SILVER LININGS AND SHAPELESS BLOBS

    Situations are fluid. In the world we live in right now we must look for some silver linings lest we allow ourselves to truly fall into a depression at what is happening to our country, our society. The top leader, the one who is supposed to be looking out for the citizens, is only interested in cutting benefits, in making life ever more difficult for those who need help or for those already living on the edge. When one is in that position, just a slight change can bring about misfortune and worse.
     I know what it is to live from paycheck to paycheck because for years, for decades, that is how we lived. We had no rich papa to support us, only examples of hardworking people. We budgeted and thought and bought with care, but there were always the concerns about what would happen if one brick went out of alignment. We both worked numerous jobs but expenses were what they were and thank heavens for charge cards! We did without governmental aid programs but imagine what it is like for those who are making it due to the help of these aid programs, who are feeding themselves and their children via SNAP, are keeping them healthy thru new coverage and via CHIP for their kids. What do they do when they are placed in a situation where they are frightened to death, afraid to come out of their homes lest they be snatched off the streets and shipped away.
     Did the world not already have times where people could be grabbed, shipped away and worse? Did we not already have times when people were starving, afraid to come out, persecuted due to country of origin or religion? Have there not been times when a mass of people were persecuted due to the actions of the few or because of people who happened to look like them due to shared ancestry? Are we back there again? It appears that we are. And worse, the vultures are haunting courthouses, the very place where people go to for justice, and snatching up their prey, you know, those dangerous brown skinned people who no, are not even Moslems, but have come from Mexico and Central American lands and who obviously pose danger to our country for G-d alone knows what plans they are hatching while they pick the fruit and vegetables we eat or fix our roofs or stock the shelves!!
     And to this mess we add the topping of shapeless blobs. What and who ae they? These are the Republicans who cannot seem to get their act together and stand in front of their "leader' and just say NO!! Was there not another campaign with that slogan? Perhaps it is past time that we revive it with a new slant. Our president is not sane, nor is he compassionate or caring for and about others. He would cut Meals on Wheels, scientific research at NHI, no subversive Big Bird, cut the Chemical Safety Board which tries to insure proper cleanup for chemical spills and disasters. But hey, what are a few hundred or thousand people poisoned by chemical disasters or ground waters ruined by spills? The Fat Cats will be okay and surely that is all that  matters. 
     But the Republicans like King just spew their hate and few publicly denounce them. We have Trump and his supposed advisers who just cannot keep their mouths shut and go rabid at the rulings which ruin their plans. Trump's awful promises are being shown up for the lies they were and are and he is going berserk. The Republicans themselves cannot find it within themselves to support his proposed budget and yet, they send thru the healthcare plan that would insure a lack of healthcare for Americans and why? That is where the blobs come in to play.
     These blobs are those Republicans who cannot seem to find several physical or symbolic portions of anatomy. They rummage around in their pants and cannot find the balls they need to stand up to hate and destruction, to prejudice and danger. Their constituents are left behind and just wait till these voters find out how screwed they truly are. Then what? I am afraid to think of that AHA! moment. And yet there is another lack in these people. The Senators are hoping that the House members shut this plan down for otherwise they will have to stand up, to put up or shut up and then take the consequences. Where the hell are their spines. These blobs, these Republicans, these advisers who are certainly not advising as they are spending their time trying to pull Trump's nuts out of the fire due to his mouth, are afraid to tell the truth, that their leader is naked!!
    So the silver lining? Well, there is a pull together movement that has spread across the nation, There are people reaching into their pockets and funding protests, funding fights against the hateful and hate filled new ideas and orders and plans. People of all walks of life are coming thru, coming together and ain't that great!! Right here in Palm Beach we have a viable and vigorous Indivisible group. This group, non partisan, whose only concern is for fair play, for a good and caring society, is ready, willing and able and already working towards these goals. Here is a link to them - http://www.palmbeachindivisibles.org/
     Here is a summary of what their plans are for the immediate future.

March 25 -26 PrideFest ...we will have a group march in the parade with our Palm Beach Indivisibles banner, and we will also have a booth for both days.  At our booth we are supporting the "I'll Go With You" Campaign by providing literature on the campaign, and I'll Go With You Buttons.  We will also be doing Voter Registration, and providing folks the opportunity to participate in the Palm Beach Indivisibles campaign "What I Fear".  This campaign is a series of short video letters of peoples fears.  

April 7 from 6-10 we are hosting a social for all Palm Beach Indivisible members.  We will be at Subculture Coffee on Clematis Street.  There will be a live band, and dj, and we will again allow those interested to leave their video letters for the What I Fear Campaign.  

April 8 from 10-11:30 am is our General Membership Meeting open to all.  We will be at the Palm Beach County Library on Summit.  

We are also working on a statewide Indivisibles campaign called "Where In the World is Marco Rubio"  These short videos will be shot by anyone who wishes to participate in our continued efforts to track down the Senator.  These videos will be put up on our You Tube Channel. 

     And finally, here is their Facebook page -

 www.facebook.com/events/715868675249744/ 

     There is a silver lining and we need to work hard at it and in the meanwhile, there are things you can do such as writing letters, planning events, taking part in them, marching on one of three days coming up- April 1, April 15 and April 22 - all days with meaning and titles. Go as an individual or join a group. 

     Whatever you do, do not lose hope. We will shape up the blobs or ship them out at election time and in the meanwhile give them hell. We will defeat the forces of hate that have arisen here and in the world. It will take hard work but the silver lining has produced willing and determined people. Join them. Join us. Be part of the solution.

And look for upcoming notices of future events.

DOES IT EVER END? AND NO, FALSE PATRIOTISM DOESN'T CUT IT

     It appears to be that I am trapped in rough seas between Charybdis and Scylla in the forms of Trump and David Israel. I would truly like to write more thought pieces but the antics of these two are just never ending, a tale that we wish would have an ending. It is time for the two if them to resign and go spout their nonsense where it cannot do any harm and where it does not oppose the ideas and laws that make America and the Village great, not their twisted idea of it, but the good and sound ones of the people, of the founders, of those who wish us to stay on the proper path. And they, the two of them, turn to patriotism, "making America Great" and songs of wars on David's blog - but remember, patriotism is also known as the last refuge of scoundrels and remember who in history has used false patriotism to lock up society!.
     And David Israel never seems to outgrow his crooked ways. He flouts the wishes of the delegates or bypasses them totally and then plays games with the committees by blocking any and all who would oppose him from either being a chair or even serving on the committee. Then he will ask why the person has not done anything for UCO. Later today I will post the series of postings from Olga's blog which relates how she has been fired, the chair of the Advisory has been fired and in fact, any and all who oppose David Israel in his tiny little mind have been fired but his yesmen remain.Truly funny if not so sad and not so bad for the Village. And then again he is working like a dog to insure that the new bylaws are weak and cannot oppose any of his wishes. Just as the country has weak and failing government people, so too does UCO right here in the Village and why does nobody volunteer, so much so that there are always pleas to do so? Because people cannot stand the man nor his lackeys and they do not relish the thought of his nastiness, of them being thrown under the bus. So the good work of some goes unnoticed, for truly, this is, to borrow a word from Trump - sad! Bad!
     And our infrastructure collapses as does the country's and there is no money to fix it. Our leaders are pathetic and selfish. And Trump never seems to give up on his stupidity. Snoop Dogg - hope I got the name right - does a song that pokes fun at Trump and the man actually pays attention and tweets about it? Get a life, you jerk. Go figure out how you are going to deflect the bad press re your healthcare and your tax revelations. Go figure out how to deal with Korea. Go figure out how long you have before there is rebellion in the streets. Strangers are hooking up with one motive - to resist, to achieve the downfall of the Trump administration and this man tweets. G-d help us, for the Devil is certainly having a nice romp, is he not?
     So it gets depressing at times to think about our situations and how long they will continue and if there will be anything left to salvage when they  are over and done with. What will be of the finer points of life? What will be of art and music, of culture and theater, of philosophy other than selfishness and what will be in healthcare where we will not even be able to treat two megalomaniacs in deteriorating condition?
     I recently read that we should learn that hatred  does not lead to anything good and we need to perhaps involve ourselves in positive talks, with mediation but I ask you - how is that possible when ethics plays no role in those camps an there is no one home to talk to? Empathy is a word unknown over there and ethics are ignored, violated without a moment's thoughts so that road will not work.
    Perhaps we need to take a bit more selfish path nd turn inward, turn to family and friends and good memories. Look at the old albums, you know, the ones with pages and actual photos, the one that kids just love to examine and talk about. It never fails that every time a grandchild or even a child comes over, out come the albums and of course, why are there no pictures of me, why did you dress me like that and we laugh and we cry and we forget the nasty outside world. Perhaps we need to encourage these others to look into old albums of themselves and perhaps they will find the innocence and goodness that came with them at birth. Worth a shot.
     Bluffing and shouting and threatening to sue someone for what they said, is all nonsense and not worth the hot air it sends out. Deeds, my friends, deeds, and Rachel Maddow had the right idea when she says she is not going to pay attention to the fool's tweets any longer - only to what he does - which is exactly the point I made the other day with the Great Deflector. All he does is make a mess and incite hatred and here we are back in court with his hateful and odious ban, his nastiness and his ever growing fascistic tendencies. And let us not forget poor NBC as Trump is berserk on them.
     And do not forget the now wonderful, oh so wonderful, budget proposed by Trump in his infinite madness and meanness. Much more for Defense, much more for homeland so they can build more jails to put more people in them as they "keep America safe' - that is safe from liberty, safe from the Constitution, etc.  and there is less money for his constituents. Oh yes, reap what you have sowed, dear friends, but unfortunately you have dragged us along with you. So....healthcare is all f*****up but no problem, people will die so think of the shrinking of the budget costs that way. Less money for rural areas to build water facilities and clean it up like you know, the small problems, like lead in the water. There will be less or no money to keep the smaller airports open but hey, who needs to travel what with all the fuss going on about it. After school programs, summer programs will have less funding as charter schools suck all the education funding up but then again, what do the poor people need programs for. Let them work. Job training - less funds, energy programs - less funds and fewer funds for clean air even as the ass cuts the fuel efficiency requirements. But then again, do you really have to breathe so deeply. Shallow breaths, friends, shallow ones. And as for legal funds, you know so you can get a lawyer when one is needed, well forget about that and its funding but then again, there will be so much less crime as people will stay home because they have no funds for fun and no energy to do anything anyway as they come off a full day's work in a no safety protected job with no breaks, bad air, dangerous conditions and no food aid for the kids and themselves. Wow, the increased law enforcement people will have more time to go after those dangerous immigrants and refugees. Such a pretty future under Trump!!
     So go look at a picture. Go share a memory. Go hug someone and then gird your loins for more resistance. Sorry, but that is the truth of it all.

