Wednesday, May 31, 2017

The worst thing Trump could do

Over the past year I have posted any number of criticisms of Donald Trump.  Some of his actions have been truly appalling.  Evil is not too strong a word.

However, to ignore global warming, to ignore the human effects on the world’s climate, to pull out of the Paris Agreement is the worst thing Trump could do.  Most of the other actions or proposals affect the U.S.  Gutting our policies to reduce greenhouse gases will affect not only the U.S. and the present generation, but the entire globe and all generations to come.  This is insanity.


Twenty-two Republican Senators, including Orrin Hatch, Mitch McConnell, Rand Paul, and Ted Cruz, have signed a letter urging Trump to pull out of the agreement.  How did we ever reach this level of ignorance?

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Trump owes legal fees

In Louisville, Kentucky, approximately eight months before the election, Trump was interrupted by protestors.  Trump yelled, “Get ‘em out of here.”  A white supremacist named Matthew Heimbach shoved Kashiya Nwanguma, a black college student who was holding a sign showing Trump’s face on the body of a pig.

Fast forward.  Ms. Nwanguma filed suit against Mr. Heimbach, accusing him of assault and battery.  

Now Mr. Heimbach is demanding indemnity from Trump, saying that Trump directed him to take action.  Tapes are available showing Mr. Trump promising to pay the legal fees of anyone who removed or attacked protestors.  Mr. Heimbach has a point.  Words have meaning.  Trump did promise to pay legal fees. 

Trump’s campaign coarsened American politics.  It is time we hold his feet to the fire and make him responsible for things he said.  He is a bully and a loser, and he must be held accountable.


(Once again I owe the Times.  The article containing the info–though not my editorializing–was by David Zucchino, “A Trump Campaign Rally Led to Shoving, and Legal Wrangling, Too,” (May 26, 2017), p. 16.)

Monday, May 29, 2017

Donald Trump dumps integrity

Trump stole his coat of arms.  Seriously.  An emblem that Trump uses at the Trump National Golf Club, the host of the P.G.A. Championship this past weekend, has a coat of arms featuring three lions and two chevrons on a shield below a gloved hand holding an arrow.  

The coat of arms was granted by British authorities in 1939 to Joseph Edward Davies, not Donald Trump.  Trump did make one change.  He replaced the Latin word “integritas,” which means Integrity, with the word Trump.  

(Info from this post, along with a picture of the coat of arms with the Trump logo where “integritas” should be, can be found in an article by Danny Hakim in the business section of today’s Times.)


Tomorrow:  White racist sues Trump for failing to pay his legal bill, breaking a promise Trump made.

Sunday, May 28, 2017

The Times screws up

To say I am a fan of the New York Times would be an understatement.  Every day I drive four miles to get my copy; I’ve been buying it daily since I was a student at Penn State.  I’m aware of the paper’s involvement in major free press cases like New York Times v. Sullivan and the Pentagon Papers litigation.  I love the crossword puzzles.  As any reader of this blog knows, probably half of the posts are inspired or owe their genesis to articles in the Times.  I even own stock in the paper.  I’m not kidding.

Nonetheless, publishing details about the investigation of the Manchester bomber was inexcusable.  The front page article included a picture of remnants of the backpack and the bomber’s name while investigators were still trying to determine if others were involved.  To then run a self-serving justification about how traditions in America are different than in Europe when printing leaks doesn’t cut it.  


There was no good reason to run those details other than sensationalism.  I expect stuff like this from the National Enquirer or Fox.  I’m saddened to see it in the Times.

Saturday, May 27, 2017

Philadelphia drops behind Phoenix

According to the latest population statistics recently reported in the Morning Call, Philadelphia has dropped below Phoenix to the number six spot.  The top five are New York, L.A., Chicago, Houston, and Phoenix.

Unfortunately for Phoenix, while it may be #5 in population, it is not a real city.  It is a bunch of suburbs stuck together with shopping malls and cul-de-sacs.  I’ve been to both cities.  Philadelphia has restaurants, world class museums, Fairmont Park, South Street, Chinatown, Independence Mall, Penn’s Landing, the University of Pennsylvania and Temple, the Phillies, the Flyers, the Eagles, the zoo, boathouse row, and so much more.


I can’t remember anything in Phoenix except I couldn't wait to get to Tucson.  

Friday, May 26, 2017

Euthanize Palmerton's feral cats

I have been posting comments on this blog for years.  I have learned some lessons.  I know that I can make fun of religion, mock elected officials, use bad language, attack the Confederate flag, say just about anything political,  and no one bats an eye.  What I can’t do without bringing down the wrath of the ages is attack feral cats.

