Writing to Persuade

I'm reading an excellent book on writing by Trish Hall, the former editor of the New York Times Op-Ed Page. The title of the book is, Writing to Persuade: How to Bring People Over to Your Side.

I'm through about 25 percent of the book and I'm relearning a lot that I've seen in William Zinsser's writing. And I like that the author sums up the book in "15 Principles of Persuasive Writing." Here they are:

1. Listen to people.
2. We believe what we believe.
3. Respect your audience. Learn to be empathetic.
4. Don't get into fights.
5. Play on feelings.
6. Understand moral values.
7. Emphasize your similarities.
8. What do you know?
9. Surprise your reader.
10. Be specific.
11.Tell stories.
12. Facts aren't magic.
13. Facts do matter.
14. Abandon jargon.
15. Prune ruthlessly.

***

Dr. Francine Shapiro

I just recently discovered that Dr. Francine Shapiro, the originator of Eye Movement Desensitization  and Reprocessing (EMDR), has died. It happened about six months ago. I guess I'm shocked because sometimes you expect larger-than-life individuals to live to 100 or more.

I consider EMDR--even though at first it seems like something you would see on a late-night infomercial--essentially miraculous for treating trauma. I'm surprised it is not used more and that it isn't almost mandated for use. In the future I hope to take the needed training to practice EMDR.

The studies backing up its utility and speed, are legion. I must say that I am in awe of Dr. Shapiro for being the originator of this stunning form of therapy.

***

Closer, But Maybe No Cigar

President Trump, I must admit, continues to remain moderately calm even during the turmoil he is in. I must say that I'm surprised. I thought by this time in the investigation he would be unraveling, and, indeed, he may make it unitl the end of his four-year term. I predicted he would not.

I may be eating a thing called "crow."

***

William Zinsser Again

As I mentioned last post, I have been looking over William Zinsser's excellent book, On Writing Well. I am amazed at all the good stuff I overlooked the first time I read it. Here's a few sentences that really caught my attention: "You learn to write by writing. It's a truism, but what makes it a truism is that it's true. The only way to learn to write is to force yourself to produce a certain number of words on a regular basis." (Emphasis mine.)

I'm trying to really take that in. Yet, I forget so easily.

***

On Rereading Zinsser

I have been rereading William Zinsser's excellent book, On Writing Well: An Informal Guide to Writing Nonfiction. It's been delightful. I have probably over, the last 25 years, gone back to read parts of it up to 40 or 50 times, yet I do have trouble putting into practice what he preaches.

But everytime I do go back--I know this is cliche--I mull over something I earlier missed. This happened recently when I read his material on E.B. White. Now, I know Mr. White is in the pantheon of great modern writers. But I just noticed that his writing has a depth that is easy to miss.

Part of that depth relates to the euphony of his writing. For years I studied the topic of sound in writing, and I must say that White is a master at it (though most people, when they read him, think he just writes in a "simple" manner).

Reader Zinsser (and White) always offers hidden pleasures.

***

Impeachable Defenses

As the president of the United States soaks in hot water, he seems hell-bent on pouring scalding water on himself. As more facts come out to corroborate earlier facts, President Trump becomes more ill-at-ease. And I believe that uneasiness will only worsen.

The denouement is in the offing. No doubt it will be Must-See TV.

***

Trivia Stuff

I do love trivia. Here is some from the book, Who Knew? Things You Didn't Know About Things You Know Well, by David Hoffman:

--"When the name Alan Smithee is credited as a film's director it means that the real director has disavowed the project and does not want his or her real name to be used." (p. 105)

--"The sight of oranges in all three Godfather films signals that death (or a close call) is about to happen." (p. 89)

--"Wedding cake was originally thrown  at the bride and groom, instead of eaten by them." (p. 42)

--"Most American currency contains microprinted messages to prevent counterfeiting: On the one-dollar bill, there is an owl in the upper left-hand corner of the '1' and a spider hidden at the upper right." (p. 54)

--"No word in the English language rhymes with month, orange, silver, or purple." (p. 145)

--"The Rubik's Cube can be twisted and turned into over forty-three quintillion (43,252,003,274,489,856,000 to be exact) configurations in the attempt to line up one solid color on all six sides." (p. 186).

