Wednesday, September 27, 2017

What's Keeping Kelly From Saying Goodbye To Trump?


Good Day World!

The only adult in the White House right now is getting tired of the man-baby-in-charge stirring up shit for no reason. 

John Kelly is surrounded with Trump minions who are afraid to deal with Baby Trump's tantrums, tweets, and attacks on the American people.

Imagine how lonely Kelly's job is? He has to deal with a staff that doesn't use more than four letters a word in order to communicate with Donny. 

I can just see Kelly gritting his teeth when Trump went off script at a rally in Alabama and attacked NFL players for kneeling during the National Anthem.

Trump, who loves playing before a crowd, worked himself into a lather attacking "Rocket Man" North Korea's deranged leader, and the NFL.

He was supposed to be there to support a Republican candidate, Luther Strange. But a strange thing happened when the crowd started begging for meat from Donny the ringmaster.

This is what Kelly is up against. He now knows that Trump will tweet about anything, no matter how divisive if he feels like it.

Worse, Trump can go off-script at a moment's notice, no matter how important the setting is, or how hard Kelly pleads with him to grow up.

Kelly once remarked he'd never been so badly treated by a person before than when Trump went off on him in one of his rants. Yet, he stayed.

You can watch Kelly's body language to see the agony he goes through when Trump is on a roll, and he's in the same room with nowhere to go.

This is not a happy man. How long do you suppose he'll stick around before joining the Exodus from the White House? 

You have to wonder what keeps Kelly going? Why does he stay?

Does he realize how dangerous Trump is, and that if he leaves the wackaloons will return like sparrows to San Juan Capistrano?

Kelly may be the only stop gap between Trump and "the button" right now while he's busy baiting another man-child with nukes in North Korea.

That's something to think about.

Time for me to walk on down the road... 

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

The Trump Era: 'Divided We Fall'

Good Day World!

I just finished reading an article written by a group of professional psychotherapists who are troubled by the environment of rampant dishonesty in the White House.

The group is also very concerned about the daily disregard of civil and social norms by the president, and the threats he makes against vulnerable people.

Other concerns:

* Policies and rhetoric that undermine progress on the environment

* Trump could care less about humane immigration laws.

* Thus far, Trump's agenda against race and gender has proven toxic and millions of Americans are feeling disenfranchised.

Those Republicans in Congress who are enabling the Liar-In-Chief, are complicit in Trump's hateful agenda.

Even though they know he's a world class liar, they have been trying to dismantle our nations health care system just to score some vague ideological points.

However, I have noticed the pushback from a majority of Americans, from pro athletes to women marching for equality.

I have hope this country will survive Trump's assault on everything we stand for. There's too many good people in this country who want to reunite America.

They can start by voting in 2018, and getting The House of Representatives back from Republican control.

When the 2020 presidential elections roll around hopefully we'll have a record turnout to take Trump out of office (that is if he's still there, and doesn't get impeached and indicted for obstruction of justice and colluding with the Russians).

Time for me to walk on down the road...






Monday, September 25, 2017

'Barking Dogs,' S.O.B's, 'Rocket Man,' Anthem Tantrums: WH Calling...

Good Day World!

It's the White House calling...

Ask not what your country can do for you...oh wait a minute!

This is the Trump era and his minions all believe taxpayers money is theirs to play with.

For example, how about one of Trump's poster children for corruption, Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin, who thought it was perfectly fine to request a U.S. Military jet for his European honeymoon last August.

Someday, historians are going to look back at Trump's ruinous regime. They'll undoubtedly be amused at his twitter storms and total lack of diplomacy.

On a slow Friday night in Alabama during a political rally, Trump decided to tackle athletes who knelt during the National Anthem, calling them sons of bitches for not standing.

In a head-twisting moment reminiscent of The Exorcist Trump swiveled his slander to North Korea's Rocket Man and how he wasn't going to be around for much longer.

That of course got a personal response from Kim who called Donny a "barking dog" and "dotard," which I thought was pretty accurate.

It's getting so people don't want to go to the White House (gee, I can't imagine why) like Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors basketball team.

When Trump heard he didn't want to visit the White House he did the only thing a responsible mature president would do - NOT! 

He rescinded the White House invitation for the whole team (who by the way, hadn't decided if they were going to visit or not). Coach Kerr gave the kindergartner in the Oval Office something to think about when he defended people's right to protest.

Thanks to Trump's twitter addiction, we can be sure he'll continue to try to dismantle our society. He is the great divider - not uniter.

It's also fair to say Trump has also stoked the fires of racism in this country like a little kid toasting marshmallow's. Sad. 

