|   David Matthews  |

 

Portable Bohemia

February 15, 2020 / Vol. V, No. 4

Go to Portable Bohemia

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

01

A State of the Union like no other

February 6, 2020

 

It is not necessary to channel the spirit of James Madison to conclude that the state of the union is a mess. Only the impeached Donald J. Trump…

 

Read More

 

 

 

02

 

Ah, Iowa...and the shadowy hand of the technocracy...

February 11, 2020

 

To those who look to the god of technology to deliver us from the climate crisis, I offer two words of advice: Iowa caucuses. Make that three...

 

Read more

3

Portable Bohemia endorses Amy Klobuchar

February 13, 2020

 

The Portable Bohemia editorial board

endorses Amy Klobuchar for president.

The choice was not easy. There is much to like...

 

Read more

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