It's a Pandemonium Thing

Dear America,

"There are some days 

when I think I'm going to die 

from an overdose of satisfaction." 

Salvador Dali

and yet others, it's the coronavirus.

yeah, not even sure why I'm jumping into this blog today, of all days, and especially after a couple months of utter silence.  But it is, after all, the Day After an Oval Office address to the nation.  There is that. (Go ahead and fact check it.)

The critics are harsh this morning, alive with fresh fodder, and picking apart Trump's every word, limb by limb.  I'm surprised they haven't added sound affects.  It seems the Left, from journalists to congress, would rather have this president and leader of the free world fail than applaud his efforts, even if that were to mean giving the upper hand to a global pandemic. 

Cue up pandemonium.

 

Ah! but they forget how Trump gets things done.   He's like,  oh, it's on.

Russian collusion?  Nope

Election interference?  Nope

Quid pro quo with Ukraine?  Nope

Ah, we got him now -- covid-19 -- this should put a nail in his coffin.

Of course! the media wants you to believe that all the president did last night was add confusion among the prevailing winds of woe and anxiety.  W.H.O.'s on first, what's on second, let's just end the day on the fact that complete and utter disaster is looming and even our president is stoking the fire for alarm. 

eeghads

Yes.  Market volatility is to be expected.  Basically, after the initial shock and awe, it's like a big, big whoop within six months time. And besides, most people who play in the stock market are in it for the long haul.

Yes.  A little inconvenience and extra cautionary measures is self-explanatory and just plain proper, the right thing to do when living in community with one another.

And one day, this, too, shall pass.

Does it really rise to the level of rushing out to stock pile toilet paper? seriously?

what a trip to be in the head of one Salvador Dali...

Did you know there is such a thing as The Dali Universe? 

Here's another Dali-svengali-esque guote -- 

"Wars have never hurt anybody except the people who die."  

yeah, it's a little dark for such a cheerful morning. 

The thing is, in the wake of all this woke global pandemic, from academia to sporting events to any gathering where two or more are gathered for whatever reason, one thing's for sure and for real -- the contagion of fear is highly mobile, crosses oceans, and spreads news, whether true or false, faster than you can say boo.

What is the narrative our media -- let alone the entire universe of the W.H.O. --  wants you to hear?

What -- or who -- is the force that we should be most afraid of?

What's so wrong with having a fighting spirit, to not only meet this pandemic face to face, but crush it, even if that means total suspension of entry into the United States from places where the epidemic has run amuck?

 

Is it still okay to be happy in our day to day, even after hearing the news of both Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson coming down with the illness?

When it's this hard to make heads or tails out of any of this, all I want to do is crawl under a rock and stay there.

oh it's just another day, a day in the life of an American girl.  

Make it a Good Day, 

for it might be your last, 

G

It's Just a Good Start Thing

Dear America,

happy 

new 

year
baby

just taking a few baby steps this morning...now nearly afternoon... as this girl ever so slowly resurfaces.......re-entering the blogosphere for the very first time in 2019; so here's our first quote to accompany us:  "Everyday is great -- it's a day extra."  [Jake LaMotta, boxer]

it's also the Day After the president's Oval Office address.  ooh rah 
must say -- he sounded a wee bit more mature  in this new year, if I'm not mistaken.  teehee

Talking about reaching maturity, whether individually or collectively, this girl is feeling sorta nostalgic on this rather bright and sunny Southern California day; so, on a whim,  a hit on the Day After, above, will link you to my very first blog! This being blog #974... from the serious to nonsensical, suffice it to say, this girl has covered a lot of ground over the last decade; just sayin'.

But oh to God be the Glory that I have lasted this long.  Day in and Day out, altogether it makes 2019 something of a celebratory year.  Traditionally, when referring to years of marriage, the anniversary is marked with gifts of tin or aluminum -- recognizing the resiliency and steadfastness required to make it thus far. So, to put this in perspective -- if this blog keeps producing 'til July 23rd -- I will have surpassed my marital devotion by a whole six months.   Now there's a new years resolution to write home about, eh?

