Finally, It's Over!

Okay, it's official now.  Trump got his electoral votes and the fat lady is singing - even if it's the blues.

Now, let's get on with trying to make this President-elect and his administration successful.

I've got acquaintances on Facebook who are ordinarily sane, open minded people except for politics.  That they are still woeing about is beyond my comprehension.  I felt the same as they did when Obama won his second term but I certainly didn't behave in the same manner.

I just watched and hoped he'd not make things worse than they already were.  I don't think it's the kind of hope Michelle complained about to Oprah though.  I knew the country would survive even if it was on hold for another four years.

That's over and done with now - or very soon.  I haven't a clue how good of a president Trump will be but honestly, I think he'll do okay.  He has brought in bright, accomplished people and placed them in their areas of expertise.  That's new.  And to me hopeful.

If the Hollywood types and the students who have shown they know little and seem unwilling to research and learn will go back to where ever it is they came from and let the country with it's new administration get on with business.

Those who threaten to leave never do.  Why? Becausy they know there is no other country where they will have it better.  So get up off your knees during the national anthem, lower your non-sensical protest signs and get with it.

America can be greater than it is but it's policies and the attitudes of many of its citizens need some tweaking.  It's time to give Trump a chance to do just that.  

What's Missing? Senior Citizens!

I thought the months preceding the election were a gut wrenching roller coaster but it was nothing compared to this transition period.

Yes, I've been watching the celebrity circus coming and goings from Trump Tower.  I find it just as gut wrenching.

Why? Because of the mix of characters.  Cabinet potentials and/or wannabes, clergy, celebrities and body guards and who knows who else all seeking an audience with The Donald soon to be Mr. President.

While I have a strong distaste for the blathering and, in many cases, stupidity of the losers, I have an equal amount of angst watching the transition process.  For entirely different reasons. While I applaud many of Trumps picks, I figure his advisers have had a huge say in them, I raise an eyebrow over many others that seem to make little sense or at the least are only marginally qualified.  As much I as I like Ben Carson, his pick for HUD is an example.  Nikki Haley for UN Ambassador is another.

Why the transition team is giving audience to Kanye West is a question.  It seems there might be a more appropriate time.  But since Trump seems to be finding time for just about everyone, why is one big segment of the population missing?  One of us.  The ordinary citizen.  Or the elderly.

Since I am one of the elderly, let me address that.  I'm willing to wager Mr. Trump has no idea of what my issues may be nor do most of his selections.  He may have talked with farmers and miners and small business  owners along the way though not a fair representation by any stretch of the imagination but I have seen no representation of the elderly. That irritates me no end. I don't mean someone to speak for me either.  Let me, or one of my peers speak.  We're perfectly capable of articulating our concerns without some youngster supposing them for us.

He should really have one or more of us as advisers.  Every other segment of the populations seems to be represented.

So. Many of us will probably not see Mr. Trump through his complete term but that doesn't mean we should be back benched or ignored.  What about it, Mr. President-elect?  How about some senior citizen advice and consul. And you, at 70, don't count because you have far fewer concerns about your age and aging than the majority of us.

I wonder, should I have to tweet this to be heard?

Thankful For What?

As we head full steam toward Thanksgiving Day I know I have a lot to be thankful for.  I'm still here for one.  I have my husband , my home, family and friends.  There is always food on the table and warmth in the house.  And this is still the best country in the world. God help us remain so.

But will we? I have never known so many otherwise intelligent, thinking people behaving so poorly than what I'm witnessing these days.  Forget about the bad behavior copy cats and kids who think it's cool, or whatever their rationale may be.

It's bad enough people are requiring safe rooms, therapy dogs and coloring books to cope with election results; even worse is the continuing misrepresentation of quotes by the media and the cruelness, yes cruelness, shown toward our newly elected leaders and their families.

What is wrong with this country?  How have we gotten to this point?  It's apparent if only one can be objective.  One side has decided they know what is best for everyone and choose not to cope with those who disagree.  Rather than having a discussion we get sullen lectures then threat.  We have a President on his farewell tour around the world doing his best to negate his successor's presidency before it even gets started.  People are openly mocking Melania Trump.  What's that all about?  The media is not changing it's spots nor do I expect it will.

