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

A School Shooting in Winder, GA: For America, Shock is the Ship that has Sailed

 Here is how cold and cynical Americans and its media have become. Yesterday, in Winder, GA a 14 year old kid got his hands on an assault style weapon then used it to kill two fellow students and two teachers in his high school. He wounded eight other students and an additional teacher. Today, this horror show is already being lost as the networks scramble to cover the never ending trials of Donald Trump and the Presidential campaign in general. It would seem in a nation so used to body counts in the dozens, four violent and senseless deaths barely make a ripple any longer.

Indeed, while we are saddened by the news out of Winder, we are no longer shocked. These days, for the public and the media, when it comes to school shootings, shock is the proverbial ship that has sailed. 

Details are emerging and as always they have created more questions than answers. According to early reports the shooter, identified as Colt Gray, was on the cop's radar as long as a year ago. Police had received tips last year he was behind a series of anonymous social media posts that threatened to commit mayhem at Apalachee High School in Winder. He and his father were questioned at the time, but young Mr. Gray was still lucid enough to deny he was the one who made them. His father reportedly owned a, "hunting rifle," but assured authorities his son did not have unsupervised access to it. The threats stopped and police dropped their investigation. 

Then we have the all too familiar description of the shooter. He was a loner who rarely talked to fellow students. When he walked out during his algebra class yesterday it was apparently such a common occurrence no one, including the teacher blinked an eye. When he returned he as carrying the murder weapon, but the door had self locked after he left and he couldn't get back in. He knocked on the door, but when a student got up to open it she looked through the window and saw he had the rifle and refused to let him in.

Others shooter protocols didn't work as well. News reports are saying the high school had received calls before classes began stating there would be a mass shooting there that day. Given what went down it is probably safe to say the administration at Apalachee High didn't take the warnings seriously. There isn't even any evidence the on campus cops knew about them. Classes began normally without any sort of noticeable security precautions 

Then there are the question about the weapon itself. Number one, where did Colt Gray stash it that morning when he got to school and how did he get it in without anyone noticing? He didn't have it on him when algebra class started, but it was close enough that he was able to return there in a scant few minutes with it in hand. And, finally, where the fuck did a 14 year old get an assault rifle in the first place? Did his father have it last year unbeknownst to police? Did dear old Dad buy it after police questioned his son's mental stability?? Or, did the crazy little shit simply steal it from someplace? Taking one on the sly probably wouldn't be hard to do. AR style weapons are more common than mangos in produce departments and let's face it, in America they are in season all year long.

Yes, person, or persons who at this time are unknown screwed the pooch yesterday in Winder, GA. By the time the investigation is over a career, or two, or three will have gone down the drain. Tragically that won't solve the problem of school shootings though. Neither will mass shooting drills--which apparently proved effective yesterday, students and teachers knew immediately how to react when the shooting began.

No, even though there were breakdowns yesterday, for the most part the security measures in place worked and saved lives. What those measures didn't and couldn't do is stop Colt Gray from arming himself with a weapon of war, then using it for his own twisted reasons. And they will never stop the other people who are out there right now with brains that are, as Morrison once sang, "squiring' like a toad." 

At least not so long as AR style weapons are available in this country--and certainly not so long as a powerful minority of fearful paranoids believe their right to own and use what amounts to machine guns is more important than, in this latest instance, the rights of four innocent people to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. 

9-5-24

Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood: Donald Trump's Greatest Crime

 If Wikipedia is right, this shit is actually true.

S.H.

Back in North Carolina the republican candidate for Governor is a guy named Mark Robinson. He isn't new to politics there. Right now he is the sitting Lt. Governor and the reason why the Governor, Roy Cooper says he withdrew his name from Kamala Harris' short list of Vice Presidential picks. It would seem, like many states, North Carolina law says while the Governor is out of state, as in campaigning, the Lt. Governor assumes all the power, legislative and otherwise of the Governor. Because of that law, Roy Cooper didn't want to leave Mark Robinson in charge for any extended amount of time. 

Given the Lt. Governor's political and rhetorical history Mr. Cooper's reasoning is not only sound, but entirely justified.

Mark Robinson says that years ago he read a book written by conservative radio personality Rush Limbaugh. After putting the book down Robinson claims, "I found out I was conservative and had always been." Yeah, well, there are conservatives and then there are people like Mark Robinson.

