I am running a little behind and just saw your column on your eye condition and our precarious times. I want to extend to you best wishes and hope that your heal and fast. You are a treasure to all of us. As a lifer newspaperman, I admire your knowledge, literacy, and simple and enduring humanity. Yes, I am a man of faith. I believe in God and His angels. May they be on your shoulder. They are in your heart. Amen.
Trump has built an environment where he can act without restraint. His priority is personal wealth, and he shows little concern for how he accumulates it. The White House — once a symbol of democratic dignity — now resembles a snapshot from the final days of French royal excess, complete with moral decay and self‑indulgence.
Political analysts say there is a nineteen‑in‑twenty chance of retaking the legislature. Put plainly: a 95% likelihood that we’re back in the driver’s seat.
That opportunity is rare.
Let’s not waste it.
Stay focused on restoring democratic norms, accountability, and basic fairness.
So very sorry about your eye problems. While I’ve been very lucky with my eyes, both my late mom and husband had terrible, life changing issues so I’m glad you’ve gotten positive news about yours.
On a more local level, re: Chuck Edwards and his dirty old man proclivities being exposed and investigated by the House, all I can say is HOORAY!
Best of luck with your eye issue...take all the time you need, but know that your observations on NC and politics in America are genuinely needed and appreciated.
I'm sorry to hear about your eye. I hope that you can find a more permanent cure. Good luck.
That said I have to disagree with you on one point. The American people do care about corruption. Every conversation that I have had with anyone on the subject or news article that I have seen on it triggers outrage. But there is something different in how it is treated. Hunter Biden's laptop was played on repeat by cable news as was every instance of Biden slightly lost. Trump on the other hand rolls from outrage to outrage to outrage flooding the zone as it were and no one corruption gets sustained attention. The few that do (e.g. the Airplane) get pushback but Republicans accept them anyway.
At the same time Trump benefits from media organizations that go to great length to couch his every action as if there is some debate, to find balance, or just to play nice even as he calls their reporters "piggy" and "Bitch". This asymmetry of reporting and constant noise gives Trump cover to act while the tired Democratic leadership is busy recruiting octogenarians and face-tuning themselves.
On the subject of redistricting you are right about the consequences, we see it in NC. A party gerrymanders then over time they lose touch with more and more of the electorate and must gerrymander still further to keep their power. In the end Democracy itself becomes the enemy because they could not survive an honest contest and they know it, or are so far gone that they cannot. That will now be happening nationwide.
Just take care of yourself and do what you can, when you can. I really enjoy reading your substacks since I'm still a Yankee who doesn't drink iced tea even after 27 years of living in NC (military transplant.) You give me insight into the state I live in, and I appreciate it. But the most important thing is to take care of yourself.
Thomas, I also have an eye problem, myastenia gravis in my left eye. I have just started taking medication to control it that hopefully will work without side effects. Write when you are able to I enjoy your viewpoint. Of note: I covered the Tennessee General Assembly from 1978 through 1980 and reported from Nashville in 1978. Did you hear what the now rabid Republican general assembly majority did to Shelby County (Memphis)? Split the city up into three US House district to wipe of the state's remaining Democrat in the House.
The way Donald Trump treats the very people who support him — dismissing them when they’re no longer useful and showing open contempt when they fail to serve his purposes — is not just wrong, it’s a warning sign. It reflects a pattern of leadership that sees citizens not as participants in a democracy, but as tools to be used and discarded.
Thomas,
I am running a little behind and just saw your column on your eye condition and our precarious times. I want to extend to you best wishes and hope that your heal and fast. You are a treasure to all of us. As a lifer newspaperman, I admire your knowledge, literacy, and simple and enduring humanity. Yes, I am a man of faith. I believe in God and His angels. May they be on your shoulder. They are in your heart. Amen.
Trump has built an environment where he can act without restraint. His priority is personal wealth, and he shows little concern for how he accumulates it. The White House — once a symbol of democratic dignity — now resembles a snapshot from the final days of French royal excess, complete with moral decay and self‑indulgence.
Political analysts say there is a nineteen‑in‑twenty chance of retaking the legislature. Put plainly: a 95% likelihood that we’re back in the driver’s seat.
That opportunity is rare.
Let’s not waste it.
Stay focused on restoring democratic norms, accountability, and basic fairness.
Forget luck, may you have the best medical advice there is. Get an audio recording app and speak your thoughts into it. They even transcribe!
So very sorry about your eye problems. While I’ve been very lucky with my eyes, both my late mom and husband had terrible, life changing issues so I’m glad you’ve gotten positive news about yours.
On a more local level, re: Chuck Edwards and his dirty old man proclivities being exposed and investigated by the House, all I can say is HOORAY!
Best of luck with your eye issue...take all the time you need, but know that your observations on NC and politics in America are genuinely needed and appreciated.
Cynthia and I are very sorry to hear you're ailing and hoping for a comfortable and quick recovery.
I'm sorry to hear about your eye. I hope that you can find a more permanent cure. Good luck.
That said I have to disagree with you on one point. The American people do care about corruption. Every conversation that I have had with anyone on the subject or news article that I have seen on it triggers outrage. But there is something different in how it is treated. Hunter Biden's laptop was played on repeat by cable news as was every instance of Biden slightly lost. Trump on the other hand rolls from outrage to outrage to outrage flooding the zone as it were and no one corruption gets sustained attention. The few that do (e.g. the Airplane) get pushback but Republicans accept them anyway.
At the same time Trump benefits from media organizations that go to great length to couch his every action as if there is some debate, to find balance, or just to play nice even as he calls their reporters "piggy" and "Bitch". This asymmetry of reporting and constant noise gives Trump cover to act while the tired Democratic leadership is busy recruiting octogenarians and face-tuning themselves.
On the subject of redistricting you are right about the consequences, we see it in NC. A party gerrymanders then over time they lose touch with more and more of the electorate and must gerrymander still further to keep their power. In the end Democracy itself becomes the enemy because they could not survive an honest contest and they know it, or are so far gone that they cannot. That will now be happening nationwide.
Just take care of yourself and do what you can, when you can. I really enjoy reading your substacks since I'm still a Yankee who doesn't drink iced tea even after 27 years of living in NC (military transplant.) You give me insight into the state I live in, and I appreciate it. But the most important thing is to take care of yourself.
Thomas, I also have an eye problem, myastenia gravis in my left eye. I have just started taking medication to control it that hopefully will work without side effects. Write when you are able to I enjoy your viewpoint. Of note: I covered the Tennessee General Assembly from 1978 through 1980 and reported from Nashville in 1978. Did you hear what the now rabid Republican general assembly majority did to Shelby County (Memphis)? Split the city up into three US House district to wipe of the state's remaining Democrat in the House.
Thomas
Get better and quickly. Have always needed you as a friend and your opinions. Adam.
Sorry to hear this is getting worse, Tom. I really appreciate your insights, even if they are delivered in shorter, reflective bites like these today.
Best of luck with your eye issues. I greatly appreciate your insights.
Thank you for your thoughts. I always welcome the insights you share. I hope your health issues resolve soon.
I like your snippets of insight! ☮️ Glad your upcoming vision treatment can resolve your problem.
Best wishes for successful resolution of your eye issues.
The way Donald Trump treats the very people who support him — dismissing them when they’re no longer useful and showing open contempt when they fail to serve his purposes — is not just wrong, it’s a warning sign. It reflects a pattern of leadership that sees citizens not as participants in a democracy, but as tools to be used and discarded.