Monthly Archives: May 2022

#450. Letter to School Children from CPAC.

29 Sunday May 2022

Posted by in Back Asswards Thinking, Uncategorized

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Welcome to a discussion about the upcoming 5th Revolution in the US, which I’ve titled the “Revenge Revolution.” For more about the Revenge Revolution and the author, Entry #1.  Periodically I write a “sense check” to assess whether a revolution in the US is 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. Entry #430 was the most recent “sense check.”

BEGIN ENTRY #450 Dear school-age children:

We at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) want you to know how much we admire you and how much we are looking out for your future. To make sure your lives will be cut short, we are opposing any legislation to address global warming that would reduce the use of fossil fuel.

We want you to know that continuing to use fossil fuel will help increase the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere and help make the earth even warmer. And a rapidly warming earth will be such benefit to you.

A warming earth will be such a benefit that those of us who are a bit older are jealous. With a warmer earth, you’ll be able to vacation in the Arctic. With a warmer earth, the ice caps will melt, and the oceans will rise so much that a new shoreline will be created. No more will rich people be able to keep you from accessing beachfront property.

And for those of you who live in the upper Midwest, there’s another benefit. You’ll be able to get rid of those oak and maple trees and grow palm trees instead.

Plus, everybody will experience more exciting weather. You’ll have a chance to experience more hurricanes, more tornadoes.

You’ll get a ringside seat for all those weather disasters. No more having to watch the Weather Channel to see all the disasters happen. Experiencing those disasters firsthand will be more fun than going to Disney World.

The weather disasters will also add excitement to the food supply. Climate-change caused disasters will ruin lots of farmer’s crops and result in food shortages. Not knowing if you’ll be able to get food and eat should add another layer of excitement to your life.

Some people might get upset when these disasters happen. And they might not act very nice. So, to help you protect yourself from “those people,” we’re going to make sure every school-age child has an assault rifle. As a bonus, we’re going to give you extra high-capacity magazines.

We know that when everyone in school has a weapon, no one will shoot anyone else. Just think about all your classmates having guns. Wouldn’t that be exciting?

Who would want to go play with some cap gun, BB gun or even a 22-calibre rifle or pistol when you could have an AR-15 to play with? And that AR-15 will help to protect you from those evil pointy-headed liberals.

We think you and your friends deserve as warm a planet as possible – like the dinosaurs had – and you deserve to have as many guns as you can carry around. We hope you appreciate all of what we’re doing for you. Enjoy your shorter, weather-disrupted, dangerous life.

Signed your Republican friends at CPAC. END ENTRY #450

Other Topics. Interested in more info about climate change, what’s required to electrify a fleet of cars/trucks, what it was like to work day-to-day with Lee Iacocca and an array of other topics? Visit another page of this website, https://usrevolution5.com/jrd-thought-comments/  

449. How Republicans with a Brain Left Can Help Save the Democracy

26 Thursday May 2022

Posted by in Causes of the Revolution, Uncategorized

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Welcome to a discussion about the upcoming 5th Revolution in the US, which I’ve titled the “Revenge Revolution.” For more about the Revenge Revolution and the author, Entry #1.  Periodically I write a “sense check” to assess whether a revolution in the US is 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. Entry #430 was the most recent “sense check.”

ENTRY #449 BEGINS: I realize that no amount of logic is going to change minds of hard-right Republicans. If you’re gullible enough to buy Trump’s lies on any topic, then you’ll ignore any degree of logic, and probably this note.

For those Republicans who have played along with Trump, but still have some gray matter that functions, maybe it’s time to take a stand for democracy and what’s right for the country. While taking a stand for democracy might alienate some fellow Republicans and may even force you to vote for a, yikes Democrat in the 2022 midterm elections, not taking a stand might result your rights disappearing. Zealots view only those equally committed as safe harbors. All others are enemies of their cause and need to be treated as enemies.

You might consider the term “brainwashed” as too harsh to apply to Trump supporters. However, consider this example. I have a former business colleague who is an ardent Trump supporter. “So, what,” you ask. “What’s the big deal?” The big deal is the colleague’s heritage is 100% Mexican. In Trumpworld, being Mexican, born in the US or not, means you’re from the wrong ethnic group.

When the Trump-led ethnic cleansing starts, guess which group will be on the list of non-western European groups that need to be cleansed? Yep, my friend with Mexican heritage, you’re one of “those people.”

What’s the risk of someone like my former colleague finally speaking out against Trump? BTW, his ranch is an area much like Uvalde, TX, where 19 4th-grade students and two teachers were gunned down. His risk at the worst is maybe some “loss of face” among family and friends, but, not much else. In fact, he will likely gain respect for having the courage to admit a mistake.

For those not on the white nationalists’ “preferred list,” continuing to support Trump means risking harm to yourself and family. If you don’t think harm can come, you need to study Germany in the 1930s and 1940s.

If logic mattered to Trump’s core, they would support abortion rights and Roe v Wade. Statistically the birthrate among blacks and Hispanics is higher than for whites. Banning abortion means more black and Hispanic children will be born who can “replace” whites.

