December 7th marks a history event that stirred America to action against the tyranny of the Axis. If you get a chance, watch the movie “Tora, Tora Tora”. I think I first saw that movie while in Vietnam. It’s quite accurate. Hollywood made many films that reflect the drama the sneak attack by Japan caused. That will always be in the forefront of my mind.

However, on December 7, 1988 Papa had his torso opened from top to belly by the loving and caring doctors at the same hospital in which I was born. The world’s greatest surgeon, in my humble opinion, performed a quadruple bypass on my heart. That repair job outlasted his career. It’s my understanding he retired a few years ago. At the time, doctors were predicting 8 to 10 year expectations for heart bypasses. Plus 24 and counting is good by me. My fondest memory of my surgeon was his jokes. He came armed with one each day. He always extracted a belly laugh. Perhaps he wanted me to cough and gag on humor so that my lungs cleared. Or, perhaps he delighted in torturing me as an attorney. At university there was often friendly banter between law school and medical school athletic contests.

He came with lawyer jokes of course. “What’s the difference between a dead snake and a dead lawyer on an interstate highway? ……Skid marks in front of the snake.” Of course, I gave some medical humor right back. (I also found that lying to nurses/staff about fuzzy vision starting to clear can get a rise out of them. They want to take you seriously.)

A medical procedure often draws out unsolicited commenst/opinions from friends/relatives/visitors. One such pal said maybe I should worry because my surgeon only did one bypass with the left mammery artery. He said his buddy so and so had the best of the best and had both a right and left used for the re-routing of two bypasses. Good, now Papa had something to worry about. I couldn’t resist so I asked. The actual best doctor in the world looked at me and said, “The right artery is a little bit of a stretch.” Then he leaned back a tad and laughed, “Besides we need to save it for another day.”

When Papa says gouge he means gouge. Many years later a cardiologist at the VA hurried out of my examination room. She returned with a tape measure. Saying that other younger doctors would want to know she measured my chest and leg scars. One is from the ankle to nearly where it counts to get hit. Nowadays I guess little bitsey cuts are made. A racetrack wag up in Inverness claims his by pass was done while the heart was beating. I like a good joke but seriously; a surgeon with a sharp knife has to have a steady hand while a heart is quivering? (Papa doesn’t ask him for betting advice.)Reminds me of my hip replacement without anesthesia. The anesthesiologist and I were talking when I moved my shoulder. He said, “Stay still. Be careful. They have sharp instrumnets down there.” December 7th is a memorable date for me on a personal basis. When you need medical treatment look for a competent physician. One with a sense of humor is a bonus. For some reason I’ve found hospitals can provide unexpected sources of humor. I believe humor cures.

Papa was reminded of this question upon seeing the name of the new mayor of Tapei, Taiwan. Memories from the 1950’s returned to me. China going communist in 1949 was a jolt to the US. Sun Yat-Sen’s dream of democracy in China had been short lived. Like most countries, the minds of the people had not yet provided enough fertile ground for freedom. The US had supprted Chiang Kai Shek as leader of China for many years. There was probably an unrealistic element of assuming he led a stable government as China fought against Japan’s invasion in World War Two. China in the eyes of FDR was a member of the Big Four. After Pearl Harbor the Ameican led “Fighting Tigers” became operational in China. Our countries seemed close. (Watch “Forty Seconds Over Tokyo” to understand why I feel good towards those who save Ted Lawson.) The Nationalists and Communists in China seemingly cooperated in the struggle against Japan. Russia of course had long term connections to the Communists and after the second World War re-cemented relations; including in Manchuria and helping the revolt. Poof! China was lost and Chiang Kai Shek’s government fled to Taiwan.

