Donald Trump doesn't know what the hell he is doing. Either that or he's more malicious than we thought and incapable of speaking in complete sentences that are longer than 140 characters. And to all you Trumpians who believe he is making America great...now it's time for you to get over it. He's will destroy the working and middle classes with his "make one regulation, remove two" edict. Ending the fiduciary responsibility of financial advisers, compromising the health of the economy and the safety of its citizens through brazen stupidity, and lordy I could go on and on. Signing executive orders without reading them, trying to marginalize the free press. Throwing tantrum after tantrum in a manner not befitting a leading of our democracy. All this and more. And President Bannon, who is probably of Irish decent (whose name in Gaelic means white or fair...how apropos) and who's hand is so far up The Donald's ass that it actually looks like Trump might be in charge. Trump declaring that if the president does it, it is by definition legal and constitutional, all the while violating the emolument clause of the constitution and creating a mess of our economy (in due time, children, you wait and see). All he knows how to do is brand and declare bankruptcy and that isn't really an option for our country now is it. And he is a loose cannon who is putting our democracy at risk.
I have an African American friend who I believe is so conservative as to make Bannon look like a sissy. He is thoughtful and articulate and we have enjoyed some back and forth discussing politics. I have news for him...In Bannon's America he will be so marginalized as to not have a voice. I have no problems with thoughtful conservatives, and even those conservatives who have joined the dark side of opposing Trump, as long as there is a rational basis for dialogue (beyond the "You lost, we won" variety) and a free exchange of ideas. Mr. Bannon is a white nationalist, a would be Leninist intent on destroying the current status quo and making America great in his image. A white European national identity, far more dangerous than the KKK, but giving voice to them as well. I wonder how my friend feels about the conflation of white nationalism and the KKK. All the hate that is bubbling to the surface. This nationalistic movement rooted in populism gone awry is not healthy for our diverse culture and is putting all its citizens at risk. He is antisemitic, a racist, a misogynist, etc., etc., etc. He is not the America I want to believe in and be part of. No, I am not leaving the country, although some may wish I would, but I intend to stand strong through this constitutional crisis and emerge on the other side a better, freer and diverse, not divisive, America.
And so it goes.
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Friday, February 3, 2017
Just when you think...
This clusterfux of a shitstorm can't get any worse somehow it does. My friend, Sister Our Lady of Perpetual Motion, who has nightmares about mushrooms clouds. those clouds are starting to almost look inevitable. The Neo-Cons of a bygone happier time of George W. Bush are starting to look like absolute boys scouts. Our president of perpetual puppet and his puppet master are heading us towards a war in Iran or China or Mexico, dammit we gotta have a war somewhere or what's a military and nuclear weaponry for. Bring on the tanks, bring on the war planes, oh, it's one-two-three what are we fighting for, don't ask me I don't give a damn, next stop is...
As I approach my thirty-third year at the MSU Library I reflect on times gone by. Used to be I was the youngest at the table of my friends, but now all those friends have retired and I am the old lady of the crew. I recall being horrified at the prospect of war in 1990, which materialized. I recall the doctrine of "shock and awe", which apparently this president also believes in. I think what this president believes in, really, is nothing but himself. But Bannon, there's the danger. They would like it if all of our peaceful demonstrations turned ugly, like the riot at UC Berkeley. But there is some suspicion, like the Nazis of old, those in power might send agitators to our demonstrations in hopes of starting violence and,thus, making it alright to send in the troops. Well, if it worked for the Nazis and then the Soviets why not for the Trumpets.
So, now that the collective "We" have antagonized Australia, cosied up to Russia, threatened Iran and Mexico all in two weeks, and my we have been a busy boy, just when I think it can't possibly get worse it does. It matters how we are perceived in the world community. Our alliances, especially with NATO and honoring the Geneva Convention, should be recognized and honored. I just can't believe that an ignorant, narcissistic, egomaniacal, man-child sociopath is in charge of the strongest military in the world, with Bannon's hand up his ass, or pulling his strings, or both.
