It’s extremely hard to read the newspaper every morning (which, in its print form, already makes me prehistoric, inasmuch as so many people get their news online these days–assuming they get it at all).

Not only do I maintain a paper subscription to the New York Times, which I consider my civic duty, I understand that these paper subscriptions are more profitable for the newspaper than their online ones. Although it makes more of a dent in my budget, as a retiree, I want to make sure I’m doing whatever I can to support their journalism.

There’s discouraging news piled on top of discouraging news: the war, which some days looks as though it might be winding down and other days as though it’s revving up, inflation, voter suppression concerns, election integrity anxiety, Jeffrey Epstein fallout, the inability of Congress to resolve the budget impasse, ICE, the efforts by the FCC to control media, it goes on and on.

I recently encountered one young man who came to help deal with an air conditioning issue in my apartment. He was joined by another older technician. We briefly discussed something in the news. The young man said he doesn’t read or listen to the news. Nor does he vote. Both the older tech and I were somewhat aghast. We tried to change his position but he was steadfast.

I recently read that the quote “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing” has been widely, but erroneously, attributed to Edmund Burke. Whether that’s the case, I would argue that the spirit of that comment makes complete sense.

It seems to me that doing nothing is not an option. Which is why I’m about to put on my coat, pick up my sign and join the “NO KINGS” protest in NYC today. I hope you are, too.