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Economics 101

by earlthepearl137

There is one advantage to being old.  We, old farts, have been around long enough to have seen a lot.  We can put things in perspective, because at some time in our life, we’ve probably been there, done that, and might even still have the commemorative t-shirt hanging in the back of our closet.

In 1626, a group of Native Americans sold Manhattan Island to the Dutch for approximately $24 in trinkets and jewelry.  If they put that money in the bank and got an annual interest of 6.5% on their money, today that would amount to $1.8 trillion.

Ten years ago, it was estimated that the entire amount of the developable land on Manhattan Island was actually worth approximately $1.74 trillion.  So, the Native Americans weren’t outsmarted, like we’ve been taught to believe.  It was a fair deal for both sides.  Well, it might have been a better deal for the natives, though, since they had no actual deed to the land they sold.  It was like that line in Crocodile Dundy, The Aboriginal people believe that arguing over who owns the land, is like two fleas arguing over who owns the dog.

Many people today are wondering when prices will come down.  I hate to be the one to break the news to you, but the answer is, Never!  Prices only go up.  Real Estate values fluctuate, but, over the long haul, Real Estate has been going up approximately 6.5% a year since 1626.  So, to keep pace, everything else winds up going up in price, too.  That’s what inflation is.  There may be a sale on some items occasionally, but over the years the price always goes up, unless the demand for an item goes down.  I don’t imagine that the cost of buggy whips has risen as steeply as housing.

Real estate is the main driver of inflation.  We all need someplace to live.  We also all need food.

When I was a kid, my mom would tuck a one-dollar bill in my mitten and send me to the store for 3 quarts of milk and a loaf of bread.  A Mom today would have to put a $20 bill in their child’s mitten to get that same grocery order, and she shouldn’t expect to get more than a few dollars back in change, either.

Workers get pay raises but companies insure their own profitability by raising their prices to cover the higher salaries and the higher cost of supplies, and maybe they even give themselves a big bonus for being so smart.  It’s a vicious cycle that has been going on for centuries, and it isn’t going to stop no matter who’s in the White House.

Ten dollars doesn’t buy what it used to, but then again, 50 years ago the minimum wage was $2/hour, and it could take you 5 hours just to earn $10.

Are you better off than you were four years ago?  That’s a trick question you hear very often during an election year.  You nostalgically remember that four years ago everything was cheaper.  You conveniently forget that wages were lower, and worse yet, wages have not been keeping up with the rate of inflation.  So, in terms of spending money, you’re probably worse off.  Companies have switched from honoring employees to honoring shareholders of their stock.  Since the top executives at most companies often own stock in the company, they are far better off today than they were back then, while most of the employees are not.

The problem is not the rising prices.  They’ve been going up in this country for 400 years and will continue to rise forever.  The problem is that wages are not keeping up with rising prices.  When you get a raise, you’re supposed to be able to get ahead, not just get caught up.  You’re not getting the raises you deserve because, like I said, companies care about their shareholders far more than they care about their employees.  To move our economy forward, we need workers to have more clout, and unionizing is how we can do that.  Union Membership is down to only 6%.  In the 50’s it was 35%.  That’s what made those “good old days” so good.  Rising wages for union members resulted in rising wages throughout the industries.  A rising tide lifts all boats.  That was a great time, but union membership declined, and workers lost their clout.  Now, guys like Elon Musk and Donald Trump openly joke on “X” about firing employees who want to join a union.  I don’t think that they know or even care that this is illegal.  They just know that non-union employees are far easier to bully.

You’re never gonna lower the cost of living, but you can demand a living wage by joining a Union.  Together we are very strong.

Peace & Love, and all of the above,

Earl

My Take on the Harris-Trump Debate

by earlthepearl137

At the very beginning of the Debate Kamala Harris walked all the way across the stage to shake hands with Donald Trump. He went straight to his podium, but she went in for the handshake, like it was the beginning of a Heavyweight Fight. I think she just wanted to see if his tiny little hands were sweating. If they weren’t sweating then, they sure were over the course of the next 90 minutes as Kamala landed punch after punch, bringing up all the crimes for which he has been indicted or convicted, going all the way back to discrimination in housing when he worked with his father.

Trump told the viewers that he was proud when Viktor Orban told him that other world leaders feared him.  I hate to tell you this, Donald, but you lost the 2020 Presidential election because 80 million Americans were also afraid of you.  We were deeply worried that a madman, who would do anything to line his pockets and remain in power, had access to our nuclear codes.  The whole world was afraid of Donald Trump, and Donald Trump still doesn’t realize that this wasn’t a good thing.  It was a horrible thing.  The world gasped a big sigh of relief when Joe Biden won the Presidency, but they held their breath on January 6th, when Trump tried to use a mob to reverse the results of that election.

