Some years ago, I lingered too long over a lunch with really good friends in Minnesota. I had an hour's drive to the airport for the flight home, and there was little chance I could make it in time.
I drove rapidly, not as carefully as I should. I raced into the rental car return, jumped on the shuttle bus, fussed too much because the driver was moving reasonably, jumped off the bus, trotted to security, then down the long corridor, arriving at the gate just as the agent was closing the door. Ran down the ramp. Plopped in my seat.
I made it!
So what?
Before the plane even left the ground, I had a major moment of self-realization. I sat there, sweaty and out of breath, and I asked myself, What the hell am I doing? There was another flight in an hour.
I made a vow then to slow down for most everything. As with New Year's resolutions, I haven't always kept that self-promise. But I'm doing much better than back then.
I got to thinking again as I began to prepare this week's audio commentary (listen below). And I realized how much of our daily lives have become like that silly, crazy drive to the airport. To what end?
I go through a number of examples in this podcast. Sure, I like the instant gratification of getting my Amazon order tomorrow morning.
But you know what? Years ago, as a boy, when I used to send away for probably too many things, it took two, maybe three weeks to get them. I'd check the mailbox every day off the school bus.
I survived just fine. And, truth be told, the anticipation of its arrival was sometimes greater than the pleasure of actually having it. Like the lengthy, detailed discussion, anticipation, and planning of a family vacation that lasts far longer than the actual trip itself.
We've been trained — or we've allowed ourselves to be trained — to expect instant gratification. Learn a foreign language in weeks. This special online sales offer expires in eight minutes and 22 seconds, 21, 20, 19....
Google, YouTube, somebody found that many people give up on a video if it takes more than two seconds to load. Two seconds?
I confess I have done exactly that. But why? I offer some answers. Don't hurry through this one. Just listen, then share your thoughts in the Comments below. Take your time.
The most recent audio commentary discussed the imminent end to the first United States coin, the penny. I realized after recording and writing it, that it sounded more like another in the ongoing series of personal Memories here on RedState.
The numerous penny comments alone are worth the read.
I suspect, like many of you, I've long been appalled at the lack of consequences or accountability for even the most egregious misdeeds in Washington. The Biden family and administration are certainly the worst offenders in my memory.
So personally, I was pleased when President Trump told his White House counsel to work with Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate the previous presidency, especially the use in its latter days of the autopen on legislation and numerous controversial pardons and federal death-penalty commutations, 37 of them to be exact.
Did Joe Biden, who had trouble opening screen doors, even know about or approve of these and other actions by unidentified aides? History suggests real consequences are unlikely. But if anyone can finally impose some necessary accountability, it would be the current president.
This week's Sunday column examined the full range of these issues and the importance of at least attempting to do something.
