6/24/2026

 Wednesday, June 24, 2026

1901 First exhibition by Pablo Picasso, aged 19, opened in Paris

1967 Pope Paul VI published the encyclical Sacerdotalis coelibatus

1982 Supreme Court ruled the president can't be sued for actions in office

2022 Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in a 6-3 vote

2025 Donald Trump told reporters that Israel and Iran "don't know what the fuck they are doing" as both countries continued to launch attacks despite U.S. claims of a ceasefire.

2025 At least 44 Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces who opened fire on people waiting for aid trucks in Gaza.

In bed at 9;20, up at 6:20; 0635, 132/76/56 xxx 204.0; 60/54/71/54 rainy 

Morning meds at 9 a.m., and Eliquis at 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.

If You Love America, Cringe for It.  That is the title of Bret Stephens' op-ed in yesterday's NYTimes.  An excerpt:

To exist as a sentient American in the age of Trump is to live in a perpetual cringe — morally, aesthetically, intellectually, politically. If the administration were a play or film script, it would be neither farce nor tragedy but instead a kind of absurdist travesty, “Waiting for Godot” meets “Pulp Fiction” meets “Dumb and Dumber.”

However much we may disdain him, the president has the rest of us on the hook, as the face and voice of a country that ought to know better. Trump’s angry visage draped between the exterior columns of the Department of Justice? That’s us. His gilded, meretricious redecoration of the White House? That’s us. His repeatedly avowed admiration for Vladimir Putin? That’s us. His laughable claim about having achieved regime change in Tehran? That’s us. His Mafia-like threats against NATO allies? That’s us. His indescribably vain (and pathetically fruitless) effort to affix his name to the Kennedy Center? That’s us. His venal family profiting off his presidency in ways both transparent and tacky? That’s us.

. . . 

Here, then, is our American challenge: Let’s not be afraid to cringe. Ronald Reagan predicted, correctly, that the Soviet Union would end up on the ash heap of history; now it’s our turn to risk winding up on the ash heap of idiocy.

So let’s not look away from the parts we played in bringing America to this moment. Let’s remember who we once were, because it’s what we may yet be again — if only we feel the sting of our present shame. [My empahsius added]

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

I think what hurts us old timers so much in watching the evil buffoonery going on in the White House and throughout much of the federal government is that we remember.   We remember Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, even Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, even Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama.  We remember when America was strong and rich and generous.  We remember when America was the envy of much of the rest of the world.  We remember when we had some, even a lot of, respect for our presidents, even those we voted against.  I hated Nixon for various reasons, but, until Watergate, and except for his conduct of the Vietnam War, he represented the U.S. with some dignity and gravitas.  I was not a fan of Reagan either, but he also represented the country with dignity and gravitas.  I've never been a fan of Bill Clinton's, despite voting for him twice, but again, except for his problem with lust, he acted presidential.  I have always wondered whether George W. Bush had the smarts to be a good president and to resist the leads of Cheney and Rumsfeld, but I thought he was a decent human being at heart.   

Who can find anything good to say of Donald J. Trump?  Consider the Boy Scout Law:  A Scout is:

Trustworthy,

Loyal,

Helpful,

Friendly,

Courteous,

Kind,

Obedient,

Cheerful,

Thrifty,

Brave,

Clean,

and Reverent.

Which of those qualities of CHARACTER can we truthfully apply to Trump?  Only clean, and only in the physical, corporeal sense.

 Consider the qualities of a mensch:

A mensch embodies qualities such as integrity, kindness, responsibility, and respect, making them a person of noble character and moral strength.

Integrity: A mensch is known for their strong moral principles. They act honestly and uphold their values, even when faced with challenges. This integrity earns them the trust and respect of others 

Kindness and Compassion: Mensches are compassionate individuals who show kindness to others. They are sensitive to the feelings of those around them and often go out of their way to help others in need 

Responsibility: A mensch takes ownership of their actions and responsibilities. They are reliable and accountable, ensuring that they fulfill their commitments and obligations 

Respectfulness: Respect for others is a hallmark of a mensch. They treat everyone with dignity, regardless of their background or status, fostering an environment of mutual respect and understanding .

Humility: A true mensch does not seek recognition or praise for their good deeds. They act selflessly and are often modest about their contributions, focusing on the well-being of others rather than their own accolades .

Altruism: Mensches often engage in acts of kindness without expecting anything in return. Their altruistic nature drives them to contribute positively to their communities and support those who are less fortunate 

Which of these qualities do we find in Donald Trump?  NONE.  He is the exact opposite of all of them!  Donald Trump gives the lie to the notion that there is no perfectly bad person.  Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's famous quote from The Gulag Archipelago has it that:

“The line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties either — but right through every human heart — and through all human hearts. This line shifts. Inside us, it oscillates with the years. And even within hearts overwhelmed by evil, one small bridgehead of good is retained” 

He never encountered Donald Trump. 

Today has been largely wasted.  I read some more of Lonesome Dove, and I'm enjoying it, especially all the humor in it, but I'm wondering whether I'll have what it takes to get through all 862 pages.  McMurtry does seem to have quite a bit of insight into the character of his characters and into the harsh conditions of life in the Old West.  I'm not getting much accomplished today.  I slept about 9 hours last night (with several pit stops), but still fell asleep for 2 semi-long naps this morning.  I'm wondering what's going on with my old carcass.