This just in: Although the mid-term elections didn’t turn out nearly as bad as prophesized, I still find myself disappointed in the fact the nearly 50% of Americans think that the Republican party will either (1) accomplish something that benefits people in general or (2) will save people from the evil secret plot of the Democrats.

It all comes down to education, critical thinking and an open mind.

Of course, I credit myself with all three of these traits while, at the same time, acknowledging that I may be the delusional one.

Let me just throw a few names out there…

Hershel Walker, Jim Jordan, Donald Trump, Clarence Thomas, Lindsey Graham,

These people, and others like them, represent the worst that humanity has to offer and yet, they are the Best of the Republican Party.

I don’t want to go into details because (1) you already know and (2) if you don’t already know its because you don’t want to know and (3) listing the details would take years and cost thousands of lives.

The short version of the list is: (1) Lies, (2) Fear-mongering, (3) Lack of solutions to problems and (4) Ignoring the law.

I find all of these bothersome however its the last one that troubles me the most. It means you can do anything you want so long as you are famous or in a position of power. Trump pointed this out years ago with his, “Grab ’em by the pussy. You can do anything.”

Yesterday, Trump ignored a subpoena from a Congressional committee. The consequences – Nothing. I would be in jail. You would be in jail. Trump, is putting on the third green (aka not in jail).

This is all very frustrating to me. I don’t want the Republicans in jail. I want fair treatment under the law for everyone. EVERYONE.

On the bright side, Trump will declare his candidacy for president soon; possibly today.

The GOP infighting should be spectacular.

In the end, our government is broken but, our country is not.

We have criminals in office and gullible people willing to help keep them there.

And yet, we are still standing.

Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.

Time to save the world.

Up, up and away…

Jim

This just in: I have noticed that when I get into a political discussion with a Republican, it takes very little effort to get their back against the wall. Just saying something like, “Tell me about a single policy that they have,” will result in a response like, “Well, of course you know that neither party really has a policy on anything. They are all in it for the power.”

Now, you can’t say absolutely that ALL of the Republicans say or do something and NONE of the Democrats are guilty of the same crime. But you can say, “This seems to be a Republican position and nearly all Democrats denounce it.” This is my way of saying “It’s not Black and White…but it’s pretty close.”

Let’s look at a few examples…

1. Republicans cheered the January 6th rioters; calling the event “legitimate political discourse.” Democrats call it an insurrection.
2. Republicans are making jokes and spouting QANON fables about an assault on a politician’s spouse. They seem to promote violence at every level; at every rally, with every snide joke. Democrats openly denounce political violence.
3. Republicans will lie to you about everything. Democrats lie about some things and I find this frustrating. A Republican lie is told knowingly and about really big issues to a following that they find extremely gullible. Democrats tend to lie by exaggerating a fact when doing so might help their position by just a small amount.
4. Let’s stay with the lies for a bit…
5. Republicans tell you Trump won the election. Democrats say, “show us the evidence and we will believe you.” There is no evidence.
6. Republicans tell you they are pro-law enforcement and yet they cheer the January 6th rioters for attacking police.
7. Republicans tell you they are fiscally responsible and yet, over the last 60 years, they are the party that has blown up the national debt. They are the party that has ruled over the highest unemployment levels. They are the party that has ruled over the smallest growth rates for GDP.
8. Republicans tell you Biden is responsible for high gas prices. He’s not. Saying so demonstrates either (1) a complete lack of understanding about how a free market economy works or (2) they are lying to you.
9. Republicans say there is a huge crime wave at the southern border. Crime has been dropping there for decades. They know this but are hoping that you don’t.
10. Republicans have no plan for inflation, immigration, international affairs like Putin and Nukes, education, income inequality, racial discrimination, LGBTQ issues, national divisiveness, climate change, or any other issue that they are complaining about.

Here is an example of how I see the Republicans trying to get your vote.

