Once again, Thanksgiving is upon us. To me, it’s always been a time of warmth and pleasant smiles, when we look back on the year with some fond memories, perhaps some not so pleasant. Not really a champagne cork popping time, but very rewarding, all the same. All in all, a good year. Some of this I’ve written before, and perhaps some readers won’t have seen it. If you have, maybe it’s worth repeating.
Continue reading “Thanksgiving: A Trip Down Memory Lane”Author: Thomas Walters
Black Friday . . . . . . Month
Some time ago, I wrote about the “Black Friday” phenomenon. Yes, it started as a shopping binge the day after Thanksgiving. People would be up all night, waiting for stores to open at ungodly hours. Then, in a manner not unlike a scene from the French Revolution, they’d enter the store or the mall. It was literally a frenzy. Later, when the internet was in place, to extend the joy of buying, and home delivery was catching on and Amazon thrust itself forward to fill that void, the marketing wizards invented “Cyber Monday.” Great deals, but online so anyone didn’t like to interact with other shoppers didn’t have to. Our purchases would be delivered right to our front door, where delivery people would snap a picture and send it to us before roaming bands of “porch thieves” would snatch them and run, trying valiantly to evade security cameras. Yes, here we are again, at that truly magical time of year, guilted into shopping, planning, making lists, running out of money, etc. etc.
Continue reading “Black Friday . . . . . . Month”Leadership and Loyalty – A Cautionary Tale
PBS has recently begun rebroadcasting the English series, “Wolf Hall”. The story is set in Tudor England, in and around events in the life of King Henry VIII. Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, the King’s confidant and faithful advisor, has fallen from grace because of his inability to procure an annulment of the King’s marriage to Katherine of Aragon, his first wife. In those days, a royal wife’s principal job was to supply an heir to the throne. We forget how important that the death of a monarch meant that the transfer of power could be interrupted, leave a vacuum, or cause a bloody conflict, in the event there were no clear successors or lines of succession. Henry died with a young son, aged 9, but when that son died six years later, still in his teens, the line of succession became murky among his other offspring and relatives.
We pick up the trail with Thomas Cromwell, a lawyer with a close association to Wolsey. He is unable to save his mentor, but the Cardinal is spared certain execution only because he’s ill and dies before being brought to the Tower of London. Cromwell, however, impresses the King with his intelligence and insights, and thus assumes much of the trust and many of the duties that Wolsey had previously provided. In play, of course, are the machinations and manipulations of the various factions at court. We see Anne Boleyn early on, jockeying to become queen, and, when she too fails to produce a male heir, she becomes expendable and her life expectancy cut short.
While this series doesn’t take us quite so far in history, Cromwell will fall from favor when he arranges Henry’s disastrous marriage to his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves, a German princess, with the aim of strengthening England’s ties to the Holy Roman Empire. None of that works out as planned, although Anne is clever enough to give Henry a divorce and survive. Things turn ugly, though, for Thomas Cromwell. Despite his successes in managing the monarchy and dissolving the monasteries at Henry’s behest in the move against Rome, his enemies in court move against him. He is condemned without trial and executed in July, 1540. Nobody was ever truly secure in positions of power. Henry’s father, King Henry VII, defeated his predecessor, Richard III, in battle and took his place on the throne, thus ending the seesaw conflict between the Houses of Lancaster and York, known in English history as the “Wars of the Roses.” And, shortly after Henry VIII’s young son, Edward VI, died, Lady Jane Grey, a cousin, held the throne for a scant nine days before being deposed, imprisoned, and eventually executed. Once more, faction against faction, enemies looking to seize advantage and power, only to fall with predictable swiftness.
Five hundred years later, we’d like to think that societies and the governments that guide them have evolved. Government should be less whimsical. Elections have supplanted absolute rulers, giving voice to the people, and laws are created to protect the citizenry from the caprices and excesses of leaders. Protections from an act or event that doesn’t go the Head of State’s way. And yet, in our 21st century world, Alexie Navalny, Vladimir Putin’s primary critic and adversary, died earlier this year after a rapid decline in his health – suspected poisoning, Mr. Putin’s execution of choice. A year earlier, Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner group, became a critic of Russian’s military in the Ukraine war. He died in a mysterious plane explosion while returning to Moscow. Also poisoned, in London, was former Russian Security agent Aleksandr Litvinenko, in 2006, and leader of the Liberal Russia, and opposition party, Sergei Yushenkov was shot in 2003. The methods of execution may be more sophisticated, but it’s not much better than Tudor England in North Korea. Defectors from that regime have revealed scores of deaths at the hands of Kim Jong Un, people perceived as threats to the leader, including his elder brother, Kim Jong-nam and Kim’s powerful uncle, Jang Song-thaek.