Time for me to walk on down the road...

Sunday, September 24, 2017

Trump Once Again Displays His Stupidity By Attacking Football Players

Good Day World!

It's Sunday Football in America, and Trump is calling football players sons of bitches!

In another of his infantile tweetstorms, Trump suggested football players should be fired for taking a knee during the National Anthem.

The reaction from football players, owners, and the leagues commissioner, was one of disgust and alarm. The consensus was Trump needs to stick to politics and leave sports alone.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell released a statement Saturday morning in response to Mr. Trump's comments.

"Divisive comments like these demonstrate an unfortunate lack of respect for the NFL, our great game and all of our players, and a failure to understand the overwhelming force for good our clubs and players represent in our communities," Goodell said.

Trump doubled down on his hateful speech by saying that any owner who followed his encouragement would become the "Most popular person in the country - at least for a week."

The NFL Players Association also reacted to Trump's comments Saturday morning in a statement.

"We will never back down. We no longer can afford to stick to sports," executive director DeMaurice Smith said.
"This union ... will never back down when it comes to constitutional rights of our players as citizens as well as their safety as men in a game that exposes them to great risks."


Trump was back at it this morning, demanding that teams fire any player who doesn't stand during the National Anthem. Even Trump's buddy, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, called him out on his stupid comments.

Time for me to walk on down the road...

Saturday, September 23, 2017

Welcome to the Weekend Coffee Klatch Time

Good Day World!

Have you got a nice hot cup of coffee going?

Good. Let's chat about some of the issues in our world today while sipping some Joe. Topics are wide open.

A new documentary on Vietnam came out last week and once again the North Vietnamese side of the story is sorely lacking.

If you saw it, I'd love to hear your take on the documentary. You can comment with the link provided at the end of this post.

Thoughts on Walls:

The hideous black WALL in Washington DC dedicated to those Vietnam veterans who died, is really a stark reminder of failed colonialism.

Trump's WALL is a right-wing fantasy that has failed to materialize...yet.
Joseph Fort Newton once said,
Joseph Fort Newton “Men build too many WALLS and not enough bridges.”
That's spot on for what's happening today.

On Natural Disasters:

Is it just me, or is there an awful lot of natural disasters happening this year?

Hurricane after record-breaking hurricane has been savaging the Caribbean, Puerto Rico, and southern states. Hurricane Harvey hit Texas like a runaway freight train.

There's been earthquakes and volcanoes erupting along the Pacific "Rim of Fire." Mexico was especially hard hit with two big earthquakes.

Major fires across the nation this summer struck particularly hard in the west, with states like California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada and Montana burning out-of-control for weeks and even months.

Is it time to sit down and really examine Global Warming and what we can do about it?

What do you think is happening?

Is Global Warming fake news? Is it something we should be very concerned about? I'd like to hear your take on this topic that seems to divide so many Americans today.

If you'd like to send me your comments via email, my address is: richarddavestancliff@gmail.com 

How Close Are We To Nuclear War?

Donny and Kim's pissing match is getting serious. The two man-children are engrossed with throwing shit at one another, to the determent of a peaceful solution.

I try not to picture those two crazy bastards sitting next to "The Button." It harshes my high for the day.

Time for me to walk on down the road...

Friday, September 22, 2017

On Statues: Believe It or Not, We Do Have Progressive Heroes in Seach of a Statue Near You

Good Day World!

With all the controversy surround statues these days, I have a simple question to ask;

Where are the statues of famous progressive heroes in American history? 

America has been traditionally content to put up statues celebrating wars and the heroes who fought in them. That alone, is a reflection of what we see ourselves as; a militant nation.

If Americans are going to continue putting up statues why not celebrate our progressive heroes too? I'll just give you two quick examples.

You get to ring the bell if you've heard of both of these men.

James Armistead

If Independence Day should be about anything, it should be about celebrating the life of a black slave turned spy, who worked as a crafty double agent, and passed details to George Washington that provided the catalyst for a crucial victory.

In 1781, he joined the army and was put in service under the Marquis de Lafayette, who was desperately trying to fight the chaos caused in Virginia by turncoat soldier Benedict Arnold.

His forces diminished by British Gen. Charles Cornwallis' troops, Lafayette needed reliable information about enemy movements.

Enter James Armistead.

Using the intricate details Armistead provided, Lafayette and a stunned, but relieved George Washington lay siege to the town.

Concentrating both American and French forces, a huge blockade was formed, crippling the British military and resulting in their surrender on Oct. 19, 1781.


Stetson Kennedy

Stetson Kennedy, the writer for Superman recruited the Super Hero to fight the KKK in a novel way.