What I do know is that I hope Trump continues to pick strong people for his cabinet and once in the White House he has a tremendously successful tenure. As my husband often says, "Don't get mad, get even."  Well, what better way than to have that success.

He then can use the Sinatra song as his theme, "I did it my way".  After all, it's what the people wanted.  Something different from what we've been living with for decades.  Mr. Trump is by no means the most polished of "outsiders".  Never-the-less he is the President elect.  It's time we started treating him with the respect due the office if not the man.

We can disagree.  We can also bite our tongues, suck it up and regain some civility.  If you think other countries are unfair in their view of Obama as being weak, what do you think they think of the way so many anti-Trump people are behaving post election?

Coloring books and therapy dogs?  They have nothing to fear from that. What do we have to fear?  Their attitudes and what those attitudes might lead to. We've already seen plenty of it.

Mr. Trump, to you, your family and those you choose to help you govern, God speed and happy Thanksgiving. There are many millions who wish you the same.  We just don't get the press.

We DO Have Choices

I've been politiced out for some time as you may have noted from my lack of posts.  I took a total break a week before the election, voted my absentee ballot and headed for the New Mexican mountains to search for petroglyphs. All good things, however, come to an end.

I was not keen on Trump nor Hillary but of course one would win.  A rich buffoon or a grifter. We got the rich buffoon. I must admit he has been behaving himself since his win but I'm not holding my breath to see if it lasts.  He's already back on Twitter.

What's of more concern to me now is the senseless violence and protests going on because he won.  This puts a terrible face on the Democrats - they who have as much dissent in their party at this point as the Republicans have had since Obama first took office.

Why are we not hearing it soundly condemned by Democratic leadership?  Instead they are leading by example by doubling down on their vow to destroy the Trump presidency before he even gets started.  Why else would Pelosi et al be in conference with George Soros, the funding source for much of the chaos?

It seems to me the country is in even worse shape than I realized.  This behavior - protests that are really riots, states threatening to secede, sanctuary cities defying the law already digging in - this isn't the America I knew even a few short years ago.  This is a country on the brink of disaster.

I wasn't happy when Obama won his second term but neither I nor anyone who felt the same openly defied his re-election.  In some respects that re-election was even worse than Trump being an unknown entity.  We knew what Obama was, what he would do or more what he would not do.  Still no one took to the streets.

Frankly I'm sick and tired of universities providing "safe" areas for offended students and forbidding the use of certain words because they are offensive even to the point of forbidding certain Halloween costumes for the same reasons.  Enough!  I'm sick of students rioting in the streets.  Funded by who?  Their Parents?  Or the likes of Soros.  It doesn't matter.  I'm willing to wager they don't even understand why they're doing what they are.  I'm betting many of them don't even know who Trump is other than a name they were told to protest.

Since Trump will be our President I'm wishing him the best.  It isn't going to be easy guiding a country in the state ours is in.  We as Americans owe him support over those who would promote anarchy.  It's time to put away the pacifier and diapers and grow up.

To do anything else, frankly, would be "deplorable".

Which Is More Scary?

This election cycle is beyond belief.  We have probably the two worst candidates we have ever chosen seemingly intent to self-destruct yet expect us to happily support them in the voting booth.

So really, which is more scary?

This...

or

this?

Wow.  What a question.  When the mask is removed you find nothing has been hidden!  A week from tomorrow one of these people is going to be our President-elect.  The mind trembles. 

I've long thought Hillary Clinton does not deserve to be President of this country.  Her behavior, her attitudes, her demeanor when off camera show her to be as rude and crude as, indeed, Mr. Trump.  She does surpass him in endangering the nation and getting away with breaking laws for which  many have been jailed for less egregious heights.

Then there is Mr. Trump.  If you listen to him you realize everything he says that makes sense is someone else's words.  His grasp of reality is about like mine. Strong on generalities but weak on details.  At least he hasn't yet been so cavalier with top secret data so as to endanger us.  I worry though given enough time...  Who knows.  

As the last week before election day I'll be anxiously awaiting each Wiki Leaks drop and hints from the FBI as to what they've found in the 165,000 e-mails on Anthony Wiener's computer.

This is all surreal.  Who could possible have written 165, 000 e-mails?

Whatever shakes out, we're in for a rockin' and rollin' four years.  Neither candidate will have a strong Congress behind them.  The two parties will be broken, maybe beyond repair.  I doubt either will be as we of a certain age remember them as we grew up. 

