Today's Jan. 6 Hearing is a Continuation of the Summers Biggest Hit on TV

Netflix and other streaming platforms have been getting some serious competition from an unlikely source - Congressional hearings.

It's unprecedented. It's the Jan. 6 Committee which has been attracting tens of millions of viewers this summer.

With six hearings already history the seventh today promises the same production value that has attracted millions of viewers thus far. According to Nielsen, there's been a cumulative audience of 55.3 million. 

That's without counting all the reruns and prime time recap programs of the hearings on platforms like MSNBC and PBS. Even more impressive are all the major news stories the hearings have been competing against.

The committee has offered millions of people a riveting narrative of Trump's coup attempt based on facts. The documentary images and eyewitness testimonies given under oath are noteworthy.

The Jan. 6 committee has set a new standard for Congressional hearings by making them more compelling without dumbing them down. They put on a mass-audience civics lesson for a nation that no longer teaches civics in too many of its classrooms.

The "series" has carried a strong narrative; a separate theme for each individual "episode"; good use of camera, sound, and graphics to emphasize key points. We've seen compelling characters like Cassidy Hutchinson whose revelations have shaken Trump world.

No one is predicting that Trump supporters will drop their idol regardless of the massive amount of evidence being shown. 

A combination of political polarization, the advanced state of media fragmentation and the power of the right-wing media machine working overtime to discredit the hearings, has all but assured Trump's Big Lie will live on for the foreseeable future.

But the rest of America will know the truth. That's as important as holding all the culprits accountable for their attempt to upend a peaceful transition of power and our democracy.

SNAP! It's All-American Pet Photo Day!

Get out your camera!

Its All-American Pet Photo Day. 

Today is a day solely dedicated to appreciating our lovable pets who make life better every single day.

While our pets almost always enjoy the limelight, this day encourages us to make it even more special and make them the main focus all day. 

Today, people upload photographs of their pets on social media and share the love for their furry or feathery friends with thousands of people online.

History of All American Pet Photo Day

"People have been raising pets for centuries and animals have been found in almost every culture and community. Initially, dogs were kept by aristocrats for companionship and hunting, and they were symbols of elitism. However, by the 19th century, the middle class also began developing an interest in keeping pets, and not just dogs, but also fish, rabbits, dogs, reptiles, etc. Having pets serves a fundamental human need for caring and it is a symbiotic relationship that benefits animals and human beings.

Pets provide a plethora of physical and emotional benefits and provide companionship to people who are living alone or the elderly who do not have a lot of social interaction with other people. In fact, there are even therapy animals, mostly dogs, who are brought to visit children in hospitals or people in nursing homes to enhance their physical, social, cognitive, or emotional well-being and functioning.

In recent years, the advent of technology has brought social media into our lives and has given a platform for people to showcase their pets. In today’s society, we can even find dedicated social media accounts made and managed by pet parents. It’s safe to say that pets hold significant importance in our lives. All American Pet Photo Day is a perfect opportunity to appreciate our pets who give us unconditional love." Source -

Don't be shy. If you have a photo of your pet share it on social media. It makes for good karma all day.

Where in the World is Waldo/Gaetz?

In case you never heard of the Where's Waldo series it features a fictional character who travels all over the world.

In the real-world Matt Gaetz has been flittering around the country avoiding any unnecessary publicity. He comes out of hiding long enough to vote on something then skitters off like a cockroach to right-wing pod casts with his buddy Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Waldo the character is known for his distinct wardrobe of a red and white striped shirt, blue jeans, brown boots, and his red and white bobbled hat. His travels extend beyond this world and into magical lands.

Gaetz is known for his snappy mob-inspired suits and is currently under investigation since 2020 for having sex with a 17-year-old girl and paying her for it. His magical place was Jeffrey Epstein's private island for pedophiles. 

Waldo came from the Land of Waldos, which is filled with Waldos just like him.

Gaetz comes from the Land of Trump, which is filled with assholes just like him.

Waldo's magic hat contains any number of useful objects of various sizes.

Gaetz's MAGA hat has a label inside - Made in China.

Stay tuned for the next episode of Matt Gaetz the corrupt lawmaker who everyone loves to hate. Will his next adventure be in prison when the DOJ puts him away for sex crimes?

Supreme Court Justices Have Been Colluding with Right-Wing Evangelical Ministry for Years

The foundation for the ruination of the reputation of the highest court in the land was laid by right-wing evangelicals years ago.

At least three Supreme Court justices have been discovered privately praying with leaders from Liberty Counsel, a right-wing ministry with a political agenda.

The decay began years ago when Robert Schenck, the founder of Faith in Action in the Nation's Capital, which was absorbed by Liberty Counsel in 2018, told Rolling Stone he prayed with the justices while with the organization. 

Rolling Stone - article

Recently Peggy Nienaber, the executive director at Liberty Counsel, was caught bragging about praying with the justices the Monday after Roe was overturned, according to an Above the Law - article.

One day Nienaber was accidently recorded admitted the relationship she's had with the justices...

