They're doing it on purpose

From 911 to the Trump ascendancy

And high up above my eyes could clearly see
The Statue of Liberty
Sailing away to sea

—Paul Simon, American Tune

Watching a standing eight-count being applied to American democracy is a sobering experience. Whatever our views of the United States, of its acts and interventions, its intrigues and self-obsession, over however many years, its very existence has defined something important in how we understand the world and how we operate in it. But here it is, one more right hook away from falling to its knees and slapping its face into the canvas.

The moment doesn’t lack for metaphors, and I sway between anger and sadness.

Winter wildfires burn California to the ground

Other than the music, the writers, the TV shows and movies, and, you know, the whole World War II thing, what has America ever done for us?

In July 2001, Tanya got word that she was being posted to Washington DC to work at the Australian Embassy. We began the long process of packing up our belongings, getting our medical checks, …