What to make of life in the likelihood of four more years of Trump’s America?

What to make of life in the likelihood of four more years of Trump’s America?

Make no decision in time of desolation.

Yet, discernment must begin. It did already. Last night, after the horrible showings and before going to bed.

This election changes every aspect of my life:

  • Personal
  • Psychological
  • Professional
  • Physical
  • Financial

Regardless of how the final numbers come in, certain things are clear:

  • Half of Americans have voted for autocracy, authoritarianism, the cult of personality, and a judiciary subjected to the whims of the President.
  • Half of Americans have no issue with a President that lies, cheats, divides, and has no interest in reaching out to those who did not vote for him – except unless, of course, if they are willing to succumb to his unquestionable dictates.
  • Half of Americans are seemingly ok with the rising numbers of cases and deaths due to an uncontrolled pandemic; regulations that denigrate the environment; and, an economic system that clearly favors the wealthy.
  • Half of Americans welcome a combative, fighting, go-at-it-alone foreign policy, including tightening immigration laws without regards to human rights principles or consequences.
  • Half of Americans sternly believe that the poor can best be helped by providing more tax breaks to the rich, limiting public assistance, and keeping them safe by militarizing the police.

To the half of Americans that voted for Trump these positions are not theoretical or aspirational. They are in fact in place today as a result of Trump’s Presidency over the last four years – and they like them.

That is what this election has proven.

Now the question to all of us that did not vote for him is: 

  • What do we do? 
  • How do we live in Trump’s America for the foreseeable future – regardless of how the election results turn out in the next day or week? 
  • Do we engage them, retreat and distance from their noise, or resist (if Trump wins) or respect (if Biden wins)? 

… more discernment as news develops.

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There’s still time to get good folks to vote #BidenHarris

There’s still time to get good folks to vote #BidenHarris

What can you say about this election that has not been said?

What can you analyze that has not been analyzed?

Who can you get to the polls that has not being?

How can you convince him or her that voting is the thing to do?

How can you encourage him or her to vote for Biden?

Is there any texting, any words, any social media posting, any advertisement – anything – that will be effective at this time, a short few days before election day?

We could throw up our arms, crawl into our rabbit hole of endless news and social media blabber, safely stay in our social bubble, and simply wait till it all passes.

Or, we could do something. We could focus these last few days in:

  • strategic outreach to people we know that may not have yet voted and empathetically, understandably, and with authentic love ask them to consider voting;
  • being very public with showing our enthusiasm by wearing our campaign  ware, freshening up that yard sign, and joining in caravans where they are happening;
  • sharing this plea with our friends and families that have voted to please please please do not do nothing.

And oh yes:

  • If you know of someone that simply can not physically do any of the above, welcome their prayers that others that can will vote vote vote #Biden.

Do not underestimate the power you have to personally get others to vote. You never know who will respond positive to your plea. Don’t discount the possibility that you are the one person that the other person was waiting to hear from to make the decision to vote.

Here’s a simple idea:

  • Make an inventory of your very own contact list on your phone. Do a personalized text and/or call asking your contacts if they would like to discuss their voting plan. No pressure. No crudeness. No guilt-trip. Simply a friendly:

“Hello, hope you are doing well; and by the way, have you voted yet? Is there anything I can do for you to do so? Wanna talk? Stay safe!”

Let’s do all we can. Let’s have no regrets. Let’s do this!

P.S.:

You may want to browse through this blog’s posting for an array of information that may help some decide the many failures of the Trump Presidency, the many shortcomings of Trump the man, and the many positive aspects of an aspirational Biden Presidency.

#VoteBidenHarris2020

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Fighting Trump on his own terms: Insults.

FIGHTING TRUMP ON HIS OWN TERMS: INSULTS

Oh my. I don’t have it in me to be this mean, this calice, this insulting. It is simply not me. However, when evil lurks I do recognize that fighting back is the call of some. Thus I am repeating this discourse on my blog. I am not endorsing the tactic. Yet I understand it is the only tactic that will get certain people to wake up and realize the severity of the situation. (P.S.: See the extra at end of posting!)

