Taking a second look at the Schumer strategy

Quick Link —

Video interview with Chuck Schumer shows why sometimes you just have to take a second look.

Schumer speaks about his strategy 

Saturday Poetry

Once to every man and nation

Comes the moment to decide,

In the strife with truth and falsehood,

For the good or evil side;

Some great cause, God’s new Messiah,

Offering each the bloom or blight,

And the choice goes by forever 

‘Twist that darkness and that light.

— Once to every man and nation – – James Russell Lowell

I see this as most apropos – – and urgent – – for now.

President Runs Amok. People’s Help Needed Says Schiff

 Quick Link —

What It Will Take to Stop OML

Will you stand up?

Rush draft

With this concise and stiff question, I’ll reach out to you, dear reader, to ask, decide ye this day, what you will serve – – democracy, or autocracy.  

We may think that we can ignore what is going on in Washington. We say, “what can I do, I am only one person.”  The answer is simpler than you may think. The answer is to stand up, join with other like-minded citizens, and be counted.

This weekend there is to be a protest demonstration against Trump administration number two in Washington, DC. This demonstration is being organized by veterans, unions, artists, and I am sure citizens of every stripe.

What is happening in our country now is not just about persons in power, but more to the point, about an economic system, which favors smaller and smaller numbers of individuals wielding, vast economic power with greater and greater financial resources. But in order to exercise this kind of authority over other people,

The oligarchs must depend on a government, which is at least supine, if not actually hostile to the people.  The story is an old one in the history of the world. I recommend reading up on the rise and fall of the Roman empire, particularly it’sThe story is an old one in the history of the world. I recommend reading up on the rise and fall of the Roman empire, particularly its fall.

For this is a time analogous to that of the ancient empire. As has long been said, power corrupts; absolute power, corrupts absolutely.and yet the people are staring. People cannot be fooled forever. The attack on peoples pocket books is felt the motivation for action is there let us be about standing up for justice.May we stand up with all due speed.

Senator Schiff Lays Out Stark Picture 

From its earliest days, this blog has eschewed violence. It continues to do so today.

Mortgage rates decline. But is it for a good reason?

According to Yahoo news mortgage rates have recently declined to 6.6% but indications Are that well this might be good news for homebuyers, it may not be great news for all consumers.

Mortgage rates decline 

“My 600 lb. Life”

 This is the title of a weight loss doctor series now showing on a major streaming service.  I have the pleasure of watching an episode on Juan, a brave young man, as he traveled a journey to major weight loss.

It reminds me that we are all on a journey. On this journey, there are forces out of our control.  At the same time, we have free agency.  This combination is one of the great mysteries of life.  This documentary shows these two things can go together for success. Recommended.

An Exigency?

 It has been in our title for many years. 

Essentially, it is nothing new.

Koko, Reality’s Messenger

Perhaps the boundary between animals and man is not so fast after all. Coco, the gorilla who knew sign language, passed away in 2018 at the age of 47. Before leaving this world, she imparted a deep and beautiful message.

Koko, Reality’s Messenger 

Saving CNN — an Outline

 Rush, unedited text

The latest report is that after a significant decline and viewership immediately after last, November‘s election, CNN‘s numbers went up in January, but still not to the level seeing before the election.

Here, in brief, is an outline of what CNN can do to try to improve its status. This is a serious post, even if some of the points in the outline, our tongue and cheek:

One. Abolish the Trump eccentric approach. Stop promoting your huge banner, which says “Trump‘s first 100 days“ addendum: did you use a similar label for Biden‘s first 100 days?

Two: bring back CNN headline news. Use your talent and skills to prepare an excellent network. This format would be ideal for our busy coming and worried times.

Three. Hire trained journalists. I am delving into the unknown here, but the bios I have read indicate thin resumes when it comes to actual academic coursework degrees in journalism note to Self: will have to do more research on this.

Four. Cut the comedy. An occasional moment of humor or lightheartedness, it is completely understandable, but the ruckus laughter among best friend panelists is not appropriate.

