Fear and worry... our nation's primary emotions

A former president is indicted, with more charges still likely to come this summer... and there is hand-wringing about how this MAY affect our future politics. 

Canadian wildfires send smoke into New York City and the northeast generally, and there are endless think pieces about how this should awaken the eyes and minds of Americans skeptical about climate change.

The Rockies' relief pitching blows yet another game, surrendering a ninth-inning lead. I was in attendance at the game yesterday and felt certain my fears of the team finding some way to lose would come true. 

Over a dozen Republicans have announced campaigns for president, and the biggest outcome of all those is to worry about how a diluted field benefits Trump.

There is some fear that Trump will call for his rabid supporters to rise up and overcome those doing the prosecutions... and how that fear has often led to the authorities letting the Fraudster in Chief to get away with yet another unsavory deal or another media outrage.

The ongoing writer's strike will delay next season's TV schedule, leading to worries about how to survive fall and (maybe) winter without learning what comes next with the many series that ended with a cliffhanger episode. Oh, dear. How will be manage?

There is a human tendency to wonder about all the things that COULD go wrong in life. Heck, I am approaching 73 and we know that health concerns can crop up quickly for seniors... and that our ability to bounce back from some physical setback diminishes with age.

And don't get me started on the fears that President Biden might not survive a second term. Also, don't bother Americans with the more likely chance that he DOES survive. 

I saw a poll that said over 70 percent of Americans thought Biden's mental acuity was quite worrisome, but many of those same citizens weren't so worried about Trump's mental acuity. Talk about misplaced fears.

Our fears range from the earth-changing to the mundane, and I would argue that there is good reason for humans to focus on potential negative consequences. That focus has kept the species alive for millenia, after all. 

Humans have a fine ability to entertain fears right alongside hope, despite all the inherent conflicts and paradoxes. 

Today I am balancing some fears that the Nuggets will suffer a letdown after an emotional game three win in Miami and will let the Heat climb back into the NBA finals series. But I also hope I am wrong.

It's great to root against yourself.