(#5889) Planning for the future in this current political climate when you are old is weird

      I am not real old but I will be 70 in a few months. With what is going on with trumps wanting to destroy our society as it is and has been for many decades is troubling to say at minimum. I also know that at my age, which has been a full life in many respects, I know that time is not on my side and realistically, at any moment, it may just suddenly end. Not that I have a premonition or foreknowledge of such an event but statistics tell me that I am not in the best position to discard normal eventuality. So as I try to equate a plan of action based upon what my options are I am conscience of all the uncertainty.
     I cannot look at how I am now and adjust my thinking to adapt to what I thought 50 years ago.  In fact given the turmoil the trumps are stirring I cannot even think like I did last year. Yet life as a human being is about taking what is now and making it into something. Which is what I must do. Our Social Security is being threatened not because we have done something wrong. But because others think that having a national insurance program like Social Security deviates from capitalistic values. Yet I don't see those same trumps attacking insurance companies as being anti capitalistic. For me the attack on Social Security is more about making life harder for the American working middle poor class. Why you may ask? I am still trying to figure that but obviously it has to do with eliminating worker demands for fair pay.
     Putting more people into the workforce who would otherwise retire seems to be the objective. With more demand for employment the ruling class will make pay less for those of us scrambling for work. Even we older people will need to work regardless of our physical and mental limitations. The trumps plan for turning our democracy into a tyranny is moving forward on all fronts. Which makes it hard for me in my attempt to plan for whatever my future will be. Yet I can see what is coming and will move to abate that as best I can. However, I know that I will likely be swept away like the many of us as the wave of trumpism is in full motion to annihilate we who would stand in his way.

(#5888) This is our reality, not to be defined by those who will not let us live our own

      Did you know that we the people are the deciders of what our own reality should be? We are not destined to be born into some reality where we have no say in it nor opportunity to change it. We all only live in this existence for a relatively short period of time. So how we live is what should be the utmost concern for all of us. The powers that be that currently control the methods and movements we are allowed need to be replaced with those of us who understand that freedom, liberty, justice, and fairness make for the foundation for all of us to follow. When we have these honorable principles of democracy as our philosophy then the pursuit of happiness is wide open.
     I always stipulate the phrase do no harm when advancing the pursuit of happiness ideal and that is because we need to always temper our pursuits that may harm. Other than that caution the best of who we are should always be the most of who we are. We do that by not chaining ourselves to archaic propositions that limit our abilities. 9 to 5 is one of those propositions. 9 to 5 is a guttural cry against those who don't see all of us as free and deserving of creating our own unique reality. 9 to 5 advocators would take our dreams and wishes and replace them with arguments that denigrate what we are possible of. I am not talking about those of us who have to work in the 9 to 5 realm. I am talking about those who keep the 9 to 5 yoke about our necks.
     Our reality does not have to be 9 to 5. We are all better off when principles of democracy guide our destiny than the greed and selfishness too often displayed for all to see. We are told that capitalism is the only way to keep our society going into the future. Yet I say no because capitalism breeds anti democratic illusions of grandeur. Capitalism and socialism together are better as a path forward as each advances and limits the other. We see the capitalistic illusions of grandeur now with trump, putin, musk et al. We the people are the power in this existence so we need to wake up to that reality and begin to demand our lives be filled with possibilities that actually promote humanity instead of discarding humanity when no longer profitable.

(#5887) Home of the free and land of the brave?

     Not anymore. I don't see it anyway. As hopeful as I am I must admit to reality when it is all around me. I don't see the freedom that is implied in the header. I do see some freedom but everyday I see less and less. Instead what I see is a trump administration that is determined to limit freedom instead of expand it. As to bravery there are amongst us many who show me bravery through defiance and protest. not on some battlefield where it is expected but in everyday life where the conviction to principles of freedom, liberty, and justice are challenged. Not enough though because the inevitable march by the trump crowd continues mostly unabated.
     Where the most bravery exists in this current environment happens to be in the court system. Our judicial process is what is blocking many more losses of freedom. How long they can hold out in the atmosphere of intimidation and threats is concerning. What will be left when the courts are bullied into submission and the rampage of trump's ego is unchecked? We the people are what will be left and our choices will be limited in our response. I have no illusion that if trump wants our military to support his freedom denying policies they will also likely conform. We are just a few stops away from being neutered as an enlightened and wise society.
     None of the coming dismantling of our democracy is a surprise to me but still it is shocking that we as the American people would let a conman who is incapable of empathy destroy our civilized way of life. We are no longer the home of the free and land of the brave. I would call Ukrainians as having that mantle. We Americans on the other hand have become too absorbed into our own fears and prejudices to even qualify as a beacon of freedom where the defense of our realm is absolute. What is coming is not going to be easy to stomach by those of us who saw this coming and warned of its looming arrival. But those who stood on the sidelines and ignored and/or voted for trump are going to be taught a brutal lesson that hopefully will guide them to yearn for the principle of home of the free and land of the brave.

(#5886) We Americans deserve our stupidity because we are too arrogant to learn

     It is like a badge of honor this stupidity we have allowed ourselves to embrace. I would like to say it is the fault of a privileged mindset but that is to much praise. More likely it is because we are lazy and try to shuffle off what we don't understand to those who pretend to do know what we don't understand. Which is why an obvious conman like trump can be elevated to such a previously honored position. Not only are we Americans good at being stupid we are good at denying we are stupid. It is as if our minds are not capable of distinguishing between good and bad. Or at minimum we are incapable of using the base logic necessary to compute a falsehood.
     The simple math equation of 1 + 1 + 1 = 3 is comparative to the argument premise + premise + premise = conclusion. A different number added into this math equation does not make it correct similarly a lie added to the argument does not make it a truth. It is always a lie when a lie is part of the equation. Real simple here folks. Yet too many refuse to acknowledge the lie as significant enough to change what they perceive as a truth into an actual falsehood. That indicates a willfulness to ignore facts and truths in order to get to their preferred conclusion. That is stupidity regardless of any defense of it. I know life is hard and us believing a fact that doesn't agree with our limited outlooks is difficult, yet it must be done if we are to advance civilization.
     What we get instead is a confusion that not only halts progress but sows disharmony. This constant attraction to our own hoped for outcomes over true outcomes is chaotic because the outcome must be truthful through logic. We cannot have falsehoods parading as truths. Remember, any conclusion of fact must be made up of truths. No lie or falsehood can be part of the process and still make the conclusion true. Everyone on the planet should know that arguments are resolved when only facts and truths are equated together. Somehow we here in America lost the thread on this very important concept and now we are in a terrible state of paying for it.

(#5885) Windy rainy day at home

      It has been windy and raining since I got up this morning at around 3 am. I am an early bird kind of person because I like the quiet of the morning better than the excitement of late nights. Of course when I was younger back in the day and preferred the hustle and bustle of the late night scene. Not anymore. I am older and less adventurous for those possible intrigues. My more sedentary life style suits me now and gives me plenty of time to reflect and admire the present around me. Like this morning with the wind whipping and the rain coming in sideways at times. I do appreciate the rain because we here in California do not see nearly enough of it since climate change has been shifting our previously normal weather toward hotter climes.
     I still sit outside under cover just to be able to feel the moist air and inhale the ambiance of swirling atmosphere. Seeing the occasional birds in flight hastily moving toward some kind of shelter captures my attention. I am reminded that our  lives are just part of the bigger picture of nature. Being a part of that for me is not only entertainment but it is vital to my existence. My soul senses the connection with not only our planet here but with the Universe in general. Maybe I get to reflect too much but I cannot imagine a more appropriate commune with nature than this morning with the wind and rain having it's way. There is always something to do to make life easier and better but sometimes, like today, the do nothing option is so persuasive.
     What I like most about the weather this morning is the joy in which it comforts me. It is like a another layer of life I get to enjoy that doesn't happen enough for me. I was wondering how this blog post was going to play out in real time as I am typing but once again the blog just seems to write itself and I just move my fingers to the tempo within all my molecular structure. It is almost like magic but not supernatural just a flow and vibe that is totally enhanced by the windy rainy conditions. I have the rest of the morning and afternoon to enjoy this happy to me weather and that I will do even if I can't help myself and do something to progress the ease of my life through some small accomplishments. 

(#5884) It is too bad current Americans don't know the bravery of past Americans

      We have somehow moved past the transition from brave Americans to indifferent Americans. We used to be all in for freedom and liberty with justice but now we are only into our personal selves in a most uncaring way. I may be premature in my assessment here but I cannot help but think that I am not. It could be that when we allowed private citizens to inject as much money as they wanted into our politics it made the simple task of informing the public of the truth almost impossible. So instead of being abreast of our facts and truths we are in a muddle of chaos with no clear understanding of reality. Either way, whether ignorant to bravery or confused about how to apply it, we are in trouble.
     Since the beginning of our nation we had been able to progress into a future where the worst of what we were before our revolution for freedom slowly changed for the better. However, for the last 60 years we have been morphed as a government and society into factions that not only discard looking for possibilities to improve but have become hostile to the idea of the melting pot. United we stand and divided we fall has been forgotten as a prized slogan. Instead we have decided that others are not as important as ourselves when it comes to equality, liberty, and justice. We have turned from the courage of our foreparents to fight for these values for all to instead just wanting what we can easily get.
     As I watch this dynamic unfold it bothers me that now several generations have left behind their obligation and duty to instill honor and principle into their children. The children have grown up and their lessons to their children are nearly devoid of behavior and character that exemplifies sacrifice and noble intentions. What they are teaching the next generation has very little to do with principles of democracy and more in line with prevailing traits of narcissism. The beauty of humility and sacrifice is the inner reward. Knowing that you could be a horrible person all about greed and depravity but instead choosing to be a person who is admired and well thought of because you would rather build a bridge of care instead of destroy one.