He infiltrated the KKK and learned about their inner workings. He took this knowledge to a radio station which had a regular Superman serial and sold them on the idea of running it as a special series.

The 16-part series, The Clan of the Fiery Cross, striped away much of the KKK's mystique and left their reputation in tatters.

By 1948 people were just showing up to their meetings and laughing at them.

Kennedy who was both a writer and political activist, coined the term "Frown Power," which encouraged people to frown when they heard bigoted speech in public.

There are hundreds of other examples I could give you, but these two illustrate my point well.

This is the 21st century, and Americans should be more aware of their famous brothers, and sisters, who made this country great without leading men into battle.

That's what teachers should be teaching children today.

Time for me to walk on down the road...


Thursday, September 21, 2017

RIP: The Bad Boy Who Became a Champion

Good Day World!

As a boxing fan, I'm feeling kind of nostalgic today.

A great champion passed away yesterday.

Let me tell you a little bit about him.

He grew up in a rough neighborhood in New York City's Bronx borough.

He was beaten up one day, and when he went home his abusive father gave him an ice pick to defend himself with.

Turns out the kid had a punch like dynamite and didn't need the ice pick.

Soon he was fighting other neighborhood boys in matches that adults bet on and ended up at a juvenile facility for attempting to rob a jewelry store.

As an adult, he was abusive to women and once severely beat his wife Vicki and his best friend after hearing they were having an affair.

Although he refused to take on a mob-connected manager he did agree to throw his 1937 match against Billy Fox for a shot at the World Middleweight title.

In 1949, he got his big chance and fought Marcel Cerdan and won the Middleweight crown. He held it for two years before losing it to Sugar Ray Robinson.

Martin Scorsese's 1980 movie "Raging Bull" was based upon his autobiography.

In case you still haven't guessed who I'm talking about it's Jake LaMotta. 

Ring Magazine ranks him 52nd on its list of the 80 best fighters of the previous 80 years.

Time for me to walk on down the road...

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Another Attempt To Replace and Repeal Obamacare is Slithering Around Congress

Good Day World!

It's a chilly morning outside today in Medford, and my coffee fix is more enjoyable than usual. 

Are you ready for another round of repeal and replace Obamacare?

I know. I thought that horse had died too.

A new bill, The Graham-Cassidy Bill, is slithering around the halls of Congress  looking for support right now.  

Incredible as it may seem, there are still stuck-in-the-mud ideologues in the Republican Party who want to take another run at overturning our health care system.

Despite Mitch McConnell's admission last month that the bill was dead, and Obamacare was the law of the land, these pinheads can't let it go.

Interestingly enough, Trump is not even the one that came up with this new assault on American healthcare.

The sponsors are trying to shove it through the House and Senate before September 30th, the deadline.

 This Senate bill, if passed by the House, would gut core protections of Obamacare – including "essential health benefits" and cost protections for those with pre-existing conditions – and blow up Medicaid as currently structured.

Once again it's going to be a close vote. McCain will probably  vote no - so Republicans need every single vote they can get. They figure their ace-in-hole is Vice-President Pence's tie-breaking vote.

But history is poised to repeat itself thanks to dissent within the party.

If Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska vote against the bill, which is very likely because a majority of their constituents will be adversely affected, the bill will die on the floor...again.

Meanwhile, what about that big Tax Reform bill Trump has been pushing? Two other little items are also hanging out there on the GOP agenda - DACA, and a new Budget for the country.

So far the GOP is zero on passing any major legislation. At the rate their going now it's conceivable this Congress is going to make history for the wrong reason; it's inability to pass a law.

Time for me to walk on down the road...

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Reflections While Drinking Coffee - The Best Time in the Morning

Good Day World!

Between sips of scalding coffee each morning, I try to solve the world's problems for an hour, sometimes two hours, and then it's on to other pursuits.

I scan at least 10 newspapers from across the nation and compare how they each handle the telling of the same story. If you want to catch subtle bias you need not go any further than headlines.

Hi! My name is Dave, and I'm a coffee addict. I'll bet you are too, or you wouldn't be reading this. I do make exceptions for hot tea, however.

Our Liar-In-Chief address the United Nations today. How surreal is that? I keep snapping my fingers just in case it was a bad dream, hoping to suddenly wake up.

To see someone with less morals than a tomcat (with little paws) talking to the leaders of nations from around the world is truly a Twilight Zone moment.

Tell me you don't cringe when you hear about Trump's latest tweets?

Beyond Trump...

Are you located in one of those areas where fires are burning?

It's been terrible here in Medford, Oregon. Our air quality reminds me of the smog I use to live with back in the 60's, in Southern California.

