Even Jim Jones Could Get Elected...And At Least He'd Provide The Kool Aid...

 

BREAKING NEWS.....

Former Trump Attorney General, former Trump defector and critic Bill Barr has just announced that he will be seeking an appointment to some high level job in the Trump Administration that will begin this coming January.

Oh...and he has also just announced that he is scared to death of Donald Trump and any/all who are a part of the MAGA cult.

What's that, thou who doth protest?

He hasn't "announced" anything like that at all ??

Of course he has.

Actions...and network television interview yammer..speak tons of decibels louder than conventional "announcements".

Read the italicized article just ahead.

(psst...and don't forget to read between the lines... you'll need to do that in order to intelligently follow along after you finish.....except, of course, for you, Marjorie Taylor Greene....you get a pass on anything that comes within a thousand miles of being "intelligent")

Bill Barr, who served as attorney general in Donald Trump’s administration and has repeatedly disputed his former boss’s claims of voter fraud in the 2020 election, on Wednesday said he will vote for “the Republican ticket” in November, adding that a second term in office for President Joe Biden would be “national suicide.”

In an interview with Fox News’ “America’s Newsroom,” Barr, who has previously also called into question Trump’s fitness to serve, still thinks Biden and his policies represent a greater threat to the U.S.

“Well, I’ve said all along, you know, given two bad choices, I think it’s my duty to pick the person I think would do the least harm to the country and in my mind that’s — I will vote the Republican ticket,” Barr said. “I will support the Republican ticket.”

Barr suggested Biden is pursuing a progressive agenda, which he described as “the real danger to the country, the real danger to democracy.”

“Trump may be playing Russian roulette but a continuation of the Biden administration is national suicide in my opinion,” he added.

Barr, who stood by Trump for most of the time he served in the Department of Justice, resigned from the administration in December 2020 after he gave an interview to The Associated Press saying the DOJ had found no evidence to support Trump’s claims of widespread voter fraud in that year’s presidential contest.

In an interview with The Atlantic in June 2021, Barr doubled down, saying Trump’s claim that the election was stolen from him was “all bullshit.” He also testified before the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, describing Trump as “detached from reality” over his espousal of voting conspiracy theories.

In his own book published in 2022, Barr wrote the time he spent working alongside the president showed him “Trump cared only about one thing: himself.”

“Country and principle took second place,” he added.

Still, while Barr refused to endorse Trump in the 2024 Republican primary, he had not explicitly ruled out eventually supporting Trump’s candidacy if he secured the GOP nomination.

During the Fox News interview, Barr also criticized the hush money case against Trump in New York, where the former president has been charged with falsifying business records to hide a hush money payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels in the lead-up to the 2016 election.

Barr said the case is an “abomination” and that the charges leveled against the former president were politically motivated.

“To me this shows that the real threat to liberty, the real threat to our system are the excesses of the progressive left,” Barr said. “They’re perverting the system of justice and that’s where the danger lies, the corruption and subversion of our institutions by the left.”

 

And there you go.

What?

Still don't see what's right in front of your face here?

Sigh.

You disappoint me.

But surprise me?

Puleeze.

Barr, after his spineless tenure in the cheap, tacky gold plated Corleorange Revolving Door as a Trump Attorney General Du Jour, finally (theoretically) came to his senses and went public with his utter disdain for his former employer (read: "massa") and hit the talk show circuit condemning the 'president' with zeal, zest and...dare we say...even a hint of enthusiasm.

At least the kind of enthusiasm that comes out of someone whose resting face resembles a puzzled Koala bear not entirely sure of its next move.

Now, he did have a book to sell at the time.

But surely that was a coincidence.

Back to the matter at hand.

How do I know that Barr will be looking for a job?

And that he is a quivering mass of chicken shit when it comes to the ultimate four letter word.

MAGA.

What other possible, rational, even remotely sensical reason could there be for letting it be known that he intends to support and vote for the very same someone he, himself, the whole self and nothing but the self described....

 "...as “detached from reality"... 

And...who...

 "...cared only about one thing: himself.”

“Country and principle took second place,” he added."

There are, in fact, two and only two possible, rational, even remotely sensical reasons for so stunningly obscene a pledge of support.

One...he's depending on his 'support' (read: newly rebooted rectum kissing loyalty) being interpreted by 'massa' as his seeing the error of his ways and letting it be known he is ready, willing, able and nervously trembling in the hopes of serving (and this old slogan is now more infuriating than patriotic) "at the pleasure of the President".

Two...and this is the more practical, ergo likely accurate of the two possibilities...he's petrified that the name of Bill Barr will show up, come January 20th on the Cheetos smudged list of those upon whom "revenge" will be exacted.

