Some years ago, Vicki, our friend, Dennis Humphrey, and I signed up for a self-guided walking trip to the Cotswolds in the English countryside. A bad case of sciatica prohibited me from doing the trip. We changed plans, and the three of us spent 12 days in London.

We stayed in Soho, the theatre district, and saw ten shows. Plays and musicals in London are cheaper than in the States, and we often bought “day-of” seats at a low price. I preferred the musicals such as The Jersey Boys and Beautiful, but every performance was an adventure.

Here was our day: after breakfast at a French café near our hotel, we would head out to an attraction. My favorite was the Churchill War Rooms, left exactly as they were at the end of World War II. There is also a museum with Churchill memorabilia and film clips from the P.M.’s illustrious career. I could easily have spent another day there.

After lunch we returned to our hotel and rested until super at a local restaurant in our area. Ethnic restaurants have sprung up everywhere in London, and we only ate in one truly English restaurant. Showtime was usually at 7:30. On the way back to the hotel, we always stopped for gelato, served by a dashing young Afghan, whom we all liked very much.

At the end of our stay, Dennis flew back to Boston, and we headed to Rome for another adventure.

Photos

Venice 2011

Asolo

Bermuda

Ely, Minnesota

Cape Cod

Ireland

The Isle of Capri

Yes, Gucci and Prada have stores there, and many high-end shoppers come to the Island to shop. But Capri has gotten a bad rap over the years.

A four-mile walking trail circles the island. Take it! Within minutes, you are away from “Rodeo Drive” and in the middle of nature, with beautiful seaside views. I remember stopping for an espresso at a little coffee shop a few yards from the water. All around us was beauty. It was an incredibly scenic walk.

Later, we reappeared in the commercial part of Capri and shared a pizza while overlooking the ocean. I would like to go back.

You can reach Capri by boat from Sorrento, which is a couple of hours south of Rome.

We were headed toward the Spanish Steps for espresso before heading to the Colosseum. It was hot and muggy in Rome in the summer of 2004, and my long, out-of-control hair wasn’t helping. I didn’t even see the shop, but my wife, Vicki, ever the eagle-eyed, spotted the traditional red-and-white pole and suggested I get a haircut.

The idea appealed to me, but I was a little nervous because I didn’t know what to expect. I peeked through the door, and it was empty except for the barber, a distinguished man with a white mustache and hair, and a woman who seemed to be his assistant and manicurist. I walked in and was warmly welcomed.

Vincenzo sat me down after I told him and the assistant I wanted the cut, media. He smiled and began working. My retired stateside barber, Al Latham, used to say he could tell a man’s skill within a few seconds. “It’s all in the hands, Dave, it’s all in the hands,” were his exact words.

With Al’s criteria in mind, I noticed that Vincenzo worked like a skilled surgeon. He stood upright, dignified, wearing a white coat like a physician, and moved swiftly, cutting and shaping overgrown, neglected hair. His focus was sharp, and he didn’t try to talk about sports like the barbers of my childhood. His lack of English partly explained his silence, but I don’t know how much he would have talked if I had spoken Italian.

After cutting a significant amount of hair, Vincenzo moved me to the sink for a wash. This was the reverse of what I was used to in America, but by then I realized I was in the hands of a master craftsman, and I had no worries. After the wash, he sprinkled my head with a refreshing lotion and then dried my hair. At one point, he put a net over my head to shape it. He never used clippers like American barbers; instead, he pulled out a straight razor, sharpened it, and trimmed here and there. When he finished with the razor, like an operating room physician, he held it out, and his assistant snatched it up with precision. The whole thing was like watching Bob Cousy do his magic with the Celtics back in the 50s.

All too soon, the cut was over, and Vincenzo prepared a detailed bill. He broke the charges into categories and billed by procedure, just like a hospital. Since his shop was in a tourist area in an expensive part of Rome, I knew his fee would be high. Though it was more than I typically paid in the States, it wasn’t too bad, and the showmanship made the price more than worth it. Before I left, he shook my hand with both of his, smiled warmly, and wished me well. His assistant walked me to the door. We said “Ciao” to the professionals and continued our search for strong Italian coffee.

Photos

Snowmass, CO

France

Piemonte: 1985

NH

Puglia

Cape Cod

A Nation in Free Fall

The man in the Oval Office seems to have lost interest in governing. His focus is now on what he knows best: construction. He seems obsessed with the new ballroom in the White House and has destroyed the Rose Garden and installed a new helipad. It seems his group of handpicked, incompetent advisors is now running the government. As Trump’s presidency becomes ever more transparently corrupt, mean-spirited, and out of control, it is harder to understand why Republicans are not speaking up and continue to enable him.

The ideals of sportsmanship, fair play, equal opportunity, and justice for all are being cast aside as men in blue suits and horn-rimmed glasses self-righteously talk about doing what’s good for the country. Attorney Joseph Welch asked Senator McCarthy during one of the final hearings whether he had any sense of decency. It was an excellent question.

I began to ease into the right-hand lane when a speeding pickup raced by me, forcing my Subaru back into the middle lane. The pickup then weaved in and out of traffic for the next half mile as if the driver were racing at Le Mans.

I call this driver an Immature Driver. His primary concern is getting where he is going as fast as he can, without thinking about other drivers' safety. He is self-focused and aggressive. The highway is not to be shared but to be taken, like a football team gaining yards as they move downfield. Immature drivers are subject to road rage because they feel entitled to move forward at a fast pace. Those who get in their way quickly become personal enemies.

Mature drivers, on the other hand, see traffic as a moving community. They view themselves in relationship to other cars. Safety is important to mature drivers, and they accommodate other drivers both because it feels good and because it is safe. They are alert, they think, and they don’t take unnecessary risks.

Here is how to become a Mature Driver:

1. Stay within or close to the speed limit.

2. Be aware of the maneuvers of the cars around you.

3. Make eye contact with pedestrians.

4. Use Uber or a cab if you have been drinking.

5. Leave more time than you think you need to reach your destination.

6. Report reckless drivers to 911.

7. If a road rage driver tries to engage you, keep your eyes ahead and stay clear of that person.

8. Try to drive outside rush hour.

9. Enjoy your drive. Cars are fun!

Photos

Puglia

Venice

Juarez, Peru

Piemonte

Budapest

Southern NH

A Moment in Time

What is a moment in time? It is when you stop, freeze-frame the moment, and feel a sense of awe. You see a beautiful sunset, hear a song, or see a beautiful person. We have all had them, and they come when we least expect them. A moment in time varies from person to person, since we are all programmed differently by personality, history, and culture.