So, on that note, and without any further dilly dilly or dally, let me link you to a wonderful breakdown of the president's Oval Office debut (you do know it was his first Oval Office address....right?)  This comes from my favorite group of patriots, @The Patriot Post; and it comes with a whole lot of common sense coming from Mark Alexander, himself, founder of The Patriot Post:


ALEXANDER'S COLUMN
The Humanitarian and Security Crisis on Our Border
A full analysis of Donald Trump's Oval Office address, as well as the Demo rebuttal


and if you have time, read Mark Thiessen's account, via Fox News: "Trump started the shutdown but Democrats are about to own it"


I do want to talk about the AOC, bouncing off a post from Leslie Marshall...but it will have to wait for it's own day.  It will need all of a day, and maybe then some; what a hoot. happy   new     year   to    me.

Maybe the world needs to be reminded about the way the real world works, and more important, how sometimes it doesn't -- as in, leading us into world wars, and other things that are not good.  For more on that, and giving you a third good read on the first day back in 2019:  READ THIS from IMPRIMIS -- Do We Need a Country Anymore?  by Larry P. Arnn, President of Hillsdale College.


THIS is what I like to call, just a good start.

happy new year
happy first blog #1
happy first Oval Office address
happy reading
happy United States of America
happy 2019 in every way
happy first day back blog #974

the end.

Make it a Good Day, G

It's Like, are we even swimming in the same ocean Thing

Dear America,

I may be wrong.

But I doubt it.

(just views from a t-shirt)

so this morning 

my wish...is to just begin writing.

Done.

Next:

my hope... is to just bring the last few days together in one, cohesive.... considerate... sensitive... little miss pink fancy-pants manner.

Indeed.

There are no rules here.  

I can do, and I can say, whatever I want, any way I want.

I'm not the president of the United States and I'm not running for president of the United States.

Enter the Washington Post's post:  Why was President Obama standing during his Oval Office Address?

Backdrops and photo props and white coats, oh my.  Remember when the president was just beginning to sell us on his health care plan (c. 2009)?   Obama specializes in engineering  a feeling -- and upon this Rose Garden Occasion, it was the feeling of complete confidence that the medical profession is fully supportive of the Health Care Law to come...

Every detail and every action in every address is set up to say something visually, carefully placing into the subconscious a long lasting message into memory; and embedded to give us a sense of saying something, and even witnessing it with our own eyes --  without actually saying a thing.

For most Americans, an address from the Oval Office is reminiscent of some pretty important moments;  while just the grandeur of it, juxtaposed with the vintage desk top that is mindfully cleared from anything that might possibly pose a distraction, carries the capacity to almost take our breath away long before hearing the words, "good evening."  All together, it's magnificence in motion and masterminded to meet the moment in history.

And what say you, Washington Post -- surely, begrudgingly, bringing to bear a wee bit of confusion perhaps between the eyes and ears?  As if  when the president symbolically STANDS UP to ISIS with pomp and podium HE appears all the more Leader-ish...stronger, leaner, meaner as Commander-in-Chiefer for the American people and anyone else around the world watching.

I missed that old desk and the customary feeling of confidence and American pride back behind it.

I think the final point at the Post sums it up best:

It's the desk that really signals to the viewing public that this is where the president works; this is where he makes key decisions. The desk is the most important prop on the Oval Office set, and Obama didn't use it.
In many situations, there are benefits to standing. But in the Oval Office, Obama was trying to have it both ways.

Trying to have it both ways DEFINES HIM and his presidency; while this masterful use of props and propaganda, words without action, the divisive words with community action, writing policy without mandate, while lavishly lying to the American people, large and small,  on pretty much everything, continually tearing us apart here at home and unconscionably driven to fully diminish, if not totally dismantle, America's STANDING all around the globe.

Trying to have it both ways DEFINES HIM and his presidency:

• DEFINING his foreign policy fighting a war without force OR the intent to win OR even the ability to call and know the enemy by name
• DEFINING his "freedom to bear arms" gun control 
• DEFINING his "free market" Obamacare, changing policy in our healthcare system fundamentally, and transforming one-sixth of the nation's economy
• DEFINING his "free spirited" Executive Action for more open border(s) [whether they come by illegal crossing or by refugee] and thereby undermining the national security of all Americans on American soil [which is a crime in and of itself]

This business of having it both ways DEFINES his EVERY WORD in EVERY ADDRESS --  whether it comes from the podium or the Oval Office or BOTH...