Let us keep our protests peaceful...keep the pressure on Congress. Trumpeezee had to cancel a visit to Milwaukee over fears that there would be protests and his fragile ego would have none of that. Keep the pressure on. Keep it peaceful. There is a General Strike being organized for February 17th. No work, no commerce, a shutdown. Keep that a peaceful resolution. Keep the pressure on. Rise Up, as I am wont to say. Let's keep the media free and let them hold our leaders responsible for their alternative fact universe they have created, The KellyAnne Con-Job statement about the Bowling Green Massacre is made up. They need to make up stories to keep the masses afraid of foreigners and the truth. There was no Bowling Green Massacre and that's why there was no media coverage. She, the Minister of Propaganda, only wants news that follows the agenda. She can wonder all she wants why the media isn't giving Trump a "fair chance"; he has proven himself unworthy of a second chance. His transition team foreshadowed all that is now happening. So let's be vigilant, not vigilantes. Let's "go high" when they "go low".
I have written my congressman, the spineless Mike Bishop, at least once a week. I have called our AG Bill Schuette, who hopes to be our next fearful leader, numerous times as he supports what I prefer to call the "Muslim Ban". My city, bless our tax dollars at work, has decided to oppose the ban. My university is deeply concerned about the ban and along with UofM has chosen to not turn over immigration records of students. Peaceful we are and peaceful we shall be. Rise Up!
As I approach my thirty-third year at the MSU Library I reflect on times gone by. Used to be I was the youngest at the table of my friends, but now all those friends have retired and I am the old lady of the crew. I recall being horrified at the prospect of war in 1990, which materialized. I recall the doctrine of "shock and awe", which apparently this president also believes in. I think what this president believes in, really, is nothing but himself. But Bannon, there's the danger. They would like it if all of our peaceful demonstrations turned ugly, like the riot at UC Berkeley. But there is some suspicion, like the Nazis of old, those in power might send agitators to our demonstrations in hopes of starting violence and,thus, making it alright to send in the troops. Well, if it worked for the Nazis and then the Soviets why not for the Trumpets.
So, now that the collective "We" have antagonized Australia, cosied up to Russia, threatened Iran and Mexico all in two weeks, and my we have been a busy boy, just when I think it can't possibly get worse it does. It matters how we are perceived in the world community. Our alliances, especially with NATO and honoring the Geneva Convention, should be recognized and honored. I just can't believe that an ignorant, narcissistic, egomaniacal, man-child sociopath is in charge of the strongest military in the world, with Bannon's hand up his ass, or pulling his strings, or both.
Let us keep our protests peaceful...keep the pressure on Congress. Trumpeezee had to cancel a visit to Milwaukee over fears that there would be protests and his fragile ego would have none of that. Keep the pressure on. Keep it peaceful. There is a General Strike being organized for February 17th. No work, no commerce, a shutdown. Keep that a peaceful resolution. Keep the pressure on. Rise Up, as I am wont to say. Let's keep the media free and let them hold our leaders responsible for their alternative fact universe they have created, The KellyAnne Con-Job statement about the Bowling Green Massacre is made up. They need to make up stories to keep the masses afraid of foreigners and the truth. There was no Bowling Green Massacre and that's why there was no media coverage. She, the Minister of Propaganda, only wants news that follows the agenda. She can wonder all she wants why the media isn't giving Trump a "fair chance"; he has proven himself unworthy of a second chance. His transition team foreshadowed all that is now happening. So let's be vigilant, not vigilantes. Let's "go high" when they "go low".
I have written my congressman, the spineless Mike Bishop, at least once a week. I have called our AG Bill Schuette, who hopes to be our next fearful leader, numerous times as he supports what I prefer to call the "Muslim Ban". My city, bless our tax dollars at work, has decided to oppose the ban. My university is deeply concerned about the ban and along with UofM has chosen to not turn over immigration records of students. Peaceful we are and peaceful we shall be. Rise Up!
