So said the banner headline of the November 3rd, 1948 Chicago Daily Tribune. Papa was around on that date but I didn’t become aware of the headline’s significance until the 1950’s when my interest in current affairs and journalism began. You see President Truman pulled an election upset of the New York Governor on November 2nd. Due to time contraints in setting type and printing their first edition, the newspaper relied on polling and its own political expert to assume a Dewey win. Truman obtained a copy of the newspaper with the incorrect headline and his photo with it became very famous. He had a broad smile on his face. I’d say he was beaming.

Such mistakes/assumptions are rather rare but nonetheless embarrassing. I do recall my journalism teacher stressing the importance of checking the facts before publishing in the school newspaper. Professional newspapers failed in 1916 when it was reported that President Wilson did not win. Or, in 1960 when JFK was declared the winner in California. Ditto Al Gore in Florida in 2000 which I believe was television rather than newspaper. Back to print media, Hillary Clinton’s photo was featured as President on the cover of some Newsweek issues in 2016. It’s election season so we might watch for mis-calls of winners and losers next week.

BTW: I met Governor Dewey twice. He was a very nice man. He was gracious to me when I visited his law office in New York City. He was a friend of Nana’s family. He had a huge office with massive windows looking out over the city. I was a young lawyer but the discussion that stuck with me was his comment that he was keeping an eye on the construction of two side by side towers. He pointed out the site and described the work progress to date. He had a better view than any sidewalk superintendent but his interest/pride in the project was genuine. I also saw him at our wedding. When 9/11 happened, my vision of him pointing and gesturing out his window towards the towers increased the poignancy of the day for me.

Hurricane Fiona that stayed active all the way to our cabins was the most personal. Hurricane Ian, was stronger, did more damage and received significant media attention in the US. In regard to each, it is wise to re-emphasize that history does not begin with one’s birth/memory. Nor, that every recent weather event deserves to be a basis of political points. Standing in or walking over the rumble of other peoples lives always seems a good time to advocate legislation, agendas or theories if one is a souless politician. Real heros of course come to the aid of the afflicted.

My first memory of a hurricane was in 1954. Hurricane Hazel. Perhaps it stuck in my mind because a few years later a Milwaukee Braves player who was on a hot hitting streak became known as Hurricane (Bob) Hazle. Plus, there was TV coverage in 1954. Plus, there was plenty of weather talk before that year in my opinion. At times it seemed that the weather was the only topic of conversation for adults. Rain or no rain? Snow and how deep? The Blizzard of 1948 stories. Rivers flooding across the plains. So much weather talk. How boring. And, of course, there was someone’s old aunt who could forecast wind speed or dew point or some such from her knee pain. Yikes! Yet, none bragged that they had the power to change the weather. That’s a new phenomenon. In olden days most still reserved that feat for God or Mother Nature.

Bad storms have arisen for a long time. Don’t trust Papa. Look it up. Deadliest huriccane: 1900. Strongest in 1935. While at it, look up record high temperatures for major US cities. I’d bet there were a few scorchers in the 1930’s (Think Dust Bowl) as well as before your birth. Bad things can happen in monster storms. As they did in the past. Now of course, Florida for example, has a big population in the millions. Lots of buildings built near the coast. In a state that was once derided by sioldiers as a big swamp in the 1800’s. Florida’s population may not have been one million souls in 1900. After draining and building the people came in droves. However, population explosion doesn’t change the weather. Just gave it a bigger target to damage.

Two big items to consider today. Not enough rain locally has everyone talking about that aspect of the weather. It’s not just a huge topic; its a big worry for the locals. They cannot stand an extended summer of sun. The buzz is that we could become like California. Secondly, elections are almost here. Papa must start reading the position statements of the candidates. I have to figure out who can step forward and make the skies rain. But, it has to be clean rain.

When Papa started to drive the price of gasoline was 30 cents per gallon. In a sixteen year’s old mind that meant that for $1 I could drive around town as long as I didn’t travel much more than 36 miles. Of course it was better that my dad’s car was fueled and ready to go at my whim. However, once in awhile a few gallons of gas was needed. I have faint memories before age 16 of gas wars in town and prices dipping below 25 cents per gallon. Stable price levels for gas was the norm for many years.

Then came an oil embargo in 1973 because the US supported Isreal. Prices shot up almost overnight. I think I was at Fort Ord when I suffered shock at the sight of 49.9! Soon long gas lines formed at service stations across America. The significance of dependence on forgein oil hit the US consumer like a two by four to the forehead. Most political leaders pledged policies to pursue gas and oil independence for America. I believe the Alaskan pipeline was constructed in that era. Throughout the 70’s costs skyrocketed and inflation brought gloom to the nation. A President at the time pretty much suggested the US throw in the towel; the good times were going bye-bye. Turn down the heat and put on a sweater. A “suck it up” attitude did not play well in the election of 1980.

Non-fossil fuels were also looked at to help America become energy independent. In 1970 renewables were estimated at 5.9% of America’s energy use. Nuclear was just under 1%. Slow forward fifty-two years and renewables now stand at about 12.7% and nuclear is at 9.6%. That’s an increase of 16% since 1970; the largest portion being from nuclear. Estimates are that wind and solar generation will rise to 6% by 2030. In the meantime, natural gas has rmained about the same (32.% – 31.8%) as has coal (18.1% – 17.8%). Oil is down about 15.5% which according to my old style math means that’s the wash between petro and renewable.

