Long ago, I saw (by accident) an episode of “The Apprentice,” and learned that Donald Trump is a bully. I never ventured there again. Trump is still a bully. He likes to pick on people. He likes to see others squirm and suffer. He loves to make others angry. He carries grudges, and now he’s brought his bully friends along to help him “get even.” He’s singling out individuals and groups with views other than his and using his power to punish them for speaking out or not thinking his way.
I learned in fifth grade that the way to handle a bully is to stand up to them. Do you want to live where you need to be fearful — as opposed to thoughtful —about what you say? If not, it’s time to be brave.
As we slide into February, the Felon in Chief takes opportunity to blame a tragic air accident on innocents, persecute the FBI for doing their job, bully our neighbors and attempt to dismantle government, good and bad. Since January 20, Trump has been striking out like a pissed-off, spoiled three-year-old who was not allowed to have his way, throwing a full-on tantrum. His tantrum will cost our country friends —which he cares nothing about — and money — which he cares way too much about. Not ours. His. And making ours his.
MAGA might crow about a “landslide,” but 47 (as his supporters delight in calling him) won the popular vote by a slim margin — slimmest since 2000, when Bush beat Gore by chicanery and one electoral vote, though Gore had half a million more popular votes. In 2016, Hillary got nearly 3 million more votes that the Donald. (Is the electoral college outdated? Yes.) This time, Trump garnered 77.284 million. Kamala got 74.999. The margin is 1.5 %. If this was a county commission race, there would be a recount.
If you are one of the 74.999, don’t despair. The noise of MAGA comes from a relatively few Kool-Aid drinkers; in the millions maybe, but not tens of millions. More sensible folks who cast R votes are likely kicking themselves as they watch the Terrible T do his thing. The congressional election in two years has a chance to change the balance in Congress, if people have long enough memories about what the Donald is doing right now. A large number of those who voted for His Childishness are likely watching hopes go up in smoke, including those who’s economic well-being have already been threatened by executive order. Tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods are not going to make food prices go down or housing more affordable.
We’ve not elected a savior. Trump worships no sort of God but himself and his fortune. Maybe the reason the ultra-conservative Christian community is so much about Trump is that they believe the Bible’s warning that Jesus can’t come back until after the Antichrist shows up, and they’re trying to hurry things along. (1 John 2:18, 2:22, and 4:3; 2 John 1:7)
This will make some of you cringe and maybe even rage. The rest of you, hold this thought: if we’re going to move past where we are now, and where we have been much of the time since Bush 2.0, divided by finger-pointing, rhetorical blaming, conspiracy theory and all-consuming self-interest — both personally and on both sides of the Congressional aisle — it’s time to start acting like grown-ups who see that what’s good for the neighbors is likely good for us, as well. I think that’s what Jesus really had to say. (Matthew 22:39)
It is time to be brave.
A Few Thoughts on Bullies and Bravery
Long ago, I saw (by accident) an episode of “The Apprentice,” and learned that Donald Trump is a bully. I never ventured there again. Trump is still a bully. He likes to pick on people. He likes to see others squirm and suffer. He loves to make others angry. He carries grudges, and now he’s brought his bully friends along to help him “get even.” He’s singling out individuals and groups with views other than his and using his power to punish them for speaking out or not thinking his way.
I learned in fifth grade that the way to handle a bully is to stand up to them. Do you want to live where you need to be fearful — as opposed to thoughtful —about what you say? If not, it’s time to be brave.
As we slide into February, the Felon in Chief takes opportunity to blame a tragic air accident on innocents, persecute the FBI for doing their job, bully our neighbors and attempt to dismantle government, good and bad. Since January 20, Trump has been striking out like a pissed-off, spoiled three-year-old who was not allowed to have his way, throwing a full-on tantrum. His tantrum will cost our country friends —which he cares nothing about — and money — which he cares way too much about. Not ours. His. And making ours his.
MAGA might crow about a “landslide,” but 47 (as his supporters delight in calling him) won the popular vote by a slim margin — slimmest since 2000, when Bush beat Gore by chicanery and one electoral vote, though Gore had half a million more popular votes. In 2016, Hillary got nearly 3 million more votes that the Donald. (Is the electoral college outdated? Yes.) This time, Trump garnered 77.284 million. Kamala got 74.999. The margin is 1.5 %. If this was a county commission race, there would be a recount.
If you are one of the 74.999, don’t despair. The noise of MAGA comes from a relatively few Kool-Aid drinkers; in the millions maybe, but not tens of millions. More sensible folks who cast R votes are likely kicking themselves as they watch the Terrible T do his thing. The congressional election in two years has a chance to change the balance in Congress, if people have long enough memories about what the Donald is doing right now. A large number of those who voted for His Childishness are likely watching hopes go up in smoke, including those who’s economic well-being have already been threatened by executive order. Tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods are not going to make food prices go down or housing more affordable.
We’ve not elected a savior. Trump worships no sort of God but himself and his fortune. Maybe the reason the ultra-conservative Christian community is so much about Trump is that they believe the Bible’s warning that Jesus can’t come back until after the Antichrist shows up, and they’re trying to hurry things along. (1 John 2:18, 2:22, and 4:3; 2 John 1:7)
This will make some of you cringe and maybe even rage. The rest of you, hold this thought: if we’re going to move past where we are now, and where we have been much of the time since Bush 2.0, divided by finger-pointing, rhetorical blaming, conspiracy theory and all-consuming self-interest — both personally and on both sides of the Congressional aisle — it’s time to start acting like grown-ups who see that what’s good for the neighbors is likely good for us, as well. I think that’s what Jesus really had to say. (Matthew 22:39)
It is time to be brave.
A few thoughts on five days in sandals.
A shower of sand fell from my pack as I emptied it today. The stuff is whiteish, with gray and tan highlights. In my mind, there’s a big mystery about the color. Why is it almost white when near all the stone surrounding it is some permutation of black? The
A few thoughts on trees, O2, CO2 and basic breathing.
It’s 4:19 pm on the day when A Few Thoughts is due, and I’m just getting to it. It’s been on my mind, but my mind has not been coming up with a good subject, which is not a new phenomenon, but one I’ve not had trouble with for at
A few thoughts on politics, the weather, religion and literary license
Politics: Bombing Iran? So, what’s new? We’ve been interfering in Middle Eastern politics since forever. The argument that Donnie will keep us out of wars is now moot. Maybe 100 times more folks showed up for “No Kings Day” than for Donnie’s birthday parade ala Red Square. The military seemed
A few thoughts on writing for free.
After 61 days away traveling the West, with ten days on Maui thrown into the middle, it’s good to be home. I drove 7,434.8 miles, took way too many pictures, played golf, skied, ate out my cooler, camped out, stayed with friends and stayed within budget. It was a good
A few thoughts on the power of consent.
I turned 74 last week, and I’m thinking of turning away from political commentary. I have tried for 25 years-plus to get people to think for themselves about who will be the best leader for the future of their kids and grandkids, but bottom line always seems to be the