Defend THIS

On Our Indefensible President and His Supporters

Yesterday, December 14, 2025, a man and his wife were stabbed to death in their California home by their troubled son. Shortly thereafter, our President reacted to the news on his social network:

Now, I realize that I spare no criticism for the President, and I am certain that a number of readers of this Substack would suggest that I too suffer from TDS (I prefer to thing of it as RATS (Realistic Appraisal of Trump Syndrome)). But I ask in all sincerity for someone, anyone, to attempt a defense of this conduct that is not in and of itself as reprehensible as this post. I am well aware of those whose already limited ability to self-censor disappeared in an atmosphere in which no hate, no darkness, and no sense of victimhood is beyond the pale, and I imagine some of those miscreants might take a stab at such a defense (and likely fail the ground rule laid down). But if there is anyone who can make a defense of this behavior without stooping to its level, I’m all ears.

Did we not once as a society discourage this sort of behavior? Did we not once expect more out of your President? Have we regressed to a point societally where this kind of hateful immaturity, this schoolyard bullying, is now acceptable to a large slice of the electorate?

Think for a second about an America in which you disagree, even strongly, with the President. Is it your desire that he or she act in this manner? Is it ok simply because you support this President?

Have we become so isolationist that we give no thought to how we as a people are thought of around the world, given our choice of someone who acts like this to lead us?

Would you accept his behavior from your daughter’s boyfriend?

Would you accept it in a child of your own?

Yes, yes, I get it. He ISN’T your daughter’s boyfriend, and he ISN’T your child. But he is the President, and we used to expect more.

Have you so thoroughly lost the ability to tell right from wrong that you now can sit idly by and accept this, or worse, encourage and enjoy this?

Thoughts of Crete

A few months ago, I informed readers of a journey I’ll be taking in the Spring to Crete. My United phone widget tells me my flight departs in 3 months, 28 days, 23 hours from now, and the excitement is building. Between now and then, The Kitten and I are going to the Bahamas and Antigua, but as there is little cultural difference to consider in either place (and I will not be “burrowing in” to the extent I will in Chania), there are a lot of things to consider over the next few months.

The first of course, is language. I do not speak Greek, not even a little bit. My research indicates that there is plenty of English spoken there, but when one seeks to embed in a culture, some proficiency with the language seems important. I have a few hundred index cards on my desk in front of me, a fourth of which are serving as Greek phrase flash cards with the remainder yet to be filled out. There is a fellow on Facebook who does quick little Greek lessons, and I write down things of interest on my flash cards. I need to get more serious about this pursuit, as making flash cards is the easy part—memorizing them, not so much.

I think constantly about what to pack, and the name of the game is MINIMALISM. Chania is a proper town/small city, so if I REALLY need something, I can buy it.

The balcony of my crib in Chania. The Old Venetian Port is a block and a half down the street.

I intend to spend a good bit of my mornings on the balcony above, mostly making breakfast there in the apartment and throwing back a few cups of Joe whilst the locals go about their business. I will wave and say “Kalimera” to friendly sorts.

There is, on the floor below me, an ice cream shop. I will have to be very judicious about how often I frequent it, as this month will be one of good diet and fitness. But, the lure will likely be strong, especially as I walk back after dinner.

Speaking of dinner, there are a TON of places that I am going to try, and by the time I leave in April, I will have mapped them out. I will of course, wander about and poke my snoot into targets of opportunity, but why take chances when the interwebs are lousy with recommendations from those who’ve already done the legwork?

Hoops With The Boys

This coming Saturday, my beloved Wahoos host the dreaded Maryland Somethingorothers, and I will be in attendance with three of my best friends in the world. Tom, Rob, John, and I were Sigma Chi’s together at UVA a lifetime ago, and the generosity of yet another Sigma Chi (Dave) led to his passing along four wicket good seats for us to use. Thanks, Dave!

There’s only one problem, and that is the game will be the first one after a week plus off for exams, and I NEVER like games after long breaks. Checking Maryland’s schedule reveals that they too have a long break, so I hope it all cancels out.

Virginia has a very solid team, ranked in the AP Top 25 with a LOT of horses. I’d like to see a little better defense, but there is not much to complain about with this group. I know, as if there were something to complain about, I’d be doing it.