Origins of Wednesday lxxviii: Counting on time

I've had the same second thoughts

as many about one's position in a

society at tooth and nail with it-

self over the abduction of the Am-

erican republic by a horde of Vis-

igoths in Republican cloth coats -

as Richard Nixon famously defended

the marauders in mink who financed

his character-assassinating career.

But my second thoughts are swollen

with regret at the frenzy of imita-

tion dissent is exhibiting, now-a-

days, against his heirs in office.

For me the McCain funeral was the

corkscrew on a very corked vintage

of wine. It stank of hideous rec-

titude, gone mythical and popular.

I've begun to hold my powder more

closely now, for the power of the

printed word, over time. I think

more highly than ever of the his-

torical temperament in which many

of us were raised; and I know, I

cannot expect to see its judgment

on our time. But I have never had

an inclination to find a frenzy I

could join, and I'm fortunate (by

mere accident) to have read widely

in the vehemency genre which is

this continent's chronic tone of

voice. I feel the present govern-

ment should be replaced. I have

not discovered a successor that

warrants assuming its degree of

power. There, certainly, I will

always be. Not enamored of power,

and wary of its constant excuses.