MIAMI'S OVERLY PROTECTED PAINS IN THE ASS.

The City of Miami protects peacocks. Wouldn't it be nice if they protected law-abiding, tax-paying residents. I don't know why these irritating birds get such privileged service. They're noisy, aggressive, dirty and have nothing to recommend them other than the supposed beauty of one or more of their flock. I hate them. My cats hate them. Yet there they are every day waddling on to my lawn, walking up my front steps, intimidating my cats and stealing their food. They force traffic to slow down until they're good and ready to get out of the way. When the mood hits them, they scream their lungs out like some animal being tortured. Yet they're protected. I have no interest in seeing them harmed, or going hungry. But it's not my job to feed them or clean up after them. If the City is so concerned about their welfare, build them a sanctuary and feed them regularly. Just get them off my lawn, out of my sight, and away from my pets.

"I SAID 'LET'S GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE BEFORE WE GO DEAF'."

Most people do not realize how much they are damaging their hearing with the loud music that is blasted in most restaurants today. The Starbucks I've been going to in Coral Gables for 20 years has gotten so out of hand with "turn up the volume" baristas that I have stopped going there. Despite their youth, I think these employees are already partially deaf since they can't seem to tell how loud the music is. I rarely go out to dinner in Miami because the music in most restaurants is too loud. I like conversation and don't like having to shout to be heard. I also suspect that most establishments have been sold a bill of goods by the installers and renters of audio systems. As someone who takes planes as often as I fly, I am struck by how full the Quiet Cars on Amtrak are on every trip. I think that large chain restaurants should offer Quiet Sections to at least see just how popular a dining area far from the madding crowd can be.

THE BACHELOR AND THE BOGEYMAN.

Today on the Joy Reid Show, Joy showed clips of mercurial Lindsey Graham and the menacing Stephen Miller. Lindsey proclaimed that he isn't bothered at all by the President's attempt to blackmail the leader of Ukraine. Shortly after that beyond-creepy vampire Steven Miller spat our a venomous attack on the heroic whistleblower. Do these men really care that little about our democracy? Are they really that unconcerned about our corrupt and mendacious leader? And, if so, why? Miller, we assume is a bad seed, born evil, full of hate, jealous, vindictive, petty and unsalvageable, whose natural inclination is to evil  But Graham was once sort of human, a dizzy queen yes, but he once held American beliefs. Is he in love with Trump? Is he being blackmailed about one of his more peculiar kinks? Or is he just plain stupid? Once Trump is out of the way and hopefully in prison, will we learn why so many otherwise sane Republicans abandoned their morals and betrayed their country for a wrinkled overweight clown with a ridiculous hairdo and too much pancake makeup?

"WHAT WAS THE NAME OF THAT FAKE MEDICINE?".

If you possess a bottle of Prevagen, you've bought a $30 plus placebo. The product is a absolutely worthless unless you're the snake oil company that's selling it: Quincy Bioscene Holding Company. Sadly truth in advertising doesn't apply anymore, so scam artists like Quincy can make  a fortune then go on to torment us with endless commercials, I would love to feel superior and look down on you for believing all that crap about jelly fish and improving your memory, but I have a bottle of Prevagen which I feel completed embarrassed for having purchased. Pharmacists should be ashamed that they even carry this fraudulent product.

THIS IS THE INNOCENT MAN SHE KILLED.

Amber Guyer is not only a murderer. she is a completely incompetent cop and I can't imagine why the Dallas Police Forced hired her. She has no powers of observation, no self-control, no ability to gauge actual danger, no sense of emergency since she left her victim dying, and no compassion since the only thing that seemed to worry her was losing her job. What a worthless public servant. I will be furious if this killer gets off with a slap on the wrist or a few years confinement. What could be more of a nightmare than to be in your own apartment, watching TV and having ice cream, when some mad hysterical harridan bursts in and kills you. This is not a minor crime that can be swept under the carpet. Amber Guyer deserves jail time.

'WHAT IS SO RARE AS A DAY IN..." SEPTEMBER.

This was one of those amazing days that so rarely happen. I woke early, completely refreshed and took a morning walk at 6:30. The weather was breezy and cool, there was few people out and those that were were all friendly. Later I walked to the market. Every person I passed had a smiling good morning, even the dogs seemed extra friendly. At the pharmacy Donovan had my prescriptions ready and even the high price didn't annoy me. I gave most of my Cuban coffee to a stranger sitting outside and he offered half to a stranger at another table. Since my groceries were too heavy to carry all the way home, I walked to the trolley stop and the trolley appear moments later. It was a day that reminded me of a song in an excellent Broadway show that wasn't a success, but should have been. "On a wonderful day like today, I defy any cloud to appear in the sky, dare any raindrop to pop in my eye, on a wonderful day like today."  See, I'm not always cranky.

