Autism on the Rise, Polio Waiting in the Wings, and Our Next Stop is Leech Therapy

 I fully believe vaccines cause autism. It's another example of crimes against humanity. And innocent babies, children, and their families are the victims. 

Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-GA

Of course Ms Taylor Greene believes a lot of things. In the past she has blamed wildfires in California on Zionist controlled space lasers. More recently she told anyone who would listen that unknown persons were spying on her through her television set. She knew this she said, because a momentary glitch in her TV allowed her to see one of them at his lap top peering in at her. 

Despite the Congresswoman's vast scientific, technical, and medical knowledge there are many who disagree with her assessments.

An article in Scientific American also addresses autism and why the number of cases world wide, not just the United States is on the rise. First off, the publication notes, "There is no blood test, brain scan, or any other objective test that can diagnose autism---although researchers are actively trying to develop such tests.  Clinicians rely on observations of a person's behavior to diagnose the condition. In other words whether your kid has autism, or not is completely up to the doctor who sees him, or her. You know--the same sort of people MTG and others say are lying to us about the connection between vaccines and autism. 

Then Scientific American tells us what that diagnosis is based on. "The criteria are problems with social communication and interactions and restricted interests or repetitive behaviors. Both of these core features must be present in early development." 

Excuse me, but by those standards practically every kid in the world who hits puberty has it. I mean I'm no more of a medical expert than our little Marjie, or RFK Jr, but that sure sounds like what happens during that weird and awkward time when the hormones kick in.   

In conclusion, the magazine notes, "The rise in the rates (of autism) have sparked fear of an autism epidemic. But experts agree the bulk of that increase stems from a growing awareness of autism and changes to the condition's diagnostic criteria."

That's right you silly sons of bitches, it isn't the vaccines, it's the people diagnosing the fucking condition.  

In the previous century children were considered simply slow, or a little strange, or, more cruelly, just plain dumb. Now parents can tell friends and relatives, "No, it's not my child's fault he isn't doing well in school and he acts withdrawn and odd, he has autism. And it is because of those damn vaccines. That's what Marjorie Taylor Greene says anyway."

Unfortunately for the nation loons like MTG aren't the only ones out there going after vaccines.  Robert Kennedy Jr. will be in charge of the nation's healthcare in a shade over a month. To say he is a vaccine skeptic is to put it mildly. One of his advisors is a guy name Aaron Siri. He isn't a doctor either (none of these hacks are), but rather a lawyer. A while back he petitioned the federal government in an attempt to get rid of the polio vaccine.

Now, there is a reason there are scads of people born after the 1950's have never heard of polio. However, in post WWII America it was perhaps the most feared disease in the land. By the late 1940's and early 1950's it had reached pandemic proportions. Polio had spread so much that those of us who are a certain age can tell you we all knew someone who had it. In fact, practically every school had at least two, or three students roaming the halls on crutches, or in wheelchairs because of it. They were the lucky ones, the survivors.

A man named Jonas Salk developed the earliest vaccine for polio. It not only worked, it worked so well public school districts mandated their students must get inoculated in order to attend classes. In less than a decade a disease which had killed tens of thousands of children and adults and crippled an equal number was for all practical purposes eradicated.   

The other day when the news hit that Siri was RFK Jr's pal people went what can best be described as, ape shit. This was and is insanity taken to the nth degree. Even many republicans were appalled. So much so Bobby Jr had to tell the public not to worry, he was all for the polio vaccine. A statement which is akin to saying he is in favor of people breathing while they're alive. 

And that America is how far down the rabbit hole we have gone. The guy who is going to be in charge of the nation's health just had to reassure people he won't throw out a vaccine which has been effective for nearly three quarters of a century.

Welcome to the 21st century United States. We have freely elected a bunch of carnival barkers who are determined to convince us it isn't science; it's the deep state trying to kill us all. 

Ladies and gentlemen, at this rate our next stop will be the application of leeches.

`12-17-24

Luigi Mangione, America's Latest Celebrity Du Jour

 It appears America has a new folk here. Of course, we are a weird and violent lot. Which partially explains why we elected a convicted felon and known sexual predator as President. So, one can suppose it's understandable why the nation's newest celebrity du jour is currently sitting in a Pennsylvania prison awaiting extradition to New York on charges of murder. 

At first glance, or maybe several, Luigi Mangione hardly seems like the type of guy who morphs into a champion of the lower and middle classes. He is the son of privilege, Baltimore, MD royalty as it were. He attended a prestigious, private, all boys prep school before attending Donald Trump's alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania. He graduated from both institutions with honors and received a degree in computer engineering from Penn. Since then he held a job, or two, but has lived in places like Honolulu and San Francisco, presumably on his parent's dime. Some time in there, or maybe even before, he started having back problems which reputedly put him in a lot of pain almost constantly.

Although the pain didn't deter him from spending time surfing in Hawaii, it apparently really pissed young Mr. Mangione off. Unlike normal people, he didn't start eating opioids like M&Ms on a daily basis. Instead, on the morning of December 4th Luigi Mangione opened fire on UnitedHealthcare CEO, Brian Thompson who was entering a mid-town Manhattan hotel. When Mangione pulled the trigger of his 3-D printed weapon, Thompson was walking away from him. In other words, he shot the CEO--a husband and father of two--in the back.

Ah yes, quite the hero. 

At the scene police found three shell casings, each bearing a one-word message. Reports differ some, but most say the words were, "delay, depose, deny."  Even before his name became public it was clear had a cause and a message to send.  That message was equally clear. Fuck big heath care providers!

Indeed, Luigi Mangione might not be a Joe the plumber type, but he certainly hit one of Joe's exposed and raw nerves. No one, except health care provider employees, and perhaps their stockholders, like the corporations in control of American's health insurance. The commonly held opinion, which too many times is correct, being if it comes down to either your health care, or their bottom line, you will become expendable.  So, while Brian Thompson might have personally been a decent man the business he was running is not. For many, no matter if their grievances are real, or imagined, his murder was not a heinous crime, but rather cold-blooded payback, pure and simple.

As of yesterday, a web site collecting donations to help pay for Mangione's legal defense team had collected right at $50,000. Most of the contributions are under $100. Some are accompanied by messages, such as, "As someone who has lost abilities and opportunities due to medical issues I support Luigi 100%. People are stripped of voices and failed by systems that are meant to support us. From the bottom of my heart, thank you." Another read in part, "Karma comes in different ways, sometimes you have to speed up the process. You are not a villain. Keep your head up, kid." The same sort of stories and comments are currently popping up all over social media.   

Since this is the United States it didn't take long for any number of people to figure out there was and is a buck to be made off of the murder of Brian Thompson. All over the internet different sites and companies have begun hawking hoodies, tee-shirts, car decals, coffee mugs and other items which read things like, "Deny, Defend, Depose." Not an exact quote from the shell casings, but then you never know if someone already owns the rights to them--hey, stuff happens fast in this country. Some of the goods have a knockoff of the UnitedHealthcare logo and some of it has the words, "Free Luigi." Amazon had a variety of the merchandise for a while, but has since suspended their sales of it. Other sites are, presumably, doing a brisk business selling frustration, rage, and murderous hatred.

Reports today are that Luigi Mangione never had health insurance through UnitedHealthcare. Brian Thompson's company never, "delayed, deposed, or denied," him anything. The corporate CEO was assassinated because, well, United is really big and the odds are they actually have screwed somebody over lately. Or, as a WWII movie character once said, "There are no good Germans."

That's what someone will say. Right now there is ample evidence there are plenty of volunteer witnesses willing to testify just that.

CBS reports that when Mangione was taken into a Pennsylvania courthouse for his first appearance he shouted to the cameras that his arrest was, "an insult to the intelligence of the American people." 

Sorry pal, but you can't insult something that doesn't exist. As soon as one of those coffee mugs, or hoodies sold we proved it. 

sic vita est

12-13-24

Loyalty Oaths by Any Other Name as the Plan Comes Together

 I swear I will be faithful and obedient to the leader of the German Reich and people, Adolf Hitler, to observe the law and to conscientiously fulfill my official duties, so help me God.

The oath which was required of every German civil servant between the years 1934 and 1945. 

Those of us who have even a rudimentary knowledge of history--a statedly shrinking number in this country--know how well those 11 years turned out for Germany, not to mention European Jews. Of course there will be some out there who say, "There you go again, comparing Donald Trump to Adolf Hitler. You're just another liberal fear monger Even Bill Maher says Trump isn't a Nazi." 

Yeah, well, Maher might think that, but, then he also agrees with Bobby Kennedy Jr. when it comes to the medical establishment, so his opinion is sometimes, let's say, questionable. The New York Times is reporting that it has talked to at least nine different people who have interviewed for various jobs in the new Trump administration. All of them told the paper that once they got past the early stages of the process (You know, like can they speak English, read, write, use a phone without help) they were asked questions about the January 6th insurrection, their voting records, and the validity of the 2020 presidential election. All of them said that if the answers didn't agree exactly with what Trump has been bellyaching about the last four years, they didn't get the jobs.

In other words, anyone who said the events of January 6th and the violence who accompanied it were bad things plus those who even hinted Joe Biden really did win the 2020 election were all shown the door. No, it wasn't an actual oath, but it might as well have been one. That's right pal, it's either Trump Uber Alles, or hit the bricks.   

The Independent reports Charlie Kirk is the lead interrogator when it comes to candidates vying for national intelligence and  pentagon positions. Kirk's main qualification for the spot seems to be he is co-founder of Turning Point USA and a media personality. His lack of military and intelligence is apparently outweighed by his status as a MAGA, "influencer," and his complete fealty to the incoming, Leader. Such is the make up of Donald Trump's transition team. 

Back in March of this year Trump had posted on social media that  members of the January 6th Congressional committee which investigated the attempted coup, "should be prosecuted for their lies and, quite frankly, TREASON!" At the time Trump apologists tried to write off the post as, Trump just being Trump. Sunday on NBC he spoke about the committee again, saying, "Everybody on that committee...for what they did, yeah, honestly, they should go to jail." 

