My Fall classes are done! Switch to grading marathon.

This makes me ill. The only human garbage is Trump and his evil administration.

 December 1. One week of classes left! The semesters click by.

Not true. Insulting the reporter does not make him transparent, open or frank. It just means he's a rude bully. The press secretary should do some soul-searching and figure out why she is so morally bankrupt.

 The incompetence and absurdity of the current federal administrations renders me almost mute. Truly, I have so much to write but little time to share it.

Only three weeks left of the semester! Unreal. Grades are due 12/18. I've had pretty good classes and happily -- there was no reason for the summer apprehension I felt about teaching toleration after a hiatus of seven years.

 I love this.

 The news gets worse on a daily basis. A lot of the commenters on news sites are so ignorant. Happy Halloween.

Historic preservation is close to my heart; along with fighting animal abuse, it is an issues I consider most important. I take comfort, when outrageous things like this happen, (the destruction of the East Wing) by thinking of Penn Station's legacy. The demolition's impact is widely regarded as the most significant milestone in the preservation movement. People's attitudes changed afterwards. They realized it was a terrible mistake. Unfortunately, Donald Trump has managed to seduce, overpower and destroy "the better angels of our nature" (Lincoln, 1861) for over 40 years, but I look forward to a future time when he is a distant memory and historic preservation once again is a shared value. (Some of this language is recycled from earlier posts on this blog.)

 

I'm happy to report that advocacy worked!

 What nerve Nextstar has coming here with their shameful, ignorant fascist ways.

 

So yesterday was my birthday. I am 64 now! How can this be?

It is quite remarkable to be teaching a class after a seven-year hiatus and have nearly daily examples appear in the news! Earlier this week I was struggling with class material, and the question: At what point does tolerance become complicity? How do I convey such difficult philosophical content to the impressionable, anxious young people in my class? Hard as it is, I do feel honored to have been entrusted with leading this important class right now.

Those cartoons are coming once I catch up. 

It seems people who identify as transgender, people who are homeless and undocumented migrants in the US under this idiotic oppressive regime = people with mental disabilities, gypsies and Jewish people in Nazi Germany. 😭

 

 I want to write here so much! I have drawn two cartoons that I want to post as well, but *no time*. I will share this, though: I am fantasizing adding this as an email tagline - Indoctrinate them? Can you show me how? I can't even get them to follow assignment guidelines.

 I again had a dream with my father in it last night. It was brief. This time the setting was unfamiliar. I don't believe he was using a wheelchair, but he looked as he did five or ten years ago. He was talking about real estate. I know the reason for these dreams or perhaps they are ADCs, and it is something that makes me quite sad.

The semester started yesterday and I had my first class today. Harry barked for about the first 15 minutes. Otherwise, it was OK.

I have a slogan idea, inspired by this: IF I AM FAR LEFT, YOU MUST BE A FASCIST. 

I dreamed about my father a little over a week ago. It was very realistic and impactful. He was as he was five years ago, during the Summer of 2020, using a manual wheelchair, speaking well, very sharp. He was in the hallway of his house, talking to someone on the phone. He said he and my mother were moving.

I have my classes ready on Brightspace and the syllabi are in good shape. I am teaching Toleration after seven years of hiatus, so there is much to do in terms of reading and assignments updates. I got a new smartphone. After a decade (at least) I will miss my cute little mini, but it could not do so many things. I drew one panel of a cartoon. Not sure whether to share now or wait until the whole series is done.

 A couple nights ago, I had an anxiety dream. I have not had one in several years! My classes started and I was totally unprepared. No syllabi at all. I guess it is time to get busy!

 LOL. If you get a bruise from shaking hands, you are not in excellent health. What liars, and most media is complicit. Stay tuned! Nileston News is brewing.

 Amazing what a difference a day makes! Slight drop in humidity and I feel much better.

The weather has been making me feel shi**y. I've had allergies for a while, and they seem to be increasing with age. I always thought allergies caused symptoms like clogged sinuses, runny nose, itchy eyes, and that's what I've had in the past. But this year, all that is accompanied by clogged ears, dizziness, foggy head. A sensation sort of like swimming under water. My father had bad allergies, and I think I didn't "get it" until this year.

A few nights ago I had a dream about Sophie. It was so good to see her again!😍 

 As summer clicks by, I am beginning to think about getting ready to teach this Fall...

I thought this guy was sketchy when I saw the story of his alleged assault on the news, and apparently his friend is sketchy too! I'm being kind here; my fingers were itching to type sleazy instead. 

