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Who You Gonna Call?

by earlthepearl137

Just for the sake of argument, let’s say you’re a billionaire.  No, a multi-billionaire.  What would you do?  Would you buy a private jet?  Probably.  Who would you hire to fly the plane?  Tom Hanks played Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger in the movie “Sully.”  Would you hire him?  No.  He’s not a real pilot.  You would hire someone with a pilot’s license.  You could hire Tom Cruise who played Lieutenant/Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in the movie “Top Gun.”  He actually does have a pilot license, but he is the exception to the rule.  Most actors are actors, not the role they are playing.

If you needed surgery, would you hire Alan Alda, who played Dr. Hawkeye Pierce in “M*A*S*H” from 1972 through 1983?  Or maybe Hugh Laurie who played Dr. Gregory House in “House” from 2004 through 2012, or Richard Chamberlain, who played Dr. Kildare in “Dr. Kildare” from 1961 through 1966, or George Clooney, who played Dr. Doug Ross in “ER” from 2000 through 2009?  No, you would find a real surgeon, one who actually went to medical school and practiced surgery.

If you had legal problems, would you want Raymond Burr defending you.  He played Perry Mason in “Perry Mason” from 1957 through 1966 and never lost a case, at least not until “The Case of the Terrified Typist.”  James Spader was terrific as Attorney Alan Shore in “Boston Legal” from 2004 through 2008, but in real life, he never passed the bar.  If you needed a lawyer, you would hire an experienced lawyer.

Jane Withers played Josephine the Plumber in Comet ads from the 1960s through the early 1970s, but if your gold toilet was overflowing, you would call a real plumber.  If you needed other home improvements you probably wouldn’t call Tim Allen, even though he played Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor on “Home Improvements” from 1991-1999.

If you bought a major league baseball team it is unlikely that your starting pitcher would be Charlie Sheen, even though he played Rick “Wild Thing” Vaughn in “Major League.”  Kevin Costner played “Crash” Davis in “Bull Durham,” and he pitched a perfect game in “For Love of the Game,” but he probably wouldn’t make your team either.  It’s also unrealistic to think that you would have Robert Redford in the lineup, even though he played Roy Hobbs in “The Natural.”  It’s also quite unlikely that you would have Tom Hanks manage the team, even though he did a swell job as Jimmy Dugan in “A League of Their Own.”  If you did hire these guys instead of professional athletes, you might learn the hard way that “there’s no crying in baseball.”

If you chose to buy a football team, Cuba Gooding Jr. would probably not make the team, no matter how much money you showed him, even though he played well as Rod Tidwell in “Jerry Maguire.”  Adam Sandler and Burt Reynolds both played star quarterbacks in two different versions of “The Longest Yard,” but neither of them would start on your team, unless you didn’t care about winning.

If you wanted to sign a prize fighter, I’m sure you would want somebody with more real ring experience than Sylvester Stallone, Robert De Niro, Will Smith or Hilary Swank, even though they put in many hours as Rocky Balboa, Jake LaMotta, Muhammad Ali and Maggie Fitzgerald in the movies.

The list of famous people you wouldn’t hire could go on and on.  In just about every case you would hire a professional, instead.  Maybe, you might make an exception and hire Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson as bartenders, but otherwise, you would stick to people who do the job in real life, not actors.  If there’s something strange in your neighborhood, you’re not going to call Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd unless you need a laugh.

My favorite TV President is Martin Sheen who appeared as President Josiah Bartlet in “The West Wing” from 1999 through 2006, and my favorite movie President is Michael Douglas who played President Andrew Shepherd in “The American President.”  Kevin Klein was also a great substitute President in Dave, but I wouldn’t vote for any one of these three to be the actual President.  They don’t have the real-world experience.

So, I wonder why 75 million Americans elected to the Presidency a failed businessman and con artist who bankrupted 3 casinos and was convicted of 34 felony counts of fraud, simply because he played a successful businessman in “The Apprentice” from 2004 through 2017.

Peace & Love, and all of the above,

Earl

Get Ready, Because Here I Come

by earlthepearl137

This song is 20 minutes and 31 seconds long.  It’s mostly an instrumental, so you can listen to it and enjoy it while reading this blog. Actually, it should only take a few minutes to read this blog, but you’ll probably want to listen to the entire song, anyway. It’s a masterpiece.

