A Good Week for Progressives

My, what a difference a week makes...

First out of the gate was the 6-3 United States Supreme Court ruling on the Affordable Care Act affirming the obvious intent of the law to provide tax subsidies to low income folks who enroll for coverage on state exchanges run by the federal government.  Given the context of the dispute relative to the entire Act it's hard to believe that three of the justices voted otherwise.  But such is the state of our Union.

Having hardly time to digest this serious news my morning coffee was equally discombobulated the next morning by the 5-4 decision on gay marriage.  Woohoo!

Actually, the Vegas odds on both these cases were pretty one-sided.  I was not surprised at all by the results although that did not much diminish my enthusiasm in either case.

What did surprise me was President Obama's eulogy for the Rev. Pinckney in Charleston.  It was the most moving and inspired Presidential address I have heard in my lifetime.  None of the news outlet excerpts does it justice - your really must see or hear the entire address.

I have posted the full video here...see below.

I guess what struck me about the President's eulogy was that I did not detect a single whiff of insincerity in the entire address - a feeling I cannot recall relative to ANY Presidential address in my (admittedly failing) memory.

I got the impression that this speech was liberating for the President. The first black President got to be uninhibitedly black..in the best way that the phrase can be imagined.  It had to be liberating.  It had to feel very good.  And it showed.

And I agreed with virtually everything our President said.  That made it feel good for me.

Our President is a good man.

President Obama delivers Eulogy – FULL VIDEO (C-SPAN)

Rain and Wind in the Forecast

Not a big storm but enough wetness and wind to cause concern.  I spent several hours staking stuff in the garden.  Have a beautiful big peony about ready to bloom.  And all the delphinium I started from seed last year is almost ready to rock 'n roll.  Would hate to have them taken out...

The gear buckets are filling in nicely.

Happy and spreading!

The lewisia is my favorite rock garden discovery.  Loves that sandy soil!

Tied my delphiniums down every way I could think of....

Snapdragons pick-up the slack.

Hope they survive a little wet and wind...

Candelabra primrose...they like my most boggy bed.

Happy 90th Birthday Aunt Emilie

Well, the tough old bird made it...90 years young.  I hosted a celebratory prime rib supper for Aunt Emilie last evening and I think it was a success.

Grill Master Eric provided tasty BBQ chicken wing appetizers.  The main course featuered prime rib, mashed potatoes, minted fruit salad, ginger carrots, shrimp salad and homemade dinner rolls.  Dessert options were North Douglas Chocolate Cake and key lime pie.  It was quite tasty if I do say so myself.

Auntie's daughter, Sandra, and grandson, Brock, joined us from out of town.  Brock is a newly minted dad and can't stay long; but I think he got his money's worth at supper anyway. 

I was busy playing host so didn't have time to take a bunch of pics.  But here are a couple of group shots.

With two legs from left to right:  Hidy Hulbert, Eric Pokorny, Emilie Lindstrom, Mary Ann Park, Brock Rogers, Sandra Lindstrom, Linda Siirila and Amanda Krafft. And Mischief the dog.

The host is now on the left.

I would like to think Auntie comes to my house to see me.  But I know better.  Auntie and her best pal, Mischief!

A beautiful day today and I got mom's, auntie's, and my yards mowed.  Sadly it sounds like it will be clouding up tomorrow and we may have rain for a few days.

But it's been a mighty fine gardening season so far so I will not complain! 

Tragedy

The massacre in Charleston this past week has dominated the news.  And it has given further impetus to the discussion of race relations in this country following closely on the heels of the several notorious incidents of police shootings of unarmed black persons.  I think this discussion of race is entirely appropriate.

I also think, however, that the issue of racism is largely missing the point of the Charleston slaughter - just as the discussion of mental health issues missed the point after the Newtown carnage.

It is, of course, natural for people to want to know "why" these mass killings occur.  If you're the prosecutor in one of these cases establishing motive is always useful.  On the other hand, if you are really interested in making rational public policy that may reduce the likelihood of future mayhem then I believe that having an honest discussion about the question of "how" these atrocities are perpetrated would be of even greater value.

