Theory and Realism

Theoretically, the attempted coup of the President could yield terrible punishments - even a firing squad. Realistically, those most involved will probably skate. It shouldn't be that way, but things could change....we can only hope.

Watching the Birds

It's a banner Spring morning. The temperature is in the upper sixties, the azure sky is tarnished by a few wispy cirrus, and the quiet is only shattered by the occasional bird song or call.

The starlings have appeared. The bluebirds, and purple martins, are not happy about their appearance. They chase them away, when they get to close to their nests. Both are probably far along with raising their young, and don't welcome the intrusion.

The ducks have changed their behavior. The four Mallard drakes were constantly with the pair of Pekings, but now roam separately. They can fly, which makes me wonder if they'll leave. The two Muscovy hens are still usually together, but will spend times alone as they constantly hunt for more morsels to eat.

We have woodpeckers. A mated pair of red belly woodpeckers are frequent visitors to the bird feeder. They'll do this, until their young are on their own. Eventually, when the young start becoming a threat to their parents territory, they'll chase them away to start their own life. The parents will return to their foraging, and avoid the feeder until next year.

I'll occasionally see a pileated woodpecker fly over. I think they like the heavier woods, as do the red-headed woodpeckers.

A murder of three crows are always present. They'll sneak to the feeder, but not when anyone is present. They usually stay within sight during the day, as they look for opportunities, and steal the eggs of other birds.

The brown headed cow birds are a constant drain on the feeder. The school is small, but they're voracious eaters. I don't care for them, and will chase them away from the feeder. They're like the squirrels; nuisances that I'd rather go elsewhere.

The red-tailed hawks have moved on. There is a cooper's hawk that seems to have settled on a territory here. I've only seen the bald eagles fly over at a distance. I'm guessing they have a nest locally, but it's not close.

We have more. Blue Jays, chipping sparrows, pine buntings (they've moved on for the season), vultures, snipe, kildeers (their eggs don't last a week in their ground nests) mourning doves, Inca doves, great herons, green herons, hummingbirds, and some that don't light long enough for me to identify.

The birds are like a fish tank for me. I can spend long periods of time just watching them, and the peace it offers takes away the edge of dealing with the modern world. It's my catharsis.

So, this morning offered some good moments; just like the cinnamon rolls I can smell are about ready. They'll be a tasty treat with the fried bacon. Life is good, and this morning proves it is.

Guessing the Goat

With the current perceived push by the Trump Administration to go after the criminals who attempted an overthrow of power, those with the most to lose are probably scrambling for a goat. From my perspective, it's looking like the first sacrificial goat will be Nellie Ohr. Of course, this will probably involve her husband too, unless he finds a way to weasel out a deal. Both are dirty, directly linked to the last administration, and probably to the Clinton machine. Both are just the right level in the food chain to maybe insulate bigger players from criminal indictments.

Both need to make sure their life insurance is up to date. The evil bastards of the last administration proved they will stop at nothing.

Playing With Fire

It appears Barr is losing patience. To the Democrats, they think they may be backing him into a corner, and they'll either force his impeachment, or he'll resign. Both may be the actual outcome, but they might not have considered Barr knows way more than they think, he's working hard on criminal charges for some of their favored people, and the final outcome may reveal a huge seditious effort to change the government outside the rules of law. If the entire effort to destroy Trump is as illegal as it appears, the final outcome may be the dismantling of the main structure of the Democratic Party.

Personally, I hope Barr comes out with both guns blazing, and payback on his mind.

Newsreaders

The news cycle is never ending. What once waited for the morning paper, or the evening broadcast, is a constant barrage of inane conjecture, with commercials, and public service announcements paid for by tax dollars. Journalists promote their agenda, the senior management promotes what tickles their fancy, and the public becomes increasingly bored, or jaded.

Social media was the great hope for fact presentation, but it too is guided by opinion, if not outright lies. To make things worse, people don't realize they're being manipulated. Sifting for facts is too much work, or requires understanding the processes that make a society healthy. Neither is arrived at instantly, so rumor becomes news, and news becomes suspect.

I don't know any journalists personally, but think there are many horrified by the public perception of their craft. I like to think there is a goal of excellence, but that goal is being replaced by the glitter of professional news reading. Those with integrity are being forced out by those enamored with power, or an unwillingness to admit ignorance. 

None of this is new. The libelous efforts of journalists are peppered through the history of the nation. What is new is either an avoidance, or refusal to accept the increase of news doesn't also mean the increase of crappy journalism.  Bucking the system, or the powerful, takes a gumption most journalists don't have The result is a constant onslaught of filling spaces with whatever comes along by those with the whitest teeth, the best stage presence, and a willingness to forget any moral lessons taught in their upbringing.