Yesterday’s radio opera was Verdi’s “Nabucco,” his first big hit, loosely based on the Biblical figure of Nebuchadnezzar. Much of the plot is dramatic malarkey which makes for ear-catching arias and ensembles. But the “Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves” (“Va, pensiero”) – based on Psalm 137 – something like it apparently did happen, and had resonated through centuries, and still resonates. Whether you have been taken away from your country, or your country has been taken away from you, it will resonate with you too. It is the one number in all of opera which is never not encored in performance, even during periods when encores in performance are out of fashion. My recollection is that in the latter half of the 20th century “Nabuco” was seldom performed, but that as the 21st century progresses, it is performed more often, at least in the United States, as we see our rights slipping away from us. And of course “Va pensiero” outside of the opera has never fallen out of favor (and it’s often encored in the concert hall, also.) Not a bad choice to broadcast on this anniversary, I’d say.
Well, today’s the day. But I thought I’d put in a little map to somee other news ….
Axios reports the at SCOTUS will hear oral arguments February 8 on Colorado’s disqualification clause case (which is going to be referred to as DQ in this case and every case of its kind. Don’t mistake it for Dairy Queen.)
Huff Post has a scoop – with receipts. Videos of interviews with DEmocrcratic legislators who were traumatized by Jan 6,Made soon after it, but until now unseen
“Of course, not every single person named in the [Epstein-Maxwell] documents was necessarily involved in or aware of any sex trafficking — in fact, it appears that the majority were not. Part of the way Epstein provided cover for himself was specifically by associating with people who had no idea about his activities, so that they could say, ‘Well, I’ve been on that plane and I didn’t see anything weird, so this must all be nonsense!’” And, yes, that’s exactly how they think. And sadly, it’s been working for a long time. Especially on domestic abuse by “respectable pillars of the community.” But it does mean that if someone you care about is in these lists, they may not be guilty, only “beard”s (ignorant ones at that.). The article contains much more – probably more than you want to know. The cat photo is part of a New Year’s gift to readers – no pictures of ugly people for a week, just cats – and of course Wonkette is part of Substack.
If you want a more compact summary, with fewer details, Mary Trump is the place to go.
And over at Dem Underground, someone – I assume a Seinfeld fan – came up with the nuckname for Trump** “poop Nazi.”
There are other cartoons out there which reference the Wise Men and/or epiphany – but this one is just so beautifully tailored in its allusions, I couldn’t resist. Let’s hope many Americans receive the same epiphany.
Yesterday, I noted that we can stop saying “Trump** is still ahead of Joe in the polls.” The latest from 538 gives Joe a 2-point lead. That’s not much, but it’s something – not enough for compacency. Not that anything would be good enough for complacency when it comes to Trump**.
But the day before, the 3rd, Joyce Vance wrote a post about one court battle in particular which is also kind of a pep talk. I recommend it. It never hurts to pick up a little spine-stiffener when thee are issues ahead.
“[Obama in his presidential farewell address] said ‘All of us, regardless of party, should throw ourselves into the task of rebuilding our democratic institutions.” He said that strengthening our democracy “depends on our participation; on each of us accepting the responsibility of citizenship, regardless of which way the pendulum of power swings.’ It’s likely that in that moment he didn’t fully envision how critical the role each of us plays as a private citizen was about to become. But we see it now. We have risen to that challenge once and we can do it again.”
Then yesterday, Steve Schmidt’s column was titled “Be Not Afraid.” Personally I would have said “Be Afraid. Be Very Afraid. But Be Not Paralyzed.” But he has a long and inspiring quote from FDR in it which is worth some time. It starts about halfway down the page.
Yes, both are Substack.
Oh, and ICYMI, Kim Davis has been court ordered to pay $200 grand in attorneys’ fees and expenses to [just] one of the couples to whom she refused a marriage license.
I also got a phone call from my one cousin who does not and will not own a computer – so I need to either phone or write to her (and I think you all know how I feel about phones.) She was responding to my very late Christmas card which she just received. We had quite a chat. She is the cousin who is the same age as I (there are two older and one younger.)
But today – NOT about sentences involving TFG and his gang.
And this will be a two-part post.
[Part 1]
For folks who enjoy the linguists out there who can craft a masterful sentence, NY Times writer Frank Bruni compiled a compendium of what he thinks were the best sentences of 2023.
To save room (and keep with the Fair Use guidelines) here are what I think are the best of the best – and just the punchlines.
“… the putz knew his push for a putsch was dishonest.”
On republicans trying to out-Trump Trump:
“… makes no real sense to try to run as a more competent Donald Trump, for the simple reason that the entire question of competence is orthogonal to Trump’s appeal.”
On Growing Old Honestly If NOT Gracefully:
“… [Walter Matthau] reflects a life well lived in the company of gravity and pastrami.”
On the SCOTUS Ethical (If Not Legal) Lapses of Thomas & Alito:
“A #protip that will no doubt make those justices who have been lured away to elaborate bear hunts and deer hunts and rabbit hunts and salmon hunts by wealthy oligarchs feel a bit sad: If your close personal friends who only just met you after you came onto the courts are memorializing your time together for posterity, there’s a decent chance you are, in fact, the thing being hunted.”
On Becoming a Curmudgeon (Boy, can I relate):
“… looks like an Easter Island statue nursing a grudge.”
On Sarah Palin:
“I’d argue that Sarah Palin mattered in 2008, although she was less of a running mate than a running gag.”
On Jimmy Carter Facing His Final Days:
“Hospice care is not a matter of giving up. It’s a decision to shift our efforts from shoring up a body on the verge of the end to providing solace to a soul that’s on the cusp of forever.”
On Grocery Store Plastic Bags:
“Because they’re so light, they defy proper waste management, floating off trash cans and sanitation trucks like they’re being raptured by a garbage god.”