We've interesting times ahead.  We've huge problems to address.  I can't help but wonder if either candidate is up to the task even if it were the best of times for them. 

I do know we can't take another four years like the previous eight where the President has done little more than blithely pass the time. War will intervene.  Terrorism will intervene.  Medical expenses will continue to skyrocket for fewer and fewer services and so on.  It doesn't make for an optimistic outlook.

I wonder if a sugar high from all of tonight's candy will make it easier to bear. Nah.  Not a ghost of a chance.

Trump or Hillary - Grim

"It's no longer what sort of man is Trump but what sort of people are we?"  I read words to that effect on a blog recently. It's a question worth asking but I'd include Hillary in the equation.

To feel the same you probably need to be following the Wikileaks and the tawdry exhortations with equal zeal.

Both candidates are equally repulsive to me though for different reasons. It isn't the tape of Trump's vulgarities alone that make me cringe; it's his constant belittling of any and all who oppose him.  He promises to hit back harder and does. Nasty, mean spirited and vulgar. Can we afford a President who cannot take criticism without insulting he or she who uttered it?

 Can we afford a President who listens to no one because he won the nomination by battering the other candidates on his way to the top and now thinks he knows it all? And I mean battered with comments especially hurtful about McCain and Fiorina and, to lesser degrees, Bush, Carson and eventually all the rest.

Then there's Hillary.  The Wikileaks release of e-mails that circulated among her campaign staff are chilling in their  contempt for the people of this country regardless of their status. To her its all about power and money.  How much money do she and Bill need?  They'll never live long enough to spend it all unless they buy themselves a country.  Maybe that's exactly what they want to do.  The problem is it's OUR country for which they lust.

Never-the-less, one of my greatest fears will come to be.  One of them will be elected.  At the moment I'd be putting my money on Hillary but that can change in a nano second.

I fear too if Hillary has both House and Senate behind her; it will make achieving her goals easy.  Even though divided it's possible the Republicans can thwart at least a few of her grand ideas. If Trump should win I see him running roughshod over everybody.

That brings about another fear.  The rampant use of executive orders by either side.  Obama has set a bad precedent.  Don't expect Hillary or Trump to not take advantage of the door opened for them.

Every evening I sigh "I don't know..." so often Hub is calling me on it.  But I don't know. We'll have one of them.  What kind of people does that make us indeed!

Republicans ~ Pure As The Driven Snow

Oh, such breast beating and nashing of teeth!  My goodness, you'd think Trump actually did shoot someone in the middle of the street.

Never have I seen such shock and indignation over a ten year old tape of lewdness. Yes, he is a Presidential candidate but I'm reflecting on the members of Congress who have done far more than talk dirty.

But not this bunch.  I'm sure they never utter a curse word, call a woman a bitch or wish they could be with her in a far from gentlemanly manner. Or that they would ever say same to a male friend.

The withdrawals of support for Trump by well known Republicans strikes me as being almost as childish as Trump's words.  They've just been waiting for an excuse and they jumped on this so fast it makes my head spin. Oh, those wonderful innocents who have had their sensibilities so offended. Ask John McCain about his first wife and how that marriage broke up.  Then tell me they're all as pure as the driven snow. You're right.  I'm disgusted with the lot of them.

Trump is no angel and he disgusts me too but is he any worse than Anthony Weiner texting pictures of his privates to women? Or those who voted to impeach Bill Clinton while having affairs of their own?  Like former Congressman Gary Condit, who who had an affair with his 23 year old intern who then disappeared, only to be found dead a year later or David Vitter  whose name was found in the address book of the D.C. Madam or Mel Reynolds who engaged in an affair with a 16 year old campaign volunteer? This isn't even the tip of the iceberg. Check it out.  These people have done far more than utter vulgarities about women.  They've walked the walk by engaging sexually with others than their spouses.  Wonderful lot they are.

At this time in world history it would be a shame if the presidency is won by the person who out smears the other.  With merely a month to go I have no hope of tactics changing what's more the character of either candidate but we can at least pay more attention to their policies than their indiscretions. We've certainly turned a blind eye to enough others.

Has Old Rude And Crude Finally Done It?

