Displaying 181 To 210 Of 13,190 Comments Trump to Use Robocalls to Comfort Families of Fallen Soldiers LOL! You have outdone yourself, AdLib! đ » Posted By kesmarn On October 25, 2017 @ 4:18 pm Oh my Lord, this is brilliant, AdLib. Not softball, that’s for sure. I think ‘biting’ would be the word for this kind of satire — but exactly what’s called for. The only thing that could make it more “Trumpish” for be for him to decide that placing robo-calls is too labor intensive. He just might issue a presidential executive order stating that if Gold Star families want consolation from him they’ll need to call an 800 number. Is there any doubt that what they would hear would be: “Your call is very important to us. Please stay on the line for the next available operator. We are experiencing unusually heavy call volumes at this time and we appreciate your patience. Your wait time is anticipated to be 83 minutes… *pause* Your call is very important to us…”? » Posted By kesmarn On October 22, 2017 @ 7:14 pm Is Trump Mainstreaming Insanity? AdLib, let me start off by thanking you again for all the hours you’ve put in these past two weeks getting the Planet up and in orbit, not once but twice. You should get a substantial raise in pay along with a handsome Christmas bonus for all the hard labor you’ve done! I agree that about 30% of Americans probably are in the “virtually irredeemable” category that has been around through all the historical eras you described. (Not to mention the McCarthy Era, the Know-Nothings, the Confederates and the Salem witch-burners.) Fearful, hostile people who were probably damaged as children and would need both motivation and effort along with expert counseling to see things differently. (Unlikely, to say the least.) Then we have the people who supported Trump even though they knew exactly what he was/is. People like Steve Bannon who have a nihilist/anarchist take on things and viewed him as a human Molotov cocktail. They seem to be jumping (or being pushed) overboard by the day. I absolutely agree with what you said about Trump voters and racism. A big chunk of Trump voters werenât racists, they were rubes who were conned and many who have realized that are done with him. I realize that this idea is rejected by some. I’ve heard people say that after that seemingly endless campaign, during which Trump made no effort to disguise his appeal to the basest of the base, people who voted for him regardless must be racist. But I really don’t think that’s the case. Your equation of their GOP politics and their fundamentalist religion seems a more likely explanation. They follow Trump the same way they follow Franklin Graham or Joel Osteen. They’re looking for a “Daddy” to fix things for them. Piloting their own way through life, relying on their own critical thinking and assuming an adult level of responsibility for themselves is a prospect that’s just too terrifying. You’re so right when you say that indie voters need to be given reasons to come back to the Dem Party. And I suspect that if the Dems run a Goldman-Sachs, extremely corporate-friendly centrist in 2020, they’re very likely to see a re-run of 2016. Can the country handle that? I have my doubts. » Posted By kesmarn On October 4, 2017 @ 6:51 pm AdLib, I think this is a question that weâll be struggling with over the next days and weeks. I was thinking about this issue earlier today (drive time is often cogitation time) and it occurred to me that the nation is in the grips of a terrific sense of rage (hardly an original observation, I know). But what I was wondering is whether Trump is âcauseâ or âeffect.â And I suspect that the truth is, he is both. As you noted, he does seem to have the effect of normalizing belligerent behavior. But I also believe that it could be argued that if he hadnât already existed, a subset of America would have had to invent him. I think thereâs been a load of anger across the land for quite a while now â even before Trump announced that he was going to run. Why? I can think of at least two root causes: extremely rapid change in a short time frame, and severe and growing income inequality. The sad thing is that very few people try to puzzle out why theyâre so mad all the time. Rather than trying to analyze the elements of change in their lives and seeking to find ways to adapt to constructive change or to push back again harmful change, they just get angry. Rather than vote for people who will address income inequality through enlightened legislation, they decide that the people who are keeping them in those $8/hr jobs are âthose foreigners,â or âthose welfare cheats.