Still a Dangerous World

Leadershit

In response to the recent terror attack in San Bernardino, President Obama decided to once again do what he always does in response to important events: Talk...

"My fellow Americans...I...uh...yeah, I got nothin'."

The speech wasn't very reassuring, but then that wasn't the point. It was virtue signaling from the Oval Office, and spectacularly ill-informed virtue signaling at that. It also employed a particularly ill-advised metaphor.

What we could use right now is leadership. What we're getting instead is a bored narcissist who is convinced he's right about everything, and that if we just keep doing what he thinks we should be doing, everything will be fine. He is mistaken.

"So, the header for this section wasn't a typo?"

Not hardly, no...

Pearl Harbor Day

If you need a reminder that underestimating the resolve of our nation's enemies can have deadly consequences...

U.S.S. Arizona Memorial, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

Oddly, President Roosevelt did not give a speech telling us not to overreact, or warning us about Japanophobia, or urging us to voluntarily disarm ourselves...

Things That Make Me Happy: Rivalry Edition

My beloved Kansas City Chiefs played the Oakland Raiders yesterday at O.co Coliseum in Oakland. For Chiefs fans of a certain age (like me), nothing is more important than beating the Raiders. Nothing. The main reason Marty Schottenheimer's 10-year stretch as head coach is so beloved isn't his 101–58–1 regular season record (.634), three division titles, seven playoff appearances, and trip to the AFC Championship game in 1993. All of those things are great, 

of course, but it was his 18-3 record against the Raiders (including a playoff win in 1991) that really made us embrace him. 

The word "rivalry" is carelessly used in pro football nowadays, but this one is real.

The Chiefs prevailed yesterday afternoon, beating the Raiders 34-20. It was the team's sixth straight victory and it basically ended the Raiders' slim playoff hopes. It wasn't a great day for the offense, but the defense stepped up when it needed to, punctuated by safety Tyvon Branch's 38-yard interception return for a touchdown...

"Booyah!"

The Chiefs play three of their final four regular-season games at Arrowhead Stadium. The current combined record of their remaining opponents is 14-34. If they can avoid any letdowns, they can legitimately be considered a playoff contender.

"Admit it. You think they're going to make the playoffs now."

Hush...still a lot of football to be played...

Bingo

From the pen of Henry Payne, whose editorial cartoons you should read often, as I do.

Until Next Time...

Part of the fun of the Christmas season for me is adding to my collection of Christmas music. Lots of artists release "Christmas" albums this time of year, of course, and there are always new collections of Christmas songs by a variety of artists as well, so finding worthwhile new stuff entails shopping. It is really the only kind of Christmas shopping
I do at this stage of my life.

Every year I manage to find one or two worthwhile releases that become part of my collection. For the most part, these will be interpretations of "classic" Christmas hymns and carols. Every so often, though, I come across a brand new song, written for the season, that really moves me. Those are the finds I treasure the most.

This week's Music Recommendation contains just such a treasure. It is the fourth album by Jennifer Thomas, a classically-trained musician and composer based in Seattle. Winter Symphony is mostly traditional Christmas hymns and carols (done beautifully), but there are two original compositions that also shine.

Today's send-off is the official video of one of those original compositions, "Alleluia." It is magnificent. Jennifer is joined by vocalist Felicia Farrere and Seattle's Ensign Chorus. Enjoy...