AT STARBUCKS THE EMPLOYEES CALL THE SHOTS.

Here is one of the strangest aspects I find about society today. Almost all restaurants and retail outlets say, "You can spend your money here, as long as you are willing to listen to our taste in music, played as loud as we choose." In short if you have a different taste or find our choices unsatisfying, go someplace else. This happened today at Starbucks, an outlet I have been going to since it opened 20 years ago. It has always had annoying rock music, but lately it is louder and more strident It would appear that the music is designed for the young employees since so many of the customers are older and often have earphones. Today I complained that the music was too loud, which is was. My complaint went unheeded and, in fact, the music grew louder. I sensed that my old fashioned tastes were a subject of dismisal and vowed I could not continue patronizing this Starbucks. This is a problem, as all local restaurants mistakenly believe they need pop music, though not as loud as Starbucks. My Publix supermarket also plays mediocre rock music too loud, though the somewhat distant Milam's plays classical music and seems to do fine. The unfortunate thing is that I am not alone in my desire for quieter, more melodic music, but I am alone in that nobody else speaks up or complains. So now I cannot experience the setting I like and the menu I like even though I am willing and able to pay their high prices because the employees must be served.

TRUMP FANS IN SUICIDE PACT.

If you're a Trump fan, not only are you naive, gullible, and incredibly stupid, but you're suicidal. Why? Because Trump isn't doing a thing about global warming and he is approving all kinds of measures that are poisoning the earth, killing vital insects, and making water undrinkable. Along with Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro, he is among the rare world leaders who laughs in the face of the Earth's total destruction. Just yesterday the national news covered the melting glaciers and the encrusted coral reefs. What will they cover today? Is Trump blind to the destruction? No. He just doesn't care. He figures at 73, he won't be around for the final days. Does he care if you die, or your children die of starvation or a rebellious earth? Not a whit.

A CONFEDERACY OF PINOCCHIOS.

I would say that Trump hires experts.  Expert liars. Watching  Joseph Maguire today bob and weave  and dodge direct questions shows us just the kind of fabricators Trump has surrounded himself with. This guy knew the law, but chose to ignore it, as do other slime balls like Barr and Gaetz and that gay voyeur who never wears a jacket.

GETTING CLOSER EVERY DAY.

I love that Trump feels that the whistleblower who turned him in is a spy. Well, I'd rather have a spy involved than a traitor. The very fact that Trump feels offended at being caught colluding with a foreign government shows what a nutcase he is. I think the whistleblower should be given a medal if his or her revelations rids us once and for all of this cancer that has been eating at our government since that poisonous and suspicious Election Day, I look forward to the day that Trump, his hideous spawn and all his traitorous collaborators are brought to justice. I hope for the days that his hotels face bankruptcy or  have name changes. And most of all I look forward to seeing him sans makeup, sans a personal hairdresser and sans a six foot necktie, rotting in prison in an extra-large jumpsuit as orange as his face was when he could afford it.

IS CONFUSION AN EXCUSE FOR MURDER?

I feel absolutely no sympathy for Dallas policewoman Amber Guyger, despite her assertions that she killed Bo Jean because she thought he was an burglar in her apartment out to do her harm. First of all she considered him a burglar. Since when is burglary a killing offense. If she had a gun and he was unarmed, why didn't she just hold him at bay until the arrest. Since he was relaxed in his own home having ice cream, I doubt that he sent any threatening messages. She was just a over-reacting,  unobservant,  incompetent law officer, who didn't even have the skill to recognize that there was a bright red welcome mat outside what she assumed was  her door. Did she think a burglar put it there. Poor Jean, a young man enjoying the comfort and privacy of his own apartment when an addled trigger-happy cop bursts in, takes no note of the surroundings and situation and kills this innocent resident. I don't care how confused, tired and overworked Amber was. I say guilty of second degree murder.

UNWANTED ANECDOTES

There are about 15 stories I have been told during my 77 years that disturb me every time my memory happens across them.They are stories I wish I had never been told and I always wonder why anyone feels the need to relate hideous occurrences. All 15 or so of these stories involve an animal, usually a pet. I won't tell you the details except to mention I can't forget the details and grimace with each recollection. The point of this blog is to encourage any reader to never relate an anecdote or personal story about a cruel or ugly incident that can't possibly make the listener feel anything but
horror or anguish. I will point out that several of these unwanted anecdotes were stories on the nightly news that I didn't have enough warning to avoid. Sorry, but when it comes to animals, I only want to hear good news, like the item above.

