Category Archives: Election 2022

You Say You Won’t Vote In November???

Posted on by under education, Election 2022, Election 2024, Free Press Issues, History, Political commentary, Racism & Bigotry, Social commentary, voting rights

You’ve all heard it many times before.  I’ve posted it here on Filosofa’s Word a number of times in various contexts.  But today, I am asking you to read it and think about it from the perspective of those who, given the political chaos and unrest at present, still shrug their shoulders, say that “these things always work out, so I’m not gonna worry about it”, or those who don’t like either candidate in an election so they either just don’t vote, or throw away their vote on some third party or write-in candidate.

First they came for the Communists

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a Communist

Then they came for the Socialists

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a Socialist

Then they came for the trade unionists

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a trade unionist

Then they came for the Jews

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a Jew

Then they came for me

And there was no one left

To speak out for me

– Martin Niemöller, January 6, 1946

Think of it in today’s terms …

First they came for the Blacks

And I did not speak out

Because I was not Black

Then they came for LGBTQ people

And I did not speak out

Because I was not an LGBTQ person

Then they came for teachers

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a teacher

Then they came for voters

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a voter

And then they came for me

And there was no one left

To speak out for me

Sadly, I have many friends, former friends, and even former family members who are among those who shrug their shoulders, tell me to “chill, Jill”, and go on with the business of posting pictures of their meals, going on vacations, and whatever else floats their boat.  They claim they only seek ‘happiness’.  They cannot see what is before them, cannot see that we are on the cusp of any number of events that can and likely will change the very face of this nation.  In our lifetime we have survived Watergate, Vietnam, 9/11, and now the pandemic, they tell me.  Yes, but this is different.  I can feel it in the air, feel it in my bones … this time, some of us, perhaps most of us, won’t get off so easily.  Even those who side with the right-wing state of evil and corruption will not find that bed of roses at the end of the day.

Maybe there’s still time to change the way this nation is headed, but we need people to wake up, need them to THINK!  Those who don their blinders and stuff cotton in their ears, then walk around singing, “La la la ♫ la la ♫ … I can’t hear you” are the problem.  Those who say they won’t vote, or who will throw their vote away … they are the problem.  Those who don’t even bother to read a newspaper, because they are too busy shopping online for a new collar for the dog, are the problem.  And those who believe what they are told by the likes of Fox ‘News’ and other right-wing media … they are responsible for what comes next.

No, I don’t expect brownshirts to come knocking on our doors in the middle of the night, but listen … hear that?  Those who seem to have tired of democracy, of a government “of, by, and for the people,” are already taking over schools, threatening teachers who actually teach our children.  They are already taking away our voting rights.  And they are already trying to convince the Supreme Court to diminish women’s rights by reversing Roe v Wade and LGBTQ rights by reversing Obergefell v Hodges.  What’s next?  Take away integrated schools, return to the doctrine of “separate but equal” which was never even close to ‘equal’?

This year, it is more important than ever that we not only vote, but help ensure that our friends and neighbors are able to register and to either obtain a mail-in ballot or else get to the right poll at the right time on election day.  It is, perhaps, the single most important thing we can do this year.  If you have the resources and the ability, I would encourage you to follow TokyoSand at Political Charge, for she always has good ideas about ways to help get voters to the polls.

Not a Happy Man.

Posted on by under animals, Bits 'n Pieces, Election 2022, Environmental Issues, Global Issues, Law and justice, Political commentary, Racism & Bigotry, Re-blogs, Social commentary

Sometimes our friends across the pond see things more clearly than we do, and our friend David proves that point with this excellent post! Thank you, David!!!

