PLEASE NOT CLINTON VS. TRUMP 2024

Just when I thought things couldn’t get much worse in this country, I see news flashes that the Democrats and Republicans have gone bonkers. They’re talking about a Clinton/Trump rematch for the next presidential election. Someone tell me this isn’t true. Please not Clinton vs. Trump 2024.

Since I’m older than both of them, I guess I can say this without it sounding like ageism. Why in the world would both parties run a couple of broken down, scandal ridden has-beens? Everything from White Water, to the fake Russian dossier, the Benghazi debacle and good buddy Epstein hang over Hillary’s head. From there, we go to Stormy Daniels, Trump University, the Covid debacle, and current investigations for fraud by the New York attorney General–all a dark cloud following Trump. And those are just a few of the problems each of them have faced. Enough already.

Someone once said that the best training for a future president of the United states is having served as a state governor. I’m not so sure of that. Reagan from California was a success, and former Texas governor Bush did get re elected. But look at poor Jimmy Carter, former governor of Georgia. He didn’t fare so well.

Nevertheless, I took the time to review the governors of every state in the union. The majority are Republicans. A lot of them are in their sixties and seventies. None of them strike me as red hot presidential material.

Naturally, I favor our own Indiana governor Holcomb, who is 53. He’s extremely well liked in Indiana, but I don’t think he’d stand a chance on the national stage. For one thing, he comes across as too honest and sincere. The media would see him as a dud. Others have mentioned fellow Hoosier and former mayor, Pete Buttigieg as a Democratic possibility. Maybe, but I’m not sure that a gay man could be elected president by the majority of the population.

That takes us down to the Senate and House of Congress. There must be dozens of young, charismatic office holders scattered throughout the country. Surely, the Democrats and Republicans can pick a winner out of that pool. Somebody. Anybody. But please not Clinton vs. Trump 2024.

June 16, 2021June 16, 2021

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO CHARISMA?

Decades ago, charisma was a popular word. The first time I ever saw a charismatic politician was when I lived in Chicago. President Dwight Eisenhower came to town in 1960, and over one million people stood in the streets to cheer him on. I happened to be in the front row when he drove by, sitting atop a convertible seat. Just for a moment, our eyes met. A shiver ran through my entire body. He was old and white haired. But with his brilliant blue eyes, robust coloring and warm smile, the man radiated charisma.

What is charisma? The dictionary describes it as a compelling attractiveness or charm that can inspire devotion in others.

A lot of presidents haven’t had it. Nixon, Carter, Johnson and Bush were good speakers, but they didn’t have that spark. John Kennedy had it. He was young, handsome, and inspiring when he said: “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”

Ronald Reagan had it. When his enemies attacked him, he didn’t get mad. Just smiled and said, “there you go again.” I don’t remember him ever calling his opponents bad names. He was just the gipper. Smiling, confident, unflappable.

Barack Obama had it. All you had to do was read his book, “Dreams From My Father” to know he was sensitive, empathetic, inspiring, and yes, charismatic.

In 2008, they started holding workshops that could teach people how to be charismatic. But the truth is, charisma is hard to teach. I think it’s something a person is born with.

Fast forward to the present day. A lot of people compared Trump to Reagan. But Trump doesn’t have charisma. Trump is an entertainer. He’s funny and dynamic, but when he starts the name calling, it’s over. Charismatic people don’t run people down; they lift you up on eagle’s wings. Our current president Biden is affable and pleasant, but he doesn’t make your heart swell when he delivers a speech.

Our country is in desperate need of a presidential candidate who has charisma. There has to be someone out there who can charm and inspire us to loftier goals.

Whatever happened to charisma?

January 29, 2021January 29, 2021

FACEBOOK ISN’T FOR POLITICS

I see Facebook has said they’re going to quit recommending political groups, and try to tamp down users’ political rhetoric. This is certainly a step in the right direction. There’s nothing more irritating than someone ranting and raving about their political views on Facebook. Do they really believe they are going to win someone over to their side who doesn’t agree with them to begin with? Facebook isn’t for politics, in my opinion.