OH BEAUTIFUL, FOR SPACIOUS SKIES .....NIX THAT!

      Once upon a time there was a pristine continent and on that continent was founded the United States of America. While it wasted some of the beauty, eventually there came a point when it was realized that we must maintain it, that we must keep our waters and our skies clear and clean, that we must not clearcut forests nor cut off the tops of mountains or frack so deep that earthquakes shook the land.
     We began to pass and enact rules and regulations meant to keep our land the best we could. We protected it against the careless use of chemicals, we passed laws regarding poultry and cattle, about clean processing of fruits and vegetables, for milk, etc. We made sure that chemical spills became a part of the past and not the present and when there were terrible accidents the mess was cleaned up as quickly and thoroughly as possible.
    Then along came Trump. This is the man who appointed men who think that climate change is a myth but actually I am sure they know it is true but prefer to ignore it in the name of making money, of ripping wealth from our land regardless of the harm it causes or the sicknesses it brings about. So there will now be beryllium in the water and I guess so what if people die from it, so what if children are sick unto death - after all, it will be quicker for them as they will not have any more health coverage so no useless procedures!
     And so what if the laws about poultry processing are abandoned. So what if salmonella grows apace. And how about the new plan? Trump is planning to regulate, to insure that climate change plays little or no part in anything made or done in this country. The "social cost" of carbon will play no role in any decision anymore so those amber waves of grain - forget it!! A healthy child in an industrial city? Forget it? And those coal miners who think Trump is the coming of the messiah? Well, there they go with black lung disease again.
    This administration has done away with all that is good for the Americans and  their country. He has given more power again to the CIA to drone bomb and wow, have they not done so well with it before? Terrorists yes, kill them, but children? Care in taking shots? Being sure that things are as they should be? Not happening is it?
     Almost every single social program is being cut. Millions and millions of dollars that would go to hungry children, needy people, sick people, to education, to job training, to literacy efforts, to food stamps, to seniors, to what ever one can think of - including women who go to Planned Parenthood for women's health issues. Forget about it all. Perhaps the truth of this proposed new healthcare and the fact that even the White house in its own study says yup, people will lose coverage but not 24 million - nope, 54 million and yes, it will cost quite a bit more for less for a number of years. Wow, such a bargain.
    So we have sick and hungry and dirty and homeless people living on eroded land, near filthy rivers with forests cut down so the Dust Bowl of the 30's will be a mere joke compared to what we will have but here is a bright spot - get a job as a servant or menial in the rich and palatial homes of the Fat Cats and you at least will get some food and a paltry salary so share that with your family as best you can.
    And yet one more beauty spot for our country. Wonder where they will place all the internment camps, you know the ones where the non white, non Christian people will be placed, to die, to work themselves to death or whatever is planned for them. Think it cannot happen? Speak to the American citizen who was choked nigh unto unconsciousness until he turned his phone over to Border police and gave them his password. It is happening right now.
     "This land is your land, this land is my land...."I wonder about that, I really do. So should you.
     And by the way, the same refrain can be slightly changed for this Village. "This Village is mine, this Village is Yours - it does not belong to only David Israel......"
     One would never know it by the way he and his act. Having any bright person as a chair who displays a bit of independence enrages the man who has no self control and off with the head of the chair and out with any that he opposes who are on the committee. So, RIP former Advisory Chair and RIP all that is right and just and fair in this Village and by the way - still a waitin' for my two committees, David, ya big lug, ya'!!! Any day would be fine and by the way, how do you hold an Advisory meeting on the day when the first seder is held at nite. People are busy doing more things and chores than you ever have so be polite and correct and change the date. Remember, once upon a time you, too, were Jewish.
     When I finished writing this last nite I thought that would be it but how could I not comment on the page of tax info on Maddow's show and on the rest of the news. So the tax return page does not show much detail other than that which simply proves the point, the man uses every trick in the book and we all know how real estate deductions can be a boondoggle for these big developers and/or owners and his pathetic cry that he paid sales tax and excise tax, etc. well, guess what - so did and do we all!! Anybody here not have to pay sales tax on perhaps their car purchase or a new set of furniture or whatever? His pleas hold no water as far as I am concerned and he paid in the 25% bracket! C'mon! Where do many of us pay?Truly! I am underwhelmed and perhaps we should hold a pity party for him and raise some funds to tide him over. And if one looks back on what is known about him, one can see that much of his deductions come about because of his pitiful business acumen or lack thereof as he drove his Atlantic City casinos and businesses right into the ground and used all that for years as n excuse not to pay taxes. Such a patriot! Such a man of the people! Such a quack and yet people still fall for it.
    This man means no good for the common man and just look at the truth of his healthcare bill, you should pardon the expression, The only people who benefit are the ultra rich who would somehow gain about $207,000. Yup, and the trend continues as Trump appoints more of his cronies to office, more Fat Cats and ignorant people, as his nominee for Supreme Court is now exposed as having many ties to Fat Cats I his neighborhood and what the hell are we doing?
     So where do we go from here as we sit here with an imbecile in office and an ethically challenged one as well who has paranoid fantasies and who make accusations with no truth to them and shouts investigation at every piece of stupidity he incorporates into yet another rant of his. His promises to provide a broad healthcare, to save Medicaid and entitlement programs - all have gone by the board. As expected and as I said, on line a news feed today used the term 'emperor with no clothes" - the same phrase I have often applied to this man and his program. Would rather not be vindicated and have a functioning president but it appears we are in for a mess. Well, perhaps on March 20, Sen. Graham will actually take the step he has been threatening and perhaps we will be on the proper road - that is if these Republicans have the guts and the backbone and the loyalty to their country over loyalty to their party, if they care  more for the citizens of this country than for their own power.
    Finally, will someone shut up that twerp Jr. and remind him who is paying for all his travels - we are, the taxpayers so perhaps he needs to examine his own self and cut his tweets too, like his dad should! Apples and trees and oh, do not forget the huge deal that the Kushner family is making with the Chinese now. Conflict of interest? Oh yeah!
     What a world. What a country. What is the future?

UH, TIME FOR THE ALUMINUM FOIL HATS?