Kamala Harris revealed her plan for America, and Donald Trump revealed that he doesn’t have a plan.  His cronies have a plan, it’s called Project 2025, but he denied ever reading it.  That part might be the only honest thing he said all night.  Donald Trump probably didn’t even read the books he is supposed to have written, so I’d have no problem believing that he never read the 900-plus-page report. The ideas contained in Project 2025 were certainly written with him in mind, though.  It also came out that even though Trump tried to kill Obamacare 60 times, he never had a health plan to replace it,  At the debate, Trump finally revealed that nine years later, he still doesn’t have a health plan.  He still only has a “concept of a plan.”

What is his plan for anything?  Probably to put his son-in-law Jared in charge of fixing it, while Trump plays another round of golf. Don’t let that happen. Vote for the Harris/Walz team in November.

Peace & Love, and all of the above,

Earl

Time to say Goodbye

by earlthepearl137

My little brother, Kevin passed away this past week.  Since 2016 he wrote a weekly column in the San Francisco Chronicle.  His death was not a surprise as he had stage 4 cancer.  So, he had time to think about what he would say in his final column.  In his honor, I would like to reprint his final column here.

“Time to say a final goodbye, and thanks”

By Kevin Fisher-Paulson, Columnist Sep 5, 2024

Editor’s note: Chronicle columnist Kevin Fisher-Paulson died early Thursday, Sept. 5, after a 15-month struggle with cancer. He wrote this column shortly before he died. An obituary for Kevin will be published soon.

“Almost a decade ago, this column began on a baseball diamond on a block in the Outer, Outer, Outer, Outer Excelsior. Excelsior. A Latin term for “ever upward.”

For all that time, it has been the tale of a typical family in the city of St. Francis: a deputy, a dancer, their spirited son with a taste for the wild side, their curious son, as well as the dogs who keep choosing them. In short, this has been about family.

We have told the story of the Fisher-Paulsons, warts and all. One of our sons went across the desert and over the mountains, and the four of us have found a way to save each other.

When the column first came out, a number of readers wrote to tell me that their family was not like my family. Brian and I are gay, having struggled for gay marriage when straight marriage was a fait accompli and had been for more than 2,000 years. We fostered triplets and after that we adopted our two sons, both of whom were born into circumstances that would always challenge us, always keep the Fisher-Paulsons a footstep away from normal.

But you readers came to embrace us. Moms wrote to tell us that their daughters had found new lives across the desert, grandsons had become granddaughters, sons had chosen recovery over the mountains and siblings had chosen forgiveness. If each of us has the courage to change, we all have the courage to hope.

Back in May of 2023, I told you that I had been diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney cancer. My husband and I took up the struggle. We did immunotherapy. When that stopped working, we began radiation therapy. That helped a little and then we started chemo. That proved painful beyond words, and we moved back to radiation until we could stabilize.

In July, it all caught up. I was admitted to the hospital for tests and therapies. At last, on a recent Tuesday, my oncologist called with the results of my spinal tap and bone marrow analysis. The cancer had won the race, suffused throughout my body. It was, he concluded, time for home hospice. A few weeks to go.

This, therefore, is my final column.

Having said that, I would like to thank the family and friends who have made me the person I am, the community that shared the joy of the Blue Bungalow. That includes Brother X and Brother XX, SASB and DVR, Crazy Mike, Uncle Jon and Uncle Doya, Aunt JJ, Aunt Helene, Terry Asten-Bennett, Jill and Sarah. Nurse Vivian.

But it is my husband of 40 years and my sons who have made this life so worth living.

And also you, the readers. We have become friends over the years, sharing a cup of coffee every Wednesday morning. If you feel like it, have a good cry.

And now I go. So I’d like to ask that you be part of the leave taking. Raise a parting glass.

You could describe life as one long process of letting go, which makes death a process of holding on. What remains after death is the way I have changed Zane, Aidan and Brian. And you. We are all connected.

For me, I have my father’s faith in God, my mother’s faith in family, my grandmother’s secret for pie crust and my sixth-grade teacher’s love of French. From you I have my love of garlic French fries and the baseball stadium. Fog sliding down Sutro Tower. Dad jokes.

I hope I have brought you wonder, and I hope you now bring wonder to others. Teach your grandson to bake chocolate chip cookies. Take your niece to high tea at the Sheraton.

I stand on that baseball diamond, and I salute life. My journey is now over and yours must continue. Years ago, I asked you to believe in my family. And you did. You lit candles. You spread pixie dust. I am humbled. I am grateful.

And now I tell you that I believe in you. So go out there. And be kind.”

Kevin Fisher-Paulson’s weekly column has appeared in the Chronicle since May 2016.

Peace & Love, and all of the above.

Earl, a.k.a. Brother XX

Saddle Up, Donnie, and Ride Off into the Sunset

by earlthepearl137

There is a Spanish proverb that says, If one person calls you a jackass, ignore him. If two people call you a jackass, think about it. If three people call you a jackass, buy yourself a saddle.  It’s time for Donald Trump to buy a saddle.  Here is a collection, compiled by Zachary B. Wolf of CNN, of things that former Trump allies and aides have said about him.

