Octopus's Garden
“Every species and every society represent a column of pilgrims not only traveling in space, but also in time.
Jacques Rousseau; Movement of Plants under the Influence of Man; University of Toronto Press; 1966; page 98.
One of my very favorite human beings and I were discussing boxing and politics today. We decided that I would attempt to write up some of our discussion into an essay for this forum. The above quote, from a book I read years ago, seems to connect with that conversation. While the United States seems to be spinning too close to out-of-control, we need to take time to tend our own gardens. That includes, when possible, taking time to hang out with different species – plant and animal – and to take in the healing properties of the life-force of Earth.
It is good to spend time in what society calls nature, or the forest, out in the “wild.”. It is,in my opinion, it is more civilized than the species of republicans inhabiting Washington. It's good to spend time with people you enjoy and respect. I'm currently training two boxers for the finals of the NYS
Golden Gloves. A flock of children watches them working out at the YMCA. A handful of nine year old boys have gone from filming the fighters spar and posting it, to respectfully asking to be taught how to box.
As I watch these youngsters doing their very best imitations of my son, I'm reminded of the polliwogs in my pond in that in-between stage – when they still have a tail, but their back legs have sprouted. Their ambitions surpass their coordination. A number of these young fellows' parents stop in to talk to me, some briefly, others for longer periods. A few speak about the lack of recreation available for kids, some are happy that their sons are exercising rather than just focusing on a cell phone, and others recognize their boys need the self-discipline.
Lately, some parents have expanded these conversations to include their beliefs about society and politics. They are good and decent people, and I enjoy conversing with them. Yet I am aware that many of them are largely ignorant of the dynamics of the issues that concern them. Thus, I focus upon asking them questions that may promote their thinking outside the box that contains their current thinking.
It's true that it is terrible that Donald Trump plans to end US compliance with a agreement to limit production of certain types of nuclear weapons. If he indeed came to this decision, as many believe, that would be frightening. But, I ask them, what if that is simply something that he and Putin agreed upon during one of their private conversations? Is that not frightening in a very different way?
Trump wants to build a wall. He wants to keep immigrants out of the country, he says repeatedly. Good people recognize the racism in Trump's speeches on this topic, and oppose Trump's wall. But what if this hate and fear is merely the delivery system for a belief that Trump has gotten from some of his advisers? We know that, besides being a racist and sexist, Trump is uniquely stupid. But not everyone around him is stupid – many are simply evil.
For example, Steve Bannon and Stephen Miller are evil. But they understand science, much like many republicans in Washington do. Being republicans, they also believe in lying to the grass roots republicans regarding this. Hence, these vile creatures pretend they do not believe in climate change. Yet they make plans for how the US can deal with the mass migrations that are sure to take place when the oceans rise. Hence, the hate and fear are encouraged, in order to build a wall to keep people from Central America from getting in, in a manner that allows them to deny the reality of climate change.
This doesn't mean that Trump has a full grasp of what he is doing. He's just pleased to follow Putin's lead on weapons, and spread the disease of hatred for the wall.
Why are both Cohen and Manafort refusing to testify honestly about specific interactions relating to Russians and/or the campaign? Cohen used to boast about being “connected” to the Russian mob. A few journalists are speculating that Manafort is still hoping for a pardon. Isn't an obvious possibility – even probability – they both fear for their own and their families' safety if they cross the Russian intelligence/ mob?
We are in a strange and dangerous time in the United States. Though it is imperfect, this country is still rooted in good concepts that can be put into practice to create a more perfect union. But we have some traitors, headed by a sociopath, in DC. Weeding them out creates tensions that threaten the garden. We are at a high-risk point, and the next two to three weeks will be very significant – not just for Don Jr., but for the nation.
Be awake. Be alert.
H2O Man
= new reply since forum marked as read
I did miss you - enjoy life. 
...countries.
The criminals have taken over much of our government, it seems?
I guess we try and stay away from kids with measles??