Oh sure,

he wades knee deep 

in the waters of America's foundation, 

stumbling over liberty, 

throwing around some self-reliance 

and free enterprise 

and hard work, 

making a few ripples of 

standing on principles, 

values, 

and who we are 

-- but then --

seamlessly 

and yet totally out of the blue  

he begins to make his descent into the chilly waters of social justice, community reforms, the stubborn reality of a history not entirely pure or even close to being beautiful.  Almost without taking a breath, he makes his way into the deep, dark, crevasse that is every liberal's star spangled star buck belief:  America is not entitled to any of it -- and besides, would not the whole of America be better off under the government control of shared resources, shared property, shared wealth, under the weight of shared crony capitalism and the burden of shared climate change wealth redistribution--  isn't THAT really the next big thing?    [recalculating....you mean, something more like socialism? something that is the antithesis of the free market republic America is intended??   no, no, just something more of a socially re-engineered America, fundamentally speaking...]

It's like are we even swimming in the same ocean?

This presidency has been gifted a generous amount of leeway when addressing, when policing, when demagoguery-ing, when leading by executive ordering, when war-ing, when responding to opposition-ing, when leading without really wanting to take the lead at all.

This presidency has been crafted in the art of having it both ways -- and when it comes to leadership, that is nothing to write home about, let alone respond with standing ovation.  

Make it a Good Day, G

On another note:  did you hear what Syed Farook's dad said, mind you --  aloud -- and for all the world to hear?

“I told him he had to stay calm and be patient because in two years Israel will not exist any more. Geopolitics is changing: Russia, China and America don’t want Jews there any more. They are going to bring the Jews back to Ukraine. What is the point of fighting? We have already done it and we lost. Israel is not to be fought with weapons, but with politics. But he did not listen to me, he was obsessed,” Farook explained to US correspondent Paolo Mastrolilli.

For more -- go here.

Dear America,

"If we cannot now end our differences,

at least we can help make the world safe for diversity."

John F. Kennedy

He was so desperate for another win he used a "milestone" -- his words, not mine -- built with the bedrock and another man's hands, steadfastness, and honor to do it.

It was a tall order to fill in twenty minutes, and only the second Oval Office address to the nation.  He had to do it in such a way that enabled himself to gain the applause without walking over the man who made it possible, along with extending his confidences to the remaining security forces both in Iraq and Afghanistan, while coming before the American people to gain trust and favor-ability to finish the job he was called upon to do, but for what? 

Was it only to mark the monumental occasion of being true to his campaign promise?

Was it to convince the deteriorating and disgruntled public, to have faith in him, as president of the United States, now that the economy is sinking into a second trough accompanied with his poll numbers tanking?

He preceded the address earlier in the day making light of the impending show of narcissism, by saying, "[now, uh]  it's not going to be a victory lap" chuckle chuckle, "it's not going to be self-congratulatory..."  even though, he had just made it perfectly clear of his secret wish that he could; transparency is a b****, isn't it?

Well, at least he mentioned the other guy's name -- going out of his way to make a phone call to him, too -- that's real nice...almost neighborly.

Fortunately, for our sake, we can see right through him; for everything he does is fully orchestrated and magnified right before our eyes -- that is if it works in his favor.  For much obliged, dear ones, he was obligated to go all the way to the front door and drop a mention of his predecessor's wily overtures, while some might say transgressions -- otherwise, Americans would view him with more contempt than we already do. 

So he begrudgingly offered up all the ways we are different approach to coming together with as much sincerity as he could muster; and while it was painstakingly dreadful to watch and keep paying attention, this is how the tale -- in part, with the much needed 3-D and free-wielding commentary, added purely for special effects  -- was spun:

"Ending this war is not only in Iraq's interest- it is in our own. [especially my own.]

