FASCINATING WASTE OF TIME

You know who usually gets screwed when it comes to making movies? The visual effects people. You go to see a disaster film like San Andreas and you are absolutely stunned at how realistic the special effects are. Buildings toppling, bridges collapsing, a city deluged by tidal waves, cars flying through the air. It's unbelievable how believable it is. The only problem is that the film itself sucks. It's nothing but endless cliches and hackneyed dialog spoken by B actors.  No character development, no memorable scenes or credible conflict. For all their brilliant models, breathtaking shots, split-second timing, and jaw dropping computer imagery what do these computer artists get: Dwayne Johnson and a cast of unknowns in an instantly forgettable film. I'm sure the special effects costs a fortune. Why can't they spend a little more money on a good script and charismatic actors?

BEAUTY SANS BRAINS

Conservative bimbo Katie Pavlich was apparently outraged (or pretended to be)  that Hillary Clinton was not wearing a flag pin during her acceptance speech. To jingoistic morons like Katie little metal pins like large cotton swastikas are essential to show your allegiance to the reigning rulers. Katie, like so many other vapid right wing "journalists" built a lot of her success on being attractive and not on being trenchant and credible as this recent tweet proves. This is why you see so many "hot" yet clueless newspeople on networks like Fox News or "writing" for mediums like Townhall.com.

eh.

I will never understand the fascination with sports. Particularly the Olympics. I couldn't care less if Germans can run faster than Armenians, or if Russians can jump higher than Mexicans. Forgetting the fact that we all know the Olympics committee itself is one of the most corrupt organizations on earth, I can't see why everyone is so gung-ho on helping them hoodwink the world. They keep promoting these games as "bringing the world together". What bullshit. It is and always has been an "I'm better than you" contest, which I think is the opposite of harmony. During the rehearsals for this costly ego trip, Juma, a magnificent and innocent jaguar was shot to death during a torch relay event. That would have been enough for me to  shut down the whole event. Not to mention that thousands of desperately poor people were tossed out of their ramshackle homes; that this event, like most world affairs is only for the wealthy and privileged or those stupid enough to waste their savings on attending; and it just may result in at least a dozen babies being born with microcephaly because of the zika virus. Sports. Phooey!

THE GREAT WHITE GODDESS?

This has got to be the weirdest commercial of the year.  I won't say it's racist because I'm not sure. But I can't imagine why this very white, blonde, girl in a yellow dress is being so serenenaded by a chorus of African-American singers. Why do they care if she buys this car? Why are they so joyous at her purchase?  Why are they almost worshipful? Why is she floating and sprinkled with stardust? This is very freaky.

THE PATHETIC MOTIVE.

I wondered why so many people are Trump fans. I came up with one reason this morning. That is if you are an angry white person who has never achieved anything or amassed a lot of money, you don't have a lot to lose. You can wait to see what happens. Maybe Donald will make your life better. But if not maybe he'll make life worse for all those people of whom you're jealous. Maybe he'll spoil things for all those blacks who are doing better than you. Maybe he'll make life tough for all those immigrants who weren't born here and look happier than you. I think Trump in many cases is just revenge to everyone who has more than you, is smarter than you, has more friends than you. He's the punishing angel to all those people who really recognize you for what you are: a petty, jealous, ignorant, loser. And what else have you got to lose? Things can't be worse than they are. So why not Trump?

A FACE IN THE CROWD.

The poor Republicans. They're all upset because Bradley Cooper was seen at the DNC and, being stupid, they thought that anyone who starred in American Sniper had to be a Republican. They are heartbroken to learn that he isn't really isn't like U.S. Navy Seal Chris Kyle, one of the most lethal snipers in American history. And they're probably pissed at chair-talking Clint Eastwood for starring Bradley in the film. Why couldn't he have cast a real cold-blooded killer? The very idea that Cooper is involved in the Democratic Party will no doubt badly affect ticket sales to Cooper's movies among America's most angry white racists.

L'AMORE, L'AMORE.

Now that Donald Trump has been caught expressing the hope that Russia is able to hack into America's  e-mails, how are his "patriotic" fans feeling?  They are so eager to Make America Great again, one wonders if they think rooting for Russian spies isn't a bit traitorous. But since they don't object to his many marriages, vulgar speeches, baseless attacks, homophobia, xenophobia, misogyny, misanthropy,
profiteering, compulsive lying, narcissism, atheism, and cheating suppliers and employees, they probably won't be bothered by a touch of treason. What hypocrites. They despite Hillary Clinton for
imaginary crimes and offenses, but adore Trump of actual crimes and offenses.

HUFF FLOATS ANOTHER DOPEY HEADLINE.

The latest complaint on my love/hate relationship with HuffPost is their headline this morning about Michelle Obama's speech last night. Their dippy headline was Flotus like a butterfly. Sting like a bee. I don't think this headline expresses in any way Michelle's wonderful speech, as it was not light like a winged insect and it had no sting in it. So not only wasn't it appropriate, but it was slightly racist as Huff felt that had to reach back to another African American icon to draw a parallel. But worse than that, it wasn't clever.

IF ONLY...

