CHRISTIE FOR VEEP

Reports have it that Trump is considering having Chris Christie as his running mate in the 2016 General Election.  and considering that Christie is one of the few who would welcome the position, may have a good shot at it. Trump is aware that Christie has a 26% favorability approval rating  in his home state of New Jersey. Trump, however, believes that Christie will bring out a big turnout, in New Jersey, and volume will be a compensating factor. 

DISHEARTENING FOR ISIS

It must be very disheartening, for ISIS, to see a country, like Turkey, shrug off a terror attack on its largest airport, and continue operating as if nothing, of consequence, had happened.  If it weren't for  nations that become hysterical, like the U.S., they might quit, in disgust, the whole terror business. 

"A PROPHET IS NOT WITHOUT HONOR EXCEPT IN HIS OWN COUNTRY"

It is rare to see  a foreign Parliament erupt into an emotional and spontaneous demonstration of affection, and appreciation, of the President of the United States of America, as happened recently in Ottawa, after a speech by President Obama.

His reputation will continue to grow, in the rest of the world, if not in his own country.

FAULTY TRADE AGREEMENTS

I find nothing wrong with the trade agreements that the U.S. has entered into; I find plenty wrong with our system that allows the perversion of these trade agreements.

Nothing in any of our trade agreements forces the U.S. to facilitate the transfer of our factories abroad.  This is done by our own greedy business owners and their elected and corrupt legislators. If 
a signatory to the treaty allows business to deduct expenses involved in moving the factory abroad, is that the fault of the treaty or the other signatories?

If a party to the treaty does not keep up with investment in infrastructure that makes a nation competitive, whose fault is that? The treaty or the other signatories? To paraphrase Shakespeare, "No, dear Brutus, the fault is not in our treaties but in ourselves.

RADICAL MUSLIM TERRORISM

While it is true that Turkey is the largest of our Muslim allies in the fight against terrorism, until they heed Donald Trump's warning that they must call it "radical Muslim terrorism" they risk being effective in their efforts.  By simply calling it "terrorism", they cannot hope to beat ISIS.

PROMOTING THE JUDEO-CHRISTIAN ETHIC

In a recent speech, Donald Trump exhorts us that it is time to match our enemies cruelty and viciousness.  Trump's handlers will be rushing to assure us that this is just campaign rhetoric to consolidate the Evangelical vote by promoting the Judeo-Christian ethic.

UNFAIR CRITICISM

A little more than 6 months ago, Donald Trump proposed a ban on Muslims entering the U.S.  Since then he has made several  modifications to his original proposal.

Because of these modifications, Trump considers it grossly unfair that his original proposal continues to garner criticism from his opposition.  On the other hand, Hillary is fair game for criticism of actions, of her husband, 20 years ago.

How unfair can people get?

PROUD OF HIS HERITAGE

You gotta hand it to the Donald.  Vulnerable to being labeled a racist, because of his many ethnic insults, Trump has figured a way to possibly trivialize the term "racist" by calling Elizabeth Warren as such.  Now the lady has claimed that according to her family, who are Oklahomans by birth, lore, she is of 1/32 of Indian ancestry.  She has never asked for assistance or affirmative action for this tiny percentage of ethnicity; she is just proud of the heritage.  This Trump equates to racism equal to his calling Mexican rapists, or biased as jurist for wanting to build a wall.  To Trump, he, too, is just being proud of his heritage.  So enough with calling him a racist!

BREXIT GOOD FOR LABOR?

In addition to Donald Trump, who thinks that the devaluation of the British Pound will be good for his business, there are elements who believe it to be a good thing that BREXIT struck a blow at the system.

Considering how much the U.K. has to import, the working class has just had a substantial cut in wages, by the devaluation, caused overnight, by BREXIT.  

When proponents of BREXIT spoke about the Brussels bureaucrats, the were referring to  an EU that, in general, was much more liberal and progressive than the Conservative British Government.  

Liberals who support BREXIT might want to reconsider their position.

BUYER'S REMORSE

BREXIT has become a cautionary tale for those of us in the U.S., with now over 3 million people, and counting, asking for a do over election.  

The day after the election, watching a panel discussion, one of the major proponents of BREXIT, was asked about a pro BREXIT advertisement which advised hundreds of million pounds could be diverted to British health care services if the U.K. left the EU.  The pro-BREXIT proponent denied they had ever made that claim. When confronted with the ad itself, he said that everybody knows not to believe campaign promises.

As millions of Brits are about to learn (or re-learn as the case may be), there is no "lemon law" to protect them from having bought a fraudulent political product.  No such law exists to protect Americans, either.

The Brits have a system that allows for, by American standards, a rapid change of government,  Under our system, no such recourse exists; we have to endure 4 years of a government that came in under false pretenses of a glib salesman's campaign promises.    

