Stewart Myrent

​I had mentioned a while back that I was inching closer to an understanding of the liberal/conservative conundrum & while I can't say I have it totally figured out, I'm as close as I'm going to get.  I have asked, many times, for input from the conservative viewpoint, to help me understand this. but got 0 input, in return.  That says a lot!  In my post of 01/30, I once again asked conservatives that same ONE question, "When was America last great?", & still have received 0 responses & then I added, "This is IMPORTANT!"  Why do I think it's important & why do I keep asking that question?  Because I felt that it's way more important to all of us, and our progeny, than discussing friends & family, births & deaths, etc.  I was hoping, again, that I would receive way more from the consevative side, but I think the lack of any response, in and of itself, says quite a bit about conservatives, expressing their viewpoints  The part of this I still don't understand, is that liberals are relatively proud of their positions (causes).  Conservatives, not so much.  Are they afraid of being ridiculed for their beliefs?  If so, why?  I've never feared being ridiculed for my liberal beliefs.  So, why would they?  Getting back to my original argument, that if FACTS are FACTS, why liberals & conservatives would reach totally different conclusions about those self-same facts, is a matter of perception.  So, why is the perception totally different for liberals & conservatives.  Because we see what we want to see.  That's the only thing that could possibly explain it.  My only guess is that, to me, when conservatives confront facts they don't like, they just choose to ignore those disquieting facts.  (Or if they address those more uncomfortable subjects, create implausible explanations for such.)  Finally, there are 2 kinds of people in the world (yes, I realize there are way more than 2 kinds of people in the world - so save it), those who know they are right & those who think they are right.  Those who know thay are right are sure, that those who think they are right, are totally wrong,  Those who think they are right are sure, that those who know they are right, are totally wrong.  How to reconcile this dilemma, this conundrum,  I fear, alas, that you can't.  You can't reconcile it.  That's why it's a conundrum.  Maybe, more importantly, it depends on whether you view yourself, as being in the group that knows it's right, or the group that thinks it's right.  Just kidding!  Everyone thinks they're in the group that knows they're right.  And that's the liberal/conservative conundrum.  I can't say that I have it figured out, but I'm satisfied that this is as close as I'm going to get.

Ronald I. Zager

Following the Golden Globes, the SAG Awards, and the Oscar nominations I think it is time that we, the  NTHS-West class of 1964, have our own recognitions for participation in this forum--can we call them the "Once We Were Indians" Awards?  All members of our graduating class are elegible to "vote" for themselves by submitting an entry to the forum (897 "votes" were cast in the 2018 calender year).  The results:

For the third consecutive year Janis was the leading vote-getter with over 300 more postings  than second place Steve, including an astonishing 10 consecutive entries early last summear.  For this I think she deserves the Lifetime Achievement Award. 

Close behind Steve (who is probably feeling the heat) in third place was Stewart, an amazing accomplishment considering he didn't start posting until October.  For this he has earned the Newcomer-of-the Yeat Award. 

The next five, with at least 20 postings each, were Paul, Carol, Alan, Marvin, and Donald. 

Others with double-digit entries (also in descending order) were Nancy, Nancy, Frances, Jacqueline (Jax), Sharry, David, Beverlee, and myself.

19 others posted fewer than ten times with an average of seven votes each.  Altogether there were 35 classmates (out of some 600+) who participated in the 2018 forum.  My thanks to you all.

Special recognition, I believe, should go to David and Larry for still-photography due to the excellence of the photographs that they shared.  And, of course, to James for the technical excellence of maintaining the site.  Hands-down winner of Sportsperson-of-the-Year Award goes to Donald for shooting his age when few of us are even swinging any more.

My sympathy goes out to all the families and friends of classmates we have lost this year--sadly that list will continue to grow with the passing of years--and words of encouragemant to all those facing illness or loss of loved-ones.  Be red-and-white strong!

And please don't forget the informal 55th reunion planned for Monday, September 16 at Hackney's Restaurant--I hope that many of you will be able to attend.

For now I wish you all--especially Chicagoans-- a belated Happy Ground Hog Day and a sudden switch from winter to.spring.

Live long and prosper,

Ron

p.s. in recognition of certain hyper-sensitivities I have avoided any mention of sports, sex, religion, or politics.  I leave those to you to continue as you see fit.  Peace!

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

Ron,

Thanks for reminding us there are only winners and no losers on the Forum.

