The "lunatic SOB" was checked into in a mental health hospital back in July because he was hearing voices and threatening to "shoot up" his reserve base. He was released after two weeks, but he obviously still had problems. No matter where one stands on Second Amendment rights, this man should clearly have NOT BEEN ALLOWED TO OWN WEAPONS. His family took away his weapons and he turned around and LEGALLY purchased more guns - this should not have been possible. The healthcare system failed to help Mr. Card and the legal system failed to protect the rest of us.
Last week you expressed exclusive concern for money and the economy, one of the few ways a person can hope to sound reasonable while defending a guy who faces 90+ credible felony charges and who is still trying to overturn our last presidential election. As has now happened in this case, the actual, very predictable reasons for knowingly supporting a cheating liar devoid of personal integrity begin to emerge soon enough. But one way that much of Latin America closely resembles the U.S. is that lax gun control is widespread there, so it's where you can find levels of gun-related violence comparable to ours-with the exception of mass shootings in schools.
Thank you, GK, for your wisdom and wonderful sense of humor. I’ve been listening to PHC since the 80s with great joy and appreciation. I’m a retired Episcopal priest in Auburn, Alabama. I just want to let you know I’m still here, listening and laughing and powerfully influenced by your words. Peace and blessings, Wells+
So many adorable kiddos yesterday in superhero costumes, collecting candy from generous shopkeepers on East 86th Street just across the Central Park from you.
I truly admire your writing and think you are both funny and kind, despite what feels like generalized Republican bashing, in your writing.
Since my sister and mother-in-law (both Democrats) have passed away, I can’t find anyone with whom I can have a decent, political discussion. I learned so much from them.
All parties are furiously sure they are right but that fury isn’t leading to a better world.
I’ll keep my mind open that all Democrats are not well meaning guides on the path to destruction if you would consider that all Republicans are far from supportive of the volume of big mouthed fools, who appear to be so prevalent in our party these days.
I think it's fair to point out that GK often has kind words for Republicans who have not abandoned reality and embraced authoritarianism—things that have provoked furious certainty among people who never used to give much thought to "politics" (the word seems misplaced when democracy is teetering on the brink as the leader of the GOP says he can only ever lose as a result of fraud).
Your words filled me with fear and hope. Fear, because 2024 will soon be upon us and once again we'll have to endure the horrific sideshows of 2016 and 2020, courtesy of the MAGA candidate and his attempt to turn this country into a reasonable facsimile of a banana republic with a strong-man dictator for life. Hope, because optimism goes along with a crisp, beautiful day, knowing you're not in this alone.
The spectacular display of color by October leaves here in New England can only be matched by the gruesome colors of bloodshed in Lewiston; one a gratuitous and bountiful gift the other a gratuitous and and all-too vulgar one. The humilty and grandeur of life can be gathered from the first, cynicism and pettiness from the second. In the face of both is the transitoriness of this life. Would that we choose life and have the intelligence to pass common sense laws to promote that life. Thank you, Garrison
“An ordinary late October Day” Sez you – An Easterner at heart, and in residence! It makes me remember one “Fall” day, the first year I lived in Southern California, when I was on a street in Beverly Hills that was lined with sycamore trees. Any “esthetically inclined Northerner” would think “Sycamore! Ah Blah!” Their leaves come down as big brown clumps. But – Heaven Preserve us – the leaves do FALL! I pulled over to the curb, stopped my car, and cried! Oh, how I missed our Northern Falls!
When palm tree fronds come down, it’s because the local city maintenance crew is going through with saws of some sort and cutting the brown leaves off maybe four inches away from their juncture point. After all - if they stayed on the tree, they could become housing units for squirrels, rodents or sea gulls - or a fire danger if hit by the rare bolt of lightning in the short, short fall “rainy season!” Enjoy the leaves for the Locationally Displaced!
Will someone please explain to me what the value is of a rifle capable of taking out so many children (or anyone for that matter) in a matter of seconds. After all, you can only kill one deer at a time.
Yes. To survive as a species we MUST get along with each other no matter how different our views. As long as we are not harming another person and they aren't harming us, let the powers that be handle it all in the afterlife ( if there is such a thing!). Peace.
I love how you describe that beautiful city. Such painfully sad times right now. Only nature offers some solace.
You painted a beautiful essay this morning. Thank you.
The "lunatic SOB" was checked into in a mental health hospital back in July because he was hearing voices and threatening to "shoot up" his reserve base. He was released after two weeks, but he obviously still had problems. No matter where one stands on Second Amendment rights, this man should clearly have NOT BEEN ALLOWED TO OWN WEAPONS. His family took away his weapons and he turned around and LEGALLY purchased more guns - this should not have been possible. The healthcare system failed to help Mr. Card and the legal system failed to protect the rest of us.
