I JUST HAD TO SHARE

Plus, more than a few of you complained when nothing went out on 10/15. On the other hand, I needed an outlet for all my anxiety and nervousness. Despite saying I did not trust any of the polls after 2016, I find myself looking at them more than a few times daily. In virtually every one, the results indicate a big Biden win plus the Dems taking over the senate. All of which makes me nervouser and more nervouser. Like I should check into the hospital for the very very nervous whose Superintendent is Mel Brooks. If only, Carl Reiner could be my psychiatrist. Moving on. --I did not wish good health or even a prayer to POTUS or Ms. POTUS when they had Covid. Let them suffer, I figured. But I did care a smidgen about Baron because he did not ask to move into the White House. But nada for the Prez and Melania. He does not care about the 200,000 plus Americans who have died from the virus and were impacted by his disregard for any preventative measures--you know,like masks. So I do not care about him and his health. He is still running around the country with no masks and infecting those MAGA attendees. So, screw him. --His return from the hospital was marked by his demand that his White House re-entry be reshot because he did not like how the original turned out. It is all a show, after all. --You can be doubly sure I do not care about my fellow tribe member Stephen Miller or his wife. No prayers here. Let them suffer just like those children separated from their parents and living in detention facilities. A double screw him. --In yesterday's NYT, the entire opinion section was devoted to an endorsement of Biden. In support of that worthy goal, they included quotes from a group of individuals who had worked for POTUS. Putting aside their words, I am sick and tired of these folks who said shit while working for him but have now seen the light. Where were they before? Fuck 'em. --And Kayleigh with her gold cross can also be kicked to the curb with that crew. She is a little weasel. --The SNL skit with Jim Carrey and the fly was hysterical. --Another member of my tribe (Sheldon Adelson) just gave POTUS' campaign $75 million dollars. They seem to be running out of money!! But who cares. Adelson is all about AIPAC and POTUS and his casinos which virtually print money. He is an embarassment. Like Bobby Kraft. --Over and beyond the election, it is a joy to see Kamala smile and laugh. She is enjoyable and makes the other 3 candidates (including Joe) seem very boring. --Erdogan has not done enough damage to his own country so he is using his influence and military in an effort to crush the Armenians. He is yet another dictator who is an ally of POTUS. --I have a sports comment or two but if you quit here, I'm fine with that and will be in touch on or about 11/4--hopefully with a celebratory hangover. SPORTS TALK Watching the Pats yesterday was painful. If they had scored at the end of the seattle game or scored at the end yesterday, they could have been 4-1. But winning at the end of games is something great teams do--the Pats are not that. Shalom

I DID NOT PRAY HARD ENOUGH

I prayed for her regularly. She faced her ongoing illnesses with more bravery and dignity than i could have mustered. But secretely, my prayers were as much for me as for her. I knew that with her passing, POTUS would get a shot at filling her seat. And he has. I know nothing about RBG's replacement--she might end up being terrific tho I doubt it. I do know this: Being noiminated by this President is a very bad sign. Moving on: --I had promised myself not to follow all the polls since I felt burned 4 years ago by Nate and the 538 crowd. But every day, and sometimes more than once a day, I am looking at them. I fear if I share the latest ones, I will hex the whole process so I will only say as of right now, they look fine. My focus and my little donations, remain on the senate and that is looking extra fine. --This is being written about 36 hours after the first debate. None of us should be surprised by the behavior of POTUS. In the absnce of any major accomlishments, he is running on white anger and white racism. He has nothing else. His toadies (especialy, that prunish McConnell) continue to do all sorts of damage in the absence of anyone putting the brakes on. He is a bully and the danger is that he has a very important bully pulpit to spew from. --You do know that a signifcant number of ICE detained women had forced hysterectomies--and most of us (includingl moi) are not surprised. We have simply become inured to the indignities and the dangers of this man and his crew. --Let me remind you that CVS is NOT offering anything for free. So when you see those big signs offereing free flu shots, they are not free. CVS just bills some insurance company. --Those Sturgis party goers out there in South Dakota rode their choppers in with no masks of course and now a bunch of them have the virus. In a state with a Governor who is a female version of POTUS. The virus is just the flu kind of state. Good luck. --I really do not want to read something Michael Cohen's daughter wrote. And who set her up to go public? --A skunk got his head caught in some srt of container. And, of course, the Globe scooped that story and blared the headline of a policeman freeing that poor animal. --Sometime in the last month, Christopher Muther had a terrific travel column in the Globe. In it he focussed on how he and his parents out foxed the state of Maine by travelling there for a few days. At that time, Maine pretty much had banned the fine citizens of Mass. from coming up. He was all masked up and his column reads like some sort of mystery novel. SPORTS TALK --The Bruins were eliminated kind of pathetically. The Celtics got closer than I expected but then just choked up. I remain a fan of Jaylen. --Watching the Pats is kind of fun. I especially enjoy not watching Tommy sulk on the sidelines. Shalom

