Category Archives: Re-blogs

That white privilege thing

Posted on by under Political commentary, Racism & Bigotry, Re-blogs, Social commentary

Our good friend Keith wrote this post nearly three weeks ago. I intended to re-blog it at the time, and as seems to happen more and more with me these days, I got side-tracked and it fell by the wayside. No matter, for his words are timeless … they were as true 100 years ago as they are today, and I suspect will still need to be heard in another century. Thank you, Keith, for this post, for reminding me of it, and for your generous permission to share.

musingsofanoldfart

Usually when Dr. Phil comes on, I leave the room. Seeing people yell at each other is not therapeutic for me. Yesterday, my wife said you need to see this one as it was an interesting group discussion on race relations and white privilege.

In one powerful, illustrating exercise, young adults of both genders and several races, religions, sexual preferences, and countries of origin stepped forward or backward based on answers to a series of questions. At the end of about thirty or so questions, white people tended to be at the front of the room, while other races tended to be at the back.

As a now 60 year-old white man, I can pretty much go anywhere I want without repercussions. And, I need not have to worry for my life when I am stopped by the police or state patrol. A black man in his Sunday best has…

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USA…6th November 2018

Posted on by under Election 2018, Political commentary, Re-blogs

These words from our friend Roger in the UK are brief, but ever-so-important, and I felt compelled to share them. Thank you Roger, for the words and for the implied permission to share. Hugs to you all!

Raging from the Lectern

Mid-terms.

If you ever thought it all had nothing to do with you anyway, guess again

If you never cared much for your country before, think about Her now

If you only have a vague idea about the Civil War and no idea about the decades prior to those events, Wikipedia them now, soon and reflect….could it happen again?

If you think the USA is immune from internal collapse through toxic division, think again.

Back when it came out I used to think the song ‘Monster’ by Steppenwolf was a bit over-blown…seek it out and reflect.

US Stars and Stripes

If this means anything to you

If you have never voted before, vote now.

God Speed America,

I care for you like Family

Roger

Socialist, Christian, British

North East Wales, UK

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Guest Blog Post

Posted on by under Political commentary, Racism & Bigotry, Re-blogs, Social commentary

As those of you who have followed this blog throughout the ‘Reign of Trump’ know, one of my biggest frustrations has been a failure to understand the reason Trump has been given free rein, despite the fact that his values are in complete opposition to those who support him. Our friend Hugh has hosted a guest post by Jerry Stark that goes a long way toward answering the question: WHY??? It has given me much food for thought, and I will yet need to do some pondering on his words, but today I wanted to share them with you, for I think they have tremendous value. Only when we understand the forces we are fighting, do we stand much chance of bringing about a return to a kinder, saner world. Many thanks both Hugh and Jerry for permission to share this worthy post.

hughcurtler

The following comment by Jerry Stark expanded and improved upon my attempt to explain the notion of ressentment. It is extremely well done and helps us understand the mind-set of those who follow our sitting president and worship at his shrine. I post it here with Jerry’s permission.

The concept of ressentiment is intriguing, especially when applied to our current circumstance.

Nietzsche’s (pre-postmodern) claim was that morality is defined and established by the powerful and inflicted upon those whom they dominate. He further argues that new moral regimes can emerge out of a process of ressentiment, wherein those who are viewed as social inferiors by the powerful, and who have come to view themselves as socially inferior, develop a resentful hatred against those they view as elites — their “betters”. Ressentiment is not about class consciousness; it is about the revenge of the unworthy.

Ressentiment is characterized, in part, by…

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FOX News Embedded Reporter In Refugee Caravan Disputes President’s Claims

Posted on by under Election 2018, Global Issues, Political commentary, Re-blogs, Social commentary

I did not intend to publish an afternoon post today, but when I read this one by Gronda, I thought this information too relevant, too necessary to simply ignore. We need to spread this word, to let people know the TRUTH! Thank you, Gronda, for this timely and valuable information, and for your kind permission to share with my readers.

Gronda Morin

William La Jeunesse reports from Mexico (Fox News/screen grab)

FOX NEWS reporter William LaJeunesse who is an embedded in the midst of the refugee caravan is disputing the republican President Donald J. Trump’s claims that this caravan of refugees fleeing the violence in Honduras by heading towards the US -Mexican border via Guatemala are comprised of ‘bad peoples.’

