Political Potpourri

The Democrats are experiencing a bit of “irrational exuberance.” It’s the same feeling that Republicans were feeling about three weeks ago. It’s way too early for any self congratulations. Too many things and events can change. Economic events and the Middle East could change the campaign around. Don’t discount the possible influence and effect that Joe Biden will have on this election.

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If I was Kamala Harris, I would not debate Donald Trump. The man isn’t capable of discussing policy issues. There really isn’t much of an upside for Kamala – – she will be expected to clean the floor with him.

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How can there be any undecided voters for the Presidential election?

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Hard to believe that JD Vance may be a worse Vice Presidential candidate than Sarah Palin, and Dan Quayle.

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Is there anything more insulting to a person’s intelligence then the political commercials being run right now?

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Ideal Presidential Debate Media Team: Hosts: Dana Bash and Jim Acosta (CNN); Questioners: Rachel Scott (ABC) Chris Wallace (CNN) Bret Baier (Fox) and Kara Swisher.

What This Comedian Said Will Shock You by Bill Maher (Review and Notes)

I am a huge Bill Maher fan. I’ve been watching Politically Incorrect since it debuted in 1993. Maher could be considered the Will Rogers of today’s culture. But Maher is more cutting, dynamic, controversial and cynical than Rogers ever was. Plus Maher has met plenty of people he did not like. Maher’s style is more like H.L. Mencken. Maher and Jon Stewart are the rational minds and voices that Americans need badly.

I’d recommend Maher’s books of essays about politics, media, cancel culture, Trump, education and civil war etc. to anyone interested in current events, history and politics. But I understand that 40% of the country might prefer to listen to Greg Gutfield and The Five. Their loss! I find Maher to be a very fair interviewer on his show, civil and willing to give opposite views from him a fair hearing.

Read the varied essays at your leisure. Maher incorporates humor with his opinions and criticisms. Try it, you may like it…

I have posted some excerpts that caught my eye and mind…

A job in Congress is just so much better than racking the weights at CrossFit, which is what Marjorie Taylor Greene did before she set her crazy eyes on the prize. And once you get the gig, it’s yours for life. The re-election rate in the house for incumbents in 2022 was 95% – – that’s better job security than a pedophile priest has.

Everybody keeps asking, how could a guy (George Santos) like this happen?” I’ll tell you how: because no one cares anymore about substance. It’s all tribalism. The only thing that matters is “is he on our team?” Is he doing our schtick?” Santos is just the first one to realize you could do both sides’ schtick and get away with it because people have completely tuned out anything that doesn’t already fit their narrative.

Americans are far too dim and distracted to responsibly make a (voting) choice in just weeks or even months. Americans actually think it’s a brag to say that they’re cynical about politics and therefore don’t follow it. Don’t flatter yourself. Cynical comes when you know too much; you, on the other hand, haven’t bothered to learn anything.

This country simply has no education standards anymore – – they will let you out of a public high school and give you a diploma and you don’t have to actually know anything. Which used to be a mission of schools: knowing things.

Facebook, Instagram, TikTok – – these are not places to read in the sense of garnering real and valuable information; they are what replaced reading so you’d have more time to take pictures of your dick. Sorry, but staring at your phone doesn’t make you a reader anymore than watching fireworks makes you an astronomer, or getting a tramp stamp makes you ass a museum.

Trump calls the Mueller report “the crazy Mueller report, “and in a way he’s right, because it’s over 400 pages detailing terrible crimes by a corrupt president, yet Mueller doesn’t prosecute. If Dostoevsky had written this report, it would be called “Crime and no Punishment.”

In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Trump nicknamed his penis “Mike Pence” because it’s not hung like it should be.

Our economy no longer creates a middle class, it sucks it dry. Sometimes “middle class” just means you’re poor but you don’t do meth. And remember, this is the good economy, where 40% of Americans can’t afford a $400 emergency expense and 50 million have nothing saved for retirement. Sorry, but it is not middle-class when your retirement plan is a lotto ticket.

When did the American business model switch from honestly selling you a product to tricking the consumer who doesn’t read the fine print? You ever wonder, “Why is my cell phone contract longer than a CVS receipt?” If you forget to turn off “data roaming” and you go to Vancouver for the weekend, Verizon gets to keep your children. This is the way we do business, and it’s all based on the cynical premise of you fucking up: that they can wear you down, confuse you or count on you to forget.

Before we tackle any of our daunting specific problems here in America, we have to figure out how a country can solve any problem if so, many of its people are so intractably,, astoundingly, mind numbingly stupid. And I’m not saying that as hyperbole or just out of frustration. I mean this country just might be empirically, verifiably too fucking dumb to continue as an ongoing enterprise.

Colleges have turned into giant, luxury daycare centers with overpaid babysitters anxious to indulge every student whim.

Every year at graduation time we witnessed the ritual of commencement addresses, when America’s overrated, gas bags, and wisdom-free celebrities are invited by star fucking universities to come to their school and tell a bunch of spoiled, stoned, debt laden brats things like “You’re only limit is your own imagination” and The world will be a better place for having you in it.”