Donald Trump tried to go after former McCain Campaign Strategist Steve Schmidt, the head of The Lincoln Project, on Twitter. Schmidt didn’t hold anything back in his reply:
 
“You’ve never beaten me at anything. This is our first dance. Did you like, Covita? We are so much better at this than your team of crooks, wife beaters, degenerates, weirdos and losers.
 
You are losing. We heard you loved Evita. You saw it so many times. Where will you live out your years in disgrace? Will you buy Jeffrey Epstein’s island? One last extra special deal from him? Or will you be drooling on yourself in a suite at Walter Reed? Maybe you will be in prison?
 
I bet you fear that. The Manhattan District Attorney may not be around to cover for you or your crooked kids anymore. Eliza Orlins doesn’t believe in different sets of rules for the Trumps. What about the State Attorney General? You know what you’ve done.
 
Oh, Donald. Who do you owe almost $500 million in personally guaranteed loans to? It’s all coming down. You think you and your disgusting family are going to be in deal-flow next year? Are you really that delusional?
 
You are lucky Chris Wallace interrupted you after Joe Biden said you weren’t smart. You started to melt down. That’s the place that hurts the most. Right? Fred Sr., knew it. You’ve spent your whole life proving it. You aren’t very smart. You couldn’t take the SAT on your own. What was the real score? 970? We both know you know.
 
Are the steroids wearing off? Is the euphoria fading? Do you feel foggy? Tired? Do you ache? How is the breathing? Hmmm. Are you watching TV today? We will have some nice surprises for you. Everyone is laughing at you. You are a joke. A splendid moron turned deadly clown.
 
Did you watch Martha McSally in her debate against American hero, fighter pilot, test pilot, astronaut Capt. Mark Kelly? She is so embarrassed by you. She is ashamed and full of self-loathing for the choice she made in following you over the cliff. She is in free fall now. She will lose, like most of them, because of you.
 
We hear from the White House and the campaign everyday. They are betraying you. They are looking to get out alive and salvage careers and their names. It’s Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner vs. Donald Trump Jr., and Kimberly Guilfoyle on the inside. They are at war over scraps and who gets to command what will be the remnants of your rancid cult.
 
It’s almost over now. You are the greatest failure in American history. You are the worst president in American history. Disgrace will always precede your name. Your grandchildren and great-grandchildren will grow up ashamed of their names.
 
One day, I suppose there will be some small and not-much-visited library that bears your name. It will be the type of place where a drunk walks by, staring at the wall for a minute, before deciding it is beneath his dignity to piss on. That’s what is waiting for you.
 
Joe Biden is a better man. He’s smarter. He’s winning.
 
Do you remember when you didn’t want to name Donald Trump Jr., Donald because you were worried about him being a loser named Donald? You were right about that. He is.
 
But it is you who will be remembered as America’s greatest loser. You will be crushed in the election!”
 
—————-
 
EXTRA! Just had to include this list of Trump’s atrocities that someone posted today. Again, for history sake:
 
 

The choice can not be clearer: An Authoritarian USA or an Aspirational USA?

This America I call home is derailing – so it seems. Anger, disgust, hate, division, and worst everywhere you turn. Even in the smallest of communities – even among families – things simply seem to be getting worse.

Some of us grew up in not the best of times – but not the worst of time either. The Vietnam War, the Nixon debacle, the Oil Crisis, the AIDS epidemic, the Iraq War, a contested presidential election, 9/11, war in Afghanistan, the Great Recession. All these incidents were bad, challenging, and demonstrated clear breaks and distinct opinions in America regarding how to move forward.

And then comes Trump. Chaos in Chief. Incapable of governing. Divisive, insulting, liar. And much more.