No politics on facebook. Most of us don't want to hear someone's political rants and raves — Facebook isn’t for politics. . They’re finally trying to get the political rants off Facebook.

Facebook , for me, is simply a way to share a few family pictures and events with a small group of people. A nice way to keep in touch across the miles. How anyone could have over 1,000 so called “friends” boggles the mind. Unless maybe you’re an entertainer or politician, or your Facebook page is actually a marketing tool.

The good thing about Facebook is that you can block posts from certain people if you really don’t agree with the way they’re using it. I, for one, have no interest in seeing pictures of half nude people in provocative poses. And if someone posts several times a day, for weeks on end, it gets a little tiresome. If all of your “friends” did that, you would be spending way too much time moving through the day’s posts.

You’re always told not to discuss politics or religion at social events. Isn’t Facebook a social gathering? Kind of like a cyberspace cocktail party? A place where you’re exchanging light conversation and sharing photographs? Nothing too deep (unless there’s been a death in the family). That’s how it is in my mind. I really love hearing from people whom I seldom see. I want to know about their grandchild’s latest achievement, if somebody got married, or had a family reunion. Vacation pictures are especially welcome. I don’t have to comment, or hit the like button, unless I want to. But I usually want to.

Facebook is for fun. It’s not for politics. Because if there’s one thing we’ve learned in this divided nation , it’s that politics isn’t fun.

August 31, 2020August 31, 2020

SHOULD A ROBOT RUN FOR PRESIDENT?

Have you ever said something stupid? Or done something irrational? If you’re a human being living on this earth, it’s safe to say you have a few regrets. However, if you’re a politician, the voters won’t cut you much slack. I can think of many cringe worthy moments and major mistakes made through the years with every single president of the United States, starting with FDR. It makes you wonder: Should a robot run for president?

Some scientists think artificial intelligence would make better presidential decisions — Using artificial intelligence, robots might make better presidential decisions.

For example: John Kennedy made a mistake during the failed Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba . He made up for it during the Cuban Missile Crisis, But he was assassinated before he came up for re election. Harry Truman had a public hissy fit when someone made fun of his daughter’s singing. Richard Nixon was dumb enough to order a break in at the Democratic headquarters. Bill Clinton had an affair with an intern. Presidents are just way too human.

While you may think it sounds outlandish, a robot for president isn’t a new idea. Some scientists say politics is a “multidimensional, nonlinear problem of optimization.” Consequently, they believe we should put a computer in charge of the country. They’ve concluded that artificial intelligence could make big, complicated decisions better than a real live president.

Let’s take this idea a step further. I suggest that we have two robots running for president. Robot Dem and Robot Rep. Each party would key in the basic aspects of their platforms . The Democrats would tell their robot to make decisions favoring Medicare for all, and open borders Naturally , the Republicans would plug in closed borders, and private health insurance. Decisions on war and peace would be based on outcomes of conflicts throughout the ages. Mathematical statistics would decide the best economic policies.

Others things a robot president wouldn’t have to worry about:

Age. A robot is never too young or too old.

Hair: Orange hair, baldness, hair plugs—none of it matters. A robot has no hair at all.

Sexual harassment: Robots don’t smell women’s hair, have sex with interns, or get accused of raping a girl at a college frat party.

Health: Robots don’t suffer from back pain, heart attacks, cancer, high blood pressure. IT technicians can keep them in good working order.

Embarrassing relatives. Many presidents have had to deal with them. Remember Jimmy Carter’s brother, Billy Carter?

Emotions. Robots don’t have character flaws . They aren’t greedy, lusty, or narcissistic. They make decisions strictly on the facts.

Therefore, It seems as though the American people might be better off with a robot for president.

October 23, 2019October 23, 2019

DO VOTERS CARE ABOUT KURDS OR BENGHAZI?

A Marine Reserve Center, directly across the street from our house, is a daily reminder of our brave Americans. There’s a plaque near the building with the names of those in that battalion who recently lost their lives in the Middle East. We’ve watched these fine men and women come and go over the years. They seem like our own kin . Would I like to see a few more names on the plaque because we’re defending the Kurds? Actually, no. And, will our retreat influence the next election? Do voters care about the Kurds or our mission in Benghazi?