Before the Internet, you only had to put up with your wingnut uncle on Thanksgiving. Now he’s forwarding you proof that Trump won Arizona and Epstein was murdered by the QAnon shaman. The street corner nut with the sandwich board used to be laughed at; now he’s linked to.

Do you know the reason why advertisers in this country love the 18 to 34 demographic? Because it’s the most gullible. A third of people under 35 say they’re in favor of abolishing the police – – not defunding, but doing away with a police force altogether, which is less of a policy position, and more of a leg tattoo. 36% of millennials think it might be a good idea to try communism.

Is there anything more self-defeating than not using old people as a resource? Not taking advantage of their accumulated knowledge? Everywhere else in the world elders are sought for guidance. In America, elders are sought for TikTok pranks.

Now, I get it, Christians love to feel persecuted – – it’s part of their origin story. But it’s been a long time since anyone was getting eaten by the lions in the Colosseum. 64% of the country is Christian, not to mention every president we’ve ever had, so please don’t tell me, in what universe does it make sense when Sean Hannity says, “The liberal media’s war against religion is alive and well.”

The Party is Over, Democrats!

So I’m wondering next month at the Democratic national convention, whether Joe Biden will give his concession speech for the presidential election. Why wait till November? It sure looks like a large number of Democrats have thrown in the towel and are already conceding that Donald Trump will be our next president.

I have to admit that Trump and his supporters have been awfully lucky (?) the past few weeks. Not only does Trump survive an assassination attempt but his politically appointed judges have provided incredible cover for his various legal misdeeds. Three months ago, Trump was a convicted felon and established rapist. Now he is anointed as God’s chosen one with polls showing him pulling away from Biden in the presidential race.

But let’s not pass blame on the Democratic Party. They win the cocktail party arguments, get the media endorsements and favorable press coverage but given the political power they have, do not use it effectively. Republicans are ruthless in political power games. They take no prisoners! Democrats return GOP haymakers with gloved hand slaps.

You would think that Merrick Garland would be an inspired avenger against the GOP who blocked him from gaining a Supreme Court seat after being nominated by Barack Obama. However, Trump is largely winning on the legal battlefields. Yesterday, the case against him for hiding and destroying secret documents was dismissed. Even though Trump was found guilty in the Stormy Daniels payoff case, I seriously doubt that he faces any real punishment, especially jail. From my perspective, it looks like the prosecution of Donald Trump was done half assed with very little coordination of effort and timing between State and Federal authorities.

The Democratic Party is weak! They need a “killer” not a feeble old man to take up the fight in the 2024 presidential election. If they choose not to replace Biden with another candidate, I sense that a lot of Democrats and Independents are going to stay home on election day.

A Nation on Edge: The Dangerous Consequences of Partisan Politics

Donald Trump is a survivor. He has weathered indictments, impeachment attempts, business failures, deep-seated animosity from half the nation, a failed reelection bid, and now, an assassination attempt. This latest incident may not only cast him as a hero but could also bolster his chances of winning the 2024 presidential election.

The occurrence of such an event should not come as a surprise. The volatility, hatred, and intense partisanship that define contemporary American politics inevitably breed violence. The current climate makes such “craziness” almost inevitable.

In the immediate aftermath of the assassination attempt, accusations flew, suggesting that Joe Biden or liberals, implicitly or otherwise, were responsible for the shooting. However, given Trump’s incendiary rhetoric, it could be argued that he was an accomplice to his own shooting. The political polarization pot has been stirred, and the maelstrom is just beginning.

This moment is critical in American history. We are in dire need of sound and rational judgment. Unfortunately, such judgment seems to be lacking among our national political leaders, the media, and, regrettably, within many of our citizenry.

Bürgerkrieg (Civil War)

Ah the NBA and Stanley Cup playoffs are ending. Baseball is in full swing. Caitlyn Clark is the new American heroine and Taylor Swift continues to captivate audiences on her worldwide tour. Millions of Americans are on or about to enjoy their well deserved vacations. Summer is here, full of festivals, concerts, community activities, fireworks, and music fairs. Americans are enjoying the extended sunlight by playing golf, pickleball or heading to the shore to swim and lie comfortably on blankets in the sand serenaded by the timeless tunes of War’s classic song:

Cause it’s summer

Summer time is here

Yes it’s summer

My time of year

The stock market continue to reach for new highs. Unemployment is low. The economy and job market have largely recovered from one of the great health and financial challenges in the history of the world. There are no American soldiers involved in active combat. Indeed there was a recent commemoration of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, where  American soldiers braved heavy artillery and gunfire from German forces to start the last days of tyranny.

Amidst this idyllic picture, what could disrupt our enjoyment of the sun, warm nights, and the sounds of children playing in the park?