Well it would seem Trump is still, being Trump. Now, though, he has nominated just the woman and man for the job, Pam Bondi and Kash Patel. And thanks to people like Charlie Kirk and Don Jr. we know neither of them will be queasy when it comes to ignoring things like, free speech and the Constitution of the United States--their complete loyalty to him is assured.

Former GOP Congressman, Adam Kinzinger, who served on the committee was defiant, at least for now. He wrote, "Bring it on." Then added Trump was, "re-writing history and playing the victim." The only other republican on the committee, Liz Cheney accused Trump of an, "assault on the rule of law and the foundations of our republic." 

That's brave talk, especially since the American electorate just demonstrated they whole heartedly approve of Donald Trump's assaults the rule of law and foundations of our republic. Hell, they like it when he does. It's why they voted for the son of a bitch in the first place, for God's sake. 

Yes, Donald John Trump really is planning to go on an all-encompassing, "Revenge Tour, 2025."  Right now, as we approach that day, he is putting together his version of the fictional, "A-Team," to successfully pull it off. 

And as these words are being typed, Donald Trump must be down at Mar A Lago, thinking exactly what, the leader of the A-Team, Hannibal Smith, said to the cameras almost every episode. "I love it when a plan comes together." 

12-9-24 

You Are Who Dr. Gina Says You Are...No Matter What

 Now that the American electorate has embraced all its racial and ethnic phobias it hasn't taken long for the right wing media machine to exploit them. The latest example comes from one, Gina Louden, PhD. She goes by the moniker, Dr. Gina during her various media appearances. (I blame my old Jr. High classmate, Phil McGraw for all this Doctor/first name shit.) Louden's primary media residence is a far right cable TV network, Real America's Voice. where she hosts, "Dr. Gina Prime Time." 

The other day she let her audience in on what she thought of the recent movie release, "Wicked." It is a film adaptation of a successful Broadway musical and a prequel of sorts to the, "Wizard of Oz." It' also happens to be a box office smash which Gina Louden's career is not. (Oh, please. Will everyone who has ever heard of, "Dr. Gina Prime Time," or the network, "Real America's Voices," raise their hands now.)

Louden told her viewers, "I saw it, but I was very excited at the idea of seeing the interrelation of this. But I should have known it's Holly-weird. I should have known they'd try to make it woke in the ways they could think of. Let's just start with the fact that they have Ariana Grande, who is obviously Hispanic playing a ditzy blonde white really villain when it comes right down to it, for this particular movie. The racism and the racial appropriation, I just thought was offensive, frankly."  

First things first. Now we know why Gina Louden's gig is on a place called, "Real America's Voices." Eloquence is not her strong point. In fact, it appears the English language in any form isn't either. Be that as it is, she did touch on a pillar of America's modern racist theology. That white Americans are the victims in the age of wokism. That a vast cabal of liberal elites are out to obliterate white culture--whatever that might be. In other words, the fears and racism of white people are justified because The Others are out to get them. And while that list of Others is a really long one, suffice it to say we can generally boil it down to everyone who didn't vote for Donald J. Trump.

But we digress. It didn't take long for the responses to come flooding in. Many pointed out that, as the fans of Ariana Grande (full name, Ariana Grande-Butera) already knew, the singer/songwriter/actress isn't, "obviously Hispanic," at all. She was born in Boca Raton, FL and she, her parents, and her brother are all Italian-American. Her ancestors were Sicilian and Abruzzese. That puts her family a little over 1,700 miles away from Spain, the nearest, "Hispanic," outpost. 

Normally an oops would be appropriate, however it's highly doubtful Gina Loudon is interested in such details. Hell, she might have even known Ariana Grande is of Italian descent. What we do know for sure is Louden was convinced her audience didn't know. And that's what counts. Grande sounds Hispanic to the average tone-deaf American ear and those fuckers are pouring across the border willy=nilly. They are everywhere and they are, as Donald Trump says, poisoning the blood of the nation.

Plenty of people have spoken about Gina Louden's racial and ethnic stupidity. But, since she's MAGA through and through she will never acknowledge her mistake, at least not publicly. She will just move on to the next perceived grievance her audience wants to use as an excuse to revel in their racism. The yokels who watch her show will never see any news which shows how wrong Louden was and even if they did they'll just write it off as more woke lies.  

That's where the nation is at now. It doesn't matter if Ariana Grande is Italian, or not. What matters is what the Gina Loudens of the MAGA world say she is. 

No, it doesn't make any sense, but at this moment it is enough to make me thankful my last name ends in a consonant.  

12-3-24     

Ryan Walters Learns the Nature of Trump's Game

 As the month and year draw to a close it looks as if the United States of America is marching down the twisted road straight into the reality envisioned by Margaret Atwood in her novel, "A Handmaid's Tale." Sort of anyway. Trump, himself, is too much of a libertine to personally participate in the immanent evangelical Christian lock down. His interest in infusing public education with militant Christian values and restricting women's health care is based not in any theological belief system--it's highly doubtful he even has one--but rather his own aggressive, all consuming, greed and ambition.    

All of which might explain why Oklahoma's own Christian Nationalist Superintendent of Public Instruction, Ryan Walters didn't land the job he really wanted, U.S. Secretary of Education. Walters did everything he could to get the nomination, up to and including the attempted offer of an outright bribe. How else do you describe his attempt to make sure the 50,000 plus bibles Walters wants to put into Oklahoma public school classrooms would come from a company Trump gets a cut from? The only reason the plan fell apart was that it was so fucking obvious even Oklahoma republicans were too embarrassed to support it. 

The truth is Walters was never going to get the job, even if the sale had been made. That's because while Donald Trump might need the votes and money of evangelical flamers he doesn't want any of them that close to him. Oh, they can come into the Oval Office now and then to pray for him, to lay hands on him--although one has the feeling that truly creeps him out--but once the photo-op is over he wants them out of there. They, in fact, are like wounded and disabled military vets to him. They make a man of his consequence free lifestyle queasy.

So now we have former pro wrestling empresario, Linda McMahon nominated as secretary of a department, that if Trump keeps his promise, won't exist in a year, or two. And Ryan Walters won't have a Trump stamp of approval on his resume when he runs for Oklahoma's governorship in 2026. It isn't exactly what Walters wanted, but it's less than likely Donald Trump cares. Oklahoma is so firmly in his pocket whoever gets the GOP nomination for the seat will be a Trump loyalist. The state is so tight in his grip that while he might not get away with shooting someone in New York--he'd probably get a stiff fine--he could easily do so anywhere west of Oklahoma City and south of Norman. 

Indeed, Donald Trump, rather like his pal, Vladimiir Putin is more interested in power for power's sake. And, let's face it, the Christian Nationalist takeover of public education and women's health care on a national scale, is probably going to take a while. They are both, as they say, long term projects.

 In the meantime, he has large segments of the media to deal with first. Beyond making a lot of noise about immigrants, his first priorities will be cutting off all funding for NPR and facilitating Elon Musk's purchase of MSNBC. That's right, you liberal scum, if there is going to be news, by God it is going to be pro Trump and anti everyone else news. His philosophy no doubt being, he is fine with letting the little people--rubes like Ryan Walters--brainwash kids and Christian fanatics causing a few thousand women to die needlessly on a yearly basis, so long as he is in charge of the world's newest kleptocracy.         

After all, Donald Trump is a bottom-line guy. He really doesn't see the country in terms of religion. He isn't here to convert the heathens, or to make sure everyone is good. He is here to exercise total power for as long as he lives and while he is at it make as much money as possible for himself and his family. 

That, in the end, to paraphrase the lyric, is the nature of his game. 

11-29-24

The Majority Gets Exactly What it Wanted

 There are currently some of the talking heads on MSBC, CNN, and other outlets who have expressed horror and dismay at Donald Trump's cabinet nominees and administrative picks. The quick response to their shock and disgust is, what the fuck did you expect? The man is simply delivering on the things he promised during the 2024 Presidential campaign. He is, ultimately, giving the American electorate exactly what they voted for.

That's right, a majority of American voters--although an increasingly slim majority--wanted to see the nation's institutions burned to the ground. You don't hire sane, or even reasonable people to accomplish a job that big. You go out and get the most cruel, corrupt, sociopaths and deviants available. None of them need to be even remotely qualified, or ethical. The only true requirement is having complete and undying loyalty to, The Leader, Donald John Trump. Well, that and a real taste for arson.

Of course, as he just learned even Donald Trump can take it a step too far. He certainly did when he nominated then Congressman Matt Gaetz to the office of Attorney General. Gaetz had two big problems though. The first was Congressional knowledge of his ecstasy and cocaine fueled Bunga-Bunga parties which featured barely legal and in one alleged case underage girls. Second, no one, either democrat, or republican could stand him. He was, reportedly, one of the most hated people in Congress. In fact, his only pal on the hill might have been Marjorie Taylor Greene who is also considered persona non grata on both sides of the aisle. Gaetz might have been able to survive the drugs, sex, and rock and roll, after all Donald Trump has more than a few times, but to paraphrase Lloyd Benson's old line, Matt Gaetz is no Donald Trump. 

Yes, scores of GOP members of the House and Senate might not like Trump in private, but they are so frightened of him they would never go after him in public. None of them, however, are scared of a small-time obnoxious asshole like Matt Gaetz. Gaetz chose to withdraw rather than face the release of the House Ethics Committee report regarding his sordid behavior and some truly uncomfortable questions in a Senate confirmation hearing.

Trump seems on safer ground with his other nominees and appointments, at least with his base and Congressional republicans. Secretary of Defense nominee, Pete Hegseth's tattoos might be objectionable to the weenies of the left, especially the one which reads, "Deus Volt," which is popular among white nationalists. So might his steadfast belief that women shouldn't be allowed in combat, or command positions in the military--or probably anywhere else.  But hey, Americans just proved for a second time they agree with him. His serial philandering and the accusation of sexual assault won't slow him down either. Let's face it, in Trump's world that sort of behavior has come to be expected and, as we've learned in the last eight years, public figures don't commit rape, they simply don't take no for an answer. 

