And Now They're Killing Us

What a surprise.  Offer a signing-bonus to some Yahoo, give him a gun and set him loose on our streets.  Blue streets; Red streets; we're ALL victims to these loose cannons.  If they're not doing anything wrong, why all the wrappings?

Consider the statement by our Commander in Chief - immediately characterizing Renee Nicole Good as a domestic terrorist.  Come on...  Here's what I wrote last October:

"What concerns me is the matter of qualifications of recruits being enticed to ICE with signing bonuses up to $50,000.  Hell, who wouldn't be tempted, if only for a moment?  What basic requirements must they possess, besides blind loyalty to the President?  Haven't they already eliminated the need for a college degree to join the FBI, which will whitewash any imbeciles appointed?  How much and what kind training do they receive, or are they quickly thrown into menacing outfits and into our midst?  Can they belong to the Proud Boys or another extremist group?

"We all know there are good cops and bad, and the good far outnumber the bad.  But we do need high caliber people who can think and protect us without accidentally killing us in the process.  An emergency is not the time to discover how someone will react."

No one is surprised, but everyone is shocked.  I'll certainly be protesting again, with more of a threat of reprisal, but I won't be alone.  Kristi Noem seems more interested in which HAT she's wearing for a press conference than the specifics of her job; or more correctly, the truth..

At least SOME of them could have said (sic), "Let's wait for a thorough investigation."  Sure, that's frustrating, but at least it's more responsible.  Even Tom Holman held back on a definitive answer.

The shooting was the worst, but have you seen other shots of ICE thugs grabbing people who have merely pissed them off and throwing them to the ground?  I can't help but wonder what's going to happen to the people in the Administration once they're out of power.  Will they leave the country, or remain to suffer reprisals from the type of society they have created?  

They're running out of countries to flee to, other than Russia, China, North Korea...no, what a dope:  VENEZUELA!!

Let 'em have 'em.

NOT a Garden Party

Hard to believe it's been 5 years since our current President instigated the potential overthrowing of the Government.  A dear relative does consider January 6th as nothing more than a Garden Party; as I learned while surrounded by a dozen leather-clad motorcyclists.  I'm fearless, more-or-less, but that didn't seem like the time to share my opinion.  Besides, it was a funeral.

But they're not around me now, and I'm free to speak my mind.  But I won't.  By this time, people have made up their minds about whether or not a crime was committed that day, or it was a rowdy party.  I've called our President Teflon Don before; if you're unfamiliar, that's what they called John Gotti in the 80s in New York.  I was there, and so was Trump.

He'd just gotten caught fooling around with Marla Maples on his first wife, Ivana.  They were on the front pages of New York newspapers, we'd notice while zipping around the Big Apple on the way to work.  I always found it revolting that the headline was, "Best Sex I Ever Had" while the release of Nelson Mandela only rated the bottom right corner.

Trump hasn't changed - he's only gotten worse, and larger, and now he's getting us all embroiled in some bullshit 'war' in Venezuela.  What I'd like to see first is proof in the pudding:  what are the numbers?  What percentage of deaths from Fentanyl has decreased in, say, six months from now?

None of this should be surprising to any of us, unless we're completely blind and stupid.  I thought we'd have more time.

Recently at work, we've received written instructions as to what to do if ICE comes on to the property.  They are allowed to go anywhere considered Public spaces without proper paperwork (signed, officiated).

Someone joked that we (Workampers) were all legal, but my question was whether our rented spaces are considered public or private?  We have Hispanic guests, and I'd hate to think they're sitting outside their RVs, enjoying a drink and the weather, when some masked gunmen, strolling through the park, decide they want to check their papers.  We don't require people's passports upon arrival.  How fast could they scramble back into their RV?

Long/short the Spaces are public, but they cannot enter our RVs.  

I was given a pop-quiz the other day, which I failed:

"What would you do if ICE walked through the doors?"

I'm 70, and I'd hoped never to live to see Stormtroopers at my door, despite earlier predictions of that very thing. 

I answered,  "Ask to see their paperwork?"

"NO!  Don't do a thing - tell them they need to speak to the Managers."

Don't engage - fine with me.  but it wasn't supposed to happen so soon.  I'm not ready.

