Put'tem in Prison!

 PUT'TEM IN PRISON!

I'm so excited, as a criminal defense attorney, that our Iowa legislature is once again thinking: 'incarceration'.  As they well know, incarcerating people solves all kinds of things.  The down side, and there is always a down side, is that with the current payment schedule for us criminal defense attorneys here in Iowa, few are interested in this new business model.  The local repairman gets paid far more than a court appointed attorney so the more criminals we produce the better.  We'll make up for it in quantity what we lose in quality.

I see from the Des Moines Register that the new idea, you would think it had never been thought of before, is to make a 20 year mandatory sentence for those who persist in not doing what they are told or otherwise persistently not behaving themselves.  From what one would gather listening to our legislators, the two most pressing issues for us Iowans are criminal behavior and property taxes.  Apparently, there is too much of both.

And, as I said at the top, being a criminal defense attorney, I can't argue with either notion.  What more can you ask than an increase in business opportunity and less expense while doing it. I can only applaud our legislature in their continued effort to make life better for those in my profession.  We might even have to build a new prison.  I'm sure numerous communities will vie for its location in or near their local area - - a great economic opportunity for their unemployed.

We have learned, I presume correctly without further analysis, that leading the world in incarceration, us, the U.S., is of tremendous benefit. Not only does it take so many unproductive people from the streets and ghettos of our cities, it alleviates many nuisances and improvident behavior from our smaller towns and communities throughout Iowa.  After all, who wants continued pilfering from places such as Walmart or HyVee or the wandering homeless when a solution is immediately available - - prison!

Being the sociologists they are, our legislators read up on all of our county attorney and law enforcement annual proposals on how to make us safer and immediately get to work.  Safety is the concern - - as it should be.  One needs to be able to do whatever one wants whenever one wants without hindrance from those who don't have the means to do whatever they want whenever they want.  Pretty simple really.

So, I must applaud any new effort to make more criminals and for keeping them locked up longer.  Who needs such people wandering around making life less idyllic than it should be.  Not necessary.  It's especially a win - win for those in my profession - - more business at less cost; and as for the general public, they can relax more comfortably in their beds at night knowing that there are fewer people stealing  tools from the garage while they slumber or the Amazon delivery off the porch that shows up whenever.

Richard E H Phelps II

Mingo

We'll Wait and See

 WE'LL WAIT AND SEE

The words of our long time senator, Charles Grassley:  "I'll wait to see what the FBI investigation shows".  This is, if one were not aware, the statement that our senator made upon inquiry of his opinion, or view, or thoughts of, the shooting of the woman in Minneapolis.  The only response possible to such a statement is "Watch the video!"

We must remember that Senator Grassley is part of the congressional body that funded ICE.  Iowa's entire congressional body voted for the vast funding of ICE and its hiring of innumerable men who were then given guns and called police:   All for the purpose of grabbing people from their jobs, their schools, their cars, putting them in cells with hundreds, if not thousands, of others, and sending them away to parts unknown.

I recently read an analogy that immediately caught my attention.  It was looking back at the Holocaust which killed six million jews, unnumbered Roma, and others,  which benefited no one.  It killed, tortured and otherwise made life miserable for millions without any benefit to those remaining.  Our current efforts have the same lack of effect.  Rounding up and deporting thousands of people here in the United States, most of whom work, buy things, pay into social security, and otherwise add to the economic viability of this country benefits no one.

Of course, being deported is better than being shot in the face in front of your three children.  For our elected representatives to not act or respond in outrage is outrageous.  Here we have people who are purportedly elected to represent us, presumably to make our lives better if possible, who spend their time and energy either verbally or silently supporting this national effort to make life miserable for thousands without any thought whatsoever of the possible benefit to either the country or to the people in it.  It really is shameful.  Are we afraid to disagree; are we afraid to say stop!

We are made aware of this administration using the office of the attorney general to investigate and/or charge those who disagree with it and are capable of expressing that disagreement.  Is this what happened in the 30's - - as long as it doesn't affect us, we don't care enough to do anything about it.  But then, it does affect us and those who are left don't care about us!  Are our elected representatives afraid they will be next?

We must care what happens to us and others if we are to maintain a civilized society where we can all prosper and live without fear.  Let us hope that the current attitudes and actions of our government and of the people currently in charge fade quickly and we return to some form of normalcy which does not terrorize us.