Video: Religious Zealot Boasts About Praying with Scotus Justices

So, to recap Nienaber who's a religious zealot, has been praying with some of the justices inside the Supreme Court building. Her organization has had undue influence by bringing cases and arguments before the high court. Most recently they filed amicus brief on the Dobb's decision.

So far, the only justices' names that have been associated with Nienaber and the private prayer sessions are Alito, Scalia, and Thomas. It doesn't mean there's not more justices violating their oaths. We just haven't found out yet if there are.

Related article: Clarence Thomas is Taking Full Advantage of the Supreme Court's Lack of Rules

The unimaginable has happened. The court is a toxic brew representing a minority of Americans in 2022. 

This country's founders mistakenly thought that giving nine people unlimited judicial power and rendering them untouchable in our system of government was a good idea. Ouch!

I suspect those founders are turning over in their graves at what the Supreme Court has become now ... a sounding board for fascism.

What About a 'Stranger Things' Spinoff Based Upon American Politics?

You're going to have to work with me on this one. 

After the final season of Netflix's wildly popular Stranger Things the producers are talking about spinoffs.

I think that's a great idea and have a proposition for Upside Down Productions the producers of Stranger Things.

Make a TV series about a group of voting age individuals from San Francisco who are trying to find and destroy the source of evil in American politics.

The diverse group of men and women will have various superpowers that they use to probe the soft underbelly of corrupt political parties and expose their attacks against the republic.

As each episode peels back the political graft and constitutional violations a pattern begins to form until the group discover that an Upside-Down orange demon is behind a zombie army of Republicans set on destroying America.

The demon came to power on a platform of hate pushed by loyal minions willing to install an authoritarian state and worship him.

Our heroes will have to use all of the tricks in the book(s) to infiltrate the spreading slime that is threatening the electoral system and other government offices polluted by the demon's reach and hold them accountable.

The group is running against time to close the gash that the demon and his minions have opened up in our democracy allowing the monster-y dimension the Upside Down to gain entry.

We'll follow a closely bonded group of characters that will capture our hearts while watching their weekly struggles in saving American politics.

Memo

To: Stranger Things Producers

So. Just let me know when you're ready to use my spinoff suggestion. I've got some great ideas for characters. You know where to find me.

Sincerely,

Dave

Project Fascism: Florida Universities Forced to Survey Faculty and Student's Political Beliefs and Viewpoints

Der wannabee Nazi Gov. DeSantis is busy transforming Florida into a fascist enclave in America.

His latest attack on democracy is directed towards the universities who are daring to feature diverse curriculums and shunning hate groups who foment violence on campuses. 

DeSantis' goal is to make Florida universities accept groups like the KKK and the Proud Boys who are known to threaten minorities and liberals. He wants them to have equal time in a perverted view of "intellectual diversity" that extreme right-wingers are pushing across the country.

This unprecedented project was tucked away in a bill the Republican-led legislature passed Tuesday.

So far, it looks like the survey responses won't be anonymous which is a red flag. That means professors and other university staff could be targeted, held back in their careers or even fired for their beliefs.

The bill's sponsor, state Sen. Ray Rodrigues claims faculty will not be promoted or fired based on their responses. If that were a fact, why doesn't the bill say there won't be repercussions? 

The bill doesn't specify what the survey results will be used for, but DeSantis and Rodrigues suggested that the state could institute budget cuts if university students and staff do not respond in a satisfactory manner.

What's a satisfactory manner mean?!!

The survey's details haven't been released yet, but DeSantis said during a press conference that the purpose of the survey is to discover, "the extent to which competing ideas and perspectives are presented," and whether students "feel free to express beliefs and viewpoints on campus and in the classroom."

In other words, the universities are supposed to allow groups with dangerous philosophies to preach their hate and lies in classrooms and on campus without any recourse. Riots will become the new reality when the newly empowered trolls are sanctioned to intimidate and attack other students and staff.

Common sense be damned. DeSantis and the corrupt Republican party are on a mission to transform our democracy into an authoritarian state. And Florida is ground zero.

Are You Extremely Proud to be an American? Then You're in the Minority

Just 36% of Americans recently told Gallup pollsters they were extremely proud to be an American. 

That's the lowest percentage since Gallup started asking the question at the beginning of this century, and it continues a long-term decline of national pride.

Where has our national pride gone? Long time going.

Fifty-five percent of Americans said they were extremely proud to be Americans before 2015. It was the highest reading during a time of patriotism surging throughout the country after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

There's still a majority of Americans that are proud to be American. Just not extremely proud. 

This measure of change varies over the years and is affected by factors like the economy, the popularity of a sitting president, and high-profile national events such as the 9/11 terrorists' attacks.

It should come as no surprise that all three political parties have become less inclined to say they are proud of their country. That can be attributed to deepening political divisions and party gridlock in Washington. 

Throw in national challenges regarding race relations, an insurrection by a former president and inflation and you have a recipe for an unhappy country.

Where is it Safe in America?

Today's challenge: tell me where it's safe to go in America?

I would really like to know where we can go without becoming a "soft target?"