Now he wants 4 more years. And his acquaintances of convenience – his improbable web of supporters – are willing to fight tooth and nail to keep him on. Never mind they despise him. Never mind they know he lies. Never mind they suspect him being a useful idiot of Putin. Never mind they are disgusted with his lack of character, demeanor, and personality.

But, he has gotten them what they want. Just to name a few:

  • Conservative judges
  • Overturning Roe v Wade
  • De-regulation – climate change is a hoax
  • Law and order policing
  • Tax breaks for the wealthy
  • Curbing immigration
  • Embassy in Jerusalem
  • Tightened the grip on Iran, Venezuela, and Cuba
  • Tough talk on China
  • Distaste for the United Nations
  • Hint of voter suppression

And, they know he will get them more of the same in a second Trump term:

  • More conservative judges
  • Overseeing Roe v Wade dismantling
  • More de-regulation – the environment be dammed
  • Expand law and order policing
  • More tax breaks for the wealthy
  • More immigration restrictions
  • More support for Israel
  • Tighter grip on Iran, Venezuela, and Cuba
  • Tougher talk on China
  • Dismantle the United Nations
  • Aggressive voter suppression

And we who oppose him offer what? What is our language?

  • A decent man as president
  • A woman vice president
  • Stay with Roe v Wade
  • Regulate industry to abate climate change
  • Re-imagine the police
  • A sensible COVID national response
  • Healthcare expansion
  • Welcome immigrants
  • Respect for workers rights
  • Have the uber-rich pay their fair share of taxes
  • Dialogue and diplomacy with adversaries
  • Aspirational international human rights
  • Improve the United Nations
  • Increase voter participation

The choice can not be clearer.

If we choose Trump we know we’ll be getting a continuation of the undeniable history of the USA being driven by those in power that will do anything to stay in power; a history of systemic, intentional disenfranchisement of those not in power; and,a history of chest pumping, delusional self-righteousness that demeans and belittles others.

If we choose Biden we know we’ll be getting a decent man as President; a ‘tried-and-proven’ politician that has a clear history of working for all who live in the USA; an economy that is even-handed; an administration that will pay attention to those left behind, left out, and hurt by Trump’s first term; a sensible international presence; and an effective Covid response.

A Biden presidency will not be a perfect presidency. There will be squabbles, different opinions, debates, arguments, legislative fights, and unpleasant discourse. And that’s ok. That’s a long way from Trump’s authoritarian barking and lack of civility.

It’s been said by many others in many ways:

  • A Trump second term will continue the downward slide of the USA to a culture unbecoming of the aspirations of most who live here – and the aspirations expressed in our founding (if imperfect) documents. A Trump second term will highlight and bring back the USA’s dark history of selfishness instead of moving forward to a future that highlights, affirms, and expands the rich history of the USA as a welcoming place, empathetic neighbors, and aspirational people.

#VoteBidenHarris2020

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This is Trump’s America. He created this mess.

This is Trump’s America. He created this mess. And now he is telling us – again – that “Only I can fix it”?

I don’t think so. It’s time to stop this madness.

It is his lack of leadership that has let to 180,000 Covid deaths – and rising.

It is his irresponsible words that have emboldened White Supremacists to violence.

It is his insistence on strong armed presence of unmarked forces at protests that have created a police state mentality.

It is his inability to assist effectively in handling rampant looting that have made the situation worse.

It is his lies and misinformation that have created confusion among many.

It is his disregard for responsible mask wearing and social distance that have led to Covid hot spots.

It is his intentional diminishing of the USPS that will destabilize the elections.

It is his environmental policies that are derogating the environment.

It is his immigration policies that put children in cages.

It is his economic policies that have disproportionately benefited the wealthiest.

It is his foreign policy that has alienated traditional allies and befriended Russia.

It is his administration that is suing to take away coverage for pre-existing condition.


It is his intentional shortchanging of the Census that will lead to massive undercount.

It is his inability to work with Congress that will seriously delay economic relief to help reopen safely.