Richard E H Phelps II

Mingo

Parable of the Sower

                      PARABLE OF THE SOWER

Octavia Butler

Books for Bigots

Now here is a book for just about any Bigot.  The end of civilization, the search for a new Jerusalem, violence, mayhem, rape, cannablism, simple survival in a society gone berserk.  One major difficulty may be, though, that our narrator, leader, and guiding prophet is an eighteen year old - - black, and female. The realization is not immediate however, possibly giving the reader enough time to get involved in the story that it can be read through without too much disgruntlement.

Lauren Olamina, unfortunately, has a name that is obviously not Anglo-Saxon. Germanic, or Nordic in origin which I know will be off-putting to many Bigots.  Lauren has created Earthseed:  The Book of the Living.  One caption pretty well captures the sense of the book:  "In order to rise from the ashes, a Phoenix must first burn".  America, in this book, is definitely burning and clearly gone with no semblance of current, everyday life, as we know it.

It is difficult to give a good sense of the book in 500 words.  It is a book that sticks with you after you have finished it.  It makes an impression; you remember events and characters, landscape and the events.  It's not Pamela.  Civilization, as we know it, for most of the population is over.  If you can't steal or salvage you starve.  If you have anything of value, you are killed for it.  It is a survival story with most not surviving.

Another issue with which a reading Bigot will face is Lauen's view of God.  To her, God is Change - - that is all, that's it.  This is a somewhat odd view of the deity, if one can call 'change' a deity.  One's first impression is that the author,  Ms. Butler, has a rather unorthodox view of what might be considered a deity.  Although if one thinks about it, which most Bigots will not, the idea is not far from what we consider to be God anyway. 

If you are of the opinion that God is the cause of everything - - the creator whether currently actively engaged or simply the entity that set everything in motion, you are, in effect, of the opinion that all change is the result of God's actions, and is, therefore, his embodiment.  God is the creator of the world and everything in it and it keeps operating according to his plan and will presumably continue to do so.  It really is not a very long leap to say that "God is Change" then.

I will have to conclude however, that most Bigots do not have the inclination nor the ability to analyze what they read in any meaningful way.  The PARABLE OF THE SOWER, would more than likely keep the attention of the average BIGOT and could be read to the end simply to find out what happens to the characters picked up on the trek to a new life, at a place called Acorn.  It's a pretty good story and one that a reader including BIGOTS can get involved in.

Richard E H Phelps II

Mingo

Crusading We Shall Go!

 CRUSADING WE SHALL GO!

I'm for it - - a Crusade.  We haven't had a real crusade since 1271-1272, nearly a thousand years ago when once again Christian Europe decided to take back the Holy Land from a guy named Baibars and the Muslims.  Now I know that Nigeria isn't the holy land, not even close actually, but we have the scent of a new holy war - - once again Christians vs. Muslims.  What can be better than that?

I'm aware that Hindus and Muslims get into it occasionally by slaughtering each other, but nothing like the Christians and Muslims used to do.  Not only do we have the Holy Land to learn from, but Spain as well.  History is replete with religious conflict and it is time to add to it.  

Trump has decided that maybe this isn't such a bad idea.  Our opening salvo was bombing Muslims in Nigeria.  Bombing really doesn't have the cachet that actual killing each other in person has - -  like a thousand years ago in the Holy Land.  What we really  need are troops on the ground.  It is unlikely that Trump himself will lead them as Edward did in 1271-1272, but maybe he could send our Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to lead them.  That should placate those who demand royalty for authentication.

From what I understand, Edward didn't accomplish much but we need to give him an "A" for effort.  Unfortunately, he had to get back to England to handle matters there.  Apparently there were people taking advantage of his absence.  Of course, this would be the same reason that Trump wouldn't lead the troops himself - - things could get out of hand at home.

Now I know that most of you who are reading this will think this idea of a new crusade absurd, but we do have a resurgence here in the States of new religious intolerance that needs an outlet and what better place for it than in Nigeria.  I personally would rather see it there than here.  There is nothing better than pitting one intolerant group against another intolerant group and those guys in Nigeria who purport to be Muslims are a fitting opponent.  So let's go get them and slaughter them in style, not from some airplane or helicopter where you can't even see the bodies.  

This gives our people a proper outlet for their aggression and surely would also bring to fruition the aspirations of those guys in Nigeria who are now kidnapping school girls.  Kidnapping school girls doesn't seem to be much of an accomplishment.  But if we could send over a regiment or two of devout Christians determined to liquidate them and make the world safe for Christianity again, such a battle would be something to brag to their grandchildren about.

Pete Hegseth is just the guy to do it too.  He absolutely relishes being in charge and able to fire generals at will.  He would be perfect - - get him a helmet, some camouflage, and a rifle with a retinue of photographers in tow and we have the perfect scenario for a modern holy war and Nigeria would be the perfect place for it - - several thousands of miles from here. 

