Places – Autumn at the Storm King Art Center

Storm King Art Center, New York (27 October 2023)

This break from Election Season bloviating takes us to upstate New York and the Storm King Art Center. The 500-acre setting offers a grand natural space for monumental sculptures.

‘Lockport’ [1977] by Lyman Kipp

Storm King Art Center, New York (27 October 2023)

We visited Storm King on a bright late autumn day in 2013. While the trees were bare, it was still a terrific natural/cultural experience. Sadly, the presentation here turned into an object lesson. The ‘Tip of the Day’ post in 2018 was a cautionary tale on losing an entire trip’s shots (I still don’t know how they were snuffed nor have they ever reappeared) …ergo, keep your wits about you and be sure pictures are saved and backed up. Fortunately, I duplicated a few favorite images from the trip, so not everything was lost.

‘City on the High Mountain’ [1983] by Louise Nevelson

Storm King Art Center, New York (27 October 2023)

Given that ‘lost photo folder’ experience, we had to return to Storm King. It was even better to visit in the fall to restore my documentation in an improved setting…this time when the trees were in full color. Made for prettier backgrounds.

Storm King Art Center, New York (27 October 2023)

The hilly surroundings allow one to see color far into the distance.

Museum Wall

Storm King Art Center, New York (27 October 2023)

There is a museum on the property where additional gallery-size works are displayed. I am often drawn to vegetation-against-man-made-background scenes.

The overall vibe at Storm King is definitely contemporary. No offense to you modern art aficionados out there, but my sculpture aesthetic leans toward the Pietà more than steel pipes welded together. Thankfully, the museum building was designed in a style that fit the surroundings…substantial…looking like one of those ‘cottages’ the Gilded Age barons retreated to when the city was unbearable.

Identification Unavailable

Storm King Art Center, New York (27 October 2023)

‘Storm King Wavefield’ [2007-08] by Maya Lin

Storm King Art Center, New York (27 October 2023)

The famous artist that created the Viet Nam Wall in 

Washington, D.C. took an 11-acre used gravel pit that supplied 

the state Highway Department and ‘sculpted’ a landscape 

of undulating waves. At times, visitors are allowed to walk 

through the swells to experience the ocean sensation.

Hope that worked.
Tune in Saturday for another gentle critique of the 2026 political scene.

2026 Midterm Election Thoughts # 3

‘Prickly City’ by Scott Stantis

When We Do it, it’s OK – (3/25/25) Early in Trump’s second term, Defense Secretary Hegseth and other insiders discussed secret war plans on the open Signal platform…accidentally including a journalist.

Given how many of these same people ripped Hillary for her email server issues and alleged Benghazi failures, someone…anyone, needs to remind the GOP and the forgetful country that if a Democrat administration did the very same stupid thing, the Republicans would go into their hair-on-fire kabuki dance about how awful and dangerous this stunt was. But no. The Grand Old Party continues to wallow in its hypocrisy, defending the truly incompetent team Orange Jesus has assembled.

Drew Sheneman, Newark Star-Ledger

My Pal, Vlad - As if Dear Leader hasn’t enough on his plate, what with a war he can’t control or explain, rising prices, and ZERO compassion to the nation that is supposed to support this escapades…we learn that his Russian buddy is providing Iran with targeting information…informing the country we are attacking the location information on our military assets. When was that ever OK?

I think it’s way past time we spared a few Tomahawk missiles from the Iran assault and gave them to Ukraine…so they can turn the tide further. The Ruskie invaders are down to using convicts, fraudulently recruited poor dopes from Africa and North Korean conscripts. Make a few strikes deep into the Motherland and see how cease-fire negotiations improve.

Time to Say the Quiet Part Out Loud - Donald Trump is a White Supremacist…the most outwardly racist president since Woodrow Wilson. In the 1970’s, he flashed his bona fides early when he and his daddy had to settle a major federal lawsuit that charged them with discriminating against Black housing applicants.

· In the 80’s, he refused to believe the Central Park Five were innocent and called for their execution. Even after they were exonerated and another person was convicted with DNA evidence, he refused to acknowledge their innocence.

· He has characterized the people crossing our southern border as ‘murderers and rapists.’

· Then he rose to greater prominence more recently with the ‘birther’ nonsense he threw at President Obama.

· He often spouts his belief that current rules and regulations discriminate against White people and he grants refugee status only to White South Africans.

· Everyone knows ‘shithole’ countries are the ones with non-White people.

· He wishes people from Norway would want to emigrate here.

· Who but a White supremacist would describe every Black person who ever had the temerity to criticize him as “low IQ?”

HOW MANY MORE EXAMPLES DOES ANYONE NEED?

(Sidebar – I asked Google AI, “How many Black people has Trump called ‘low IQ?” and the all-knowing source was stumped. Its response -

“Donald Trump has used the "low IQ" insult against numerous specific Black individuals, as well as broader groups, making it impossible to state a single exact count.” (emphasis added)

All I’m saying is the guy is a racist and we’re supposed to be past that trait in our national leaders. If his MAGA faithful and elected Republicans are just fine with that or (worse) if they support him specifically because of that, then shame on them.