I will anyway.  Millions of songbirds are killed every year by feral cats and house cats.  I actually like cats.  I used to own one named Charlie.  (He was kept indoors.)  Cats are not part of the natural environment.  They have an instinct to hunt; it’s what they do.  In addition to birds, they kill lizards, voles, mice, snakes, baby rabbits–just about any small animal, bird, or reptile they can get their teeth into.

Feeding stations for feral cats are the completely wrong answer to an environmental problem.  A Humane Society officer was quoted that Palmerton’s restrictions on feeding stations for feral cats could be considered cruelty to animals.  When I feed rose-breasted grosbeaks, indigo buntings, and nuthatches, and a feral cat that someone dropped off at our farm lies in wait and kills the birds, am I supposed to pull the feeding station for the birds?


People, we are talking about cats.  They are animals not nearly as intelligent by any measure as pigs that people routinely kill and eat.  Let’s get real.

Thursday, May 25, 2017

Display your Trump signs proudly

I understand that many Trump supporters are urging each other to get out their Trump campaign signs and display them to show support for their man.

They should, so we can be reminded of who they are.  I’m not sure which aspect of the Administration they are so proud of, but I’m guessing it might be:

•  the proposal to slash drug control funds by 95% in the middle of an opioid epidemic.

•  an EPA head who removes pollution restrictions on an industry with which he has ties.

•  support for a health care bill that will remove coverage for about 23 million people.

•  the love affair with Putin.

•  the Keystone XL pipeline approval.

•  the fact that Harley-Davidson announced it will be building a plant in Thailand.

•  lead shot again allowed on federal lands.

•  the mentally ill allowed to buy weaponry.

•  deportation of parents who have committed no misdemeanors or felonies.

•  ending funding for Planned Parenthood, which means no prenatal care for millions of women.


Oh heck, Trump could shoot someone dead on 5th Avenue, and the die-hards would find an excuse.  Probably a liberal, or a reporter, or a woman.

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Solly Walker, 1932-2017

Solly Walker was a 6-foot-4 basketball player for St. Johns who as a senior led his team with 14 points and 12.2 rebounds per game.  

When Walker was a sophomore in 1951, St. Johns was scheduled to play Kentucky, coached by Adolph Rupp, on its home court.  Rupp told the St. Johns coach, Frank McGuire, “You can’t bring that boy down here to Lexington.”

McGuire replied, “Then cancel the game.”  Walker was allowed to play.  Kentucky’s basketball team remained all-white until 1970.

Coach McGuire and some of his teammates stayed with Walker when he was barred from segregated hotels and dining rooms.

It is important that we remember these things.  I’ve heard that young people who saw the film “Hidden Figures” found it hard to believe that such racist behavior really occurred.  It did.


Information for this post is from an obit by Daniel E. Slotnik, “Solly Walker, 85, Player Who Broke Racial Barriers,” Times, (May 5, 2017), p. A 24.

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

ICE raids a mushroom farm

ICE stands for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  These are agents who drag immigrants without papers out of their homes and deport them.  

On April 26 ICE agents raided Kaolin Mushrooms in Avondale, Pennsylvania, and arrested 12 people, taking them to York County Prison.  When Obama was president, the main target was serious criminals.  Under the Trump administration, ICE agents are raiding farms and agricultural establishments.  

Lancaster Farming ran an article advising farmers what to do if they are raided.  Ms. Silas Ruiz-Steele, who chairs the immigration group at the Barley Snyder law firm, said that farmers should not try to hide undocumented immigrants or shred documents.

She said those actions could lead to a charge of “harboring,” a criminal offense, and “the penalties are very very steep.”

What does all this remind you of?


Information for this post is from an article by Philip Gruber, “Lawyer:  Keep Cool if ICE Calls,” Lancaster Farming, (May 20, 2017), p. A1, 6.

Monday, May 22, 2017

Carbon County Coal Miners Trained To Be Wind Farm Technicians

OK, the title is a tease.  The U.S. has four Carbon counties, located in Pennsylvania, Wyoming, Utah, and Montana.  This training is for a wind farm to be built in Carbon County, Wyoming.  The company that hopes to erect the wind turbines is a Chinese company named Goldwind Works.  The project could generate hundreds of full time operations and support positions.