As an atheist, I am a bit vexed that they opened the Democratic National Convention with The Battle Hymn of the Republic sung by a church choir. This was followed up by The Pledge of Allegiance with the magical thinking "under god" lyric. Sadly the separation of church and state is not in full effect and probably never will be. To people like me it seems as weird as if we had a witch doctor dance out and bless the lecterns. And there are sure to be lots more "God bless America" pronouncements. What I think is most unfortunate is that, like being gay years ago, atheists are not permitted to admit their beliefs. They are so unwelcome in fact, that Debbie Wasserman Schultz was going to "out" Bernie Sanders as an atheist in order to discredit him with evangelicals. I would feel that I was on a losing team if it weren't for The Freedom from Religion Foundation and their monthly newsletter Freethought Today, which I highly recommend to all to all non-superstitious persons.

Bernie Sanders is a good sport, a great patriot, an optimist, and a realist who fears that a Trump presidency is the worst thing that could happen to America. Too bad so many of his supporters have proven themselves to be such bad sports and sore losers they they vow not to vote for Hillary, thus  risking what Bernie Sanders fears the most. 

TRANSLATION: JUST SAY NO TO AMERICA'S FUTURE.

First of all I know that the media has been extremely unfair to Hillary Clinton while pandering to Donald Trump. The broadcast news especially repeats every nasty thing Trump says whether it's true or not, especially any vicious comments about Hillary. The result of this is that the general public, gullible as they are, have accepted a very negative opinion of Hillary. The reason I find this so annoying is because of two words. What I hear from so many people, including Democrats is, "I think", as in "I think she's a liar," or "I think she's crooked." Sorry. "I think" isn't good enough. Do some research. Find out what's true and what isn't. Until you can say, "I know for a fact," then you shouldn't be vilifying the only person that stands between America's future and its possible destruction. So when I hear one of the many loyal Sanders fans saying they will not vote for Hillary because, "I think she's crooked" I don't say and "I think you're an idiot" because with so much at stake, "I know" they're an idiot.

YOU DECIDE.

This photo and legend have been floating around the Internet. Some people say it's not true. Others insist it is. I don't care. I'm happy to place it here. Regardless of whether he said this or not, I am certain that Donald Trump is an atheist.(It's the only thing we have in common.) And since most Americans, for some weird reason, say they would not vote for an atheist, I am eager to promote him as such.

"AND NOW FOR TODAY'S CRASH REPORT."

The local news has regular features: news, weather, and, for some reason sports. But I feel there should be a new regular feature since it happens so often: private plane crashes. Every day it seems a private plane is landing on a highway or golf course or crashing into somebody's house. Usually the pilot and passenger escape with minor injuries, but often everybody dies. I happen to think that too many arrogant and wealthy doctors, lawyers and businessmen are given pilot's license when they are often not fit to drive a car. I don't mind them endangering their own lives, but I am sure their families are often unwilling passengers to daddy's or mommy's Lindbergh complex. Of course there's always some cockamamie story about the plane's malfunction, but I'm pretty sure the most frequent causes are alcohol and plain old incompetence.

IT'S AMAZING WHAT EIGHT PEASANTS CAN BUILD WITHOUT POWER TOOLS.

Too bad Noah isn't around today. He could tell Ken Ham and all his associates how he built the ark with just hand tools, while they had to spend $90 million and make use of the most modern construction equipment. But then there are so many questions that need to be answered. Didn't Noah's neighbors (all those wicked people about to be drowned) resent his grabbing up all the available gopher wood, which must have been scarce in that desert area? And how did he have the energy to sand them all down to be as smooth as Ken Hamm's lumber. Plus how did he and his family manage to find all those huge beams much less lift them and put them in place? And while they were working around the clock, were they ever bothered by any of the nearby dinosaurs, lions, tigers, bears, or any of those sinful neighbors? Of course there were other concerns, like waterproofing the ark, assigning rooms to the various animals, building aviaries, waste disposal, and having enough candle power to light the windowless darkness for 40 days and 40 nights (which would have seemed the same). And that doesn't even include the problem of rounding up all those animals. Do lions come willingly? And if you only take two do all the other lions suspect they're going to drown? STOP! This is ridiculous and so obviously impossible that it could never have happened. Thus the new Ark Encounter in Kentucky is a complete fantasy and, worse, a fraud. The good news is that this new "museum" just may result in creating more young atheists once they see how absurd and impossible bible stories are.

KEEP YOUR HANDS WHERE WE CAN SEE THEM.

Straight men never seem so gay as when they're discussing sports. This is why sportscasting is probably the fruitiest profession.  (Not that there's anything wrong with that.) But think about it. Sportscasters are announcers who spend their entire careers thinking about men. And not just any men, but the youngest, strongest, handsomest and hottest men around. In fact, you will notice that they get annoyed when they have to deal with women's sports. No, they are pro-men men. It's all they think about, all they talk about. Watch any sportscaster on any news program and see how excited he gets just reliving that last game, praising the player who made that thrilling pass or sank that fantastic winning ball. See how proud he is to be in the locker room with all those muscular superheroes changing out of their sweaty football uniforms uniforms or their satiny basketball shorts. He knows everyone's name, their background, their abilities, their failings, and—most important— their statistics. This is truly loving one's profession. And the thrill continues the day after every game, when he sits around with other equally passionate fans reliving every move, every play, all of them as giddy as any group of horny wives gossiping about that cute delivery boy. Now I wouldn't suggest for a moment that these sportscasters are anything but real men, because they constantly remind us that only real men are interested in sports.

