The Wicked and the Weak

 Don't trust either of these two men. Ever. 

One, Putin, is pure evil. I feel bad for the Russian people even though they have allowed him to hold power so long he's nearly impossible to remove.  Besides, as the saying goes, be careful what you wish for.  Whoever takes his place may be even worse though it's hard to imagine.

The second, of course, is our current President. A man so ensconced in corruption for the past 50 years it's hard to imagine why the people of Delaware kept returning him to the Senate. Now he is President. Another big why. His mental faculties are diminished at best, but as his Vice President recently said, we got what we voted for.

Wake up, people! For now, however, we are stuck. We're stuck with his utterances.  I do understand he could have been genuinely outraged by what Putin is doing to Ukraine. Somehow, though, due to his previous performances, I'm inclined to think it was off the cuff theater. Putting a voice to it could and should have been more politic, but with diminished capacity that's a lot to expect.

So we suffered through a lot of weak explanations and walk backs and the war rages on.  It was suggested today that this administration really doesn't want Russia to lose.  If true, why not? Is it a conspiracy theory that Putin has so much on Biden, Biden dares not push too hard? I think that is within the realm of possibility.

Otherwise, why are we still dithering over military aid to the Ukrainians and why don't we give them the planes they so desperately need? We're still urging Ukraine to make a settlement just as things have shifted slightly in their favor. Such actions do exactly instill confidence that the U.S. has their back. We don't and never have.

I'm wondering who would have our back if we needed it.  It will take years to rebuild the trust that has been squandered - if ever.  We've become so driven by hatred of the opposing party that every action of the presiding administration is to destroy everything the preceding one did whether or not it was good for the country.

This has to stop. The politicians aren't going to be the ones to do it.  We the people will have to step up to the plate and get it done. The politicians who hedge their bets, in both parties, lest they antagonize their campaign contributors, need to be removed from office.  Bye, bye. Retire.  Smell the roses.

The Democrats are mean-spirited and power-hungry and totally absurd.  The Republicans go along to get along and are afraid of their own shadow. It's losing those campaign funds that do trickle in even though they do little to deserve them.

Neither side has done much to help our country.  Biden has one of the most amateurish and incapable Cabinets I've ever seen. Trump had some outstanding people in this Cabinet but they tired of his mercurial moods and methods and left.

Both Biden and Trump have indicated they would like to run. Both would be lame-duck presidents.  Get some new, younger blood in there!

And Putin? If he wins this one, he'll still be lurking around the edges waiting for an opening.  He'll be licking his wounds, but they'll heal and he'll be ready to resume his initial and only goal - to re-create Mother Russia.

If that happens the carnage will not stop. For the love of decency and humanity, give Ukraine the planes and the weapons they need. They aren't asking anyone else to do the fighting for them, they're just asking for what is needed to get it done. Defeat Putin.

It's Time for You to Go!

 I was surfing around late yesterday to see what was happening in Ukraine when I came across Donald Trump holding forth at CPAC.

I wish I hadn't. One thing for sure, he hasn't changed except for being a bit more overweight and having a bit more scalp showing through his hair.  Other than that, he doesn't seem to have changed a bit.  Everything that's wonderful with the country is because of him and everything that isn't is due to the stupid people who oppose him.

Do you have any idea how old this has become? He's still on the kick the election was stolen.  He's still on the kick that he 'understands' and admires Putin. Whew.  What a time to be expounding on that theme!

To my way of thinking, the dumb in the room was him! I'd like to think it would so upset the Republicans, they'd take him aside and tell him the party is over - and over him! Yet, I doubt that will happen. For some reason, people still seem to fear him. Oh sure, he can be nasty and can belittle you, but whatever happened to the old defense mechanism from when I was a kid? "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me." Ha. 

He did have some policies I agreed with.  He had many I did not agree with. His management style was chaotic. So where are the pluses in him running again? I can't find one.  Not a single one.

He's old. He's boorish and divisive. Perhaps the biggest minus of all is that he would be a lame-duck from the day he takes office because he's already served a term.

I'm sure there are some good Republicans testing the waters. Hopefully, there are also some Democrats who are willing to quit the lockstep routine with their leadership and step forward.

