THANKSGIVING OR THE RACE TO THE END OF TIMES

Yesterday was Thanksgiving. We went to Ray and Flo's house for dinner. I had to go and pick up the sisters and bring them down. Logistics worked out fine. In attendance were Shirl and I, Ray and Flo, Theresa and Donna, Eric, Sandy, and Samantha, and Chester. Shelley was at her outlaws.

The dinner was really good. Flo said that Shelley had cooked most of the meal herself before she left. After dinner, we all gathered in the dining room and Shirl told Samantha that she would be going to Disney World in a couple of weeks.

Samantha just about hit the ceiling. I have never seen a look of happiness like that. It's hard to believe she will soon be eight years old. I hope that unbridled joy always stays with her.

In thinking about her age, I realized that everyone in that room was, if you'll pardon the expression, OLD. We are, with the exception of Chester, in relatively good health, less various orthopedic problems. But most of us are OLD. It kind of sneaks up on you. Last Thanksgiving, same everything, but the OLD was missing. For now, Samantha is our talisman against age, but that will change as the magic of childhood leaves with the passage of time 

Hatfield and McCoys

I have been fascinated by the AMC mini series "The Hatfield and McCoys." What I found so fascinating was how closely this resembled the current political bloviating going on. Will this current political trajectory end up with our killing each other? I certainly hope not. But I can see it coming. The discourse has become too shrill and strident. At some point, it cannot be turned back and we are quickly approaching that time.

I blame it all on Bill Gates, the Microsoft guy. He set the whole thing in motion. Technology is killing democracy. We are loosing our ability to think. If you doubt me, go on newsvine.com and read some of the commentary. Some of these people are freaking nuts. People who should never have had the ability to express their opinions are now expressing them and a lot of theses people are really scary.

Texting is the final nail in the coffin. We have created our own Tower of Babel. Soon, no one will be able to understand anything that is said. We will no longer speak English, we will speak Text. Think there are misunderstandings now--wait till Text becomes our new language.

Mark my words, democracy will never survive the race to the bottom of the intellectual barrel. Although, maybe that won't be all that bad.