Seems too many Westerners have developed the same sort of selective memory about why the Israelis are pummeling Gaza as Japanese have about Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Okay. Not selective memory. Convenient amnesia. Continue reading Six Months Later
All posts by rexmerritt
Marathon 65
Sometimes through life this runner stumbled. While there was never any first place, crossing the line signifying 65 eventually became a major goal.
On some plane, I should grumble about not living in opulence and swaddled by elegance. People who do are part of my circle. Cosseted as such, some still haven’t found satisfaction. Deep or otherwise. Indeed, you can have plentitude and realize it means little.
In lieu of close family, I’m lucky to have a network of trustworthy and understanding contemporaries. Can’t buy those. Continue reading Marathon 65
Sixty-Five
The most jarring aspect of turning 65? Surveys.
Now officially a senior citizen, my age has entombed me in the nebulous 65 and over category polling agencies disdain. That means my opinions will be diminished, if not altogether discounted then dismissed. Continue reading Sixty-Five
Uprooted
This February, The New York Times published two of the more discouraging articles that’ll likely be printed in 2024.
Each dealt with working people. These days, there isn’t enough reportage regarding hourly workers. Those news holes must be crowding space breathlessly tracing the trajectories of celebrities, ideologues, and ephemeral topics. Continue reading Uprooted
Wilted Flowers
What commences are a pair of unconventional episodes for Valentine’s Day. Oh? You expected different? Continue reading Wilted Flowers
Different Calibers
Best caricature of American character? Our gun fetish. It makes us look like cartoons to the rest of the world. Immature cartoons at that. Continue reading Different Calibers
Water Finds Its Own Level
Only in America is free time frowned upon. No matter how deserved. Anytime I read or hear about a cubicle slave or some other automaton bound to his/her job by invisible chains, I say, “Poor sap.”
Where else but America do workers “brag” about their unused vacation days? Of course, where else but here do employers also grudge awarding those days which have been earned?
Deferring purchases is often wise. Deferring vacation days robs our humanity. Continue reading Water Finds Its Own Level
Wassail!
Not a lot of quiet reflection in Las Vegas. This really isn’t the place for that. The environment is unsuited for contemplation or reassessment.
In Las Vegas, that takes effort. So, even thinking twice is a rarity here. Continue reading Wassail!
Dogs Bark. The Caravan Rolls On.
After Hamas attacked Israel, it took no foresight to know that America’s much vaunted First Amendment was going to get a harder workout. Not from informed debate, which assumes both parties can actually support their positions. But from the decline of discourse in our nation. Continue reading Dogs Bark. The Caravan Rolls On.
Where the Skies Are Cloudy All Day
Leave it to Americans to give our Saturnalia a wholesome name. Thanksgiving. Continue reading Where the Skies Are Cloudy All Day