Maybe ONE alleged Democrat leader could remind us of that.

If Democrats REALLY Were fighting – Hakeem Jefferies would approach a Fox News reporter and say something like, “This is for your boy…Mr. President, you have some nerve calling me ‘low IQ.’ You’re the dumbest president we’ve ever had…one that knows more about everything than anybody yet can never explain anything beyond ‘It’s a disaster!’ or ‘It’s the greatest!’ or ‘I’m the best ever!’ You’re the one that claims to be a stable genius yet refuses to reveal his college grades…I’ll compare my grades with yours any time.”

Drew Sheneman, Newark Star-Ledger

Places – Autumn in Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park (1 October 2018)

As promised, this year’s Election Season screeds will be interspersed with images and memories from beautiful, natural settings. I can think of few places with grandeur that matches the American mountain west in autumn. Snow has returned to the peaks while the aspen in the foothills turns gold and stands out from the evergreen stands.

 

Glacier National Park (1 October 2018)

Glacier National Park was established in 1910 and encompasses over a million acres. In 2018, we rented a cabin outside the park and made daily visits where we could.

While October meant fewer visitors to contend with and the beauty of autumn color, it also gave us less than ideal weather. When it wasn’t raining, the skies were very overcast. Also, by this time, the famous Going-to-the-Sun-Road that traverses the park was closed for the season. We could travel only so far up either end and had to turn back…lots of driving, but the scenery was hard to beat.

Blackfeet Indian Memorial

Glacier National Park (1 October 2018)

Before ceding their land to the federal government, the Blackfoot

Tribe lived in the eastern area of the park while the Flathead Tribe

existed in the western part, beyond the continental divide.

Saint Mary Lake and Wild Goose Island

Glacier National Park (1 October 2018)

Close to the eastern entrance to the park, the lake and

its backdrop of mountains are seen from the Sun Road.

Glacier National Park (2 October 2018)

Near Lake McDonald and the western entrance

to the park, a lone picnic table and pavement

are blanketed by rain-soaked autumn leaves

Glacier National Park (1 October 2018)

The northern border of the park is Canada. The mountains here were carved by the great Ice Age, ten to twelve thousand years ago. At the end of the last Little Ice Age (1850), there were 150 glaciers in the area. By 2010, only 37 glaciers remained and just 25 had an area of 25 acres which qualifies them as ‘active.’ As climate continues to warm, all the park’s glaciers are expected to disappear within a decade.

2026 Midterm Election Thoughts # 2

I sometimes wonder why I do this. So few people read these screeds. I suspect by now, most of my readers already agree with these sentiments. While there were some on the mailing list who disagreed with my point of view, they unsubscribed many elections ago.

It isn’t just the Election Season that brings these thoughts to the fore. Sadly, my news junkie, history-loving, truth/fact-obsessed self has been scribbling mini outrages as they bubble up. Here are a few thoughts from 2025.

First Thing You Do – Within weeks of his inauguration, among the first things Trump did in his shakeup of the Deep State was fire federal agency inspectors general and the Pentagon JAG leadership. Destroy the integrity centers first; then screwing with the rest of the organization becomes much easier.

Mike Luckovich, Atlanta Journal Constitution

Gerrymander Backlash? – Does anyone else think that, with all the unprecedented mid-decade gerrymandering and Republican rigging of House districts in advance of the Midterms, this could backfire?

While they can pick their voters and concentrate them into distorted Congressional districts, that won’t help in state-wide contests. If there’s a god in heaven, she might make all those unrepresented Democrats, independents and fed-up Republicans band together and (provided the Dems field reasonable candidates) win state-wide elections in red states. I can see more governors and senators emerging to counter this movement to steal the House. That would be sweet.

Michael Ramirez, Las Vegas Review-Journal

Chuck Schumer or Chuck Norris? – Speaking of fighting, among the Democrats trying to shake me down is the Senate Minority Leader, Chuck Schumer. He and so many others. At this sad juncture, all Chuck can say is [1] So much is bad, [2] Trump is responsible for it, [3] This must stop, [4] but we don’t have the votes so, there’s only so much I can do [5] but would you send me money anyway?

I get periodic emails from one of our senators. It’s full of ‘fighting’ words – “abuses, corruption, lawlessness, illegal, unauthorized, unconstitutional, rigged.” Funny, if I did things defined that way, my ass would be in jail. I’m sorry. What I see and hear from the ‘loyal opposition’ is talking…not fighting.

Looking Ahead, Please Remember – During the eight-year period of Mitch McConnell’s’ first stint as Minority Leader (2007-15), FOUR different Senates had Democrat majorities…one as great as 59-41. Yet, that man still controlled the agenda, filibustering and thwarting administration appointments. But poor Chuck is helpless in the face of a 47-53 minority.