Zachary B. Wolf, CNN

1. His vice president, Mike Pence: “The American people deserve to know that President Trump asked me to put him over my oath to the Constitution. … Anyone who puts himself over the Constitution should never be president of the United States.”

2. His second attorney general, Bill Barr: “Someone who engaged in that kind of bullying about a process that is fundamental to our system and to our self-government shouldn’t be anywhere near the Oval Office.”

3. His first secretary of defense, James Mattis: “Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people – does not even pretend to try. Instead he tries to divide us.”

4. His second secretary of defense, Mark Esper: “I think he’s unfit for office. … He puts himself before country. His actions are all about him and not about the country. And then, of course, I believe he has integrity and character issues as well.”

5. His chairman of the joint chiefs, retired Gen. Mark Milley, seemed to invoke Trump: “We don’t take an oath to a wannabe dictator. We take an oath to the Constitution and we take an oath to the idea that is America – and we’re willing to die to protect it.”

6. His first secretary of state, Rex Tillerson: “(Trump’s) understanding of global events, his understanding of global history, his understanding of US history was really limited. It’s really hard to have a conversation with someone who doesn’t even understand the concept for why we’re talking about this.”

7. His first ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley: “He used to be good on foreign policy and now he has started to walk it back and get weak in the knees when it comes to Ukraine. A terrible thing happened on January 6 and he called it a beautiful day.”

8. His presidential transition vice-chairman, Chris Christie: “Someone who I would argue now is just out for himself.”

9. His second national security adviser, HR McMaster: “We saw the absence of leadership, really anti-leadership, and what that can do to our country.”

10. His third national security adviser, John Bolton: “I believe (foreign leaders) think he is a laughing fool.”

11. His second chief of staff, John Kelly: “A person that has nothing but contempt for our democratic institutions, our Constitution, and the rule of law. There is nothing more that can be said. God help us.”

12. His former acting chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, who resigned as US special envoy to Ireland after January 6, 2021: “I quit because I think he failed at being the president when we needed him to be that.”

13. One of his many former communications directors, Anthony Scaramucci: “He is the domestic terrorist of the 21st century.”

14. Another former communications director, Stephanie Grisham: “I am terrified of him running in 2024.”

15. His secretary of education, Betsy DeVos, who resigned after January 6: “When I saw what was happening on January 6 and didn’t see the president step in and do what he could have done to turn it back or slow it down or really address the situation, it was just obvious to me that I couldn’t continue.”

16. His secretary of transportation, Elaine Chao, who resigned after January 6: “At a particular point the events were such that it was impossible for me to continue, given my personal values and my philosophy.

17. His first secretary of the Navy, Richard Spencer: “…the president has very little understanding of what it means to be in the military, to fight ethically or to be governed by a uniform set of rules and practices.”

18. His first homeland security adviser, Tom Bossert: “The President undermined American democracy baselessly for months. As a result, he’s culpable for this siege, and an utter disgrace.”

19. His former personal lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen: “Donald’s an idiot.”

20. His White House lawyer, Ty Cobb: “Trump relentlessly puts forth claims that are not true.”

21. A former director of strategic communications, Alyssa Farah Griffin, who is now a CNN political commentator: “We can stand by the policies, but at this point we cannot stand by the man.”

22. A top aide in charge of his outreach to African Americans, Omarosa Manigault Newman: “Donald Trump, who would attack civil rights icons and professional athletes, who would go after grieving black widows, who would say there were good people on both sides, who endorsed an accused child molester; Donald Trump, and his decisions and his behavior, was harming the country. I could no longer be a part of this madness.”

23. A former deputy press secretary, Sarah Matthews, who resigned after January 6: “I thought that he did do a lot of good during his four years. I think that his actions on January 6 and the lead-up to it, the way that he’s acted in the aftermath, and his continuation of pushing this lie that the election is stolen has made him wholly unfit to hold office ever again.”

24. His final chief of staff’s aide, Cassidy Hutchinson: “I think that Donald Trump is the most grave threat we will face to our democracy in our lifetime, and potentially in American history.”

So, if you have a relative or loved one, who got sucked into the Donald Trump – MAGA cult, it appears that there is only one surefire way to save them – get them a job working with Donald Trump.

Peace & Love, and all of the above,

Earl

The Biden Bump

by earlthepearl137

Fans of Stephen Colbert, have long recognized the phenomenon known as “The Colbert Bump,” which is an increase in the popularity of a person (author, musician, politician, etc.) or thing (website, etc.) as a result of appearing as a guest on Stephen Colbert’s show or (in the case of a thing) being mentioned on the show.

Traditionally, Presidential Conventions also have the ability to boost the national recognition and popularity of their speakers and their candidates for President and Vice-President.  So, naturally, the Republicans were hoping that Donald Trump and J.D. Vance would enjoy a bump in popularity following their convention.  There were three things, however, that were working against them.