Every single creature
From the Aardvark to the Toucan
Can do something special,
But cannot do what you can.

Imagine if Edison
Had studied medicine.

SO MANY ROCKS TO LOOK UNDER.

Sadly, there are many traitors in our country today. Not only in our country, in our government. It is very difficult to understand why they are defending out traitorous president, why they ignore his cruel abuse of children, his flouting of laws about profiteering, and his daily, endless lies. Why do so many Republicans stand by and cheer while Trump shreds The Constitution, spits on the Declaration of Independence, and reviles the Emancipation Proclamation. They're there. The traitors. So many of them. And to my mind the two most offensive at the moment are sweaty Jim Jordan and the slimy Matt Gaetz. Will we ever know what motivated these turncoats and others to betray the country that give them birth and eventual success?

AMERICA'S WORST COMPANY STRIKES AGAIN.

Comcast, America's most obnoxious company, has replaced some of its older boxes. But being cheap and not the least bit accommodating they refuse to pay for their installation. So they have shipped them out to their overcharged customers with the expectation that they should install them themselves. I received mine today and find installing them is far too complicated for me, and not being an employee of Comcast (AKA Infinity)I don't see why I should. So I have insisted that they send out a technician, which they will for $70.00, yet another Comcast ripoff considering that I am already scammed for over $200 a month. I wouldn't be surprised if this wasn't another Comcast scam: send out the equipment knowing that it's too complicated to be installed by the customer and when he
or she calls, soak them for another $70.00. Clever. Ah, what we do for television.

What could be horrider
Than life in South Florida
Where it couldn't be torrider?

THEY ARE NOT THE ENEMY.

 If Americans weren't so wrapped up in fantasy films and mindless chick flicks, they might be willing to view an Iranian film or two and learning something about the people they are so eager to dislike. The Iranians are an attractive, educated, cultured, and peace-loving people who unfortunately are under the thumb of an oppressive government. Learn something about Iranians before you label them as hostile enemies. Enemies" Do most Americans need to be reminded that it was the repressive Saudis who made up most of the gang who attacked us on 9-11?  Keeping that it mind, why should we go to war in defense or a people who despise us, a fact Trump is too stupid to see?

"THOU SHALT NOT KILL" MEANS NOTHING TO HIM.

Let's get one thing straight. Mike Pompeo is a rabid Bible-thumping Christian fundamentalist. He is the kind of religious bigot who would be delighted if we went to war with Iran and killed thousands of Muslims, whether they are men, women, or children. He would think in his madness that he is doing God's work and winning points with Jesus. This is why he is pushing Trump of declare war on the Iranians. Pompeo, like most of Trump's appointees, is deranged. And, like Trump, he is a liar. I am sure that even if the evidence showed Iran innocent of the recent attacks on the oil fields, crusader Pompeo would deny such a fact and push, push, push for war.

NEVER A GREATER TALENT.

Just saw the trailer for the new Judy Garland movie starring Renee Zellweger. First of all I hate the absurd overused "is"  cliche, "Renee Zellweger is Judy Garland".  Only Judy is Judy. Only Marilyn is Marilyn. The reason they make these films is because the subject was unique and amazing and cannot be duplicated. Despite that I am sure the film will be entertaining. It does have Judy's singing after all. And Renee is a talented actress. In this day of second-rate singers and fifth-rate songs, it will be refreshing to hear rare talent again. I still recall the free concert Judy Garland gave at the Boston Common on August 31, 1967, which attracted 108,000 fans.

TICK. TOCK. TICK, TOCK. TICK

Trump says he does not believe in Global Warming. And he certainly shows no concern about the melting ice caps and rising sea levels. And you know why? Because he expects to be dead before there is any serious damage. In short he doesn't care about anyone but himself. So if you die, and your children die and animals dies, he couldn't care less. This is the persons that many Americans have chosen to safeguard this country, and may foolishly choose again. If you do, prepare for an world in peril, blazing hot summers, bitter cold winters, oceanfront cities becoming uninhabitable,
food supplies diminishing, new diseases appearing overnight. Your only chance to avoid this, and it becomes a slimmer and slimmer chance, is to elect a president who does care if you live, if Earth lives.  If you gambled on a narcissist, you lost. Don't make that same mistake again. Because this time it could be fatal.

