Screw the Flamingos, and More Ulcer-Inducing News

So many things happen' at once, it's hard to choose which current event makes me want to vomit the most:

1.  The Conspirators, including but not limited to:  VP Vance, Suzie Wiles, Caroline Levitt, Kash Patel and, of course, Todd Blanche, the President's personal lawyer dressed up as Attorney General for the people.  Meeting in the Situation Room to figure out how to protect Trump from Epstein-from-the-grave.

2.  Ivanka and Jared being boycotted in Albania - I love this story, have you heard?  They want to build a splashy resort on Albania's ONE island which used to belong to the people but has been acquired by the Kushners (or their proxies).  Did I mention it's also a nature preserve?  F__K the FLAMINGOS, the Kushners cry; AND the sea turtles AND the pelicans.  Nice people.

3.  The FBI raiding the offices and homes of a voter registration group in Ohio.  Wouldn't that frighten you, opening the door?  That's what they want. Regardless of whether you think elections are rigged or not, the point is the FBI will start raiding more private homes, offices and organizations with unlawful intent; not to mention hovering at our election stations.

4.  Oregon has mail-in balloting, which is currently at risk from the Feds.  Oregon, along with about 20 other states, are refusing to hand over sensitive voter information; you may recall I wrote about the 'volunteer' couple who came into our private RV park trying to obtain personal information about residents and guests.  That's you, in case you're an RVer.

The threat is that if they don't supply the info, then the Post Office won't deliver ballots.  They don't know or care how convoluted it would be to change things this late in the game.  Hell, they don't care about anything except remaining in power.

The FAIR Elections Act has been reintroduced by Senators Jeff Merkeley (OR) and Alex Padilla (CA); which attempts to curtail AI interference with the November elections, I can't believe we're dealing with this shit:

"To combat threats of AI misuse in U.S. elections, the FAIR Elections Act features several provisions. This includes banning the distribution of false AI-generated election content with the intent of preventing another person of their right to vote. This content can include spreading false information about the time, place or manner of a federal election or eligibility to vote in an election."

I hate the idea of having to vote in person, but if it turns out to be the only guarantee my ballot will make it to the counters, I'll head for Newport on eletion day.

5.  While the lawsuits are going around the courts, Trump's installed 38-yr old buffoon Bill Pulte as temporary Director of National Intelligence.  Pulte's also the current head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency; from where he's already supplied sensitive personal information to the Justice Department to go after political enemies of the President.  

Never mind that, following bi-partisan outrage to Pulte's nomination, Trump changed his choice to Jay Clayton who, like Pulte, has NO intelligence experience.   It's too late: Pulte will have plenty of time to access all kinds of information before Congress gets around to approving Clayton, if they do.  THAT should alarm people from every state; unless you weren't concerned about what those DOGE kiddie-employees were doing in our institutions last year.  And finally, speaking of DOGE:

6.  Our first trillionaire - Elon Musk, no surprise.  But what did surprise me was how he managed to have his IPO included in market indexes prior to the usual length of time:

"Traditionally, newly public companies were forced to wait months to years before becoming eligible for major index inclusion to prove their profitability and trading volume. However, several mechanisms brought SpaceX into indexes almost immediately." In a nutshell, they changed the rules.

"Elon Musk's record-breaking SpaceX initial public offering (IPO) caused major stock market indexes (like Nasdaq and FTSE Russell) to relax their rules, forcing index funds to automatically buy shares for everyday investors and 401(k) retirement accounts within days of trading."

AI continues, "...the initial impact on your index portfolio is quite small."  That should make people feel better; but it's the 'forcing index funds to automatically buy shares' which sounds alarming.

I do appreciate bumper stickers which proclaim (sic), "I bought mine B4 DOGE" for I consider that an adequate disclaimer.  The vehicles without seem to be a declaration of sorts, but I can't point a finger for I still subscribe to Amazon Prime.  Still, if I could afford an electric car I'd look for a different manufacturer.

