Wednesday, May 8, 2019

It's Been 49 Years, But It Still Hurts


Good Day World!

"Life happens, coffee helps."-Anonymous

My morning coffee is as strong as my memories from Vietnam, and Cambodia.

Especially this week. In May of 1970, I was part of a force of American troops who went into Cambodia chasing our enemy the North Vietnamese.

In my first 10 days there I heard (on Armed Forces radio) that national guard troops killed students at Kent State University (May 4th); and I survived an ambush that took my best friend's life on May 8th. 

It's been 49 years and I still continue to try to process these events. This year, I have an essay and three poems that reflect my tortured feelings on both subjects.

Essay - Coming Home

PoemFlashbacks

Poem - Night Firefights

Poem - Last Warning

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

Tuesday, May 7, 2019

Tweet! Tweet! Said The Trump Who Cut Off His Nose To Spite His Face

Good Day World!

"I will start working when my coffee does."-Anonymous

As my morning cup of coffee chased away last nights cobwebs, I was amazed at the power of an Internet tweet.

Even though I was aware of weaponized tweets for years, I never suspected Twitter would end up becoming a platform for Trump to dismantle democracy.

His latest thunderous tweet has knocked the shit out of Wall Street after he announced increased tariffs against China. China's response was to pull out of a scheduled meeting Wednesday to attend trade talks.

Meanwhile, Wall Street reeled yesterday when the Dow opened up losing 450 points and rode in the red the rest of the day.

Think about that for a moment. 

Trump's tweet not only shit on our stock market, but stocks worldwide were affected as other major economies responded to the turmoil he created with his surprise early morning tweet, when he announced increased tariffs on almost all of China's imported goods starting this Friday.

It's ironic that Trump is his own worst enemy. Instead of sticking with positive messages like the healthy economy, he elects to cause chaos in America, and the rest of the world, with a simple-minded approach to negotiating...bully, bully, and bully.


Of course, the orange asshole ignores advice from America's intelligence communities, and even his own advisers (really just puppets in positions of power).

The combination has been disastrous thus far after two years of Trump's regime.

His twitter platform has launched countless lies and conspiracies. He's further divided Americans by attacking the very values we cherish, and the soul of a free nation.

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

Monday, May 6, 2019

Unfettered By Adults: Baby Trump Tramples on Democracy

Good Day World!

"May your coffee be stronger than your toddler."-Anonymous

The best way to start a Monday is with strong coffee infused with CBD's.

Especially in the age of the towering toddler lurking in the White House with a cell phone in one tiny hand, and the launch button near the other.

When people say Trump is evil, I think they're missing the mark. Trump is a big baby that never had to grow up. Therefore, issues like good and evil are too complex for his limited intellect.

Trump is the ultimate Romper Room nightmare. Over 60 cabinet members and officials in Trump's short two years have fled - or were fired when pushed too far.

When the orange ape was elected there were Republicans who claimed he'd be presidential after the nasty elections were over. Now, they're eating crow and having to stand for the stench of Trump's soiled diapers daily.

I'm lucky there's not a union for babies. They'd be calling me and insisting that they not be compared to our liar-in-chief.

According to Washington watchers, the last adult left the West Wing in 2018, leaving Donny free to throw tantrums daily.

For a brief period of his stolen-presidency, some staffers did give him pacifiers that diverted baby Trump away from some very bad decisions/orders.

Like you'd expect, babies don't know anything about other cultures and countries. Donny is no different.

Babies can't read - There's very little evidence Trump can.

Babies cry a lot - Go to a Trump rally if you want to see someone whine and cry about imagined conspiracies.

Babies like pretty pictures - Trump's daily briefings are full of them as officials try to communicate with him.

Babies babble when trying to communicate -  Again, go to a Trump rally, or listen to him speak at news conferences.

Babies don't worry about the consequences of their actions, they just plow ahead with whatever they want to do - Just look at the last two years to confirm Trump's baby credentials.

Until someone is able to put baby Trump out of business, his tantrums will decide our foreign and domestic policies. 

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

Sunday, May 5, 2019

'The Game of Corruption' Starring Trump and Minions

Good Day World!

"Coffee is a hug in a mug."-Anonymous

While hugging my mug and sipping hot coffee - my favorite way to abruptly start a day - I read (and viewed) previews of Game of Thrones

HBO's mega hit is one of the hottest topics on the Internet and the mainstream news. Inspired by these facts, I felt it was my duty to parody America's biggest reality show - the Trump administration - in a new series:

The Game of Corruption

Plot: King Trump has consolidated all the corruption in America - while ruthlessly slaying his competition along the way.

All resistance in the Kingdom of America has crumbled along with it's aging infrastructure to a shocking state of decay. King Trump's private army - The White Walkers - protect him wherever he goes.

The White Walkers - neo Nazis, Klu Klux Klansman, and white supremacists - also have a two regiments deployed on the Kingdom of America's borders with Canada, and Mexico.

Dramatic Conflict:

The majority of Americans hate the corrupt system and it's leader, but are afraid of openly revolting for fear of deadly reprisals from the Trump regime.

There are no longer states, just regions of control on the American continent that have been divided into five sections. Resistance leaders have sprung up in each section.

End Game

The resistance becomes organized enough to face - and defeat - the White Walkers in an epic battle for America's freedom. Trump is frog-walked off of Trump Tower in New York.

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

Saturday, May 4, 2019

How Long is Trump Going To Get Away With Abusing His Power?

Good Day World!

"My birthstone is a coffee bean." -Anonymous

As usual, the news is as big an eye-opener as a couple cups of good strong coffee this morning.

Americans are faced with a Constitutional crisis over Trump's abuse of power. That's a fact. How we're dealing with the situation is another thing.

Trump and his minions have declared war on democracy by obstructing Congress at every turn. The war against democracy and truth began the day Trump slunk into office with the Russians help.

Related: Trump's Media Attacks Are An Abuse of Power

Related: House Panel Widens Trump Obstruction and Abuse of Power

Related: Trump's Sons Among the 81 Asked For Documents As Abuse of Power Investigation Widens

Related: 'Egregious Abuse of Power': Report Says Trump Offered Pardon to CBP Head If He broke Law and Blocked Asylum-Seekers

It's practically impossible to keep up with Trump's assault against everything this country stands for on a daily basis. His corruption has infected the West Wing and members of the DOJ. Attorney General, William Barr, leads the pack of puppets willing to break laws to protect Trump.

The question becomes, how long will this war go on? 

The answer is murky because most of the abuse issues will end up in courts and could easily drag through 2020...and beyond.

One last thing to keep in mind; GOP senators have been among Trump's many enablers, doing everything they can to parrot Trump's lies and to protect him from true justice.

It's going to make an interesting read someday when historians look back at our how the U.S. Senate was cowed by a con man.

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

Friday, May 3, 2019

7 Funny Quotes That Your Going To Want To See

Good Day World!

"I have measured out my life in coffee spoons." -T.S. Eliot

While satisfying my addiction to the common coffee bean this morning, I came across the above quote and found myself reflecting on it's meaning.

On the surface it means T.S. Eliot had a cup of coffee every day. But there could be other - shall we say - interpretations. Let's explore some possibilities... 

"I measure my life by telling a lie every day, and I get away with it." -Donald Trump

" I measure each day by kissing a portrait of Trump's ass before putting in my false teeth." -Mitch McConnell

"I've always measured my days with a racist attack against someone." -Stephen Miller

"My metric for measuring each day is to believe anything President Trump has to say." -Mick Mulvaney

"I have measured out my life with a new conspiracy every day." -Mike Hannity 

"I use to shower with teenage boys every day, but now I measure my days chasing male Congressional pages." -Jim Jordan 

"I have measured my days by trying to tell the truth every day; then Trump came along and I said Fuck it! -Lindsey Graham

One last thing...

Today is World Press Freedom Day - here's an excellent article about the meaning behind this day.

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

Thursday, May 2, 2019

Review: Senate Committee Charade 'Good Theatre'

Good Day World!

I'm ready to give a review of yesterday's theatrical performance at the Senate committee hearing.

It featured seasoned political actor, William Barr, masquerading as an unbiased Attorney General.

Meeting Notes:

Committee chairman, Lindsey (I'll kiss Trump's ass anytime) Graham, set the tenor for the charade by steering the investigation off course. 