 In 2019 Brother Robinson said this about the issue of abortion, "It's about killing children because you weren't responsible enough to keep your skirt down, or your pants up...because you felt like getting your groove thing on...you want to kill that child so your life can go on being on easy street and you can keep running to the club every Friday night." In 2021 he addressed a church congregation and told them, "I don't care whether you just got pregnant. I don't care if you're 24 hours pregnant. If you kill that young'un it is murder. You got blood on your hands."

Such is the nature of 21st century conservatism. And for those wondering about the whole hypocrisy thing, yes, Mark Robinson admits that in the 1980's he knocked up his future wife and paid for her to have an abortion. 

As one can guess Mark Robinson doesn't like a lot of things, or people. He once claimed the Marvel Comics character, Black Panther was, "created by an agnostic Jew." For good measure he added that the movie version of the superhero was produced by, "Satanic Marxists." Just to make sure you know what he really thinks the Lt. Governor once posted on his Facebook account, " This foolishness about Hitler disarming MILLIONS of Jews and then marching them off to concentration camps is hogwash."  

So tell us, Mark, what do you think about the gay community? In 2016 he posted, "Homosexuality is STILL an abdominal sin and I WILL NOT join in celebrating gay pride." Five years later he referred to, "transgenderism and homosexuality," as filth. To drive home his point he told another church congregation, " And yes, I called it filth. And if you don't like I called it filth, come and see me and I'll explain it to you."  

Previously Mr. Robinson has told us, "The only thing worse than a woman who doesn't know her place is a man who doesn't know his." Then, on the same subject, there is my favorite quote of his, "I absolutely want to go back to the America where women couldn't vote." 

Oh yes, that will be an easy sell from coast to coast.  

Mark Robinson is black, which shouldn't make any difference at all. It might though, when you consider that in the past he has referred to his fellow African Americans who support democrats as, "muddle headed negroes," apes," and "monkeys." He has also claimed Michelle Obama is a man, but that's so common among right wing fringe types now days it's hardly worth mentioning.

Of course, the problem is while Lt. Governor Mark Robinson could and should be considered on the far right fringe his brand of politics has propelled him into the office he now holds. Not to mention getting him into the race for the highest office in a major swing state. In 2020 when he ran, he received 51.63% of the vote. In other words more than five out of every 10 voters in North Carolina thought he was just aces.

Now, what is scarier? Mark Robinson, or the majority who agreed with him that we need to, "...get back to the America where women couldn't vote?"

Donald Trump's greatest crime is one he will never even get charged with. He has convinced millions of people in this republic and the media to treat horror shows like the grotesque politics of Mark Robinson as if it is normal. 

The latest polls show Robinson trailing democrat, Josh Stein by eight points, but as we've all learned over the last eight years polls can't be trusted. 

But hey, at least we can hope.

8-28-24

The Democrats Party Hearty as Kamala Harris has the Fat Old Degenerate on the Run

 You'll never be able to say the democrats don't know how to throw a party. Their convention opened in Chicago on Mondy and over those next four days the good times rolled. In fact, the enthusiasm was so wildly intense those running the event didn't seem to care if people at home could stay up late enough to hear the keynote speeches, or not. How else can you describe it when on Monday, President Joe Biden didn't start talking until well after 11pm Eastern Time. 

His starting time Monday night was pushed back so often the Fox News propagandists even began to claim democrats were either insulting Biden, or attempting to hide him from a prime time audience due to his mental deterioration. The party leadership disproved that theory when over the next two nights former President Barack Obama and the Vice Presidential nominee, Tim Walz didn't start until after 11pm either. 

Last night the democrats finally got their timing right, although, thanks to Bill Clinton it was closer than it should have been. The party nominee for President, Kamala Harris got to the stage a little before 10;:30pm Eastern. She finished well after 11. No one in the hall seemed to care though and by the time Ms. Harris was done talking a lot of people watching from home didn't either. 

To put it simply, Kamala Harris nailed it. 

The former District Attorney looked into the eyes of the jury, presented her qualifications and outlined her case. She then vigorously prosecuted the felon--a term she seemed to relish using--and finally, made her closing argument. The crowd, which had been raucous all evening went berserk with joy and exuberance.

