The Nature of Things

As you may have heard, the United States had a presidential election last Tuesday. One of the candidates, a uniquely qualified woman, received over 60 million votes, approximately 1.2 million votes more than her opponent.  So, naturally, her opponent, a misogynist, racist, xenophobic, anti-intellectual, anti-science, admitted sexual predator, who seems incapable of moving his lips without lying, will become our next president.  This travesty is imposed on us by our anachronistic, profoundly undemocratic way of selecting our president and vice-president. These officers are not elected by the direct vote of citizens; the majority does not rule. Instead, they are selected by an outdated mechanism called the Electoral College , a product of our slave-holding beginnings as a nation. We are still paying the price of that original sin.  And so, for the second time in sixteen years, the candidate who received fewer votes in the election will become president. The will of the...

Today is that special day when we stop to honor and thank all those who have served and are still serving in our armed forces.  Today I remember all those in my own family, including my father, uncles, and cousins who served in World War II and Korean War, as well as childhood friends who served in Vietnam - some of whom did not make it home again.  And, of course, I honor my favorite veteran, my husband.  Thank you for answering the call to service when our country needed you.

Thank you to all veterans and to their families who also served and still serve. And thank you especially to my own favorite veteran. ...For all you did and still do.