A few years ago, my wife and I were wandering through the Trastevere section of Rome. This bohemian neighborhood, with its boutique shops and restaurants, is a favorite of mine. After lunch of pasta, a mixed salad, and fresh bread, we walked into a local church where a wedding was underway. As I entered, the priest turned to the guests and announced that everyone would now sing “Ave Maria.” He turned to a statue of the holy mother and led the congregation in song. The purity and simplicity of the moment stopped me in my tracks. It was a moment in time.

The year was 1993, and the names of the towns escape me now. We had come over French Pass at 17,000 feet a few days earlier. This day was earmarked as a rest day, and many from our group planned to hike to a small town where a religious festival was taking place. Our porter wanted to carry my daypack, but I told him to rest and not worry about my wife and me. He was only about five feet tall and had been carrying eighty pounds a day for two weeks, wearing flip-flops over rocky terrain.

We were in Nepal on a monthlong trek around Mt. Dhaulagiri, an eight-thousand-meter Himalayan peak. The trip was more than I could have hoped for: athletic, fun, social, and sensual. The mountains were stunning, the air was sweet, and the people of Nepal were warm and friendly.

As we approached the festival town, we passed pilgrims propelling themselves on their knees between bows. Some had traveled hundreds of miles this way! When I reached a Hindu temple, a man anointed my forehead with paint and gave me a piece of holy cloth. Another man approached me and asked if I wanted to walk through the holy waters. I said yes, and he led me to 108 faucets of cold water. I ran through them all and then immersed myself in two deep pools of ice-cold water. The water felt good after two weeks of hiking, and I felt cleansed. The man who had invited me to go through the waters was smiling broadly, and I felt a deepening connection with this small country I had long looked forward to visiting.

We camped on the edge of the Mustang Region, an area closed to foreign travelers at the time. At night, the wind picked up, and the temperature dropped. I lay secure in my tent, with stars overhead and the feel of spiritual water still on my skin. Sometime during the night, I thought I heard chanting as I drifted in and out of sleep in this land of mystery, peace, and gentle people.

Photos

Nepal

Nepal

Nepal

Nepal

Nepal

Nepal

Nepal

The Beauty of Namaste

In 1993, I went to Nepal to fulfill a long-held dream of hiking in the high Himalayas. I was fit, well-equipped, and ready to be a mountain man. I had read many books about Nepal and knew of Maurice Herzog, Edmund Hillary, and Reinhold Messner. I was ready.

The trip was transformative, but not in the way I expected. In 1993, there were few roads in Western Nepal, where we were trekking, and goods and people moved along well-worn paths between villages.

As our hiking group traveled through the mountains to higher altitudes, we passed people multiple times a day as we walked through small villages. Every Nepalese person smiled and said Namaste. It felt like suddenly being in a love-in bubble, and we Americans soon mimicked our hosts. We all became infused with warmth and goodwill, and my macho attitude took a back seat as I interacted with the people of Nepal. We danced with them at cultural events they hosted, bought them beer, and said Namaste hundreds of times. In this context, we understood that the Nepalese were extremely poor and saw us Americans as potential donors of money and other goods. This was the reality of their lives.

After our trip ended, I tried to figure out how to return to Nepal and help a country with so many needs. This feeling was common among those who had visited this wonderful country. However, the nation didn't need psychologists. What they needed were physicians, dentists, engineers, and construction workers.

The current crisis in Nepal is sad and tragic. Ideally, the global community would pull together to provide much-needed aid to the country, devastated by massive floods and mudslides. In the past, the United States might have taken a leadership role in such an effort, but that is not the case now. The kindness and warmth reflected in the simple phrase Namaste have been replaced by a pseudo-cowboy attitude of independence, self-sufficiency, and contempt for those who are different.

From the Guardian

He burst onto the music scene in 1957 with his hit, “A Whole Lot of Shakin’ Going On.” Later, his popularity surged with his signature hit, “Great Balls of Fire.” Who could forget Jerry Lee jumping up and down, banging on his piano, on the Ed Sullivan Show? Jerry was a star, and people flocked to see him.

Jerry Lee was an animated, sometimes outrageous rockabilly star who jumped up and down and banged the piano with different parts of his body. He was very different from other singers, and the country was fascinated by him. However, his career went seriously south when he married his third wife, Myra Gail Brown, a 13-year-old cousin. Jerry was 22 at the time, and the country rejected the rising star. He was ostracized and pushed aside for the time being.

In 1968, Jerry reinvented himself by moving to pure country music. His talent shone through, and over the years, 30 of his songs reached the top 10 on the Billboard Country & Western chart. He won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Born in 1935, Jerry and his two cousins, Mickey Gilley and Jimmy Swaggart, who respectively later became a country singer and an Evangelical minister, often sang together at home in Eastern Louisiana.

Though Jerry Lee achieved considerable success as a singer, his family life was chaotic. He was married seven times and had six children, several of whom died at an early age. He had tax problems, once moved to Ireland, and ran into trouble with the police.

I became interested in Jerry Lee some years ago. While listening to the radio, I kept thinking I was hearing Mickey Gilley. I was wrong. It was his cousin, Jerry Lee. I realized that the manic showman I had seen in my youth, pounding on the piano, was an excellent country singer. I also became interested in the whole family and was fascinated by the charismatic pull of Lewis’s cousin, Jimmy Swaggart.

Both Preacher Swaggart and Jerry Lee were adaptable men who reinvented themselves after scandal and public censure. Reverend Swaggart was involved with a prostitute, went on TV to confess, and started his own church. Jerry Lee withstood numerous scandals, but his talent carried him to a high level in his industry.

Jerry Lee, who came from humble origins, was a complex, talented man. People often remember him for his scandals and outrageous stage behavior rather than for his fine voice, which produced many hit records that people have enjoyed for years.

Photos

Venice

La Jolla

Cortina

Tuscany

Italy

Marblehead, Mass.

Commentary

Irony

The President took it upon himself to have many cherry trees chopped down near the White House. The difference between him and George Washington is that “I can tell a lie.”

Hegseth

G.I. Joe is at it again, firing senior officers loyal to people he dislikes. Some highly regarded military personnel have been denied promotions because of their gender or race. The secretary’s behavior is blatantly discriminatory and must be demoralizing for service members.

The Beach Boys

When Brian Wilson was in the throes of emotional difficulties, he hired a therapist to live with him and help him get through his days. Natalie Harp is with Trump most days and seemingly nights. She tends to his administrative needs and manages his social media, apparently while also professing her loyalty and devotion to her boss. How do we understand this?

