@cliffordbeshers Great! Neil would be pleased, I'm sure. (Actually, it's difficult to know if Neil is pleased about anything, but I think these are great!)
@cliffordbeshers Lovely. I can only hope your next one is a yellow moon on the rise.
A Trump win would play into the narrative of Americans as helpless victims. The economics of grievance is ineffective, counterproductive, and corrosive, eroding the foundations of prosperity. Messages matter. Tell people that the system is rigged, and they will aspire to less. Champion personal responsibility, and they will lift their aspirations. Promoting an optimistic vision of economic life can increase risk tolerance, ambition, effort, and dynamism.
@manton Saw Twisters (as Pres. Biden was saying he wouldn't run -- lots of texts popped up after the movie). The movie itself was absolutely ridiculous and absolutely great. Two gorgeous people chasing tornadoes: what's not to like?🌪️🍿🇺🇲
@frjon Re: your points: 1. I'm sure we agree about Mr. Trump. I also feel confident in our system when at least two branches are doing their jobs. But I'm concerned that a malign executive and malfunctioning legislature during Trump 2 would stress the system a LOT. 2. You, sir, are too kind.
I'm not a vegetarian, but I eat animals who are.
@frjon For elections before 2016, I agree with you. But because Trump is a president whose actions are not only unpresidential but also unprecedented in American history, I think "most consequential in our lifetime" was an accurate assessment in 2016, and was again in 2020, and will be again in 2024.
@frjon Your reflection aligns, a bit, with that of my cousin, who moved to the Anglican tradition after many years in a denomination grounded in a strong Reformed tradition. He said (I'm paraphrasing), "I'd enjoyed great teaching in my old church. I came to my current church because I felt a need for great worshipping, as well."
@frjon And yet, the fact that one candidate fomented an attempted coup the last time around lends a certain novelty, at least, to this election. I'd go so far as to say "consequence."
@KyleEssary @KyleEssary But, they are not both "Totally Unfit." Biden is, maybe, 90% of what you'd desire for the president. And in 4 years, he may be 70%. Trump is 100% vicious, trending to 200%.
@tinyroofnail Great.
@bbowman I really like those umbrellas/flowers and the Ellsworth Kelly "chapel." (Like the Rothko "chapel," except they're unlike in every way other than the "chapel" moniker.)
@JohnBrady That's such a great novel. The people you love -- Mr. Harding, in particular -- benefit from a situation that probably should be reformed, and the people pushing for reforms are not the ones you care for much. Trollope is good at telling "messy" stories.
@ayjay You and Ted Gioia seem to be working in the same vineyard. Who else should I be reading on this theme?
@eastbrad I believe there is a Samuel Johnson quote somewhere (or should be) that says, "A critic must have a willingness to be pleased." I love that.
@JohnBrady 100% agree. And, although Donald Sutherland could be great, I prefer the 1995 Mr. Bennet.
@KyleEssary Oops. I misread -- Welcome back for the summer, if not this summer, whenever you are back in the States!
@KyleEssary, welcome home for the summer. These were from the Lakewood parade in East Dallas.
@KyleEssary An excellent reminder. But, I do think one US presidential candidate calls us to live up to our values. The other sees only "American carnage."
@manton Yes, and Donald Trump is a bad man. Americans will decide if they want an old bad man as president or an old good man. Character does count.
ducks – elegant and effortless … are eyeing … boatloads of … Dream … swaps
@JohnBrady @joaopinheiro Thank you. It was so lovely.
@jabel Wow. This feels true. And, perhaps I'm Pollyannaish, but there's a certain excitement or, at least, curiosity about what might emerge from what feels like a dumpster fire right now. Of course, it could be awful. But I agree with Chesterton that the world wobbles -- sometimes worse, sometimes better. So I hope for better.
@manton Of course, if the president is our avatar, what does it say if we elect a felon, liar, and rapist?
