Supreme Injustice

Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court belatedly announced that they will hear arguments on April 22 whether Trump can be prosecuted for his role in the January 6th Insurrection, thereby potentially delaying the trial until after the 2024 Election.  In other words, Americans may be asked to vote before knowing if Trump will be convicted; worse yet, should Trump win the election, he could cancel the indictment.

Once again, Trump is not being treated like other Americans, many of whom are already serving long sentences for their role on January 6.  This politicized Court, whatever it eventually decides, is facilitating Trump's delay tactics.

Perhaps it is appropriate that their decision was released on the same day that Senator Mitch McConnell emotionally announced that he will retire in November.  It was McConnell who blocked President Obama's nomination of Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court, clearing the way for Trump to stack the Court with Conservative Justices.

Protect our Democracy.  Vote Democratic!  

Art & Criticism

Within the Animal Kingdom, we humans are unique in a number of ways.  One of the more significant features of our species is that we produce art.

Art is creative expression that encompasses a wide variety of forms: music, painting, sculpture, writing, dance and design, to name just a few.  Unlike science, which develops from facts, theories and experimentation, art evolves in the mind of its creator; though it might be influenced by the work of others, it is the unique product of that artist.  And while its appeal may be widespread or limited, its value to our culture is less easily defined and may not be readily apparent.

Nevertheless, judgment is bestowed, either by a "professional critic" or by the consumer.  Whatever the verdict, all art evokes emotion, from disgust to admiration and from apathy to inspiration; in that respect, it reflects human diversity.  Fear of criticism may suppress creativity while freedom of expression fuels it.  

Thoughts on Pickleball

A pickleball craze has spread across America, especially among older individuals and non-athletes.  It gets people off the couch and offers socialization for those who join pickleball teams and clubs.  Furthermore, this new "sport" has been a sales boom for retailers.

Though I have never played the game and have only been a casual observer, pickleball appears to offer limited exercise for most participants; it certainly cannot be compared to tennis.  While increasing the risk of sore muscles and sprained ankles for otherwise sedentary individuals, I doubt that it yields significant aerobic benefits.  

I applaud the effort to get some exercise and acknowledge the importance of socialization but a good walk is likely better for your health.  Too often, we equate exercise with organized sports and special equipment.

Flashback Post XLIX

Since I have been writing this Blog for over 17 years, I understand that many of the posts have been relegated to history, lost in the Archive and never to be read again.  While I am still involved, I feel obliged to revive some of them, especially those that, I hope, might influence readers and society as a whole.  One of these was published just two years ago, in April of 2022.

See: Dementia & Empathy 

Heartland Heat Wave

A dome of high pressure has settled over the Heartland, bringing warm, dry air and clear skies.  Here in Missouri, we expect afternoon highs in the mid 70s F to low 80s F over the next few days.

Highs across the Southern Plains will push into the 90s F and strong, clockwise winds around the rim of the dome will fuel the risk of wildfires; most of eastern Colorado is currently under of red flag warning.

This heat wave, producing high temperatures 20 degrees F above "normal" will end with a bang. Thunderstorms, some severe and harboring tornados, will develop as a cold front pushes down from the northwest.  After a high near 80 F on Tuesday, we expect a high in the low 40s F on Wednesday.  Once again, dramatic temperature swings and intense storms are becoming the norm as our climate warms. 

Criminal Malpractice in Florida

Facing a measles outbreak in an elementary school, the Surgeon General of Florida declined to recommend vaccination for all children and advised parents that it was their decision whether to send their unvaccinated children to school.  Of course, like his stance against mRNA Covid vaccines, these policies contradict recommendations from the CDC and other Public Health Organizations.

Appointed by Governor DeSantis, Dr. Ladapo, the Surgeon General, is following the anti-science, "anti-woke" stance of that Conservative Republican Government.  But when a trusted public official disseminates misinformation about vaccines and infectious diseases, he is, in my opinion, committing a criminal offense.  Innocent, unvaccinated children may suffer severe complications from measles, including neurologic deficits, hearing loss, encephalitis and even death.