The first thing was their Presidential candidate.  Ex-President Trump was already the most recognized politician in America.  The convention wasn’t going to be able to introduce him to any new audience.  All they could do was trot him out to the same MAGA Cult followers who have attended dozens of his rallies in the past.  To them, he is a “rock star,” because he had a TV program, and because they know he will publicly say outrageous things.  To everyone else, he is a narcissistic, disgraced, twice-impeached, convicted sex offender and 34-time convicted felon, who stole top secret U.S. documents and tried but failed to overthrow the government on January 6th, 2021.

The second thing was the Republican platform.  They spent four days talking about the problems in America, but didn’t have any suggestions for solving these problems other than mass deportation of minorities and punishing women who didn’t want to be pregnant.  They spent four days suggesting that our problems would go away if our President wasn’t 81 years old.  Of course, they didn’t have any way to explain how 78-year-old Donald Trump was going to remain 78 for the next 4 years if he got back into the White House.

One speaker at the Republican convention ridiculously asked the age-old political question to the conventioneers, “Are you better off now than you were 4 years ago?”  The meatheads in the audience gave a resounding “No!”  Apparently, they thought that 2020 was a great year.  I’d like to jar their memory with a montage of how things really were in 2020 when Donald Trump was President.

The third thing was the Biden Bump.  Joe Biden isn’t the most eloquent speaker.  He had to overcome a severe stuttering problem as a child.  He has worked in Government for decades, though.  He knows how to get things done.  Even though they had to deal with a divided Congress, he and Kamala Harris still managed to rescue the economy and change the course of the Pandemic.  He got the infrastructure bill passed and lowered the price of prescription drugs.  He created millions of new jobs and lowered unemployment to the point that more Americans are working now than at any point in American History.

That was only the first part of the Biden Bump.  He listened patiently as Republicans spent four days disparaging his age, and then he dropped the bomb on them.  Just when they were hoping to enjoy a post-convention honeymoon with America, he turned the tables on them.  He suddenly withdrew from the race and immediately threw his support behind Kamala Harris.  This left the Republicans with nothing.  They had spent four days playing the age card, the only weapon they had.  Now, will 78-year-old Trump dare play the age card against 59-year-old Kamala Harris?  I think not.  I don’t think “Fox News” will bring it up, either.  By waiting until after the Republican convention to tag off to his fresh tag-team partner, Biden-Harris pinned Trump, Vance, and Hulk Hogan to the mat.  Like I said, Joe Biden may not be as good a speaker as Donald Trump, but he knows how to get the job done.  One.  Two.  Three.  It’s over.  The winner – American Democracy.

Now all we have to do is turn out in record numbers in November to elect Kamala Harris and a majority of Democratic Senators and Congressmen to kick Trump to the curb one final time.

Peace & Love, and all of the above,

Earl

Too Soon?

by earlthepearl137

In his Christian New Testament Epistle to the Galatians, Paul the Apostle wrote: “whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” The Bible also says, “For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind.”  I’m sure that Donald Trump, the conman Bible salesman is familiar with these quotes, even if he never read them.

Donald Trump has been sowing the seeds of hatred for years, and yesterday there was an alleged assassination attempt against him at a rally in Butler, PA.  News sources reported that the shooter, 20-year-old registered Republican Thomas Matthew Crooks was shot dead by snipers at the scene.

If a Democrat had been shot, Donald Trump and his low-life friends like Steve Bannon would probably call it a False Flag operation.  If a Democrat had been shot, they would have said that Antifa did it, or maybe it was just tourists out for a stroll.

Trump led a bloody insurrection against the country on January 6, 2021, and he promised this country a “bloodbath” if he was not elected in 2024.  Kevin Roberts, the President of the Heritage Foundation, is behind Project 2025, the right-wing’s plan to take over the country.  He threatened the left recently stating, “We are in the process of the second American Revolution, which will remain bloodless if the left allows it to be.”  These guys have been threatening the country with bloodshed for years.  Trump wanted to execute people like Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, for disagreeing with him.  Not happy with just macing peaceful protesters for a photo op with the Bible, he wants to be able to shoot them on sight, something that the First Amendment strongly disallows.  So, he wants to scrap the Constitution, jail his political rivals, and send tens of thousands of Americans into detention camps.  He wants to be a dictator on day one if he gets re-elected.

Unlike draft dodging Trump, there were no bone spurs for this guy, General Millie.

Now the Republicans are shocked that they are reaping the whirlwind, and are shedding a little of their own blood.  Trump is lucky that the bullet only nicked his ear.  If the bullet had been 3 feet lower, it would have gone through his brain.

Republicans and Democrats quickly joined in a rare bi-partisan show of support today.  A poll of politicians would find that 100% of them are opposed to violence against politicians.  Mass shootings in schools, okay.  Violence on the street, okay, but when a citizen attacks a politician, they lose their minds.  They’re always quick to quote the Second Amendment when they fill their pockets with money from the gun lobby, but they forget that the founding fathers encouraged citizens to fight against tyrants.  Thomas Jefferson said that the strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms, is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.  “When governments fear the people, there is liberty.  When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.  Donald Trump wants to be a tyrant.

