In 1814,

the British Royal Navy bombards the fort guarding Baltimore’s harbor with state-of-the-art artillery.  The seige of Baltimore fails.

A Few Days Before Election Day in 2026,

I vote early and wish I could take the smooth and quick process as a good omen.  Apart from some too-good-to-be-true polls, good omens have been in short supply this year, as the pseudoconservative coalition of bigots and plutocrats bombards a wobbly electoral process with state-of-the-art ratcrap, propelled by dark money and deep resentments.  The pseudoconservatives hope for another Congress controlled by enablers for the fascist buffoon in the White House.

After Election Day in 2026,

I go online (well after the dawn’s early light) to see the results for races that I have been following.  Mostly blue!  Congress has been flipped!  For now at least, our flag is still there.