Rude and crude hardly explains Donald Trump.  The latest reveal of this fact should come as no surprise considering what we've seen leading up to this point.  The only difference is this particular revelation is a bit more crude than the ones he's made in public.

We have only ourselves to blame.  We knew from the outset of his candidacy he would be an embarrassment. Yet we voted for him.  At least those who voted which was far less than those who could have.

 Those who hoped, as he moved ever closer to the nomination, that he would change soon found he not only was not going to but even so stated. That the Clinton campaign should find a video so damning should be no surprise.

Is his crudeness worse than the scandals of Hillary Clinton? Time will tell. Should our prurient interest in him overshadow the likely damage Clinton's actions have done to our security or the fact that she is congenital liar?

Talk about being between a rock and a hard place.  Neither of these two candidates deserves to be president of our country.  Whether or not we voted in the primaries doesn't negate the fact we deserve better.

My gut should tell me Trump is finished but I'm not so sure.  Up to this point he has skated by no matter what he's said.  It could also be true this time.  Sure, women may be mad and insulted but will men?  Forget what they say in public.  Do they in their private thoughts think what's the big deal?

We know he has to be the top dog even it means being the most outrageous with his "locker room banter". We know he loves himself above all else.  We know those who have begun to seriously disavow him will bear the wrath of his anger.

I wish he would do as some have suggested.  Drop out and let Mike Pence be the nominee.  Time is pretty short for that to work even with his good showing in the VP debate.  But never mind.  Trump won't bow out.

If he loses every last one of us will be the reason why rather than the truth; that he defeated himself with his behavior and shunning of good counsel.

If he wins it will be because his supporters didn't think his locker room banter was nearly as important as the media would like us to believe.

Which will it be?  I have absolutely no idea.

Trump - The Selfish Man-Child

This election cycle has become a regular soap opera.  You end the day wondering what Trump is going to do in the wee hours to delight his opposition.  He never disappoints.

Actually, I'm very angry with him.  He has been given the opportunity to become President of the greatest country in the world.  At least it once was.  And he's squandering it.  Because he's selfish.

He's taking it to new heights.  Seventeen other Republicans stood and took his abuse debate after debate.  Any one of them, even the weakest, would have been better for the country than this adolescent in men's clothing.

He's like the young man suffering from "affluenza" or the Stanford swimmer, both of whom were given basically smacks on the knuckles for their crimes.  One killed four people while driving drunk, the other  sexually assaulted a drugged up girl.  Neither has shown remorse for their behavior.

So it is with Trump.  While not actually committing crimes, he behaves badly and gets a pass. That being said, I have mixed feelings for those Republicans who have stood with him hoping against hope he'd straighten himself out.  What does a man like Ben Carson do or so many of Trump's other advisers with fine minds and reputations?

Trumps refusal to discipline himself is an insult to those people and to the voters who have supported him.  He won't change if he wins.  Given free reign heaven knows what he's likely to do.  The mind trembles.

Funny.  We have one narcissist in the White House now.  Who would have thought this election would boil down to a choice between two more?

Next - Hillary.

Are There Any Political or Media Adults In The Room?

Seriously, I'm beginning to wonder if there are any adults in politics and the media.  Now I know that's unfair because there are, though few and far between it would seem.

When the Director of the FBI, as compromised by politics as he is, is warning that within the next two to five years expect a Diaspora of ISIS and that we and the western nations need be prepared. Diaspora  means spreading out from their base which, as we all know, they're already doing.  This is serious stuff and needs to be heard and taken to heart.

So what are our Presidential candidates doing?  Name calling like a couple of 6 year olds.  My apologies to the six year olds.  Now it's an aggrieved ex-Miss Universe who Trump called (gasp) fat.  She in turn is taking on Trump's wife. Does any one really care?

Do we care that he hasn't released his tax records?  Is it worse than Hillary releasing a Classic Comics version of her health records?  She's crooked.  His followers are deplorable. She hasn't the stamina for the job.  He's a mysoginist. On and on it goes to the point I automatically mute the TV whenever either appears.

Then the media.  The stories that go untold or glossed over on the networks and the NBC cable outlets for fear of damaging Hillary become hyperbole on FOX.  

Interestingly it's the candidates themselves that advance this behavior. Why shouldn't their reporting be any less ludicrous than the candidates going after one another.  Policies?  Who's interested in that?