In 1982, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) was adopted.  It established a legal framework for the use of the world’s oceans, including the regulation of deep-sea mining in international waters.

The United States has still not ratified UNCLOS.

UNCLOS has faced opposition from certain U.S. senators over the years, preventing its ratification.  A notable instance occurred in 2012, when a group of 34 Republican senators, led by Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC), publicly opposed the treaty.  This group included senators like Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) and Rob Portman (R-OH), among others.  Their opposition was enough to block the two-thirds majority required for ratification in the Senate.

What was the result?  U.S. companies didn’t want to invest billions in deep-sea mining in international waters, without having the legal protection of the U.S. Government as a signatory of the U.N. resolution.

Guess who did sign the U.N resolution and invest heavily in deep-sea mining technology?  China.

Well, over the years, oceanographers discovered an interesting area on the ocean floor where polymetallic nodules were “growing.”  These small potato-shaped mineral deposits have been formed over millions of years as minerals like manganese, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements precipitated from seawater and formed around small rocks or shell fragments, kinda like the way pearls form around bits of sand inside an oyster’s shell.  The greatest accumulation of these nodules is found in an area called the Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and Mexico.

So, U.S. companies are not mining these deep-sea nodules but China is, and a funny thing happened on the way to the future.  We’ve known the value of manganese, nickel, and cobalt for centuries.  The value of rare earth materials , however, was not so well known.  Recently, in a speech about a potential deal with Ukraine, President Trump even referred to them incorrectly as “raw earth materials.”  No big surprise.  He’s not exactly a scientist.

I’m not a scientist either so I had to look them up.  Here’s what I found.

Rare earth elements (REEs) consist of 17 elements on the periodic table, including the 15 lanthanides plus scandium and yttrium. Here are their atomic numbers:

  • Lanthanides:
    • Lanthanum (57), Cerium (58), Praseodymium (59), Neodymium (60), Promethium (61), Samarium (62), Europium (63), Gadolinium (64), Terbium (65), Dysprosium (66), Holmium (67), Erbium (68), Thulium (69), Ytterbium (70), Lutetium (71).
  • Others:
    • Scandium (21) and Yttrium (39).

These elements are prized for their unique properties and are critical to many technologies, like magnets, batteries, and LEDs.

You don’t need to memorize the names of these elements, but let’s have another look at that last sentence.  These elements are prized for their unique properties and are critical to many technologies, like magnets, batteries, and LEDs.

So, while China has been harvesting these precious “potatoes” off the ocean floor, the U.S. has been waiting since 1982 for the Senate to ratify UNCLOS. The result is that China is now the world’s largest producer of rare earth elements, and the U.S. relies heavily on imports, particularly from China, for processed rare earth materials.  China is kicking our ass in the area of refining rare earth elements.

Let’s revisit that sentence one more time.  These elements are prized for their unique properties and are critical to many technologies, like magnets, batteries, and LEDs.

Ukraine has rich rare earth deposits, which is why – Surprise Surprise – Donald Trump wants to quickly end the war in Ukraine so that the U.S. can start mining their rare earth elements.

So, Ukraine, Donald Trump desperately wants your rare earth elements and he will stop at nothing to get them. He’ll even cooperate with Russia. So, like the band Rare Earth said in 1970, “Get ready, because here I come.”

Peace & Love, and all of the above,

Earl

We Will Bury You

by earlthepearl137

For those of you, too young to remember this.  On November 18, 1956, during a reception at the Polish Embassy in Moscow, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev addressed Western diplomats amidst the tense atmosphere of the Cold War. The world was still reeling from the aftermath of World War II, and the ideological struggle between capitalism and communism was at its peak.

Khrushchev, known for his fiery rhetoric and bold proclamations, declared:

> “Мы вас похороним!” > (Pronounced: “My vas pokhoronim!”)

Translated literally, this means “We will bury you!” The statement sent shockwaves through Western nations, intensifying fears of Soviet aggression and the potential for nuclear conflict. We started building bomb shelters and holding air-raid drills.

