America's Constant State of Chaos is Turning People into Zombies

You've seen them on TV or maybe where you live. 

They appear normal at first glance then they start ranting about their master's grievances.

They are unable to think for themselves. Their universe denies reality and they're constantly afraid of something.

Truth is like the sun that vampires fear. In their dark world there is only room for racists, seditionists, homophobic hypocrites', and blatant liars. 

They are zombies.

They're also referred to as MAGA mutants, morons, and minions.

We have two political parties. 

Democrats and Trump cultists. 

You'll notice I didn't say Republicans because they've been swallowed by the zombies.

It's important to understand that these zombies are the worst you'll ever see on TV and the movies. They're an organized criminal cartel of authoritarian loving fascist zombies.

They pose a real threat to our freedoms as they mindlessly ignore the Constitution and trample the laws of the land. 

Being zombies, they don't know how to compromise, nor do they want to. The constant state of chaos created by head zombie Trump and his followers has been relentless the last seven years. 

Unlike TV shows and movies, the zombies aren't going away or being destroyed in a happy ending. 

They here to stay. For years most likely. 

Perhaps someday they'll no longer pollute politics, and we can return to some sense of normality where a former president isn't charged with 34 felony counts while running for re-election.

I remember seeing the Night of the Dead - which is frequently identified as the first modern zombie film - and being horrified at the violence. I'm more horrified by these modern-day zombies than I was with the movie.

As it stands, "This is the way the world ends; not with a whimper or a bang, but with zombies breaking down the back door." - Amanda Hocking

Reality Slaps Trump: He's Arrested and Charged with 34 Felony Counts

When I woke up this morning, I remembered watching NFL superstar O.J. Simpson in a Ford Bronco SUV slowly going down a freeway with an escort of police cars behind him.

But they weren't there to protect O.J. They were there to arrest him when his friend, Al Cowlings who was driving, stopped the vehicle.

The world watched the slowest criminal chase ever as it unfolded on live TV. It was surreal.

Like watching Trump's motorcade taking him to the courthouse in Manhattan, New York, where he was arrested and charged with 34 felony counts. On the way to the courthouse Trump simpered on his Truth Social platform that it was all surreal.

I guess we're all in agreement when it comes to watching a former president get charged with multiple felonies. Really surreal.

Here's a link to all of the details - as documented by CNN today.

Unlike the O.J. Trial, the prosecutors in Trump's case are very competent with lots of trial experience. Unlike the clowns that got worked over by O.J.'s "superstar" defense team that made a mockery of the process and got him off on all counts.

The MAGA attorneys are a sorry lot that have a losing record when it comes to their conspiracy cases and appeals for Trump.

My only concern is a mole in the jury selection could scarper the conviction. Imagine what kind of bribe they would receive from a rich cult follower protecting his lord and master.

As for vetting jurors I always keep in mind that there's limits on how many people an attorney can turn away. The chance of a bad apple is real, regardless of what the system would have us believe.

As it stands, Trump was slapped in his orange face with a dose of reality today. And this is only the start of accountability that he faces with multiple other investigations.  

Talk About Sending Mixed Signals: Reportedly Trump Doesn't have to Get a Mug Shot

                       Wait a moment!

Every criminal in American history has had to get a mug shot when being booked for a crime(s). It's been part of the justice system requirements for over a hundred years.

But not Trump! If rumors prove to be true, the biggest criminal in the United States is NOT going to have to pose for a booking photo. That's never happened before. There's never been an exception... until now.

One of Trump's corrupt attorneys, Alina Habba, told reporters that it's not necessary to have The Donald's mug shot because... wait for it... everyone in the world knows who he is.

"There's no need for theatrics," Habba said.

No shit Sherlock! That's not the point.

If Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg really believes no one is above the law, then why change over a century of booking procedure to keep from embarrassing the most corrupt president in American history?

I really hope this is just a rumor and Donnie gets his mugshot.

But if it's true that the orange buffoon will be the first exception it can only be attributed to politics. Threats coming from the MAGA rats in Congress are undoubtably causing a chilling effect on Bragg. Whether he admits it or not.

So far, his office has pushed back against MAGA politicians and sent letters warning them that the pressure their putting on him and the State of New York's judicial system is unconstitutional.

Of course, that's only going to slow them down. They're already busy looking at other ways to defend Trump... even though they don't know exactly what charges are going to be filed today.

I don't care that Trump is a former president and a candidate to run for president in 2024. The biggest reason Trump decided to run so early is that he believes that it'll insulate him from judicial investigations.

As it stands, that remains to be seen, but when I see such a blatant exception for standard police procedure it bothers me.

Memo to America: We Don't Have to Have a Dystopian Future

There's no guarantee America will dissolve into absolute authoritarian chaos. Despite the unprecedented attacks against our democracy, we are still standing strong.

Think about it.

