The New York Times repeatedly informs us that we are currently facing a Climate Emergency, that our democracy is being eliminated by Donald Trump (the 2026 elections will, presumably, be suspended indefinitely; also it would be a tragedy if this #1 threat to our democracy were to die), and that various other dire issues demand our attention (and our votes for Democrats).
What’s front page news? The wedding of a 36-year-old female (27 years older than ideal, for a pious Muslim, under the Hadiths), Taylor Swift:
Words don’t mean shit when so many are being created every second.
It so happens that this Friday and Saturday, I spent nearly 8 hours driving around the state of Maskachu$etts (down to the Cape and all the way to Springfield (don’t ask me why)).
I expected to see American flags on every bridge I drove under, but there were virtually none. I expected to see additional American flags flying at government and public buildings, but there were virtually none. I expected to see American flags in front yards, at churches and singers, and on local businesses, but again, there were virtually none. I expected to see them in front of big-box stores and mom-and-pop shops, but once again, there were none.
What I did see, however, were enough Rainbow flags to remind me that it was still June, while the approaching 4th of July and America’s 250 celebration almost nonexistent, at least here in Maskachu$etts.
Maskachu$etts once had “The Spirit of America” on its license plates. That slogan has been replaced with “250 Years of Independence” which leaves me wondering “independence” from what?
> https://philip.greenspun.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/image-8.png
Swifties are aging out, turning into blue-haired grannies.