The phrase, however, was a subject of misinterpretation due to cultural and linguistic differences. In Russian, the expression is a common idiom akin to saying “We will outlast you” or “We will be present at your funeral.” It’s not necessarily a direct threat of violence but rather a prediction of the eventual triumph of one system over another.

Khrushchev later clarified his remarks, stating:

> “I once said, ‘We will bury you,’ and I got into trouble. Of course, we will not bury you with a shovel. Your own working class will bury you.”

This reflects the Marxist belief in the inevitable collapse of capitalism due to its internal contradictions, leading to a proletarian revolution.

Khrushchev was a complex figure. He criticized Stalin’s brutal regime and introduced reforms to reduce oppression.  He launched the Virgin Lands Campaign to boost food production. Under his leadership, the USSR launched Sputnik, the first artificial satellite, marking a significant achievement and initiating the space race with the United States.

Yet, his approach to diplomacy was often unorthodox.  In 1960, he banged his shoe on a desk at the United Nations to emphasize a point.  His decision to place nuclear missiles in Cuba led to a critical standoff with the United States in 1962, known as the Cuban Missile Crisis.

In November of 1956, Krushchev predicted that Russia would outlast the United States, because our people would overthrow our government.  In November of 2024, 75 million Americans did just that when they elected Donald Trump, a pro-Russian Putin puppet, as President.  Today, in the same U.N. building where Krushchev once banged his shoe on a desk to protest a U.N. decision, the United States turned its back on Ukraine and voted with Russia on a U.N. proposal.  It took almost 7 decades for Krushchev’s prediction to come true, but our own working class has finally buried us. I just hope we can dig ourselves out.

Peace & Love, and all of the above,

Earl

51st State?  More like 51 through 60

by earlthepearl137

Donnie Dumbdumb wants Canada to be our 51st State.  Why would they want to do that?

I can’t think of a single reason.

Canada has 10 provinces and 3 territories.

The 10 provinces are:

  1. Alberta
  2. British Columbia
  3. Manitoba
  4. New Brunswick
  5. Newfoundland and Labrador
  6. Nova Scotia
  7. Ontario
  8. Prince Edward Island
  9. Quebec
  10. Saskatchewan

The 3 territories are:

  1. Northwest Territories
  2. Nunavut
  3. Yukon

So, at the very least if Canada joined the United States, they should become 10 new states.  We’ll let their territories stay in Limbo for now like we do with Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico.

As of October 1, 2024, Canada’s population was estimated at approximately 41,465,298 people.

As of January 1, 2024, California’s population was estimated to be approximately 39,128,186.

California has 54 electoral votes in the Electoral College. This number is based on its representation in Congress, comprising 52 members in the House of Representatives and 2 senators.

So, since Canada has a population slightly larger than California, it should get at least as many Representatives in the House as California, 52.  Plus, the 10 states would each get 2 senators.  That would give Canada a total of 72 electoral votes.

That would make a lot more sense than the country of Canada becoming one measly state in the United States.  Add stars on the U.S. flag for Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan, and maybe we could make a deal, eh.

Peace & Love, and all of the above,

Earl

Groundhog Day

by earlthepearl137

On this day, Americans traditionally have a little fun by taking meteorological advice from a groundhog.  We know that whether or not he sees his shadow on this day, has no effect upon the seasons, but it gives us a little something to celebrate in a cold month.

Unfortunately, our willingness to take advice, for harmless fun,  from what is essentially a large ground squirrel has taken a tragic turn, as 77,000,000 Americans now take advice from a huge orange rat.  This has resulted in 346,000,000 Americans now having their lives controlled by a wannabe Dictator, who, in two short weeks, has alienated us from the rest of the world.

Our two closest neighbors now despise us and Canadians, who are well-known for their politeness, now boo loudly when they hear our National Anthem at sporting events.

Canadians BOO UNITED STATES During National Anthem at NHL Game

The next Summer Olympics will be held in Los Angeles, California, USA, from July 21 to August 6, 2028. The whole world will be watching, and it sickens me to think that our wonderful athletes may probably hear more boos than cheers when they stand on the victory podium listening to The Star-Spangled Banner, solely because we currently have a President who is quickly turning the world against us.

It’s a nightmare worse than Bill Murray could ever have imagined.

Peace & Love, and all of the above,

Earl

Testing 1-2-3

by earlthepearl137

What are some questions on the driver’s test?