The United States has paid a huge price [one, that I did not, nor did I ever, even still today, agree with]  to put the future of Iraq in the hands of its people. We have sent our young men and women to make enormous sacrifices in Iraq, and spent vast resources abroad at a time of tight budgets at home [yes, the war is to blame -- having nothing to do with the mortgage failure, wall street, banking, GM, AIG, overblown stimulus, new healthcare entitlement legislation, and unemployment going through the roof due to the overall lack of confidence and security in the marketplace]. We have persevered because of a belief we share with the Iraqi people -a belief that out of the ashes of war, a new beginning could be born in this cradle of civilization. [okay, that was really beautiful, really, mean it]

Through this remarkable chapter in the history of the United States and Iraq, we have met our responsibility [even though Iraq is still a hot mess... and not in a good way] Now, it is time to turn the page.

As we do, I am mindful that the Iraq War has been a contentious issue at home [only for liberals -- Iraqi's entirely grateful, along with the right, standing up for what needed to be done and sticking to it, not so much]. Here, too, it is time to turn the page. This afternoon, I [took a minute out of my busy day] spoke to former President George W. Bush. It's well known that he and I disagreed about the war from its outset [and especially that surge thing]. Yet no one could doubt President Bush's support for our troops, or his love of country and commitment to our security. As I have said, there were patriots who supported this war, and patriots who opposed it [I just happen to be neither patriot -- by all appearances and gestures over the last 19 months -- or for the record, wish to discuss the wisdom of such war at this time]. And all of us are united in appreciation for our servicemen and women, and our hope for Iraq's future [because thanks to me, hope is all they have left].

The greatness of our democracy is grounded in our ability to move beyond our differences, and to learn from our experience as we confront the many challenges ahead. And no challenge is more essential to our security than our fight against Al Qaeda [as in Islamic Extremists. Terrorists. right, Mr. President? -- we can agree to disagree but still call them as we see them for real...they are pulling a jihad in the name of their God, Allah.  And just to be clear, it is a war defined by Islamic -- not Christian, Buddhist, Mormon, etc, only radical Islamic extremists, not to be confused with Muslims who come in peace  -- Extremists terrorizing and killing anyone and everyone who does not follow the word and the way of Islam.  No discussion.  No ifs, ands or buts all over the world].

Americans across the political spectrum supported the use of force against those who attacked us on 9/11. [umm, didn't you just say two minutes ago that it was contentious?] Now, as we approach our 10th year of combat in Afghanistan, there are those who are understandably asking tough questions about our mission there. But we must never lose sight of what's at stake. As we speak, Al Qaeda continues to plot against us, [and yet, putting a 'victory mosque' a stone's throw from the site of 9/11 seems like a good idea to you, American freedom and liberty and all, while] its leadership remains anchored against those who attacked us on 9/11.

Oh, we could go on; we could pick apart the whole darn thing; but let us just let it be for now.

You are right, Mr. President, "an open ended war serves no one" -- except for those who actually defend freedom and liberty for all, no matter how long it takes.  But how about we go ahead and stick to your pledge to end the endless war one year from now in Afghanistan too...seems to be working so well already in Iraq, what's the worst thing that could happen?

The Oval Office address last night was a big mistake; your intentions are not pure, but be that as it may, the only way we will all know for sure is if you are truly in it for the long haul.

The thing is, you only did it to puff out your chest and say look at me --  for surely as the parlor door knows, it had been way too long between visits.

You only did it to convince us that you have been in charge since day one, and that we should not lose faith (in you); but your heart was not in it.  And I can't help but notice that this strategy seems to be the B.O./M.O. for a number of things.  It's just too bad for the poor timing and lack of conviction -- your efforts to lead us into this moment, methodically and thoughtfully, offering a committed precedence all along the way, taking command of the situation, allowing for us to let our guard down, secure and confident in our Commander in Chief taking the helm, has been, to this day, completely non-existent.

Perhaps we expect more when you hold only the second of it's kind, but to tell you the truth, your usual MOJO was a no go, and totally and disgracefully MIA and left much to be desired.

