Tending My Fish: Reflections on a Republic in Decline

As I contemplated last week’s election results, with all their dreary portents for the years ahead, I was reminded of the lament of a Roman senator—his power fading, his influence diminished, as Caesar’s star ascended:

“I shall tend my fish, study philosophy, and comport myself for death. This republic holds no place for me any longer.”

(Conspirata: A Novel of Ancient Rome, Robert Harris)

And then I asked myself, “Does this country hold a place for me?

The question is not rhetorical. At this late point in my life, I find myself at odds with the culture, principles, and trajectory of the nation I once revered. My beliefs—anchored in reason, history, and an old-fashioned sense of duty—seem increasingly alien in a land preoccupied with spectacle over substance.

A Discontented Creed

Consider, for example:

Religion in Politics: As an agnostic, I believe that the pulpit should stay far away from the podium. Ministers and pastors claiming divine insights on policy strike me as charlatans with better wardrobes. Faith should inspire personal virtue, not dictate public policy.

Loyalty to Allies: In diplomacy and in life, I value loyalty. A true ally stands by you in both triumph and trial. Yet we seem to cast off old friends—countries and principles alike—as if they were expired coupons.

Science and Competence: I favor facts over feelings, competence over pretense. But ours is an age where bombast outweighs expertise, and the loudest voice is mistaken for the wisest.

Reckoning with Our Past: This country’s history is a patchwork of greatness and failure. We have saved nations and crushed dreams, built monuments to liberty and ignored the cries of the oppressed. I believe in confronting our flaws honestly, not whitewashing them with comforting myths—or worse, erasing them entirely in the name of “offense.”

Respect for Women: Here is a simple proposition: anyone who assaults, demeans, or dehumanizes women is unfit for public office. Full stop. Yet, 52% of white women voters apparently find this a negotiable standard. I am baffled—and disgusted.

Character Matters: Good judgment, responsibility, empathy, and moral clarity—these should be the cornerstones of a person’s character. Increasingly, though, they are dismissed as relics of a bygone era, sacrificed on the altar of “winning at all costs.”

A Nation Entertained to Death The deepest cut of all, perhaps, is that we have traded informed citizenry for the hollow thrills of reality-show governance. Americans now crave entertainment over enlightenment. The morning chatter of Joe and Mika or the smirking commentary of Bill Maher may pass for insight, but to me, they feel like reruns of Neville Chamberlain in Munich, mistaking platitudes for policy while calamity looms.

The Final Reckoning

So here I am, like that Roman senator, contemplating my fish and philosophy. The republic of my youth—the one I fought to believe in—is unrecognizable.

It is a strange thing to feel like an exile in one’s own country, but perhaps the true patriots are always exiles. We stand apart, unwilling to settle for the tawdry spectacle on offer, and dream of something better—a nation of character, competence, and courage.

Until then, I will tend my fish.

The Myth of American Idealism: How U.S. Foreign Policy Endangers the World by Noam Chomsky and Nathan J. Robinson (Review)

The received wisdom insists that the United States is the tireless champion of democracy and human rights—a paragon of “Wilsonian idealism” and “American exceptionalism.” Noam Chomsky’s and Nathan J. Robinson’s The Myth of American Idealism: How U.S. Foreign Policy Endangers the World eviscerates this comforting narrative. The authors argue that U.S. foreign policy aligns not with noble ideals but with the strategic and economic interests of domestic elites. The result? A history marred by moral indifference, lawlessness, and a ruthless adherence to what Adam Smith once called “the vile maxim of the masters of mankind: All for ourselves and nothing for other people.”

This is not a book for the faint of heart or those who prefer their history wrapped in the star-spangled illusions of Hollywood. It is a damning indictment of U.S. actions abroad, examining case studies from Vietnam to Iraq, Chile to Palestine. The authors spare no sacred cow, exposing the contradictions between America’s lofty rhetoric and its sordid realpolitik.

I approached this book with some skepticism. Chomsky’s political ideology leans further left than my own, and I was wary of polemics. Yet his analysis aligns uncomfortably well with historical evidence. Take, for instance, his examination of U.S. support for Israel. The one-sided nature of American backing—military aid, UN vetoes, and tacit approval of Israeli excesses—has devastated Palestinians while fueling anti-American animus across the Middle East. Chomsky is clear-eyed about the complexities: there are cruel men on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian divide. But the suffering of millions of innocent Palestinians, bombed, maimed, and displaced, is a humanitarian tragedy in which the United States is deeply complicit.

