Trump supporters think Biden supporters have been duped by mainstream media, newspapers, professors and Hollywood