JOHN'S ORIGINAL COMMENT:
I
take umbrage at your referencing our ship of state from what you seem
to think is a nautical perspective. Particularly from my point of view
as former member of the US Navy in Viet Nam while you were draft dodging
your way thru college at the same time I
was serving this great nation. Oh by the way while putting my ass on
the line everyday never once did I complain that I was in combat on
behalf of Kennedy or Johnson............both former naval officers with
whom I shared no political ideology.
I served, never bitched and after I was finished I started another adventure in this thing called life.
As
to your aspersions that our president has no experience as the captian
of the ship of state would you be so kind as to enumerate what
quaifcations Obama had prior to assuming the presidency.
Did he ever sign a payroll check for the employees of a company he built?
Did
he ever deal with budgets, deadlines, bureaucratic red tape, or
anything similar before bcoming a useless (I vote "Present") US senator?
Did he ever pay 132 million dollars in federal taxes in 1 year?
The
guy is a jerk, could have done so much for the black people and people
of color in our fantastic country, yet he choose to do nothing and
destroy the hard work of those preceeding him. You truly have no idea
what these issues are about because you live in your lily white world
and white bread community and have never, ever spent any reasonable time
(years) like I have and see it fr what it really is!
He
like most of the rest of the world decided to play Ostrich and ingnore
the Islamic nations who want to take over the world and kill people like
me and you! Now our current president has to deal with the problems
Obama created.
Trump has been in office less than
180 days and if you had your way you would have had him tarred and
feathered already and run out of town on a rail.
Just
stay under the bell jar Willus, keep looking out at the world with your
rose colored glasses and when the going gets tough throw stones and
then put your head back in the ground.
I would
like to write more but I have a life to live and frankly wasting time on
hypocrite bigots like you isn't worth my valuable time.
JOHN'S SUBSEQUENT REBUTTAL:
I
hate no one. Nor do I judge anyone,. I just call them the way I see
them. My solace in all of this is that someday we will all leave this
mortal coil and stand before our God!. Let see how God sorts it all
out.
~ // ~ ~ // ~ ~ // ~
John, it’s hard to take you seriously when you start your rebuttal with a lie. You have most certainly judged me -- presuming to know my service record, lumping me into your despised “liberal elite,” calling me a “hypocrite bigot.”
Though I shouldn’t presume to know you as well as you do me, I suspect, from all the fear and anger you reveal, that you are a man of limited faith. Oh, you have a great deal of it in yourself, your buddies, and certainly in your beliefs. But, despite playing the patriotic veteran card, you demonstrate very little faith in your country.
Instead of believing as I do that the USA can -- and should - be leading the world into the future, you’re going to bat for a man whose every decision, every action has been a cowardly retreat into our own safe, secure, self-important little shell. This man you think is such a great deal maker, has already dealt this country out of the game. That’s not my idea of “great”-ness.
You say I’m the one with my head in the sand? Supporters of this imbecile have demonstrated a degree of self-deception unparalleled in my lifetime. He’s blatantly serving the interests of big business -- including his own business interests -- over those of working-class Americans, families and a clean, healthy environment. He’s making a fool of you…and you choose, incredibly, to let him do it.
You say he’s only been at it 180 days? Apparently not enough time to accomplish much at all in a positive vein. But it’s sure been enough time to do considerable damage. Through not just his blundering policy efforts, but by his treasonous opening of himself and his representatives to manipulation at the hands of our sworn enemies, and by his shameful personal behavior, he’s already put U.S. prestige and the very integrity of our democratic process on the brink of collapse.
In just 180 days, Trump has made the US the pariah, the laughing stock, of the world. If you’re so proud of our country, how can you support someone abusing it’s time-honored values so badly?
And don’t even get me going on the self-professed “Christian” values espoused by so many in your camp. Very little of what this administration has done anything to do with the values I hold dear as a Christian. Love thy neighbor? Yeah, as long as he’s just exactly like you.
You say Obama was weak on confronting our country’s enemies? This from a guy whose chosen flag-bearer talks tough about our enemies, but has proven he’ll sleep with them as long as they keep telling him how big his…hands are?
I guess you simply don’t care how bad it gets. Much worse health care; the truly needy shoved under the bus; consumers at the mercy of business, higher threat of war; more and more natural disasters, a dysfunctional government, and a dispirited people with no vision for the future… It doesn’t matter; you’ll still call it a victory.
It seems all you care about is that someone -- anyone -- sticks it to that big, bad “liberal elite” who pretends to be so smart. (By the way, John, they are smart about a lot of stuff, and they can prove it -- with facts, not just beliefs.)
Finally, John, while you’re so enraged over my self-righteousness, you demonstrate your own version of the same shortcoming. The difference, as I see it, is that my version aims high. Yours -- the one that believes this egotistical, small-minded little prick is going to save you and your defensive, unimaginative notion of American values -- appears to aim quite low.
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
TOWN HALL TERROR – How Congressional Republicans Are Dodging Accountability For the Indefensible
During the current congressional recess, legislators have once again headed back to their home districts. Great time to interact with their constituents, right?
Well…this year not so much.
Here in Minnesota, as around the rest of this great, democratic country, Congresspeople—or should I say Republican Congresspeople—are taking their lead from the trump administration, doing anything they can to avoid hearing how people really feel about the disastrous state of our political leadership.
I suppose some credit’s due our U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer for actually showing up at his town hall meeting—though he did feel he had to warn citizens that if they got out of hand he would simply leave. Still, he needn’t have worried that much since they chose a hall seating just 75 people. And no worries about the other 1,000 attendees acting up either; they all had to stand outside.
Newly-elected GOP Rep. Jason Lewis was too scared to appear in person at his gathering with constituents. He conducted his “town hall” by telephone, if you can believe it.
And then there’s GOP Rep. Erik Paulsen. He didn’t even attempt to listen on the telephone to the folks who elected him. Even his spokesperson kept his distance, issuing a prepared statement excusing his boss because of his “long history of meeting with people in his district.” How about this time, Erik?
Funny, I thought it was the elected
public servant who’s supposed to
listen.
LIKE THE PLAGUE
Elsewhere, those Congresspeople with the stomach for it faced pointed criticism about everything from the aimless threats to the Affordable Care Act, to gutless, mostly-ineffective immigration policy, to sweeping Trump administration conflicts of interest and collusion with Russia.
But, again, there were plenty who simply turned and ran, in one way or another, from their fundamental obligation to listen to the folks back home.
In Utah, GOP Rep. Jason Chaffetz went on the offensive, accusing people at his town hall of “bullying and an attempt at intimidation,” and claiming those who questioned him “included people brought in from other states to disrupt the meeting.”
After his raucous town hall, Louisiana Republican Senator Bill Cassidy lamented that “unfortunately, people came in with their prejudices, and with their prejudice, they would not listen.” Funny, I thought it was the elected public servant who’s supposed to listen.
Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Tex.) may just have taken the cake, though. Defending his decision not to meet his constituents in person, he cited “the threat of violence,” referring specifically to the 2011 shooting that severely injured Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) and killed six others.
