Stewart Myrent

​Don, I never even sniffed a 0 handicap, so I didn't even know about a +1 handicap, but I'm guessing you'd have to give a stroke to a scratch golfer.  By the way, even though I haven't played regularly for the past 6 or 7 years, I always have my clubs in the trunk.  Thanks for the info on the 'Golfweek' ToC; I wasn't aware of that, but I do have a question about playing in the Canadian Senior Amateur in Montreal.  Are there qualifying tournaments to get in, or as I suspect, is it an invitational?  Janis, your quotes from Reagan were great; I guess I get why they called him "the great communicator", but I have to say, I think he was one of the more principled Republicans in memory.  He was almost a Republican I could vote for, for president.  But I didn't.  However, I would easily take him over any prominent Republican today, now that John McCain is gone.  Thanks for the hopeful & inspiring words, from Reagan's lips.  I have to say, he got it.  Mid-terms are now 3 days away.

Donald Henry Kuehn

There are basically three ways to get into the Canadian Senior: Provincial qualifiers; exemptions for such things as top 16 finishes in last years’s championship or the US Senior Am or making the cut at the US Senior Open; or through a lesser known route that reserves “up to five additional” spots based on merit. SInce I was going to be in Niagara Falls for the Porter Cup the week before, and Montreal was relatively close, I applied under third option.

After a fairly long wait, I was accepted into the field. I was tied for 30th after 2 rounds (the cut day) and eventually finished T-49 overall and 13th among the Super Seniors (over 65). It was a great experience, played on a wonderful golf course with a significant history. This is the course where the movie “The Greatest Game Ever Played” was filmed. For those who aren’t familiar with it, it’s the story of young amateur Francis Ouimet winning the US Open in a playoff against two of the greatest players of the era: Harry Vardon and Ted Ray. A classic.

All this golf talk seems to have put the regular posters to sleep. Where’d everybody go?  

DK

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

In from the rain canvassing door to door - at the edge of our seats to discover what’s next for the USA - lamenting we have a president who talks of a bad hair day and calls out violent tragedy for slowing his momentum... we are at a fork in the road determining what we value as a country... the character of our country is on the ballot.

We are in an uncomfortable time, it’s midnight in America... I am happy to be thinking pink and thanking you, DK, for including your picture perfect photo in your profile gallery, and reminding me of Francis Ouimet and one of my favorite movies - “The Greatest Game Ever Played”...

All this golf talk gives me hope there’s a path to victory... truth matters, it’s what makes democracy work.

Stewart Myrent

​Don, thanks for info on Canadian Senior Amateur tournament.  I have never seen "The Greatest Game Ever Played", although I have heard of it.  Don't know why I never got around to seeing it.  Personally, my favorite golf movie is "The Legend of Bagger Vance", which I have seen probably about a dozen times.  If I see it coming up on TV, I'm watching it.  Love that movie, especially at the end, when Jack Lemmon's character (the older version of the kid in it), keels over on the course, after seeing Bagger waving to him in the distance.  What a way to go!  I am guessing that that would be the ideal way to bow out for you.  It's like being in heaven, literally.  I always said I either want to die in my sleep, or playing golf on the course.  Two days until mid-terms.

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

  IT'S  ALL  ABOUT  HEALTH  CARE ! ! !

   VOTE Tuesday, November 6th

     It's time to work and play together!

   We are the United States of America.

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

It's NOT Norman Rockwell's birthday.

Let's celebrate Norman Rockwell on

Election Day looking forward to the best

THANKSGIVING  DAY of our lifetime.

IT'S NOT NORMAN ROCKWELL'S BIRTHDAY.

LET'S CELEBRATE NORMAN ROCKWELL ON

ELECTION DAY  looking forward to the best

THANKSGIVING DAY of our lifetime.

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

#WalkoutToVote

On November 6th at 10 AM high school and college students across the country will walk out of class and march to the polls to cheer each other on as those eligible cast their votes.  