Churches aren't the safe sanctuaries they were when I was growing up in the fifties and sixties.

Supermarkets aren't safe. Movie theatres aren't safe. Parks aren't safe. Schools are no longer safe. Concerts and Jazz festivals aren't safe. It's not safe in malls or amusement parks either. 

Parades are not safe - even on the 4th of July. Look what happened yesterday in Highland Park, Chicago. The city parade became a killing zone as six people were killed and 31 more were wounded and sent to nearby hospitals.

Marathons and sporting events are not safe from random killers with AR-15 type platforms designed for combat. State and country fairs aren't safe. And the list goes on.

The terrible and sad answer to the question is - It's not safe anywhere in America. There are no sacred grounds and places to go where you know you're going to be safe from armed maniacs on a mission.

It's our own damn fault.

The United States is the gun capitol of the world. No other nation's citizens are outnumbered by guns. We lead the world in mass killings and lack of gun laws. The result is the hellscape we now face the moment we step outside our door.

It's infuriating to know that an extreme minority of Americans have stopped any chance of treating and curing the gun virus in our society. Republicans beholden to the NRA will make sure the problem of guns will never go away. This Faustian pact is why it's always going to be easier to get a gun than a driver's license.

Until this nation unites on gun safety laws (and the states get proactive enforcing them), we're doomed to always being the most dangerous country in the world.

Related: Rethinking Gun Violence, an ABC report.

Related: Report - When the Shooting Stops 

4th of July: Celebrating Freedom Today... if We Can Keep It

Today marks the day the United States officially became its own nation when Americans adopted the Declaration of Independence.

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Fun fact: 4th of July became a federal holiday in 1870. It became a paid holiday for federal employees in 1941.

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This 4th of July our freedom is once again threatened. Democracy stood at a crossroad once before during the Civil War, but the nation was eventually reunited. That unity has been shattered. The country is divided between adopting an authoritarian government under Trump or retaining our Democracy.

Our freedoms have come at a hefty price in lives scarified to protect the republic from foreign and domestic enemies. Defending Democracy has never been more important than it is now. If we descend into another civil war, I'm not sure this country can bounce back again.

A Big Lie has split the nation asunder where truth is on trial and election denial is a mark of the Devil himself - Trump. 

The cult that has sprung up around him intends to drag non-believers through hell on earth. The death knell for freedom will be rung... if real Americans don't take up the fight against the extremist elements trying to turn the country into a kingdom for Trump.

Do you want to do your part in the fight ahead to save the freedoms you enjoy this 4th of July? 

Vote Democrat in the November midterms.

Sunday Sacraments: Wine, Peyote, Cannabis, and Holy Water

A divine sip of wine is one way to worship God.

According to Christians "alcohol is a gift from God that makes life more joyous," but that over-indulgence leading to drunkenness is sinful or at least a vice.

Wine is very much part of holy services in Lutheranism, Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy and Anglicanism.

Here's further details on Sacramental Wine.

Moving on...

The Native American Church, also known as Peyotism and Peyote Religion is a native American religion that teaches a combination of traditional Christianity, with sacramental use of the entheogen peyote. The church was founded over a hundred years ago in Oklahoma.

Moving on...

"And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, and the herb yielding seed..."

In many cultures and religions that predate the United States and Christianity, the cannabis plant has been used as a spiritual and religious sacrament.

Many religions have adopted cannabis from Hinduism to Rastafarianism to Christianity.

Just recently there's been the emergence of an entirely new religious philosophy: Cantheism: 

Another not so well-known church that uses marijuana is the Holy Herb Sacrament - The Religion of Jesus Christ

Moving on...

Let's talk Holy Water.

In Christianity a member of the clergy blesses people with Holy Water, and it's used in baptism.

Holy Water is a natural symbol of purification and has been used by religious peoples as a means of removing uncleanness, either ritual or moral. 

Holy water is used in Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, certain Lutheran synods, Anglicanism, and various other churches.

So, however you're celebrating this Sunday I hope it's a peaceful day.

Today is 'I Forgot Day' in Case You Forgot

Don't feel bad if you forgot today is "I Forgot Day."

This day is for you and me. There are no recriminations for not recalling what happened years ago, or hours ago.

As a 71-year-old man I'm glad when I remember things, but I think it's important to celebrate a no-pressure day where I can be excused for my faulty memory.

While we may be surrounded with calendars, whether physical or digital, we still forget important dates, occasions, and tasks. That's why today is like a pardon for being human.

So, Who Came Up with the Idea?

This unusual holiday was created by Gaye Anderson, from DeMotte, Indiana. 

She started this holiday because there was a period in her life where she was having a hard time remembering simple things like her kids' birthdays and wedding anniversaries.

However, instead of being bothered with her forgetfulness, she created this day to just relax and well, forget.

In addition, this day is meant to encourage people to apologize and make up for all the events and occasions they might have forgotten. The idea is also about adopting action plans that help us remember things.

With a memory like Swiss cheese, this day is always a real challenge to improve my retention rate which is so low on the Richter scale it barely registers from day to day.

Have a great day... and don't worry about it!