The BUTHIDARS

At this point I have to admit, not for the first time that I’m not a happy man with the state of the World. The war between Russia and the Sovereign state of Ukraine where the people of Russia are not being told the true picture of why there is conflict and just what is going on is allowing innocent civilians to be deliberately targeted either by the direct orders of Uncle Vlad or at least with a nod and a wink from his office. I very much doubt that anything happens that he doesn’t know about. Added to the fact that he makes vague threats about nuclear weapons being used if there is any outside interference in order to scare off any would-be supporters of the Ukrainian people and their homeland. It seems to be working to some degree even though it could well mean the destruction of much…

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And The Snark Goes On … And On … And ON

Posted on by under Bits 'n Pieces, Election 2022, Law and justice, Political commentary, Racism & Bigotry, Social commentary

My radar had a busy, busy day yesterday … news items were flying onto the screen at a pace I couldn’t even keep up with.  You’ll hear about them all, eventually, but for this morning, here are two that stuck in my craw.

One Million Moms

… sounds like a group of mothers concerned about their children’s future, a group willing to stand up and fight against such things as racism, homophobia, and misogyny.  A group who wants their children to have the best chance possible at a future, who will fight for their child’s right to a widely-varied education that opens their minds and prepares them for the future, right?  WRONG!!!  One Million Moms is a hate group that supports bigotry in all its forms, who would happily eradicate the LGBTQ community, and who would turn back the hands of time hundreds of years, given the chance.

One Million Moms was created by the American Family Association (AFA), a right-wing ‘Christian’ organization that is opposed to women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, and basically anything that doesn’t fit into their neat, compact view of how the world ought to be.  AFA has been listed by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) as an anti-LGBTQ hate group, and One Million Moms fits snugly into that category.

Recently, Kay Jewelers put out an ad titled, “Celebrate Every Kiss” that shows couples kissing, one of which happens to be two dads with their young son.  Well, Monica Cole, the ‘leader’ of One Million Moms, went ballistic, writing in an email that …

This ad is inappropriate on so many levels and is clearly attempting to desensitize viewers. Kay Jewelers should avoid aiming to please a small percentage of customers while pushing away conservative customers.

Promoting same-sex relationships has nothing to do with marketing jewelry. Yet Kay Jewelers wants to make it clear where they stand on this controversial topic, instead of remaining neutral in the culture war.

One Million Moms continues to stand up for biblical truth. Romans 1:26-27 is very clear about this type of sexual perversion.

There is concern about the way this advertisement is pushing the LGBTQ agenda, but an even greater concern is that the commercial is airing during prime time when children are likely to be watching television.

Hmmmm … seems to me that it would be comforting for the young child of an LGBTQ couple to see that his family is not an anomaly and comforting to that young person who is in the ‘Q’ stage of his own development to see that he/she is not alone, that homosexuality is NOT perversion, but is natural.

Ms. Cole is a bigot.  Full stop.  She and her ilk are a large part of the reason there is so much hatred, so much violence, so much division among people in the world today.  Oh, and by the way, AFA is also against the cable network Animal Planet, because they say the network “features evidence of homosexuality”.  These people really, really need to get a life, to join the 21st century!

Ol’ Madison Cawthorn … ‘Lock Him UP!’

Madison Cawthorn has been a thorn in the side of this nation ever since he began grabbing headlines a few years ago.  He was a contributor to the events of January 6th, he has no relevant education or experience that would qualify him to be a member of Congress, but yet the good people of North Carolina took pity on him, seeing him sitting in his wheelchair, and they gave him a chance in the 2020 election, to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.

However, he has not served We the People, but only his own vested interests.  His only government employment prior to 2021 was working as a staff assistant to the ignoble Mark Meadows, another plotter and instigator of the fatal January 6th events.  He began college, but dropped out with a “D” average, and he was rejected by the Naval Academy, but lied about it.  So … what did you folk down in North Carolina expect to get for your efforts?

Madison has been the source of a number of controversies, but two are in the news this week and prove how utterly inappropriate it is for him to be a member of the U.S. Congress!

  • For the second time, Cawthorn tried to sneak a loaded handgun onto a commercial airline flight. Now, if that had been you or me, our patooties would be sitting in the Charlotte jail right now, but rather than arrest such an “important” person, he was merely issued a citation and it’s still unclear whether the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will pursue the fine, which would be $13,900 for any of the rest of us.
  • Senator Thom Tillis, also a Republican from North Carolina, is calling for an investigation into what may well turn out to be insider trading … a violation of a member of Congress’ oath of office. Cawthorn is under fire after posing with hedge fund manager James Koutoulas, who was the “ringleader” of the “Let’s Go Brandon” cryptocurrency on Dec. 29. The next day, NASCAR driver Brandon Brown announced his partnership with the LGBCoin, which caused the value to spike.  It is a serious accusation that could result in Cawthorn’s expulsion from office.