It's disconcerting, albeit not unexpected, that the response to fascism from the right is fascism from the left. Of course.

 

HAHAHAHA!! Now it is totally outrageous to deny someone a visa because they had this hilarious photoshopped image on their phone, but the photo is funny. Paranoid much? Threat to national security for LOL?

This is a tragic story. I can't help but notice an uncanny resemblance between the killer and the current VP. This is on many levels; here are three: menacing physical appearance, Tobacco Road background*, pure evil character. It's chilling. (*I am eternally grateful to Daddy for painting this evocative, unforgettable and apt description.)

JD

JF

She was my congressional representative for a brief time after redistricting a few years ago, and thankfully it was short-lived. I've been represented by a long list -- the elected official changes either due to losing, redistricting or retirement, but I have never felt the contempt for any of them the way I do for Stefanik. A commonality from every rep on both sides of the aisle has been routine communication -- in recent years, this has meant email. She never sent me anything -- no email, no mailer. She's too busy running congressional witch hunts. When she was first elected, I was pleased because a young woman won. She seemed impressive and appropriate for the district. After she developed a Trump obsession, she steadily devolved into the obnoxious creature she is now -- brittle, rude, hostile, soulless. I marvel at her ugly demeanor. How can someone be so angry all the time? She would have fit in perfectly with the other cretins in the administration, but I guess our current autocratic leader finds her unappealing as well. Maybe if she went for Botox, fillers and plastic surgery, she would suit him better, LOL. 

Father's Day is Sunday. I miss you so much Daddy! 😭 Here we are -- my father, sister and I -- at the Statue of Liberty in 1997 celebrating my 36th birthday and honoring his parents. We went to Ellis Island and to see the statue. My paternal grandparents were not citizens when my father was born. He was a better American, patriot and loved the United States more than Stefanik or any of the fools in the administration. He was just a higher quality person than any of them. I'm sure the same is true of many of the migrants ICE is persecuting. 

 

Tomorrow Pope Leo is having Mass, and I am psyched. And, there is the No Kings Protest (also psyched)! Hmm. Is something else going on?

 

 

Right on! This is the best monologue I've seen from anyone lately.

Oh really? But single party (or more aptly, single dictator) rule in DC is great? What a hypocrite she is. Even the most mediocre opponent could easily wipe the floor with her. Maybe she can become her cult leader's fourth spouse. She fits right in with the repulsive, lying, boot-licking thugs in the administration, such as Miller, Homan, Vance, Hegseth, Bondi, Leavitt and Noem (add animal abuser to the adjectives describing the last one and inarticulate to Homan). Bunch of fascist losers. "Say what you really mean Gina." (On the news last night, there was a story about the congress member sharing false information about a study guide. No surprise there.)

Yesterday Bob went to Long Island to attend his aunt's calling hours. In the afternoon, I received a phone call from a former co-worker of his. She said someone from the Thruway had called her, saying they had found his cell phone. I called the number she gave me, and spoke to a very nice woman. She asked me a bunch of questions -- where might he have stopped? What color was the phone? I listed off the rest stops...New Baltimore...Ulster...I think there is one between New Paltz and Newburgh (Bob later told me that rest stop is closed for renovations)...Ramapo. He stops a lot! I couldn't remember a lot about the phone, but did know it is black. Eventually she told me a black cell phone was found in Ulster. She had the State Trooper who had it call me. After speaking with him (he also was so nice), I called the funeral home, explained, and they had Bob call me back. He retrieved it on his way home from the trooper, who I think was supposed to leave at 7, but he stayed later so Bob could get it. This is just one simple example of why...

What a wimp! OMG. Don't settle, CBS.

My neighbor's house is for sale. They were living there when we bought our house 38 years ago. They have been perfectly fine neighbors (hope whomever buys it is OK), but one thing I will not miss is the constant lawn mowing. They moved out over the weekend and he's already back mowing again. In the scheme of things this is no big deal but the endless drone makes me insane.

In other news the administration continues its fascist anti-intellectual agenda. Our "leader" is such an embarrassment. He's a senile crazy person surrounded by the most unethical humans ever. How annoying to have these dimwits attempting to be dictators. To be clear, I have never thought this kind of stuff about any administration. I am a tolerant optimistic moderate. This pack of vile losers has radicalized me. I wish them nothing good.