     Okay, folks. We do know that there are many ways in which we can be hacked. We are warned about the phones, the cameras on the computers, our TVs, the smart ones anyway and scariest of all, the computers that run our cars can be controlled from the outside. But, folks, our microwaves are not watching us. Truly, or maybe we need to check our fillings in the teeth as well and yup, who knows what that nefarious dentist has truly implanted in our mouths. A dangerous world we live in.
     Anyway, if anyone wants to join in sending gifts of boxes of aluminum foil, heavy duty type, to Kellyanne Conway, perhaps we can all get together so we can double down on the shipping!
     Seriously, we all know by now that Trump is mentally and emotionally challenged. We all know he has difficulty in the intellectual sphere as well, in the managerial sphere and in any sphere one can think of, but now we also know that his crew are not only ethically challenged or downright crooks or hard hearted people with no care for others, but are they also inanely mentally unbalanced? And if so, what are we going to do about this? We must do something.
     In the meanwhile, lawyers galore are proving their worth as they double down on opposing and resisting Trump and the rest of his crazy Executive Orders and plans. Even Republicans are telling Trump to basically put up or shut up, either there is proof of his fantasies of being watched or there is not )truly there is none) and all that is left is his paranoia. The site Fact Checker cannot even figure out where Trump stands on many issues as he has flip flopped so many times.
     Unfortunately, at least  in the meanwhile, we have a culture that is now furthering and normalizing and even pushing hatred. The latest is the statement by Republican King of Iowa, you know, the state where there are more white extreme militias than anywhere else. And he is warning the countries of Europe and of course us, that we cannot wage war or protect our country with "somebody else's babies". I kid you not. So whose babies are these somebody else's? Are they black, or brown or red or olive or perhaps they are Jewish or Muslim or Bahai or speak with too much of an Italian accent or an Eastern European one? Who are these babies and why are they somebody else's and when asked by Chris Cuomo to explain his statement, King tripped over himself and could not deny the simple statement that he is pushing "white is right" and nothing else.
     Here in America we acknowledge that anyone born here is a citizen, that anyone born of a citizen is a citizen, that anyone who immigrates to our country and becomes a citizen is just that - a citizen and they and their babies are G-d forbid, are the ones who will defend our country.
     And what do we do with the latest wave of violence and vandalism against LGBTQ centers across the nation? What the hell is the matter with us and the people within this country? Have we all lost our minds? Have we all lost any semblance of decency? Have we all just been waiting for an excuse to hurt and harm? A report just came out that said that hate crimes have risen over 20% in 2016 fueled by the hatred incited by the election campaign. Some cities have risen over 62%.  People are now being forced, even using physical force, to turn over their cellphones at border crossings to be searched and these are CITIZENS.
If you are not yet shivering in your boots then I cannot understand how deep the hole is in which you have your head!
    The stink of hate, the stink of danger, the stink of the cruelty that mean and ignorant and selfish people bring with them ,these stinks are growing ever stronger. Unlike on the TV show Colony, we do not need aliens to destroy us for we appear to be doing it ourselves. Do we need to run thru all the movies and shows that have portrayed this unequal America where the very small percentage live one way and the rest struggle along in a state of poverty, fear and indeed, slavery? Nope, for all we have to do is pick up a paper or turn on the news via any media and see the truth. Charles Blow calls Trump the most ignorant president ever and he is being generous.
     Our country and its history, all that it stands for is in danger. Those who voted for Trump, admit the error, face the truth, quit the ridiculous and blind excuses and face up to it all. The man and his crew have to go. They must - for all our sakes.

IMPLOSION!!!

     A house divided against itself and all that. Remember? Well, I know not what else to expect here other than the implosion of this house seriously divided against itself. Implosion will not be pretty and in fact, it is not pretty already. Besides the shame of it all, besides the ugly picture we are presenting to the world as they look at us with horrified and wondering eyes, thinking, "what have they been drinking or smoking?", besides all this, we need to ask ourselves just what the hell is going on and how we have gotten here. But even more important is the answer to the question of how do we get outta here?
     We are now developing into a hate filled and hate split nation. Everyday we wake up to more hate events. Swastikas painted on a person's home. Old canards being resurrected. The homes of Indians being burned because some moron thinks they are Muslims as if that was justification of it and now there is an expressed and explicit fear that in the rush to increase immigration officers so we can make our country 'safe" by throwing out all the south of the border people who had the temerity to hope for and build a better life here, in this rush we are hiring those who should be beyond the pale and not even in the hiring picture at all. These are the same guards who would have done well at Auschwitz and Bergen - Belsen, who would have patrolled the streets of the ghettoes just fine, who are open to the bribes and to the threats, to the use of the weapons and force. What the hell are we doing? What? It scares the living daylights out of me. We even have had the KKK sign being hung  in a small town. What are we doing? Trump, what the hell have you done, what jar have you opened, what pathway into hell have you prepared?
    Part of the problem is the paranoia central to this administration, that and the fact that they believe that no rule applies to them. So they can call Preet Bharara though contact between White House and Federal prosecutor is a no no. And what was the call about supposedly? The crazy Trump wanted to tell Bharara that he was doing a great job - and then kick his ass out!!
     And then of course, besides there being all sorts of tapping going on in Trump Tower and who knows where, like hey, maybe the flags on the holes of Trump's golf course in West Palm, now Conway, that utter twit, states there were all sorts of nefarious deeds of watching going on. Even the TVs were being used to watch. Paranoia!! Yes, some people are mentally ill, need meds, but these people should not be in the forefront of the present administration, the one running the country.
     And let us continue watching the implosion and watch ever more closely as the ultimate plans of Trump et al come to fruition. It began with the nominees and their utter unsuitability for these positions. And now it continues. The following paragraph says it better than I. "The spending budget Trump is set to release Thursday will offer the clearest snapshot of his vision for the size and role of government. Aides say that the president sees a new Washington emerging from the budget process, one that prioritizes the military and homeland security while slashing many other areas, including housing, foreign assistance, environmental programs, public broadcasting and research. Simply put, government would be smaller and less involved in regulating life in America, with private companies and states playing a much bigger role."
     Yes, folks, this is what is to become of "these United States".
No longer will we look out for those in need.
No longer will we work towards improving life for all.
No longer will we work towards improving our natural environment and indeed, even perhaps turn back some of the damage.
No longer will we care for children. Nope.
No longer will we do anything but watch and see how we have turned over the government and the entire country to the Fat Cats, to the very swamp critters that Trump spoke of, the lying bastard!
     Implosion is not pretty. It is not good. It is  not pleasant. I had my own personal implosion yesterday as my foot swelled again within the cast and I could not breathe, could only sit and panic as my pressure shot up again and my heart went bonkers. It is a panic inducing thing, this implosion, particularly when one cannot think or figure out what to do and it is  Sunday in Florida, a bad day to need help. Thank the Lord above my surgeon is a wonderful person and answered my calls to her personal phone. Thank the Lord above that Good Sam did a yeoman's job yesterday but do not think that the panic is not still there, that the fear of this happening again is not front and center still. Implosion is not pretty nor is it good for the state of the human body or the body politic of the state.
     I believe that we have implosion building here in the Village as well. We have too many people who are asking questions, too many for David Israel and his posse and hate filled people to designate as discards by calling them names. Too many people who now want to know just what the hell is going on. Implosion can be avoided if the UCO offices are opened up, if David stops throwing people under the bus as yet another long time UCO volunteer has left due to nasty politics. It can be avoided if David stops this childish blocking of people, including me, from taking my rightful place within UCO and serve on committees. But no, he will continue to play these silly and dangerous game until implosion.
     And the Trump administration thinks that it, too, can do as it wishes and change the body politic of our country, our beloved America. Oh, they will try and they will succeed to a certain point, but at the critical point, at the proper critical mass, there will be implosion. I pray to G-d that we avoid that and get rid of this man and his destructive views and crews before it is too late.

LIVING LA VIDA LOCA!!