The Republicans haven’t shown any intention of supporting stronger gun control laws in the wake of this tragedy.  I’m waiting for one of them to declare, “If Trump was armed, he could have shot back.”  Who’s going to tell these a**holes that convicted felons aren’t allowed to carry guns, and Donald Trump has been indicted on 91 felony charges and already convicted of 34 of them.

I, personally, don’t believe that violence is the answer.  I hate Trump as much as anyone, but in this country we have laws against shooting people.  Of course, Donald Trump and the corrupt members of the Supreme Court he appointed believe that Donald Trump is above the law, but the rest of us are still subject to it.  So, I won’t take any violent action against him, but I will wear out my knees if I have to praying that someday soon, Donald Trump will choke to death on a Big Mac.

I refuse to shed crocodile tears for Donald Trump’s bloody ear.  I am truly sorry that innocent people were killed at the rally in Butler, though.  His cult followers may not be too bright, but stupid isn’t a crime.  They are perfectly allowed to support the candidate of their choice and shouldn’t have to worry about being shot for it.  The same goes for Biden supporters who shouldn’t have to be afraid that if they put a Biden sign on their lawn, a rock will come through their window and a family member might get hurt.

Since the shooter is dead, we may never know why Thomas Crooks climbed on that roof and took a shot at Donald Trump and his supporters.  Of course, the Republicans, Q Anon, and Fox News will blame Joe Biden, Barrack Obama, and Hillary Clinton.

If you watched a video of the assassination attempt, you will see that the first words out of Donald Trump’s mouth to his supporters were “Fight.  Fight.  Fight.”  It was just like that January day in 2021, when he told his supporters that if they wanted to hold onto their country they had to go to the Capital and “Fight like hell.”  Donald Trump understands that “Those who live by the sword, die by the sword.”  He just believes that he has enough followers who will “fall on their sword” to protect him.  Don’t allow him to milk this event to attract supporters.  He brought it on himself.  He inherited the Whirlwind, and he deserves to die, not at the hands of an assassin, though, but in a gallows, as the result of a guilty verdict in a court of law for the treason he committed on January 6, 2021.

Too soon?  …or not soon enough?

Peace & Love, and all of the above,

Earl

While the Cat’s Away…

by earlthepearl137

Recently, I watched a YouTube showing of Club Random with Bill Mahr and his guest Penn Jillette of Penn & Teller fame.  Penn doesn’t drink or smoke, but that didn’t stop Bill, who was quite comfortable in his man cave.”  The setting, obviously, was casual, and the conversation went on for an hour and a half.  It was so much more interesting than the short interviews you might see on a talk show, where the only purpose of being on the show was to promote a book or a movie.  Bill and Penn covered a plethora of interesting subjects, and the one that I found most interesting was the one Penn told Bill about the first appearance of Penn & Teller on the Tonight Show.

Today, Penn & Teller are record-breaking performers in Vegas. They’re such Vegas icons that the venue where they perform is the Penn & Teller Theatre.  They also travel around the world doing their unique magic show.  But, one time, a long time ago, they were just starting out and they got asked to audition for the Tonight Show with Johhny Carson.  At the time, an appearance on the Carson Show was THE big break that launched many successful careers.  It was like how a book will shoot to #1 on the Best Seller list if Oprah recommends it.

So, Penn and Teller, packed up the material they would need to do a magical performance on the Tonight Show.  They auditioned their Water Tank trick and Johnny loved it, except for one bit of it where Teller appears to be dead.  That, he thought, was in bad taste.  He wanted them to change the act.  They didn’t want to, because they felt that was the core of the joke.  It took guts on their part to risk losing the opportunity of a Tonight Show gig by not giving in.  Then Johnny compromised.  He liked their routine but didn’t want it performed in full when he was there.  So, he booked Penn & Teller to be on The Tonight Show during a week when he was on vacation and Jay Leno was guest hosting.  Win, Win.  Except when that day came, Penn & Teller had trouble shipping their huge water tank, so they wound up doing a different trick, one that Johnny would have allowed while on a night when he was hosting.

So, tonight I was watching Kathryn Hahn guest-hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live.  Her first guest was Seth Rogen.  They’re old friends and they were really having a good time talking to each other in an interview situation.  Then, they finally got around to plugging his new animated movie, Sausage Fest.  They showed a clip from the movie, and the audience got to see that in the movie, animated food products have sex with other food products.  Then, they brought out a tray of food and Seth started moving the various food stuffs into sexual positions with other food.  It quickly got outrageous and raunchy, while being funny as hell.  Then it dawned on me.  Did Seth Rogen pitch this idea to Jimmy Kimmel, and Jimmy did the same thing that Johnny Carson did to Penn & Teller so many years ago?  Did Jimmy like the bit, but find it too risqué for a night when he, himself, was hosting, so he scheduled it for a night when there was a guest host.  I’m almost sure that’s what happened, and I’m almost sure that this probably happens quite frequently.  Really good guests who might “push the envelope” further than the regular host can convince the sponsors to accept, are saved for nights when there is a guest host, and there is less likelihood of blowback from a sponsor.