A true conservative vision of American
Values…has been hijacked by a very
few men who have very little worth
beyond that they place on themselves.
LIFE OF THE PARTY
And so it went across the country. Little wonder, I suppose, for a party whose crass new leader, predictably, went into knee-jerk tweets of denial. “They fill up our rallies with people that you wonder how they get there, but they’re not the Republican people that our representatives are representing.”
This is what the party that, not so many years ago, could have proudly been called the party of Lincoln, has come to. The party built on generations of thoughtful policy-making, respectful communication, civic engagement, and frequent cooperation across the aisle has, in just a few short years, been squandered by a handful of self-serving, desperately insecure, soulless authoritarians who believe the time-honored values of the United States of America no longer serve their interests. I hope they—and we—will keep it up.
A true conservative vision of those values, the kind that has motivated men and women who actually stood for something instead of against everything—like Teddy Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower or, more recently, Bob Dole, Olympia Snowe or even Mitt Romney—has been hijacked by a very, very few men who, as leaders, have very, very little worth beyond that they place on themselves. And who believe this nation owes them even more wealth than they’ve already managed to extract from its store of human and natural resources.
And, instead of standing up to the outrage, weak-kneed politicians across the country have chosen this perverted version of party over principle. That’s what all these angry Americans are expressing at the town hall forums across the country. Now, whether the representatives they elected—and who are supposed to be working for them—ever come out of hiding or not, I hope they—and we—will keep it up.
Well…this year not so much.
Here in Minnesota, as around the rest of this great, democratic country, Congresspeople—or should I say Republican Congresspeople—are taking their lead from the trump administration, doing anything they can to avoid hearing how people really feel about the disastrous state of our political leadership.
I suppose some credit’s due our U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer for actually showing up at his town hall meeting—though he did feel he had to warn citizens that if they got out of hand he would simply leave. Still, he needn’t have worried that much since they chose a hall seating just 75 people. And no worries about the other 1,000 attendees acting up either; they all had to stand outside.
Newly-elected GOP Rep. Jason Lewis was too scared to appear in person at his gathering with constituents. He conducted his “town hall” by telephone, if you can believe it.
And then there’s GOP Rep. Erik Paulsen. He didn’t even attempt to listen on the telephone to the folks who elected him. Even his spokesperson kept his distance, issuing a prepared statement excusing his boss because of his “long history of meeting with people in his district.” How about this time, Erik?Funny, I thought it was the elected
public servant who’s supposed to
listen.
LIKE THE PLAGUE
Elsewhere, those Congresspeople with the stomach for it faced pointed criticism about everything from the aimless threats to the Affordable Care Act, to gutless, mostly-ineffective immigration policy, to sweeping Trump administration conflicts of interest and collusion with Russia.
But, again, there were plenty who simply turned and ran, in one way or another, from their fundamental obligation to listen to the folks back home.
In Utah, GOP Rep. Jason Chaffetz went on the offensive, accusing people at his town hall of “bullying and an attempt at intimidation,” and claiming those who questioned him “included people brought in from other states to disrupt the meeting.”
After his raucous town hall, Louisiana Republican Senator Bill Cassidy lamented that “unfortunately, people came in with their prejudices, and with their prejudice, they would not listen.” Funny, I thought it was the elected public servant who’s supposed to listen.
Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Tex.) may just have taken the cake, though. Defending his decision not to meet his constituents in person, he cited “the threat of violence,” referring specifically to the 2011 shooting that severely injured Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) and killed six others.A true conservative vision of American
Values…has been hijacked by a very
few men who have very little worth
beyond that they place on themselves.
LIFE OF THE PARTY
And so it went across the country. Little wonder, I suppose, for a party whose crass new leader, predictably, went into knee-jerk tweets of denial. “They fill up our rallies with people that you wonder how they get there, but they’re not the Republican people that our representatives are representing.”
This is what the party that, not so many years ago, could have proudly been called the party of Lincoln, has come to. The party built on generations of thoughtful policy-making, respectful communication, civic engagement, and frequent cooperation across the aisle has, in just a few short years, been squandered by a handful of self-serving, desperately insecure, soulless authoritarians who believe the time-honored values of the United States of America no longer serve their interests. I hope they—and we—will keep it up. 
And, instead of standing up to the outrage, weak-kneed politicians across the country have chosen this perverted version of party over principle. That’s what all these angry Americans are expressing at the town hall forums across the country. Now, whether the representatives they elected—and who are supposed to be working for them—ever come out of hiding or not, I hope they—and we—will keep it up.
Saturday, February 4, 2017
SAVE OUR SHIP! – An Urgent Appeal to Select Members of Congress
This is a draft of the letter I intend to send to those Republican
members of Congress still able
to think and act in the best interests of this great nation.
My goal—and yours, I fervently hope—is to rid our government of the pretender president, Donald Trump, and staunch, as quickly as possible, the hemorrhaging of this great nation's lifesblood: our uniquely-American values—generosity, optimism, vision, creativity, brotherhood ...and just simple decency—for which so many of our country-men and -women have fought
and died.
Feel free to copy/paste any or all of this content. Maybe you prefer to pull a few quotes and build your own case around them. It's all good. All I ask is that, if you use something, please share the link to this page with as many of your like-minded friends and family members, through as many media, as you can.
~ // ~ ~ // ~ ~ // ~
Dear SENATORS: John McCain (AZ), Rand Paul (KY), Lindsey Graham (SC), Susan Collins (ME), Ben Sasse (NE), Jeff Flake (AZ)
Dear REPRESENTATIVES: Charlie Dent (PA), Walter Jones (NC), Speaker Paul Ryan (WI), Justin Amash (MI), Barbara Comstock (VA)
(These are some of the Congresspeople The Hill, The Washington Post and other media have identified as willing to confront Trump on at least some issues. You may know of other Republicans—perhaps those representing your state—you'd like to implore to reason.)
W ith the election of Donald Trump and his subsequent rush to consolidate power,
a great tragedy is playing out on our national political stage. And you are in a unique position to thwart it.
I’m accused by friends who support Trump of simply poor sportsmanship—sour grapes, they say—for not just shutting up and taking it as they claim they had to do when Barack Obama was elected.
But this man is different. He has proven amply, through his well-documented comments and actions, that he is a bigot, a misogynist, a pathological liar and a boor. More importantly, he shows, every day, that he lacks the qualifications, knowledge, temperament and judgement to even approximate fulfilling the duties of the most powerful office in the world.
He has lived and prospered by lawsuit,
and promises to govern the same way.
Even his one and only claim to competence, his success as a businessman, is a sham, given the roil of bankruptcies, lawsuits and, ultimately, cheated customers, suppliers and investors he leaves in his wake. He has lived and prospered by lawsuit, and promises to govern the same way—a distraction, to say the least, from the awesome responsibilities of this office.
Perhaps most perilous for the country, this brash pretender clearly shows every single clinical marker of a serious mental condition (narcissistic personality disorder). This utterly self-centered, thin-skinned, impulsive, aggressively insecure, delusional profile is typical of some of the most destructive despots in human history—men who throw not just their rivals, but their own countries and their own people under the bus to feed their insatiable need for attention.
