RETURNING TO THE USA

I am a big fan of the President. He has endured during these eight years. Racism especially but he f..ked up. He should have come home after the Brussels attack. He is the head of the country. Fellow Americans,  I have cut my visit short. In solidarity with the people of Belgium, we stand. Therefore, I want to be at home.

Terrorism and Its Perplexities

I feel so bad for these poor folks in Belgium who are victims of terrorism. I don't know what we can do. This is the "new reality" I guess. 

Two of our friends who are traveling overseas. One in Hawaii and another in Prague. Should our friends be concerned about terrorism. Of course. What can they do? Awareness of their surroundings, of suspicion activities, the things that you would probably tell your kids if they were going on a trip. Not much you can do. It is the "new reality." 

When something like this happens or San Bernadino, I flip into the mode of what can we do? The answer--nothing really but we have to face the "new reality." Those committing these atrocities are ever present. They are not going away either.  

What about the "Unforgiven" approach? In the movie, Clint Eastwood kills the bad guys and then he gets on his horse and stops in the middle of the street where the townspeople can see/hear him. They are not the bad guys but were complicit with the corrupt Sheriff. Eastwood's friend has been killed and the people at the behest of the Sheriff have displayed him in a disrespectful way. Eastwood says to the townspeople: "You better give 'Ned' a proper burial or I am coming back and kill you and then I am going to hunt down all your relatives and kill them." He rides off into the sunset but there is no doubt that Esstwood will do what he said. The Belgiums, the French, US: we are not going to pull an Eastwood but we have to know that there are those that are complicit in this terrorism. Families, friends, acquaintances. What to do? How to handle? Danged if I know. I can merely asked the questions. 

{{{{{Jerry}}}}}

WHO VOTES FOR TRUMP

Recently I went to a program of 5th graders. It was so cute, a combination Caberet and Talent Show. The last act had these kids impersonating the Republican debates. They were a hell of a lot more entertaining than the actual Republicans. 

With that lead-in, every rational thinking person I know keeps trying to figure out who voted for Trump--The disenchanted, the dumb, people who actually believe he could do something or who will believe anything. They blame their lives on not getting opportunities and the sorts of things they don't know shit about. Here's something I think. Not sure whether I thought it up or not. In the general election, I doubt if these Trump voters will be back. What Trump's got now is what he's going to get. I hope it isn't wishful thinking. Maybe I don't want to believe my fellow "Mericans" (NASCAR pronunciation and probably Trump supporters) are that stupid. Would they, in the final analysis, vote for someone who lies, brings out the worst in us, insults most everybody with impunity. No use to go on. It is endless. 

I AM SLAPPING MYSELF. I promised myself early on that I was not going to waste my time talking about Trump and his hair. As we say in NC (they even went for Trump. I am ashamed). "Bless his heart." Once we say this, we are authorized to say anything about Trump. He is a sorry A..H... HaHa!!!!

EVAN

https://vimeo.com/159076464/5b495a4a8c

Meg, thanks for sending the link. I watched it twice. To me, incredibly meaningful. I am not sure but if the video was meant to know Evan better: for me, it really worked. He was an incredibly remarkable person.  And I came to know him through the video and through you, of course. 

Really creative job. Now keep this in mind. (Answering questions that nobody is asking) For me, when I "hit the road" as your Uncle Raz would say--do not be making a video. What I would not like in life, I surely wouldn't in death. 

My thought would be that Evan's wife or other creative person did it, especially for their five year old son. Keeping 

CROOKSVILLE

Hillary Clinton shrugs off Goldman Sachs speaking fees. ... Hillary Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, combined to earn more than $153 million in paid speeches from 2001 until Hillary Clinton launched her presidential campaign last spring. 

