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