On October 23, 2018, David Edwards of Raw Story penned the following report, “Fox News embedded reporter burns Trump on caravan criminals: ‘Most are driven by poverty and a better life.” 

Excerpts:

“Fox News reporter embedded with a caravan of migrants in Central America on Tuesday (10/23/18) knocked down President Donald Trump’s claim that most of them were “bad people.”

“Reporting from Tapachula, Mexico, Fox News’ William La Jeunesse told host Sandra Smith that the president had been wrong about the people traveling with the caravan.”

Image result for PHOTOS OF CARAVAN OF REFUGEES

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GOP Is Making Up Conspiracy Theories/ Lies About Caravan Of Immigrants To Cater To His Base

Posted on by under Election 2018, Global Issues, Political commentary, Re-blogs, Social commentary

When I read about Trump claiming there is another caravan of immigrants headed this way from Central America, that he has alerted the military, that he considers them a threat to national security, and furthermore that he thinks the democrats funded the caravan, I sighed and said under my breath, “Here we go again, and just two weeks before the election. Distractions, smoke screens and lies, lies, lies … more of the same ol’ same ol’.” And then I sighed again, for I knew I would need to write about this, though I did not want to. And then … it was Gronda to the rescue!!! Her fine post says all that I would have said, and probably even more.
I cannot repeat enough how important it is that we get this message out … there is no threat to national security from a group of people, mainly women and children, coming to the U.S. in hopes of surviving, in hopes of an opportunity to work hard to make a better life for their children. Please take time to read Gronda’s post, for she successfully de-bunks the lies that Mr. Trump is attempting to use to distract the voters in two weeks. Many thanks, Gronda, for writing the post that needed to be written!

Gronda Morin

Image result for photos of refugees on bridge between guatemala and mexico

We have heard all the lies being disseminated by the republican President Donald J. Trump that the there’s the real possibility that leftist groups have sponsored the caravan of refugees/ immigrants that are fleeing the violent ridden country of Honduras via Guatemala heading towards Mexico and then to the USA, to ask for asylum which is supposed to be a legal action.

The president knows that the vision of brown refugees, the majority being women and children on a bridge from Guatemala to Mexico scares the anti-immigration faction of his base to where he has to pander to their fear by painting many of them as being criminals, claims which past credible studies have proven to be way overstated.

Recently, he was heard saying that they are coming to the US, so that they can vote for Democratic Party candidates, which he knows full well is NOT TRUE. They. as…

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Hate Talk

Posted on by under Political commentary, Re-blogs, Social commentary

“These are the times that try men’s [and women’s] souls”, said Thomas Paine on 23 December 1776. What makes the times today so trying to our souls is, of course, the government that no longer represents the people, but even more disturbing is the way the head of said government is pitting us against each other. Our friend Hugh has written a piece that is well worth reading and thinking about. Are we falling for the rhetoric coming out of Washington to the extent that we are sacrificing our future? Thank you, Hugh, for your thoughtful and thought-provoking post.

hughcurtler

It has always been so: using emotive language to describe those people we detest reduces them to things. Such is the case with people we don’t happen to like — or want to kill in violent confrontations called “war.” Not long ago the Japanese were called “Japs,” and the Germans were called “Krauts.” We devise hateful names to describe those we hate and want to kill in the name of God and all that is good. It seems to work: it reduces human beings, as noted, to things to be dispensed with.

We now find ourselves living in a society in which our feckless leader has labelled his enemies in order to generate hatred of those things or people he has determined are his enemies — and therefore the enemies of us all. Thus are the Democrats now called “the party of crime. . .  too extreme and dangerous to…

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Let’s rise up

Posted on by under Election 2018, Political commentary, Racism & Bigotry, Re-blogs, Social commentary

I am very fortunate that among my male friends, there are very few misogynists, few who believe men are superior to women, or that women were put on this earth to be the playthings of men. Our friend Keith is among the most open-minded, fair men I know, and his post from two days ago is proof. As Keith points out, women are tired … of many things. And as he urges us … our vote must speak of our thoughts, of our tiredness, or our mindset. Thank you, Keith, for this caring post!

musingsofanoldfart

A terrific singer named Andra Day provided an anthem for women, but also forward thinking men as well. It is called “I’ll rise up.” Here is the final chorus which says let’s all rise up.

“Rise like the day
I’ll rise up
In spite of the ache
I will rise a thousands times again
And we’ll rise up
Rise like the waves
We’ll rise up
In spite of the ache
We’ll rise up.”