Equally scathing is his treatment of the Vietnam War—a blunder of monumental proportions. The authors chronicle how leaders lied to the public, sent thousands of soldiers to die needlessly, and plunged the nation into chaos. As someone who lived through that era, I can attest to the war’s divisive impact. For younger readers, this history is essential reading, a sobering reminder of how disastrously foreign policy can go astray when guided by hubris and deceit.

The prose is not exactly uplifting, but it is brutally clarifying. Are we, as Americans, driven by democracy and justice—or by greed and oil? The book challenges readers to reckon with a less flattering version of our heritage, one that calls for reflection rather than whitewashing.

No matter where you fall on the political spectrum, The Myth of American Idealism will provoke thought, discomfort, and perhaps a much-needed reckoning. If you prefer fairy tales about America’s benevolence, look elsewhere. For those willing to confront uncomfortable truths, this book is indispensable.

America First: Roosevelt vs. Lindbergh in the Shadow of War by H.W. Brands (Review)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

On September 1, 1939, fighting broke out in Europe. After the invasion of Poland by Germany, both France and England declared war against the Nazis. Many, if not most Americans, were resistant to participating in a European war. Indeed, there was resistance to even supplying military supplies and other goods to Britain while they basically fought Germany on their own. There was also significant support for the Germany and Hitler’s regime at this time.

Franklin D. Roosevelt managed a fine line. He wished to be re-elected for a third term, but he also understood that Hitler’s goals were not only the conquest of Europe, but world conquest. Charles Lindbergh was an American hero for his exploits about flying across the Atlantic on his own. He and his wife Anne endured the kidnapping and murder of his son in 1932 and this endeared him more to the American public.

Lindbergh opposed US involvement in any war overseas. Lindbergh felt that America was invincible as it was protected by oceans and not vulnerable to air attacks. Lindbergh saw no reason for America to sacrifice its sons in European wars and spoke out strongly against any intervention.

How FDR positioned the United States to prepare for World War II is an interesting story of great judgment and leadership. FDR coordinated closely with Winston Churchill to ensure that Britain had the necessary weapons and materials to survive German assaults. Roosevelt had to skillfully maneuver his aid to Churchill under the watchful eye and some time opposition of a reluctant Congress.

Charles Lindbergh was accused of being an agent and dupe of the German government. There seems to be a little evidence of that. Lindbergh firmly believed that United States could stand on its own and ably defend itself against any foreign attack or invasion. Circumstances and events proved that Lindburgh was incorrect in his analysis but he did volunteer to help the military in any capacity once United States entered the war.

Today there are isolationist policies still being supported. There are many Americans and people in Congress, who do not feel that we should be supporting Ukraine in its battle against Russia and Putin. Are they guilty of being short sighted too? There are some interesting historical similarities there.

This book was well researched and an excellent read. It quotes from Lindbergh’s diaries and provides a good measure of the man and his ambitions. I think that Lindbergh was largely circumspect and responsible in his criticism over American foreign policy. FDR happened to be right in his judgement about Hitler and America’s role in stopping tyranny.

Takeover: Hitler’s Final Rise to Power by Timothy W. Ryback (Review)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

310 pages

What struck and scared me as I read this book was how similar the political situations in Germany in the early 1930s were to the United States currently. Each country was and is going through a burgerkrieg (civil war) where there exists intense, political differences that often resulted in violence. Hindenburg stayed in office as he feared Hitler gaining political power. Hindenburg was accused of dementia and suffering from the ravages of old age. Today, Joe Biden fears a Trump presidency and the end of democracy in the United States. Biden too, is accused of suffering from dementia and being too old to serve another four year term.

In both the cases of Hitler and Trump, there were events that could have and should have ended their political pursuits. Hitler persevered through many defeats, political, personal and strategic.

I was not familiar with the appropriate knowledge of German history from 1918 till 1933 when Hitler seized power. Ryback provides the necessary background, history, and important men during this period. This book may provide a greater service in understanding what is happening in the United States today by looking back at what happened in Germany in the 1930s.