Only time will tell.  I can only be cautiously optimistic, but I for one would sure like to see a whole lot of new faces on the political scene.  Ones who reflect a love for our country and a determination to right the wrongs we've been made to endure because of personal or party agendas.

There was a time when the goal was what's best for the country and let's work out the best way to get there.  A little from one side, a little from the other, and a huge willingness to compromise. That was way back when we were truly the leaders of the free world. Does anyone besides me remember?

When Did Not Growing Up Become Acceptable?

Never in my ever shortening life have I seen so many supposed adults acting like self-indulgent children.  It isn't just Donald Trump though he certainly seems to be leading the parade.

It's truly frightening to see how many people close to my own age are indulging themselves in this new pattern of behavior.  Look at some that surround Trump.  Rudy Giuliani for instance.  He just cannot bring himself to keep his mouth shut.  Of course I guess it's difficult when one's foot is usually in it.

It amazes me that these people don't see themselves in those they excoriate. The Democratic leadership for example.  The word positive is no longer in their vocabulary.  From Schumer to Pelosi, every word uttered spells doom and gloom. It gets worse with members of the Black Caucus.  How can people be so filled with hate?
Let's not forget Hillary who has yet to admit that she might be at least minutely responsible for her own loss.

Then the media.  The histrionics displayed daily on MSNBC and CNN in particular make me wonder why these people aren't given downers before being allowed on air.  The FOX personalities are no better.  Dobbs gets apoplectic on a nightly basis as do Hannity and Ingraham.  Man, it's exhausting trying to watch them - never mind that its the same stories ad nauseum day in and day out.

Let's not forget the FBI and Mueller and the invisible Department of Justice.  They are so intent in getting a free ride to the tune of millions of tax payer money they've forgotten what justice is supposed to be about.

All of them, every last one of them is acting like an over indulged child who knows there will be no consequences.  That is because we have no recourse since they have exempted themselves from consequences that would put the rest of us in jail.

At one time I thought I'd see my generation coming to the fore and bringing back a standard of honesty and decency but my generation's front men are among the most egregious offenders!

I don't blog so much any more because it's painful. I barely read or watch the news for the same reason. I have never seen our nation in such a precarious state.  The athletes kneeling during the national anthem don't get it's the wrong protest for what should be a legitimate cause.  Our politicians can no longer bring themselves to be pragmatic.  The media either no longer knows how or just doesn't care to be objective any more.

So I wait and hope the pendulum on the old clock isn't totally beyond repair and will soon begin to swing back toward the center. Perhaps the mid-terms will be an indication but I fear this ship of state is going to take some time to right itself.  I'd like to be here to see it.  I probably won't.

And you know what?  The child within needs to stay there.  Within.

Will Confidence Breed Contempt In Trump?

Trump is already an arrogant man.  He is also narcissistic (I can't believe we elected two narcissists in a row), thin skinned and vengeful.

Commentators on FOX have been commenting that he seems to be getting more confident in his role as President.  It should be of concern that rumors of more senior staff changes may be in the works - like totally eliminating the role of Chief of Staff. Please, no.

If General Kelly goes I imagine what's left of senior staff will drown in a pool of back stabbing, butt kissing and total chaos. Then Trump will bring in more of lesser caliber and they too, in time, will not survive.  What's next after that?  Trump alone?  Dictator Trump?  King Trump?  Off with their heads!

The more I watch his blustery speech the more I realize what little grasp he has of most situations. His recent foray to the "wall" prototypes is a perfect example.  Like the border agents will need to see through it.  Duh. He liked the solid ones.

Or the signing of this horrendous budget. He didn't read it.  His staff didn't have time to read it.  Isn't this the same reason the Republicans pilloried Obamacare?  Because no one had a chance to read it before voting on it?  That they don't see the irony in their own actions confounds me.

I'd like to think a confident Trump would find it unnecessary to counter attack  on Twitter everyone and everything that bristles his skin. Of course that's more wishful thinking.  Insecure people bluster and bully to try and cover their insecurities.  Of course it doesn't work.

Perhaps that's why Trump likes to surround himself with chaos.  It's easy to blame others in the midst of confusion.  And hope no one notices the truth.

Fat chance.

Why Is A Slush Fund Even Needed?

It's a well know fact that money buys power but it sure doesn't buy honesty nor decency.