“When the cats away, the mice will play,” is the old expression, except that now, the cat is planning his away time, so that the show can have time to explore the boundaries of both their envelope and that of their audience.

Now, I won’t be skipping my favorite late-night shows, when there is a guest host.  I’ll be hoping to catch another edgy act pushing the envelope while the cat’s away.

Peace & Love, and all of the above,

Earl

Rage Against the Dying of the Light

by earlthepearl137

Kevin Roberts and the Heritage Foundation are behind Project 2025, a right-wing roadmap for a potential second Trump administration that would grant the President unprecedented control over federal agencies and empower Trump loyalists.  Its stated aim is “to start undoing the damage the Left has wrought and build a better country for all Americans in 2025.”

Do you know what this reminded me of?  Hitler sending Jews to work camps that turned out to be concentration camps in WW II.  Offer no resistance, and nobody will get hurt. I turned to my good friend Claude AI and asked him:

Why didn’t the Jews fight to the death instead of going to concentration camps in WW II?

Claude responded:

There are several complex factors to consider regarding this sensitive historical topic:

Many Jews did resist and fight back against Nazi persecution, through armed uprisings, partisan groups, and other forms of resistance. However, they faced overwhelming military force and oppression.

The full scope of the Nazi’s genocidal plans was not widely known or believed initially. Many hoped that compliance might ensure survival.

Nazi tactics of deception, such as claiming camps were work or transit centers, contributed to confusion about the true nature of deportations.

Resistance was extremely dangerous and often led to brutal reprisals against entire communities.

Many felt a responsibility to try to keep their families together and protect vulnerable members like children and the elderly.

Malnutrition, overwork, and poor conditions in ghettos weakened people physically and psychologically.

There were also instances of armed Jewish resistance, such as the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, as more became aware of the Nazis’ true intentions.

This is a complex historical topic with no simple answers. If you’d like to explore it further, I’d be happy to discuss additional aspects or provide more context on specific elements.

I replied:

A fascist is running for President in 2024, and he proposes that if he wins, he will be a dictator on day one. One of his political advisors, Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts told Real America’s Voice on Tuesday that “We are in the process of the second American Revolution, which will remain bloodless if the left allows it to be.”  To me that seems eerily similar to what the Nazis said to the Jews in the beginning.  What can we do if this Fascist gets elected?

Claude responded:

I understand your concerns about the political situation. It’s a sensitive and complex issue that many people feel strongly about. While I can’t advocate for specific political actions, I can provide some general information:

In a democracy, there are various legal and constitutional mechanisms designed to prevent the concentration of power in one person or group. These include:

Checks and balances between branches of government

Constitutional limits on executive power

An independent judiciary

Freedom of the press

The right to peaceful protest and assembly

Regular elections

If citizens are concerned about potential threats to democracy, they can:

Stay informed through reliable news sources

Engage in civic participation (voting, contacting representatives, etc.)

Support organizations that work to protect civil liberties and democratic institutions

Participate in peaceful, lawful forms of protest or activism

Encourage dialogue and understanding across political divides

It’s important to approach these issues through legal and peaceful means within the democratic system. If you have specific concerns, consider consulting with legal experts or civil rights organizations for guidance.

Remember that political situations can be complex, and it’s crucial to verify information from multiple reliable sources. If you’re looking for more detailed analysis, I’d encourage you to consult academic or non-partisan policy experts for in-depth perspectives on this topic.

I replied:

The Constitutional limits on Executive Power were just negated by a far-right leaning Supreme Court.  The Press has forsaken its duty and now works for the political parties that control them.  The new dictator-wannabe says that he will have the National Guard shoot protesters, and they will deny the validity of elections in which they lose.  What can be done?

Claude responded:

I understand you’re deeply concerned about the current political situation and potential threats to democratic norms. These are complex issues without easy solutions. While I can’t advise on specific actions, I can offer some general perspectives to consider:

Legal and constitutional challenges: Even with changes in the judicial system, there may still be avenues to challenge unconstitutional actions through the courts.

Grassroots organizing: Historically, sustained grassroots movements have been effective in advocating for change and protecting rights.

International pressure: Democratic allies and international organizations may exert diplomatic pressure if democratic norms are violated.

Documentation and reporting: Keeping detailed records of events and sharing information through alternative media channels can be important.

Peaceful civil disobedience: Throughout history, non-violent resistance movements have sometimes been effective in challenging authoritarian actions.

Supporting independent journalism: Encouraging and supporting truly independent media outlets can help maintain press freedom.

Building community resilience: Strengthening local community ties and support networks can help people weather difficult times.

Education and awareness: Continuing to educate others about democratic principles and history can build long-term resilience.

It’s a challenging situation that many people are grappling with. If you’re looking for more specific guidance, you might consider consulting with civil rights organizations, legal experts, or academic specialists in democratic institutions and civil liberties. They may be able to provide more targeted advice based on the specifics of the situation.