In recent months, Cawthorn has been under scrutiny for a number of issues, such as speeding and driving with a revoked license multiple times, claiming that people in Congress invited him to orgies and calling President Zelenskyy of Ukraine a “thug.”  I don’t know about you folks, but he is NOT the sort of person I want making the decisions that will affect all of our lives!!!

Wicked Witch Of The West vs Jolly Ol’ Elf

Posted on by under Election 2022, Humour, Political commentary, Social commentary

I wasn’t particularly surprised about Sarah Palin’s announcement a few weeks ago that she is running for the seat in the U.S. House of Representatives previously held by Don Young. Young died last month at the age of 88 … after serving in Congress since 1973, nearly 50 years!  Palin, who was briefly Governor of Alaska, and who was John McCain’s running mate in his failed bid for the presidency in 2008, faces quite a bit of competition … there are at least 48 people vying for the seat!  But one of her competitors surprised me … see if you can guess who it is by this picture …

If Palin thought name-recognition would hand her a victory in this race, I think this jolly ol’ guy has her beat, hands down.  Yep, you guessed it … his name, his legal name (though not his birth name), is Santa Claus and he surely does look the part, doesn’t he?  He lives, of course, in North Pole – a town of about 2,000 in Alaska. He has a big white beard and a kindly manner, and Santa Claus is indeed his legal name, though, as a Bernie Sanders supporter, he does not exploit elf labor.

Mr. Claus says voters who look at Sanders’ policy platform can get a pretty good idea of his own, including support for Medicare for All, racial justice, corporate accountability, and free and fair elections.  Hey, I like this guy already!!!

Santa previously worked in law enforcement, where he’d witnessed kids falling “through the cracks” of the foster care system, and he wanted to do what he could to help them.  Despite his name, greeting children at Christmastime isn’t his thing.

“I’m not really interested in that. There are plenty of my beloved helpers throughout the world who sort of stand in for me with their in-person visits.  I tend to interact more with adults with respect to legislation.”

Mr. Claus is not registered to either the Democratic or Republican Party, but remains an Independent, as is his role model Bernie Sanders.  As for Palin’s candidacy, he says …

“Now that she’s been endorsed by Trump, let me put it this way: being a Bernie supporter, we have disparate views on a variety of subjects.  I don’t plan to get pushed around by her or by Trump. So it may have some interesting moments during the race.  As a candidate, as a legislator, I tend to look for common ground. There are people I disagree with and people who disagree with me. But there’s always common ground and one’s willing to make the effort to find it and then legislate for greater good.”

Lest you wonder if this is simply a gimmick, let me assure you that Santa Claus has more relevant education and experience than many who already sit in Congress today.  Santa served as Special Assistant to the Deputy Police Commissioner of New York City, Member of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Defense Executive Reserve, while Director of the Terrorism Research and Communication Center, and Chief Safety and Security Officer of the U.S. Virgin Islands Port Authority. He earned his bachelors and masters degrees at New York University, where he completed his doctoral coursework in educational communication and technology and graduated from two seminaries.

Now, I know that Santa Claus isn’t likely to win the special election on June 11th, but with some 48 people in the running, neither is Palin a likely winner.  Her ‘name recognition’ might actually do her more harm (fingers crossed) than good, given she’s more of a joke – a really bad joke – these days.  So …

On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer and Vixen

On Comet, on Cupid, on Donner and Blitzen

Carry Santa through the June election!

Time To WAKE UP ⏰ Democrats!!!

