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?

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...