I think it’s fair to assume that many in the US were shocked when the Nationalist government didn’t prevail in the civil war with the communists. It does appear that folks in the goverment had misread the situation. It wasn’t a far leap to wonder if someone could have done something to save China. Stalin gained influence with his communist compatriots of course and that added an additional question of whether anyone in the US had perhaps turned a blind eye to the situation; or heaven forbid, sympathized with the communist advance. Much of this became tied up in the Red Scare atmosphere in the US at the time. The Soviets were expanding at an alarming clip.

Now it seems popular to poo poo the 1950’s mentality about the dangers of communisim. However, the harsh dictatorship behind the Iron Curtain, the Soviet sponsored spread of revolution in various countries and the theft of nuclear technology were quite real. And, there were indeed some communists in America. Probably a lot fewer than believed if past “card carrying membership” was a major qualifying criteria. Papa once wrote that many in the generation of young adults in the 1920’s/30’s never met an “ism” they didn’t like or embrace. People still are making similar mistakes today. Marxism/communism/mysticism/totalitarnism/and even Eugenicsism maintain holds on some folks. (Side note: It was after all the crazy 60’s but Eugenics almost got Papa and his head shape.)

Most who dallied with communism in the years leading up to World War Two had probably moved on in the 1940’s/1950’s but they did leave a trail. Enter politicians looking for answers. Who lost China was one such question. So, in my youth a ton of energy was spent searching for communist spies. Again, there were some. But, the political side of the search became overbearing. There were more than one but my home state out did them all with Senator Joe McCarthy. I was young but I do recall “Joe must go!” signs around town. It was a big topic. As were the McCarthy/Army hearings on TV. Eventually, the internal hunt died down and US policy became one of “containment” of the communist threat.

(Another side note: After McCarthy’s death a special election was held. For years my brothers and I parked cars on a vacant lot across from the Wisconsin State Fair. Auto races and the fair itself drew big crowds. We made good money at 25-50 cents a car. And, up the block, if Grand Dad didn’t have a wake/funeral, we could also park cars on his paved lot. It was a slow funeral day when then candidate Bill Proxmire came to the funeral home to park. 75 cents was the going rate for a paved spot. However, he wanted to park a station wagon with a huge campaign sign at the corner; on the front lawn of the funeral home. Directly across the street from the fair’s main gate! Lots of traffic at that corner. We boys looked at each other and concluded there was no reason to ask permission fom Grand Dad. It was just a lawn. $5.00 was offered and pocketed for that prime location. For the rest of his senatorial career Proxmire seldom spent too much more on his campaigns. I think I met him another 10 times; he’d just show up at places around the state and shake hands. At the entrance of the Flower Show was a lead pipe cinch if one wanted to meet him.)

As for China, the current communists continue with the ism’s usual brutality and iron fist rule. They threaten and spy and conjole and are a looming threat to the US. But, first China may have its eye on Taiwan. The small island nation, free since 1949 may become a sitting duck. In 1979 the US withdrew from a defense treaty. Free China was abandoned in Papa’s view as another result of lost focus from the 1960’s and 1970’s of our own interests and security. Too often the US gets off and back on a wobbly coaster that veers away from a common sense concept of strength stopping aggression at the wrong times. These are my thoughts as the Generalissomo’s great-grandson becomes mayor of Taipei.

In 1951, General Douglas MacArthur said good-bye in an address to a joint session of Congress. I remember images of that speech. We did not yet have a television at home so I assume I saw him during a school assembly that included a recent newsreel. Newreels were short films that highlighted events from a few weeks ago. They were a standard feature at movie theaters. By the time they were shown at school during our bi-weekly or monthly gathering, the news was a tad stale. Nonetheless a few were very memorable to me. (Such as Roger Bannister breaking the four minute mile.)

General MacArthur was a well known hero from World War Two. As a boy the names of the men who had led the nation to victory were well known to me. Eisenhower, Bradley, Doolittle and Patton. Right up there was “I shall return” MacArthur. Plus he and his family had a Milwaukee connection. Later in life Papa often parked in a garage under MacArthur Squre when visiting the county courthouse.

