1871

. . . plus c'est la même chose.

2011

But don't forget that the depredations of the “trusts” and the political machines in the late 19th Century brought on the progressive reforms of Teddy Roosevelt, the most crucial of which was recently gutted by the Supreme Court in Citizens United, a decision that cannot stand, any more than the Dred Scott decision could stand — and a new era of reform will dawn for us, too, as soon as we get rid of the false progressives, like that empty suit in the White House.

I say it so it must be so.

My uncle is in the foreground — this was his fishing boat, kept at Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina.  Just over his shoulder is my sister Lee, clutching onto my dad, with the pipe.  I'm standing to Dad's left.  I was eight years old at the time, then as ever happy to be in, on or near the ocean.

Dad, reinvigorated on a trip to the seaside.  It was the last time he saw the ocean, the last time he felt raindrops.  With his granddaughter Nora and our friends Mary and Paul Zahl.

Wheeling Dad out for his last look at the ocean.  Right up until the end he loved having his picture taken, and always put on his best face for the camera.  He may not have known who or where he was, but he felt that the camera was his friend.