A Thousand Words

A picture, they say, is worth a thousand words. That is not a lot of words. Trump took down Obama’s portrait from the White House, calling it too WOKE. He says he might sell it. He can take down a picture, but try as he might, he can’t erase history or a person’s accomplishments. Kennedy and Obama, beloved by many, are a threat to Trump, and he has long been preoccupied with their success.

Aid

The Administration recently sent 500,000 dollars to Nepal to help the country cope with the devastation caused by recent floods and mudslides. This is a paltry sum given this poor country's needs. Trump is spending money everywhere, from reflecting pools to arches to East Wing ballrooms. And this is the best he can do?

I can’t seem to stop talking about parking lots. The reason is simple. I have to go to them frequently. Unlike the town where I grew up, where stores lined a long street in the middle of town, shopping now happens in malls with stores clustered together. That means one big parking lot serves everybody. It sounds good, but it’s chaotic and dangerous.

You might wonder why anyone would say that. Well, think about it for a minute. In a parking lot like the one in Del Mar Highlands, cars are coming in from all directions. The lot is relatively small for the traffic it handles, and it demands that one look left, right, and center. The problem is that it’s not only cars that are coming out; it’s also e-bikes and pedestrians. Often, it's a teenager speeding through in his parents’ BMW or a small Japanese car like a Subaru or Honda. Such teens are particularly dangerous because of their exhibitionism and bravado.

The DMV says that pedestrians should always look at and try to make eye contact with drivers of cars they’re walking near before proceeding. Those instructions have fallen on deaf ears across the population. Why? Because the DMV didn’t take AirPods and iPhones into account. Now people are glued to their phones, and whatever they’re reading or listening to is apparently more important than their lives. Often, music drowns out the sound of an approaching car, making driving hazardous. Obviously, we don’t want to hurt people, but beware: if you hit someone, you’re going to get sued, not them.

There are a couple of secrets to surviving the parking-lot traffic experience:

1. Go early on a Sunday morning. People are sleeping in, so the lots are relatively empty.

2. If you can’t go on a Sunday morning, try to park at the outer edges of one of these parking lots. This will minimize your interaction with other cars and with pedestrians glued to their phones.

3. Make sure you get plenty of sleep before you go to one of these parking lots, and psych yourself up. Stay aware and alert, and be ready to hit the brakes at a moment’s notice.

4. When you go to one of these lots, be up to date on your anger management strategies. The people you may yell at don’t have a clue what’s wrong. It’s a waste of time. The best advice is to be prepared for trouble.

Photos

Boston

Del Mar, CA

Chicago

Venice

FRCC

Snowmass, CO

Carlsbad’s Amalfi Coast

I hadn’t been to Vigilucci’s in Carlsbad for many years. Recently, my wife, Vicki, and I went for a late-afternoon, early dinner. I was surprised when I entered the restaurant after parking my car with the valet. The building, once an old wooden structure, had been transformed into a sturdy, modern-looking one. Inside, I saw an elegantly appointed dining room with a handsome bar and tasteful decorations. What had happened?

Well, the restaurant upgraded all phases of its operations. We ordered calamari fritti, followed by spaghetti and meatballs and chicken parmigiana. The food was delicious, and the portions were generous. I told the waiter I was going to call some friends to come over and help us finish our meals, and we took much of it home.

Our waiter and busboy were competent and fun. The prices were on the high side, but we had at least one, if not two, more meals to enjoy at home. As we ate, we enjoyed the ocean view, the warmth of good company, nourishing fare, and nature’s beauty.

I am changing computers today. I you don’t receive your blog by Tuesday, please contact me.

If you haven’t seen the fall colors in New England, go sooner rather than later. Peak season is typically around October 12 in New Hampshire and Maine. There are many routes to take and places to stay and visit, but here is an example of a possible trip. You must plan, though, since this time of the year is popular with tourists.

Mt. Washington Hotel

Fly to Boston and spend the night. The next morning, rent a car and head north on Route 3 to New Hampshire. Drive through Franconia Notch and check into the Mt. Washington Hotel at Bretton Woods. This grand old hotel has been restored and is now managed by Omni Resorts. The grounds include golf, tennis, and fine dining. Spectacular hiking is a few miles away. At some point, get off the main roads and explore the local backcountry with its numerous ponds, dirt roads, and isolated communities. To some degree, time has still stopped in this area of the country, even though skiers and hikers flock to it in season.

Bear, moose, and deer are plentiful in the area. North Conway is 45 minutes from Bretton Woods. It is a popular tourist destination, but I find it too commercialized.

The foliage itself in a good year is bedazzling. It is as if someone laid an enormous multi-colored blanket over the entire region. Needless to say, it is a photographer’s paradise.

Photos

Reims, Fr

Reims, France

Andes, Peru

Lima, Peru

Slovakia

Del Mar

Venice

A Poem

Listen

If you listen,

you can hear,

the running river,

the west wind rustling

through the trees,

the quiet of the day.

You can feel peace

Settle around you

Like a warm blanket

On a day turned cold.

Talk is the enemy.

Let nature speak.

Hear the wisdom of the mountains,

The lessons of the river,

And the warnings of the clouds.

Walk over the moors,

While enveloped by

the biting mist from the frothy North Sea.

Embrace the wind as you walk,

across the mountaintop,

and hear its message,

fierce and strong.

Presidents must make decisions, set agendas, and communicate their ideas to the public. The public is rightly critical and observant of how the Oval Office functions. However, another aspect of presidential leadership is creating a tone and atmosphere in the White House that elevates the country’s spirit.

Listen to the speeches of great orators, and you will be moved. Kennedy’s speeches were eloquent and memorable. People were inspired! During his inaugural address, he crafted a sentence that has been etched in time, when we said,

Ask not what your country can do for you; Ask what you can do for your country.

These simple yet powerful words aligned with the New Frontier and Kennedy’s progressive agenda.

Kennedy’s words were significant, but so were his voice’s rhythm, his attractive appearance, and his sense of history. His speechwriters were exceptionally talented, educated individuals who comprehended the president’s agenda and the historical context in which he lived.

Kennedy’s speeches were elegant yet straightforward, plain and profound. They connected people to his ideas, vision, and hopes for the future. Like Winston Churchill, he inspired his citizens and made us proud to be Americans.

Trump’s speeches and comments differ significantly. There are good people, bad people, and beautiful people, and so it goes. His language is simple, dull, and as inspiring as a three-day-old sub sandwich left in the rain. He is an embarrassment. In contrast, Kennedy, Churchill, Obama, and Roosevelt inspired their audiences to strive for better, while Trump demeans and ridicules, encouraging denigration and sadism.

