As I had originally envisioned this post, I was going to start by offering my opinions on tribalism, on an individual’s limited–but real–obligations to strangers, on the notion that far more than two ways exist to define the relationship between citizens and their government, etc. However, I realized that I would either be preaching to the choir or engaging in an exercise in futility. As I wrote here, I believe that real political debate has ended in the US. What I didn’t write, but also believe, is that what used to be America’s gift for compromise, for sides giving a little in order to make progress, has vanished. Compromise is now considered a dirty word at best and treasonous at worst. Sorry to write for the nth time, but blind adherence to any ideology is not an optimal behavior, in my opinion.
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The following fact is only of significance to me, but this is my blog, after all. Even without having a plan that would avail me of analytics provided by the Evil Empire (aka Google), WordPress displays all manner of data. One such piece of data is a list of the top six people by number of published comments out of the last 1,000.
For many months, 56PackardMan was, by far, the leading commenter on Disaffected Musings not counting yours truly. When I looked this morning at the ranking I was saddened that 56PackardMan is no longer on the list. Don’t get me wrong; I am happy that the average number of comments per post has increased in 2020 by 54 percent compared to 2019. I very much enjoy comments from photobyjohnbo, Dirty Dingus McGee, Philip Maynard (among others), who are “The Big Three” of commenting. (An inside joke for Dr. Zal with no disrespect intended to anyone.)
Still, 56PackardMan was this blog’s biggest supporter. Without my asking, he would put links to my posts about Packard and Studebaker on the appropriate forums, which would boost readership. He supported my efforts even though we don’t agree on many issues facing the country and the world. This is an exception to the current state of affairs that led former Speaker Of The House John Boehner to remark, “We can no longer disagree without being disagreeable.”
I, along with many of his regular readers, hope that 56PackardMan will return to the blog world someday. From a Hemmings ad (for a car no longer available) a picture of one of his absolute favorite cars, a 1956 Packard 400:
#MondayMusings
#EndOfCompromise
#56PackardMan
#JohnBoehner
#1956Packard400
#somanycarsjustonelife
#disaffectedmusings
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Disaffected Musings 
Everybody is shouting, nobody is listening.
I just learned my niece owns a late 1980s Porsche 924. I’m going to have to visit her to get “up close and personal” with a classic car. Maybe later this summer. That would be a new type of post on my blog. Not that I could do as good a job as you on pointing out the specifics on classic cars.
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Thanks for the kind words, sir, but I’m sure a post by you about cars would be illuminating.
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In these troubled times, in fact for the last several years, I have stayed away from any discussions of politics, religion and all social issues. The ONLY exception would be in private with people I’ve know for years. I keep myself away from places where I’m likely to be engaged on those subjects, so it’s not that difficult. It’s even gotten to the point where we have had to instruct our employees to not discuss the above with any customers employees so that there are no complaints from other, offended, employees. Other than our work, my main social engagements are either car shows or races. As both have been in short supply since March I’m becoming a bit of a hermit. One, almost (115 miles one way), local dragstrip did open about a month ago so I took S-limeball up for some test and tune. S-limeball is the 68 Valiant that my young friend who died helped me build. I let him pick the color and he chose Plymouth’s Lime Light green from 70-71. I chose the name.
Place was packed so I was only able to make 4 runs thru the day. Being as it was the first outing for many, folks that normally had some animosity towards each other (racing grudges) were getting along. I haven’t had time to go back up, but I suspect things are going back to the way they used to be.
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Thanks for sharing, sir. I am also reluctant to discuss religion, politics or social issues. I think people believe what they believe because they want to believe. Empirical evidence almost never enters the thought process or discussion. Oh, love the name of the ‘68 Valiant.
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WRT to DDMcG and the Valiant, I have a work friend for many years, who is also a car nut. We car pooled together where his usual car was his rebuilt first car, a 1961 Valiant, 4 door slammer. It was a real sleeper in refrigerator white. Underneath it is (he still has the car in 2020) was a late model (1970s) Duster rear end, Duster disk brakes on the front, a 4-speed transmission connected to a 225 Slant Six with the aluminum head, Crane Cam, Offenhauser 4-barrel manifold with Holly 4 barrel carb, and steel tube headers. Wheels were chrome reverse with stock Valiant hubcaps. We could smoke anything from the traffic light leaving them in the dust. I won’t go into the rest of his stable and what he does for a living with cars and government contracts.
I try mightily to refrain from discussing politics on public forums. Flame wars are too trying on the nerves and I try not to argue with idiots as the rest of the world can’t tell which one of you is the idiot to paraphrase Mark Twain.
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Many thanks, Philip.
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Appreciating the dedication you put into your site and detailed information you offer. It’s good to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same old rehashed material. Fantastic read!
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Thanks, Kerry.
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