Fortunately, Unfortunately

Fifty years or so ago, I was particularly fond of a children’s picture book consisting of double-page spreads alternating as to whether they were titled Fortunately or Unfortunately. That’s the way I feel about taking in the news these days, except that in the news there is a disturbing preponderance of “unfortunately” stories over “fortunately” ones.

Today, I am only going to mention a “fortunately” one: In the Trump New York Election Interference Criminal Trial, in the course of three days the judge has been able to impanel twelve jurors and one alternate juror – much sooner than predicted. There is an excellent chance that the required five additional alternate jurors will be impaneled tomorrow, and that the trial itself can begin Monday. I would write more about this, but not accurately without venturing into “unfortunately” territory.