NOT A GOD-FEARING MAN.

I don't have gaydar, something many people swear they are gifted with. I can't tell when a person is gay. During my lifetime I have met so many men who seem gay who weren't. They were what my friend Stuart called, "fairies of the heterosexual world." I mean, Dame  Edna is straight. Who knew? But what I feel I do have is the ability to recognize other atheists, of which there are many more than anyone suspects. So I find it hilarious that most Americans have stated that they wouldn't want an atheist for president, because I am convinced that Donald Trump is an atheist. This is a ruthless businessman who has been engaged in all the seven deadly sins especially pride, anger and lust. He's been a leader in the gambling industry, and the world of sex. (Don't kid yourself. Beauty pageants deal in sex.) So, obviously the thrice-married Trump is a man who has no fear of eternal hell or any kind of retribution. Ergo: atheist. Thus his pandering to Christians is all fake. Which is fine by me. I find it hilarious to see all these evangelicals crediting him with a piety that he doesn't even come close to. I doubt that he will win the presidency which he so covets, (there's another sin). What I'm curious about is how long it will take before he yells at Pence, "Will you put a fucking lid on all that religious crap?"

DADDY'S LITTLE CHURL.

The other night when Ivanka Trump in her two thousand dollar designer dress, professional makeup, and fresh-from-the-salon hairstyle started talking about a man she admires,  I couldn't help wondering who it was. An imaginary playmate possibly that she invented as a child. It certainly didn't sound anything like her father. Not when she suggested he was victorious over his competition, and not that he viciously insulted and demeaned each one of them. Not when she said that when facing a problem, "he dug deeper" without explaining that he deeper for more dirt, more degrading epithets,  more unproven scandals like Cruz's father's relation to Lee Harvey Oswald, and certainly more lies about Hillary that his moronic followers were eager to believe.  Ivanka did say, "He will make America great again" showing that she, as well as he, doesn't think of America is a great country. She, again like him, created a totally unbelievable story about constructing buildings with Legos and Erector Sets. Yeah, that's believable! She told of all the people he helped out after reading about them in the paper. Why not have even of them them at the convention rather than some deluded grieving mother who believes Hillary was responsible for the death of her son? Poor Ivanka. She doesn't even realize that her father is a shit, or that, despite her beauty and success, she is also a shit for trying to lead this country into a disastrous decision from which we may not recover. Of course, the lazy media called her speech "Impressive" and the angry, directionless mob on the floor saw her as the goddess spawn of their warrior deity.

KINDRED SPIRITS.

Why do I suspect that every time there is a act of terrorism in the world or the United States, Donald Trump is gleeful? This is not a man who fears chaos, rebellion and suffering; he welcomes it. I don't think the human toll is nearly as important to him as any kind of evidence that he was correct in a dire prediction. Of course dire predictions are easy as there will always be problems in the world. Optimism is a whole lot harder, and there is probably more evidence of it every day than disaster. It's just that the lazy, incompetent media doesn't report it. In the same way that they under-report Hillary Clinton's positive speeches, while they over-report every nasty word out of Trump's mouth, whether it's true or not. Look at the amount of time they gave to the savage conventioneers, irrationally asking for Clinton to be jailed. Hillary doesn't get nearly as much coverage, nor do the networks cluck, cluck at the insanity of such demands. Sadly the liberal media panders to Donald Trump as much as the conservative media. I don't why. I'm guessing it's because they're afraid of him. Which would explain George Stephanopolous and David Muir caving into Trump two nights ago when he spun his absurd tale of a speech-writing staffer.

"WHO TOLD YOU THAT?"

I am hoping that in the future, perhaps ten years from now, all the partcipants of the 2016 Republican Convention will be looked up as peculiar. Not harmless peculiar like the radio listeners of October 30, 1938, who actually believed the Martians had landed and went into panic mode. No they were harmless. But scary peculiar since they were hell-bent to elect as president a narcissistic, homophobic, xenonphobic, racist loudmouth, and they believed he would make the country greater. This despite the fact that he had no foreign policy experience, no knowledge about any cabinet department, no understanding of the people outside of New York City. He had also been bankrupt several times, and despite being the scion of a wealthy family, he pretended to be a self-made man. Yet these hordes of peculiar people cheered him, praised him, imitated him, and promoted him as the savior of the U.S. which didn't need any saving. Yes, ten years from now someone will ask the question, "Weren't you one of the delegates who was so gung-ho for Trump." And nobody will admit they were that blind and that stupid.

THE TRUMPS TAKE THEIR LUMPS.

I still think Cruz is a slime ball. And last night's speech, I am sure, was delivered as much out of sheer revenge as his desire for Americans to make the right decision. But who cares? If he can point out Trump's instability and cause a photo like this, then bravo.

DAVID AND GEORGE KISS DONALD'S ASS.

We all know that Melania Trump delivered a speech that was plagiarized from one delivered by Michelle Obama in 2008. It has been in the news for days now. But today Donald Trump found a scapegoat. He says a staffer admitted that she had written the speech using some lines from Melania without vetting the sources. Tonight on ABC News, Donald was spinning this story to David Muir and George Stephanopolous. They listened politely, and their faces reflected that they bought the whole story. But should they have? After all, these two highly paid newsmen, these two supposed top professionals are charged with getting the truth. But they both stood by impotently unwilling to question Donald Trump further when they both should have known that the question that still remained
despite this supposed ghost author was one that were duty-bound to ask and did not, "Why did Melania say that she wrote it?" Were they afraid of calling Trump's wife a liar?