(#5883) Nothing but a roller coaster ride for the next 46 months

      I really tried to forget the last time trump was in office and it worked really well for about 4 years. Now it is all coming back. The endless days of chaos and absurdity that bordered on insanity. I am freshly reminded that trump sees the world in an upside way. He cannot rationalize like a normal person. He takes the absurd and drives it like it is genius. His idea of thinking outside the box is so ridiculous that it is difficult to image a sane person would push such reckless policies. His first go this time around is to shove our economy into a recession. It won't hurt him financially but it will hurt most all the rest of us.
     Knowing how trump is such a conman it isn't hard to think of why he thinks a recession is a good thing. He will lie and say that a recession is needed for our economy to reshape itself into a more profitable enterprise. What he is not saying is that many of us who are invested in our economy will be forced out of it leaving a gap for those with wealth to fill. A reordering of our economy is what he wants and those who profit off of it will be those with the most money. He trump, won't care that many will loose savings and jobs, because it is the fault of those who lost savings and jobs not his. The good of we the people is not a necessity for trump unless of course it helps him somehow. Always follow the money with trump.
     We are less than 2 months into his presidency and the damage to our economy is already spiraling. When Joe was president we didn't have to worry that he would prefer a recession over prosperity. But Joe is now gone and trump2 is our misfortune. How we all come out of this is the question and how that come out of it manifests itself is even further an unknown. All I know is that something must be accomplished to change this dynamic or the end result of 4 years of trump will not be healthy nor civilized. I keep saying this and will always stand by it, trump is destroying our democracy and we cannot let him do it at any cost!

(#5882) Will or is trump joining Russia to fight aqainst Ukraine?

      I have seen enough suggestions that indicate trump is going to fight against Ukraine using American resources. This would surprise none of us who know how devious trump is however, whether it is true or not hasn't yet been completely answered. We can see indications though. Like trump demanding that Ukraine give up it's territory to Russia because trump keeps saying Ukraine started the war with Russia. That isn't a good sign there. As well the support Ukraine received under President Joe Biden is now stopped. To most all of us out there we see trump is changing sides in the conflict. Knowing how trump operates, especially since his White House ambush on Ukraine's President Zelenskyy, it is safe to say that trump favors putin in the actual Russian invasion of Ukraine.
     Favoring putin at arms length is bad enough because of the support for Ukraine from the United States that is no more. However if trump uses the American military arsenal against Ukraine to help putin defeat Ukraine then the stakes are more ominous. A sitting United States president would actively be helping a dictator defeat a democracy through direct military action. How will that sit with all Americas who believe in democracy? What will the response be from those of us who have fought and believed in our own democracy? The question is a heavy one. Is this what the majority of Americans voted for? To defeat democracy so a dictator can continue to wage war over his egoistic obsession?
     Some of us are going to have a line in the sand moment where we say fuck it and do something about it besides just taking it. When and if that line gets crossed is when we will know if we have the courage to stop the ever increasing insanity before it destroys the very foundation in which our nation operates. When our democracy is helping a dictator defeat democracy we are at a crossroads where cross purposes reside. Which road will the many of us take and will we have many choices left afterward? Either way the fight for our rights and freedoms is about to get real. I know this much, I for one person will never acquiesce to tyranny when the option to save democracy is even a remote possibility. What say you?

(#5881) No one is above the law as a campaign priority

      I know this is a big if but if we are to have another election where we the people decide the outcome, the party in opposition right now needs to make clear the number one priority is justice. Going after and starting with all those who have broken the law while in a position of trust. No one is above the law is a position that has to be honored and held sacred. Our society demands it regardless of what the law breakers would say otherwise. No one, billionaire nor the penniless, is immune to the cost of lawbreaking. We have courts to decide the degree and severity of the sentencing but no one should be allowed to escape their due punishment.
     Not only does the criminal who commits a crime get their justice but them actually paying their price is a deterrent to others who would attempt the same. We must as a society adhere to our laws with a vigor and a blind eye to every perpetrator. No one is above the law is absolute. I don't care who it is or their station in life. If you commit a crime then you are subject to the penalties. It cannot be any simpler! The party in power today thinks it can skirt the intent of our laws to fulfill their desires and do it with impunity. They are at the moment correct as we see every day. Yet if we the opposition were to campaign on making all, and I mean all, lawbreakers culpable for their deeds then I believe we will have a winning strategy.
     So many of us feel powerless in this moment where the brutish and cruel are having their way with practically no oversight to their criminality. That has to stop so that the many more of us can again start to feel some pride and rebuild from our shaken souls. Another attribute of campaigning on no one being above the law is the fear it will start to manifest in the current administration for their acts now that may come as sentencings later. We must reverse the pain and suffering they are currently instilling into our lives and turn it back on them. Make them think twice about how they act in the name of our trust. We can defeat them if we get the chance so we best start preparing for that eventuality now!

(#5880) Ignoring reality is not an option that works

      36.3% of eligible American voters didn't vote in the 2024 general election. This post is for you. I am wondering why you didn't bother to vote when it is easier to vote here in America than pretty much anywhere else in the world? Is your disconnect from politics so far that you couldn't even understand what is at stake? Every right to be free and have the liberty over our own happiness is controlled by politics. It cannot be stated enough that we Americans in our society rely on a social contract that gives us the right to individually choose our own destiny through our vote. Each of us have a duty to participate in our politics because if we don't we get what we have now, a mesmerizing conman who is focused on installing himself as a king.
     There are few responsibilities attached with voting. We must register and then actually vote to make our voices heard. Now when I say that 36.3% of eligible voters didn't vote I am talking about eligible voters not registered voters. That number is smaller than the 90 million who were eligible but didn't bother to register. What ever category you choose to look at the 90 million is just too many who were eligible but chose not to participate. My question is why did anyone not want a say in their own liberty? I could speculate here and give several reasons but I don't think that is helpful nor accurate enough. What I do want to leave anyone reading this post with is this, what is more important than your freedom and why aren't you protecting it?
     Democracy and capitalism are two very different things. I can tell you that most all of us participate in capitalism in some way or another. What capitalism does is give us the opportunity to earn resources that we can barter for improving our living conditions. What democracy does is allow capitalism to operate on an improving scale so that all may participate on some kind of even footing. Without democracy to reign in the underbelly of corrupt capitalism we will find that the worst of moneymakers will control the best of who we are. This is why democracy oversees capitalism and keeps it more and more honest. Democracy is the politics we have that allows all of us to pursue our happiness as a right. What we have now is a lessening of democracy because not enough of we the people are voting to protect it.

(#5879) Having a conscience is being self aware, unlike putin, trump and musk

      When Rene Descartes proposed his evidence for existing, "Cogito, ergo sum", "I think therefore I am" it also served as evidence negating doubt. To have to say one exists is also an argument against the doubt of the existing. I bring this up as a foundation for saying that self awareness is natural to human beings and should be understood as proof of our natures. I say that curiosity is one of the two main natures, compassion being the other, of we human beings. So being curious and self aware about our existence is also natural. We know that curiosity is the sense that we need to know more in what we already understand. The same with self awareness, it is a sensing of who we are and adapting that to who we are in relation to others.
     Being self aware is not only knowledge of who we are and who we want to be but it is also a feeling of empathy toward all those in existence who are also confined by it. In other words we are all in this existence together trying to make sense of how to properly exist within it. The complexities of existing bring us together on a planet not unlimited in it's resources. So we build societies based upon the rule of law and principles of democracy. Well we should all be doing that but obviously we see too many examples of that not being the case. Such as those in the title of this blog post. The putins, trumps, and musks of this world have not evolved into their own self awareness and how that properly aligns with the rest of us.
     You will know those who have yet to evolve as civilized humans by their inability to function in an empathetic state. They see the world through the lens of insensitivity. They don't know the pain and suffering of others because they cannot extend out beyond themselves. They only feel their own sensations and disregard feelings of others as a weakness on the part of others. They are not evolved human beings. They are instead rudimentary souls who never defined for themselves an association of care with others. They mostly only care for themselves. This is a disorder that generally can be described as narcissistic personality disorder. Although it is possible to cure oneself of this disorder it is highly unlikely because complex self reflection and realizing personal flaws are often obstructed by the disorder itself.

(#5878) The only way to stop a lie is to discover the truth!

