Geography Div (Round the World subsection)

Today, in 1520, Ferdinand Magellan reached Cape Virgenes and became the first Europeans to venture into the Pacific Ocean.

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div (Thanksgiving subsection)

Last Monday we had Pilgrims. Tonite we get the Thanksgiving Waltz.



Sorry, no info on the artist.

Alice in Wonderland Div ** (Oh sh**t, not again subsection)

Donald of Orange today stated that "... the President can't have a conflict of interest."

Just what does that mean ?? .... Can't ?
Normally, it's defined as, " ... a contraction, .... can not."
OK, let's see here, .....

"Can" .............

auxiliary verb, present singular 1stperson can, 2nd can or (Archaic) canst, 3rdcan, present plural can; past singular 1stperson could, 2nd could or (Archaic) couldst,3rd could, past plural could.

1.

to be able to; have the ability, power, or skill to:

She can solve the problem easily, I'm sure.

2.

to know how to:

He can play chess, although he's not particularlygood at it.

3.

to have the power or means to:

A dictator can impose his will on the people.

4.

to have the right or qualifications to:

He can change whatever he wishes in the script.

5.

may; have permission to:

Can I speak to you for a moment?

I kinda like #3 - heh!

 ------------------------------------------and then, there's .........................
"Not"....... [not] 

adverb

1.

(used to express negation, denial, refusal, orprohibition):

You must not do that. It's not far from here.

OK, those are what the dictionaries say. But, how can it be argued ??  Does it mean that the President is a) "unable" to have a conflict of interest ? Or could it mean the President, b)  "may not"  (or in the future tense will not) have a conflict of interest ??
I'll leave it up to the lawyers (thank Dog I decided to give up on that profession years ago) to argue about it: but I'm voting for option "B."

Of course, Donald of Orange won't agree and has even gone so far as to invoke the ghost of Richard Nixon  ... (we know how that ended up, eh?).

No Donald, you CAN'T use the office to promote your businesses, endorsements, children or anything else related to your "business," (I guess that now means your life - get used to it). So, sell all  your shit, tell the kids to get real jobs, get on with raping the country or decide if you want to give the job to Ayatollah Mike.

Of course, I'm old enough to recall the controversy of the meaning of "is."

Oh well .......  maybe the slogan should have been MAKE AMERICA GRIFT AGAIN.

** ** 'When I use a word,' Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, 'it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.' Lewis Carroll - Through the Looking Glass

Geography Div (Pilgrim subsection)

On this day in 1620, those Mayflower Pilgrims landed on Cape Cod. I guess the rest is history and/or fable, eh ?

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div (Wrongful death subsection)

On this day in 1915 Labor organizer and song writer Joe Hill was executed by a firing squad in Utah.
Appropriately - since he was born in Sweden,  here's his ballad written and performed by the Swedish Downhill Bluegrass Band.



The Downhill Bluegrass Band: Jonas Kjellgren - Mandolin, Kenneth Kjellgren - Banjo, Christoffer Olsson - Guitar, Kajsa Kjellgren Westin - Bass, Nickie Wilden - Dobro and
Jimmy Sunnebrandt - fiddle.
Don't ask me how to pronounce 'em ...........

Election Div (voices from the past subsection)

Molly Ivins from 2004 (God how I miss her voice) .... just listen to the words ..... she's still relevant.

Start at the 17:00 minute mark  and follow throughout. I guarantee you will see something familiar ....

the more things change, the more they stay the same ........ oh well.

More from the Comin' Up div (Transition subsection)

Seems that "Noun + Verb + Nine-Eleven" has slipped a notch or two in consideration as Donald of Orange's gift to the foreign policy establishment. Not much experience and too much baggage.
He really needs to find someone somewhat qualified. How 'bout this guy ??

YGTBSM

Transition Div (Gotta Eat Subsection)

While most of the uproar about Donald of Orange taking the family out for a small dinner last nite revolves around his ditching of the press pool, it's nice to know that he did have some nice words for the surprised patrons having a really nice meal. Click here for the menus.

Now that you've had a chance to whet your appetite, imagine just who was in the room .....and I'll bet they were overjoyed to hear him say, "... we'll get your taxes down, don't worry about it."
RIGHT ! Most of the diners probably paid more for their meal than the average family earns in a week ! And this is what the "working class" voted for ?? I don't think many of them were in the room, eh ?
So enjoy the image, Mr and Mrs Trumpeteer from West Clustershag, Ohio. Maybe next year you'll be eating up the proceeds of YOUR tax cut at Club 21.