The driver’s test typically covers a range of topics to ensure you understand the rules of the road and safe driving practices. While the exact questions can vary by state, here are some common areas you might encounter:

Traffic Signs and Signals

  • What does a yield sign look like?
  • What does a flashing red light mean?

Road Rules

  • When is it acceptable to make a right turn on red?
  • What is the speed limit in a residential area?

Safe Driving Practices

  • How far should you stay behind the vehicle in front of you?
  • When should you use your headlights?

State-Specific Laws

  • What are the penalties for driving under the influence in your state?
  • Are there any specific rules about cell phone use while driving?

Scenarios and Situations

  • What should you do if you see an emergency vehicle approaching from behind?
  • How do you handle a four-way stop?

Miscellaneous

  • What are the steps for parallel parking?
  • How should you react to road rage?

What are some questions on the U.S. Citizenship test?

The U.S. Citizenship Test consists of two parts: a civics test and an English test. Here are some questions you might encounter:

Civics Test

  1. American Government:
    1. What is the supreme law of the land?
    1. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
  2. American History:
    1. What did the Declaration of Independence do?
    1. Who was the first President of the United States?
  3. Rights and Responsibilities:
    1. What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?
    1. Name one right only for United States citizens.

English Test

  1. Reading:
    1. You may be asked to read aloud a sentence like, “Who was Abraham Lincoln?”
  2. Writing:
    1. You might have to write a sentence like, “The White House is in Washington, D.C.”
  3. Speaking:
    1. The officer will ask you questions about your application and background to test your ability to speak and understand English.

You can find a complete list of the 100 civics questions and answers on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website. Remember, it’s essential to study and understand the concepts rather than just memorize the answers.

What are some questions on the armed forces test?

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test is used to determine qualification for enlistment in the U.S. Armed Forces. Here are some sample questions from different sections of the test:

General Science

  1. NaCl is more commonly known as:
    1. Nickel
    1. Chlorine
    1. Pepper
    1. Salt
    1. Sugar

Arithmetic Reasoning

  • If there are three quarts of gas in a gallon container, how full is the container?
    • 50%
    • 60%
    • 75%
    • 80%

Word Knowledge

  • Observe most nearly means:
    • Maintain watch
    • Organize
    • Protest

Paragraph Comprehension

  • According to the paragraph, the economic power of nations is:
    • Controlled by political and military success
    • The basis of their political success
    • Limited to a few powerful nations
    • Relatively unimportant

Mathematics Knowledge

  • What is the square root of 144?
    • 10
    • 12
    • 14
    • 16

These questions are just a small sample of what you might encounter on the ASVAB test. It covers a wide range of topics, including science, math, reading comprehension, and mechanical knowledge.

What are some questions on the test to be U.S. President?

There’s no official “test” to become the President of the United States, but there are certain requirements.

Eligibility Requirements

  1. Natural-Born Citizen: Must be born in the United States or be born abroad to U.S. citizen parents.
  2. Age: Must be at least 35 years old.
  3. Residency: Must have lived in the United States for at least 14 years.

What is the Presidential oath of office?

The Presidential Oath of Office is a solemn vow taken by the President of the United States during the inauguration ceremony. The oath is stated in Article II, Section 1, Clause 8 of the U.S. Constitution. It goes as follows:

“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

This oath signifies the President’s commitment to uphold the Constitution and to serve the country with integrity and dedication.

Drivers, citizens, and servicemen are required to pass a written test.  Considering some unconstitutional executive orders issued recently, I think there should be a Presidential test on their knowledge of the Constitution.

Just saying.

Peace & Love, and all of the above,

Earl

Liberal Badges

by earlthepearl137

First They Came

By Pastor Martin Niemoller

First they came for the Communists

And I did not speak out Because I was not a Communist

Then they came for the Socialists

And I did not speak out Because I was not a Socialist

Then they came for the trade unionists

And I did not speak out Because I was not a trade unionist

Then they came for the Jews

And I did not speak out Because I was not a Jew

Then they came for me

And there was no one left to speak out for me.

In 1941, Niemoller was transferred to Dachau concentration camp, where he would spend most of the rest of the war. Finally, in 1945 he was transferred to another camp in Austria, where he was liberated by American troops in April 1945.