As has already been 'promised' by the most successful pathologically lying sack of shit to ever con (rhymes with 'Don') his way into squatter's rights in the Oval Office.

It's right about now that the once thought ridiculous "Trump/Hitler" conflation comes to mind.

A comparison that, in fact, deserves its own, fresh catchy label/ID.

How about "Schrodinger's MAGA Nazi"?

Because the comparison is both potentially applicable...and not so much...at the same time.

Not so much in that, regardless of his horrific, maniacal 'Final Solution' that was designed for, and resulted in, the extermination of over six million Jews, Hitler was a psychopath/sociopath whose IQ has been academically guesstimated at over 140, possessed of obvious and effective oratorical skills and, like it or be appalled by it, wrote (himself, by himself) "Mein Kampf", if not particularly a scholarly work, at the very least what "1984" author George Orwell reviewed, in the day, as a volume in which "...the force of Hitler's personality shone through... capturing the magnetic allure of Hitler for many Germans."

While the "desperate to be a dictator" doofus with a low rent strip mall tan and an indescribable "combover" has an IQ of either 180 (he alone insists that's the magic number) or (and this seems more like it) the number purportedly known to appear on documentation from his 'military school' days...73....

...whose oratorical "skills" consist of childish nicknaming, four letter words strictly for the 'shock' value and the once amusing now both embarrassing and pathetic 'invention' of words that exist only in his own excuse for a 'vocabulary'...."covfefe"..."Nambia"...and....stand by, Joel Osteen wanna be's...."Two Corinthians"....as in "so, two Corinthians walk into a pancake breakfast....".

All of that said, the 'Hitler' dealio does ring alarmingly possible/true on a number of levels.

First, those aforementioned oratorical "skills" have, for almost a decade now, encouraged, enticed, even seduced literally millions of theoretically intelligent 'Muricans to support, endorse, celebrate, even worship this 'leader', much to the amazement of actually intelligent people who cannot begin to wrap their heads around the idea that someone so blatantly flawed as a human being could 'inspire' that kind of loyalty.

Exactly what those who today study the ascension of Adolf and the evolution that resulted in Nazi Germany wonder when it comes to the literally millions of "theoretically intelligent" Germans who supported, celebrated....even worshiped...their "hope for the nation's future".....

...who proceeded to exterminate six million human beings, plunge the entire world into a war that cost over 75 million lives....

..and ended his very own making of "Germany Great Again"....lying in the rubble of his destroyed Berlin bunker....dead from a self inflicted gunshot in the mouth.

Before the proven to be cowardly psychopath/sociopath could be brought to international justice for his horrific ravaging of mankind.

All that was missing in the whole sordid scenario were those millions who assembled to adore and praise him at his "rallys"....wearing red caps adorned with Swastikas....

And had there been social media and available Chinese factories to crank out those caps in the day...

They'd a sold like pancakes.

The kind you scarf down sitting next to two Corinthians.

Meanwhile, back at the Barr.

This "he's very possibly the actual living breathing Anti-Christ....but I'll be voting for him as he is our party's nominee" surreality is not, in the slightest, an aberration.

There's a whole lotta that shit goin' around.

Among the more noteworthy names listed in the sycophant directory....

Mitch McConnell, once upon a time Majority Leader whose spinelessness is surpassed only by his chinlessness.

And a particularly heartbreaking/infuriating new arrival on the register.

Chris Sununu of New Hampshire.

Who was, not so long ago, a vital, vibrant, even courageous GOP 'patriot' who spoke freely about his disdain/contempt for the orange creature that will not die.

 

 

Chris Sununu is all the more pitiful for the fact that he once pretended to stand for something https://t.co/l8Jycvltl3

— John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) April 14, 2024

 

The 19th Century Cuban activist/poet Jose' Marti once sardonically offered...

"Our wine is bitter...but it's our wine..."

Yo, Jose'....

...your wine got nothin' on the current vintage of orange Kool Aid.

Especially in the case of someone like Sununu who gave us every reason to believe he was a fruit flavored, vitriolically spiked beverage teetotaler ready, even anxious, to wage a "Make America Great By Getting Sober" campaign.

But has clearly been sneaking big swigs from some flask he has stashed somewhere.

Wouldn't be at all surprised, now, to learn that he and Bill Barr have been on more than one bender together.

Chug a lug/chug a lug/burns yer morals/don't you know/makes the rest of us holler....

What the fuck.

Chug a lug/chug a lug.

All of that said...and conceding that there is no reasoning with a drunk because of the old/true adage that the first step to solving a problem...is admitting that a problem exists in the first place.

And Bill, Chris, Mitch, Curly, Moe, Larry and assorted other substance abusing "Republicans" make O.J. look like disciple Peter when it comes to unimaginable denial...

