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?

Turkeys Without Feathers

Washington's full of them.  Running around like their lesser cousins without heads - and they're in charge?

Nobody with any sense truly believes those Democrats (who reminded our troops they are not obligated to follow unlawful orders) are treasonists.  Come on, people - the President doesn't have a clue when it comes to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) since he never put on a uniform unless it was at his boarding school.  He simply expects everyone to reply "How high?"

Compare Sen. John Kelly with Sec. Pete Hegseth, who's busily getting ready to jump on Kelly about his uniform as soon as he's recalled to duty so that they can court-martial him.  Kelly - a highly revered Veteran, Astronaut and member of Congress who understands violence in a way Donald never will.  Up against Hegseth, a sycophant, former talk-show host, whose military service, while lengthy, was not all it's cracked up to be; but I'll leave that to servicemembers to dissect.  There are all sorts of reasons for servicemen to leave the military prior to retirement after 20 years of service.

What I observed (during 14 years of Army life) was at around the half-way point, soldiers would weigh the pros and cons of staying in.  People used to feel that way about private companies, too. So why did Hegseth quit a mere one year prior to eligibility?  If it was for a serious job offer, it would likely be understandable to delay the start date; but I'm guessing he did a serious no-no; an infraction of said UCMJ, which is perhaps why he now views it, and Field and General Officers, with such obvious contempt.

I do believe those six Congressmen meant well; but I also believe it's too much to expect of our young soldiers who, through upbringing, social media and Drill Sargeants, have not yet learned to think for themselves.  So if the President suddenly demands they fire at 'only the feet' of protestors, I'm afraid at least one will take him literally; and once it begins, well, that's how we see slaughters.

Changing subjects - why didn't anyone (the Press Corps on Air Force One) express outrage when Donald said, "Quiet, Piggy," directly to the reporter?  Didn't you GASP when you heard that?  If you didn't, well then, there's the problem.

So if you're overweight, don't act surprised when some stranger feels justified snorting or calling you Piggy in public.  You'll have a choice to respond and likely invite more abuse; or slink away.  But you DO have a choice next November and in 2028.

A man was questioned by a reporter down in Atlanta what he thought of Trump's comments "...they're traitors; subject to execution," or however he put it.  The man laughed and said, "That's Trump."  He'd better watch out - he looked a bit pudgy

Just as I don't believe the Democrats were inciting insurrection, I don't believe Trump meant they should really be hung.  But I do believe he enjoys egging violence on indirectly.  It's so easy for him to claim afterwards,

"That's not what I said, or meant."  He knows exactly what he's doing.

Trump feels solving wars by caving to invaders is a success.  Ukraine certainly wasn't looking at the initial 28-point Peace Process Donald scribbled on toilet paper as a Win.  Nobody feels it's a win except the Turkeys Without Feathers.  TWF... just a variation of WTF.

Don't gobble up their scat!

"Sooner or Later, They All Get It in the Neck!"

Coworker Chip said that to me back in Manhattan, c. 1990, after someone (a client/vendor/competitor) behaved rather dastardly and totally unethical.

"Yeah, maybe, but I want to see it!"

Unfortunately, that's how life works.  I had to BELIEVE the snake would receive his 'just deserts' and that, in the end, justice prevails.

I thought of that while watching Dick Cheney's funeral right now; a very nice, tasteful service attended by Presidents Bush and Biden; VPs Gore and Harris; even Speaker Boehmer was there.  Who was noticeably NOT invited?

President Trump and VP Whats-His-Name, I can't think.  Trump will say he doesn't care, but his Ego can't tolerate such a slight.  We'll see what he says, if anything.

Just as Trump was snubbed by New York elites back then and snubbed by former Presidents, et al, now...in the future, now that he's amassing the billions he wanted to fit in with that crowd, once he falls out of favor, or perhaps fashion is the better term, they'll turn their backs on him as well.

Just like Chip said.  We just have to believe...