Interesting stuff.

***

On President Trump

It appears President Trump's options are lessening. With impeachment proceedings getting into gear, he seems to be acting more and more desperate. With the president's personality traits, this is to be expected, and will likely get worse.

I must admit that I am surprised how well he has handled all the negative attention. But Trump is used to getting his way, primarily because he has always run his businesses. When this ends, he won't get his way.

***

Some More Words

Here are some additional words where I like the sounds:

1. Armistice n. (AHR-muh-stis) A truce.

2. Confederate n. (kuhn-FED-er-it) An ally.

3. Flotilla n. (floh-TIL-uh) 1. A naval unit, 2. An indefinite large number.

4. Bulwark n. (BOOL-werk) A defensive wall.

5. Rapprochement n. (rap-rohsh-MAHN) Cordial relations.

6. Horripilation n. (haw-rip-uh-LEY-shuh) Goose bumps.

7. Diwali n. (dih-WAH-lee) A Hindu festival held in honor of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth.

***

The Depression Cure

In another post I wrote about the excellent book, The Depression Cure, by Stephen Ilardi, PhD. I am taking my time with this book because a lot of it I've come across in my own reading. Yet, the book really helps me put definitive parameters around many treatments (e.g., how much sunlight to get per day?, how much omega-3 fatty acids?, etc.).

Depression, I believe, is more common than commonly thought. Especially low-level depression.

I see depression as something that once you have you then feel life will never be the same. It's true. But as the writer and therapist Thomas Moore has said, depression has a way of seasoning a person, possibly in a way nothing else can.

***

Some New Words

Here are some words I got from the October Reader's Digest. Most of these words I didn't know.

1. Lollapalooza n. (lah-luh-puh-LOO-zuh) An outstanding example.

2. Schemozzle n. (shuh-MAH-zuhl) A confused situation.

3. Cozy n. (COH-zee) A teapot cover.

4. Rebozo n. (rih-BOH-zoh) A long scarf.

5. Foozle v. (FOOH-zuhl) To mess up; make a mistake.

6. Cocozelle n. (kah-kuh-ZEH-lee) A type of zucchini.

7. Sozzled adj. (SAH-zuhld) Intoxicated.

***

Me and Nostradamus

Maybe me and Nostradmus have something in common. I jest, but I do think there is a good chance I will be proven right concerning Trump. That is, I had predicted Trump would not make it through his first term, and it was beginning to look like I was surely wrong, but the tide has changed. With impeachment proceedings taking place, and Trump becoming more unhinged as the days go by (I have a feeling he's going to blame the Ukraine call not just on Rick Perry, but Rick James), the future for him looks grim.

Why did I think Trump would fall before his term ended? Because of reading the book Trump Revealed. There were so many immoral and illegal acts committed by Trump in the past, that even if he became like a boy scout, it was likely past events would raise their ugly heads.

As they say, time will tell. And its been telling.

***

Nice Quotes

I like quotes--here are some good ones.

--He [or she] who is outside the door has already a good part of his journey behind him.  --Dutch proverb

--Be able to be alone. Lose not the advantage of solitude.  --Sir Thomas Browne

--He [or she] who has a why to live can bear with almost any how.  --Friedrich Nietzsche

--Victory is won not in miles but in inches. Win a little now, hold your ground, and later win a little more.  --Louis L'Amour

--Let no one be deluded that a knowledge of the path can substitute for putting one foot in front of the other.  --M.C. Richards.

--It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do a little. Do what you can.  --Sydney Smith

--If you do not express your own original ideas, if you do not listen to your own being, you will have betrayed yourself.  --Rollo May

Some encouraging stuff--indeed, more heart is maybe needed in these times.

***

The Zeitgeist

It seems like a brief survey of the news leaves one feeling like the world is getting worse. Part of me doesn't want to believe that. The reason being is that probably every generation feels that way--surely people during the Great Depression felt that way, and no doubt many during WWII felt that way.

But it could be argued that just because many people believed that in the past, that doesn't necessarily mean now isn't the worst. I think the argument can get more complex than at first notice.

