#337 Musings Beyond the Bunker (Thursday April 28)
Good morning,
VIVA LA FRANCE!
Thank goodness Emmanuel Macron was victorious last Sunday over Marine Le Pen. Macron is the first President of France reelected since 2002. His victory bodes well for the West, NATO and the European Union. Le Pen is a nationalist right-winger, hostile to NATO and the EU, xenophobic and antisemitic. She represents the populist anti-democratic extreme of French society. Had she overcome the odds, the Western alliance in Europe would have been at great risk during a time when steadfast common cause is critical.
Macron’s victory, while narrower than his last, confirms that democrats who are good managers and a steady hand can defeat authoritarian rulers, like those elected in Hungary and Poland. And France wasn’t the only happy story last Sunday, as Slovenia also elected a moderate over a radical right politician.
When one looks at France, one sees rational behavior and reasoning, as the center pursues a mix of independence and interdependence with Europe and its allies, is a leading voice of the West, and is at the forefront of reducing carbon emissions and has embraced nuclear power as an interim green alternative until other green energy sources become scalable and economic.
There is cause for optimism but also cause for despair. Even though Macron won, the right wing, as represented by Marine Le Pen and her father, has been polling consistently higher in the last three elections. The xenophobia, rural/urban divide, and feeling the working class is left behind are motivating themes for the rise of an authoritarian isolationist right, similar to circumstances in our country.
Macron’s victory, while narrower than his last, confirms that democrats who are good managers and a steady hand can defeat authoritarian rulers, such as those elected in Hungary and Poland.
When one looks at France, one sees rational behavior and reasoning, as the center has pursued a mix of independence and interdependence with Europe and its allies, is at the forefront of reducing carbon emissions and has embraced nuclear power as an interim green alternative until other green energy sources become scalable and economic.
A FEW MORE ON MY LONG LIST OF PET PEEVES/OBSERVATIONS
Who stores coffee mugs and glassware right-side-up? It seems to me that they should be stored on the rim; preventing dust from settling in.
I’m annoyed whenever someone refers to a Wednesday as “hump day” or comments that “we’re half-way through,” as if they are rushing the work week and living only for the weekends. If you’re not happy with most days and aren’t in a rush to move through them, it’s either because you’re a grump, you need a new job/perspective, and/or you are so young as not to imagine that eventually the number of days remaining are finite and going down all the time.
The pandemic environment and the “work from home” culture has refocused me on the most quotidian of things. One of the ways I note the passing of the weeks is in the arrival of the Sunday paper. Right now it feels like just as soon as I polish off one copy, another one shows up on the driveway. The weeks speed by…
The pandemic is not over. COVID has not raised the white flag. Discretion and diligence to avoid infection will be part of our lives for the foreseeable future.
Why has the art of signaling when making a turn or a lane change seemingly gone the way of all flesh? This furthers my belief that the best advice I gave the kids when teaching them to drive was “act as if each of the other cars out there is trying to deceive you and/or collide with you.”
Stop saying “literally” when you really mean “figuratively!” E.g., “I got up the other day and I literally died!” Hmmm, I don’t think that’s quite accurate…
SWEETS
From Sue Meltzer, in response to the chocolate chip cookie recipe, says “Sure…give us this great recipe right before Passover! Thanks a lot!” Sorry Sue, but Passover is only eight days—enough time to contemplate leavened delights... And as for Bradley Gibbons, you’re wrong…nuts are a great addition to chocolate chip cookies.
BEST RECENT MOVIE REVIEW QUOTE
From The New Yorker’s review of Ambulance, Michael Bay’s latest over-the-top blockbuster:
“Although there is no psychological or narrative reason for the camera to behave like a bungee jumper with hives, the bedlam grows addictive.”
I’ll pass on this one and go instead for the other film reviewed in that issue, Paris, 13th District. It apparently is a “must see” foreign film.
Have a great day,
Glenn
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