A soliloquy is defined as follows: an act of speaking one’s thoughts aloud when by oneself or regardless of any hearers, especially by a character in a play. In other words, it is a nice word to use when you are caught talking to yourself. Fortunately, with mobile phones, some folks will think you are just on the phone and not talking to anyone.
Yet, when I walk or hike, I will be the crazy man talking to himself. This is what our political discourse has made me do, as we have too many people in position of authority who think it is OK to not tell the truth. What frustrates me most is they know they are lying and yet, do so with impunity. So, I have corrective make-believe conversations with folks who are the more dominant prevaricators.
Strangely enough, talking to myself may seem insane, but it actually helps with my sanity. Usually, these conversations are precursors to a post the next day. Yet, I will confess I must be a sight. Mothers may walk to the other side of the street with their strollers when this crazy man approaches. So, as I walk later today on this beautiful Saturday, here are a few discussion points for my soliloquy:
-people who believe anything Vladimir Putin says are on a fool’s errand. He was a trained KGB agent in the art of disinformation. He plies his skills every day, as he plays a long game while other leaders play a short one. He will invade and take sanctions, knowing at some point the sanctions will be stopped and he will have another country. Take it to the bank.
-the former US president does not email as he does not want a trail of his deceitful words and actions. Not keeping, shredding and flushing records made as required is not a stretch given his modus operandi as reported by reputable sources. I am not sure of the flushing, but I am sure of the avoidance and shredding of records.
-Joe Biden is not perfect, but he is not the former president. He is decent person, who has always had a hard time saying too much. Yes, he is old and yes he has made some mistakes, but at least we do not have to hear from every day on any issue. The Republicans and progressives are trying to paint him with the same brush as his predecessor. The words decent, truthful, magnanimous, et al are not top of mind to define the former president. And, by the way, Biden inherited an economy reeling from the pandemic, while Trump inherited an economy in its 91st consecutive month of economic growth, but Trump takes credit for turning around an economy that was already doing pretty good.
-Presidential historians have already judged the former president as in the bottom five of presidents. The primary reasons are his poor handling of the pandemic and the Big Lie and insurrection he precipitated. This is on top of his efforts to tear down institutions and denigrate public servants who do not acquiesce to his wishes. As one historian said, the pandemic and Big Lie taint any good thing he may have done.
-history will also not be too kind to Governors Greg Abbott and Ron DeSantis of two of the most populated states in the country. Their politicization of the pandemic has a huge effect beyond the poor handling of the former president. Putting the lives of children and adults as a secondary to making a political tough guy statement is both insulting and dangerous. I will add their politicization of the Big Lie to squelch voting they do not like does not make them look like leaders.
-Let me close with dear Boris. When Monday Night Football aired in the early 1970s, one of the announcers was a retired Quarterback named “Dandy” Don Meredith. When the outcome of the game was no longer in question, he would sing an old Willie Nelson song – “Turn out the lights, the party is over. They say that all good things must end. Turn out the lights the party is over. I am so glad we parted as friends.” Boris, Dandy Don is starting to sing, so you may want to pack up and leave.
Have a great day. Enjoy the walk or hike on the trails. And, as Roy Rogers would sing, “Happy trails to you, until we meet again…”
musingsofanoldfart 
Note to Readers: Coming from a person who talks to himself, I encourage folks to call, email or write their representatives and senators, as well as the party leaders in the House and Senate, and diplomatically tell them what you think. We need them to be better than they have been and do our business, civilly with facts and data. We must demand the truth from them as it is owed to us. With Republican elected officials, I tell them we need a viable GOP, but right now that does not exist, as a party cannot punish the truth tellers and aggrandize the liars and have veritas. They know this, yet too many lack the courage to do the right thing. Democrats are not perfect, but the lack of veracity is heavily tilted to the right.
Many thanks. It gives me comfort to know I am not alone. Keith
Like you, I was glad when cellphones came along; now, I can talk to myself and just look like anyone else on the street! I fully agree with all your talking points.
Lol. My husband does the same thing.
VJ, I will repeat my last comment. It gives me comfort to know I am not alone. Keith
I am not surprised you are talking to yourself at times… too many things that need to be sorted “out”!
Erika, so true. We need our elected leaders to be among our better angels, yet I am so disappointed more or are abusing the office they serve. Back in the 1980s, we had a cadre of representatives and senators from both parties who were studious. Jack Kemp and Bill Bradley come to mind. It is a sad state when too many brandish obvious untruths. Keith
I completely understand your frustration to watch this all going down, Keith.
Thanks Erika.
Note to Readers: One of my key frustrations with the two governors noted above is they have gone out of their way to put people in danger, yet when the COVID numbers increase people place blame elsewhere. This is beyond poor stewardship. The people of Florida and Texas deserve better, leaders who will shoot straight with them. In Texas, there is a phrase used for people like this. They are “all hat and no cattle.”
Thank you Keith. In this ‘connected age’ thoughtful reflection wrangled in Saturdaysoliloquies assist the ordering of subsequent written/communicated ideas. Perhaps, ‘sentient soliloquies burnish blogging’?
Indeed. Easier to write those words than say them three times.
So much to talk to ourselves about these days. I am happy to have a kind, smart decent person in the White House. I do wonder, though, if Biden is the one to run in 2024. Not Harris either. We need someone who can stand up to the slings, arrows, and lies from the right.
Janis, those candidates need to come to the forefront. Dems need to stop the circular firing squads when candidates show their imperfections. Keith
Yes!
If one didn’t talk to themselves, how do they solve problems? 🙂 Just don’t talk too loud or someone may call the men in the white coats for you.
Good post!
Agreed. Thanks for stopping by.