No sooner had misconduct allegations became public regarding our elected officials, Paul Ryan began touting sensitivity training for all members of Congress.

Are you kidding me? You're telling me our elected officials, those we trust to govern us, need to be told what is and what is not acceptable behavior? Pardon me if I feel a little sick to my stomach.

Then to find out that there is a "secret" slush fund set up for appeasement payments to anyone threatening to "out" the offender. With tax payer money no less.  Plus we don't even get to know who is paying out or why! My, their parents must be so proud. As for those parents, where were they when they had the responsibility to teach their children right from wrong? Who knows, maybe they are proud.

I feel like I'm sitting in front of a bubble machine with so many areas of our society floating around within one.  The media, entertainment moguls among others, politicians, academics and those they are supposed to be educating.  Who's left?

All the rest of us.  There are thousands upon thousands of us who don't shop on Black Friday, don't bully our associates nor allow our children to do so, don't think shop lifting in China is no big deal, and don't play the hapless victim card every time someone looks cross eyed at us.  Thank heavens.

We really are the silent majority you know.  Occasionally, very occasionally, someone will get a few seconds on the news for having done a good deed.  If the anchors don't blow the time being cute as is so often the case around here.

I'm not particularly fond of the way our President behaves.  I still feel he is a man/child with no self-discipline nor desire to develop any, but I do understand why people voted for him.  He speaks like ordinary people do in the privacy of their own homes.  He criticizes, berates, makes fun of all manner of people.  He probably always has.  I'm sure he always will.

The one refreshing thing about it, he isn't buying our allegiance with our own money. He's speaking to it with our own words.

True, money speaks.  It just isn't speaking my language.

Media ~ A Chance To Get It Right

During this time of crisis the media almost got it right even if at times their fevered pitch showed a terrible grasp of fact.

That being said, I think their over all handling of Harvey was a B+ to A-.  The over kill on Melania's heels and the lack of compassion nonsense keeps it from reaching the top.

Now they have a new challenge.  The flood waters are receding, pets are being rescued, the death toll is stabilizing and the boats are heading back to more friendly waters.

What happens now?  The reporters go back to their headquarters to get new assignments.  Meanwhile the rebuilding of lives, homes and businesses is just beginning.  There have been promises of aid from the administration.  The hiccup will come if Congress decides to get political and the President doesn't crack his whip.

Let's look at Congress.  They've pretty much sat this out.  But just wait to hear the howls from Florida if Irma descends on them!  Never-the-less, action will be needed on an aid bill asap.  Will they try to attach a lot of unpopular or controversial legislation to it therefore delaying it?  Time will tell but the more of that kind of thing they try the more they will push people to Trump's side.

The next question is whether or not the media will cover it if it's in Trump's favor. Past history indicates they will try their best to blame negatives on Trump no matter who is to blame.  One thing that ought be remembered is that Trump is politician by default and follows his own thoughts rather than those of either party.  For both good and sometimes not so good but still true.

It's time for Congress to try to get a handle on how his head works for the sake of the country.  It would be good for them to let loose of some of their ideology anyway.  It is, as with Trump's, neither all bad nor good.

So lets see if the media will hold Congressional feet to the fire if they play obstructionist no matter the party.  It's a chance to grow from a fine job with Harvey.  It's also a chance for them to retreat to the partisan stronghold from which they came.  It's their choice.

Any bets?

Land That I Love - What Happened To It?

Okay.  I'm old.  I'm also tired and angry.  And frustrated because I don't know what to do about it.

I cannot escape the news. Unless I plug my ears and wear blinders so I can't read.  But then what would I do while drinking my morning coffee if not read the paper?

I know all the problems just as you do.  The question is what can we do about them?  The "misbehavers" are getting all the press so if there is a voice of reason out there it's getting drowned out.  Our President is no help. He has his foot in his mouth more often than not.

How such a man was able to create the cabinet he has is beyond me.  It is one of the strogest in years.  Not perfect but strong. I'd like to think they are quietly doing their job even though they are understaffed because of another Presidential misguided notion about the size of gevernment.  Too big?  Yes. But these people do need qualified staff to work with and they're not getting it.

Those misguided notions are a large part of why things are continuing to run amok. No one is all knowing and especially this President.  As a result those who would disrupt, no matter how flawed their reasoning, feel free to do so at will.

