July 1

 Welcome to July. We have a bit of a respite with slightly cooler temperatures. A couple of 90+ degree days over the next ten days with the rest in the 80s. We got some heavy bursts of rain buy few and far between. I go out on the patio to water what few plants I want to survive the season: hibiscus, Asiatic lilies, a couple of petunias. It is still gets too warm too quickly to really clean out some of that mess. As I pulled some of the weeds I got a surprise. A purslane plant has sprouted in one of the small plants. I haven't planted that for several years. No, I did not pull it. It seems to like the heat and the scanty rainfall doesn't seem to bother it. Let's see how it develops for the rest of the year.

A couple of days ago Charles Hughes Smith posted this article detailing how our culture, politics, and economy has been "hollowed out." I have noticed some of what he talks about for the last several years. Often I have either read a novel or watched a movie and found my self wondering where the creative artists have gone. I enjoyed The Lord of the Rings trilogy immensely but The Hobbit trilogy was not very interesting. I have the first DUNE movie, the second translation of the book into film (the miniseries) and THE CHILDREN OF DUNE, and the first two films of the third attempt to interpret the book. Of the three versions the second is the best; the third quickly spiraled into a confused mess. (Note: these are my opinions. I have a long habit of liking music, movies, books others (especially professional critics) don't so I don't mind at all if others like something I don't). Smith makes a good case that the hollowing out extends to most other aspects of our society. He writes that we are left with the "illusion" of strength and stability. That term (his term) reminds me of other pieces others have written over the last half century: Boorstin's THE IMAGE (1962) and Postman's AMUSING OURSELVES TO DEATH (1985) to name two.

William Hartung has some on point observations on the military "budget" and the "BIG, (NOT) BEAUTIFUL BILL." I had noticed that NO cuts were made to the Pentagon part of the "budget." And NO measures to make the Pentagon reliably audit their programs was included. They are still cutting Medicaid (in a stealthy and duplicitous manner), and setting up some conditions that will threaten Medicare and Social Security.

I just saw a report on NBC that the abomination passed by the usual 51-49 vote. Now the circus moves back to the House.

Simon Rosenberg at HOPIUM CHRONICLES has a bit to say on the matter. However, I was struck by the comments by Anne Applebaum that were included. She reported that the president of Aix-Marseilles University is welcoming U.S." scientific refugees" which he compared to German academics who fled Nazi regime. Given our the administration's assault on colleges and Universities that may not be far wrong.

Robert Reich hits a nail on the head with this post; Trump, Musk, Republicans and the Empathy Bug. I have often wondered what rock these guys (and gals) popped out from under because their responses seem "reptilian" at best, as in cold blooded. Our system seems to have mutated into one which spawns psychopaths/sociopaths whose only focus is on what they want and they will mow down anyone in their way to their goal.

Damn, it's getting hot!. 

I am going to stop now. Time to start supper.