The quiet part out loud

 WASHINGTON ― Top Republican lawmakers brushed aside questions about former President Donald Trump’s alarming vow to purge his political opponents, which he referred to as “vermin” in a Veterans’ Day message over the weekend.

So now we know: Republicans would rather have a fascist in the White House than a Democrat.

Self Defense vs. Retaliation

 On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a multi-pronged invasion of Israel, killing more than 1400, injuring nearly 7000 more, and taking 239 hostages. This military incursion clearly establishes that Hamas poses a threat to Israel's security. There is no question that Israel, like it or not an existing country, has the right to eliminate that threat.

There is no question, however, that Israel has long since left "self defense" in the rubble. According to ABC:

The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry says at least 10,800 people have been killed in Gaza amid Israel's retaliatory campaign and effort to root out Hamas. More than 26,000 have been injured, the ministry says, with almost 1.5 million people displaced, according to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. As of Nov. 3, 67% of all deaths in Gaza were made up of women and children while thousands more have been injured, according to several U.N. agencies, including the UNRWA.

This is retaliation not defense.

The Israeli military campaign has targeted hospitals on the pretext that Hamas uses them as strategic bases. When Russia did the same thing in Ukraine, with essentially the same justification, the US and NATO rightly condemned it as a war crime. Now, however, when members of congress, college students, protesters call Israel's actions criminal, they are vilified as "anti semitic". Leaving aside for now the inconvenient fact that Arabs are also "semites", this is a collective gas lighting that is unfortunately well-known in American political history. Let's be clear: Jews are members of an ethnic group. I'm a Jew. Israel is a country. It is a country established in a cynical diplomatic game by England to garner support for the British war effort (WWI) by Jewish populations around the world. If Jews would help Britain defeat the Turkish empire, they (Britain) would give them (Jews) land currently lived in by some other people, neither British, Turkish, nor, for the most part, Jewish. Did Great Britain propose to establish a Jewish homeland in Sussex? They did not. They proposed to give somebody else's land to some people they would just as soon not have living in England. So I submit that the state of Israel is itself existentially anti semitic but here we are. 

Israel is a nation. I am an American, not an Israeli. As a Jewish American, I am offended that the US is supporting the retaliatory and illegally indiscriminate destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure. I am offended that my being offended is considered anti semitic. Israel, North Korea, Russia: they're all COUNTRIES. They all brutalize sectors of their populations and they all deserve to be called out for it.

creamy chile salsa

 My daughter recommended this recipe. I thought I'd try it out on a pretty good crop of chilies I have growing in a barrel garden.

I can't really be sure what variety they are. I collect seeds from all kinds of chilies: dried, fresh, green, red. I think, based on the size and color, that this plant is the result of some errant guajillo seeds but ¿quien sabe? 

Anyway, after harvesting what I thought were ready, it didn't look like enough so I added a jalapeño.

My next detour was in the "softening" phase. The recipe said to boil the chilies but I like to remove the seeds (see above) and then heat them up on a comal.

Otherwise, I proceed as directed. No immersion blender but we get by.

The result isn't green or particularly spicy but it is creamy and quite tasty.

"Strange" doesn't even begin to cover it

 Something happened last night. I know it happened because I saw the results this morning. Also, the dogs were barking like crazy around 12:00 and I figure now that must have been when what went down was going down. I think I can deduce some of the connections between those things I know for sure but I can't be certain.

So, as I said, just after midnight the dogs were barking up a storm. I hoped they'd stop but they didn't, so, around 12:30 I let them out. I could see through a window that they were at the fence where they continued barking, but they left off shortly and came back inside. I managed to go back to sleep and got up at our usual time to go for a walk. Our usual time is around 4:00. I like to go while it's dark (before it gets hot and while there aren't a lot of other people, or any) so it was still dark.

When I got to the gate, I could see that it was busted open. I have a carabiner in the latch to keep the more "dogged" dogs from being able to nose it open. That was still in place so (deduction:) someone must have forced the gate without opening the latch. I had to work the hinges back into alignment but, all told, nothing really was damaged. We went for our walk. 