I remember a sense of sorrow at the 1951 speech. I didn’t know the full details but some felt he had been treated unfairly/forced to retire. That a bona fide war hero was fired by the President mystified me at that age. A bittersweet moment to be sure. Near the end of the speech he said “old soldiers never die; they just fade away.” That phrase stuck with me. The words came at the end of a storied fifty-two year military career.

Sometimes Papa thinks “fading away” is not a bad idea. Currently, a second special counsel investigation, that follows a specific 1/6 congressional investigation and two prior congressional impeachments against President Trump was announced this morning. Five bites at the apple by my count. An inviting target but is there any doubt why he feels like a victim? He has at times been his own worst enemy but it has been six years of panting pursuit. Not just for him but also for the nation. Will the media or politicians ever tire of stoking their contempt to a boil? Of course, he will defend. Fight. For whatever reason, it’s an environment he enjoys. Media will be happy for profits from the story without end. Democrats may wish him to be the Presidential Election opponent in 2024. If he needs an infusion of cash to secure the nomination will there be a cynical “cutesy two”? It worked this election cycle. Or, is that playing too close to the fire? Soon the republicans will start some counter investigations. Any such action will undoubtedly draw the ire of the “5” side. It’s all partisan is a claim that is not too hard to predict.

I fear there will be no “fade away” in your childhood memories of 2016-2024.

When you reach a certain age you will be eligible to vote. That is a special right you will have that needs to be honored and protected. It is important that you exercise that right as an informed citizen. You will be surprised at how many folks simply don’t bother to vote. However, the number of uninformed folks about the issues confronting our functional democracy should also dismay you. Uniformed voters can become easy prey for emotional pleas of politicians. (Fear tops that list.) For that reason low participation rates in elections has seldom bothered me. I’d prefer to have voters who are interested, hopefully informed on issues and take the time/effort to vote being the ones who help make the decisions.

The question of a “wasted vote” most often is discussed in regard to third party candidates. The United States has two primary political parties. Votes for third party candidates, especially at the national level, are often depicted as wasted votes. Papa has, by such a cynical viewpoint, wasted a Presidential election vote more than twice. When confronted by a “lesser of two evils” choice here is how I choose to go forward. If I can’t simply decide which candidate is worse/better I opt out of of voting for a candidate not worthy of my vote. My responsibility as a voter, as I see it, is not to pick a winner from two losers. I vote for an indiviual who I believe can do the job. I fullfill my participation. The process is not simply one of math where I need to vote for/cheer for a major candidate. If the final results of an election are 52% to 46% to 2%; are only the 52% of votes valued? 48% wasted for not backing a winner? It is always easy for partisians to label the 2% as wasted.

The dominance of our two party system sets the stage for a perceived wasted vote by the 2% in my example. It is a main block to thrid party advancement. The “main attraction” focus of elections possibly mutes good ideas/policies that third parties have. It won’t happen in my lifetime but a competitive third political party could rise up during yours. The number of voters who self-describe as “independent” is growing. Perhaps as the two main parties isolate to their extreme edges a yearning for a moderate center will emerge. Just as likely is that the two parties will continue to give lip service to moderation as a draw for independents in order to retain power. That is unless the crazies in one (or both) party drives the experiement in democracy off the cliff.

I do not write on this subject because we are close to the last election. It is because today is Veteran’s Day. When Papa was young all males were potential soldiers. The US had a draft until 1973. Selection for the draft was not a slam dunk for most young men. It was more of an obstacle to be dealt with before getting on with life. Elvis Presley was a good example. He was drafted. Many other men volunteered so that they could pick a branch of service or miitary specialty. Many entered the National Guard or Reserve units to satisfy their service requirement. A few Green Bay Packers who had to get a weekend pass to play in championship games were famous examples. Deferments for school or some employment fields were available to most who applied. But, in the end all males had to navigate the Selective Service hurdle. Most did this in an honorable fashion.