But how many people who might not otherwise share Musk's vision for our country will now, through their stock portfolio, unwittingly support his causes just the same?  Can you vote as a Democrat while supporting someone who most definitively places his thumb on the Republican scale?  When the Uber-Elite switch back to supporting Democrats, the same could be said in reverse.  Ahhh, it's not so easy now to spot the enemy...

It seems we're now two types of people:  those who support Elon Musk and those who don't.  People are certainly entitled to be entitled; but don't you doubt for a second that Musk is picturing his own progeny sitting in the Oval Office one day (hasn't the kid already been there?); just as I anticipated, among other things in 2024's The Emperor Has No Clothes, that the next Republican presidential candidate will still have the last name of Trump.

I may be in the minority on these issues; and if I was still working in Manhattan, watching my Paine-Webber account, I'd possibly read (these) words and discount (the author) with a tad of disdain (for not appreciating the importance of wealth over virtue.)

Is that you right now?  You know, it IS possible to move your money, just speak to your financial adviser.  I, for one, will be inspecting currency and not accepting any with Trump's signature, in case it turns out to be worthless like so many other items in the White House Etsy Store.  It may take some effort, but so does doing anything worthwhile.

"If We Can't Win Honorably, We'll Cheat!"

I recently wrote about Trump's Militia, which he'll call forth to rout those of us who vote against ANY Republican; they're getting ready in California.  Never mind that CA's primarily a Blue State, so the chance of a Democrat winning is pretty good.

But that's no excuse, according to our President.  Despite what Trump claims, anyone with even one good eye (like me) sees through what's happening and it's frightening; you can hear it in people's voices.  Are we really going down the road to an autocracy?

"An autocracy is a system of government where absolute power is concentrated in the hands of a single individual (an autocrat) or a small ruling elite. The ruler is not bound by constitutional checks, legal restraints, or democratic oversight, often using force, censorship, and propaganda to maintain control."

"If we can't win honorably, we'll cheat!" the battlecry of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.  He shouts it between construction projects...what's with that 'Claw'?  I think it should remain in place for the remainder of Trump's term as a symbol of his absolute corruption:

"President Donald Trump purchased between $15,001 and $50,000 worth of stock in TKO Group Holdings, the publicly traded parent company of both the WWE and the UFC. This investment was disclosed in a financial disclosure filing submitted on May 12." (Construction began May 25th, and seats are going for around 1.5 mil.) (Correction: 1 mil for the night-before fundraiser, sorry)

I guess he thought we wouldn't notice.   Why would we, when we allow him to rape the Treasury at will? Why would we, when we've allowed him to subjugate the Courts?  Why would we, when we sheepishly follow him into the desert?

At the moment I'm thinking of things I've anticipated (I won't say predicted, for it's really a matter of paying attention) but which have NOT yet happened:

- The Draft
- Curtailment of Travel Abroad (oh, wait, that's already begun)
- Criminalizing Gays and Transgenders (after Gay Marriages are outlawed, of course)

And once Trump, et al, refutes the validity of any Democratic win, then they'll be free to completely rip away SNAP and Social Security, don't think they won't try.  They'll have to pay for their wars, and the vulnerable are expendable.

Violence; is that our only alternative?  What's happened to principle and integrity?  We're dissolving into a slush of our own making: led by social influencers with few credentials other than big mouthes or enhanced body parts; whose advice people heed because they can't, or won't, think for themselves.

Those of us who still watch television are having fewer choices for the news.  I don't want to stare at my phone all day to read what one person with countless followers and critics have to say.  I recently asked a small group of  Gen X'ers how much time they spend on their phone each day for other than 'official business' and their answers were, on average, 4 hours.

Four.  I was surprised, but deflected by relaying a report I'd heard on Gen Z'ers and the time they spend.  Nope, I'm not going down that rabbit hole.  Even if they do have online broadcasts, to me it's not the same; and all those distractions keep popping up, follow me, follow me...

