Wayward Landlubber

     Democrats have long puzzled political observers with their independence from a central organization. The Oklahoma humorist, Will Roger's once said, "I'm  not a member of an organized political party, I'm a Democrat." The party has a broad tent, which is accepting of people of color and sexual minorities. A tent that grew over may decades of internal challenges, and once the Dixicrats abandoned the party to become Republicans. For those who question this internecine struggle, let me stress that this is the definition of the (small 'd') democratic process. During the presidential term of our first president of color, we witnessed the Vice-President publicly accept the reality of gay-marriage at a time when the President would have preferred silence.       There is no longer a similar debate within the Republican fold. Party loyalty is held in higher esteem than independent thought, or thought in general. This has led to an abundance of examples...

     The election is over, what a long century it was. Joseph Biden and his running mate Kamela Harris, are president and vice-president- elect (oh how I enjoy the sound of that). Donald J. Trump is now the president de-select, a thought that also pleases me. The Senate that we had so much hope of flipping remains in Republican control, at least until two run-off elections to be held in Georgia next January. While the House remains in Democratic control, Republicans won seven new seats. So while it was not the crushing defeat of trumpism we had wished, it was a defeat of Trump. He has yet to concede.       We were, as usual, given the gift of comedy. Rudy Giuliani, Trumps lawyer (and friend to the Ukranian duo of Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman of the eponymous business, Fraud Guarantee) gifted us with a non-concession press conference in front of the garage door of the world famous New Seasons Total Landscaping Company. That was only part of the humor. Boo...

     Trump wants to declare ANTIFA a terrorist organization, even as he encourages the white backlash to the George Floyd killing at the hands police. ANTIFA, for those too dim to understand, stands for anti-fascist. If you are against anti-fascism you are by implication, FOR fascism or tolerant of it. Toleration is always desirable, but some things can never be tolerated. This group of deplorables, dare I say "basket of deplorables", includes racists, misogynists, homophobes, and fascists. Why pick on them, you might ask? The answer is that they are intolerant of the people they have targeted. Donald Trump deliberately encourages this open hatred because he is one of them. Tolerance allows expression even though it may not be practiced by the individual. Intolerance implies a complete denial of whatever activity is not tolerated. Intolerance eventually leads to abuses that can't be tolerated in civil society. This dilemma is confusing to us liberals, we are usually more ...

     Chauvanism is defined as extreme patriotism, it was broadened in the 1970s to include misogeny. If you are male and escaped the Women's Rights advocates calling you a male chauvinist pig at that time, congratulations. The word is derived from a much decorated French soldier who was wildly supportive of another world leader reputed to have tiny hands (or whatever), Napolean Bonapart. Some sources say that this story may have been an exaggeration: as devoid of truth as Republicans are devoid of empathy. Never-the-less the word remains with us, as does the actions illustrated by this word. Another irony, most people who practice chauvinism would not know the definition, or think there is something wrong with it.      Among this group of people who practice chauvinism is one Officer Derek Chauvin who, until recently was a Minneapolis police officer and member of a supposed group of "Cops for Trump". This is the Donald Trump who is using the presidency to e...

     I'm not ashamed to admit that I enjoy a degree of incivility. I often skirt the outer ring of civility, that is what satire does, but there is a greater service done by incivility than black humor. Incivilty at one time drew a line in the sand for what is no longer acceptable. Ironically, that haven of civility gave birth to a sense of too much power by people who do not know the limits of civility, and don't much care. These are the people who believe that cultural sensitivity (political correctness, PC) is something to belittle. And now we have forgotten the location of that line in the sand.      Politicians are a convenient target of opportunity for humorists, satirists, and comedians. "Humor is comforting the oppressed by oppressing the comfortable." There is no better time to start oppressing the comfortable than now. In my life, where I barely remember Eisenhauer, become politically aware with JFK, conflicted over LBJ, hated Nixon, did not hate ...