â So Trump â for better (not) or worse (more likely) â is both cause and symptom. And when guns are plentiful and easily bought, thatâs a toxic brew. » Posted By kesmarn On October 2, 2017 @ 7:39 pm Trump Insists That Border Wall Will Be Built But It Will Be Invisible to “Losers” I wanna buy stock in this new material, AdLib! I have a feeling The Donald is going to be going through this stuff like crazy. Better yet, I think I’ll start a home-based business. I’ll spin this stuff in the spare bedroom and sell it to The Emperor. I might make even more money than those clever Kentucky farmers who were waving folks off the road and into their fields to park (at the rate of $10 per car) and look upward at the recent total eclipse of the sun. Thousands of people took them up on it. (The rest of us took the next turn off the main road and looked at the sky for free.) Speaking of things rural: the graphic for this article reminded me of the butter sculpture of a cow at the Ohio State Fair. “Sizeable flank” is right!! Thanks again for another chuckle! » Posted By kesmarn On September 18, 2017 @ 6:38 pm Flooded by the Horrible, Humanity Rises to the Surface It is the silver lining in a bunch of black clouds, AdLib. » Posted By kesmarn On September 8, 2017 @ 9:56 am This is such a much needed message right now, AdLib. Not only regarding Houston and Hurricane Harvey, but in the wider, larger sense in which you’ve looked at the current national (and world) situation. Over the last year or so, it almost feels as if we’ve been hit by a tsunami of shocking events, rapid change, and natural occurrences that leave us reeling. Every day it seems there’s a challenge of real significance: North Korea fires a rocket over Japan, Britain votes for Brexit, the apparent sure winner of the 2016 election in the US is suddenly upset by a reality TV star, a terrorist goes on a shooting rampage in Paris, a sheriff in Arizona who’s been found guilty of abuse of power is pardoned, sea level rises, Houston is biblically flooded. There doesn’t seem to be time to absorb it all. It’s a blizzard of information (and not all of it accurate by a long shot) and managing to process it is an unbelievable task. I think this leads to a sort of overload that makes us just want to shut down and withdraw — at the same time that it raises already high levels of anxiety. And with anxiety, often anger is not far behind. That’s when it’s so important to step away — draw a deep breath — and read articles like the one you’ve posted here, and think about them. More than ever, it’s time to hang on tight to our basic humanity, to actively resist rage, and to cling to hope. Even when there doesn’t seem to be a lot of reason to do that. Thanks for taking the occasion of Harvey to remind us to make an effort to stay afloat in the midst of an even bigger (and scarier) tidal wave of national testing. It helps us to keep our heads above water. » Posted By kesmarn On August 31, 2017 @ 5:02 pm A True American Doesn’t Need Two Days and a Teleprompter to Condemn Nazis This comment is not original with me, AdLib, but I loved it: “Today’s statement looked and sounded like something someone would read in a hostage video.” Except — Trump might have displayed a little less sincerity. The dear old Warlord Dad — at 95 years and battling memory loss — still has the wits to ask me, every day: “Is Trump still president?” When I answer in the affirmative, he says: “How long…?” Wish I knew, Dad. Wish I knew. » Posted By kesmarn On August 14, 2017 @ 5:10 pm How Republicans Lost Their Own Rigged Game Hahahaha! There’s a part of me that wants to say that I would vote for Bernie if he were 106 years old, had Jane as his running mate, and they were running on the Communist Party ticket out of a prison cell. But I really shouldn’t kid about this topic, since it is clearly near and dear to your heart — to the exclusion of all else. So I’ll bow out of this “discussion” now. Peace. » Posted By kesmarn On August 2, 2017 @ 4:41 pm Even if — by some version of magical thinking — it could be proven that Bernie and only Bernie lost the election for the perfect Dem candidate, how does that help us move forward? Last time I looked, time only moved in one direction. We never get a chance to have a “re-do.” We have no choice but to face forward, unless we opt to embrace a delusion. Unless the Dem Party is planning to run Hillary again, we need to focus on finding a candidate who can inspire younger voters, minority votes, female voters. I’m sure Bernie has no intention of running again. At this point he’s just interested in giving the struggling working class some hope for the future. A job that no one else seems to want. Here’s a little food for thought as well: » Posted By kesmarn On August 1, 2017 @ 3:05 pm Certainty of Sessions/Keebler Collusion Confirmed Good to see you, Auntie Christ! What would we do without humor these days!? Now — if only Jefferson could be as productive as a real Keebler elf. After all, they make delicious fudge-covered grahams. As opposed to the Lindsay or Franklin type. » Posted By kesmarn On July 21, 2017 @ 4:42 pm Trump Attacked By Bob The Eagle on The 4th of July! One of his finest moments. I remember when I first saw this as a youngster, thinking: “Thank goodness those days are