Mystery Solved? Why Good Words Go Bad

Source: The Atlantic .

As far back as 2010, I wrote about being surprised to find that "tolerance" had become a dirty word in American political discourse ("Tolerance Is Not A Four-Letter Word"). Over time, I noticed that other seemingly innocuous words had become controversial, too (this from 2017: "Now Kindness is a Dirty Word, Too"). What was going on, I wondered. Recently, I read the best analysis of what was behind it all. It's in an article in the July, 2026, issue of "The Atlantic" by a deputy executive editor, Yoni Applebaum ("How America Gave Up on its own History").

POTD: Óbidos, Portugal

From 2025 12 28 Pena, Cascais, Óbidos, Nazaré

Today's photo-of-the-day shows Óbidos, Portugal, decorated for Christmas. Its history goes back to the Romans, Visigoths, and Moors. According to Wikipedia, "Óbidos is located on a hilltop, encircled by a fortified wall. Óbidos remains a well-preserved example of medieval architecture; its streets, squares, walls and its castle are popular tourist destinations." According to a Portuguese tourism guide, "The best way to end your trip to Óbidos is with a shot of 'ginja de Óbidos,' or 'ginjinha'. This cherry liqueur is a famous local drink, and is often served in a chocolate cup. It originated with 17th-century monks from the region, who combined Morello cherries and brandy, and drank it as an aperitif or after dinner. Today, any time is a good time to try the dark red drink, as many visitors to Óbidos do."

Bonus photo after the jump.

POTD: National Palace of Pena

From 2025 12 28 Pena, Cascais, Óbidos, Nazaré

Today's photo-of-the-day is of the National Palace of Pena in Portugal. According to Wikipedia, "The Pena Palace is a Romanticist palace in São Pedro de Penaferrim, in the municipality of Sintra, on the Portuguese Riviera. The castle stands on the top of a hill in the Sintra Mountains above the town of Sintra, and on a clear day it can be easily seen from Lisbon and much of its metropolitan area. It is a national monument and constitutes one of the major expressions of 19th-century Romanticism in the world. The palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal. It is also used for state occasions by the President of the Portuguese Republic and other government officials."

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"Upon a green hill
Gothic, Moorish, Renaissance
Join beneath the sky."
— h/t ChatGPT

The Mayor Talks Miscellaneous Questions & Local Issues

Richardson Mayor Amir Omar held a town hall meeting at Communion Coworking & Event Venue on August 5, 2026. He answered a lot of questions in two hours. I'm extracting topics, one at a time. Below is ChatGPT's summary of the mayor's town hall remarks on one topic.

The Mayor Talks Utilities, Infrastructure & Public Works

Richardson Mayor Amir Omar held a town hall meeting at Communion Coworking & Event Venue on August 5, 2026. He answered a lot of questions in two hours. I'm extracting topics, one at a time. Below is ChatGPT's summary of the mayor's town hall remarks on one topic.

The Mayor Talks Business Climate & Permitting

Richardson Mayor Amir Omar held a town hall meeting at Communion Coworking & Event Venue on August 5, 2026. He answered a lot of questions in two hours. I'm extracting topics, one at a time. Below is ChatGPT's summary of the mayor's town hall remarks on one topic.

The Mayor Talks Resident Questions & Civic Participation

Richardson Mayor Amir Omar held a town hall meeting at Communion Coworking & Event Venue on August 5, 2026. He answered a lot of questions in two hours. I'm extracting topics, one at a time. Below is ChatGPT's summary of the mayor's town hall remarks on one topic.

The Mayor Talks Leadership Philosophy

Richardson Mayor Amir Omar held a town hall meeting at Communion Coworking & Event Venue on August 5, 2026. He answered a lot of questions in two hours. I'm extracting topics, one at a time. Below is ChatGPT's summary of the mayor's town hall remarks on one topic.

POTD: Fado

From 2025 12 27 Lisbon

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Adega Marchada, which according to Google, is a "nightspot dating back to 1937 for fado music & local dishes, filled with historic photos & art." It made for a great night out in Lisbon.

According to "Wikipedia, "Fado is a music genre which can be traced to the 1820s in Lisbon, Portugal, but probably has much earlier origins...Fado is commonly regarded as simply a form of song which can be about anything, but must follow a certain traditional structure. In popular belief, fado is a form of music characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics, often about the sea or the life of the poor, and infused with a sense of resignation, fate and melancholy."

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"Songs of sea and loss.
Echo through the candlelight.
Lisbon after dark."
— h/t ChatGPT

POTD: Christmas in Lisbon

From 2025 12 27 Lisbon

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Praça do Comércio (Commerce Square) in Lisbon, Portugal. According to Wikipedia, it's "a large, harbour-facing plaza in Portugal's capital, Lisbon, and is one of the largest in Portugal, with an area of 175 by 175 m. Facing the Tagus river to the south, the square hosted Ribeira Palace, the King of Portugal's residence, until the latter was destroyed by the great 1755 Lisbon earthquake." (a tragedy that separates before and after in the city's history in many ways).

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"Beneath winter stars
The great square faces the sea.
Christmas comes to Lisbon."
— h/t ChatGPT