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.