Most of the people I know and associate with are frightened for the future of our country. Learning that Victor Orban, the Hungarian autocrat just spoke at the Conservative Republican conference in Texas adds to our angst. In a recent speech, Orban’s racist beliefs and statements caused his own 20 advisor to resign in disgust. Orban was cheered at the American conference for his positions on gay marriage, immigration, abortion and more. The guy is a wanker, no surprise, his first visit in the United States was to our own twice impeached “big lie” autocrat-wanna be, who deserves no recognition. Orban has been embraced by one of the Fox wankers, Tucker Carlson, who also is a Putin defender.  Orban has no place speaking in a country who lost so many lives in dedication to eliminating Hitler from power. There is nothing to admire about him or those who believe in social Darwinism. 

In other interesting news, Arizona has apparently been a victim of the body snatchers. You may be familiar with one of the  3 versions of Jack Finney’s 1955 novel, Body Snatchers. Aliens, my analysis, are taking over the earth with an ingenious organic pod that exactly reproduces a human when they fall asleep. When they awake they are programmed to continue the pure race of pod people who have no emotions, turning in anyone not infected with an ear splitting screech. How else can you explain the primary wins for the Republican Party for Governor, Secretary of State, and State Attorney General. All three are election deniers and Finchem is a long time Oath Keeper member who was in the Capital on January 6th. Wow, they must have modified the pods to create a pandemic of craziness. Where does this end?
 
I am reminded of a fine 1972 song by Stealers Wheel, Stuck in the Middle with You. A more famous version was recorded by Jeff Healey in 1975. Healey lost his sight at the age of one and learned to play the guitar in an unusual style. The link is attached. Enjoy the music and take heart. Roe versus Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court. Those of us who value personal rights and the freedoms of each citizen including a woman who should have self direction of her physical and mental well being were appalled. Kansas gave us hope this week as they overwhelmingly rejected a proposed state constitutional amendment that would have not allowed abortion in the State. The measure went down 59% to 41% in what has historically been a very conservative State. It is projected that such a measure would lose if on the ballet in approximately 40 states. Now you may understand the song reference, “Clowns to the left of me—-jokers to the right—here I am stuck in the middle with you”.  The future of our country is up to those of us in the middle, speak up—go all “Kansas” on the extremists. 

Please join me a moment of silence for a great Idahoan.  Mark Nye was a Pocatello person through and through. He was educated at Pocatello High, Harvard and got his JD at University of Idaho.  Always involved in his communities, when he left his law practice he was elected to the State House of Representative’s and then moved to the Senate. Mark supported and concentrated on Education and our economy. Mark was a collaborator, always with an open door and mind. Mark could be counted on for a very clever and dry sense of humor. Mark will always be remembered by many many friends and family. 

Live free like the juvenile Western Red tail Hawk.  Keep the faith.  Mike