President Jimmy Carter in State in the US Capitol. Vice President Kamala Harris' eulogy. Listen to it: We've done better in the past. we could have done so much better in 2024. 

Who will be speaking at the rapists' funeral ??

Now, we have a chance .............

YES !! TIME TO TAKE THE GLOVES OFF !!

…… and turnip? He’ s a convicted felon, an adjudicated rapist, a business failure, a tax cheat and a national security threat. He certainly isn’t fit to serve as President or even run for the office. But then again, the republican party believed in “Law and order,” and the new cult obviously doesn’t.

He recently said “I shouldn’t be here.” — (Grand Rapids, MI, 7/20/2024).

He’s right; he should be in jail.

While the bullets were “whizzing” over his head, was he praying to God? Nope, he was imploring the Secret Service to get his shoes.

Maybe “almighty God” didn’t really save him; She needed a brave fireman more than him.

I hear She did forward Don’s resume to her rival down below. Perhaps he has a position turnip is qualified for. Of course, his advisors Hitler, Pol Pot, Jim Jones, and Charles Manson (among others) may be allowed an input.

Oh well ………..

Remember, voting is like driving: To go forward, Choose "D."  To go backwards, choose "R." (and if you have a "stick-shift," you move forward progressively).

 

Memorial Day Div (Thank You for your service subsection)

 As I said on Monday, today will always be Memorial Day for me. One day each year where we stop and honor our nation's fallen servicemen and women. Unfortunately, it's become an afterthought to the sales and hype as "The start of Summer."

It's different than "Veterans Day" (11 November)  --  Where we honor all those who have honorably served (both living and passed) as well as those currently serving.

I so often hear people say "Thank You for your service" to me when my background is mentioned. I've always politely thanked them and replied that it was my honor and privilege to proudly wear my country's uniform and be of service.

I still provide that answer, but now respectfully and politely add a question: Do you think that I was a sucker or loser for serving? Do you think that those who gave that "last full measure" were suckers or losers?

Most people are a bit taken aback and reply in the negative.  I again thank them and I remind them that there's a person running for President who has voiced those exact words and feelings. I tell them that if their thanks are sincere, they must remember it when casting their vote in November.

I hope your holiday weekend was safe and enjoyable. Take today to give your real thanks.

A Prescient comment Div (What’s happening now … and then subsection)

 From Comrade EB Misfit, a Navy veteran 

http://eb-misfit.blogspot.com/2024/02/far-right-conservatives-are-enemies-of.html

Read it all including the “sermon.”

Geography Div (Elections subsection)

 Has your state ever elected a woman to the US Senate??

South Dakota has, but ........

Geography Div (what used to be subsection)

 Considering what we've had to put up with lately, maybe this would be an improvement.

Yet, there's hope ........

Geography Div (Return to Sanity subsection)

 Next, maybe the Metric System !

Geography Div (Aged Voter subsection)

There's lots being said about the influence of younger voters on our political future. Here's a breakdown of the median ages by congressional district.

 

Geography Div (Division subsection)

Well, 2020 will soon be behind us and, hopefully, we'll soon start turning our country around. For anyone who objects to the coverage and name of the red area my only consolation is that you have to live in it to really appreciate how bad it is.

A Little Early Week Fascism

Stumbled upon Rick Steves (the travel guy) on PBS tonite (you certainly won't find this on FAUX news).

https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/tv-show/fascism

See if there's anyone you recognize .............

Suicide Div (Conservative republican subsection)

Here's how one of the folks holding our country back tries to do the right thing. No wonder we're in the condition we are.

The Question and the Answer (Impeachment subsection)

The Question:

Yovanovitch: The President had a right to withdraw me, but was it necessary to smear my reputation? 

The Answer:

'nuf said 

Geography Div (Marsupial subsection)

There's been some talk of Kangaroo Courts lately (mostly from idiots, but I digress.

Just what is legal in these here United States ??

                 IS IT LEGAL TO OWN A KANGAROO ?

MAGA Div ( and the current crroks ain't gonna do it subsection)

There's going to be a lot more of the Trumplican chant of making America great. Ain't gonna happen with the current gang of self-centered crooks.
Saw this last night .......... It's still true .......... but it can be.

 

Geography Div (Historical subsection)

Today in 1812, Governor Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts signed a redistricting bill and gave birth to this monster - the Gerrymander. It's descendants continue to live.

The Occasional Mid-Week Molly (SOTU subsection)

    "There are times a country is so tired of bull that only the truth can provide relief." -Molly Ivins

Boy Howdy, are we ever in for a boxcar full of the aforementioned "bull" ... and there will be very little of that truth stuff. Best to turn on NETFLIX and save yourself some heartburn.