Indeed, hope had been renewed and the skies had cleared. In that moment as red, white and blue balloons cascaded down and American flags waved throughout the delegates, it finally felt like a second Trump term wasn't inevitable. That's right baby, Kamala Harris kicked Donald Trump's ass and now she has the fat old degenerate on the run. 

Trump, himself, proved just as much. He apparently was desperately posting nonsense on social media during the Harris speech. Immediately after she was done he was on the phone and on the air with the Fox News talking heads demanding they allow him to respond to the address--in other words,the man was frantic for attention. Unfortunately for The Big Orange Guy after a few minutes Fox abruptly pulled the plug on him in order to get to their regular programming. 

Yes, it looks like Fox News has come to the decision Greg Gutfeld is better for their ratings than Donald Trump. They might have been right. Especially when you consider the former President spent much of the phone call telling everyone it is his campaign and not Harris' which has the momentum, that her speech contained a lot of, "complaints," and then spun into a rant about democrats kicking Joe Biden out of the party. 

No doubt the execs at Fox felt broadcasting insane lies are one thing, but broadcasting reruns of insane lies are another. 

After watching that convention it is easy to be overly optimistic. (Democrats even managed to turn the roll call of state and territorial delegations into a mini-rock concert for God's sake.) However, the 2024 presidential campaign is now a dead heat and an all out sprint for the finish line. Trump is a cornered beast and that makes him even more dangerous than before. He is already calling Kamala Harris' father a Marxist and the candidate herself at Communist. He is posting AI generated images along with outrageous captions on social media and his lies about what is happening in this country are growing more racist and xenophobic every day. His never-ending drumbeat of chaos and doom is powerful. In far too many bars and churches fear, homophobia, and misogyny are easy sells and Trump knows it. The outcome in a handful of precincts in places like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin could determine the election one way or the other. 

And as hard as it is to admit it during the current euphoria Kamala Harris is vulnerable. Trump even touched on it during his demented phone call last night. Mainly, why is the Vice President promising to fix stuff she and Joe Biden have already had three and a half years to fix? (My killing immigration reform doesn't count, it's the other stuff.)  J.D. Vance has made that point also. We can be certain he will go there again before this is over.

The election is going to be a close run thing. Earlier this year I felt that even though Biden had screwed up the debate he could survive if he ran a perfect campaign through election day. Obviously, he felt that way too, but understood he couldn't, so he dropped out. The truth is, while Kamala Harris hasn't fucked up yet her campaign has to remain flawless also. Or, to put it into football terms, you can have all the momentum in the world, but if you fumble the ball it is gone in an instant. 

8-23-24

A Weird Week in Oklahoma Politics: Ryan Walters Goes One Step Beyond

 Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Education, Ryan Walters wakes up every day with two things on his mind. The first is how to get his face in front of as many cameras as possible. The second is making sure public schools in Oklahoma and the Oklahoma State Department of Education are run, His Way. He is quite adept at the first thing. You can't watch local news in this state without seeing his scruffy mug making excuses for his behavior. Unfortunately, when it comes to the second, His Way isn't always, The Legal Way. In fact, one can make the argument many times it isn't even close. 

One of Brother Walters' favorite moves is to hold up federal and state funding to districts. There has been some debate as to why he does this--it's not like they're OSDE monies--however, one has to suspect he is letting those districts know if they don't do it, His Way as far a he is concerned their students can go dumpster diving for their next lunch. Now, though, Walters' hubris driven extortion scams might have taken him to the edge of disaster.

Media reports surfaced last week that Walters and his OSDE toadies were denying districts money appropriated by the legislature for upgrades in school security systems. Now, Oklahoma republicans don't mind screwing over public school kids when it comes to academics and after school programs, but none of them want to take the rap for another Uvalde, TX style school massacre. After the news of the funding delay broke, it didn't take long for the excrement to hit the fan.

Republican legislator Mark McBride demanded that Oklahoma House Speaker, Charles McCall begin an impeachment investigation of Ryan Walters. A letter was signed by nearly two dozen republican members of the house agreeing with him. Walters immediately went to the media, appearing on two OKC TV stations last week alone. His claim was his department was simply attempting to make sure the disbursement of the funds was done in a legal manner. As soon as he receives a decision, he said, the money would be handed out. That's right, we don't give a rat's ass about open meeting laws, or open records requests, not to mention questionable spending for personal promotion, but when it comes to school security, by God, we're going to make sure all the i's are dotted and the t's are crossed.  