Indulge me, boys...as I ask one...simple...basic....question of you.

Where, exactly...IS  the line?

If one, in fact, even exists in your consciousness anymore?

Exactly what would it take...for you to be concerned, distressed, offended, appalled, horrified enough to actually take show any sign of moral courage and, publicly....

...do a political....personal....

...Jean-Luc Picard....

"..this far....no farther..."

Who would have to be "the nominee of your party" before you showed even a smidge of actual spine by taking a stand in the name of decency.

Who would have to be "the nominee of your party" before you put an end to your pathetic pandering pretending and actually...sincerely....truthfully....and absolutely, unconditionally....

...put the well being...welfare...safety...of an entire nation....

...above your "party"?

Who?

Nathan Bedford Forrest...the Confederate General who massacred a garrison of black Union troops after they surrendered in 1864?

Who?

Joseph McCarthy...the Wisconsin Senator who in the 1950's massacred hundreds, if not thousands, of American futures with his political persecution, paranoia and slanders...so much so that his name has since those days become synonymous with brutally merciless behavior..."McCarthyism"?

Who?

Eugene "Bull" Connor...the Birmingham, Alabama sheriff who fought civil rights in the 1960's by turning law enforcement loose to both engage in beatings without restraint and free vicious dogs to maim, even kill, without a second thought?

Who?

Jeffrey Dahmer....who never met anyone he couldn't turn into a hearty meal?

Or...

How about the aforementioned, notorious, now mercifully dead O.J. Simpson...who with the exception of several very angry black jury members, had everyone on the planet convinced that he had viciously slashed two people to death for no other reason than he had been denied what he wanted whenever he wanted it?

Would any of those infamous "Americans" be the straw that not only broke the camel's back but resulted in the GOP elephant being woken the fuck up enough to say, without irony or sadistic humor, "enough.....is....actually....finally.....enough"?

Fess up, fellas.

There is no line.

That's the new reality.

Brutally exterminating the old, tired reality.

 "...as “detached from reality"... 

You know. That illiterate sociopath who....

 "...cared only about one thing: himself.”

Speaking of Nazis, a Grammar Nazi is required here.

"cared" needs to be corrected to "cares"

And...

“Country and principle took second place"

Yeah...that needs to be "takes".

As in "the new Gospel according to MAGA"

Espoused by the unconditionally loyal disciples.

Mitch...Chris...

And Bill.

A long time ago, in a democracy far, far away....

Relatively honorable and skillful silver tongued orators.

Who have put honorable in dry dock.

And 'downgraded'...

From 'silver'....

...to orange.

Picture Mona Lisa With A Nose Ring

 

Beyonce's latest 'yee haw' has just rode into Dodge.

Give it a listen.

Then we'll have coffee...and tawlk....

 

The initial consensus courtesy of the comment threads ranges from "stay in your lane" to "don't diss our Dolly".

At this writing, Dolly hasn't ponied up but it's a sure bet that, being the always classy act she is, her words will be complimentary and gracious.

The "debate" that's been in play since Queen Bey first galloped into town has to do with whether or not what she is doing with this "Cowboy Carter" album is a sincere nod to the genre'...or a quick cash in meets wham bam thank you downloaders that will conclude with a few bucks left on the dresser and a hearty high-o-silver as she rides off into the sunset....

...or back to her lane, as the Cowboy Carter case may be.

 With her interp of Dolly's iconic "Jolene", that debate is obviously going to re-ignite and the back and forth will be a predictable re-boot of the original back and forth.

Me? I'm inclined to offer up a "whoa, there, pards....there's a key difference in play here this time around..."

And it ain't rocket surgery.

Goes like this.

For the most part...it ain't Dolly's iconic song.

Oh the primary melody is the same. And the general groove is similar enough.

But the lyrics ain't Parton. 

They are the ass kicking prose from a "Cajun banjee bitch from Louisianne".

By the way, ten points for correctly identifying each of the several brutally obvious stereotype/cliches to be found in just that little five word burst.

Then feel free to scour the whole lyric and see how solid the case is that "Jolene", as in Dolly Parton's master work about a brave, but heart aching, woman reduced to pleading for mercy and understanding and compassion is nowhere to be found in Mrs. Carter's lyrics of "I Am Woman" meets "You Don't Own Me" meets "You A Stupid Ho", ad infinitum.

The P.R. "rationale" from the Bey camp will include the word "updating".

Nice try.

This "Jolene" is "American Gothic" with the old lady wearing a MAGA cap and the old man holding a AR-15...

..."Starry Night" with black holes obvious and prolific....

..."The Last Supper" with considerable attendance by assorted "God's children"(Read" LGBTQ")...