over with and we’ll never go through the experience of having to battle another mad authoritarian war-monger!” Sigh……… » Posted By kesmarn On July 5, 2017 @ 3:12 pm Hilarious, AdLib! (And very “techie” too, as you had only 3 seconds of fast-moving video to work with! Kudos!) There’s something about the name “Bob the Eagle” (Robert Mueller, of course) — the name itself — that makes it even funnier! If we lose our senses of humor, we’re really sunk! Just as Chaplin was powerful in opposing Hitler, you (along with other satirists out there) are one of our best weapons against authoritarian thinking. Please keep ’em coming. » Posted By kesmarn On July 5, 2017 @ 6:28 am Are Republicans Actually Voting for Single Payer? I’ve had those same thoughts, AdLib. Namely (as Mom used to say): “Some people only learn the hard way.” I’ve considered how the ramifications and inevitable awful consequences of throwing all these millions out of the health care system would be the most effective and quickest path to “learning.” But — like you — I think twice then and realize that I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. And then I think for a third time and wonder how anyone actually could wish that on people. Because the GOP obviously does. That’s such a scary thought. » Posted By kesmarn On June 21, 2017 @ 5:46 pm Thanks so much, AdLib, for spelling out so clearly what the OldAge Mutant Nefarious Turtle and his evil cohorts have planned for the American public when it comes to the future of (ill) health (non) care. Those of us who’ve been on the journey of managing care for aging parents know what many Americans seem unaware of: namely, that Medicare does not cover long term care — like assisted living and nursing home care– period. First a parent has to use up virtually all his/her assets and then an application for Medicaid must be filed in order to finance 24/7 care. So what happens when the GOP blows an $830 billion hole in Medicaid? A lot of families get the call from the nursing home that makes their blood run cold: “Get here before the end of the month and pick up Grandpa/Grandma and her belongings because we can’t keep him/her at this facility, unless you personally have a spare $96,000 a year to pay for continuing care.” This means that either Beauregard or Scarlett — who may well have voted for Trump — will likely have to quit his/her job (if he/she has one) and stay home full time with Granny. There’s nothing like a few weeks of doing home health care full time 24/7 to make a voter question whether or not that vote for Paul Ryan and his wrecking crew was the right move. Were there problems after Obamacare was passed (due largely to GOP sabotage)? No doubt. But when a patient is anemic, the answer is often a transfusion. Not applying several hundred leeches who all bear a remarkable resemblance to Charles and David Koch. » Posted By kesmarn On June 20, 2017 @ 4:24 pm What America Has to Fear From Comedians FOX “News” has gotten away with lying to the American public for many years now on the grounds that their hate-mongering programs were “entertainment” and not news at all. Somehow I suspect that people on the right who are “shocked — shocked, they tell you” at what Griffin and Maher have done have never once sent a letter to the FCC complaining about the lack of fairness and balance at FOX. Which is not to say that I applaud either one of them. Apparently Griffin was tired of having a “career” — even one that involved shilling for a Potty company — and decided to end it all. There’s no other way to account for her bad judgment in posing with the Trump decapitation prop. And I think Maher rashly and wrong assumed that he had enough cred as a hip honorary Black person to joke on behalf of the whole community. Wrong, Bill. Black people have been the (only) ones to have suffered and died enough to be able to decide when/where/how that word is going to be used and by whom. A friend of mine is of Polish heritage and many years ago someone in her workplace thought it would be funny to tell one of the then-popular “pollock jokes.” (They always implied that Poles were mentally/morally/culturally deficient.) She didn’t react with outrage or try to have the person fired. She just said: “I wish you’d tell that joke again. Only this time, every time the word “pollock” appears in the joke, I want you to substitute the word ‘Republican.'” Silence. Now I will say that she herself jokingly uses the word “pollock.” But the difference is that she’s earned the right. That’s what Maher hasn’t apparently figured out yet. Like so many on the Planet, I tend to be a strong believer in the 1st Amendment. When it comes to comedians, I think it shouldn’t be the law that steps in to remove them from the public eye. This is one case in which the “free market” (especially in the case of Griffin) will use its invisible hand to do it for us. » Posted By kesmarn On June 8, 2017 @ 10:23 am What Would Trumptopia