Shown below are my notes from this book..

“It has been said that the Weimar Republic died twice. It was murdered, and it committed suicide. There is little mystery to the murder. Hitler vowed to destroy democracy through the democratic process and he did.”

Trump and Hitler similarities
Neither were drinkers
Both felons
Both thin skinned
Both very poor liars (If you tell a lie long enough and keep repeating it…Goebbels)
Both suffered election defeats that they refused to accept
Both overestimated crowd sizes at various rallies and events
Both were counted out after electoral and political defeats and came back
Both sought to annul election results and lost
Both seeking to establish dictatorships embraced by the populace
Both opposed by older men (Hindenburg and Biden) who feared their rise to power
Both promising “revenge” on their political opponents when they gain power
Both used immigration issues (Hitler-Polish, Trump-Mexicans and South Americans) to stir up enthusiasm from their political base

Oswald Spengler knew both men. (referring to Hitler and Strasser). The author of the two volume landmark treatise Decline of the West was considered one of the leading conservative thinkers of today. Spengler found Hitler to be “clueless, indecisive, in a word, dumb. “

Adolf Hitler gave thousands of young Germans a chance from escape from reality Time wrote in December 1931. Hitlerites had uniforms, brass bands, roaring mass meetings, plenty of free beer. (Trump MAGA rallies 2020-2024)

The next day, Vorwarts (German newspaper) splashed the news in a banner headline, “Hitler wants to rule!” The editors were frantic at the thought. “The appointment of Hitler is out of the question because he lacks even the most basic qualifications”, they wrote. “You cannot trust a government to the leader of a party in recent days has been responsible for perpetuating countless horrific acts of violence without discrediting the authority of the state before the eyes of the entire world, not to mention the majority of its own people. “There was also the fact that Hitler served prison time for treason against the very state he was now seeking to rule.”

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An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s by Doris Kearns Goodwin (Review)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Memoir…history…love story… Prior to reading this book, I was vaguely aware of the name, Richard Goodwin, and his involvement in politics and in the Kennedy and Johnson administrations. I was not aware of his specific roles. as it turns out, he was a man of certain influence working for both John F, Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson. Turns out he was a great speechwriter, wordsmith and political strategist. He was described as a “generalist”, a man who could fill a lot of roles and responsibilities.

Growing up in the 60s, I, of course, was interested in the nostalgic trip during that decade. Goodwin was a huge fan of the Kennedys. This created significant issues when he worked for Lyndon Johnson. Goodwin was involved to a certain degree in the discussions around civil rights, Vietnam, the Great Society etc.

Based on the book, it seems that Goodwin did not receive the credit he should’ve gotten for his effective communication of both JFK’s and LBJ’s’s policies and goals. Goodwin seem to find himself in hot water, often inadvertently, with people he worked for. In 1968 Goodwin worked for Eugene McCarthy, prior to RFK’s entry into the presidential race. Goodwin had quite a balancing act and at the same time, he did not wish to undermine the policies of Lyndon Johnson.

Doris Kearns Goodwin is an excellent writer. I have seen her on new shows on television where she is a thoughtful and effective communicator. This is an excellent book. If a reader has an interest in 1960’s history, politics or wishes to know more about the Kennedy and Johnson administrations, this book is an excellent resource.

Dick Goodwin had an interesting career and he seems motivated to achieve as much good as he could in the various roles he had in government. This is definitely a five star book!

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Review: The Harding Affair: Love and Espionage during the Great War by David Robenalt

The Harding Affair: Love and Espionage during the Great War by James David Robenalt

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The affair between Warren Harding and Carrie Phillips was actually very boring. Evidently there were lots of love letters and correspondence between the two. And I do mean boring love letters and boring correspondence. I pretty much skimmed over those that were published in the book. The book contains some interesting history about Republican politics in the years of Taft and Theodore Roosevelt. Harding found himself caught in the middle of that political squabble. There is also some interesting history and commentary regarding the United States entering World War I. Just like World War II, there was great antipathy on the part of the American public to be involved in the war. In addition, there was a great deal of sympathy for Germany.