GOP candidate: “Sir, did you know that inflation is up and it’s Biden’s fault?”

Rural American: “Boy howdy.”

GOP candidate: “Sir, do you want your son to grow up gay because that’s what the Democrats want.”

Rural American: “Well someone ought to do something about that.”

GOP candidate: “I like cheap gas and white people.”

Rural American: “Sir, you got my vote.”

This….this is why we can’t have nice things.

Time to save the world.

Up, up and away….

Jim

This just in: One thing that I feel certain about is that someone has been radicalized. I’m less sure that that “someone” is not me.

Maybe it’s me. Maybe I’m the one that is drinking the Kool Aide.

If so, how did that happen? I don’t watch Fox News so maybe I’m missing out on “facts”. I watch some MSNBC but am well aware of their biases. Most of my news comes from Reddit where virtually every news outlet is represented. It’s Front Page represents those articles that have been upvoted by readers as being legit, fair and newsworthy. Maybe this isn’t perfect but it’s as close as I can get to “real news.”

So, let’s suppose I have been radicalized. How would this impact my perception of reality? I’ll post a few opinions that I have about the Republican Party and you decide if I’m wrong; if my view of reality has been skewed.

1. The leader of the Republican Party is Trump. He is possibly one of the worst human beings ever to gain public notoriety. He’s a life-long grifter, a liar, an insurrectionist and bully. The documentation supporting this seems to be vast. His incompetence while in office is well documented.
2. I saw a guy on TV the other day say it was unfair that the Liberal Communist Media was picking on Trump. Think about that…Liberal….Communist….Media. Where did he get that from? What is a single example of a liberal media being communist?
3. Republicans seem to have a political platform that boils down to: Let’s cherry pick some things that are not going well and blame Democrats. The implication is “Since we noticed inflation, you should assume that we have a secret plan to fix it.” They don’t.
4. There is a Far Side cartoon where a book from treating different horse ailments is “Shoot.” This reminds me of the Republican solution to every economic problem: Tax cuts for the rich (aka trickle down economics). Note: not only is this one of the most widely panned economic policies of all time, it is the very same policy that nearly sank the economy in the UK just a couple of weeks ago.
5. Republicans seem to have an affinity for Putin.
6. Republicans seem to be very tolerant of Racism.
7. Republican have absolutely no problem looking you right in the face and claiming that Trump won the last election. They do this while being well aware that it is a lie.
8. Republicans work hard at voter suppression as a way to win elections. Why not try doing so with sound governing solutions.
9. It there is a Republican platform beyond “blame Democrats” it is, “Stop the Democrats from achieving anything that will make them look good.” In other words, if the Democrats had a magic potion to cure cancer, the Republicans would vote against making it available.

In the end, my Radicalization has not resulted in my “opposition” to policies but rather my “disgust” at behaviors.

For example: If someone wants to win by suppressing a vote, just say so. Don’t be such a coward that you need to hide your motive. Just say, “I have nothing to offer so I need to keep that people that are likely to notice that from voting.” That would be so refreshing.

I’m tired of the lies and manipulation. It’s resulted in my radicalization; a state where I feel like the Republican Party has nothing to offer in the way of solution for anything. Radicalization has caused me to see Republican voters as being easily manipulated, intellectually lazy and at the very least, tolerant of racism.

This disappoints me.

Time to save the world.

Up, up and away…

Jim

This just in: I am a Democrat. I like Liz Cheney, a Republican. I oppose nearly every political position she has taken. However, she has character. That is something I value above all else in a political contest.

Let’s take a look at what a lack of character looks like.

Hershel Walker is a candidate for senate in the state of Georgia. His resume includes the following:

1. Claims to have graduated in the top 1% of his class in college. In fact, he never graduated from college.
2. Held a gun to his ex-wife’s head and threatened to kill her.
3. Has 4 children with 4 different women and raised none.
4. He is an election denier which is the same thing and “an insurrectionist supporter.”
5. He claimed to be a law enforcement officer and an FBI agent. He is neither.
6. Claims he is against abortion and yet paid for one and tried to get the same woman to have another.
7. Claims his opponent is responsible for high gas prices. He is not.