Last Monday, McCall said he would not begin an impeachment investigation of Walters unless 51 house republicans asked him to do so. On Thursday, however, he gave the green light for an investigation of not Walters, per se, but rather the entire OSDE by the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency. 

This did not sit well with Superintendent Walters. Friday afternoon, he called the press together at the doors leading into the house chamber in the capitol. Then things got a tad, outré. Walters claimed McCall was launching a political attack on him solely because the Speaker wants to run for governor in 2026 and he, Ryan Walters would be his chief opposition. In short, McCall, the guy who saved his ass just days before, is now pulling a political hit job for purely selfish reasons. Then the Superintendent of Oklahoma's Public School System went one step beyond. He demanded the Oklahoma House of Representatives and Charles McCall begin impeachment proceedings against him at once--as in tomorrow. Let's go you woke RINO bastards, he was saying, take your best shot.

Long time Oklahoma politico, Mike Turpin speculated what might have gone wrong with the wiring in Ryan Walters' brain. Maybe, he said, we've just witnessed an act of political suicide. Or perhaps Walters is so scared of his department being investigated he is desperately trying to provoke the House into ditching its investigation, which might turn up something really damaging, in favor of a willy nilly rush to impeach him on charges he knows he can beat. Whatever the case Turpin feels Ryan Walters as, "embraced victimhood." 

Well, they all do don't they. From Trump on down all these right wing strong man wannabes sling shot back and forth between being an arrogant bully with no regard for law, or decency to some type of poor, persecuted, misunderstood, upholder of truth, justice and family values. It is their well known, Modus Operandi.

To top off the week, Walters continued to call Bixby, OK school Superintendent, Rob Miller a liar after a local TV reporter had asked him if name calling was contributing to the turmoil in the system. Later that afternoon, to prove it doesn't, Miller sued Walters citing two counts of defamation. He is demanding $75,000 in compensation. It is unknown at this time whether Mr. Walters will claim, Superintendent immunity, or a chunk of school district funds will be, let's say, redirected.   

Yes, it was a weird week in Oklahoma. Some might even call it surreal. But hey, it isn't every day in American politics you get to see a completely dysfunctional elected official get sued then call for his own impeachment because it might get him off the hook for God only knows what sort of terrible felonies. 

Who says this isn't a great state?

8-18-24

Donald Trump Goes All Fat Elvis

 My old friend John Wooley is a journalist, author, and radio personality who occasionally produces and appears in movies and documentaries. Recently he told me another pal of his had referred the 2024 version of Donald Trump to, "Fat Elvis." You know, that old bloated Elvis singing ancient tunes on a Las Vegas stage to an equally ancient audience who seems to be slowly disappearing. 

Both John and his buddy have a point. During this Presidential campaign, has Donald Trump said, or done anything that would win him the votes of someone who voted for Joe Biden four years ago? Has Donald Trump wowed any new audiences? Does he have any new admirers, any fresh blood in the cult? Or is he simply playing to the same crowd, attempting moves he simply can't pull off anymore thanks to far too many prescription drugs and peanut butter, banana, and bacon sandwiches?  

At this moment in August, all the evidence points to no as the answer. In a matter of less than three weeks a moribund democratic party and campaign has come alive with enthusiasm, excitement, and growing confidence. The polls are starting to turn toward Kamala Harris. She is now the one drawing the huge wildly cheering crowds. Her rallies are the ones now being covered by the media and talked about with awe. Suddenly, it is Kamala Harris who represents politics in a new and inspirational way.

Meanwhile, Fat Elvis is standing in front of the same crowd, singing the same old shit over and over and over. The Lincoln Project's Rick Wilson put it this way, "I think it is time for his care givers at Mar A Lago to start getting Grandpa Donald into bed earlier at night, because he's not capable of being President." 

At his most recent rallies Donald Trump has dragged out insults he began using against republican opponents in the 2016 primaries. Harris is a low IQ individual, he's said. Joe Biden is smarter than her, he has claimed. In addition he has fallen back on the thinly veiled racism which first put him into the political spotlight. She used to claim she was Indian, then she suddenly became black. I didn't know she was black for years, he said. Then he told another crowd, the democrats wanted to get rid of her, but they couldn't because it would be politically incorrect. He added later that night, There is about nine different ways to pronounce her name and I don't care if I get any of them right. 