     It is indeed easier to believe that we are in the middle of a movie or song than in real life. The guy at the head of it is just nuts, but more alarmingly, he is dangerously nuts. Alec Baldwin did another master feature last nite on SNL but the sad truth is that while in jest, it is horrifyingly true. Oh, not the aliens, but the attitude toward handling a crisis and the non sequiturs of this man, the uselessness of him in any important issue or manner and his ego concentrated thoughts.
      What is not so funny is the police state that we are evolving or rather devolving into. More and more information on websites is being taken offline, all the better to allow for his dangerous plans, the dangerous plans of the GOP, to come to fruition with no way to get around it or pass information through, So there is a huge network of librarians and researchers and skilled techies who are archiving so that the information does not vanish. Tie this in with the man and his crew shrieking about unfair media and your hair on your neck should be standing up.
     And it does not end there either. There was a night, or rather a day, of the long knives, and 46 federal prosecutors were asked to resign. One had the courage to defy that and so he was fired,.This man was an example par excellence of what a good and true prosecutor does and was a fearsome figure to the corrupt. Hint, hint. Wonder why he was fired? Getting too close to the corruption and treason to be found in Trump's administration? I think so, I most definitely do. Preet Bharara is certainly a man of honor as opposed to Trump et al.
     Trump cannot stay on topic unless it is about his love/hate relationship with Arnold or anything else to do with him. He wanders the White House looking for a smile from tourists and now we hear that Tillerson is being cut out of political and  foreign negotiations and who is there at all these meetings? Why none other than the unelected shadow president, the young whippersnapper who was never elected, Jared Kushner and Ivanka shows up as well. These people are not the President nor is Bannon and they act and cut out Trump from the loop. Guess they know better than all of us how uselessly dangerous he is in real life and how useless he is at making decisions that do not rest upon hate and veniality.
     In fact, the entire administration is rife with crooks with conflicts of interest and people who are diametrically opposed to the values that their departments stand for. So the FDA guy is one who has had long relationships with drug companies and every single one of these appointees or nominees smells to the high heavens and yet there they go straight into office and there go our protections. Never mind La Vida Loca - we are living the real disaster movie never made before - the disintegration of the United States of America.
     How much more of our rights and constitutional privileges are we going to give up? How many more disastrous weeks is it going to take for a political power to say enough! Let us now get him gone. Will it take a revolution in the streets? Will it take four years during which we, the USA, will become a third world disregarded contemptible country. Will it take years during which our population dies off, but guess that does not matter since they are the poor and hence the unworthy. Will it take years during which the world unites against us and cuts us off from trade and we return to the days of charcoal and hand products as we cannot get new parts nor new materiel from the rest of the world? And make no mistake about it - this is where we are headed and seriously, I really do not know if we could ever come back from that. Now just think about the rest of the world and what becomes of it when it loses the moral compass and power of the USA. Yes, we are not perfect, but till now we have led the fight for the rights of all humanity, for moral behavior, for aid to those in need, for programs such as the Peace Corps and Volunteers for America. So who will now feed the hungry children of Appalachia and indeed the rest of the country  and the world but oops, my bad, they do not matter for they are the poor. They do not want health care. They do not want to feed their children. They just want Trump. Ask him, for he will tell you the very same thing.
     We laughed at him in the campaign. And we laugh at him now but who will get the last laugh? Will it be Ryan in his madcap and obsessive fight to repeal the ACA and impose the tremendously unfair and just bad plan of the GOP? Will we all be living in a hand to mouth world? You see, humor is the spice of life but there is a great deal of truth in humor and we need to start seeing that as well. There are numerous organizations out there who are organizing, protesting and refusing to just lay down and die. Go to Indivisible or idnyc.gov. Help an immigrant, Help a terrorized mother afraid to be separated from her children. Speak out and up. Protest the harm to the environment. Sit in again. We did it before and we can do it again. We got rid of presidents before with the power of the people and we can do it again. There is hope, but it needs human power, a human engine to achieve that hope and its results.
     And do  not forget local politics as well. Write to Brian Mast who tells us he is concerned with health care? Really? When you stated that you were a Trump person all the way? So write to him, demand that he vote for his constituents and not his own self.  Write to Rubio.Write to all local people for there are state laws that can counter the federal destructive trends. And do not forget our own UCO and the bad for us administration of David Israel where here too hatred and words of nastiness are encouraged, where there is exclusivity rather than inclusiveness. It all begins with the man in the mirror - you. Do not disappoint us. Do not forsake your grandchildren.
And by the way, where are the tax returns?

LANGUAGE - PAY ATTENTION

     I used to think that George W. Bush had a talent for mangling language, but brother! I think he now falls way behind Trump and the Trump administration. As one who used to teach Language Arts, as one who used to teach students how to precision tool their words, the importance of rules of grammar and spelling in presentation, I am offended by the careless or even dangerous use and misuse of language and terminology, the misspellings in tweets that are then deleted and fixed up - sometimes with more errors - and am offended by the nastiness of the language. The picture we now present to the world is ugly, illiterate and nasty as all get out.
     Trump's mouth has a nasty button that will not shut up as is the case with his stupid button, his illiterate button. Simple words such as tap or hereby are misspelled and then erased, against the law by the way. His words and those of his henchmen inspire hatred that appears in renewed oral and physical attacks on Jews, on Muslims, on women, on immigrants and the effect is seen worldwide. Today, in Bulgaria, there is a vigilante group scouring the border for immigrants and refugees. Memories of native Ukrainians or Poles or French scouring the cities of Europe, the countryside of Europe for hidden Jews rise to the surface. Will we in America be far behind? We already have had hundreds, yes, hundreds, of incidents here in the USA so where will it end? Will one of those hoax calls turn real with a bomb going off in a community center and the bodies of babies, of children, of seniors, of workers then be brought out, carried out and what, will the world then cry crocodile tears?
     We need to watch the use of language and what it means. When we devalue it we devalue other values and we forget to hear and feel the impact of those words. So in Italy there is a major scandal in the Church with priests participating in sex orgies of all types, in prostitution, because they have ignored the words in their oaths, in the Bible, in their organization. Here in America we have the president saying that torture is okay and Sessions saying that oh yes, Guantanamo is a fine place. Really? Does he wish to vacation there, perhaps have a peek or two into some torture? The stressing of "radical Islamic terrorism" is harmful as it turns off half the world and pushes an entire group into one nasty category. The term leaves out the radical white terrorism or any other terrorism as well. Unfortunately, they too exist in this world.
     We have a congressman who states the following: “There is a group of people that just don’t want health care and aren’t going to take care of themselves.”
He added that “morally, spiritually, socially,” the poor, including the homeless, “just don’t want health care.”
     I swallowed real hard at that one. Are we back to the supposition and belief that if one is poor one is worthless, of no value, and deserving of whatever troubles he/she has? If G-d has not seen fit to allow them to enter into a moneyed class they are therefore, ipso facto, worthless? Shudder at that, folks, shudder hard.
     Then we have the wonderful Congressmen in Washington who truly are humanitarians and care so much about their fellow men and the emphasis is on men, that they are arguing about having maternal and pre natal care in any healthcare program for after all, men have never given birth!! Truly. I kid you not and would that at least a few men would become pregnant and carry that fetus to term and then have a birth experience. Ha!! Wow, would things change around here! So we have the same ignorance, the same arrogance, the same misogyny and it shows up in the sex scandals of the websites on ALL the armed Forces branches. But make sure that Viagra is covered for men certainly need to release, do they not? I am nauseous. But not surprised. Not at all.
    “corporatist, globalist media.” a global power structure.” Bannon promises the “deconstruction of the administrative state.”  This is the new language we are hearing, a scary language which has echoes of fascism, of nativism, of a virulent populism that should shake one to the very roots. These terms are exclusionary and hateful. They ring in one's mind as reminiscent of terrible times in the history of the world and yes, even here in America. Bishop Fulton Sheen, extremist evangelical sects and militias, stormtroopers of the Bund, Charles Lindbergh, America First - all tied together and just look at the language as it spreads its poison throughout the world. Are we to say and accept that hatred has come to stay, that we should just accept it as people say, grin and bear it? That gets a resounding NO!!!!
     We now have crooks and ethically challenged people in positions of power, in positions that allow them the right and power to dismantle all that had gone before, to ruin the air and the water, to destroy the land and the forests, to take away protection from workers and women and men, yes, men, and the poor and the refugee and the sick and the elderly and of course, the children, who will grow up in a world where food is not a given and health care is for sure not a given either. Nor will education be there either; just ask DeVos! We have liars who lied to Congress and then yowl unfair when they are caught. We have outright figures who work for foreign governments even as they were appointed to positions in the Trump administration and what does Trump do? Why he has Spicer deny any and all knowledge of that. So Trump is either the true ignorant fool who knows nothing - and oh yes, that part is true, or Trump is a malignant tumor on the American people as he knowingly appoints people who should not be there. And thank G-d there are people who will take up the baton, carry on in the race and take these people to court. So we have those who file against the ban. We have those who fight against Sessions and the ACLU lawyer who takes him to court and we have the sanctuary cities and we have more and more people who are waking up to the truth and the disaster we have wrought.
    So whether Trump is being investigated and he suggested it himself, thereby inviting the thought and indeed the knowledge, that if he were indeed being investigated it is because the special court and judge found justification for that in the evidence presented to it. It is not easy to get that warrant for tapping and yet he is screaming to the heavens. Foolish man. But then again, we knew that already The further question is to realize that he is a dangerous and corrupt man, an ignorant man who wishes to bring his benighted world down upon the rest of us. And his representatives in public are no better; hence we get this from Spicer:
    "When reporters asked him to reconcile the difference between his statements, Mr. Spicer insisted that there was none.
“Right, I mean I don’t know that they’re not interchangeable,” Mr. Spicer told reporters. “I’m not aware, I don’t believe. Look up in a thesaurus and find some other ways, but I don’t know that there’s a distinction there that’s noteworthy. But we’re not aware, I don’t believe that that exists.”  Huh? Say what?
That beats the awkward statements of Bush any day and at least I knew that Bush was and is a patriot with the welfare of his country foremost in his mind. Yes, he made mistakes, but this dude? Oh my!!
     Congressmen and other political figures are already discussing not impeachment, but the use of Amendment 25 which provides for the replacement of the president for lack of ability to carry out his responsibilities and Congress can do that thereby bypassing the Cabinet and all those spineless and ethically challenged people. The question is, though, will the spineless and unmanned people of Congress actually do that or will they keep thinking Party over Country? Whatever will be, we need to know that if nothing is done or the wrong thing is done, the many wrong things are done, then with the newly aroused spirit in people who will not take this sitting down we do not know what will be. I say again, along with others, wiser and smarter than I, that armed rebellion, fighting in the streets, a sharply divided country is not out of the picture.
     Wake up, America. Hear the clear clarion call. No one has the right to say that he/she does not get involved in politics. Too late for that. Way too late.