Perhaps in another hundred years, someone will write a poem that begins:

First they came for Greenland…

Or First they came for Canada…

Or First they came for the Panama Canal, or the Gulf of Mexico, or some other place.

Trump is saying that the U.S. will hold migrants in Guantanamo Bay, a prison designed for terrorists.

Don’t believe that just because something is absolutely too horrible to imagine that it can’t happen.  It has already started.

Maps are already being changed to the Gulf of America.

Peace & Love, and all of the above,

Earl

Fart Jokes or Scary Facts

by earlthepearl137

My brother asked me how he could unsubscribe from my blog, as he is tired of hearing me rant about Donald Trump’s wickedness.  You know what?  I’m tired of it too, but somebody has to do it.  My brother is a Conservative, so I responded to him with the words used by the most famous Conservative in American politics, the late Barry Goldwater, who in his 1964 Republican convention acceptance speech said, “I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice.  And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!”

Those of you who are over 100 years old know how Hitler and the Nazis rose to power, but, with the help of AI, I’ll summarize it for the rest of you.

Hitler’s rise to power and the dismantling of democracy in Germany was a calculated and systematic process. Here are some key steps he took:

  1. Appointment as Chancellor: On January 30, 1933, President Hindenburg appointed Hitler as Chancellor of Germany.
  2. Reichstag Fire: On February 27, 1933, the Reichstag building (German parliament) was set on fire. Hitler used this event to claim that communists were plotting against the German government.
  3. Reichstag Fire Decree: Following the fire, the Reichstag Fire Decree was passed, which suspended civil liberties such as freedom of speech, press, and assembly.
  4. Enabling Act: On March 23, 1933, the Enabling Act was passed, giving Hitler the power to enact laws without the involvement of the Reichstag. This effectively gave him dictatorial powers.
  5. Elimination of Political Opposition: Hitler banned all political parties except for the Nazi Party and its affiliates. Trade unions were also banned.
  6. Control Over Institutions: The Nazi regime took control over the economy, media, army, and judiciary, consolidating power and eliminating any potential opposition.

To me, the Reichstag Fire Decree sounds a lot like the Patriot Act. The Enabling Act sounds a lot like Executive orders by the President. Control over Institutions – We have billionaires controlling the major media outlets, and the ones they don’t control are called “fake news.”

Comparing current events to the rise of Nazism can be a bit of a stretch, but it’s always good to stay informed and engaged in the political process. Democracy thrives when citizens are active participants. If you’re concerned about specific policies or trends, consider getting involved in advocacy, staying informed through diverse news sources, and participating in elections. Your voice matters.

The United States no longer has a robust system of checks and balances. Trump is the President. His MAGA followers control both houses of Congress and are afraid to contradict him and be primaried out of office. Trump appointed many of the Supreme Court Judges and they repaid him by saying that the President has immunity from crimes committed while in office. Two billionaires, Rupert Murdoch and Jeff Bezos, control much of the print media and Fox news. Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, and Mark Zuckerberg control social media, and were given front row seats at Trump’s inauguration. I see Democracy slipping away. Already there is a bill in Congress proposed by Rep. Andy Ogles to allow Donald Trump to have an unprecedented third term.

This proposal aims to amend the 22nd Amendment to allow a president to be elected for up to three terms. It’s a significant change and would require a constitutional amendment, which is a complex and challenging process.  I think they will first try to make the constitutional amendment process easier. That might get the 2/3 vote required way more easily.

The key mechanisms Hitler and the Nazi Party used to systematically dismantle democracy in Germany’s Weimar Republic.