I don't understand the hate.  Is it the fault of our universities as some say?  In part.  But before young people ever reach university age, what are they being taught and who is doing the teaching?  Are teachers at fault?  Are parents at fault? It would seem everyone owns a piece of the pie.

As we of a certain age know it has gotten out of control.  How does it get fixed?  Candlelight vigils don't fix things.  Violent demonstrations don't fix things.  We seniors writing about it doesn't.  Who listens to us?

Maybe it's time we seniors quit stewing and get politically active as a block and vet candidates who will do something other than preen for the cameras.  We have a few but no where near enough. Power in numbers and organization.  That's what all the squeaky wheels have.

I don't know.  Anyone game?  Anyone have any ideas?  Can we elders fix it? We at least know our history and respect it.

New York Must Be So Proud

Well, here they are.  Mr. Rude and Mr. Crude.  Actually they are interchangeable. My husband keeps asking me what I expect; they're New Yawkers.

Piffle.  We lived in New York and I never met a native that was as rude and crude as these two.  At least not in public.

We in the nation should be appalled at the behavior of both. Actually I would guess most of us are.  What an image they put out to the rest of the world.  At least the President has cleaned up his rhetoric to some extent.  Mr. Scaramucci needs to get with the program and do the same.  It isn't cute nor funny.  It's disgusting that a grown man would think such language is acceptable under any circumstance.  Besides, the President has enough problems with his Tweeting.  He doesn't need another bad boy to answer for. Can you imagine if these two would get into a war of words?  Talk about scorched earth!

No wonder Sean Spicer looked ten years younger on his way out the door.  I'm sure Reince Priebus will too in time.  While not unexpected I imagine for the moment he's smarting. But then no one held a gun to their heads and said they had to work for the President.  There is a hunger for power or proximity to it in all of them.

It's Friday.  Unless Bannon is given the axe over the weekend I expect things may be quiet. Health care reform is dead for the moment.  Everyone will be licking their wounds over that debacle.  Maybe the President will actually worry about what's going on in North Korea and maybe not.  Who knows.

If anything is just, however, Scaramucci's wife filed for divorce today.  I hope she takes him to the cleaners.  Maybe cleaning him out will clean him up.

Trump - Time For An Intervention?

Boy, it has been a long time since I've posted a blog.  Life goes on. I'm still having fun hunting rock art and wildlife to photograph.  I'm still knocking myself out trying to maintain our five acres.  I'm no longer working for the Film Alliance.  Today is my birthday.

Things come, things go and if you're busy enough to ignore the news life isn't so bad.  It's that 4 o'clock hour when I'm winding down from whatever the day has brought and I turn on the news that everything starts going down hill.  If only there was actual news from around the world rather than the constant hysteria coming out of Washington it might be worth watching.  But no.

We're into June now.  Trump has been President long enough that news out of Washington should be rather mundane governing stuff.  But no.  It all stems from what Trump has tweeted.  Everything.  Or so it seems.

Let's face it.  Trump is an addict and Twitter is his drug.  Of choice.  No one has forced it on him.  He listens to no one about how damaging it is to everyone who believes in him.  Or believed. Good people are opting out of serving in his administration because it has no clear direction.  It's chaos, careening from one blunder to another. It's always more about him than country. So what would get his attention? What could possibly jar him into maturing and acting like the President of the United States should?

Maybe it's time for his adult children and his wife to have a good old fashioned intervention and let him know in no uncertain terms that if he doesn't change his ways they will walk away from him. In case they are hesitant it's also called tough love! Who does he hold more dear than his family?

Will it happen?  Of course not.  It takes a tremendous amount if fortitude for family to take such an action, even if it's for the benefit of their loved one. It would, however, benefit them too. Maybe, just maybe the end would be they would no longer have to live their lives with a patriarch considered a buffoon. Or the worst President in the history of the country.

Oh, so much is at stake for the entire country.  Of which his family is a part. He needs reminded of that.

If At First You Don't Succeed - Fire Everyone!

Advice for Trump's staff, cabinet and all advisory personnel.  Watch your Twitter accounts - you may get a Tweet telling you you're fired!