By bringing young people together across communities, issues, and organizations, young people will show up at the polls in record numbers and send a bold message to politicians and the country that young people are unified in their demand for change.    

Nearly eight months ago, young activists marched for their lives.  Now they’re ready to vote for their lives—and ours. 

Newly eligible voters, and others in the notoriously unlikely-to-vote 18-24 age group are the focus of #WalkoutToVote, an epic peer-driven initiative determined to get the 2018 youth vote out at a level the nation has never seen before.    

The demographic between 18 and 24 is the age group whose lives in 60 years will be affected by the results of this midterm election.  Young people are determined that they and their children will be safe and free.

Stewart Myrent

​I have to say, when I hear all this noise about the caravan, heading north through Mexico, heading for our southern border, and I hear that there are gang members & MS-13, and jihadists, and criminals of all types, advancing as though they are an invading army; and I hear that we are sending up to 15,000 military troops to the border, but then I see images of people in the caravan & I think they look like very poor & unfortunate people, who, as far as I can tell, are trying to get to a better & safer life for themselves & their children, I can't stop thinking of Emma Lazarus' immortal words in "The New Colossus", beginning "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free," and ending with "I lift my lamp beside the golden door."  What the hell happened to that?  I'm pretty sure the people in the caravan have never heard of "The New Colossus" & have no idea of the words contained therein, but I'm also pretty sure that they're looking for the promise of those words.  I have no idea what's going to happen tomorrow, but I saw earlier today that they're expecting a much higher than usual turnout by younger voters.  I hate to be skeptical, but younger voters have had, historically, very low voter turnout.  I'll believe it when I see it.  It may be up to us seniors to save the country.  Tomorrow AM, I'm going to get up, brush my teeth (don't forget to brush) & go to the polling place.  I then plan to go see "Bohemian Rhapsody".  I know people who saw it this weekend & they loved it.  (Their 18-year old son is planning on seeing it a 2nd time.)  I'll let you know. 

Stewart Myrent

​I forgot to mention that the reason that Emma Lazarus wrote "The New Colossus", was to help raise funds for construction of a pedestal for the Statue of Liberty.  That's right, the French did donate the Statue to us, but it was on condition that we raise funds for a site & construction of a pedestal for the statue.  Lazarus died young - at age 38.  She wrote "The New Colossus" in 1883 & the inscription with her text was installed in 1903, about 15 years after her death.

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

Two billboards, 1 in St Louis County, MO; one 5 miles north of Waco, TX:

"Make the Gospel Great Again" with an American flag in front of a cross,

& picture of Trump with New Testament text: "The Word became Flesh..."  John 1:14

In this passage Jesus is "The Word" - "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. (We have seen his glory,... who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."

The “MGGA” billboard is blasphemous-- it is tearing Christians apart.

Trump is as far from being like Jesus as darkness is from light.

Reflecting on Abraham Lincoln's words - "My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right" - it’s important to remember "God is with all of us - no matter what side we're on... translates to God loves Trump. 

I pray God's mercy on the Christian Church in America.  The Christian Church is dividing us.

Christian faith is universal.

"Godspell" theme song "Day by Day" keeps popping into my head...

"Day by day

"Dear Lord, of thee three things I pray:

"To see thee more clearly,

"Love thee more dearly,

"Follow thee more nearly,

"Day by day."   

https://youtu.be/ekoHxB4idmg

Stewart Myrent

Well, I got up this AM, brushed my teeth, and went to the polling place.  The polling place in Hainesville is the village hall & is fairly close to me.  I was in & out of there in less than 15 mins.  I then did some shopping & then went to see "Bohemian Rhapsody".  The movie was great; it ran over 2 hrs., but the time flew by.  This movie has made an unexpected entry into my top 20-30 of all time.  I would recommend the movie to anyone.  The music scenes were great!  Janis, I understand the apprehension that you are feeling right now, but there's nothing left to do now, except watch the returns & hope for the best.  Our job is done here, Tonto.  Let's keep our collective fingers crossed & hope that we are actually in the majority, in this country.  If not, uh-oh!

