September 10

 We had a nice steady rain for a couple of hours early yesterday and then sun for the rest of the day. I didn't see anything worth commenting on so I took the day off from the blog. Let's see what I find today.

The first thing I saw on the news today was that oil prices had exceeded $90/barrel. I thought I would check it out with a Google search. One of the top headlines, at a site I can't get the full story without a subscription, claimed the CEO of Chevron predicts prices will top $100 soon. And the next headline touts an expert who says we really don't have anything to worry about. I didn't read either article. Mom and I discussed what we heard on the news and considered what we would do if gas prices became painful. That is how we handle such news here--we consider our options.

The next thing we saw as the coverage of the Senate relaxing its dress code. Our first reaction: so what!! I don't really care if Fetterman of Pennsylvania votes from the door so he doesn't violate the dress code by going on the floor in shorts and a hoodie. I thought the coverage passed into the ridiculous when the reporter interviewed I forget which elderly female senator who was outraged and declared that she would wear a bikini. Whoopie!! I am afraid all of the comments about how the ditching the dress code lessens the dignity and respect of the institution. That train left the station a long time ago. The only institution with less dignity and respect is the House with the Supreme Court nipping at its heels.

Another story that has dominated over the weekend and yesterday has been the United Nations General Assembly meeting where Biden is giving an address today. A lot of ink (and pixels) have been expended over the absence of Putin and Xi. However, they aren't the only leaders of major countries who will give the meeting a pass. France's Macron and England's Sunak are also not attending. One article made a stray comment wondering (and reflecting the questioning of leaders of smaller countries) how really relevant the U.N. is in today's world. At the same time, on the fringes of the U.N. meeting 32 Atlantic rim countries are launching a Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation. You can get details on that here. And Foreign Policy has another article on the state of the United Nations--and it might not be so good.

For years Türkiye (once called Turkey) has been negotiating for admission to the E.U. According to this AP story President Erdogan may be reconsidering. Given the back and forth over his block of Sweden's entry to NATO (now joined by Hungary).