"PRETTY' RIDICULOUS.

You can't argue with success. If you do, you won't have a leg to stand on. Yesterday Garry Marshall, A great writer, director ,and comic actor, died. Although he achieved many successes, today's writers who seem to know very little have latched onto only one film, Pretty Woman. This comedy starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere was a huge success, and most people I know like it, or love it. They actually discuss it as if it had social meaning. This surprises me as I thought it was a really stupid, simplistic film, I watched it stupefied. I couldn't believe a word of it. It was like a Harlequin romance about a hooker. Yes, Julia's prostitute was radiantly beautiful, too much so, like a royal princess pretending to be a sex worker. Richard Gere, as a supposedly sane successful man, was far too enamored by this avaricious, attractive, obviously promiscuous and possibly infected, young woman. The setting of Beverly Hills was absurd. Nothing was believable. Nobody was really likeable. Nothing was actually possible. I think it's a shame that the highly talented Garry Marshall is being especially lauded for this tripe. But, then again, you can't argue with success.

NOT SINCE LUCRETIA BORGIA?

I have been watching the Republican National Convention, and it is eye-opening. Apparently Hillary is the most evil woman in the world and should be in prison or worse. This seems to be the consensus of all the great brains of the GOP, including that renowned American actor Scott Baio.The attacks are as endless as they are factless. While everyone swears they hate Hillary, consider her the greatest of liars, and are appalled by her law-breaking, nobody seems to have any solid evidence that any of this took place other than in their own delusional minds. Now perhaps you think I am unfair to call them delusional. But think about it. They are in Cleveland, Ohio, to promote for President of the United States, the greatest country in the world, a racist, homophobic, xenophobic, oft-married, oft-bankrupted, oft-sued TV reality-show host and his Ken and Barby family. And, since they have nothing to say in his favor to help him win this office, they have decided instead to make up any lie necessary to make sure Hillary Clinton loses it.  Will they succeed? Like I say: delusional.

THE DEATH OF A NICE GUY.

Sadly Garry Marshall died yesterday at 81. While most people seem to remember him from a film I detest, Pretty Woman, and a comedy I also never liked, The Princess Diaries, he is perhaps most notable for such long-lived television series as Happy Days, The Odd Couple, and Laverne and Shirley, starring his sister Penny, and many more. Marshall was a successful director and a brilliant writer, but I most appreciated the many talents of Garry Marshall as a comedian. He was hilarious as a station manager on Murphy Brown and brilliant as a casino manager in the film Lost in America. Pity he didn't do more acting. I can't comment on Marshall's films as I don't think I ever saw any but the two I mentioned. But I still think his death a loss, as he was a pioneer in television and always seemed like someone you'd like to know better, a lot better.

GRUMPY OLD MEN

When the lazy media told me over several networks that Rudolph Giuliani made an excellent and impassioned speech, I was curious. But when I turned to YouTube what I saw was the same loud-mouthed, screeching, orange-tanned, pussy-whipped toad spreading hate and dissension in praise of Donald Trump. Naturally he expressed hatred for Hillary Clinton and President Obama. And, naturally, he could never give a speech without bragging about his time in New York during 9-11. Like so many, he adores the racist, homophobic and xenophobic Trump. Judith's pet dog Rudy barked loudly as to how Trump will do for America what he, Rudy, did for New York. That has many interpretations, some scary. But the out-for-blood audience, needless to say, reacted with wild applause for his threats to Muslim extremists. And while they clapped wildly during his praise for cops, they were less enthusiastic when he expressed any degree of respect for blacks and gays. One only has to look at Rudy's twisted angry little face and the snarling expressions of most of the attendees at this convention to see they are full of programmed hatred and eager to elect a shallow entertainer who will ruin their lives along with the rest of ours. Giuliani most winning phrase was the Republican war cry, "We're coming to get you." Of course, neither he, nor Donald, nor anyone in the GOP has a clue how they're going to achieve this. But as long as it has people cheering, they don't really care.

A BONE CALLED BENGHAZI.

The Republicans have the Benghazi bone firmly in their teeth and they will not let it go. Despite the fact that it has already cost our government millions of dollars in futile investigations and they have been unable to vilify Hillary Clinton. Now they have brought the mothers of those who died in Benghazi to speak during the Republican convention and vent their vitriol on Hillary, though none of it was her fault. I can't blame these naive Republican mothers who have been brainwashed to think of Hillary as Cruella de Ville. I do find it shameful that these misogynist Republicans, who have no other ammunition with which to fight, use the tepid e-mail accusations and the total inept Benghazi nonsense to constantly assault our next president.  They constantly use the totlally inaccurate words, criminal and murderer and traitor, though they have never strongly come out against George W. Bush and Dick Cheney who are all of those things. I wonder why the thousands of mothers and fathers who have lost sons and daughters in Bush's fake war never speak out.

DEJA VU

Last night at the Republican Convention, Donald Trump was proud to present his wife Melania. I'm sure his hope was that everyone would be impressed with her beauty and see that she has brains as well.  But alas, she proved herself just a vapid trophy wife when she delivered a speech, much of which was plagiarized.  And to add to being caught stealing, the theft was from—of all people—Michelle Obama. I wonder how original the rest of the Trump clan will be.