Why do so many people begin their discussions, stories, questions, anecdotes, etc. with the word "so"? It's a new word epidemic and don't know where it started. If you watch Jeopardy, note how many contestants begin their personal stories with "so". "So, I moved here from Ohio..." I strongly suspect that English isn't being taught with any rigidity any more, and "free expression" reigns. Which means that illiteracy is in fashion. What a pity.

HUNTERS HAVE GUNS. NUTS HAVE KILLING MACHINES.

Gun owners. Don't be so neurotic. Nobody is going to take away your revolvers and rifles. Nobody wants to take away your legal arms for hunting and home protection. They make you feel safer, fine. But you don't really need AK15s unless you're planning to mow down a crowd of innocent strangers, so I can't really understand why you're in such a rage about giving up your weapons of war, especially since you will be compensated. All the NRA nutcases are lying of course when they say the government wants to take your guns away. They don't. But yes, they also don't want millions of assault weapons floating around America within easy access of every mental case who suddenly decides to to kill some grade school children or get even with all those mean old coworkers who were glad when he or she was fired.

AN UNHOLY TRINITY.

One hears on the news that mendacious mikes, Pompeo and Pence, are both pious Christians. This is surprising since they are both so corrupt.  How can anyone who claims to worship Christ be so eager to embrace deceit, so quick to ridicule honesty, so avaricious, so slimy, and so devoted to the world's closest example of the antiChrist? The answer is they can't. Both these men are hypocrites bordering  on criminals. Let us hope that in 2010, the American public does to Washington what Christ did to the moneylenders.

YOU CAN'T ARGUE WITH SUCCESS....STILL...

I have to assume that Starbucks knows what they're doing because they're so successful. But I sometimes wonder what their game plan is. I often go to the Starbucks in Coral Gables and cannot find a table to sit at.The other morning I noted there are nine tables for two along a banquette. Every one of them was occupied by one freeloader with one beverage and their personal computer. The other two tables for four were also occupied, one with three persons having a business meeting and not having purchased anything.  I waited for a half hour and could not find a place to sit and left.
Over the past years I have seen this scene repeated endlessly. Single users buying a single beverage taking up valuable space, often for hours. I can't see how this creates enough profits to pay the high Coral Gables rent and the salaries of all their baristas. On the other hand Starbucks charges so much for a single cup of coffee, maybe they don't really need that much traffic.

BROS.

It's really annoying that the news networks feel that the president's relatives are as worthy of being quoted as the Moron in Chief. Every time Donald Jr., Eric, or Ivanka open their mouths, they say something incredibly stupid which Tweeters turn into hilarious barbs. I think the main problem with their comments is that they are not knowledgeable about the subject and they are just opining to kiss Daddy's butt. He, of course, is so narcissistic that he believes every verbal smooch is sincere. Poor Eric, he made himself a laughing stock with this comments about last night's debate, which I suspect he didn't even watch. I would love to know the Trump family dynamics. It seems that while the brainless Ivanka is Donald's pet, both Jr.and Eric seem to be desperate for some of dad's attention, not realizing that he doesn't love anyone including his children, especially if they are not particularly attractive.

A NEW CAREER FOR A SUPER HAWK?

One of the many frequent guests on the Ed Sullivan Show was Richard Hearne who used the stage name Mr. Pastry. I can't quite call what his act was other than I always found it hilarious and seem to recall it was typical British humor with a bumbling and inept Mr. Pastry. What I do recall is how Hearne looked with a dark suit and a bowler. He was distinguished by white hair and large mustache.
Now that John Bolton is out of a job, he might want to revise Mr. Pastry's act. As you can see from his appearance he's halfway there.

VA VA VA VANKA

Donald Trump has a lot of faith in his daughter Ivanka. He has given her status as assistant and advisor to the President, though no one seems to have a clue what assistance or advice she has given. She sits unnecessarily in important meetings. She tags along on diplomatic trips for which she can offer nothing. She's a dependable parasite at every government event and on some occasions she has arranged these events herself at great personal (and illegal) profit. Along with her pishika husband Jared, they have become the Blondie and Dagwood of diplomacy, laughable figures but little else. In most photos Ivanka wears a stoic expression as she struts in a hideous dress from her own collection. It it rare that one ever sees what Ivanka actually has to offer, which is what makes this photo so special.

THAT GLORIOUS DAY WILL COME.