People also laughed when I said I'd be hedging my bets by obtaining proof I could be considered Russian; and also documents relating to my New Zealand ancestors.  Doesn't seem so funny, now that the globe is being divvied up.

I love the way these Bozos talk about being strong and going to war when they've never served a day (Trump; Miller).  Of course they want the oil.  Of course Trump's pissed that woman won the Nobel Prize... but this just in from Euronews:

"Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado said on Monday she wants to share her Nobel Peace Prize with US President Donald Trump and personally thank him following his administration's military intervention in Venezuela."

Half a prize is better than none, I guess she thinks.  Look at how everyone is bowing down, but in this case she's probably smart.

All he needs to do is change the terminology in order to grab other nations with impunity.  Greenland's practically screaming,

"If you want to build more bases here (to solve the Security of America problem), just ask!"

People like me are not against the idea of getting rid of a scumbag like Maduro; but the fact that there's no plan for what's next is...incredulous doesn't seem strong enough.  And throwing threats around to a growing list of countries only risks Americans abroad, and it doesn't have to be IN threatened countries.  I told you about the abuse I received at an art show, of all places, following the release of the Abu Ghraib photos.

Well, they're not my sons and grandsons.  I hope the best for yours.

A Foghorn-Leghorn Year

I realize that 50 percent (or more) of the population isn't paying attention to current events other than the price of groceries; such a sweet word, Foghorn Trump recently discovered and announced to the world, the idiot.

He keeps bringing up the lower price of eggs since he's been in office, but I thought the rationale was because all those chickens had to be slaughtered due to bird-flu or whatever; and the chicks wouldn't be old enough to lay eggs for 6-8 months, at which time there would be plenty of eggs and prices would go down.

How did that become political?  Trump takes the credit, just as he does for everything else he blows out of proportion; and if he can't bluff his way out of something, he blames Biden and the Radical Leftists.  What bullshit.

I'm still planning for the inevitable:  when I'll feel the need to flee the country in order to feel safe, independent, or free; they're all rolled together.  At least I'm not being scarfed up off the street...yet.

Unless you've been listening exclusively to Fox News and the like, you will have heard story after story of people whisked away who are here legally, or at least they were until last January.  They never imagined they were considered part of the dangerous criminals who would be rounded up by crackerjack, newly minted ICE agents.  Why don't they round up dangerous Americans, without provocation or thoughts of civil rights, and deport them instead of the Taco Lady?

I can't wait to see how they treat the first white South African (who Trump waltzed in this year) commit a heinous act against an American citizen.  But I suppose it will depend on whether the American is a White/Christian or Black/Brown/LGBTQ.  Am I wrong?

Switching gears now:

A Totem Christmas

My RV is too small for a tree, but I did manage to add some festive whimsy by decorating my Totem Pole with a beaded tie.  Recently retrieved from storage, I didn't want to put my friend outside for it to split any more than it has over the past 30+ years.  Some day I may stain or varnish it, but I always liked it natural.

I can't attach the Raven's wings nor can I see the Beaver on the bottom, but he's very special to me, and one thing I'll keep until I drop.

Tino and I picked up Totem during our 1993 round-the-country-trip to find a new place to leave.  I believe it was along 101 in Oregon that we spotted this chain-saw carver, the size of a mountain with a bear claw necklace, hawking his carvings while working on a new one.  (My totem's wingspan resembles the tall one in this photo.)

It was hard to pass up a sight like this, especially for Tino, who'd become fond of All-Things-Western.  The artist was friendly and funny, and happened to have a 4-foot carving which fit perfectly in Trigger, our Honda Civic.  His body fit perfectly between the front seats with his wings propped on the back seat.

We must have been a sight to the Colorado State Trooper, planted behind a billboard, who stopped me for speeding.   He looked at my 'Jersey license, Tino's Dutch passport and Totem lounging against the back seat.

"Tourists, huh?"  he asked and it was all I could do not to be sarcastic; but Tino's VISA had expired and we didn't need any additional attention.  The officer waved his hand, told me to slow down and enjoy the rest of our trip.

Tino passed in 1994 and Totem remained in storage in Oregon while I lived on Ruff Life, but once I returned, out he came.  As time wore on the splits and aging began, which only add character; but too much character can be a bad thing.