Linda McMahon's main contribution to American society and culture is that she and her husband Vince founded World Wrestling Entertainment, the outfit that gave us Hulk Hogan, Jake the Snake Roberts and so many others. She also might have facilitated the occasional act of child sex abuse by looking the other way, but nothing has been proven. Besides, if Trump gets his way, Secretary of Education is only a temporary job. 

TV's Dr. Mehmet Oz is along for the ride to help dismantle the Affordable Care Act, another promise of Trump's campaign. And, despite his bout with brain worms, Bobby Kennedy Jr is around to make sure no one gets a vaccine and there aren't any new ones developed. There are others, but space and time limitations prevent us from naming them all and describing their crimes and sexual, let's say, tastes.

And while the liberals in the media might act shocked and appalled, in the end, Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Schools Ryan Walters went on CNN the other day, (the man has an absolute uncanny ability to get on national TV) and put it succinctly. "Liberals," he said, "don't have to like it."

Indeed. America has spoken and these types of gruesome clowns are exactly the agents of chaos they voted to get. And now, by God, Donald Trump is going to make sure his supporters and the rest of us get it.                

11-22-24

The Gospel According to Ryan: Play My Video, or Else

 We are in dangerous times for this country. Student's rights and freedoms regarding religious are continuously under assault. The newly created Department of  Religious Liberty and Patriotism will be working to thwart any attempts to disrupt our Oklahoma Student's fundamental freedoms.  

In one of the first steps of the newly created department, we are requiring all of Oklahoma schools to play the attached video to all kids who are enrolled. We are also requiring that school districts send this video to all parents as well. 

Ryan Walters' email attached to the video sent to every Oklahoma school district.

Ah yes, nothing says freedom quite like, "requiring," young people and their parents to watch what amounts to a political propaganda film. Of course, we should expect this sort of Orwellian logic from now on. Indeed, now that America has jumped gleefully headfirst into the post-democracy era political and pseudo-Christian edicts are going to become common place. 

It doesn't matter to Ryan Walters if his proclamation is legal, or not In fact, the Oklahoma Attorney General's office almost immediately sent out a email of their own saying it isn't. All that matters to Ryan Walters is that his guy won the Presidency and now he gets to do whatever the fuck he wants--besides it is just a matter of time and some legislative chicanery before it does become legal. That's what happens when you're on a roll.

Walters went on CNN Friday to agree with his Lord and Keeper, Donald Trump that the U.S. Department of Education should be abolished. According to the Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction, America was better off without it and in truth, we were better off with one room schools located in towns with no paved streets, running water, and electricity. You know, the good old days. 

The Walters' demand, for now anyway, has been met with some resistance. Eight of the state's largest school districts have flatly refused to force their students to watch Ryan's right-wing screed and moment of patriotic prayer which was titled, "A Prayer for the Nation.". (His lead in was: Students are encouraged, but not required to join me in this prayer.) The school districts of Bixby, Edmond, Moore, Mid-Del, Mustang, Norman, Tulsa, and Yukon all refused to show the video. The Oklahoma City Public School District put off their decision until early this coming week. 

All the districts rebelling probably didn't accomplish anything except prove to Walters he was right. In his pre-prayer address he warned students and parents alike about the threat from, "the radical left." Then he told the kiddies, mommies, and daddies, "Wave also seen patriotism mocked and a hatred for this country pushed by woke teachers unions."   

Oklahoma state Representative, Jacob Rosecrants (D-Norman) was moved to say, "This is true indoctrination and ignores local control at every level." Moore republican Representative, Mark McBride was quoted as saying, "We've got such a deficiency in reading and mathematics. These are the things in public education I think we should be focusing on and not a culture war." 

Well, Ryan Walters has never concerned himself with actual academics. He is far too busy spending state education funds to PR agencies to promote himself than things like that. Hey, it's more fun making a splash in the news, both local and national, than it is to improve public education. Especially when your real aim is to turn the public school system into a network of Christian nationalist madrasas. 

That's right baby, we're going to make everyone a soldier of Christ whether they like it, or not. And we're not talking about any namby-pamby Christ either. We're talking about the Christ who wears a red MAGA hat and takes no prisoners. A real man's Christ.

And while we're at it true believers, just ignore Matthew 6: 5-6 which in part tells us, "And when you pray you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners that they be seen by others. Truly I say to you they have received their reward. But when you pray go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." 

It is not part of the current agenda.  

11-17-24

Carina Saunders, Kelsey Bransby, and Alina Fitzpatrick: 13 Years After the Autumn of the Lost Girls

13 years ago things had gone darkly sideways in the Oklahoma City metro area. Within a single month Three teenaged girls were murdered. It began when the dismembered remains of Carina Saunders were found by animal control officers searching a field for feral cats. Then on October 27th authorities found Kelsey Bransby shot in the face in her far southwest side apartment. She died a short  while later at a hospital. Finally, the nude body of Alina Fitzpatrick was discovered in weed filled lot near NE 43rd and Anderson Rd on the east side of town. 

Saunders' gruesome murder was and remains the most sensational of the three, at least in the local media. From the very outlet in the city engaged in a months long feeding frenzy. The chum was in the water thanks in large part to the complete incompetence of the Bethany, OK police department. Most of Saunders' body had been found stuffed into a bag in their jurisdiction. The Bethany PD investigation was, for all practical purposes, conducted in public. The names, of both suspects and potential witnesses were released to the media almost as soon as they were identified, as were clues and possible clues. Some leads were solely based on the tales of jail house snitches. After being named in both the print and televised news witnesses changed their stories, denied ever saying anything to the Bethany cops, and began to scatter. Suspects were charged, but eventually released, and finally the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation took over the case, but by then it had gone cold. It remains that way as these words are being typed.

It turned out Kelsey Bransby was shot by an acquaintance, Cole Hopper. Hopper and his girlfriend, Danielle Cooley had dropped by for a chat and to get high. Hopper also brought along a handgun, which he liked to play with while stoned to the gills. That day, at some point, he pointed it at Kelsey Bransby while fooling around and it, of course, went off. Ms. Bransby wasn't killed outright by the shot, but her two, "friends," fled the scene, leaving her mortally wounded and alone in her apartment. Bransby died a day, or two later. By May of 2012 Hopper and Cooley had been arrested in connection with her death. 

On November 4, 2011 Alina Fitzpatrick was dropped off by someone near the intersection of NW 24th and Western Ave. It was around 10pm on a Friday night. The name of the person who gave her the ride has never been made public. Rumors floated around the media Alina had been worried about an unidentified man following her and receiving disturbing calls on her cell phone. So much so it was reported she had changed its number earlier. All these reports came from anonymous sources. After her body was found on November 9th precious little was reported by the local media. A lot of that may have had to do with the Oklahoma City Police Department who was conducting the investigation. Unlike the Bethany cops in the Saunders' case, the OKCPD appeared to know how real police work was done. 

Unfortunately, those same police, in the end, simply gave up. The end came quickly after Alina Fitzpatrick's autopsy report came back showing a sufficient amount of meth in her system which might have been enough to cause her death. That her body was found nude, littered with abrasions, other signs of a beating and evidence of blunt force trauma to the head didn't matter. Neither did the fact she was found with a gag stuffed in her mouth. Since none of her obvious wounds were enough to kill her, the obvious conclusion was she had OD'd. The state Medical Examiner ruled her death to be, "suspicious." but refused to call it a homicide. It was at that point it seemed the OKC police wrote her murder--because that's what it was--off and closed the books on it.

In some ways the fall of 2011 doesn't seem that far in the past. In other ways it seems like a completely different age. To put it in perspective, Barack H. Obama was still serving his first term as President. Donald Trump was halfway through his run as co-producer and host of the TV show, "The Apprentice." Cole Hopper got nine years for manslaughter. The Oklahoma Department of Corrections lists him as being released but doesn't specify when. The state DOC shows Daniell Cooley is currently an inmate at a facility in Taft, OK, presumably for unrelated charges. In their prison ID photos both are smiling broadly.          

If Kelsey Bransby and Carina Saunders were alive today, they'd be 32 years old. Alina Fitzpatrick would have been 30.  It is doubtful anyone will be charged in her death. Speaking of Fitzpatrick's case, former Oklahoman reporter, Matt Dinger put it this way, "The police have little confidence they'll ever solve it."

Indeed, one crime was investigated by publicity hungry idiots. The second was committed by the equivalent of a drugged-out Boris Badenov and Natasha Fatale. And finally, when it came to Alina Fitzpatrick's death, the cops may have been competent, but ultimately, they just didn't give a shit.

sic vita est

11-11-24

America is Exactly What Donald Trump Thinks it is

 Someday Americans will elect the President they deserve and then, God help us all.

A quote attributed to H.L. Mencken.

Mencken was right and last night the day arrived. Donald J. Trump, a convicted felon, known sexual predator, congenital liar, and con man supreme is once again President of the United States of America. 

By every known metric Kamala Harris was the superior candidate. She is younger, smarter, actually make sense when she talks, and her campaign reached out to everyone. Trump, on the other hand, made little sense when he spoke, filled his rhetoric with hate, bigotry, xenophobia. and misogyny. Hell, in the last week of the campaign at one point he didn't even know what state he was in. 

Tragically, Harris had two problems she could not overcome. She was the wrong color and, perhaps more importantly, the wrong gender. Trump promised women he would protect them while Harris promised she would empower them. Harris attempted to appeal to men's reason, while Trumps' not so subtle message to them was, "Do you really want some liberal, know it all, estrogen filled, bitch running this country?" Too many men and women took the bait. 

Last night, unlike India, Israel, Germany, the UK and other nations Americans proved they will not elect a woman as the head of state, no matter how stupid and evil the alternative is. Now everything, including democracy as we know it, is at risk. Including those who opposed Donald Trump.