SHAME ON US - FOOLED MORE THAN TWICE!

       Right under our noses. We hie off after red herrings and while we are otherwise occupied, Trump is a busy little beaver inserting his followers into office. And what a crew they are.
We have a survivalist who has invented a packbow - some gizmo like a bow and arrow so one can  survive when the world collapses. But hey, I thought there was no climate change or is the end of the world going to be because some fool pushes the button? Well, be assured, this dude is prepared for it all - or so he says. We have a Breitbart commentator and no, other than Bannon! So lucky we are! We have a conspiracy nut who took to the waves insisting that Hillary was ill, she wore a wool coat everywhere, and don't you think that the media took up the clarion call that Hillary was ill? Remember? What we do to ourselves.
     Don't forget all those swamp critters, yup, the lobbyists that he has placed in office and of course, the high school grad - fresh off the stage from June. These people are inserted into the nitty gritty jobs, the ones which hold the local power and the ones who will be rooted in our governmental machinery and all the while we think we are so clever as we shout about his Cabinet people. Hell, they could go away and he will just find more and all the while under the table, there are his other appointees, all fine representatives of the extreme wing of society. Shame on us that we have allowed this.
     And the deflection goes on. There is serious impact  and implications from his dealings with Russia and its officials and yet what is everyone talking about now? Why how Obama got an impossible to get warrant to tap his phones. And the race is on!! Look at the horses out of the gate. Calling for information, calling for an investigation  - of what? It does not exist!!! This is merely Trump et al at his best. Deflect and deflect. There is a truth about you coming out, well, just tell a bigger story, a better lie than ever so people will drop the first and go for the second. So what now, a search for the emperor's new clothes that do not exist? Yup. Just read the papers and see what is happening and by the way, if there actually was a warrant issued it was because a special court and judge approved it because there was heavy proof of foreign entanglement so Trump should watch his back. Yet the shouting now is about Trump's trumped up claim and what a bunch of fools we be. Hopeless, as we allow a deranged man and his followers to lead us by our noses and put our brains into sleep mode.
 Ugh!! Enough of him and his this morning and back at the ranch what do we have. Why we have Lanny Howe, that great apologist for David Israel, writing another fallacious article re the whole broadband issue. The delegates just overwhelmingly said go Comcast, but nope, here we are, still arguing Atlantic and pray tell, does it not make your nose twitch and wonder what is in it for these people? Why does David Israel compliment Lanny on this article and then plump for it to go in the paper? Smell a rat?
     Take a look. Lanny says we are better off with Atlantic because it will end in 2027 rather than 2029 for Comcast. Uh huh, but it will also start two years earlier, so the range is the same and oh dear, one more point. Just how do you think Comcast will react during those last two years of their contract with us if we go with Atlantic. Think they will rush over to help? I don't think so!! And Atlantic says they will have a tech on grounds? Wow! I am underwhelmed! One tech for the Village? So, what, waiting time for a repair will be how long exactly? Two months? Two years?
     Lanny threatens us by stating that if we do not go with Atlantic we will be lost. Why? Because then Comcast will see they have no competition so they will be mean to us. Right, Lanny. Great business head you have. What we should do is grab the Comcast offer while it is there and stop with this Atlantic already. And by the way, first we heard three years were necessary for them to entrench themselves and now we hear 18 months. What next? Nine months, just like a baby and the baby being us for being the fools even as something passes from one hand to the other!!
     Now Lanny states so knowledgeably that oh, they really do not have to dig a trench for they can lease things already in place. Huh? What is already in place and if it is there then who maintains it so if it breaks do we have to go thru Atlantic or some other unknown or does it take several days and weeks to go thru channels? Just look at what you are stating. The fact is that we never should have started this in the first place as the premises were illegal and against our by laws. David Israel had no right nor permission to negotiate broadband for the Village. He certainly had no right to sign a contract for a half million dollars with CSI. That is grounds for a charge of fiduciary irresponsibility and who knows, perhaps charges that could demand fines or worse. Not a lawyer, but it behooves one to ask that question. Even supposing, a big supposition and a bigger if, that only good was meant, it is and was still wrong and a dangerous precedent to set for future officers and presidents of UCO and yes, there will be other presidents.
     So, please, David and Lanny, spare us this nonsense in the paper; it needs a lot of work already so do not add more damage to it. And please do not try to pass off your own writing for that of Lanny who what, suddenly has become a techie maven? Yup? Want the bridge or the tunnel?
     Oh, one more thing. I handed in four requests for committees and the possibility of serving on them. Last time I was on the Board, David, you had a fit and swore there was no room or place for me in UCO. Well, now I will take up more room with my wheelchair, but where are my applications? Last time you threatened the chairs, commanding that they not appoint me a member and even one  tough lady backed down under your threat so what now? Do I have to search the circular and rectangular files in UCO to find my discarded and neglected requests? Or do I have to raise this issue at the meetings including the delegate assembly? Your call, dear friend, your call, but my decisions too. And you know I do not go away, do I? My responsibility is to serve the people and I will fulfill that any which way I have to. I prefer the civil way. What about you?
     I await your response. Could be interesting. And meanwhile I will occupy my time watching, thinking, calling out Trump, you and anyone else I feel needs it for this is America!
    

WHAT ARE WE? WHO ARE WE?

     It is disheartening. Growing up and as an adult, I was very proud of my country. I spoke of patriotism to my kids, to my students and proudly sang the patriotic songs and said the pledge. But today, today is another story.
     I still love my country and that is why I am in such spiritual pain at present. I do not recognize my country any longer. Where has it gone? What has happened to it? Where has its heart gone? Its soul? What has happened to the leaders, to those who pledge public service as their career? When has it become the corrupt and uncaring country it is today. When have we insisted on putting labels on everything and everyone and most awful of all, when has it become Party over Country?
     Once upon a time we stood as the beacon which lit up the world, which lit a candle of hope for the world, particularly the downtrodden, the oppressed. They came here by the millions and contributed to building this country. Labor unionists , social workers, inventors, manufacturers, capitalists, doctors, lawyers and yes, even crooks. And no, Ben Carson, not the slaves. Yes, they came but not quite the same way, shall we say? And while we did not always welcome them, each generation, each wave of immigrants, seeming to have to overcome the prejudice against them, by generation two they were on the American path to progress. So what has changed?
     We have exaggerated our problems. Yes, there are terrorists in the world but yes, there have always been terrorists, people advancing their cause by violence and hate. It appears to be a way of our imperfect world but there is not a terrorist under every bed just as there was not a communist under every bed! We need to take a good long look at what we have wrought. Now every immigrant, every refugee seeking haven on our shores appears to be seeking to do us harm according to some. That does not make sense nor is it true. We have the ability to vet the incomers and we should have the heart and soul to absorb illegals for make no mistake about it, while there are illegals who definitely deserve deportation, there are also bad dudes among our citizens. And all along we have had people who have overstayed their visas or jumped ship or walked across the Canadian border too! We are not the worse off for all that!
     But today we are narrow minded and mean. We target the helpless, the poor, the working and the unemployed, the barely making it people, our own citizens as well. We try to convince them that taking away their health coverage is for their own good. We insult them by saying they can choose between a smart phone or medical coverage, the same people who are struggling to put three meals a day two days in a row for themselves and their kids. The world has changed, yes, but our job, our responsibility, is to help others catch up with the world, not do them in, not be nasty and just plain mean. Philosophy is one thing, but reality is another and they must be made to mesh. That is America! Why has that changed? Where has the empathy with others gone? It is certainly not within our supposed leaders. That's for sure.
     We have chosen unwisely. We have chosen mean and petty people, those who look out for themselves and the maintenance of their power. They forget the people. They forget goodness and humanity. They even have lost their minds and yet we allow them to serve in office. Oh, people whisper in corners, but where is the bold and righteous soul who can stand up and say, yes, there are no clothes on the emperor and we must quickly check him and others for the truth.
     How can we justify a mad person who tweets as an adolescent without thought, or reason or care. Alec Baldwin had it right when he said  that Trump is missing the intellectual, physical, or spiritual strength to do it right. Hence we have the insane hours of tweeting, the overblown language, the sheer nastiness. Frankly, it is the language and behavior of a person in the throes of dementia. It is the behavior and voice of one who orders nastiness as easily as a hamburger! Or meatloaf!
     Today we are sending law enforcement officials after truly scary people, like a young lady who spoke of her fears of deportation, especially after her brother and father were taken and guess what? She was targeted and taken too and so was another DACA kid. Where are we? What have we become? Are we truly going to give up our right to free speech? Are we so ready to trade it in for what exactly? The chance to have nuclear war with North Korea? The chance to destroy the economy of the world by starting an impossible trade war when the economies are so intertwined and one product can contain materials from five or more countries? What are we doing? What have we become in the name of security? When have we developed such hate? Why are we so fixed on labels.
     I supported and helped organize the Women's March here in the Village along with a wonderful group of women. We are not flaming liberals and I daresay we even have differences amongst ourselves yet we are all named as extreme left wing people and it is truly funny. No, I am not left and certainly not extreme in my viewpoints. Yes, I value courtesy. Yes, I value truth. Yes, I am a social liberal and feel that we have a responsibility to all in society, to help them and to aid them in improving their situation. But I am also a political conservative when it comes to foreign policy though again, I daresay that I am out of step with these hate mongering war mongering people  who call themselves conservatives.
    The world had turned upside down, Those who voted for Trump have come to the realization that he is not good for them or for anyone. They are realizing that he has screwed them in healthcare and they will have to pay more and get less, if they can even afford to pay. They will have fewer social programs and a greatly depleted safety net. There will be nastiness and uproar, feuds in the White House, aides who do not understand nor can control their esteemed leader. And what more? What else?
    And worst of all is that we have lost ourselves. We have lost America. And while it is wonderful to see that we have thousands upon thousands ready to stand up nd protest, we need the representatives of these people to stand up too. America was founded on principles and on the courage and strength of those willing to fight for it. Is that where we are now? The despair is setting in for if Trump is not deposed then what will happen. I do not think that we will sit idly by and allow America to disappear, so what then? What then? Who are we and what have we become? Would that you could answer me. Would that you could reassure me.