      For far too long too many people have been too easily duped into believing things that are not true. It isn't that these lies are not easily debunked it is that too many folks prefer the lie over any truth! The lies fit their world view despite the fact of them being wrong. For them it is easier to live in an existence that is illogical than to accept reality as it is. Living life for the easiness of it is weird. It isn't true so why be part of a false consciousness? For me it is counter productive to accept things as true when they are false. I want to accept the truth as true and then build upon that to discover even more true things. That is the foundation of logic. My human nature is compassion and curiosity. Simply put, I care about my and others feelings as much as I care about what I don't know.
     None of us is born greater than another. Sure some of us are born into luxury and power while others of us are born into poverty and great hopelessness. Yet there is no difference in us as a species. We have the same bodily attributes and the same functioning mind. Those who are pampered and glorified through birth are only that because of a system of inequity. Not a correct system of genuineness . What does separate us as a species from each other is our gifted individualness. Some of us are massively talented and others of us have two left feet. Some of us have brains that enhance the incredible while others of us cannot even manage our own lives. It is through talent and merit that we only see differences.
     I mentioned a couple of factual differences but they are in the minority when it comes to our similarities. What we have as a species in common is overwhelmingly the truest nature of a human being. We all are born into this existence as an innocent. By degree we are all nurtured with emotion and understanding into our adulthoods. We are all given that basic foundation of knowledge that allows us to not only communicate with each other but an opportunity to fulfill whatever it is we wish to learn, know, and become. The pursuit of happiness truly is within all of us because we learn that life really is short. Living the best as an objective human being is always greater than living in an existence where the lies sow confusion instead of the truth revealing who we are.
     

(#5877) Don't be caught not knowing democracy is being dismantled

      Unfortunately, whether by hook or crook, the trump administration is clearing the way for democracy to be dismantled. It isn't a stark conclusion yet because the judges have not been defied by him and his acolytes. But that is the last hurdle for trump to jump over for his dream of being like putin comes about. There is one more subset branch of government that may also grind trump to a halt and that is the legislative republican controlled Senate. The republican controlled House seems to be in the tank for trump but the Senate has yet to confirm they are in the tank for trump also. We shall see soon enough but for sure the rule of law in the judicial branch is showing it isn't in the tank for trump.
     All other signs are pointing directly at trump and putin siding on the side of tyranny. With trump distancing himself from Ukraine and even starting to undo policies that helped protect Ukraine from putin, the change from democracy to tyranny is underway. We who were not allowed to have our candidate elected, fairly or unfairly, have been sounding the alarm for nearly a decade but it seems that too many did not believe us. Well that time is now here to see for anyone who would be objective. The next question then becomes what do we do next? How do we survive in this chaos that is disrupting our freedoms and rights? The first thing that must happen is for us to become clear with our awareness of the problem.
     Our nation together must realize the danger that is now in effect all around us. We may differ on a wide range of policies but not to the point of burning down our house and letting a cruel enterprise rebuild it. We are still the greatest democracy on the planet and can reverse this current dilemma. However we are short on time and need a charge as of yet unseen in modern times on the soil of America. We Americans are not filthy nor cowards. We are stronger together in unity than anything or anyone. Yet we need that unity to begin now as the dismantling of democracy is moving at a fast pace. We who are not willing to let democracy disappear on our watch must find it within ourselves to force an action greater than the force currently bending us toward its brutish will.

(#5876) The weight of time and space

      I suggest all you younger people get out into life and experience the wonders of our world before you settle in to your eventual routines. Because when you are young your body is vibrant and alive. When you get older your body will take on the pains and affliction that come with age. After a certain amount of time you quit refreshing as a young person and instead modulate into a declining state. Then is when you will truly know how difficult life is when your body cannot keep up with your still young mind. So take heed and get out into the world and live with a gusto that you find happy. I am sitting here on the threshold of 70 and still my mind thinks I am 20.
     The problem is that mind over matter is rare. So as I continue to stretch the boundaries of my limited abilities I only add to those limitations with aches and pains still new to my knowledge bank. The good thing for me is that I didn't start a career out of the starting line and instead experienced life on my terms before I became another cog in the wheel. Know this, we all eventually end up being a cog in the wheel. Just take some time before committing to that if possible. When you are young your abilities are at a high potential unlike later when gravity and repetition become major influencers. I won't tell you how I lived my early adulthood but suffice it to say I was adventurous and bold.
     I took nothing for granted and took care of myself in the most fundamental ways thus keeping myself true to me. Yet I was part of life not just watching it from a distance. I didn't get an early start on my retirement, I lived as if I was retired in my early youth. I knew from observation of the world around me that getting caught up in major responsibilities before I was ready would only usher in a failure for me. I know I am only going to live once in this existence and for a bit as an early adult I wanted it to be on my terms, a choice, not as a demand. Here I am now nearer the end of my life with few regrets about how I lived with memories I have experienced. I am fortunate in this regard. I look around and see people who have waited until they are older to get out and experience life only to be living it not in their youth nor the time of their youth without their best health.

(#5875) Awakening the sleeping giant

      In the 1970 movie Tora Tora Tora, the actor playing the role of Japanese Admiral Yamamoto uttered the phrase, “I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant” when attacking Pearl Harbor before officially declaring war against the United States of America. I get the same sense now from what trump and vance did to Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in the White House a few days ago. In this scenario, trump and vance used a strong arm tactic employed by hitler when working to annex Eastern Europe into his control just previous to World War II. Invite the leader of the country you want to annex and then ambush them with threats. However, Zelenskyy didn't succumb to the pressure from trump/vance and instead defied them.
     The whole affair at the White House was televised so that trump's new ally, tyrant putin, could watch how trump supported him. The rest of the world also watched what trump assumed was going to be a climatic attack and surrender by Zelenskyy. What happened instead was a sickening by those of us who are not cowards nor bullies. We saw first hand the stench of trump play out in real time. His demanding of acquiescence from a hero who is not only fighting for his life but for the life of his country was a bridge too far. What trump was fighting for was favor from a dictator. The shock of it was nearly immediate.
     Not only did the rest of the world feel disgusted with the trump/vance bullying of Zelenskyy but we, myself included, immediately rallied behind Zelenskyy with unwavering support. So the plan of trump to annihilate the pride and conviction of Zelenskyy backfired and served to strengthen it instead. Meanwhile the backlash against trump has been swift and overpowering. An awakening has happened that not only reversed the effect that trump/vance hoped for but made a large segment of our American population awaken to the fact that trump/vance are not on the side of democracy! I use my own Facebook page to back my observations. From before the ambush my page was mostly silent about the trump destruction of our democracy. But since the ambush my page is filled with both disgust for trump and with pride for Zelenskyy/Ukraine.

(#5874) I feel the surge against the heartless!

      Those who play at being human are being found out! What the trumps did at the White House to President Zelenskyy has defined for so many people now the true nature of the trump administration. That trump is found out is a perfect place to start the revolt against him. What trump thought was a perfectly executed ambush of a hero like Zelenskyy has completely backfired into an indictment against the republican party. Even those who are trying to defend the trump dishonorable act in the White House are doing it against the hardened grain of protest and anger. Their defense of trump is hollow and timid with no force of truth.
     The American people saw what trump and his bootlickers did and are not having any of it. A rallying around President Zelenskyy is not only growing but it is exploding into a movement away from trump that trump was clearly shocked by. Even he is being off put by the reality he is now facing. Less than 45 days into his presidency and he has shown most all of us his true self. A dastardly coward who plays at being a human being. It is all downhill now for him and if he thinks he can bulldoze and bullshit the American people like he thought he could, he now cannot and will be forced to either continue to be berated every day for his deceptions or change from them.
     I know this much about trump. He will not change his behavior because he is not capable of learning and evolving. He will stand pat on his delusions and cruelties no matter how many turn away from him. I expect that the relationship trump has with the growing masses against him will lead to something untoward and ridiculous. The arc of justice is about to come around against the injustice trump would create. The force behind the arc is overwhelmingly mounting and what trump does next will define the next not too far into the future moments that are coming. A word of fact, we did this to ourselves and now we must undo it to ourselves by remaining true to ourselves.

(#5873) Choose your battles wisely

      We are in the mix of it now. With the trumps running the show we who are now relegated to spectator status need to consider hard when the right time will be to enter into the fray and stand on the side we know is correct. Most of us are concerned about our financial livelihoods so not creating a financial disaster for ourselves is prudent. Yet a time will come when all other considerations about our current economic status will shrink in the face of a harsh and cruel unwelcome social order. We must have a mindset already in place where we have a plan for sacrificing what could be safe for ourselves momentarily for the unknown that offers us a chance to rebuild our democracy.
     I am talking about risk! When do we risk being a part of the solution when we are still beholden to letting others fight for us? Playing it safe so that neither side in the battle can identify us as their adversary. That tricky balancing act of not of not being identifiable yet also being a part. Listen, I know how that works. In my less admirable past I avoided doing what is correct because I feared any and all reprisals. I would skirt the issues but not entirely so that no matter how the solution came about I was not seen as a bad guy. But in my heart and soul I knew I was. I have lived long enough to have made many mistakes but what I have done in my life is correct them once understood.
     You won't see me shirk or slink around issues that are important. I know that being on the correct side of democracy and honor is worth any price I may pay. No price is too large for me to pay when freedom, liberty of life, and pursuit of happiness is endangered. I have already chosen where I stand with my voice and my deeds. The rest of us must find our way to the same conclusion. The when that happens is all that remains to be accomplished. Silence is a strategy that will only temporarily work when others have sacrificed too much. Getting past silence because of fear of many things in our lives is how we eliminate the threat of those who would silence us forever!
     

