Uncertain Times— At the West End Gallery
Government is either organized benevolence or organized madness; its peculiar magnitude permits no shading.
–John Updike, Buchanan Dying (1974)
I had planned on sharing and writing a bit about the combination of the verse from Edgar Lee Masters’ Spoon River Anthology and a painting that seemed somewhat relevant to it. Both seem worthy of discussion.
However, coming into the studio before 5 AM I soon found out that the US was bombing Venezuela and that Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro had reportedly been captured and, with his wife, whisked from that country.
I am not going to go into why this egregious act of war (without a declaration of war) is so wrong in my eyes and those of most of the world.
I am going to simply say that it created a great and turbulent ball of anxiety in my gut, a potent mixture of rage and dread.
It’s the feeling you might bet if you found yourself in your kitchen and an obviously imbalanced guy bursts through the door with an open 5-gallon can of gas and a Zippo. You want to bellow at him to get the fuck out of there, but you see that the Zippo is open and his finger is twitching on the flint’s wheel.
Your rage suddenly is tempered with the realization of what could happen if this madman in your presence flicks his thumb on that Zippo.
Questions race through your mind like wildfire.
What can I do now? Will he really blow up this place? Why would he do that?
Is this how my house is destroyed and my world ended?
It all brings back the question that haunted me in the early morning soon after the November election of 2024 standing outside the studio watching a strange and ominous sunrise: Is this who we are now?
For the moment it certainly seems that the answer is yes, even though I don’t think that answer is final in any way.
Can we change that answer?
I don’t know. We have responded in such a tepid manner collectively as a people to the atrocities set upon us and others this past year that I have begun to doubt our willingness to engage in the fight that is needed.
I say that with a great deal of sadness. And shame.
I truly thought we were better than this.
Okay, I have had my say for the time being. I am going to lock the kitchen door here in the studio in case that son of a bitch tries to get in here with his gas can and Zippo.
Ain’t gonna happen in my kitchen, if I have anything to say about it.
Here’s song that fits the mood I am feeling this morning. I last played it back in 2009 so you might have missed that post. It’s the classic murder ballad Dehlia from David Bromberg. I first encountered when I won 25 albums from a local radio station in 1972. They were all promotional albums sent to the station by record companies and almost all never saw a single track make it on air. Some were not good but there were a lot of gems in that group including David Bromberg’s self-titled first album. It has been a favorite of mine since 1972. His version of this song is special. Its refrain seems to fit this morning:
she’s all I got is gone
Redtree Times 
My daughter called early AM. Informed me of this tragic news. I am sick. How can one person give orders without consulting with congress and senate.
What did we just do????
I don’t know but I can guarantee that it isn’t good.
It is a very scary situation.
It sure is. Not exactly a great start for 2026.
Until Congress decides to stop with their stupid squabbling and their infatuation with social media attention — and stops kissing up to Trump — and decides to take the Constitution and their responsibilities seriously, that zippo is going to stay open.
Yes, I think most of them left the kitchen long ago– and they were the ones who were supposed to have the fire extinguishers.
Watching Trump speaking I am hearing a crook describing another criminal and talking about all the money “we” are going to make from this action. If that isn’t an act of actual piracy I don’t know what is.
Piracy is a good way of putting it, Gary. Just ‘batshit crazy’ as Rep. Ted Lieu said this morning. I get the feeling that we are a breaking point and that something has to give in this coming year. How about you?
I’d like to agree with you Gary. But I find my optimism being worn down by blatant insurrection against democracy being led by the Supreme Court. The conservative majority has been working to overcome the will of the people ever since they decided the 2000 election. So, I have to worry that one political party has enough power in the next three years to actuate a real return to the ideals that have been guiding this country for the past six out of eight decades.
I think that the person I hold responsible for this isn’t Trump, it’s Mitch McConnell. His subversion of the rules and norms has exacerbated the corporate takeover of our country.
I couldn’t agree more, Gary. Now, when I say we are at a breaking point, that was not necessarily written with great optimism. I still believe we are in dire circumstances and often doubt that we can wiggle our way out of this. I just think this will be the pivotal year, for better or worse. Hoping for the best but not fully expecting it.
Sadly he has always believed he is above the law… and time and time again, no one stops him so he has become more and more arrogantly evil!
It reminds me of when I was teaching. There were certain kids who got away with everything because the parents were bullies and each year the student would increasingly become more mean and do unbelievable things to others. They were unhinged and it was terrifying… as this situation is with bigger things at stake. He terrifies me… because he has no sense of what is right or wrong and it feels as though he is unstoppable.
As for Congress- one party needs to get their heads out of his arse and the other needs to stand up stronger and fight harder. As a citizen, I feel shame too… and great sadness that this IS who we have become as a nation…. but then I ask myself, have we all? I have to believe there is more of us who have decency and common sense but many of us just don’t know what to do to do to fight back.
I vote every election and write to my representatives often. Leadership in VA is very good… they are fighting and pushing back but we need more people in those positions who are willing to push back! At the end of the day, the need for power and control is what is holding most “leaders” back. Once we remove this dictator finally, then we must change some of our laws around how long people can holds seats and what benefits they receive in Congress and the House. We have created positions where greed is bred and the need to hold that power is more important than getting the work done of the people! (stepping down now)
Thank you for your thoughtful opportunity for discussion…
You’re right, Precious. While for the moment this is how we are defined as a collected people, it is not a definition we have to embrace or accept. We need to do everything, through action and word, to regain that definition of us as a people that made people from around the world look to us as guiding light. All good things to you, Precious, for the new year.