We do have political assassinations here, but not by the Executive Branch of government. They are lone shooters, disgruntled by real or perceived offenses. The last one that involved a government official was the feud and eventual duel between Vice President Aaron Burr and Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton in 1804, which resulted in Hamilton’s death. But we can point to notable examples of individuals in the highest spheres of influence that have suffered for their blind, sometimes crippling loyalty. That loyalty has been demanded but not, of late, be returned, recognized, or seemingly appreciated.
Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, was Time Magazine’s Person of the Year in 2001 for his courageous leadership after the September 11th attack on his city. In recent years, he has been disbarred and seen his fortunes spiral downward in defense of Donald Trump’s claims of a “stolen” election in 2020. A massive financial judgement against him recently by election workers in Georgia has left him with virtually nothing, including his once impressive reputation, and deeply in debt. The former mayor insists that Mr. Trump and the Republican National Committee still owe him millions in unpaid legal bills and reimbursements. He even went to Mar A Lago earlier this year to beg for help, which by all accounts, fell on deaf ears. Much like Katherine of Aragon’s plea to the court in her marriage annulment: “I have been to you a true, humble and obedient wife, ever comfortable to your will and pleasure. . . .” Substituting “legal advisor” for “wife”, you would have Mr. Giuliani’s sentiments. Or Anne Boleyn approaching her execution, spoke of Henry as her “gentle and sovereign lord.” Does that make it easier to understand why Mr. Giuliani spoke at a recent New York rally for the now president-elect? Or why Steve Bannon, Paul Manafort, Roger Stone, Michael Cohen, and others went to jail in service to Mr. Trump? It is a different time, so for me, it does not. There is a definite “Henry VIII” scent hanging over the Trump inner circle, as there was surrounding Richard Nixon’s close advisors. Then again, events of this week’s elections have done a great deal to undermine my confidence in the American voter to choose competent leadership, much less to understand and have a voice in the complexities of democratic governance. To understand the rule of law, how the economy works, or anything much beyond a narrow self-interest.
Complete and total loyalty is the hallmark of leaders whose power is absolute and unquestioned, and who brook no descent. There are any number of them, from the aforementioned Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, to Syria’s Bashar Al-Assad. Some leaders inherited their positions of power, and have grown up with its excesses and abuses. There is a common thread – they don’t handle criticism well, and repercussions for those that do disagree and speak out under such regimes, don’t fare well. Not unlike what happened to Cardinal Wolsey, Thomas Cromwell, St. Thomas More, and others in Henry’s time. It’s important for us in a democracy, where no one wields, or should wield, that kind of power, to be very wary of someone who tells us he’s willing to use the military, if necessary, against the “enemies from within.” By which he means, anyone that questions the legality of his actions or stands in his way.
Ghosts of Halloween
Yes, it’s that time of year again. I’ll say this again, as I get older, there’s less and less appeal for Halloween. No, I don’t dress up any more. I haven’t for sixty-plus years. I’ve mentioned this before, but for my colorful neighbor, this is the high point of her year. She has elaborate costumes and hangs all kinds of spider webs and lighting to entertain the visiting gremlins. It’s like a really creepy Christmas display in oranges. For Her Ladyship and myself, the excitement has long gone. I can’t always conceal my lack of enthusiasm. The smile and warmth at the front door are entirely fake. Really just want to say, “Take the candy and go away.” The pandemic, which was, of course, horrific, did have a tiny silver lining. It was, for me at least, a welcome respite from all of the Halloween activities.