(#5872) The embarrassment that is trump

      I will not give up my right to speak about that which offends me. I don't care about any type of threat the trumps level. They are a disgusting cabal of ignoramuses. What they did to a true hero from Ukraine is so low that it leaves a stain so filthy that I cannot stand the stench of it. I am an American who did not vote for trump, I voted for Kamala Harris much like I voted for Hillary Clinton.Two people who would have upheld the honor and dignity of the United States of America with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. But instead we got trump 45 and now trump 47. Both trump administrations have been an embarrassment but what just happened yesterday at the White House exceeds embarrassment.
     It is one thing to disagree about policy but it is quite another thing to undercut our allies to favor our enemies. That is what just took place with trump and his minions disgracing themselves trying to bully a man who has given up everything to fight for the life of his country and their hope for democracy. Democracy, that which we Americans fought for over the last 249 years. So the premeditated ambush from the trump cabal was almost stunning in its strategy. We all know that trump favored putin but we didn't know to what extent until yesterday. The full stop advocacy of trump for putin is now on record and the dishonor trump showed to our vulnerable ally was one of the worst displays of treachery ever seen from a leader of the United States.
     Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32nd president of the United States, famously said about the day Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, "...a date which will live in infamy..." much like what trump did yesterday February 28th. A treachery that ambushed our ally in the name of our enemy. The thrust of trump's attack on President Zelenskyy was to bully our ally into accepting the terms of our and his invading enemy. The world is upside down currently in America and it is as disturbing as it is real. We have a leader now who would give the world to his buddy putin and let the rest of us suffer the consequences of his act. I don't know how this is all going to play out but it cannot be that our America is about to become putin's.

(#5871) I miss so many good people

      I suppose I am just being nostalgic but it is good for me to remember those who have gone on from this existence. They were all different in their ways but in all cases they were special to me. This isn't one of those only the good die young posts. This is one of those I really miss too many of the people that helped shape my life and brought the joy out in me. That is what this post is about. Those that are no more too soon for me anyway. I will be selfish here and admit that I am thinking about how I feel about this and not anyone else. I know how I feel while I don't exactly know how others feel. I also suppose what irks me is that too many that are unworthy of a special consideration in my life are still here.
     So instead of being surrounded by the best people I knew I am less so now. So many bad people in my life are no more but they were banished long ago because once I am thrown under the bus so to speak I don't let that possibility ever happen again. So it isn't that I am surrounded by more bad people it is that I have less good ones to share life with. Going through life from the early days until now opened up lots of scenarios where the people I could interact with showed who they were. Nowadays it is harder to meet people in interesting situations because I am older and more set in my ways of dull and boring happiness. Gone are the days of adventure and discovery so my life is pretty much defined now.
     I am still able to meet new people occasionally but the meeting is more perfunctory than energetically hubristic. I find that getting to know good people needs to involve them in situations where happiness and hope are options. When someone new allows you to see them at their core and the core is bright and shining then goodness will flow. I have had the good fortune in my life to meet people like this and now that many are gone there is a void in me that is not ever easily replaced. I again suppose that it is the nature of mortality, we get what we get for a short time in relative terms and then when what we got is no more then that is our reality. I don't like that fact and apparently I am lamenting it here.

(#5870 Canada and Mexico have been good allies, trump? Not so much...

      I am done trying to tell you people who voted for trump how bad he is because you don't listen. So now we all get to see just how right the rest of us were about him. You especially because you seem surprised by his actions toward everyone except the extremely wealthy. There is a derangement within trump that is obvious to those of us who literally see and hear him talk and act. He is not some savant that is beyond understanding he is an idiot who is cruel and sadistic. He loves being the center of attention within his club of wealthy. It makes him feel whole somehow. Like I said, deranged.
     The rest of us are insignificant because we are not wealthy and individually powerful. So our neighbors to the north and south are in the category with the rest of us, insignificant. Which is why trump does not care what happens to them like he doesn't care about 97% of Americans. So like us, he will vilify them for the sake of his vanity. While he is at it he will also try to undermine them and take from them because he knows that it will impress the dictators he admires and the psycho/sociopathic among his wealthy group. He, trump,  needs lauding. He craves attention like the young child who cannot stop saying look at me.
     When it comes to trump and his unhealthy behavior and character in life, I will not be led around by his deranged outlook that savors pain and suffering as a cost for his egoistic benefit. I will always stand with those who are not harming but are being harmed. Much like Ukraine. Where trump is pushing the narrative that Ukraine is at fault and putin is the victim. Canada and Mexico are our allies and a message to them from me anyway is to find a way to survive trump, much like a lot of us here in America and then embrace any chance you can justifiably participate in to move past the most egregious president that has ever been allowed to lead the United States of America.

(#5869) We must now plan for near future Universal health care

      It is now just the Senate that is left to block the trump devastation of Medicaid. With 53 lackey republican senators it seems likely that medicaid is done for. If that does come to bear then when the next voting time comes in 2026 we must have already started advocating for a universal health care plan. Making lemonade from lemons is the concept here. Once Medicaid is officially gutted by republicans the only other way forward back from that damage is to finally break the current American health care mold and replace it with what 32 other civilized countries have done and install a universal health care system.
     One that involves all Americans for equal health care coverage. Ushering in a universal health care plan would finally end the middle man insurance profiteer that currently only adds to the high cost of health care. Health care coverage would then be decided by doctors and patients what is necessary with no more denials based upon corporate profit. If Medicaid and even parts of Medicare are destroyed by republicans then we democrats must take their destruction and create something even better when we retake control of our democracy. We must have a plan in place ready to campaign on when the republicans do their dirty deed.
     There is one thing I know for sure and it is that no matter how awful the republicans behave we democrats will outsmart them in the end. The reason is that republicans are only good at hurting people while we democrats are real good at finding solutions to help people. Whatever the republicans do in this presidential term we democrats will repair it with not only a solution but an improvement. In this case getting to universal health care is primed up with how republicans are going to leave tens of millions of folks with no health care coverage. We democrats must begin our strategy now and have at least an outline for the moment the Medicaid and Medicare undercutting begins. Right now is the time for the planning of universal health care!

(#5868) Other than hatred and fear, liberals and conservatives have much in common

      For the most part we liberals err on the side of caution. Which at times makes us look like we are coddling too many who conservatives think should be forced to fend for themselves. What I think conservatives fail to realize is that, although we liberals do make a few mistakes on help, we liberals understand that life is not equitable and fair for everyone. We liberals take the stance that where inequality and injustice are factors we try to alleviate that with equity. Conservatives see that and cry foul. They want their share of whatever equity is prescribed to the underprivileged and downtrodden as if they themselves are underprivileged and downtrodden.
     Historical racism and prejudice need a prescription for healing regardless of those conservatives who cannot see that difference. Slavery, like genocide, are the most horrendous acts of human behavior. Those acts of inequality are deeply ingrained into the psyche of those afflicted. To bring these class of folks back from the darkest past a race or creed of folks could endure requires an understanding that conservatives are unwilling to dwell upon. Let bygones be bygones is their mantra in those few moments they actually acknowledge the events. We liberals on the other hand know that a cure is required for that bruised and battered psyche so we set out an attempt to show we care.
     I have come to this conclusion recently and it does make sense when filtered through the lens that blocks out hatred and fear. Conservatives and liberals are much closer to each other than they think. Because we both start from the middle and slowly work toward either end of the spectrum however we are tied with an unbreakable band that keeps pulling us back into the center. That center is our democracy. We both want what we think is best for our nation. Finding common ground to achieve our goals is a premium and the best we should hope for a beginning when living in a democracy. Understanding our history and the historical grievances that are fact should be a core human trait outside any political party stance.