Today Politico published the names of those who are at the head of Trump's List.. They are, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, Letitia James, Arthur Engoron, Liz Cheney and everyone else on the Jan. 6th committee, Jack Smith, Alvin Bragg, Mark Milley, James Comey, Hunter Biden and, in fact the Biden family, Peter Strzok, Lisa Page, Adam Schiff, Mark Zukerberg, Mark Pomerantz, Michael Cohen, Michael Byrd, Jamaal Bowman, 51 U.S. intelligence,  officials who signed a letter about Hunter Biden's lap top, anyone he decides was in on 2020 election fraud, and last, but not least, the publisher and everyone who works for Politico. 

Look for the List to expend. If history teaches us anything, it's that the people who start purges never stop them, It's a paranoia thing. Just ask the ghosts of Herr Hitler and Joe Stalin. Once you start looking, it turns out enemies of the state are fucking everywhere.

Here in Oklahoma Donald Trump won all 77 counties, the vast majority of them easily. The only place it was even close was Oklahoma County, home to Oklahoma City. Harris came up 1.7% short. In counties to the west she was lucky to win even 10% of the votes cast. The landslide was so profound NBC called the state for Trump about five minutes after the polls closed. 

Nationally it wasn't a Trump mandate, although he will claim it is. He won 277 electoral votes, only seven more than bare minimum. In four years though, those numbers will be long forgotten, or more likely, erased from the books. There is no doubt that beginning on January 20th next year all recent history will be altered dramatically, or changed completely much like Orwell envisioned it being done in his novel, "1984" Think not? They've already morphed the January 6th insurrection into a, "peaceful transfer of power."      

Well, one supposes Canada is always an option, or perhaps Belize if a warmer climate is more appealing. Maybe even New Zealand, especially if you have a taste for grilled lamb chops.  

One thing we know for sure is that now Donald Trump is back in the White House the only way he will ever leave again is if he is carried out. That, to paraphrase a lyric, is "the nature of his game."

Two days ago I wrote Harris would win because I believed this country isn't what Donald Trump thinks it is. I was wrong. The nation is exactly what that corrupt autocratic bastard thinks it is--a place filled with gullible rubes, fascists, and cowards. And it is utterly repellent.

Or, as our pal H.L Mencken also said, "On some great and glorious day the plain folks of this land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."   

Little did Mencken suspect we'd do it not just once, but twice. I guess, like me, the old boy simply overestimated us.

11-6=24

The End is Here

 On this, the day before the 2024 Presidential election it is safe to say two things. First, no one, absolutely no one. knows how it is going to turn out. Second, the national news media, be it left leaning, or off on the right edge of the universe, is in a state of mass hysteria. Yes, we are talking about levels of anxiety so off the meter the talking heads have, for the most part, been reduced to high pitched babbling.

It is as if everyone from Sean Hannity and Laura Ingraham to Lawrence O'Donnell and Rachel Maddow are covering the Titanic disaster--broadcasting live from the top deck as the bow sinks beneath the black waters of the North Atlantic.

Indeed, the day of reckoning has arrived! THE END IS HERE!

The counting will begin in a little over 24 hours. Locations which will house those who do the actual tabulations in more than a few states have, thanks to the very real threat of violence, become well-armed fortresses. Drop off ballot boxes have been torched. Local election officials have received death threats both to themselves and their families. In swing states battalions of Trump supporters are vowing to show up at polling places to make sure there isn't any, "cheating," going on and if the need may arise intimidate anyone who doesn't look Trumpy enough.

In North Carolina and other states MAGA politicians have been pushing for the results of the election to be thrown out immediately so republican dominated state legislatures can hand the state's electors over to Trump within hours of the polls closing.

Their candidate is now running ads on national TV claiming if he doesn't win the nation will not only descend into economic chaos, but World War III. That's right, ladies and gentlemen, it is either Donald J. Trump, or the fucking apocalypse.

Meanwhile, liberals are squawking like flocks of panicked starlings. Did Harris do enough to attract this, or that demographic? What about Hispanic men? What about young black men? What about suburban women, will they truly recognize the existential threat to their health care? What about Muslim Americans? AARGHH! Can Kamala Harris win the one eyed, lefthanded vote? 

And everyone is screaming, "For God's sake, which polls are accurate?"

Here is a hint. None of them are. Like everything else Trump and his supporters touch, polls have been delegitimized since 2016. It was the first step toward claiming elections are, "rigged." 

 The country is deeply divided. It appears nearly half the electorate likes the idea of leaving all their problems in the hands of a would be autocrat who has no respect for the law and little, if any use, for democracy. The final truth is we are witnessing the death throes of the white male power structure which has been in place since the nation was founded. For the first time that power structure's continued existence is dependent on a convicted felon and known sexual predator. And tens of millions of Americans, of all colors are fine with it.

From here it looks like, Kamala Harris will be the next President of these United States. Not because of some demographic swing, or surge. She will win because I simply refuse to believe the nation is so far gone most of us have given up on decency, civility, and respect for the law altogether. She will win because this nation is not what Donald Trump thinks it is.

At least I hope and pray it isn't.

11-4-24

Eight Days to Go: You are Either with Trump, or You are on The List

 Do you think Donald Trump is a fascist? 

CNN host, Anderson Cooper

Yes, I do. Yes, I do.

Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, currently number one on The List 

While Donald Trump has never campaigned with any amount of dignity, restraint, or decency, up until now, Kamala Harris has tried to remain positive and with some sense of decorum, at least until now. However, with election day now right around the corner, Harris has shucked her gloves, much like a hockey player does at the start of one of those legendary, NHL gang fights on the ice.  

Harris waited to make that statement until after Trump's longest serving Chief of Staff, retired Marine General, John Kelly said publicly Trump, "meets the definition of a fascist." Kelly also related a quaint story about Trump wistfully telling him in the Oval Office he wished that he had generals who were as loyal as Hitler's was to him. Kelly had to let Big Don in on the truth--that Hitler's generals not only lost the war, but hated the guy to the point of plotting to assassinate him. It is unclear if these details made an impression on the former President, or not.

While this was going on, Donald Trump and his pals were out proving that the Vice President's assessment of his politics was spot on. 

In one of the most bizarre moments of a campaign chock full of bizarre moments Tucker Carlson opened for Trump at a Georgia rally. During his intro, Tuck compared those who oppose Trump to misbehaving children--specifically misbehaving adolescent girls. (Kamala Harris is a girl, get it?) According to Carlson even though these bad girls have been misbehaving, Daddy Don still loves them because they are his kids and is so magnanimous he allows them to live in his house. That little metaphor couldn't be any clearer. The nation is Trump's house. He owns it and it is only through his love and generosity that the rest of us are allowed to live here. Then the former Fox host went on:

"And when Dad gets home, you know what he says? You've been a bad girl, you've been a bad little girl and you're going to get a vigorous spanking right now. And no, it's not going to hurt me more than it hurts you. No it's not. I'm not going to lie. This is going to hurt you a lot more than it hurts me. And you earned this. You're getting a vigorous spanking because you've been a bad girl."

While it felt like we just found out more about Tucker Carlson's sexual fantasies than we'd like to know, the crowd embraced the tale. When Donald Trump, republican nominee for President hit the stage he was greeted with chants of, "Daddy Don," and "Daddy's home." The only positive thing anyone can take away from the whole scene was at least the audience wasn't chanting, "Sieg, Heil." 

Then came Trump's mega rally in New York City's Madison Square Garden. It was a six hour marathon filled with racist jokes, crude profanities, and vile name calling. All of which sounded like the sort of awful shit (Hey, I'm not running for President, or speaking on the behalf of someone who is, so I can say stuff like that.) you'd hear deep into a Ku Klux Klan keg party.  Our pal, Tucker Carlson was there once again. He called Kamala Harris, "The first Samoan/-Malaysian low IQ presidential nominee."  However, the headliner of the evening was an Austin, TX based, "comedian/podcaster," named, Tony Hinchcliffe. 

Hinchcliffe's monologue included this: "I don't know if you know this, but there's literally a a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now. I think it's called Puerto Rico." 

While most of the crowd laughed, right now it is unknown if any of the 400,000 plus Pennsylvania voters who are of Puerto Rican descent thought the, "joke," was funny. In fact, Hinchcliffe's remarks about Hispanics were so offensive (These Latinos love making babies, just know that they do.) even the Trump campaign distanced itself from them. Although it took them over five hours and probably someone pointing out they actually need to win Pennsylvania, before they did. 

Others spoke, including a republican pol named, David Rem, who called Kamala Harris, "the devil," and, "the antichrist," while waving around a large crucifix. Radio host, Sid Rosenberg seemed to be unstuck in time when he took the podium. His opened with, "She's some sick bastard that Hillary Clinton, huh? " 

Which brings us to the question, do any of these evil fucks have a grasp on reality? After all, there have been a number of times Trump himself seems to think he is running against either Obama, or Biden. One supposes he could be excused for these lapses. These days there are so many, "enemies within," and their numbers are growing by the minute, it is hard to keep track of them all. In fact, the toughest job in the Trump campaign might belong to the person who has to keep, The List, updated and accurate. 

There are eight days to go and both campaigns know crunch time is here. The race is a dead heat, which in itself paints an ugly portrait of the American electorate. Here at the end, Harris has turned from being the joyous warrior to negativity. At the same time Donald Trump is still the monster he has always been, but now he and his cadre of political and half assed celebrity supporters have scrapped all the dog whistles. They are now out there with bullhorns telling everyone exactly what they are and what they plan to do. Their pro autocratic message is being shouted loud and proud, to borrow a phrase.

Indeed, it has never been more crystal clear. In these last eight days of the 2024 campaign, you are either with Donald John Trump, or you are on, The List.

10-28-24

Donald Trump and the Political Soul of America

 USA FACTS says there are 36 million Americans who are registered republicans. The site admits the actual number is much higher than that because in a number of states party affiliation is not part of their voter public records. Given that tidbit of information we know there are a whole lot of republicans out there, not to mention registered independents who hang out in the right corner of political attic. 