Michelle in 2008: "You work hard for what you want in life; that your word is your bond and you do what you say you're going to do; that you treat people with dignity and respect."

Melania last night:"..you work hard for what you want in life; that your word is your bond and you do what you say and keep your promise; that you treat people with respect."

Poor Melania. If she said nothing she could have blamed it on a plagiarizing speech writer, which is what her husband would do. But, alas, she told Matt Lauer the morning of her speech that, "I wrote it myself."

A CONFEDERACY OF DUNCES.

Tonight at around 6:15 pm on MSNBC, at the Republican Convention, a moron with a sign that read SOCIALISM SUCKS kept jumping up behind the broadcasters in a mad bid for attention. Suprisingly nobody stopped him from doing so, so there he was with big blue lettered sign and idiotic grin. What I would have loved to have seen was for Chris Hayes to invite him up up to the microphone and ask him to define "socialism". My guess is, like most Republicans, he hasn't a clue what socialism really is. The media never fully expose the morons in our society, especially the loud, angry, vitriolic jerks who are infesting Cleveland.

A PLEA FOR PRAISE OR CRITICISM.

With a few exceptions, I don't know who reads my blog. I do know that there are only two regulars who ever bother to comment. Which is kind of a pity because I welcome your comments. I must write a lot of stuff that offends or pleases you. I would like to know which. And a lively argument is always welcome. One friend says it's very complicated to respond, but I think all you have to do is click
"No comments" (which is kind of dumb) to comment. For instance, you could write, "Who are you kidding? That photo of you was taken thirty years ago." And I would probably respond, "You're right, but it was taken by a close friend and I intend to keep using it." So come on, comment.

OOPS, I FORGOT TO MENTION THIS IN THE FOLLOWING POST.

OH, BILL, YOU ARE SO RIGHT.

Bill Maher says Americans are stupid, and sadly he's right. Think about it. Right now the two two top films at the box office are the Secret Life of Pets and Ghostbusters and they will be followed by still more cartoons, vulgar comedies and science fiction epics. And we will only know they are the top grossers because years ago reviewers stopped talking about quality and only reported box office. One of the most popular TV shows is Game of Thrones, a gloomy absurd fantasy filled with the kind of violence that should repulse us but wins Emmys instead. On the other end of the spectrum are "reality shows" like The Bachelorette with her overly coiffed and comically styled suitors. How dumb is it when the country's major celebrities are Kim Kardashian of the massive derriere and her insipid siblings, a tribe not noted for being good at anything other than narcissism.  And it took a lot of stupid Americans to catapult racist Donald Trump to the top of the ticket and possibly even make him president. While civilized countries are eschewing religion and embracing science more and more, Americans are still predominantly magical thinkers including Talibanish evangelicals who want to make America a theocracy. We're the most violent country in the world and can't even manage to get gun laws passed despite the fact that we feel an increasing sense of personal danger from all the assault rifles and guns available to every madman who feels like going on a killing spree. Many of our lawmakers are overpaid morons who would rather be right than improve our society. Several of our states are suffering constant minor earthquakes because nobody is stopping greedy oil companies (often foreign) from fracking. Despite the fact that the terrorists on 9-11 were Saudi Arabians, we are still palsy walsy with this highly repressive country who, like us, denies women the right to make their own decisions.  More than half of our lawmakers don't believe in global warming despite all the evidence and the assurance of scientific experts world-wide. We have allowed ourselves to become victims of a broadcast media that assaults us with endless unnecessary commercials to watch once-free programming which we were stupid enough to agree to pay for. We fall for the endless parade of new drugs, quickly asking our doctors to prescribe the latest costly drug which we actually don't need. We have not demanded free medical care like so much of the world and happily agree to let insurance companies make obscene profits.  We have destroyed the country of Iraq, murdered thousands of innocent civilians, and not demanded retribution from the responsible war criminals whom we continue to fete and admire. We live in fear of ISIS, never accepting that our own government planted the seeds in Iraq to allow this evil weed to thrive. Those are just some of the arguments to show how stupid Americans are. I'm sure anyone reading this can come up with more reasons. See, I don't call myself cranky for nothing.

A MAD MAN IN THE FRIENDLY SKIES

If you don't think that  many Republicans are among the most dangerous and unhinged people in America, check this out. West Virginian lawmaker Michael Folk, tweeted on Friday that Hillary Clinton," ...should be tried for treason, murder, and crimes against the US Constitution...then hung on the Mall in Washington, DC." These are the ravings of a madman (an ill-educated one since he didn't know the correct word is 'hanged'). Why is this misogynist nutjob a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates and, even scarier, why is someone so angry and lacking in control a commercial pilot for United Airlines?

Update: Wisely, United Airlines has suspended this idiot from flying. Let us hope it is not just a temporary show of concern until the uproar is over. Someone this irrational should not be in charge of other people's lives.

AMERICA'S MOST HELLISH COMPANY

I don't know whether every Comcast user is as unfortunate as I am, but it becomes increasingly annoying. Most recently one is forced to look at their annoying Xfinity page before they will deign to let you access your e-mail. This page is mostly pop news celebrity crap. It's a bit like having to watch Entertainment Tonight before you can see Jeopardy. Even if you wanted to read their cotton-candy light stories, you are first forced to watch a commercial. I dream of the day when Comcast goes the way of Enron and a competent cable provider steps in. Not likely, of course.

