A Friendly Letter

Here’s a Great Look at the Quaker “Good Old Days.” Beautiful — But a Lot of Work

[Note: It’s rare that blog material turns up in the real estate section, especially the mainly rather upscale version in the Washington Post, and particularly in the rather very upscale horsey parts of Loudoun County, Virginia, out near where the Shenandoah Valley begins. But for many decades once upon a time, much of Loudoun was … Continue reading Here’s a Great Look at the Quaker “Good Old Days.” Beautiful — But a Lot of Work →

The Front Lines May be In Doubt, But Putin’s War on Dissenters is Going Great

[NOTE: Repression of dissent is a communicable disease. How many variants are loose in our own atmosphere? And are we preparing to resist their spread?] New York Times Thousands Swept Up as Kremlin Clamps Down on War Criticism The arrests are a stark gauge of how the Kremlin has intensified repression of critics. At least … Continue reading The Front Lines May be In Doubt, But Putin’s War on Dissenters is Going Great →

“Religious (Anti-Abortion) Liberty” for ME But Not for THEE! Roe Reversal Likely to Spark Many Faith-Legal Clashes

[NOTE: First Amendment: “Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion . . .” Banning abortion will be to “establish” one set of religious notions. Doing it via the Supreme Court rather than Congress won’t make it any less contrary to the Constitution’s plain meaning. And Such Supreme Court usurpation will by no … Continue reading “Religious (Anti-Abortion) Liberty” for ME But Not for THEE! Roe Reversal Likely to Spark Many Faith-Legal Clashes →

Don’t Be Cruel: Corporate Hound Dogs Have The Vegas Elvis-Themed Weddings Biz All Shook Up

[NOTE: I know it marks me as old, but Elvis was a part of my life for many years, til he went all mushy and Hollywood, then the Sixties elbowed him and all the others aside; and after that, God help us, the ’70s . . . . But change is the only constant . … Continue reading Don’t Be Cruel: Corporate Hound Dogs Have The Vegas Elvis-Themed Weddings Biz All Shook Up →

The Great Russian Superyacht Hunt Continues; And Denmark gets Defensive

From the New York Times The Middlemen at the Heart of an Oligarch-Industrial Complex They oversee the flow of billions of dollars from Putin-connected Russians to companies involved in superyachts and villas. They’ve drawn the attention of a U.S. task force. By Michael Forsythe, Gaia Pianigiani and Julian E. Barnes — June 1, 2022 On … Continue reading The Great Russian Superyacht Hunt Continues; And Denmark gets Defensive →