Sunday Morning Post (V.2, #33): Odds, Ends, Summer 2020

My mind is not good at focusing on any one issue this week.  So, I will write down a few thoughts and observations that have been blowing around inside my mind.

Observation #1 - The Lifetime Movie Network

I have a ritual where I channel surf from a certain channel on my cable on down the dial.  I may stop and pause at one or two and linger for a few minutes if something catches my eye.  One I have stopped at several times is the Lifetime Movie Network, or LMN. The films, like the Hallmark channel, seem to be focused and geared towards women. The films, unlike the Hallmark channel, are not so much romantic G-rated dramas as R-rated romantic dramas with a bitchy attitude.  Many times, the problems faced by the main characters are resolved not through clear-headed solutions offered by the late Doris Roberts on Hallmark, but rather at the wrong side of a gun.  Think Peyton Place on steroids.

I watched one recently where a high school co-ed developed a crush on her teacher and did everything she could to get him to notice her.  In her dreams, she succeeded to the point where he got down on one knee in front of all of her girlfriends and proposed marriage.  In real life, the teacher had his own problems trying to get reconciled with his estranged wife and pushed our over-sex-hormoned heroine away to the point where she was going full bitch and psychotic.  At least I assume this is what happened, because I did not stay for the end. 

I assume it ended badly for our heroine, but no doubt an ending which satisfied the morals of Western culture, or whatever of our morals has survived over the last three years.

Observation #2 - History is made at night

I’m sure this old cliché has a double entendre meaning somewhere, but for the moment we must acknowledge that history was made this week at the (virtual) Democratic Convention.

Yes, once again the front spot is occupied by an old white guy, but at least this one has a long career in public service and knows that his ego should not get in the way of resolving our issues.  No, history was made when Joe Biden picked Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate.  She also has a long history of public service, even though everyone is emphasizing that her ancestry is Black and Indian.   

Again, we’re focusing on diversity in our society, and at least one party knows enough to put their money where their mouth is.  This is not a bad thing as mankind has many different varieties of people and cultures, each one with a valid set of values and viewpoints.  I don’t want to put pressure on the candidates, but surely they know that the whole of western democracy will only survive if their campaign succeeds.  No pressure.

Observation #3 - The other party has their convention this week

The political entity formerly known as the Republican Party holds their (virtual) convention this week.  There should not be any nomination drama as both current President and Vice President are expected to be named to the top of the ticket again.  Oh, there may be some haggling about a so-called party platform, but even then, what will there be to debate?  The candidates have no values whatsoever and the GOP no longer exists anyway.

The Republican convention promises to be a circus of self-denial.  How does one explain away a failing economy on their watch?  How will they explain how a pandemic got beyond their control?  Honestly, it’s not even worth their trouble to put balloons (virtually) in the ceiling rafters.

The Republican Party has nothing to show in the way of accomplishments during the last three years to brag about.  Nonetheless they will brag.

As their candidate in the top spot might tweet, “Sad.”

On the bright side, there will be other issues to take our minds off the GOP proceedings.   Wildfires are consuming vast areas of California and Colorado, and not one but two hurricanes are headed for Louisiana and/or Texas.  The bright side is that locusts have not been sighted yet.

(Thank you for reading.  Biden/Harris 2020!)