..."A Sunday Afternoon On The Island" with thongs and sunscreen a plenty.....

Outrageous.

Why, heaven's no.

Updating.

Last thought.

This entire essay is for my own amusement.

For it won't make a dent in the mindsets of the Queen's loyal followers.

Oh. Wait.

One more last thought.

Queen Bey/Queen Bey/Queen Bey/Queen Bey

Don't rewrite classics.

Just because you can.

If Your Dog Bites Us, You're In Deep Shit...And That's As It Should Be

 

Among his many "skills", one is downright masterful.

Not...holding the bag.

Ever.

Back to that momentarily.

Here's something that isn't getting said nearly often enough.

If it's being said at all.

Those who support, in any way, shape or form, him or his "candidacy"....

...need to be held accountable, without exception, should he actually become President again.

Because while they have found a way to lie to themselves that his "candidacy" is about policies and issues and a "vision for a direction" for the nation, as a whole, the irrefutable, absolutely easy to prove in court fact is that he is the living embodiment of a danger certainly harmful, potentially fatal, to thousands, if not millions , of people and, very possibly, the nation...as a whole.

It is March, at this writing.

The election, itself, is still eight months away.

Already, he is inciting his "followers" to do damage and harm.

For those whose circulation to the brain is cut off by the loyal wearing of the red cap...

...the word you want to focus in on here....

...is "bloodbath".

As follows....

"...We’re going to put a 100% tariff on every single car that comes across the line, and you’re not going to be able to sell those cars. If I get elected. Now, if I don’t get elected, it’s going to be a bloodbath, for the whole — that’s going to be the least of it. It’s going to be a bloodbath for the country. That’ll be the least of it. But they’re not going to sell those cars... "

His remarks are not campaign rhetoric.

They are not blunt talk or plain speak or "tellin' it like it is'.

He is not a "straight shooter".

And anyone with the tiniest functioning medulla knows that his later "explanation", that he was talking about the "bloodbath of poor auto sales", is Def Con Five when it comes to Trump level bullshit.

Like "go up the street and take our country back" was not "stroll up to the Capitol for a tourist visit and mention how you would like to see me continue as your President".

He is a criminally liable, lynch mob leader, continuing to rape the First Amendment by hiding his rousing of the rabble behind the skirts of "free speech."

A narcissistic sociopath who would, literally, throw his own children under a bus to save himself and/or satisfy his personal wants, desires, needs and addictions and who is capable of lighting the fire that would burn America to the ground if those needs are not met.

He is as guilty of potential harm, damage and death as is anyone who yells "fire" in that crowded theatre.

That said...

Chances are those who have been fully indoctrinated into the cult/lynch mob, are possessed of two ears that no longer hear a single word that does not shower him with praise and adoration.

Discussion and debate, for the purpose of changing any of their minds, is a waste of time.

They are what they are. And it is what it is.

So, here's what else needs to be.

If the "bloodbath" occurs, those who did not do all they could to prevent it from happening, be that something as simple as voting against him, need to be labled, branded and charged as accessories to the crime(s) and held liable for any harm and damages that occur.

Up to and including "negligent homicide".

Those with a finger on the "freedom" trigger, ready to fire off rabid defense of him and their own actions.

Don't bother.

You buy him.

You own him.

And all he stands for....and all he does.

Here's the only rule/law that matters...or should.

No one gets to have it both ways.

No one.

Ever. 

This past week two parents were sentenced to ten to fifteen years in prison for allowing their emotionally damaged son to kill innocent people.

What they experienced was an old traditional trifecta that has been out of fashion for far, far too long.

Accountability. Responsibility. Liability.

Come the "bloodbath"....

Same goes for you, MAGA.

You buy him.

You own him.

And you pay.

Whatever common sense, common decency...and blind justice decide is the cost.

Oh...and by the way.

For those whose knee jerk response to all of this is some form of....

"oh, that's just him talkin'....he wouldn't actually do any of those things...."

First...wake the fuck up.

Second...it doesn't matter if he himself would or wouldn't....will or won't...

He doesn't have to.

Historically, once the mob does their hanging, the fever starts to break, as they are panting, sweating, still trembling from the frenzy, watching the bodies swaying from the trees...lit by the fires burning the town to the ground.....

....the lynch mob 'leader'....is...suddenly..

....nowhere to be found.

Them poor dumb townsfolk...looking around...standing there....

...with a big ol' bag in their hands.

Among his many skills...

...one is downright masterful.

 

Celebrating A "Man of the People"...Depends Entirely on "the People"

 

The problem with the whole issue of Donald Trump isn't the exhaustion felt by almost everyone when it comes to the issue of Donald Trump.

The problem is that the problem has been misidentified pretty much from moment one.

