FOR MONDAY

Family comes first; so I will not be at the rubber stamp meeting Monday night.

There are Resolutions appointing heads of the "new" Departments. Although all already have  Administration positions there is no mention if there is any change in their income. Also no mention of  voiding the position of City Administrator. 

VERY LATE BLOG

   What a wild week. As if the Kavanaugh circus was not enough for the next four days I will have besides my daughter and son-in law in residence but also two extra dogs including Ms. Scarlett and Slapshot. Ms. Scarlett is a 6 year old “Brisson?” in new home and very insecure. Also, my nephew& wife-Robert and Connie will be visiting around lunch time Saturday and in addition Andy and Ruth will be out in the afternoon and go back after dinner.

    That all leaves me little time  if any to watch football; the “Hoos” on Saturday and the Jets and Giants Sunday.  
     Also; I will not be able to even try to attend the Agenda Setting Session of the Council Monday night. I may find time to comment on the  proposed items but experience predicts that my presence will have no impact on this Council.

   I may start recovering Tuesday but there should be no blog before Wednesday.

   Regarding the Kavanaugh/Ford hearings yesterday. I believe her an felt that he was not only too righteous indignant but evasive in replying to key questions especially would he welcome an FBI investigation.

   It is unfortunate that he has become the victim of a planned last-minute character assassination by the Democrats who could have requested a n FBI investigation early in the game but waited until the last minute in an attempt to delay his approval by the Senate.

  The Republicans have also been playing power politics in an    attempt to get his full Senate approval by a 52/49 party line vote as their new rules  would permit.

  Today however some sense of decency took place when the Senate did decide to request an FBI investigation-which administration must approve and delay a final vote for one week.      

  The determining factor should still not be what happened in 82, bad as it may have been, but did he hide the truth now, and commit perjury.

ABOUT CENSORSHIP & THINGS IN GENERAL

   Tuesday morning a visit to the “Waterboarder” (aka Periodontist) and then a rainy after noon slept away until dinner time.      

   Wednesday am a long visit to the Optometrist or more accurately his technicians and a short 5 minutes with him. May need new lenses for reading and computer. Hope to have some rainless time to market before returning home.

    As far as I know, nothing new on the home front; will find out next Monday.

   Nationally Trump was laughed at when he spoke before the UN General Assembly. Truly a first for a PONTUS. Thursday not only will we find out if Rosenstein will be resigned as well as the Kavanaugh/ Ford Senate hearings take place.

    A big 1^st Amendment issue right now is Freedom of Speech and CENSORSHIP. The challenges of censorship are daily from government and its agencies, from individuals with specific agendas and from the mob.

   Perhaps the only excuse for government censorship is when National security is threatened. Anything else can be an abuse of power by an Autocratic. Dictatorial government.

   Individuals with special agendas such as School Boards, religious zealots and pure party politicians abound. State and local legislatures too often act in their interests.

   Finally, the mob, either through organized demonstrations, or social media attacks have censored by blocking speakers from appearing, or even by cause media to not print or show others opinion. Often this mob fear has caused such respected publications such as the New Yorker, or the New York Times Book Edition, not only to apologize for articles but also to fire editors in charge.

   Anyone by the Constitution has the right to speak even if it is of hate. We do not have to listen, those who do have already been corrupted or ready to follow. My exception for censoring would be speeches that are designed to provoke armed mob (or individual) violence against others or the government itself. 

  It is each one of us duty to act in upholding the 1st Amendment of the US Constitution; to reject those who would ignore it or destroy it. 

  

THOUGHTS ON MONDAY

  It was a good couch potatoe's weekend. The FB Giants won a game. UVA showed an aggressive offensive team, beating Louisville with the help of a top ACC running back/ wide receiver; Plainfielder Olamide Zaccheaus. He did go to Prep School in Philadelphia rather than play for PHS. "Go Whoos"

  On this first weekday of autumn it is time to do fall cleanups and also watch with interest nationally the Kavanaugh drama playout as well as the opening sessions of the UN.

  If there really is a bona fide second accuser, Mr. K. is dead. Thursday may be the answer. Tomorrow PONTUS give his UN speech; I may be at a scheduled appointment or I certainly will listen.

  In Plainfield there continued to be a concurrent course of political shenanigans. How nice to know that there are voices such as Sean McKenna (9/18 blog on street lights and the Mayors Charter reform imp act) as well as today’s Dan’s blog on the illogical weirdness re-development plan for South Ave which the PB is ending for Council approval. It is wonderful to see that a dedicated Administration supporter can express fault with it.

   Unless more citizens show and  vocally exert their interest in public affairs the windmills will keep churning. BUT, we can have an impact by voice, print and vote; so use it.