Posted on by under Election 2022, Election 2024, Free Press Issues, Political commentary, Rants, Social commentary

Listen up, Democrats!  It’s past time to stop this “Oh woe, Oh woe, Oh thrice times woe” bullshit (thanks, Roger!)  The Republicans cannot be handed a majority in the House of Representatives or the Senate in November, but it seems that is exactly what the lily-livered wusses of the Democratic Party plan to do!  If you believe your party is destined to take a walloping in November, and if you keep wringing your hands and whining instead of doing something about it, then yeah … that is precisely what will happen!  Check out Blake Hounshell’s latest column.

If, on the other hand, we get off our fat arses and get out there, make our voices heard, campaign like the life of the nation depends on it (because it does!), and make sure the names of the contenders in November are heard so loudly and so often that they are burned into people’s minds, then we stand a chance of keeping a democracy.  In fact, we should stand a damn good chance of keeping the current majorities in both chambers of Congress, given that the Republican Party is so damn screwed up they can’t even keep their stories straight!  A few examples:

  • Margie Greene, a freshman House Representative from Georgia, played a role in the January 6th violent white nationalist insurrection and as such, should not be eligible to run for re-election in November. She testified at a hearing on Friday, and it seems that … ol’ Marge isn’t too bright, for her answer to everything was “I don’t remember” or some variation of that theme.  For me, the kicker was when she was asked whether she urged President Donald Trump to impose martial law as a way to remain in power.  Her response?  “I don’t recall.”  I really think something that damn important would not just … slip her mind.  She’s a liar, just like Kevin McCarthy …
  • House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, whose dream is to replace Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House after the mid-term elections, told people after the January 6th attempted coup/insurrection that Trump was responsible for what happened and should be held accountable. He went so far as to tell people that he was planning to ask Trump to step down, and he did some research to investigate whether Amendment 25 was an option for removing Trump.  But then, when that was made public, he denied it … vehemently!  But then, lo and behold, there was an irrefutable recording.  Apparently, Trump Republicans are now saying that McCarthy will never be Speaker of the House.
  • And then there’s Mark Meadows, who was once Trump’s Chief of Staff, and who, it was recently disclosed, was registered to vote in three states at once! And … who is it crying “voter fraud”???  But Meadows is in even deeper than that, for it was also recently discovered that he was warned that violence was part of the plan for the events of January 6th, and he … did nothing.
  • It’s almost too easy these days to pick on U.S. House Representative Madison Cawthorn from North Carolina. He has been the subject of much consternation and many jokes as he claimed his colleagues invited him to a drug party, but the latest … well, a picture speaks louder than words, yes?

Cawthorn did not deny that the pictures were real, but referred offhandedly to them as “goofy vacation photos during a game on a cruise (taken waaay before I ran for Congress)”.  Okaaaaaaayyyy, Maddy!

So look, Democrats … the Republican Party is truly a bloomin’ mess!  I cannot think of many in the upper echelons of the party who have not lied repeatedly and worse yet, been caught in their lies.  Yes, the maga crowd seems to still be rah-rah-rah-ing Trump and his boot-lickers, but I think the maga crowd is growing smaller in light of some of these more blatant transgressions, and some, at least, are beginning to realize that this sort of trickery is not the way to run a country. I am neither a Democrat nor a Republican, but I think I have more enthusiasm for Democrats to hold, or even increase their majority in both chambers of Congress in November!  Where’s the spice, Democrats?

The only reason the pundits, even those who lean toward the left, are so pessimistic this year is that President Biden’s approval numbers are low.  They are low, in large part, because of things happening that were out of his control, and in part because the press seems determined to highlight his mistakes and ignore his many successes.  Historically, the midterms go in favour of whichever party does not sit in the Oval Office, and historically congressional elections will follow the approval ratings of the incumbent president.  But history has its exceptions, and this year could well be one of those exceptions.  We better work to make that happen!

President Biden is not perfect … he is human (which is much more than I can say for the former guy).  Sure, he has made mistakes … every president who has ever served has made mistakes.  But, Biden has done a heck of a lot of good that he gets far too little credit for in the press.  They prefer to focus on the economy, but what they leave out is the fact that the U.S. economy is in no worse shape than any other western nation and the causes are global issues, not unique to the United States!