GREAT GRIFTER, KLUTZY BUSINESSMAN

The BREXIT debacle may demonstrate why Trump, great con man that he is, has left a string of failed businesses in his wake.

Recently heavily invested in Scottish golf courses, he proceeded to further alienate, himself from the Scottish people, many of whom were to be his customers, by gratuitously offering his opinion in favor of BREXIT, which the majority of the Scotch people oppose and which may cause the break up of the United Kingdom,

Golf, while being an important sport, is hardly an essential, and as such is dependent on the prosperity of the community.  Overnight, BREXIT caused a drop in the United Kingdom"s ranking in the world economies from No 5 to No. 6, in the word.  A breakup of the U.K, will further reduce the status of each.

Trump's big mouth and shallow brain were certainly not helpful to his business.

ADEQUATE PROOF

To all those fact checkers out there, Donald Trump is offering, as adequate proof of his veracity, as to his allegations against  Clinton and Obama, their disrespectful criticisms of him.  He indicates that their responses to his attacks are nothing less than shameful. 

DUE PROCESS

Has anyone noticed how easily due process can be waived for deciding which bathroom can be used, but how difficult it can make it when it comes to preventing suspected terrorists from purchasing an assault rifle?  It  would appear, in our society, that which bathroom one can pee in is a much more pressing question than preventing a massacre of 49 people. 

LITTLE MARCO

Despite, Rubio's obvious dislike of his Senate job, and noticeably poor attendance record,  he has decided to run for the office again. He was unable to secure another job that paid over $170,000 a year plus incredible benefits, for 3 days work a week.  Having been reduced to having to accept an unwanted position, he hopes his Florida constituency will recognize his obvious sacrifice and do the right thing. 

IGNORING THE DEMOGRFAPHICS

Republicans continue to ignore, what may be he fastest growing minority group, in the nation, relatives of victims of gun violence. They may be causing themselves, irreparable, harm by not paying attention to the demographics.

INAPPROPRIATE DEMONSTATION

House Republicans are, rightfully, incensed that Democrats have decided to stage a sit-in on the floor of the lower Chamber because House leaders refuse to bring gun control legislation up for a vote. 

They feel that the Democrats are unjustly targeting them with their demonstration when they know that they should be demonstrating at the offices of the N.R.A., since it is that organization that is not permitting the bills from being brought to the floor, certainly not the House majority.

They may stage a protest, of their own, because of this inappropriate demonstration.  

AVOIDING ANGST IN THE ELECTORATE

Alarmed by decreasing number of uninsured Americans, as well as a decreasing rate of change in overall medical costs, the G.O.P. is taking urgent measures to rectify the problem and are again promising to offer a plan to replace Obamacare.  

According to reports, the new proposal will be offered in a "White Paper" rather than in the form of an actual bill, so they are not required to provide actual numbers as to the costs, to the American taxpayers, of  their proposed reforms. to avoid any angst in the electorate.

THE N.R.A.'s STRATEGIC PLAN TO DEFEAT ISIS

The N.R.A. does have a strategic plan to defeat ISIS, and hope to have it implemented if they can gain the approval of the Joint Chiefs.  It involves waging a war of attrition against the terrorists.

Because the main problem is that ISIS fighters blend into the population, the N.R.A.'s plan is to flush them out of hiding and eliminating them one by one.  By making weaponry so easily available, they calculate that mass shootings become so enticing, ISIS fighters cannot resist the lure.  Once out of hiding and shooting, they become targets, themselves, and are picked off in the ensuing firefight.

A little ingenuity can protect our Constitutional rights.

'IF WE FIGHT THEM HERE WE DON'T HAVE TO FIGHT THEM THERE"

In fund raising letters, from Republican Senators justifying their votes against gun regulation, they say we should be fighting the terrorists instead of trying to take away rights from the American people.

Since the terrorists are operating here in the U.S., it would appear that  now what we are supposed to do is to fight them here, where weapons are readily available, so we don't have to pay shipping costs.

"PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS"

The recent vote, in the Senate, by Republicans, not to vote in favor of gun control measures, is ample evidence that the N.R.A. has not released their pledged delegates to freely vote, in that Chamber.

In effect they have told them, "you belong to us and we expect you to protect the interests of our corporate sponsors."

HEARTENING NEWS

George W. Bush has announced that he will be campaigning, on behalf  of Republican candidates, in the down ballot elections, this year, thus heartening Democrats who need all the help they can get in 2016.

FEELING THE BERN

Those of you, who have read my "advice" to Bernie Sanders, in this blog, to keep and independent entity within the Democratic Party, and work on the grass roots level and have, also, listened to his speech today, will know why I'm feeling the Bern!