However, a small number outright dodged the draft, as well as accepatble military service. They did that to avoid any chance of going to Vietnam. I held/hold such persons in low esteem. I understood we all were in the same boat and needed to navigate the draft before getting on with life. Most college guys I knew made calculations that suited them and their goals. The formula was the same at age 18 as it was a few years later. For those who dodged I felt that act would possibly catch up to them with negative consequences. Most of the country doesn’t see it that way and has moved on. However, it’d be nice if dodgers wondered if a man died or was injured in the place they would have occupied. Probably unlikely knowing the character of dodgers. It is painful that some achieved high positions in life; including running for/being President. A few earn special conyempt by denigrating those who did serve or thump their chests as if they also served. I don’t recall seeing any of them over there.

Yep, at times there are valid reasons to vote for candidates not from one of the two primary parties. Not a wasted vote. Sometimes 2-6% is a conscious vote.

No, Papa is not headed in the direction you might think from this title. Still on politics. Current Affairs in the context of history has always held my interest. Television reporting of election results in the 1950’s was more or less straightforward. Votes counted, votes received, precincts outstanding, winners, losers, leaders and laggers; newscasters gave viewers statistics. Through the years election coverage has expanded beyond mere numbers to include in-depth analysis and predictions, not to mention post mortems. Papa still enjoys it but his grain of salt listening to various “talking heads” has expanded into a huge lump. However, I will be watching next Tuesday.

A main interest will be how the democrat party’s “cutesy” game turns out. Especially in the state of New Hampshire. Talking heads tell us that control of the US Senate hangs in the balance on November 8th. Drama! In an effort to ensure democracy flourishes, democrat funds were pumped to assist a supposedly “extremist” republican candidate in the New Hampshire’s primary. They wanted an easier opponent for the incumbent. Find an outsider who liked Trump and had questions about the 2020 election outcome and that candidtate could become easy pickings next Tuesday. ( Is an extremist only in the eye of the beholder?) 3.2 million dollars well spent? OOPS! That contest is now neck and neck. The seat could still be lost to a Republican. (Darn! It worked for Claire McCaskill.)

The New Hampshire race is not the only 2022 primary election is which cross-over money from the democrat party was spent to prop up what the party viewed as a questionable candidate/opponent. It’ll take some research to identify other races of less import that might be mentioned during a Tuesday newscast. (Papa’s best research tools so far: Wahington Post, NPR and Bloomberg.) One election that will not need watching or research is for govenor of Illinois. 30+ million dollars spent to maniulate a patsy must make that seat rather valuable. Papa is not sure why any republican needed help to become a defeated one in The Land Of Lincoln by a democrat. Not being a conspiracy nut myself, there is that rumor out there that many new born babies in Illinois have a chip embedded in an index finger by the MWFF* that automatically flicks any switch that has a “d” near to it.

Best to reject unfounded rumors. What is important is to vote to save democracy. At least that is a top issue according to some political pros for the 2022 mid-term elections. Papa needs to do some thinking. It is critical to oppose extremists. However, occasionally it’s okay to give them a small boost in a primary so they can have a bigger platform in the main election to broadcast their views? Perhaps fostering free speech for nut jobs is the ultimate goal of cross over money? I thought that the internet already supplied that outlet.

Crossover money registers a faint memory of a party’s objections to Wisconsin’s open primary system. (Papa likes that system created around 1905.) The Badger State registers voters without party designation. Back home misguided policies somehow developed that convention delegates follow the state’s primary results. That viewpoint bumped into a sentiment against “cross over voters” participating in democracy. So much so that a US Supreme Court case rose up from the democrats 1980 refusal to seat Wisconsin’s delegation. Apples and oranges to some extent of course. Yet, why hold a primary if it is doesn’t have meaning? And, who pays the cost of such unecessary elections? If Wisconsin was trying to undo “smoke filled back room party politics,” are primaries simply window dressing? So much to think about on a rainy day.

*Maternity Ward Freedom Fighters