In addition, according to Trump supporters, blacks and Hispanics do not contribute their fair share to the economy. Banning abortion would create even more of a drain on the economy plus the added cost for schooling and support as adults. Zealots have a hard time connecting two dots. In Trumpworld, illogic becomes logic.

How can Republicans with some brains left get their party back? Two options and the first might not work.

1) In political races where a hard-right Republican is the nominee, vote Democratic. Even if you are a life-long Republican, and you view Democrats as a bunch of socialists, voting Democratic is the preferable option to voting for a hard-rate Republican. Not voting is abdicating your responsibility to the democracy.

In Entry #448, I talked about jumping in bed with Liz Cheney. I disagree with Ms. Cheney on virtually every policy issue, but I view her as a patriot for upholding her oath to the Constitution. In my view, Liz Cheney’s commitment should be a model for all Republicans.

Yes, if you vote for a Democrat and defeat a hard-right Republican, the Democrats might be in power for a decade or so. Fear not, the pendulum will swing back toward the center with more Republicans in Congress.

2) If voting Democratic doesn’t stop Trump’s allies, the only other option seems to be an armed conflict. In my view the US has already started experiencing its 5th revolution, aka the Revenge Revolution. The severity of the revolution is going to get worse. Based on tactics of the hard right, a fighting Civil War may be the only way to stop the hard right from completely taking over many states in the south in the middle of the country.

An added layer of risk is a president who attempts to use the military to overthrow those states which do not fall in line with his thinking. As president, Trump repeatedly ignored the Constitution and tried do use the military to quell even mild protests. Fortunately, the military brass blocked his efforts.

However, the January 6 Committee apparently has evidence that some high-ranking officers in the military ignored their oath to the US Constitution and supported Trump’s efforts to overthrow the government. How the military brass will respond in the future crises is not clear.

Well, Republicans there you have it. If you’re a hard-right Trumper, you probably quit reading this entry some time ago. If you’re a Republican with gray matter left, you have a serious question to ask yourself, “Am I willing to risk the democracy now and for the future by voting for a hard-right Republican?” Voting for a Democrat versus a hard right Republican won’t kill you. It just might save you. END ENTRY #449

Other Topics. Interested in more info about climate change, what’s required to electrify a fleet of cars/trucks, what it was like to work day-to-day with Lee Iacocca and an array of other topics? Visit another page of this website, https://usrevolution5.com/jrd-thought-comments/  

#448 Jumping in Bed with Liz Cheney

19 Thursday May 2022

Posted by in Uncategorized

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Welcome to a discussion about the upcoming 5th Revolution in the US, which I’ve titled the “Revenge Revolution.” For more about the Revenge Revolution and the author, Entry #1.  Periodically I write a “sense check” to assess whether a revolution in the US is 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. Entry #430 was the most recent “sense check.”

BEGIN ENTRY #448. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine jumping in bed with Liz Cheney. Over the years, she and I have disagreed on most every issue.
She’d want to do something one way. I’d want to it a different way. Rarely did we agree.

As the saying goes, never give up. Finally, after all those disagreements, I am in bed with Liz. Well, not that kind of bad, I mean the political bed.

Ms. Cheney has become one of few patriots in the Republican party. She’s upholding her duty to the US Constitution, not kowtowing to a political party and certainly not kowtowing to some wanna be dictator. Representative Cheney should be an example to both parties and voters everywhere of how an elected representative should behave.

Whichever way she votes on recommendations from the January 6 committee, she has demonstrated how members of Congress should approach issues affecting threats to our democracy. Rather than running to Mar-a-Lago and begging to be liked, Ms. Cheney acted like Lizzie Borden and gave old Donald 40 whacks.

Her behavior is an example of duty, honor, country. Republicans who support Ms. Cheney should be proud of her behavior. Republicans who don’t should take a long, hard look in the mirror and ask, “why am I bowing to a guy that tried to overthrow the US government?“ Then ask yourself, “If Trump were a Democrat with exactly the same policies and behavior, would I still support him?”

Liz, thanks for your service and willingness to stand up for what’s right. END #448

Other Topics. Interested in more info about climate change, what’s required to electrify a fleet of cars/trucks, what it was like to work day-to-day with Lee Iacocca and an array of other topics? Visit another page of this website, https://usrevolution5.com/jrd-thought-comments/  

#447 SCOTUS Encourages States to Reinstate Dred Scott

05 Thursday May 2022

Posted by in Causes of the Revolution, Societal Issues, Uncategorized

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Welcome to a discussion about the upcoming 5th Revolution in the US, which I’ve titled the “Revenge Revolution.” For more about the Revenge Revolution and the author, Entry #1.  Periodically I write a “sense check” to assess whether a revolution in the US is 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. Entry #430 was the most recent “sense check.”

BEGIN ENTRY #447: Following the leak of the draft of the SCOTUS decision to overturn Roe vs Wade, far-right members of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Samuel Alito, publicly encouraged US states to pass laws that could challenge rights for blacks as affirmed by the Dred Scott decision.