Last year Linda and I drove though Wyoming on I-80.  The number of existing wind turbines we could see from the freeway was amazing.  The Trump Administration may be pushing coal mining, but coal is a dying technology.


Information for this post was from today’s business section of the Times.,  See “Wyoming Wind Project Envisions Coal Miners As Its New Work Force,” p. B6.

Sunday, May 21, 2017

Pipeline "Blowout Picnic" at the Big Creek Grange

Linda and I sponsored a picnic for people who have been fighting the proposed PennEast/UGI fracking gas pipeline.  That’s the pipeline slated to trench through Hickory Run and Beltzville State Parks and two preserved farms in Towamensing Township, including ours.

The picnic was potluck, featured a really great Jim Thorpe duo for the musical entertainment.  We also raised over $1000 to continue the fight.  I am aware that PennEast/UGI is a multi-billion dollar consortium, but you have no doubt heard of David and Goliath.  Efforts by people like us have already delayed the project by at least two years.  

Today was a fun day.  About half the attendees were landowners affected by the pipeline.  The other half were people who care about the environment, who think eminent domain for private corporation profit is just wrong, or who think it is time we move from fossil fuels to renewable resources.  


It was a great afternoon.

Saturday, May 20, 2017

Medical marijuana

Today I drove to Philadelphia to have lunch with David, a former SJSU student who works for a company that makes greenhouses for medical marijuana growers.  Free plug:  We ate at Maggiano’s on Filbert, less than half a block from the Reading Terminal, and the food was excellent.

In addition to having a great time, I learned a lot about medical marijuana.  Strains have been developed to treat different ailments.  Strains of medical marijuana are also available with so little THC in them that you can’t get high from their use.  

I learned that in Pennsylvania 25 contracts are available for medical marijuana growers, and the state has received over 900 applications.  This worries me just a bit, since Pennsylvania state government does not have an exemplary record with regard to kickbacks and bribes.  


I am also thinking that maybe I’d rather be the medical marijuana king instead of the hot pepper king of Carbon County.  We have 23 acres available; that’s more than enough for greenhouses.  

Friday, May 19, 2017

Roger Ailes

The United States today is polarized like it hasn’t been since the Civil War.  The most outlandish falsities are taken as true by millions of people.  Americans are fearful and paranoid.  They believe there is voter fraud with no evidence.  They believe Obama was born in Kenya.  They think global warming is a hoax.  

Moderate Republicans have gone the way of the dinosaurs.  Reputable newspapers and television reporters are distrusted and accused of being enemies of America.  Race relations are probably worse than they were 30 years ago.

Suppose you had to name ten people who are responsible for this sad state of affairs.  Certainly Roger Ailes, who began his career as a media advisor to President Nixon, would be on that list.  His Fox “News” traded on fear and hatred, and it made lots of money.  We could add Rupert Murdoch to that list; his money gave Ailes his platform.  

I’d include Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck and Bill O’Reilly in that Group of Ten as well.  These are men, and they are all men, who hate American ideals and are or were doing their best to divide the country, all in the pursuit of profit.

Alec Baldwin said we should not celebrate Ailes’ death because he has children.  Ailes was already disgraced because of  his predatory sexual behavior toward employees.  He was an evil man.

P.S.:  I know some of my readers check this blog every day, and you are probably wondering why I didn’t post last night.  I was in Lambertville, New Jersey, watching a film about resistance to the Keystone XL pipeline.  


And one more thing.  Yesterday’s Times quoted Trump supporters claiming the “deep state” would soon be accusing Trump of dementia or Alzheimer’s.  I never thought of myself as part of the so-called deep state, but you read that accusation here first.  I’m what you call prescient.  

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Does Trump have Alzheimer's Disease

“No politician in history has been treated worse.”  That is what Trump told the graduates at the Coast Guard Academy.

He has forgotten the chants of “lock her up”?  He has forgotten that Hillary Clinton was accused of murdering Vince Foster.  She was accused of running a child sex ring in a pizza restaurant in Washington, D.C.  She was called “crooked Hillary” by her opponent for months.

Has he forgotten the “birther” controversy, which he financed, claiming that President Obama was born in Kenya and not a U.S. citizen, a charge that millions of Americans still believe?


Trump’s statement clearly shows a lack of rationality.  This is clinical.  This is not a cause for impeachment.  This is the time for the 25th Amendment to kick in.  I don’t believe this President is able to discharge “the powers and duties of his office.”  He needs to be removed.

