Here is your chance to raise your IQ 100 points. Just read the latest issue of The Geshrey.
I was reviewing my earlier blogs and realized that I have somehow devolved into a morass of seriousness. Fewer jokes and quips. Why, I first ask myself, is this happening? Then I answer myself with my usual unusual insight.
“It takes a worried man to sing a worried song
It takes a worried man to sing a worried song
It takes a worried man to sing a worried song
I’m worried now but I won’t be worried long”
——Worried Man Blues
Truthfully, I do not understand the last line of this old folk song. There is no hint in any of its lyrics that things will improve for the worried man. Sort of like being an American in 2020 with T-rump as President.
Helpful hint: Didja know that champagne can be used to polish your shoes and in the early 20th century, that’s what most people did. —thanks RVTravel
A few days ago I received this message from Margaret M: “I would love to hear your thoughts on William Barr and the destruction of the independence of our three branches of government.” I promised Margaret I would share my thoughts with her (and my three other loyal readers) because I really appreciate that she reads my blogs and is brave enough to admit it. I am also flattered by the request.
Over the last couple of days I tried to write a response to Margaret’s request. After several hours I realized that I was bogged down by my own thought processes. There was so much I wanted to say! Where to begin? What to cull? I got dizzy! As a result, my response will not appear in this issue. But I will keep my promise to Margaret. Later.
Coco Chanel once said, “Don’t spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door. ” Eric Kaminsky says, “don’t waste time waiting for T-rump to transform into a decent human being. We will be better served waiting for him to transform into a door.”
Didja know that in Chico, California it is illegal to build, maintain, or use a nuclear weapon. In addition to self-annihilation, the infraction carries a $500 fine.
Today I am going to have a somewhat longer blog, at the risk of being chastised
by my sister-in-law Mara who complained that my first blog was too long. This is because I want to include the following narrative titled Retiree’s Last Trip to Walmart. Once you read it, you will know why I wanted to include it.
Retiree’s Last Trip to Walmart
“Yesterday I was at my local Wal-Mart buying a large bag of Purina dog chow for my loyal pet, Jake, the Wonder Dog and was in the check-out line when a woman behind me asked if I had a dog.
What did she think I had, an elephant?
So because I’m retired and have little to do, on impulse I told her that no, I didn’t have a dog, I was starting the Purina Diet again. I added that I probably shouldn’t, because I ended up in the hospital last time, but that I’d lost 50 pounds before I awakened in an intensive care ward with tubes coming out of most of my orifices and IVs in both arms.
I told her that it was essentially a Perfect Diet and that the way that it works is, to load your pants pockets with Purina Nuggets and simply eat one or two every time you feel hungry. The food is nutritionally complete so it works well and I was going to try it again. (I have to mention here that practically everyone in line was now enthralled with my story.)
Horrified, she asked if I ended up in intensive care, because the dog food poisoned me. I told her no, I stopped to pee on a Fire Hydrant [sic] and a car hit me.
I thought the guy behind her was going to have a heart attack he was laughing so hard.
Wal-Mart won’t let me shop there anymore. Better watch what you ask retired people. They have all the time in the world to think of crazy things to say. Forward this (especially) to all your retired friends…it will be their laugh for the day!”
—-Ken Harrison/Free thinker
Didja know that Louis XIV of France (1638-1715) is rumored to have said, “[T]he State. I am the State” (roughly translated from “L’Etat, c’est moi.”)
Didja know that on July 23, 2019 T-rump translated what old King Louie said, “I have an Article 2 [referring to the U.S. Constitution], where I have the right to do whatever I want as President.”
I agree with King Louis. I do not agree with T-rump.
Article 2, when read in isolation, seemingly does not expressly limit the powers of the President. It reads more like a list of duties including, but not limited to, acting as the Commander-in-Chief of the military, giving reports to Congress, and being in charge of the executive branch. One specific duty of note is that “. . . he [referring to the President] shall take Care [sic] that the laws be faithfully executed,. . . “ (I use the word “seemingly” because it can be argued the the enumeration of specific duties – or “powers” – precludes the right to do things not listed. But I admit I may be alone in this analysis.)
So, you ask, what is the basis for my opinion that the President cannot do whatever he wants? Limiting my answer to the four corners of the Constitution because that is the document upon which T-rump’s assertion is made, the basis for my opinion is the Bill of Rights and subsequent Amendments. They define what the government is allowed to do, what it must do, and what it cannot do. Being part of the Government, the President must play by the same rules. And recall the affirmative duty set out in Article 2 that the President ”. . . shall take Care [sic] that the laws be faithfully executed,. . . “ To take care that the laws are faithfully executed means that the President like everyone else must obey the law. (Someone should tell T-rump that the Constitution consists of more than Article 2.)
I urge everyone to read the 27 Amendments.
Unfortunately, the proscriptions against Presidential overreach discussed in the Amendments do not directly punish T-rump for a misfeasance. When he does things that violate the Bill of Rights or any of the other 17 amendments the wrong can only be remedied on a case-by-case basis by the courts in individual lawsuits, usually by an order nullifying the action and an injunction. But T-rump personally and as President is not specifically punished for his transgression in any lawsuit and he is free to try again to test the limits of Constitutionality and his powers.
So how do we stop a President like T-rump who engages in egregiously bad behavior that may consist of a violation of the Constitution (or the criminal law or other unbecoming behavior)? The path chosen by our Founding Fathers is fear of impeachment, and if fear doesn’t work, actual impeachment and trial. Of course, we know how well that works!
Didja know that after the Japanese attacked Hawaii, people in Los Angeles were sure they would next attack the Pacific Coast. Fears seemed justified because on Feb. 25, 1942 the “Battle of Los Angeles” began. It started with sirens wailing at 2:25 a.m. when the U.S. Army announced the approach of hostile aircraft.
Later in the morning it was discovered that there were no enemy airplanes. Much later in the war the U.S. Army admitted that the “hostile aircraft” were really weather balloons.
The “battle of Los Angeles” was not without casualties. A blackout caused three people to die in car crashes and two people had heart attacks. Vehicles suffered bullet holes and anti-aircraft shells demolished garages and patios. (After all, the shells eventually have to go somewhere! What goes up must come down.)
Two more thoughts. In my last issue (no. 10) I discussed how Bernie Sanders’ self-description as a “socialist” can truly hurt the Democrats. His latest pronouncement involves praising Castro for instituting literacy programs in Cuba. Regardless of the merits of the literacy program, Castro brought Communism to the Western Hemisphere. Communism is socialism coupled with a dictatorship. By praising anything Castro did it seems that Sanders is bound and determined to undermine by stupidity and intransigence the chances of a Democratic win in November.
Sanders is making the Democrats cannon fodder for T-rump and the Republican Party and he refuses to recognize what he is doing. Why can’t he describe his policies without including the word “socialist?”
Didja know that the American Revolution was the only armed revolution in history not followed by a blood bath?
Now we have two problems that create the need to sleep with one eye open. T-rump is still running loose and Sanders self-proclaimed socialism may be tanking the chances for a Democratic victory in November.