Beyond how leaders use words, their actions communicate, whether intentional or not. Who can forget President Obama singing “Amazing Grace” at a funeral in Georgia after a mass shooting? He displayed courage, empathy, and a love for his fellow man.

In addition to stirring citizens’ passions with inspiring language, most past presidents, like President Obama, have attended and participated in services following tragedies and natural disasters. They became the face of a grieving nation, offering comfort to everyone.

The current president seldom visits disaster sites and is known for his comment in Virginia, “There are good people on both sides.” This statement was outrageous and offered little comfort to those who suffered at the hands of the hooligans.

JFK and his wife hosted numerous artists at the White House, bringing style and elegance to the presidential home by inviting notable figures such as Pablo Casals, Mahalia Jackson, Leonard Bernstein, and Al Hirt. President and Mrs. Kennedy showcased culture to a nation eager to learn about the president, his family, and the era of Camelot. The current president has contributed to the censorship of cultural art by taking control of the Kennedy Center’s programs. It remains unclear whether Trump has invited any performers to the White House in 2025, though his inauguration lineup suggests he favors conservative country and western stars.

The current president’s entertainment ethos lacks style, grace, and elegance. His wife does not reside in the White House, and state dinners are infrequent. His isolationist political stance is reflected in a lifestyle centered on hamburgers, golf excursions, and afternoon tweets. While Obama, Clinton, and Kennedy donned tuxedos and top hats, Trump is seen in an ill-fitting blue suit and a MAGA hat.

Most past presidents chose intelligent, capable individuals for cabinet positions. Pete Buttigieg, Dean Rusk, Henry Kissinger, and Robert McNamara were accomplished, substantive figures. Watching their responses and speeches was like listening to rhythmic, musical language. They were articulate and knowledgeable. While they danced the tango, Trump’s team is lucky to manage the bunny hop.

( this piece was written some time ago)

Photos

Venice

Asolo, Italy

Piemonte, 1985

France

Zermatt

Windsor, England

A Bully

Bullies like to pick on people they can dominate. I remember once in the service, a drill instructor took sadistic pleasure in pushing people around and occasionally hitting them. A professional football player was in our company, and the drill instructor never laid a hand on him.

Many in our group grew sentimental as it was time to say goodbye, gushing with adoration for the drill instructor. I thought he was a sadistic bully and stayed away from him. I also understood the rationale for pushing limits in militry training, but there was something particularly cruel about this guy. Trump’s treatment of Cuba and his attempt to intimidate Canada reminded me of that drill instructor.

I suppose Trump’s cronies can make a case for why he’s targeting these countries, but none of it makes sense. Canada has been a friend and ally forever, so why would you start a big brouhaha with them? It seems like intimidation, aggression, and conflict are whatTrump knows. Can he get along with anyone? Does he have to be Mr. Big and feel like a mafia don his entire life? I suppose he only feels powerful when he bullies someone he thinks is weaker. Clearly, his personal need to vanquish others harms our country, and he is steering us onto a dangerous course.

Trump and his associates have been attacking Harvard and other elite educational institutions for some time now. Harvard is spending a great deal of money defending itself against the government’s frivolous claims. The idea that Harvard is rife with antisemitism is preposterous and ironic, coming from a government that is systematically blocking the careers of minorities and women in the military. Its deportation policies are racist, as the government seeks a white nation where men rule.

The administration claims that qualified candidates don’t have a chance of being accepted because of diversity policies. The composition of a student body is a university’s responsibility, not the government’s. The courts have ruled in Harvard’s favor, rightly so, but the legal battles are diverting valuable funds that should be used for education.

According to the New York Times, the government’s new tactic is to deny research funding distributed by the N.I.H. Think about that for a minute. Thwarting research is nonsensical. A vibrant, evolving society needs to study, learn, and develop. Research is the fuel that drives change and evolution. Fewer projects and researchers pave the road to stagnation, not to creativity, excitement, and progress that benefits all of society.

The administration’s hidden agenda is to crush free thinking and the institutions that produce students and professors who challenge the status quo and pursue truth wherever it leads.

Photos

Boston

Venice

Marblehead, Mass.

Olympia, WA

Nisqually Resrvation, WA

Cape Cod

Underrated

Underrated is the new documentary on Apple TV that follows the journey of Steph Curry, the all-star guard for the San Francisco Warriors. Steph’s time at Davidson College helped him grow into an all-star player and a compassionate, unpretentious person. After watching the show, it’s hard not to want to enroll at this attractive North Carolina college. The film is engaging from beginning to end, and one leaves the screen admiring a player with grit, heart, and soul.

I walked into the bar and stopped in my tracks! The band played a song that immediately got stuck in my head and stayed there. What was that great song?

The year was 1966, and I was on a ski trip to Kitzbuhel, Austria. The song was “The Green, Green Grass of Home,” a country song popularized by Tom Jones, Porter Wagoner, and others. I tried to talk with the lead singer between songs, but he was from Hungary and spoke no English. Eventually, we left the bar, but the music stayed with me to this day. I thought of it this morning when I heard a version by Joan Baez on YouTube.

This catchy song tells the story of a man who dreams of his home in the country, but when he wakes up, he realizes he is in prison awaiting execution. It is a classic country song with a beautiful melody. Listen to it and see what you think!

Photos

NYC

Zermatt

Cortina d’Ampezzo

Cape Cod, Mass.

Snowmass, CO

Calabria

Commentary

Fema

You don’t hear much about FEMA, the federal agency that is supposed to help during disasters, these days. Why not, since this summer has produced multiple natural disasters across the country? Major fires, tornadoes, floods, and heat waves have hit. The Trump administration de-emphasized the agency and cut its staff by half. The agency doesn’t seem viable right now, and the public is left to fend for itself. This seems to be the Trump playbook: emphasize “let them eat cake.” Cut taxes and provide incentives for the rich, while the rest of the population is left to fend for itself.

Healing

My current physical therapist is very helpful. From the beginning, she asked questions, listened, and understood the nature of my physical problems and how they fit into my life. She recognized that I was an active person and that skiing and golf were very important to me. She designed exercises to support those activities and worked with who I was rather than imposing a standardized agenda. This approach builds a strong working alliance and improves compliance, a major challenge for physical therapists. Health care providers could learn from her.