(#5867) 3 years of boldness and courage from Ukrainians

      Today marks the 3 year remembrance in time since February 24, 2022 that Ukraine had to stand up to the tyrant putin. Tyrant putin invaded Ukraine in 2014 to capture Crimea away from Ukraine but this one on February 24, 2022 was putin's attempt to annex the rest of Ukraine. What followed was President Of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying that he would not go into exile and instead would stay and fight the Russian horde to preserve the Ukrainian identity. Here is a timeline of the first 2 months of Russian attacks on Ukraine. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Russian_invasion_of_Ukraine_(24_February_%E2%80%93_7_April_2022)
     Like a hero of our own Revolutionary War here in America, Nathan Hale and his dying words at the British hangman's noose, said this: "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." A Ukrainian soldier defending Snake Island responded to this command from a Russian warship. “This is a military warship. This is a Russian military warship. I suggest you lay down your weapons and surrender to avoid bloodshed and needless casualties. Otherwise, you will be bombed.” The Ukrainian soldier said this. “Russian warship, go f*** yourself.” On the second day of the Russian invasion these words and deeds of the Ukrainian soldier on Snake Island helped galvanize the resistance within Ukraine and in the hearts of those of us outside Ukraine who love democracy and its freedom.
     3 years later the Ukrainians have been holding off the tyrant putin led attempt to commit the genocide of Ukrainians while committing war crimes too numerous to list here. Just remember Bucha! It has been one of the greatest feats of human endeavor for me knowing and supporting the Ukrainian honor of courageous soul and how they fight to survive in the face of great odds against them. That tyrant putin thought that his illegal and monstrous invasion of Ukraine would be accomplished in 3 days highlights his ignorance and vanity. 3 years now with more than 868,000 dead Russian soldiers, Ukrainians are showing the world that fighting for democracy is an honor that all should hold dear!

(#5866) Writing my daily blog posts are a struggle

      Instead of having good things to celebrate and write about if Kamala had been elected, I have bad things to be disgusted about with trump. Over the next many months it seems that the worst of what could happen is more likely than the better and best of things. If happiness could be scaled out, the current level of mine is very low. Which makes for a not so imaginative writing session each time I sit here configuring a post worthy of being written and read. I have obviously lowered my standards in order to keep a daily post written because I know the best of me is not being exposed through my writing.
     I am not angry or upset but I am bordering on those two feelings too closely. The title of my blog is Man of Hope yet the hope is being weaned out of me with each passing day. With Joe and Barack leading our nation it was like they were always in the background trying not to be like trump, who cannot find one single day to remain oblivious. With trump having to be the center of everything it makes for a burden that is so damn heavy to carry. Yet we and I must do so because the alternative of quitting is even a worse burden. We know that. However the cost of the worst always being right in front of our faces has no value nor benefit, and lessens our motivations for life.
     Which is why it is so hard to find a topic each day that has a richness of happiness and positivity. I have written over 5800 of these daily blog posts and the bulk of them have been what I hope to be insights into how our lives are fulfilled. Yet too many with trumps in charge have been less so. Which is where I am this morning. The trump dismantling of our democracy is a reckoning many of us foresaw yet not enough of us could make the effort to realize the warnings. We did this to ourselves and now we must endure the consequences of our poor decision. People like me who did not ask for this and advocated against it are also now caught up in the aftermath of the poor decision of others. We are all in this together as with any strong democracy through thick and thin yet the thin still waiting to come is what is hampering my ability to be much more upbeat about our American experience.

(#5865) When we spend our time hoping for deaths to happen we are in a bad place!

      Waking up each morning hoping the news will deliver a much hoped for demise of some souls is not a healthy way to live. Yet for too many it is that exact reality that is faced. I am not just talking about random people wanting death for others to occur. I am talking about 100's of millions of souls who are hoping their lives will be more worth living if those souls who are harming them would just be no more. It still makes me confused when I think about how we allow ourselves to be run roughshod over by too many who couldn't care less about our existence? Even when we have the means to stop some of the worst people alive from ruling us, we still allow them to rule.
     In my mind I expect others to think rationally like myself. Using logic and common sense to understand the nature of our decisions. So obviously I am not correct in my formula. Because if I were correct the trumps and putins of the world would not even be a memory by now. Yet instead they are dominating our lives with constant pressure to take from us the little safety and security we currently have. I know now that it isn't just ignorance that keeps us from a better life, it is fear. We are afraid of threats applied directly, indirectly, veiled, and/or conditional. Fear is a real thing and is not to be taken lightly. But it cannot be the final factor in determining our choice.
     We must not let the threat of fear carry us to a place where the user of fear triumphs. I know that each generation of our societies need to win the battle against fear as a validation for living in freedom. Sadly, the last few generations have failed to win that battle and now we as a society are paying the price. I know this though, the fight to succeed over fear is never over so the sooner we begin to defeat fear as a threat the sooner we get more comfortable overcoming fear when it eventually tries to come around again. Mastering fear is a value that strengthens with time. To be an individual as a human being requires that we are able to rise above fear so that the rest of existence is ours to command on our terms, not the users of fear.

(#5864) I am still stunned that trump seems to have won the election

      I have this numbing feeling that just won't go away. It is just baffling to me that he could in any universe have gotten more votes than Harris. I know in a couple of decades some other truth may come out that there was some form of trickery involved but for now there is no proof. I suspect though that if some deceit was employed by republicans it was in the form of eliminating likely Harris votes across the country where there is less scrutiny over our sacred right to vote. If our democracy demands one thing of all of us it is that our right to vote is absolute.
     So if votes were not counted in too many jurisdictions then in theory our democracy truly has crumbled. Right now we are seeing the effects of our democracy crumbling in real time with trump acting the part of a king. He is ignoring the will of the people, which validates denying one person one vote, so that he can establish himself as the only voice of America. His lackeys are ruthless cads who also justify a takeover of our democracy. The followers trump has are not that many but loud and ignorantly obnoxious they are. We who are civilized in our personalities and behavior are due to change our approach if we desire to fight for our democracy.
     If the trumps of the world are willing to fight dirty with fire then we the civilized must fight back with even more fire. There are no Marquess of Queeensberry rules to guide our confrontation. There is only survival mode for the fight then after victory we reassess our behavior to reconform back to civilized behavior. When the horde is inside the gate there is only no rules. So avail yourselves of the idea that when the time comes the staying alive is greater than the means employed to win the battle. We who are civilized will find our choices disgusting and even filthy yet our breath maintained when the battle is over is all that matters in this desperate time.

(#5863) I dream of a day when my bills are not on top of my head

      I know I am not alone in this. Most all of us are driven by what we owe and how to pay that owe. It doesn't get much easier as time goes by either. At least in my experience. Just when I can see above the water another emergency of some sort seems to appear and I am again planning a time consuming payment plan for that solution. However, I have been able to manage and for that I am grateful. It is not too bad being me when the big picture is looked upon. Yet I and most likely many of you feel the strain and desperation of the obligations we encounter despite the contradiction that we don't take anything with us when when we "shuffle off this mortal coil".
     That day when my monthly bills are even with my knees will be a happy day. When I know that the amount I have coming in is well enough above the amount I have going out. Not that I want to be surrounded by wealth, I just want to be able to know that my bills aren't the only thing I live to pay. I like being able to do things for good people when I see a need and when I can't, I feel that disappointment. I don't know what the end date on my life will be but I am hoping it isn't before I can rise above my bills and spend some time and resource on helping people within my surroundings a little bit better than they are now.
     I am not sure why I am writing about this subject but I know how I am. When something is heavy on my mind it is difficult to think of anything else. I give myself a window of about 2 hours to write my daily blog post when I am on a workday. I was called in to work on this day when normally I am off. So the topic of bills has been rolling around in my head as I project their payments and when they finally will be less enough than my income. I figure about 2 years without a catastrophe intervening will get me to that desired position. The thing is though I will be well enough into my 70's and still working, albeit part time. I do believe my health is up to it and my mind is still sharp enough to handle the tasks. I do worry about my motivation but the bills, like with most of us, seems to be enough to keep me on edge and going.
     

(#5862) I am no admirer of cruelty

      I may get off kilter sometimes because I can't believe what we do to ourselves but I never let those moments stop me from doing what I can to make the world better. I am no perfect soul but I at least want to try to be. It is the quest not the destination. So when someone asks you why you want to do good and decent things just tell them that it makes you content and happy. Because that is what it does for me. I know my time here in this realm is much nearer the end than the beginning so for me the less time I spend making life harder for others is a priority.
     Our founding foreparents had it correct when they included in our Declaration of Independence the following sentence "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." So we know what unalienable means let me add it means universal/absolute. The pursuit of happiness to me is the purpose we all should channel for our lives. What is the point of living a relatively short life span if not to enjoy the endearing emotion of life? Those who work their lives in efforts to harm are not in connection with their own spirituality or our Declaration of Independence's charge.
     I am in connection with my spirituality because it reminds me that this existence is greater than me and I am no greater than anyone else. There is no delusion in my life because doing good and great is the better and best of my honor. Neither do I have these emotional senses within me in order to deny them. I have them to be able to experience them. Same with my curiosity. I am bold about wanting to know that which I don't know. I am objectively still innocence in action while also being courageous in strength when my curiosity is piqued. I find that all the good and great in the world is because others are of the same mindset. Just as all the bad and worse in the world is from another form of mindset that admires cruelty as a necessity.
     

(#5861) As the lies are exposed what will we do?