When politics and religion invade the realm of science, unnecessary suffering, illness and death often result.  Unfortunately, it is usually the poor, the uneducated and the innocent who are the victims. 

Migrant Pelicans Arrive

On this bright, cool, February morning, I encountered the first flock of American white pelicans that I have observed at Eagle Bluffs this year.  Having wintered on bays along the Gulf Coast, they are on their way to lakes and wetlands across the Northern Plains, where they will breed.

This morning's flock numbered about 75 individuals, huddled along the shore of a lake.  As the air began to warm, the pelicans soared above the floodplain, their white plumage reflecting the brilliant sunlight.  Having split into two flocks, they may remain at Eagle Bluffs for a few days or circle northward through the Missouri River Valley.

Joining these beautiful migrants, five bald eagles also graced the scene, spooking flocks of waterfowl as they cruised about the refuge.  The spring awakening is certainly underway and we can expect a steady increase in avian visitors over the next few months. 

Snows in the Warm Sunshine

Sitting on our back deck on this warm, sunny afternoon, I heard the distant calls of snow geese.  As their calls grew more intense, I caught sight of the flock, numbering about 180 individuals.

Heading northwest, the geese will likely follow the Missouri River upstream, stopping to rest and feed at one of the many refuges spaced along its valley.  Other flights and rest stops will follow as they make their way to the Arctic tundra.

Of course, the sight of snow geese on such a warm day was ironic but an experience that will become more common as our climate warms.  Eventually, these majestic travelers may not migrate this far south, a tragic loss for all who have come to anticipate their awe-inspiring flights.

Questions for Young Women

As an old, white male, I am unaffected by the recent decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court and Red State Courts.  But I do wonder how young women are responding to these rulings.

Are they willing to attend college, start a family or accept a new job in a State that outlaws abortion, restricts care in obstetrical emergencies and might soon eliminate access to birth control? Just this week, Alabama has ruled that embryos are children, thereby complicating infertility management.  Have young women thought about these risks before making their commitments?

Of course, wealthy women can generally travel to Blue States to receive their care though emergency obstetrical intervention does not afford time for such an option.  Furthermore, one wonders why corporations choose to locate in Red States, thereby condoning inadequate care for their female employees.  Perhaps we will witness the political response to my questions in the 2024 Election.  

Wild Onion Greenery

Following a week of relatively mild weather, clumps of wild onion have emerged across our lawns, offering early spring greenery; they will soon be joined by dandelions and wild violets.

Native to eastern and central North America, these perennials are easily identified by their strong onion odor.  The leaves emerge from underground bulbs, festooned with rootlets; a rigid, central stem rises in summer and showy domes of pink or white flowers adorn its tip from mid summer to mid autumn.

No doubt, suburbanites enamored with pristine lawns are annoyed by the appearance of these plants.  On the other hand, all parts of the wild onion are edible and a quick scan of the internet turned up more culinary articles than those devoted to control recommendations. 

Shorter is Better

Throughout the life of this Blog, I have often opined on my conviction that short forms of communication are most effective.  Indeed, that personal belief underlies the evolution of my posts to the three-short-paragraphs format.

While novels or long essays may be informative and/or entertaining, we generally only remember certain portions of the text.  Short stories and brief essays are more easily remembered but their specifics may be lost over time.  Poems, if brief and inspiring, are often recalled in total by the reader, especially when revisited frequently.  But the most effective and long-lasting form of communication is the quote, often becoming part of the National or International lexicon; I suppose signs might also compete for that title.

Once again, my preference for short fiction, brief essays and succinct poems is evident but it is hard to argue that a message is best delivered when buried in reams of prose.

Addendum:  Having re-read this post a few days later, as is my practice, I realized that I should have included song lyrics as an effective, short form of communication.  When combined with a pleasing melody, their message is easily received and long remembered.  

Policies, not Age

Though I hoped that President Biden would settle for a single term and hand the reins of the Democratic Party to a younger generation, that is not to be.  Nevertheless, he is an experienced, thoughtful and empathetic leader who surrounds himself with highly qualified Cabinet Members and advisors.

