Occasional escapes are supposed to be good for your emotional health, which seems essential if following the Trump Presidency.
This week I’ve only paid glancing attention to Trump’s obsequious cabinet meeting, ICE pepper-spraying and tear gassing a United States Senator, as the new Homeland Security Secretary tries to find a job for his wife in the agency, or the Justice Department going after E. Jean Carroll who had the temerity of successfully taking action against Donald Trump for sexually assaulting her.
Instead, I had a rare week of escapes.
MONDAY: I focused on the New York Knicks clinching a spot in the NBA finals with an eleven game win streak. Usually I cheer against New York teams. The Yankees because they are the Yankees. Others with sleazy proprietors, the New York Mets owned by Steve Cohen, the St. John’s college basketball team coached by Rick Pitino.
The Knicks, the owner notwithstanding, are an exception. Three of the stars went to Villanova, my childhood team. Former Knick and former U.S. Senator, Bill Bradley, is one of my few political heroes.
They are fun to watch. There are a couple teams with more talent but their passion and chemistry is unsurpassed. My favorite is Josh Hart, who is not the best scorer or shooter, or anywhere near the biggest. He just makes things happen, rebounds, assists, steals, shots at crucial moments. He also went to my kids’ high school.
TUESDAY: My wife, Judy Woodruff gave the Herblock speech, honoring the great Washington Post editorial cartoonist during the annual awards ceremony at the Library of Congress. It was a fabulous speech on the importance of a free press and threats we face today. If you think I’m biased -- I am -- read it on the Herb Block Foundation website when it goes up soon.
Herb Block, more commonly known as Herblock, died 25 years ago after more than a half century as the conscience of America; he afflicted the comfortable and comforted the afflicted. He skewered Joe McCarthy in the early stage of the Wisconsin Senator’s demagoguery and later captured where Watergate was heading only days after the break-in.
With a biting and brilliant pen he went after bullies, racists, big money special interests. And he championed civil rights, the dispossessed, the underdogs. The winner of this year’s Herblock award, Jack Ohman, editorial cartoonist of the San Francisco Chronicle, is very much in the Herblock tradition.
The only down moment was the thought of how much today the country and the Washington Post, needs a Herblock.
WEDNESDAY: Courtesy of my wife’s PBS NewsHour colleague, Ali Rogin, we went to the next to last stop on Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band’s Land of Hope and Dreams American tour, which began in ICE-ravaged Minneapolis.
At 76 the boss shows the extraordinary energy, and brilliance, that most younger athletes or entertainers would envy -- nonstop, almost three hours, paying little attention to rain. The adoring crowd was swinging and singing the lyrics the whole time.
He pulled no punches on Trump, calling him “’reckless, racist, incompetent and treasonous” to a roaring reception. He led the crowd in chants of “Get ICE out now.”
There were emotional moments. After he sang the song he wrote dedicated to the citizens of Minnesota, the jumbo screen flashed pictures of Renée Good and Alex Pretti who were killed by ICE agents. There were lots of tears.
THURSDAY: Politics WarRoom, a podcast I do with James Carville, aired today. The guest was someone you’ve probably never heard of, but should: Chaz Molder, a Democratic challenger in a heavily Republican gerrymandered middle Tennessee district.
The mayor of a small town, a Sunday school teacher, a hunter and one of the most impressive and articulate guests we’ve had on the program in seven years.
He’s running against Andy Ogles, a right wing Republican incumbent, an advocate of Christian nationalism who wants to deport all Muslims. He has been caught lying about his education and background. He faced a criminal investigation for campaign finance fraud; the Trump administration dropped the case against the Republican lawmaker.
A district Trump carried by more than 20 points should be out of reach for Democrats even with a corrupt incumbent. But Chaz Molder is a very special candidate.
Watch Tennessee’ fifth congressional district this fall.
FRIDAY: Still looking for escape, my son and I are going to the Washington Nationals game tomorrow. After winning the 2019 World Series, the team unloaded some of its best players, and since has had one of the worst records in major league baseball.
Surprisingly, with young players, they’re doing better. While I doubt Nats Park will rock like it did the other evening for Springsteen, there’s hope for the Nationals. Even with a mediocre team, it’s baseball.
SUNDAY: We’re going to the John F. Kennedy Library’s annual Profile in Courage dinner. As usual, the recipients are special.
The people of the twin cities of Minnesota will be recognized for their courage in resisting the brutality and lawlessness of ICE agents, including murder. These folks banded together and never stopped resisting.
Jay Powell, the recent chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, will be honored for his courage in standing up for the independence of the Fed in the face of the incessant bullying of the White House. Trump not only viciously attacked Powell but threatened criminal action. Powell wasn’t intimidated and publicly took on the attack.
It was a week of fun, great memories, inspiration and hope.
Monday back to the darkness.
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20 Years Too Late. That is E. Jean Carroll in 2019 accusing Trump of sexual assault sometime in 1995-96. She didn't take it seriously enough to file a police report at the time, so I won't now.
20 Years Too Late. That is E. Jean Carroll in 2019 accusing Trump of sexual assault sometime in 1995-96. She didn't take it seriously enough to file a police report at the time, so I won't now.