Twilight in Northwest Georgia: America is Calling...Someone Please Answer

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

America is Calling...Someone Please Answer

In a previous post I referred to presidential debates as beauty contests. I was wrong, at least about the first debate last night. It was an 'ugly' contest. Trump was his typically brash, loose cannon dogmatic self only more so, and Biden showcased his milquetoast self though trying hard to appear assertive. The moderator, Chris Wallace was notable for nothing, least of all the ability to moderate; to take control of the run-away circus. That he was intimidated by Trump, as was Biden was apparent. There were no stands on issues clarified nor was anything of substance said, unless one defines personal attacks on family members as being substantive. Viewers looking for clarity regarding plans to deal with the important issues facing us today had to come away empty.

One veteran commentator said immediately following the debate that this was the worst debate he had ever witnessed. Another said that any foreign viewers watching the debate had to have been confused and embarrassed for the United States. I can relate to that. It angered and embarrassed me. Are these two people representative of the best that America has to offer to a country and a world that is struggling and looking for direction? I don't see how we could do any worse by electing Curly, Moe or Larry.

But, American politics being what it is, Republicans are elated with Trump's performance and are claiming victory, while Democrats are delighted that Trump's boorishness further tarnished his image and, as they see it that Biden emerged as the people's hope. Regarding personal beliefs and preferences, we always see what we want to see.

It's going to be a long four years.

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What this blog is about

Hi. My name is Tom. I am a long-time blogger, having started in my native Wisconsin some fifteen years ago and continuing during my ten years living in Peru. I all but stopped posting to my blog when my wife and I returned to the United States and moved to Rossville, Georgia in July of 2017. We don’t actually live in Rossville. We live in one of those census-designated places, a term I really don’t understand and am not interested enough to learn about. The only practical difference I can see is that the city does not pick up our trash.

I’m starting a new blog because my old one was Peru specific, and that was yesterday. I chose the title ‘Twilight in Northwest Georgia’ for two reasons: twilight because I am old and for me age is playing an ever-increasing role in how I view myself and the world around me. And Northwest Georgia for obvious reasons. It’s not a great title but it identifies and introduces what it needs to. Good enough.

This blog is not going to have a central theme…it’s not going to be about anything specifically. I like to write and will post about anything and everything that may interest me at the moment. I do know that my wife Maribel will be mentioned frequently because she is everything to me.

A comment here about my writing style and philosophy might be in order. We live in an era of political correctness…a time when the broadcast and print media, politicians, and petty people in general are lined up like vultures, eagerly waiting to pounce on anyone for the slightest faux pas, no matter how innocent and unintended. The media do it to sell their services. Politicians do it to advance their careers by degrading others. Petty people do it because…well…because they’re petty people. It is never my intent to be politically correct, politically incorrect, obnoxious or offensive. I can be critical and sometimes very critical but try my best to be objective. I do like to praise when praise is warranted. I do have pet peeves, am very opinionated and can be very vocal about them, which in the past has drawn the ire of some readers on my old blog. But that’s life. We all have different likes, dislikes, values and beliefs. The key is how we handle those differences.

The purpose of this blog is to provide a platform for me to write. I am opening it up to the public simply because someone may find something of interest in my ramblings. Any reader comments or criticisms, provided they are civil, are welcome.