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
mas vale que nunca
Well, it has been a long journey since last I wrote. The Mango Mussolini is now our puppet commander in chief and puppet master Bannon's hand is up the Mango's ass. Get the feeling I am unhappy? As Stephen Colbert said last night, and I am paraphrasing, it is like being on a roller coaster every day and still having to puke anew. And I am dizzy enough as it is with my latest malady. But enough about me. I have a friend, yes I do, at the library who has a dream about Trump pushing the nuclear button and she sees a mushroom cloud and ... that's all folks...she wakes up screaming. It is sad that it has come so far so soon.
I am having a running dialogue with a Trump supporter. I am assuming this because he has spoken nary a word against Trumpo. We have been discussing the Muslim ban and he is arguing that it is precautionary and I have been arguing it is hatred in the guise of keeping us safe. It does nothing to enhance our standing in the world, which right now is laughable if it weren't so bad, and only serves to make more jihadists who see us as hating Muslims. This will keep ISIS and Al Qaeda in business for quite sometime to come. And yesterday seventeen bomb threats were called into Jewish community centers across the country. So the hate is right now bubbling forth. The Mosque shooting in Quebec, the Mosque burning in Texas, the seventeen bomb threats to Jewish centers, all bespeak of a level of hate in this country we haven't seen in a good long time. Is this what he meant by making America great again?
Steve Bannon is the one who truly scares me as while Trumpo may not know what he is coloring day to day Bannon knows exactly what buttons to push.
Now, all this said, I don't despise the Republicans. There are good, honest men and women who do not support the Trumpet vision of the world, like John McCain and Lindsey Graham. When Bush won/stole the election in 2000 I didn't fret about the world situation as I do now with certain fingers on the nu-clear button, as Bush II would say. But this somehow all feels very different and threatening to my safety and the safety of my fellow citizens. With a madman at the helm and a strong White Nationalist pulling the strings I do fear for my safety. When such casual conversations come to me with the phrase "...and I Jewed them down." I feel angry and when I explain how hateful that expression is that say "No. I mean it as a compliment."
Okay, so I am conflating hatred of Muslims with hatred of the Jews, and essentially all religious, ethnic and racial minorities. And I believe the connection is the white christian nationalist who yearns for the good old days when they could walk down the street with their white privilege in their pockets and brush off any offending persons with a flick of their finger. That is what scares me most.
While the Muslim ban (and I am calling what it truly is) excludes peoples from seven predominately Muslim countries (but none where actual terrorists have come from since the turn of the century and none where Trumpeezee has business dealings) and he says the Obama administration is the one who first started this freeze on these seven nations, including war ravaged Syria. And while he who shall not be named says this isn't a Muslim ban, that minority Christians from the Mideast will be giving priority and special treatment, how can it not be perceived as such?
All of this brings me back to what can I do. Like the song "Draft Dodger Rag" I have a laundry list of things I can proactively do. Such as: joining the ACLU, ADL, Southern Poverty Law Center, B'nai Brith, Hadassah, Emily's List, Planned Parenthood, NARAL, etc, etc, etc. Therapy is helping as well as I am taking care of myself. That is another safe place to pitch a hissy. I walked in the Women's march in Lansing, I will march again on April 15th, which is the next scheduled demonstration in case you are interested, which will be another call for the Mango to release his taxes (Yes we are really interested in seeing what a great businessman he truly is).
Alrighty then, deep breath and let go. Here is a list, in no particular order, of my fears in the new Trumpian world order: Hate on the rise and being openly expressed as if somehow the election has made it normal to burn mosques and phone in bomb threats to Jewish community centers. The next holocaust, which might be nuclear. The only thing worse than dying in a nuclear blast is surviving it. Economic collapse because all the Donald is really good at is declaring bankruptcy and starting all over again. That most Republicans will continue to be spineless and power hungry enough to not oppose what they know in their small hearts is wrongheaded. The Wall and the prospect of paying for it in terms of higher prices due to price gouging by companies producing goods in Mexico and paying a 20% tariff on products, the cost of which will be passed on to consumers. Yes, that is what a smart man, and he keeps telling us "bigly" how smart he is, does to put another brick in the wall. That a man with small hands, and indeed they are small, will be so testicularly crazed that he will play with his war toys as if it were a game. Etc, etc, etc.