SOTU: Have some fun. Think up your own definition for those strung-together letters of the alphabet.
How 'bout: Say Only Ten Untruths ?? Well, you get the idea (and trust me, when the current occupant of the Oval Office stands up in front of Congress - on national teevee, there will be more that ten of them there"untruths" spoken). Maybe we should emulate that idiot and simply characterize his utterances as "Fake Facts." Perhaps a buzzer sounding for every lie/falsehood wouldn't be inappropriate.

Anyhow, Donald of Orange didn't get to stick with his schedule but now he's going to appear on
5 February (check your local listings). Before he shows up to make a total mockery of his office (and these suggestions would be applicable to all further SOTU addresses by any chief executive) then there should be a few rules for the public conveyance of this Constitutional requirement, which would also restore some degree of decorum, dignity and solemnity to what has become a media driven, political side-show. It's probably too late now to implement these rules, but something needs to be done for the future (and our overall sanity).

Here are  my suggestions:

1. No one except the sitting members of the House and Senate may be present on the House floor.

  ---- These rules apply equally to the Senate chamber should the address occur there. 

2. Seating in the gallery of the chamber will be open to all citizens chosen by a random lottery. Applicants must submit their own entry - no sponsorship.

Supreme Court justices, cabinet members, military brass, congressional staff/ advisors and all other        celebrities, hanger-ons, lackeys and assorted horse holders can submit their names for the lottery and take their chances along with the rest of us.   

          

3. Seating in the gallery will be on a first-come, first-seated basis for lottery ticket holders. No reservations or reserved seating will be allowed. Should you be lucky enough to get a ticket, you might have to sit next to someone above or below your perceived social status, a sexual/gender orientation or ethnic/religious background different than your own or an opposing political persuasion and/or party affiliation ..... tough, we're an egalitarian society: suck it up and play nice together.

                        

4 The speech will NOT be televised. Radio only. A visual recording may be made (for historic/accuracy purposes) using a single camera, but may only show the speech giver head-on, neither the audience nor those on the dais will be shown.(Let the radio commentators describe the ceremonial entry and leave us to our imaginations.)

5. A verbatim  transcript of the speech will be posted within 24 hours in the Congressional Record and any other Congressional or Executive branch website. It may not be edited for content. It will also be made available to any requesting media organization.

     

6. Should the president choose, she/he may submit the contents to the Congress in writing. Within 24 hours of its receipt, it will be handled per item 5 above.

7. Should the president choose to make a televised production of this Constitutional requirement from somewhere other than the Capitol, the broadcast will be required to comply with the rule regarding visual recording (point 4 above).

The Occasional Mid-Week Molly (Time to Strike subsection)

The Air Traffic Controllers, Pilot's Union and Flight Attendant's unions have commented on the status of air safety during this shutdown.

TSA has had to call in supervisors and others to make up their building shortfall.

Article II, Section 3 of the US Constitution isn't gonna happen on 29 January, when the current occupant of the Oval Office (the one who was so proud to shut down the government) wants to advise Congress on the state of the union. He could send in his thoughts in writing, but with the current shutdown, purchase of Crayons is problematic. Hell, he could probably do it on that twit thing.

Maybe it would be a great idea (assuming this shutdown remains in effect) for the 29th of January to be the day for an all-out national GENERAL STRIKE.

Yep. No one goes to work. The planes don't fly, the busses don't run, there ain't no trains and the stores don't open.

 Though it isn't in our national genetic makeup, Maybe it's time.

In her final column, Molly wrote: "We are the people who run this country. We are the deciders. And every single day, every single one of us needs to step outside and take some action to help stop this war. Raise hell. We need people in the streets, banging pots and pans and demanding, Stop it, now!" --Molly Ivins

Yep! This is a war against us. We the People cannot afford to lose it.

SPEAKING TRUTH DIV

On MSNBC today, Republican operative Steve Schmidt had his say on John McCain and that fraud currently occupying the White House.



That is all ................

Geography Div (Pregnant? subsection)

Just great isn't it ? USA ! USA !

The Occasional mid-Week Molly Div (almost weekend subsection)

In light of what the Senate republicans are about to do to the nation, here's Molly Ivins from 2002 --

"It puzzles me that the well-off complain so much about taxes when they pay so little relative to their wealth." -- Baltimore Sun, 5 Sept 2002

 - - - - the more things change, the more they stay the same, eh?

Next up: Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid