Here's a Change of Pace: The Polis Chronicles

Just for the fun of it... I culled The Polis Files from my fiction blog - It's a futuristic trilogy.

Book One: 

Post Mortem Party

Polis sat on a bench and watched the frothy tide recede leaving tons of plastics and other pollutants in it's crimson wake. A three-legged man awkwardly scuttled along on mountains of trash that were once sandy beaches as far as the eye could see. His bald head and upper body were red from exposure to the harsh sun, and his three legs gave the illusion he was a crab searching for food.

Read the rest here

Book Two

The Legend

The gathering around the campfire was diverse and grotesque. They were mutants whose parents survived the nuclear war of 2057. Their grotesque bodies had extra limbs. Some with no limbs that looked more like worms than humans. Their tortured flesh were portraits of nightmares yet undreamed. Some with heads of animals long extinct. Blank faces with only mouths. Some exceptionally tall, and others stunted dwarfs a mere three-feet in height. Some of the odd company had horns, and or, tails.

Read the rest here

Requiem

Ludi's three eyes watered under the bright sun. His tall slim body was protected from the brutal rays under a cloak with a hood. He was getting old. Mutants seldom lived more than 30 years - he was going on 60.

Ludi looked out at the assembled crowd before him. They were twisted versions of human beings. Children whose parents were exposed to the radioactive fallout from the nuclear war of 2057. Hundreds were sitting and standing around him in a semi-circle in what was once an outdoor stadium. Most of the concrete seats were covered in heavy vegetation. Their voices were humming in the scorching heat when he raised his long arms up and called for their attention.

Read the rest here

I hope you enjoy this fictional change of pace from my usual opinion post. It's an experiment. Variety is the spice of life... they say.

Trump Incited Mob to Assault Capitol: 4 Dead During Coup Attempt

                  Enough is enough!

No more coddling the wannabe dictator squatting in the White House trying to overthrow our government.

His coup attempt yesterday demands action.

Newspaper around the world reacted in horror with headlines like ANARCHY in America, and TRUMP SUPPORTERS DEFILE DEMOCRACY.

How bad was it?

The attack by Trump followers was a stunning display of insurrection. It was also the first time the U.S. Capitol had been overrun since the British attacked and burned the building in August of 1814, during the war of 1812.

Both Republicans and Democrat were exploring means of stopping any further damage by Trump by invoking the 25th Amendment, or impeachment last night.

It's still unclear how far that talks will go. 

Maybe this time Senate Republicans will stand up to the sociopath who they should have indicted for abuse of power in February of 2020.

Early reports this morning say that four people died; one was shot after Trump supporters breached the Capitol Building, and the other three suffered "separate medical emergencies that resulted in death" connected to the riot.

More than 52 people have been arrested but the FBI is still searching for participants and asking the public to identify attackers. The FBI's digital experts spent the night watching surveillance videos to match faces with social media posts.

This morning there was a confirmation that pipe bombs were found at the headquarters for the DNC,RNC and grounds of the Capitol building.

While it was a dark day for America, Congress still did it's job and confirmed the electoral votes that made Joe Biden our next president.

The Senate is Turning Blue: Grievance Rally Being Held by Trump and Minions as Congress Counts Votes

             Raphael Warnock (left) and Jon Ossoff Celebrate their Victories

It looks like Joe Biden's agenda has a chance now that the Senate is turning blue.

Both Democratic candidates have addressed their campaigns, thanked their constituents and declared victory this morning.

It's a stunning defeat for Republicans who typically win in Georgia. Mitch McConnell's reign of terror has ended. A newly minted Senate will take charge.

Trump is still trying to steal the election today.

While Congress is counting state votes, Trump and his supporters are outside the Capitol holding a rally to overturn the results of a fairly won election.

Republicans in another display of blind loyalty are trying to make a mockery of what is normally a routine event in an election process.

For those seditious Republicans who chose to make a drama of the event, there will be a reckoning. Their all on the wrong side of history.

As for Trump he's cemented a legacy of losing and assaulting our democracy.

Today is a day to celebrate democracy, and a return to some normalcy in a country ravaged by Trump's corruption.

Georgia's Special Election Underway: Meanwhile Georgia DA Investigating Trump's Extortion Call

(From left to right - (R) Kelly Loeffler; (D) Raphael Warnock; (R) David Perdue; (D) Jon Ossoff)

Election Day

It's difficult to recall a more important special election in any state in recent history than the one happening in Georgia today.

The stakes couldn't be higher. If the two Democrats win they clench the Senate and Biden's chances of passing meaningful legislation are greatly enhanced.

If even one Republican wins, Democrats are stuck with Mitch McConnell for another years. Everyone knows what that means. He'll obstruct Biden's every move like he did with Obama.

The loser, in this case, would be Americans who are counting on seeing the direction of this country steered in the right direction.

Trump has been busy eviscerating Georgia election officials who wouldn't cheat and overturn the election he lost to Biden. 

In his desperation Trump called Georgia's secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, two days ago and threatened him if he didn't find enough votes to overturn the election in his favor. 

As voters go to the polls today the newly-elected district attorney for Fulton County, Fani Willis, is opening an investigation into Trump's less than "perfect phone call."

Willis made history when she was elected the first female district attorney in Fulton County history.

It ought to be interesting to see if she shatters another political norm and ends up charging Trump for attempting to manipulate the state's presidential election results.

It would be poetic justice seeing a woman be the first to prosecute Trump the misogynist for breaking a law.

Why is Trump's Unhinged Abuse of Power Going Unchecked?

Trump meltdown.

Brazen.

Blatant. 

Abuse of power for all to see and hear.

Why is Trump getting away with openly trying to steal the 2020 election? 

His latest naked attempt to cheat has been recorded Here is the audio tape. He tried to get the Georgia secretary of state to illegally overturn the state's voting results.

It was another "perfect call." The other happened last January when he tried to extort the president of the Ukraine to dig dirt up on Biden.

What's it going to take for the Republicans - especially those in the Senate - to pick country over this madman trying to subvert democracy and a fair election?

He's been enabled for far too long, and now this is the price the nation has to pay. A dangerous sociopath who won't stop at anything to live his fantasy of winning the election that he lost in reality.

Unless the Republican party - along with the Democrats - stop his escalating madness during the next 16 days, the nation may pay even a bigger price than it already has for not holding him responsible throughout his presidency.

There must be something Congress can do to assure national security isn't further compromised by Trump.

Right? Right?

Christian Nationalism Versus the Pandemic

I'll get right to the point; Americans who embrace Christian nationalism are skeptical of science.

Followers believe scientists are hostile to the faithful. 

This twisted notion goes back hundreds of years to when the Catholic Church barbequed scientists claiming they were wizards or heretics.

The bottom line was the Catholic church wanted complete control over the masses, mentally and physically.

No surprise then when a recent study found that Christian nationalism is a leading predictor of ignoring precautionary behaviors regarding COVID-19.

Research has revealed that religious states disobey stay-at-home orders at a higher rate than anyone else in the country.

Christian nationalists prize individual liberty or economic security rather than the protection of the vulnerable.

Today the Christian nationalists in America strongly support politicians who promise to advance their values and oppose targets of suspicion.

This defiance of science has cost thousands of lives last year. Ignoring social distancing advice from the CDC may have been an act of faith to followers, but it was deadly for the rest of the country.

The worst is still coming because Christian nationalists are anti-vaxxers. The only way out of this worldwide pandemic is vaccines. 

Americans want to return to a normal life, but that time will be extended when religious zealots oppose the science that is our very salvation. 

Georgia is on My Mind: A Special Election That's Going To Determine the Nation's Future

 "I said, Georgia, oh, Georgia

No peace I find

Just an old sweet song

Keeps Georgia on my mind."

-Ray Charles

I can't remember the last time when all eyes were on Georgia to decide the political fate of a newly elected president and administration.

I suspect it's a first

Georgia Senate candidates have just three more days to sway the remaining registered voters to cast their votes for them.

Thus far there has been a record early voting turnout. More than 2,8 million people have cast their ballots.

If the Republicans win one of the two races they will maintain control of the Senate. If both Democrats win they assure a Senate majority, giving Joe Biden an opportunity to pass more laws.

The most recent poll from JMC Analytics gave Democrat Jon Ossoff the edge: 53 percent support Ossoff, and 45 percent support his Republican opponent David Perdue.

Republican Kelly Loeffler was trailing Democrat candidate Raphael Warnock by 1.9 percent.

This election is too close to call a winner. Whoever does win, it's not going to be by a wide margin.

Our country's fate is tied to this special election. If Mitch McConnell retains his position of power in the Senate, it doesn't bode well for change and a new direction.

McConnell will treat Biden the same way he treated Obama, by obstructing every legislative move he tries to make.

Biden's challenges will be many, but his term will produce more needed changes if the Democrats take the Senate.

The damage Trump has done to our government is going to take years to repair.

My eyes are on Georgia, hoping for the best result.

New Year's Day: A New Slate Full of Hope

                     Happy New Year!

Despite Trump's tantrums that will continue for another 19 days, there's millions of Americans looking forward to this new year.

Our new president Joe Biden will have his hands full picking up all the balls Trump dropped when he lost the election on Nov.3rd.

First and foremost, Biden's medical advisory team has to fix the broken vaccine roll out under Trump's Coronavirus Task Farce.

At the same time Biden's team will be facing international challenges caused by Trump's lack of foreign policy and his ridiculous America First policy that alienated our allies.

Throw in the economic crisis that has put millions of Americans out of work and hungry, and you begin to see the scope of the challenges Biden's administration is facing. 

But there is hope

The country's chances of recovery are much greater with a sane president who has morals and a conscience.

The foundations of democracy held up under Trump's assault, but will need to be reinforced so another rogue president can't come along and take this nation to the brink of fascism.

It's likely Biden's entire term will be devoted to repairing the damage that Trump has done at home and abroad.

But that's okay. We'll be on track to building America back up, and greater than ever before.

Last Gasp: 2020 Stumbles to a Close

It hasn't been pretty.

As fireworks go off tonight in a socially distanced Times Square in New York, and super spreader New Year parties violate CDC instructions, we've come to the last gasp of a terrible year.

Good riddance 2020

The only bright light in the last 364 days is we elected a new president despite Trump's attempt to overturn the will of the people. Democracy stood tall and he failed to tear the system down.

Tomorrow is a new year

I have high hopes for Biden's administration. Unfortunately, Trump and his minions are dead set on creating chaos right up until inauguration day.

Despite Trump's feeble and pathetic plan to steal the election in January, his final attempts are doomed to failure.

2021 will be a year of reckoning for his past crimes, both as a civilian and during his presidency.  

It will be a long process restoring our government back to the days when the world respected the USA. 

The task will begin on January 20th.

Year In Review Cancelled: No One Wants To Remember 2020

Usually at this time of year I run a Year in Review post. 

Due to what a hellish year it's been I'm cancelling that tradition which dates back to 2008.

If you want to see a re-cap of this miserable year turn on your TV or roam social media platforms. They're packed with events we'd rather not remember.

This year will only be remembered favorably by the wealthy and the Wall Street elite. They all made a killing (financially) while the rest of the country suffered through a pandemic (over 330,000 deaths and counting), food shortages, and economic blows (like losing jobs).

It's hard trying to put a happy face on 2020. Reality has been too harsh. Who wants to remember our sociopath/narcissist president trying to steal the presidential election?

Yes, there's lessons to be learned next year, but showing a montage of the carnage for entertainment doesn't interest me.

Experts in all fields, under the new Biden administration, will have their hands full correcting the mistakes and blatant damage Trump has wrought upon our nation.

Another 2020 Moment: Trump Awards Himself the Nobel Peace Prize

This year has been norm shattering. Many things in our society will never be the same again.

The list is too long to run here, but the top three reasons why our lives have changed forever are; the pandemic, Trump trying to steal the presidential election, and an economy in free fall.

Again, space doesn't permit me to run all the crazy things Trump's done this year.

After watching the video Trump shared Monday, I am submitting it as a great example of what Americans have been putting up with.

In an awkward attempt to congratulate himself, Trump tweeted a montage of his supposed accomplishments (most in his tiny brain). 

The most amusing claim was he won The Nobel Peace Prize. Of course, he didn't, but that didn't matter. He's shown (in a doctored photo) holding up a certificate alongside some real Nobel Prize winners.

A caption below states, "Trump stands for peace" as the logo for the Nobel Peace Prize fills the lower right-hand corner of the screen.

It encapsulates Trump's entire reign; lying and revoking reality at every turn. 

In an interesting result to his latest self-serving promotion, he violated intellectual property law; copywrite and trademark infringement violations.

It's a re-occurring theme throughout Trump's presidency. He's used music from groups and individuals in rallies without their permission. His 2016 and 2020 campaigns used others intellectual property rights with impunity.

Don't expect the Nobel Foundation to go to court over this infringement however. They don't want anything more to do with Don the Con, or his alternate universe.