Alan A. Alop

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

“Pilgrims journeyed here on what today we’d call a little wooden boat”  -- Ronald Reagan in his Farewell Address who saw his “shining city upon a hill teeming with people of all kinds living in harmony and peace ... open to anyone with the will and the heart to get here ... still a beacon, still a magnet for all the Pilgrims from all the lost places, hurtling through the darkness... ”

Is that the Mayflower, the Speedwell, and the Fortune pushing through harrowing waves, carrying migrant caravans to the New World?
 

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

Pundits (perhaps prematurely) are calling election results divided government which (at least) is an improvement over the runaway train we have experienced in the past two years.  The larger question is about the future, and whether younger generations will begin to assert leadership.

Priority for Democrats is to push forward with the aspirations of the American people-- health care, the cost of pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, paying for higher education...  Yes, Democrats must exercise their Constitutional responsibility for oversight-- hold Trump accountable and protect the Mueller investigation, but there are critical issues that demand immediate attention NOW.

There are new Democratic governors in the midwest, and Democratic Senators WI Senator Tammy Baldwin, MI Senator Debbie Stabenow, OH Senator Sherrod Brown, PA Senator Bob Casey were re elected.  

Recognizing the social and economic inequalities in our country it is sad that elections are a money maker for the media... the billions spent on TV advertising would go a long way to feed hungry children, clean up the plumbing in Flint, help with opioid addiction...  In honor of the first amendment why not offer free airtime to political candidates as public service announcements?

Stewart Myrent

​First, I want to say that getting the Democrats back in control of the House, was job #1.  I don't really want to address what's coming, but president Trump will not have an easy time of it, from here on out.  I think that getting control of the Senate, was probably doomed from the beginning, particularly in this voting cycle, as the most vulnerable seats were Democratic seats.  However, I believe that at least 1/3 of our government (make that 1/2 of 1/3), will operate within norms that we expect & with the probity, that we deserve.  Janis - you stated, "it is sad that elections are a money maker for the media...", and, "billions spent on TV advertising would go a long way to feed hungry children, clean up the plumbing in Flint, help with opioid addiction.."  With all of those things, I couldn't agree more,  I would add infrastructure (badly needed) to your list, and then you finished "in honor of the first amendment why not offer free airtime to political candidates as public service announcements?"  I see 2 things wrong with your suggestion.  First, I'm fairly sure that the election "pros", whomever they are, will quickly find ways to "game" the system, to be first in line for their free "public service announcements", or how to get even more mileage, more ad spots, than their competitors, and it wiil quickly become just another way, for candidates to get the public to foot the bill.  You understand that someone's got to pay for that airtime, right?  The 2nd problem I have with your plan for free airtime, is we still have the problems with the hungry children, the plumbing in Flint, the opioid addiction & infrastructure, etc., to pay for.  Unless you get any campaign who wants to avail themselves of the free airtime, to guarantee to donate, say $20 million, to feed the kids, fix the plumbing, etc., then I don't see it helping the hungry kids, or anything else.  I would guess that anything that actually helped feed the kids, would be from funds that have a less mercenary motivation.  Something more charitable, more empathetic.  It may be too much to ask from any politician.

Donald Henry Kuehn

Janis,

Unfortunately, thanks to the USSC and it’s ruling in Citizens United, even if candidates were to agree to the PSA plan, outside groups and Political Action Committees would still flood the airways with attack ads like we endured for the past several months. I never thought I’d be happy to see the return of commercials for the mundane items of life, like soap and vitamins etc. but today was like a breath of fresh air!