     I am a proud member of the political left. I believe that guns are a too effective way for people to kill people. I believe some gun owners are unhinged, when those gun owners identify with the right wing, most of those gun owners are unhinged. I believe universal healthcare is a social good. The Covid 19 pandemic should be proof of that statement. I believe climate change is an existential threat and we have waited too long to address it because the rightwing has called it a hoax. I believe we are close to viewing coal, oil, and natural gas in the way we viewed whale oil at the turn of the 20th century. I believe the solution to these and many other social dilemma's is to tax the very rich. We did it after WWII and it worked pretty well. In addition, the people who have such large fortunes that they can purchase elections for compliant legislators, are using a small portion of those large fortunes to take away the consent that we, the governed were bequeathed in the...

     I can remember walking in anti-war marches alongside priests, ministers, rabbi's, and even imam's. Sometimes the conversations that took place during the march carried over to coffee after it ended. A booklet given me by a member of the American Friends Service Committee helped me to get a medical deferment from the draft. As a child I loved sitting on my grandma's capacious knees learning the gospels. I lost my religion sometime around10 years old. Yet, I admired many of the religious leaders I met resisting our wars. Many years later while lobbying with my union in Washington DC, I went in search of the Reverend Jim Wallis, leader of the Soujourner Society. He was out of town at the time, so I was unsuccessful. During all of this time there was a the feeling in the back of my mind that not all religions are worthy of respect. And those unworthy religions were among the Christian churches.That feeling rose to ugly prominence when President Jimmy Carter was considere...

     Back in the late 60s or early 70s I participated in several anti-Vietnam war marches. Peace marches were a common expression by many Americans at the time, and many of us were quite passionate about expressing our distaste for America's foreign policy. That passion sometimes erupted into civil disobedience and even property damage. There are reports that FBI agent provocateurs initiated some of that  violence as part of J Edgar Hoovers' COINTELPRO operation. The differences between the Covid 19 lockdown protesters of today, and those anti-war protesters of yesteryear are legion, most notable is the weaponry openly displayed by the anti-lockdown groups today. Sometimes we openly carried candles, at dusk, signs, some even bang out a rhythm on 5 gallon plastic buckets. The only lasting effect of that was some discarded cups in the streets, cigarettes and roaches. There was no chance of arson, no possibility of gunfire. There was always the possibility of being knoc...

     Attorney General William Barr may be the most corrupt Attorney General since Harry M Daugherty, President Warren Hardings AG. In Daugherty's defense, he at least worked to get Presidential pardons for jailed anti-war protesters such as Eugene V. Debbs, a level of compassion not recently on display from Trumps cabinet or the leaders of his party. Barr, who is both Consigliari to the Trump crime family and the head of the American peoples justice department, cannot serve both constituents. He has made protecting the most ethically challenged administration in recent history his goal.      Next to Sen.Ted Cruz, Barr personifies that German word, backfeifengesicht, which translates to: "a face that needs to be punched". Recently he opined, with that face that needs to be punched, that "history is written by the winners" when asked how historians will view the justice department. This question was prompted by the decision not to prosecute yet another Trump ...

     The presidential briefings on Covid 19 have been temporarily halted. May this day be blessed! What finally stopped the president from trudging on with these extemporaneous displays of madness, was his spectacular plunge in popularity. Republican knees are clacking together as they see their party going down on the same suicide plane as Trump. It is they, the party leadership who will be held responsible. I will enjoy that moment, holding it close to my bosom until the twitch of life leaves me. Hold on,  NEWS FLASH! Trump changed his mind. We eagerly await more opportunities to witness Trumps madness. Some future day we may bless his disappearance from our political life.      I am no fan of the Republican party. I was too young to remember the McCarthy era, but I know the history well. That seething belligerence has long hid in the shadows of the Republican party. It was also a part of the Democratic party during the Civil Rights era, but the lead...