Discordant and rabid voices are baying hatefully at political rallies clad in red hats and clothing like SS troopers at a 1930’s Nuremberg rally. Clutching their flags, Bibles and sometimes guns, they pledge allegiance to an ideology of hate, revenge and promised retribution. Like their leader, they know little of history or truth. There is no discussion of compromise. They wish to destroy democracy by employing their ruse of democracy—-the people want a dictatorship!?

As we revel in the joys of summer, it is crucial to remain vigilant. The threats to our democracy are real, and they come from within. Hopefully  people will not be complacent by the warmth of the season. The future of our nation depends on awareness, actions, and unwavering commitment to the principles of democracy and justice.

Quick Thoughts on Trump Conviction

Half of me thought that the Trump trial would result in a hung jury. The other half of me thought that Trump might be filed guilty of 10 or less of the 34 charges he faced.

I’m very surprised that Trump was found guilty of all the charges against him. How good were Trump’s lawyers? They couldn’t get him clear of at least one charge! Based on some of the things that I read about the trial, Trump’s lawyers may have been lacking in, presenting the best case for him.

What angers me the most are the people who are still supporting Trump. Don’t you people have any shame? There is an argument that this verdict will only help Trump get reelected. It’s possible, but given the actions of Trump’s jury today, I feel a little bit more hopeful that Trump will not be successful.

Politics in this country is such a huge mess. I blame the political parties, the press (or at least most of them), and just too many disinterested and ignorant voters.

News Ticker Shock

Nikki Haley supporting Trump…”I will be voting for Trump.”

Justice Alito caught flying another flag outside his home supporting insurrection

60% of Americans think that we are in a recession (poll)

“United Reich” wording posted to a video on Trump’s Truth Social media account

RFK Jr. VP pick Nicole Shanahan profiled as drug user and adulterer in NY Times article

Putin ‘launches space weapon’ while his forces carry out nuke drill near Ukraine

Daily marijuana use outpaces daily drinking in the U.S., a new study says

RIP Democracy?? 11/5/2024

  1. Democracy may be dead. 50/50 that this November’s elections results will not be accepted by the losing party.
  2. Donald Trump, MAGA, Fox News and the Republican Party are holding the bloody knives in democracy’s demise or in Kristi Noem’s case, the smoking gun. There is also huge crowds cheering this on.
  3. My sense is that our current political culture and craziness could not have taken place 50 or 60 years ago. Back then, anyone who had a whiff of scandal would not be electable and would not have a political future.
  4. To have a viable and working democracy, there needs to be a majority of smart people, large enough to suppress dumb people. That does not exist today. Not even a majority of reasonable, intelligent voters can offset the rising number of dumb ones.
  5. The end of democracy actually started after the election of Barack Obama when the Republican party decided to strictly become a party of obstruction. They were determined and largely successful in stonewalling Obama’s agenda for eighth years. Remember when the Republican party blocked the nomination of Merrick Garland as a Supreme Court Justice in 2016?
  6. The Democratic Party shows absolutely no spine. There are times you have to fight as dirty as your opponent and the Dems have failed to do that.
  7. Most of my intellectual life, I have been a student of Nazi Germany. I have been fascinated by the rise of Hitler and how the German people largely supported him. Maybe soon I will get to experience a similar government and dictatorship here in the U.S. that existed back in 1934 Germany.
  8. There is too much influence of religion in politics. Religious people tend to believe almost anything, especially those claims not grounded in fact, truth, or science. Easily manipulable, religious people are the least tolerant and the least likely to be persuaded by evidence or reason.

“Have you no sense of decency…”

I was thinking about this complaint directed at senator Joseph McCarthy, about 70 years ago by Joseph Welch, who was an attorney for the Army during Senate hearings. I was reading and listening to some of the testimony by Stormy Daniels in today’s trial. I understand that the former president Trump was quite agitated while listening to the testimony of a porn star regarding his rendezvous and sexual affair with her.

I never understood why Trump, his lawyers, his family, and any supporters that he may have, did not try to work out a deal with the Attorney General. I don’t understand why the Republican party would not try to work out some type of exit plan as they did for Richard Nixon in 1974. It just seems to me that some type of deal could be worked out that Trump would plead guilty to certain charges, pay fines and apologize for his misbehaviors. In return for a pardon, Trump would no longer be involved in politics, specifically running for any political office. Trump would be “exiled” to Mar-a-Lago.

Instead, his wife, family, and the country are subjected to a circus, ill behavior, misdeeds, criminality, early dementia, and sexual misconduct. Why would any decent man put his family through this? Does he really want to be president that badly? I guess the answer is yes.

I understand that there were gallows humor among the press corp about what they made experience if Trump is elected president this November. I do not think it is so far-fetched that he will seek revenge on those who have mocked him and attempted to put him in jail.

There is so much talk about the potential ramifications and possible violence if Trump was ever put in jail. I wonder if people considered how things might go if he is not.

I am so tired of all this. We have so many challenges and we are wasting precious time dealing with the delusions Donald Trump.

For God sakes, please somebody make a deal and end this national nightmare…