YEAH YEAH--I'M BACK

Had a major technological snafu--those bright minds at google decided this website needed a new format. That took me a few days and a lot of four letter words to figure out. I kind of believe that they are not being malicious but just that they have nothing else to do to justify their work. It has been awhile so I will get right to it via a bunch of bullets. Here goes. --The John Lewis eulogies showed that the Democrats have a whole group of better speakers than the Republicans. Unfortunately it does not necessarily mean that therefore they will win the presidency. Potus had nary a word to say except that Lewis did not attend his inaugeration--a tit for a tat. But if you have heard Potus try to read from a script, then you did not miss a thing except has flat monotone. On the other hand, (tho I disagree with anything that comes out of his mouth),I have to admit his off the cuff words are way more effective. --Did you see his remarks from the clubhouse at Bedminster? A rousing red meat speech delivered to club members most of whom had no masks and no distance. Run of the mill Americans who paid 350K for membership. Quite a white group. He is verging into George Wallace territory--the land of racism demagoguery. --I tell myself not to check the polls after what Nate Silver and crew did 4 years ago. But by the end of every day, I am looking and getting scared shitless. Keep seeing every headline beginning with "Potus" this or that. I wish Joe and Kamala were out, about, and more visible. --An aside: read a Globe breaking news story which basically said a great white shark was off Block Island heading to the Cape. It is the ocean, right? --The Bucks refusal to play their game lit up the NBA and the Afican American community. The shut up and dribble folks need to shut up themselves. In the aftermath of the temporary cancellation of the NBA playoffs, I heard Charles Barkely tell Wolf Blitzer two cogent things: he said that it was exhausting to be an African American man in America and wondered why every time there is a death involving use of police force, someone asks him what it all means. Charles might at times act like a fool, but he walks the walk. --The Conways must be in family therapy. Both have left their jobs to concentrate on raising their children. DUH. --The anti-vaxxers should have a field day with the Covid vaccine in the future. They already hate vaccines which have gone through stringent clinical trials . And now we have the possibility of a vaccine rushed out in order to help Potus. Oh,and they have hooked up with the groups of militia who are wandering around with god awful weaponry. Vaccine nationalism is rearing its head. --Hats off (or I should say masks off) to the Florida sheriff who banned the wearing of masks in the County sheriffs office. --In my fine state, 51A's (child abuse reports) have been filed against some parents whose children are not complying with on line learning. Mostly poor people who may not even have access to computers. Really? --The gun toting couple from St. Louis spoke at the Republican convention. If they had hurt someone they might have gotten even more time. --Got a covid test (negative) but noticed that the 3 people woking at the site were: all women of color. An Asian woman, a Hispanic woman, and a woman who was black and probably from the Caribbean. When Stephen Miller needs hospice or a nursing home, he better fucking hope the immigration laws are more flexible because there are very few white folks lining up for these jobs. Shalom. Hope to return on or about 10/1.

