Like Children On A Playground

After all that bull-horning that he'd easily (and quickly) stop the war in Ukraine, Trump, trying to save face by blaming everything on Biden, now says that Ukraine and Russia are like children fighting on a playground, and we should let them duke it out for a bit, like you do with kids.  Kudos to the German Chancellor, who not only managed to interrupt Trump while he was going nowhere on a rant; but stressed (without directly contradicting DJT) that Ukraine can't wait. any longer - it's been 3-1/2 years.  I love that foreign politicians, now that they've seen Trump's treatment of visiting dignitaries, are better prepared for his BS.

Well, I think that's the way we all should feel about Trump and Elon.  We knew their split was coming, and as promised, it's entertaining as hell to watch.  So who will win out: the proverbial liar in the White House or the former Best Buddy?  Money seems to win out these days, but Trump's got more crazed followers.

Like every other one of Trump promises, we'll just have to wait and see.

Caligula's In Charge

You've heard the story:  Couldn't find the father, so ICE grabbed the 18 year old son on his way to volleyball practice with friends.  Such a threat.  ICE kicked the two young passengers out of the car (and left to their own devices) and the young man was taken into custody.

I was listening to the volleyball coach describe Marcelo Gomes-DaSilva  as, "the kind of kid any parent would want."  In addition to athlete, he is an honor roll student; in the band, both at school and church; nice; kind; "lightens up any room."  A Junior in H.S., he's been in the country since 6.  What did he do wrong, besides being in the wrong place at the wrong time?

She made the point (sic), "If ICE agents were able to identify the father's car, then they would know the address of the family and could have gone there.  OR they could have cited the young man for a traffic violation, taken him into custody, and when the father came to pick him up they could get him then."

That sounds reasonable; but NO, ICE says any illegal they find gets the 'treatment'.  Three patrol cars surrounded the car, the officers approached, covered but for their eyes, did not explain or show paperwork why he was being detailed.   They've moved him to another detention facility since he wasn't eating (shock and stress).

How would you feel about YOUR son experiencing something like that?  Even the innocent underage witnesses are likely traumatized by the experience as well, and certainly more distrustful of authority figures.  And worst of all, this is not an isolated incident.

Let's forget for the moment this haphazard way the government is arresting and detaining people.  Did you also hear that NEW Federal hires will be required to write an essay and take a Trump 101 seminar to learn the President's agenda?  Any actual skills are secondary.  Do you really believe he's going anywhere in 2028?

The fear being cultivated by our current administration is just dead wrong.  People are afraid to go to school, work and church.  People are afraid of losing Medicaid and Snap benefits.  Business owners are afraid to make plans.  Jews are certainly afraid, and that's not the administration's fault necessarily; unless you count the President embracing White Supremacists-and-South Africans.  Judges are afraid for the safety of their families.  Many are afraid decent Judges will resign en masse and we'll have another Judgement at Numenburg.  Cowards like the Egyptian who set those SENIORS on fire are trying to stoke fear; took him a year to plan that?  I love that the Holocaust survivor claims she'll be there next week, I wish to be so strong.

Everyone should be afraid that the FBI is tasked with helping ICE rather than looking out for foreign terrorist threats.  And Gulf Coasters SHOULD be afraid now that Hurriane Season is here.  How are those folks in North Carolina doing - ready for another; now that 20-30% of FEMA's workforce is GONE?

Trump's almost 80, isn't he?   By his age, most people have grown up and learned NOT to seek retribution against anyone who's caused him grief.  That's up to a higher power, or do you disagree?  Took me until my 60s, but I'm not in charge.  Haven't most people of any religion been taught that concept?  Certainly in Christian teachings; I single them/us out since that's becoming a pre-requisite in society. 

The President is beginning to think he's a god, just like Caligula.  From Wikipedia:

"For the early part of his reign, (Caligula) is said to have been "good, generous, fair and community-spirited" but increasingly self-indulgent, cruel, sadistic, extravagant and sexually perverted.  Thereafter, an insane, murderous tyrant who demanded and received worship as a living god, humiliated the Senate, and planned to make his horse a consul.  During his brief reign, Caligula worked to increase the unconstrained personal power of the emperor." 

We finally got rid of our stallion; rode right off in his Tesla, thank the gods; though be fair, some dispute that story.