There has been a building crescendo worldwide, but especially here in the US, to say women matter. Women are tired of being taken advantage of by sexual predators, violent and controlling partners and men in power telling them what they can do with their bodies. Women are tired of people ignoring or demeaning them when they complain or accuse a violator. Women are tired of kitchen table issues like equal pay and healthcare gettimg ignored. Women are…

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President And GOP Busy At Work Gas lighting Public With Propaganda/ Fake News Campaign

Posted on by under Election 2018, Free Press Issues, Political commentary, Re-blogs

I don’t know about you guys, but I’m getting sick of the lies and bullying coming from the White House and the republican camp in general. It is old, tiresome and not even a little bit funny. Friend Gronda has written an excellent post de-bunking all of Trump’s and his minion’s claims about the women and democrats engaging in ‘mob rule’ … please take a few moments to read and absorb how we are being fed lies, lies, lies, and more lies by the bully at the helm of this nation. Many thanks to you, Gronda!

Gronda Morin

Dear Media and fellow Non Trumpian voters, please discount/ pay no attention to the republican President Donald Trump’s claims about the women protesting the confirmation of the SCOTUS nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh during the first week of October 2018, as the equivalent of mob rule. At his rallies and elsewhere, he has been describing these women as being out of control, creating conditions for violence. This contrived outrage is in the same category of all his other lies, with no basis in fact and reality, but designed solely to motivate his base to action.

In short, this is his way of grabbing added media attention, as even FOX TV is no longer televising his campaign rallies because the ratings for these events have dipped. But he never gives up. For example, on the 11th of October 2018, Kanye West, the rapper, with his mental illness in full display, was trotted out…

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Dear Republicans, Your Dark Money Days Are About To Hit A Roadblock

Posted on by under Election 2018, Political commentary, Re-blogs

In 2010, with the Citizens United decision that removed limits on how much money corporations could contribute to political campaigns, we saw the beginning of an era whereby wealthy corporations are pretty much able to buy elections. The ruling was the beginning of the end of election integrity. But this week, a small step was taken that may be a start toward returning a bit of integrity to the U.S. elections, and our friend Gronda has written an excellent, informative piece explaining it. Thank you, Gronda, for keeping us informed!

Gronda Morin

Image result for photos of americans for prosperity

Could the Republican Party be in receipt for even more negative news? Yes, as many donors of dark monies, (monies they can donate for political purposes anonymously), will have the cloak of anonymity taken away. Again, the courts have stepped in to rule that many of these donors will have to reveal their names to the public, even before the November 2018 elections.

Here is the rest of the story… 

On September 18, 2018, Paul Blumenthal of HuffPost penned the following report, “Dark Money Groups Will Have To Disclose Their Donors In Time For The Midterms” (“A court order invalidating a rule that kept some election spending secret is going into effect.”)

Excerpts:

“There may be a whole lot less dark money in federal elections after the Supreme Court allowed a lower court decision to go into effect on Tuesday invalidating a key regulation that created a loophole for…

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On Being Found Wanting

Posted on by under Personal, Political commentary, Re-blogs, Social commentary

Today, our friend Roger wrote a post that I have to share with you all. In the politically divided world we find ourselves in today, it is altogether too easy to wake up one morning and find that ‘we’ have become ‘they’, that our own voices are just as toxic as those with whom we disagree. Several times in the past year I have written a post, then scrapped it after a 2nd reading, realizing that it was more vitriolic than informative. Roger’s post speaks of his own struggles to remain above the fray, and his words, spoken from his heart, have value for us all. Many thanks, Roger, for sharing your thoughts and for your kind permission to re-blog.

Raging from the Lectern

Citizen present yourself before the tribunal….. 

Back in the good (that’s irony for all you humourless folk out there, of whatever political stripe) old days of Communist Rule, the powers in charge were very big on Critical Self-Examination. This meant some hapless person who had fallen out of favour got hauled up before a tribunal to confess whatever they’d been told to confess to if they really cared for their family or hoped they might get out in one piece. Having said they had been very, very wrong for whatever it was they had been told they had done wrong they would be shunted out to a firing squad, prison camp in the back of beyond, or if it was being blamed for the demise of the Committee’s potted plants simply sent to clean sewers with their bare hands for a while. No one considered ‘Not Guilty’ as an option.

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