After a couple of years my travelling began, so  I had a bracket made which attached to the bumper of my 16-foot travel trailer (below).  The wings had to be mounted backwards and a pillow shoved behind for stability, but he hung on.

At some point I left Totem at my mother's house with the rest of my stored treasures; then transferred everything to a storage locker to await my eventual retrieval...which I finally accomplished last April.

And so I'll cap this story off by wishing everyone a (belated) Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad and Joyous Kwanza!

An Embarassing Confession

I've alluded to it during the past 2 years, but I'm a fan of Pastor Joel Osteen of Lakewood Church, Houston, TX.  Why embarassed?  Because I'm the most vocal anti-Jesus-Freak I know, and I was afraid that's how I might be perceived from hereon-out.  That's embarassing to disclose, too; but I don't like anything which is overdone, here are some examples:

Gucci.  When I worked in Manhattan in the '80s/90s I became aware of women's obsession with designer brands.  I'd just emerged from 14 years of military life, moving around, trying to make a new home every few years; and high fashion wasn't a priority.  Anyway, one of my bosses knew of my distain for fancy labels, and after a business trip presented me with a canvas tote with a familiar logo but the word, "Goochy" plus a turkey character, I think.  Lost over the years.

Mother Teresa's another, I've got to share this story before I die:  I'd recently begun my current Workamper position.  One day I was filling out packets for the next day's arrivals and my back was towards my manager and another Workamper who were chatting about a recently watched film.   One of them (I won't point a finger) made a comment that, despite the actress's talent and popularity, she didn't think Julia Roberts was all that.

I'd remained silent because I was new, but following that confession I couldn't help piping up,

"Yeah, I feel the same about Mother Teresa."

For Real?

I wrote the following a number of days ago, after our President called Governor  Walz a Retard; what is wrong with him?  Honestly, for a number of broadcasts I didn't know what they were talking about, for anchors were shuddering and referring to the slur as the R-word.  Since I haven't thought of that term since grade school, I didn't realize it was a thing, like the N-word.  Now I know.  This, on the heels of spewing the P-word ("Piggy") at a reporter on Air Force One, oy vey!

But it's been a few days and I've calmed down somewhat, so rather than write a completely new piece, I've decided to perform some editing to make this less insulting and more entertaining.  Not as much fun for me, but here we go:

"What thou seest, that thou beest," Mom, a devout Christian Scientist, would quote while teaching a lesson about Perception.

Donald Trump's weight obsession isn't new (from 2016, "Why Can't Donald Trump Stop Talking About Fat People?")  I'd bet money he's got a 'weight clause' for some of his key (female) associates, who, it's apparent, he select based on their appearance more than experience, competence and common sense. (Their decisions to become ensnared proves their lack-thereof.)

Here I cut out an entire paragraph which included the H-word; let's see where your Perception takes you.

The one exception of note is White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.  Heard-tell she's a brilliant political strategist who can control the Beast, but she'll be gone once she says "No, Sir" one too many times, if she does at all.

It's only been one year, so unless a nuclear war ends us all or the President has a massive heart attack like my Tino, we're stuck with him for another three years.  I don't see how we'll become a more bonded citizenry without an external threat of some sort, which none of us wants but Trump seems determined to instigate. (Why?  Why, to capitulate to our enemy thus adding another notch on his Wars I've Ended belt.)

He's blowing up schlubs in boats but pardoning ruthless traffickers.  What I don't understand (among so many things) is how he figures that by ending the importation of drugs that's going to stop the demand in this country?  Why isn't he so hell-fire bent on rounding up drug dealers in every neighborhood in America and going after their higher-up importers?

But even if they do stop importing drugs, what will be the replacement?  Desperate people will be ingesting clemical cleaners and sniffing aerosol cans, so they'll have to deal with those problems, too.

Backwards, that's the direction Trump's Gang's taking us.  Cancelling hard-won environmental policies with the stroke of a Sharpie; tearing down a White House wing on a whim; sicking his Justice Department on anyone who displeases him. And don't tell me he's worried about dangerous Somalians so much as causing Gov. Walz grief.

I'm still paying close to $4 a gallon for gasoline; and struggling like everyone else to make the food budget last.  President Trump is so insulting - doesn't have a clue about struggling.   He thinks groceries is such a quaint word (what did they call them in his family?) and now the issue of affordability is merely a ploy of the Democrats.

Really?