The concerns about his age are primarily related to his candidacy and overlook his many achievements as President.  Going forward, I hope that the majority of Americans will focus on Biden's policies which, compared to Trump's rhetoric, are the essential reasons to support his candidacy.  Democracy, human rights, gun control, reproductive rights and environmentalism top the list in my opinion.

Trump, only a few years younger than Biden and showing signs of cognitive decline himself, is focused solely on his own welfare and power.  He is an incompetent and dangerous narcissist leading a cult of revenge.  Hopefully, most Americans will look past the age issue and concentrate on the many serious problems that confront our country and our planet.  

In Navalny's Name

On this day of Alexei Navalny's death in a Russian prison, we must take up his commitment to democracy and human rights.  One of the few outspoken critics of Putin and his regime, Navalny lived under the threat of assassination, which surely occurred today; he was only 47 years old.

As the majority of the Republican Party swear their allegiance to Donald Trump and, by extension, to Vladimir Putin, it is imperative that we honor Navalny by openly supporting the causes for which he gave his life.  Trump has long expressed his admiration for Putin and other dictators and, with the help of his political colleagues, hopes to join their club. 

Republicans are willing to sacrifice American Democracy for their own political power.  In Navalny's name, we must reject their selfish and destructive policies.  Vote Democratic! 

Trial Run at Eagle Bluffs

On this cool, sunny morning in the Missouri River Valley, I encountered a trial run of spring at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area.  Not yet into the heart of the migration season, my limited expectations were met.

Waterfowl were present but in rather small flocks; fifty gadwall led the count, followed by 35 Canada geese and a handful of shovelers, ring-necked ducks, mallards and green-winged teal.  Raptors dominated the scene, including several bald eagles, red-tailed hawks and red-shouldered hawks.  Other sightings included ring-billed gulls, killdeer, horned larks, eastern bluebirds, American tree sparrows and a host of common woodpeckers and songbirds.

I bided my time, hoping to encounter flocks of migrant geese or American white pelicans, but they did not show.  The action at this floodplain refuge should increase significantly over the next few weeks and I will return to witness the spectacle (and, of course, to report on that experience). 

Crossing the Path of Migrants

Traveling east across the Great Plains today, I encountered multiple flocks of migrant geese, all heading toward their Arctic breeding grounds.  Most were greater white-fronted geese though some were snows.

While my journey was planned and tied to several duties over the next two weeks, their migration is purely instinctual.  Indeed, their primary rest stops are imprinted as well, though weather conditions often disrupt their schedule.

Always inspired by these hardy travelers, I was honored to cross their path on this bright February afternoon.  In their wake, spring will gradually unfold across the Heartland. 

Juncos in the Sunshine

Now that the intense Colorado sun has cleared the recent heavy snow from our "lawns," dark-eyed juncos have emerged from their storm shelters to scour the farm for "weed seeds."  Fortunately, we always have a large and varied crop.

Represented by three races (gray-headed, slate-gray and Oregon) the juncos feed primarily on the ground, climbing onto residual snow banks to snare seeds from thickets and shrubs.  As they enjoy the bounty in the warm sunshine, they have little to fear but the occasional kestrel or Cooper's hawk.

Unaware (or perhaps not) of another approaching storm, they still have a few hours to fill their bellies.  We expect snow by evening which is forecast to continue for 24 hours.  Easily the most abundant winter songbirds on our property, the hardy juncos hail from Canada or from the nearby mountains and are thus unfazed by recurrent snowstorms.   

The Wealth Gap Widens

We seldom hear from the ultra-wealthy.  Political elections and tax season often prompt their opinion; they might also make the news if their yacht sinks in a hurricane or if they insist on building a mansion on protected land.  Of course, during Super Bowl Week, a shortage of private jets may raise their ire.

They have certainly done well during Biden's "weak economy" and cities capture some of their wealth with exclusive, "close-in" parking lots and convenient express lanes on the clogged highways.  Airlines, long drawing income from first class seating, now milk the public with early-boarding fees.  Yes, there are plenty of perks out there for those who won't miss the spare change.