So let's have at it.

Richard E H Phelps II

Mingo

American Pastoral

 AMERICAN PASTORAL

Philip Roth

Books for Bigots

Now a Jewish novel, after a Black novel and a Cheyenne novel, in my continued search for Books for Bigots.  I enjoyed American Pastoral; it's a good read, but does not end well for our hero Seymour "Swede" Levov.  The Swede as he is known in much of the book grows up in a successful, hardworking Jewish family - - the maker of fine gloves in Newark.

Manufacturing fine gloves in Newark is the first indication that things may not turn out so well as hoped and they don't.  This is not to say unnecessary disparaging remarks about New Jersey's largest city, but after all it is Newark and the Newark riots are amply covered in the story of the Levov's manufacturing of fine gloves.  This coverage within the story of the Levov's, of Black people rioting in Newark, will give most Bigots satisfaction of the sort - - of the "I told you so" variety.

The issue with The Swede is that he is a fabulous athlete the opposite of all those with whom he grows up.  He is called the Swede for that very reason - - big, strong, and amazingly athletic for a Jewish kid growing up in Newark, New Jersey with typical Jewish looking, non-athletic parents, friends, and relatives.

The perfect life with wealth, looks, a Miss New Jersey wife  (a Catholic by the way), but a daughter who stutters and then blows things up and disappears; reappearing finally, emaciated and a Jain who won't eat and doesn't want help while living in a dump presumably being raped at random.  Oh, and the Mrs. is, at the end of the book, having an affair with a local, historically knowledgeable neighbor architect who has been engaged by his wife to build them a new house.

But as far as Bigots are concerned, we have a Jewish novel here.  The Jewish thing has currently become complicated for Bigots.  We now have the Jewish state of Israel destroying Palestine which is Moslem.  Bigots are now conflicted and you can see in their reactions to current events.  They are suppose to detest Jews which is usually a requirement for Bigotry here in the United States, but both the Christians and the Moslems believe that the second coming will occur in the Holy Land which, unfortunately, is Jewish.  However, the crux of the matter is that the average Bigot can not decide which he or she dislikes more, Jews or Muslims - - as I said, complicated.

And I say complicated for the reason that it is difficult for a Bigot to parse out his hatred for Jews and for Muslims considering current events in the Middle East. Yes, we are glad that Moslems are being slaughtered wholesale, but not so happy over who is doing it - - the Jews.  Shouldn't it be the Christians like back when we had such things as Crusades?  Do we really have to praise the Jews for doing it?  This is causing conflict within the mind of Bigotry.

   Even though we see The Swede as a pretty unpretentious and nice guy who is polite and a gentleman to all those he encounters, the simple fact that the book is about Jewish people would concern many Bigots.  As with all Bigots, they do not want to know more than they already do about Jewish people so the idea of reading a Jewish novel would not occur to them in the first place.  

I would suggest to any Bigot willing at least to adventure into a Jewish novel, The Swede is pretty solidly American and non-Jewish and it has little to offend, and in the end,  one might actually feel bad for the guy.  A man who never had a bad thought about anyone in his life; nor acted badly with anyone.  So I say, give it a try, the book will not convert you, attempt to convert you, nor want to convert you.  It is simply a story about a very successful, nice, pleasant, unpretentious guy with athletic ability,  wealth, beautiful wife, nice friends, whose life in the end goes to shit - - something that could happen to any of us - - which makes it literature.

As for the title of the book American Pastoral and for those unfamiliar with the term "pastoral", it is a literary genre originating with shepherds tending their flocks leading simple, uncomplicated lives free from adversity or the daily complications of modern existence.  The Swede, a good example of the pastoral man, loses his flock to destruction, desertion, unfaithfulness, and contempt; and, asks the author, a former high school classmate, now writer,  to chronicle it.  If the reader could just think of it as a pastoral novel rather than a Jewish novel, it might help.

With a final note though, it must be concluded that most Bigots would not enjoy this book for the standard reasons that a) it is a book, b) it is a Jewish book, c) it contains Jewish characters. d) there anti-Vietnam war sentiments espoused, e) the daughter becomes a Jain, f) things don't end well for the main character,  i. e. it's not a happy ending. 

Richard E H Phelps II

Mingo

Hello Greenland!

 HELLO GREENLAND!