NEW UNDERSTANDINGS, NEW THOUGHTS, NEW FEARS

     Every day yet another revelation, and not a good one either. Some days there is a plethora of revelations and the world spins as we wonder what the hell is going on and where will this all end.
     Sitting in a doctor's office yesterday, we all began to discuss current events and to a one, every single one, Trump's name was mentioned with a laugh and a shake of the head. Never before have I seen such disrespect and contempt for a sitting president. Even if one did not particularly like one, there was  always some respect for the position, for the man's thoughts but here - uh uh. And yet beneath the laughter there was a fear, a growing fear as to what will be in the future.
     And these fears are justified. The "new' medical bill is out and what a disaster. And of course, it screws the poor and the elderly. Such a shock!! Prior and chronic conditions will demand much higher payments, exactly the people who cannot afford this along with the additional expenses of their conditions, but there ya go again - sock it to the needy, the poor, the aging and let the rich rejoice. That is Trump and that is why there is that  underlying fear.
    Yesterday we watched American Pastoral, a movie that mainly spoke of the disaster wrought upon America and its families during the Vietnam War Era, during the battle for Civil Rights and battles these were. Americans were fighting in the streets, beating one another, even killing one another. There was a snarl in voices and a loss of recognition that we were all one country. Now these same people are sitting beside us in the theater but what a journey and these same people have a sense of deja vu and a sense of fear. Will we all fight in the streets again? There already has been fighting and where will it all end?
     The signs are not good. There appears to be no talking with extremists and the daily stupidity and cupidity of Trump et all simply reinforce the thoughts. The man lies, as naturally as brushing his teeth. The Park Service released pictures of Obama's inauguration and Trump's and what a surprise - Trump lied and his crowd was so much smaller. But what matters is the fact of his ever growing turn towards lies and accusations. There is no dealing with such a man.
     Neither is there any way of dealing with a bunch of old white men and a stupid woman who thinks that black colleges were begun as a matter of choice rather than necessity. So they copy their old company's press release a la Tillerson and ExxonMobil and think no one will notice. They bring the wealthy and the powerful to Trump's private clubs and refuse to release the guest list as is supposed to be done. We have government by money and cupidity and stupidity - a true back to the future of past American history. Not a good thing. Warren G. Harding must be laughing with glee in his grave.
     His aides and appointees turn themselves inside out trying to explain the latest Trump gaffe, be it from him or a member of the crew. The latest -  Ben Carson, in his infinite stupidity talks of how the slaves came here with hope in their hearts to see a better life for their descendants. Huh!! That is a new one on me. So the chains and the horrific conditions on the ships were comparable to the steerage passengers of the waves of immigration? And I suppose the weight loss camps and programs of today are also then comparable to the diet of concentration camps as they too lost weight and of course, the Japanese internees loved going to their new holiday camps out in the deserts of America. It just boggles the mind!!!
     One person said that he and his family had specifically gotten American passports, become naturalized citizens, because holders of these passports were treated with respect throughout the world. And yet today I wonder. What will be? We are treating people from other countries with such disrespect, such mass suspicion, that there will certainly be a backlash and then what? Will we all be hiding our American passports? Will we all stay home, cowering from the world? Will we have created a new mass of enemies? Think about it. Even Iranian ships are challenging us again, North Korea's resident nutjob leader is making his threats and is crazy enough to make good on it and here, why here we also have a crazy dude who is just as likely to push a nuclear button as not.
     The man relies on crazy right wing extremist rants, twists things to fit his twisted mind and the cascade of stupidity and  its harm keep a growin', day by day, hour by hour. The odds in the British betting shops are now over 50% that this man will be impeached or more. Is this what we should be presenting to the world as our leader? G-d help us all but this man needs to go, he and his crew, before they take us too far down their wacky and dangerous pathways and there is no coming back. The situation is dire and if you prefer not to believe me, why then just pick up any paper, listen to any sane news station and read, listen and think. I just hope that G-d does not throw up His hands as well at this mess.

THE GREAT DEFLECTOR

     The Great Deflector. The Great Pretender. The Great Liar. The Great Incompetent. Shall I continue? There is no need, for the titles say it all. The man has a great talent Every time he has been caught in a real hot place, a place where he should not be, he comes up with some idea to pull attention away from his sins and on to someone else's imaginary sins. So, we are still waiting for his tax returns. We are still waiting for a comprehensive and objective health status report. We are still waiting for the truth about bills he supposedly has in store for us. And we are still waiting for the truth in all its gory details re the Trump camp and its connections with Russia. So the Great Deflector comes into play again with his sudden tweeting that oh yes, there was tapping going on - and remember that the Great Ignorant One spelled tap as tapp - but the tapping was done by Obama and the tappee was Trump. Source - the ever so reliable Breitbart news reporting and a vague foreign source. Deflect he did and now there are demands from Trump to investigate this "tapping". As for his Russian ties, just push them on the side for obviously this is ever so much more important.
     And as for the Republicans, well, I have never seen a more spineless crew in my life. They have all chosen Party over Country, have lost any possible connection to the word patriotism and its meaning and have all chosen to support this pathetic individual who is bringing our country not to the brink of civil war but in fact, right over the edge. They have lost any claim to respect for themselves and their positions for they are all watching out for number one - themselves. Not a one has come out and clearly stated that Trump is a liar, that he is incompetent, that he needs to go, that there has been a huge error here in America and it needs to be corrected even if we do have to set a new precedent. It means that we have to overhaul the electoral college and the election process. It means that we are in hot ---- and will remain so until the spines grow again. No more hemming and hawing. And no more trying to ignore what needs to be done.
     This man, Trump, is a narcissist, a malignant one according to definition and his temper and his rants and raves point to the fact that he is mentally and emotionally challenged in even more serious ways. His followers have either gone into closets, refusing to talk or they have come out with bricks and pepper spray. His toxic orders draw forth the evil in people and the malignant lure of POWER attracts those of the ICE and Border Police who enjoy lording it over others, terrifying others, threatening others, inducing fright and fear, toxic fear into the hearts and minds of others, tearing apart families and wait till the corruption grows even more so until there is an eruption of filth and venom. Then what? Will the Great Deflector come up with yet another pathetic story and the party members with a capital P come up with yet more excuses and hemming and hawing like  - well, we don't know, or we should look into it, or perhaps there is some truth, or who knows - all when there should be a well defined No, the man is nuts!
     So what we are left with are videos that show a session of angry Trump and people, a man who refuses to realize that he is in it way over his head and as he goes down again he is dragging others along with him, a very mediocre speech that contained nothing new but that was praised as "presidential" simply because the man got thru it without ad libbing or screeching some ridiculous accusation, a low bar indeed. We are left with lots of grand talk but no details. We are left with lots of hate filled speeches disguised as policy statements. We are left with a bigot at the head of government, Bannon, and all he represents, and we are left with a bunch of ethically challenged incompetents whose true goals are to tear down the government and let the country be ruled in a free for all winner takes all setting and philosophy. Not good for the little people, not good for anyone actually. A new world order indeed.
     The answers to all this are way above my pay grade, but I am not alone in these thoughts. There are many brighter and politically savvy and influential people who think the same way and who have expressed the same thoughts, worries and concerns. Will we be able to fix this without a civil war? I do not know, but I am growing ever more fearful - and more to the point, so are many others and the violent clashes are becoming more and more common. We need help and not from Russia either!!
     And now, back to local affairs. So.....what about the golf course. Is it not time that David Israel spoke up and in plain talk in a town hall meeting re this issue. What are the Villagers thinking? What does this report of toxicity mean? And as our 'esteemed' leader who thinks he should remain so until death do us part, well it behooves him to come out and speak out. Will he do what is necessary to protect the Village or will he hide out and play dead in this issue? Even if he were to support development, there is still the issue of toxicity and what is he thinking about this? How will he protect his constituents? Silence reigns!
     We now have an opportunity to open up the administration to other viewpoints, fresh thinking and ideas but, the question is But will he? Or will he play his games again and lock the new people out from committees? Will the committee chairs have the spines to take in new people, people that David does not like and in fact detests - ahem, ahem - or will they roll over and play dead as well? I hope they live up to higher standards - for all our sakes and at least until Trump totally destroys our country, that at least here we can do our best to keep us okay. My experiences of life pre Village lead me to have knowledge of budgets, of priorities, of bidding, of thinking of the big picture as well as fitting in the details, of thinking of other ways to do something that we need and of standing up to those who would spend our money when it is not theirs to spend.. I will fill out the papers today but time will tell, will it not? I will certainly let you know via this site and via the other blog  though not via David's blog for he refuses to allow me to post on there - gee, wonder why - and via delegate assembly. Not to worry. I believe in open government and will follow thru on that belief. Transparency and truth. My mantra.
     Folks, we are a country in trouble, a Village in trouble. We are at a point where I cannot remember or think of a time when this country was ever there before. Our Village is financially challenged, administrationally challenged and we all must work hard, harder than ever, to make our fears and our questions heard and demand answers, demand that our elected and appointed officials, here and in the country, do their jobs. If not? Well, you answer that. We cannot deflect any more, any further.