Look Like? I watched the first season of “Man In The High Castle,” AdLib,(would love to find the time to be able to see more episodes…but that’s another story!) and it’s a chilling “What If?” drama that rings very true these days. So it’s a great template for this discussion. Your graphic is perfect, as always. I think many of us find ourselves in line with Angela Merkel’s take on things regarding the Trump administration. Some in the press have described her reaction to Trump as “strained” or “hostile.” I don’t think it’s that so much as — “aghast.” (The only word that comes to mind.” I think she (and most of us) are so stunned by the crudity, venality and crassness of the man that it’s all she can do to be in the same room with him. Her conclusion? Here is a man who absolutely cannot — under any circumstances — be relied upon. Only a fool would trust him. Everything you described in your article would indeed become reality if this man were given unfettered control of the government. Of course we all have to vote out every supporter of Trump next year, but in the mean time, the GOP is going to have to finally grow a pair and stand up to him. Because at the moment, the SNL parody of Steve Bannon as the real president (as the Grim Reaper) is the truth of the matter. And — as we all know — Steve Bannon is one nihilistic, anarchist, smelly, steaming pile of covfefe. » Posted By kesmarn On June 1, 2017 @ 6:41 pm Democrats Must Shut Down The Senate Until There is an Independent Prosecutor Thanks for an appropriately serious article on a serious topic, AdLib. No one does humor better than you do, but unfortunately there are times when there’s not much to laugh about. And I’m afraid this is one of them. Here are Bernie Sanders’ thoughts on the current situation, and on the need for the GOP to get on board in the effort to deal with this out-of -control, wannabe banana republic dictator:
» Posted By kesmarn On May 11, 2017 @ 12:48 pm He is dumb when it comes to historical and poli-sci awareness, Nirek, no doubt. But he’s also pretty cunning when it comes to looking out for Number One. Unfortunately when you combine that with malice and derangement, it’s the trifecta of Presidential Toxicity. I hope the GOP wakes up soon and turns on him. » Posted By kesmarn On May 11, 2017 @ 12:44 pm gyp46, as I was driving home last night I was considering some of the same questions. Especially the one about “when did all of this extremely partisan divisiveness begin?” And the same names popped into my mind: Newt Gingrich and FOX “News.” Of course, as you noted, the ball started rolling even earlier with Richard Nixon. A genuinely paranoid sociopath in my opinion. And it seems to be culminating in the “Saturday Night Massacre 2.0” » Posted By kesmarn On May 11, 2017 @ 12:40 pm 100 Days of Trump And His Voters Say, “Stop Expecting Us to Change Our Minds!” Well said, AdLib. I agree that hard-core Trumpistas are not going to change their minds about him. This really is as close to a cult as it gets in American politics. And I think we’ve all seen studies that show that arguing by utilizing facts against a delusion actually — paradoxically — strengthens the delusion. So your point about not taking on the Trump voters head-on is very well taken. I think Dems who are campaigning as/for candidates next year should consciously avoid Trump-bashing. Trump thrives on Trump-bashing. There’s no such thing as bad publicity in his view. Focusing on income inequality, broader access to college, raising the minimum wage, healthcare for all and other “bread and butter” issues would be so much more positive and effective. Also it would help if the Dem Party could really find its voice. Obviously Hillary Clinton is not the person who could (or — probably — even wants to) fill that bill. Bernie is getting older and may be too “divisive” in the view of many. Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer don’t seem to be people who generate a lot of enthusiasm. Tom Perez is a virtual unknown to many. Elizabeth Warren is impressive, but doesn’t seem to generate the kind of excitement that the Sanders crowds had. And — sadly — Barack Obama, who’s currently hanging out almost exclusively with people in Richard Branson’s economic demographic and is taking $400,000 speakers’ fees from Wall Street, doesn’t seem all that interested. I’m not sure who will be able to take on Trump’s personality cult while uniting the various factions of the party. It’ll be interesting to see how this unfolds going forward! » Posted By kesmarn On April 27, 2017 @ 4:44 pm Trump And The Art of Dealing Like a Terrorist I have to start off by saying that — as always — you’ve come up with the perfect graphic for this one, AdLib! (Although I have to wonder whether The Donald has enough testosterone to sprout a beard like that one!) Many times in this short administration of his (although — doesn’t it feel like years already?) I’ve wondered whether he seriously