Is there anything in all that which would make you say to yourself, "Boy I screwed up four years ago, I'm now going to vote for Donald Trump now."

I didn't think so.

The only new track we've heard from Mr. Trump lately is his growing insistence that when Kamala Harris replaced Joe Biden at the head of the ticket, it was somehow unconstitutional. Suspicions are growing that by doing so he is laying the groundwork to contest the results of the election if he loses--which is now a distinct possibility. 

That's right members of the Supreme Court, not only was the election stolen for a second time, but Kamala Harris can't be President because it is unconstitutional for democrats to call backsies. 

And just to prove this version of Fat Elvis is, All Shook Up, Trump has doubled down on his claim Joe Biden will demand democrats give him the nomination at their convention. He told a recent crowd, "I've been told Joe Biden is going to go into that room and tell them, I want my Presidency back." He insisted Mr. Biden would accomplish this feat by challenging he, Donald Trump to another debate. 

It would seem that while Fat Elvis' mental capacities have diminished, his ego has not.

The Harris-Walz campaign still has its work cut out for it. The road to the election is full of land minds and ambushes. Any sort of major screw up could cost it dearly. However right now it has Fat Elvis on the run. 

And that same old Fat Elvis act has finally grown stale and tiresome. As B.B. King once sang, "The Thrill is Gone." 

Luckily for the nation though, if you look around, you'll find it whenever and wherever Kamala Harris speaks.

8-11-24

Donald Trump Proves It Once and For All

 What are the chances that Crooked Joe Biden, the WORST President in the history of the U.S., whose Presidency was unconstitutionally STOLEN from him by Kamabla Harris, Barrack Hussein Obama, Crazy Nancy Pelosi, Shifty Adam Schiff, Cryin' Chuck Schumer, and others on the lunatic Left, CRASHES the Democratic National Convention and tries to take back the Nomination, beginning with challenging me to another DEBATE. He feels he made a historically tragic mistake by handing over the U.S. Presidency, a COUP, to the people in the world he most hates and he wants it back NOW!!!

Donald John Trump, the former President and current republican nominee for the highest office in the land, yesterday on social media.

Hey, don't blame me for the spelling, grammar, and odd ball, random, use of caps. That's what Don Trump said and exactly how he wrote it. I would never selectively edit a madman. Doing so would dilute the crystalline purity of his insanity.

Reaction to Mr. Trump's post, as can be imagined, was swift. George Conway addressed a social media post to Trump's two eldest sons and his political advisors which read, "Are you guys going to get this guy the help he so obviously needs, or are all you there just to cash his checks?"

Former MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan wrote, in part, "We make so much fun of Trump and his insane posts that we all just gloss over his open bigotry. He manages to be both Islamophobic ('HUSSEIN') and antiemetic ('Shifty') at the same time and we all just ignore it."

My personal favorite though came from the former editor in chief of the conservative outlet, Bulwark, Charlie Sykes. He responded with, "Can we just say it? The guy is frigging nuts." 

Brother Sykes has a point. Donald Trump's rant wasn't one of those late-night senior moments we've all grown accustomed to. You know, one of the Adderall/caffeine/insomnia fueled Sundowner Syndrome episodes that gave us the cryptic, "Covfefe," message. No, Trump's post yesterday showed up on social media at around 4:30 PM EST, hours before Kamala Harris and her new running mate, Tim Walz hit the stage in Philadelphia.

A few moments after the first round of gibberish, Trump followed up with, "This is the most Radical Left duo in American history." He then added, darkly, "There has never been anything like it and there never will be again." Saying something like, "there will never be again," wouldn't mean much coming from someone else, but from a man who recently promised his, "beautiful Christians," if he is elected in November they won't ever have to vote again--a guy who at least twice has said he wants to be President for life--the words become a tad ominous. Especially when you consider the Supreme Court just ruled a sitting President can't be prosecuted for whacking a political opponent, or two as long as it is an, "official act of office." 

Ah yes, in one moment we see him raving like some schizophrenic street person. Then we catch a glimpse of a deposed and exiled despot, desperate not just for a return to power, but for revenge. Or, as he told a crowd once, "I am your retribution!" Given what we've learned since that speech we now know he wasn't speaking to his followers that day; he was talking to a mirror.