REPUBLICANS AND THE CSV VIRUS

In the first decade of the 21st Century, many Republicans were infected by a Chronology Specific Virus which seems to excise all memory of the time period, from the time of the Clinton/Monica Lewinsky affair until the inauguration of Barack Obama, in January of  2009.  The latest example of this may be the recent outburst of John McCain blaming Obama for ISIS, because he, Obama, withdrew U.S. forces from  Iraq. 

Forgotten is the fact that it was Bush who invaded Iraq and disbanded both the Iraqi Army and the Ba'ath Party, the only multi-ethnic institutions which kept the country together.  Forgotten, as well, is the fact that Bush, looking into the eyes of Malicki, approved him as the leader of  the new government and with whom Bush entered into an agreement, to leave Iraq, by 2011.  With memory gone, the founding of ISIS,  by a group of imprisoned ex-officers,  of the disbanded Iraqi Army, in 2006, could not have occurred until after 2009, in McCain's mind.  

Of course considering McCaine's age, it is possible that the virus he was infected with is actually the CRS virus

N.R.A. MAY BE DISCUSSING WHETHER TO ALLOW PASSAGE OF GUN LEGISLATION.

It would appear, from the latest news, that the N.R.A. will allow both the Senate and the House to bring gun reform legislation to the respective floors of each, signifying a major break-through.  What seems to b still unclear is whether the N.R.A. will allow any meaningful legislation to be passed.  This may still be under discussion at the Board meetings of the N.R.A.

"YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR"

Two Democratic Senators, in a speech, today, on the Senate floor, have asked the question, "Why, when an overwhelming majority of Americans, including an overwhelming majority of gun owners, are in favor of  common sense gun reforms such as expanding background check and restricting access, by suspected terrorists, to semi-automatic weapons, there has been no action by the legislature in the matter"?

Republican legislators, in ridiculing that question, have responded, with a question of their own: "What's in it for them?".  After all, there are at least $22 million reasons, provided by the N.R.A. , to block any reforms, so what are  the American people offering them?

The matter of gun reform legislation can easily be resolved by reform proponents collecting funds to outbid the N.R.A.  After all, as everyone knows, you get what you pay for.

DONALD TRUMP, ENEMY AGENT?

In a major policy speech, today, Donald Trump called for a ban on Muslim immigrants, even though the events in Orlando, this past weekend, involving a natural born American citizen would not have been affected, in the least, by such a ban.  For that matter, neither would 9/11,  the largest terrorist attack on U.S. soil, perpetrated by men on a tourist visa, have been affected.  

For some reason, Mr. Trump also doubled down on his contention that somehow by not using the words "Islamic Terrorism", Obama's actions were suspect.  

At a time when MUSLIMS are fighting ISIS on three fronts, Iraq, Syria and Libya, alongside our advisors, and winning battles and reclaiming territory, Donald Trump seems to be hell bent to separate us from our allies by sowing seeds of religious strife.

Had an American politician, during World War II, tried to put a wedge between ourselves and the Free French forces, fighting along side us as allies, by calling the Vichy French, French Cowards or some other epithet slandering the French as a nation, that politician would have been branded an enemy agent, and, at the very last, been interned for the duration of the war.  Had innuendos been made against our then Commander-in-Chief that somehow not offending our largest minority population group, the Germans, made him a suspect, Trump would have been branded the ridiculous draft dodger who thought that calling your enemy names was all it took to fight  a war, or for that matter, an election.  

GUEST POST

The Octogenarians

A fine WordPress.com site

Skip to content

• Home
• About
• Contact
• Disclaimer
• Quotes

← Where Are The Good Guys With The Guns?

The Sports Metaphor in Life & Death →

Experiencing a New Technology

Posted on June 12, 2016 by daedal2207

I recently tried Uber as a new way of getting downtown in the early morning rushhours.My wife and I used the the new technology with some trepidation but were delighted with the outcome.At 1/3 the cost of a limousine and with the added attraction of a conversation with a driver from southeast Asia.This gentleman who was driving to be busy and not for the money, explained that U.S. sanctions did work against his government but took a long time and had the effect of squeezing the poor to the point of near rebellion after which the military junta effected political reform.The return trip was equally edifying. We chose the group option and had the company of a young black man with a Philadelphia Eagle’s cap.The driver this time was from eastern Europe and the discussion was not about the Thunder and the Warriors, but about the minimum wage.Surprisingly, there was agreement that the $15 wage would squeeze those previously employed at near minimum wages in favor of new workers.I suggested that it might also accelerate automation at the cost of future jobs,but the concensus was that you can’t automate hash slinging and burger whomping much.In retrospect it was an example of the dialogue between the present and the future.Future need compromising many in the present in favor of accomodating more and or different others.Just as Uber and Lyft are damaging the regular taxi and limo licensees in favor of an army of non professional drivers and the pocketbooks of many.