Though elected with a significant minority of the popular vote, Trump already, in just the first few weeks of his presidency, has undermined most of my beloved homeland’s hard-won national values—qualities I’ve cherished and served to defend—like generosity, a just and prudent welcome to immigrants, celebrating diversity at home, an indomitable optimism, a can-do spirit of cooperation, a quiet strength, and a skillful exertion of our example and leadership around the world.
trump has torn the still-gleaming crown from
Lady Liberty's head and stepped on it.
Trump’s insensitive, knee-jerk insults to other countries—including cherished allies—are already undermining our diplomatic and trade relationships with those nations, and threatening the delicate balance of world peace. And his avowed admiration for several of the world’s other despots—including Russia’s own narcissist, Vladimir Putin—sends a truly frightening signal of the president’s intentions.
We used to be a country roundly admired around the world—the much-coveted ideal of democracy. While this reputation has seen its share of tarnish in recent decades, Trump has torn the still-gleaming crown from Lady Liberty’s head and stepped on it. Apparently he favors a mantel of fear and hatred of our nation over one of respect.
Trump and his brazenly-stacked, titans-of-industry cabinet seem determined to simply turn off every moderating constraint on their greed. It is a corporate power play unique in American history. And Trump himself refuses either to divest of his personal business interests or to release his complete tax returns and prove his intention to put this country’s interests ahead of his own and those of his cronies.
This will require the very best of you.
If not the most frightening implication of Trump’s incompetence, certainly the saddest for me is this: I pray that my grandchildren will not grow up wanting to emulate anything about this man.
Senator/Representative_________, you are in a unique position to literally save our great nation from a despot, one who, in stunning similarity to North Korean boy-dictator Kim Jong-un, has the emotional maturity of a five-year-old.
By continuing to call him out for his lies and excesses, by making the case for impeachment to any fellow Republicans still willing to face reality, by building a coalition of conscience, by communicating your concerns to your constituents and the American people, perhaps you can help turn the tide.
This will require the very best of you—your conviction, your eloquence, your courage, perhaps every dime of your political capital, and, most certainly, your heart and soul.
Please do not let this very small man go one step further in dragging this great nation down to his size!
Sincerely,
to think and act in the best interests of this great nation.
My goal—and yours, I fervently hope—is to rid our government of the pretender president, Donald Trump, and staunch, as quickly as possible, the hemorrhaging of this great nation's lifesblood: our uniquely-American values—generosity, optimism, vision, creativity, brotherhood ...and just simple decency—for which so many of our country-men and -women have fought
and died.
Feel free to copy/paste any or all of this content. Maybe you prefer to pull a few quotes and build your own case around them. It's all good. All I ask is that, if you use something, please share the link to this page with as many of your like-minded friends and family members, through as many media, as you can.
~ // ~ ~ // ~ ~ // ~
Dear SENATORS: John McCain (AZ), Rand Paul (KY), Lindsey Graham (SC), Susan Collins (ME), Ben Sasse (NE), Jeff Flake (AZ)
Dear REPRESENTATIVES: Charlie Dent (PA), Walter Jones (NC), Speaker Paul Ryan (WI), Justin Amash (MI), Barbara Comstock (VA)
(These are some of the Congresspeople The Hill, The Washington Post and other media have identified as willing to confront Trump on at least some issues. You may know of other Republicans—perhaps those representing your state—you'd like to implore to reason.)
W ith the election of Donald Trump and his subsequent rush to consolidate power,
a great tragedy is playing out on our national political stage. And you are in a unique position to thwart it.
I’m accused by friends who support Trump of simply poor sportsmanship—sour grapes, they say—for not just shutting up and taking it as they claim they had to do when Barack Obama was elected.
But this man is different. He has proven amply, through his well-documented comments and actions, that he is a bigot, a misogynist, a pathological liar and a boor. More importantly, he shows, every day, that he lacks the qualifications, knowledge, temperament and judgement to even approximate fulfilling the duties of the most powerful office in the world.
He has lived and prospered by lawsuit,
and promises to govern the same way.
Even his one and only claim to competence, his success as a businessman, is a sham, given the roil of bankruptcies, lawsuits and, ultimately, cheated customers, suppliers and investors he leaves in his wake. He has lived and prospered by lawsuit, and promises to govern the same way—a distraction, to say the least, from the awesome responsibilities of this office.
Perhaps most perilous for the country, this brash pretender clearly shows every single clinical marker of a serious mental condition (narcissistic personality disorder). This utterly self-centered, thin-skinned, impulsive, aggressively insecure, delusional profile is typical of some of the most destructive despots in human history—men who throw not just their rivals, but their own countries and their own people under the bus to feed their insatiable need for attention.
Though elected with a significant minority of the popular vote, Trump already, in just the first few weeks of his presidency, has undermined most of my beloved homeland’s hard-won national values—qualities I’ve cherished and served to defend—like generosity, a just and prudent welcome to immigrants, celebrating diversity at home, an indomitable optimism, a can-do spirit of cooperation, a quiet strength, and a skillful exertion of our example and leadership around the world.
trump has torn the still-gleaming crown from
Lady Liberty's head and stepped on it.
Trump’s insensitive, knee-jerk insults to other countries—including cherished allies—are already undermining our diplomatic and trade relationships with those nations, and threatening the delicate balance of world peace. And his avowed admiration for several of the world’s other despots—including Russia’s own narcissist, Vladimir Putin—sends a truly frightening signal of the president’s intentions.
We used to be a country roundly admired around the world—the much-coveted ideal of democracy. While this reputation has seen its share of tarnish in recent decades, Trump has torn the still-gleaming crown from Lady Liberty’s head and stepped on it. Apparently he favors a mantel of fear and hatred of our nation over one of respect.
Trump and his brazenly-stacked, titans-of-industry cabinet seem determined to simply turn off every moderating constraint on their greed. It is a corporate power play unique in American history. And Trump himself refuses either to divest of his personal business interests or to release his complete tax returns and prove his intention to put this country’s interests ahead of his own and those of his cronies.
This will require the very best of you.
If not the most frightening implication of Trump’s incompetence, certainly the saddest for me is this: I pray that my grandchildren will not grow up wanting to emulate anything about this man.
Senator/Representative_________, you are in a unique position to literally save our great nation from a despot, one who, in stunning similarity to North Korean boy-dictator Kim Jong-un, has the emotional maturity of a five-year-old.
By continuing to call him out for his lies and excesses, by making the case for impeachment to any fellow Republicans still willing to face reality, by building a coalition of conscience, by communicating your concerns to your constituents and the American people, perhaps you can help turn the tide.
This will require the very best of you—your conviction, your eloquence, your courage, perhaps every dime of your political capital, and, most certainly, your heart and soul.
Please do not let this very small man go one step further in dragging this great nation down to his size!
