A drizzly, wet, damp, chilly, Saturday morn on this side of the planet. The dogs are all still curled up in their own personal heat bundles. The deer are outside the window lazing in the luxurious grass. It’s been so wet, the ground is so soggy that I have only mowed 5 hours since late February. Plenty of luxurious grass for the deer to enjoy.
I am lucky enough to be able to call three nations “home”.
I have a US passport, a Solomon Islands passport, and an Aussie golden ticket. As a serial emigrant I might, just, maybe, see things differently from the average old fart.
I raise this because: a) The Solomon Islands just held their national elections. And, b) The US is moving quickly towards their next election. This means I get to give an honest, informed comparison between two important, emotional, democratic practices – in practice.
1st: This kinda says it all… https://www.solomonstarnews.com/nationwide-liquor-ban-lift/. “DC Vaevaso said since the election of the Prime Minister was successful and peaceful, we decided to lift the liquor ban so that those who have licensed liquor shops continue with their business.”
Basically the sale of liquor has been banned for the duration of the election process. We are speaking of the islands and we know that when we party we fight, and that all elections are a party, so to forestall the fights we cancel the party. All parties. Period.
Very democratic, I agree. But, knowing the Solomons I understand that the Police are woefully unprepared for mass misbehaving, so taking the factor of the booze out of the equation gives them a chance. And we managed to hold the elections and convene a new Parliament without much trouble.
Job well done.
In the USofA we see the countdown to the November election amidst a whole hell of a lot of confusion, anger, lawlessness, angst, and emotion.
The Democrat National Conference is set for Chicago in August. https://chicago2024.com/
For those old enough… in 1968 Chicago saw some pretty tense times as anti-war protesters engaged with authorities during Dem-National-Conference.
Kinda looks familiar to the protests of today?
Time will tell, both in the Solos and the US.
more later
The Native Iowan 
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