Allan G. Hunter's Blog, page 11
November 13, 2020
Diary 239
Thursday, November 12th
143,000 new covid infections; some appalling dude called trump squatting in the White House; no evidence found of election fraud.
What’s become clear to most of us is that the new administration is going to have to take charge of policies in a world that is warming, rapidly, and threatening human survival. Large portions of the rest of the natural world will survive without us just fine. We may not. This is no time for ‘business as usual’.
November 12, 2020
Diary 238
Diary 238
Wednesday, November 11th
Like many families ours has had its fair share of veterans, and so November 11th is a day of remembrance. The trauma of war affected my father, my father-in-law, and all those who interacted with them. Each of these men carried the memory of friends, brothers, and brothers-in-arms who did not come back; these were the ghosts they felt every day of their lives.
They fought against tyranny and fascism. It’s up to us to keep up the fight.
November 11, 2020
Diary 237
Tuesday, November 10th
The former ‘president’ of this country is refusing to acknowledge defeat and spreading misinformation (lies) about the electoral process. This contesting of a legal ballot with false information is pretty shabby, and definitely not helpful to anyone. Some are suggesting that it amounts to subversion. It seems he’s also asking for donations — to pay his debts.
November 10, 2020
Diary 236
Diary 236
Monday, November 9th
Another blissful day at Mass MOCA. The Art is the sort of thing that lifts me up; it inspires me, and the galleries – vast galleries – are empty of people, so the experience of the art can be very personal, very calm. Deeply stirring. This small town, set amid hills and mountains of delicious moodiness, is an absolute gem. That’s the balance one wants and needs, I feel – the personal interior world of Art and the balancing vastness of Nature.
Other news: Kayleigh McEnany, the White House spokesperson, was cut off mid-rant by Fox news because of her ‘illegal votes’ spiel. Fox news. Cuts off . White House. The times have changed.
November 9, 2020
Diary 235
Sunday, November 8th
In the spirit of starting things anew in a new world we went on a short trip today – to Mass MOCA to see the modern art housed in the wonderful, sprawling series of former mill buildings that dominate this tiny town.
Modern art is often inspiring. In this location the historic and very lovely mill lends it all a wonderfully illuminating air. The buildings themselves are huge, spacious, airy and surprisingly beautiful. The art inhabits them like the perfect tenant, like sunlight. It’s hard to put into words – and that’s exactly what art is supposed to do, or it wouldn’t be art – it’d be words.
November 8, 2020
Diary 234
Saturday, November 7th : Biden declared as President-Elect
I don’t think anyone will ever forget this day. For me and for just about everyone I know, it was a day when, finally, it felt as if we could have a future as a Nation. It seemed possible for the first time in four years for us to breathe, to plan, to hope, and to be very very grateful indeed. I hadn’t realized just how tense and nervous I’d become over these four years. I know I’m not alone in this.
The chaos can now cease. It’s time to get to work to make this place worthy once again, of the values we cherish.
November 7, 2020
Diary 233
Friday, November 6th
The count continues, and every vote is being counted – that is the promise, and one that I honor. I’m in no rush, personally.
The media seem to be turning against the present incumbent of the White House. They can smell a loser. But I keep asking, what took some of them so long to find their moral backbone? And, really, will we ever be able to trust some of them again? Facebook has been notoriously wishy-washy and self serving. If we can’t rely on the press to be free what’s the point of us all proclaiming a ‘free press’? There’s work to be done re-establishing some sort of credibility.
Meanwhile the US posted, for the second day running, record levels of Covid infections.
November 6, 2020
Diary 232
Thursday, November 5th
Today, In England, was Guy Fawkes Day. In case you don’t know the story, in 1605 Guy Fawkes and a few other conspirators managed to pack the basement of the Houses of Parliament with barrels of gunpowder, determined to blow up the King and all his ministers when he opened Parliament the next morning. The plot was uncovered and Fawkes was punished (along with others) by being Hanged, Drawn and Quartered. What this meant was that he was hanged, but remained alive, while his entrails were pulled out and burned in front of him – he was purposely kept alive at this point – until his heart was ripped out. Then he was pulled apart by four sets of horses (quartered). That was the way they treated traitors and those who tried to mess with government. Barbaric it was, too.
Today, in Arizona, a few protesting and armed trump supporters tried to interfere with vote counting. To their eternal credit, the ballot officials were unphased and went on counting anyway. That, my friends is the inherent strength of this country, right there. Plenty of us just won’t be pushed around. We do what we’re ethically supposed to, no matter what the bullies and loonies say. We resist those who try to interfere with the legitimate process of government.
The ‘president’ is today claiming victory in the election – thereby messing with the legitimate process of government. ABC, CBS and MSNBC all cut away from his interview — because they knew lies when they saw them, and said so.
November 5, 2020
Diary 231
Wednesday, November 4th
A day of waiting – possibly to become just the first of many such days. Trump declared himself the winner without any evidence, and the mainstream media simply refused to publicize this. The count continues and so far favors Biden. It’s a time to sit back, eat well, and trust that the counting goes as it should.
In Europe, my friends inform me, there is general astonishment that Biden did not create a vast wave of enthusiasm, and that so many people still find they want to vote for Trump. Our ugly side has been revealed to everyone. What has happened, in terms of international standing, is that the US has spent four years acting increasingly like a a tin-pot dictatorship. So not only are we divided against ourselves, but the larger world perceives this as dangerous and untrustworthy.
And perhaps that is not a bad thing. We’ve been full of ourselves for far too long. Now we need to be a bit more humble, listen a bit more, and get to work to save the environment. That’s humbling work if ever there was any.
November 4, 2020
Diary 230
Tuesday, November 3rd
The atmosphere today was tentative, a sort of communal breath holding, here in Massachusetts. One store I noticed had a sign that stated it was closed so employees could go and vote – an unusually generous offer.
At my local polling place lines were short. Plenty of mail-in voting happened here. We’ll see what happens next.