     Michael Bloomberg spent around one billion dollars in his attempt to become the Democratic nominee in 2020. He could have used that money more effectively by mailing every family a one million dollar  check. There have been many issues where Bloomberg has used his fortune to benefit leftwing interests, gun control is notable. Still his quixotic quest to capture the Democratic nomination was not destined for success. That Billion dollars went to well-heeled campaign strategists, lobbyists, and media outlets. Unlike Republicans, bribery and vote buying is not as successful in the Democratic party. Yes the DNC has their hand out but many Democrats are wary of anything the DNC offers. Many of us felt that Bloomberg was yet another vision of the corporate politician we dislike. And then came Covid 19. The entire landscape has changed. Petroleum companies are paying money to rid themselves of surplus oil, many of the local businesses have been forced to shutter their ...

I am in Facebook jail for 30 days, the third time this year. My crime was "violating community standards", the specifics are: I responded to a meme which claimed Trump was elected to sweep the trash out of DC. I responded that while he had swept the trash, mostly competant, from DC, he flooded government with incompetant trash, mostly white trash. Okay, that was an exaggeration. While most of the trump appointees are white but not specifically white trash, Steve Miller is a notable exception, the incompetance is well displayed. I am a white northern man who remembers the Civil Rights era well. I know the meaning of white trash, and how it has a rather elastic definition. I do not feel that calling an administration, which has made no attempt to limit white racism, white trash is an insult to community standards. If the shoe fits wear it. But there is more at stake here.  Facebook has given people who had previously been limited to poorly written screeds, hand-circulated in fr...

During the administration of Warren Harding, a president known for an incompetent group of political suck-ups loosely known as the "kitchen cabinet", the justice department was often referred to as the Department of Easy Virtue. During that time the Interior Secretary, Albert Fall, was involved in a land grab favoring the CEO of Sinclair oil that has gone down in history as, The Tea-pot Dome Scandal. Sinclair was one of several oil magnates to give money under suspicious circumstances to Harding's election. You might have heard that one before, if you are not a Republican. William Burns, who had started a famous detective agency was the head of the Bureau of Investigations. Earlier he was known as America's Sherlock Holmes. He ended his career as a tarnished cabinet member know for "Gilded Favoritism and Millionaire immunity." Maybe this will sound familiar to those of you not in the cult of Donald J. Trump. William Barr, anyone? It should surprise no one to...

     When is the last time you can remember a display of Republican magnanimity? You Trumpies out there, I hope you know the definition. It will make me happy to think of you Googling it. I have lived more than 70 years and would have to go back to President Eisenhauer to remember the tiniest example of Republicans providing help to blue-collar workers and small businesses. In more recent years, Republicans in Congress have been good at lip service, while failing at application. At no time since the dawn of the twentieth century has a Republican president or a republican dominated congress succeeded in helping Americans who are not from the investor class. But at least they made the appearance of concern. Since the Tea-party movement, all appearances of concern for the downtrodden have disappeared. Their proclamations of concern extend only to the corporate funders, the rightwing think-tank,  and the Wall-street bankers. To be fair, President Obama's bailout of Wall-...

     The Heartland Institute, famed for its climate denial activities, is denying allegations it is running out of money. "It is a hoax", an unnamed spokesperson claimed. To date they have sent out pink slips to dozens of staffers, reducing their staff by half. Coincidentally, dozens of applications have been recieved at the flat-earth society, seeking to fill the spot once held by Mike Hughes, who crashed his home-made rocket recently. He had hoped to prove by actual images the earth was flat.      The president, Frank Lasee, a former Republican legislator from Wisconsin, is blamed for the fiscal mess. "Ridiculous", Lasee demanded. "As a Republican, I have been a longtime advocate for fiscal responsibility." Among the spokespersons left in the lurch is Naomi Seibt, the 19 year-old climate denier from Germany, who was recently hired as a counter-messenger to Greta Thunberg. A spokesman for her family told reporters, "We anticipate a great future of in...