He is a prolific liar with no political experience and lacks the intellect to do the job.

And yet…

1. Newt Gingrich says that Walker brings a “deep commitment to Christ” to the senate. This is coming from a 3-time adulterer talking about a the antithesis of a good dad and family man. He is ignoring that the man Walker is trying to replace is an actual practicing preacher.
2. Tom Cotton is going to Georgia to speak on Walker’s behalf. This says a lot about Cotton.
3. Trump likes Walker because Walker was a famous football player in college.

These are the Men of Character that represent to vast bulk of the Republican Party.

There are nearly 300 Republican running for office in the midterms on a platform that includes, “Donald Trump is the rightful president of the United States.”

Think about this.

Republicans are supporting insurrectionists. Republicans are blaming everything on Democrats but have no solutions of their own to offer. They are racist, with one Republican saying something like “Democrats want crime. They want to pay reparations so that people can take you things from you.” The implication is that black skin = crime and that Democrats want to bribe black people to steal from you because they don’t want you to have nice things.

This is the Republican platform.

In spite of all of this, it’s a toss-up as to who will have the majority in the senate after midterms.

I find this disappointing.

Not because “my side” might lose. But rather, because, so many are willing to ignore character and simply vote for their “tribe” because that is what they have always done.

Time to save the world.

Up, up and away…

Jim

This just in: I say, “Call their bluff.” Call everyone’s bluff.

Let’s take just 3 examples:

Putin is implying that he will use tactical nuclear warheads if his newly “annexed” Ukrainian properties are invaded. What should we do? We can cower. However, this will mean that anyone with a nuclear weapon can now threaten us…and win. North Korea can say, “I now own Hawaii and if you don’t give it to me I will drop some nukes.” Saying, “I have nukes and I’m not afraid to use them,” will become the equivalent of our filibuster where it is no longer required to take the stage and talk for 24 hours; you just need to threaten to do it.

Yes, maybe Putin isn’t bluffing. But either way, failure to challenge him effectively makes him the ruler of the world. A tactical nuclear device will wipe out a city. The next day, Putin will see his army defeated and his navy at the bottom of the oceans. The United States may not be good at fighting non-traditional wars like in Afghanistan. But when it comes to army vs. army, we are professionals and no one should ever doubt the outcome. Against Russian, it wouldn’t even be close.

A second example; Republicans are threatening a civil war if Trump is indicted for ANY of him numerous crimes. We can say, “Hey, let’s not get all angry about this,” and give Trump a pass. What this means is that ANY president going forward is immune from ANY prosecution for ANY act that he commits.

I say, “Charge Trump and then let’s take note of who is causing violence…and put them away.”

A final example is the 299 election deniers that are running for office in this midterm. Maybe I should better call them election “De-Liars” since they know the election wasn’t stolen then just like to say that. Here is a link to a Washington Post article that is almost beyond belief. We can not show up to vote and let Republicans vote these people into office.

Yes, let’s do that. Let’s see what happens in Arizona when the majority of the population votes for a Democrat for president and the Republican Secretary of State say, “Nah…we are going to cast all of our electors for a Republican.” Let’s see what Americans do when that happens to them.

I predict that most will not miss an opportunity to vote the frauds out next time around…if they can. I say this because Orban in Hungary has made it impossible for anyone to vote him out of office. Republicans will find a way to squirm around and ultimately justify why the electors sent to D.C. didn’t reflect the will of the people.

To bluff is to make the other person think you have a winning hand when you have nothing. Putin is bluffing. Republicans are bluffing. I say, call their bluff, not because we’re brave. Call their bluff because we refuse to live in fear.

Time to save the world.

