Cartoonists vs. reporters

"Reporters labor under the terrible requirement that what they report must be true. Opinion writers need to endure the less stringent demand that what they opine be at least plausible. Nobody ever expects what cartoonists do to be either true or even plausible. That's why we're happy as larks."

--Robert Grossman, quoted in his obituary written by Neil Genzlinger, NYT 3/20/2018

Reinhold Niebuhr

"Nothing that is worth doing can be achieved in our lifetime; therefore we must be saved by hope. Nothing which is true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history; therefore we must be saved by faith. Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone; therefore we are saved by love. No virtuous act is quite as virtuous from the standpoint of our friend or foe as it is from our standpoint. Therefore we must be saved by the final form of love which is forgiveness."

--The Irony of American History by Reinhold Niebuhr

Public Works in Mink River by Brian Doyle

Cedar and Worried Man have lunch together every day. "They are, collectively, the Department of Public Works. They have publicworked together for more than forty years, in various jobs....Other towns and cities use their departments just to fix roads and sewer lines and streambeds and such....We are prey to what I might call a vast and overweening ambition. I mean, really, to preserve history, collect stories, repair marriages, prevent crime, augment economic status, promote chess, manage insect populations, run sports leagues, isn't that a bit much? We even give haircuts."

Fox news' impact on retirees

"My  mother lived out the end of her fortunate life in a state of bitterness and panic, never having had the slightest brush with any experience that would confirm in these emotions, except, of course, Fpox News."

--Marilynne Robinson, "Slander," in What Are We Doing Here?, 2018, quoted in a review in NY Times

Cubs' new era

"This is where we had our hearts set the whole time," [Tyler] Chatwood said. "They didn't have to sell much. They are the Chicago Cubs." And they have one of baseball's deepest rotations, thanks to a fifth starter people likely won't overlook for long.

Chicago Tribune, February 23, 2018

Take a breath

You are the only judge of what it is that shuts off the internal dialogue that's always urging you to do more, do faster, and do better. But shut off the internal dialogue we must, if the system of the body and mind is to restore itself. Spend one hour each day to relax in whatever way you enjoy.

Peace is like a sun that's always shining in your heart. It's just hidden behind the clouds of fear, doubt, worry, and desire that continually orient you toward the past or future. When you feel crazy busy, take a deep breath and let go. Think, Here I am.

When you're feeling stressed, take 5 or 10 belly breaths.

Exercise. Eat well. Converse meaningfully, Hug and touch. This calms the linbic system, the seat of survival functions.

from Inner Peace for Busy People by Joan Borysenko, 2001

Trump's mandate, based on his campaign

I'll fix it, was Trump's message. In Democracy, it is the people who work together to fix it. So his victory does not indicate he tapped a new group who's willing to work to improve their community. ON the contrary, he tapped a group who's now waiting fo a magical stroke, wave the wand. And when that doesn't happen, what then?

(no source written in the note)