According to AXIOS the Donald is frustrated by all his hand chosen sycophants and he's thinking of cleaning house from Priebus to Bannon to Tom Price and Jeff Sessions.  Wow!

If you can't handle the job fire those who can.  Well, that's the Donald.  But what would happen if he actually did?  Who would he get to replace them?  Would any sane person want to work directly for this man?  If the answer is no think of the kind of people who would take the jobs!  Another wow.

Interestingly, Trump's frustration isn't for just one sin.  He's mad if people are too effusive in their praise of him, if they take credit for their own actions, if they fight too much among themselves, anything and everything. Much of it contradictory.  But then that's Trump.

I do agree that the in-fighting needs to stop and he can do it with a few firings to be sure.  There is merit to that idea for a lot of his staffers who he shouldn't have hired in the first place.  Cabinet members are another matter.  Price?  He hasn't done anything in the way of rolling back burdensome regulations that are well within his purview.  Sessions?  He talks the tough talk but will he walk the tough walk?  Yet to be determined.

Beyond that though, how would he get any replacements through Congress?  No matter how qualified  nominees may be you know the Democrats will demagogue them to death.  Republicans cannot be counted on to carry the day due to their own small but influential body of rogues.

So Tweet away Donald, fire all of them!  You could become a President without an administration! How incredible would that be?  Not only an emperor with no clothes but no one to even notice!
Take away the Twitter account on top of it and maybe there would be peace on earth.  Or at least here.

I wonder what kind of president  Mike Pence would make...

Has The Impeachment Countdown Begun?

It is so ironic that the man who promised to make America great again is the one standing in the way of having it happen.

I've said, as have many others, that Obama was narcissistic to a fault. He is.  It's always about him - even now that he's no longer in office.  And that's enough about Mr. Obama.

I never thought we could get two narcissists is a row though I think Hillary is also one.  Never-the-less we have a beaut in Trump.  The problem isn't so much his being a pompous indecisive bully, it's that   he does so many things that are just plain stupid and he doesn't even see it.

It's said he is quite smart and a shrewd businessman.  I knew of him but not all that much when I lived on the east coast.  All I really remember is that he took over the reconstruction of the Central Park ice rink and brought it in under budget and that his name was plastered on a lot of things.  As far as business acumen is concerned though, I wonder if it was his underlings who got things done and he merely took credit because he was the boss - and the bully.

In Washington the Democrats are having none of it to a fault.  They too are being stupid in their vindictive obstruction.   The Republicans are split to be sure.  Paul Ryan has his own agenda. As Speaker he is to lead but not dictate.  The Freedom caucus is wearing blinders when they talk about what they were elected to do.  No one votes on a single issue.  At least not enough people to get any of them elected.  The Senate is for the most part useless.

With all these weaknesses in two of the governing bodies you'd think Trump could muster a series of successes but what does he do?  He sabotages himself because he doesn't think things through.  He reacts. Impulsively. Period.

I have no doubt this lack of self-discipline will lead to his downfall. He has no sense of timing.  No finesse.  Certainly no charm nor wit to counteract his behavior.

The Democrats and probably more than a few Republicans are just waiting for that one indiscretion that will bring his house of cards tumbling down like a wrecking ball hitting Trump tower.

He'll have no one to blame other than himself but you know he'll blame everyone except himself.  The sorrow of it will be those good people who held their noses, took deep breaths and chose to serve under him will bear the brunt of the collapse.

I truly believe they did so for country.  Too bad Trump is serving only for Trump.  If that isn't true than does it not prove he is not fit to serve as our President?

Just wondering...

What's So Wrong With Pragmatism?

The trend in news coverage for the moment seems to be surprise that President Trump is changing where he stands on a variety of issues.  OMG, it's not what he promised during the campaign.  He's letting us down.

The only area in where he's letting us down is his inability to give up his tweets.  But then who expected that he would?

More importantly though is his stand on Syria and North Korea.  I think it's the one area where is actually listening to someone other than himself.  Because of that his views are shifting.  That's being pragmatic.

He's finding he doesn't know everything.  That's good.  Because he doesn't.  I'd really be worried if his attitudes didn't evolve as he gains more information to guide his decision making.  If only Congress would do the same.  Actually they've dug in their heels over untenable positions far more than the President.