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Working the polls at the Rod and Gun Club

The voters at one precinct in Towamensing Township cast their ballots at the Palmerton Rod and Gun Club.  I was there for a few hours passing out slate cards for three Palmerton Area School Board candidates.

What a difference from last November, when I worked the same polling place on behalf of the Democrats.  We live in what was then (and probably still is) Trump country, and some of the comments I received I would never publish in this blog.


Today it was completely different.  First of all the turnout was about one-tenth of last November.  Secondly, people were pleasant, smiled, and generally looked like citizens happy to exercise their responsibility.  Great day, although it is still to early to say if my candidates won.

Monday, May 15, 2017

Campus carry

Two more states,-Georgia and Arkansas-have passed legislation permitting students to carry concealed firearms at public universities. 

This is supposed to make students safer.

Arkansas, which forbids umbrellas and diaper bags in the Razorback’s stadium, had allowed guns to be carried into football games, but after a huge public outcry the legislature rescinded that one.  

Why?  Why allow guns in the pol. sci. classroom but not the stadium?  Let’s be consistent, Arkansas.


Ten states now allow campus carry.  Pennsylvania isn’t one.  Yet.  Republicans do control of the state legislature, so I’m sure we’ll soon be number eleven.

Sunday, May 14, 2017

In praise of [some] Republicans

In 2016 President Obama issued rules on the release of methane from oil and gas wells on public lands.  The Senate last week voted 51 to 49 to block consideration of a resolution to repeal those rules that curb methane emissions.  

Three Republican Senators–John McCain, Lindsay Graham, and Susan Collins–supported the methane curbs.


While I am on the subject of reasonable Republicans, I want to praise Rep. Charles Dent.  While I don’t agree with everything he does, his vote against Trumpcare shows that he has courage and integrity.

Saturday, May 13, 2017

Trump University

The headline in today’s Times read “Crackdown on For-Profit Colleges Is Said to Go Idle Under Trump Team.”  Are you surprised?  

Remember that “Trump University” bilked students out of thousands of dollars, supposedly teaching them business practices, but actually teaching them not to trust Trump or his phony university.  Trump paid millions in a settlement with former students.

Trump is not just a grandiose blowhard who doesn’t understand the American Constitution, but he is also a small time crook.  Betsy DeVos is the head of the Department of Education, and she certainly is not about to worry about for-profit colleges.  


And I still see people proudly displaying their Trump campaign signs. 

Friday, May 12, 2017

Jerry Smith, 1936-2017

Linda and I worked for State Senator Jerry Smith in the 1980s.  Linda was a volunteer in his office; when her schedule made it difficult for her to volunteer, I took her place.  After some months of volunteer work, I was asked if I wanted to be a part-time Field Representative, and I jumped at the chance.  Our office staff was very Californian; suburban housewife, Latina, Japanese, a female Administrative Assistant as our boss, and a young hippie as the other part-time Field Rep.  

I worked in that office for two years until Gov. Jerry Brown appointed Smith to the Appellate Court.  In two years I was never asked to do anything illegal or immoral.  When people say that all politicians are crooks, I have evidence that not only are they not crooks, they can be as upright and moral as Jerry Smith.

Smith carried the bill that allowed for joint custody for divorced parents, which I totally supported, having used joint custody when it was a private arrangement between the divorcing parents.  He sponsored legislation to help middle aged women whose husbands divorced them to get training and re-enter the job market.  He sponsored a bill to provide access to the California Coast that is still a model for public access to ocean beaches.


I wish I had kept in better touch before he died, but I have the satisfaction of knowing how much I admired him and how much I appreciated the opportunity to work in his office.

Thursday, May 11, 2017

Protesting Betsy DeVos

I have been meaning to post instructions on how to protest a speaker you don’t like for about three weeks now, but something else always came up.  Yesterday the students at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida, beat me to it.

When Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, who was approved only by the tie-breaking vote of Vice President Pence, spoke at a college founded by the educator and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune, many of the graduating seniors sat with their backs to her.  

My Uncle Eugene taught me this tactic years ago.  I used it myself when Sen. Toomey spoke at Penn’s Peak.  It is a non-violent protest that allows the speech to go on.  Sen. Toomey never mentioned my back turning, but I have given enough speeches to know that a speaker is definitely aware of something like that.


Is it an insult?  Of course it is, but Betsy DeVos, who knows absolutely nothing about education, the history of black colleges, or much of anything besides a desire to dismantle public education, is an insult to this country.  

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Confederate monuments

Mayor Mitch Landrieu and the city government of New Orleans have decided to remove a number of statues of heroes of the Confederacy and white supremacists who opposed racial integration.