believes that one of these days Chuck Schumer or Nancy Pelosi (or the presidents of Mexico and China or Kim Jong-un) are going to say: “Good Lord, Man! You’re absolutely right! How could I NOT have seen it before now? Since you’ve threatened me, everything’s become so much clearer! I see it all now!” Followed by total capitulation. When — in life — does that ever work?? Never. Taking the tone that he takes (and I know this is exactly what you’re saying) only hardens peoples’ resistance. Only a spoiled rich boy could have gotten to be 70 without figuring that out. And I don’t think there’s time for him to learn that lesson now. One of these days one or more of the people he’s attempted to terrorize is going to punch back. Which will be a first for Little Lord Fauntleroy. Wouldn’t you love to be there when it happens? » Posted By kesmarn On April 24, 2017 @ 5:49 pm Trump Orders Puppet Show in Symbolic Attack Against Syria I love this article, AdLib! You nailed it. Trump’s “outrage” over the perfidy of the Assad regime plays a lot like the oft cited scene from “Casablanca”:
» Posted By kesmarn On April 11, 2017 @ 4:22 pm Weekend Music Thread – Natural Beauty Just found this wonderful dedication, Kalima! I love Bill Withers! Thank you so much! And it really was a lovely day around the mansion here in Ohio. For a change, we had sunshine and mild temps…SO welcome after the rainy past week. Wishing you a lovely Monday — which has already started there in Tokyo for you and yours! » Posted By kesmarn On April 2, 2017 @ 4:33 pm Weekend Music Thread – Murder By Numbers So sorry I misread that, Aquarius, when it was plain as day! Many condolences to your husband. And I’m sure you’re probably thinking of your own Mom too on this March 21. Peace. » Posted By kesmarn On March 21, 2017 @ 5:15 pm Many condolences on the loss of your Mom, Aquarius. I hope that you and the whole family can find comfort in good memories of her. Take care. » Posted By kesmarn On March 19, 2017 @ 7:26 am I’m going to stretch the “numbers” theme a bit here and use the number “90,” because that’s how old Chuck Berry was when we lost him today. Here’s “C’est La Vie,” because Chuck’s “Vie” seemed to have been a pretty good one. RIP, Mr. Berry, and thanks for your gift of music to all of us.
» Posted By kesmarn On March 18, 2017 @ 4:39 pm Open Letter to Trump Voters – Please Read the House Healthcare Bill Yourself AdLib, this is such an important message. And the tone of your article is so respectful and rational as well. It’s such a relief to see an author addressing Trump voters as human beings. Granted, we all have our differences. I most definitely didn’t vote for Trump, nor did many folks who are regulars at the Planet. But I’d bet that we all know someone who did. And I think that it’s so important to stay in communication with those people. Which means resisting the impulse to say things like: “What in bloody hell were you thinking, you $#%@*# dimwit?” After all, the nation is already polarized enough, I think most of us would agree. We don’t really need to drive those wedges even deeper. As you said in this piece, lower income voters and/or the elderly have the most to lose from draconian cuts to Medicaid. Huge numbers of people in nursing homes are on Medicaid (it covers 50% of all long term care expenses). With the new GOP plan, when these people reach the “cap” limiting the amount that can be spent on their individual case — that’s it. They are on the street (unless a child or other family member takes that person in), elderly and ill. Period. This is why even GOP Governors are not happy about this “improvement.” And why the AMA has come out against it. Trump voters would do well to take your advice — have a look at what this bill might mean for them personally. If they have a handicapped child and/or a frail elderly member, they could be in real, serious, genuine trouble. » Posted By kesmarn On March 9, 2017 @ 3:59 pm Note To the DNC: Don’t Chase After Trump Voters…If You Build It, They Will Come Homie, for a guy who’s talked a lot about job creation, Trump has been a little lax about making it clear to his minions that a lot of those jobs are going to be created behind bars, no? I think it’s on March 25 (have to double check) there’s supposed to be a public meeting/rally on the issue of for-profit prisons here in Toledo at the Frederick Douglass Center. I’m thinking that’s one event I’d really like to get to! » Posted By kesmarn On March 3, 2017 @ 4:54 pm Here you go, RSG: His reaction to Trump’s speech along with alternative plans:
» Posted By kesmarn On March 1, 2017 @ 2:51 pmComments Posted By kesmarn
Trump seems to function (in my estimation at least) as a high-profile âmirror-holderâ for the 21st century American psyche. âYou want racism? Iâll give you racism.â âYou want misogyny? Got it, baby.â âXenophobia? Greed? Contempt for the rule of law? Iâm your boy.â
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