dem·a·gog·uer·y
noun
political activity or practices that seek support by appealing to the desires and prejudices of ordinary people rather than by using rational argument.
“the demagoguery of political opportunists”
Opposite of a person who intentionally instigates or incites trouble or mischief. peacemaker. placater. conciliator. pacifist.
As with most things in life knowing when to quit is as much instinctive as rational. It is in fact somewhat amusing to witness one’s own declension from an erstwhile seemingly favoured stance to a distinctly more clarified position, rather like watching overcooked bacon minimize to obscurity in a frying pan in a sea of its own juices. The point is this, there comes a time when the obsession is at an end, when the brilliance of the Bishop’s ring no longer succeeds to mystify or promote any foreseeable purpose or advantage. It’s caput!
Listening to the insurrection investigation account of the pathetic childish behaviour of disgraced former president Trump of the United States of America has levelled upon all Americans an extremely visceral and highly belligerent (not to mention racist and backward) image of the once highly reputed democratic institution. The fact – pointedly not a mere speculation – that the pusillanimous majority of Republican legislators (led by amateurs like Josh Hawley, Ted Cruz, Jim Jordan and Lindsey Graham – from whom nothing has been heard since the insurrection) sustained the national deceit and misguided arrogance (contrasting with their rapture for so-called “Western chauvinism” spirited by the Proud Boys) only further contaminated the once heralded image of America. As Katrina Pierson (national spokesperson for Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign) observed, “The President likes the crazies”.
Thankfully the governments of most countries avail their population of the benefit of statutory public summer holidays. We’re familiar with Canada Day (formerly Dominion Day on July 1st to mark 1867 Confederation of central and eastern settlements as one dominion within the British empire until the patriation of the constitution in 1982) and Independence Day in the United States of America (July 4th to mark independence in 1776 from British rule). In France they celebrate Bastille Day (July 14th to mark the storming of the Bastlle prison and fortress in 1789 at the start of the French Revolution).
With the temperature nearing 90°F today it was impossible to escape the refreshing desirability of the summer wind. It was not only uncommonly warm and humid (there’s rain on the horizon) but there was a soothing violence to its unrestrained breath. My first exposure to this exceedingly favourable rush of air was upon lowering the widows and opening the landau roof of the car as I headed predictably along the undulating ribbon of highway I so adore to the Township of West Carleton for a car wash.
It isn’t often within the orbit of one’s life that everything aligns for the perfect fit. And when it does – apart from the imperative to relish the infrequent arrangement – the sensation is beguiling. To the point of hesitancy and moderate trepidation. The uncertain agitation distills from the pleasurable amplitude of events, events both significant or inconsequential. One’s universe appears to operate in synchronization with the very street lights which almost magically turn green at an opportune moment.
His conscience was perfectly neutral. For it was his deliberate opinion that no form of ecclesiastical polity was of divine institution.
Thomas Babington Macaulay.
“The History of England, from the Accession of James II — Volume 3.”
Those sage words reputedly reflected the thinking of the King of England William of Orange. At first blush the observation appears directed solely to the paramountcy of the state (parliament) over inherited dominion of royalty or prelacy (the theory being in some sectors that entitlement derived from apostolic lineage specifically succession from St Peter). It was an equal obstruction to both Catholic and Protestant claimants.
We’re prepared. Ready to go. 100% charged. Buffed and primed. Paradoxically we’ve nowhere to go. And just as well! We’re inert, presently resigned to unrepentant immobility, smugly content to languish in the cool summer breeze and warming yellow sunshine, book in tow, listening to our favourite music or watching a new show. Eager to succumb to hypnotic drifting dreams filled with sometimes curious images and soporific lacquer. The things that take you somewhere else. That magic feeling “Nowhere to go, nothing to do!
This afternoon we inadvertently drove to the Village of Tatlock, a highly secluded venue in the Township of Lanark Highlands. The object of our outing had been the Village of Clayton (more immediate and far less obscure) but the proverbial winding country roads overtook us. The drive could not have been more pleasant! The azure sky was clear, the temperature pushing 75 degrees. The air was fresh. Obviously we were meandering. Just killing time while there was a showing of our apartment for sale. We have agreed with our Landlord (who is soon to be 93 years of age) to vacate in order to facilitate administration of his private capital. As I said to another resident here, “It’s a venture of mixed feelings – not because we have any reservation about leaving. We’re terribly happy here. Yet we’re excited about the new place especially as it is on the other side of town where we have our residential roots.”
Forty-six years ago my morning, noon and night were consumed running my solo law practice. I employed three secretaries. And in keeping with the tradition which my predecessor Raymond A. Jamieson QC had afforded his farming clientele over his 52 years of practice, the office was open Saturday mornings (though unlike Jamieson I didn’t balance by closing Wednesday afternoons). I regularly ate my lunch out of a can while leaning over the kitchen sink to avoid getting either fish pieces or oil on my waistcoat. Once when I attempted a healthier concoction by assembling raw vegetables and tomato juice in a blender, I failed to secure the lid tightly and the contents exploded on me and the kitchen cupboards. I was momentarily distraught.