NOTHING SHOULD BE A SURPRISE

We are living in a very dark time.  If we observed another country, especially in the so called "third world", which had a leader who assaults truth on a daily basis--we would condemn that country, condemn that leader, and boastfully point to ourselves as an exemplar of a better place.  Instead, we have come to expect the worst from POTUS and his cronies.  During the same week that John Lewis was buried, POTUS (presumably with the support of Ben Carson) eliminated an Obama era mandate that outlawed discrimination in public housing.  Reaching out to the suburbs, he told us that this change will keep suburban people safer. Such blatant racism should not surprise us anymore.  I want the election to occur next week--but, as if it were a joke, this guy raises the possibility of not even having an election.  Have you ever? I must move on.

--A grocery clerk whose last name is Durso had an incredible op-ed piece in the Globe of 7/18.  Among other things, she talked about being "essential" while putting up with customers verbally abusing her and wages that are inadequate.
--The no mask wearing National Security Advisor is now quarantined because he tested positive.  Along with Louie Gohmert, he did not believe in the science.  I only wish old Louie had spread the virus to all the occupants on that plane one of whom was you know who.
--I cried when I walked across the Pettus bridge.  Never did go there for any of those marches.  But it is such a powerful symbol--I almost (underline almost) wish that the name does not change. It should be a reminder of those men and women who led that struggle. And too many of us will applaud a name change and believe we are in a better place.  But beneath the surface, I sometimes think nothing has changed.
--I cannot stand Mayors/Governors and other politicians trying to tell us that this or that ugly behavior does not reflect our town or our state.  It does exactly reflect on us and the communities we live in.
--I do not care one iota about Miuchael Cohen.  But how infantile if not downright dictatorial that he got thrown back into prison.  Barr is a smarmy fat guy approving such shit.  He needs to go and buy a suit that fits.
--Jared has not been seen in a while.  Must be because he is tired after resolving the conflict in the Middle East, managing the drug epidemic, and then helping the economy to rock and roll in June.  And his ties are too thin.
--Two VERY important local items.  First, the Mayflower has returned to its berth.  I am sure that will relieve many of you who have been waiting.  Second, and an even bigger return, the great whites are back and we are wringing our hands over that.  Though I do not want anyone to perish that way, sharks do live in the ocean and we kind of should know that.
--I am proud to say that I live in one of those cities led by a liberal Democrat.  I also happen to live in a state which has a Republican Governor who lo and behold believes in both science and medicine.
--RBG was hospitalized again--I pray for her regularly and hope she can continue to fight off her many illnesses.
--AW tipped me off to the novels of James McBride. His most recent book is Deacon King Kong.  Just wonderful.
--This is not nice but I do hope one of these professional sports leagues collapses from the weight of the virus.  And I am totally pissed at Michigan and the rest of those big schools which are allowing college football to proceed.

See you in September.  Stay safe.  Shalom

NEWS OF A MIRACULOUS MEDICAL DISCOVERY

This is what happens when I leave the house in the summer:  get a hat; get my sunglasses; get my reading glasses just in case I need them; put on my hearing aids; and then put on my mask.  So I got three things using my ears as "home" and invariably one or more of those things will not stay on due to the crowd up there..  This ordeal explains why this medical discovery is so important.  Thanks to late night tv (home of phil swift--google him if you don't know who he is), I learned about ear extensions!!  I have just returned from CVS and bought a pair--and knowing me, you probably guessed correctly that I bought a back up pair. Any how they adhere to the top of your ear which, in turn, gives me more space to hang all those things that travel with me.  I urge all of you to get a pair before the supply is runs out.  Or call:  1-800-blah blah blah.  Moving on.

--First off:  A prayer for RBG.  I have to assume that Potus will lose.  If he does and if the Senate has a 

Democrtic majority, she has to make it until mid January.