So, let’s put some energy into this campaign!  Our friend rawgod suggested that the Democrats need a ‘fiery slogan’ … and maybe he’s right!  Something that speaks of determination, of democracy, of PEOPLE over profit!  Something that speaks to the average Joe, struggling to pay his bills and feed his family.  Just think how effective the Trump campaign’s slogan of “Make America Great Again” was – and still is!  MAGA is now synonymous with GOP!!!

And we need to start holding the press’ feet to the fire, calling them out on their lukewarm attitude toward the President, his Cabinet members, and Democrats in Congress.  Put a bumper sticker on your car showing your support for your local candidates!  Attend a rally or two by your preferred candidates if you can … show the world that the Democratic Party ain’t dead yet!  Because my friends … if the Democratic Party is dead, then the very basis of the nation is dead, the U.S. Constitution will be shredded.  If we leave the managing of the nation to the likes of Greene, Trump, McCarthy, Boebert, Cawthorn, Cruz, Vance, Oz and the like, then we can damn well kiss democracy, kiss the Constitution “good-bye”.

A Pessimistic View of the Mid-terms

Posted on by under education, Election 2020, Election 2022, Environmental Issues, Free Press Issues, Global Issues, History, Law and justice, Political commentary, Re-blogs, Social commentary, voting rights

Jeff hasn’t been posting much of late, but when he does, he DOES! This post says everything I’ve been feeling, and likely much of what you’ve all been feeling of late. Please take a few minutes to read and think about it … share his words if you feel so inclined, for we need everyone to understand where the current path leads. Thanks, Jeff!

On The Fence Voters

I try like hell to be an optimist. I keep thinking my fellow Americans will ultimately do the right thing when it matters most. When they see the clear difference between our two political parties, they will surely choose the one that gives us the best chance of continuing to live in a democratic society and address the vital issues confronting us in the 21st century.

Unfortunately, of late, I’ve failed to maintain that positivity. I find myself increasingly in the category of folks who say the November mid-term elections will be a catastrophe for Democrats. Our current president has done a lot to move the country forward. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to matter to folks.

The American people are pissed. About everything, it seems. And, if I’m to be completely honest with myself, why shouldn’t they be? Inflation is out of control; the pandemic is still lurking, although…

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Don’t Wait ‘Til It’s Too Late!!!

Posted on by under education, Election 2022, Election 2024, Law and justice, Political commentary, voting rights

In conversations with friends, I have often said that the only way to ensure that the former guy cannot take over the nation following the 2024 presidential election is to ensure that he cannot be on the ballot.  There are only two ways to do that:  his death, or his imprisonment.  If we fail to keep the name “Trump” off the ballot, this nation will no longer be a democratic republic.  Full stop.  Robert Reich agrees, only he states it far better than I could …

Why it must happen soon: The United States vs. Donald J. Trump

Merrick Garland must do it now, before it’s too late

Robert Reich, 18 April 2022

On Friday, Trump endorsed J.D. Vance in the Ohio Senate Republican primary. This follows his endorsement of Mehmet Oz in Pennsylvania’s Senate Republican primary and Herschel Walker in the Georgia Senate race. The press has framed these endorsements as long-shot bets that “could put [Trump’s] desired image as a kingmaker at risk.” But this misses the point. What’s really at stake for Trump is the selling of Trump and his big lie that the 2020 election was stolen from him.

To be endorsed by Trump, candidates apparently must fulfill three prerequisites: 1) They have to be running in swing states whose primaries and general elections will attract lots of media attention. 2) They must be totally committed to Trump and his big lie. And 3) they must have shown themselves capable of promoting Trump and his lie with the kind of celebrity pizzaz that sells well on television.

Vance — celebrity author of “Hillbilly Elegy” — was originally appalled by Trump and his lie, and said so. But now that he’s running for the Senate, Vance has become one of the most forceful promoters of Trump and articulate peddlers of his big lie. As Trump noted about Vance, “he gets it now.”

Oz is a celebrity television doctor who has over the years come under fire for bogus on-air medical advice, which makes him perfect for promoting Trump and his big lie, too. Trump admires Oz’s television bona fides: “They liked him for a long time,” Trump said of Oz at a rally in Pennsylvania last week. “That’s like a poll. You know, when you’re in television for 18 years, that’s like a poll. That means people like you.”

