SCAM

 I'm getting ripped off right and left by corporate America and I'm beginning to suspect it's not by accident. First of all, let me say I am one of those persons who pays his bills the day they arrive. That being so I was surprised to get a late fee of $29.00 from TD Bank. I assumed it was a Post Office failing. But when I tried calling their customer service I could get nowhere and decided to live with the false charge. Soon after I got a $30 late fee from Citi Cards, though my checking list showed I paid the bill on time. Dealing with their Customer Service was even more difficult, so I wrote to them. No response. More than a month ago I cancelled my T-Mobile phone and changed service to Consumer Cellular. But T-Mobile is still billing me for a phone I don't have and I can't get through to their Customer Service. At the same time Consumer Cellular isn't giving me the free service for two months they promised on their latest ad though I bought a new phone as they requested. What have I learned? That these seemingly mistaken charges are deliberate.That all the companies have designed circuitous impassable recorded message Customer Service numbers who refuse to connect you to a living human being until you've jumped through endless hoops and raised your blood pressure to dangerous levels. That corporations make a ton of money on deliberately illegitimate charges that helpless customers can't get reversed. And that the incompetence of the United States Post Office is the ideal scapegoat for corporate ripoffs. And that I suspect that I will keep getting these fake charges as will probably millions of other ripped off consumers.

ZZZZZZZZZZZ

 That's the perfect headline for any Trump speech, particularly today's snore fest at MaraLago.  One wonders if Trump believes any of the lies he tells. For instance how he can say Harris is dumb? She has been so successful in every endeavor and is admired for her intellect. I guess it's just another projection when he realizes how ill-educated he is, how many mistakes he makes; and how many failed companies, law suits, marriages, and political appointments he has left in his wake. Does he even get embarrassed when, after his speeches, the fact checking begins and shows that most of his blustering was lies? Even his promise to do three debates is highly debatable. Let's face it, Trump is a sad old battleship, no longer up to combat, rusting in his berth, honoring too many different flags, and subject to uncontrollable leaking.

BACKFIRE

This is the latest childish ploy from the weird Republicans. By giving Tim Walz the nickname Tampon Tim they feel they have weakened his growing popularity. But what they have done instead  is reinforce their own reputation as misogynists. Obviously they think that tampons are something shameful and disreputable rather than a necessary aid to female well-being. Having no regard and understanding of women, Republicans feel that it was distasteful for Walz to legislate providing tampons to all menstruating students of Minnesota schools since many could not afford the cost and necessity  of this product. So while they in their juvenile ignorance are giggling about their nickname, they have made another misfire in their clumsy campaign. Even the photo of Tim seems to be smiling at their ignorance.

TIM

Last night's rally in Philadelphia couldn't have gone better. Josh Shapiro was powerful  and supportive of the Harris ticket, and made it clear to the audience of 12,000 he loved being their governor. Kamala was letter perfect and amazingly comfortable with such a huge crowd. Best of all, Tim Walz's introduction to America at large was a complete home run. The Philly audience loved him as I am sure the millions of TV viewers did as well. He, like Kamala and Josh was completely at ease making their optimism for the election seem assured. And three cheers for the attentive and cheerful audience so different from Trump's goon squads with their dopey hats, crude tee-shirts and generally sour expressions.

WEIRD

I see that J.D. Vance has delivered his first whine since learning about the Harris pick for VP. Naturally it was all vitriolic and full of lies and even included a scolding to reporters, telling them they must be tougher on Harris to help him out. Was there any positive comment about the Trump agenda? Of course not. Was there any suggestion of how he and Trump would make life better?  Nah. Trump and Vance, each weird in his own way, do have the same political philosophy: bitch, complain, whine, insult, carp, evade, deny, accuse, criticize, denounce, gripe, grumble, grouse, moan, object, oppose, in fact do anything but suggest a solution for anything.

 Why is Trump. so obsessed with the size of the crowds that attend his rallies? Maybe because there's nothing else in his life of a size he can brag about.  

PRESCIENT

In the 1957 film A Face in the Crowd, Andy Griffith (in a brilliant performance) plays folk singer Lonesome Rhodes. While his character starts out as a drunk, success and fame turn him into a cold and arrogant cult figure. Like Trump he has millions of admirers who see him as a caring redeemer. (The picture below is from the film not a Trump rally). Lonesome's rise in power includes mass media coverage, the adoration of rubes, and even a flirtation with the presidency. His downfall comes when, unaware of an open mike,  he displays how ruthless he is and how little he values his fans. Sadly Trump's fans don't seem to notice or mind his constant lies, total lack of character, or the fact that he only likes their money. His contempt for them and America itself is always on total display. Yet they still turn out with gullible adoration. ( I don't understand this, Andy Griffin was attractive and could act and sing, and Trump is repulsive and can't do anything but lie.)