Well, I am.  Not the sweeping pronouncements from Trump nor the ignoring of them by Clinton, but real discussion of exactly what they are, and more importantly, how to implement them.  Especially with a hostile Congress that doesn't appear to be willing to assert themselves in any positive manner.  Allowing individuals to sue foreign governments for crimes against loved ones isn't the way to do it.  Just wait until a group of Iranians or some such decide to sue us for crimes against their people.  This may be the one and only time I agree with Obama.  Bad policy.  Maybe Hillary's lack of policy is better than bad ones.  Right.  

Well, time is getting short.  Every time I think there's hope for a nice dignified fencing match it turns into mud wrestling. Will the dirtiest fighter win? Who knows.  How will we tell the difference?

Judgement Day Approaches

What do we have left - somewhere around 60 days before our angst will be governed by a whole new set of circumstances. Right now it's will it be Clinton or Trump.  Then it will be what is the new President going to do.

I fear both of them but I think I fear Hillary the most.  I don't like her agenda - too far left for my comfort.  If in fact what she's saying is actually what she will do because she's known to lie. That doesn't add anything to my comfort zone.  Plus the fact her presidency will be all about fulfilling the Clinton's agenda first and foremost.  Being President will just make it easier for them because of the power they will wield.

Trump scares me for entirely different reasons.  The main reason is I'm not convinced he has any real self control nor do I think he takes kindly to advice.  I can understand being politically naive having never before been in politics but refusing to listen to those who have and are willing to help smooth rough edges is probably going to be his final down fall. He's been trying to be sure and is getting better but with him it's always waiting for the other shoe to drop.

I do believe Trump is genuinely concerned about our country.  He has a sincerity about him once you get past the bombast.  But he reminds me of me if I were running.  I have a ton of opinions and darn little to back up most of them.  Especially if it meant running the country with all the special interests bombarding  me with their points of view and defenses thereof.  It would be a tremendous amount of information to sort through and make sense of.  I'm surprised and concerned that Trump seems pretty much in the same boat.  Lots of opinions but little to defend them.  The strength of his personality is no substitute for substance.

So this is where I am.  Still watching and waiting with little to add to the dialogue. When one reaches my age you don't tend to wish time away but I will sure be glad when this is over.  At least we'll be able to figure out what we ourselves need to do to carry on our lives.

After all is said and done though I think I'd rather have a President, as inept as Trump may seem, that cares about the country than one who lies with impunity and expects the country to be okay with it.

Trump's Disservice

You'd think we'd learn.  The second term of a man with no practical experience relating to governing.  Now we're being asked to elect another one.

I've long thought business experience would be a plus but not when the candidate is a buffoon. All politicians have egos, but those we're supposed to choose between beat anything I've ever seen. Trump will set back the possibility of an outsider ever having a chance again for a decade or more.  That leaves our choices to the politicians which are the problem in the first place. It can't get any more complicated can it?

Today, however, is about Trump.  The FOX talking heads tell us the few times Trump actually acts like an adult is the "real" Donald Trump. I'm not convinced.

I'm surprised his ego hasn't clued him in on the fact that he is probably going to lose the election.  At one point I thought he really wanted the job but as gaffes continue and he says he'll just go back to a very good life, I'm wondering if it all started as a joke.  That he was as surprised as many of us that he began winning primaries.  Now his refusal to act "presidential" indicates he really wants out or he's not the smart guy his colleagues would have us believe.  That his personality is the end all.  Forget about policies and country.

If he does lose he'll blame it on all of us.  We'll be bad people, really bad people.  I don't expect him to drop out, he'll just continue blaming others for his drop in the polls.

The curious thing is I don't think Hillary is a shoo in.  Between her health and the e-mail/Clinton Foundation mess, I'm thinking there is a bombshell coming sometime around the end of September or early October.

The Democrats are lucky.  They at least have some viable people to step in.  I don't know the rules for either party but I could see either Tim Kaine or Joe Biden stepping up to the plate.

On the Republican side, who knows?  I'd see a battle between Pence  and probably Cruz who had the second most votes in the primaries.  The fact that he isn't well liked by many in his party would make for another fine mess. With little time to sort it out.

Wrapping up the rambling, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see  that one or the other is out before election day.

The Boorish Boy From Queens

I've long been wondering if the Republicans could have prevented the mess they're in if they had intervened  with Mr. Trump sooner.