Peace to you,

Janis

Stewart Myrent

​I want to thank Ron Zager for his timely (and well-thought-out) post about establishing the, very aptly named, "Once We Were Indians" Awards, or as I would suggest, the "Indies".  Ron, I might be wrong, but I feel as if you are, perhaps, bucking for the class archivist position, as you seem to have a pretty good handle on the posting stats.  I am obligated to say that I am thrilled to have won the Newcomer-of-the-Year Award, but I must say that I am accepting my "Indie" on behalf of all my fellow-nominees (of whom I know not one).  I would also like to mention that I whole-heartedly agree that Janis deserves the Lifetime Achievement Award, as, even now, late in her career, she sets the standard for all of us.  I do have one question (and it's not "When was America last great?")  Where do I pick up my "Indie", the little Indian man of my dreams?  I have a spot picked out, in my place, where he will fit perfectly (sort of, like a little shrine).  And does he come with a polishing cloth, to keep him nice & bright & shiny?

Donald Henry Kuehn

Ron, I want to thank all of the little people who made this award possible.  

DK

Nancy Doyle (Sudlow)

Theodore John Forsberg

An award should go to all of us lurkers and a special award to all who were chased off the site,but i wish would return with at least a shout out. It would be nice to here from all to know that we are still classmates and Indians forever ( I know it is socially incorrect to be an Indian inasmuch as Indians are now wolves)

Stewart Myrent

​Ted Forsberg, you want an award for being a "lurker"?  I'm not sure I agree that being a "lurker" deserves any award, as, by definition, a "lurker" does, or says, basically nothing, except for the negative connotation associated with "lurker".  I was more disturbed by reading, "...and a special award to all who were chased off this site..."  I was not aware of anybody being, "chased off this site".  Who was chased off this site?  And by whom, were they chased?  Not knowing the identities of those who were chased off, or who feel like they were chased off, I am left to contemplate what horrible barbs & inequities, they were forced to face, from those who disagreed with them.  (I am guessing that these unknown persons, faced mainly disagreement, and nothing worse, to cause them to flee the site.)  Or was there some threat of physical harm, that I am not aware of, that would cause them to flee?  Just asking.  Hi, Nancy!  Janis, I hope you were not offended, in my last post, praising your well-deserved Lifetime Achievement Award, by referring to you, as being, "late in your career".

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

Stewart, no way did you offend me... My sincere thanks for your shout out - praising me for the Lifetime Achievement Award bestowed on me by Ron Zager and the "Indies".  I am later in my career than you - be assured you can move beyond Newcomer-of-the-Year. 

I celebrate the "Indies" with you and our classmates now, and would celebrate whoever might be awarded the Newcomer-of-the-Year or Lifetime Achievement Awards in future years on the Forum. Janis

Stewart Myrent

​Steve, thank you for the clarification on my most recent post, as I was mystified as to how any adult, could be "chased away" by others.  My guess is, no one gets "chased away" from this site, however, I can see how someone could decide to not participate on this site.  Certainly, to participate, or not, is each person's choice.  It is difficult for me to remember, exactly why I decided to start participating, as opposed to being a "lurker", so many months ago, but I think I was experiencing some frustration, and probably felt that I could express my opinions, better than anyone else could.  So sorry you will not be attending the upcoming 55th Reunion, but I get it.  However, I am actually more curious about your most recent photo, of you & the kids, with the moustaches.  I had asked you several questions about those moustaches, because, frankly, I had some doubts, about the authenticity of said moustaches.  So, give it up.  I want the whole truth about that facial hair, especially relative to your youngsters.  Janis, thank you for your kind comments; I am assuming that you do not share Steve's misgivings about attending the 55th (and also do not have nearly as far to travel), so I expect to see you there.  I am definitely planning on attending, as it is now a mere 7 months away.  And we all now know how quickly 7 months can slip by.

Ronald I. Zager

Nancy, 

Thank you for recognizing Scott for his extensive contributions to supporting this site--well deserved!  And please, if I've overflooked anyone else be sure to "award" them for their special efforts.  Like Steve and "Jax" for expats-of-the-year?  Be creative! 

Ron

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

Shooting survivors at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, traveled to Capitol Hill to press on for stricter gun laws and a ban of assault rifles.

In emotional testimony before a House panel on gun violence prevention, 17 year old Aalayah, a senior, described hiding under the body of a slain classmate last Valentine’s Day -

she said she and her peers have been “scarred emotionally for the rest of our lives.  Our stories and voices must be heard on the most important issue facing our generation.”  

Rep. Jerry Nadler, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee said, “We do not need another moment of silence, or more thoughts and prayers. 

"We need a moment of action. Today’s hearing is the first step toward that goal.”

There is bipartisan majority support in the House for Raise the Age Act to increase the minimum age from 18 to 21 to purchase an assault weapon.

The proposed House bill would fall far short of banning assault weapons as the Parkland students advocate

and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told a Bloomberg reporter in November that legislation restricting guns will not find Republican support in the Senate.

Marvin Irving Blusteln

Great SOU speech.  Even Nixon didn't threaten his own countrymen.