Transition Div. (Apparel subsection)

If I had known how stupid they'd look and how cheap they could be bought, I'd have bought better fuckin' hats.

Comin' Up Div (Transition subsection)

Well not only do we get a closet Nazi as top advisor ("Renice - just sit back and ask for money")
Now it's reported that we get this as the top contender for Secretary of State.

Noun + verb + 9-11 ...............


YGTBSM

Geography Div

Today in 1918, the Republic of Czechoslovakia was created. It lasted until 1939 when the Germans took it over.

Election Div (After the Aftermath subsection)

Since early Wednesday morning, I've been watching the news, reading papers and blogs from all over the country and trying to figure out just what really happened and where the future will find us.
It's still pretty murky, but if Mr. Trump continues to utilize the talents of those currently advising him, I fear the worst.
As Paul Krugman said in his NYT column,  "... remember that elections determine who gets the power, not who offers the truth.”     

I feel we all now need to be ready to fight for the truth. It's time for the Democratic Party to stop being "nice," and start confronting the Republicans every time they offer a policy that hurts the very people they claim to represent and challenging them on just why (and who) is responsible for the population's distrust and disgust.  As Leon Weiseltier said in today's Op-ed in the Washington Post, titled "Stay Angry:
" ..... Republicans contribute significantly to the breaking of the system, and then they thunder to the country that the system is broken. They refuse to govern, and then they denounce government. They seem to confuse governing with having their way." (emphasis mine).
                               
Calling for calm is one thing; demanding honesty is another. What today purports to be journalism needs to get over it's obsession with letting the truth be obscured in order to let each viewpoint have it's say - you don't see this on FOX News, eh?  When an interviewee (no matter what side of an issue he or she is on) states something patently untrue, the interviewer is obligated to challenge them and press the issue over and over until the truth is told.
The late Republican senator from New York, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, said it best:"Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but they are not entitled to their own facts."

Many have called for calm and for letting the Trump Administration have it's opportunity. My overriding wish is that everything will work out for the best...............
If the ACA is repealed and replaced with something better, Great! If the job market for middle-class Americans surges, wages increase and the inequality in income distribution decreases, Great! If a way is found to defeat terrorism without compromising our integrity, freedom or dignity, Great! If a way is found to train and educate our children without saddling them with life crushing debt, Wonderful!

I'll sing the praises of any President, Senator, Congressman, Diplomat or Businessman that can accomplish them.................. Unfortunately, I don't believe our President-elect or the in-coming Congressional majority will be willing.

 As Barbara Res (a Trump employee for 18 years) wrote in an open letter:
In this crazy world, you are poised to be either a total disaster, or one of the greats. Once you are president, you can do what you want. Forget what it took to get you here. Maybe you will lose some evangelicals and the racists will stay home next time but you will pick up lots of Democrats. You can be a president for everyone if you put the country first and let your ego take a back seat. Reform the prisons, rebuild our infrastructure, make healthcare affordable, fix immigration humanely. Forget about reducing taxes for the rich, reduce them for the middle class. You know jobs were lost to technology, not to closing factories due to trade agreements. Bring the technology jobs back to the US. Do something about student debt. Help poor young people get college or training for the good jobs you are promising. 

Perhaps in the next two years, people will realize that they have been "had" and will be willing to vote for those that will respect them ...........
Here's hoping.

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div

The Trinity River (Family) Band doing Salt Creek followed by Freight Train.



Mike Harris, Guitar
Lisa Harris, Bass 
Sarah Harris, Mandolin
Josh Harris, Banjo
Brianna Harris, Fiddle

Veteran's /Remembrance Day Div ( different date, same thoughts subsection)

Ninety-eight years ago, the "War to end all wars" ended. I guess we all know by now how well that turned out, eh ?

I wrote this a few years ago when I was still living in DC. 

I still remember the day I saw that young man, and I will never forget it.
The dates are different, but the sentiment remains.

Remember ............

Election Div (more from the Aftermath subsection)

I'm feeling less worse than I was yesterday - amazing what ten hours of sleep after being awake for forty hours will do.
Several reads this morning helped me begin to regain my perspective. First this (I've omitted the authors's name, but you can find it via this link if you really need to go there):

"Not all bad news after election

Today is Nov. 9. Last night there was an astonishingly beautiful sunset here: it reminded me that I have loved living in South Dakota.