On Our Worship of Size (… Does It Really Matter?):
“… people have always liked really big stuff, particularly of the unnecessary variety. Stonehenge, pyramids, colossi, Costco.”
[Editor’s Note: But I LOVE Costco!]
On DeSantis’ TOTAL LACK of Compassion, Caring & Charisma:
DeSantis gives off the vibe “that he might unplug your life support to recharge his cellphone.”
And Bruni’s Final Selection – An Existential Note:
“Too many voters today are easily conned, deeply biased, impervious to fact and bereft of survival instincts. Contrary to myth, frogs leap out of heating pots. Stampeding cattle stop at a cliff edge. Lemmings don’t really commit mass suicide.
“We’ll find out about Americans in 2024.”
Personally, I think the best sentence of 2024 would be a really long one … given to Trump … without the possibility of parole!
[Part 2]
I’m well past the age of staying up to ring in the New Year. But I do enjoy the efforts from those around the world to do it and do it right!
Sydney is aiming to be viewed as the “New Year’s Eve Capital of the World” – and they certainly have the credentials for it, the the Harbour Bridge and Opera House serving as the canvas.
But I was really impressed with London’s efforts this year with Big Ben and the London Eye Ferris wheel as backdrops.
I’m curious which one you would vote for to be the winner:
Well, yesterday I got a lot done. I got my checking account on record for direct deposit with my new HRA custodian, and put in a recurring claim for my Part D premium which is paid automatically on my main credit card. Then I verified that my new HRA credit card is on file with my new pharmacy so that can get automatically paid as I refill I brought in packages, two with variius forms of ginger (lozenges, tea, and crystallized), which I’ll be using some at least, alththough i am keeping food down for now – and one with some personal hygiene items. The exterminator came for the third time, was able to give me something of an update (progress in some areas, inside and out, and in others, not so much) and set the nest appointment for the 15th. I cleaned and re-bandaged an injury to my left foot which I needed a hand-held mirror to even partially see – don’t ask how it happened because I have no clue. It is getting better too, but taking its sweet time about it.
I’m not yet ready to commit to a blog every day, but II do want to share this from Robert Reich (Substack of course) :because, though it doesn’t mince words, is nevertheless constructive:
What can the rest of us do between now and the election to help save American democracy?
Ten suggestions:
1. Become even more politically active. For some of us, this will mean taking more time out of our normal lives — up to and including getting out the vote in critical swing states. For others, it will mean phone banking, making political contributions, writing letters to editors, and calling friends and relations in key states.
Aside from that – remember Godwn’s Law? I forget the eaxct wording, but it was something like “In a political argument, the first one to bring up Hitler loses.” Well, Godwin himself – the Godwin who wrote the law – is now saying we must compare Trump** to Hitler – that failure to do so would be irresponsibe. Yup. Thank Crooks and Liars for that bit of truth..
I shouls mention that this is the third day I have been able to keep food down. I don’t want to turn this into an aches and pains log – but then I shouldn’t have mentioned it in the first place. And it is getting better.
Meantime, I just wish I could do what this cat is doing
Yesterday, as promised, Robert Reich posted Episode 1 in his new DEBUNK series. This kink is to his Substack addres; it includes a transcript of his vdeo (just under 3 minutes) and a link to it (and it has good CC.) Also, I got my new water heater inspected by the regional authority (I forget what they call it. The inspector wants a bit more support on a couple of tubes at the top, but he won’t have to come back – he can email my plumbere and the plumber can email him back a photo. It’s good to ba ale to go through the mud room again without special leak-proof footwear (which is also uncomfortable.)
This from Talking Points Memo is thoughtful, scary, and I believe motivating to keep up the fight for justice, which sadly will never end,
This is more a curiosity than breaking news – certainly I was curios after reading the headline, and also curious to see whether the method shared by someone at Democratic Underground to make a paywalled article accessible to anyone would work. (Spoiler: It does. Yippee!)
Well, yesterday’s opera was a re-run – of a performance from 1952. It was selected because two – actually three, but the third is lesser known today – of the stars were born in 1923, so would, had they lived, been 100 this year. (Another of the stars, also lesser known today, died this year a month before her 99th birthday. ( No, the Met never throws anything out – and that’s a good thing IMO. Not that I don’t emulate it too slavishly myself.) Le Nozze de Figaro (usually translated “The Marriage of Figaro,” but “Figaro’s Wedding” would be more accurate) is exceptionally complex – certainly at least the first time one sees it one would benefit from a scorecard to keep track of who is seducing (or trying to seduce) whom. To me the highlight, at least for humor, is when this elderly lady is demanding Figaro marry her instead of Susanna because the terms of her lending him money included that he would marry her if he couldn’t pay. He gets out of it only because a birthmark proves she is his mother. That’s funny enough, but his fiancée, who has just raised the money, comes in just as he is hugging his mother, thinks the worst, and slaps him. The dialogue changes to “And this is my mother, she says so herself, she says so herself. And this is my father, he says so himself, he says so himself,” with just the right number of repeats to make it funnier and funnier. But there is plenty more to stimulate snickers and actual laughs. It’s all fun and games – unless you remember how much life and death power aristocrats actually had over their households – and even that kind of adds to the fun as the servants get the last laugh. Pierre Beaumarchais wrote three “Figaro” plays, and all three have been made into operas by different composers – I believe all more than once. But the two which have lived and the one which I hope will were all by different composers – first by Mozart with the second play, secondly by Rossini with the first play, and finally, the third by John Corigliano with the third play and his own touches (it’s weird – but it aputres the spirits of the Figaros and the Almavivas perfectly.
But enough of Count Almaviva. Let’s move to out own American Count, The Count. He has a timely message.