Even when you whispered in our ear towards the end -- remember this part? -- that "our troops are the steel in our ship of state" -- under normal situations, that should have been all it took; but it was as if, by that time, we had been voyaging for months, out of water, out of sight from dry land, entirely nauseous and dehydrated, after being bounced around carelessly all over the place.  When it was over, I believe I am not alone in feeling like the address was the longest twenty minutes with you ever --

-- between the disingenuous appreciation to the man who really turned the page for you, between the feeble attempt to create a villain for our economic woes negotiating in front of the world the actual price of freedom, between your inability to simply inspire us with a presidential and gallant effort to forge ahead, not out of obligation and perceived threat, but out of it being the RIGHT thing to do, honor, and proud of it --

all and all, for an Oval Office address navigating the sea of emotion, the depth and magnitude of such a sharp, strategic change, carefully maneuvering around the minefields of politics and policy and public opinion, trying to encapsulate our rocky economic demise by blaming Bush (again), without so much as a hair out of place or a twitch on the face --  love on the rocks, dude, the whole escapade fell  flat.

And like I said, the longest twenty minutes with you ever.

But, the question is, was it good for you? (OH the day after can be such a b****)

Make it a Good Day, G

Dear America,

Warning:

G Spill Sprawling

At first impression... I was looking at a President being swallowed up by the magnificence of the Oval Office; he set himself up to be having a serious conversation with America -- yet the first 10 seconds showed just a man, a tiny one at that, sitting behind a larger than life desk, in a room further enlarged by a wealth of history and countrymen.  His hands were folded in front of him, and slowly the camera moved in for a closer look, to bring America face to face with The One in Charge (since day one).

Strange really.
As he began, he gave us a quick biography of the catastrophe -- as if we weren't already well versed as to the last painstaking fifty seven days. 

Now, he may make light of his techie-geek experience in front of a crowd of college graduates, but the rest of us are plugged in, and have been, since day one. (Oh G, enough with day one already...) 

(But he keeps saying it)

Yeah, I know, but let it go.

Okay.

So there he was, sitting behind the big desk -- after twenty four hours of live media stream hyping up his first Oval Office meeting of the minds with America -- and after dating us all the way back to April 20, he says this:

"From the very beginning of this crisis, the federal government has been in charge of the largest environmental clean up effort in our nation's history...I assembled a team of the best scientists...[like our Energy Secretary and Nobel Prize winner, Steven Chu]

Call me funny, but wouldn't the Energy Secretary not have to be told to step in with his expertise and brainiac solutions -- wouldn't that just be his job?  What is there to "assemble" there, but placing a Post-It on his desk saying, "get on it, like yesterday."

Of course, moving on, there were moments -- as in most speeches he reads off the teleprompter when he's dictating things he really believes are true -- when I just have to stop and shout out, you lie! at the top of my lungs at the TV...here's one of them:

"We consume more than 20% of the world's oil, but have less than 2% of the world's oil reserve. And that's part of the reason oil companies are drilling a mile beneath the surface of the ocean -- because we're running out of places to drill on land and in shallow water."

Here we go.

With all due respect, are you f**** kidding me, Mr. President?
Now, making comments like this in front of all the world to see just makes you appear...ummm, how do you say.....ummmmmmmmmm, stupid.

Please tap into the Here we go. six degrees of separation up from here for more details, spelled out and based on reality if will you, if you haven't already done so...

Anyway, so once he gets the pesky housekeeping out of the way, he moves in for the real reason for our little chat -- Cap & Tax Green Energy Government Regulation, on deck as we speak.

What immdiately brought back pipe dreams past and present,  was when he said, "I'll be happy to look at [other stupid ideas]...be it from either party...One approach I will not accept is inaction."

Interesting.  Leading up to the Trillion Dollar Health Care package he was saying nearly the exact same thing.  Hmmmm

"In the coming weeks, these efforts should capture up to 90% of the oil leaking out of the well,"  The One in Charge said.

So when he gets back from Vague-cation in the Gulf, maybe we can get real with that.

"coming weeks..." 

 for god knows when

"should..."

but would-a, should-a, could-a

"up to..." 

for a glass half empty sounds less than presidential

"90%..."

 but don't get me wrong,

certainly not less than 2%,

sure don't want any promises to come back 

and kick me in the butt

Without fail, the generalities ran amuck out of the mouth for the longest 18 minutes I've ever had; if not for the boom, laid to wait as a frosty Budweiser between us, lord knows the loss of time and energy listening to a man who needed to say everything and added nothing new...

