Curling is oddly engaging. We watched the US and Japan in a match last night, and it became obvious that there is a lot going on. I guess people refer to it as “chess on ice.” Based on reports from the games, it can get high-spirited on the sheet, with accusations of cheating ringing out on occasion.

Folks, please. Don’t cheat. That’s just slimy, and so unbecoming of Olympic-level athletes, or any athlete. There’s no room for it at any level. You get a leg up by being better prepared and somehow smarter, not by trying to get away with something.

On another note, I’ve been reading The Gales of November, by John U. Bacon, and was amazed to learn that, among others, the Arthur M. Anderson crew was asked to return to the spot where the Edmund Fitzgerald was last heard from, in order to search for evidence or survivors—all while the Storm of the Century was still raging. The Anderson crew had reached the relative safety of Whitefish Bay, turned the ship around, and headed back out into the maelstrom. Wow.

Of course, ICE is funded for the year and beyond, with enough money to create and equip a substantial masked militia (why masks?!) and buy up huge storage facilities to be used as detention centers around the country. But other DHS functions are on the chopping block for the time being.

Dems may hold out for changes in the way ICE operates but will be berated and bad-mouthed for doing so, with claims from Republicans along the lines of  “they’re only hurting the American people…” I’m always wondering which “American people” they’re talking about. Both parties throw the phrase around like it’s all of us when it’s never all of us.

Anyway, though I haven’t checked, I assume a partial government shutdown has gone into effect, and the sides will blame each other, but eventually the Republicans will emerge with everything they wanted, and the Democrats will have tried to take the high road but to no avail.

Meanwhile, the NATO alliance is evolving without us, various European leaders are publicly downplaying the significance of diminished U.S. participation, but I wonder what they’re saying privately. Is it really about Europe taking on a larger share of the expenses, or is it more about a desire to return to an old model of spheres of influence that many warn will increase the likelihood of much blood being spilled?

How does isolationism work, really? Is there any such thing as neutrality, ultimately? Or burying one’s head in the sand in the name of “sound fiscal policy?”

Donald Trump has his lips firmly attached to Big Coal’s posterior. He’s listening to the wrong people. He obviously does not care about the rest of us who will have to navigate in spoiled surroundings— all because he says he’s not convinced that long-held findings about CO2, carbon monoxide and methane are real. But what does he know?

Truthfully– what does he understand? About anything.

So, we get to watch as he does his best to pulverize yet another foundational understanding of the effect we’re having on the air we breathe. He refutes yet another substantial body of evidence to placate the producers of a dirty fuel.

There is no such thing as clean coal, Donald. Scrub all you want, you conniving dumbass. You’re probably buoyed by the cold winter we’ve been having, selectively oblivious to the fact that the polar vortex is reaching places it has rarely reached, in part because polar ice is melting at alarming rates. You and many others keep refusing to put two and two together.

While you’re at it, why don’t you look into bringing the dinosaurs back? You could make that happen, since you’re such a helluva deal maker.

It is somewhat mystifying that there’s anyone left who works for Donald Trump of their own volition.

How can people continue to defend him when he so often acts like a child? How can Pam Bondi, for example, sit at a hearing and avoid answering most questions because she suspects such behavior pleases Trump? What kind of concessions have she and many others made over the years? Maybe they have to sign an NDA which includes a clause stating that all hires must check their bullshit meters at the door for the duration of their employment.

It’s quite remarkable that so many continue to play along and tout his praises. It might make one wonder if their convictions and admiration are genuine, or if they’ve drunk the Kool-Aid and recognize the futility in trying to save face.

Pam Bondi’s time in front of the Epstein oversight committee was a sight to behold, but only because it provided yet more evidence that these meetings are useless in terms of learning anything. The stonewalling, the purposeful misdirection, the belligerent and dismissive tone, the snooty attitude Ms. Bondi displayed– they all added up to just more wasted time for everyone.

And of course, Jim Jordan did his best to manipulate the proceedings and tilt the playing field.

No amount of passionate, animated speech on the Democratic side even mattered, since this type of hearing often ends up being perceived as a power struggle, complete with high-octane bickering, and a despicable display of partisanship. They might as well not have held it.

Sadly, the Dems overplayed the victim card when they pretty much forced Ms. Bondi to turn to some of the victims who had gathered and apologize to them.  This only provided undue drama and seemed more like a publicity stunt than anything someone would agree to do—partly because they were putting words in her mouth, but also because what were the chances she’d comply with such a request, given that she’s a Team Trump player who likes pleasing her boss?

At play in this setting is a burning desire on the part of Democrats to find a weak spot, create a gotcha moment before the world that exposes the smarmy, devil-may-care attitude of not only Pam Bondi but the whole Trump administration. It’s like this whole crew deserves a comeuppance and wake-up call. But they’re really good at deflection and playing defense.

And let’s face it—their offensive strategy has yielded results as well. Still, it’s very hard to watch, and painful, because they all come across as ugly human beings who harbor a frightening vision for America, who savor the bully pulpit and behave like they’re in the driver’s seat.