I would argue that most people are not as happy as they used to be. Even with modern-day conveniences and the great benefits of technology people's subjective well-being has gone down.

It seems paradoxical, but it's true.

***

Puzzled

I guess I am puzzled about the U.S. government. But one thing does stand out. The people who are in office reflects largely on the populace's ignorance of issues (myself included). A lot of what goes into bills and how politicians vote are not known by many, thereby leaving holes in our knowledge base.

I admit, to keep on top these issues seems virtually impossible. But no doubt, many can do better. Most people spend the bulk of their time watching TV news or reading about issues on their favorite websites.

The answer, as the critic Neil Postman has repeatedly said, is for Americans to be better read on the issues, which I take him to mean that people need to do more than watching sound bites on TV and reading snippets from their favorite political pundits.

***

Mindfulness for Children

I just read an interesting article about a program in England that is using various mindfulness techniques to help children regulate their emotions. It's a three-year program that started earlier this year. From my experience with mindfulness and what I've seen of studies (mainly on adults), mindfulness for children seems like an excellent idea.

Yet, I can say because I've worked in social services for over 25 years, that problems crop up, sometimes, in the implementation of these programs. That is, after they are approved, they get used with great zeal, at least at first, but then the law of entropy takes over, and things get messier. But the worst aspect is that from the get-go, there is little to no "good" documentation of how it really works.

Especially toward the latter part of the program, the administration and workers worry about "how the program will look," and therefore skew the paperwork to make it look like the program is a great success (and therefore the agency gets refunded).

The devil is in the details--or is it God?

***

Learning

Jon Stewart once said war is God's way of teaching Americans history. Also, it may be that large fires teach Americans about ecology and climate change. It taught me at least.

With the numerous fires burning in the Amazon rainforest I learned how important that forest is to our survival. Some have called it the "lungs of the earth." And it is interesting some politicians' reactions to the fires.

Suffice it to say that business once again sees profit where many see other, more important, things.

***

Buying Greenland

The president has stated he would like to buy Greenland. It does seem like something from The Onion, but it is not.

In a way this doesn't surprise me. As a business owner who is used to getting his way, especially because of his clout and hubris, he now thinks that government is to run that way.

Yet, I will say, I do give the president kudos for being someone who is not afraid to go against the crowd. Though it does appear the crowds are getting bigger.

***

Sense of Style

I was just reading some of the book, Sense of Style: The Thinking Person's Guide to Writing in the 21st Century, by Dr. Steven Pinker of Harvard. So far it appears to be a great book, and judging by the numerous comments made about the book, others thought similarly.

It is refreshing to read a book about writing that is not so stern and apocalyptic. Most books on writing feel like they are preaching and that they are angry there are so many horrible writers lurking about.

What I've read so far appears to make good sense and sees writing as a skill that one can continually get better at through time and practice.

***

Part III: Concerning Social Services in N.O.

Last time I talked further about some problems in the Greater New Orleans area with the implementing of social services.

I have some simple suggestions, although, maybe not easy suggestions. The main point I would make is that there has to be greater accountability for the services that are already out there. This relates to why people have such a bad view of social services. They see on TV people who head up these agencies scamming others, lying to government agencies, and generally do little good.

The problem is, simply, there is little to no accountability. Usually something askew pops up by accident (e.g., a donor notices something on his bill that is suspicious, a gov. agency does a random check only to find that most clients haven't been receiving services for months, or a disgruntled worker reports the agency).

And it is true that lots of places will do a last-minute tidying-up job so it looks like the agency is running smoothly. But, if the overseeing body does a thorough job, these type of shenanigans can usually be caught.

***

Part 2: Lack of Social Services in N.O.

Last post I said I would follow up on the notion of lack of social services in New Orleans. A number of clients (adults) I see are struggling financially, or are homeless, or close to homeless. And many of them have various physical maladies (e.g., diabetes, chronic pain, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, frequent headaches, gout, etc.).

