Witch Hunt

Some time ago, my family history research led me to a man who refused to fall victim to the witch hysteria of his times, the opportunism which turned neighbor against neighbor. He was in a position to do something and when a witchfinder, came to his town, he ordered the charlatan arrested. These days, we have our own charlatan who needs to be arrested.

"... The righteous rise with burning eyes

Of hated and ill-will

Madmen fed on fear and lies

To beat, and burn, and kill

They say there are strangers who threaten us

Our immigrants and infidels

They say there is strangeness too dangerous

In our theatres and bookstore shelves

Those who know what's best for us

Must rise and save us from ourselves

Quick to judge, quick to anger

Slow to understand

Ignorance and prejudice

And fear, walk hand in hand."

(Lee, Lifeson, Peart)

Sigh. Rush's Moving Pictures album, of which the song Witch Hunt was a track, was released in 1981, and here we are, forty-five years later having the same argument. A government that demonizes entire groups of people, that tramples on the rule of law, human rights, misrepresents patriotism for profiteering, threatens fire and fury like the worst kind of school yard bully.

switchbacks

too much water down there

i believe that guy is actually walking on water

If we are going to continue having these summer in January days, i need to find a way to get out more often. My lack of riding was obvious, but with summer continuing through the weekend, i think something can be done about that. It is the weekend - get out and protest the insidious creep of authoritarianism (not to mention the creep in the White House, and his goons) or, baring that, make the best of it!