At the end of this very bleak litany of abuses, which are very real, Mariner has some good suggestions. They are probably meant to be ironic, but getting rid of junk, preparing for the tornado, securing finances and having a good time seem like practical ideas to embrace. I would exchange the Valium for a long walk, as it has more benefits…[Read more]

It is nice to think that in the midst of the turmoil in our lives and in this nation, there can still be moments of bliss. We should make a habit of looking for them. Turning off the tv is a good start. Computers, too–but then how would we hear from the mariner? Thank you for sharing a quietly hopeful message during the holiday season.

Well, you got my attention! This post has an intriguing title, but no information about a financial bomb shelter. Is there such a thing? What would it look like? Or do we just need a regular bomb shelter??

Thank you for this uplifting holiday message!

Mariner did not rejoice in the election of Jimmy Carter? And Barack Obama?

If only the state of Fear had voting rights — because there are enough of us living there to swing an election!

This seems like a reasoned and thoughtful commentary on an unreasonable and scary situation. “Give them time to fumble and see how well they recover.” I hope the fumbling is not so catastrophic that there is no time to recover. I hope the other countries and non-state actors give them time to find their footing.

Not ready for this. I am not interested in any aspects of politics right now. The garden sounds interesting and a rewarding pastime. About all we can do now is tend our own gardens.

A thoughtful, measured response to a devastating situation. No name calling or tirade against the electorate–just the terrible reality of what a Trump presidency will look like and the terrible damage it can do. If only Trump were capable of a thoughtful, measured response to anything…

Given the state of the republic, the gridlock in Congress, and the huge problems that face us (as always), I think what we need now is a super administrator, whose instincts lean toward the progressive. Hillary is not Wonder Woman, but she is smart, experienced, compassionate and strong. While we wait for the millenials to organize the new left,…[Read more]

There must be a ray of hope somewhere. Or perhaps we must be the ray of hope, like Mother Teresa who worked tirelessly for the poor and suffering even though her faith was gone.

Interesting how Mariner can be encouraging and discouraging in the same post! Western civilization may be saved, but saved for what?

It is so very
Hard to make thoughts of nature
Fit into this form!

Hard to imagine people being required to vote. It feels like the opposite of freedom. How about people get paid a nominal fee if they do vote? Now, where would that money come from? Oh, the penalty imposed on those who choose not to vote! Pay a dollar or make a dollar–your choice!

Earth is an artist in rock and stone, river, sea and sky, and also expresses itself in words–like yours.

This is a very clear analysis of what has happened in politics during my lifetime. It sounds like it is unbiased, if that is even possible. I like the line, “Reagan was just the toastmaster…” (at the fall of the Berlin wall). You could say he was the Toastmaster in Chief…!

Oh, my–if we aren’t drowning in water, we are drowning in debt. What to do? What to do? Perhaps Chicken Little, Amos, and Guru could put their heads together and suggest a survival strategy for those of us who are not in a position to effect global change. Plant a garden? Buy gold? Go off the grid? Raise sheep in the backyard and learn to…[Read more]

Where will the people go? They will all climb onto the part of the life raft that is still above water. We may need to build a wall at the Florida border.