As the monster storm Milton smashed into on Florida, less than two weeks after its precursor, Helene, devastated the entire Southeast, the nation’s leaders were engaged in a clash of dueling narratives over storm relief.
It was if the rest of us were kids watching our soon-to-be divorcing parents fight at the very moment we just needed them to notice that the world was falling apart before our terrified eyes.
Talk about the road to dystopia.
The Republicans, led by Trump and Vance, continue to spread rumors, half-truths and outright lies designed to undermine trust in the federal government, led by Biden and Harris, who were desperately trying to show that they indeed were in charge.
As part of that effort, the President and Vice-President held an unprecedented televised meeting with their senior aides to reassure the nation that everything was under control.
Their senior aides obligingly complied.
Meanwhile, Tim Walz stayed out of the hurricane psychodrama altogether to focus on calling for the end of the Electoral College. I’m beginning to think he’s the only guy in America who sees what is happening here.
I know the kerfuffle over storm relief is just politics as usual, but it was distressing and unsettling to me to watch our political leaders seem so clueless about how this affects the rest of us. Do we still have a country any more, or is it more like two countries, you know, mom’s house and dad’s house?
When the pundits talk about political chaos, this is what they mean. But when disaster strikes what we yearn for his national unity, even if it won’t last. And it’s clear that there will never be any semblance of unity until Donald Trump is gone from the scene. God help us should he return to power.
Thanks to Susan Zakin and the Journal of the Plague Years for publishing my essay, “What Really Matters.” I recommend the Journal for its unique mix of fiction and non-fiction focusing on the here and now.
HEADLINES:
Hurricane Milton marched across central Florida after making landfall on the state's west coast hours earlier, whipping up deadly tornadoes, destroying homes and knocking out power to nearly 3 million customers. A handful of Republican leaders have condemned hurricane misinformation spread by their own party. (Reuters)
Just like Hurricane Helene, climate change boosts rain and wind from Milton, scientists say (AP)
US Republicans condemn hurricane misinformation spread by their own party (Reuters)
'It's so stupid': Biden shoots down Marjorie Taylor Greene's conspiracy theory about controlling the weather (NBC)
Poll Finds Harris Rising as She Challenges Trump on Change (NYT)
Millions of people in the U.S. don’t vote. Could anything change their minds? (AP)
Harris campaign concerned about money after raising $1 billion (WP)
Hezbollah reports clashes with Israeli troops along Lebanese border (Reuters)
Canceled visit by Israel’s top defense official highlights tensions ahead of Iran counterstrike (WP)
Why Russia Is in More Trouble Than It Looks (New York)
A Cartel Double-Cross Turns a Mexican State Into a War Zone (NYT)
North Korea's Army said it will completely cut off roads and railwaysconnected to South Korea, and fortify the areas on its side of the border, state media KCNA reported. (Reuters)
Finally, the Bad Guys Had a Bad Day at the Supreme Court (Slate)
New allegations about Kavanaugh’s FBI probe spark awkward questions (MSNBC)
Silicon Valley, the New Lobbying Monster (New Yorker)
Democrats grow anxious as Election Day nears (CNN)
Google Should Worry About Regulators’ Case Against Its AI Push (Bloomberg)
Couple Denied Marriage License After Failing To Prove Love Beyond Reasonable Doubt (The Onion)
MUSIC (Listen):
D-I-V-O-R-C-E by Tammy Wynette (1968)
[Verse 1]
Our little boy is four years old and quite a little man
So we spell out the words we don't want him to understand
Like T-O-Y or maybe S-U-R P-R-I-S-E
But the words we're hiding from him now
Tear the heart right out of me
[Chorus]
Our D-I-V-O-R-C-E becomes final today
Me and little J-O-E will be goin' away
I love you both and this will be pure H-E double L for me
Oh, I wish that we could stop this D-I-V-O-R-C-E
[Verse 2]
Watch him smile, he thinks it Christmas or his fifth Birthday
And he thinks C-U-S-T-O-D-Y spells fun or play
I spell out all the hurtin' words and turn my head when I speak
'Cause I can't spell away this hurt
That's drippin' down my cheek
[Chorus]
Our D-I-V-O-R-C-E becomes final today
Me and little J-O-E will be goin' away
I love you both and this will be pure H-E double L for me
Oh, I wish that we could stop this D-I-V-O-R-C-E
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