--I get pretty worked up with all the media when they start with "a new "COVID" record--in cases, in hospital admissions, in deaths, or anything else.  Records do not matter in the midst of this crisis. People matter.

--You all know, don't you, that Potus disbanded the office in charge of the nations response to pandemics.

--Governor Desantis and Governor Kemp are embarassments.  And, along with Potus, they are embarassing this country for all the world to see. The media is at fault, according to them,as their states implode.

--During the course of this past week, I came to believe that Stephen Miller and Betsy Devos were running the country.  First of all they have had their Kool Aid.  More importantly, they are smarter than Potus and pretty much get approvals for anything that further erodes our support of public education and then gets coupled with further restrictions on immigration.

--It never occurred to me but there is a strong argument to be made about licenses for law enforcement personnel since we do require licenses of barbers and other professions.

--Among other indignities, use of the words "they" or  "them"  really separate us from each other.  The words alone are kind of neutral.  When used with vitriol and venom, they send us down the road to George Wallace country.

--That itsy bitsy press secretary is a big liar and does it with a fat cross visible around her neck.  That type of consistency is consistent (!) with the other shenanigans.  If you or I lost a case at the Supreme Court, we would likely just comply.  But this tax case is being appealed despite what the court said.  Call in the lawyers. And we just say oh that's just Potus being Potusd.

--On a lighter note, since it is summer, the sharks are back and many people are wringing their hands over the sightings.  Don't people have other things to worry about?

--Disney has reopened with the permission of the Florida governor.  Who the fuck would take their kids there right now?

--I cannot even discuss that smarmy Roger Stone.

--I have a fantasy that one of these major sports leagues will not reopen because of the virus. I have no/zero sympathy for owners who are losing money.  They wanted to make money and have made money--lots of it.

I have a bit of sympathy for the marginal players who have families to support and unlike the mega stars will be in a bad financial state should a league shut down.

Shalom

I LIVE DEEP INSIDE MY HEAD

That's a quote from a song by John Prine.  The song is on his last CD and it has stuck in my mind ever since his death.  The more popular cut ("when i get to heaven") is the final song on that CD. But inside MY head, this is the song that resonates.  There is just too much going on sometimes.  I have even begun to respond to Mike Pence when he appears on my tv.  In many ways, he is worse than POTUS.  They are both smarmy but anyone who calls his wife "mother" is a step worse.  They are both liars except one of them is in charge. It is no longer humorous to hope that Moe shows up to take charge.  Please understand that the one lie about the curve flattening actually harms people and sometimes kills them. Moving on.

--I am a child of the South.  I have mentioned before that my schools were segregated for my entire public school experience.  I have mentioned before the white lines on the bus which separated the "Negroes" from us.  I have mentioned before the sight of 4 bathrooms in public places:  one for white men, one for "colored" men, one for white women, and one for "colored" women.  That is part of my history; a history that I was reminded of these past few weeks.  I am glad the Confederate flag has been lowered in Mississippi.
But, that does not change history nor does it change the fact that the south is different--and not in a good way; not kind of quaint or charming.  Just because you have virtually all African American football athletes at your two big universities does not mean things have changed--it just means you want to win.
--Then there is Atlanta.  Like Miami, we are supposed to think of it as not really southern city.  But it too has a history despite having Mayors who are African American. But go look up at Stone Mountain and tell me who is carved on its cliffs.
--John Bolton is not a hero.  He is a slime ball who gutlessly refused to testify in front of Congress and preferred writing a book.  That does not mean what he wrote is a lie--it just means he does not deserve all these accolades shortly after these same media outlets were castigating him for his hawkishness. And I wish to hell he got rid of his yellow pad.
--And Dr. Brix should ditch her scarves unelss she can tell me how I can get my hair cut from a 6 foot safe distance.
--When and if I ever have to dial 911,I do not want to find out that the service has been defunded.  I'm not sure what needs to happen but I do know it requires a massive culture change.  When I was hired to run a state hospital, the person I replaced smilingly informed me how hard it was to turn the Queen Mary around.
Culture change is not easy or quick.
--Anyone seen Jared or Rudy lately?
--So sweet that both POTUS and Roger Goodell want Kapernick to play now.  Thats their committment to equity--now that he is probably too old to lace them up.
--Just because I can get and wear a Morehouse tee doe not mean I am such a great person--it just means I can afford it.
--Seen any tv ads lately?  Seems as if corporate america (actually the corporate world) has decided that some customers are actually people of color.  They get no credit in my book for coming to the party way too late.
--Carl Reiner passed away.  He and Mel Broks were hysterical.  On an episode of "Comedians in Cars...", they had dinner together every night and ate on those old fashioned tv tables some of us used to have. Watched tv together and yakked.
--I will leave you with this quote from a 7 minute video by Arthur Jafa:
     "What wold America be like if we loved black people as much as we liked black culture".

