Gumshoe was initially gonna title this article “Jeremiad” simply because of today’s state of affairs here in the U.S. of A. However, my two late fellow writer friends . . . (Surely if Gumshoe had met them at “Dunkin Donuts” over a cup of hot Jo and a fresh crawler.)

. . . Russian Count, Lev (Lee) Nikolayevich Tolstoy and British writer, Clive Staples (C.R.) Lewis, who both changed Gumshoe’s mind.

Both of these distinguished writers in all probability never did meet over a pastry. Too bad, they shared similar perspectives.

To wit:

Leo Tolstoy once was sent out by his employer to report on a local animal slaughterhouse and describe the rendering process. Leo was undoubtedly affected by this “bloody” experience. He then later wrote this memorable line:

“We cannot pretend that we don’t know these things”.

Likewise, C.S. Lewis made his wizen statement:

“When the whole world is running towards a cliff, he who is running in the opposite direction appears to have lost his mind”.

Okay, now dear readers, Gumshoe challenges each of you good citizens to take a good hard “eyeball” look around our nation. Do it as you recall Tolstoy’s and Lewis’s quotes.

Scary truth!

Gumshoe firmly believes that Leo and Clive’s astute observations would be titled a “jeremiad” for today. They beat Gumshoe to it!

. . . Now back to that tasty bear claw.

Always remember to love the ones who love you, and really try to love the ones who don’t.