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 Difference Between Easter And Christmas

As I am out and about these days it seems like there are Easter eggs and bunnys everywhere.  There are ads for Easter Brunch and sunrise services.

The stores are filled with Easter baskets, candy peeps, hot cross buns - everything celebrating the day.

Lent is over.  Mardi Gras is over.  The eggs are colored by now and no doubt being hidden for the hunts that will be in full swing tomorrow.

You know what is missing?  The politically correct rants against Christmas ~ trees, Santa Claus and heaven forbid a nativity scene. Easter even has a parallel to Christmas.  The Easter bunny to Santa Claus for the lighter side and the children.

What's the difference between and Easter Egg hunt at the White House and the ten commandments on your court house lawn?

Explain to me the difference between depictions of the crucifixion and a nativity scene.  One celebrates birth.  The other celebrates death and ascension.  Of the same being. Both being annual events; perhaps the most  important and celebrated days of the Christian religions.

I'm really curious.  Where are they, the nay sayers, the atheists?   Hopefully they'll stay beneath their rocks.  In the mean time Happy Easter!

...And The Winner Is...

Ah, another group of primaries today.  I'd like to say, "May the best man win" but alas there is no best man.

As I watch clips from the various candidates I wonder when they going to realize that in their attempts to oust The Donald they look weak and pathetic.  At least to me.

This is supposed to be an election to choose the President of our country.  I don't know what exactly I would relate it but it certainly isn't what one would expect for that presidency.  My assessment remains the same.  Donald Trump scares me, not so much because of his behavior and course language but because he's an unknown quantity.  However, if he wins the primaries fair and square the "establishment" would be slapping the faces of all those who voted for him.  Do they really want to hang that around their collective necks?

Ted Cruz also scares me.  I don't like his evangelical fervor which seems to change depending on his audience.  Also, should he win, how is he going to get along with Congress if it is so that they "hate" him.  Hate is a strong and destructive emotion and I'm not sure it isn't more an intense dislike.  What worries me is if he will use presidential fiat much as Obama has and for just as many divisive  reasons.  Yes, others have used it but I don't recall it being made such an issue.  I could be mistaken.  The old mind isn't as sharp as it used to be.

The there is dear Marco Rubio.  I have to give him an "A" for effort but I think the handwriting is on the wall. The question about him is what's he going to do for a living since he wasn't going to run again for Senate.  Will he join the ranks of lobbyists and revert to type as an end of career fall back?

Who knows.  The more they tangle the more I'm sure I'm going to vote for none of the above.  The more they fall to the bait of a Trump victory the more I see them throwing tantrums when any thing else comes up that doesn't mesh with their tunnel vision.

I won't be commenting on tonight's results.  We're off to Yellowstone to seek out the bears emerging from their slumber and the wolves who will stalk the weaker ones.  The analogy pertaining to current politics is that the weak ones, Cruz and Rubio, are stalking the strong one, Trump.

What I do know for sure the bears and the wolves are consistent in their roles and behavior.  Too bad the political class isn't the same.

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.

Star Struck

He came, he saw, he conquered!  Yep, ole Trusted came to our burg Saturday and had the citizenry wowed.  It's not uncommon around here for people to be in awe if some "personality" is spotted.  I find it odd since we do have our share of them that visit for at least a short time to enjoy the lake and surroundings.

A lot of politicians pass us by however so perhaps that's why all the hub bub.  The reason is this part of the state is redder than red when it comes to politics.  As Hub says, you could say a tree stump was Republican and it would get elected. In fact I think a few have.  It's definitely an area where the good old boys club reigns supreme.

Back to the purpose of this post.  The organizers secured a building at the fair grounds, expecting to seat around 800 people.  They had that and just as many if not more standing outside in the rain to hear the man.  Talk about political nirvana.

Cruz had just come off his best showings in the primaries leaving poor Marco playing catch up. Where was he?  In Puerto Rico which is okay because he won there.  Now the southern part of the state does better than we do because that's where the largest city is - Boise, the capital, and the largest population base. Cruz headed there  well primed from his local visit. Rubio was scheduled and I think finally made it after a trip to Puerto Rico. It gave him bragging rites for now he had won a whole two contests.

Cruz did bring them out, they came from all over the area and a respectable number from our neighboring states.  Did I go?  No.  following politics as I do I don't need to stand in the rain to hear the same old stump speech. I did watch the coverage of the even and searched the crowd for a familiar face but saw none. I'm not one of the in crowd for sure and don't mingle with the political class so it was no surprise.

What is of concern though is this being star struck.  A reporter asked one of the locals if he thought Cruz would do well here.  Yep.  He sure would.  He took the time to come and address we little people (my paraphrase).  The people sure would reward him with their votes.

Really?  Just because he showed up?  What about his policies, his negatives with a Congress with which he is not held in high regard, plus a lot more I won't take the time to list.  That's not important. He cared enough to show up.  Really?  Maybe it's why political speeches are referred to as "stump" speeches.  It's bound to be elected, especially if it's red wood!