Moment one being defined as the moment that he 'descended from the tawdry, cheap gold plated escalator symbolizing (in his own egomaniacal mind) Mount Olympus' and announced that he was going to make America great again.

And there can be no solution to any problem of any mind until, and unless, the problem is accurately and correctly identified.

Allow me.

Because I'm one of those willing to go right to the head of the line/class when it comes to being exhausted by the issue of Donald Trump.

But I've only recently finally, and accurately identified the problem.

It came to me today, after just one final, too many comment thread 'trump'etings of a mindset voiced continuously, seemingly endlessly, by those who feel it necessary to both publicly pledge their undying loyalty to the orange and /or feel it necessary to try to get it to through millions of thick headed "libtards" why that loyalty is so total, unconditional and undying.

 "President Trump identifies with the American people"

Put simply for those who need in simply put....

Donald gets us.

And, of course, 'identification' of this nature is an automatic reciprocal.

Ergo...if Trump identifies with the American people....

...then the American people identify with Trump.

And there....right there...is the bedrock problem that has eluded  me for damn near ten years now.

And with that reciprocation in mind, it cannot be refuted or argued against that, accordingly, the American people (as least 'the American people' referred to by the thread commenter)...

• think we should buy Greenland
• believe we should nuke hurricanes to put an end to them
• would change the course of a hurricane with a map and a Sharpie
• would order peaceful protestors tear gassed so they could pose outside a church with a Bible
• have a rock solid, passionate, daresay romantic, opinion of, and relationship with, Vladimir Putin
• want to withdraw the U.S. from NATO regardless of the stupidity of such a global chess move
• believe raking leaves would prevent forest fires because "the floors of the forest...very important"
• recommend injecting bleach to kill COVID
• recommend ultraviolet light to kill COVID
• believe climate change is a Chinese hoax
• built a tiny bit of wall that doesn't work and for which Mexico has not pitched in a single peso.
• throw ketchup against the wall when they don't get their way
• see no problem with lynching the Vice President of the United States.
• stare directly at the sun during an eclipse
• lied bigly about how many people showed up for their inauguration
• think Americans who serve in the military and die in the line of duty are "suckers and losers"
• got out of military service by claiming "bone spurs"
• pass "ewwwooge" tax cuts for the rich and multiplied the national debt
• purposely torpedoed a bipartisan immigration plan because it might help Democrats win votes
• have been accused of sexual misconduct, assault and/or rape by over TWO DOZEN WOMEN
• believe white supremacists to be "very fine people"
• believe that president should be completely immune from any kind of criminal prosecution
• dismiss ANY news that doesn't please or agree with them as FAKE
• have been described by various Cabinet officers as "fucking morons"
• start trade wars that cannot be won, costing millions of Americans...millions
• believe the FBI, CIA, the court system and education, in general, should be eliminated
• lie about almost everything almost every time they open their mouths
• incited a riot that resulted in fatalities and very nearly brought the Capitol of the United States down to a pile of smoldering rubble

and....have announced that if re-elected, the second term will be "all about revenge" 

 Not even to mention the hundreds of other things that would fill line after line after page after page after volume after volume....

Occam's Razor offers that when we are faced with a myriad of solutions/answers to any given problem, it is, almost surely, the simplest solution/answer that is correct.

Turns out that the identification of a given problem can be determined, so to speak, in much the same way.

The problem with the whole issue of Donald Trump....it turns out....

Is that the problem....isn't Donald Trump at all.

The problem...

Is the "American people".

At least the American people who  "publicly pledge their undying loyalty to the orange and /or feel it necessary to try to get it through to millions of thick headed "libtards" why that loyalty is so total, unconditional and undying."

"President Trump identifies with the American people"

The problem, it turns out, is not the first two words of that sentence.

The problem...is the last three.

 

Snubbing The Ladies of Mattel....Not At All Swell.....

 

 Whatever else, Mr. Castanias is undeniably insightful.

 

Then....along comes a FB poster...a Mr, Nemo Fett.

"...I keep seeing this meme and it's just dumb.

 

First of all, that wasn't the plot of Barbie, a summation of the plot of Barbie is "you don't have to get into the box"

 

But also, it's not like Gosling got the nomination in spite of Margo and Greta. They're not competing. It's like saying it's bullshit that the US lost the pole vault because they won the high jump. 

 

There's still a best actress award going to one of some fantastic candidates. As well as an award for best picture which barbie is nominated for. Robbie just didn't surpass those candidates according to the judges..."

 

Unasked, but never letting the absence of invitation prevent a point of view...I responded as follows...

...given all that needs fixing in this country, let alone the world, this whole discussion seems coupla levels below trite.....

 

that said....for my friends who are up in arms about all of this....