During a meeting of Republican governors, Alito stated, “Just look at the US Constitution for guidance. When the Constitution was adopted, blacks were not equal to whites and blacks had no rights. Based on the original Constitution, there is no reason why blacks, and for that matter other non-white groups, should have the same rights as whites. “

Alito continued this opinion was shared by all conservative members of SCOTUS, except, of course, Chief Justice Roberts, whom Alito considers more liberal than conservative. When pressed about support from Justice Thomas for reinstating Dred Scott, Alito stated that Thomas agreed once he was guaranteed an exemption from any new laws that might affect his rights.

Far-right members also encouraged the governors to eliminate any laws protecting rights to privacy. Alito stated, “Why don’t people understand? There’s nothing in the US Constitution protecting privacy.“

When asked by a reporter from Fox if he meant the reference was to the wording of the US Constitution as originally approved, Alito responded sharply, “Of course! Are you some kind of idiot?“

The reporter then asked that “Since amendments to the Constitution were not part of the original document, does your position mean the 2nd Amendment no longer is valid and citizens no longer have the right to bear arms?“

Alito, obviously flustered, huffed and walked out of the meeting. His lapel microphone was still active, and he was heard mumbling about “the damn media.“

Ok, so the entry is tongue-in-cheek. But, don’t consider the theme too far fetched. Many of what most citizens consider everyday rights were denied in the Dred Scott vs Sanford decision. END ENTRY #447

Other Topics. Interested in more info about climate change, what’s required to electrify a fleet of cars/trucks, what it was like to work day-to-day with Lee Iacocca and an array of other topics? Visit another page of this website, https://usrevolution5.com/jrd-thought-comments/  

#446. What New Name Fits the GOP’s Behavior?

01 Sunday May 2022

Posted by in Causes of the Revolution, Post Trump Presidency, Societal Issues, Uncategorized

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Welcome to a discussion about the upcoming 5th Revolution in the US, which I’ve titled the “Revenge Revolution.” For more about the Revenge Revolution and the author, Entry #1.  Periodically I write a “sense check” to assess whether a revolution in the US is 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. Entry #430 was the most recent “sense check.”

BEGIN ENTRY #446: Over the past few years and especially the past 12-15 months, members at all levels of the Republican Party seem to have abandoned any guiding principles. To be a Republican candidate for the November 2022 election, one must be “all Trump all the time.”

No one with any credibility seems to claim that the current Republican Party is any longer the party of Lincoln. You remember that Lincoln guy, the president who saved the Union by putting down the rebellion by secessionist in the south. The guy who signed the Emancipation Proclamation that freed slaves from bondage. The guy who tried to be fair to all.

For Republicans, those ideas are outdated. The new, more dynamic Republican Party has decided to morph into a blob of nothingness. The entire platform of the Republican Party is, well, nothing. No proposed solutions to any problem. No description of real problems. The entire Republican Platform is “just say no” to whatever idea is proposed, even if the idea benefits many people who tend to vote Republican. The only ideas the Republican Party seem to support are outlandish conspiracy theories, and the more outlandish the better.

If you want to continue to be a Republican, you must believe in Trump and Tucker (Carlson). Believe and do what the “T-Boys” say or you will be ousted from any role in the Republican Party. You don’t think so? Ask Liz Cheney (R,WY) and Lisa Murkowski (R,AK) about the consequences of being ethical and supporting democracy rather than following the proclamations of the T-Boy twins.

Given this shift in behavior, maybe it is time to rename Republican Party. What does the “new” GOP stand for? Certainly not the Grand Old Party. Maybe the Republican leadership should adopt one of the following names:
• Greed Overcoming Principles
• Generally Opposing People
• Gangster Operating Procedures
• Genuinely Outdated Proposals
• Giving Others Poop
• Groveling Over Putin
• Goofy Outlandish Politicians
• Grandiose Obfuscation Plans

What does the new, rudderless GOP mean for a possible 5th US Revolution, the Revenge Revolution? The new GOP is so far right and so far afield from a workable political party that the only way to realign it and reign in the crazies is with a full-scale revolution, something akin to a civil war.

Unfortunately, but not surprisingly based on history, the 5th US Revolution has already started. Unlike the Civil War while Lincoln was president, the geographic boundaries for the 5th US Revolution are not as clear. The real test whether the US can minimize the damage of the revolution and regain some political stability will be following the November 2022 mid-term elections. Based on the behavior following the 2020 presidential elections and behavior leading into the primaries, Republicans will make every effort, illegal or not, to ensure only their candidates are certified as winners, regardless of the vote count.

With widespread shenanigans by Republicans, the sane part of the US populace might finally wake up and begin to squash the revolt. Unfortunately, as we experienced with the January 6 insurrection, there likely will be bloodshed, but following November the bloodshed will be greater and more widespread than January 6. END ENTRY #446

Other Topics. Interested in more info about climate change, what’s required to electrify a fleet of cars/trucks, what it was like to work day-to-day with Lee Iacocca and an array of other topics? Visit another page of this website, https://usrevolution5.com/jrd-thought-comments/