The other day the results of a national poll conducted jointly by the Brookings Institution and the Public Religion Research Institute. It found 19%, or nearly seven million of those 36 million people believe, Donald J. Trump should, do whatever it takes, to return to power. That includes calling the election rigged and invalid if he loses.   

It goes downhill from there.

The poll also reveals 29% of republicans, around 10 million of the fuckers thinks True American patriots may have to resort to violence in order to, "save the country." The same is true of 16% of independents who participated in the poll. Things have gotten so far out of control even eight percent of the democrats who responded say the same thing. Another 12% believe Kamala Harris should reject the results of the election if she loses.

But wait, as the TV ads say, there is more. 41% of voters who primarily watch right wing news outlets think using political violence to achieve political goals is a legitimate idea. 30% of Fox News viewers believe the same thing. At the same time 28% of white evangelical Protestants are convinced those, "true patriots," will have to resort to violence to, "save the country," while 33% of Mormons do. When it comes to other demographics, 18% of Hispanic Catholics, 14% of black protestants, and 10% of American Jews feel the use of political violence is somehow justified. 

The president and founder of the Public Religion Research Institue, Robert Jones was quoted by Axios as saying, "I've been doing this for 20 years and these answers are keeping me up at night." 

Get in line, Bob.

For those who could be, or rather, should be terminally depressed and appalled by the results of the poll, there are two glimmers of light in the darkness. When it comes to the Supreme Court, 73% of everybody believes there should either be a mandatory retirement age, for the justices, or a set number of years they are allowed to sit on the court. And, 68% of those responding, despite their party affiliation, believed people should be allowed to receive any FDA approved medication, including so called, "abortion," pills through the mail.      

Still, these are just brief flashes of sanity in a nation that has seemingly gone mad. Just the other day Trump compared the conviction and incarceration of the January 6th insurrectionists to the internment of Japanese-Americans after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. (For those not up on actual history, the Japanese-Americans were thrown into prison camps without the benefit of a trial because they were--well--Japanese-Americans. The January 6th rioters were tried and convicted of violent crimes we all witnessed on national television.)

Nearly eight years ago when Don Trump first took office we all saw his outraged befuddlement when it dawned on him the national media, or at least segments of it, wasn't his PR department and Congress wasn't just a bunch of corporate toadies there tell him he was right about everything. That realization and the 2020 election defeat, not to mention some, let's say, legal problems, appear to have pushed him over the edge. His lifelong disdain for the laws of the land spread to everything the Constitution says and means.                             

These days, when Trump isn't playing the martyr, or accusing his opponent of committing crimes against humanity and nature, he likes to take credit for a lot of stuff he had nothing to do with--like he is the, "father of IVF." However, let us give credit where credit is due. When it comes to survey responses like the ones we've just seen it is easy to say, with all confidence, Donnie, my boy, this pro-violence shit is all your fault.   

There is no doubt he will proudly acknowledge what he has done. Indeed, this time around there won't be any screw ups. You see, The Big Orange Guy has laid the foundation for victory, no matter what. Who cares if the process cost many their political souls? This is party over nation, baby, ego uber alles.

Congratulations, Donald Trump! After only nine years in politics, you've managed to convince millions of Americans that democracy and the rule of law are, as you put it once about military service, "for suckers and losers."   That'll show those teachers who thought you'd never amount to anything. 

There are two weeks until the 2024 Presidential election. Thanks to Donald Trump, only God in heaven knows if there will be any more.

10-22-24    

Dancing With Don and Listening to Kamala

 In July, 1518 residents of the city of Strasbourg were struck by a sudden and seemingly uncontrollable urge to dance...According to historian, John Waller the explanation most likely concerns Sy. Vitus, a Catholic saint, who pious 16th century Europeans believed had the power to curse people with a dancing plague. 

Evan Andrews, writing for the History Channel

Yes, it would seem that terrible plague has returned. How else can you explain what the nation witnessed earlier this week at a pro Donald Trump, "town hall," meeting in Pennsylvania? Of course, the citizens of Stroudsburg danced without musical accompaniment, at least until city officials brought in a band after a few days of all that weird shit starting. At the Pennsylvania get together the music was there the whole time, thanks to candidate, turned dancing DJ, Donald John Trump.

The entire bizarre affair began shortly after a Trump supporter asked him what he would do to help small businesses. Trump's rambling answer, which was quite nearly incoherent, seemed to be that he would increase oil and gas production--despite the fact they are at all-time highs right now--making it cheaper for small businesses to operate. At least that's one interpretation, although there could be many others. At this point who really knows for sure? Within minutes the candidate looked at event emcee, South Dakota Governor, Kristi Noem (men admire her aim and dogs fear her name) telling her, "Who wants to listen to questions? A clear indication he was done. Then Trump demanded to hear his favorite tune, Pavarotti's version of, "Ava Maria." As it played, he began to sway to and fro, disorienting the crowd. You could see them asking themselves, should we stay? Should we leave? For God's sake will someone please tell us what the fuck is going on?  At one point Noem even thanked them for coming, seemingly ending the party.

Trump, however, refused to exit the stage, freezing them in place. Soon other songs were playing, including the gay anthem, "YMCA," to which Mr. Trump displayed his signature, "rocking out," move, the two handed horizontal fist pump--which satirist, Bill Maher has described as looking like the Donald is jerking off two guys at once.

The ghoulishly, demented, display went on for 39 minutes. Not as long as the dancing plague of Strasbourg--it lasted two months--but far too long for modern American sensibilities. (According to Andrews in order to get things back to normal in Strasbourg the authorities finally hauled the dancers off to a mountain top shrine to repent and pray for absolution. Something we know Donald Trump would never agree to, at least not without inciting a riot first.)   

Meanwhile, Kamla Harris was also in Pennsylvania, appearing at a rally which included over 100 GOP power types. More than a few of them had served in the pervious Trump administration and they all were adamant in their support of the Vice President and insistent that Donald Trump should never be allowed into the White House again. And that doesn't even count all the republicans and former republicans currently working for MSNBC who absolutely loathe the man.

The next day, Mr. Trump showed up in front of The Economic Club of Chicago. He was questioned by Bloomberg editor-in-chief, John Micklethwait. Micklethwait proved himself to be a persistent son of a bitch, by time and time again demanding Trump actually answer the questions asked, not the ones he was apparently making up in his own head. 

Afterward the candidate complained Micklethwait was hostile and biased. At the same time his son, Eric was telling Fox's Senan Hannity his dear old dad was at the top of his game and had the Chicago audience eating out of his hand. He also bellyached that the, "liberal media," never held Harris accountable for her lies. 

 Kamala Harris' answer to Trump the younger was to show up on Fox itself.  Last night, she entered the lair of the beast, so to speak. She appeared on Fox for a one on one interview with Trump shill, Bret Baier. Amid a barrage of aggressive questions and interruptions she held her own. At one point she temporarily, at least, shut Baier up when she pointed out the clip he showed of Trump had been carefully edited, omitting many of his damning words. After a moment of stunned silence Baier moved on to another subject. 

Trump, on the other hand, was holding another town hall, this time hosted by the Spanish language network, Univision. Today we learned from the former head of the network the audience had been hand picked by Trump's campaign and the agreement was no fact checking. In other words, Don Trump could run wild with the craziest shit imaginable, completely unattached to the truth. Which is exactly what he did.

There are less than three weeks left until election day, actually not even that since early voting has already begun in many states. The democratic candidate is out there taking chances, getting endorsed by former Trump officials, and answering tough questions posed by members of her opposition. The republican candidate refuses to get involved in another debate, much of the time speaks gibberish, and inexplicably performed a ghastly marathon version of St. Vitus' Dance which MSNBC found so utterly weird they showed it in its entirety. 

For those wondering why this election is even close we have two clues. First, despite the evasions and rambling answers in Chicago, when it came to immigration and tax cuts the crowd remained enthusiastic. And, after dancing with Donald for over a half an hour in Pennsylvania one supporter euphorically told a reporter, "It felt like I was in his living room with him."  

The sum of both those observations translates into two things. First, despite his obvious mental instability and cognitive disintegration, Donald Trump still might end up President once again. And two, no one who is sane, or at least has good taste, should ever want to be in his living room with him when the music comes on.

10-17-24

Democrats and the Green Menace

 Not quite a quarter of a century ago a Presidential election was so close it was decided by a painfully long recount in the state of Florida. Fortunately, that was back during a time when Presidents and candidates actually respected the constitution. Bill Clinton's second term was up and unlike some these days, he knew it was his duty to give up the highest office in the land. His Vice President, Al Gore was the democratic candidate and Texas Governor, George W. Bush represented the republicans. 

The entire election was so breathtakingly tight in Florida, on election night at least one major TV network called the state for Gore, but then rescinded their call. As the votes were counted and recounted chaos ensued. There were problems with the ballots, which were marked by punching holes next to the names of whoever you were voting for. However, the system really didn't work. It was confusing to many because the names didn't line up right. On other ballots the holes weren't complete enough to be read correctly by the counting machines. Confusion reigned and all of America became familiar with a new term, "hanging chads." Before it was over the Florida results ended up in front of the United States Supreme Court. 

When the legal dust settled George Bush won Florida by a little over 500 votes and therefore the Presidency. Despite some grumbling about republican, post election hanky-panky Gore accepted the results and early in 2021 he sat in the Senate and presided over the certification and a peaceful transfer of power. Again, this all happened back in those quaint days before the arrival of dictatorial wannabe assholes and run amok gangs of thugs carrying cans of bear spray.   

So much so after the election, the anger of most democrats wasn't focused on the Bush campaign and some of his supporters who acted wildly inappropriately in the days during the recounts, but rather, the green party candidate, Ralph Nader. Nader had run as, "alternative," to Gore and Bush, attempting to appeal to far left eco-activists who weren't satisfied with what they perceived was the pro industrial policies of both men. In other words these rubes found both Gore and Bush too far right to be acceptable.

