The Writer's Life 3/25 - Privilege

Maureen Callahan devotes her op-ed piece in today's NY Post to celebrity writers. Sean Penn received an advance for his first novel, Bob Honey Who Just Do Stuff. In it, the protagonist calls for the assassination of President Trump and also rails against the #ME-Too movement. Tom Hanks, who has had short stories published in the New Yorker, has a book deal to produce an entire collection. Angelina Jolie has had op-ed pieces published in the NY Times, and Jesse Eisenberg and Lena Dunham have articles published in the New Yorker. I've never read anything by any of those mentioned, so I won't comment on literary value. Does the privilege attached to their names keep "real" writers from being published? Maybe a handful at major houses, but in this amazing digital age there are so many forums available to anyone willing to make an effort.

President Trump is calling for a ban on bump stocks, which few would oppose. I think he is making a mistake by not doing the same with assault weapons. A significant majority supports a ban. Although I doubt it would do much to end the shootings that plague America, the time has come. He could take credit for doing what Democrats did not do when they had control of all three branches of government during Obama's first term, and it would all but eliminate the issue for most people. He should do it by executive fiat, if he must. Unfortunately, it would probably not stem the coming rout in the November elections. Neither will the tariffs, although they are an issue Democrats support. Trump's extramarital affairs are galvanizing women. For a change, a powerful man is suffering the consequences of his sins, although it is sad that Melania and Baron suffer as well. The constant negative barrage from the mainstream media seems to finally be having an effect. For a while it seemed to be driving more people into Trump's corner. That no longer seems to be the case. And Mueller will keep the investigation going at least until the election. If he has anything concrete, it will be dumped in late October. If not, there will be plenty more innuendo. I do not regret having voted for Trump. I believe he is precisely the economic steward America needs. I even support his foreign policy. If the election were today, I would vote for him again, despite his faults. Then again, what difference does it make who holds power when most members of Congress ignore any fiscal restraint and run up trillion dollar deficits? "Swamp" is too kind a word to describe them, "privileged characters" too kind a phrase.

My thanks to the gentleman who bought a book in the Harry Potter series, and the other who purchased Cormac McCarthy's The Road. It was a privilege to have served you.

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