The election, which apparently was not “rigged,” is over. Many millions of people voted for the Republican candidate. The house first lived in by John Adams will be home to someone who does not read and distrusts science. The person who called our military a “disgrace” will be commander in chief. The leader of the free world will be someone known the world over for his vulgarity and greed. We survived WWII and will have an anti-Semite in the White House. Our diplomatic relationships with other countries are in danger. My teenage daughter is weeping. The people who voted for him, and the people who did not bother to vote, will have the president they want.

But there is good news. The democracy my ancestors fought for works. And provided Mr. Trump does not have himself declared Emperor, it will work again four years from now. Meanwhile, I look forward to the apologies from the people who have so little respect for our electoral system that they called it “rigged.” That will be sweet."

Read some of the bloggers I follow and will recommend these for your consideration:

http://www.roguecolumnist.com/rogue_columnist/2016/11/night-falls-on-the-republic.html#more

https://snarkypenguin.wordpress.com/2016/11/09/berners-still-are-divorced-from-reality/

http://www.ramonasvoices.com/2016/11/america-what-have-you-done.html

and finally, this:

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/trump-voters-will-not-like-what-happens-next/2016/11/09/e346ffc2-a67f-11e6-8fc0-7be8f848c492_story.html

My own words will have to wait for a bit -- thanks to these others that have expressed my surpressed outrage.

Election Div (Aftermath subsection)

I simply have no words to describe what's happened.

That is all.

Geography Div (VOTE !! subsection)

Tomorrow, is the end of this seeming endless "election campaign" (and the start of the next).
Here's what will be decided tomorrow  - -

You do know that you don't vote for a "candidate," eh ?? ... but "electors who may (or may not  - depending on stste law) vote for your winning choice. Reference those revered "Founding Fathers" if you have a problem with the the way things go.

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div

Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen doing She said she will but she won't, like I knew she would  with WAMU.

 Frank Solivan - Mandolin, Mike Munford - Banjo, Jeremy Middleton - Bass and Chris Luquette - Guitar

Thre's still time Div (Congress subsection)

Besides the top of the ticket, consider the choices "down-ballot" .......  anything look or sound familiar??

It's almost over Div (help for the undecideds subsection)

I received an interesting post a few days ago. It compared the candidates, should you be ailing :
H/T to David Malki (the author) -- full article here.

"Let’s say you go to the doctor

Turns out that achy, oozing, blindingly-painful rash you thought was nothing is actually pretty serious. You need treatment right away.

There are two different treatments available for your condition. (There are some others that sound promising, but they’re still in clinical trials and you can’t get them.)

Treatment A is a prescription pill that’s been around a while. Doctors and researchers agree that it is moderately effective, although it does cause side effects. It’s a “Big Pharma” type medicine, which means their profits go into a huge black hole for them to do whatever with. In fact, the CEO of the company is, by some reports, not a nice person. But the medicine will probably keep you alive, at least for a few more years.

Treatment B is also a pill, but it’s not FDA approved — most doctors advise against taking it. Its website is full of claims like “The miracle medicine Big Pharma doesn’t want you to know about!” and “Research shows this pill could be as effective as many prescription drugs!” (There are no studies to back up this “research.”) In breathless tones, the ads boast that “No one else has made the secret medical breakthroughs that we have!” — but also warn that this information “may soon be banned by the government!”

The owner of the company who makes Treatment B is best known for being a wheeler-dealer in an altogether different industry, completely unrelated to medicine. He always seems to be in court, threatens to sue anyone who disagrees with him, and allegations of personal and professional misconduct follow wherever he goes.

But he’s bought a bunch of infomercials, full of testimonials from happy patients and explanations of everything wrong with Big Pharma and the medical establishment. Doctors, he says, “are a bunch of crooks” and his pill won’t just cure your illness, it’ll “make you feel young again” and “make you as strong as anyone you’ve ever seen.” There are no explanations given for how it might accomplish this in your body, and the ingredients of the pill are unknown.

The point is not that Hillary is great, and that Trump is a maniac. Reasonable people can claim both things, but I think that claim rings false to people who distrust Hillary and/or find Trump’s brazenness refreshing.

The point is that a Hillary Clinton presidency, for all its many flaws, would be survivable, whereas Donald Trump is an impostor, a snake oil salesman whose promises and claims smart people would instantly disbelieve in any other context."

Jim Wright at Stonekettle Station also has a good post on why he's choosing "plan A."