He would appear to be learning that governing is no slam dunk.  That too is good. So much is being made of his first 100 days.  I'd give him a perilous "C".  It could have been far worse.  It should have been far better but at least the country hasn't fallen completely apart even though the anti-Trumpsters would have you believe otherwise.

If he continues to change his positions and they go in the right direction I'll remain cautiously optimistic.  Very cautiously.

His Own Worst Enemy, And Ours

President Trump has been made to look the fool.  So much for "the art of the deal".  Whether either is true is in the eye of the beholder but he didn't help himself for backing a very flawed bill.

One thing they could do now is to have Secretary Price just begin rolling back all those "secretary shalls" that Sebelius put in the original legislation.  I'm not sure why this hasn't been mentioned.

It's funny that the Republican leadership tried to do exactly what the Dems did do - pass it without knowing what was in it.  Those who say the Republicans don't know how to govern have a point. They made a debacle of this.

What worries me most, however, is the man at the top. He doesn't know how to govern either.  I'd like to think any other businessman we might have put in that office would have been a quick study but not so Mr. Trump.  He's bellicose in a controlled way, he thinks procedure doesn't matter, he attacks every and any body who he deems is against him. This is not the stuff of leadership.

He won't stop tweeting using the excuse it's his way of connecting with his base.  But when it's always negative does the base stick with him?  I doubt it.  At least not for long.  Soon they're going to realize they've been duped in their desperation for something other than rule by ideology rather than by the needs of the country.

He was a buffoon when the campaigns started and he remains one. He has appointed some very good people but some of his closest advisers are suspect to say the least.  They have their own agenda  and have found Trump can be manipulated.

I fear he has already become enclosed in the "bubble" that seems to encompass all of Washington. Those in opposition to him will run circles around him because he doesn't know how to combat said opposition.  He's too used to the positive results  for him from bullying and disparaging.

We're in a state of flux these days.  How it will all shake out is any ones guess.  My guess is it will go to those who best play the game.  And right now it's not the Republicans!

What About The Country??

I literally want to pull my hair out listening to the selfish, self-serving antics of our government.  Both sides.

True.  Trump isn't the greatest. He's a man-child but we elected him.  That the Democrats and Obama are bent on destroying his Presidency is appalling.  I know he isn't helping matters with his incessant tweeting with loose words and an even looser handle on facts but he's going to continue doing it.  Those who are in his inner circle have to learn to work around it.  And to anticipate it.  They need a war room like Clinton had so as soon as he tweets something they're on top of it instead of the media.

The Democrats, in their way are just as bad.  I don't know who is holding what over who's head but for them all to march in lock step tells me there is no thought being given to anything other than destroy, destroy, destroy.  We don't need to manufacture robots.  We've a whole Congress full of them.

And Mitch McConnell, get some guts and get the remaining cabinet officials into their offices. You don't have to put up with the Democrats delaying actions.  Put a time line on it and move forward.  Sheesh!  Do note he got his wife confirmed a while ago.

I know, I know.  It has been awhile since I've written much of substance but what is there to write about other than the inanity of it all?  I keep seeing images of Rosie O'Donnell screaming, "Nyet! Nyet! Nyet!" at some rally or Barbra Streisand complaining that Trump is making her gain weight.  Man, the substance of all this just escapes me.

But that's what I hear. Health care?  Does any one really have a clue?  I think it's all posturing because there is no plan and it's no more than a stalling tactic.  Rather than reforming the TSA the pat downs are going to get more invasive?  Is that actually possible?  And have those pat downs actually caught anyone that was a potential threat to the flight they were going to board?

I can't stand it any more! I really can't.  There's a country out here waiting for all those promises to become reality.  Is it going to happen?  I have my doubts. You have no idea how much it hurts to have to say that.

Respect

It's not such a difficult concept, you know, but it seems lost on those who govern us.

Let's start with the latest flap.  Kellyanne Conway perched on a couch in the Oval Office, feet tucked under, shoes on, snapping pictures of a group of black college leaders meeting with the President.

Shabby to say the least.  Don't any of these people have any respect for anything any more?  Decorum?  What's that?  The ones who have it aren't the Trumpites!  They are part of the Pence faction.

I don't know if my opinion of this administration can sink any lower.  Why was Conway taking pictures anyway?  She's not the official White House photographer.  Did she go so far as to take selfies with them?  Nah, that would be too demeaning. Ha.