Based on the book, Harding appears to be a capable senator, hard-working and capable of compromise. He was a very good speaker and in demand for his abilities. However the shameless way that he pursued Mrs. Phillips does not present him in a good light. Given that his wife was constantly in bad health, one could understand his need for female companionship. But Mrs. Phillips was a needy and manipulative woman. The book covers allegations that she was a spy for Germany in World War I. Based on the book, it appears the only certain thing that could be alleged was that she was very sympathetic for the German cause and attempted to persuade Harding towards that end.

I slogged through the book more for the historical morsels around the time of World War I than for the less than sordid details of Harding’s affair(s). This book did provoke an interest in reading a book written about the Harding presidential administration.

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Civille Bellum

As I grow older, my sense of disappointment toward my country, its government, and its people deepens. I was born seven years after our nation, as part of the Allied forces, achieved a significant victory over the original Axis powers—Germany, Japan, and Italy. At the age of 17, I witnessed our space program successfully landing a man on the moon, less than seven years after President John F. Kennedy made that ambitious commitment. I struggle to find a comparable scientific or societal achievement in my lifetime.

However, today, our education system appears to be in disarray. Many students are graduating from schools without essential skills such as reading, writing, critical thinking, and decision-making abilities. It’s disheartening to see that issues like abortion, civil rights, and equal rights, once believed to be resolved, are now being re-litigated, forcing us to fight battles we thought we had already won. Shocking events like school shootings and instances of political corruption fail to galvanize the public as they once did; they are met with indifference and apathy.

Decades ago, our nation had a responsible and respected press. Figures like Walter Cronkite, Peter Jennings, Edward R. Murrow, David Broder, and David Brinkley delivered the news. Today, however, a concerning number of people consume propaganda rather than news, relying on figures like Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham, and Fox News. Contemporary news media seems more focused on inciting emotions than providing factual information.

It’s astonishing to witness individuals like Matt Gaetz, Lauren Boebert, Jim Jordan, and Marjorie Taylor Greene holding influential positions in Congress. These individuals now occupy the same halls once walked by statesmen like David Webster, John Calhoun, John McCain, and James Madison.

Our national politics have become a source of mockery. The leading Republican candidate for President is currently embroiled in legal troubles, including accusations of inflating assets for loans, election interference in Georgia, misuse of confidential documents, hush money payments to a porn star, and attempts to overturn certified election results. He has even lost a civil case involving sexual assault allegations. Shockingly, a significant portion of our populace, including many religious individuals, remains supportive of him.

In contrast, Joe Biden now serves as the country’s “Paul von Hindenburg,” an aged politician placed in power to safeguard against an impending threat that could jeopardize our nation’s very fabric.

As I reflect on these troubling developments, I find myself wishing I could live another 20-30 years to read what historians and writers will have to say about these times. I fear the unknown challenges that may arise. We seem to be in the midst of a civil war, though, so far, only harsh words have been exchanged. I hold out hope that someone will step forward to unite our fractured nation. However, history has shown that most well-intentioned politicians and national leaders are often rejected.

( There was a time when I used to discuss and argue politics. No longer. Too partisan. Too many closed and uninformed minds. Political arguments are expressed in rage, not reason. I don’t see this changing anytime soon.)

Review: Journals 1952-2000 by Arthur Schlesinger Jr.

In Journals 1952-2000,” Arthur Schlesinger Jr. offers a captivating exploration of American political history spanning the Eisenhower to Clinton administrations. Through his unparalleled connections with U.S. Presidents, foreign leaders, intellectuals, and cultural icons, Schlesinger provides an insider’s perspective on the tumultuous events that shaped the 20th century.

With candor, Schlesinger delves into his personal sentiments, both favorable and critical, towards prominent figures of the era. The admiration for the Kennedy brothers, John and Robert, shines through, while his disillusionment with Lyndon Johnson’s interpersonal approach and bizarre behavior is apparent. Notably, Schlesinger’s palpable disdain for Richard Nixon adds an ironic twist, considering their proximity as neighbors following Nixon’s presidency.

Throughout the book, Schlesinger’s political inclinations come to the fore, as he expresses his reservations about Republican presidents such as Dwight Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, and Nixon. His critique extends to a fellow Democrat, Jimmy Carter, revealing Schlesinger’s willingness to evaluate leaders from his own party objectively.