In that election, which was decided by one tenth of one percent, Ralph Nader received 1.65% of the vote. In raw numbers he got 97,488 votes. To this day, there isn't a democrat around who lived through those gut wrenching weeks, or the subsequent eight years of Bush rule who doesn't blame Ralph Nader and the green party for the loss. 

All of which explains why veteran members of the democratic party get a serious case of the cold sweats during a close election in a state which has a green party candidate on the ballot. It also explains their tendency to sometimes overreact in close run situations when a green candidate is running--for no other reason, at least in their minds, than to really fuck things up.

This election cycle the green party is running Dr. Jill Stein. She is on the ballots in every battle ground state, plus many which aren't. This morning, on a national cable news network the Harris campaign began running ads which showed, Donald Trump saying he likes, Jill Stein (no real context is provided) and telling potential Stein voters that voting for her is, in effect, a vote for Donald Trump. It is a sure sign the people in charge of the VP's campaign don't want to get, Gored, so to speak, once again.   

There are even some democrats out there who are claiming Stein, who ran in 2016, cost Hillary Clinton the election by siphoning off enough votes she lost Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin.  

That allegation is a stretch. In Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin Clinton came close, but in each of those states Libertarian candidate, Gary Johnson received far more votes than Jill Stein. It isn't hard to make an argument that Johnson's presence in the race hurt Trump more than Stein's hurt Clinton. Theories such as these really prove only one thing. That it's easy to believe democrats tend to become, let's say, a tad paranoid when a green party candidate is on the ballot.

Still...

The 2024 election is barely three weeks away and if the polls are correct, it is a dead heat. Every single vote out there is too precious to lose. Especially to some ego driven eco-idealist who doesn't mind handing the election to the most virulent anti-environmental, climate change denier in the nation. 

The Harris ad was right. However, Jill Stein is out there and she is going to get votes. That's the reality of the situation. The only question at the moment is how many will she get? Probably not as many as the democrats fear. Tragically though, in this, the year of our Lord 2024, even not as many might be too much.

sic vita est

10-14-24

Ryan Walters and a Couple of Happy Coincidences

Christian nationalism primarily focuses on the internal politics of society, such as legislating civil and criminal laws that reflect the adherents' view of Christianity and the role of religion in in political and social life.

The definition of Christian nationalism according to Wikipedia

The key phrase there being, "reflecting the adherents' view of Christianity," because, as we know, or at least should recognize, there are a whole lot of different views when it comes to Christianity. Including those of Thomas Jefferson, the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. Later in his life he wrote, that when it comes to the U.S. government, the intentions of the founding fathers had been, "to build a wall between church and state." 

All of which brings us to the great state of Oklahoma and one Ryan Walters, the Big Kahuna of public education in these parts. Walters has, via decree, mandated every school classroom in the state must contain a bible and teachers must use it as a means of instruction when it comes to history, civics, and other subjects.

But which version of the bible you might ask. Because as we also know there are almost as many versions of, "the good book," as there are interpretations of Christianity itself.  Well, it turns out, the Superintendent of public education has very specific ideas in that regard. According to reports, Walters wants the bibles, paid for with state funds, to be 1. The King James version, 2. to include the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the Constitution. Plus, they need to be bound in either leather, or leather-like material. 

So, where does one find a reported 55,000 copies of a United States centric version of the bible? The organization, Oklahoma Watch asked Christian education distributer, Mardel just that question. According to the outfit, Mardel went through 2,900 different versions of the bible without finding a match. Then, lo and behold, they struck gold, so to speak.

It turns out the only two bibles out there that meet Ryan Walters' demands are--you guessed it--the Donald Trump endorsed, Lee Greenwood, "God Bless the U.S.A." bible and the Donald Trump Jr. backed, "We the People," version. Thanks to name, image, and likeness deals, the Trump Org. gets a cut from each and every sale of both books.

Ah, what a stunning moment of coincidental serendipity. And while some of the more cynical among us might think the fix is in, Walters' spokesperson, Dan Isett denies any biblical hanky-panky. According to Isett, "There are hundreds of bible publishers and we expect a robust competition for this proposal." 

Yes, one can easily picture that, "robust competition," just as political satirist, Mark Russell once described it. "First you arrange all the bids on a table in sealed envelopes," Russell said, "Then you award the bid. After that you open the envelopes."

It is unknown here if Ryan Walters has ever met, Donald Trump. It is also unknown if Trump has ever heard of Walters. Although Walters has spent a lot of time on Fox News thanks to hefty fees paid to an out of state PR firm which has been financed by Oklahoma taxpayers. However, it's obvious to everyone on the planet that the quickest way to get on Donald Trump's good side is to make him money, solicited, or not. For those interested 55,000 "God Bless the U.S.A bibles would mean a little more than $3 million in sales for the publisher and the Big Orange Guy. Which makes for another happy coincidence. Walters initially requested almost that exact amount from the state to pay for the bibles. Well, why not? Trump could use an influx of cash right now. Despite his boast that he is, "rich as hell," the guy is on the hook to E. Jean Carroll alone for close to $100 million. And that doesn't count legal fees past, present, and future.

Besides, what's a little corruption when it comes to God and country?

Of course, we could go into the whole separation of church and state thing, not to mention a complete lack of Christian scripture in the Declaration, the Bill of Rights, Constitution, and Pledge, but that is probably a discussion left for another day. (Take the time to read them all, the words, Creator, Divine Providence, and even God can apply to a lot of religions besides Christianity.)

Indeed, the subject at hand is a not so subtle attempt by a small time American right wing hack to curry favor with the biggest American right wing hack in history. All the while trying to infuse his brand of Christian nationalism into Oklahoma public education. And have it paid for paid for by every tax paying man and cat woman, no matter what their faith, or lack thereof might be.  

 You know there are warnings about shit like this. Open up--that's right--a king James version of the bible to Matthew 7:15. It says, "Beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."

 Wolves who, I might add, see power as not just another scam, but the greatest scam of all.

10-7-24  

The Vice Presidential Debate: Dead Heat on a Merry Go Round--Sort Of

 J.D. Vance (nee Bowman, nee Hamel) is one smoothly glib guy. Unlike his would be boss, he can keep his cool and sound perfectly reasonable. However, just like Donald Trump he lies his ass off. So, we are faced with a question: Who is more dangerous, an obviously insane psychopath who rants incoherently, or the dude who is so slick and amoral he could sell you life insurance which is rendered null and void upon the death of the policy holder?

Yes, the Senator from Ohio sounded that good last night during the Vice Presidential debate. That's not to say Vance won going away. Governor Tim Walz actually had a good night--except for one terrible moment. It is just that J.D. Vance sounded like a polished Yale Law School grad and the Governor sounded like--well-- a football coach. 

In fact by the time it was over the two participants had performed well enough that both sides could and did  claim victory. From here the hour and a half plus exercise felt like the title of an old movie. It was, in truth, a "Dead Heat on a Merry Go Round." 

Walz's biggest fumble, as it were, came when he was asked about a claim he made years ago. The Governor has said he was in China when the Tiananmen Square demonstrations and subsequent crackdown occurred. It turned out he wasn't there until a month after it happened. Walz awkwardly tried to dodge the answer for a painful eternity before finally admitting he had, "misspoke."

J.D. Vance on the other hand simply avoided the sicky questions altogether. Or at least he tried to. The first glimpse into what he was trying to pull came early. He was asked about his comments on, "legal immigrants," in Springfield, OH. Vance immediately complained the moderator was breaking the debate rule that disallowed, "fact checking." Which brings us to another question. Is including a fact in a question fact checking? Apparently the Senator believes it is.

In addition, over the course of the evening, Mr. Vance didn't seem aware that Vice Presidents are not in charge of making policy, Presidents are. He constantly implied Kamala Harris had run the entire Biden administration all on her own--that Joe Biden didn't really have anything to do with it. If the Senator really thinks that's how it works and Donald Trump does win in November he is in for a rude shock when Trump shuffles him off into an attic, or somewhere else completely out of the way. If recent Presidential history has taught us anything it is when Big Don is in charge he doesn't want, or need any help from his VP, except in a real crunch.

Speaking of which, it took the entire debate for the most important question of the night to land right in the GOP candidate's lap. And for the first and only time all night J.D. Vance squirmed. CBS' Norah O'Donnell went to the place no republican wants to go and they all will avoid. She asked, "You have said you would not have certified the last Presidential election and would have asked the states to submit alternative electors. That has been called unconstitutional and illegal. Would you again seek to challenge this years election results, even if every governor certifies the results?"

 The Senator responded by saying the biggest threat to democracy wasn't trying to illegally overturn a legitimate election, but that Kamala Harris is coercing, "big technology companies into silencing their fellow citizens." Vance went onto accuse Harris of wanting to, "censor people who engage in misinformation." In other words, that Marxist bitch wants to stop people from lying on the internet and--you know--lying is a sacred American right. 

Walz pounced. He put it to Vance directly, "Do you believe Donald Trump lost the last election?" Vance had been caught in one humiliating lie already that night when he told the audience, with a straight face, Donald Trump had saved Obama Care. It took Tim Walz about two seconds to squash that bug. Now he was stuck. Did he lie again, or really, I mean really, piss Donald Trump off? Vance chose a third option. He began by saying he preferred to look to the future, rather than the past. Then he went back into the song and dance about censorship of misinformation concluding with, "you guys were trying to get people kicked off Facebook."

How getting someone kicked off a social media site for spreading lies is comparable to an attempted overthrow of the United States government went unexplained.  

After Walz responded that the insurrection of January 6th was a tad more serious, Vance rewrote history by insisting the 2021 Presidential transfer of power was completely peaceful. After all, he said, Joe Biden was inaugurated on January 20th and Donald Trump left town. No muss, no fuss, right? As Tim Walz pointed out over 100 Capitol Police were injured on January 6h. He didn't even have to mention the hundreds of run amok vandals rampaging through the nation's Capital Building chanting, "Hang Mike Pence!" although earlier he had asked Vance if he even knew why Pence wasn't there.  