When we got back, it was still dark but as I rounded the corner of the terrace, I saw that the back gate was open. Investigating, I found that the same, brute force method had been employed, and, as with the other gate, no permanent loss of function had ensued. However, at this gate I noticed that the shed had been opened, also forcibly. In the darkness, I could just make out that something was, indeed, missing. I have a cordless string trimmer/blower set (they share a battery pack that was inside the house) and it was gone.

After it got light out, I went to see what was the deal with the shed and its contents - or lack of contents. As I rounded the corner of the house, I noticed that, off in the other direction, there was my trimmer, and blower, and a machete that isn't a particularly good example of its kind but I've had it forever. Also there were my branch cutters and some garden shears. They were all stacked neatly, not dropped in a hurry when the dogs started barking. Moreover, when I went to put them back in the shed, whose door required almost no effort to return to complete functionality, I found, in addition to a cigarette butt, a hoodie and a bandanna (that had apparently been used as a head band).

I surmise that some guy - likely high on something stronger than pot - had come looking for stuff and found mine wanting. I suppose I should be insulted but I'm not. I suppose I should feel violated, but I really don't. I left the hoodie and the bandanna draped over the wall at the alley in case he wants to come back for them. I tossed the cigarette butt.

Language and Culture

Sad Hypocrisy

 From Huffpost.com 27May21:

An east Tennessee woman has been charged with seven counts of felony reckless endangerment after allegedly driving her car through a COVID-19 vaccination site as an apparent protest against the vaccine.

I wish this was unusual, but it's not. It's just another tragic incidence of disregard for the well being of one's fellow inhabitants of the community, or indeed, the planet.

But what makes my blood boil (and admittedly it's always on a slow simmer) is how hypocritical conservatives are about every single so-called principle they hold dear. Conservatives are, supposedly, stalwarts in support of individual liberties. Except, it seems, when a lot, or even any, individuals want to do something they, the conservatives, think is ... I don't even know.

Let's take abortion. Nobody says you have to have an abortion but the conservative mindset is that it's not enough to have individual agency. Because they don't want one, nobody can have one. 

And now it's vaccines. I don't know what that lady's problem is with vaccines but how can it possibly matter to her that someone else gets vaccinated? Even if Covid is a liberal conspiracy, which it isn't. Even if the vaccine is a government plot to turn the vaccinated into mindless drones. So, don't get vaccinated. Why try to run the future drones down in the street?

I just don't get it.

The Logical Basis of a Coup d'Etat

Much like the tormented phenomenology of quantum physics, with its dimensions and strings and symmetries, there is a logic behind the attempts by lame duck president Trump and his supporters to overthrow the government of the United States. It goes something like this:

We support the Constitution (except when it's, you know, inconvenient), therefore

We support the electoral process - when it isn't fraudulent.

The 2020 presidential (although not, oddly, any down ballot races) election WAS fraudulent because,

Although there is no documentary proof of fraud, it is SELF EVIDENT (as in "these truths") that Trump was such an objectively great and popular president that no fair election could possibly have resulted in anything but a decisive victory for him (or is it Him?).

Therefore there was fraud and corruption on a grand scale (but only in the states that Trump lost).

I have to admit: it makes about as much sense as quarks.

Remember Bamyan

Let me state at the outset:  I don't think the Confederate flag has any place in our public view.  Not on a state flag, not flying at a sporting event, not on a tee-shirt.  Any official buildings or areas named for civil war traitors, whatever level of public ownership, whatever rank the traitor held, should be immediately renamed, and long overdue.  By the way, I think Washington should change the name of its football team, and Cleveland should change the name of its baseball team.  There.  Fine.