Up, up and away…

Jim

This just in: Having a lot of followers on Twitter does not make one a good person. Nor does it make someone qualified to fill a political seat; especially on a national scale.

Let’s start with this: When I say “Republican” I am referring to racists; I’m referring to Christian evangelicals; I’m referring to militia groups; I’m referring to liars and grifters. Granted, not all Republicans fall into these categories. However, the people that Republican select to represent them certainly do. Reach your conclusions about what this implies.

Another note: I once boasted that I never voted along party lines. I always tried to vote for the best candidate. That is not quite true anymore. While I don’t always vote for a Democrat, I ALWAYS vote against a Republican.

I can hear it now, “Jim, wait a minute. Let’s hear what this Republican has to say first.” To me, that is like someone in 1939 in Germany saying, “Wait, let’s hear what this NAZI has to say first.”

Someone that chooses to run as a Republican in today’s Republican Party has told me everything I need to know about that candidate.

Still, some candidates really stick out.

Herschel Walker for one. He’s running to be a senator for the state of Georgia. He has had all sorts of bad press in recent months. He’s essentially a young Trump. He is a prolific liar and has the IQ of a shrub. Today, it comes out that this Pro-Life guy paid for his girlfriend’s abortion. He denies this although she has a paper trail including a bill from the clinic and a check from Walker. Also today, one of Walker’s sons has sent out a tweet saying his dad is a person that has spent his life making others miserable.

Then we have Dr. OZ who is running for a senate seat in Pennsylvania. He is not only hugely unqualified but has made a career out of promoting “snake oil” on his TV show. Being a grifter is a main qualification for running for office as a Republican. However, as far as actual experience or qualifications for the job of senator…he has none.

There are a number of others. Johnson out of Wisconsin has to be the dumbest, most racist insurrectionist there is. And yet, he may just win another term.

And finally, we have the most likely (as of today) Republican candidate for president…Trump.

This is what the GOP has to offer you.

Think about it.

Time to save the world.

Up, up and away…

Jim

This just in: For fun, I thought I would make a list of things that either surprise me or not.

1. I am not surprised when a Lab that I’ve never met runs up to me like I’m its long-lost friend.
2. I would be surprised if any Republican took a stand in support of human rights.
3. I am surprised when my luggage shows up at the airport carousel.
4. I am not surprised when every day it seems like Trump has committed some crime that would land the average American in jail for a lifetime.
5. I would be surprised if Trump was ever charged with a crime, found guilty, and spent time in jail.
6. I am surprised when a double-stuffed breakfast croissant sandwich at Burger King tastes even better than I expect.
7. I am not surprised that Republicans complain about things without having a solution to any problem.
8. I would be surprised if I ever hit a long drive at the golf course and it stayed in my fairway.
9. I am surprised that Putin seems to be making one blunder after another with regards to the war in Ukraine.
10. I am not surprised that one Trump associate after another is found to be a criminal.
11. I would be surprised if Tesla stock does not double by the first month of 2024.
12. I am surprised that at age 64, I love Rockwall climbing; something I only started earlier this year.
13. I am not surprised that people willingly believe things that they know are not true simply because they want them to be true.
14. I would be surprised if organized religion could exist in a world where people couldn’t profit from it.
15. I am surprised that Italy has elected a Fascist government.
16. I’m not surprised that the UK is suffering economically after exiting the EU.
17. I would be surprised if Popeye’s somehow figured out how to make their chicken even better.
18. I am surprised when I can find my Hertz rental car at the Birmingham airport when they hide these things like Easter eggs in a giant car garage.
19. I am not surprised that people expose their biggest fears by openly displaying anger.
20. I would be surprised if California finally had a wet winter.
21. I’m surprised by how many elected officials are bad at math, science and economics but are experts at manipulating public opinion.
22. I am not surprised that Republicans in the House voted against a measure that would keep January 6th from happening again.
23. I would be surprised if Texans and Floridians realized that their governors are embarrassing their states.