The narrative isn’t limited to policy discussions; Schlesinger enthralls readers with captivating anecdotes, insider gossip, and subtle insinuations involving prominent politicians, particularly those in the nation’s capital. Delicate topics, including the romantic entanglements of President Kennedy, Ted Kennedy, Gary Hart, Bill Clinton, Martin Luther King, and Nelson Rockefeller, are deftly navigated.

A noteworthy revelation is Schlesinger’s subtle hint at the complex relationship between himself, Robert Kennedy, and the enigmatic Marilyn Monroe. His close friendship with Jackie Kennedy also comes to the forefront, offering readers a unique glimpse into her life.

“Journals” serves as a window into Schlesinger’s engagement with pivotal issues of his time, encompassing the Vietnam War, the Cold War, Mideast tensions, diplomatic overtures with Russia and China, and the high-stakes Cuban Missile Crisis. Schlesinger’s multifaceted talents shine as he shares his role in crafting speeches and messages for aspiring Democratic presidential candidates.

Despite its substantial 783-page length, it maintains an engrossing narrative that captivates without causing reader fatigue. The book is both an enjoyable read and an invaluable source of information, making it a compelling recommendation for scholars of presidential history and anyone intrigued by the intricacies of American politics and events from 1952 to 2000.

Thoughts after Reading The Pope at War by David Kertzer

Excellent book. Reads like a novel. Highly recommended for students, scholars and readers interested in World War II and specifically the Catholic Church’s role dealing with the leaders of Italy (Mussolini) and Germany (Hitler).
While understanding that the Pope needed to proceed cautiously on the diplomatic front to protect the Church and Catholics who lived in Italy and Germany, Pius XII generally caved to the demands of the Fascists and Nazis.
In pre-war Germany, there was evidence of abuse committed by Catholic priests. This was used as a negotiation card by the Nazis to get Pius XII to agree to their terms.
Pius XII’s reluctance to speak out against the atrocities committed against the Jews was an act of moral cowardice.
Pius XII did not address the Nazi bombings of London, Rotterdam and Warsaw as they occurred. However he lobbied the Americans and British not to bomb Rome and the Vatican.
Kertzer provided stories where priests and nuns refused to aid Jews seeking to hide or flee from Nazi pursuers.
Pius XII did lobby Nazi authorities to protect Jews who did convert to Catholicism. He did very little to protest the poor treatment and murder of Jews.
Pius XII was fully aware of what atrocities were occurring.
Many of the atrocities against Jews were committed by Nazi officers and soldiers who were Catholic.
Pius XII does not merit any consideration for canonization. He certainly was no saint.

Political Potpourri

Why should I worry about the future? Political, religious and cultural groups are pushing an agenda to return to the way things were in the mid-1960s when I was in my teens. Intolerance, racism, sexual repression, discrimination, and religious fanaticism are making a return thanks to Republicans and the Supreme Court, though I’m sure they have never left.

In my almost eight decades of life in the United States, I have seen so much improvement in our technology, medicine and science. Sadly I have not seen the same level of improvement in our national character.

Studying American history after November 21, 1963 is like reading a tragedy. The previous four Presidents before that date were successful ones: FDR, Truman, Eisenhower and JFK. The next four Presidents were LBJ, Nixon, Ford and Carter. They were responsible for the Vietnam War, Watergate, Nixon’s pardon and Iran hostage crisis. Since 1963, we have been involved in unnecessary wars in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. Starting with the Reagan years, we have hollowed out the middle class in this country and made it much harder for young citizens to achieve the “American dream.” The United States has largely lost the immense respect it had in the world after World War II.

Was the last great national achievement of this country the moon landing in July 1969?

So many Americans are content to being entertained as opposed to being informed and educated. Those Americans are like professional wrestling “marks”. They are gullible to the most ludicrous story lines and pontifications…

Today’s Supreme Court has the same credibility as a moral, ethical, judicial and intellectual authority and arbiter as the Vatican.

While many in this country seem to celebrate individual success stories, one senses that many in the public secretly revel more in the failures, scandals and downfalls of those individuals. The media like to highlight the successes but love to cover and commentate on the downfall.

“Next time the National Anthem is played, every woman and girl should take a knee.” Cheri Jacobus, writing on Twitter

I think that you may receive a more accurate projection of your money and finances from a carnival fortuneteller then a certified financial advisor.