I do the best I can to offer services outside of my realm, which is mental health. But usually they run into brick walls. And no doubt, it's sometimes because the clients give up looking for resources. But I would argue that it is difficult for a healthy person who has limited emotional problems and few medical issues to work their way through the social-services system. Consequently, someone who is suffering from Bipolar Disorder, who struggles with apathy and anhedonia, and has diabetes, sleep apnea, and migrane headaches, would find it exponentially more difficult to wend her way through the complicated system we have.

There is some good case management work being done (e.g., the Advocacy Center) but it's not enough and most clients just see it as another layer of something they have to do, and expecting it to be of little help.

Next time I'll offer some suggestions.

***

On Lack of Social Services in New Orleans Area

Something that's been on my mind for about one year is, as the title says, the lack of services for those with various needs in New Orleans.

For instance, recently I've had a number of clients who were homeless, or close to homeless, without a job, and who had numerous physical maladies. Now, there are some places that come to mind for these needs, but people think because a place says it helps certain clientele that means they automatically get services. It's just a matter of calling them, going on to their offices, or getting on a waiting list.

This is far from the truth. Next time I'll talk more about this.

***

Climate Change Evidence

Where I live, in the New Orleans area, we are getting hit by torrential weather. I was just thinking to myself as I jogged outside recently that the air was thicker and hotter than I ever remember it. It seemed the perfect incubator for cataclysmic weather.

I don't claim to be Nostradamus, but horrific weather events seem inevitable with the thicker, hotter air many areas are experiencing. Unfortunately there are many pockets of ideology that are hindering progress on turning back climate change.

Ideology may be king for a time, but hopefully a coup resides in science.

***

Call Scotland Yard!

I find myself drawn more and more to unusual news. And there seems more of it than ever (possibly having to do with the Executive branch of government).

Today I saw that Taco Bell is running short of tortillas. A spokesperson at TB said, "[w]e are working diligently to replenish our supply."

Sometimes in life you don't know what you have until your don't have your cheesy bean-filled burrito.

Truly Sad Picture

The picture of the drowned bodies of Oscar Alberto Martinez Ramirez and his two-year-old daughter, Valeria, was shocking. They were trying to cross over the Rio Grande from Mexico into the United States.

The two, plus the wife and mother, Tania Vanessa Avalos, were fleeing poverty in El Salvador and had secured a humanitarian visa in Mexico. They were in a migrant camp for two months waiting for asylum in the U.S.

To me, it would take a truly unfeeling person to begrudge them for desiring to want to come to our country, and to flee their country that is mired in poverty and gang crime. I do think a lot of people who say our country can't take anymore immigrants, truly, deep down, realize that is not America's overriding, premier problem.

It's something our country has always done in times of peril--displace the blame. At various times it been the Jews, the Catholics, the Chinese, the Irish, the Italians, the Germans. Enter now the Mexicans and those of the Islamic faith.

President Trump was the right person at the right time to bring the Nativism to fruition.

And it's going to take a lot of people over a lot of time to set things right.

***

Food And Mental Health

I have been reading a number of articles on how food, and supplements, may play a bigger part in our mental health than we ever imagined. Yet, it one thinks about it for a while, it makes excellent sense.

For example, say you have two people, with whom most of their habits are the same, aside from what they eat. Person 1 usually doesn't eat breakfast, eats a donut at 10am, and for lunch eats a cheeseburger, fries, and a soda. He doesn't eat anything else for six hours and for dinner eats fried chicken, fried onion rings, mashed potatoes with gravy, a few rolls, and a soda. Then he finishes it off with a big piece of chocolate cake. And let's say the person eats this way most of the time.

Person 2, without going into specifics, eats lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, lean chicken, nuts, seeds, extra-virgin olive oil, and drinks lots of water.

It would be hard to argue that after one year these two people's bodies and brains would be similar. Their energy levels and demeanors, I would suggest, would no doubt be different--maybe greatly so.

***

Good Book on the Food Industry

I am reading a book that has been a pleasure to read. It's called, Scientific Advances Regarding: Sugar, Salt, and Fat, by Gina Willett, Ph.D., R.D., and I bought it at a continuing education class I attended last year.

Her thesis is that the food industry has so orchestrated modern-day food that it's harder than most people think to eat in a rational, temperate manner. And she argues that there are studies that show the more one eats highly-processed foods, the less control one has over one's appetite. From my experience, this is spot-on.

