As the football season winds down with the Chiefs and 49ers set in the Super Bowl, many of us are tuning into sports yakkers yammering about coaching changes, transfer portals, and possible betting scandals.

In the meantime, if you need something to real to complain about, look towards the weather, politics, and the wars in Europe, Palestine, and the Red Sea, where a wild card Arabian group called Houthis are slinging missiles at unarmed cargo ships.

It is a sort of deja vu (all over again) where the U.S. Navy is once again sent halfway around the world to stop Arabian pirates from attacking commercial cargo ships. Thanks to some Bath-built destroyers, their attacks have not scored major successes.

For those who napped during history class, the last time the Navy fought Arabian pirates was in 1801-05 when the Navy fought state-sponsored pirates on the shores of Tripoli. Yes, that happened. The U.S. Marines didn’t just make it up to fit the hymn.

In case you didn't notice, national political “experts” are trying to weigh the effect of a recent federal court ruling ordering the leading Republican candidate to pay some $80 million for defaming a slender 80-year-old woman. It is unlikely she will collect in the near future. However, the candidate may post a bond as part of the appeal process. Even Fox News presented “experts” who said it was a blow to his efforts, not to mention his wallet.

On top of that, another court is poised to throw a wrench into his business empire. More on that next week or two.

In Washington, D.C., the federal court system has been asked to decide whether to apply the 14th Amendment to his candidacy and decide if the former president is immune for certain actions he took to remain in office. Oh yes, 91 criminal counts are pending against him. A Supreme Court decision applying the 14th could send the nation into a swivet.

Meanwhile, the presidential political campaign season seems to ping pong between primary contests, polls, and the federal and state courts. In case you have not noticed, this is a very unusual campaign season.

On the other side, the incumbent Democrat is trying to work with a Congress, and an electorate, demanding he do something, anything, about the Southwestern border. He is trying to work a deal with a Congress that seems incapable of doing anything, including managing its own house. Like politicians on all sides, the chief aim seems to be a fumble-fingered attempt to cover their backsides.

Meanwhile, the Democrats’ backing of Israel's incursion into Gaza has triggered a backlash. And, the world looks in wonder as we delay our once solid commitment to aid Ukraine’s war against Russian invasion.

Great Googly Moogly, if that was not enough, both candidates, like me, are older than dirt. For the record, the leading Republican candidate is 77, his chief Democrat rival is 81. As both stumble over their syntax, many wonder if your fastball loses some of its zip when you close in on 80. Yet, no one seems to be able, or have the gumption, to suggest there are qualified alternative candidates (on both sides) waiting in the wings to do the toughest job in the world. Some are just turning off the political noise machine as they are tired of the constant turmoil of “breaking news.”

Back home, our town and state officials are cataloging the damage from the recent storm/ high tide combination that hammered our coasts. Is it a once in a lifetime event? The Maine Climate Council projects our sea levels will rise between 1.1 and 3.2 feet by 2050. As we all try to figure out what happened, and what to do in the future, our local officials are focused on how to get someone else to pick up the tab. It is one thing to rebuild docks, wharves, and roads. it is another to relocate a sewage treatment plant like they are talking about in Wiscasset. That project involves a huge number, one that would make the recent school rebuilding estimate seem tame. No wonder we can’t wait for baseball’s spring training to begin. For the record, Red Sox pitchers and catchers report on Feb. 13.

Have I riled you up enough? OK, let me turn to a sad note. Last week, I learned that a man I sat with at the bridge table for the last decade left us. Fortunately, Byron T. Atwood Jr., a good and decent man, had his mental fastball until the end when a hateful disease finally took him away. He lived a good life, was a faithful churchman and a stalwart Republican. He did his best for his family, especially Margot, his bride of some 63 years. He was one of the good guys. Condolences to all.