Monthly Archives: February 2020

#372. Sticks and Stones Will Break My Bones, but Words Will Never Hurt Me.

23 Sunday Feb 2020

Posted by in Societal Issues, Stupid Is as Stupid Does, Uncategorized

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Readers: this blog is set in the future (sometime after the year 2020). Each entry assumes there has been a 5th revolution in the US — the Revenge Revolution. More about the Revenge Revolution, a list of earlier revolutions and the author, Entry #1.

Periodically I write a “sense check” to assess whether in the next few years, a revolution in the US is still possible or whether the entire exercise is based on a statistical aberration — i.e., a roughly 50-year cycle between major upheavals in the US.  Most recent sense check, Entry #365.  

Some of the entries are part of a series.  Several series are available as easy-to-read booklets for download:

ENTRY #372 BEGINS.  As a kid, most of us were told, “Sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me.” The lesson of this little saying was not to let schoolyard bullies and others intimidate you with their words.”

Well, Republicans in Congress, and Republican Senators in particular, did your parents not teach you that saying or have you forgotten it? All Republican Senators but Mitt Romney apparently have forgotten the lesson and continue to kowtow to Trump.  What’s worse, even as Trump’s behavior has spiraled out of control since the Republican Senators refused to vote to impeach, these brave Republican Senators have remained quiet.

Republican Senators, what’s bad-boy Donnie really going to do to you? Send a few nasty tweets? Mock you at a rally? Come on, where’s your sense of dignity?

Trump is a classic bully. And my experience with every bully I’ve ever met has been the same – deep-seated inferiority complex on top of being a coward. Standing up to a bully usually causes the bully to turn tail and run.

Trump appears no different than those other bullies. For certain, he’s a coward.  The most visible display of his cowardice being the alleged bone spur, which somehow rendered him 4F for the military and therefore ineligible to be drafted during Vietnam.

For those who don’t play golf, having a 4F-scale bone spur would make playing golf incredibly painful. Maybe Trump plays so much golf to demonstrate how tough he really is because he plays through all that pain.  And, if you believe that, you’ll believe there’s a bridge between Brooklyn and Manhattan that’s for sale.

On a more critical level for the country, Trump has repeatedly demonstrated his cowardice by refusing to discuss with anyone or debate with anyone substantive issues. If you think the 2016 debates for the Republican nomination and then presidential election were really debates, take a look at the reruns. Trump never offered a substantive, well-documented argument. Trump’s response to any issue was more akin to what one would characterize as schoolyard “trash talk.”

Since being awarded the presidency by the Electoral College, Trump has continued the trash talk and ratcheted up the trash talk and bullying since the acquittal.  And where have the Republican Senators been during this period of even crazier behavior?  Showing their mettle by acting like a bunch of scared little kids, cowering at the side of the school yard, hoping the bully Trump doesn’t try to steal their lunch money.

What’s worse is the Republican Senators won’t even admit he’s been stealing their lunch money for the last three years.  The stealing has not been confined to Republican Senators.  Trump’s been stealing every taxpayer’s money. If you’re a Trump supporter, take some time and do real research about how your tax dollars are flowing into Trump’s pockets. Forget putting Fox News, Breitbart and other Trump outlets on the list of credible sources.

If you don’t like to read, then at least listen to a series of podcasts titled “Trump, Inc.”  The podcast content is well-researched and describes in some detail about how Trump and family have been funneling significant amounts of taxpayer money to their pockets and/or funneling foreign money to their pockets. Just listen and learn.

Do you really think a small cottage on the grounds of Bedminster Country Club should rent for $17,000 per month?  Yes, that’s $17,000 per month, or $204,000 per year for a small cottage.  That’s what Trump charges the Secret Service.  What does Trump charge the government for rooms at Mar-a-Lago for Secret Service?  Only $650 per night.  And the $650/night rate is after Donald, Jr. claimed the charge to Federal government at any Trump facility would be direct cost of housekeeping – about $50/room.

After you finish listening to the podcasts, please Trumpsters, no false comparisons to some fictitious claim about some Democrat.  The issue is how Trump as president is raping taxpayers.  Understand?

In addition to intimidating, bullies are good at breaking things, like 2-year olds.  Do you know anyone who’s ever hired a bully to build something?  Trump’s ability to break things might warrant his only grade of A+, ever.

There has never been a president who has made such an intense effort to destroy the very fabric that sets the US apart from every other country, including other democracies.  Since the first day in office, actually before the first day in office, Trump has been bent on destroying the FBI, CIA, the federal judiciary, and it seems even destroying the military. Republican Senators, have you ever wondered why he wants to destroy these organizations?  And, why he keeps denying that Russia might have helped him get elected?  And why he keeps trashing Robert Muller?

Yes, every organization needs to make a course correction now and then. But a course correction to address problems that need to be fixed doesn’t mean destroying the entire organization.  Do you blow up the house when the toilet is leaking?

