The heading over my Impromptus column today is “The fear factor, &c.” Violence, or the threat of it, is a significant component of our politics today. This is not something to be swept under the rug — but rather, discussed openly. Congressman Don Bacon (R., Neb.) voted against Jim Jordan for speaker. His wife, after receiving threats, is sleeping with a loaded gun. This is a lousy pass in our country, I think.
My column has some levity too — but it takes a while to get there . . .
One of the items in my Impromptus yesterday concerned democracy: “sweet, and vital, democracy,” as I called it in an essay a couple of months ago. In my column, I shared a tweet:
I am 34 y.o. Belarusian living in exile in Poland.
FIRST time in my life I will see a peaceful transition of power. To opposition. After democratic elections. With 73% turnout.
My message to you – value and protect your democracy. You can't even imagine what a miracle you have. pic.twitter.com/WfwxUIUyNQ— Pavel Slunkin (@PavelSlunkin) October 16, 2023
A reader writes,
Dear Mr. Nordlinger:
You have reminded me of something that happened on Election Day 1988.
I was a third-year at the University of Cincinnati College of Law. In the class behind mine, there was a gentleman from Poland, whom we called “Rob.” His family had defected several years before I met him, and he had recently obtained his U.S. citizenship.
I was walking out of the building to get into my car and go vote on my way home, and I saw Rob walking toward me, looking excited and happy. “Mike!” he shouted exuberantly, “I just voted, and I feel so powerful!”
In the last couple of weeks, readers and I have talked about wolverines — sightings of. One reader now writes,
Dear Jay,
. . . I’ve seen one in the wild! It happened years ago whilst I was deer hunting in Southeast Alaska, not many miles from my home. The encounter was but for a second or two, but the memory will last forever. I will say, it took me a few minutes to recombobulate.
With that last word, the reader is alluding to my favorite sign in America — the sign that greets you after you go through security screening at the Milwaukee airport:
Okay, this one will be a little blue — maybe PG-13. In yesterday’s column, I have some shots of Cleveland, specifically Case Western Reserve University. The university has a building called the “Thwing Center.” I remarked, in groaning fashion, “This is where a lisper goes to learn golf.”
A reader writes,
Greetings, Jay, from lovely Houston, where the siege of abominable heat has lifted but the drought continues.
. . . You’ve reminded me of a joke told by Johnny Carson. He was playing Karnak the Magnificent. When Ed gave him the envelope, Johnny/Karnak held it to his head and said, “Thorny.” He then opened the envelope and read the question: “What is a thailor at thea?”
Thanks to all readers and correspondents.