It is he who has branded “fake news” and used it to discredit all media except those who only praise him.

It is him who has misused Federal funds to enrich himself and misused Federal property – including the White House! – as backdrops for his political gains.

It is many of the people he has chosen to lead his administration that are criminal, some landing in jail.

It is his own family that says some horrible things about him.

It is his indecency, lack of empathy, and total inability to admit he may be wrong that makes him cruel.

It is he who publicly trashes his own niece.

It is he who has to go.

This is Trump’s America. He created this mess. And you expect him to fix it?

#VoteBidenHarris2020

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TRUMP’s LOYAL TROOPS

Yes! Celebrating the Biden/Harris ticket indeed. All around 100% perfecto. Time to get to work to get the vote out. And no time to get complacent, cocky, or over-confident. Lest we forget:

TRUMP’s LOYAL TROOPS

Don’t discount the patchwork of “Always Trumpers”. Here’s the select group of folks that will vote for Trump regardless.

– Regardless of common sense.

– Regardless of logic.

– Regardless of science.

– Regardless of their own self-interest.

Sometimes the same person has many of these qualities. But each quality has its own substantial self-identified contingency that when patched together adds up to a big chunk of voters.

– Ravid anti abortionists

– Second Amendment zealots

– Anti scholar anti socialist

– Vaccine refusers

– Climate change deniers

– Science suspects

– Stock market high investors

– Anti regulation industrialists

– Anti-union common man

– Anti-immigration wall builders

– Anti trade deals business interests

– KKK members and wannabes

– NRA members and wannabes

– Fervent, loud racists

– Closet, quiet racists

– White supremacists

– Fox News fanatics

– Anti feminists

– Rush Limbaugh listeners

– Evangelical (so-called) Christians

– “Thanks for the conservative judges” crowd

– Ivanka lovers

– ? Others

Take nothing for granted. Don’t waste your precious time and energy in trying to convince these Trump Troopers. Spend that precious time and energy in talking up with those you know to vote vote vote – and get others in their circles to vote vote vote. (Remember you gotta be registered. And remember if you are voting by mail each state has their own rules. Don’t cut it close!)

#VoteBidenHarris

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CONSERVATIVE and/or LIBERAL: A Paradigm

There are many ways to look at life. And there’s always a danger of categorizing things – putting people in boxes – lest we too easily dispel their multi-dimensional potential and limit their capacity. But, with its inherent drawbacks, categorization does facilitate a degree of understanding.

One way to better understand ours – and others’ – politics, faith, and relationships is to understand where folks come from; why they are like they are.

In a previous blog we discussed how oftentimes people’s fountain of information in many ways determines their thinking. On this blog we want to explore how most folks lean either to being conservative or liberal minded. Neither is better or worse. It is a personality trait, not a life determinant. Few people fall exclusively into one or the other camp. But generally, they do follow a certain pattern.

Below there’s a paradigm to hopefully help us better understand, accept, and work with each other. Have some fun with it. Rate yourself from 1 to 10 in each item. Add them up. See how you compare with friends and family. The higher your total, the more conservative leaning you are; the lower your total the more liberal leaning you are.

Here’s the list categorized in the two buckets:

CONSERVATIVE

  • Intends to conserve the certain
  • Relies on rules and regulations
  • Thinks in terms of specifics and points
  • Data must be supported by beliefs
  • Demands clarity
  • Low tolerance for different opinions
  • Follows authority without question
  • Likes a defined box
  • More comfortable with less choices
  • Decides
  • “I have the answer for you”
  • “I am right; you are wrong”
  • “You will not convince me”
  • Opinions become fact
  • Learns from dictates
  • Cherishes individual freedoms
  • Committed to conserving heritage and tradition
  • Insists on theological certitude
  • Looks for science to conform to faith
  • Faith must be firm and solid
  • Dogmatic
  • The Rituals rule
  • Prefers the Ten Commandments and Revelations