      What has happened in the past is now less important than what must be done in the present. I have been a victim of lies in my past and it was because I put my trust out there. I had always expected that honor was more important than dishonor. I have not really been naive in my past so my being trusting was something I started out in life with. But since richard nixon, who proved to be a liar extraordinaire, I have always doubted, until proved otherwise, the veracity of claims made by public and wealthy figures. The old axiom of hope for the best but expect the worst is just appropriate enough to identify my stance.
     There really is only one thing we can do once we see the lies are fact and the false claims were a subterfuge. That one thing would be to unite together to upend the liar and relinquish him to the dustbin of history. Those of us who warned against the liar and those who believed the liar but now know they were lied to have to unite without the accrimonial "I told you so". Instead we must join forces to stop the threat of the lies. There are many reasons for us put aside our differences so that we may live to see another day within our democracy. All other considerations must take a back seat to the most dangerous threat that we are faced with.
     Allowing the liar to advance to a post that is too important to all of us requires all of us to put an end to his power. The only way we can do that is to unite. We are all harmed by the lies so let us put our shoulders together and heave the menace from our path. There are no problems that cannot be solved when we all try to do our better and best. When we unite that is the first step toward an approach that bases itself in the truth. The liars need to go and the truth tellers need to replace them. We are a mighty species quite able to take the facts of what we know and turn them into solutions that work for all of us. We have done so in the past and we can also do so in this present.

(#5860) Long day already

      So this morning at about 12:20 am I woke up and realized that I could put my two non working used appliances out on the curb for an early morning pickup by the city. So up I got and out to the curb went the stove and refrigerator that were at their end. it didn't take too long but it did get me woke up enough that going back to sleep was no easy chore. I finally fell asleep and woke up again in about two hours. I decided that getting up again was the best option as it was already after 5 am. the pickup was scheduled from 6 am on. So still thinking about the two appliances being picked up I decided to have another item ready in case I could include it.
     The deal with the city to pick up appliances is that the limit is two. Yet I knew there would be a human being coming to pick up the appliances so I got a used wall air conditioner ready close by in case I caught the pick up man in action. Which at about 7:30 I did. He was a pleasant young man who told me after seeing the rather small air conditioner that he would be fine with taking it as well. I had it ready to go already on the hand cart ready to take to the liftgate on the back of his work truck. I kind of feel like I stretched the rules of the city program but it really was a small unit and was otherwise in need of being transported away.
     What this all means to me is that I prepared myself out of ahead of time to be ready to let the air conditioner go if there was a chance it would be added and taken. That's what it ended up being and I feel kind of proud of myself for doing the work in case it came to fruition. I try to be like that in every aspect of my life. Anticipating what could be just in case it is. This quote and explanation by the late Robert Kennedy came to mind as I was typing this: "Some men see things as they are and ask why. I dream things that never were and ask why not." An explanation is this: This quote encourages people to think beyond the present and strive for positive change by imagining possibilities that may not currently exist.-Google AI quote.

(#5859) The psychopaths don't know the power of our hearts

      The evolution of the first iteration of humankind is beyond the brute force of desperate survival. Yet the psychopaths are not much more than a baby step beyond their origins. We who have evolved and leapt into our compassion and curiosity are a breed apart. There is a division within our human species that is delineated by a murky existence where a turning point is becoming apparent. As the possible is against this regression, each side is gearing up toward a clash. The stage is set for the destruction of enlightenment or the new found flourishing of it. Which will survive the pain and certain suffering? I say those of us with the heart for humanity over those who cannot feel the emotional effect we have.
     I started this blog out as a forum for my understanding of the one true nature of our species. We care and we wonder. Yet it seems that this consideration of mine is not inclusive of all the human species. There are those who cannot feel the care along with the wonder. Their inability is confounding yet verifiable. So we humans are still at a crossroads in our total evolution. Which is why we are still fighting to truly become who we should be. An enlightened species equipped with a nature that exemplifies a mastery of our environment and the coming mastery of the Universe we exist within.
     Our struggle as a species is at a fork in the road. Do we degenerate back to our more desperate survivalist early evolvement? Or do we move forward with our care and wonder dominating our time space continuum? This is not a question I would ever have thought would need to be posed. Yet it seems that we are not at the point where the obviousness of incredulity is assuaged. Hence the looming confrontation of evolution versus regression. I know what side I stand on as enlightenment is the food I need for my curiosity which is as much a part of me as my own physical body. Beware psychopaths, we know what you are all about!

(#5858) Anticipate the social media blackout

      When the current powers that be are ready they will take away our ability to communicate with each other. Our social media platforms that are controlled by allies of despicable persons will align to keep us from sharing news as we receive it. Keeping us uninformed is nothing new to those who would destroy democracy. They know that if we are left in the dark we are more likely to be confused and unable to build our alliances against them. We should not be waiting for them to get us into their clutches before we devise our response. Thinking outside the box now is what will save us from total capitulation when the heavy boot comes for our necks.
     I am no conspiracy theorist but I am awake and aware. My eyes are not deceiving me they are telling me that the coup on our democracy is already in motion. I do not find pleasure in being correct about this. I would rather be totally wrong in fact. Yet again, my eyes do not deceive me. So prepare for the worst and hope for the best is a motto I follow in my most wise tradition. Our freedom of speech is guaranteed by our constitution. Our constitution is guaranteed by our democracy. When we lose our democracy we will lose our constitution and then we lose our freedom of speech. The individual rights of persons will no longer have an American ally to protect it.
     There are other forces for good in the world but we Americans have been at the forefront of that magnificent crusade. We can no longer say that with the current powers leading our government. We Americans are capitulating our headship of democracy to favor a force that would model themselves as kings. Although I would say that the majority of Americans still believe in democracy, we are being neutered by powerful forces that will stop at nothing to get their way, not we the people's way. When we become isolated from each other the control of us will be easier and more efficient for those who see people as property and not as the amazingly dynamic species we truly are.

(#5857) The unthinkable is happening so we must think about it

      No one in their right mind would believe that our democracy was about to crumble. Except that is not true. I am in my right mind and I know it is happening. What I am having a hard time doing is starting to prepare myself for the fallout that will be coming sooner than later. How do I prepare for that? I hear some folks talk about storing up supplies along with offensive/defensive capabilities. I am influenced by this approach in that when the fight comes I must be able to help. I am not one to be a bunkered in person but it seems nothing is off the table since I am not a young man anymore able to venture out into the fray with a physical agile alacrity.
     I was out this early morning and the signs of despair are more prevalent. I don't just see the poor street people out in the cold, but I see mothers and fathers who are now into that desperation. The callousness of it all reminds me that caring for someone who is down and out is now the exception not the rule. Surely there are those who are gaming life in order to avoid responsibility but those are not the majority. What is going on out there is less about a defiant cockiness and more about grasping at last straws. With new adverse political policies affecting the poor among us expect to see even more street life with its cruel and abusing reality. Our hoped for dreamscape is quickly turning into a hellscape.
     The rule of law is being flaunted by the powers that be so expect that attitude to become common. When the accountability of some is being ignored and dismissed the rest of us are prone to follow the example especially since we can justify it through unfairness. Storing up provisions and offensive/defensive capabilities may work for a while but they are not a solution to what is coming down the road. What we need is an end to what is coming down the road before the road is filled with misery and sorrow. What form that ending takes is what is unknown but the fact of something forcing a change is consistent with thinking about the unthinkable.
     
     

(#5856) We need our George Washington to command the honorable virtues of we the people!

      Against the powers that be a force is needed that moves past fear. A force that is both full of courage and strength. A force that is emblematic of what is better and best about our species. There are followers waiting for this kind of leader. This leader must rise up from obscurity with a real sense of what we the people are living. What we the people want in this reality. Like Zelenskyy in Ukraine, a person who is willing to do whatever it takes to bring a better world out of a dark one. We need that kind of leader now. I get the feeling that the time is coming for this person to awaken their destiny to all of us.
     This is no easy ask for a person to rise above the life of safety but our very existence is being threatened to the point of no safety is assured for anyone. We need our George Washington to command the honorable virtues of we the people. The time is slipping away for us to have a fighting chance to reclaim the best of our democracy but the moment is not going to last long. Within someone out there an urge to push beyond fear is calling them to make the decision to lead our country out of the abyss we are falling into and up again to a place of honorable living. Nothing about all of this is easy in fact much hardship will be required but the conclusion won't be demoralising it will be exhilarating!
     Whomever is going to rise up and be our leader this person must do it soon. We are short on time and the longer it takes for us to start our momentum the harder it will be on everyone. We did not suppress the worst of what humanity can envision without but we can once again stop it from destroying us from within. But we need our leader whomever it will be! There is a pathway for regaining the best of what our foreparents envisioned for us but even that opportunity is limited. I trust in we the people as the greatest power on Earth. I also trust that within our ranks there is a soul who will find their calling and fight with us to make correct the wrongs that have us captive.