Ladies and gentlemen, Donald Trump has just proven once and for all he has succumbed to profound mental illness. Or, to put in lay terms, the motherfucker has gone bat shit crazy.

And, quite frankly, the only house he should be allowed to occupy is the one labeled, Chock Full o Nuts.  

sic vita est

8-7-24

Ryan Walters Invents the Law

 Once you are convinced God is on your side, you are capable of justifying every sort of crime imaginable.

The late science fiction author, Mike McQuay

That certainly seems to be the case with Ryan Walters who is the current Superintendent of the Oklahoma State Board of Education. As has been noted previously, Brother Walters in waging a personal crusade to remake the Oklahoma Public School System into Christian Nationalist academies. Included in the curriculum would be revisions of history, civics, and, one presumes, science which would make the Inner Party of George Orwell's Oceania proud.

To achieve this goal, Ryan Walters has to eviscerate the powers and historical rights of local school boards to manage their own affairs and set their own curriculum. Anyone objecting to his personal vision of what public education should be and how it should be controlled must be, dealt with.

That includes teachers, unions, state legislators, students, judges, and members of the public. Not to mention the local media, especially those who question his run amok spending of taxpayer money to fund his relentless campaign of personal promotion.

We can now include State Senator, Mary Boren on that list. Wednesday, Boren attempted to attend a state board executive meeting--which is allowed by state law. She was denied entry and immediately complained to the state AG's office. It had ruled in mid July she could show up at executive sessions, but Walters and his merry band of fanatics have never let legal shit get in their way before, so they simply acted as if they didn't know the ruling existed--despite an email sent to each of them, explaining it.  After the meeting Walters told reporters, "I've got left wing democrats like Mary that want to come in and make it where we can't remove pedophiles from the classrooms. That's what she is wanting to do. She's wanting to disrupt the process." 

Earlier in the week, Bixby School Superintendent, Rob Miller posted on social media school districts had still not received their allocations of Title 1 federal funding. Ryan Walters responded with, "He's a liar, I mean he's really a true embarrassment. He knows every year when he gets Title 1 funds in. Rob is a clown and a liar, so he knows that he's an embarrassment." 

Ah yes, our man Ryan Walters is always quite the professional.

Well, when you have grand plans like he does, sometimes you can get a bit snippy at all those woke liberals in charge of Oklahoma. 

You know, like the people running the districts who insist that they, not the State Board of Education are in charge of local curriculums. A little fact the AG has also ruled on in their favor. However Walters has plowed on, insisting his mandate that bibles be in every state classroom and taught in history classes as the inspiration for and the foundation of the American republic is, The Law.

He has issued dark warnings that any teacher refusing to use the bible as a text book will be de-certified for breaking, The Law. That it isn't The Law at all, it's just him saying it is, doesn't matter. Legislature? Governor? Who needs those leftist bastards? We are talking about doing the work of our Lord and Savior, Don...oops...Jesus Christ. 

Actually there has been a law, passed by the legislature and signed by Oklahoma's last democratic governor, Brad Henry which states the bible can be taught in public schools under certain strict conditions. It has to be an elective course exploring characters, stories, and poetry found there in a historical context only. It can't, however, be taught to promote Christianity over other religious traditions, or to the exclusions of those traditions. In addition, state funds cannot be used to pay for any religious text, or texts or iconography. (Republican legislators tried to pass a constitutional amendment changing that last part in 2016. It was resoundingly rejected by the voters of this state on the same day 65.3% of them cast their ballots for Donald J. Trump)   

So much for Walters' plan to use state money to pay for all those bibles in the classrooms. 

Of course, as we know, minor things, like the will of the people, have never stopped fascists like Ryan Walters. He's already promised to go to the U.S. Supreme Court with his proposal to use state money to pay for a Catholic charter school. Going there to argue election results are unconstitutional doesn't seem that far fetched for a man of his political bent and ambitions.

Indeed. At the Oklahoma State Board of Education the law seems to be whatever Ryan Walters says it is. Or, as Senator Mary Boren said, "He invents the law the way he wants it to be and proceeds accordingly." 

That's right, baby. Whether we like it or not, Ryan Walters is going to make our kids and grandkids be good, and just like him.

8-3-24