Did you hear Trump rail at Kristen Welker during last Sunday's Meet The Press interview?  Not the part where he called her stupid, but when he started ticking off corrupt entities:

"You're corrupt; (NBC's) Meet the Press is corrupt; ABC, CBS, CNN are corrupt!"

I thought he just made nice with the Ellisons (recent purchasers of  Paramount, the parent company of CBS) - but he must be justifying the recent and future firings.  Kristen challenged him on various claims, for which he could not provide any evidence other than his gut.  He ranted until he ran out of words and petulantly walked out of the interview; condescendingly tapping Kristen's arm as he exited. 

Nobody believes his current claim that a 'deal' with Iran is close. He does nothing but lie, even when proper facts are readily available. Although I suppose the President can be forgiven for mistakenly stating that hundreds of thousands of our troops died in Vietnam, when in reality it was approximately 58,000; that should have been an easy one for a President.

Remember, he never had to serve because of his feet.  Couldn't wear combat boots yet can golf every day, yep.

Why Does Fox News Demonize Democrats?

I'm listening to Fox News at the moment, as I do from time to time to hear what people on the 'other side' are being told by their pundits.   For the past 15 minutes all I've heard has been how (we) on the Left are going to destroy the country because we support:

Transgenders (and we're secretly plotting to 'change' Republican children during kindergarden); rioting in Newark (no one likes that; and everyone knows the crazies come out after dark to cause trouble, everyday, everywhere).  (We're) accused of wanting to throw open the doors of immigration and allow murderers, rapist, etc., into the country to kill us all.  I'd be interested in hearing simply ONE person advocating that.

An ICE agent got bitten by a protestor and it looked pretty nasty, but not as nasty as a woman's brains splattered across her dashboard in Minneapolis.  People are upset about poor conditions inside these facilities, which are run by firms making a mint because they're paid per occupied bed; not to mention the supporting transportation companies, builders, food suppliers, etc, which support ICE.  That's why ICE is running around grabbing children and grandmothers and, and...

What percentage of inmates have criminal records; the worst of the worst? 25%, by most accounts. So 75% are harmless, other than having a desire to live in this country; what were they thinking? How many white Americans who have committed crime after crime are loose around among us, not counting pardoned Jan 6 rioters? 

I don't hear anything with that side of the story.  Right now some guy named Benny Johnson's talking about Christianianity being the bedrock of our nation, and anyone who isn't (of their particular sect) isn't welcome.

"The Left does not believe in God."  How dare he, and how dare you if that's what you believe.

"We're gonna have a better nation as more young people attend church," thanks to martyr Charlie Kirk.  But what are they preaching?  Women barefoot and pregnant and White Christians Only, as far as I can tell.

"The only people having children are on the Right."  Where do they get these facts, RFK Jr?

OMG, we're, "EVIL; demons; raping dogs," (Spencer Pratt - running for Mayor of LA).  "My wife's been so connected to Jesus and I finally saw the light.  It's God's plan for me to win on Tuesday."

You'd think God has better things to worry about than some Pratt.

But nothing on Fox about $1 billion for our 'free' ballroom (and how much for the plane?); $1.8 billion for convicted criminals and the Pillow Man; 11 suicides in ICE lockup since Jan '25  versus 1 or 2 annually; things are more screwed up in the Middle East than before Trump got involved; and finally, apparently there's nothing wrong with the President, his family and businesses to get a lifetime pass from the IRS.

Any time I tune in, all Fox seems interested in is vilifying non-Trump supporters from any party.  

They're twisting everything Mamdani says and tries to do for the underprivileged of NYC.  I was born in Queens, grew up on the 'Jersey Shore and later worked in Manhattan during the 80s & 90s, so I saw Trump in the news nearly every day (his Marla Maples days).  "Best Sex I Ever Had," remember that one?  Nobody believed her except Donny.