AND THE WORLD GOES ROUND AND ROUND

     Welcome to Bizzaro land. The publishing industry is publishing book after book trying to understand exactly how we arrived at this point in time with a badly and sadly mentally damaged, intellectually challenged person as president along with his crew of ethically challenged incompetent and ill advised people . "Oh beautiful for spacious skies...." Well, forget that if they continue to wreak havoc on the protective legislation and regulations. We will have smoggy skies, a huge ozone layer hole growing ever larger, flooding in the cities, mercury in the water, mountaintops eliminated, fracking causing earthquakes, and hey, what's an oil spill or two, along with cancer spots.
     At present, the current crisis of the day Trump style is that paranoid man's tweeting, that incessant tweeting, that he has been subject to bugging of his lines in Trump Tower. And by Obama no less. The man is paranoid and just nuts. He has expressed his anger that Sessions has recused himself. Me too for he should have resigned, along with the rest of them. It seems that the skein of meetings with the Russians goes further and farther than had been known and now, instead of saying "my bad" the man keeps denying and tweeting. He is upset that people seem to be disliking him and his administration. How sad!! How bad!!
     But the best part is the amusement that one can get from this whole pathetic situation. First of all, there seems to be something wrong with a number of his supporters. They have cardboard cutouts of Trump which they either salute in the morning or take with them on camping trips, to the movies, etc. These are their own words.Not normal!! Second of all, there seems to be  a diminishing number of fans who come out in a pathetic attempt to counter the anti Trump protests.
     Second is the laughs we get from SNL, Jimmy Fallon, Samantha Bee, etc. who parody Trump and his crew. I love it for it gets right to the heart of the matter. Humor has always been a method to point out the truth but truth is what Trump would not know if it rose up and slapped him in the face. All he seems to worry about are those 'dangerous" illegals who did not pay parking tickets and instead concentrated on raising good kids, paying taxes and running businesses or getting back at those who poke fun of him. He is hard at work trying to gin up another travel ban and so it will be deja vu once more.
     The latest one is Stephen King. He decided to take to the same method of Trump - tweeting and they are quite funny. "Not only did Obama tap Trump's phones, he stole the strawberry ice cream out of the mess locker.'
     'Obama tapped Trump's phones IN PERSON! Went in wearing a Con Ed coverall. Michelle stood guard while O spliced the lines. SAD!"  
 "Trump should know OBAMA NEVER LEFT THE WHITE HOUSE! He's in the closet! HE HAS SCISSORS!"
      So I guess the man has some redeeming value for giving a laugh when we need it!! But in any case, where are the facts. It is all shouting and yelling trying to get the attention off of his sins and it will not work. Perhaps people will finally figure out that the Big Lie is exactly that - A Big Lie.
     And in the meanwhile there are other issues that need to be addressed. Thank G-d that there is healthcare coverage for if not, this Friday and Saturday morning would have been the end of me. My new cast was on too tight and/or my foot swelled, hugely, inside. My pressure went sky high, the heart was going nuts and I was not in too good a shape. Thank the Lord I have wonderful doctors and on a Friday nite I was able to call them, one on her personal phone, and get some advice. They meshed together as a beautiful whole and by Saturday morning my cast was off, redone and wow! what a difference. Knowing their stuff, they were able to discern that I was still in a safe zone but the cast had to go in the morning. I love these docs! Now, what would have happened if Trump and his Republicans had gotten their way? What would have happened if Ryan had his way and ripped apart Medicare? And  make no mistake about it, these sanctimonious congressmen and senators are not dismantling their coverage. Oh no! Heaven forbid! Their coverage is platinum! Some people are just more equal than  others.
     Well, at least I saw a great show last nite with over a thousand other people, watching a set of talented twins impersonate singers and one could swear that that singer was there, especially the female ones. The most touching moment though was when one of the twins sang a personal song re his relationship with his dad who had trouble accepting a gay crossdressing son though he was loaded with talent and was making a living doing this in partnership with his twin brother.
     Why we all have to hate the different, the other, I do not know. We waste so much energy and time hating that we cannot get into solving our problems. As for the country, the nation, the only road I see is to try this administration for treason, for perjury and bring on a new administration. As for our local situation, the only way to proceed is for David Israel and his fellow haters and extremists to accept that the tide is changing, that it will continue this way into the future. We are demanding answers for we will not sit by and let him have his way and no other way. We will watch the bucks, the budget and bring our Village back to a better place. So, David, try working with people instead of calling perfectly reasonable people malcontents or disruptors or what word you choose for your word of the day. Try interested people, people looking to better the Village, intelligent people looking for answers, for asking questions is not disruptive and if you feel it is, well, tough. As for being malcontent with a situation, well, that is the right thing to do, to step up and try to fix it.
     Perhaps if you and yours would come to a show every once in a while and sing along you would realize how much more power there is in bringing people together rather than trying to keep them apart and riled up. Try it, you might like it.
     See ya at the next Executive Board meeting.

WHAT A MESS!!!!