     Republicans repeatedly cough up the phrase, "the people have spoken", to defend their policies. It is not hard to ask, "what people are they listening to". I know, you aren't supposed to place an article at the end of the sentence, but I am talking about Republicans. Too often they confuse their and there. When we include their president, whom they think is flawless,  well, there is no there there. We could also ask with some justification who he is listening to. Again, that article at the end of the sentence. Twice in three Republican presidential victories the electoral college had to decide the winner, in spite of a plurality of votes for the Democratic nominee. Republicans strenuously deny it, but the electoral college has been structured to favor Republican candidates for years. Additionally, many, if not all red states have made the voting process, or voter registration difficult for people in minority or poor precincts. In Alabama, a person from a bl...

    Oregon is generally a blue state, thanks to the major population areas on the west side of the Cascades. The eastern half of the state is a much different story. Thanks to the motor-voter bill, signed into law a few years ago, and mail-in voting , that has been in place since about 1987, the Republican party has not been successful at voter suppression. Thus, the GOP holds a minority of seats in both houses of the legislature. In the Senate, Democrats have a veto-proof majority. Thus, the only legislative tactic left to them is a walkout which denies a quorum. They have done this twice, in two consecutive legislative sessions. Both times have been over the issue of cap-and-trade. In 2019, one legislator, Brian Boquist of Dallas, actually threatened to shoot any state cop who came to take him to the capitol. That's another thing about Republicans, there are too many unhinged people who own guns.       Republican disbelief aside, our world is threatened b...

     I recently had my car worked on at Tom Dwyer automotive. If you live in Portland, Oregon, they are highly recommended by me. They are tucked into SE Portland near the south side of the Sellwood bridge. If you happen to be a lefty, they have books and DVDs to loan on progressive issues, and magnetic bumper stickers for free.      I now possess a bumper sticker that reads, REPUBLICANS: COMFORTING THE COMFORTABLE AND AFFLICTING THE AFFLICTED. Nothing could be closer to the truth. They always get nice backward, falling over themselves to suck up to the too powerful, and finding ever more novel ways to oppress the already oppressed. Back in around 2012 or so, Bob Dole was pushed into the Senate chamber in his wheelchair by his wife Libby, to plead with the Senate to ratify the UN treaty on the Disabled. He was 89 years old, weakened by age and illness. Less than a generation earlier he had been the Republican Majority leader of the Senate, and an unsuccessf...

     The term, conservative used to imply a cautious person, deliberative, with a respect for tradition and social norms. Republicans have long bragged about their conservatism while disparaging their Democratic opponents. As in most things political, these comparisons were exaggerated. Neither party has been successful in fulfilling their promises, though the Democrats have had some notable success in social and human rights since the last half of the twentieth century. And some unrecognized success in economics. Republicans started admirably in the last half of the nineteenth century to extend the blessings of democracy to all Americans (except for native Americans), but have fallen in that commitment in recent decades. For most of this time both parties were lead by people of intelligence who discouraged radical moves within each party. I may not have agreed with those intelligent people, but their party did not appear to be an existential threat to those of us on the ...

     There are many reasons to question our treatment of people coming across our southern border, many of them seeking refugee status. None of the obvious reasons seem to matter to those people who stridently support Donald Trump and his party. Maybe we should consider a lesson of refugees rejected from entering Roman territory in the fourth century CE. Yes, I know conservatives have no respect for history either, but then what do they respect, besides authoritarian strongmen?      The Goths, Germanic tribes living in Germany, were being pressed by the Huns westword movement. Those barbarian tribes, among them the Visigoths, sought to cross the Danube for the safety of Roman territory. They were met with grudging acceptance but often treated with extreme cruelty. Roman officials sometimes forced these starving people to trade their children into slavery in exchange for dog meat. Steven Miller would have admired this treatment, forgetting that his early for...