To my knowledge, President Obama is the sole significant public official to point out the obvious.  This crime, like Newton and Aurora and many before them is about the ability to easily acquire a gun.

Let's say we eliminate racism tomorrow.  And all mental health issues the day after that.

Then by my calculation that would only leave jealousy, greed, religion, ambition and a few hundred other possible motives for someone to commit multiple murders.

Let's get real folks.  Col. Mustard may kill one person in the church with the knife or the candlestick - I can even conceive of him whacking two before someone takes him down.  But nine?  No.

Sadly so long as our public officials - both elected and appointed to the bench - continue to drink from the NRA Kool Aid nothing will change.  There will be more pointless bloodshed.  More red herrings will be trolled by the Second Amendment fetishists and the media will happily take the bait.

So what would you do, Elmer?

Well, if I were omnipotent I would ban all handguns.  And I would prohibit the ownership of any long-gun not clearly designed for hunting - and ownership would be contingent on passing a rigorous gun safety course and having the ability to store your weapon in a secure manner.

But what about the Second Amendment?

The Second Amendment is simply a part of the Constitution.  It can be amended, or perhaps more plausibly, it can be reinterpreted.  The most recent Supreme Court decisions on this issue are ludicrous on their face.

But what about self-defense?

Buy bear spray.  It works better than guns on bears which are known to be meaner, stronger and quite possibly smarter than your average heroin addict and it won't put your daughter's boyfriend in the grave when you spray him sneaking into the house.

Grow a pair guys.

Next Phase of the Garden

We had a week of wet weather but fortunately I had staked stuff reasonable well and there was little damage.  The wet spell did coincide with the blooming of the Siberian Iris, however, so I did not get to enjoy them as much as I had hoped.

Now the painted daisies and day lilies are blooming and the delphiniums are not far behind.  It's been a great gardening year - so far...

 

After the white..here comes the pink rugosa

Very pretty

And the very first bloom from Contestant #3 - the yellow rugosa

 I love the Siberian Iris

Although they did get pummeled pretty good by our recent wet weather.

Started these babies from seed in February 2014.  Pyrethrum "James Kellway".

 The day lilies are pretty reliable...just wish they lasted longer!

Tomorrow is Aunt Emilie's 90th birthday and I'm hosting the family get together.  Her grandson, Brock, is coming in from Anchorage and her daughter, Sandra, from Victoria, B.C.  A blow-by-blow will be forthcoming here shortly...

Mr. Hogan Returns

My former boss, Mr. Hogan, stopped by Juneau on his way to Denver where he will be taking up residence.  We had a very fun supper at Mr. Barker's digs out on Lena Loop Road.  Milt has a beautiful home and even more spectacular view.

Alison and John yuk it up.

Uncle Miltie was a most gracious host.

John and Lori were quite relaxed...

 ...as was Jay, the guest of honor.

 A good time was had by all.

 

My Garden - Spring of 2015

Doubt if there's anyone looking at this blog anymore...but gonna post my Spring garden photos regardless!

 Getting serious about deck planters.  Three roses and a hydrangea acquired this Spring.  All will reside in the garage for the first winter.

 And here is rose Number 1.  A rugosa Blanc de Colbert.

 Built all those boxes (the pinnacle of my carpentry endeavors).  Hired young guys to haul the gravel!

My Weigela...here before I was...

 Native Southeast Alaska rain forest.  Will get replaced soon...although charming in its own right...

First iris to bloom...got 'em from Aunt Emilie's yard and they do well.

 I'm mighty fond of this place.

Slowly filling in the rock garden by trial and error.  Great drainage.  Good sun.  Poor soil.

 Leopard's Bane, and bleeding heart in bloom...Siberian Iris soon to follow.

Love the lilacs...the front yard smells wonderful on a calm evening.

Rhody past its prime but lots of new growth...it seems happy.  

I think my house is very attractive.

The former owner is a halibut fisherman.  Re-purposed gear buckets.

Peony #1 of the season!

I took these pics a week ago.  We've had a week of rain since...a few things got beat down...but no worse than I would have expected.  The National Weather Service says we're in for another change...back to nice weather and it sounds like it may stick around for awhile.

So...more to come!