LIBERAL

  • Intends to liberally consider options
  • Relies on guidance and suggestions
  • Thinks in terms of spectrum and continuum
  • Beliefs must be supported by data
  • Accepts vagueness
  • High tolerance for different opinions
  • Questions authority not just follows
  • Likes being outside the box
  • More comfortable with more choices
  • Discerns
  • “I have questions for you”
  • “I am listening; I hear you”
  • “I may change my mind”
  • Facts are not opinions
  • Learns from conversations
  • Cherishes social responsibilities
  • Committed to questioning heritage and tradition
  • Welcomes theological ambiguity
  • Looks for faith to conform to science
  • Faith can be soft and fluid
  • Inter-denominational
  • The Spirit rules
  • Prefers the Psalms and The Beatitudes

Wherever you rate, we love you 🙂

Comments? Send me an email at Reemberto@Gmail.com

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Comprehensive list of reprehensible acts

I am trying not to repost much in this, my personal blog. However, this one was just go good to pass up. It captures a comprehensive list of the most reprehensible actions of this works to Presidents. I would credit the author, except I have not been able to figure out who did it. If you know, email me and I will revise.
 
My biggest issue with Trump is probably the fact that he has had no prior political experience, went bankrupt 6 times and has many failed businesses, paid off a porn star to keep quiet, has over 24 harassment allegations, has had 2 articles of impeachment drafted against him, illegally contacted Ukraine to help him win re-election, has the most hours of golfing over any president, has done nothing to help our dying climate,  botched the coronavirus response because he called it a hoax by the democrats instead of acting quicker, has never had an approval rating of over 45 percent, the whole Central Park 5 incident, thinks climate change is a Chinese hoax, told POC to go back to where they came from, throws meltdowns on Twitter, constantly retweets himself agreeing with himself, has had tweets flagged for misinformation, signed an executive bill regarding Twitter after his feelings got hurt, has increased our debt, hasn’t pulled out of any wars, abandoned the Kurds, is really fat with a spray tan, has US pride at an all time low, has 10 cases of obstruction of justice per the mueller report, used George Floyd as an excuse to brag about job numbers, wanted to use violence against peaceful protestors, has done nothing to solve the wealth gap or poverty rate, has increased our debt, is fat and has an ugly spray tan, said he would date his own daughter, talked about fake treatments during a corona press conference,  used to be an anti vaxxer, violated an official weather map with a fucking sharpie, all the shit in john Bolton’s book, said that cases would disappear if testing stopped, has a Vice President that can’t say “black lives matter” only “all lives matter”, falsely claimed there’s an AIDS vaccine, loves himself but has little empathy for others, is a complete asshole to reporters, made fun of someone disabled, the “grab by the pussy” thing, wanted to nuke a hurricane, thinks windmills cause cancer,  has told over 19,000 false claims, talked more about him on a ramp than George Floyd, wants burning the flag to be a crime, called the coronavirus the kung flu, and has done nothing to help the average American.
 