(#5855) After the judges are defied there is nothing left of our democracy

      The last stand for our democracy are our federal and state judges. More so the federal ones who are directly in the firing line of trump and his coup of our rule of law. When the king/dictator trump advances beyond the judgments of the judiciary then there is nothing within a civilized response for us to challenge trump. He will have his dream of ruling America as the only power of direction. Gone will be the checks and balances of government that has held our democracy safe over the last nearly 250 years. The legislative branch has abdicated their role as lawmakers and purse string controllers. With the demise of the judiciary there will be nothing left to contain the carnage that trump will employ.
     Even the press is neutered. As to we the people as the ultimate last stand that has yet to be decided but as it was us just a few months ago that gave trump his power to take ours I don't hold out much hope of a revolt from us. Yet it is what we need to do in order to stop the inevitable destruction of our democracy. The judges are trying now but the allies of trump who are assisting him in his takeover of our form of government are powerful enough to take down the rule of law no matter how correct it is. The rest of us who are powerless to stop the trump takeover are just marking our time for when the jackboots come for us and then force us to kneel or face the grave consequences.
     One thing that hampers us in this unfair battle to save our democracy is that the aggressors are not hindered in their options for strategy. They do as they please as any means will justify the end. We the people on the other hand are not equipped to fight with an all in attitude. Too many of us are not even equipped to fight. We will likely acquiesce to the bullies and do their bidding when it comes down to it. America has lost it's courage and instead is now cowered to survive without individual rights that our foreparents fought and died to give us. Our new American legacy is weakness in the face of aggression. How sad that we did this to ourselves. Yes there is still time to turn this around but that would take much that at this point we don't seem to possess.

(#5854) Work has slowed for me in my part time job

      I would usually be working right now as Tuesdays are my normal working days. But since there is little to do today I was asked to wait and come in tomorrow. Which is fine with me since I have no scheduling conflicts. But it does speak to the volume of the work being at a much lower level. I suppose it is seasonal as the cold winter months do not invite a lot of moving around outside. I am the lone transfer driver in this district now since the other transfer driver needed to find a more steady 40 hour a week job. Me? I am not like that. I cannot easily work 40 hours a week anymore because of my physical decline from my prime and my added physical problems from aging.
     I do however want to keep some kind of schedule for work because the income is needed to offset the rising cost of living. I am not in a great or even good way as to income but I can make ends meet each month. Which I think puts me in a good position considering a lot of other folks. So no complaints. I would rather not have to work to make extra money but the times dictate that I must. There is a lot of work I could be doing at home to make this place more livable but it isn't easy with the tight budget and the wear and tear from the outside work that seems to have on my body. Plus when it comes to work my mind still thinks I am in my prime. lol.
     I guess I should enjoy this temporary slowdown of work outside the home. If trends continue like in other years the work will pick back up by next month sometime and then I will be working more outside the home. Surely another part time transfer driver will be added and that will help but we are not there yet. I guess being home today has triggered some nostalgia about this slowdown that is both good and not so good. Good for my health but not so good for my income. Yet none of this is new as my life has always been variations of a relative boom or bust roller coaster ride. It would be nice to finally be done with the carnival ride but it seems not yet anyway.

(#5853) One foot in front of the other...

     Why have we done this to ourselves? Life is hard enough without us making it harder on ourselves when we could have made it easier. Doing this to ourselves twice in eight years is beyond stupidity it is masochistic. Self harm is never the answer but it seems it is for us. We Americans are habitually unintelligent. We don't seem to care about simplicity and what it offers. We are not smart enough for simplicity. We are an embarrassment to social progress and forming a society that is envied. If you are not the leader type then at least choose people who are. Not someone less intelligent than yourself.
     It cannot be that difficult to see the moronic nature of someone like the current president. He has no clue what he is doing except that if he isn't showing brute strength through harming most everyone of us then he isn't doing what he thinks is required of him. His idea of being like the tyrants in the world who can control their societies is his dream come true. Which is what he is trying to do here in America. Yet his die hard followers cannot see what their eyes and ears are recording. The disconnect is what alarms me and makes me ask the question of why? Why are we so less than simple that a brute can control what we do and say through us willingly giving them the power to do it?

     I think too many think our society is too free and they want someone to reel it back in. To the point of giving power to a person so devoid of humanity that they themselves don't mind suffering as long as he makes those who want to live free suffer more. What a deranged reality to hope for. Instead of letting each of us live our own existence within the rule of law they would rather destroy our democracy so that only a few realities are allowed to exist while gravely punishing others for their non compliance to their vision. We Americans are becoming a virus on the body of humanity and it is now our destiny to be either running rampant beyond containment or have an antidote applied to us. Either way the beacon of freedom we used to be is now a distant memory.

(#5852) Late post today

      All I have is a bunch of not much moving around in my head. I have been trying to put some thoughts together about what matters to all of us most but my head hurts and my body is not feeling great. Yesterday I did a lot of yard work and sorting in the garage. I went at my usual non stop pace and last night and today I paid for it physically and mentally. It was all I could do to make sure my driving was safe and productive. I had to work today so being a transfer driver is all about being out in traffic. So I succeeded in that and then when my shift was over I came home to a sudden mess that needed my immediate attention. An hour after that I was finally able to settle into doing my normal chores.
     Meanwhile my blog post for today remained undone and my mind slipped further into a void for all my efforts. I decided to sit here at my keyboard and freeflow words from my mind. Not much yet except a narrative of how my life has been for the last 36 hours. I know this much I won't be caring who wins the football game today because for it it emblematic of our society caring more for the success of a sport over the success of our democracy. Yet I get that it is an escape from reality when we find we feel useless and too insignificant. I am so tired right now my arms and shoulders are aching and as soon as I find enough sentences to finish this post I will be lying down for the evening.
     I did just have a thought about the Snickers ice cream bar I have in the freezer and how good that would taste before I head to the bathroom to waterpik and brush my teeth. Thankfully there are a few small pleasures I can enjoy amongst all this unpleasant we are currently embroiled. I expect nothing will change that unpleasantness for anytime in the near future so bracing myself in ways that obstruct and shield myself is the modus operandi. We are so early into this current quagmire of political hell that it may seem impossible to eventually see the light at the end of the tunnel. But like the last time this occurred we did find out way out of it by revolting in ways that mattered. Once again we must revolt again!

(#5851) The inferior greed of the American electorate

      What is the inferior greed of which I state? Instead of being greedy for equality for all we are greedy only for ourselves to have equality. Instead of being greedy for all to pursue their dreams we are only for pursuing our own. In essence we Americans are not about being just and fair we are about being uncaring and cruel when whatever it is doesn't benefit us personally. I look at what we Americans should be. We should be those souls that spend their lives making sure that all humans born are able to live without unnecessary pain and misery as a rule. Instead we turn our backs on those who we tell ourselves are less than us instead of equal to us. We Americans think that we are special in whatever twisted logic to justify our being above and inattentive to the woes of others.
     We Americans work hard to insulate ourselves from the cries of the heart in order to exist apart from it. This attitude and behavior is not the exception it is the general acceptance among us. We have abdicated our humanity so that we can dislocate from the harsh reality of our humanity. We only want to care about what we want to care about instead of caring about what reality is truly doing. For some inferior reason we think that the world's troubles are too numerous and too big for us to partake in solving. So we create our own separateness in order to forget about the world's troubles. We quit on being a magnificent species so that we can devolve back to being a sufferable one.
     I often come back to the same conclusion about what we Americans think we have become, privileged and advantaged. Too many of us do not know the hardships that were endured to improve our society toward democracy and its benefits to all of us. We today are unclear in our approach to the manifest destiny we are all still part of promoting. We were going to bring democracy to the whole world so that all could know freedom, liberty, justice, fairness, and the pursuit of happiness. But what has happened since is that too many of us stopped our mission so that we could instead enjoy democracy while stopping to fight for it. We are now lazy and unprepared for those who come at us to steal our democracy from us. We sit back because we lost our way and don't remember the sacrifices and what they meant to the foreparents who gave us our democracy to begin with.

(#5850) We are all nobody until we become somebody

      What do I mean when I say that? Life, starting out is a mystery to all of us. We don't know what it is that we are to be in life but eventually we find clues through time. Some of us realize after some time that we don't really have some specialized skill or talent that is obvious so we go out and experience life to see what we can learn and relate toward. Even then many of us fail to achieve that lightbulb moment when our niche in life is revealed. If you are like me you just do your best as much as you can and be open to the unknown as it shows itself. I am not great at anything but I am good at a lot of things that give me gratefulness
     That has to be good enough for me because I know that as much as I want to be some special or exceptionally gifted person I am not. However, Life isn't about what we are it is about how we live in the time we have. Being busy with purpose is always wonderful as a guideline to living and making a positive difference in other people's lives is tremendous. We don't have to be a great artist or the wisest person ever born. We just have to be the better and best of what we do know we are. We care and we wonder. For me that is as much as I can contribute to our society. I am always still looking for some nuanced way to excel at a good thing but because of advancing age, the chances are slimmer with each passing day.
     The most important thing I can offer as a wise thing to do in life is to be well rounded in all aspects of what our reality teaches us. We must never stop learning and never say we know it all. What I know for sure is that the more I learn the less significant my ego is. Learning is awesome in that it teaches us that we are but very little in the big scheme of things. But learning also teaches us that to become bigger in the scheme of things we must never stop learning. Although my ego is less significant in the big scheme of things I am also part of the most amazing species ever known to exist. We humans have unlimited potential and that great fact is what should drive us all to become the somebody we all hope to be.