His ego craves publicity and it's only grown, as we can see by golden statues, coins, etc.  Trump wasn't concerned then about the unaffordability of living in the city.  Most of us had to commute from New Jersey, Connecticut, Long Island and the Boroughs; while service workers lived in slums.  It was expensive to go out to eat or a show compared to my childhood, but compared to now?   I don't need to tell you about the absurdity - how much are tickets to this year's NBA Finals?

So Zohran Mamdani's trying to do something positive, but the Epstein Class, according to Fox, are up in arms; accusing him of taking properties from Whites; comaring him to Chairman Mao and Lenin, forgetting the President idolizes those men, duh...  He's going after Slum Lords, and while they're at it somebody should check into Trump's old NYC properties:

Donald Trump owned and profited from subsidized, rent-regulated, and low-income apartment complexes in New York City, though primarily as an investor or through properties developed by his father.

Slum Lords.  Check it out if you don't believe me.  I'll tell you something else:  LOADS of men in Manhattan in those days were real pigs, so I'm not surprised Trump hung around Epstein.  I watched corporate execs act with moral abandonment while lining their pockets at the consumer's expense.  All they cared about was the Stock Market, and that hasn't changed.  Trump, Epstein, Weinstein, Lutnick....tells you something, doesn't it?

So I've turned off Fox and skipped over CBS, which I'm boycotting now that they've gutted the integrity of 60 Minutes.  Christ Almighty!  Walter Cronkite's rolling over in his grave.

Trump Doesn't Care Because He's Got a Militia

I paid $5.85 a gallon for gas last week and it's likely gone up; but I don't drive anywhere except for groceries (such a nice word) so I'm not keeping an eye on the pump.

"The American people are suffering.  They can't afford food."

I love the way politicians of both persuasions can be so cavalier about hunger.  I'll bet they've never had to go to the cat food section for something to eat.  Christ, Trump looks like he's about to explode.

Finally, more people are understanding that the President is not interested in our welfare at all.  The ballroom, the pool, the arch, those are top-of-mind, but they're announcing another memorial about to be destroyed in the Trumpian way.  Just more billions spent on D.C. beautifications to impress foreign dignataries who inwardly (and outwardly) laugh at him.  All the money he and his family are STEALING in broad daylight won't buy them good taste.  Designer clothes selected by stylists can't hide their tacky ways.

Who was shocked at the President's words yesterday that (sic), "(He) couldn't care less about the midterms."

That's because he's got a Militia in his back pocket; one which we'll be paying for if, we're stupid enough.  I'm still asking but haven't heard a definitive answer as to whether or not this $1.776 billion is really a thing, or if impending lawsuits will stop anything.  It's can't possibly be as easy as Trump and Blanche cooking this up with merely a Sharpie seal of approval, can it?

Silly me, going to court doesn't matter any more, for if you're awarded a judgement during one administration it can be snatched away during another.   They're after E. Jean Carroll at the moment, and I for one believe it's only a matter of time before the mother/daughter poll workers who were vilified by hair-dye-dripping Guiliani are stripped of their financial judgements, too.

Aren't you tired of the Retribution Campaign?  Still waiting for Trump to do something for you besides cutting benefits?  It's amazing to watch modest Americans speak of not liking this-or-that as a result of some dumb move by our tyrant, but they're still 100% TRUMP. 

Why?  What has he done this term to make your life easier?  I'm not talking about millionaires, et al, for they've got their noses so far up their stock portfolios they can't see the dangers down the road.  But what about for the general public?  Name one thing other than locking up so-called undesirables.

The idea of a 250th Independence Celebration seems to be causing as much excitement as root canal.  Our town's not having any fireworks OR drone show, which never impressed me - not when they drop out of the sky.  Plus where's the smell?

Someone farther up the economic ladder than me recently said (sic), "I never used to feel this way, but I'm beginning to really dislike rich people."