But let's consider the President himself.  Does he respect anyone?  It isn't a judge with a Hispanic name.  It certainly isn't the media.  Nor many in his own party.  Not the Democrats.  Not his predecessor in the office. Not Muslims nor Mexicans.  Maybe Putin still holds his favor. It must be lonely, not respecting anyone.  Does he wonder, ever, why he is so disliked?

Let's too look at the Democrats. They have no respect for us or they wouldn't be playing their petulant games with Trump's cabinet nominees.  Delaying confirmation is not doing the country any good and adds to the perplexity with which the rest of the world is looking at America. Republican infighting is of no help either.

I know how we got into this mess but those who are the cause of it seem content to shrug their shoulders and say, "Who?  Us?"

The culture in Washington needs changed but this President isn't the one to accomplish it.  He needs too much change himself and it isn't forthcoming.

We have elected a man-child.  I have great sympathy for those who have accepted positions often at great personal expense. I'd like to think they believe they can control Trump enough to move parts of his agenda ahead no matter how much he tries to sabotage himself.

I wish them well.  They, at least, have respect for the Office of the Presidency if not the President.  We should all remember it is due and in most circles, expected.

Let's ALL Quit Tweeting!!!

Angry birds rule in 140 characters or less!  Maybe it's time for all of us to quit tweeting.  First, 140 characters can rile you but do little to calm you.  They've become so mean spirited and nasty ~ and in many cases vulgar, its hard to read them.

Okay, I'll admit I seldom tweet.  I just don't have a lot of one offs in me.  The only reason I even have an account is because early on I subscribed to everything social media.  Well not everything, but more than enough.

This is not an age thing as I thought it should be.  I say that only because our President isn't a whole lot younger than me.  He is, however, a whole lot more vitriolic.  We knew when he was elected this is what we were getting.  There is always the hope he will grow out of this phase but since he has apparently known no discipline in his life I doubt that will happen.  He is indeed a man/child.

The rest of us, however, could follow suit. We're boycotting everything else, why not Twitter?  Or at least Trump's account.  Let him chirp away but just don't respond to it.  Don't answer, don't comment, don't report on what he's said.  Just ignore it.  It would drive him crazy.  Even more than he already is.  Because he thrives on it.

It might even prove to be a calming mechanism.  It could quiet things down enough that something might actually be accomplished.  Oh my, why do I write stuff like this.  It's all a pipe dream.

This country is for the birds. Their songs are all different and provide nice background that is easily ignored or just plain not heard.  Until they get angry.  Then they get your attention. And now that's all there is.  Angry birds with angry tweets.  No wonder I'm often all a twitter.

Are Democrats With The Country?

We as a nation have been witness to the most witless meltdown of our political system that one can imagine.  It would seem there is little doubt that the Democrats have set themselves up as the final authority on everything.  They are always right and the rest of us are dreadfully wrong.

I'm getting tired of the show.  Every day now it's the Democrats defying everything the new administration wants to do.  Granted, the sloppiness of many of the administration's actions deserve defiance, but not everything.

It's time for the Democrats to quit beating their breasts in agony and get the cabinet members approved and in place.  The President, after all, was elected by the people.  And bear in mind, the people who gave Hillary the popular vote came from two relatively small areas considering the breadth of the entire nation.  The "popular" vote issue doesn't wash.

I expect there is going to be a lot of pronouncements from Trump that are going to have to be walked back.  That's what happens when you have someone who reacts impulsively and Trump is definitely that.  He's also showing that he can be reasoned with, to an extent, thus the walk backs.  He would be well served with a more experienced press secretary.

That the Democrats are adding to the chaos is by design is no secret.  They seem very proud of themselves and are quite vocal about it.  But it doesn't serve any one well.  They are just making the Trump voters and those watching from outside any political realm disgusted and angry.  Nothing is getting done and that hurts the country.

It may be difficult getting this new President on track but it would be helpful if the Democrats would get off their high horse and join the political process as it was meant to be. Keeping the divide doesn't help the country and they may soon find it doesn't help them as a party either.

It's a mess. Everyone. Grow up.