There now, I am feeling better. I likes me a good deep breath and letting go. I know people who voted for Mango say give the man a chance, it has only been ten days, but what a roller coaster ride it has been these ten days. And now, if you will excuse me, I shall puke...
I am having a running dialogue with a Trump supporter. I am assuming this because he has spoken nary a word against Trumpo. We have been discussing the Muslim ban and he is arguing that it is precautionary and I have been arguing it is hatred in the guise of keeping us safe. It does nothing to enhance our standing in the world, which right now is laughable if it weren't so bad, and only serves to make more jihadists who see us as hating Muslims. This will keep ISIS and Al Qaeda in business for quite sometime to come. And yesterday seventeen bomb threats were called into Jewish community centers across the country. So the hate is right now bubbling forth. The Mosque shooting in Quebec, the Mosque burning in Texas, the seventeen bomb threats to Jewish centers, all bespeak of a level of hate in this country we haven't seen in a good long time. Is this what he meant by making America great again?
Steve Bannon is the one who truly scares me as while Trumpo may not know what he is coloring day to day Bannon knows exactly what buttons to push.
Now, all this said, I don't despise the Republicans. There are good, honest men and women who do not support the Trumpet vision of the world, like John McCain and Lindsey Graham. When Bush won/stole the election in 2000 I didn't fret about the world situation as I do now with certain fingers on the nu-clear button, as Bush II would say. But this somehow all feels very different and threatening to my safety and the safety of my fellow citizens. With a madman at the helm and a strong White Nationalist pulling the strings I do fear for my safety. When such casual conversations come to me with the phrase "...and I Jewed them down." I feel angry and when I explain how hateful that expression is that say "No. I mean it as a compliment."
Okay, so I am conflating hatred of Muslims with hatred of the Jews, and essentially all religious, ethnic and racial minorities. And I believe the connection is the white christian nationalist who yearns for the good old days when they could walk down the street with their white privilege in their pockets and brush off any offending persons with a flick of their finger. That is what scares me most.
While the Muslim ban (and I am calling what it truly is) excludes peoples from seven predominately Muslim countries (but none where actual terrorists have come from since the turn of the century and none where Trumpeezee has business dealings) and he says the Obama administration is the one who first started this freeze on these seven nations, including war ravaged Syria. And while he who shall not be named says this isn't a Muslim ban, that minority Christians from the Mideast will be giving priority and special treatment, how can it not be perceived as such?
All of this brings me back to what can I do. Like the song "Draft Dodger Rag" I have a laundry list of things I can proactively do. Such as: joining the ACLU, ADL, Southern Poverty Law Center, B'nai Brith, Hadassah, Emily's List, Planned Parenthood, NARAL, etc, etc, etc. Therapy is helping as well as I am taking care of myself. That is another safe place to pitch a hissy. I walked in the Women's march in Lansing, I will march again on April 15th, which is the next scheduled demonstration in case you are interested, which will be another call for the Mango to release his taxes (Yes we are really interested in seeing what a great businessman he truly is).
Alrighty then, deep breath and let go. Here is a list, in no particular order, of my fears in the new Trumpian world order: Hate on the rise and being openly expressed as if somehow the election has made it normal to burn mosques and phone in bomb threats to Jewish community centers. The next holocaust, which might be nuclear. The only thing worse than dying in a nuclear blast is surviving it. Economic collapse because all the Donald is really good at is declaring bankruptcy and starting all over again. That most Republicans will continue to be spineless and power hungry enough to not oppose what they know in their small hearts is wrongheaded. The Wall and the prospect of paying for it in terms of higher prices due to price gouging by companies producing goods in Mexico and paying a 20% tariff on products, the cost of which will be passed on to consumers. Yes, that is what a smart man, and he keeps telling us "bigly" how smart he is, does to put another brick in the wall. That a man with small hands, and indeed they are small, will be so testicularly crazed that he will play with his war toys as if it were a game. Etc, etc, etc.
There now, I am feeling better. I likes me a good deep breath and letting go. I know people who voted for Mango say give the man a chance, it has only been ten days, but what a roller coaster ride it has been these ten days. And now, if you will excuse me, I shall puke...
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