As of late, I have been eating less unhealthy foods. I am finding that I am not craving those foods as much since I changed my eating and I am not as prone to binging on sweets late at night.

***

Mueller Report

I must admit, I am utterly surprised how little has come from the Mueller Report. But I guess I'm more surprised at the president's unbelievable ability to break out of tough holds and still remain standing. It was said Ronald Reagan was the "Teflon President," but the title seems more fitting for the present office holder.

Yet, as the Welsh-born poet, orator, and priest in the Church of England, George Herbert, said, "God's mill grinds slow but sure."

To use another metaphor, the Damoclean sword is hanging by a gleaming, fiber-thin hair above the president's head. And more and more people have as their mission the cutting of that single, solitary hair.

***

About Trump's Recent Move

I had just been reading about the president pardoning Army First Lieutenant Michael Behenna. The whole story seemed surreal. It seemed like something that would cause at least a minor uproar in the populace and among journalists. It didn't.

The president, even more recently, may be preparing to pardon a number of war criminals (beyond Behenna).

Wow!

Will there be an uproar? A minor uproar? A peep?

***

Down and Out in New Orleans

I have been wondering how a lot of people afford rent in New Orleans. I frequently see clients that either are not working, working part-time, or working full-time, but making around $8 to $12 per hour. I realize that that lots of people in the city may live with relatives or friends, but even then it still must be highly difficult to pay all your bills when rent for a one-bedroom averages $1,200 per month.

And it puzzles me that the city offers so little to mitigate this situation. Admittingly, the things that are needed to better the situation costs money. Yet, so does the things that are presently being used--police officers, homeless shelters, food kitchens, drug-treatment centers.

As the saying goes, you either pay on the front end or the back end. The powers that be in the city usually go for the latter.

***

Common Sense

I just read an interesting article in the USA Today that dealt with Democratic Socialism and inequality in the United States. The intriguing thing about the piece is that it was simply written and made common sense.

It made me think about some of the issues she talked about. For instance, to me, sure, CEOs and owners of companies are expected to make much more money than the average worker. A reasonable question is, "how much more?" (And I know the usual retort to these type of questions is "Well, who's to say how much more is right or wrong?" My simple rejoinder to that is that we do it in hundreds of areas of life--we have to. For instance, we have to make a decision on what age people can drive, what age they vote, what age they can go in the military.)

About 40 to 50 years ago, CEOs made about 30 times what the average worker in their companies made. Now it can range from 100 to 300 times what the average worker makes. Something is rotten in this situation.

The article talks about similar topics and is persuasive. It seems America is beginning to see capitalism in a new light. That is, unregulated capitalism is a train already off the rails. Thoroughly regulated capitalism is a train that is in good working condition and has skilled, watchful eyes on it.

We've seen the former. We need the latter.

***

More Interesting Words

Here are some more words from the book, The Bibliophile's Dictionary: 2,054 Masterful Words and Phrases:

--Irenic (eye RIH nik) adj. Conciliatory; preferring peace or moderation.

--Lapidary (LA puh DER ee) n. A person who cuts and polishes stones or gems. 3. adj. worthy of engraving in stone (e.g., lapidary prose).

--Farrago (fuh RAH go) n. A medley; a jumple; a hodgepodge.

--Risible (RI zuh buhl) adj. capable of or inclined to laughing, 2. causing laughter, 3. associated with laughter.

--Megillah (muh GI luh) n. 2. a long, tediously detailed or embroidered account; a complicated story, frequently in the phrase "the whole megillah."

--Ethereal (i THIR ee uhl) adj. of or like the ether, or upper regions of space, 2. highly refined; delicate; light; airy, 3. heavenly.