     So, while I feel vindicated, what with my refrain of "the truth will out" being used in the scandal a la mode, my warnings about the criminality and the treasonous actions of the Trump administration that go right to the very top along with the ever more powerful reek that accompanies it proved correct, I do not feel victorious or even glad to be in this position and I am sure that none of the columnists, none of the people who have realized this all along, are even happy to say or think, "told ya so". But we do have a mess, folks, a mess of our own making. A mess that we allowed to develop when we refused to face reality, when we did not follow through on demands, when we allowed a cheap two bit crook like Trump and his billionaire friends to take over Washington and the nation.
     Trump, so used to being the king in his pathetic kingdom, the one run by using OPM, the one where he answered to no one, could not face the fact that as president he would be under a constant scrutiny and as there are plenty of those who see the naked emperor under his imagined clothing, the scrutiny would be harsh, ongoing, and always seeking the truth. So here we are. The man refuses to face the music, refuses to recognize the very basic fact that when caught redhanded, the best thing to do is fess up, admit it, rather than go running down the hallways of the WH shrieking about leaks. How about shrieking about how stupid, how corrupt one's administration is, how we should thank G-d for the leakers so perhaps we will be able to get rid of the crooks and the ethically challenged. These same liars cancelled an ethics workshop for themselves because, I guess, they thought it was not meant for them as they were above the law. Well, they are not.
     Remember that phrase, Sessions? You yourself said that , that "nobody is above the law". Except for you perhaps and your best buds? For your boss? Remember when you said that justice must be non partisan? Guess you thought that you would always be an exception!
     So now we get the ridiculous statements that uh, not sure if Russia wanted Trump to win. Uh huh. And "forgetting" meetings and especially the one where Jared was with you? And how about the fact that the people of these United States are entitled to the truth? Doesn't  apply with you and yours, does it?
     Truth to tell, all these liars, these perjurers, need to be reexamined and prosecuted to the full extent of the law and past habits examined as well. Pence used his private and hacked email as governor to conduct state business. How do we know that will not happen again - or if it has happened already? How do we know? How do we trust anyone here? And where are those damned tax returns and where is a complete and objective medical report on Trump himself. I particularly would like to se his mental evaluation as I believe the man is truly and seriously mentally ill. And a happy pill or two is not the answer either.
     For some pleasant news, last nite we had tickets to see Annie at the Kravis and took a chance. Well. I had to leave at intermission, just too much, but happy that I made it that far. What was even better was the realization that yes, this truly is a country of immigrants and isn't that great!!! A middle school choir performed in the lobby, singing songs from various cultures and countries including a Hebrew one. The members were of all races and ethnicities and so were the people in the lobby. All those families. All those kids, all coming to see a play where the theme of growth, of hope and optimism, of "maybe' and there is always a tomorrow - red hair, black hair, big noses, little noses, all sorts of skin tones and yes - we are all immigrants, we are all contributing to making and keeping this country great and small minded people such as Trump will not ruin that for all of us.
    We need to stand up and take firm hold of our spineless representatives in DC and demand, DEMAND, that they do the right thing, that they insist on the right thing. We must demand of those who voted for Trump to restart their brains and stop hiding behind the fear and shame that they fell for this dude. Admit it, stop making excuses, stop saying oh, but Hillary...., This is Donald time, he of the crooked and ethically challenged, he who involves his family members getting them to walk down the same crooked paths he has.
    Is this what we want? America is great. Always has been and always will be especially if we get rid of those who would drag her down into the filth and mud they prefer. So no, I will not just accept it, as a friend said yesterday. I will not accept injustice. I will not accept that my president be a crook and remain in office. I will not accept that the rest of his administration falls into that same category, or at least a significant majority. I will not accept incompetence in place.
     And folks, that carries over into our own election here. Once again we have chicanery on the rise. There are THIRTEEN seats available for the Executive Board and now David is saying oh, only vote for ten and of course, he would prefer you only vote for his lackeys and then he will fill in the rest with his yesmen. Enough of incompetence and dishonesty here in the Village. Vote for the people who yes, demand answers, the people who are looking out for the residents, the people who wish to keep this place going on a financially sound and honest basis, the ones who do not want an ever flowing series of huge increases of UCO fees and WPRF fees. Demanding answers, pressing officials for answers, for the truth, is never being disruptive. Go ask Washington. Ask Thomas Jefferson. Ask Benjamin Franklin. And go down the rolls of American history and find other questioners, other demanders of answers, of the truth. So think and vote the right way. Do not be fooled by the march of the unliving delegates who are resurrected once a year, associations resurrected once a year with delegates appointed who  know they must obey. Time for a change, a wholesale change, both here and in the country.
     And should right lose as it has before both here and in the country, no Gracie, no, Lanny, no Petey Boy, no David, we will not be going away, not from here and not from demanding justice and honesty in our federal government as well. We are here to stay so DEAL WITH IT.

ASK YOURSELF

      This is almost a do it yourself posting, at least in its purpose. Read the statement or question or fact and decide for yourself what the answer should be. Could be interesting and insightful, perhaps giving you some understanding of why you think or act as you do and perhaps it might be time for a change. So here we go. By the way, there is an interesting dualism here. Read on and see.
    Do you -
want a person who pushes faulty financing as your leader?
 want a leader who refuses to obey the laws of the land?
want a leader who lies quite often and quite glibly?
want a leader who disrespects others, who loses his temper and who is disloyal to his own crew?
want a leader who pushes his own agenda, often to the detriment of his constituents?
want a leader who demonstrates a fierce temper, particularly at those who oppose him or point out his errors?
want a leader who assumes that he can be the Leader for Life, following in the footsteps of other nasty people round the world?
want a leader who refuses to follow the Constitution of the United States, particularly the first Ten Amendments such as freedom of assembly, of speech, of the press?
want a leader who conducts much of the work in secret?
want a leader who does not understand the true dynamics of a well run organization?
     Well, read and answer. If your answers are consistently NO, then you know what you have to do on Friday. Start the narrowing of his assumed powers and elect people who will do the job for the people of the Village and not for themselves.
     Now for the parallel part of this posting and see if you can notice the similarities in not so many words.
What was said: Folks, I am adding this in and putting it first after I read in the early AM about the new developments in the Russian - Trump campaign scandal. The Trump posse maintain and maintained in the past and present that they did not have contact in any way, shape, manner or form. And yet, we already have Flynn out and now the bigger scandal of them all. Jeff Sessions, a bigot of the first degree now has another mark against him. Surprise! He lied. So....
The truth is: There have been large and widespread meetings between Trump personnel and the Russians. In fact, Jeff Sessions lied about this in his hearings and said he had never met with Russians and yet we now find out that there had been two meetings between Sessions and Russian personnel. At the very least, he needs to resign. At the very best, the entire Trump staff need to resign for their lies and again, I say, for their treason. They treated with the enemy, with a foreign power, they colluded with Russia to affect the election - which I say is null and void. Committing perjury at one's hearing. Wow!! A major no-no and possibly a criminal act as well.
     Thank G-d the Obama administration made sure to keep the intelligence in existence for otherwise all this would never have come out and as far as Trump and his administration is concerned, they want to punish the whistleblower rather than the Russian ties. What does that tell you!!
  What was said: "Don't blame me" on almost every issue that has blown up in Trump's face. it was the fault of everyone, anyone but him."He blamed “the generals” for a raid that led to the death of a Navy SEAL in Yemen. He accused former president Barack Obama of fomenting protests against him and leaks within his administration. He blamed the judiciary for future terrorist attacks against the United States, and the media for the firing of his first national security adviser. He even blamed the weather for his smaller-than-desired inauguration crowd." And do not forget his statement that he had not called Russia for ten years. Methinks he needs a mathematical lesson as he was THERE in 2013. That is not ten years!
What was said was-
"we have begun to drain the swamp, restrict lobbying and lobbyists..."
The truth: Not so much actually. The swamp critters are there in the Cabinet and the lobbyists? It is for one's former agency. That is all, folks!
What was said -  We have not defended our borders, leaving them open to drugs and a huge flow of immigrants.
The truth: Truth be told, the immigration flow has lessened over the past few years as have most of the drug interdictions. The statistics are there for those who care for them.
What was said - boasting of jobs supposedly saved and/or brought in.
The truth: He had very little to do with it.
      Ford had its long term goal of building electric cars and did not need a factory for small cars built in Mexico as the demand had lessened.
     Fiat-Chrysler had its plans for a factory in Michigan in the works for a year already and had spoken with the union about it.
     Softbank had plans to spend this money anyway and the US, as a leader in this field was on track already for funding amounts.
     What was said - that he had brought down the price of the F-35.
  The truth: The Pentagon already had saved the $600 million he keeps boasting of!
    What was said - the number of jobs for the two pipelines was way exaggerated, from 3,900 to close to 39,000 - oops! And the steel came from India and went to the factory, Indian owned, which was the only factory that made it and yes, in Arkansas.
What was said - that we are removing all the bad guys, the criminals and when we cut the illegal immigration and stop them coming we will save billions, people will have jobs and tra la la la.
The truth: We already were deporting the gang members and the violent criminals but now our ICE and BORDER officers are chasing those dangerous traffic offenders or broken headlights or the shoplifter from twenty years ago. And pardon me, but I am amazed that all those  brown people are so powerful that a deportation of one or more will cure all the job and economic problems of the US to the tunes of billions and amazing that all of a sudden the regular Americans will be willing to go pick the fields and wash the dishes, clean the homes, cut the meat and the chickens, become smart and become doctors for rural areas, lawyers for the poor, nurses to heal the sick and bodega owners and anything else you can think of. What we will have is a busted economic pipeline.
     We can go on, with inaccurate figures of $6 trillion spent in the Middle East - actually 1.6 trillion but whose counting? And it just goes on and on.
So.....who do you believe, the facts and figures or the talk and talk and the no action other than illegal and immoral ones. And as for that infrastructure plan? Ha!! Good luck getting the Republicans to pass it. The Democrats have been trying for eight years already and guess who has always blocked it. Uh huh. You got it. And what do we do with a president who tries to constantly put one over on everyone other than his family? the truth is, right now there is a secret piece of legislation re the healthcare that will screw the nation and only Republicans can get to see it in a reserved one in a secret process. Lovely, just lovely.
    So read and think and ask - who is the leader and why are these people so similar in thinking and style - dictatorial, oppressive, boastful where there should be none, dismissive of the interests of others and keep ongoing.
    So....resist and demand answers and think and think again and partake in protests and marches and in fighting against those representatives in Washington who do not serve the people. The same with the Village.
     Both of these administrations need to go. For fiscal responsibility. For adherence to the law and the principles of the Founding Fathers and the purpose of the Village. For the sake of the truth, the truth, the truth. For the sake of decency. For any hope in the future. And yes, folks, there is a future for us and for our families - if we act now, before the Village goes to rack and ruin and before that lying crew and their leader, Trump, blow us all up with his threat to take military action against North Korea or turns us into a police state. It is that serious.