OOPSY!

Anyone who is anti-Trump should be very happy this week, Choosing Mike Pence as his running mate is not a mere stumble, it's falling down a flight of stairs. What could Trump possibly be thinking? The last VP choice from Indiana was Dan Quayle, and you know what a brilliant decision that was. Pence is even more of a mistake. He is an evangelical prude who doesn't believe in global warming, insists that cigarette smoking doesn't kill, and is rabidly anti-gay and fervently pro-life. I personally am very uncomfortable with anyone who thinks a magic man in the sky is the go-to guy in a national crisis. Fortunately Pence's piety is offset by Trump's atheism (he only pretends to be religious). Not that Trump has a chance of winning the election, especially now that he has chosen this skateboard on the landing.

MAYBE DENSE PENCE MAKES SENSE.

Choosing Mike Pence as his VP seems really dumb. I mean the guy has no charisma, very few brain cells, the look of a Nazi, and a history of stupid remarks, like smoking doesn't kill. What was Donald thinking? On the other hand Donald may not really want the office of president. He just likes the idea of having beaten off all the competition and the endless attention leading up to the election. But four years of having to serve his country? No thanks. Still, how can he stop the momentum? What if the worst happened and he was elected? But being an expert in knowing how to make things fail, he had the solution. Pence. Put Mike in the mix and that is sure to weaken the enthusiasm of his followers. He loses and he has the perfect scapegoat. "If I hadn't chosen Mike, America would have the greatest president in its history, me."

WOW. 225 WPM!

I'm a pretty good typist. I used to be better. Actually I was damn fast on the IBM Selectric, the greatest typewriter ever. What I'm not good at and don't even try is texting. But this is about typing. Every time I type a blog, I made about six or seven typos which I have to go back and fix. Which is why I find it so hilarious that every major character, usually a male, in every movie who has to use a computer keyboard never, ever makes a typing mistake. No, they speedily click away, like the most efficient secretary. Not only is it absolutely ridiculous, but I don't know why the other soldiers, space cadets, or bank-robbing criminals in the film  don't say, "Gee, where'd ya learn to type like that?"

SOMETHING I COULD NEVER STICK WITH.

I've tried for at least 65 years. But it was always a failure. I didn't give up. How could I? There weren't that many choices back then. And, besides, everyone told me I was wrong. So I kept trying, year after year. And, I reasoned, how could I, alone, be correct when the entire country, maybe the world, said otherwise. But there it was: the proof that I did not imagine it. Failure after failure. Everything I worked with coming apart. Today, once again, I made an attempt. I must be wrong, I reasoned. How could something so successful be a complete sham? No. It wasn't possible. So I tried. I gave it my best. And, once again, failure. I don't care what the world says, I say this: Elmer's Glue-All sticks nothing to nothing!

PRESIDENT GORE DAY, MARCH 31

I would like to propose that from this year on, March 31st is President Gore Day. While not an official bank holiday, each year his birthday would be a time to  honor a great man who has proven himself a Paul Revere in alerting us to the dangers of global warming. It would also be a day to recognize how his earned presidency was stolen from him by George W. Bush, his brother Jeb, their various political cronies, and the U.S. Supreme Court. Sadly it would also be a day of reflection, knowing that if we as a nation hadn't allowed ourselves to be conned, thousands of our fellow citizens would be alive, and the world would more than likely be a much safer place. Celebrating President Gore Day is an opportunity for fair-minded Americans to remind the cowardly war criminal George W. Bush that we know who actually won the election.

TWEEDLEDEE AND TWEEDLEDUMB.

Well, it seems to be official. Racist, homophobic, xenophobic Donald Trump has chosen as his vice president racist, homophobic, xenophobic Mike Pence. They are so much alike, except Pence is an evangelical and a full foot shorter and while Donny's hair is uncontrollable in a high wind, Mikey's short do clings firmly and obediently to his head like a Nazi helmet. Also Mike is 13 years younger than Donald, though he doesn't look it. (If he did, he might not have been chosen.) It's an agreeable match. Although Trump is sure to roll his eyes every time Pence talks about Jesus. And Pence is sure to frown sanctimoniously every time Trump talks tits. But what fun they'll have fantasizing the landslide vote they will get in November, what they will wear to the Inaugural ball, Hillary's heartbreak, the many ways they will try to crush gays, and, of course, the Trumpencian Wall that they will build and Mexico will pay for.  How sad that all their dreams must end on the night of Tuesday, November 8, when America elects its first woman president. Trump will, naturally, blame Pence, accusing him of bearing the Sarah Palin curse. And Pence, will blame God, who promised to make him a winner.

More Pence Facts: This guy is so uneducated that he, like Trump, believes that global warming is a myth. Imagine how helpful they would be in the increasing need to protect our planet. Even stranger he insists that smoking doesn't kill people despite hundreds of surveys and millions of deaths. And when asked if he believed in evolution, he said he did. Then followed it up with some evangelical gobbledygook that suggests he doesn't even know what evolution is. Oh, yeah, this guy is a real winner.