Sincerely,
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
CAN YOU FEAR ME NOW? – How trump Has Betrayed His Anti-Insider-Elites Pledge
Earth to trump supporters:
At the heart of donald trump’s unlikely electoral victory was his pledge to rid Washington of corruption, cronyism and insider dealing. And you bought it.
Now, before the glow of victory’s even faded, he’s already broken—no, annihilated—that promise. Intentionally, blatantly, shamelessly—right in front of your perhaps well-intentioned, but short-sighted, eyes.
Are these the real-deal, straight-shooting, friend-of-
the-working-class outsiders you pictured when you
heard trump's pledge?
Don’t buy it? You tell me. Are these the real-deal, straight-shooting, friend-of-the-working-class outsiders you pictured when you heard trump’s pledge? (List thanks to Robert Weissman, President of Public Citizen, in a Jan. 10, 2017 article in the Huffington Post):
• MIKE PENCE, Vice President – has strong ties to Koch Industries and raked in eye-popping sums from the finance sector, construction industry, pharmaceutical industry and chemical industry
• REX TILLERSON, Secretary of State – spent his entire career at Exxon Mobil, which is not just among the world’s largest oil companies, but the corporation most responsible for spreading climate denial and intimidating climate activists
• STEVEN MNUCHIN, Treasury Secretary – longtime Goldman Sachs executive who, through a hedge fund, took over the failed IndyMac, turned it into One West and went on a foreclosure rampage, engaging in robosigning and other abuses such that one judge found the bank to have engaged in practices that were “harsh, repugnant, shocking and repulsive”
• GEN. JAMES MATTIS, Secretary of Defense – has spun through the revolving door, leaving the military to serve on the board of General Dynamics, a multinational military contractor, and the scandal-ridden Theranos, a start-up company which misled investors and consumers about its blood-testing technology
• JEFF SESSIONS, Attorney General – has a racist record that disqualified him from a federal judgeship three decades ago, and a record of gentle treatment of the finance, tobacco and other industries
• BETSY DEVOS, Education Secretary – a billionaire scion whose husband is heir to the Amway fortune, who is a purveyor of extremist education privatization proposals, and who has herself invested in for-profit education companies
• ELAINE CHAO, Secretary of Transportation – served on the board of directors of Wells Fargo during the cross-selling scandal, as well as a half dozen other corporate boards
• GARY COHN, Director, National Economic Council – Led Goldman Sachs as it profited off the housing market collapse in part by misleading its own clients
These folks are not your equals. They are not your
boss's equals, not your boss's boss's equals, not..well,
you get the idea.
• SCOTT PRUITT, Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
– believes that climate science is “far from settled,” has repeatedly
sued the agency he will be tasked with leading, and as Oklahoma attorney
general sent letters to federal agencies that were literally drafted by
Devon Energy, one of the state’s largest oil and gas corporations
• STEVE BANNON, Special Adviser to the President – once ran and may maintain undisclosed business or other ties with Breitbart.com, a far-right, racist website, and is a former Goldman Sachs executive
• LINDA MCMAHON, Administrator, Small Business Administration – as World Wrestling Entertainment CEO helped ensure the wrestling industry remained largely unregulated, putting the health and safety of wrestlers at risk
• ANDY PUZDER, Secretary of Labor – the long-time mogul in charge of the Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. fast-food chains, companies known for being anti-worker and anti-union, and who opposed many or all of the most important recent, pro-worker initiatives of the Obama Labor Department, including a rule to ensure that workers are properly compensated for overtime
He has financial holdings that give him a direct
stake in many of the matters about which he will
be advising the president.
• WILBUR ROSS, Secretary of Commerce – a billionaire whose firm has profited from buying distressed firms and cutting workers’ benefits
• CARL ICAHN, Special Advisor to the President on Regulatory Affairs – the emblematic corporate raider epitomizes predatory corporate capitalism, with financial holdings that give him a direct stake in many of the matters about which he will be advising the president
So there you have it. By the most conservative of the media’s estimates (Bloomberg), these “independent,” “non-elite” “friends-of-the-working-class” have a net worth of over $6 billion. And every single one of them now has a role in government that, by all appearances, could benefit them at the expense you and your family.
These folks are not your equals. They are not your boss’s equals, not your boss’s boss’s equals, not…well, you get the idea. Do you think they give a good God-damn about your working-class concerns?
If you believe that, I’ve got a chunk of land in a another swamp you might be interested in.
At the heart of donald trump’s unlikely electoral victory was his pledge to rid Washington of corruption, cronyism and insider dealing. And you bought it.
Now, before the glow of victory’s even faded, he’s already broken—no, annihilated—that promise. Intentionally, blatantly, shamelessly—right in front of your perhaps well-intentioned, but short-sighted, eyes.
Are these the real-deal, straight-shooting, friend-of-
the-working-class outsiders you pictured when you
heard trump's pledge?
Don’t buy it? You tell me. Are these the real-deal, straight-shooting, friend-of-the-working-class outsiders you pictured when you heard trump’s pledge? (List thanks to Robert Weissman, President of Public Citizen, in a Jan. 10, 2017 article in the Huffington Post):
• MIKE PENCE, Vice President – has strong ties to Koch Industries and raked in eye-popping sums from the finance sector, construction industry, pharmaceutical industry and chemical industry
• REX TILLERSON, Secretary of State – spent his entire career at Exxon Mobil, which is not just among the world’s largest oil companies, but the corporation most responsible for spreading climate denial and intimidating climate activists
 |
| PHOTO: Wall Street Journal |
• STEVEN MNUCHIN, Treasury Secretary – longtime Goldman Sachs executive who, through a hedge fund, took over the failed IndyMac, turned it into One West and went on a foreclosure rampage, engaging in robosigning and other abuses such that one judge found the bank to have engaged in practices that were “harsh, repugnant, shocking and repulsive”
• GEN. JAMES MATTIS, Secretary of Defense – has spun through the revolving door, leaving the military to serve on the board of General Dynamics, a multinational military contractor, and the scandal-ridden Theranos, a start-up company which misled investors and consumers about its blood-testing technology
• JEFF SESSIONS, Attorney General – has a racist record that disqualified him from a federal judgeship three decades ago, and a record of gentle treatment of the finance, tobacco and other industries
• BETSY DEVOS, Education Secretary – a billionaire scion whose husband is heir to the Amway fortune, who is a purveyor of extremist education privatization proposals, and who has herself invested in for-profit education companies
• ELAINE CHAO, Secretary of Transportation – served on the board of directors of Wells Fargo during the cross-selling scandal, as well as a half dozen other corporate boards
• GARY COHN, Director, National Economic Council – Led Goldman Sachs as it profited off the housing market collapse in part by misleading its own clients
These folks are not your equals. They are not your
boss's equals, not your boss's boss's equals, not..well,
you get the idea.
 |
| PHOTO: Denver Post |
• STEVE BANNON, Special Adviser to the President – once ran and may maintain undisclosed business or other ties with Breitbart.com, a far-right, racist website, and is a former Goldman Sachs executive
• LINDA MCMAHON, Administrator, Small Business Administration – as World Wrestling Entertainment CEO helped ensure the wrestling industry remained largely unregulated, putting the health and safety of wrestlers at risk
• ANDY PUZDER, Secretary of Labor – the long-time mogul in charge of the Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. fast-food chains, companies known for being anti-worker and anti-union, and who opposed many or all of the most important recent, pro-worker initiatives of the Obama Labor Department, including a rule to ensure that workers are properly compensated for overtime
He has financial holdings that give him a direct
stake in many of the matters about which he will
be advising the president.