No doubt, many wealthy individuals are very generous with their money and, as a fiscal conservative, I support capitalist principles.  But the income gap between executives and workers has become obscene.  Our society needs a dash of socialism now and then.  Vote Democratic! 

Empathy, Imagination & Experience

Empathy is the capacity to imagine the suffering of others even when we have not personally experienced such an event.  While most humans are capable of empathy, our response to that emotion varies widely.

Of course, those who have endured similar pain tend to be most empathetic.  Individuals who have personally experienced gun violence, discrimination, sexual abuse, complicated pregnancies or other tragedies easily identify with the suffering of those victims.  Persons and families fortunate to be untainted by such experiences are often less inclined to support laws designed to circumvent these problems or to deal with them in a fair and humane way.

The American political scene seems to represent this divide: those empathetic to the plight of others versus those more focused on their individual beliefs and needs.  Donald Trump, clearly incapable of empathy, has a firm grip on the latter group. 

Atmospheric Rivers

As storms (low pressure systems) move west to east across the country, we can usually identify a long "tail" of thunderstorms or heavy precipitation that curves southward and then southwestward from the center of low pressure.  This is the clash zone between warm, humid air to the east and drier, cooler air to the west.  In the Northern Hemisphere, winds swirl counterclockwise around the storm's center and thus move northward and northeastward ahead of the trailing front.

Along the Pacific Coast of the U.S., these winds pull in copious moisture from the ocean; when the low pressure is especially intense, this flow (referred to as an atmospheric river) can drop prodigious amounts of lowland rain and mountain snow on the Coastal States.  Furthermore, if the storm is stationary or slow moving, extensive flooding may occur; as our climate and oceans warm, these events will likely become increasingly severe.

Such a scenario is currently developing off the California Coast, near San Francisco.  The storm is intense enough to justify a Hurricane Warning with winds expected to gust over 70 mph atop the highlands. As the storm comes ashore, the plume of moisture will move southward, from the Bay Area to Southern California.  Widespread, severe flooding is expected.

See also: The Pineapple Express 

The Pacific Storm Arrives

After flooding Southern California with torrents of rain, the latest Pacific Storm moved into the Four Corners region yesterday, dropping snow across the higher terrain.  Following a week of warm, sunny weather along the Colorado Front Range, the effects of the storm arrived here last night, bringing rain to Metro Denver.

Now centered over Southeastern Colorado, the storm's cold front has ignited a band of thunderstorms across the Southern Plains and that plume of Gulf moisture is now directed toward the Front Range.  Since it is currently arriving from the southeast and since cold air behind the storm has not yet invaded the urban corridor, the precipitation is still in the form of rain.

However, as the storm drifts eastward, the winds and their cargo of moisture will shift from the northeast, producing a classic upslope flow into the Denver region.  Rain will likely mix with snow by this afternoon, changing to all snow overnight.  We currently expect anywhere from 1 to 6 inches, depending on the duration and intensity of that upslope flow. 

Flashback Post XLVIII

On this annual rite of silliness, I thought I might revive my post from February 2, 2015.  If nothing else, it expresses my admiration for an entertaining and thoughtful movie.

See: Lessons from Groundhog Day

The Tide of Spring

Contrary to traditional definitions of Spring, it is not a confined season that begins on March 1 or on the spring equinox.  In reality, it is a gradual transition from winter to summer and its earliest events begin by late January.

The nesting of great horned owls is one of those early events and the process gradually accelerates through February.  Many small mammals mate during this month; indeed, cottontails generally produce their first litter before February ends.  Magpies and some hawks engage in courtship behavior, migrant geese head north, bird song intensifies and many bulb plants bloom during this first full month of spring.

Sure, some of the heaviest snowstorms and strongest Nor'easters occur in February but the higher sun and longer days gradually take a toll on winter's grip.  Crocuses and hyacinths in sun-exposed areas offer the first convincing evidence for many suburbanites but those attuned to nature's magnificent diversity take note of spring far earlier.