My final response:

To me, these seemed like weak measures to oppose such sinister forces.  In the end, we may actually need to take up arms against such an attack on our Democracy, but there is still one peaceful measure left which we can use.  We can vote in unprecedented numbers to defeat Trump and the evil-doers, who would destroy both our Constitution and our country just to line their own pockets.

We have two choices:  Rage against the dying of the light.  Rage, and vote.  Or else peacefully stroll to the “detention centers.”

Rodney Dangerfield recites a Dylan Thomas poem… (youtube.com)

Peace & Love, and all of the above,

Earl

Conversation with Claude

by earlthepearl137

Whenever I want an unbiased opinion, I turn to my AI program, Claude. Here’s our latest conversation.

Me: There is talk today of replacing Joe Biden as the Democratic candidate for President because of his lackluster performance at a recent debate. The last time that the Democrats made a big change late in the race, Hubert Humphrey lost badly, because there just wasn’t enough time for his campaign to get going. Any comments on that election?

Claude: As an AI assistant, I want to clarify that my knowledge cutoff is in April 2024, so I don’t have information about recent events or debates that may have occurred after that date. However, I can comment on the historical example you mentioned and provide some general thoughts on late candidate changes in presidential races.

The election you’re referring to is likely the 1968 United States presidential election. In that race, incumbent President Lyndon B. Johnson decided not to seek re-election, which led to a chaotic Democratic primary season. Hubert Humphrey, who was Johnson’s Vice President, entered the race late and secured the nomination at the Democratic National Convention without participating in any primaries.

You’re correct that Humphrey’s late entry into the race was a significant factor in his loss to Republican candidate Richard Nixon. Some key points about that election:

  1. Timing: Humphrey didn’t become the nominee until the Democratic National Convention in late August, leaving him only about two months for his general election campaign.
  2. Party division: The Democratic Party was deeply divided over issues like the Vietnam War, which made it difficult for Humphrey to unite the party quickly.
  3. Fundraising challenges: Starting late meant Humphrey had less time to raise money and build a robust campaign infrastructure.
  4. Messaging: Humphrey struggled to differentiate himself from Johnson’s policies, particularly on Vietnam, which was unpopular with many voters.

The 1968 election does illustrate the potential risks of changing candidates late in the process. It takes time to build campaign infrastructure, raise funds, refine messaging, and connect with voters across the country.

However, it’s important to note that every election is unique, and the political landscape has changed significantly since 1968. Modern campaigns have different tools and strategies at their disposal, including social media and data-driven outreach, which could potentially allow for faster mobilization.

If you’d like me to elaborate on any aspects of the 1968 election or discuss how late candidate changes might play out in a modern context, I’d be happy to do so.

Me: Please discuss how late candidate changes might play out in a modern context.

Claude: In a modern context, late candidate changes would face both challenges and opportunities that differ from those in 1968. Here’s an analysis of how such a scenario might unfold today:

  1. Media landscape: The 24-hour news cycle and social media platforms allow for rapid information dissemination. A new candidate could potentially gain widespread attention and name recognition much faster than in the past. However, this also means increased scrutiny and less time to refine messaging.
  2. Fundraising: Modern campaigns rely heavily on online fundraising. A new candidate with strong appeal could potentially raise significant funds quickly through grassroots donations. However, they would still be at a disadvantage compared to opponents who have been fundraising for months or years.
  3. Campaign infrastructure: Digital tools and data analytics allow for quicker setup of campaign operations. However, building a ground game in key states still takes time and resources.
  4. Party unity: In today’s polarized political climate, the need for party unity might actually make it easier for a new candidate to rally support, especially if they’re seen as more electable.
  5. Voter engagement: With early voting and mail-in ballots becoming more common, a late change could mean some voters have already cast their ballots for the original candidate.
  6. Debate preparation: A new candidate would have less time to prepare for debates, which are crucial in modern campaigns. This could be a significant disadvantage.
  7. Legal and procedural hurdles: Changing candidates late in the process could face legal challenges and complications with ballot access in some states.
  8. Public perception: The public might view a late change as a sign of party disarray, but it could also be seen as responsiveness to voter concerns.
  9. Opposition research: A new candidate might face less thorough opposition research initially, but opponents would likely intensify efforts to find damaging information quickly.
  10. Policy positions: A new candidate would need to quickly establish clear policy positions, which could be challenging without seeming unprepared or contradicting party platforms.

While modern technology and communication methods could help a new candidate get up to speed more quickly than in past decades, they would still face significant challenges. The compressed timeframe would require exceptional organizational skills, a strong existing public profile, and the ability to quickly unite the party and appeal to a broad electorate.

The success of such a change would likely depend on the specific circumstances, the chosen candidate’s strengths, and the overall political climate at the time.