• WILBUR ROSS, Secretary of Commerce – a billionaire whose firm has profited from buying distressed firms and cutting workers’ benefits
• CARL ICAHN, Special Advisor to the President on Regulatory Affairs – the emblematic corporate raider epitomizes predatory corporate capitalism, with financial holdings that give him a direct stake in many of the matters about which he will be advising the president
So there you have it. By the most conservative of the media’s estimates (Bloomberg), these “independent,” “non-elite” “friends-of-the-working-class” have a net worth of over $6 billion. And every single one of them now has a role in government that, by all appearances, could benefit them at the expense you and your family.
These folks are not your equals. They are not your boss’s equals, not your boss’s boss’s equals, not…well, you get the idea. Do you think they give a good God-damn about your working-class concerns?
If you believe that, I’ve got a chunk of land in a another swamp you might be interested in.
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
GOVERNANCE BY LAWSUIT – The Only Game trump Knows
Are you ready for the era of governance by lawsuit?
Donald
trump’s long-time personal attorney and mentor, mob lawyer Roy Cohn,
taught him well how to use the law as an aggressive weapon against the
slightest objection or criticism. Now trump has brought his next
personal attorney, Michael Cohen—also known for his take-no-prisoners
aggression—with him to the White House.
It’s the only strategy—business or personal—trump has ever known. It’s simple. You do whatever you want to do, no matter how unscrupulous.
Someone challenges you? You instantly discredit them to the world with whatever Twitter prattle you want—doesn’t matter how ridiculous. The person sues you? No problem; you just counter-sue them for 100 times the money.
Incredible how many of those pesky little former employees, business dupes, cheated consumers—oh, and women…don’t get me going on women—you can scare away like that.
Just more fodder for this clinically-narcissistic
child-man's insatiable appetite for attention.
TAINTING A WHITE HOUSE
Nonetheless, at last report, there were still some 75 lawsuits against trump and his businesses with enough staying power to survive, some of which have undoubtedly followed him into the white house.
Gee, do you think being subpoenaed for court appearances and depositions might prove a distraction to the new president? Just ask Bill Clinton. Of course trump would say he loves this shit—and he’d be right. Just more fodder for this clinically-narcissistic child-man’s insatiable appetite for attention.
Besides, all that other “presidenting”—you know, stuff like sensitive diplomacy with world leaders, crafting smart, constructive legislative initiatives, commanding the armed forces with clarity and restraint, serving as a role model for millions of American kids—that crap just bores him.
Trump knows no other way. Dashing the hopes of supporters who’d hoped he might become at least somewhat more disciplined once he was actually in office, he continues to spend a shocking proportion of his time on the defensive. Hunched over his Korean-made Samsung Galaxy smartphone, he scours Twitter for folks he sees as threats to his ego, and crudely disses them.
The man's insecurity knows no bounds. If you won't adore him as he demands, you're the enemy, be you a citizen, a government official—elected or appointed—or even a long-standing, loyal ally of the United States.
So presidential.
Donald
trump’s long-time personal attorney and mentor, mob lawyer Roy Cohn,
taught him well how to use the law as an aggressive weapon against the
slightest objection or criticism. Now trump has brought his next
personal attorney, Michael Cohen—also known for his take-no-prisoners
aggression—with him to the White House.
It’s the only strategy—business or personal—trump has ever known. It’s simple. You do whatever you want to do, no matter how unscrupulous.
Someone challenges you? You instantly discredit them to the world with whatever Twitter prattle you want—doesn’t matter how ridiculous. The person sues you? No problem; you just counter-sue them for 100 times the money.
Incredible how many of those pesky little former employees, business dupes, cheated consumers—oh, and women…don’t get me going on women—you can scare away like that.
Just more fodder for this clinically-narcissistic
child-man's insatiable appetite for attention.
TAINTING A WHITE HOUSE
Nonetheless, at last report, there were still some 75 lawsuits against trump and his businesses with enough staying power to survive, some of which have undoubtedly followed him into the white house.
Gee, do you think being subpoenaed for court appearances and depositions might prove a distraction to the new president? Just ask Bill Clinton. Of course trump would say he loves this shit—and he’d be right. Just more fodder for this clinically-narcissistic child-man’s insatiable appetite for attention.
Besides, all that other “presidenting”—you know, stuff like sensitive diplomacy with world leaders, crafting smart, constructive legislative initiatives, commanding the armed forces with clarity and restraint, serving as a role model for millions of American kids—that crap just bores him.
Trump knows no other way. Dashing the hopes of supporters who’d hoped he might become at least somewhat more disciplined once he was actually in office, he continues to spend a shocking proportion of his time on the defensive. Hunched over his Korean-made Samsung Galaxy smartphone, he scours Twitter for folks he sees as threats to his ego, and crudely disses them.
 |
| I know you are, but what am I? And by the way, your mother's a whore. |
The man's insecurity knows no bounds. If you won't adore him as he demands, you're the enemy, be you a citizen, a government official—elected or appointed—or even a long-standing, loyal ally of the United States.
So presidential.
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
trump Declares World Peace
Breaking…
By Jeffrey Willius – One Man’s Venting
THE WHITE HOUSE – In a hastily-called press conference this morning, president Donald Trump declared that, in a major deal he’s struck with world leaders, there is now world peace.
Notably, with the exception of this reporter, journalists from mainstream, objective news sources were barred from the session, left to watch though binoculars for any signs of activity visible through the West Wing's windows from a barricaded area across the street in Lafayette Square.
Despite only reporters approved by the president being allowed into the press briefing room—and those asking only questions scripted by the White House to help simulate for Trump a much- coveted position on the world stage—it did not take long for that manipulation to backfire on him.
For the first question, president Trump called on Harold Ingvetz, former chief of the Little Rock bureau of the National Jingoist Journal. “Mr. President, you’ve accomplished something world leaders have struggled with for centuries. What will this new era of peace look like to the average red-blooded, patriotic American?”
"These guys...that Angelica Markle of Belgium—
she's one overrated leader—they don't have to tell
me what world peace is."
Trump replied, “Let me be crystal clear, folks. This will be a tremendous peace...like...Russia’s great leader, Putin...what he was able to bring into Trimea…the place was hemorrhaging unpeace. Then he comes to the table and, wow, let’s just say everyone knows where they stand. No, this is a total, very big, terrific peace.”
Another reporter asked, “How will the peace be enforced?” The president, turning to wink at Michael Flynn, his national security advisor, standing just behind him, replied, “Look, I have over 21 billion followers on Twitter. These war people—the Arabs, the Burning Bush down in Honduras, the Bengazis—they’re big followers…huge followers!”