I'm going to go out on a limb here, but if you were planning a trip anywhere in the Caribbean next year you might want to think about another vacation location.

This hurricane season has been epic. And, it's not over yet, as hurricanes Jose and Maria hit the Caribbean and Puerto Rico. Florida and other Southern states have also suffered tremendous damage from hurricane Irma's high winds and rains.

Texas will be picking up the pieces from hurricane Harvey for the next decade. FEMA is stretched thin and Congress will need to give the agency more funds when they do the budget.

That is, if Congress can even pass a budget. They're talking about a passing a major tax bill, repealing Obamacare (I know, again), and if they should let Donny build his wall.

It's best to do, like I do. Count to ten slowly.Then breath. Now, might be a good time for a Krispy Kreme donut. 

Time for me to walk on down the road...

Monday, September 18, 2017

What Happened to the 'Woodstock of American Rallies'?

Good Day World!

Did you happen to see the "Mother of all Rallies (MOAR)" in Washington DC's National Mall Saturday?

It wasn't exactly inspiring, to put it mildly. Trump supporters have been planning for a huge rally to support the Liar-In-Chief for months. 

At first, they boasted there would be a million supporters of Donny's polices attending MOAR.

A week before the supposed  "Woodstock of American Rallies" the organizers downsized the projected attendance to 10,000.

When the big day came...there were less than a thousand people walking around with Trump "Make America Great Again" hats, and signs. They were a colorful group to be sure.

Many were dressed in red-white-and blue costumes that could have been raided from an old performance of Yankee Doodle Dandy starring James Cagney.

The organizers said they were sending a message to the world that mainstream Americans must be heard. That statement obviously came from a warped cult that sees themselves as 'Average Americans."

Actual Mainstream Americans weren't tuned into the MOAR fiasco Saturday. Nielson ratings show they were watching college football.  

If the organizers were dismayed by the dismal attendance you'll never know about it. Leaders from alt-right groups were the featured speakers.

As of press time, I haven't been able to get any attendance statistics for any of the 30 other rallies that day - including one staged by Juggalos who say they need to be taken off the FBI's terrorist watch list.

Was it a coincidence that side-by-side rallies were sponsored by clowns?

There was some concerns there would be trouble. Everything went fine, however.

Mere blocks away, there was a counter protest opposing white supremacy.

Near the White House, there was a protest against Russia’s election interference.

Just another Sunday in America...

Time for me to walk on down the road...

Sunday, September 17, 2017

Here's One Bad-Assed Pirate I Bet You Never Heard Of'

Good Day World!

Ahoy Matey! It’s Pirate Appreciation Day at my blog.

I’m going to introduce you to a pirate that you didn’t read about in school. For that matter, anywhere.

Now, you’ve probably heard of at least one of the following pirates:
 Blackbeard (Edward Teach), Bartholomew Roberts (Black Bart), and Samuel Bellamy (Black Sam).

But how about Fire Fart the Pirate?

No, really. I’m not making this up. This dreaded 17th century pirate’s name was Antonio "Botafoc." The word botafoc means "fire blast" or "fire fart" — his real last name is lost to history.


FIRE FART’s HISTORY

With a name like Fire Fart, Antonio must have been a real bad ass. (Pun intended)

His story ties in with the Vatican, and now thanks to a new book “The Spoils of the Pope and the Pirates, 1357: The Complete Legal Dossier from the Vatican Archives,” by The Ames Foundation, his story can be told.

Here’s the condensed version:

The Vatican was once involved in piracy and bribery (tsk tsk), according to new documents from its archives. The newly published documents detail a medieval story about a dead bishop's treasure, the pope, and a pirate named 'Fire Fart.'

Fire Fart was always prepared for battle. His ship was heavily. Records indicate that his crew carried cutlasses (swords with curved blades used by sailors and pirates) and war pikes, and his galley had at least seven ballistae, which were large, crossbow-like devices capable of launching 9-inch (23 centimeters) stone bullets at high speeds.

Despite Fire Fart’s powerful ship the day came when a Dutch fleet put an end to his pirating career.

Fire Fart’s crew was hanged, but he, and his officers were let off with a fine, according to the Vatican records.

Back then, just like today, money paved the way to freedom.

History hasn’t left any clues on whatever happened to Fire Fart, but I suspect he changed his name and led a quite life somewhere far from the sea.

Time for me to walk on down the road… 

Trump's Lowest Grift Ever Saved for Holy Week

This is a story about how the devil's puppet, aka Donald Trump, mocked Christianity by selling a book combining the Bible, the Constitu...