Time to catch my flight.

And…save the world.

Up, up and away…

Jim

This just in: Today, I want to talk about how Republicans put lipstick on a pig in hopes of making is seem less…pig-like.

The First Amendment guarantees the right to free speech.

What the First Amendments does not do it allow you to yell “Fire” in a crowded theater when there is no fire. This is because you will be causing a panic in which people can be injured.

In other words, you can’t use your right to free speech in a way that is willfully and avoidably harmful to others. (I’m not a lawyer but this is how I interpret this.)

In the same way, you can’t stand in the middle of the street holding a sign that says, “Detour. Turn right here.” When people turn right they drive straight off of a cliff.

Seems pretty obvious.

But, we are allowed to go online and tell people, falsely, that a politician is a pedophile. People read this and decide to take the law into their own hands. They take action against something that is not true; action that results in injury to another.

Trump can incite a crowd to riot and kill and we act like it’s not a big deal. “He has a right to say whatever he wants.” Wrong.

All of this Fake News that we find from Republicans and on outlets like Fox news is inspiring violence. It does so willfully and avoidably. It is no different from yelling “Fire” in a theater.

Another example…

In Iran, morality police arrested a young woman for not wear her headdress appropriately. She later died of a supposed “heart attack.”

Iran’s “morality policy” have nothing to do with morals. They have everything to do will suppressing women and mandating strict adherence to the religious beliefs of their leaders. In short, its all about control to maintain power.

In the United States, we don’t have “morality policy.” Instead, we have “republicans.”

Republicans plan on arresting young women, and those that support them, if they fail to comply with the religious beliefs of the party. Anti-abortion laws are not “pro-life”. They are about suppressing women and imposing their personal beliefs in magic on others.

By the way, “Pro-Choice” means I want you to decide what to do with your body and I want to decide what to do with my body. “Anti-Abortion” means, I want to decide what to do with my body and I want to decide what to do with your body.

You can put lipstick on gun rights. You can put lipstick on voter suppression. You can put lipstick on unlimited campaign finances.

A pig with lipstick is not less pig-ish. It’s just a pig with lipstick.

Time to save the world.

Up, up and away…

Jim

This just in: The idea that “I have always voted Republican and will continue to do so” just doesn’t leave me with a lot of confidence in our democracy. The GOP of today is not even closely related to what it was 30 years ago. This party loyalty is like saying, “My favorite food is whatever the Republican Party says it is.” It used to be steak and now it’s fish…because I can’t make up my own mind.

The Republican Party used to stand for low taxes, small government and personal freedoms. Let’s take a look at what they stand for today.

The Republican platform:

1. Trump won the last presidential election.
2. The FBI should be defunded because it wants to enforce the law equally for all Americans.
3. Create roadblocks to voting for people that won’t vote Republican
4. Dog whistles for racists
5. Calls for violence when they don’t get their way
6. Preventing any legislation that benefits the American public in general
7. Obstruction of all government at every level
8. Giving elected state officials the ability to override the will of the voting public
9. Praise for Putin
10. Science denial
11. History denying
12. Fear mongering
13. Anti-women’s rights
14. Arming more people so that we can fight it out with each other at schools and stores
15. Misinformation spreading (recent study shows 1 out of 3 statements by Republicans spread misinformation.
16. Support your local homegrown terrorist
17. Fear immigration
18. Go It Alone approach to our place in the world.
19. Christianity should be the foundation of our government
20. Beating police is fine if they get in your way
21. Subtly support white nationalism
22. Anit-LGBTQ
23. Coup = normal political discourse
24. Make sure we have poor people so we can staff our armed forces
25. If they lose any election it was rigged, otherwise its fine
26. Trump is chosen by God

There you have it. Nothing on foreign policy. Nothing on the economy. Nothing on the general welfare of the American people.

As your average American, they have nothing to offer me. ZERO.