Republican Senators, have you ever wondered why Bill Barr, whom you approved as Trump’s attorney general, acts more like Roy Cohn or a mob attorney than a real AG? Republican Senators, you do understand you can impeach the AG?  Republican Senators, have you no concern when Trump routinely appoints lap dogs to key positions in the justice department and national security agencies?  In case you haven’t noticed, Trump’s gigantic inferiority complex shines brightly when he appoints only people to key positions who will not challenge him.

Well, Republican Senators, where is your courage? Where’s your sense of duty, of honor, of country? Have you forgotten the lesson that “words will never hurt me?”  Why don’t you, Republican Senators, stand up and challenge the bully in the White House? What are you afraid of?  Cat got your tongue?

 

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#371. Putin Praises Puppet President. Mandates Moscow Mitch Merits Medal.

16 Sunday Feb 2020

Posted by in Causes of the Revolution, Societal Issues

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Readers: this blog is set in the future (sometime after the year 2020). Each entry assumes there has been a 5th revolution in the US — the Revenge Revolution. More about the Revenge Revolution, a list of earlier revolutions and the author, Entry #1.

Periodically I write a “sense check” to assess whether in the next few years, a revolution in the US is still possible or whether the entire exercise is based on a statistical aberration — i.e., a roughly 50-year cycle between major upheavals in the US.  Most recent sense check, Entry #365.  

Some of the entries are part of a series.  Several series are available as easy-to-read booklets for download:

ENTRY #371 BEGINS.  During a private, off-the-record meeting that was secretly recorded, Vladimir Putin gushed over how obedient Trump has been at following orders. Putin noted that Trump’s performance in wrecking long-held democratic standards in the United States had far exceeded his expectations.

Putin was heard on the recording stating, “In three years Trump has done more to destroy the fabric of US democracy than Russia has been able to accomplish in 75 years. And he’s got his supporters believing Ukraine meddled in the 2016 election and not us. What more could we ask for?” Putin continued, “The only problem is his paranoia is far worse than we realized.  Who knows what Trump will do next? He’s become like a mad dog.”

An unidentified attendee reminded the group that just last week during a ceremony at the White House honoring service dogs, Trump flew into a rage and actually bit a former service dog when he found out the dog was now owned by the Obamas. When being taken away, the speaker noted, “Trump yelled that Obama’s dog should be impeached and kicked out the service dog corps.”

The comment drew uproarious laughter by the group, after which Putin added the real surprise in the Trump era has been Mitch McConnell. Putin noted, “While Trump has created a lot of noise, McConnell – I like the nickname Moscow Mitch – has wielded a true wrecking ball to the legislative process.

Under any other Senate Majority Leader, Trump would have been impeached. But good ol’ Moscow Mitch managed to bring a vote to the floor without allowing any evidence or witnesses. And only one Republican senator objected. Now that’s how dictators operate. Whatta guy.”

Following an order to the waiter to bring another round of drinks, Putin declared, “I think Trump and Moscow Mitch deserve a medal. They’ve kowtowed to our requests and helped Russia more than we ever expected. And both of them have been so cheap to buy. What does the group think about a medal for each?”

Someone then rather loudly proclaimed, “A toast and a medal to the puppet president and to Moscow Mitch. Since Trump and Moscow Mitch have been so good at kowtowing, let’s give them a medal shaped like a cow’s udder.” In unison, the group was heard moaning, then laughing, which was followed by a loud, “Hear, hear!” End of recording.

 

#370 Rabid Trump Bites Obama’s Dog. Dog to Get Shots.

09 Sunday Feb 2020

Posted by in Stupid Is as Stupid Does, Uncategorized

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Readers: this blog is set in the future (sometime after the year 2020). Each entry assumes there has been a 5th revolution in the US — the Revenge Revolution. More about the Revenge Revolution, a list of earlier revolutions and the author, Entry #1.

Periodically I write a “sense check” to assess whether in the next few years, a revolution in the US is still possible or whether the entire exercise is based on a statistical aberration — i.e., a roughly 50-year cycle between major upheavals in the US.  Most recent sense check, Entry #365.  

Some of the entries are part of a series.  Several series are available as easy-to-read booklets for download:

ENTRY #370 BEGINS: Following formal acquittal of impeachment by the Senate, President Trump went on a wide-ranging, vicious attack spree. No one seemed immune. While most of his venom was directed at Democrats in the House, and those who testified against him, some Republicans were attacked, most notably Senator Mitt Romney.

Trump seemed unable to control himself on Twitter or in person. At a White House ceremony on the south lawn honoring service dogs, Trump began foaming at the mouth after being told one of the service dogs being honored had retired and now belonged to the Obama’s.

Trump demanded that the latest in a string of acting White House chiefs of staff point out the Obama’s dog, which was being escorted by its former handler. After the dog was identified, Trump lumbered toward the dog, pushed its handler aside and began biting the dog.

Secret Service agents were so startled, they watched in horror for a few bites, then managed to pull Trump off the dog. The agents escorted Trump, who was still foaming at the mouth, back into the White House.

