I have one surviving sibling (also a boomer) whom I can barely talk to because of the nature of today's divisive politics. The rank essence of political posturing makes it difficult for us to communicate in a meaningful and graceful manner.

Because of my expressed distaste for the current occupant, he has accused me of being sick with Trump Derangement Syndrome and needing to get well. That just about did it for me.

I'm sure that the existing ideological divide has torn many families asunder and made holiday reunions fraught with possible explosive detonation. Not the atmosphere I choose to inhabit.

Admittedly, I skew to the left while my sibling exaltates in the tea party meanderings of the right. With all that is occurring in the impeachment proceedings, I remain disdainful of Republican dissembling of the truth and obfuscation of the facts.

I once believed that, as citizens of this land and as human beings, we had more in common than not. Not so sure anymore.

The scorched earth, burn down the village, take no prisoners conservative attack on our public institutions makes it difficult to remain hopeful that conditions will return to normal without presidential extraction.