Many white southerners are outraged, seeing this as an attempt to erase history.  I agree with them.

What I think we should do is change the plaques beneath the statutes.  For example, for Jeff Davis, we could put up a plaque that says:  “Jefferson Davis, President, who led a treasonous war against the United States of America in order to preserve slavery.”

For the white supremacists, the plaque could read: “(insert name) fought to preserve racial segregation.  This stature serves as a reminder of the worst aspects of American history and a hope that bigots such as this will never again succeed in implementing their evil doctrines.”

That should satisfy the people who want to keep the statues and the people who find them offensive.

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Sacred dogs

Recently in India a group of Hindus beat a Muslim man to death on the mistaken assumption that the Muslim had killed a cow.  In the U.S., where we routinely buy Big Macs at McDonald’s, this seems very strange.  They worship cows?  Really?

Here we worship dogs.  Today an article in the Allentown Morning Call noted that the pit bull that killed his owner in Upper Macungie township was not on the “dangerous dog registry.”  Pennsylvania actually keeps a list of dangerous dogs.  If you are the owner of a “dangerous dog” which has inflicted severe injury or killed a person or domestic animal without provocation while off the owner’s property, you register the animal with the Burea of Dog Law Enforcement and pay a $500 yearly registration fee.

There are 11 of these dogs in Lehigh County and 9 in Northampton County.  I understand that these dogs may have been mistreated, trained badly, or in some way misused.  I understand that they are animals who do not know right from wrong.  But really, wouldn’t it make more sense to euthanize them.


Wait, I forgot.  In America we worship dogs.

Monday, May 8, 2017

Bears Ears

“Rising from the center of the southeastern Utah landscape and visible from every direction are twin buttes so distinctive that in each of the native languages of the region their name is the same:  Hoon’Naqvut, Shash Jaa, Kwiyagatu Nukavachi, Ansh An Lashokdiwe, or ‘Bears Ears.’  For hundreds of generations, native peoples lived in the surrounding deep sandstone canyons, desert mesas...one of the densest and most significant cultural landscapes in the United States.”

That was from President Obama’s proclamation establishing Bears Ears National Monument, Dec. 28, 2016.

Obama did not pull this out of the air.  It came after years of organizing by the Bears Ears Intertribal Coalition, made up of Hopi, Navajo, Uintah and Ouray Ute, Ute Mountain Ute, and Zuni nations.  

Now President Trump, listening to people like Orrin Hatch and Rep. Jason Chaffetz, both friends of the oil and gas industry and other commercial developments, has ordered his Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to review President Obama’s proclamation.

We already knew President Trump cares little for Indians when he reversed Obama’s policy  on the pipeline cutting through Standing Rock Sioux lands.  Trump is also a great admirer of Andrew Jackson, who ordered the Cherokee removal with its “Trail of Tears.”  Once again Native Americans are under attack.


Information fro this post came from Terry Tempest Williams, “The Next Standing Rock?” New York Times, (May 7, 2017), p. 8(sr).

Sunday, May 7, 2017

Abortions cause breast cancer?

They don’t.  

Who believes they do?  Charmaine Yoest, who will be Trump’s assistant Secretary for Public Affairs in the Health and Human Services Department.  She’ll be getting the word out.

Rumor is that Trump is also planning to pick Teresa Manning, a former official in the National Right to Life organization as the Health and Human Services deputy assistant secretary for population affairs.  This is a woman who not only believes abortions cause breast cancer, but also believes (according to a radio interview) the idea that contraception would prevent conception was “preposterous.”

And yet the “base” is happy they voted for Trump.


P.S.  Vive la France!

Saturday, May 6, 2017

Excommunicate Lou Barletta

Congressman Lou Barletta initially had some doubts about the repeal of the Affordable Care Act because he thought the Republican version might allow some undocumented residents to receive health care.  When he was assured it would allow undocumented residents to die rather than get health care, he supported the repeal.

Now Barletta is being talked about as a possible opponent of U.S. Senator Bob Casey.  This is a Congressman who made his reputation by being a racist.  This is a man whose main purpose seems to be to deny any kind of aid to residents who might not have proper papers.

Barletta is a Catholic.  I am writing to the Pope to let him know what kind of man Mr. Barletta is, and I am asking the Pope to excommunicate his ass.  I do not think Barletta's views are in keeping with those of the Catholic faith.