Trump continued, “Hey, the good guys...my friend Nathan Yahoo in Israel…and besides…they love me. They all know…they don’t come to the table…that’s it…it’s history…big time.”
When asked how he’d managed to conduct so many one-on-one peace negotiations with world leaders in just his first few days in office, the president was dismissive. “I’ll do those meetings when I need them. I don't have to be told—you know, I'm, like, a smart person," Trump said. “These guys…that Angelica Markle of Belgium—she’s one overrated leader...sad—they don’t have to tell me what world peace is. I don't need that.”
Fox News’s Shamus Bias asked Trump, “What will you do with units of the Armed Forces now stationed in war zones and potential flash points around the world—I guess we should call them peace points—now that those personnel won’t be needed any more?”
The president responded, “We’re totally going for that America First
thing. Let me tell you, there’s a lot better things those men in our
terrific Armies could be doing…like fighting Mexican and Arab terrorists
trying to get into this great country...and, you know, the rapists.
Like clearing those liberal bleeding hearts out of our national parks so
we can give those…a disaster, really so overrated…to someone who really
loves them—the oilers and the miners…I love oilers and miners.”
Sir, that's not the peace sign!"
Then, in what proved a turning point in the press conference, Bias asked for a follow-up question. “Sir, with all due respect, what do the National Parks have to do with world peace? And besides, don’t those public lands actually belong to the public?”
At that point, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer abruptly stepped up to the podium and whispered something in the president’s ear. Trump, his face suddenly flushed, shook his finger at Bias and blurted, "That question...you...are a fake questioner!" Seeming to gain his composure, the president added, “This has been a terrifically open, comprehensive press conference…a huge success.” Then Trump, followed by Spicer, Flynn and the rest of his retinue, simply turned and walked out of the room.
Trump’s surprise exit, just five minutes into the press conference, puzzled even this friendly crowd. Anson Lipschitz of the weapons industry journal, Bang! called it “cryptic…so comprehensive...and yet so concise.”
At
the door, Trump turned back toward the reporters, raised the back of
his right hand in a fist, smiled triumphantly and extended his middle
finger. One journalist, insisting his observation be shared off the
record, later told this reporter that he overheard Spicer whisper loudly
toward the president, “Sir, that’s not the peace sign!”
By Jeffrey Willius – One Man’s Venting
THE WHITE HOUSE – In a hastily-called press conference this morning, president Donald Trump declared that, in a major deal he’s struck with world leaders, there is now world peace.
Notably, with the exception of this reporter, journalists from mainstream, objective news sources were barred from the session, left to watch though binoculars for any signs of activity visible through the West Wing's windows from a barricaded area across the street in Lafayette Square.
Despite only reporters approved by the president being allowed into the press briefing room—and those asking only questions scripted by the White House to help simulate for Trump a much- coveted position on the world stage—it did not take long for that manipulation to backfire on him.
For the first question, president Trump called on Harold Ingvetz, former chief of the Little Rock bureau of the National Jingoist Journal. “Mr. President, you’ve accomplished something world leaders have struggled with for centuries. What will this new era of peace look like to the average red-blooded, patriotic American?”
"These guys...that Angelica Markle of Belgium—
she's one overrated leader—they don't have to tell
me what world peace is."
Trump replied, “Let me be crystal clear, folks. This will be a tremendous peace...like...Russia’s great leader, Putin...what he was able to bring into Trimea…the place was hemorrhaging unpeace. Then he comes to the table and, wow, let’s just say everyone knows where they stand. No, this is a total, very big, terrific peace.”
Another reporter asked, “How will the peace be enforced?” The president, turning to wink at Michael Flynn, his national security advisor, standing just behind him, replied, “Look, I have over 21 billion followers on Twitter. These war people—the Arabs, the Burning Bush down in Honduras, the Bengazis—they’re big followers…huge followers!”
Trump continued, “Hey, the good guys...my friend Nathan Yahoo in Israel…and besides…they love me. They all know…they don’t come to the table…that’s it…it’s history…big time.”
When asked how he’d managed to conduct so many one-on-one peace negotiations with world leaders in just his first few days in office, the president was dismissive. “I’ll do those meetings when I need them. I don't have to be told—you know, I'm, like, a smart person," Trump said. “These guys…that Angelica Markle of Belgium—she’s one overrated leader...sad—they don’t have to tell me what world peace is. I don't need that.”
Fox News’s Shamus Bias asked Trump, “What will you do with units of the Armed Forces now stationed in war zones and potential flash points around the world—I guess we should call them peace points—now that those personnel won’t be needed any more?”
Sir, that's not the peace sign!"
Then, in what proved a turning point in the press conference, Bias asked for a follow-up question. “Sir, with all due respect, what do the National Parks have to do with world peace? And besides, don’t those public lands actually belong to the public?”
At that point, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer abruptly stepped up to the podium and whispered something in the president’s ear. Trump, his face suddenly flushed, shook his finger at Bias and blurted, "That question...you...are a fake questioner!" Seeming to gain his composure, the president added, “This has been a terrifically open, comprehensive press conference…a huge success.” Then Trump, followed by Spicer, Flynn and the rest of his retinue, simply turned and walked out of the room.
Trump’s surprise exit, just five minutes into the press conference, puzzled even this friendly crowd. Anson Lipschitz of the weapons industry journal, Bang! called it “cryptic…so comprehensive...and yet so concise.”
At
the door, Trump turned back toward the reporters, raised the back of
his right hand in a fist, smiled triumphantly and extended his middle
finger. One journalist, insisting his observation be shared off the
record, later told this reporter that he overheard Spicer whisper loudly
toward the president, “Sir, that’s not the peace sign!” Saturday, January 21, 2017
Why a President with an Acute Personality Disorder is a Bad Thing
To whom it may concern:
Here’s the dictionary (Apple Dictionary) definition of narcissism:
Excessive or erotic interest in oneself and one's physical appearance.
Psychology: Extreme selfishness, with a grandiose view of one's own
talents and a craving for admiration, as characterizing a personality type.
Psychoanalysis: Self-centeredness arising from failure to distinguish the
self from external objects, either in very young babies or as a feature of
mental disorder.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) includes these symptoms:
• Having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
• Expecting to be recognized as superior even without achievements that
warrant it
• Exaggerating your achievements and talents
• Being preoccupied with fantasies about success, power, brilliance, beauty
or the perfect mate
• Believing that you are superior and can only be understood by or associate
with equally special people
• Requiring constant admiration
• Having a sense of entitlement
• Expecting special favors and unquestioning compliance with your
expectations
• Taking advantage of others to get what you want
• Having an inability or unwillingness to recognize the needs and feelings
of others
• Being envious of others and believing others envy you
• Behaving in an arrogant or haughty manner
So, if by some odd chance seeing these very qualities in the most powerful man in the world—the man who, to a great extent, holds your future and that of your kids and grandkids in his hands—doesn’t concern you, consider this. Here are just a few figures of note known to suffer from NPD:
• Jim Jones
• Saddam Hussein
• Joan Crawford
• Ike Turner
• Lee Harvey Oswald
• Donald Trump
• Kayne West
• Eva Peron
• Simon Cowell
• Adolph Hitler
• Joseph Stalin
• Joseph Mengele
• Ted Bundy
• Heinrich Himmler
• Hermann Göromg
• Pol Pot
• And, by most accounts…yes, you guessed it…Vladimir Putin (Hm-m-m,
birds of a feather?)