(#5849) The arrogance of confident lawlessness

      You should know that you are being played for a fool when those you help into power use it against you. Many of us knew this and tried to warn of its coming but we were not successful enough. Now we are seeing it happening and wishing it away will not make it go away. Understanding the problem is the first step the many of us need to take in order to address a solution. My tact is to always give the wrongdoers a chance to change their ways through self improvement. However that tactic won't apply in our current situation. There will be no self improvement from the current mob leading our government.
     So what then do we do? We organize and protest to the greatest effect. We gather in numbers to great to ignore and apply pressure on those who think they are immune to the rule of law and we the people. Every act of protest that we the many take is another reminder to those in power who are abusing power that there is an understanding among we the people of what they are doing. We have to make it clear that not only do we understand their actions but that we are defiantly against them. Not only do we need the working middle poor class in our protests but the wealthy who are our allies as well. The time to unite is now and when all democracy loving Americans form together and protest we are unlimited in our ambitions.
     Let us say perhaps that the wrongdoers are able to withstand our protests regardless of our numbers and how organized we are. What do we do then? We revolt! We stop our daily kneejerk actions and force our society into a halt. No travel, no work, we drop everything we are doing in our normal lives and gather in the streets everywhere. Of course life saving actions must continue but non essential activities must come to a halt. Once our nation is effectively in a stand still position we are then able to demand action that will hold the wrongdoers accountable. We the people need our democracy back and if our representatives won't listen to us then we must remove them from honored positions they have dishonored.

(#5848) I am looking forward to an eventful day

      There are planned protests in 50 states at 50 state capitols today. I had planned on being at mine here in Sacramento, California but work had asked me to participate in a drive to Nevada to pick up some vehicles and trailers. It is a first for me as a transfer driver here in California to go on an out of state transfer so I was somewhat eager to be part of the team. I was a little disappointed in not being at the capitol today at noon but as I need the extra money this opportunity provides it is necessary for me to be at work and not protesting the current administration of harm.
     There is one particular problem we are facing in this work assignment and that is the road conditions. We have been having quite a bit of rain these last several days and that affects snowfall at higher elevations. Like the elevation climb from here in the Sacramento Valley to the about 7 thousand foot height Reno inhabits. There are road closures on one of the highways and chain requirements at the moment on all routes available. The work will not go forward if chains are needed for all the vehicles we are transferring so with a dry day starting last night we are hoping the roads will dry up a bit and allow for us to travel them without having the chain requirement.
     As of a few minutes ago the chains are still required and in less than an hour and a half we will be meeting at the shop to begin our drive to Reno. A clear sunny day of about 48 degrees is predicted today in Reno so we may be able to complete our transfer from Reno today but it may have some hours delay. I am not sure if the powers that be will keep this schedule for today but it will be touch and go for the next few hours. I need to get ready to leave shortly so ending this blog post on a positive note is what I will do. If we don't go to Reno there is work in town I can do and if I get done before the protest at noon I will get myself there. A busy day today regardless of what process ends up being mine.

(#5847) Wrongdoers should find no safety

      In the time we are in and the wealth of knowledge out there the idea that wrongdoers can live in our reality with impunity is wishful thinking. There is no place on our planet where wrongdoers can go to hide from their dirty deeds. We humans have conquered our planet in ways that will not allow people of disfavor to hide away and exist in obscurity. So knowing that, we who are fighting to end wrongdoers of their plans to continue to do wrong are given an opportunity to apply justice. Some say extrajudicial justice is appropriate but I think not. The rule of law must always be our first choice when upholding the values we hold dear.
     We cannot step outside our codes for enforcement because of anger or ease. We must pursue the correct course when dealing with those who would void the rule of law for their own gain. Which is why I bring up the fact that there is no safe harbor for those who commit crimes and expect to get away with it. The technology available and the limited livable space on our planet make the idea of hiding away impossible for any length of time. Our species is a remarkable one and when a problem needs a solution I would never bet against us. Wrongdoers beware! There will be a reckoning and it won't just rely on karma to bring it about.
     The immaturity and lack of wisdom some show as they rampage through our laws is now visible and undeniable. Some wrongdoers think they are immune to the rule of law. The past is not now with the evolution of knowledge. So their understanding of others in the past being able to strong arm their way through life is not our reality. For a short relative time it may seem like some are above others but not for long. As justice bends toward correctness the wrongdoers get closer to their comeuppance. They may have wealth to slow down their coming inevitability but wealth will not hide them from our relentless pursuit to bring them out of their finite hidey holes.

(#5846) Insurrection didn't work but republican collusion did

      The difference between the two major political parties used to be fiscal approaches. Now it is whether we keep democracy or not. Whether we keep the pursuit of happiness or not. Whether we keep individual and collective rights or not. The republican party has gone batshit crazy by allowing a convicted criminal who instigated the storming of our capitol to become president, again! It isn't happenstance that trump is doing what he is doing to undermine our democracy as his insurrection clearly displayed. He is a conman who will stop at nothing to grift from anyone and everyone who he is able. Yet too many dismissed these as just aberrations that did not rightly portray him.
     Others say that nothing he did would have persuaded them not to follow him. Their argument was that democrats were out of control and needed to be stopped no matter what. It didn't matter that the out of control narrative came from trump and his allies. His followers swallowed it up and spat it out in hate filled anger. They believe that democracy is only for them and how they think and not for everyone to adapt to their own particular life. So here we are with the cowering republican party about to turn a blind eye to trump and his wrecking crew of unelected allies. When trump is finished with his crippling of our society he will then be able to do his disappearing of all those who don't worship him.
     The golden calf has come alive and he is not friendly. In fact he is vengeful and cruel. As his brutal initiatives begin to take shape the vast majority of us will find ourselves powerless due to the infiltration trump will accomplish at our institutions of checks and balances. When he said this would be the last election he would need he was referring to his take over of our government much like his pal Putin. The republican party in their absolute weakness made a deal with the devil and although they have majorities to celebrate, their trade was to be subjected to a bully who will make them give the rest of what they thought was power. They were the pawns and now will be like the rest of us just cannon fodder to the entertainment of psycho/sociopaths.

(#5845) We are imploding...

      It seems that we Americans, at least too many of us are willing to go down with the sabotage of our ship. The Captain has lost the compass and is acting out in a reckless way. There seems to be no one who can stop him so it is to the bottom of the ocean we go. Each day he finds a way to destroy what little hope I cling to a little bit more. It is getting to the point where the end of us is more visible than the rescue of us. How this all plays out soon over the next short period of time will either seal our doom or inhibit it. It is never too late for the narrative to change but we are late into that possibility.
     I like many of us are bewildered that there isn't some form of a check and balance working feverishly to interject into this woeful and waning process. I cannot force myself to the realization that we all deserve this because I know we all don't. Yet the facts say different. How one deranged individual could obsess us into inaction is the biggest clue. Right before our eyes the very foundation of how we live and exist is being undercut with a sadistic glee. Yet we are all too unprepared to do anything at all. If anything we all should just stop what we are doing and descend on the perpetrator of our woe. If we all just stop and aim our attention on the one who is harming us the harm will stop.
     But it seems we are not even able to do the most simple task of protest. We just continue to go ahead like all things will be fine enough as we are about to be helmed to our demise. Like the frog who won't jump out of the pot of the slowly heating water, we just go about our lives with a numb uncaring. Those of us who are seeing our plight are frustrated that we are still in the minority. We will likely create a liferaft for ourselves and be ready for disembarking when the ship does go down. I don't know what to say to my fellow countrymen. I cannot force you to see what is happening or care that it is happening. I will keep saying though that it is happening and you have little time left to stop it.

(#5844) Although skeptical I still hold hope America will reverse this current insanity

      Why oh why did we have to do this to ourselves. again! I know why now as it is a lack of knowledge on the part of too many who don't know they lack knowledge. I have been wondering for years why anyone could not see the difference between democrats and republicans. What I have finally defaulted to is that the voting electorate in America is so uninformed as to how to be good people that we fall to the easiest excuse to pretend to be good. We accept lies if they give us answers that blame others. We accept pain and suffering if we are told it is necessary for us to succeed. We in essence have abdicated our own intelligence for the belief that someone else knows better what is best for us.
     I don't know what event or catastrophe must happen for the light bulb moment to occur for a large swath of souls but I suspect it will be a cruel and brutish event or occurrence. As wicked smart as logic is the use of it has been abandoned by too many of those who find it inconvenient. What they get in return for avoiding their idea of inconvenient is monstrous and in no way an equivalent trade off. What we may see in the immediate future is the continual dismantling of our myriad societal norms. It won't come in drips it will come as a gusher. Then another gusher. The forces of warping our society into another without democracy are working overtime to make that happen.
     Yet all told I know we Americans are not going to let ourselves swirl down the drain. A rebuttal is coming and the form of that rebuttal will be unmistakable. When the shroud is lifted from the eyes of the victims of disinformation a reckoning of a considerable nature will occur. The very idea that this current climate of power that is being wielded will continue when the vast too many are inflicted with hardship is not the American way. The American way has always been to fight when harm is obvious and relentless. Those who stand against we the people are about to find out the hard way that justice is a concept objectively waiting to find the right time to commence.