The "Big B******* Bill" is very disturbing. There is a lot of criticism being raised, but most is focused in two areas: The massive increase in the deficit due to tax cuts and the decimation of social programs. Both of those things are alarming, to be sure, but what unnerves me is that it attempts to curtail the judiciary. It restricts enforcing court orders. It prohibits federal courts from using funds to enforce contempt citations against government officials. This violates the constitution's principle of separation of powers. The bill also retroactively invalidates court orders issued before the law's enactment. It removes the possibility of court challenges, eliminating a check on executive and legislative power and undermining the judiciary's role in upholding the rule of law.

They are trying to weaken the judiciary. The bill erodes the principle of checks and balances in the constitution. This is appalling. Every single one of those voting yes should be removed from office. The regime of corrupt authoritarians must be stopped.

Life in the Idiocracy + Back to the Future II dystopia is more alarming by the day. The "Big Bullshit Bill" passed the House...please let it fail in the Senate. In more personal news, the guys are here hooking up the new boiler. The Kitty is terrified. The Beagles are okay with it. I can't wait to take a shower.

Finished grades. Monday my wrist pain was terrible, but with less computer time, it is a lot better. We had our gas meter updated and they discovered carbon monoxide was not venting from the boiler and hot water heater, so tomorrow we are getting a new system. I'm pleased that it isn't the middle of winter, but we are in an unseasonably cold snap. This is the least of my worries, of course. What is disturbing? The actions of the alarmingly fascist regime and the idiots among us who are in oblivion (or, grudging admission, possibly cheering?).

Immersed in grading. I am having a carpal tunnel flare, which sucks. The news is more outrageous everyday. What a bunch of corrupt, racist idiots are running this administration. They are the least common denominator. It is embarrassing. However -- the new Pope gives me hope.

Recent absurdities mean I am itching to draw some rude satire. Alas, it will have to keep for a while longer. My last class for Spring 2025 semester was today and grades are due May 18. I've been having a flare in my right wrist. No fun. Hope it holds up OK.

Semester's end is rapidly approaching. Spring is here. In coming days, I will have time to write here. Yay.

Disgusting as it is, the administration's march toward fascist dictatorship is not a big surprise (although the speed is a surprise). What is a surprise, sort of, is the deep ignorance of the administration's supporters. They believe every word of right wing media and every lie told by the administration and its idiot cult members in Congress. It is so clear that educators have failed miserably in teaching civics. It's very disturbing to witness what is going on in this nation.

 Recently, I noticed two memes on Facebook that made me laugh (because otherwise, I'd cry): 

• My wife bought a garden gnome. I named it "Kristi" because it's hollow, artificial and my dog is terrified of it. 
• Witnessing this administration is like being tied to a chair and being forced to watch a toddler play with a loaded gun. 

The first bullet is really too nice to be about the evil dog murderer.

 I noticed something disturbing in one of my undergraduate classes before Spring break, and this week confirmed it. There is a chilly atmosphere. The students are afraid to share their thoughts. Participation and engagement are always challenging to generate in class, and this nasty and incompetent administration is stifling it even more. Jerks.

Resist. We will not be silenced. We will not be bullied. We will win because good always wins over evil, and because incompetent loser idiots cannot accomplish anything.

In other news, Spring break is over. Not that it matters; all I did was work.

 It's quite astonishing to discover that someone actually takes pride in being amoral scum.

And of course there is this self-righteous animal abusing dog murderer, who also celebrates being scum. 

What an administration full of losers!

 My disdain for the direction the USA is heading grows daily. What's happening is alarming. Those in charge are scum. I have so many things to write, but unfortunately, there is no time.

 Today is the 23rd anniversary of this blog and the seventh anniversary of Uncle Bud's death. Last night I had a dream with a "glimpse" of my father and Sam. I suspect the reason, which I won't share right now, or maybe ever.

 Everyday I want to write here, but I don't make the time. My classes are going really well, but otherwise -- especially nationally -- it is sh*t. Reading the comments on local television and newspaper sites is demoralizing. Who are these cretins? Scary.

 I am not surprised by the appalling behavior of the new / old administration, but it is still awful to contemplate. Idiocracy + authoritarianism is a terrible combination.

 I have had many ideas for things to write here, but have I? No. Semester started a week ago, and I am teaching Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. I am not crazy about that schedule, but I'll make it work. Classes are good so far.

 Well I have accomplished nothing personal over break, and I have only 12 days left! Bob turned 65 on Sunday. And...today is the third anniversary of my father's death. 😢😢😢