The unthinkable has happened. An American president has been criminally indicted by a jury in New York.

Despite the damage that Trump has done to our democratic system in the last seven years there is still justice, and this first indictment proves no man is above the law.

The 21st century has turned out to be a time to attack democracies worldwide. Right-wing agendas are destroying the weaker democracies in the world. There is pushback but it comes at a steep price paid in human lives. Ukraine is one example.

Because American right-wing extremists are claiming our country is in dire states it doesn't make it so. Trump can claim American carnage and chaos but it's only a small portion of lost Americans/aka cult members who believe in his apocalyptic warnings.

Our Constitution is still the roadmap that most Americans follow and depend upon for justice.

Extremist propaganda coming from platforms like Fox News and Newsmax are supporting MAGA followers because they're money-makers. Starting with Trump grifting followers the propaganda in social media quickly caught on. It's about the green.

As it stands, history is against Trump and his cult. It's going to take a lot more than these fools to topple the greatest democracy in the world.

New MAGA Holiday is Celebrated on April Fools' Day

Everything is about branding in our culture these days and today is a good example, it's April Fools' Day and the new MAGA national holiday.

Trump minions have taken years to build up their brand as a band of fools and after seven years they finally came up with a good day in April to celebrate. The association of a day for fools and the united MAGA supporters is apparent for all to see.

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A Brief Origin of April Fools' Day

It's not cast in concrete, but some historians speculate that April Fools' Day dates back to 1582 when France switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar.

The new year began with the spring equinox around April 1. 

People who were slow to get the news or failed to recognize that the start of the new year had moved to January 1st and continued to celebrate it during the last week of March through April 1 were mocked.

They became the butt of jokes and hoaxes and were called (what else?) April fools. 

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Back to the fools who follow the Trump cult. Being a fool is cool among the MAGA appointed lawmakers lurking in Congress. Just look at some of the committee meetings they've held thus far.

Think Rep. Lauren Boebert who made a fool of herself arguing about urinating in public at a recent committee meeting without getting her facts straight. You had to be there.

The Republican clowns - with their slim majority in the House - are doing their best to poison our judiciary, House, Senate, electoral system, the Dept. of Education, the FBI, DOJ, CIA, and the military. And there's more, but you get the idea.

Now that MAGA maroons have a national holiday of their own they can use it as a day to recruit extremists and domestic terrorists.

As it stands, "Tricks and treachery are the practice of fools that don't have brains enough to be honest," -Benjamin Franklin

Indicted! Humpty Trumpty Has a Bigly Fall!

Humpty Trumpty sat on a Mar-a-Lardo Wall

He got indicted and had a great fall

All the corrupt lawmakers

and all of the MAGA minions

Couldn't do a damn thing about it!

So, the hammer finally dropped on the most corrupt president in history who has been charged with crimes in Manhattan, New York.

Yesterday came as a shock to Trump, his weasel lawyers, the rest of America, and the world. 

The Teflon Don was held accountable by New York DA Alvin Bragg for crimes committed. Who thought it would ever happen?

The myth has been dispelled. Trump is not above the law. In bears keeping in mind that this will only be the first criminal indictment filed against his Orangeness. Multiple indictments are still ahead this year.

MAGA world is melting down. MAGA lawmakers like Kevin McCarthy are ready to defy the Constitution to save Trump's fat ass. The rest of the Seditious Caucus in the House and Senate is already waging war against the rule of law to keep their lord and master free. 

Here's the thing; despite years of running interference for Trump MAGA Republicans were not able to stop him from taking one of the most historic falls from grace an ex-president has ever experienced in American history.

This court action is the first shot at Trump's mug (and ego) in what will soon be a series of blows delivered by other prosecutors in Georgia and Washington DC.

Is Trump's great fall a precursor of what's going to happen to the Republican party as they continue to defend him?

As it stands, this indictment is proof that no one is above the law in America. 

Batter Up! Baseball Season Underway

America's game is back. 

A new season starts today with 15 MLB games on tap. All 30 teams will be engaged in this annual rite of Spring.

Among the best MLB games today is the defending champion Houston Astros taking on the Chicago White Sox. It'll be on ESPN TV at 7:00 PM ET.

My favorite team The Los Angeles Dodgers are playing The Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. The Boys in Blue are looking for pitcher Julio Urias (L) to get their season off to a good start. He'll be facing Zac Gallen (R).

This season is special because there's some new rules in the game. 

1. Pitch Timer - in order to create a quicker pace of play, there will be a 30-second timer between batters. Between pitches, there will be a 15-second timer with bases empty and a 20-second timer with runners on base.

2. Defensive Shift Limits - The defensive team must have a minimum of four players on the infield, with at least two infielders on either side of the base.

3. Bigger Bases - The bases, which traditionally have been 15 inches square, will instead be 18 inches square. Home plate is unchanged.

