November 18

 We finally got snow that stuck but not all that much and certainly not the 3+feet around Buffalo, N.Y. According to the weather forecasts we will have cold and snow through Monday and then will have more seasonal temperatures for the rest of the week.

We had medical appointments yesterday and today. And today, after meeting with Mom's new GP, we went shopping. Partly we had a list of thing we had run out of and then, considering the increasing food prices and the situation in the world generally, we decided to bulk up our pantry a bit. We had used our stash down for the last almost year but reversed course considering everything going on. All the prices are higher, sometimes much higher. We don't expect them to come down any time soon. Isn't it interesting that none of the Republicans are talking about inflation anymore. Instead it is all about investigating for any imaginary reason anyone with the name "Biden." 

Nancy Pelosi gracefully announced her intention to not run for a leadership position in her party. She will remain a member of the house representing her San Francisco district. What was totally graceless and spiteful was the Republican response. Most couldn't even be bothered to attend. Few applauded any part of her speech. And as soon as she finished they held a press conference promising to investigate everyone who opposed them, including Nancy Pelosi. The Former Guy isn't the only one imagining themselves to be "victimized."

The Behavioral Scientist has a good article on the difficulties trying to change societies and, although a primary focus is on changes that may affect our environmental footprint, can be applied to any major crisis. The author brings in the responses to 9/11 and to the various big oil spills as examples. I liked the discussion of two primary blocks to change: faith in market capitalism and faith in technological change.

I have one hope for the political situation over the next two years: Perhaps any attempts at impeachment of anyone will fail because there are half a dozen sane Republicans who will vote against. I can't imagine any Democrats would go along so handful of Republicans voting "no" would sink such crap.