The plot:

Instead of sticking with the reason why the committee was meeting regarding the Russians interference in the 2016 election, and how the Mueller report was handled, Graham promised to investigate Hillary Clinton and the "Deep State," in his opening statement.

It just went downhill from there, as each Republican puppet played along with that diversion.

Camera Comments:

There were some good shots of Barr sweating bullets while angrily denying facts being served up by Democratic senators. 

But Barr was more versatile than that. He demonstrated his acting chops with false bravado while being presented with evidence he was a lying shit. Some good close-ups of Barr smiling smugly for his daddy Trump were also captured.

Production values:

The setting was what you'd expect - a gaggle of politicians sitting - and coming in-and-out of the hearing constantly. Boring.

I think the setting should have been more dramatic. Maybe hints of the Roman Colosseum and the senators in red and blue togas?

Dialogue:

There were some pretty good verbal exchanges where senators left Barr nearly speechless. Barr's performance at hair-splitting realities was worthy of the most devoted Trump puppet's praise.

The lies rolled off of Barr's tongue like honey, as he dodged every question with the tact of a true Trumpie - deny, deny, deny the lie. Even if it's been fact-checked by reputable sources.

The ending:

Got to love the dramatic ending where a Democratic senator had just nailed Barr in a lie and we were waiting for a response, when Lindsey (Trump lackey) Graham grabbed his gavel and bellowed the meeting was over!

I rate the overall performance as "good theatre," with the caveat that the upcoming Senate and House committee hearings maintain at least the same level of drama. 

Curtain down...

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

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Dirty Tricks, Lies, and Corruption: Another Dysfunctional Day

Good Day World!

I'm starting the first day of May off by thanking the 47,567 visitors who stopped by this blog in April.

I look forward to seeing you again this month, and (hopefully) many new visitors. If you'd like to contact me my email is: richarddavestancliff@gmail.com

Moving on...

Let's play in the mud for awhile, and look at some of the dirty tricks, lies, and corruption that are an everyday story in the Trump era:

* Two of the most notorious smear merchants in politics tried to frame presidential candidate Mayor Pete Buttigieg, but they failed. Urged on by Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman, a young man initially agreed to make accusations that Buttigieg sexually assaulted him.

Apparently the young man had a conscience, because he not only backed out of the scheme, he confessed on Facebook that he was tricked, enticed, and even intimidated to go along with the conspiracy.

* A combination of corruption, competing ideologies, and a "boycotted" Congress has millions of Americans struggling to meet health care needs. Related story: A dying man told Congress: 'GoFundMe is not a health care plan.'  

* Congratulations go out - from George Conway - to our liar in chief for reaching his 10,000th lie since he took office.

* Hate crimes have gotten worse every year since Trump became president.

Example: Anti-Semitic assaults in the U.S. more than doubled in 2018.

Example: Trump's Record on White Nationalism Under New Scrutiny After Synagogue Shooting

Example: Trump Discounts Threat Posed By White Nationalists: "It's a small group of people."

I think that's enough for today. I don't want to overwhelm you.

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

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

The Power of Coffee and Community


                                        Good Day World!

"I was taken by the power that savoring a simple cup of coffee can have to connect people and create community." - Howard Schultz

Like Schultz, a possible presidential candidate, I agree with the power of coffee.

Okay, so he's an-ex CEO of Starbucks. Let's move past that for a moment. I think coffee is one good way to stimulate conversation while getting comfort after awakening in the morning.

If you want the maximum experience in starting conversations I highly recommend the practice of "wake and bake." Coffee infused with cannabis is a hot item on the market these days.

Related: CBD Coffee - The New Cannabis-Infused Coffee Craze? 

It's important to note that CBD Coffee will not get you high. Now, if your a cannabis fiend like me, you put a cannabis oil in it that's high in THC.

Here's two ways to make your own Cannabis-Infused coffee.

I foresee more canna cafes springing up nationwide as marijuana continues to gain legitimacy. Online cannabis-infused coffee cafes are an option in the morning, for positive conversations in general.

If there's one thing that screams Americana it's coffee houses, with conversations ranging from politics to local gossip. Heated conversations are expected and actually enjoyed. 

I suspect, as cannabis-infused coffee goes mainstream in these established coffee houses, the conversations may not be quite as heated. 

