Before I jump into today’s topic, I just have to say that this will probably be the most challenging post I’ve written all month. There are two reasons:
- I’m still dealing with the kidney stone. For such a little guy, it just does not want to proceed to the bladder and leave me in peace. I’ve spent most of the day in bed, waking up every 3 hours when the pain starts to show itself. I’m taking Percocet every 4 hours, so throughout the day, I’ve had to push through moments of terror. Will the pain get intense enough that I can’t keep anything down? Or will the drugs work in time? It’s been touch and go all day.
- I’ve never set out to specifically editorialize before. I’ve done it many, many times, but it’s always been flow of consciousness. Tonight I’m going to read several stories, provide links to them, a summary, and then my opinions. Laid out like that, it feels daunting.
If you wind up liking this kind of post, please let me know. Or if you hate this kind of post, let me know that, too.
1. Kelly made inaccurate claims about lawmaker in feud over Trump’s condolence call
This article is the next in a dark chapter featuring Trump and his attempt to console the widow of a man that gave his life in the service of his country. The main thrust of this whole article is to establish credibility for Congresswoman Wilson while at the same time showing that General Kelly is losing credibility.
We’re definitely getting off into the weeds, now. The renaming of the federal building and Congresswoman Wilson’s comments at the event help establish her credibility, but it also takes us further away from what’s important: La David Johnson’s grieving widow.
Trump’s staff is in a bind, because they have to defend Trump. That’s their job. They probably know better than any of us that Trump is not good at consoling other people. So they’re having to take desperate swings in order to tear down Congresswoman Wilson. Sarah Sanders even went on to say that questioning a four star general’s words are inappropriate.
The best thing Trump’s staff can do is move on to the next thing. Defending the indefensible doesn’t work out. I’m sure it’s not doing La David Johnson’s widow any good, either.
My hope is that this particular item will fizzle out by the end of the weekend. But it’s hard to say, especially when Trump himself keeps bringing it back up via Twitter.
2. Appeals Court Sets Terms For Abortion For Teen Immigrant
A 17 year old illegal immigrant is seeking an abortion. The lower court ruled that she could pursue it, but the higher court has put some stipulations on it. She has to have a sponsor by the end of the month, otherwise, the matter goes back into the courts.
There’s not much for me to say on this one, other than it’s an interesting test of conflicting views. On the one hand, Texas lawmakers don’t want to be a part of an abortion. On the other hand, they probably don’t want a new child born in the states to an illegal immigrant. What value means more: anti-abortion, or anti-immigration?
3. Missing California hikers died in apparent murder-suicide
There’s not much I can say about this one, either. The couple went missing in late July, and they weren’t found until some time in August. When they were found, they were embracing, with their legs covered to protect them from the sun.
When you hear about murder-suicide, you don’t usually imagine the couple embracing. It sounds like Mr. Orbeso had been trying to find a merciful ending for them both. It’s a sad story, regardless.
4. 3 charged in shooting after Richard Spencer speech
Richard Spencer spoke in Florida, and it was so hotly anticipated that the governor declared a state of emergency before the speech even took place. Spencer’s First Amendment rights were observed, and while people interrupted his speech during protests, the event was largely peaceful.
Three supporters of Spencer, however, took it too far. They pulled up in their jeep, threw Nazi salutes at each other, and after some provocation, fired a shot at one of the protesters.
It still strikes me as insane that Nazis and their sympathizers are so emboldened these days. A few days ago, they marched in Charlottesville, the same place they marched with tiki torches before one of their numbers drove into a crowd, injuring many and killing one woman.
I don’t believe that meeting the Nazis with violence is the answer. But I can appreciate being prepared to answer Nazi violence.
5. Melania Trump Donates Inaugural Ball Gown to Smithsonian
Aside from copying Michelle Obama’s speech and being weak on cyber-bullying, the cause she says she has dedicated herself against, I don’t really have a problem with Melania Trump. Most of the time, I think she’s a victim. She didn’t want to go to the White House. She’s dragged around and shown about like a figurehead. I sympathize with Melania Trump. She’s in a difficult position.
She’s as much First Lady as Trump is President. Love it or hate it, it’s appropriate for her to turn her dress over as a part of American history.
I don’t think history will be kind to either Melania or Donald Trump. But Melania I feel at least a little bit bad for. Donald brought this on himself. Melania has been dragged along, most likely against her will.
6. Many Trump voters who got hurricane relief in Texas aren’t sure Puerto Ricans should
This is an article talking about the views of two elderly couples that voted for Trump. They don’t have a lot of sympathy for Puerto Rico, and they’re working off of incorrect information.
This article is designed to piss people like me off, I think.
The people of Puerto Rico are Americans. They are Americans that are still without electricity and clean water. They’re not lazy. They’re not looking for handouts. They need our help, just as the people of Houston needed our help.
Mr Maddox and Mr Hogg can take their opinions of Puerto Rico and stuff it in their gardens like the fertilizer that it is.
And that’s the top news in my feed tonight. The articles came from several different sources. Some were of higher quality than others. If you liked this kind of post, let me know, and I’ll try doing this kind of editorial review more often.