Let’s take a look at the Democrat platform based on their actual actions:

1. Fight inflation
2. Fight climate change
3. Promote higher education
4. Promote democracy around the world
5. Bring manufacturing back to the U.S.
6. Fight corruption
7. Bring justice to ALL who break the law
8. Pro women’s life
9. Compassionate approach to immigration
10. Credible and reliable member of NATO
11. Support science
12. Improve healthcare for everyone
13. Separation of Church and state
14. Acceptance of all LGBTQ people and related issues
15. Anti-racist
16. Take care of the troops

These are not all-inclusive but I think you get the point. The GOP is the party of “hate” and “self indulgence” while the Democrats are doing their job of “working for the people.”

Time to save the world.

Up, up and away…

Jim

This just in: I recently sat next to a guy on an airplane that fit the MAGA profile to a tee. Although we never mentioned politics, he certainly fit the profile.

I got upgraded to first class and a giant, maybe 6’6” plops down beside me. He smells of alcohol and is somehow really loud without saying anything. His cell phone is playing a video on max volume for all of us to hear. I hate him already and they haven’t even closed the door to the plane.

I’m not interested in talking with a drunk so I try to ignore him. He clearly wants me to look his way and when I don’t, he eventually says, “So, you heading home to Rochester?”

Me: Nope.

Him: Where you from.

Me: California.

Him: Hmmmfff…one of those. I’m from Florida.

At this point, I just shifted so my back was sort of to him and he got the message.

Up in the air, we were offered drinks. He asked for “anything with alcohol in it.”

It was a 1 hour flight and he had 4 of these drinks.

Finally, he can’t help himself and turns to me and says out of the blue…

Him: Tesla

Me: Yes

Him: Why don’t they use the NASA battery.

Me: I have no idea what you are talking about.

Him: Those spaceships that have supposedly been sending back pictures for decades, they must have a good battery.

Me: I doubt that any battery stays charged for that long. I’m sure they have a way to generate electricity on the craft.

Him: No way. How would they do that?

Me: I don’t know but if I had to guess, they have a radioactive isotope onboard that generates heat which is then converted to electricity.

Him: How would it do that?

Me: I don’t know, I’m not a physicist.

Him: EXACTLY. You don’t know. They don’t want you to know. Do you really believe they have been sending back pictures for all of these years? That stuff is all made up.

Me: Really.

Him: Yes. OCCAM’S RAZOR says that the simplest solution is the right solution.

Me: This is why you think you are correct?

Him: I know I’m right.

Me: So, by your theory, if you don’t understand something, it doesn’t exist?

Him: Hey, I didn’t say that but I know for a fact all of that space crap is fake. For example, we never landed on the moon.

Me: Are you a conspiracy theorist?

Him: No way! I believe in critical thinking.

Me: Do you think the earth is flat?

Him: Hey, I’m not trying to argue!

It should be noted that my impression was that he very much wanted to argue. He’d been getting louder by the minute.

Me: We are done talking.

I turned away and he kept trying to engage.

Finally, a woman behind us reached between the seats and tapped him on the arm to get his attention.

He spun around and shouted, “Don’t you touch me!!”

This is a 300 pound monster yelling at a little woman. All she said was, “I think you are being too loud.”

He went on yelling about “touching” as if she had just stabbed him with a knife.

Meanwhile, the plane had landed and was coming to the gate. I could see the flight attendant was paying very close attention in case things got out of hand.

They didn’t.

The drunk was the first one off the plane and left with quite a huff.

I never felt like I was in any danger although at one point I had to tell myself to be ready to grab him if he went for the woman behind us.

This story is really about the fact that there are people like this. He was convinced that his critical though process had proved that there was no space program. In spite of mountains of data and proof. Just like people believe Trump when he says the election was stolen. They are certain that their critical thinking skills are working at max capacity and yet…they can’t see that the world is not flat just because they want it to be.

Alas…

Time to save the world.

Up, up and away…

Jim