The little morality I know, I learned on the soccer field and the stage, which remain my real universities. —Albert Camus
Another nice run on another cold, wet morning out here on the Left Coast. Spotted rowers on the river, at least three boats out before 8 a.m. We runners are not the only ones whose good sense can be called into question.
While running I engaged in self-criticism and reeducation and now understand the error of my deviation from the shining path of true Bernie thought, which in its unerring purity and luminous effulgence stands immune to all criticism. (note for Sandersistas: satire alert).
This bit of whimsy is prompted by the reluctance of the Sanders camp to accept that some criticism of the candidate and campaign is made in good faith and can even arguably be justified. Not all of us who harbor doubts about elements of Bernie's agenda and his chances in November are party to an establishment conspiracy or tools of a malign elite.
As recently as last night I intended for today's newsletter to offer analysis and commentary on New Hampshire, Nevada and the Sanders kerfuffle with the culinary union, and the week's outrages from the administration as the nation moves deeper into banana republic territory. To address any of these, much less all of them, in any substantive fashion would take the newsletter to unacceptable length.
In truth, I am tired and dispirited. Weighed against this is the obligation as a citizen, as self-styled intellectual, as one who tries to lead his life with integrity, to stand up and speak out on these issues at any time and more than ever now at this perilous juncture in our history. To give up is not an option.
On the poetry front, my poems "I Will Dream Cellos" and "Tango Girl with a Pale Green Shawl" will appear in the May issue of Otoliths, an Australian publication. We'll see what this does for my international reputation. Publication date is May Day 2020. I will include an announcement and a link to the website in the May 1 newsletter.
The acceptance of these poems makes for a welcome break in a lengthy stretch of rejections. Always nice when that happens.
Three recent blog posts, including the endorsement of Amy Klobuchar for president. Links are below in the usual place. Topics are evident from the titles.
keep the faith.
yr obdt svt