Now let's talk about statues.  Sure, a statue of Robert E. Lee in Richmond, VA is offensive.  But don't forget, a statue, or actually several statues, of Siddhartha Gautama was also and equally offensive to the admittedly prickly Taliban.  The world, and I suspect much overlap with those now calling for the destruction of monuments to traitors and oppressors all over the United States, rightfully and righteously condemned the destruction of the Buddhas of Bamyan as wanton and unconscionable.  If a statue can be moved, move it.  If it can be hidden, hide it.  But, what's good for the goose and all that.

Is Donald Trump a Russian Agent?

As I write this, the US House of Representatives is conducting an inquiry, or may have concluded it - we'll know next week, that may or may not culminate in articles of impeachment for President #45.  The immediate cause for this inquiry is a telephone conversation between Trump and the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, in which it seems pretty clear Trump attempted to extort Zelensky for political favors.

So partisans on both sides are arguing whether or not a little friendly extortion is really a crime, or, if the attempted crime fails, is it really a crime.  Lots of fun, I'm sure.  But I fear there is a greater question that is lost in the, legitimately for sure, detailed legal process:  is Trump an agent of Russia and/or of Vladimir Putin?  Let me explain.

Consider the last four years (at least) going back to the presidential campaign, and ask yourself this:  how does Trump's behavior differ from what would be expected of an agent of the Russian government?   What would he do that he hasn't, and what would he not do that he has if he were working to further Russia's and Putin's interests?  I submit that, since he would want to secure and maintain the significant advantage of the US presidency and would need to be at least somewhat circumspect, the answer is "nothing".  There was the kerfuffle with the intelligence community about whether Russia interfered in the election.  There was and is the facilitation of Russian expansion in Turkey and Syria.  Basically everything Trump has done has benefited Russia.

So, regardless of whether or not extorting a foreign official for personal benefit that actually does harm to US security interests is "bad enough" to warrant impeachment, Trump needs to go.  If he is, in fact, a foreign agent, he should be removed from office because of that.  If he is not a foreign agent, but clearly behaves as if he is one, then he's dangerously incompetent and should be removed from office because of that.

Dad joke

In honor of Fathers' Day, I recount a joke my father told me.  Or rather, he told it in my presence, along with my brother and probably my mother although I don't remember for sure.  Certainly, she had heard it before but also likely wanted to see our (my brother's and my) reactions.  I don't really know any of that.  What I do know is that the joke telling took place in our house in Queens so I would have been older than 5 and no older than 8.  I thought it was hilarious.  Or at least I think now that I thought it was hilarious then.  It's the sort of joke the old man liked to tell - long lead up, dopey punchline.  Think: Siberian Peach Pie.  This one had the extra value of being a tribal inside joke.  And I was in on it!

A Jewish scientist, Herschel Zorkender, was to be knighted for his many contributions to science and to the Royal Academy.  It's a big deal.  The Palace sent over a protocol officer, Lord Albemarle,  to walk Dr. Zorkender through the process and make sure there would be no screw-ups [yes, my Dad would have said "screw-ups"].

"When you enter the chamber, you will bow before stepping into the room."
"Right."
"Keep your eyes lowered as you approach Her Majesty, who will be seated on a raised platform."
"Quite right, yes."
"When you get to the base of the platform you will kneel on your right knee with your left foot no more than six inches in front of your left knee."
"Very well, I shall practice that to make sure I get it right."
"Her Majesty will stand and tap you on the shoulder with her sword.  She will say, 'Arise Sir Herschel'."
"Tap on the shoulder, 'Arise Sir Herschel'.  You know I'm a scientist right?  I think I can do this."
"We'll see.  You will stand, place your right hand over your heart and say, 'reginus empress fidelis'."
"reginus empress fidelis, reginus empress fidelis, OK."
"You must never turn your back on the Queen.  You will back slowly away until you reach the door where two footmen will escort you from the presence."
"OK.  Thank you for your help.  I will be ready."

For the next week Dr. Zorkender practiced kneeling and saying "reginus empress fidelis".  He thought he had it all perfectly memorized but on the day of the ceremony he was so nervous he was shaking and stuttering.  When the Queen tapped him with her sword, he completely forgot what he was supposed to say.  The only thing he could think of was "ma nishtanah halailah hazeh".