***

The Expanding of Vocabulary

As I've stated earlier, I like learning new words, especially words that have a nice sound to them or just sound weird. Here are some I've come across:

1. Chignon n. (SHEEN-yon) A bundle of hair twisted together on the nape of the neck or back of the head on women.

2. Kleptocracy n. (klep-TOK-ruh-see) A government of the corrupt who use their positions for personal gain.

3. Palladium n. ((puh-LAY-dee-uhm) Anything believed to provide protection or safety; a safeguard.

4. Dionysian adj. (dy-uh-NIS-ee-uhn) Uninhibited; spontaneous; wild.

5. Trumped-up adj. (trumpt-up) Faked or fradulent.

6. Stormy petrel n. (STOR-mee PE-truhl) One who brings trouble or whose appearance is a sign of trouble.

***

Inequality Run Amuck

I have been reading quite a bit on the topic of inequality. I see it daily, so it's a subject I want to know more about. And by "seeing it daily," I mean I see it in the people I help who receive Medicaid; yet, like so many others I see it in the news and in society and in how our American culture is structured. It seems the forces are too formidable in favor of the status quo for much to be done.

Here are some quotes that can offer hope and that affirm that "something is rotten in D.C.":

--We must work together to ensure the equitable distribution of wealth, opportunity, and power in our society.           Nelson Mandela

--The causes which destroyed the ancient republics were numerous; but in Rome, one principal cause was the vast inequality of fortunes.                       Noah Webster

--The disposition to admire, and almost to worship, the rich and the powerful, and to despise, or, at least, to neglect persons of poor and mean condition is the great and most universal cause of the corruption of our moral sentiments.                        Adam Smith

--An imbalance between rich and poor is the oldest and most fatal ailment of all republics.      Plutarch

***

No Room in the Inn, At Least Not at a Reasonable Price

I have been reading a lot lately on the difficulty of low-income people finding affordable housing in the New Orleans area (and nationwide). And in my work I deal with many clients that fit into this group. I had thought the going price to rent a one-bedroom in N.O. was about $600 to $1,000. I was wrong.

According to an article published on July 24th, 2017, "The count: average rental price per month of a one-bedroom apartment in New Orleans," on The Advocate's website, this is way off. "New Orleans is No. 1--in U.S. cities with the highest rent hike over the last six months, according to ABODO, a rent-analysis company. While ABODO estimates the nationwide average rent for a one-bedroom apartment to be $1,016 per month and the average apartment in the state of Louisiana to rent for $834 per month, a one-bedroom in N.O. averages out to nearly $1,400 per month."

Wow!

***

The Cards on the Table

William Mueller's report will likely be made public soon, and those who have seen it say Mueller's verdict is "no collusion."

I am surprised, but not shocked. I, though, think the more important thing to come out of the report, coupled with the New York investigation, will be the amount of corruption encircling and committed by the president. Having read an excellent biography of the president, one hardly can take in one immoral or illegal activity before another one slaps you in the visage.

I could be wrong; hopefully I'm not.

***

The NRA and the Long, Slow Refrain of "I'm Melting!"

Recently in the news a breakthrough came for gun-control advocates. There is a case in Connecticut that will be heard concerning the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre. It will center around the firearm used by the killer, Adam Lanza, and whether the manufacturer, Remington, specifically marketed it to troubled youth, like Adam Lanza.

Though, the most exciting news related to this story, for me at least, is that the companies may have to make their internal communications known during the trial. I think the truth will unfold once these documents are shown to the masses.

When the cigarette companies had to show their hands, they eventually found themselves eviscerated. I think the same thing will happen to the firearms manufacturers. Yet, the fight might even be more robust than what happened with the cigarette companies; the reason is, the NRA will levy all their muscle to mitigate any change against the status quo.  And by "muscle" I mean funds, fundraising, and lobbying.

Those three things that are attempting to eviscerate our democracy.

***

Walmart Greeters

Walmart will be getting rid of their greeters in their stores. This policy was actually approved a few years back, but now I guess a tipping point has been reached, in that various greeters who had handicaps will be losing their jobs. The greeter position will instead becomes a position that includes more tasks, such as lifting items and cleaning up spills. And the new job will pay a bit more.

Walmart did a worthwhile thing in hiring these handicapped greeters, and Walmart has, at times, given generously to communities that are dealing with crises.

But is saving a small percentage of their total revenue really worth the pain it will cause these workers, their families, and the customers they've served? According to moneynation.com, Walmart makes about $15,000,000,000 a year in profit. That's about $40,000,000 profit per day. The average Walmart worker makes about $22,000 per year.