The game is afoot!

As it stands, Go Dodgers! 

Blog Break! I'll Be Back 3-30-23- Meanwhile... Here's Some Links

Take a walk on the wild or poetic side HERE at the Creative Chronicles of Dave Stancliff

Go HERE to view my As It Stands column in the Eureka Times-Standard, a NorthCoast daily newspaper. It ran for five years.

Look to the right of this page and you'll see links to all of my posts in this blog going back to 2013.

If you like novellas, you may enjoy my first one: RAFTER'S REDEMPTION - A Vietnam veteran's story about living in Humboldt County in the 1970s. Think communes and pot farms.

That's it for now.

I'll be back on Thursday. 

As it stands, have a masterpiece day like my good friend and author Woody Woodburn would say.

In the Trump Era Judges Allow Jurors to be Anonymous

It used to only be special cases where jurors needed to be anonymous for their own safety. 

Secret jurors were necessary to protect them from criminal mob bosses like John Gotti who would go to any lengths to intimidate witnesses and jurors to avoid jail time.

Only the most dangerous defendants required the confidentiality that spurs a judge to make a ruling like that.

This winter there were two trials that required anonymous jurors. 

One of the two trials involved a convicted New Yorker in an Islamic State extremist group in Syria. The other was a former cabinet-level Mexican official convicted of shielding violent drug cartels from police for huge bribes.

That's why I'm so amused to see that jurors' names will be kept secret at the upcoming civil trial (not even a criminal trial) against Trump in a rape lawsuit.

U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan was concerned that Trump and his minions will subject them to harassment and worse from Trump supporters.

According to Kaplan, "On the basis of the unpresented circumstances in which this trial will take place, including the extensive pretrial publicity and a very strong risk that jurors will fear harassment, unwanted invasions of their privacy and retaliation there is string reason to believe the jury needs the protection."

I think that's pretty clear. Trump is getting the mob boss treatment, which he deserves. I'd also be willing to bet that all of his future trials in New York, Georgia and Washington DC will require anonymous jurors.

As it stands, Trump is the biggest criminal in America today and he's a clear and present danger to democracy and the rule of law.

Swimming in a Polluted Society

America is awash in an extremist tide of lies and misinformation. 

What started as a storm in 2017 is now a flood of hatred, racism, and a cult that threatens democracy.

Truth and reality have been thrown into a flotsam of fascism that's spreading in the Republican Party daily.

Today a former president whose been impeached twice and is facing civil and criminal investigations on the state and federal level is holding a rally in Waco, Texas.

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Opinion: "Trump's Visit to Waco is a Provocation of Historic Significance" by Nicole Hemmer 

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The venue holds 50,000 but there's a chance it won't be filled thanks to Trump's niece Mary Trump who has urged her podcast followers to call in a flood of requests for seats... and then not show up on Donnie's big day.

I'm not saying it will happen, but it's quite a statement coming from Trump's own family.

The choppy waters that Americans are swimming in is a sea full of perils like book bans, sentencing pregnant women who had abortions to death, and attacking the others such as the LGTBQ community daily.

We're all still facing the leftover putid waters of a coup attempt two years ago. Instead of uniting Americans after turning back the assault on the Capitol by domestic terrorists, the country split into extreme factions taking on mainstream America.

However.

Rivers of lies will dry up under the harsh light of reality and the truth. Facts will always stay afloat while fiction eventually sinks under its own absurdity. 

As it stands, we all have a choice. We can swim upriver in defense of our hard-earned democracy, or we can swim downriver with the MAGA scum seeking to overthrow our republic.

Place Your Bet: What Are the Odds of a Trump Indictment?

               The question of the day.

Will Trump be charged in relation to hush-money payments made to the adult film actress Stormy Daniels?

He thinks so. He just doesn't know when.

So, what are the odds?

Unfortunately, you can't bet on politics in the United States. But don't despair. With the popularity of betting on politics skyrocketing across the globe, there is no shortage of odds on different political outcomes. 

Thanks to the bookies in the UK there's still a way to bet on Trump's fate with the court. Taking a look at the latest Trump odds the probability of an indictment is very high.

As of this writing indictment odds are 92.6% that he's charged. Here's a chart by ODDS CHECKER:

-Trump to be indicted in Manhattan in 2023

odds -1250 - implied chance 92.6%

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-Trump to be extradited from FL to NY in 2023

odds +300 - implied chance 25%

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-Trump to be a defendant in a criminal trial in 2023 - odds +275 - 26.7%

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To clarify, these odds are only for the Manhattan criminal case, not the rest of the cases pending against Trump.

Despite denying American bookmakers a chance to bet on politics I strongly suspect there's plenty of betting places like office pools to wager on anything - including politics.

As it stands, I'm looking forward to more criminal indictments and seeing what the odds will be with them.