  1. Exploitation of Democratic Weaknesses
  • The Weimar Republic’s constitution had Article 48, which gave the president emergency powers to rule by decree in times of crisis
  • The Nazis took advantage of proportional representation rules that created a fragmented parliament with many small parties, making stable coalition governments difficult
  • Economic instability and hyperinflation had weakened public faith in democratic institutions
  1. Strategic Use of Violence and Intimidation
  • The SA (Brownshirts) used street violence to create chaos and intimidate political opponents
  • They disrupted meetings of other political parties and attacked their members
  • This violence was then used to justify “emergency measures” to restore order
  1. Control of Information and Propaganda
  • Joseph Goebbels led a sophisticated propaganda campaign that:
    • Blamed Germany’s problems on specific groups (especially Jews and communists)
    • Presented Hitler as Germany’s savior
    • Used new technology like radio and film to spread Nazi messages
  • Independent newspapers were either shut down or brought under Nazi control
  1. Legal and Constitutional Manipulation
  • The Reichstag Fire (which many historians believe the Nazis orchestrated) was used to pass the Reichstag Fire Decree
  • This decree suspended basic civil rights including:
    • Freedom of speech
    • Freedom of the press
    • Right to assembly
    • Privacy of postal and telephone communications
  • The Enabling Act effectively ended democracy by allowing Hitler to pass laws without parliamentary approval
  1. Institutional Takeover
  • A process called Gleichschaltung (coordination) brought all aspects of society under Nazi control
  • State governments were stripped of authority
  • Trade unions were abolished and replaced with the Nazi-controlled German Labor Front
  • Professional organizations, youth groups, and cultural institutions were nazified
  • The civil service was purged of “unreliable” elements
  1. Economic Control
  • Major businesses were pressured to support the regime
  • Jewish-owned businesses were systematically excluded from the economy
  • A massive rearmament program created jobs and economic dependency on the regime
  1. Creation of a Police State
  • The Gestapo (secret state police) was established
  • A network of informants was created to report dissent
  • Concentration camps were established for political opponents
  1. Elimination of Opposition
  • Other political parties were banned
  • Opposition leaders were arrested or forced into exile
  • The Night of the Long Knives eliminated potential rivals within the Nazi movement itself
  1. Military Control
  • The army was forced to swear a personal oath of loyalty to Hitler
  • Military leadership was gradually replaced with Nazi loyalists
  1. Social Engineering
  • Education was reformed to indoctrinate youth with Nazi ideology
  • The Hitler Youth organization was made mandatory
  • Women were pushed out of professional life
  • Racial laws were implemented to exclude “undesirable” groups

The effectiveness of these mechanisms lay in their gradual implementation and their appearance of legality. Each step seemed to respond to a crisis or need, making it harder for opponents to rally resistance. The process took advantage of existing democratic structures and turned them against democracy itself.

For almost a century, we have been saying, “It can’t happen here.”   Re-read those 10 key mechanisms that Hitler employed and you will already see many modern equivalents, and Trump’s only been in office for a week. Just as Hitler had a plan, Trump has Project 2025.

Trump has already pardoned 1500 of his “Brown shirts,” though they have traded in their brown shirts for red baseball caps.  The Supreme Court has already declared Trump immune from prosecution for any crimes he commits while in office.  So, he’s immune and he can pardon any criminals who commit crimes for him.  Many of Trump’s opponents have received death threats, and Trump has taken away their security details to make it easier for his thugs to harm the opposition.

Immigrants are the Trump equivalent to Hitler’s Jews.  The deportations have already started and the detainment centers are on their way.  Major businesses have already been pressured to support the regime, and their multi-million dollar contributions were rewarded with front-row seats to the Inauguration.  FEMA funds for the California fires are being held back to punish the Democratic leadership in the State of California.

I’d love to go back to writing the fluff pieces and the funny articles that my brother likes, but the Barbarians are no longer at the gate.  They tricked us into opening the gate, and we voted them in.  Now, it may already be too late, but we have to try and stop them if we do not want to see government of the people, by the people, and for the people perish.

Peace & Love, and all of the above,

Earl

Internal Combustion

by earlthepearl137

Trump won the election claiming that immigrants were drug smuggling, rapist, pet eating criminals, and he would get rid of all of them.  Instead of putting criminals in jail, on his first day in office, he let 1500 J6 rioters out of jail, including violent criminals who assaulted police officers, leaders of terrorist organizations like the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers, king-pin drug dealers, and child pornographers.  I guess he’s hoping that these thugs will rally to his defense again when he needs to stage his next coup attempt.

Trump also won the election claiming that he would end the war in Ukraine on Day One.  He didn’t, and now it’s Day 4.

Trump also won the election saying that he knows how to hire the best people, but he nominated some of the absolute worst possible people to his cabinet and to head the Department of Defense and other government offices.  The only qualifications he seemed to care about were sycophantic loyalty to him and a Fox News employee I.D.