Is that pittance of savings really worth it? Won't it just tarnish a name that has been frequently tarnished?

***

Some Hope

I have been reading Elizabeth Warren's two recent books, both of which mix memoir with political commentary. It does give me hope that she is now starting her campaign for the next presidential election. I thought there was slim chance that Trump by now would have been out of office. But I do think with the report from Mueller coming out soon, that should be the beginning of the end. I hope I am not wrong.

But I do feel optimistic that better things are ahead. But things will likely have to get worse before they get better.

***

My Battery is Low and It's Getting Dark

I am not into "space stuff" as much as I'd like to be. Yet, the recent ending of the last of the two Mars rovers, Opportunity, was something that pulled me in and transfixed me.

The Spirit and the Opportunity were to only last about 90 days (in Mars' days), but the last one survived for about 15 years. And the last message received from it--I have heard different things as to whether these were the exact words--was "My battery is low and it's getting dark." That sentence has touched many people. I think it has to do with how we all sense our end will be. Maybe the very end of our lives has that two-step process. A nebulous sign of ending and then a less-nebulous sign of ending.

And then, as the great religions teach, maybe another dimension of existence. I tend to agree with what Vladimir Nabokov said, "Life is a great surprise. I do not see why death should not be a greater one."

***

On Inequality and Its Discontents

I have been reading diligently on the topic of economic inequality in the United States. It has been, at times, eye-opening. A number of things I had already come across before, but one thing that I've read in two places is that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce plays a big part in keeping the wheels of inequality chugging along. For instance, the Chamber has been involved in a number of situations where they have worked against antismoking laws in other countries. I thought the Chamber was a sleepy little organization that had monthly luncheons and speakers talking about municipal bonds, with half the audience falling asleep in their martinis. Not quite.

I didn't realize the 1 percent had so many tentacles with which to crush the opponents of their desires.

I am learning.

***

Gut and Brain

It seems as though there are more and more studies being done related to the microbiome and mental health. Ten years ago the connection between the two would have seemed ludicrous. Now various strands of evidence are tying in the two. I know many psychological studies state implicitly or explicitly that their study may break open great possibilities in healing the psyche.

Yet, in this particular area, I think a number of these studies may.

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Another Presidential Hopeful

I recently saw that the former CEO of Starbucks, Howard Schultz, is testing the waters for a possible run for president in 2020. I have to join the chorus of people who say it is a bad idea. I say that not so much because Schultz would split the Democratic vote as because there is an excellent candidate for president who has shown she is willing to work hard for the average person--Elizabeth Warren.

Hopefully there is so much support behind her that even the thought of Mr. Schultz running would be a non sequitor.

Hopefully.

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Saints' Loss

I don't usually keep up on professional football, but the recent loss of the New Orleans Saints football team to the Los Angeles Rams was highway robbery. The play at the end of the game that should have been pass interference was not. That will have to go down in history as one of the worst non-calls ever.

It makes me wonder--I know this may be a stretch--if the referees had a large amount of money on the game. Something akin to this happened in professional baseball with Pete Rose.

Will someone please contact Morris Bart.

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The Price of Inequality

I have been reading Joseph Stiglitz's 2012 book, The Price of Inequality. The book is packed with revealing information about how the U.S. came to a situation where the rich get richer, the middle class get hollowed out, and the poor stagnate or become poorer.

Some of the material I have seen elsewhere (e.g., from Elizabeth Warren, Jacob Hacker, and Paul Pierson), but Stiglitz is extremely comprehensive and writes in an easy-to-understand way, so it is a great book to read.

I hope to read through the book and a number of other books on inequality, and then attempt to publish some op-eds and articles on the topic.

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Interesting Things Happening Politically

The recent action of the president--the closing of the government--is quite interesting. Especially since the president views it like a business deal, in that the one who can hold out longer is the winner.

I have tried to switch my mind to other topics in the political realm. One help has been hearing about Sen. Elizabeth Warren and her looking into running for president the next time up. I bought two of her recent books.

It gave me hope.

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