The Queen turned to Albemarle and asked: "why is this knight different from all other knights?"

Happy Fathers' Day.

Tribalism and Culture

I was at a Christmas party the other night with a bunch of people I barely know. Someone mentioned the currently fashionable trend of DNA testing to establish one's ancestry. In a moment of indiscretion, a lapse of judgement, a wine-induced madness, I said what I think about it: despicable. I was rebuked by a very nice couple who pointed out that people were finding out that their ancestry was more diverse than they imagined and that that was a good thing. I could feel myself building up a head of steam. I was brought up to believe that argument is a contact sport and what better way to celebrate the solstice than to count dialectic coup. But the indiscretion was, indeed, momentary. I have come to believe, to understand, really, that no one needs to hear my opinion, including me. But I've been thinking about it.

On the one hand we have Morgan Freeman sleuthing out that Gwyneth Paltrow is 80% Martian or whatever, tearing down any inclinations to give in to interplanetary exclusionism, right? On the other hand we have all those television commercials where some sad sack finds out that he or she is 25% Scythian so now they get to wear pig-blossom arm bands. Either way it smells like tribalism!

I am a Human Being from Earth. Isn't that enough? No? My species first appeared in Africa. How about now?

If my grandparents' great-grandparents' grandparents were from someplace other than Trostinietz, does that mean that my grandmother didn't cook the food I associate with my childhood? Does it mean I shouldn't love kneidlach? Does it, perhaps, explain why I don't like gefilte fish? Just because there is no Hellenic component to my ancestry, must I appreciate mousaka less? Am I, as a human person from this planet, not entitled to be curious about life in a yurt, or what fermented mare's milk tastes like, or how do you say, "I want some more of that!" in Kyrgyz if I have no central Asian genes? I call bullshit.

What do we get from knowing which of the thousands of migratory paths out of Africa led specifically to each individual? Do we need that indisputably personal connection to be interested, curious, appreciative? Sure, I admit I have taken pride in some ambiguous connection I have with Albert Einstein and Groucho Marx but I think I would be just as happy to have Douglas Adams and Ming Tsai on my team. Anyway, it's not something I'm proud of. It's tribalism. However big I find my tribe is, even caring about it in the first place is an indication that I don't get it.

Tribalism is just racism's slightly more genteel older brother and the brat is only ever a short goose-step away.

Bat Day Afternoon

18 Sept 2017  

I’m 67 years old. Apparently, that doesn’t necessarily convey immunity from the same boneheaded behavior you expect from a 7-year old.

I was watering some plants in the morning (before the heat gets serious) when I noticed a brown patch on the ground. It was a bat. Clearly it was either sick or injured, otherwise it wouldn’t have been there. I have handled bats before, always with a towel or gloves. But this time I just picked it up. I didn’t go get some gloves out of the shed. I didn’t pop into the house for a towel. Hell, I didn’t even take off my shirt and use that. I just picked it up. So of course it bit me. Well, right away I knew that wasn’t good.

I dropped the poor little guy and he just lay there on the grass, folded into his wings. He looked a little sheepish, except for, you know, mostly looking batish. I figure he realized it hadn’t been in his interest to bite me, just like it hadn’t been in mine to pick him up. Biting me solved nothing. It just made it worse. For both of us. But mostly for him. Whatever was going on with him before, now he was headed (pun intended) for the place they send little bats from which there is no return. I found some old plastic sprouting pots and put him in one (no touching this time). I rinsed off the wound, which was bleeding considerably, and hurriedly finished my watering (no hydrophobia yet, at least).

Let me say a little bit about the actual bite. It was intriguingly surgical. It didn’t hurt, per se, more of a pinch. The teeth weren’t like needles but rather more like teenie scalpels. Chomp! And then it was done. In spite of my immediate oh-crap-this-is-bad reaction, it was definitely something interesting.

