Category Archives: Politics
The other day I saw in a New York Times article that Alvin Toffler had died last month. The article wasn’t really an obituary so much as about Future Shock, the book Toffler wrote back in 1970. If you’re around my age, you may remember him and the book; both were a bit of a big deal.
I hadn’t thought about that book since back then, but as the Times writer points out, “it seems clear that his diagnosis has largely panned out, with local and global crises arising daily from our collective inability to deal with ever-faster change.” Truer words! Even in 1970, the technological pace was starting to affect people in bad ways, and it certainly hasn’t gotten any better since.
The article really struck a chord! I’ve been thinking quite a lot lately — and have written a few posts — about the growing disconnect between people and their grasp of the technological modern world.
Continue reading
10 Comments | tags: Alvin Toffler, Carl Sagan, eduation, Future Shock, modern life, technology | posted in Life, Politics
Not that there was any doubt, but CNN proved it is nothing but a cable whore by hiring Cory Lewandowski, the guy who man-handled reporter Michelle Fields on camera and nearly got charged with assault.
I urge you to join me in boycotting CNN, especially during the November election. Remember: these are the idiots who brought you reporter holograms in 2008!
They’re also the guys (definitely guys) who put Erin “Cleavage” Burnett on an elevated platform so the cameras can get a good shot of her legs.
Continue reading
20 Comments | tags: Anderson Cooper, CNN, Cory Lewandowski, Erin Burnett, Michelle Fields | posted in Politics, TV
I’ll Make Mars Great Again!
In a surprise move today, GOP front-runner The Donald Trump announced his resignation from the presidential race claiming it was all “just a tremendous joke — amazing! I never thought anyone would believe it for a second… but I pulled it off perfectly, of course.”
Mr. Trump said he would devote his time now to building a Great Wall of Mars, which he said would be “way better than China’s so-called Great Wall; it’ll be tremendous, and it will look amazing!” He claims the Martians will pay for the wall, and that it will make space “great again.”
Two former Republican candidates for the highest office, Marco Rubio and Jeb Bush, told reporters they wished Mr. Trump every success and offered their assistance in hastening his departure for the red planet. Both Floridians said they’d be glad to personally strap him to any of NASA’s larger boosters.
Continue reading
31 Comments | tags: Anyone But Trump, April Fools, bat-shit crazy, Donald Trump, election 2016, funny, GOP, humor, Mars, psychopath, Republican Party, Trump is a loser, Trump is a monster | posted in Politics
Bernie Sanders receives an endorsement from Finches!
So… The week began with a bomb in Brussels and a baseball game in Cuba. On one side of the Earth, images of terror and oppression; on the other, images of joy and freedom. It forms a literal global Yin-Yang reflecting the best and worst of human goals and actions.
From such high stakes and matters of import, the week quickly descended into the sewer, as the National Embarrassment led the Republican Party to new lows this election cycle.
Continue reading
5 Comments | tags: Anyone But Trump, Barack Obama, Bernie Sanders, birds, Brussels, Cuba, democracy, Democratic Party, democratic society, election 2016, finches, freedom, GOP, politicians, President Obama, Republican Party, Trump is a loser, Trump is a monster | posted in Politics
The First Family planting seeds of democracy.
To those who would disparage President Obama’s comportment (or even just presence) at the historic baseball game in Cuba yesterday, might I suggest there is, perhaps, no greater expression of American freedom, liberty, and values, than the simple joy of a baseball game?
What better way to flip the bird to those who would destroy our way of life than to take a moment to say: Nope, not afraid of you, not gonna let you own this — or any — day!
At first I thought maybe there was a point to be made regarding his comportment. Was the wave necessary? How dare he enjoy himself so much!
But what better response to horror and tragedy is there but joy and love?
And, oh, by the way: Not so much just a “baseball game” as planting the seeds of freedom and democracy with our neighbors. What you might call the opposite of terrorism, so nah-nah-nah-nah-nah.
After all, baseball is one of those things you can be “as American as!”
3 Comments | tags: Barack Obama, Brussels, Cuba, democracy, democratic society, freedom, President Obama, social change | posted in Baseball, Politics
Coo coo ca choo!