According to evolutionary psychologist Nigel Barber’s article, “Is Narcissism All Bad” in Psychology Today (Oct. 9, 2014), the social media phenomenon—yes, including Twitter—of the past 15-20 years has served as rocket fuel to both the pervasiveness and seriousness of narcissistic personality disorder.
MentalHealth.com’s outline of the occupational-economic problems associated with NPD includes these:
Here’s the dictionary (Apple Dictionary) definition of narcissism:
Excessive or erotic interest in oneself and one's physical appearance.
Psychology: Extreme selfishness, with a grandiose view of one's own
talents and a craving for admiration, as characterizing a personality type.
Psychoanalysis: Self-centeredness arising from failure to distinguish the
self from external objects, either in very young babies or as a feature of
mental disorder.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) includes these symptoms:
• Having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
• Expecting to be recognized as superior even without achievements that
warrant it
• Exaggerating your achievements and talents
• Being preoccupied with fantasies about success, power, brilliance, beauty
or the perfect mate
• Believing that you are superior and can only be understood by or associate
with equally special people
• Requiring constant admiration
• Having a sense of entitlement
• Expecting special favors and unquestioning compliance with your
expectations
• Taking advantage of others to get what you want
• Having an inability or unwillingness to recognize the needs and feelings
of others
• Being envious of others and believing others envy you
• Behaving in an arrogant or haughty manner
So, if by some odd chance seeing these very qualities in the most powerful man in the world—the man who, to a great extent, holds your future and that of your kids and grandkids in his hands—doesn’t concern you, consider this. Here are just a few figures of note known to suffer from NPD:
• Jim Jones
• Saddam Hussein
• Joan Crawford
• Ike Turner
• Lee Harvey Oswald
• Donald Trump
• Kayne West
• Eva Peron
• Simon Cowell
• Adolph Hitler
• Joseph Stalin
• Joseph Mengele
• Ted Bundy
• Heinrich Himmler
• Hermann Göromg
• Pol Pot
• And, by most accounts…yes, you guessed it…Vladimir Putin (Hm-m-m,
birds of a feather?)
According to evolutionary psychologist Nigel Barber’s article, “Is Narcissism All Bad” in Psychology Today (Oct. 9, 2014), the social media phenomenon—yes, including Twitter—of the past 15-20 years has served as rocket fuel to both the pervasiveness and seriousness of narcissistic personality disorder.
MentalHealth.com’s outline of the occupational-economic problems associated with NPD includes these:
- Causes significant impairment in academic, occupational and/or social functioning
- (Patients) work poorly with others; they are self-centered, can't tolerate criticism or defeat)
Thursday, January 19, 2017
Tellin' It Like It Is...NOT!
Most trump supporters I’ve seen interviewed come up a little short
when asked what it is they so love about the man and his professed
policies. Oh, they might recite some nonsense they’ve bought from one of
his campaign rants or a tweet about terrorist immigrants or sticking it
to China. But what they do say quite clearly, almost to the person, is “…and he tells it like it is.”
Well folks, here’s exactly how your guy is telling it:
Tax Returns: When it comes to this disclosure, one of the few credible pieces of evidence suggesting any presumptive President’s innocence of conflicts of interest—and one which every major-party presidential candidate since 1976 has provided—he’s not tellin.’
Putin Influence:
trump’s been accused of being under the thumb of Vladimir Putin—the
ruthless, egomaniacal president of an adversary bent on undermining our
democratic process. Those tax returns and perhaps a few business records
just might put that concern to rest. But uh-uh, he’s not tellin.’
trump offered a doctor's note—the
equivalent of the ten-year-old's note to his teacher saying
"Jimmy is xqused from skool today. I am sik."
Russian Obligations: Surely trump has business and banking records to refute allegations that he was bailed out of his massive 1980s bankruptcy by Russian oligarchs whose favor he’d long courted. Right? Nope—not tellin’ that either.
Medical Records: Instead of the specific medical evidence of their physical and psychological health Americans expect of their presidential candidates, trump offered a doctor’s letter—the equivalent of the ten-year-old’s note to his teacher saying “Jimmy is xqused from skool today. I am sick.” Obviously…not tellin.’
Contributors: How about disclosing who’s contributing to his inauguration extravaganza—something our last three presidents have done before being sworn in? No way, not tellin.’
trump is "one of the most secretive presidential candidates
in modern history."
Cabinet Nominees: Shouldn’t they be providing Congress with all the customary background materials to clarify any offenses or potential conflicts of interest they might have? Once again, not tellin.’
White House Media Access: Perhaps most chilling of all, trump wants to ban from the White House any reporters who might force him to stop not tellin.’
There are many, many other shady—a better word would be opaque—areas of trump’s dealings, from his claimed charitable giving, to his business practices, to his behavior toward women…the list is long.
So, this is the man a disgruntled minority of American voters say they love for his openness and candor. The man they’ve entrusted with the hardest, most nuanced job in the world. The man who’s supposed to represent the interests and values of this country around the world. The man with his finger on the nuclear trigger. So what will trump do with all that power?
Clearly, there’s no telling.
John Wonderlich, executive director of the Sunlight
Foundation, which advocates for more openness in
government, calls trump one of the most secretive
presidential candidates in modern history.
Well folks, here’s exactly how your guy is telling it:
Tax Returns: When it comes to this disclosure, one of the few credible pieces of evidence suggesting any presumptive President’s innocence of conflicts of interest—and one which every major-party presidential candidate since 1976 has provided—he’s not tellin.’
Putin Influence:
trump’s been accused of being under the thumb of Vladimir Putin—the
ruthless, egomaniacal president of an adversary bent on undermining our
democratic process. Those tax returns and perhaps a few business records
just might put that concern to rest. But uh-uh, he’s not tellin.’trump offered a doctor's note—the
equivalent of the ten-year-old's note to his teacher saying
"Jimmy is xqused from skool today. I am sik."
Russian Obligations: Surely trump has business and banking records to refute allegations that he was bailed out of his massive 1980s bankruptcy by Russian oligarchs whose favor he’d long courted. Right? Nope—not tellin’ that either.
Medical Records: Instead of the specific medical evidence of their physical and psychological health Americans expect of their presidential candidates, trump offered a doctor’s letter—the equivalent of the ten-year-old’s note to his teacher saying “Jimmy is xqused from skool today. I am sick.” Obviously…not tellin.’
Contributors: How about disclosing who’s contributing to his inauguration extravaganza—something our last three presidents have done before being sworn in? No way, not tellin.’
trump is "one of the most secretive presidential candidates
in modern history."