Three more background stories, Allah NPR.

Six. Most difficult of all, and yet the easiest – – cut the commercials. Yes, this will seem impossible, and yet the program “democracy now! “, Shows this can be done.

Seven. More appearances by dissenting legislators.such as Ocasio, Dash Cortez, Crockett, McGovern, and Sanders.

Eight: more news on Trump, and Pope Health

And there are many more.America

Protests Continue to Build: General Strike Called For

U.S.  government workers have joined the growing numbers of protestors against the OML administration.

Meanwhile, leaked documents are showing just hell nefarious. The plans of American fascists are.  See more at the link below.

Protest Demonstrations Bubbling Up   

Coming soon:  Trump’s enabling act has no force of law and thus is null and void.

Breaking News from New York: Report — Thousands of Demonstrators Demand Removal of OML

Earlier today in New York City

Watch at the link above.

Saturday Poetry

 On the Extinction of the Venetian Republic

                                  by

                     William Wordsworth

Once did she hold the gorgeous east in fee;

And was the safeguard of the west; the worth

Of Venice did not fall below her birth,

She was a maiden city, bright, and free;

No guile, seduced, no force could violate;

And, when she took unto herself a mate

She must espouse the everlasting sea.

And what if she had seen those glories fade,

Those titles vanish, and that strength decay;

Yet shall some tribute of regret to be paid

When her long life hath reached its final day:

Then we are, and must grieve when even the shade

Of that which once was great, is passed away.

                                                                 1802

                                                      

The Constitution is Safe

(Rush post)

An author on Huffington Post said today that the constitution has been effectively suspended. I respectfully disagree.

Controversy comes over the use of the phrase “effectively suspended.”  Let’s consider for a moment what the opposite of “effectively suspended” quotes with me it would be — “ineffectively suspended.” One may be able to say exactly what that is, either.  But it is rather more precise “ effectively suspended. “   The Constitution has not been effectively suspended although it is not for lack of trying.  

Continuing:  who can say whether the constitution has been suspended, either effectively or ineffectively?  This is vitally important, as lives and futures are at stake.  

I do not deny that the constitution has its enemies, more so among the oligarchy.  I am pretty sure the polls – – even recent ones – – will show Most Americans support the constitution. They realize that we have nothing else.

Also, the courts are very much functioning, in spite of stupid, ill – Conceived threats.

Further, Trump has had the highest Unfavorability rating (at 48%) going into office of any president since 1953, according to Gallup.  It’s hard to know who is more unpopular, Trump or Musk.

So much more can be said. I will begin my final argument by saying that essentially most people support the constitution.  That is true, even to the present moment. I would make an even stronger statement that the constitution itself is safe, and will survive.   Action by the people as we saw yesterday in state Capitol all over the country,  will help to ensure that continues to be reality. 

Nationwide anti-Trumpism demonstrations pop up in Capitals all across the U.S.!

– – As in report linked – to here

Quick post —

Nearly spontaneous protests against Trump policies occurred all across the US today.  Planned for state capitals in all 50 states, hundreds of protesters in Phoenix alone came out to peacefully voice their fears and concerns about Trump policies.  See link below.

opposition-trump-policies 

A corporation is not a person

 Never has been.  Never will be.

It has no rights as such. It is a legal fiction chartered by a state. The founding fathers warned us, and the citizens in the early history of the US, kept a close eye on corporations, knowing as they did, that the accretion of large sums of money very often leads to corruption.

Let us be about returning the rights to the people, including the right to oversee corporations, and make sure they are following the law, then – – if necessary – – revoking their charters. Now that’s personal power used to uphold the law.

Protestors to gather at state capitals

TMP Bulletin Board

 I have just learned this evening of protest gatherings which are to occur on Wednesday all around the country. I have no details right now, except that information can be found online.  More later.