I know Reince Priebus is good at raising money but as the leader of the Republican National Committee he comes across as weak.  At least that's how I see him.  I understand the national committee should be neutral when it comes to their candidates, but in the case of Mr. Trump I think they would have been perfectly justified in sitting him down early on and explaining to him that his insults and name calling aren't the Republican way and if he continues he'd not be welcome as a Republican.

Of course no one expected him to hit the hot buttons he did. Practically to a candidate they all said Trump would not be their nominee.  Wrong.

At first I thought it was sour grapes because they saw business as usual going down the drain because someone had the audacity to tell it like it is. He could be entertaining and he is energetic but that isn't enough. I've listened to his children speak and they are all obviously well educated, articulate and devoted to their father. But the father they know and the candidate we know are like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. They can't possibly be the same person.  Yet it does help explain why he's on wife number three. How could you live with that personality and stay civilized?

His personal life is beside the point though.  We're not looking for a father image.  It was thought his business acumen was something we've long needed in government. How has he become the success he has with that petty, mean spirited, thin skinned personality? Does he merely bully his opposition into compliance?

All being said and done, I cannot see this man as President of the United States of America. I'd like to believe we still have high enough standards that insulting every and anyone is not the way to the presidency. Do we have a choice?  That's another post, but I've been waiting to hear coherence of thought and have not.  Just bluster.  Nasty name calling.  Conspiracy theories.  Every paranoid nuance wrapped up in one frenetic personality.

Let's run Pence against Kaine.  They may be old school establishment politicians but both seem like decent men. Where were they when we needed them? Standing aside for the lowest common denominator of both parties yet willing to take the number two slot? Why?

It's sad to me that we are showing the soft underbelly of  the country to the world.

One Down, One To Go

Much to my surprise I listened to the entirety of Trump's accpetance speech last night. Actually I wanted to hear Ivanka's introduction of her father because I hadn't heard her speak before.

She did a good job. As did her brothers.  Someone said his family is the best thing Trump has going for him and that may be true.  I also don't think we should forget who set them on their current paths.  Trump.  He, along with their mothers, deserves a thumbs up for that.

His speech was barely finished before the media critics started ripping it apart.  I actually thought it was quite good.  He didn't make any glaring errors that I am aware of and as for it being "dark"; well that's how he and many of us see the times we are now living in.

Am I suddenly a Trumpster?  Not quite.  I'm far too cynical to buy into all the accolades that came from personal friends and family.   He is, however, now the official Republican nominee and we have to live with it.

I wish for two things.  That he surrounds himself with the best people  available regardless of party and listens to their advice before acting and two, that the party, no matter how skeptical, work with him in the spirit of defeating Hillary if for nothing else.  There must be some adults in the room somewhere though they've kept pretty well out of the picture up to this point.

Next comes Hillary. I guess I find Trump less objectionable because he's not yet lied to us as blatantly  as has Hillary nor has he thumbed his nose at our national security while reaping profits for a "foundation".

I'll vote.  I'm seriously looking at the Green Party or the Libertarians.  Of course they can't win; it would be no more than a protest vote.  I worry about that too because I do buy in to the theory that every protest vote against Trump is a vote for Hillary.

Not to worry.  There's quite a bit of time between now and November.  Maybe Trump will show he can be "presidential" or confirm that he is nothing more than egotistical jerk. Either way, my vote will not be going to Hillary.  To me our first black President has been a huge disappointment because of his own ego and tin ear.  I expect no more from she who would be our first female president. She has been tarred by scandal her entire public life.  I'd rather someone more deserving have the honor she so covets.

I'll remain in a state of flux for awhile yet.  Trump yea or nay? Hillary.  Nay. That's a definite.

Independent Thinking, By Jove!

With tongue firmly in cheek I think I've found the answer for floundering Republicans who want anyone other than Trump as their presidential nominee.

There are similarities to be sure, but when it comes to the finer points my suggestion is far superior. Who?

Boris Johnson.  The former mayor of London who was a leader in the Brexit movement.  It was thought he was a shoo in for Prime Minister after Cameron resigned  but was sabotaged by one of his own.  You might say he wasn't treated fairly. Hahahahahaha.