Cabinet Nominees: Shouldn’t they be providing Congress with all the customary background materials to clarify any offenses or potential conflicts of interest they might have? Once again, not tellin.’
White House Media Access: Perhaps most chilling of all, trump wants to ban from the White House any reporters who might force him to stop not tellin.’
There are many, many other shady—a better word would be opaque—areas of trump’s dealings, from his claimed charitable giving, to his business practices, to his behavior toward women…the list is long.
So, this is the man a disgruntled minority of American voters say they love for his openness and candor. The man they’ve entrusted with the hardest, most nuanced job in the world. The man who’s supposed to represent the interests and values of this country around the world. The man with his finger on the nuclear trigger. So what will trump do with all that power?
Clearly, there’s no telling.
John Wonderlich, executive director of the Sunlight
Foundation, which advocates for more openness in
government, calls trump one of the most secretive
presidential candidates in modern history.
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
THE LINE – When Sweet Talk Turns to Abuse
trump
supporters: Maybe you admit your president-elect’s not the kind of man
you’d want your daughter to date. Maybe there’s just a little lump in
your gut that tells you something’s not quite right with the lustful
recklessness of his moves on Lady Liberty. Still, you say, you want to
at least give the guy a chance.Okay, I get that. But, in the name of God, decide for yourselves—right now, as he already commits one mindless blunder after another—where you will draw the line on this guy’s conduct as your president.
If you're unable or unwilling to draw a moral
line in the sand, history amply proves despots
like trump will draw it for you.
Will the last straw be proof that trump and his family are profiting from decisions and influences affecting U.S. trade policy? An order to hand-select the White House press corps to exclude any whose questions make him uncomfortable?
Maybe evidence that another country—especially a sworn enemy of the United States—has influence over him, perhaps even controls him with the threat of blackmail? Connections to the Mafia? Indictment for a serious crime like tax evasion, election fraud, sexual assault or rape?
Decide!
Because if you’re unable or unwilling to draw a moral line in the sand, history amply proves despots like trump will draw it for you. And then you’ll soon have to make another decision: how to tell your children and grandchildren yours was the political movement that sat back and watched while America and all her precious, hard-won values got seduced from right under your nose by a fucking TV reality star. And how you just waited while this masher groped, denigrated and brutally defiled our virtuous nation like just another of his bimbo groupies.
Friday, January 13, 2017
Ten Simple Ways to Protest the Trump presidency
Are you feeling as frustrated and powerless as I am over the utter
absurdity, the absolute outrage of a Donald Trump presidency? Here are
ten simple acts of protest you can use against the soon-to-be
loose-cannon, reality-star president of the United States:
1. Refuse to capitalize the title of president in front of the man’s name.
2. Write or call your congressional representatives—whichever side of the aisle they call home—and tell them why you believe Trump’s self-serving, fear-mongering policies are an affront to the time-honored American Values you believe in, and for which so many of our countrymen have fought and died.
Call him out for his outrageous decisions, actions and
comments through whatever means at your disposal.
3. Get out and make a statement with your presence. Make a sign and stand on a busy street corner. Attend one of the inauguration day (and next-day) marches—in Washington DC or one of many other cities throughout the U.S. and around the world.
4. I was going to suggest flying your American flag upside down, but that would demean what the USA stands for, not what Trump stands for. So make your own simple flag or banner—duct tape will do nicely—with a big, bold “T” on it. Then hang that upside down.
5. Follow daily news reports of Trump’s outrageous decisions, actions and comments from sources known for some degree of journalistic integrity. Then call him out for them through whatever means at your disposal—conversations, social media, blogs, etc. (Fight the urge to react to all the man’s taunts—a reaction calculated by Trump and his misinformation squad to spread dissent so thin that it won’t be taken seriously. Pick one or two especially egregious missteps—for example, his refusal to release his tax returns—and go for depth and repetition rather than breadth.)
6. Put your money where your mouth is—by donating to Planned Parenthood, an environmental protection group, a refugee aid program or any organization you believe in which Trump has threatened to gut. Or don’t put your money where his mouth is, by boycotting Trump-related products or services, businesses that carry them, and sponsors of Trump’s media content. There’s even an APP for that.
Pray that this embarrassment to our great nation will
soon be brought down—as have so many tyrants before
him—by his own excesses.
7. Find and use a “Not My President!” shirt, banner or other public statement of your disgust with everything this charlatan stands for.
8. Use the #NotMyPresident hashtag in your social media posts.
9. Add something like “Latest Trump Embarrassment” as a Signature to appear automatically at the end of every email you send. Keep it up to date with the previous day’s biggest presidential blunder or blather.
10. Pray. Pray that this embarrassment to our great nation will soon be brought down—as have so many tyrants before him—by his own excesses. (Doing so, of course, in a spirit of loving kindness ;-), and realizing we must be Creation’s instruments in bringing about any such change.)
1. Refuse to capitalize the title of president in front of the man’s name.
2. Write or call your congressional representatives—whichever side of the aisle they call home—and tell them why you believe Trump’s self-serving, fear-mongering policies are an affront to the time-honored American Values you believe in, and for which so many of our countrymen have fought and died.
Call him out for his outrageous decisions, actions and
comments through whatever means at your disposal.
3. Get out and make a statement with your presence. Make a sign and stand on a busy street corner. Attend one of the inauguration day (and next-day) marches—in Washington DC or one of many other cities throughout the U.S. and around the world.
4. I was going to suggest flying your American flag upside down, but that would demean what the USA stands for, not what Trump stands for. So make your own simple flag or banner—duct tape will do nicely—with a big, bold “T” on it. Then hang that upside down.
5. Follow daily news reports of Trump’s outrageous decisions, actions and comments from sources known for some degree of journalistic integrity. Then call him out for them through whatever means at your disposal—conversations, social media, blogs, etc. (Fight the urge to react to all the man’s taunts—a reaction calculated by Trump and his misinformation squad to spread dissent so thin that it won’t be taken seriously. Pick one or two especially egregious missteps—for example, his refusal to release his tax returns—and go for depth and repetition rather than breadth.)
6. Put your money where your mouth is—by donating to Planned Parenthood, an environmental protection group, a refugee aid program or any organization you believe in which Trump has threatened to gut. Or don’t put your money where his mouth is, by boycotting Trump-related products or services, businesses that carry them, and sponsors of Trump’s media content. There’s even an APP for that.
Pray that this embarrassment to our great nation will
soon be brought down—as have so many tyrants before
him—by his own excesses.
7. Find and use a “Not My President!” shirt, banner or other public statement of your disgust with everything this charlatan stands for.
8. Use the #NotMyPresident hashtag in your social media posts.
9. Add something like “Latest Trump Embarrassment” as a Signature to appear automatically at the end of every email you send. Keep it up to date with the previous day’s biggest presidential blunder or blather.
10. Pray. Pray that this embarrassment to our great nation will soon be brought down—as have so many tyrants before him—by his own excesses. (Doing so, of course, in a spirit of loving kindness ;-), and realizing we must be Creation’s instruments in bringing about any such change.)
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