Louis Roney: Onward and upward

• Like, well, what can I say – it looks as though b.w. and I will have many trips to Bermuda if our phone calls are true. We have probably gotten 20 calls telling us we have won a trip to Bermuda. How about you? Perhaps we’ll meet there – if you need a ticket let us know!

• If you think I know what I am going to say before I start writing, think again. Thoughts can be amorphous before they hit the printed page.

Even then, I doubt that most writers are positive that what they put on paper is our last word on any subject. Remaining tentative may be a good idea for word-peddlers, as the product they are purveying is malleable and depends very much on the times and the viewers. When we are little we learn mostly absolutes. I believe absolutes make one feel safe and guarded and it would be nice if we could hold on to them all through life, but absolutes are constantly evolving. At any given time we may think we are in a static position, but just wait another minute and things change.

The French say, “The more things change, the more they remain the same.” Change is the way of life and we can’t stand absolutely still even for a minute. I heard as a child that not one cell in my body would remain the same for more than seven years. Only if we progress does change mean “betterment.” It is as easy to slip backwards as to move forward, and sometimes even easier. We often seem satisfied when we simply “hold our own,” and maintain our place in the history of mankind. Backsliders are easy to spot at the end of the bar down the street where they ameliorate their woes with a couple of fingers of booze.

We human beings are quick to find things that will make the present more pleasant and postpone our confrontation with reality. A friendly chat helps – perhaps with a coke in the picture – “the pause that refreshes.” Refreshing ourselves is a prime human pastime, even though it implies a return to things past. We spend lots of time trying to live a present that will allow us to recall a successful past. A day at a time is a handy way to keep the good days on hand. We are what we are and we can’t do much about it ex post facto once things are set in stone. Some people have pasts that ruin their present no matter how much they try to forget them. “The best is yet to come” is a promise not always realized. As Scarlet said, “I’ll think about that tomorrow.”

A popular song sung years ago goes, “Tomorrow is made for some, tomorrow may never come for all we know.”

• Debate No. 4: I am beginning to sound like a broken record. I must say that this was the best-organized and run debate we have seen. The recent evenings schedule was to ask the debaters about “economic problems” — and the moderators actually did! All candidates did well.

The early evening debate was clearly in the pocket of Chris Christie. The later debate belonged to Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz and Carly Fiorina. Did anyone leap ahead? I doubt it. “Fighter” Trump and “quiet man” Carson clearly lead in the polls, followed by Rubio (whom I liked from the beginning) and Cruz. Rubio and Cruz have presented interesting and challenging economic plans still to be more clearly defined. That could possibly be because the senators are privy to information the others don’t yet have. I would like to see a debate between Trump, Carson, Rubio, Cruz, Fiorina, Christie and Jindal. Oh well! Back to the “routine.” It could be that immigration may be a defining subject.

Tax reform was also a major subject on the agenda. It is interesting that tax reform was such a vociferous presentation, as every four years this subject is roundly batted back and forth and tax is never “reformed.” On to debate No. 5 – onward and upward!

•RE: Missouri where the kids seized the university: “In all very numerous assemblies, of whatever character composed, passion never fails to wrest the scepter from reason.” — James Madison