The final question of the night also triggered Donald Trump himself. He had been throwing out insults all evening, referring to the Minnesota Governor as, "Tampon Tim." (There is no denying the man's droll wit.) The former President immediately posted, "CBS is LYING AGAIN about the 2020 Election. Where is my apology from Leslie Stahl? She claimed the Hunter Biden LAPTOP FROM HELL was not real and that my Campaign wasn't spied on.  CBS IS FAKE NEWS!" 

To paraphrase an old Jerry Reed lyric, "When you're nuts, you're nuts."

There is a shade over a month to go until election day. Last night proved only one thing. J.D. Vance can and does lie like Donald Trump. He does, however, sound better than Trump when he is doing it.

sic vita est

10-2-24

There Is No Too Far for Donald Trump

 

XENOPHOBE: noun: One unduly afraid of what is foreign and especially of people of foreign origin.

It is unclear if Donald Trump is actually a raging xenophobe, or if he just sees the fear of all things foreign as a means to help him get back into power. Let's face it, we know, without a doubt, the man believes the end, at least his intended end, is justified by every means possible. 

We also know once Don Trump finds a subject he believes works he is like a Tibetan Mastiff with a fresh bone. That dog isn't going to let it go no matter what. Such is the case with immigrants. Non-European immigrants in particular. You know, the ones who aren't, as Dr. Sheldon Cooper once put it, "whiter than marshmallows."

By now most people are familiar with the accusations that involve Haitians eating household pets and peaceful park loving ducks in Springfield, OH. There is confusion over the origins of that myth. Some say it sprang from a social media post from a Trump supporter saying the friend of a neighbor's daughter was convinced her pet was taken and eaten by immigrants. Another possible source was a second Trump fan who filed a police report saying her missing cat might have been catnapped, as it were, by Haitian neighbors. When the woman found the animal she called police, to tell them she was wrong, then, unlike her idol, walked next door and apologized for the accusation. 

Whichever the case, Trump ran wild with the lie. He told one crowd that when he is elected he will send all those Haitians back to, Venezuela, (geography has never been the guy's strong suit) inspiring the cult to chant, "send them back, send them back." It seemed not to matter to anyone there most, if not all, the Haitians in Springfield are there legally. 

Thanks to Donald Trump and his running mate, J.D. Vance, things spun out of control. Springfield's immigrant community was so inundated with credible threats of violence state police had to be dispatched to schools and neighborhoods to protect them and their kids. 

The Trump and Vance barrage of bullshit became so overwhelming, members of the Haitian community filed a suit in court attempting to stop them. The action prompted republican Congressman Clay Higgins to write on social media, "Lol. These Haitians are wild, eating pets, vudu (sic) nastiest country in the western hemisphere, cults, slapstick gangsters...but, damned if they don't feel sophisticated now, filing charges against our President and VP. (the Congressman was referring to Trump and Vance, not Biden and Harris who actually are the President and VP.) All these thugs better get their minds right and their asses out of our country before January 20th."

Trump then moved on to Aurora, CO. He claimed an entire apartment building, or complex, or neighborhood had been completely overrun with Mexican, or Central American gangs. These gangs were so violent the entire town was quaking in fear and local police refused to enter the buildings, or areas, or someplace. The republican Mayor of Aurora told everyone who would listen Trump was lying, then he invited the GOP nominee to come to Aurora to see for himself. So far Trump has refused the offer. Perhaps it is because he doesn't like to be confronted by the truth, or, he simply doesn't want to go to Colorado because Lauren Boebert would insert herself into the picture. After all, while Trump likes to grab women by the crotch, he might be uncomfortable with Boebert latching onto his, as she is apt to do. 

On Saturday Donald Trump was in Prairie du Chien, WI. He told the crowd, "Joe Biden became mentally impaired, Kamala Harris was born that way. She was born that way. And if you think about it , only a mentally disabled person could allow this to happen to our country. The, "this," he was talking about was immigration and immigrants. Then, Donald John Trump proved that taking it too far isn't far enough for him.

Speaking about illegal immigrants he told his supporters, "They will walk into your kitchen, they'll cut your throat. " He added, "Small towns in America are terrified of migrants coming in and, even when they haven't arrived, they're terrified. They will rape, pillage, thieve, plunder, and kill the people of the United States of America.' 

Now that's how to scare white folks. Don't beat around the bush, throw the rubes straight into the middle of a Wes Cravens' horror movie. It makes that remark about migrants, "poisoning the blood of the nation," sound downright subtle. 

Donald Trump isn't qualified intellectually, or emotionally to be the President of the United States. However, it does appear he would be a perfect fit to replace Moe Hailstone as Moronica's head of state.

Why not? As old Moe used to say, "Moronica for Morons!"

 

9-30-24

Appealing to Women Voters, MAGA Style

You will no longer be abandoned, lonely, or scared. You will no longer be in danger--you're not going to be in danger any longer. You will no longer have anxiety from all the problems our country has today. You will be protected and I am your protector. You will be happy, healthy, confident, and free. You will no longer be thinking about abortion.

Donald J. Trump, current republican Presidential nominee and convicted felon, addressing the women at a recent political rally.

Pretty eloquent words from a guy who is on the hook for about 90 million bucks for sexually assaulting a woman in a department store dressing room. Not to mention one facing jail time for covering up a hush money payment to a porn actress after a sordid encounter with her--while his wife was home with his newborn baby.  

While Big Don might have said he was addressing women one suspects his real target was all those white MAGA types, no matter what the gender. You know, all those racists and xenophobes who are petrified the white power establishment is coming to an end. That notion seemed to be confirmed when he throws in a bit about women in the suburbs (and presumably their husbands and children) being under, "migrant criminal siege." Then tells the crowd, ""I will fix all that and fast and at long last, this nation--our national nightmare will end. It will end, we've gotta end this national nightmare. Because I am your protector. I want to be your protector." 

That is rhetoric which sounds like it is straight out of 1932 Germany. Or current day North Korea.

However, let's get back to the subject at hand, so to speak. How can the GOP attract more women voters? Perhaps they can nominate more down ballot candidates like Mark Robinson in North Carolina. He is the guy who told women they wouldn't need abortions if they, "Kept their pants up and their skirts down." The republican gubernatorial candidate shared that bon mot with us long before CNN came out with a story about how he used to hang out at a porn site called, "Nude Africa." Not only that, the report claimed, but he left a series of messages in one of the site's chat rooms. In one he talked about how his early sexual proclivities were shaped by spying on women using public showers. Another revealed that, despite his recent homophobic rants, he really was turned on by sex scenes that included transgender men--or, as they say in the business, "shemales." 

Meanwhile, up in Ohio the republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, Bernie Moreno recently had this to say at a town hall meeting: "Sadly, by the way, there's a lot of suburban women, a lot of suburban women, that are like, 'Listen, abortion is it. If I can't have an abortion in this country whenever I want, I will vote for anybody else" To drive his point home, Moreno added, "It's a little crazy by the way, but--especially for women that are like past 50. I'm thinking to myself, I don't think that's an issue for you." 

Well, Bernie, since you are biologically incapable of giving birth, maybe abortion rights shouldn't be an issue for you either. But, hey, let's not delve into political theory and speculation. After all, despite what J.D. Vance believes the law of the land clearly states the votes of childless cat women count just as much as yours and his. (Not to mention the vote of that self-described, "perv," Mark Robinson who is on record saying women shouldn't be allowed to vote at all.)

While not being a professional political campaign operative, it does appear clowns like these and Trump himself, might not be the sort of crowd which attracts the elusive women's demographic.  

Indeed, at this point the most puzzling part about the GOP's shrinking support among women voters is they genuinely seem--yes--puzzled by it. At the same rally he told women he was their, "protector," the guy, who is on tape saying because he is a celebrity women let him latch onto their genitals (E. Jean Carroll being the obvious exception) told the crowd, '"I always thought women liked me. I never thought I had a problem. But the fake news keeps saying women don't like me. I don't believe it."

Really? 

Obviously, some women do like Donald Trump. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Laura Loomer come to mind. The truth though is, there are a hell of a lot of women out there who don't. And trust me, Don, you can't blame that dislike on the, "fake news." Those women don't like you simply because of what you've said and done during the entire twisted course of your, "I can grab 'em by the pussy," life.

In other words, Mr. Trump, many women don't want you to be the, "Protector," because they consider you the threat.

 

9-25-24

A Would-be Assassin Driven by insanity and Two Canidates Driven by Lies and Xenophobia

 In 2016 Ryan Routh voted for Donald Trump. That love affair didn't last long though. By 2020 Routh was saying he considered Trump a, "buffoon." That was just part of his life, however. Brother Routh was also busy getting popped by the police for things like receiving stolen goods, illegally operating a motor vehicle, and possession of a fully automatic machine gun. He had been involved in confrontations with the cops, including at least one instance where he barricaded himself in a place while armed. 

In short, Mr. Routh, like Donald Trump, is a man who has been convicted on multiple felony counts. In theory he should have never been able to get his hands on the weapon he abandoned at the scene when a Secret Service agent opened fire on him. Unfortunately, this being America, he didn't have any problem doing so.

Not long after Russia invaded Ukraine Routh became fixated on the war. He traveled to Kyiv, saying he was ready to volunteer, fight, and die for Ukraine. Since the Ukrainian army didn't want him (they said it was because he was too old and had no military experience, although one has to suspect there was more to it now) he managed to get a touch of fame by being interviewed by the New York Times and Newsweek Romania. He also tried to make a name for himself by pushing the idea of recruiting Afghan soldiers to fight for the nation. After the Ukrainians rejected that idea too, he came back to the states. 

The obvious question is why would the Ukrainians reject any help as Russan troops poured into their country--besides the age and lack of experience thing. The answer to that one is fairly simple. In an interview with The New Republic, a Canadian military veteran, Kevin Leach, described Routh this way: "The word across useful volunteer networks is how fucking certifiable this guy behaved, how he treated everybody like shit."  He added, "The guy was clearly not moored to reality." 

Back in the states, Routh initially proved that assessment by sending Elon Musk a social media message which read, "I would like to buy a rocket from you. I want to load it with a warhead for Putin's Black Sea mansion bunker to end him. The rocket doesn't have to be new. It can be old and used as not returning."