The honoree dog was examined by a vet, who recommended that as protection against Trump’s apparent rabies, the dog should receive a series of shots.

In the White House, Trump, still foaming, refused to be examined, claiming he was smarter than any doctor and would diagnose himself to determine if he was rabid. Trump also claimed Obama’s dog had attacked him and should be impeached as a service dog.

#369 Climate Change. Who’s Right about the Cause? Doesn’t Matter.

02 Sunday Feb 2020

Posted by in Common Sense Policies, Gov't Policy, Societal Issues, Uncategorized

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Readers: this blog is set in the future (sometime after the year 2020). Each entry assumes there has been a 5th revolution in the US — the Revenge Revolution. More about the Revenge Revolution, a list of earlier revolutions and the author, Entry #1.

Periodically I write a “sense check” to assess whether in the next few years, a revolution in the US is still possible or whether the entire exercise is based on a statistical aberration — i.e., a roughly 50-year cycle between major upheavals in the US.  Most recent sense check, Entry #365.  

Some of the entries are part of a series.  Several series are available as easy-to-read booklets for download:

ENTRY #369 BEGINS.  Recently, a longtime colleague sent an article from a local paper about a series of speeches he’s been giving focused on electric transportation and climate change. The article noted his position about the increase in the earth’s average temperature was due to natural causes, and not due to actions by humans, such as burning fossil fuels or deforestation.

In the speeches, he argued because the change in temperature was due to natural causes, society should continue to burn coal, gasoline, natural gas, etc. He stated the CO2 generated from the burning would not be harmful to the environment and, in fact, could be could be helpful – e.g., more CO2 could increase agricultural production.

While I agree that the average temperature of the earth and CO2 ppm have varied over time due to natural causes, the changes have occurred very, very slowly, often taking hundreds if not thousands or even tens of thousands of years. In addition, in periods with very high concentration of CO2, all evidence suggests that humans didn’t exist.

I’m a big supporter of science-based decisions. However, the science doesn’t matter about the cause of climate change. What matters is how to mitigate the potential damage associated with the rapid increase in the earth’s temperature.

You don’t need to have a degree in climate science to know that if the earth’s average temperature continues to rise more polar ice will melt. Actually, a 3rd grader can understand the problem. What happens when all the ice melts? Oceans will rise. (Much of the ice is on land.)

Let’s say the ocean level increases 12-18” inches over the next 50-100 years, which is not an unreasonable estimate. Well, that amount of increase in ocean levels would be goodbye to much of Florida as well as goodbye to many coastal cities in the US and around the world.

In addition to the rising seas and the millions of people displaced, we are likely to see oceans as a less productive food source. There would also be a major disruption to agricultural production since many crops would not grow in the current location. The transition in agriculture could result in major shortages of food for years, possibly decades.

Regardless of the cause of climate change, the risk of doing nothing could be catastrophic. So let’s not get our panties in a wad about who’s right or wrong.  Instead, let’s figure out what it takes to mitigate the effects of higher temperatures and capitalize on any opportunities.

An obvious action that can start now is to accelerate the elimination of fossil fuels. And why not? Why not add solar panels to roofs? Add solar panels even in areas where the sun shines say only 50% of the days per year. While the electricity generated in the 50% areas won’t match electricity generated in Arizona, the cumulative effect of all houses in the 50%-sunny area would be an enormous amount of electricity over time.

Why not reduce the number of animals raised for meat? Cows are great for hamburger but they’re also a methane machine. Increased use of plant-based “meats” would have a positive impact.

My colleague was trained as a nuclear engineer. Despite his belief the increase in earth’s temperature is the result of natural causes, he is an advocate of migrating from using fossil fuels to nuclear power to generate electricity.

I’ll not argue the burn-fossil-fuel-and-switch-to-nuclear logic and agree with using more nuclear fuel as long as the industry chooses the least damaging and easiest to manage nuclear fuel. Based on very limited research I think that thorium would be a better choice than uranium, although I’m not a hundred percent sure.

Many other changes can be made to reduce CO2 emissions. As many of us are experiencing in the auto industry’s migration to electric-powered vehicles, the change can be challenging but also exciting fun. The changes are very likely to spawn a plethora of new technologies and create many new jobs.

The first step in this journey, however, is to have both sides quit pointing fingers about who’s right and who’s wrong. Folks, it does not matter. The consequences of continuing to do nothing are bad and worse. Consequences are the issue. Forget about who’s correct about the cause.

And, oh, what if the average temperature starts to fall in the future because of natural causes? Mmm, what has been lost by all the efforts to reduce CO2 ppm?? Absolutely nothing, nada, zero. In fact, the earth will be have cleaner air, more productive citizens and some new jobs. Not a bad thing to have happen.

So, to all the so-called “climate-change deniers” and to all the so-called “climate-change extremists”, let’s shake hands, go grab a coffee and start working on solutions, together. Something productive might get accomplished.