While vacationing in Canada years ago, I watched a documentary on Canadian television about a woman named Barbara Frum. I had never heard of her, so the show caught my interest. It turned out that she was a national hero of sorts. Somewhat of a cross between Barbara Walters and Katie Couric, Barbara Frum was Canada’s foremost television interviewer for many years. The show was fascinating from many perspectives.

Barbara Frum was born on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. Her family was close, supportive, and bound together by their Jewish heritage. From an early age Barbara was assertive, authentic, and competent. She had an open relationship with both of her parents, who adored her.

At nineteen, she met her husband and went on to have two children and adopt another. Her marriage was close and loving. At one point, she decided she wanted to be more involved in her community, so she began volunteering at a mental health center. This led her to write a series of articles for a newspaper, which eventually led to Barbara hosting her own radio show. She quickly became a popular personality.

Eventually, she was persuaded to enter television, and her interviews with international figures such as Margaret Thatcher, Jimmy Carter, and Yassir Arafat became legendary. People responded to her insistence on being taken seriously and her refusal to tolerate deceit and phoniness. Her interviews became part of people’s daily discussions, and her popularity soared.

She was also known for the beautiful gardens she created and for the magnificent African Art collection she and her husband amassed. She surrounded herself with beauty and good friends who responded to her creativity and lack of pretense.

As I watched the show, it occurred to me that Barbara Frum was the picture of mental health. Neurosis seemed absent from her life, and she used the solid foundation she had as a child to become a productive, caring, effective adult.

Barbara Frum was diagnosed with leukemia in the 1980s. She kept her condition private, sharing it only with a few close friends. Over time, it became known that she was ill, but remarkably, out of respect for her and her family, the Canadian press never wrote about it. She died in 1992 at age 54, a few days after conducting her last television interview.

Barbara Frum influenced many people. Her family and friends loved her. One colleague called her the most interesting person he had ever met and described her intellect as fresh and creative. Her husband said that he and his wife had been very close and that she was always with him.

It was a meaningful experience to have entered the life of this fine woman, if only briefly. In the drama of everyday life, we so often confront ugliness, cruelty, and evil that to be in the presence of extraordinary beauty, creativity, and authenticity, even for a short time, is uplifting.

Photos

RFCC

Ireland

France

Freiberg, Germany

AmmaWaterways Cruise ship on the Rhone

Lucerne, Switzerland

Commentary

The Free Press?

Larry Ellison, the owner of Oracle, and his son David are attempting to buy Warner Bros. A lawsuit is pending to prohibit the sale. You might ask why? Well, if the Ellisons gain control of Warner Bros., they would control CBS/CBN, Comedy Central, and HBO. They have already made major changes to CBS News and 60 Minutes. Trump hates CNN, and the Ellisons have more or less told him they’ll take care of the problem. They’ll most likely fire Jon Stewart and change the face of the news at CNN.

It’s fun to have a special place. When I lived in Boston, I enjoyed having favorite bars and restaurants where I met my friends. The city at that time was full of small businesses, and there was an intimacy to where you lived and where you went.

We all went to Cronin’s bar in Cambridge and drank 25-cent beers. Later, I moved to Stella’s restaurant on Fleet Street. Jackie Kennedy made it famous, but people in the area had loved it before Jackie found it. I had a family connection to the restaurant, so it was fun to drop a name or two and get a nice table.

In those days, there were many taverns around. We could stop by with friends, drink a few beers, share some good humor, and be on our way. We took those places for granted, but in retrospect, they were touchstones along our life’s journey.

I have found some of those places in San Diego. One of my favorites is Rosina’s Restaurant in San Luis. Rosina is an Italian woman who typically spends six months there and six months here, running her restaurants with her two sons, Gianfranco and Giancarlo. She’s shrewd yet friendly and collegial, and she and her sons are always welcoming when we visit. They also set a positive tone for the entire staff, who are always gracious and kind. The prices are good, and it’s hard not to go there frequently. The food is wonderful and has an authentic Italian vibe.

Years ago, I would have coffee and a pastry before work at the Danish Pastry Shop in Del Mar. It’s been gone for a long time, but back then a young Hispanic man worked the counter and was always friendly. Though we didn’t talk much, he and the shop became part of my daily routine, bringing structure, familiarity, and consistency to my life. When it closed, I was sad.

Every winter we stay at the same small hotel in Snowmass, Colorado, where we ski. Over the years, I’ve gotten to know the staff and the management, and it’s a very comfortable place to spend time. People are very friendly, and we’re always very respectful of the staff. It’s like going home again.

Photos

Peru

FRCC

The Cotswolds

Snowmass, CO

Brewster, Cape Cod, Mass.

Commentary

Curiosity

Curious people are learners. They have to be, because asking questions leads to new information. Curiosity is an adaptive trait in social relationships because it shows interest in and value for another person. Many people lack curiosity and are only interested in talking about themselves. That may be gratifying, but they don’t learn anything because they’re not taking in new information. Everyone has a story, and if you take the time to listen, it’s interesting and adds to your knowledge of how the world works.

Good teachers are skilled at igniting curiosity in their students. A quiet classroom with a teacher talking may be necessary at times, but too much of that is the antithesis of a lively learning atmosphere. What one wants to see is a group of students asking questions, offering answers, and challenging the teacher. Passion begets learning. Dullness does not.

A Leader

Mark Carney, the Prime Minister of Canada, is providing strong leadership for his country. He’s not loud or flamboyant. He’s not bombastic or overly aggressive. He’s articulate, highly intelligent, and firm. He’s not shrinking from Trump or his threats. He’s standing firm and refusing to cave in to United States aggression. He’s a calm man with a good sense of humor, but he’s no one’s fool. He’s tough and resolute. He’s bringing his country together. In a recent speech, he spoke firmly, then broke into French. The crowd went wild. Of course, the people from Eastern Canada loved it. Mark Carney is a skilled leader who understands his role and the responsibilities that come with it.

We communicate with people every day, often in different settings. We talk to family, friends, grocers, bosses, and coworkers. Social life can be rewarding with good communication, but it gets dull when conversations become one-sided. So, what are the essential parts of effective social communication?

Many people enjoy being in the spotlight, where they can share stories and speak confidently. They believe they have interesting things to say and assume others will agree with their viewpoint. Sometimes this is true, but often it is not. People want to be engaged, understood, and heard. They don’t want to be passive listeners.

Effective communication occurs when genuine dialogue takes place. It seems simple, but it’s not always easy. So, what are the key factors for creating meaningful dialogue?