Walker fits the criteria, as well. He was both a college and NFL star.

Trump couldn’t care less whether he’s viewed as a “kingmaker” by the press and politicians inside the Beltway. He cares only about his narcissistic need to delegitimize the outcome of the 2020 presidential election. And he has a knack for recognizing ambitious, unprincipled, television-savvy hucksters who will help him.

Let me pause here to emphasize two things that are too easily forgotten. First, no one to this day has produced even a shred of evidence that fraud affected the results of the 2020 election. Sixty federal judges, along with Trump’s own departments of justice and homeland security, have concluded that Biden won fair and square.

Second, the lynchpin of democracy is the peaceful transition of power from those who lose elections to those who win them. Yet it’s been over a year and half since Trump has refused to concede — continuously spreading his big lie that the election was stolen, pushing public officials at all levels of government to overturn the election, and instigating an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on the day Congress was to certify the election results. As Federal District Court Judge David Carter stated in a recent opinion, “[T]he Court finds it more likely than not that President Trump corruptly attempted to obstruct the Joint Session of Congress on January 6, 2021.”

Trump is already well on the way to rebuilding the Republican Party around his big lie. He is purging the GOP of his critics and installing loyalists in key state positions. And he is inspiring GOP-state legislatures to enact election sabotage laws that will give Trump and his supporters opportunities to rig congressional election results. The upcoming 2022 congressional elections will serve as proving grounds for his attempt to steal the 2024 presidential election.

Trump is a growing menace to our system of self-government. The longer he goes without being held accountable for what he has done, the more danger he poses.

The critical question, then, is whether Attorney General Merrick Garland will bring criminal charges against him — and when. The window of opportunity is closing fast. The House Select Committee on January 6 will be holding public hearings in a few weeks and report its findings thereafter. (The committee has already collected nearly 10,000 documents and conducted more than 860 depositions and interviews, including with Trump family members and his close associates.) If Republicans take over the House in the midterm elections, they are sure to close down the inquiry.

Moreover, immediately after the midterm elections, America will be in the gravitational pull of the 2024 presidential primaries — in which Trump will almost certainly play a leading role, unless he is indicted and convicted. He has already amassed a campaign chest of more than $120 million, more than double that of the Republican National Committee. During the last six months of 2021, his PAC raised more money online than the GOP every day but two. And once he is a declared candidate, it will be impossible for Twitter, Facebook, and other social media platforms to stop him from engulfing them with his lies.

Some say Garland should not bring criminal charges against Trump because criminal charges have never before been brought against a former president. This is a specious argument because no former president has ever before attempted to overthrow a duly elected President — the first attempted coup in the 233-year history of the United States government.

Others worry that criminal charges against Trump — along with a trial and possible imprisonment — would only deepen the fierce partisan divide that’s already drained trust out of much of American democracy. This is a legitimate concern. But failure to hold Trump accountable for what he has done would pose a far greater risk for American democracy — permanently entrenching distrust in our election system and legitimizing future battles over every contest, possibly provoking repeated rounds of violence.

Trump’s indictment and conviction must occur as quickly as possible. The upcoming midterm elections won’t simply be a battle between Republicans and Democrats. They will be a battle between Trump acolytes and fair election supporters over protecting the integrity of our elections and our democracy. The sooner Trump is held accountable for his criminality, the safer American democracy will be.

A Few Grumblings & Grousings

Posted on by under Bits 'n Pieces, Election 2022, Global Issues, History, Law and justice, Political commentary, Racism & Bigotry, Social commentary

My motivation is skating on thin ice the last day or two, probably because I’m not sleeping well and thus not feeling at the top of my game.  But a few snippets came to me yesterday that I thought to share …

France’s very own Trumpian figure …

Marine LePen is back.  In case you’ve forgotten, she was the right-wing populist candidate who ran for president of France back in 2017 and lost to Emmanuel Macron, gaining only 33.9% of the vote.  LePen is much like other populist candidates including Trump … she talks a good talk, says what she believes people want to hear, but has no plan of action and much of what she promises is simply un-doable in a democracy.  Just as when Trump was defeated in the 2020 election and I expected (hoped) he would disappear into oblivioun, I hoped the same for LePen after the 2017 French election.  But, like Trump, like a bad penny, she has stuck around and is now … yep, you guessed it … running against Macron yet again this year.