Continue reading “Ghosts of Halloween”More Badly Needed Patron Saints
It’s been five years now since I first updated and sent to Rome a list of badly needed new patron saints, but as anyone connected to the Church knows, it doesn’t move swiftly. And yes, I get that recent batches of holy people, including several former Popes, were elevated, based on their spiritual purity and example, good and charitable works, selfless dedication, and inspirational lives. But, in truth, that only takes us so far in the 21stf century, with our rapidly expanding cultural and spiritual perspectives. But so far, the Holy See has been just a bit behind in designating “patron” saints – those that the faithful can channel as intermediaries and from whom we can request intercessions, so I’m stepping in to fill that vacuum. As I wrote before, some of the more prominent patron saints of the past may be sitting idle in Heaven, watching the world and shaking their heads at their increasing lack of relevance. For example, St. Damien of Molokai, a Belgian priest who worked among the suffering in Hawaii, is the patron saint of lepers. Leprosy has largely been irradicated as a global scourge, and while we won’t disregard Fr. Damien’s very important and selfless work at that time, not many today are likely to seek his intercession. So, as you peruse my blog from 2019, when I proposed a number of new patron saints, here are a few additional ones in urgent need of assignment.
Continue reading “More Badly Needed Patron Saints”Politics and Life Choices
I drove my daughter to the bus station this morning. She’s heading into Boston for several professional meetings and to attend a seminar. She is in the final year of completing her doctoral dissertation, and honestly, my heart was bursting with pride as I saw her go. There was a lively conversation on the way up about the progress – the final chapter is going to her advisor next month. Yes, indeed. Her mother and I could not be prouder of her. What a wonderful feeling as parents.
Continue reading “Politics and Life Choices”Here We Go Again – On Gun Violence
I tried hard to keep politics out of these writings, and least this time, it’s only tangential. I hope my readers aren’t offended, but here goes.
Continue reading “Here We Go Again – On Gun Violence”Elections, and the Transfer of Power
Yes, I know. Another serious bit. But I promise, this will be the last of a political nature – at least, until after the election.
Continue reading “Elections, and the Transfer of Power”Yes, I’m Still an Independent Voter
Well, that time is rolling around once again. I originally posted some of this in 2020, before the general election that either was legitimate or “stolen”. We have to ask ourselves if we’ve moved forward, backward, or just have been treading water. Democrats want to move on, to make changes, to adapt. Republicans want to step back, because what worked for years surely must still be of value. Fingers are pointing, blame is laid. Two presidential candidates – one a former prosecutor, the other convicted. An interesting choice. So, here we go again.
Continue reading “Yes, I’m Still an Independent Voter”America the Impatient
As I was coming back from the store the other day, there was a large delivery truck parked in front of my neighbor’s house and I couldn’t get by. There was car ahead of me that also couldn’t. Two delivery people came out of the neighbors’ house, moving an old refrigerator. They then unloaded what looked like a new one from the back of the truck. I sat watching, being in no particular hurry. But the car ahead of me was, apparently, because the driver started honking the horn. The truck driver, having no place else to go, just looked at him. So, the car nudged around, coming with inches to spare between the delivery truck and the guardrail, slithered by. It went down into the gully at the end of the street, turned around and came back, once again edging by the delivery truck, pointing an angry finger at the delivery men. I thought to myself that the car was on an exploratory trip to see what was at the end of our street, and didn’t really even belong here. Yet the occupant was fuming that they had to wait. As soon as the delivery people had brought the new refrigerator into the house, the driver moved the truck down a little and I could get by. I waved a “thank you”. Do people make you curious? Yes, constantly.
Her Ladyship had to have a tooth extracted earlier this week. The oral surgeon’s office is not handicapped accessible – one knows not why in this day and age. We couldn’t get her wheel chair up the portable ramp they got out and put down. I knew from previous experience that they had an office in a neighboring town, and I asked if that office was more accessible. Yes, they told me, there was an elevator. They could do the extraction there the next morning and they’d meet us there. Great, so off we went. The next day we arrived, and for some reason, the power had gone off and they couldn’t get the elevator working. The surgeon and his staff were very apologetic, but quickly made arrangements for us to go across the street to the office of a colleague for the procedure. We did, and they were all very nice thoughtful. We sent some treats to their main office to thank them for their courtesy, flexibility, and for going way out of their way to accommodate us. Someone in the office called to thank my wife, and seemed both pleased and a little surprised. I rather think that they were expecting either something nasty or a letter from our attorney, because that seems lately to be the American Way when something is inconvenient.
