August 29, 29

 Good morning. I had an errand that started out frustrating but ended well. One of my cats thought she was skinnier than she is and knocked over my glass of water trying to get between it and my computer. Of course the water went just where we didn't want it to go--right into the charging dock for our cell phones. I hoped it would dry out and be useable but no joy. So I went to the store where we got the phones but they don't cell the accessories for those phones--another no joy. But, as a last resort, I went to the website for the company and, great joy, quickly got a new charger on order which will arrive in a few days, We don't use our phones much so that shouldn't be a problem. There are times, though, when I hate modern technology.

29************************************************

I don't know what I will find worth commenting on or if some stray thought will intrude on what I am reading but we'll see. Right now it is cool and a bit more than partly cloudy. Will we get more rain--no idea.  But my hibiscus are loving the cooler and wetter weather and blooming like crazy. I have rarely seen so many buds on hibiscus plants.

I saw a piece describing how Angelenos are uniting to help those impacted by ICE raids and I thought of part of Ken Burns' miniseries PROHIBITION. He noted that enacting of Prohibition and the measures to enforce it created "a nation of scofflaws." The anti-alcohol forces won a major battle but in the end lost the war. Some people's response to mask requirements, economic shutdowns and restrictions on social gatherings during COVID was of the same kind which wouldn't have survived any one if they knew the history of the Spanish Flu of 1918. Americans during the flu epidemic responded the same way--resistance sometimes violent. I remember when Trump gushed about how strong a leader Xi Jinping was because when he commanded his people came to attention and did what they were told. Of course Trump doesn't read history and it is clear that his minions read select  parts which tell them what they want to believe. Americans have never liked to be told what to do or to have their lives negatively impacted by a distant power whether kings in Europe, bankers in New York, or presidents in Washington.

Another thought came to me while watching some of the Weather Channel's coverage of the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. The segment focused on the recover of one of the parishes which was almost wiped off the map. Every school in the parish had been destroyed and they tried to bet Federal help to rebuild but were told funds weren't available and wouldn't be for a couple of years which would likely delay rebuilding for at least three (or even five) years. They said "no thanks, we'll do it ourselves." The first learning center was up and running by the start of the start of the 2006 school year and it was open for students from the entire affected area. It is becoming clearer since 2005 that we can't really depend on Federal help even for big disasters. I remember the wrangling over sending Federal funds to New York to assist with cleanup and rebuilding after Superstorm Sandy. A certain Florida politician railed against sending "their" money insisting the people in NY should do it all themselves. I remembered that when Florida politicians demanded help after later hurricanes. Hypocrisy reigns.

Every time the administration claws back funds already appropriated I ask my self "WHERE IS THE MONEY GOING?" Then I remember a segment on the news which said that the cost to keep the National Guard in DC is $1MILLION/day. I don't remember what the costs to day for "ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ" and in a few days it is supposed to hold 0 inmates. All of those deportation flights cost a pretty penny as well. The administration might as well stack up the money and torch it for all the real good it is doing.