After the US Senate report on torture, the CIA is catching hell over “enhanced interrogation”. I find it surprising that still a number of apologists are eager to say that it was ok, while fudging whether they are in favor of more torture in the future; pretty much all Republican. At least McCain has spoken out. Otherwise: Shameful.

When government and spokesmen and former officials lack all sense of shame, surely this is a sign of decay of integrity. This is indeed a victory for “terrorism”. 

Much talk of whether torture was productive, that is, did it result in useful information? Expert tonight said, yes, sometimes it can result in useful information. However, that might have been obtainable without breaking all the rules. (The military, who perpetrated more of this heinousness, is not called to task just yet). Yet no one is talking about the toll on the pawns,  who carried out the abuse. Besides the damage to captives, none of whom could legally be tortured, what  of the guards and torturers, whither their consciences; what remains of their future ability to decide to act morally or not? 

More broadly, what becomes of this nation’s identity when its government has tortured captives-- in the name of its people, in order to protect them in their panic?

This issue is going to divide along ideological lines. What this means is that many are going to feel social pressure to follow a party line, to defend or decry torture based on party loyalty. What a tortured polity.

Happy year end

In the rear of Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Giving Tuesday, I am posting my Christmas Card,  wishing all a Happy Yearend, my personally crafted holiday. Each year, to celebrate the dead end of the calendar, perhaps I will post a blog, sufficiently in advance of the day celebrated so as to be credible as a true holiday in the American Hallmark card rack.  2014 has been a long year. An Anus Horibilus.

Many things last too long. Political campaigns, Christmas shopping "seasons", even Halloween has become a month-long feast of decoration, parties and high fructose corn syrup. How many things would be improved by shortening? Commercials, football games, soccer games, surely, would all be improved. The last two minutes of football and basketball games, eternities akin to the life of a ham in the refrigerator of a single person, would all benefit by trimming.

Conversely, some things are too short.( Male concupiscence comes to mind. "Get behind a month in your work, and catch up in 10 minutes", as the old curmudgeon intoned.) But seriously, having reached the age of 66, I am working to extend my viability so that I may enjoy life into my 8th or 9th decades. More on that later. Things that are too short:

Semesters are ridiculously hurried affairs, lasting a few weeks in fall or spring, needfully punctuated by breaks, due to the hectic pace of assignments, all peppered with attractive distractions of a cultural or entertainment nature that are constantly offered. For instance, recently I was able to attend a lecture by Robert Lustig, the doctor who campaigns for a rational limit to the sugaring of America, warning us of the dangers and risks of fructose consumption, including diabetes, heart disease and obesity. I was able attend his talk because I don't heed the many deadlines and pressures that oppress my "fellow" undergrads (many of whom carry a job as well as a full schedule). I am not studying to get a degree, and so I am much less pressured, for which I am grateful.

Another season that I nominate for shortening is that of our country's incivility, violence, indifference, apathy and ignorance. Ferguson, Missouri has been a fine sample of the legacy of 400 years of all of the above. The only newsworthy aspect of official murder, as practiced routinely,  is the spirited opposition of the usually compliant community. They protested not just the killing of one man, however flawed, but also the thuggishness of policing that is endemic in the whole country.

However, let us not lose sight of this: police behavior is a part of government policy, and reflects attitudes that are harmful to certain communities, that is, these violent acts speak to the will and consent of other, misguided groups.  Dumb politicians like Michelle Bachmann reflect views of some voters, who send them to Washington. The sorry souls like her, who rush to rise up in front of congregations of dolts, are not the real problem. The congregated, insulated and motivated people behind them are the source of their power. Jefferson warned us. (While, I'm sure, forbidding his slaves to learn to read.) Education is costly, but ignorance reaps a terrible price.

Back to levity and jocularity. Obama did more to lower the deficit, slow the rate of National debt increase, lower unemployment, lower oil prices, and increase deportations of illegal workers (while fining their employers) than his predecessors. He has also lofted more drone missiles at our enemies. These last two might have soothed his enemies. Not. He also made great strides towards rationalization of healthcare, and increased energy development of less polluting fuels.  His response to the Great Recession saved us from a fate such as the E.U. is now enduring, though he couldn't achieve a robust recovery with what he knew and who opposed his efforts.  But despite all this he is defamed and disrespected luridly. Unfathomable.

So, my thanks to Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert: for bringing laughter and ridicule to our political culture. They have been so important in fighting the tide of group think that drums away at the simple minds, Fox-like, endlessly repeating Reagan bumper stickers about the problem: government. I believe Government must do what we cannot do individually, what must be done for all. It is vital. Why is this statement edgy?

Lack of government virility is evidenced in our Ebola problem. Why must Doctors Without Borders plead for nations' and private donors' resources to fight the disease? Why are the American people not strenuously represented by our government, making sure that we fight for the eradication of the virus at its source? Granted, we are now doing some work, but why are resources still lacking in Africa, after over 7,000 deaths? Can we as a country be that detached? Skipping over infrastructure needs, banks, jerrymandering, climate change deniers, voter suppression, let me just go on.

To my friends who suffer from self-inflicted health problems: snap out of it. It took me long enough! Diabetes 2 folks: cut out the effing carbs, including alcohol. If you care too much about your tasting pleasures, try to think of the loss when you die early. IBF, skin problems, overweight, high BP, metabolic syndromers: get right with your food. Fat eaten does not make fat. It's the potatoes, bread, soft drinks, beer and candy. Cut that Sh*t out. I want you around to read my crappy diatribes next year.

Gratitude list: Natalie Anne, she's great. Her FB followers and fans attest to her admiring friends. She doesn't let a friend go unless you really F*&k up. Family: mine has grown, but I'm grateful for my nucleus of children, their partners, cousins, and the family of handball and union and artists. I learned about my great grandparents this year, thanks to Ancestry.com and computers. Thanks to the University of Utah. There is nothing so valuable in a city like a great learning institution. Knowledge is a sea of wonder. Teachers are jewels that are waiting for us on the shore.

Spiral Jetty, on the Great Salt Lake, UT 

Natalie in Spring

Jackson Lake, WY.

Cone 10, crawl glaze with plum. vase.

 Cone 10 Reduction. untitled.

Cone 10 plate, untitled.

Last winter backyard.

Well, that is a bit of my thinking. Writing posts on Facebook just doesn't satisfy. Too short, as this is not.