THE LAST BLOCKBUSTER

     Wow, that article hit me hard. No, I have no stake in the company nor have any emotional attachment to it. It is just what it signifies. A once robust company that brought a huge selection of entertainment to the homes of people all over the world, that set up even a partial new way of life with that ease of picking up a movie or two and relaxing, and that company, and yes, that way of life appears to be gone.
     So today one can go on to Netflix or TMC or any of a number of sites which offer movies and other entertainment, but it is not the same. One does not look at it as almost a family ritual, settling down all together for movie night. Today everyone is off on their own, fiddling with their individual phones, texting rather than talking face to face and we have lost something.
     We have lost the ability to communicate, to discuss, to see the point of view from the other. And it is telling. The most egregious telling example is that found in Congress and in the world at large of politics. There is no more back and forth, only shouts and challenges and lies and claims of aggrieved innocnence or bias. What one side does, the other does and a misdeed on one side is exaggerated to the point of idiocy if only to make a point.
     That is not to say that there is not good cause to examine certain deeds or statements, only that we need to make choices and to grow up. A violation of election campaign laws done inadvertently by anyone on either side is one thing - pay the fine and go on. However, the purposeful violation of these laws to a huge degree does mean that there must be an investigation and consequences and I could care less if it is Trump - naturally - or one of the Democratic party. The fact that there is so much that falls on Trump's shoulders is because he did it. Period. Note that none of the so called defenders are denying the misdeeds, only that the information was obtained incorrectly or that there is a 'conspiracy' - and yes, there is. It is the conspiracy to return the country at least somewhat back to the Blockbuster days. 
     No one wishes to go back on the technology that has advanced, but we all are sentimental about the days of family togetherness, of conversation, of trust and responsibility, of at least an attempt at decency and honesty. Today there is an arrogance that emanates from the Trumpians, an arrogance that states that they are above the law, above the rules of society, especially now that he is president and of course, his children are not to be touched. Why not? They are adults, have opened their mouths, often inserted feet, and they are responsible for their misdeeds as much as anyone else in this group of miscreants and alleged lawbreakers.
     But there is one thing more frightening than ever. When the election was held, and we were hoping for remainng sane here in the countnry, Trump already began setting the table for protests, for complaints of false voting, of fraud, and refused to say for sure whether he would accept the results, either way Now that is frightening, but he ranted and raved and even when winning via the antiquated Electoral College, three days later he starts claiming he also would have won the popular vote if not for fraud and cheating. Really? It seems that among Republican states there are more organized campaigns to deny voter rights than in any other states. And now,already, Trump is setting the next table, claiming that the 2020 election will not be fair, for it is rigged against him and what does that mean for us? 
     It means that for the first time in our history after we won our independence ,we are now looking at the chilling possibility of civil war due to the unsuccessful attempt to keep and maintain order because that man refuses to concede and leave the White House, transferring power peacefully, legally, properly, and yes - in the American way. This supposed braggart of a patriot is actually not one at all and it would be to his benefit if he could indeed muzzle all the press other than Fox News or the rabid right wingers who back him, follow his BFF Putin and lock up all who 'criticize or disrespect the government and its officials' - scares the bejezzus out of me - and there goes America. The final blockbuster of a country which once stood for honesty, for humanity, for justice, for human rights, for progressive thinking, for aid to others, and for yes, defending all the principles for which our flag stood, and no, not by maniacally hugging a flagpole with a demented look on one's face.
    And remember, I am not the only one worried. More and more the papers, magazines, print and on line media are all mentioning this worry; it frightens me greatly and it should do the same to you. We need to return to the days of Blockbuster, at least for a bit and turn back to the right way, the American way. This is one instance where for sure I do not wish to say 'told ya' so! Never. No way. And yet.....