The above is the headline. You have got to be kidding me. What a political season. From the "Donald" who incites even the white supremists to support him to Bill and Hillary who operate like we all just fell off the turnip truck. A DISCLAIMER. From the very beginning I have been a Bernie supporter. One of Bernie's thesis is simple. Financial types like Goldman Sachs don't give you a bunch of money unless they expect something from you. 

If not crooks, ethical issues right and left. We can accept an ego maniac like Trump, he does what we expect him to do; tougher to accept Bill and Hillary. 

In my very younger days, I was involved with, at that time, a really good organization: The National Speakers Association. The members could go out to any organization and speak. There were various topics. It was great training. I actually would go out to small groups, give a speech for nothing. I was not the world's most popular because my subject was ethics, most often related to the military. I had taught a few courses in various Universities, enough to qualify me to speak on various ethical subjects-- studied exhaustively in several areas. In fact

 My point here is simple. In the organization, we had a few who bordered on celebrity. They would get paid. The one I remember is an NFL referee. He made $5000 a speech. I thought that was simply amazing. Hillary made something like $240,000. Give me a break. 

Thanks Immo/Sam. Did a reply and posting but lost it. Personally, I don't think there is much of a  chance that a Hitler could rise in America. Trump is one sorry trailer trash MF. However, guess what? Democracy  in this messy America, even an asshole like Trump, can say these vulgar things. 

I have been appalled at how disrespectful the Repubs have been toward thePrez: you can say awful things about him. You can't threaten him but in other ways, he is fair game. President Obama has been a good president. Give it ten more years snd those that care and he will be a great president. 

The media has to take much blame, no make that most of the blame. When you have an ego maniac like Trump and you give him the mike, what do we expect. My hope is that us  moderates, will, at least all we can put this bullshit down forever. If these mad people and I am say MAD in the perjoritive sense continue to be angry, at what amazes me. 

Immo, is this a relative who made the Hitler like statement? See you troops at Bayside. 

Just When You Think You Have Heard It All, Along Comes Something

The Repunlicans are blaming the President for Trump. The poor guy has been blamed for global warming and just about everything you can imagine--latest was  several conspiracy theories by a grandma who should be helping out with her grandchildren but is running for an office in the Texas Ed Dept. Based on the Texans and Ted Cruz, she'll probably be elected. Nuts are everywhere and I guess the best thing to do is tolerate them and laugh. She claims that when the Prez was a teenager, he was a gay prostitute. She wants to ban Islam, thinks the democrats assassinated JFK. I got it. She should run as Trump's VP. 

DENIAL

Last night I was watching this doctor program (actually a soap opera called "The Clinic") on British TV--a young doctor discusses with a terminally ill patient her alternatives. Mainly that she possibly has weeks to live and in light of that, did she really want to go through the debilitating chemo. Was it worth it for the few months she might get? The family got angry at the doctor for talking with their loved one. Denial kicked in. 

What is the "take away" from such a scene. WHAT IS THE ANSWER? There is no answer. My personal belief derived from scores of times where a family elected me to discuss the ending. For the most part, we would do better to let the ill determine the ending. 

PRIORITIES

As most of us have watched the 4th grade (apologies to 4th graders everywhere) Republican debates, we have been appalled at the lack of basic civility. The fact that we tolerate it says more about us than it does the 4th grade debaters. Here is something much more important. 

Quail egg pizza ala Rumsey/Willows

Airborne--Are You Kidding me. The best of ORGASMIC PIZZA

can't  hold "Quail egg pizza ala Rumsey/Willows Airborne" alight. 