I wonder how well a tank would do on a glacier.  It would be fun to find out, wouldn't it?  This idea to invade Greenland is great.  A new adventure for those wandering around looking for something to do.  Boredom is a terrible thing; it causes one to do things one normally wouldn't do such as invade other countries.  We apparently have a bored government desperately looking for things to do; you know, like invade Venezuela or annex Greenland.

It hadn't occurred to me that our current administration would be so eager to add a bunch of eskimos to our national population.  We would have to do the same with Canada, which I assume will be next after Greenland.  Afterall, we can't just get in our car and drive to Alaska, now can we?  We should not have to put up with border guards just to get to Nome.

But back to Greenland.  My understanding is there are about 50,000 people who live in Greenland who speak Danish or Inuit apparently ( foreign languages to those ill-informed) and have no business doing that.  They need to speak English, American English.  They have no business speaking anything else and we should insist on it once we annex them.

This business about what Greenlanders want or how the Danes feel about it is irrelevant.  The Chinese and Russians have the right idea when it comes to annexing countries:  what the people of those countries want is irrelevant.  For examples, Tibet and now Ukraine and soon to be Taiwan.  We can still purport to be a democracy, caring about what the people living in target countries want, while simply ignoring them - - just like here in America where what the people either want or really should want is irrelevant to those in charge.  

What's really exciting about this whole idea is that once we have Greenland, Canada will be surrounded and we can annex them next.  The only question is, do we really want Quebec.  After all they speak French and are quite proud of the fact.  That might take a rather lengthy effort.  We could always annex the rest of Canada and leave the Quebecers alone for now; just put it on our to-do list, that way we won't irritate France either.

The whole thing sounds pretty exciting.  I'm not sure we would then be as big as Russia, but certainly getting close and all this nonsense about exotic minerals to operate our iphones would be moot.  All for the simple reason that our people here in charge are bored and need something to do which doesn't cause unnecessary problems locally in the US; and, at the same time gives them a chance to, as they say, "Expand their horizons" a little with some foreign intervention and accumulation of other people who we can immediately turn into Americans - - something we have been doing for centuries actually.

Once again, all I can say is, it sounds pretty exciting and I really do want to see a video of an army tank on a glacier.  We could have war games there in preparation for a war on the Siberian tundra.

Richard E H Phelps II

Mingo

The Lathe of Heaven

 THE LATHE OF HEAVEN

Ursula K. Leguin

Books for Bigots

I find it only appropriate that I comment on what I read and for the specific purpose of suggesting, or not suggesting as the case may be, Books for Bigots.  The Lathe of Heaven would be a tough read for most Bigots.  George Orr's dreams change reality - - what he dreams becomes instantly what is.

Another disturbing item is that aliens have arrived, and being peaceful, are being allowed to stay and mingle with the human population.  This, of course, is the worst case scenario for a Bigot in that all Bigots, Bigotry in general, has its basis in sameness.  If you are not like me, be gone.

This "being like me" concept is the basis of all bigotry.  Difference is anathema and the core of all unpleasantness.  In THE LATHE OF HEAVEN, Leguin pretty much hits on all the buttons of difference.  George seeks legal aid from a black, female, attorney who hates the law apparently - - not necessarily a good choice with regard to hating the law, not for the fact of female or black, although there are a good many bigots who would not condone either female or black when it comes to positions of authority or to for assistance in a legal matter.  There are times when you would think that we live in a Muslim country when it comes to the  Bigot view of the responsibilities and duties of the female of the species, not that there aren't female Bigots as well.  Bigotry is not limited to the male sex.

But the main issue here is that when George dreams something it becomes reality affecting everything, including people.  For instance, if several downtown buildings were to be not included in a dream of that section of downtown, they would simply not be there when he awakens (nor the people in them).  Pretty scarcely really, but the most brilliant and exciting method of getting rid of people, including aliens, that one could possibly devise which will appeal to all Bigots instantly.   It is a Bigot fantasy - - to wish it or to dream it and it will be.  Bigotry wishful thinking.

I might have to rethink this book for purposes of recommended reading for Bigots.  In many ways, it would be ideal, in others, however, especially the acceptance of aliens, it might be anathema.  There is a conflict here that may be too much for the average Bigot - - Bigots are uncomfortable with ambiguity and this book has it.  

Certainty has always been a clear prerogative of Bigots; it is one of the trademarks of a Bigot.  Without certainty Bigotry is subject to vacillation which is never a sought for condition.  Hence, I am ambivalent.  The book is an interesting read and holds your interest throughout and has a number of interesting comments that get your attention.  However, weighing all the factors presented here, I will have to say that most Bigots would not enjoy the book.

Richard E H Phelps II

Mingo