Last week it took over $60 to fill up the old Honda with gasoline. ($5.00 per gallon at Costco) Statewide, the cost is well over $5. The 70’s were not a favorite decade for Papa for various reasons but being less energy indpendent and reliant on foreign oil is a way back journey best to avoid. Inflation is starting to run wild in all areas beyond gasoline. Production and transportation of most of our goods rely heavily on gasoline/diesel. Remember, except perhaps in a few large urban centers, Americans are still in love with their automobiles. (See The USA!) Simple math shuld even lead simple thinkers that US production of fuel should not have been severly curtailed. Green ideals may help people feel good but folks still need to eat, commute and work. Fanciful dreaming can do much damage unless some realistic thought is given by serious leaders on how to cleanly generate electricity in a heck of of a less time than 52 years.

Meantime, supplies down…Honda gasoline costs up. Tonight I will say a prayer of thanks that I don’t spend over $100 for a tank of gas. Such a cost hurts so many of our fellow Americans. For obvious reasons I hate to cite anything from the U of Michigan BUT its consumer sentiment index is currently at an all time low. (Since 1952) Poeple are hurting. I remember the pain of 1970’s pinch on the family budget from inflation. It hurt. I am lucky that I can weather the storm better now. What is most irritating is that I hear an echo: “Suck it up”….”Nothing much we can do about it”….”Need to endure a tough transition.” Problems from the Middle East was one thing 1973 but today’s wounds are mostly self-inflicted. (BTW: When you get the chance…take an economics course or two.)

Again, hope will more likely come from innovation. i.e. Safer nuclear was previously mentioned in this blog. Recently, I read about research to take evil CO2 OUT of the atmosphere. It’s usually best to avoid “someone should do something” aimed at government. Put your hope on bright young minds. Maybe yours.

Your great-grandfather was City Clerk of the fourth largest city in a state. One of his main jobs was to conduct elections. My memory may be faulty (that’s getting to be a common theme) but I believe there was a staff of four or five people in his office. Every eligible voter had an opportunity to vote and I know he was very proud when election day went smoothly. By election day I mean DAY. Polls opened at 7 A.M. and closed at 8 P.M. I believe results were pretty much totaled by 8:30 or 9 at the latest. I never saw my father stressed by election mishaps, delays or anyone standing in line at 8 PM.

There were absentee ballots. Provision was made in the law for individuals who could not get to the polls on election day. For example I voted absentee when I was in the military as well as in college. Nuns come to mind as they didn’t go out in public and voted from the convent. And, there were persons at nursing homes or individuals who otherwise could not physically get to a voting precinct. I do remember negative comments about some local candidates or their coherts visiting shut-in voters to offer help in mailing their absentee ballots. I believe one candidate who lost by a close count grumped about the issue. No proof but suspicion that a “nice person” did more than collect and mail the ballots. It was a situation ripe for influencing a voter. We are talking about local candidates and minimal local impact. However, in the back of my mind a red flag is raised on the more recent issue of extensive “ballot harvesting”.

The entire issue of voters not getting to a polling place on election day has never made much sense to me. Make the effort. Of course, the comeback is that some people can’t get off work or have emergencies that prevent voting in a constrained timeframe. Understood. To Papa weekend voting or a three or four day window to vote made sense in such circumsatnces. However, in many states, even graeter opportunity to vote has developed. Early voting! Sometimes for weeks. How much time is needed to go vote? I’ve never liked the early vote concept. (What if a candidate actually did beat their spouse and it came to light before the election but after I voted?)

Ultimatiums have consequences. Papa now lives in a state with all mail-in voting. No polling stations. No poll workers. At first, a “secrecy envelope” for the actual ballot was provided. Then a “secrecy sleeve”. Then, a third step of “trust us completely”. Voter mails ballot and they’ll count. Except when they can’t. Papa’s county had errors on the bar code of ballots in the tens of thousands. One more leap of faith. Our ballots were looked at and then new ballots were “hand marked” exactly as we intended to be counted. (As you will learn in life, government is remarkably at 100% accuracy.) Those repacement ballots had good bar codes. Election DAY was about a month ago and the count goes on. Remarkably, to me, most state residents are blithily unconcerned that my vote is potentially not secret.

Compounding voting issues, “nice people” from a certain BIG TECH icon decided to help administer government run elections by infusing cash to help the process. Semi-Privatization of the government election process was actually accepted by cities and mayors across America. We’ve come a long way since great-grandpa and his staff must have struggled without outside help when the city had 10,000 LESS in its population. And, of course, no computers.

Claims of election fraud are not new. A great story of cheating is told in “The Great McGinty”, a 1940 movie. I highly recommend it. It is filmed in black and white for my more sensitive grandchildren. 2020 of course is a year onto its own with allegations of election improprieties. And, not on a small local scale such as during my youth or even on city/state levels in McGinty. Now, it is national. Extreme voices are loud over blanket mailing of ballots, harvesting, yes/no on voter ID, and tech money in conducting elections. As with the “nice” person helping with an absentee voter in 1960, many of 2020 inovations don’t always feel right. Except now they are on a much bigger scale. And, most importantly, grumbling about the process is by a losing candidate who is most charitably described as paranoid. Yet, that paranoia was also fed by accusations of a stolen 2016 election.

Register to vote. City official keeps an up to date voter list. Take the time and go to a poll; been seen; have your name checked off the list; vote during a reasonably expanded window of access if need be; have legitimate absentee voting; ensure a secret ballot, and count the vote in a timely manner. All the ever changing rules supposedly intended to expand voting seem to needlessly raise suspicions. Suspicion tends to undermine the integrity of all votes. An established process, done correctly and consistently, year after year still sounds good to Papa.