RESTAURANT OR DISCOTHEQUE

Last night I went to the California Pizza Kitchen in Coral Gables. The food was excellent, the setting very appealing, the booths large and comfortable, the service prompt and attentive. But I will never go there again. Why? Because the music was loud, lowbrow and strident, as it is in most places these days. Since it was early and they had few customers, I asked them to turn it down. They said that was not possible. We ordered, ate quickly and couldn't wait to get out of there. Recent studies have shown that more people dislike piped in music than don't, many others don't care, but few complain and that's why we have to live with it. I can't imagine why anyone wants to compete with screaming singers while trying to have a conversation, but someone must. If you're not that someone, please speak up. I'm getting tired of seeming to be the only person in America who hates loud, piped in, pop music.

WHAT? YOU DON'T REMEMBER THE RUN-THROUGH?

One of the most hilarious stupidities of our time are these reality TV talent competitions. How many times are we going to see the judges become rapturous as they see a singer perform who absolutely "blows them away" while the audience is so appreciative of this incredible talent that they can't stop their loud applause long enough to even hear the person sing. Everyone knows the degree of talent ahead of time. There are no surprises. There is only cornball faked amazement and, sadly, hyped up studio audiences, and millions of home viewers gullible enough to believe that it is all real. Reality shows like The Survivor, The Bachelorette, and America's Got Talent have ushered in a whole new era of naive idiocy.

KILLER AT LARGE.

What is wrong with this country?! Tomorrow, July 12,  George W. Bush, who should be in prison, has been invited to speak in memory of the police offers killed in Dallas.  This is insanity. George W. Bush is a war criminal. His actions have resulted in far more deaths than the five officers in Dallas. Because of him thousands of innocent men, women, and children are dead. Because of him thousands of service men and women are dead. Yet he remains free, untroubled, unapologetic, and feted by Republicans everywhere who seems to have no awareness of the destruction he has brought to this country and to the world in general. His idiocy and narcissism gave birth to al qaeda and Isis creating more deaths every day of which he must take some blame.  So tomorrow, some city leaders in their wisdom have
invited a mass murderer to speak out against the acts of another mass murderer. Brilliant.

UPDATE: If you saw the news coverage of all the Dallas participants singing "The Battle Hymn of the Republic", you will note they all sang with respectful solemnity. Except for one person: George W. Bush who appeared to be drunk and was joyously swinging his arms and grinning. The man is a fool and a national embarrassment as well as a war criminal and mass murderer.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE FAITH IN THE MAN UPSTAIRS.

As consumers, we're often in the dark. There are some treatments and procedures and products we know nothing about. We have to accept certain things on faith or depend on the advice of friends or neighbors who supposedly know more. Today, for instance, Orkin is termite-proofing my house. It is not being tented, but rather "treated". This treatment, I was told, involves injecting the wooden door frames with some kind of chemical that will kill termites. More important to me, I was told it is not harmful to pets. Since I have three cats, I have to trust that that's true. But I have already lost some faith in Orkin. They assured me this was an injection process, but the technician is spraying a poisonous mist in the attic. That's kind of spooky. When I called Orkin for reassurance, they're too busy to answer their calls and suggest you call later, or have them call you back. I have never received a promised callback.
Several friends have told me the whole process is a scam since the termites return within months. Who knows? Like I say there are things we have to accept on faith.  I don't like having to accept anything on faith.

POOR JANE WENT OUT IN THE RAIN.

One of the most annoying cliches in movies is when the hero or heroine goes out in a rainstorm or other foul weather situation and soon has a cold. You don't catch a cold from being in the cold, or in the rain, or in the snow. You catch a cold from getting the cold virus. No virus. No cold, just shivers that are cured by a warm setting and a cup of tea. This is a really annoying movie cliche, but my most hated i still the empty suitcase. In almost every film in which a character is carrying a suitcase the suitcase will appear to be lightweight...because it's empty. Even the best directors are guilty of this.

SCORE ONE FOR THE BULL.

I was very pleased when a contestant on Jeopardy lost after he bragged about being one of those idiots who runs with the bulls in Pamplona. But I was even more pleased to read this morning that 29-year-old Victor Barrio, a professional bullfighter, was killed when a bull's horn pierced his chest in front of the usual cold-hearted, blood-thirsty spectators. This happy incident took place in Teruel in the eastern region of Aragon on July 9.  Now some may think it's shameful for me to take pleasure in the death of so young a man. I don't care. I consider bullfighting a savage sport and bullfighters not much more than serial killers.

DON'T EXPECT GOOD NEWS.

One of the main headlines on the Huffington Post today, in referring to the black-white tensions across the nation was "Tension Makes Clear The Risk of a Trump Presidency". I see no justification for that scare headline, and I would like to know who the idiots are who dream up such dire predictions. If the country is suffering from a temporary anger and instability, why would that suggest that its citizens are about to elect a racist madman who's sure to make the situation worse?  More and more it seems to me that it is the broadcast media that are creating America's problems by promoting Donald Trump; slanting stories to create more fear and animosity after a racial incident; focusing on the most negative stories of crime and criminality to keep Americans in a state of anxiety; constantly and unfairly attacking Hillary Clinton; rehashing past incidents, such as Bill Clinton's long-ago infidelity; deluging us with endless meaningless polls;  boring us with pompous pundits whose opinions are generally meaningless; underrating the many achievements if President Barack Obama; providing us with incomplete and sketchy information in order to make room for more commercials; and hiring irresponsible assholes who glibly write unfounded and moronic headlines like, "Tension Makes Clear The Risk of a Trump Presidency."