The Homeless

The homeless are not really the "homeless," as in "don't have anywhere to lay their head. " With a not so hot definition, mine comes from a once attempt to volunteer in registering homeless in San Francisco. Over (1)a third of the so called homeless are druggies and have developed a lifestyle, i.e., don't bother me, I am doing what I want. They know where every handout or service is offered. A second (2) third are mentally ill. They have been on the streets too long, some were in institutions and should be back. (3)A small group, sometimes, some remnant of a family, can be helped. RARE

San Fran is wringing its collective hands. Ed Lee, the Mayor, is incapable. He is an Asian. They don't have homeless. What the f..k? Some "high tech type" wrote a letter to the "Chronicle" decrying  the homeless; couldn't bring his folks to the "City." What I say to him and others, "get over it." The so called homeless aren't going to evaporate. Most are not going to change. We have to accept it and do the best we can. It is an insoluble problem. Moving the homeless out of the "City" may make us look better but surely is not going to do it. 

We have people in this "City" trying to do the best for the problem. We are spending millions of dollars and have to keep at it. We can't throw in the towel, this isn't LA. This is San Francisco. This is the "City" with a history of "love ins/protests," giving the very liberal finger to about everybody. It is called San Francisco.  . 

we are not going to solve the homeless deluge. Can't be done less we do something which is out of character with who we are. I don't want to live in a city that even appears to be heartless, regardless of our f..king platitudes.The high tech guy and his  parents and those like him, get over it.  

Not So Fast Kilroy

My wife thinks Trump will cause the Repubs to implode eventually and Hillary will pick up the Democratic nod, trounce Trump and he will be a footnote. My thinking, "Not so fast there Kilroy." (This was one of those sayings that every Vietnam vet remembers, even though they did not know the origin, "Not so fast Kilroy." Here is the story:  The 1st Sergeant is heard by the commander, relating something personal to one of his troops. Very crass. No tact. The commander calls the First Sergeant in and says "Top, you need to learn tact and sensitivity with our soldiers, I want to hear you using tact." About a week later, sure enough a soldier's grandmother dies and word came to the First Sergeant. Now was his chance to practice his new sensitive self. He calls a formation (gathering of the troops at attention). He gets in front of the soldiers and says, "Everybody here whose Grandmother is still living, take one step backward. Not so fast there, Kilroy." 

My thinking is that Hillary and Bill have had their chance; Not So Fast Killroy. Think BERNIE. 

 

TEMPEST IN A TEACUP or Whatever

Pope Frances has told Donald Trump, "f..k off." About time. Yes, Donald Trump's bigoted behavior is unChristian. Roger that. Using the concept of, "What Would Jesus Do?" He surely wouldn't go for building walls to keep people out. (Build Bridges, the Pope said) My worst irritant is that people are still supporting the ego maniac, f..king numb nuts, Donald Trump. I am sorry that I did away with my blog, "Most People Are Stupid." 

POLITICS

Furman University is s small college on the outskirts of Greenville, South Carolina. I graduated from it almost by accident. I had never heard of the school, never even visited before I went. Not exactly a good example. I was a "walk on" football player till I failed out. 

 It only took me five or six years to graduate. I met my wife there. Over the years the school has developed almost as a resort. Gorgeous campus is not even close. Academics are important

and they have been called the Harvard of the South. My thinking is that it should be the other way around. Harvard is the Furman of the North. 

Conventionality had not been their strongpoint. They were tied to the Baptists but finally departed ways when the Baptists embraced fundamentalism. Consequently, I don't expect they would embrace the Republicans. If they do, I will get worried about this election. 

The DMV

Recently I was doing some OPA duties and took my granddaughter for her driver's permit She had her paperwork done, took her test, etc. At first the DMV looks like everybody's bad experience but it actually is fairly efficient, as much as can be. A client base of every ethnic group known to man. I don't know how they do it. All the languages, ages, nationalities. It happens. Forget politics for a moment and let's give a shout-out to the DMV. 

NEW PLAN

Yesterday, I went to lunch with a couple of my old military buddies and a former commander who once fired me. I deserved it and great to see him and tell him thanks for putting up with my shenanigans. During the conversation, he mentioned that he had recently seen friends and was appalled at their lack of tolerance in terms of politics. I think the devisiveness in the country is simply so great that to overcome, we have to come up with another plan. I first heard it from a Repub type, Walt Rostow. He was talking politics: in order for a politician to be successful, he/she must get 60% of the people for him. 25% will be against everything and 15% are out to lunch. I think his figures have to be adjusted. Let's apply to general public. Maybe 40% favorable, 35% against everything, 25% out to lunch. 