On 9-11, when Trump should be commemorating the anniversary of America's worst tragedy and celebrating the courage of so many heroes, what's he doing? Bitching and whining about John Bolton,
carping like a divorcee who's afraid she won't get custody of the kids. Sitting on his hemorrhoidal haunches telling lie after lie. I will never understand why so manly people, including broadcast announcers act is he is a significant human being who is worthy of being listened to.. Trump is raging maniac who has plunged America into debt, despair and division. One can only hope that in 2020, he loses the presidency, becomes eligible for endless trails and ends up in prison, hopefully surrounded by prisoners who detest him as much as I do.

A PROVOST FABLE, BASED ON REAL PEOPLE. THE FERRET AND THE FOX.

  A ferret and a fox were friends. And while they agreed on most things, they had a dispute one day about the nightingale. The ferret said her voice was too pretentious and her songs were distinctly not to the ferret's liking. The fox thought her voice was beautiful and it thrilled him to hear her sing. Each was rather disappointed that the other friend did not share his opinion. But while the fox put the argument aside, the ferret frequently chose to criticize the nightingale, so often in fact that it troubled the fox who thought the argument had been settled and began to feel it was no so much the nightingale's singing that was being criticized but his own opinion. As the ferret continued his complaints, it did not make the fox think any less of the nightingale, but a great deal less of the ferret.

GUESS WHO TRUMP HAS FIRED NOW.

Donald Trump has finally made a decision I agree with: To fire John Bolton. With the dismissal of Yosemite Sam, we can all relax a little bit about suddenly going into war with Iran, North Korea or Aruba (He'll go to war with anyone). Since the decision was Trump's I doubt if it had anything to do with policy or any kind of reasoned explanation. I think it's because Trump never could stand that creep's facial hair and he finally gave in to his disgust. Anyway that's one hawk out of the way. One can only wonder who Trump will choose as  the new National Security Adviser:; his hairdresser, Melania's dress designer, or Ivanka's bestest friend ever.

THE MOST UNPLEASANT WOMAN EVER.

One of the nicest things that's ever happened to America is the disappearance of Sarah Palin from our lives. From the day she appeared on the scene she was a pain, a rash, a completely unpleasant presence. She was ignorant, vulgar, and completely irritating from her chalk-on-a-blackboard voice to her Tobacco Road family. It was maddening to see someone so inconsequential get so many profitable opportunities even after she proved she didn't have the brainpower to be Vice President. She put a huge black mark on McCain's otherwise distinguished career. She took the mystery and magic out of the word "Alaska" making you think instead of a meth-mad outpost.  She presented herself as the most pretentious parvenue in history and proved that if you're attractive it doesn't matter how appalling you are otherwise. Most people I know hated her, changed the channel during her ravings, found her ever-pregnant daughter, moronic almost son-in-law, and Joe Palooka husband unbearable. Then one day she was gone. And we only hear about her when her lowbrow children are in donnybrooks or she and hubby are getting divorced. I can only hope that the same return to normalcy happens with the disappearance of Donald Trump from our lives. Although I wouldn't mind a documentary every now and then of how he is doing in prison.

IT''S AN UGLY, SCARY, SHAMEFUL THING TO SEE.

Yesterday at the supermarket, a large Mercedes van pulled into a parking space backwards,  a well-groomed man got out and went into the market.  I was sitting at an outside table having a colada. I noticed the back of his van had a Trump sticker. Interesting. What did this tell me about this obviously prosperous man?  It told me he was a racist, that he was selfish and cared nothing for struggling aliens, that he was not an ardent patriot, that he was probably a misogynist, and certainly that he was a fool to promote a mentally ill dictator who has allied himself with some of the world's most offensive tyrants. And probably he had a family who agreed with him, or were smart enough to keep their mouths shut around someone as wacko as a Trump supporter. I didn't see him come out of the store, but I did get talking with a veteran friend who has any number of ailments from serving his country. And we agreed we would love to spray paint over this idiot's bumper sticker, but being believers in freedom of speech (unlike Trump) we couldn't.

TRUMP THINKS HE CAN REASON WITH OTHER MAD MEN.

