Breaking the Fast

I survived Good Friday.  I always say that the fasting and the abstinence and generally moral behavior is harder yesterday, as you've been doing it all Lent and you are ready to let your hair down, if you will.  Today it was not so hard.  One, I was busy -- lots of work meetings -- so there was little time to reflect upon the fact that you are not snacking, should be praying, etc.  Two...for some reason, this year, it wasn't so bad; not until tonight, when I made a late Meijer run to get stuff on sale and bought a bag of chips, which, due to my low blood sugar, I can now partially devour in good conscience.  Rah!

Had a haircut today -- my stylist took ill during my original one and it was re-scheduled for today.  Ok.  Not quite my thing, but...  anyways, it was funny; I decided to get dinner at Holy Name before I went, and when I arrived...there was quite the line.  To be sure, I was not surprised (that much) but it was still annoying, as I had somewhere to be and was borderline hangry (from impatience).  The line moved well enough, but I still decided to get it to go.  This was probably wise, as I made it to Lakewood in plenty of time.  Of course, I had to find a space to park, which is not so easy, and, as I like to say, in Lakewood it is "West Side location/East Side driving (and parking, and morals, and politics...for now).  Anyways, my stylist told me that she had been delayed on the way to work a live, outdoor Procession of the Stations of the Cross.  She was fascinated by this, and I spend much of my visit explaining to her how Catholicism 101 works.  She admitted she was not exactly churched, if you will, but I was equally fascinated by this; I guess most of my friends are as religious/pious/trained enough to know how this works.

Questioning Biden’s Capacities Was Taboo a Year Ago. Now It’s Everywhere. - WSJ
Um...yes.  Or, as I like to say, some of us had no problem doubting his mental capacities -- to say nothing of that of his supporters -- from Day One, and we are still waiting for our vindication.  Ahem.

The US has a single rare earths mine. Chinese export limits are energizing a push for more | AP News

Dare I say this is a good thing, but shouldn't this have been done before?  It's not like we just woke up today and realized we need these things.

Many presidents have tried to revamp Africa policy. Trump is doing it. - POLITICO

I think this is exactly correct -- that it is time to develop these countries so that they do not need so much aid, or none at all.  Of course, I think of our own welfare system, which have not been able to do...of course, most of the time, the political incentive is not to do anything -- those who rob Peter to pay Paul will always have the vote of Paul -- but maybe now, well... it is a start.

Trump’s Most Important Relationship Is Ending. And the Break-Up Isn’t Pretty. - POLITICO
This is exactly correct!  The press made him -- he was good copy, an easy story (I think we all know I think reporters are lazy), a quote machine, and a guaranteed seller of papers, so...  I mean, of course they will complain about him now, but given his fondness for slights (imagined or not) and settling scores....well, it is beautiful to watch.