 

poster Fett's POV that the meme is dumb is an opinion to which he is, of course, entitled......

 

THAT said.....

 

the farily obvious intention of the meme is to point out the "irony" that the two primary women (and, props to America Ferrera, the two only unconditionally necessary women) are not to be invited into the Oscar limelight and the primary man is.

 

in other words, men first and always....women...every now and then, if at all....

 

which is, of course, the philosophical ground zero of the entire piece.

 

at best, "you don't have to get into the box" is sub plot (text)....(and gently toes the line between insight....and chauvinistic condescension...in itself quite the irony) 

 

so the "totally accurate" meme should conclude.....

 

"this is actually the 'primary' plot of "Barbie"

 

all of THAT said....

..

this is this year's "empirical" that these awards, like pretty much all awards, are, first, subjective...one's meat, another's poison, et al......second, subject to influence by what has always been, is now and will, for the immediate future, continue to be......

 

the 'good ol' boy' culture/society/nation/world in which we all, all races, creeds, colors and...genders....live.....

 

it's also worth noting that "genderless politics" also, and always, play a part in the process when it comes to award "worthiness".  A politics that comes in all shapes, sizes and flavors. From envy to jealousy, pettiness to outright nastiness...

from "hey, you vote for mine and I'll vote for yours"...

and let's not totally disregard simple laziness.

in my Nashville years, I saw one too many secretaries being told by their producer/publisher/record company bosses to "here...I don't have time for this....fill this thing out and mail it back...." to totally disregard simple laziness.

parting thought.....good on Ryan Gosling for speaking up and out.

and saying "really? what the fuck?" as graciously as it can be said without actually saying it.....

meanwhile.....next week....on "Artistic Lives Matter".....

 

how does any movie get nominated for best actor/actress/picture and NOT get a director nom.....?

 

you want dumb? 

 

there's ya dumb.....

"...Other Than That, Mrs. Kennedy...."

 

We all make mistakes.

We are, after all, "only human".

That's a generous, compassionate and, frankly, convenient "out" when mistakes are made and liability, accountability and/or responsibility suddenly seek assignment.

What that Hallmark Card-esque bromide fails to factor in, meanwhile....

...is one often ignored but critically important irrefutable in the societal scheme of things.

There are mistakes we can make.

And mistakes we simply cannot.

We can accidentally pour salt into our iced tea or sprinkle sugar on our scrambled eggs.

We cannot accidentally sprinkle rat poison into the kid's Cheerios.

We can forget to bring baby's pacifier along when we head out to the grocery store.

We cannot forget and leave baby in the back seat after parking the car and walking away on a blistering hot day.

We can carelessly let ourselves be distracted and point our weapon and fire at another's target at the range.

We cannot carelessly let ourselves be distracted and allow another living soul between our gun...and our target.

There are, simply, mistakes that we cannot make.

The people interviewed above, as well as millions of others, are making a mistake.

And it's not the conclusion to which you're likely already jumping.

First, let's narrow the focus a bit by thinning the video herd.

Let's eliminate the young blond giggling that she has "no idea" and her sidekick who is down with Donald "all the way". It's a reasonably safe bet that while both of them could instantly recite all the lyrics to any and all Taylor Swift songs, their political "insights" are mostly likely them parroting what they hear Ma and Pa offering up at the dinner table, Fox News on the flatscreen in the background.

Scratch, as well, the couple who follow the teens in the video...for two reasons. One...it's beyond debate that everyone sees a particular president's policies in a "fer" or "aginst" context. That's to be expected when dealing with muggles (humans) who can't agree on where to have lunch let alone find common ground on the critical issues of life.  But the gentleman invalidates his cred when he shows his "savvy" by firing off the old and tired "we already have a dictator" shtick. Common sense (both in short supply and no longer either common nor sensible) dictates that if there were actually a dictator in the White House, Mr. and Mrs. "real 'Muricans" here wouldn't dare be calling the dictator a dictator. At least not while being videoed and recorded on a public street. Of course, one must always take into account the "X" factor spelled "I.Q."....       

Reason number two? The woman is wearing a 2020 Donald cap. True members of the Kool Aid Korps wouldn't be caught dead out of fashion.

And let's go ahead and take a soft pass on the guy who "likes" the dictator thing and advocates for the elimination of the 'Roosevelt law' that prevents his hero from being President for the rest of his (the hero's) life.

By the way, the 'Roosevelt law' he refers to is actually the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1951. Six years after FDR died in office.

It's kind of surprising that this guy wouldn't know that. After all, any TrumpMAGA member lights up like a kid on Christmas morning at any mention of the "2nd Amendment".....

Even if there's a "Twenty" in front of it.