This Marine Reserve Unit is directly across the street from our house — A plaque at the Marine Reserve Center has the names of four who gave their lives in the Middle East.

The 2012 attack on the American embassy in Libya brought about a two year investigation in 2014. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, was criticized for not coming to the rescue of the four American citizens who died in Benghazi. Because the US ambassador was gay, he was singled out for extreme torture. You might have thought this would affect Hillary Clinton’s support from the LGBT community, But obviously, it didn’t. She easily won the popular vote in the 2016 election.

If we had stayed in Syria to defend the Kurds, how many of our men would have died? — If our troops had stayed to defend the Kurds, many of our soldiers would have lost their lives,

Now, we have the President’s decision to pull out of the Kurdish held territory in Syria, Apparently, the Turks informed the President a massive invasion was about to take place. If our troops were to stay, many of our men would die 7,000 miles from home. Questions about the wisdom and integrity of this decision will drag on until the next presidential election.

But do these events influence the way Americans vote? In our modest, middle class neighborhood, yard signs supporting various political candidates proliferate . From the looks of it, we’re fairly divided as to political party leanings. In 2020 , will my Republican neighbors vote against Trump–or Pence– because he decided not to stay and fight a losing battle? Will it be a deal breaker? If we go on past history, I would doubt it.

August 21, 2019August 21, 2019

AUGUST RECESS MEANS LESS STRESS

The infighting among Republicans and Democrats the past few years has left us frazzled and worn out We feel like the unhappy children of parents in a toxic relationship. All that fussing and fighting on an every day basis makes us insecure, worried, and depressed. But at least the August Recess means less stress..

these two prominent politicians totally lack charisma — Are you tired of seeing the faces of these two men in the media?

For just awhile, we don’t have to see Adam Schiff’s eyes sparkling with delight at the thought of impeachment. ( According to Wikipedia, Schiff has appeared on television 227 times in the past year) Enough already! . On the other hand, Mitch McConnell’s down turned mouth and general grumpiness isn’t all that inspiring. His sour puss makes you wonder if he’s suffering from indigestion. He could pose for a Tums ad any day of the week.

Just for fun, let’s pretend we Americans are the kids in a family where Donald Trump is the Dad, and Nancy Pelosi is the Mom. It’s obvious that the two of them hate each other, will never agree on any thing –and we are the helpless spectators.

The feud between the Democrats and Republicans brings to mind the Hatfeilds and the McCoys Or perhaps the Montagues and the Capulets. I ’m at the point where I no longer care who wins or loses this election. I’m just tired of all the lies, bickering and name calling. Every national tragedy is politicized. This is one of the most dysfunctional legislatures I’ve ever witnessed in my lifetime.

Even though our nation has endured tough times lately, we’ve felt a little more at ease this August. The politicians finally left us alone and the media has gone back to normal. The August Recess means less stress. But come September, the “grown ups”? will be back from vacation, and we kids will have to listen to the same old stuff.

August 5, 2019August 5, 2019

Mourning A National Tragedy

We’re in shock this morning. Our hearts go out to the victims of the mass shootings in Texas and Ohio, and the lives that have been changed forever. We’re mourning a national tragedy.

This is a national day of mourning — GRIEVING FOR THE VICTIMS OF THIS WEEKEND OF TRAGEDY

Why do these things happen? I don’t remember any mass shootings while raising my children. Some presidential candidates are now politicizing the shootings. But forty years ago we had Democrats and Republicans and Jim Crow Laws and the Vietnam War. Mental illness was widely prevalent, but poorly understood or treated. And there was very little gun control.

This is what we didn’t have: the internet. There were no violent video games so readily available, desensitizing young men to violence. No one had a Facebook account, where people could brag and make other people envious. There was no Instagram or Twitter where you could publicly shame or bully someone to the point of suicide. Now, Instead of face to face relationships and real conversations, everyone just texts. We’ve almost forgotten what it’s like to talk to a real live person.

Technology has changed our world and done wondrous things for our society. But it’s also dehumanized us to the point where violence has become the norm.