Shalom

HE GOT HIS FENCE!!

Whoops!!  No, not that fence down there on the US/Mexico border. The one separating the citizens of this country from the White House.  You know:  the White House where the President of the United States lives and the House that is visible from Pennsylvania Avenue. Not so much now.  You can only see the top of the house because we now have a fence all around the grounds.  We have it because Mr.Scaredy Cat ordered a fence built after he got scared shitless during a demonstration. Baron and the Missus went down there with him for the "inspection".  I wonder if Baron's therapist joined them.

--This same POTUS then took a walk to a church for a photo op. Apparently, he was no longer scared because the protesters had been dispersed by police/national guard.  The demonstration was a peaceful one.
But they were forcibly removed so we could see POTUS raising an upside down bible. The Episcopal leadership in DC were not informed of this visit.  The police and Guard had covered up their name tags.  It was the 60's all over again. Then the General, in full combat fatigues, decided to survey the scene as if he was on a battlefield.
--I acknowledge his apology.  But I am sick and tired of people yakking out loud and then, the next day,  walking back all the impulsive shit they said.
--I am also sick and tired of hearing we need more training for the police.  We need fewer macho men who are living out some perverted dream of being in control--and they are usually white guys putting knees on the necks of black men.  You do know that officer in Minnesota had 18 complaints in his personnel folder, right?
--On the other hand every picture I see of a police officer taking a knee with a protester gives me some hope.
--Being only liberal, I am not in the mindset to defund the police.  But I do wonder why they need armored personnel carriers and other military-like weaponry.
--My "free delivery" of prescriptions from CVS (and advertised on tv by Joe Willie Namath) is a big lie. Someone is getting billed for that service.  Nothing is free tho I appreciate not having to go into the store in this day and age.  My guess is that either Medicare pays or Medicare Advantage pays--but it is not free, it is just safer.
--He cancelled the G-7 blaming it on the virus but in truth Angela and Macron said no thanks and he was just trying to avoid embarassment. We are also withdrawing from the WHO because, well you know, we don't need them because we did such a great job with Covid.
--I am also clear about this: I have no sympathy for the franchise owners in professional sports.  I'm supposed to care that they are now losing money?  They are bazillionaires who are mainly overseeing leagues that virtually resemble the plantations of the olden days. Not too many owners are people of color but I have noticed the color of the skin of the majority of players.
--Check out Alex Beam in the Globe of 6/8.  And Maureen Dowd in this past Sunday's Times interviewing Greg Popovich the NBA coach.  Such good writers.
--In the midst of all this chaos, a neighborly opinion.  I completely regret joining one of those neighborhood websites where you can ask your neighbors for this and that and offer all sorts of opinions on anything. So I now know about the albino squirrels and could see their pictures if I wish.  I can also hear from all sorts of very privileged folks (a lot like me) about why their asparagus did not come up yet.  Have tried to unsubscribe from this and have yet to succeed.  EEK!!
--Not sure it is a trend but Gorsuch and Roberts came through in a big way yesterday.

Shalom