All the news that fits to print—or is it?

 

Watching the nightly news on TV or reading your morning paper can be disheartening. The world, clearly, is in a mess. The former president’s outrageous behavior at his current federal trial dominates the news, but Iran and Israel sniping at each other is a close second. I don’t understand why the media refer to Iran’s “unprecedented” attack on Israel. Didn’t Israel start it by taking out a consulate and killing several of Iran’s leading either diplomats or generals. That seems a bit of provocation to me. And whoever is at fault first, their conflict could escalate tensions in the Middle East. And then we read that famine is about to be declared in Gaza where half the citizens are in danger of starvation—where does starvation legally become famine? Is there some kind of line of statistic? Ukraine desperately needs tangible support—including arms and ammunition—from  the US but the MAGA caucus in the House seems to support Russia’s position in annexing Ukraine. They have voted against several bipartisan foreign aid bills, and hotheads like MTG are calling for us to withdraw from NATO—shortsighted if not outright stupid. Speaker Mike Johnson’s position is in jeopardy, but his removal could once again throw the House into confusion. So far they have accomplished less than any other House in any term.

Closer to home, some conservative states continue to pass draconian anti-abortion laws and voter suppression measures. Inflation continues, but few will believe that it is not government-inspired but due to greedy corporations that are making extraordinary profits. The disaster clock, driven by climate change, continues to click dangerously close to doom for the earth, and yet many don’t believe that either. We are told that if trump wins he November election, he will “Drill, baby, drill” and roll back all climate regulations. The southern border continues to be a mess, with MAGA folk blaming the increase in crossings on Biden, who is supposedly rubbing his hands with glee (please note not all immigrants are illegal—most have legal status pending asylum hearings—the only illegals are those that sneak across the border instead of crossing at checkpoints). Yet the House refused to support a bipartisan immigration reform bill.

Occasionally, the news is more puzzling than frightening. I read that Russian hackers have attacked the water tower in Muleshoe, Texas. Muleshoe is a town of about 5,000 out near Lubbock. Why in heaven’s name would Russian hackers be interested in its water tower? Did their girls basketball team just win a championship? Is Muleshoe the home of a hidden, secret spy group for the US.? Is there something special about the water tower. I’m sorry for the discomfort to Muleshoe’s citizens, but that almost made me laugh aloud. Most of the news does not do that.

So how can anyone, with all this and more, be an optimist? I can be and am. This morning I read a post by an author I know who said every morning she resolves to look for one occasion of joy in the world. As I look out my desk window, I look at those wonderful yellow wildflowers I posted about yesterday. Now they are about to be hidden by the oak leaf hydrangea growing tall and laden with blooms right by my window. Trite to begin with flowers, I know, but they truly do give me joy every time I look out the window at them.

But there are bigger victories: a panel of the 5^th court of appeals has refused to lift an earlier court order that bars Texas from enforcing a ridiculous book law that would have required every vendor to check every page of every book for explicitly sexual images and references before selling to a school district—this would have put many small vendors out of business, besides reinforcing our states already ridiculous book banning laws. A victory for reason.

A new federal order allows the Bureau of Land Management to protect 4200 acres of tribal-owned land from drilling and mining for the next 50 years—a huge victory for conservation. More college loans have been forgiven—not the principal but the outrageous interest rates which had people paying long after they repaid the principal. The economy is on track to best China’s economy for the first time in years, and unemployment has remained at a record-setting low for 50 years.

See? My wildflowers look pretty good. And there’s reason for joy in the world. Now I’ve got another reason—leftover meatloaf and I’m going to go ea my supper. Please remember to look for the joy in your life. It occurs to me that in focusing on national and international things, I have forgotten to mention the joy I get daily from family and friends. Never discount that.