That leaves the couple kicking off this "on the street" presentation. And a few moments of comments by a gentleman who doesn't seem to fit "the profile" at all.

He is, obviously, wearing the obligatory Red Cap. One of this whole historical sagas most "amusing, if not hilarious, because of its screaming irony" moments btw, showing the passionate support for making "America great" (again...and, if they get their wish...again) by sporting the campaign apparel most likely manufactured...in China. (Yes, of course, the "candidate" denies that 'bigly', but telling the truth...about anything..doesn't really make much of a showing on his CV and everyone..and that means e v e r y o n e ...damn well knows it)

He is also clearly educated, articulate, even thoughtful in his responses. ("Thoughtful" not as in he remembers loved ones' birthdays but as in 'he pauses for a moment after each question which means he's actually listening to the question and considering his reply...a rare quality in pretty much anyone these days...and that means a n y o n e')

And, on first listen, his comments seem measured, considered, hell, even reasonable.

Beginning with a far too lenient consideration of which Trump has long been a beneficiary.

The ol' "you may not like what he says or how he says it.....BUT...."

In this case...."you don't have to like the words that come out of the man's mouth (WAIT FOR IT)....but....sometimes in life, we all need a good paddling from the principal to...set our life on the right ...track".

It's worth noting here...and I give the man credit...that he ends that sentence with an upward swing, "to set our life....on...the right track?"

"...on..the right track?" as if he were either looking for some kind of validation of what he was saying...or...he was doing what he could to insure that the questioner understood that his answer had been pondered and considered and not just fired off as is standard operating procedure in what is sardonically referred to as "discussion and debate" at this place on the mankind timeline.

Again, I give the guy credit...and choose to believe that his intention is the latter.

He continues..."and this country does need a little paddling..." to which he adds that his youth benefited from "leadership" (that) "set me straight".

Wow. Just when you think that you can rely on MAGA minions to babble mindlessly, lip sync shit they heard on Hannity and/or come off so moronically that only a fellow moron would give them a second thought, let alone possibly see their point of view....

...along comes a voice of reason.

This guy's demeanor and observations impressed me sufficiently to motivate me to cut him some (slight) slack as he then starts to wander down "Stolen Election" Street. Something that seems to be required recitation on the part of Trumpsters when appearing and commenting in public.

In my humble o, the whole 'election steal' nonsense is silly. Not to mention bullshit. And the only reason I didn't lead with that is that 'silly' is an 'okay for family viewing' way of saying 'bullshit'. 

And it's 'silly' (wink wink) because of my (spoiler alert...it gets both amusing and ironic here) absolute faith in both 'government'...and my fellow muggles (humans).

Something as complex as the "stealing" of a general presidential election involving fifty states and nearly one hundred and sixty million votes is, to put it in as simple a metaphor as I can muster, not like hot wiring a Corolla off the lot in the dark of night. 

When's the last time the 'government' did anything...that didn't make you think "can they do anything without fucking it up?"

Exactly.

As to my fellow muggles (humans)?

Let's just sum up their collective skills at intricate, delicate, complicated task accomplishment in two words.

Traffic.

Circle.

"....you gonna go....I'm gonna go...oh...you are gonna....no? okay...well, then, I'm gonna....:"

Exactly.

But changing the outcome of an election involving fifty states and nearly one hundred and sixty million votes?

Piece of cake.

Candy from a baby.

Sweet Jesus, already.

All of this (that) said, here comes a dramatic twist in the plot.

(cue 'dramatic twist in the plot' music)

Where you think I'm headed here is not where I'm headed here.

Not by a long shot.

Or even nearly one hundred and sixty million long shots.

For here is where I'm headed.

I'm going to concede pretty much everything our articulate friend who had his life set straight has to say.

Yes, the country needs a "paddlin'. Yes, leadership can make a significant, if not a critically essential, difference in the life of someone...even the lives..of millions. 

No, you get no concession on the election steal 'silliness' (wink wink).

Don't get me started on the traffic circle rant again.

And, articulate, insightful and reasonable man wearing the red cap of conviction (the 'strong belief' conviction...not the conviction(s) theoretically coming up next on "The Adventures of Covfefe"), I'm going to go you one better.

I'm going to concede that a lot of what Trump "accomplished" during his last play date with democracy resulted in positive results and/or outcomes.

You'll need to spot me a healthy dollop of "even a broken clock" here, but you catch my drift.

My problem with what you have articulated, the support you and millions of other continue to offer and with the entire sordid saga that is Donald Trump is that it's all built on a faulty premise.

And, at this point, to save us both time and energy in digesting any more minutiae in my mentions here, I'm gonna skip the line item box checking and sum it up simply and specifically.

