As I walked through the woods today I felt the nearly 90-degree heat. I have my new L.L. Bean fall clothes but so far it is too hot for Maine outerwear. Fall is here and fall weather is coming…perhaps later this week. We have enjoyed and endured an unusually hot summer both in temperature and in political rhetoric. I wonder if our political leaders do not realize that we know when they are lying to us? Politics has always been a rough and tumble sport but over the past few years, it has morphed into a slugfest. The reality of our three equal branches of government is that they are based on compromise. They do not function with nihilistic and narcissistic personalities.

Media has taken over our political system. Theatre and drama now rule the day. Who gets the biggest sound bite on the news. Who can tell us bare-faced lies with a straight face? Who can tear down the House of Representatives… and as far as we are in their hearts and on their radar…we can be damned. A basic principle of civic discourse is to not denigrate and malign anyone who you disagree with. When the former President is questioned or someone falls out of his favor…his caustic words cause danger and harm to anyone who would dare speak out against him. A day or two ago the Democrats saved the CR which enabled the government to remain open and ensured that thousands of government staff and our military could continue to receive their paychecks. I saw the Speaker of the House of Representatives in a new light as he appeared to be showing courage…until he blamed the almost shut-down on the democrats who had just saved his Bacon. Government shutdown never helps…it always hurts.

It has been asked what would you think if President Biden’s son is found guilty? He should be prosecuted like anyone else. The law is for the powerful and powerless. If the impeachment inquiry finds Biden guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors…let the process proceed to its logical conclusion. I do not think that I have been enamored with any man that has held the office of President… except for JFK…and I was a wee lad when he was cut down by assassination. Personalities are not the requirements for elected office…fidelity to our Constitution is.