Here's the deal.  He is eligible since he was born in New York City and is over 35.  He's a Conservative by British standards.  Never mind that he'd be a moderate by our standards. Which to my thinking is good but never mind that too.  You can't have everything!

He's flamboyant.  Perhaps best of all he has actual political and government experience gained as mayor of London. He's not nearly as offensive as Trump can be. British manners, don't you know. Plus the accent is appealing.

Oh, wait, even more important might be they could slip him in and the Trumpsters would never notice.

What more could you want??  Turning to a Brit to bail them out would be the irony of ironies on this Independence Day week end.  Have a good one!

Bull!

I've picked up the bad habit of watching FOX News in the late afternoon.  Bret Baier I like.  Then comes either Greta or Lou Dobbs on their financial channel.  I usually surf between them until I can no longer stand either.  Greta's voice drives me up the wall as does Dobb's pomposity.  I do however like some of their guests. A few.  Very few.

What really gets me, though, is how supposedly intelligent people can say, day in and day out,  how brilliant Donald Trump is, how every mean spirited gaff he makes is strategically planned.  He's brilliant I say, brilliant!

Bull.  I don't often agree with Hillary but when she said he has extremely thin skin she's so right. I am so tired of his attacks on others being justified because they didn't treat him fairly.  Poor dear.

So he made it big in commercial real estate in rough and tumble New York.  Good for him.  That doesn't give him liscense to behave like a spoiled child then expect everyone within shouting distance to tell him how great he is.  We already have a narcissist in the White House.  Do we really want another?  Actually we haven't much choice because Hillary is one too.  But Trump. Heaven help us.

There is nothing wrong with Republicans expecting him to act with some degree of decorum.  Maybe the rank and file love him but the world outside our borders don't find him amusing.  Nor do adults of any ilk who are expected to act like adults and could neve get away with his shenanigans.  Or maybe it's just expected that a presidential nominee would act within the realm of maturity and have some manners.

Times they are a changin'.  Too bad it isn't for the better. 

Who'd Have Thunk It?

Well, he'd not be my first choice but since I cannot bring myself to vote for Hillary I guess I either do vote for him or don't vote.

Just to make it clear I can't bring myself to vote for Bernie either or especially for Joe Biden if he's parachuted in if Hillary has to bow out.  Which may well happen.

I keep hearing everyone of FOX shill for this guy to the point it's nauseating.  Well, they've got him.  Now what?

I know most of us want something other than the norm.  I've long thought a business approach would be the way to govern this day and age.  Trump is a business man to be sure.  And a very successful one.  He'll bring those skills to the job. I can only hope, if he's elected, he brings in people who are experts in the fields which they are to oversee.

I worry about rumors.  Like Sarah Palin for Vice President.  hat I should think would blow it for him and the Republicans.  He has good advisers.  I wonder how their livers are holding out after a day of offering him advice?  I have trouble just listening to him.

So there are still  a few things to watch until this season has its finale.  Will Hillary prevail?  Will Bernie's supporters rebel?  Will Trump finally begin to act "presidential"?  Will his choices for VP and cabinet positions be what the country needs?

It's an interesting trip.  If it weren't so filled with angst I'd be posting a whole lot more!

The Cream Of The Presidential Crop Is Sour

I cannot recall ever seeing two more disagreeable people vying to be our President.  Hillary has always skated on ethically thin ice and is still doing so.  She is, however, a known quantity and if enough people think she is worthy of the job she will get it.

Mr. Trump is another case all together.  He is certainly being helped along by FOX news who unabashedly support him and the Republican Party which seems unable to keep from tripping over their own feet in trying to oust him.

I have a theory for them to consider.  Let him alone and he will implode all on his own.  If the Republicans persist in their quest for a brokered or contested convention Trump will have someone to blame.  If they keep their mouths closed they have the chance to regain some sense of dignity.  Not that I expect it from the current crop of Republican leadership.  I use that term loosely.

Something every one need consider with Mr. Trump is that he is not a known quantity.  If he can't act with decorum during the campaign what is he likely to do when a foreign leader disagrees with him or even tries just to get a straight answer? Generalities bound in bluster isn't governing.

I may be mistaken, but Trump is on overload with me and hopefully a lot of other voters.  He is rude. He is crude. Worst of all he seems to be addicted to Twitter and that I think will be his downfall.