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

Racism, sexual assault, and politics in Virginia

Zero-tolerance culture puts Democrats in a bind.

Is there a “hierarchy of offenses”?

Is it time to consider redemption and restorative justice in America?

Nancy Doyle (Sudlow)

Beverlee Ann Arpan (Marshall)

Ron,

I agree! You have my vote!

Bev

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

The Mitch McConnell who tweeted:

“As I’ve said time and time again: Mindless obstruction is unacceptable.  The only way this divided Congress will be able to choose greatness and deliver significant legislation is by focusing on -- as President Trump put it -- ‘cooperation, compromise, and the common good.’ ”

is the same Mitch McConnell who said:

“One of my proudest moments was when I looked Barack Obama in the eye and said, ‘Mr. President, you will not fill the Supreme Court vacancy.’ ”

Stewart Myrent

​Just saw that PA Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA), the top Republican on the House's Ways & Means Oversight Subcommittee, said,  if Democrats go after the president's tax returns, "Such an abuse of power would open a Pandora's Box.  It would be tough to get the lid back on, it would set a very dangerous precedent."  Are you kidding me, Mike Kelly?  What "dangerous prededent" would it set?  That presidents are obligated to release their Income Tax Returns?  This has been 'de rigeur' since Gerald Ford.  So, I have no idea what he's talking about, either relative to the Pandora's Box comment, or the "dangerous precedent" comment.  I am hoping that the voters in Mike Kelly's district, are not nearly as ignorant, as he, and are intelligent enough, to see through his obvious BS.  But, these are the people who elected this moron, in the first place.  I really can't take too much more of this bull----.  This is exactly why I wanted to totally skip 2019 & zip ahead right to 2020.  But, no, you couldn't let me just skip this one, lousy year.

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

Imagine how perilous for the U.S. if the Democrats had not won the House of Representatives in 2018.  It’s frightening.  

We have always distinguished our constitutional form of government from others by saying we are a government of laws not men.  

The last two years with one party rule gives lie to our statement of constitutional government -- we seem less a government of law and more a government of corrupt people than we had reason to expect.  

Stewart Myrent

Just got home from work.  ​Janis, I agree whole-heartedly with your comments about the U.S. being a country of laws, not men, however, what stunned me, was that I had NOT considered where our country would be right now, if the Democrats had not won back the House of Representatives, if the Republicans still controlled both houses of Congress.  It's kind of scary to consider where we would be, if the Republicans still controlled the House.  (I am shocked, that the Republican Congress has been so pliable & agreeable to Trump - when Alan Alop wrote earlier this week that his Republican friends {if any} should jump off the Trump bandwagon as soon as possible, I totally agreed that now is the time.)  As sure as I am, that the Democrats have the legal ability to delve into all of Trump's illegitimate activities, including looking at his Federal Tax returns, I am, frankly, a little concerned that, knowing Trump, this whole mess could wind up being resolved by the U.S. Supreme Court.  And that court has been recently re-constituted with 2 members selected by Trump.  So, I'm not sure that the Supremes can be counted on to do the right thing (Ruth Bader Ginsburg - hang in there another couple of years, please!), but I have this sneaky suspicion that John Roberts, the Chief Justice, will make sure they do the right thing.  He has surprised me several times already & he may well be the deciding vote to make sure the Court does the right thing.

Marvin Irving Blusteln

Stewart you are an optimist.

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

Can we agree that the electoral college system is not a fair system?  Is there a system that would effectively balance power between small and large population states?  

 California's                   Wyoming’s

Population is                Population is 

  39,776,830                     573,720 (and shrinking)

2019 population figures

California has               Wyoming has

  55                           3  

Electoral Votes•         Electoral Votes•

    723,215                      191,240

 Californians               Wyomingites

   =           =

1 Electoral Vote        1 Electoral Vote 

It is up to us to reestablish government of, by, for the People.

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

“A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves.”  

 -- Edward R. Murrow.

Trump threatens those who question,

                                              fact check,

                               and exercise their voice.

“When the power of love

    overcomes

the love of power

the world will know peace.”  

 -- Jimi Hendrix

Stewart Myrent

​Janis, thank you for clearly displaying why the Electoral College is such a farce & why it gives the smaller states unequal (and outsized) representation in the Electoral College.  Back in November of last year, Paul tried to peddle this idea that, "...the Electoral College gives the states proportional representation...It was never about the direct election of a president."  So, I'm pretty sure the info you supplied, pretty much puts the lie to that idea.  Marv, I might not disagree that I am an optimist, in hoping that the Supreme Court will do the right thing, but can we, at least, say that I am a hopeful optimist?  Gotta go to work. 

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

Only in America:

the guns used in mass shootings are a constitutional right but health care for the survivors is a privilege.