YOU KNOW, LIKE COOKIE RECIPES.

I couldn't care less about Hillary's supposed misuse of e-mail. Why? Because, first of all, I think the government is so paranoid and people in power so inflated with their importance that they think everything should be classified. I would bet that most of the e-mails that they considered Top Secret and vulnerable were absolutely harmless if not boring. Secondly, I don't think anything is classified any more. With today's technology hackers can pretty much see or read anything they want to. With all that in mind, this e-mail "scandal" is a mountain out of a mole hill, and the only ammunition the impotent Republicans have in their pathetic arsenal. The real scandal, from what I can see, is that the lazy media buys into all this harmless crap, fake outrage, and meaningless menace, instead of giving us what they really need and rarely receive:  news we can use.

MALICE IN BLUNDERLAND.

Republicans are either not patriots or not intelligent. If they were intelligent they would appreciate that that Donald Trump is a moronic, naive, racist, xenophobic loose screw businessman who has stiffed many of his suppliers and filed for bankruptcy several times.  They would also appreciate that, despite this e-mail tumult, Hillary Clinton is a highly intelligent, Yale law school graduate, effective first lady, twice elected Senator of New York, Secretary of State and author of five books. Ergo: Trump would be a disaster for America, while Clinton is eminently qualified to lead this country. Despite that, Republicans are constantly trying to undermine and criminalize Hillary Clinton. They are obsessed, vindictive, incredibly biased and seemingly blind to what they are doing. Is their goal to undermine Clinton so that she will not be elected president and that Trump will?  If so, they are on a path to do irreparable damage to America and that is why they are not patriots. Even if all these accusations against Hillary were true, which they are not, they would not be serious enough crimes to abandon Hillary and hand over the United State of America to a bleached blond charlatan with a history of failed marriages, failed businesses and excessive narcissism. What can the GOP be thinking? In their passion to win an election are they willing to lose our standing in the world? Yes, because while they may have the intelligence to know what they are doing, they are doing it anyway, proving that they are not patriots.

What is it with these supposed liberals who are so eager to leap on the bandwagon to pillory Hillary? Why are they constantly rehashing this e-mail nonsense and attempting to find Clinton guiltier than even the FBI found her. Don't they realize that Hillary Clinton is our one and only hope for the future and has earned far more respect than they seem to be willing to give? 

WHOSE SIDE IS HE ON?

What's going on at the supposedly liberal MSNBC? Tonight Steve Kornacki, filling in for Rachel Maddow seemed positively driven to vilify Hillary Clinton. He was as rabid as any Republican about
trying to accuse her of deception and e-mail abuse, even though the FBI has said they would not prosecute. The broadcast media in general seems to give Trump more coverage than Clinton and ignore his grossest errors, while rushing to report any nasty comment about Hillary or the slightest rumor of impropriety. Why? Sometimes it seems like some of these networks want him to win. I would expect this from Fox News and some other news channels, but when an anchor on MSNBC comes out, guns blazing, to attack Hillary Clinton and, like a dog with a bone, won't stop clenching his teeth and growling, something is amiss. Is there a Fifth Column at MSNBC?

JULY 6, 2016

Today is George W's birthday.
I hope he has a blast.
But what I hope more than anything.
Is that this birthday is his last.

TRUMP'S POSSIBLE FEMALE (SORTA) VP.

Oh, my god. I was shocked when Trump considered Mike Pence as VP, he of the Nazi-haircut and look of a dungeon master. But now he's talking to Joni Ernst, the gun-toting, pig-castrating, Obamacare-hating, pro-life, leather jacket-wearing Iowa senator who is far more frightening than Pence.  She is also, like Mike, a homophobe though her spouse's name is Gail (hmm). Of all Trump's bizarre candidates (Pence, Christie, Gingrich) I think Ernst, butch bitch that she is, would be the most harmful to his chances of all the hideous possibilities. And since she would certainly be his Sarah Palinesque ruin, I hope he chooses her. As you can see from this photo, she would bring to Trump's ticket the hard-boiled masculine image he needs to overcome the epithet that Bill Maher has so wisely endowed him with:"Whiny Bitch".

NOTHING TO CELEBRATE.

I hate fireworks. Not that I can't appreciate their beauty and spectacle and the sense of celebration that they provide for events like July 4th and New Year's Eve. But the fact that they frighten animals and even cause the death of many birds makes them detestable to me. Tonight is July 4th, 2016, at 10:15 and I am delighted to know that there is a torrential rainstorm outside. That means, of course, that thousands of revelers at various fireworks venues are terribly disappointed. Sorry, but I couldn't be more pleased. There were already enough loud booms around Miami tonight to send  thousands of panicked dogs and cats fleeing to find a place where they felt safe from these explosions. But, happily, now it is quiet except for the welcome rain. Of course tomorrow the news will have its usual reports about celebrants who lost a finger or other body part or are scarred for life from the effects of an ill-timed explosive. Or worse a death because so many idiots shoot bullets into the air never considering where they will land. All tragedies, but none bother me nearly as much as hearing that somebody's dog is missing because it ran away in fear.