#720 Musings Beyond the Bunker (Thursday August 3)
“It is certain, in any case, that ignorance aligned with power, is the most ferocious enemy justice can have.” –James Baldwin
Good morning,
It seems more and more that people are inclined to adopt a point of view and not deviate from that point of view, regardless of intervening facts that prove their point of view false. It is bad enough when kids fight on a playground with reports like “am too” or “am not.” But when those entrusted with the functioning of our society and our democracy seem unconcerned with truth, they are playing out what James Baldwin notes should concern us all. When truth is ignored, justice is soon to follow.
FEELING BETTER EVERY DAY
We often are told, as we grow older, that today is as good as you’re going to feel for the rest of your life. That’s a pretty negative view but it isn’t wholly inaccurate. Of course, with aging comes little aches and pains that may lead to bigger aches and pains.
But this truism isn’t entirely true. With the advent of seemingly miraculous medical advances, a coronary artery blockage, high blood pressure, or a cancerous tumor no longer have inevitable negative outcomes. Certainly, there are those events that are catastrophic or are not prone to modern therapies. But many of us are living longer because of medications and therapies unthinkable even 50 years ago.
I write this as I sit straight without the stenotic back pain I was experiencing a little more than a year ago. The fact that someone can drill into my spine, scoop out all the excess bone and cartilage growth inside of it (while working around the nerve) and sew me up is pretty remarkable. I have no pain from the stenosis and every now and then need to remind myself of what my life might have been like before such surgeries were possible.
The fact that our bodies work from day to day is pretty remarkable. The fact that we can keep them going longer, and with better results, is even more remarkable.
As for growing older, I am heartened with stories of 97 year-old Mel Brooks writing and producing History of the World Part II for Hulu. By the way, parts are funny, parts are stupid, and parts are totally inappropriate. But it’s fun.
GREAT SPORTS MILESTONES
A couple of months ago, Howard Kroll presented one of the greatest of sporting feats—changing the very sport itself…
“Last week, Dick Fosbury died. I have always considered him the greatest athlete in our lifetime, because he completely changed the way a sport is performed. His Fosbury Flop was revolutionary when he first introduced it. And now, everyone in the high jump uses his technique. Can you think of another athlete that so completely changed his sport? Due to Bob Gibson and Don Drysdale, the mound was lowered after the 1968 season. Due to Lew Alcindor’s dominance, no dunking was allowed in college for several years. Due to Tiger Woods’ drives, many golf courses were lengthened. But none of these examples match what Fosbury did…”
MORE DAD JOKES
Yesterday, I opened my electric bill and my water bill at the same time. I was shocked!
I told my wife to embrace her mistakes. So she hugged me.
I only seem to get sick on weekdays. I must have a weekend immune system.
Have a great day,
Glenn