Friday, May 5, 2017

Happy Cinco de Mayo

When people ask me if I miss California, I tell them, of course I do.  One of the things I miss is the Cinco de Mayo celebration in San Jose, including a big parade that included mariachi bands, floats, horses, and, of course, local politicians in convertibles.  

Back here Groundhog Day gets more play than Cinco de Mayo.  A groundhog is an overgrown rodent, and that is what we have a day for?  Really?

On the other hand, it is my understanding that Cinco de Mayo is not as much of a holiday in Mexico as it was in California.  In any case, it was fun holiday, and I’m all in favor of celebrating it.  


Now if you will excuse me, I will get my tortilla chips and my Corona and do some celebrating on my own.

Thursday, May 4, 2017

Trumpcare

Linda’s grandmother, a Missouri Democrat and Harry Truman campaign worker, used to say that a Republican couldn’t enjoy a meal unless he knew somebody somewhere was starving.

I thought of Willa Wingo today when the House approved the repeal of the Affordable Care Act.  The bill would deny or reduce medical coverage to millions of Americans, meanwhile giving a break to the richest Americans.  The representatives are proud of what they did.

Recently Linda and I were having lunch in a restaurant and overheard the man at the next table say to his companions, in all seriousness, “The problem with liberals is that they care about other people.”  


Is that really a problem?

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

"The Promise"

When will Turkey finally admit there was an Armenian genocide, and that Turkey was responsible?  After all, approximately 1.5 million Armenians were killed by the Turks during World War I.  “The Promise,” a recently-released film directed by Terry George, is set in the time of the genocide.

The Turkish response?  Never happened.  Turkish investors also backed a different film, “The Ottoman Lieutenant,” in which a Turkish officer helps to save Armenians.  

I just finished a Teaching Company course on the history of American Indians.  The course covered broken treaties, tribal relocation, the Trail of Tears, forced removal of children, the massacre at Wounded Knee, restrictions on Indian religions, and the appropriation of Indian symbols by sports teams who care nothing about real Indians.

As bad as these things were, in America, unlike in Turkey, we can talk about and teach our children about the evils in our past.  We can discuss the horrors of slavery and racial segregation, or the discrimination suffered by immigrants, or treatment of Japanese during World War II.  

Other countries also make an effort.  Last week I posted about a policy in Rwanda to reconcile the Hutus and the Tutsis.  South Africa has a Reconciliation Commission.  Germany teaches its students about the Holocaust.  


To begin to heal past injustices, the first step is to recognize them.  It is a lesson Turkey (and quite a few Americans) seem unable to learn.

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Trail of Tears

A few years ago Linda and I stopped for the night in Fort Payne, Alabama.  Fort Payne is the birthplace of the group “Alabama,” and the town park  features a stature of the musicians.  Fort Payne was also a center for the Cherokee Indian nation, and it has erected a sign to commemorate the “Trail of Tears,” when the Cherokee nation was forcibly marched to Oklahoma.  The march was brutal, and approximately one quarter of the population died.  Many of the victims were older Cherokees or small children.  

The Supreme Court under Chief Justice John Marshall said that the Cherokees could not be moved.  President Andrew Jackson is reported to have said, “John Marshall made his decision, now let him enforce it.”

I understand that our President is a great admirer of Jackson.  Evidently he thinks Jackson, a slave holder, could have prevented the Civil War, and may have even been alive when the Civil War was fought.

Does Trump’s lack of knowledge matter?  

Of course it matters.  If he doesn’t know about the origins of the Cold War, or our history of colonialism in Cuba, or how fascism arose in Europe, or how we blundered into the Vietnam War, or why Iranians hated the Shah, or the history of Jim Crow in voter suppression, or how Reagan’s tax cuts ran up the deficit, he will make mistakes that could have easily been avoided by any person with a rudimentary knowledge of history.


Our president’s ignorance is mind-boggling.  Why people like Sen. Toomey or Rep. Paul Ryan or Sen. Mitch McConnell, who must know better, are enabling this clown, is beyond my comprehension.

Monday, May 1, 2017

Paul Ryan, total suckup

Time magazine ran a double issue for May 1/May 8 entitled “The 100 most influential people.”  The editors asked Paul Ryan to write about Donald Trump.  

Ryan wrote, “Never afraid of a battle, he has made it his mission to fight for those who feel forgotten.  Where others would pivot, he stays true to who he is.  Where others would would turn back, he forges ahead.  Up close, I have found a driven, hands-on leader, with the potential to become a truly transformational American figure.”


That is downright embarrassing.