Now I hear that Donald J. Musk and Elon Trump are engaged in a jealous power struggle.   How sweet.  I hope nobody breaks up this fight.

To all those Americans who are worried and afraid of this administration, I offer hope.

Trump claims that God saved him in an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania.  But, will that same God save him from attacks from within.  History has shown us that sometimes the greatest attacks come from that direction.  Trump hates real sharks, but he is now surrounding himself with a vicious hoard of deadly land sharks, that would make his buddy Hannibal Lecter nervous.  He has hand-picked a group of advisors who have no moral compass, and many are heavily armed gun nuts.  He hasn’t learned from history, because he is too stupid to even study history.

Philip II of Macedonia: He was assassinated by one of his bodyguards, Pausanias of Orestis, in 336 BC.

Xerxes I: The Persian king was killed by his Royal Guard commander, Artabanus, in 465 BCE.

Caligula: The Roman Emperor was assassinated by members of his own guard in 41 AD.

Laurent Kabila: The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo was shot by one of his bodyguards in 2001.

Salmaan Taseer: The Governor of Punjab, Pakistan, was killed by his bodyguard in 2011.

Indira Gandhi: The Prime Minister of India was assassinated by her own bodyguards on October 31, 1984. Her bodyguards, Satwant Singh and Beant Singh, were both Sikhs. This tragic event occurred in the aftermath of Operation Blue Star, a military operation ordered by Gandhi to remove Sikh militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

Trump has surrounded himself with predators who will do anything to feed their own narcissistic fever dreams.  Alex Jones is a right-wing conspiracy theorist and talk show host known for his controversial views and clashes with various public figures, including Elon Musk.  Steve Bannon is also going after Elon Musk.  When they’re finished with him, or he is finished with them, there will eventually be a power struggle with Trump himself.  Trump’s friends don’t always stay his friends.  Just look at his fixer lawyer Michael Cohen.  They hate each other now.

Cannibalism is present in the animal kingdom.

Praying Mantises: Female mantises sometimes eat their mates during or after mating.

Black Widows: The female black widow spider is notorious for eating the male after mating.

Lions: Occasionally, a new dominant male lion will kill and sometimes eat the cubs of the previous male.

Hamsters: In certain stressful conditions or if resources are scarce, mother hamsters might eat their young.

Sharks: Some shark species practice intrauterine cannibalism, where the larger embryos consume their smaller siblings within the womb.

Polar Bears: These bears sometimes resort to cannibalism, especially when food is scarce.

So, keep the faith that Trump’s evil oligarchy will not last.  It’s survival of the nastiest in the Trump world, and they will eventually start eating their own.  In the meanwhile, organize to flip the Congress in 2026, so that we can quickly fix whatever damage Trump causes.  In the immortal words used by Abraham Lincoln, “This too shall pass.”  As Trump surrounds himself with vipers, he should also be aware of the immortal words of the very mortal Caesar, “Et tu, Brute?”

Peace & Love, and all of the above,

Earl

To Sir With Love

by earlthepearl137

Keeping with Tradition, Joe Biden left a letter for Donald Trump in the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office. Nobody knows what President Biden said to Donald Trump in the letter, but I asked AI what it might have said and got this reply.

Dear Donald,
As I leave this office, I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to you. This role is a profound honor and a tremendous responsibility, and I have every confidence that you will rise to the occasion with the same determination and dedication that have marked your career.
The challenges ahead are significant, but so are the opportunities. I believe in the resilience and spirit of the American people, and I know that under your leadership, we can continue to build a brighter future for all.
Remember, this office is not just about policy and politics; it’s about people. It’s about listening to their hopes and fears, and working tirelessly to make their lives better. I know you will approach this task with the compassion and commitment it deserves.
Wishing you all the best as you embark on this incredible journey. May you find strength in the support of your loved ones and wisdom in the counsel of those around you.
Sincerely,
Joe
P.S. Thank you for getting the Supreme Court to grant all Presidents Immunity for crimes they committed in office, as I might have accidentally sprinkled this letter with some Anthrax powder Hillary asked me to give to you. Kamala sends her love.

Peace & Love, and all of the above,

Earl