DK

Stewart Myrent

Steve Hirschtick, this post is aimed directly at you.  Where have you been?  I'm pretty sure it's been over a week since we heard a peep out of you.  Doesn't seem very like you, to me. The mid-terms are over & it's safe to come out again.  But I'm sure that's not why you haven't said anything to anybody.  I would just like to know that you are OK, out there in Thailand.  By the way, it occurs to me that Thailand was Siam 'till the late 30's.  Do Thais get pissed, if you refer to them, or anything else, as Siamese?  Just curious.  But, please, respond, so we know that you're well.  Or are you just having too much fun with your new, younger, friend.  Thanks. 

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

You make my point, Stewart and DK. The media and the politicians are in it together.  How do  We the People  feed hungry children, clean up the plumbing in Flint, help with opioid addiction, build infrastructure,... ?  How do Americans share the beauty of our soul?

We'd barely voted - votes are still being counted and will be for days - and within 24 hours of polls closing a' la Trump we're on to our next crises. 

As Trump unloaded on GOP lawmakers over Republican losses in the House, which he blamed on the unwillingness of some members to embrace him...

retiring GOP Representative Ryan Costello (PA-06) tweeted: “To deal w harassment & filth spewed at GOP MOC’s in tough seats every day for 2 yrs, bc of POTUS; to bite ur lip more times you’d care to; to disagree & separate from POTUS on principle & civility in ur campaign; to lose bc of POTUS & have him piss on u.  Angers me to my core.”

Jeff Sessions is reportedly considering a 2020 run for the Alabama Senate seat which Democrat Doug Jones won in a special election when Sessions left the Senate to serve as attorney general.  

Fealty is what the Trump children show their father.  

“The further you get from metropolitan areas, the more powerful Donald Trump is and the more allegiance to whatever he says and does.  Fox is a state-owned news channel tuned in everywhere... (to the migrant caravan invading the U.S." -- Claire McCaskill     (Not to mention the cozy relationship between the Trump White House and the Fox network that brought Sean Hannity & Judge Jeanine Pirro to campaign on stage with Trump at an Election eve rally in Cape Girardeau, MO.) 

'til Poof ! the threat of the Central American Caravan Invasion to "our very way of life" Vanished ! ! ! .......Trump barely mentioned the caravan Wednesday during a 90 minute news conference and that was in response to a reporter.

We are not equal in America-- call it "Senate gerrymandering" in the U.S. - tail is wagging the dog.

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

Who are these white men engaged in shooting rampages?  When will we pay attention to domestic terrorism?

Congress has shown a lack of common gun sense.  

Should flags in the U.S. fly at half staff?

Young voters have taken the lead to work for gun safety-- they turned out at the polls Tuesday at an ‘extraordinary’ rate compared with 2014.  

The young were a powerful voting bloc this year.  They recognize change comes at an excruciatingly slow pace and they seem to have the will to stay with their issue.  As a longtime voter I pay attention to climate change, gun safety, and the heavy burden of student debt.  

Student activists from Parkland, FL, are credited with increasing voter registration and youth participation in the midterm election.  The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) is reporting that roughly 31% of young people 18 to 29 (compared with 21% in 2014) cast ballots Tuesday.

Parkland survivors banded together to combat gun violence in a grassroots campaign that organized the March for our Lives protests in DC as well as several U.S cities nationwide that drew hundreds of thousands of supporters.  We have NO safe space in the U.S.  Young Americans have taken a stride forward working for the common good.     

Stewart Myrent

First of all, Steve, very happy to hear you are still with us & enjoying life in Thailand, presumably being "Grandpa" to progeny, which I have not yet experienced, despite being old enough to be "Grandpa".  My one daughter will be 29 at the end of the year, but is not yet married, so I'm fine with NOT being Grandpa, just yet.  Janis, relative to your recent posts - that there is "Senate gerrymandering in the U.S.", which I somewhat disagree with & the "tail is wagging the dog", which I totally agree with.  The reason I'm not going for the Senate gerrymandering argument, is that they don't need gerrymandering for Senate seats, as each state has 2 U.S. Senators, regardless of population.  So, the state of Wyoming (with a population of barely over 1/2 million residents) has the exact same number of U.S. Senators as the state of California (with a population of almost 40 million - eighty times the population of Wyoming).  So, why would they need gerrymandering?  They already get disproportionate representation in Congress.  Which is also why getting any Constitutional amendments passed, is nigh impossible.  You need 75% of the states to ratify it; which equals 38 states.  In that case, also, every state has the same representation, regardless of population.  So, the small population states get incredibly potent power, to flex their muscles, over the more populous states.  So, to me, that is the proof that the "tail is wagging the dog".

