GOBSMACKED INDEED

     The dictionary definition of which is utter astonishment, being astounded. And that is precisely what I and many others are when it comes to certain actions and questions that cannot be explained by logic or by sensibly defined behavior and motives. So gobsmacked is what happens.
     Let us take up local gobsmacking. For years already we have been hounded that we need Internet here in the Village. We would die off if we do not get it for the younger and/or new people looking for retirement residences would not buy if we do not have it. So, Gobsmack number one. We do and did have internet and in fact, since we bought in 1998 we have had internet though I cannot speak for what went before. Gobsmacked at the lie!! Comcast has indeed presented us with excellent internet connections and has improved greatly over the years since 1998.
     Gobsmack number two coming up. The next thing we heard is that we need Village wide broadband and the only one who could provide it was first, DSL, a company that was a notorious failure in Boca CV so gobsmacked that David Israel kept pushing it until finally shut down by the common sense of the Villagers. But wait, there's more!
     Now we have the push to accept Atlantic Broadcast as our new TV and internet provider, as well as phone connections. They are the new kid on the block, no connections up here, basically in the Miami area and we have to assume they will be here on the time designated or we will be out TV and internet and I do not think Comcast will give a #$@% whether we are or not. Certainly not at that point since we would have dropped them - the largest company in this business!! And for the last two years of the contract with them just try getting service! Gobsmacked indeed at the lack of foresight and forethought here. And, by the way, Atlantic is a Canadian company so why do we not stick with the American one? Gobsmascked!!!
     And wait, still more. Go online and check the ratings of Atlantic. Bad indeed. The service, the connections, the fixing and the response - all for crap!! People said they were voting for it because there is a good TV deal here, better than Comcast. Not really, but let us ignore that. Gobsmacked indeed am I when I hear this because what happened to the cry that we need Internet or else we will fade off as a poor place to buy. So why will people buy when Atlantic is rated as ONE OUT OF FIVE on their Internet service and connection!!Comcast is THREE OUT OF FIVE so why are we giving this up. Oh, yes, for sure people will buy here because all they are looking for is  crappy internet!! Gobsmacked at this lack of logic and forethought. The whole thing just does not make sense! And it stinks to high heaven. Comcast seems to have angered David Israel because they were "snippy". Really!! First of all, what does that mean? And so what? Did they not treat him as the maven of all things internet related and is that why we are going to have major troubles for the next ten years because his ego has been hurt?! Really? Gobsmacked indeed if the DA votes to go only with Atlantic. Please, delegates, think carefully and do not simply follow the "leader' and leash as he pulls you  along for bad reasons. Otherwise, screwed indeed are we!
      And now for the national gobsmacking. We have, like it or not, admit it or not, an imbecile for president. He appears to have slept through all his school years and his common sense seems to have long ago dissipated. That is, if he ever had it in the first place. His ability to distinguish between his business and the nation's business seems to be severely damaged or non existent and he thinks he can run the nation like his business - bankrupt, abrasive and offensive to the common man. Gobsmacked I am at the number of people who fell for this and at the stupidity and outworn use of the electoral system wherein the popular winner was the loser! Gobsmacked!!
     The USA looked like a Third World country in this election as we allowed interference by outside agencies and people as well as Russia and Putin, Trump's best bro, his BFF, to influence the election. Now we are supposedly investigating at a snail's pace and this imbecile who knows nothing about our history - Fredrick Douglass apparently is still alive, Andrew Jackson was apparently able to reappear 16 years after his death to fret over the Civil War - guess he was worried he would lose his 150 slaves!! - a battle that never was seemed to need a plaque and  I am just gobsmacked that someone can remain so ignorant after all the years of schooling. Wonder if he wore out the dunce cap in school!! Sure seems to!
     But the biggest gobsmacking of all took place yesterday. I was speaking to what appeared to be an otherwise intelligent person and when the topic of the President's idiocy and lack of knowledge arose, this woman stated in all seriousness that there was a purpose to this all, to his apparent ignorance of our history and the fact that he opens his mouth to allow this ignorance to spew forth. Guess he is like G-d, for I was told that while we do not understand why he said this or did that, he has his reasons and one day we will understand! Truly! Gobsmacked! Gobsmacked! Gobsmacked!!
     So here we are, spending over $65,000 so Jared and Ivanka can go skiing, poor things needing a vacation from their hard work integrating the profits of their business to the business of government. Tsk, tsk. The Republicans are still trying to pass a repeal of the healthcare even as they keep losing votes as the Representatives realize that their constituents are just a tad unhappy at losing their healthcare coverage. Now, gee, wonder why that would be? Wonder why they thought all of us would be so stupid as to keep quiet about it?
     Need more gobsmacking? No problem at all. Glad to serve. Now we have a president who just loves to befriend dictators and murderers and keep quiet about others so Duterte was invited for a playdate, Putin, well, we know about him, and now there is going to be a playdate for them. Erdogan who appears to be putting half of Turkey under lock and key - sshhhh - nothing heard about that from the White House. Threats to allies. Nonsense about "the Wall" ad infinitum. Secret waivers for lobbyists even as this man boasts of draining the swamp, the very swamp in which he loves to slither, and every single one of his appointees has major conflicts of interest but who the hell cares is apparently the motto of the year!! Gobsmacked!!
     No wonder I was woken up with a huge migraine during the night that took hours and many pills to eradicate. All this gobsmacking is not good for body nor soul, not mine and not yours. For whom is it good - well, smell the swamp, look at the rich folk salivating at the thought of the money to come their way if this tax "reform" goes through.
     Enough gobsmacking and join the tens of thousands, the millions, who are marching and protesting, who are resisting - here in America - and let us fix our government before it is too late. I see the crack widening and that is not good news. We need to awaken those whose gobsmacking has smacked the sense right out of them. Peace and love - and common sense. That is what we need. But if you need entertainment, just watch for Trump's campaign ad - yes, never let it be said that he does not look to the future! - just watch and  see his portrayal as a superhero standing there watching out for us. Barf!!