Ahhh...I'm not the only Madame Defarge.  Due to my inability to be financially ruthless, I couldn't have avoided the streets without the help of others, for which I am truly grateful; but do you imagine I grew up thinking, "Gee, I can't wait to grow up so I can beg"?

(Previously deleted, but it seems necessary here to explain my sour grapes about not inheriting family money; no life insurance after Tino's death; and being raped financially by Exes.  If we lived on a level playing field that would be one thing; but those reasons, at least to me, seem to be why so many other people have money.)

I blame my parents, who inadvertently instilled Justice -Sensitivity during nurturing; I didn't know this was a thing:

An overly strong sense of fairness, Justice Sensitivity is a heightened awareness of and intense emotional reaction to perceived inequities. While highly valued for promoting social change, it can cause severe frustration, cognitive distortion, and burnout when life fails to align with your moral compass.

Some view that as a character-flaw, but I'll hold out hope that one day I'll meet an equally-Justice-Sensitive partner.  But it doesn't really matter, considering what's about to erupt.

Trump doesn't plan on going anywhere and he's got 2 more years to cement himself in place.  He doesn't care about the midterms, because if and when Republicans lose the House and maybe the Senate, he'll simply claim,

"They're doing it again - trying to steal the election,"

...and that's all he'll need say to set loose his newly-minted millionaire Militia; can you think of a better incentive?  Their ranks will continue to grow until we're completely subjugated and won't be permitted to leave.  Unless you have a Trump-stamped Passport.

So he's not worried: "Look at last night," he declared, as if Texans choosing a morally repugnant man to represent them in the Senate over a Vegan who's not homophobic is all the reason he'll need.

Listen to him - "We'll have to blow them (Oman) up," and "Cuba's next."  If much of this post is news to you, start paying more attention.

He's unbalanced - can't anybody do anything other than take a shot?

What Can A Simple Citizen Do?

Young people glamorize Adolf Hitler and Luigi Mangione, the 'punk' who shot the healthcare executive in the back like the coward he is.  Have you seen his fans?  Doubtful those young women would act the same if he looked like...well, you get my point.  It's one thing to idolize James Dean; it's another to do the same to Charlie Manson. Think their parents know?

I can't find my previous post, but I know I wrote about the inevitability of January 6th rioters being compensated for their legal fees/emotional distress/lost income.  How does $1 million apiece sound to you folks who lost health care benefits, for that's what the President's $1.7 Billion slush fund is for; look it up if you don't believe me, and from various sources on various mediums and not merely your favorite 'thread'.  Trump is paying off his militia so that even if he's officially out of office (maybe), his gang, now cleared of any charges and living the high life, will be at his beck-and-call.

What about the illegal stock trading on the lives of our military - YOUR child, grandchild or friend.  I also wrote about us going into Cuba as soon as Trump can wipe his hands of Iran, some people missed CIA's Ratcliffe's jaunt down there this past week.  They're trying not to make the same mistake they made with Iran - bombing the hell out of them without a how-dee-do to anyone (and so we'd quickly pivot our attention from the scandalous Epstein Files, I still believe.)

So they're saying that Cuba is preparing to attack Guantanamo Bay (and Florida?) with drones;, therefore that will be the reason we go in and take Castro out.  What Trump really wants is to build a bunch of hotels and casinos to recreate the 'good old days' of Havana - you've seen Godfather II.  He'll begin planning construction before the Strait of Hormuz is freely opened up like it was before he stuck his oversized Ego into that oily, wily, pack of snakes; if it ever is.  What's a million-Euro toll among friends?

Cuba's holding their hands up in self defense, and I'm more likely to believe them.  Considering Trump has been threatening to take over Cuba (and Iceland and Canada and probably Mexico's next) for quite some time, oh, and let's not forget Venezuela (what are we doing there?) then sure, maybe Castro thought it might be a good idea to stock up on some drones.  Look how well Iran's been doing and, of course, Ukraine, hooray for Ukraine.

I wouldn't be surprised if Canada and Iceland were stocking up on defenseive weapons, too; even if it's only crampons and ice picks.