Worldwide Anti-Trump Protests

 As the article I will link to explains, Americans are largely in the dark about the worldwide protest against Trump, especially on inauguration day. For those of you living overseas, you should know that our media has been essentially boycotting this story. It is as if the world had receded from view. It is important that Americans – – and all those around the world know what is going on.

Incidentally, the right to information and a free press is in the United Nations’ declaration on human rights, of which many countries around the world – – including the United States – – have signed. We need to live up to our treaty agreements.

The world protests Trump

The propagation of propaganda

In my junior year in high school, I was very fortunate to learn about the techniques of propaganda. Mr. Williams gave us close to ten different techniques that could be used to sway public opinion. We even planned our own propaganda campaign.

Over the years, I have remembered a few of these techniques. Once you have learned these techniques, it is not hard to spot them:  glittering generalities, association, the bandwagon, And others.

At the link below is a film of many years ago. The techniques are the same;  only the cast of characters and modalities have changed. I highly recommend this film.

 How propaganda is employed

Donald Trump’s initial job disapproval ratings higher than any other elected President since 1953

 Donald Trump’s disapproval rating is the highest for any elected President dating back to 1953, according to Gallup.  Standing at a remarkable 48% disapproval, Trump has topped ten other recent Presidents but not in a way any President could crow about.  

I will have to delve further into the reasons. Why so many voters disapprove of him at this point is not completely clear to me yet.  But commentators are so far saying he is disliked. That should not be surprising to anyone who has followed this blog over the years.  

See the numbers here:

Gallup tells the story — Trump initial disapproval numbers higher than any President. Since 1953

More later

Oh, what a tangled web they wove

 As the saying goes, “Oh l, what a tangled web we weave when first we set out to deceive.”  The web itself may not yet be visible, but I am quite sure it will be. And there’s a possibility seeing will come earlier rather than later.  How much sooner I am not prepared to say. 

However, I am already hearing and seeing comments and reports that indicate the second Trump administration is at least in trouble, if not actually failing. I wish no personal harm oto anyone, of course. Yet it is true that there is a justice at work in the world.   At a certain point Justice will have its way.  In fact, I think I will capitalize it: Justice.  It is what is so loved and admired about the US.

The media’s iron-poor tired blood

 On one of the cable news channels this evening, the host – – whom I will call Malcolm Alpert – – after a marshmallow and banal introduction which stated that the supporters of the new president wanted things to be different, then proceeded to ask the guest to comment on what he thought that meant. 

This about a person who is an adjudicated insurrectionist, and a convicted felon (as I understand it).  Where is the love of truth? Why did viewers have to suffer with such credulous anemia?

In short, where is the media’s outrage over a riot resulting in the deaths of several persons?  Moreover, where is the media memory? I understand that in the working world, employees must give the bosses their due.  But where is the courage?

Without letting work-a/day reporters completely off the hook, the problem is the way the media is owned. With the pursuit of profit as the baseline motivation, we cannot be surprised at the kind of corruption which has crept into so-called broadcast journalism.

Let the owners accept their responsibility for this fiasco.

Once “45” Always “45”

 Quick Post —

No matter what happens today and beyond, he is still an adjudicated insurrectionist.

Computer Forensics Expert Reveals Shocking Evidence of Vote Tampering in 2024

On Jessica Denson’s “Lights On” program a military computer forensics expert shows evidence of vote manipulation in last November’s presidential election. Compelling, thorough.   See here:                         The Sham Election

Utmost Importance

U R G E N T

Big Calendrical Announcement

 Believe it or not, inauguration day this year actually falls on Martin Luther King Day!

Google say.

*********

Yes, that is a poem, too.  

But Is it the Will of the People?

 “…cannot hold…office….”

If Congress votes today to certify the election of D. J. Trump in 2024, we will certainly now have a certified oligarchy in the United States of America – – TMP.

The truth here:

Not the Will of the People

Trump and His Accomplices

 Fascists are like boll weevils

They get into everything 

And can destroy everything

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-jan-6-lost-cause_n_67786658e4b03c84a28dacd5