Occasional Observer

Sometimes our presidents have had a significant effect on the physical character of our country. In 1803, Thomas Jefferson arranged for the United States to purchase from France 828 million sq. mi. west of the Mississippi River for $15,000,000, probably the best real estate deal our country has ever made. 

“A billion here, a billion there, and pretty soon you’re talking real money. . .”

                — Attributed to the late Senator Everett Dirksen

America’s large, manicured lawns can be very beautiful, at times almost magical. However we could have even lovelier, ecologically superior landscapes while saving an enormous amount of money were we to substantially reduce the proportion of manicured lawn in our country.

Many years ago I spent a summer working in Copenhagen. Something I noticed right away told me I was not in the United States: when Danes walking down the sidewalk come to a traffic light that is red, they stop and wait until it changes to green — even if there are no cars in sight. Such an orderly, law - abiding people, I thought. 

Over the last four years, President Trump and his administration actively promoted the idea that domestic left-wing organizations have become a growing menace to national security.

“. . . These Republican leaders have not been content with attacks on me, or my wife, or on my sons. No, not content with that, they now include my little dog, Fala. Well, of course, I don’t resent attacks, and my family don’t resent attacks, but Fala does resent them. . .”    

­— Franklin Delano Roosevelt

“Remember, only YOU can prevent forest fires.”

— Smokey the Bear

The COVID-19 pandemic with its fast spread through Midwest meatpacking plants earlier this year forced many of us to wonder if we might be better off becoming vegetarian.