Surely he must realize that all of his opposition follow his Tweets religiously and are johnny on the spot to broadcast any thing and every thing that can make him look bad.  Well, maybe not, he's making himself look bad.

Actually it's who and what he is.  He says he can act presidential but he has yet to show it.  Not even a smidge.  I think somewhere in the deep reaches of his ego he thinks he has a perfect right to spew whatever venom that comes to mind in any particular moment. Frankly I'm tired of it and embarrassed by him.

I'm also tired of Ted Cruz taking every opportunity that presents itself to perpetuate Trump's childish behavior and thus his own.   I guess he doesn't think he is damaged by doing so but at least with me he has diminished himself as candidate.  Not that I particularly liked him in the first place.  He still reminds me of  the self rightous and totally insincere Elmer Gantry.

Hillary the Shrill and The Donald. Wow.  And in second place Bernie and Cruz. What a choice!

Who's Left?

I've had it with the presidential candidates.  Really, out of a nation of some 30 milling people is this really the best we can do?  That's an old cliche if ever there was one.

I am beyond disgusted with all of them.  In fact they've become an embarrassment.  This bit about the wives is so pre-adolescent I can't believe either Trump or Cruz would go there.  But both have.  At this point I don't give a hoot if Cruz has had affairs.  We already know Trump has. Just look at past candidates and presidents and for that matter Congress.  There are so many that are morally challenged I can't begin to name them.

The only one tending to the business of running for president is Bernie Sanders.  I can't vote for him because I just don't agree with what he wants to do and how he wants to do it. But as far as having a moral compass, he seems to be it.

What about Kasich?  I had wanted him to get in the race but he has lost me.  He brags about what he did decades ago and he didn't accomplish anything strictly by himself.  I don't believe, either, that the mess the world finds itself in can be cured with "love".  Love is a two way street.  What we're facing is a dead end road and hopefully it will be ISIS and their ilk rather than us.

So on it goes.  I will be interested in seeing if Obama learns how to dance and if Hillary learns how to tell the truth.

I'm not holding my breath.

The Political Siren's Song Nabs Two More

My upcoming trip to Yellowstone to photograph wolves and bears can't get here too soon.  For me, whether we actually see any or not, it will be pure, blissful escapism!

I need the break from the political soap opera that is now taking place.  It goes to show that even the "outsiders" will succumb to the siren song of politics.

It also shows that I'm a pretty poor judge of character.  I thought Carly Fiorina would be a great candidate for president but her campaign never caught on.  Mostly because the press is liberal, I think, and Hillary is their female of choice thus little coverage of Carly.

As for Ben Carson, his low key personality couldn't make any inroads against his more flamboyant competitors.

Carly disappeared for a time.  Carson stayed in until last week when he finally admitted the handwriting was on the wall and it didn't favor him.

Now it seems they both want to be players if not viable candidates.  How do they do that?  Apparently the easiest way is to endorse a candidate and become a surrogate campaigner.  Oh my.  Who to support and what was their price?

Carly chose Cruz.  Does she have any idea who this man is?  To me he's more frightening than Trump.  Now I understand her rational.  After what Trump insinuated about her I wouldn't expect her to jump on his circus train, but still, Cruz? Maybe she's vying for that V.P. slot after all. She denied that as a goal as long as she was an active candidate, but now who knows?  She'd be powerful at keeping the negatives about Hillary front and center.

Now, what about Carson?  He endorsed Trump.  Two more opposites would be hard to find.  What was his price?  Health and Human Services would be a good fit.  Is that the deal?  When asked how he could endorse Trump after what was said about him he brushed it off as it just being politics.

Well, there you have it.  Two candidates  of whom I thought highly were lured by a siren song only politicians can hear.  It seems this time around the more incomprehensible you are the better you do. The lust for power and the lure of the adoring crowds is as much of an opiate as opium itself.

Now what?  I've lost my optimism.  I may be spending more and more time in Yellowstone or photographing petroglyphs in the southwest.  Thinking about them, as a sort of newspaper of the ancients, I wonder if being able to decipher the markings would be great or not. We might learn that back hundreds of years ago people had the same disillusionment with their leaders as we have today.

Maybe it's better we not know.  We'd not have leared from it anyway. People are people and we continue to make the same mistakes over and over.  It is probably one of our greatest shortcomings.