"because there's never been a leak of this size."

(unless you count your own propaganda stream)

"but make no mistake, we will do whatever is necessary."

(well, duh)

"lay out a battle plan...make sure...it never happens again."

(is that a yea or a nay on drilling in America?)

"we've been in charge."

(since day one...

surprise...

this is what it looks like

when the government is in charge)

"we've approved barrier islands."

(on June 2nd to be exact...six weeks into it...

but who's holding their breath anymore)

"I refuse to let that happen."

(if you say so)

"as we speak...

[factories are opening,

wind turbines are twirling,

energy efficient windows are being hung

next to the chimney with care]"

(and that has made all the difference...)

"only if... only if...only if we cease the moment."

(reaching deep into the emotional archives, 

like the now infamous call to action when he stood at the pulpit declaring 

"we are 5 days away from fundamentally transforming America...")

The thing is, the best part came at the end! badump ba. 

He moved into the realm of spiritual inspiration -- and saved the night from deteriorating into every other hypnotic, run of the mill, mind warp from a presidency on the brink of disaster -- whereas we find hope continues to float (yeah):

"It is a faith in the future that sustains us as a people. It is that same faith that sustains our neighbors in the Gulf right now. 

Each year, at the beginning of shrimping season, the region's fishermen take part in a tradition that was brought to America long ago by fishing immigrants from Europe. It's called "The Blessing of the Fleet," and today it's a celebration where clergy from different religions gather to say a prayer for the safety and success of the men and women who will soon head out to sea - some for weeks at a time.

The ceremony goes on in good times and in bad. It took place after Katrina, and it took place a few weeks ago - at the beginning of the most difficult season these fishermen have ever faced.And still, they came and they prayed.

For as a priest and former fisherman once said of the tradition, "The blessing is not that God has promised to remove all obstacles and dangers. The blessing is that He is with us always," a blessing that's granted "...even in the midst of the storm."

Me thinks the great shell game, happening before our eyes in the Oval Office, has reached the beginning of the end; Americans just aren't swallowing the illusion so easy anymore.

Oh the irony really, Sarah would have been far better equipped to handle this worst case scenario -- for as the Governor of Alaska, "75% of her job was spent on ENERGY"...dealing with Oil Companies and the ENVIRONMENT with accountability, integrity, and above all, protecting Alaska and all of it's inhabitants... that was her only job and number one priority from her very first day to the last.

As a "community organizer" the process of "organizing" the best and the brightest scientific minds to put up or shut up (from day one) has fallen a day late and millions of gallons of oil short.  But what else can we expect from a guy who only knows how to layer a bureaucracy in order to fundamentally change anything; he only knows how to motivate from the bottom up through marching, speaking, protesting in order to make waves, and the more layers the better; for remember, he "will not accept inaction" -- everybody look busy.

Ahhh the difference of being IN business and reading about it...woeful ignorance is at it again.

Truth is, the longer we are in this hot mess, the more of a case against oil and for green we go, as according to the administration who lives by an age-old Emanuel custom of "never letting a crisis go to waste"  -- we know this because every year, some time between Rosh Hashanah and Ramadan, under the light of a silver moon (the actual time and place is a secret...shssshh), they gather to pay homage (perhaps as many as 300 of them), along with clergy of different religions...they break bread and eat fish, exchange gifts, and pray for sustenance and strength to last the whole year through.

Upon light of day, one thing we know for sure -- this being the day after an Oval Office Tet offensive -- the bureaucracy of cleaning up an oil spill is alive and well. 

"Thank you, and God Bless You -- and may God Bless the United States of America."

Make it a Good Day, G

PS good news is spilling out of D.C. as we speak...in a closed door session, it is official...BO put the boot to the throat of BP and twenty billion dollars will be placed into an account (probably before noon pacific time) to be managed by an independent arm of the government, names to be named at a later date...  Keep it here for late-breaking news...as it's made, manufactured and refined, every day...think of it as your own esthetically designed,  energy efficient window to the world...for the future is now... Life... lick it... kick it, and make way for ducklings.