This has become far more work of late.

When I respected the judgment of the people of the United States, and believed in our sense of purpose it was easy.  Of late I need to force this optimism.  I squint my eyes and try to reason for optimism on a horizon that is just as likely to be tragic, cruel, and inhumane.

Instinct and natural naiveté has been subjugated by an unwelcome sense of reality.