Mr. President

Well, it's over and yet it's just beginning. Donald J. Trump is now the 45th President of the United States.  His wife is still drop dead gorgeous and his youngest son is still sullen.  And the world has not come to an end.

The only thing certain about things to come is that the President will continue to be Donald Trump the tweeter that shoots from the hip more than Bush did.  The cause is certain, the effect not so much.

All that being said, he is my President because this is my country and I'm proud of it. I would like to see the snow flakes stop taking a buzz word or phrase out of context and trying to make it into a major story.  I'm tired of it; it's no longer entertaining.  It's irritating and to them should be embarrassing.  Just as the Democrat members of Congress who opted not to attend should be embarrassed.  Didn't they get the message that most of us are tired of the divisiveness?  Don't they understand that the "we" Donald Trump preached was what we wanted to hear and did?

Their post election behavior has been so disgusting and diminishing to those behaving badly I can't help but hope our new President is so successful that the shame of the opposition will know no bounds. I can hope.

Now the scrutiny begins.  I'm sure I'll disagree with methodology along the way, maybe even some policy but however I feel I hope it comes from a depth of knowledge, not disparagement for the sake of disparagement.  No matter what I will be civil.

You've seen fences mended today, bruises are healing and respect overcame pettiness - at least at a certain level. The rest of Congress should take note of how it should be but they won't.  It will take strong leadership to over come it.  That is why Mr. Trump was elected. The people saw in him a strong leader. One who can handle those in Congress who are even more childish than he. Yes, he can bully but he can also cajole and he will have his hands full of the need.

It's time though.  A new day is upon us.  Godspeed Mr. President.

They Get It, They Just Don't Want To

The new administration hasn't been sworn in yet.  Rosie O'Donnell tells us we have three weeks to stop Donald Trump.  Not that anyone should care what Rosie O'Donnell says or thinks.  The only reason she gets a mention is her "celebrity" such as it is these days.

But it isn't just Rosie.  It's from the President on down.  He's plotting with fellow Democrats on how to salvage his agenda.  The Democrats have made no secret they are going to fight Trump on everything.

For some reason they won't accept the fact that Trump won and they lost.  Trump's vision for this country is the one the people embraced, not theirs.  They've had eight years to show us how wonderful it is and they have failed miserably.

I'm getting tired of their whining and their obstructionist attitude.  Co-operation isn't in their vocabulary.  I'm getting tired of them telling us, even if tacitly, they know what's best for us and they are going to fight to the last standing man to shove their agenda down our throat even if they aren't in office.

It exhausts me that we've got four years of this arrogant attitude to endure.  Trump may be a huge failure.  Who knows.  But at least give the President elect a chance. I know, I'm preaching to the choir and that's a shame.

One thing I can live with, however, is the knowledge that his picks for his cabinet are not the monsters the left would have us believe.  They are men and women of accomplishment, not paybacks for favors with little experience in or knowledge of the areas they've been asked to oversee.

The more they whine and conspire the more I hope Trump is as successful as he boasts he will be. The Democrats deserve to have their noses rubbed in  that success from the opposition and actually we, who voted for it, deserve the spoils. May Trump triumph!

Obama ~ One Last Rant

I have never known of a more sore loser than Obama.  He never was a class act from the very beginning.  One hoped he would grow as he got into the job but he never did.

I don't quite understand how his favorables remain so high.  Maybe it's the man rather than the President but how can you really separate the two?  His behavior, as his time in office grows to a close, is not only a thumb in the eye of the President-elect but also the people who put Trump in office,

I don't think most of us who hover closest to centercenter would have chosen Trump but voters obviously didn't have any faith that the other candidates could or would change things. Trump will try, of that I'm sure.  If his manner will breed success I'm doubtful but that being said, people repudiated Obama's policies by electing Trump.

Forget Russia.  Russia did not get Trump elected.  Strategy in the right places along with a weak opponent did.

For Obama to be throwing his weight around now by issuing thousands of new regulations designed to derail the Trump administration before it even gets started is the height of turning a blind eye to the good of the country and the height of ego run amok.

The voters don't like nor want his policies continued.  Yet he hasn't the good grace to retire from office with even a modicum of  dignity.

It has always been about him first and foremost and I fear it always will be.  I, though, will never be able to look at him as a man or former President with anything but disdain for what he has done to this country.