I'm not really sure what a hand basket it, but America is going to hell in one. Think about it. Trump had invited the Taliban to the Camp David. These are merciless sadists who have killed many Americans; soulless savages who have destroyed centuries-old landmarks and historical treasures. Having them on American soil would be an insane move, and fortunately one that wiser heads put a stop to. Point won. Point lost: At the same time NOAA has instructed its staff not to contradict Trump when, in his abysmal ignorance, he makes asinine statements like Alabama is in the path of Hurricane Dorian. So now we have to cover up for his lies, which will be a full-time job for every government agency. We should be dragging Trump out of the White House in a strait jacket. not pretending he is even slightly sane and normal. Trump is a madman, a certified raging lunatic. And, unlike many other crazies who are often harmless and soft-hearted, Trump is evil, sadistic, self-centered and, I am sure, when finally cornered, as dangerous as any rabid dog.

THE FIFTH COLUMN, HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT.

Does anyone know why the Republicans are out to destroy America? That's the only possible explanation as to why they support Trump. He is a traitor to this country, an ally to Putin, a fan of
the Fat Boy, and eager to pass laws that make America less prosperous, more dangerous and far more divided. And anyone, citizen or politician, who supports him is as much of a traitor to the United States as Trump. But why? America has given its citizens unlimited freedom, unequalled opportunity, and, at one time, unsurpassed national pride. So what's with these turncoat Republicans? Are they being threatened, blackmailed, bribed, brainwashed?  Did someone put a pod under their beds?  Is there no one among them who will defend his country? What did they promise McConnell, Graham, Gaetz and all those other fifth-column creeps to make them betray America? And when will be find out? When it's too late?

WHERE ARE GUIDO AND LARS?

I find it intriguing that neither Donald Jr. nor Eric Trump bear any resemblance to their father.  I can't speak for Ivanka because she's so plasticized and made up that one has no idea what she looks like. But those boys look like someone and it's not Donald.  I would guess that Jr. bears a striking resemblance to an Italian waiter who used to serve Ivana on those many nights she had to dine alone. Eric is probably the spawn of a not terribly bright Scandinavian ski instructor. If the boys have any suspicion that Donny is not their dad, they're keeping it to themselves. I doubt the waiter or ski instructor are likely to leave them any money. Not that they have to worry about money because once   Donald is dead (thank goodness) we can look forward to at least two sure bestseller tell-all books about Daddy Dearest.

ROLLING, ROLLING, ROLLING.

In 1954 when Donald Trump was 8 years old and, I'm guessing, a detestable child. The movie The Caine Mutiny came to movie theaters in Queens. Neither he nor his father probably saw it because they were so busy milking white tenants and making sure blacks stayed clear of their tenements. However anyone who did see it would have been unnerved by the scenes in which Captain Queeg, on the brink of madness, neurotically rolled steel ball bearings in his hand. Eventually, of course, Queeg was court-martialed and his insanity revealed. We should be so lucky with Trump. But bless his psychotic black heart, he has given us much more than ball bearings to prove how unstable he is, the latest being his Magic Marker attack on a national weather map. Why? Because his is totally incapable of admitting he was wrong in suggesting that Alabama was in the path of Hurricane Dorian. The question is who is madder? Trump, for being completely off his rocker and not being able to stop his endless lies? Or us for having  elected this maniac in the first place and not having him straitjacketed and forcibly removed from office?

RIDICULOUS WOMAN. RIDICULOUS DRESS.

It always amuses me that the Wal-Mart crowd at Trump rallies are so devoted to someone who couldn't care less about them. He is dedicated to making money, much of it coming from their income taxes. And while these avid fans struggle to pay their bills, Trump and his family continue to spit in their faces and laugh at their misplaced devotion. To add to the hilarity, this week Trump's spoiled bimbo of a daughter Ivanka on a visit to Colombia wore a $1,650 dress designed by Johanna Ortiz, whoever that is, and comically called "Follow the Drums". Anyway the dress, which looks like it was inspired by an artichoke had huge flaps which caught the wind and made a ridiculous (make that more ridiculous) spectacle of Ivanka. I am sure that if Trump's fans see this incident on the news, they  will not have the sense to ask why they allow this president to constantly rip them off so that he can spend their taxes on endless golf games and absurdly overpriced designer rags for his shallow parasitic daughter.

FAVORITE COMMERCIAL OF THE YEAR!

No question about it. The most amusing and informative commercial of the year is State Farm's "Cheryl's She Shed". It's wonderfully directed, brilliantly cast, and a pleasure to watch no matter how often it runs (unlike most commercials). While it looks simple, I would imagine getting the flames just right and having items in the shed fall so perfectly was really hard to stage. The copywriter must be very proud of him or herself for having created such sharp and succinct  dialog. But congrats to everyone. Rarely does a commercial become an instant classic. I feel sure this commercial will be praised years from now just like "Where's the beef" and "I can't believe I ate the whole thing."