All the news that fits to print—or is it?

 

Watching the nightly news onTV or reading your morning paper can be disheartening. The world, clearly, isin a mess. The former president’s outrageous behavior at his current federaltrial dominates the news, but Iran and Israel sniping at each other is a close second.I don’t understand why the media refer to Iran’s “unprecedented” attack on Israel.Didn’t Israel start it by taking out a consulate and killing several of Iran’sleading either diplomats or generals. That seems a bit of provocation to me. Andwhoever is at fault first, their conflict could escalate tensions in the MiddleEast. And then we read that famine is about to be declared in Gaza where halfthe citizens are in danger of starvation—where does starvation legally becomefamine? Is there some kind of line of statistic? Ukraine desperately needstangible support—including arms and ammunition—from  the US but the MAGA caucus in the House seemsto support Russia’s position in annexing Ukraine. They have voted againstseveral bipartisan foreign aid bills, and hotheads like MTG are calling for usto withdraw from NATO—shortsighted if not outright stupid. Speaker Mike Johnson’sposition is in jeopardy, but his removal could once again throw the House into confusion.So far they have accomplished less than any other House in any term.

Closer to home, some conservativestates continue to pass draconian anti-abortion laws and voter suppression measures.Inflation continues, but few will believe that it is not government-inspiredbut due to greedy corporations that are making extraordinary profits. Thedisaster clock, driven by climate change, continues to click dangerously close todoom for the earth, and yet many don’t believe that either. We are told that iftrump wins he November election, he will “Drill, baby, drill” and roll back allclimate regulations. The southern border continues to be a mess, with MAGA folkblaming the increase in crossings on Biden, who is supposedly rubbing his handswith glee (please note not all immigrants are illegal—most have legal statuspending asylum hearings—the only illegals are those that sneak across theborder instead of crossing at checkpoints). Yet the House refused to support abipartisan immigration reform bill.

Occasionally, the news is morepuzzling than frightening. I read that Russian hackers have attacked the watertower in Muleshoe, Texas. Muleshoe is a town of about 5,000 out near Lubbock.Why in heaven’s name would Russian hackers be interested in its water tower?Did their girls basketball team just win a championship? Is Muleshoe the homeof a hidden, secret spy group for the US.? Is there something special about thewater tower. I’m sorry for the discomfort to Muleshoe’s citizens, but thatalmost made me laugh aloud. Most of the news does not do that.

So how can anyone, with allthis and more, be an optimist? I can be and am. This morning I read a post byan author I know who said every morning she resolves to look for one occasionof joy in the world. As I look out my desk window, I look at those wonderfulyellow wildflowers I posted about yesterday. Now they are about to be hidden bythe oak leaf hydrangea growing tall and laden with blooms right by my window.Trite to begin with flowers, I know, but they truly do give me joy every time Ilook out the window at them.

But there are biggervictories: a panel of the 5th court of appeals has refused to liftan earlier court order that bars Texas from enforcing a ridiculous book lawthat would have required every vendor to check every page of every book for explicitlysexual images and references before selling to a school district—this wouldhave put many small vendors out of business, besides reinforcing our statesalready ridiculous book banning laws. A victory for reason.

A new federal order allows theBureau of Land Management to protect 4200 acres of tribal-owned land fromdrilling and mining for the next 50 years—a huge victory for conservation. Morecollege loans have been forgiven—not the principal but the outrageous interestrates which had people paying long after they repaid the principal. The economyis on track to best China’s economy for the first time in years, and unemploymenthas remained at a record-setting low for 50 years.

See? My wildflowers lookpretty good. And there’s reason for joy in the world. Now I’ve got anotherreason—leftover meatloaf and I’m going to go ea my supper. Please remember tolook for the joy in your life. It occurs to me that in focusing on national andinternational things, I have forgotten to mention the joy I get daily fromfamily and friends. Never discount that.