People need to listen more than they talk. It is difficult to respond meaningfully if you are unclear about what you are responding to. Good listening requires effort and involves empathy, as well as analytical skills, to effectively process information and respond. Too often, people reply with a vignette from their own experience, which shifts the conversation in a different direction. Good listening entails asking questions, thinking, and perhaps asking more questions. A response that shows understanding leads to a reply that hits the mark, and so it goes. It’s fun.

Watching a person’s facial expression is a good indicator of whether the conversation is lively or dull. If the person appears bored, disinterested, or distracted, it’s time to pause the conversation and redirect the discussion. Too often, people become so caught up in the glory of their own words that they can’t change direction flexibly. Good teachers know this. When the class is bored, they stop and regroup.

Think about people who are fun to talk with in your life. They listen, give feedback, and show genuine interest in you and what you have to say. You feel heard, understood, and nourished.

Photos

La Jolla

Piemonte 1985

FRCC

Swiss Alps: 1986

Switzerland

Rome

Asolo, Italy

Commentary

The Star and Stripes (not forever)

Trump and his people fired three people from the staff of the military newspaper Stars and Stripes. Even if you are not up on the news, it isn’t hard to guess why. Yes, the paper has been too independent and even dared to criticize the fiasco on the Abraham Lincoln. Shades of North Korea and Russia.

Golf Tales

The President claims he recently won a club championship at one of the golf clubs he owns. He reportedly shot a 70. For years, people have talked about Trump’s flagrant cheating on the golf course. Rick Reilly gave example after example of Trump’s cheating tactics in his book, The Commander in Cheat. Cheat in golf, cheat in life.

Speeches

Great speeches are inspiring and provide leadership, clearly conveying goals, rationale, and values. They set direction, offer encouragement, and boost morale. They are never self-aggrandizing or pompous. Listen to speeches by Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, John Kennedy, and Franklin Roosevelt. Hear the words of Martin Luther King or Lyndon Johnson. It is painful to hear the current President’s words in light of these other men.

Lonesome Cowboy

The President likes to portray himself as a heroic figure who needs no help. He says the US can go it alone, projecting his own stance. He’s Clint Eastwood, Kirk Douglas, and Steven Seagal rolled into one. He is the invincible High Plains Drifter and the heroic Josey Wales. I am not sure how this squares with having a 24/7 young woman at his side to handle all his tasks, rarely holding press conferences, and attacking anyone who questions his administration. As Lt. Columbo would say, “Help me understand this.”

Destruction

Without Congressional approval, the President destroyed the East Wing of the White House. Could there be a more fitting metaphor for Trump’s presidency?

Regret

We all have regrets, some more than others. Probably one of the most poignant expressions of regret in a movie was delivered by Marlon Brando, portraying a boxer in “On the Waterfront,” when he said, “You don't understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am, let's face it.”

So, what is going on with Caitlin Clark? She is not only the star of the Indiana Fever, a professional women’s basketball team, but she’s also become the face of the league. She’s making money for everyone who plays in the league, including coaches and referees. She has been a star on every team she’s played on since grade six. She is the Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Larry Bird of her league.

One would think she would be received with open arms, but that has not been the case. Other players immediately targeted her and have aggressively fouled and pushed her around since she joined the league. Caitlin is not one to take abuse, and she’s fought back and demonstrated a scrappy, combative attitude. Within that context, she has not been arrogant or self-aggrandizing, though her performance might merit it.

What has been very disturbing is that the league officials and referees have allowed too much abuse to continue. Watch the videos and judge for yourself. Caitlin has received a number of technical fouls and has recently been in danger of being suspended and fined for a game because of her large number of technicals. I find it highly ironic that the focus has been on her rather than on the people who have been beating her up.

I remember when Abdul-Jabbar entered the league. A player hit him in the stomach during a play. Abdul-Jabbar retaliated with a well-placed elbow, putting the player out of commission for a while. Most people saw Kareem as being in the right.

A number of pundits have viewed what’s going on as a racial issue, claiming that Black players don’t like seeing a white player like Clark perform at such a high level. I don’t know the answer to that, but what’s shameful is that the authorities responsible for policing and running these games are abdicating their responsibility by allowing a bad situation to continue.

Happenings

The Ballroom

Think about it for a minute. How many times have you been to a ballroom ball in recent years? This is a throwback to the days of elegance in French society hundreds of years ago. How pretentious is this project, anyway? The man thinks he’s at Versailles, not in Washington, D.C. The President is essentially a flim-flam man trying to act like the pinnacle of culture. He’s a couple of hundred years too late.

Natalie Harp

A 35-year-old graduate of Christian Colleges, Natalie Harp is a constant presence in Trump’s world. She tweets for him late at night and is at his side most of the day. She writes him adoring, idealizing letters that others have described as mushy. If it seems odd, it is. Leaders throughout history have had mistresses, and it’s unclear whether that description fits Natalie Harp, but what leader can you think of who needs someone at his side seemingly throughout his entire waking hours? This is weird.

Guys, where are you?

Kaitlyn Collins and Kristen Holmes have been asking fair but pointed questions of the President. In his usual style, he quickly became defensive and attacked his questioners. He’s demeaned the women who ask the questions. They’ve been heroic and unflappable. This raises the question: where are the male members of the press? Why haven’t they backed these women up? Why haven’t they been more forthright in their questioning? Some independent journalists, like Jim Acosta, have been very outspoken, but members of the press corps in Washington, D.C., have been less so.

A Viking Cruise, it wasn’t

The sailors aboard the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln weren’t happy. They’d been at sea for months without liberty, and they hadn’t been restocked sufficiently because their restocking facility in Bahrain had been bombed. They were adrift at sea with dwindling morale. On ships like this, they slept three high in bunks with little room between them. It was a claustrophobic experience at best.

While the president is running around, worried about beautification projects and memorials to himself, our troops have been functioning in deprived conditions. When confronted about the men being in dire straits, he says, “No, they’re not.” Go figure.

Let them eat cake

When the idea arose to build low-cost housing on a bluff overlooking the ocean in Solana Beach, the citizenry became upset. They didn’t approve of a resort there, and certainly they weren’t going to let poor folks have an ocean view. Then came the idea of putting people in small homes on the Fairgrounds, a convenient out of sight solution. The name is deliciously ironic, but the Fair Board rightly nixed it. So now Del Mar must find a place to build low-cost housing.

Photos

Bellingham, WA

Venice

Venice

Reims, France

Snowmass, CO.

Honfleur, France

Americans are ambivalent about uniforms. We value individuality and don’t like to feel we’re conforming to someone else’s idea of how we should look. Yet, growing up, we all wore uniforms. In many schools, there’s a mandated dress code. The military isn’t a big fan of the individualistic look, nor are the high school baseball, hockey, or soccer teams.