I’ve heard the populist agenda so much that I could almost write the script:  harsh restrictions on immigration, nationalism (“America” or “France” First), tax cuts, increases to people’s pensions, etc.  The reality is that none of this is simple, much of it is both undesirable and counter-productive.  This IS a global world now, not one where individual nations can safely or productively stand alone as LePen, Bolsonaro (Brazil) or Trump would like to portray it.

The election in France is being held today, and the likelihood is that there will be no clear winner, meaning a run-off election will be held on April 24th.  Currently, most pollsters project Macron to win at that time, albeit by a slim margin that seems to get slimmer day-by-day.  For the sake of the people of France, but also for the sake of the larger world, I hope Ms. LePen is trounced once and for all and goes back into whatever hole she crawled out of!

Back here in the U.S. …

Of late, a number of highly unqualified people have run for congressional seats … some have even won, like Margie Greene, Lauren Boebert, and Madison Cawthorn.  In the upcoming mid-term elections, there are at least two that stand out like sore thumbs:  “Dr.” Oz, and J.D. Vance.  Let’s follow the yellow brick road and start with Oz …

Dr. Mehmet Oz is a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon.  That said, his days of practicing serious medicine in order to save lives are long since forgotten.  In the days since, he has pushed misleading, science-free and unproven alternative therapies such as homeopathy, as well as fad diets, detoxes and cleanses. Some of these things have been potentially harmful, including hydroxychloroquine, which he once touted would be beneficial in the treatment or prevention of COVID.  He has become a joke, a laughingstock, a media circus clown.  And now … he wants a seat in the U.S. Senate.

Oz is running as a Republican for Pennsylvania’s open US Senate seat.  What qualifications does he bring to the table?  None.  But then, this is 2022 when ‘qualifications’ are deemed irrelevant and persona is the test that must be passed to lure the voters.  Please, Pennsylvania … do not vote for this circus clown!

J.D. Vance is not a doctor, but rather a published author of exactly one book:  Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis.  Not having read the book (and having no intention of doing so) I cannot critique his literary work, but I can address his run for the seat in the U.S. Senate being vacated by Ohio Senator Rob Portman.  His platform speaks for itself, including such things as ending women’s rights, ‘protecting’ second amendment ‘rights’, an “America First” foreign policy platform, and stiff restrictions on voting rights.

Handing Oz and Vance seats in the U.S. Senate would no doubt turn the Senate into as much of a clown show as the House of Representatives is today.  There was a time when I would have laughed, knowing that these two bozos weren’t going to get within 50 miles of the U.S. Capitol, but the populace of this nation has proven me wrong, has proven that the goofier, more outspoken and outrageous a candidate is, the more appealing he is to the uninformed masses.

And that’s it for now, folks, but I thought you might enjoy this clip from a very old … OLD … television show, What’s My Line, that Dan Rather sent in his daily email yesterday …

The Week’s Best Cartoons 4/2

Posted on by under Bits 'n Pieces, cartoons, Election 2022, Global Issues, Humour, Law and justice, Political commentary, Racism & Bigotry, Re-blogs

Y’know … some days even the political cartoons raise my hackles, but I must admit they are dead-on accurate and say as much at a glance as some of the OpEd writers can say in 1,000 words.  And so, each week I head over to Political Charge where TokyoSand has compiled the best of the best from the week.  This week is no exception and I think you’ll agree with the take of most of those drawing the ‘toons.  Oh, if only I had such artistic talent … I could be rich and famous!!!  I wonder …

Anyway, here is a sampling of Tokyo’s Toons and I hope you’ll follow the link at the bottom and head over to her place to check out the rest!  Thank you as always, TS!