But this is a saga about threading the health system needle, so we’ll leave little Draculito in his plastic dungeon, in the shade of what may or may not be some variety of passiflora bush, and embark on the task of figuring out what I’m supposed to do next. A quick search on the Web turned up little of any use. Pretty much just variations on “Don’t mess around. Do something!” I called my local (municipal) Animal Control office. The guy who answered the phone, the head of the department, put me on hold while he went to find someone who might know what the procedure was. I was on hold for a long time! When he finally came back on the line he said they would come by in about 15 minutes and collect the animal to be controlled. It was more like 45. He said I should call my doctor and “get started”. Who knows what he thought that meant?

While waiting for the Animal Control guys, I called my doctor. Now, I don’t know if this is universal but I figure it’s probably fairly common: I spoke to a receptionist. She did not consult anyone. She did not consider any alternatives. She set up an appointment. Have a bad cough? Come in for an appointment. Wile E Coyote dropped an anvil on your head? Come in for an appointment. Got bit by a bat? Come in for an appointment. The soonest they could get me in would be 2:00 that afternoon. Fine. I’m glad it wasn’t the anvil thing.

When Animal Control showed up they were still a little confused as to the state of the bat, and why I would have touched it at all, and how I managed not to kill it. We had to go over that for awhile. Then, it turns out, this was a police matter. Now, I suppose that normally when a citizen calls Animal Control about a bite, it’s a dog bite and the dog has a titular human owner, and that human may or may not have some legal jeopardy pertaining to said bite, and, well, ok, maybe the police need to file a report. But for a bat?? Anyway, Animal Control called the cops and a nice little boy with what looked like 50 pounds of gear on his belt showed up to restore order, or at least file the proper paperwork. So that happened.

Around 1:00 I left to run some errands that were in the same area as my doctor’s office, and then showed up a little early for my appointment. As it turns out, my doctor, who wasn’t there, had been consulted and everyone involved: the receptionist, the intake nurse, the attending nurse practitioner, all of them knew that my being there was unnecessary and that I would have to go to the ER. But no one told me that. I waited, while I could have been waiting in the ER. The intake nurse went through her routine, which the ER intake nurse had to repeat. Finally, the nurse practitioner came in, listened to my breathing, listened to my lame Batman jokes, and then told me I had to go to the ER and that the doctor had already informed them and they were expecting me. It’s a good thing they had already measured my blood pressure since I’m sure at this point it tripled!

I went to the ER. It’s just next door to the building where my doctor’s office is so that wasn’t a big deal. And, indeed they were expecting me. Or, at least the triage technician was expecting me.  “Oh”, she said, “you’re the bat guy. I’ve been waiting for you all day.” (So why did I just now find out about it???). More vitals. More Batman jokes.

More waiting. Two hours of it. Nurses took my information. A girl with a clipboard took my insurance card. An intern washed my wound (still visible but barely). I made a lame joke about super powers. “That’s spiders”, he said, not missing a beat. During that time the ER doctor was on the phone with Austin. He was on the phone with the CDC in Atlanta. He was trying to find out what was supposed to happen, where it was supposed to happen, and who was involved in its happening. He never did find out.

They gave me a shot. It’s one of a series of shots. The doctor didn’t know where the rest of the series would be administered, but he knew it wouldn’t be there. As it turns out, the protocol now, as opposed to just a few months ago, is to do nothing until the animal is determined to have or not have rabies.

So now we wait on Austin.

20 Sept 2017
 The Health Department called: positive for rabies. Now I need to get the rest of the rabies shots as well as something called immunoglobulin. In order to do that I have to find someone to administer the shots. The lady at the Health Department said that some doctors don't want to do it. So I called my doctor. This time the receptionist agreed she needed to consult someone so we're just waiting to hear back from the doctor. Whoever I can get to agree to administer the vaccinations, that person needs to write me a prescription which I take to the State Health Department office, get the vaccine, go back to that provider who will inject it. It strikes me as peculiar but then, I handle bats.