As we know the second time was when he pointed his AK-47 style weapon toward Donald Trump.    

Since then the entire MAGA cult has been blaming the incident on democrats in general and Kamal Harris in particular. The left's never ending hate speech aimed at Donald Trump incited Ryan Routh to his mad act, they say. 

Really? Because it sure sounds to me like Ryan Wesley Routh was already in the crazy place--he didn't need any incitement. All he needed was a time, a place, and another weapon. And he found all of those on his own.

However, on the subject of the results of hate speech, in Springfield, OH, public buildings and schools have been closed for days thanks to threats of violence. All the fear and chaos has been directly caused by a lie, knowingly told by VP nominee, J.D. Vance, then repeated by Donald Trump during the Presidential debate. Reports are now saying that when Vance first heard the rumors of dog eating immigrants, he instructed a staffer to verify them. The staffer made a call, or two to Springfield officials who told him there was nothing to it. When the aide delivered the news to Vance the candidate was apparently severely disappointed, so he just claimed it was true anyway.

Then the man who would be President picked up on it as he raged in Philadelphia in front of an amused Kamala Harris and, if they were watching, no doubt a horrified bunch of Haitians living in Springfield. 

Vance has since told the media he had no qualms, "creating," a story to draw attention to the suffering of native Ohioans in Springfield. Now he is angrily accusing the media of obsessing with the story, rather than all that suffering, which so far, he has failed to articulate. 

On Friday during an impromptu news conference Donald Trump told reporters, "I can say this, we will do large deportations from Springfield, Ohio--large deportations. We're going to get these people out. We are bringing them back to Venezuela." 

Don't ever speak about Joe Biden's mental capabilities again. The current republican nominee just showed us, 1, he either doesn't know, or care the immigrants in Springfield are there legally and 2. he thinks Haitians come from Venezuela. 

Good God man, if you are going to persecute people at least figure out where they come from. 

All this vile xenophobic pet eating shit is getting dangerously close to the ghoulish Nazi lie that Jews drink the blood of Christian babies. Not to mention the slightly milder QANON version which has a vast international cabal of Hollywood types and liberals kidnapping and molesting boatloads of children. 

We are getting close to the day and at this point we are faced with two terrifying questions. Why do the republican nominees, Donald Trump and J.D. Vance think these reprehensible lies will win them the White House?  And, given what these two monsters are saying, why is this election still too close to call?  

 The answers to both are equally appalling.

9-18-24

Laura Loomer in Trump's Ear and His Head

 I don't control Laura Loomer. She's a free spirit. She's strong and has strong opinions, but that's not up to me.

Donald John Trump, current republican nominee for the President of the United States

Yeah, Don, but you wanted to hire her for your campaign months ago. Reports say aides and advisors talked you out of it mainly because they didn't want her anywhere near you, or them. Then you showed up in Philadelphia for the debate with Kamala Harris and there she was on your private jet, traveling with you, happpily chatting you up. Later that day you went down the rabbit hole about Haitian migrants eating people's pets, accusing the Vice President and her father of being Marxists, and democrats of promoting the executions of newborns by evil doctors.

No wonder your staff didn't want her around. 

Of course, it didn't help that the next day you showed up at 9-11 memorials with her in tow even though she has pushed the theory that the horrific events of that day in 2001 were an inside job which continues to be covered up by, "our lying government." That would be the same government you were head of for four very long years. 

Years ago on a weird and alcohol soaked night in New Orleans I was part of a group who hit a bar which was so wild and disreputable the locals considered it impossible to get thrown out of. We were so out of control at that point we got the heave ho after only ten minutes. Laura Loomer on the other hand has been ejected from criminal trial proceedings, a house energy and commerce committee hearing, a book signing event, at least one campaign rally, and has been arrested for trespassing after she jumped onstage during a Shakespeare in the Park production of Julius Caesar. The people who run the annual Conservative Political Action Committee (CPAC) meeting found her conspiracy theories and hate speech so grotesque they wouldn't allow her to attend--an accomplishment for a right-wing activist which was as unthinkable as our removal from that New Orleans dive. And while we were hammered, Ms. Loomer, presumably, pulled all that shit while she was stone cold sober.  

Because she violated their terms of agreement which bans hate speech, Laura Loomer has been kicked off, the old Twitter and the blogging platform, Medium. In addition she  is no longer allowed on the Uber  and Lyft apps for her continuous complaining she could never find a non-Muslim driver. PayPal, GoFundMe, Venmo, Facebook and Instagram have also told her to go away and not come back.

That's quite a record for a 31 year old who apparently has the ear of a man who could be the next President.

Ms. Loomer has vehemently denied she is a white supremacist--which would be a little awkward for all those involved since she is Jewish. She does however identify herself as a white nationalist and a, "proud Islamaphobe." To prove it, for a short time on Alex  Jones' Infowars program. Yes, that would be the same Alex Jones who now owes about a billion dollars to various people because he claimed their murdered kids weren't actually real and that they weren't really grieving parents, but crisis actors hired by the feds for a, "black flag operation." 

After Laura Loomer wrote on social media that if Kamala Harris were elected the the White House would smell like curry, Presidential announcements would be announced via call centers, and citizens concerns would be heard only through telephone customer surveys, Marjorie Taylor Greene screamed she was a racist. It is unclear at tis time whether the Congresswoman actually believes that, or she is simply jealous Donald Trump is getting his ultra right wing craziness from someone besides her. 

In any event it is becoming apparent, especially those who had the silly idea the man should try to expand his base, that Donald Trump has completely abandoned everybody who doesn't buy into the most vile racist and bizarre conspiracy theories floating around the internet. Yes, he seems intent on strengthening his core by shrinking it--by weeding out the few remaining sane people who support him. How else can you explain the presence of someone like Laura Loomer in his entourage?

She sure isn't there to make him sound rational.

9-15-24

The Presidential Debate: Harris Gives Trump the Rope and He Uses It

 Here is what we know thanks to Donald J. Trump last night. Democrats are in favor of executing babies after full term pregnancies. His political rallies are, "...the biggest and best political rallies in history and no one leaves them early." Not only that, but no one goes to Kamala Harris' rallies, but when they do they are bused in and paid by her campaign. We also know at least one European head of state, Hungary's dictator Viktor Orban thinks highly of Donald Trump. In addition Trump has a plan to replace the Affordable Care Act which he will unveil in a few weeks. (I know, he said that eight years ago, but who is counting?) We also learned Joe Biden hates Kamala Harris and all his primary voters were illegally disenfranchised. We learned crime rates in places like Venezuela are at an all time lows, because all their criminals have fled to the United States. Not only that, but those blood thirsty bastards are eating white kid's cats and dogs in Springfield, OH. Uh, that's right, all of them. 

We could go on, but really, it does get old and what's the point? Last night in Philadelphia there was only one person on the debate who looked and sounded Presidential. And she was not named Donald Trump. The media covering the event knows it. Everyone outside the MAGA cult knows it. Hell, even Trump himself knows it. It's why he showed up in the spin room afterward and on Fox News this morning. The man screwed the pooch last night and proved, all on his own, what many of us have been saying for years now--that he is bat shit crazy and should never be allowed near the Oval Office again.

There has been a bunch of media speculation about exactly when Kamala Harris drove Don over the edge last night. Was it when she claimed the audiences at his rallies grew tired and bored and were leaving early? Was it when she called Trump weak? Was it when she said Vladimir Putin would eat him for lunch? 

Personally, I like to believe it was before a word was spoken. Outlets had widely reported Donald Trump and Kamala Harris had never met face to face before the debate. When they were introduced by moderators David Muir and Lindsey Davis the Vice President immediately walked over to Donald Trump and stuck out her hand, "Kamala Harris," she said. Trump reluctantly shook her hand after seemingly backing away from her, completely unsure of what was happening. It was the last thing he had expected and it was Harris' way of saying, that's right, Big Boy, I'm strong and you don't intimidate me in any way, shape, or form. 

From this living room It appeared Donald J. Trump never fully recovered from that initial shock.

When Trump began to completely unravel--Immigrants are eating American's pets in Ohio--some later said she gave him a, "How sad for you," look. I felt it was more of a, "I can't believe you are stupid enough to actually talk about this insanity " look. In either event, when moderator, David Muir pointed out the Springfield City Manager and police have said there is no evidence of dog and cat dining, Trump's only response was, "There have been a lot of people on TV saying it is true." (Hey, Don, earlier in the day I saw a lot of people telling me the only way places like Machu Pichu and the pyramids exist is because pre-historic space travelers built them. Trust me, not everything said on TV, or social media is true}

After it was done last night the Harris victory was so complete people like Sean Hannity and Ted Cruz were reduced to bitterly complaining the disaster was caused by the bias of Muir and Davis. Hannity claimed, "Donald Trump had to debate three people tonight, not just one." According to Cruz the bias was obvious because they fact checked Trump, but not Harris. Well, in all fairness Senator it was Trump not Harris who accused Haitians of serving up Fido in their evening stew. But let's not quibble about details.

The fact is, Trump got significantly more speaking time than the Vice President by the end of the night. It didn't seem to matter to the Vice President though. She kept serenely calm and smiling as her opponent's face flushed red and he raged on. And make no mistake about it, it was exactly what she wanted. Every time Kamala Harris was asked a question she responded with who she was, where she came from, and what she was going to do about the issue. At the end of each of her two minute allotments she would, without fail, drop a line in the water armed with a barbed hook. Then, equally without fail, Donald Trump would take the bait and immediately go off the rails. In the end, Donald Trump had displayed a stunning lack of self control. Or to put it another way, he showed us he isn't the sort of guy we want walking around with the nuclear launch codes.

Yes, Kamala Harris won the debate last night. She didn't need any help from ABC moderators to do it either. All she had to do was give Donald Trump enough rope to hang himself with. That's exactly what she did and he obliged her by doing it every time he opened his mouth.

9-11-24