Also the fact that he’s a lying, unqualified, draft dodging, gold star family disrespecting, POW attacking, US General insulting, racist, sexist, vulgar, confirmed sexual assaulting, trillion dollars to the rich tax cutting, own daughter creeping, wife cheating with a pornstar after birth of son and paying her off to influence a presidential election, $413 million dollar inheritance getting, teen pageant dressing room invading, baby and mother separating, breast feeding mother shaming, fat-shaming while being fat, 17 women accusing him of sexual assaulting, accusers are not attractive enough for him to assault implying, university student defrauding, bankrupt casino causing, kids cancer charity stealing, taped detailed accusation of rape of a minor having, wife-beating, popular vote losing, anti-vaxxing, Christianity-faking, publicist impersonating, tax dodging, friends’ wives pursuing, impeached, foreign aid bribing, 1/3 of the presidency golf playing, free press assaulting, Hannity coordinating, Cambridge Analytica using, Ivanka is a “piece of ass” approving, loan application asset inflating, historically low polling, college achievement faking, unqualified judge appointing, unqualified cabinet member appointing, foreign influence on our election welcoming, tax release avoiding, birther conspiracy spreading, Ukraine ambassador targeting, Russian money taking, Kurdish ally abandoning, soldier brain injury downplaying, full morning “executive time” taking, Epstein befriending, Putin bowing, Kim Jong Un praising, North Korean general saluting, US intelligence denying, tallest building in lower Manhattan after 9/11 boasting, congress obstructing, nuclear non-proliferation deal ending, Justice obstructing, unqualified daughter and son-in-law appointing, healthcare cut targeting, pedophile candidate supporting, trump tower Moscow denying, mail-bomber inspiring, 4 out of top 5 largest protests in US history causing, green energy stifling, clean water regulation destroying, healthy school lunch ending, climate change denying, congressional and judicial branch attacking, economy does better under democrats saying, Goldman Sachs appointing, food stamp removing, emissions standards lowering, press conference avoiding, emoluments clause breaking, longest govt shutdown record holding, Saudi Arabia nuclear tech selling, golf cheating, time magazine cover faking, El Paso mass shooter inspiring, paying legal bills for roughing up protestors promising, killed soldier “knew what he signed up for” saying, pardon abusing, scumbag.
 
Sources:
 
• ⁠wife cheating with a pornstar after birth of son and paying her off to influence a presidential election, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-43334326
• ⁠accusers are not attractive enough for him to assault implying, https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2016/10/donald-trump-insults-accusers-ugly
• ⁠taped detailed accusation of rape of a minor having, https://www.snopes.com/news/2016/06/23/donald-trump-rape-lawsuit/
 
 

COVID-19 + Protest = A Cry for Change

It’s been almost a month since my last blog posting. And my-o-my how the world has changed!

COVID-19 + Protest = A Cry for Change

These are truly times like no other. We are still in the middle of a mismanaged COVID-19 pandemic. Add to that the protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd by a policeman and you get a cry for change like no other.

It is apparent that a critical mass of people have reached the consensus decision point that something is wrong. Very wrong. The system is broken. The current leadership of the national government is just not working.

It is not just the failure to lead a coherent national response to the COVID-19. It is not just that irresponsible openings are exasperating the situation. It is not just that the number of deaths keep rising. It is the complete and total lack of leadership. It is the inability of that leadership to convey empathy, encourage a united front, speak in a way that brings people across interests together for the common good.

It is not just the rampant killing of Black men by police throughout the country. It is not just the lack of response from the national leader. It is not just the insulting, insensitive Tweets and words. It is the inability of that leadership to convey empathy, encourage a united front, speak in a way that brings people across interests together for the common good.

Michael Moore released a statement regarding how we should not underestimate the Trumpistas enthusiasm and capacity to turn out the vote. Spot on. Trumpistas are a personality cult. And they will definitely come out to vote. The Opposition is not a personality cult. Biden may be the ship captain, but he is not the only reason I am voting Democrat. And that is ok to say. (I personally really like Biden. And, not but, he is not a cultish figure. And that’s ok.) Also: there may be 100,000 Trumpistas in Tulsa today. That number pales in comparison to the number of people the Opposition has brought out to protests. And, these good folks that are protesting are mad. And they (we!) will vote. And, we will bring 20 others with us.

Let the Trumpistas show off their unbending, blind trust of their cultish leader. Their numbers are simply not growing. Let’s us in the Opposition continue our loud, disorganized, cry for change.

And yep: Let’s some of us in the Opposition also continue our sometimes boring, methodological, studious, block by block, neighborhood by neighborhood, quiet conversations with our cousins, friends, and acquaintances to make sure they vote vote vote… #RESIST

Let’s make sure that through whatever means necessary a cry for change creates a blue wave of voters.

COVID-19 + Protest = A Cry for Change = A Blue Wave of Voters

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