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Religion
Culture Wars
Social norms of acceptable behavior are what the current political debate is about. The Trump Administration successfully used a strategy to tell the public that it was going to return America to the norms of 100 years ago. It also wants to control every aspect of American Society. People who belonged to a minority were feared and ridiculed because they were different. These divisions in economic class, religion, gender identity, and political allegiance have been used to divide our country into warring factions that can’t get along anymore....
Public Policy
Please don’t shoot me!
When we have more than twice as many guns as people in this country, simple availability may become a factor. According to the CDC, in 2022, there were 48,295 firearm-related deaths in the U.S. That’s more than the number of people killed in automobiles. Obviously, it is a major problem, but statistics don’t motivate people to take action. Why do we require annual registration of cars and drivers and insurance, but don’t require them for firearms that are more dangerous...?
Politics
Politics Today
What can we do when a President runs amuck? Apparently very little at this point. Threats of another impeachment are toothless. Public opinion polls are ignored, and so is the stock market -- apparently for the first time. The numbers in the economy are not good, but we are told that is merely temporary during the “transition period.” When that is complete, then the economy will turn around as if by magic. I had predicted a recession within 6 months to a year, and I was surprised that he did it within two months....
LGBTQ+
Transgender No More
Trump has declared war on gays. The so-called Culture wars have been lost. These are just the first steps in the direction to satisfy MAGA standards across all elements of society. LGBTQ+ people no longer can claim discrimination in housing, employment, or public accommodations. These orders do not address the issue of whether lesbian or gay employees will be fired from public employment, but that is likely to come up soon....
Travel
Wilson, NC
Wilson is a classic example of the Old South. Many residents say that it still has a small town feeling even though it has grown to 50,000. The city was a large tobacco market for decades. It later became known as a large center for antique furniture. The city hosts numerous small and medium manufacturing operations. Wilson is the home of the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park. Over a period of many years, Simpson created numerous kinetic sculptures from salvaged metal. His work also has been exhibited in several major Folk Art Museums. Several of his creations have been restored and moved to the park....
General
Polizzi Parties
U.K. TV producer and narrator Alex Polizzi has several mini-series running on Amazon Prime Video. She is from a family with a long history of hotel operations. The first episode that I watched was a travelogue Secret Italy. People who have traveled extensively in Europe will appreciate that she avoids the tourist traps and covers little known sites, particularly in the eastern and southern side of the Italian “boot.” Since she is originally from Italy, she knows the country well. She has a quirky, casual, and entertaining personality that doesn’t drone on like some tour guides....