We're not prepared for another epidemic, pandemic, plague, whatever they want to call it.  Oh, that would probably please the folks at the 9-hour Prayer Fest in the Capitol on Sunday; bunch of Bible-Thumpers (no, I didn't misspell - that's what Mom called religious fanatics).  Oh, they're not fanatics?  Then I'll bet you're white, male, possibly toothless, and willing to treat your wife as our President and Christian Nationalist Secretary of Missteps espouse - barefoot and pregnant.

What would Barbara Bush have said to George (or Betty Ford to Gerry) if she heard him call a woman reporter, Piggy, or another a Stupid Person?  What's wrong with our ditzy First Model?  Can't she say a thing; or is it because he can't understand a word she says, I sure can't.

Think he only acts that way in public and not to women close to him?  Hell, no; bunch of well-dressed saps.

What a world.  Senator Bill Cassidy (R) LA lost his reelection bid because he voted his conscience after the Jan. 6th attack - YES, it was an attack - and pissed off DJT for life.  Many more Republicans felt the same way immediately after the disgrace, but we all know how that's gone.  Anyone who isn't lockstep with the First Octogenarian is toast.    What person of any decency would knock Sen. Cassidy's gracious concession speech, Republican or Democrat?  Next up is Kentucky's Rep. Thomas Massie's fight on Tuesday; another Republican out-of-favor because he sided with the Epstein survivors?  That is NOT a character flaw.

My conservative mother used to say that the fall of a civilization begins with the loss of its morals.  I heard this since the 1960s and considered her 'old-fashioned and out-of-step,' as I'm sure younger generations now consider me.  But now I see her point.  That's what it boils down to:  Who has any decency left and who does not?

So what can a simple citizen do?  Vote your conscience and remember the values we all were taught, at least in school, when we were very young.  Not everyone had inbred parents.

Whatever Happened To Hairnets?

Leon Trotsky poster 1960s

I was watching a morning piece about a new bakery in Portland.  The doughnuts sure looked yummy and I was enjoying the shout-out, UNTIL...

The gal filling the 'nuts flipped her 2-foot ponytail out of her face before she began squirting for the camera.

Ugh.  I instantly flashed back to the time a fellow volunteer invited me to a local Austin coffee shop.  I didn't have my own car  (just my motorhome) so it was always a treat to go anywhere outside of the Community First Village.

I've been intimidated by modern Coffee Shops since 1994, when I was introduced to my first Starbuck's, in Portland, OR, by a co-worker. Tino and I had recently moved to the city, and we usually drank the plain-old at-home kind, with cream.  You know those confusing menu boards; I stared like a deer in the headlights.  Ms. Vicki ordered her iced-double-shot-espresso-hazlenut-whatever; and when it was my turn I pointed and said, you know already,

"I'll have what she's having."

It's been that way ever since,  for I never order alone.  Fast-forward to 2017 and it was pretty much the same experience with Lesslye; except for my horror at the kids behind the counter: 20-somethings, one who was sleeveless (with underarm hair, I'm not certain now) and her wild head-hair without a net.  The young man preparing food was similarly netless.  Lesslye might remembers it differently, but it's my story...

I thougt it was the law, but I don't eat out often enough to know for certain.   It seems a sensible policy to help ensure public health, like no rat droppings in their kitchen; but perhaps hairnets are as aversive to wear as masks were during Covid.  And what about gloves?

"Anything to eat?"

Were they kidding?  I felt old and out of touch amidst Austin's COOL crowd. I felt the same in Eugene; and Portland, I suppose.  I remember the original Hippies, and what we see nowadays are cheap imitations.

I don't know about you, but strands of my hair fall out all the time. Not all at once, thankfully; but regardless, would you want to eat my DNA?

So that's today's rant.  Maybe it was just a crack I made to Lesslye about, "What's next - underarm hair?"  I wouldn't be surprised.