You know where you can’t own guns? The country that little boy escaped from to come here...
Last week you expressed exclusive concern for money and the economy, one of the few ways a person can hope to sound reasonable while defending a guy who faces 90+ credible felony charges and who is still trying to overturn our last presidential election. As has now happened in this case, the actual, very predictable reasons for knowingly supporting a cheating liar devoid of personal integrity begin to emerge soon enough. But one way that much of Latin America closely resembles the U.S. is that lax gun control is widespread there, so it's where you can find levels of gun-related violence comparable to ours-with the exception of mass shootings in schools.
Thank you, GK, for your wisdom and wonderful sense of humor. I’ve been listening to PHC since the 80s with great joy and appreciation. I’m a retired Episcopal priest in Auburn, Alabama. I just want to let you know I’m still here, listening and laughing and powerfully influenced by your words. Peace and blessings, Wells+
Such beautiful writing, especially that immortal opening and closing phrase: Upgrade to paid!
😁
So many adorable kiddos yesterday in superhero costumes, collecting candy from generous shopkeepers on East 86th Street just across the Central Park from you.
I thank you kindly, sir, for this beautiful essay.
Your words inspire me to plod on in this crazy world with a sense of hope for humaity.
I truly admire your writing and think you are both funny and kind, despite what feels like generalized Republican bashing, in your writing.
Since my sister and mother-in-law (both Democrats) have passed away, I can’t find anyone with whom I can have a decent, political discussion. I learned so much from them.
All parties are furiously sure they are right but that fury isn’t leading to a better world.
I’ll keep my mind open that all Democrats are not well meaning guides on the path to destruction if you would consider that all Republicans are far from supportive of the volume of big mouthed fools, who appear to be so prevalent in our party these days.
Peace be with you.
Laurie
I think it's fair to point out that GK often has kind words for Republicans who have not abandoned reality and embraced authoritarianism—things that have provoked furious certainty among people who never used to give much thought to "politics" (the word seems misplaced when democracy is teetering on the brink as the leader of the GOP says he can only ever lose as a result of fraud).
Today's is one of your best columns .
Some folks " choose the deserts of correctness to the green pastures of love and correctness . "
And they do it with bluster .
The greatest addiction in many cultures today is not drugs , alcohol , gambling etc . The greatest addiction is the addiction to "being right" .
Today is All Saints Day . May they help us all .
Your words filled me with fear and hope. Fear, because 2024 will soon be upon us and once again we'll have to endure the horrific sideshows of 2016 and 2020, courtesy of the MAGA candidate and his attempt to turn this country into a reasonable facsimile of a banana republic with a strong-man dictator for life. Hope, because optimism goes along with a crisp, beautiful day, knowing you're not in this alone.
The spectacular display of color by October leaves here in New England can only be matched by the gruesome colors of bloodshed in Lewiston; one a gratuitous and bountiful gift the other a gratuitous and and all-too vulgar one. The humilty and grandeur of life can be gathered from the first, cynicism and pettiness from the second. In the face of both is the transitoriness of this life. Would that we choose life and have the intelligence to pass common sense laws to promote that life. Thank you, Garrison
“An ordinary late October Day” Sez you – An Easterner at heart, and in residence! It makes me remember one “Fall” day, the first year I lived in Southern California, when I was on a street in Beverly Hills that was lined with sycamore trees. Any “esthetically inclined Northerner” would think “Sycamore! Ah Blah!” Their leaves come down as big brown clumps. But – Heaven Preserve us – the leaves do FALL! I pulled over to the curb, stopped my car, and cried! Oh, how I missed our Northern Falls!
When palm tree fronds come down, it’s because the local city maintenance crew is going through with saws of some sort and cutting the brown leaves off maybe four inches away from their juncture point. After all - if they stayed on the tree, they could become housing units for squirrels, rodents or sea gulls - or a fire danger if hit by the rare bolt of lightning in the short, short fall “rainy season!” Enjoy the leaves for the Locationally Displaced!
But you still have hummingbirds! Ours have all gone south for the winter... enjoy your flying gems!
Wow. That was uplifting and also pitch-perfect.
Will someone please explain to me what the value is of a rifle capable of taking out so many children (or anyone for that matter) in a matter of seconds. After all, you can only kill one deer at a time.
Yes. To survive as a species we MUST get along with each other no matter how different our views. As long as we are not harming another person and they aren't harming us, let the powers that be handle it all in the afterlife ( if there is such a thing!). Peace.