So. It’s been a day. A bombing in Brussels, Belgium, and an historic baseball game in Habana, Cuba. President Obama was at the latter, and so was Mrs. Robinson (the one the song isn’t about). Set against the background of “Super Tuesday #4: The Continuing Horror” it all weaves an interesting tapestry of stark contrasts and lurid splashes of color.
Baseball and bombs. Diplomacy and terrorism. Policy and politics. It’s terrible and fascinating how the world offers so much hope and so much despair — all in a day. The best there is in people set against the worst there is in people.
So, it’s been a day.
Continue reading
4 Comments | tags: Anyone But Trump, Barack Obama, Belgium, Brussels, Cuba, democracy, democratic society, election 2016, freedom, Habana, Plato, Plato's Cave, President Obama, social media, Tampa Bay Rays, terrorism, Trump is a loser, Trump is a monster | posted in Baseball, Politics
I can’t believe, with so much Trump-water over the damn dam, that people still support this guy. Not since Creationism has there been such a clear and present example of how disconnected from reality is the thinking of many people. Never in my lifetime have I seen such a frightening example of all I disdain in the human race.
This is thoughtlessness and irrationality, bigotry and brutality, nationalism and populism. It’s childish, selfish, ignorant, and stupid! It boggles my mind.
It’s gotten to the point of basically stunning me into insensibility.
Continue reading
13 Comments | tags: Antonin Scalia, Anyone But Trump, Bill Clinton, Comedy Central, democracy, Democratic Party, democratic society, Donald Trump, election 2016, FLOTUS, GOP, groupthink, Hillary Clinton, HRC, John Oliver, Josh Earnest, Nancy Reagan, POTUS, President Obama, Republican Party, Samantha Bee, SCOTUS, South Park, The Colbert Report, The Daily Show, The Nightly Show, Trevor Noah, Trump is a loser, Trump is a monster | posted in Brain Bubble, Politics
I think I’ve come full circle on Donald Trump. It’s an opposite circle from the one I traveled with William Shatner (and Bill Clinton and Barack Obama). This time I started out appalled, began to rethink my position, but moved back to appalled after all. So while I’m back to liking Shatner, Clinton, and Obama, I’m also back to hating Donald Trump.
His disgraceful apparent behavior, regardless of who he really is behind the circus ringmaster, is enough to disqualify him from politics (let alone from the Presidency of the USA).
His slogan claims he’ll make America great again. The “again” deserves some unpacking, but I got to thinking about the “great” part…
Continue reading
17 Comments | tags: Anyone But Trump, democracy, democratic society, Donald Trump, election 2016, GOP, politicians, Republican, Republican Party, social change, Trump is a loser, Trump is a monster, US Postal Service, USA, USAnian | posted in Politics, Rant
I was watching part of the Congressional hearing investigating the conflict between Apple and the FBI. Both sides have an arguable point of view, which I’ll touch on, but what really struck me was that this issue is a direct consequence of our digital media world. What’s at stake here has never been at stake before.
It’s also an example of a theme I’ve hammered on several times here: It was not ever thus. This is an example of a new thing. Never have we put so much of our lives in a digital vault that depends completely on digital encryption for security.
The outcome of this debate is crucial to our future!
Continue reading
24 Comments | tags: Apple Corporation, backdoor, computer code, computer program, court order, decryption, encryption, FBI, iPhone, judicial order, operating system, passcode, SCOTUS, security, Tim Cook | posted in Opinion, Politics
Well, ya, sure, you betcha! I just gotta say that I couldn’t be more pleased that my state, good old Minnesota, is the first one to show some good old-fashioned common sense! We’re the first one to say No! to the strange political circus that has everyone in thrall.
In his speech last night, Trump bragged that he’d won a bunch (it was just incredible; tremendous; America’s gonna be great again) and done no worse than second place otherwise.
Not so fast there, Donnie Boy! Feel the Bern from Minnesota!
Continue reading
20 Comments | tags: Anyone But Trump, Bernie Sanders, democracy, Democratic Party, democratic society, Donald Trump, election 2016, GOP, Hillary Clinton, HRC, Idiocracy, Marco Rubio, Minnesota, politicians, Republican Party, Robert Frost, social change, social issues, The Road Not Taken, Trump is a loser, Trump is a monster | posted in Politics
Logos con carne 