Good morning and Happy Anniversary Andrea!
One makes a lot of decisions in one’s life. This one was a good one. 32 years and still going strong, through thick and thin.
A potpourri of commentary today:
THE LEGAL DOCKET
By now, most of us are well-aware of the twin revelations about Fox News. The first is that they were clearly spreading completely fabricated stories about Dominion Voting Systems and claims it somehow manipulated the election at the direction of the Democrats and foreign interests. The settlement results in the payment by Fox of approximately 20% of its available cash and liquid assets. Second is the revelations that everyone from Rupert Murdoch on down knew of the lies regarding the election, yet continued to propound these lies, because that is what they perceived their viewers wanted to hear. As an executive at Fox noted, their audience “doesn’t want to hear about a peaceful transition.” We are in crazy-land, where purported journalists, chasing ratings, will tell people whatever they want to hear—regardless of the truth. That Fox settled for over $787MM is proof enough that Fox knows it was caught perpetrating lies on lies to keep their audience happy. Fox traded faith in our elections and putting our democracy at peril in return for more eyeballs from “good people who want to believe” (Tucker Carlson’s words).
It’s funny, but people often talk about movie and TV franchises doing sequels that perform “fan service”—delivering the ardent Trekkies a feel-good moment with their favorite stars. We are now in a world where fan service translates to the news as practiced by Fox.
It’s not over for Fox. There are more lawsuits to be settled. It’s getting more expensive to lie…
ALSO ON THE LEGAL DOCKET
In the meantime, we will all be watching carefully whether the Supreme Court will allow a federal district court judge’s decision to pull the abortion pill off the market stand. As a reminder, this judge is very publicly against abortion of any type for religious and political reasons. His religious commitment to his beliefs is borne up by his former practice for First Liberty Institute. The good judge, a Trump appointee, has declared the FDA’s approval of mifepristone invalid, notwithstanding long-term approval and use. This is a pill approved as safe and effective by the FDA over 20 years ago.
The judge has called those providing abortions “abortionists” and describes fetuses as “unborn humans.” Just the guy we want the conservative right forum shopping for and determining what a woman can do with an unwanted pregnancy.
MORE ON ASSISTED SUICIDE
From David Lash, another perspective, doing a good job to balance the competing moral issues at play:
“A few years ago I presented to the firm the pro bono opportunity to litigate a medical aid-in-dying case here in California… We lost that first case, the court ruling there was no right to medically-assisted aid-in-dying in CA, but the court urged the Legislature to take up the issue, which they did, thanks (at least in significant part) to our case. The right now exists, albeit within strictly drawn parameters (which I believe are appropriate). Still, I am not sure I can support it on a personal level… Do I believe in miracles? I would like to, so I can justify being opposed to aid-in-dying, but I know full well that sometimes it is the right and humane thing to do for the patient, the family and the health care system. I hope I can think clearly enough someday to weigh all those factors. Not sure I can or will but I would like to think I will try my best. I know it was the right thing to “pull the plug” on a loved one (which I think about differently than an affirmative, active step in directly bringing about death), but I remain haunted by having had to make the decision. What a heavy burden. So having someone be aware enough to make their own decision seems very important.”
ERRATA AND CLARIFICATIONS
Belated thanks to Ken Millman for providing last week’s William Lloyd Garrison quotation. It is worthy of repeating:
“With reasonable men, I will reason; with humane men I will plead; but to tyrants I will give no quarter, nor waste arguments where they will certainly be lost.” –William Lloyd Garrison
Glenn Raines notes that I mistakenly referred to ChatGPT as Chat GBT. I will claim ignorance, as I have no knowledge of what those three letters even stand for!
CHILDREN WILL LISTEN
A couple of weeks ago, I spoke of the value of retelling the Exodus story and the concept of story-telling, as related to the banning and candy-coating of stories. I love Scott Stone’s view of this:
“…the themes of “Children Will Listen” and parenting in general are the real reason for Passover…Passover teaches us about the relationship between parents and their children, how they work, how to answer their questions, and how to prepare…clearn the house…cook the food, make it special and then teach them, at different ages and stages of their lives. And then, ultimately, to turn the whole enterprise over to them. there is nothing like it…”
LIVING LIFE WELL
Finally, from Jay Berger. After complimenting my Musing on living life well and through the lens of wonder we all possessed when younger, Jay notes: “It truly is how you live your life that matters…From a 78 year-young guy…”
Have a great day,
Glenn
From the archives:
Happy Anniversary to you both!
Sending love from NY your way!