The type of uniform one wears is usually determined by the activity, the culture in which it takes place, and societal norms. Years ago, baseball players wore metal spikes. Ty Cobb used them as a weapon, but over time, common sense prevailed, and such spikes were outlawed. Baseball uniforms themselves haven’t changed much, though the materials are better and they look much snazzier. The uniform’s structure hasn’t evolved. Players don’t wear shorts, T-shirts, or Panama hats.

When I worked on the East Coast in the 1960s, we all wore ties and coats to work. Now, that kind of uniform is unheard of in California. I noticed that even newscasters now wear open shirts with sport coats. This is true in San Diego, probably, but not in Boston or New York. I still like to dress up in my old uniform, but I can’t help but feel seriously out of place. One night, I was dining at Mille Fleurs, a high-end restaurant in Rancho Santa Fe, when a patron hailed me from his table and said he liked that I was wearing a tie, as if I were a relic from a former time. I laughed and told him I was from the East Coast.

Even when not mandated, uniforms persist. Years ago, you could tell a serious hiker in New Hampshire by his Peter Limmer boots. Experienced kayakers were easy to spot by their gear. So were bicycle racers. No one told these people what to wear, but over time, functional, attractive gear found its way into the gear bags of top recreational and professional athletes. Similarly, if you walk into a high school, I will assume that many of the students wear similar clothing. Students want to be individuals, but they also want to look cool and belong to the smart set.

Most settings allow some latitude in uniform. You can go to a formal function dressed in a black suit and white shirt, but arriving in shorts and a T-shirt wouldn’t work. Men there would be wearing black tuxedos and bow ties. Social conventions that have evolved over time are hard to change. In 1984, I went skiing in Zermatt, Switzerland. We stayed at a very nice hotel, and when I went to dinner the first night, the maitre d’ told me I couldn’t go in without a sport coat and tie. Graciously, he lent me a Tyrolean-style coat, with the understanding that I would bring my own the next evening. The following afternoon, I purchased a coat at the clothing store across the walkway. Without a sport coat or tie, I would be disrespecting the hotel in the eyes of its administrators.

Photos

Del Mar

Rome

La Jolla

Cortina d’Ampezzo

France

Roger Leonard at Snowmass, CO.

Back at the apartment, the team made plans to leave Islamabad. The CIA agents departed and were never seen again. Thomas booked a flight back to Prague, while the three Americans headed to Frankfurt and then to Logan International Airport.

On the flight home, Luden nursed a Bombay Sapphire Martini and thought about the project. He was glad it was over and that justice had been done, but it had been a long, arduous process to finish off the radical Kamal. Luden saw this was just one of many attacks. There would be others in the future. As long as inequality persisted in the world, people would be targeted in the United States. He wasn’t sure how many more of these campaigns he could take part in. Unfortunately, or fortunately, he had the expertise needed to combat the ever-increasing number of cyberattacks.

At this point, however, he was eager to return to his apartment on Appleton Street and resume his teaching and research at MIT. He was excited to work with Enzio Molinari, who was the best student he had ever had.

Enzio was watching a movie in the row in front of his professor. He’d been on an adventure most people his age in the United States couldn’t even fathom. He’d been to Europe and Asia, hunted down dangerous operatives, and been part of a cyberwar. He couldn’t share much with too many people, but he would tell his wife what had happened. She was more worldly and less incredulous, but even she would be surprised by what had unfolded.

As he drifted off to sleep, Enzio thought about the future and what it held for him. If this was a beginning, God only knew what he would face. His parents, serving beer in a smoky barroom in Revere, would definitely be impressed, though he could never share much with them about what he had gone through.

The End

Swiss Alps

Rome

Del Mar

FRCC

Venice

Sandwich, Mass.

Remember the Titans

Remember the Titans is a movie everyone should see. It chronicles the phenomenon of integration in the South and what happens when black and white players are forced to become a team and confront their racial prejudices. Denzel Washington, as the coach, is superb and brings the players together to form a well-functioning team. The story is true, and it is a moving tribute to the courageous players on that team.

In light of the administration’s attempt to ignite racial hatred in the United States, the movie is an important one and can be watched numerous times without becoming stale. It’s a feel-good movie, but it’s realistic and wonderfully acted by the entire cast. It’s currently showing on Amazon Prime.

In the mix to follow until September 8, when Stories on the Road commence. Following those will be the story of Pepe Canali.

Luden and Thomas launched a high-altitude drone, compliments of the CIA. They followed it as it cruised over Islamabad’s busy markets when Luden spotted a man who looked lost. “It’s him”, said the professor. A quick call to the CIA operatives, and then they'd wait. Luden felt tired, but not Thomas, who was chomping on local bread and cheese. Pakistan was a dry country, but Thomas had managed to get beer somewhere. Luden was tired and wanted to get back to the laboratory at M.I.T. The hunt for Kamal had dragged on, and he hadn’t been able to end the man’s life as it should have. He would have liked to finish the Indian himself, but one way or another, he just wanted it to end.

The two agents were now dressed in Pakistani clothing as they made their way through the marketplace, past a rug shop toward a shoe shop. The marketplace was bustling, mostly with men, while women were in the fields or at home. Groups of men sat talking, smoking cigarettes and drinking strong coffee. The air carried a pungent aroma of local bread, cheese, and meat shops. Alice Ross walked near Ted Nugent, and any reasonable person would be hard-pressed to pick them out as agents of the Central Intelligence Agency. They were well practiced in their craft. Beneath Alice’s robe, a well-oiled 9mm Glock pistol was concealed. Her partner carried a similar weapon. Both pistols were expertly fitted with silencers.

Alice was the first to spot Kamal about fifteen yards ahead of her. She picked up the pace, careful to keep her head and eyes on the shops to her left. Soon she was a few meters behind Kamal, and within seconds Ted Nugent had reached her side. Now it was time to decide. They might not have another chance like this, though they were taking a risk to shoot a man with so many people around. However, the silencer was on their side, so they decided to move forward and act quickly.

Within seconds, there were two low-volume thuds as Kamal slumped to the ground. Others quickly formed a circle around him, which was fortuitous, as it provided the agents with an opportunity to slip away and move quickly from the marketplace. Within 20 minutes, they were back at the apartment talking with Luden, Thomas, and Enzio Molinari.

Photos

Coronado

Hamilton, Bermuda

Venice

Switzerland

FRCC

Block Island, R.I.