If a lot of the policies that were put into place....if a lot of the attitude of 'straight shooting, no bullshit'...if even the sometimes seemingly illiterate, uneducated, crude, rude, by any measure embarrassing spew coming out of a mouth......were put, expressed, spewed by anyone...a n y o n e....but Donald Trump....I'd very likely be standing, if not right beside you, then just a few steps away, nodding in unconditional agreement.

Hell, I might even put on the ol' red capster, from time to time.

But it's not coming from anyone but Donald Trump.

It's coming from Donald Trump.

Whose entire life....e n t i r e   l i f e....right up to, and including this moment, has been a textbook case of clinical narcissism with, at the very least, a sassy sprinkling of sociopathy.

 And not....n o t....because I say so.

Because he is.

And you damn well know that.

You watched and heard him act like a spoiled two year old throughout the 2016 "campaign".

You watched him openly mock a disabled reporter in front of a large public "rally" and broadcast all over the world.

You heard him give childish, bullying nicknames to his political rivals.

High road?

High roads are for pussies.

Speaking of pussies....how 'bout he grabs your lovely wife by the crotch while we're having an amiable chat about 'what this country needs is a little paddlin'...."?

You're seen the videos, you've seen the speeches, you've seen and heard the "Inaugural" 'address'.

You watched him stir up an obviously angry mass of 'worshipers' and send them up the street in full lynch mob mode....to crash through, tear down, burn down.....

...even hang the freely elected Vice President of the United States.

His.

Own.

Fucking.

Vice President

You've seen it all.

You've heard it all.

I know you have.

Because I've watched and listened to you. And I see you as an articulate, thoughtful, intelligent guy.

So, the question practically asks itself.

How in the name of any God you choose, can you justify your support of him?

If the answer is, and I not only suspect, but assume that the answer actually is, that you sincerely, even confidently, believe that he shows by his bluntness, his "no bullshit" approach....his wrapped in red, white and blue, take no crap or prisoners supposed grasp on the wheel of the ship of state, ready, willing and determined to navigate that ship to authentic greatness...with liberty and justice...for all.....a l l......

...you're making a mistake.

A grievous, catastrophic,  extinction level event mistake.

At least an extinction of the democratic process.

Because Donald Trump doesn't give a single, miniscule, micro-millimeter...fuck....about anything...or anyone....

...a n y t h i n g....or  a n y o n e....

...but himself.

He has demonstrated that, exhibited that, shown that, spoken that....p r o v e n....that.

Time and again...and again....and again....

...as in "Make America Great .....a g a i n..."

I know.

That you know.

Don't you.

Of course you do.

And I know.

That you are making the mistake of all mistakes.

"A beaut"....as offered by New York City's legendary, once upon a time mayor, Fiorello LaGuardia.

There are mistakes we can make.

There are mistakes we cannot make.

The continued survival of "the land of the free, the home of the brave"...

...absolutely depends on recognizing the difference.

And acting accordingly.

Most especially....

Most essentially...

...on Election Day.

 

You Think THAT'S The Stupidest Thing We Could Ever Do? Here...Hold My Flag....

 

Growing up in the 1950's and 1960's, my generation witnessed, via the primitive media means available in the day, a number of these kinds of 'riots'...

Without exception, we came to recognize them as the attempts of the "common, everyday citizens" of one oppressed nation or another to put an end to tyranny, cruelty, authoritarianism, totalitarianism and whatever 'dictatorship' was inflicting those inhumanities on the general population.

It never occurred to us that we would ever witness such an act in our own "backyard".

But here we are.

And saturating the entire experience is an irony arguably unequaled in American, if not world, history.

This is not the action of a citizenry under tyrannical, cruel, authoritarian, totalitarian dictator rule, inflicting inhumanities on the general population.

This is a lynch mob. Incited to attempt the reversal of a free election, the overthrow of an incoming freely elected leadership and the destruction of the foundation upon which a democratic Republic has rested for over two hundred and fifty years.

And the irony?

A lynch mob incited....by a freely elected "President of the United States" who, upon being defeated for a second term in another free election, was determined to rule tyrannically.

Who IS determined to rule tyrannically.

The ultimate embarrassment in a "land of the free"?

Not that the citizens of an authoritarian ruled nation are rising up to cast off the shackles of oppression and insure freedom for all....all across the land....from sea to shining sea.

But that those same citizens are rushing forward, directly into the chains, locks and shackles of just such an authoritarianism.

You can't find it in any dictionary.

But here's a 2024 word to be added to the American sociopolitical lexicon.

"Backasswards".

 

 

 

Newly released footage from a security camera on the Capitol dome shows rioters breach the police line on the east side of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. (Video was evidence in the trial of rioter Pauline Bauer.) pic.twitter.com/Ufj3pxjKPg

— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) January 25, 2023