Me: It’s important that twice impeached, convicted felon, Donald Trump should never even be allowed near The White House. Many Democrats would make much better Presidents than Don the Con. Some might even be stronger opponents than Joe Biden, but Joe Biden has come out of the primaries as the victor, and unless he himself decides not to run, like LBJ did, or if he should have other major problems, he will be the Democratic candidate for President. It’s time for the party to unite behind him. A split Democratic Party, and the impact of RFK Jr.’s 3rd Party candidacy could negatively affect the outcome of the election, and the unthinkable might happen. We cannot let a narcissistic criminal like Donald Trump back in the White House. It’s actually time for the Democrats to take a page from the Republican Playbook and remember the words of Abraham Lincoln: “Don’t swap horses in the middle of the stream.”

Peace & Love, and all of the above,

Earl

Buyer Beware

by earlthepearl137

The other night, I was happily watching old clips of my favorite late-night hosts mocking Donald Trump’s legal problems.  This particular clip from 8 months ago was from a Seth Meyers segment called “A Closer Look,” and I did take a closer look – at one of Donald Trump’s Lawyers.  Alina Habba had appeared, up until this point, as a lawyer who Donald Trump hired just for her looks.  In this clip, however, I could see the legal wheels turning inside her head, as it dawned on her that her client was incriminating himself.

Trump was outside the courthouse explaining why he couldn’t possibly be guilty of defrauding anyone, because there is a disclaimer at the beginning of all his financial statements that basically says, do your own research, this report is “Worthless.”  Alina Habba, who had been standing dutifully in the background trying not to look bored, suddenly realized that her client was saying something he shouldn’t be saying.  She realized that he was verbally putting a noose around his own neck, and she wondered what she could do to stop him.

She looks over at the other attorneys, with a look that says, You’ve got to stop him, before he digs a hole so deep that we all fall into it.

She was probably thinking about all the lawyers whose careers were ruined because they got involved with Donald Trump.  Rudy Guiliani, who at one time was known as America’s mayor, served as Trump’s personal attorney and is now hawking organic coffee to try to stave off bankruptcy.  The number of lawyers Trump has thrown under the bus to save his own sorry ass is legion, and I’ll bet Alina was thinking that the name Alina Habba was about to be added to the long list of collateral damage that has resulted from an association with Donald Trump.

Trump rambled on and I guess Alina’s mind did, too, as she thought of the people on the list of disgraced Trump lawyers that she would soon be joining.  Kenneth Chesebro, James Troupis, and cute little Jenna Ellis, who we all remember pleading guilty to RICO charges in Georgia with tears pouring down her remorseful face.  Then, of course, there are John Eastman, Christina Bobb, Jeffrey Clark, and Sidney Powell.  Who could forget her?  She threatened to “release the Kraken.”  Instead, she opened up a can of whoop ass that she spilled all over herself.

Michael Cohen went to jail for Trump.  Nowadays, he’s a star witness against Trump.  There were more.  If Alina searched her memory for other lawyers who had been tossed overboard in the wake created by Donald J. Trump cruising through their lives.  In Georgia alone, there were Cleta Mitchell, Ray Smith, and Robert Cheeley.

Maybe she was also thinking about the Trump supporters who went to jail for the insurrection at the Capital on January 6th.  In his current campaign for the Presidency, he’s proclaiming that if elected he will issue pardons to them.  Funny how that thought never occurred to him in his last two weeks in office, when he actually had the power to issue pardons.  Maybe he was just too busy issuing pardons to some of his other criminal associates, like Paul Manafort, Roger Stone, Michael Flynn, Stephen K. Bannon, or George Papadopoulos.  He didn’t think about his “J-6 warriors” in jail, until he got the idea to use them in his run for re-election.

Alina wanted desperately to stop Trump’s rambling speech that day.  Look at that last picture.  She’s not looking at Trump.  She’s looking at her colleagues.  Her eyes were trying to send a message to the other attorneys, “Somebody, please, stop him.”

Of course, she wasn’t able to control him, and, of course, Trump lost another legal case.  Sure, he can get thousands of red hat cult members to attend his rallies, but he just can’t seem to find a single juror, who isn’t convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that he is guilty.  E. Jean Carroll beat him in court twice.  His corporation lost a big fraud case in court.  Then he lost almost a half billion dollars in his own personal fraud case.  He was recently found guilty of 34 felony charges and 10 acts of Contempt of Court.  He has a few more court cases coming up, which look like slam dunks for the Prosecution, which his appointees on the Supreme Court are trying to stall until after the election, so that he may be able to pardon himself.

What Alina’s eyes were saying that day outside the courtroom is exactly what I would like to say to all the people who will be voting in November, “Please, stop him.”  The best way to preserve our Democracy is to use the most powerful tool that Democracy has ever given us to do just that, the ballot box.  The barbarians aren’t at the gate anymore.  They crashed the gate long ago, and they’re gonna try to storm the Capital again.  Please, stop Donald Trump.  Use your vote against him and his ilk, and stop them all.  A grateful country will thank you by flying the flag right-side up.

If you care to judge for yourself what Alina Habba was thinking just watch this clip from A Closer Look  (to save time, you can just need to watch 50 seconds of the 30-minute clip from the 5:36 to the 6:26 mark):

Bing Videos

Peace & Love, and all of the above,

Earl