There were a lot of different news stories that got traction this week, as evidenced by the range of cartoons I saw. Here are some of the best ones, in my opinion.

 

See all the ‘toons at TokyoSand’s Political Charge!

Snarky Snippets, Volume MMCMLXXX

Posted on by under Bits 'n Pieces, education, Election 2022, Free Press Issues, History, Law and justice, Political commentary, voting rights

Some days every bit of ‘news’ I read raises my hackles.  Especially these days when one actor slapping another at the Academy Awards is the major news story of the day … never mind that the Russians are bombing the hell out of Ukraine, people are fleeing and people are dying.  Never mind that we have a major divide in this nation that isn’t going to resolve itself any time soon and that is likely to lead to major chaos during the mid-term elections in November.  Never mind that schools are depriving children of an education and states are depriving women of their right to healthcare.  Never mind that the majority of states are engaging in unique ways to take away our right to vote, while Congress sits on their patooties whistling Dixie!  No … let’s just worry about a couple of actors acting like juveniles!  Grrrrrrrrrrr.  So, you get the idea … today is a day for snarky snippets!  But, in the interest of preserving your sanity, I confined myself to only two snippets this morning!

Send her back to Georgia!!!

There are lots … and I DO mean lots … or people in Congress who I think demean the entire legislative branch of government, from Ted Cruz, Tom Cotton, Matt Gaetz and on down the line.  But the worst of the worst seems to be that blonde bimbo, Margie Greene, aka Marjorie Taylor Greene.  I refuse to waste the time and energy to type her full name every time!  The latest?

After the press decided to have a field day with President Biden’s final thoughts at his speech in Warsaw, Poland, on Saturday, March 26th, broadly and erroneously hinting that the president was calling for a potential regime change in Russia from without, Ms. Greene said the following …

“The most needed regime change right now is the one in the United States for ruining our country.”

Greene asserts that President Biden is “ruining our country,” and that removing him is thus more urgent than responding to Putin’s attacks on Ukraine, but then, she’s also made it clear that she’s sick of hearing about Ukraine at all and thinks that “real Americans” don’t care about Ukraine and are focused only on inflation and gas prices.  Well, nobody ever accused her of having a brain, did they?  I beg the good people of Georgia to please, please do not send Ms. Greene back to Congress in November!  Keep her in Georgia!!!

Lock him up!!! (And throw away the key!)

Are we finally about to see some meaningful action over the January 6th attempt to overthrow the government by Trump & associates?  Well … maybe.  Federal Judge David O. Carter of the Central District of California ruled yesterday that former President Donald J. Trump and a lawyer, John Eastman, who had advised him on how to overturn the 2020 election “most likely” had committed felonies, including obstructing the work of Congress and conspiring to defraud the United States.

It’s the “most likely” part that I don’t like … there is no “most likely” … it is a fact known by anyone who can read and think!  Said the Judge …

“The illegality of the plan was obvious. Our nation was founded on the peaceful transition of power, epitomized by George Washington laying down his sword to make way for democratic elections. Ignoring this history, President Trump vigorously campaigned for the vice president to single-handedly determine the results of the 2020 election.”

Trump has not been charged with any crime yet, and the judge’s ruling has no immediate, practical legal effect on him. But it essentially ratified the committee’s argument that Mr. Trump’s efforts to block Congress from certifying President Biden’s Electoral College victory and could well rise to the level of a criminal conspiracy.  Could???  Damn well better!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the House committee investigating the events of and leading up to January 6th voted 9-0 on Monday night to recommend criminal contempt of Congress charges against two allies of Trump — Peter Navarro, a former White House adviser, and Dan Scavino Jr., a former deputy chief of staff — for their participation in efforts to overturn the 2020 election and their subsequent refusal to comply with the panel’s subpoenas.  The matter now moves to the Rules Committee, then the full House. If it passes there, the Justice Department will decide whether to charge the men. A contempt of Congress charge carries a penalty of up to a year in jail.  One year???  That’s the maximum they might get for plotting to overthrow the government and hand the nation over to a lunatic dictator???  🤦