As this election gets closer and some Democrat candidates look like they might pull off upset wins, expect them to be questioned about whether Schumer should be Majority Leader…a good question. If there’s anything our free press likes to do, it’s to stir up some intra-party conflict.

Grow a pair, Chuck. You say it, but you’re not fighting. Instead of moving your glasses down your nose to read some narcotizing position statement, you need to take your glasses OFF because we’re about to fight.

Again, not holding my breath.

2026 Midterm Election Thoughts # 1

It’s that time again and I can’t help but spout off during Election Season. I’ve been doing it since 2012…that would make this the eighth time I set aside the photography and related stories for thoughtful, objective discourses (read ‘rants’) and editorial cartoons. The next few posts come with the ‘parental warning’ that I am obliged to include since earlier screeds prompted a few offended readers to ask to be removed from future notifications.

I was looking back on earlier Election Season rants to make sure I didn’t use graphics a second time. Then I decided to introduce this year’s screeds with a few choice excerpts from 2024…to warm you up before I throw more spaghetti against the wall in the coming weeks.

The cartoons will be more recent, but the discussion will be more of the same…leading to – How could this nation fall for this guy TWICE? But as I have said before…big brains are wasted on our species.

“We elect the government we deserve.”
        French philosopher Joseph de Maistre (1811)

6/26/24 – 2024 Election Thoughts - # 2
Kindly recall when the Republican House impeached President Clinton for not being truthful about his dalliances. One of their main talking points was “CHARACTER MATTERS.” The Office of the President cannot tolerate such debasement.

Fast forward and we know better about what’s important...mostly...maybe...or so I thought. I might actually live long enough to see a woman or non-Christian take the Oath. But right now, I see a significant number of Americans who want our next president to be a total moral, ethical reprobate...one who is twice divorced and routinely cheats on his third/current wife. This person does not go to church and is an outspoken racist. The self-acknowledged ‘pussy-grabber’ and pal of Jeffry Epstein has been accused of sexual assault by numerous women.

10/29/24– 2024 Election Thoughts - # 5
“There’s a sucker born every minute” - If I hear one more person-on-the-street respondent say they’re voting for Trump “because he’s a businessman and that’s what we need in Washington,” I’m gonna hurl. I want a follow-up question…one that I wish Democrat candidates would throw out there.

It’s not like this businessman hasn’t been there before…. Can you name ONE thing he did in his four years in office that affected you in a positive way because it was a better business (vs. political) decision? I can’t.

11/3/24 – 2024 Election Thoughts - # 6
Voter Suppression – A Republican Value – Ironic how the ‘Party of Freedom’ is so hell-bent on keeping certain citizens from exercising our most important right. It started in earnest when we elected that Black guy.

11/5/24 – 2024 Election Thoughts # Last
What Will It Take? – For the life of me, I can’t understand why the polling is still so close given one candidate is a totally degenerate, off-the-wall, lying sack-o-shit who has said and done things too numerous to count, any one of which would have disqualified ANY major party candidate we have seen in the last hundred years.

11/17/24 – 2024 Election Thoughts – Postscript
Well, I sure didn’t think THAT was going to happen. All that exposure and enthusiasm and the endorsements and positivity, especially when contrasted with the incoherence and complaining and vulgarity and over-the-top outrageous lies. However, I have to respect the system. The people have spoken…emphatically.

In the midst of all that postulating, I have not seen any postmortem that notes something I have complained about for years – Democrats are too damn timid. They never seriously challenge the Fox/GOP nonsense. They have allowed their party to be demonized. Until they understand that so many of Trump’s votes were anti-Democrat votes, they’ll never recover. Trump’s supporters KNOW he’s not a nice man but believe Democrats and (especially) liberals are worse.

And another thing… We ARE a stupid species…and BOTH political parties believe that. The GOP depends on us to be stupid so we will swallow their lies and misinformation. Democrats think we’re too stupid to hear straight talk about what’s really happening.

Take the promised mass deportation. Are the MAGA faithful ready to fill all those jobs working the farm fields and slaughterhouses? We’ll see how some red/rural towns fare after the feds cart off a big chunk of their local economy.

Speaking of cleaning up the illegals, don’t be surprised if we hear stories of red state cops doing their part by stopping members of the public who don’t look American enough. Maybe it will soon be advisable to routinely carry proof of citizenship…and we’ll be another step closer to living the Nazi life. “Show me your papers!”

I’ve been wrong too many times before, so take this for what it’s worth. Given what the President-Elect has said over the years AND his performance the first time around AND what so many close to him have revealed, the nation is about to experience challenges it does not expect. We will be tested.

HOWEVER…
If our species does what it so often does, the new order will overplay its hand and attempt even more radical policies. Then the electorate will make corrections at the next mid-term elections…if we still have elections by then.

Drew Sheneman, Newark Star-Ledger

Given the depth and breadth of Trump’s victory, the GOP will consider it a total mandate to do everything Orange Jesus wants. Don’t be surprised if things don’t turn out all that ‘Great Again.’