[Note: the final Presidential debate airs tonight at 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.]
Among the most encouraging social changes during my lifetime is the broad acceptance of same-sex relationships. So it is refreshing to see the spiritual leader of the Catholic portion of the Christian religion finally bless civil unions. That is a major step in the right direction.
It's also a reminder that in such a discordant time, with hate speech all around, there are voices in authority who will take a unifying stand on behalf of human rights.
This is the only time I have ever said this, but God Bless the Pope!
***
On the negative front, one of the issues many organizations are confronting is how to balance our new consciousness of inherent biases with the casual use of language that may or may not perpetuate stereotypes. As a person who cares a lot about words and phrases, it pains me when those in authority overstep their bounds to insist that people speak in only certain acceptable ways.
An incident that recently came to my attention illustrates what I am talking about. To start off a group conversation inside one company, an employee posted the greeting, "Hi guys!"
She was quickly reprimanded that such a greeting excluded all of those present who were not biologically or by choice male.
Nonsense! That is a form of political correctness I will never abide by. In fact, in solidarity with that wronged employee, I say loud and clear to all of you: HI GUYS! If you are offended by that, get a life.
***
Recently a couple friends were talking with me about online dating under the present circumstances. They said they thought singles are becoming more "frantic" (their word) as the pandemic drags on.
I suggested that this time of enforced separation may be a great opportunity for people to communicate remotely in ways that help them actually get to know each other *before* dating. "After all, we fall in love with each other's vulnerabilities," I heard myself say.
Maybe that means that on top of the hubris that enables me to express opinions about political matters, I must now have somehow acquired the delusion I am an expert on dating as well. Let's just hope there is no fact-checker nearby.
***
The news overnight:
* Pope Francis has declared support for civil unions for same-sex couples for the first time, according to the Catholic News Agency. The Pope made the historic remarks in a new documentary film, "Francesco," which was released in Rome on Wednesday."Homosexual people have a right to be in a family. They're children of God and have a right to a family. Nobody should be thrown out or be made miserable over it," the Pope said in the film. (Catholic News Agency)*Republicans, it’s time to choose between autocracy and a republic (WashPo) |
* In ‘Lobster War,’ Indigenous Canadians Face Attacks by Fishermen -- A battle over the lucrative lobster industry in Nova Scotia has become the latest flash point in a series of abuses of Indigenous people in Canada. (NYT)
* Intelligence officers in charge of briefing Trump on threats against the nation are reportedly “terrified” of speaking to him about Russia. “No one’s going to brief anything on Russia to the president,” Marc Polymeropoulos told GQ. “Because he’ll explode and the whole thing will get derailed, because he has this weird affinity for [Russian President Vladimir] Putin.” Asked why Putin is such a touchy subject, Polymeropoulos said Trump “wants Putin to like him.” This comes as more than 50 former intel officials say the GOP's Hunter Biden smear appears to have the hallmarks of a Russian disinformation campaign. [HuffPost]
* Trump is Giving Up -- Opinion (NYT)
* IF TRUMP LOSES, HE MAY GO TO PRISON Trump’s activities in recent years ― from paying hush money to a porn star to his claiming of a massive tax refund to obstructing an investigation into his campaign’s ties to Russia ― combined with a ticking statute of limitations clock potentially make Election Day far more consequential for him than it had been for his predecessors. If Trump wins a second term, the time limit for starting a prosecution would run out in the next four years for a number of those activities, given Justice Department guidelines not to prosecute a sitting president. If Trump loses, indictments could quickly follow. [HuffPost]
* Study finds no crime increase in ‘sanctuary’ cities, despite Trump claims (WashPo)
* Nearly 1,000 children were held in US custody for over a year (Reveal)
* San Francisco has moved into the least restrictive yellow tier in the state’s system, which allows some smaller theme parks and stadiums to reopen. [KQED]* The latest numbers. President Electoral Votes: Biden 358, Trump 180. Senate: Democrats (51) Republicans (49). (Electoral-Vote.com)
***
And Madonna, she still has not showed
We see this empty cage now corrode
Where her cape of the stage once had flowed
The fiddler, he now steps to the road
He writes ev'rything's been returned which was owed
On the back of the fish truck that loads
While my conscience explodes
The harmonicas play the skeleton keys and the rain
And these visions of Johanna are now all that remain
-- Bob Dylan
-30-
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