GROWTH IN WISDOM

As I grow older, I become firmer in my belief, that growth in wisdom is directly proportional to increasing appreciation of depth of my ignorance.

THE LIMITATIONS OF SMOKE AND MIRRORS

The trade-offs to one of Trump's most successful ploys, to win the Primary elections, may be beginning to seriously damage the G.O.P.  Convincing a large segment of his voters that he was wealthy enough to finance his own campaign, and therefore would not be beholden to special interests, aided his winning the nomination.  The truth, which is now emerging, is that he has no where near the resources needed, and he will have to rely on the Republic National Committee, at a time when they themselves are strapped for cash, and on the largesse of those same special interests, Trump previously disdained.

Not only are contributors more leery about contributing their funds to either the RNC or Trump, and the needs of beleaguered Congressional candidates greater, but the Democratic candidates are doing much better than Republicans in fund raising.  If the trend continues, in this election, we may find that, for the first time, Republicans may join in clamoring for election campaign finance reform. 

THE SHORT-SIGHTEDNESS OF GREED

It is a mathematical certainty that, if mass shootings, continue unabated, the number of families, touched by the tragedy of gun deaths, will begin to exceed those that are unscathed.  When that happens, a backlash, fueled by frustration, could  unleash a torrent that will sweep away the 2nd Amendment and impose strict gun control laws on the nation.  It is the greed of the gun manufacturers that makes them oblivious to the future of their industry in exchange for short term profits.

It is almost axiomatic, historically, that accumulation of wealth and/or power by a small segment of the population leads to  social explosions whose consequences can raely be predicted.  Yet, in the U.S. as more and more wealth and power is being concentrated in the hands of 1/10 of 1 per cent of the population, the desire for more has blinded them to the lessons of history. The pity is that more equity would bring more prosperity to all, whereas the reaction to inequity will, in all likelihood, bring more poverty to all.

LUCKY G.O.P

It is fortunate that the G.O.P. has a competent orator, capable of delivering spellbinding speeches about how fabulous he is. to offset the onslaught of substantive speeches that are expected to be forthcoming from the 2 Clintons, Obama, Biden, Sanders. and Warren. in the forthcoming campaign.

POCAHONTAS SCALPS TRUMP

Elizabeth Warren, in he speech before the American Constitution Society, may have justified Trumps use of the sobriquet "Pocahontas",  when she delivered a scalping to the Donald that may have made her Indian forebears proud, indeed.

REVOLUTION OR COUNTERREVOLUTION?

Bernie Sanders has called for a Revolution in American politics.  I believe that a case can be made that it might have been more precise if he had called for a Counterrevolution.  

Quietly, Republicans started a Revolution, under Reagan, that took over the American grass roots by concentrating on State and local governments, which allowed for voter suppression and gerrymandering that was able to affect national elections, and reached a high point when Republicans were able to effect, what some have called, a coup, which installed George W. Bush as President.  The ineptness of that Administration allowed for the Presidency of  Obama, which was quickly nullified by the elections of 2010 where Obama's counterrevolution was cut short by Republicans, able to use their grass roots clout, as well as apathy of Democrats,  to thwart his major programs.

Historically, top down revolutions, as well as counterrevolutions, just don't work out well.  If only we could harness, Bernie's proven skills, to mobilize  the people, at the grass roots level, we will be able to cleanse ourselves of  the pernicious elements in our society.

CHANGING THE CHARGE

Donald Trump, in response to a barrage of criticism that he is a racist, for attacking an American judge, for his ethnicity, because of a judicial ruling, claims that the media has misconstrued his words. 

Since the Donald has not retracted his words, we are left only with the possibility of  of changing the charge from "racism' to that of "Criminal Tone Deafness".

SLIPPERY SLOPE, INDEED

In a nation whose jurisprudence is formed mostly from precedents, one should be careful about the precedents that are set.  Should Trump  be successful, in having the ethnicity, of an American born judge, be a factor in whether that judge may preside over a case, he will be excluding ever having anyone of Scotch or German ancestry, as a judge in any of his law suits.  Since most whites , in the U.S., are descendents of Europeans from Germany and the United Kingdom, he will be practically guaranteeing that all of his judges will be of black, Asian or  the Mediterranean, most likely Jewish or Italian descent..  Lots of luck, Donald.

THE SLEAZY PRESS

Trump is hitting the "sleazy" Press really hard.  This time he does have a point.  He can use himself as an example.  He would not have even become the presumptive nominee had it not been for ,an estimated, $1.2 billion, in free air time, given him by that Press.