"Big Balls" Fails Again

If our 'big balls' President really had compassion and wanted 'vulnerable' people to eat, he'd have moved Heaven and Earth to come up with the money weeks ago to cover SNAP benefits; rather than force millions to suffer empty bellies, what a Scrooge.  I received a text from a friend in Germany who expressed sorrow for the way our Government treats its citizens; it was embarassing.

I don't blame Democrats for no money on my SNAP card (full disclosure:  last Friday Oregon paid full bennies out of state funds; which will probably not be reimbursed because we're a Blue State).  I lay that squarely on Donald Trump.  If you're old enough to have witnessed past Presidents tackle head-on strikes or closures affecting the general population (because that's their job), then you know we have a cheap imitation sitting in the Oval Office.  All that gold can't cover his brASS.

Trump's recent 'Gatsby' party at Mar-a-Lago was another slap in the face.  Imagine - while federal workers he refused to pay stood in food lines.  I can't believe how many people think the greed, pride, ego and corruption exemplified in the White House is okay.

Maxwell Gets Special Meals in Prison, While How Many Law-Abiding Go Hungry?

Ghislaine Maxwell, convicted child molester and pimp, was moved to a minimun-detention facility, you already knew that; but now, in addition to special meals, she gets help from the warden to send and receive emails; special visitation rights; and a Service Dog to play with.

This; while Trump goes to court to TAKE BACK the SNAP doled out already.  I live in Oregon, and last Friday the State distributed full benefits and I went shopping.  But now he wants to take the rest back; and possibly deduct the money I DID spend from next month's allotment.

Who think this is OK?

My MAN APP

I don't know much about it, but I don't like AI.  I keep seeing ads and Serious Segments discussing pros and cons and, oh my, the possibilities; but I'm not buying.  Sure, it's easier to read the AI-generated answer to a question I'm Googling; but I really don't mind looking up things myself.

Besides, as far as I can tell I can't get rid of AI on my laptop.  Even while typing this blog, there's an annoying blue circle with a pencil and a plus-sign obscuring my words which doesn't go away.  So any typos I can blame on AI...ahh, I get it!

Something else disturbing are segments discussing young men; their anger issues; and their AI-generated girlfriends.  What a warped generation (we're) raising.

So this morning I'm watching an Amazon ad, clearly instructing how to point the phone at a CHAIR and - BLIP  - several similarities pop up immediately; you can even change the color.  That's when I thought:

WHY don't they invent an APP in which I can point my phone at a MAN I'd be interested in dating

and - BLIP - I'm immediately shown availability in my area. Where I can add my own filters, let's see what I'd like:

AGE:  Over 55
SEX:  Occasionally
HEIGHT:  Taller than me (5'2")
WEIGHT:  Able to fit in a single airline seat
HAIR:  Not necessary
EYES:  Preferably two; sexy eyepatch a plus
RACE:  No, thanks, I'm not sporty

Those are the Basics; now for Advanced:

SENSE OF HUMOR:  Gotta have
EDUCATION:  I don't care about a bunch of diplomas on the wall, but someone who can carry on a conversation without constantly inserting the word, like.
WEALTH:  Money's nice but it doesn't buy taste or manners; which are required.  Someone who can pick up the tab for dinner, at least; I'll reciprocate.
FAMILY:  Ugh.  By this age, the chance of dealing with another difficult Mother-in-Law is slim; but kids? Hmmm...that's a tough one - grandchildren leashed.
PETS:  Absolutely!  Leash not required.
RELIGION:  A spiritual soul, but nothing extreme.  No guarantee which direction I'll be heading.
POLITICS:  Boy, if I insist on a Democrat I'm liable to miss out on the rest.  Well, a moderate Republican or Independent might fit, but we'd have to lay some groundwork first.  Foreigners welcome - actually preferred.
PHILANTHROPY:  Someone willing to explore the world and volunteer along the way.

Oh, and most importantly:  NOT ATTACHED TO THEIR SMARTPHONE

There's more, but I don't want to appear too picky.  Mom always said, "Put it in your consciousness."

That's all - no moral to the story.  I'm just trying to keep from dwelling on,

"I can go one more day without heading to the grocery store." 

5pm Update:  Oregon SNAP was loaded today, yay!