Quit saying "The American people." Bullshit. My view, 40% of Americans don't give a s..t one way or another. This isn't negative, this is reality. Let's quit lamenting this great lack of interest and zero in on those who want to do something--quit this bullshit of thinking all Americans care when they don't. 

Migrant Crisis

From 

Migrant Crisis

SUPER BOWL CITY

Good example of the "haves and have nots." I decided yesterday to check out the Super Bowl hoopla at the Ferry Terminal/Justine Herman Plaza. Security was a little like airports. Walk through a detector. One funny thing where I went through, I recognized a "street person" that I actually knew and actually talked to her lots. She is a regular, right in front of the Ferry Building. I recognized her mainly as she has no teeth. Now, she is one of the security guards. I could only think, "good for her."

I didn't see what all the hype was about. Maybe it all happens at night. Kind of reminds me of the NC State Faire when I was growing up, without the animals. I will have to say this, the "tonish"  of the SF Police Department, which was there in force (overkill), was substantial. Don't they have a "Weight Control Officer." Oh well. 

I doubt the City (San Francisco) will get much out of it all. High rollers and even those who aren't will zero in on Santa Clara where the actual game is played. Personally I am a little sad. I think Frisco (I am in a movement to bring back the 150 year old name) has lost its way and the Super Bowl hype is an example. To hide the homeless/street people, they have moved them out of sight down to Folsom and 3d or fifth. This is something that might happen in LA or Chivago or Seattle or NY but not San Fran. SF has always accepted those on the fringes, the margins. The old rap on Frisco is that you could come to the City and be what you want. During the summer of love, Vietnam," if you are coming to San Francisco, wear a flower in your hair". No more. Open your billfold and if you ain't got it, get the hell out of here. It is now, "what is expensive in San Fran?" Everything. F..k. 

Hand Made Sign by a homeless person just outside the Super Bowl City in San Francisco

Come on guys, give an old man a few coins, you won't even miss it. 

GIVING MOST OF AMERICA THE FINGER

Watching Trump fly in on his private jet and helicopter made me sick. His name, TRUMP, emblazoned on the side of the plane. This sorry arrogant trailer trash MFer simply by showing his ostentatious wealth was giving most in America the finger--those supposedly angry people still touting Trump and they barely can put food on the table. Maybe Trump will give them a ride on his plane, now that a less arrogant type has kicked his ass in Iowa. Sorry MFer. 

POLITICS

My interest in the present political posturing is equal to how many gays on Castro Street support Cruz/Trump. LOL. Like 0!!!!!!

I am going to pretty much ignore politics from here on out. I don't find any real use in it. My prediction which I have said before: I am a Democrat and think that what will happen is the same as last Presidential election. The "demographics" just favor the Democrats. Their (1) base, (2) far left, (3) hispanics, (4) blacks and if they vote, (5) millennials. The President only won by 5 million votes in the last election. 

The Republican sideshow is like a bunch of 7th graders and is unlikely to catch fire, I believe; but anything could happen. Who would have thought that someone like Trump who has insulted most everybody, is still around, in all his obnoxious self. I am nonplused.

Politics is corruptive by its very nature, I believe. I don't mean we are like some 3d world country even if we act like it occasionally. A politician gets in office. He/she loses the concept of public service. Reelection is the goal. Think of it, someone running for office, say Hillary: She will shake your hand, "please give me your vote." Once elected, they would not give you the time of day. 

I support Bernie and have long before he began to get traction. Bernie offers the only possibility of change as I see it. Will it happen? I doubt it. But, Bernie's new. Hillary and Bill have had their chance.