January 7, 2019
Dearest Readers,
Apologies for being away. We were ill and sitting down to write was a chore and for the first day or two it wasn’t even possible. A writer’s mind is no different than an athlete’s body, it must healthy and rested to produce anything of value. Maybe we took a day off more than we needed, but then again, maybe not. A writer’s mind must be in direct contact with her soul, otherwise, she is not writing, she is typing
MORNING BRIEFING
Here are some things you may find interesting to know:
Newsmaker Line
One thing that struck us was a line we read, we forget where, that said even if President Trump disappeared today our country would still be divided.
We agree. Now, President Trump is the most divisive president in my lifetime and, perhaps, our history. We don’t know for sure because we weren’t alive during the Lincoln Administration and it is useful to remember states actually tried to leave the Union when he was elected, while so far all 50 states have stayed put.
But even if President Trump was a private citizen again by Monday, our country would still be divided. Trump was nominated for president by fractured GOP that is surprising some by still hanging around, was elected by a partisan and fractured electorate and it was a partisan and fractured America that showed up at the polls this past November.
That is not going to change anytime soon, unfortunately. Our loss, because we deserve better, but we are not going to receive better until we start demanding it at the ballot box.
Almanac
In 1782 – The Bank of North America opens in Philadelphia, the first commercial bank in what would become the United States. The bank has operated under a variety of names over the centuries and today is owned by Wells Fargo.
In 1999 – The impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton begins in the United States Senate. Accused of one article of obstruction of justice and another of perjury in his carrying on with Monica Lewinski. Clinton was acquitted of both articles on February 12.
Your Hit Parade
#1 songs on this date in 1967:
Hot 100 – I’m A Believer…The Monkees…(2nd of seven weeks)
Soul Chart – Tell It Like It Is…Aaron Neville…(1st of five weeks)
Country Chart – There Goes My Everything…Jack Greene (3rd of seven weeks)
Album Chart – The Monkees…The Monkees…(9th of 13 weeks)
– Chart data courtesy of Billboard.
Numbers Racket
10,611: the continuous number of days the US has been at war.
$21.918: the number of dollars, in trillions, of America’s national debt. – Source: usdebtclock.org
667: days until 2020 election.
Philosophy 101
…he is not easily angered or startled…and he does not blame others or outside events for his own reactions, as most of us would do.
Thomas Laird
The Story of Tibet: Conversations With the Dalai Lama
It is true that our biggest obstacle sometimes looks us in the mirror. Often, we first must overcome ourselves before we can conquer anything else. Blaming people or events for our misfortunes or failings is human nature, the way the world is built. But it doesn’t do us any good.
Are we not accomplishing our goals or, perhaps, are we not even trying? Blaming outside factors will solve nothing. Are we on our path? Do we have the courage to live the life we were meant to live and the patience to see live it to the very end? If not, we can’t blame any outside factor. We must look in the mirror because it will be there every day, relentless. We must be just as relentless in living the life we were meant to live.
Have a good day, and many thanks for reading.
Kaitlyn