Thanks to Bonnie Alcott and Nancy Auger

Ali was enraged. He wasn’t used to having his personal space invaded by people or by technology. He felt invincible and wasn’t about to be compromised by a bunch of stupid computer hacks. He ordered two of his men with automatic weapons to deal with the drones immediately. Several shots later, the skies were clear. Luden could see what happened on his computer, but he wasn’t upset. He’d found the compound, and it was only a matter of time. He, Thomas, and the others had devised a strategy to end Ali and Kamal.

The Indian, Kamal, had long ago learned that the best survival tactic in times of trouble was a quick escape. Amid the chaos around him, Kamal slipped out a back door, evaded two guards, and climbed over a garden wall.

Luden had been monitoring the action with a high-altitude drone. Ali had been fooled into thinking the drones had been taken out, but he didn’t grasp the MIT crew’s ingenuity. Luden saw that Kamal had left the compound on foot and was moving swiftly down Khan Avenue toward the center of Islamabad. He quickly informed the two CIA agents, who left in a black Ford Escape and headed toward the city center. He and Thomas tracked Kamal for a while, but he slipped into the crowded shopping district. He emerged 10 minutes later wearing a white Shalwar Kameez, but he was unrecognizable in a crowd of hundreds of people wearing similar outfits.

The CIA operatives couldn’t find the sly Kamal. Luden and the group were frustrated, but he felt confident it was only a matter of time before they sanctioned the slippery Kamal. They were operating outside the scope of Pakistani authorities, but with technology, they had built their own intelligence force inside the country. Luden was determined to bring the man down.

Photos

Provincetown

Rome

Tuscany

The Cotswolds

Rockport, Mass.

Windsor, England

Two of Ali’s men brought out sniper rifles. The drones were dispatched quickly, and that was it. Now he had a more pressing problem: how to get rid of the hackers. His technical team traced the hackers to a building about two miles away. Ollie made a phone call, and soon five men in a Ford Suburban were heading toward Kahn Street, a back road in Islamabad.

One problem Ali had not considered was that he was dealing with some of the world’s best computer minds. When the men arrived at Kahn Street, they found no terrorists. Only two police cars stopped them, questioned them, took their weapons, impounded their car, and brought them to the local police station.

Hans Luden, Thomas, Enzio, and Li Chen watched the situation unfold on their computers. Luden was not naive, and he realized this only sidestepped part of the problem. Ali would come at him with everything he had. He knew this. However, he was pleased. For the moment, he’d disabled Pakistan’s technological network. He had a location on Ali and Kamal, but he needed to think carefully about his next step.

Ali had misunderstood the brilliant Kamal. He thought he saw a man committed to the cause and willing to stay the course. Little did he realize that Kamal was a classic psychopath, self-centered, interested in himself first and in others only to the extent he could use them to satisfy his needs.

Ali wondered where Kamal was. He hadn’t seen him for a few hours and assumed Kamal was feverishly working on his computer. He was terribly mistaken. When he asked the guards to search the house, Kamal was nowhere to be found. Too late, the crafty but forsaken Ali realized he’d been taken. Kamal had left the premises and was on his way somewhere else. The only consolation was that it wasn’t so easy to get out of Pakistan, and Ali had connections. He would not only make sure Kamal didn’t leave the country, but he would also make sure Kamal was enjoying his last few breaths.

Photos

Basel, Switzerland

Freiburg, Germany

Lucerne, Switzerland

FRCC

Cannon Beach, Oregon

Lake 1, The Boundary Waters, Ely, Minnesota

Luden sat at his desk, drinking a cup of strong local coffee. He also smoked a cigarette and chewed on a piece of local bread. He had brought a special program developed in the laboratories at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He logged onto Kamal’s computer and saw that the man was trying to hack into the computer systems of several airports, including those at Toronto, Halifax, and Syracuse, New York. Thus far, he wasn’t having any luck. Luden decided it was time to take forcible action. Using another program he had developed, he inserted a deadly virus into the computer of the Indian terrorists.

Kamal left his computer for about an hour to eat and wait for the others who were going to join the meeting. When he returned, he tried to log on, but he had no luck. The entire machine was shut down and locked. He was a brilliant young man, but everything he tried failed. Frustrated, he threw a coffee cup across the room.

Abbas Ali rushed in and asked, “What’s the matter? What are you doing?” Kamal explained the situation, and Ali looked visibly upset. “Well, it looks like we’ve been discovered. It must be those damn Americans.”

Kamal couldn’t believe he’d been tracked to Pakistan. Ali had several computers in the facility, so getting another one was no problem, but it was hard to keep the same thing from happening again. He was determined not to fail this mission, which meant power, prestige, and money. It also meant destroying the United States, a cruel nation that thought it was superior to the rest of the world. It would collapse, he said.

Ali was not pleased. He’d evaded the Pakistani authorities for years, and now the Americans had found him and were invading his technological systems. He knew that if he found them, they were dead. He immediately asked some of his technical staff to trace the hackers. While he was doing that, he heard a buzz overhead. He looked out the window, and sure enough, two drones were circling his building.

Photos

Peru

La Jolla

Mt. Blanc

Seattle

Rome

Brewster, Mass.

S.O.S.

The USS Abraham Lincoln has been deployed in the Middle East for eight and a half months. There’s been no leave. Sailors’ families report demoralization due to a lack of liberty, basic supplies, and boredom at sea. Such a long deployment is unusual, and in normal times the ship would have docked in Bahrain to resupply. However, Iranian missiles heavily damaged that base. The base now in use is on Diego Garcia, an island more than 2,000 miles away. Obviously, there’s no opportunity for leave for the stimulation-starved sailors there.

When asked about the families’ concerns that the troops were demoralized, Trump flippantly replied, “No, they’re not.” When asked whether he thought the appointment was too long, he said, “No, no, no, not nearly long enough.”

Trump’s comments have the ring of oppositionality, but they also display behavior more characteristic of children than of a chief executive. At times, when confronted with reality, children deny it because they lack cognitive tools such as intellectualization and rationalization to explain their role in a situation.

Trump’s position is very maladaptive because everyone can see that the ship has problems. Trump’s statement, a flat denial, is not true. The whole world can see it’s not true. They can also reason that it’s not true because nobody should be on a ship for 8 1/2 months without some R&R and the restocking of necessities.

The mental gymnastics Trump uses to protect himself should concern everyone. If he doesn’t like something, he pretends it doesn’t exist. This does not serve him or our country well. His Republican colleagues need to stand up and take a position. Their behavior has consistently been cowardly and self-serving.