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

Monday, April 29, 2019

Lost In Space: Patriot Patrol Enters a Black Hole

Good Day World!

Relax and have a cup of coffee with me this fine spring morning.

I've got a treat for you.

Prepare to go on a journey to an imaginary future where Trump has formed his Space Force!

Somewhere in outer space...

Navigator: "Captain, somethings pulling us off course!"

Captain: "Hold fast on course lieutenant. I'll contact Commander Trump and see what he wants us to do.

(He holds up a blackberry cell phone and begins speaking)

"Trump One to earth, can you hear me?"

Headquarters on Earth: "Hail Trump! Loud and clear. What can we do for you?"

Captain: "Hail Trump! We need the president's awesome advise. We're in a precarious position."

Headquarters: "Copy that. Are you sure you don't want to talk with one of our engineers or design analysts sitting right here? The president is a busy guy."

Captain: "No. Only a stable genius like Trump can help us. As you know he's an expert on everything."

Headquarters: Roger that. I'm dialing him right now..."

Meanwhile at the Southern White House, Mar-A-Lago; Trump is waddling around on his golf course with some loyal  conservative lackey's who pretend they don't see him cheating.

Trump's cell phone rings...

Trump: "This better be important, I'm kicking some golf pros asses right now!" 

Space Force Headquarters: Hail Trump! It is, sir! Our Patriot Patrol flagship Trump One is being pulled off course by some unknown gravitational pull..."

Trump: "Sounds like the work of those demon Democrats!

Headquarters: Or, aliens with an unknown technology.

Trump: Aliens! I've stopped them on our southern border, and I'll stop them in space! 

Headquarters: Yes, sir. What should I tell the captain aboard Trump One?

Trump: (ignoring question) "I'll build a wall! A shield like no one has ever seen before. It'll be like a yuge window that the alien hoards won't be able to break! Where's Stephen Miller?"

Headquarters: "About your flagship, sir...I just got another distress signal!

Trump: "Tell the captain to fire his retro jets in the opposite direction. If that doesn't work, thank him for his service." 

Headquarters: "Hail Trump! What's happening now captain? The president says to fire your retro rockets in the opposite direction of the pull."

Captain: "Are you fucking kidding me? Retro rockets? 

Wait! I can see what's happening now. We're getting sucked into a black hole! Oh. My. God! I can see the president's tax returns floating around and....(static)."

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

Sunday, April 28, 2019

'Trump Is Doing God's Work' and other Right Wing Blasphemies


                                          Good Day World!

"Women aren't supposed to make coffee"...the Bible says "He-Brews" - Anonymous


While enjoying my morning brew this beautiful Sunday morning, I recalled something I read last week about a right-wing Evangelical pastor's claim that God sent Trump to save America.

Trump's religious base, white evangelic men, seem completely untroubled by the most profane president in modern history. These 'Men of God" have an attitude toward women that's disturbing and defiantly not biblical.

According to one Evangelic thinker, Lance Wallnau, "Trump is a "modern day King Cyrus" an ancient king chosen by God to "navigate in chaos."

Okay. I'll go along with the chaos part. Trump has turned the White House and our government into one hot seething bed of chaos with his profanity and irreverence.

Oh yeah!...and his daily lies. Seems to me that one of the 10 Commandants instructs good Christians not to lie.

The King Cyrus comparison has become more explicit in the wake of Trump's presidency. 

For example; an Israeli organization, the Mikdash Educational Center, minted a commemorative "Temple Coin" depicting Trump and King Cyrus side by side, in honor of Trump's decision to move the American embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

For believers who subscribe to this account, Cyrus is a perfect historical antecedent to explain Trump's presidency. 

He was a nonbeliever who nevertheless served as a vessel for divine interest.

In backing our porn star president, evangelicals have chosen to turn their back on nearly every bad behavior listed in the Bible, to back someone willing to overturn laws - like Roe vs Wade - effectively taking away a woman choice over her own body.

Right-wing religious zealots do not represent Christianity honestly. For the sake of politics they are willing to worship at Trump's altar of greed and power.

According to the Bible, God sent Jesus down to teach us what's right and wrong. 

I can assure you God wouldn't have sent Trump on any kind of mission representing holiness. Let alone salvation.

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...