Why is it that we find patience so difficult? Is it a human thing, an American thing, or just that people’s levels of stress, or expectation are increasing to the point where they find any kind of delay unbearable? Part of it is that things around us seem to happen so much faster. Emails and texts happen in seconds or minutes. Then, when we make a phone call, and we hear “all of our operators are busy, but your call is important to us and will be answered in the order . . . . “ As the minutes slip by, our good humor fades and we know that one of the two human operators on duty won’t receive our complaint with the gracious warmth with which we’d set out. Our first bit of communication will be “Do you have any idea how long I’ve been waiting?” in a tone that would make a HAMAS official blanch. Maybe it’s that we can’t actually see how busy the operators are, because we aren’t at the other end, and thus our we see ourselves as their top priority. Amazon too has upped our expectations, with purchases arriving next day, or at worst over the weekend. If they can do it, every vendor should. That should have been an end to “seven to ten business days”.
We see evidence of our impatience everywhere. Long lines at the airport when weather events have cancelled or delayed flights. Can you believe it? Weather, like hurricanes, floods, and wildfires have the impertinence to slow us down, to make us wait. Businesses and medical practices have figured out how to “remind” us of something upcoming. I had an appointment with my doctor this morning, and I had three text reminders in the last few days. The final one so I could “check in” remotely the day before. They all require “confirmation”, so we can’t ignore them, or they’ll send out more. Our wireless phone carrier sends a paper bill, but also text reminders to our phones, so we won’t forget them. One insurance company sends out premium notices three months ahead, so I’ll have plenty of time to write the check. Nothing is left to chance.
We seem to be impatient everywhere. In the grocery line, where people go from cashier to cashier to see which one is moving faster or which bagger has speed and efficiency. Or they’ll stand behind us in line, making snide comments about how long it’s taking. It’s unfortunate, but we all do that when some dear soul ahead of us pulls out a checkbook and asks for a pen. (Helpful hint: Cashiers don’t have pens anymore. They just have highlighters, so they can circle the links to the surveys about how well they did.) Do you have any idea how many tens of minutes of our lives we waste filling out surveys? Do any of us believe it really improves service? I’m thinking . . . . . .not.
Lines of traffic waiting to get through a construction site or an accident. Most of us take it in stride, but an impatient few will try to break free in the breakdown lane, or cut ahead. To figure out which lane is moving the fastest, so they keep changing lanes. Every so often, a motorist hits a flag person or a police officer because they were in a hurry when told to stop. There was a news item a few years back where a lady got out of line and actually hit an officer – because she was late for a hair appointment! It leaves us shaking our heads in disbelief, and yet people do it. Once the traffic is moving again, there are those trying to replicate a scene from a James Bond movie, zipping in and out of lanes (often without using directionals). I think of all the nano-seconds they’ll save until a traffic back-up, and then they’re stuck next me. I wave at them and smile, hoping that will drive them nuts. Or the multitasking drivers, because, as we all know, just paying attention to one’s driving is not a full utilization of one’s time. I’ve seen drivers reading the newspaper, eating breakfast, putting on makeup in addition to checking phone messages and responding to texts. I even saw a drummer preparing for a gig once in Boston traffic. He had the music perched on the steering wheel and sticks in hand. The car looked a bit beat-up, and I think I know why.
Yes, we are an impatient people. Our house/car insurance went up a little, so I thought I’d take a look at another insurance company for comparison. There’s one right around the corner from me. I met with an eager young agent (is he even out of high school?), who took all of my information, telling me he’d send me a quote. The next day, he emailed me that he was still checking on discounts, but told me he’d have the quote to me by the end of business that day. I responded in thanks, which I thought would encourage him. That was a week ago, and I haven’t heard from him since. How un-American is that? Aside from being a very poor business practice.It’s unfortunate that, when it comes to elections, politics, the economy, and world events, our impatience is spilling over. The brunt of the pandemic has only been over for a couple of years now, so everything should have returned to pre-pandemic conditions. Consumer prices should have dropped back to where they were in 2019, or even better, 2000. We were spoiled by interest rates that were almost in negative numbers, so we’re not coping well with high interest, inflation, and high housing costs. Some of us will even embrace a leader that reacts poorly to election results, and isn’t particularly interested in either the truth or the democratic process if we think he’ll somehow bring down the price of eggs. We elect people to govern, but if they haven’t turned things around, or improved our personal lot in life in a month or two, we’re calling for their heads on a pike. When our allies are confronted with overwhelming odds and manage to hang on for more than a year, we get bored and we’re ready to stop helping them. So, yes, we Americans are eager and enthusiastic in the short term. But in the long term, not so much. We grow impatient quickly. Instead of, “In God We Trust”, our national motto should be, “Make It Snappy.”
I'm Thinking...No! 