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

You are right, Stewart,

            "It only feels like Senate gerrymandering."

It was the Great Compromise that won us a Constitution and a Union and the Senate with it's preposterously anti-democratic structure.  We are stuck with it-- the small states would have never agreed to join the Union in 1787 without one house giving equal representation to each and every state.

The good news--the blue wave is young & growing.

Paul Richard Hain

I think the term “senate gerrymandering” is incorrect.  Gerrymandering, is creating federal and state legislative district boundaries to benefit one party over another.  The senate is always two per state, giving the states equal representation in the “upper house” of the Congress.  The House of Representatives is to represent the people. It has congressional districts that change boundaries based on population.  So, gerrymandering rightfully  applies to the House of Representatives, not the Senate. 

Every ten years a census is taken and the majority party in the House holds the power in Congress to redraw legislative district boundaries. When it is done to benefit one party over another in a legislative district, it is known as gerrymandering. 

The Illinois 4^thCongressional District is an example of gerrymandering to get the most party voters into the district.  The original concept of legislative districts was that they would be nearly uniform (rectangular) in size and shape.  Years and years of gerrymander battling between the two parties have resulted in how Illinois 4^thDistrict looks today.  Both parties are guilty of doing this, but Illinois 4^this an extreme example.

Each state is guaranteed two senators regardless of size.  States have more or less representatives based on their relative population.  The reason is to give all states equal status.  We are the United States of America for a reason.  The states make up the Union.  Our representative form of government gives the people their voice.  Hence, we are correctly a representative republic, not a democracy.

Amending the constitution was designed to be challenging.  Congress can propose amendments and so can a convention of the states under Article 5.  Two-thirds of both houses or two-thirds of the states is required to propose an amendment that then gets voted on by the states, each state getting one vote. Three-fourths is required to adopt a new amendment or remove an old one.   Slow, but thought-provoking process to make changes to our Constitution.

Alan A. Alop

Thank you Paul. The amendment process for the United States Constitution is indeed laborious and takes time. Perhaps you can share that with President Trump who believes he can amend the Fourteenth Amendment--and eliminate birthright citizenship--with the stroke of his pen.

Paul Richard Hain

Ha! Alan.  Executive orders are above my pay grade.  

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

Paul, you've been a big supporter of Jeff Sessions-- I'd like to hear your thoughts on all things Jeff Sessions...

The Washington Post's Philip Bump has noted that if all 50 senators from the smallest states voted for a bill and VP Pence cast his lot with them, U.S. Senators representing just 16% of Americans could overrule those representing 84% of Americans.

Political scientist David Birdsell has calculated that by 2040, 70% of Americans will live in 15 states -- and be represented by only 30 of the 100  U.S. Senators.

The paralysis on common gun sense legislation reflects a looming legitimacy crisis in our non-majoritarian democracy.  Claims that our republic is democratic are vastly untrue.  Americans overwhelmingly reject the idea that we should do nothing and let gun rampages continue.  Majorities in both parties favor universal background checks, a ban on assault-style weapons, and measures to prevent the mentally ill and those on no-fly watch lists from buying guns.  Yet Congress has done nothing -- unable to overcome a filibuster by small-state Senators.  In the short run, advocates of sane gun laws should keep up the pressure, particularly in election showdowns involving candidates who resist any steps to make our country safer.  Thank you to Parkland HS activists for asserting their will in the 2018 midterms. 

With attibution to EJ Dionne who notes that Constitutionally, representation in the Senate is difficult to change, but that gerrymandering in the House should be much more difficult.