Caligula's reign didn't end well, as I recall.  Well, at least I don't have to explain the Tooth Fairy.

Low Income Motel Travels

This piece continues my recent cross-country trip from New Jersey to Oregon.  My rental van was filled with much of my worldly possessions, stored for decades at Mom's and later a storage facility.  I was opting for motel rooms in order to pull the van up to the door (for easier unloading) and I succeeded; but it was a hodge-podge of establishments, many now turned into low-income housing.  Not run by a reputable non-profit or sponsored by the government, but 21st Century Slumlords.

After spending the night in  one such place west of Gettysburg, I zipped through Ohio and into Indiana. I didn't want to get too close to Chicago, so at 4pm I began searching for a place to stay.  I stopped for some cooked food at a Bob Evans in Ft Wayne, Indiana, but there weren't any motels nearby.

By 6 or so I cried, 'Uncle,' and stopped at a Mini Hilton or whatever.  The place was packed with people wearing sports memorabilia, and I wound up turning down the room offered, you can read about my snooty hotel experience in the previous post.

So I pulled back on to Rt. 30. The exits were few and farther between, so  by the time I exited at Warsaw and saw a Red Roof Inn, I gratefully pulled in.

It was dark by then.  The owner, I presumed, asked if I'd be staying a week.  "No, just the night."  $45 cash; $50 card.  He was polite but not too, and said my room would be at the end, on the ground floor, as requested.  As I drove through the parking lot I saw a few people standing around smoking and talking; a woman walking her dog; a grill-on-wheels in an empty parking space.

On Pizza and Politics

I don't post photos (or anything else) on social media, but I must celebrate this PERFECT slice of New York-style pepperoni pizza, extra grease, which I inhaled back in 'Jersey in April.  Served on a single, flimsy paper plate, that's part of the fun. It's impossible to properly explain this delicasy to others - you know, "Burns the roof of your mouth," as you utter, Ummmm.  I can die in peace.

It was Heaven on Earth stepping inside Mr. Pizza Slice in Red Bank.  I was teleported back to the 70's to fun times with family and friends popping inside one of these places for a slice. And here I was, popping in for a slice with Sis.  The only thing missing was the guy stretching and swirling dough in the air, cheap entertainment for kids.  But ouch!  I'd forgotten how intense is the scalding; then those pieces of hanging flesh in the mouth, so annoying.

It's hard getting back into writing.  I think I posted 2 or 3 since my return.  I've begun several with titles like, "Still $3.59 a Gallon," and, "Putin's Got Pictures" in response to headlines on ANY station, but I've decided instead to blend my views into a story from my recent cross-country trip, let's see how it goes.

I'd flown home to retrieve favorite belongings placed in storage in 2016, just before Mom died.  I meant to go back years ago but Covid hit; then I got my current position; but this year I finally said, "No more."  Not only had the rent gone from $25 to $60 a month for this 5x5 (l), but it's becoming increasingly clear that I've GOT to sell as much as I can to recoup what the government's about to take away, and maybe a little extra for a safety net.  At nigh on 70 it's a bit late to start again, but I hadn't counted on life happening the way it has.  No longer bitter (ok, 99%), I'm finally becoming practical, I hope.

I've touted since before November that it's only a matter of time before each of our heads are on this administration's proverbial chopping block, and it seems to be my turn in the form of cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and SNAP.  If I suddenly have to pay a Medicare premium and bear the increasingly high price of food by myself; and if tourism dries up because we've  offended so many countries so that I lose my current position; well, I shudder to think of what I'd possibly face in the form of housing, which is precisely what I faced on the trip.

100 Days of WTF?!

I've been biting my tongue about politics in Norteamérica; see, I can change names, too.  The absurdity President Trump is throwing at us during his personal Shell Game - can you believe?  Let's see what I can remember from the first 100 days:

Renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.  If you HAVE to change the name, why not call it the Gulf of THE Americas - that'll include North, South and Central.

Let's take over Canada, Greenland, Panama and Gaza - what real estate potential!  Did you hear that on the campaign trail?  "It's VITAL we OWN Greenland."  Yeah, to enrich our country's coffers.  Isn't that why he made a deal with Ukraine - to rape them of their precious minerals before Russia does?

Every time a Canadian comes into our resort I want to throw a party.  "Please don't blame us for our President" or "Bless your hearts" inadvertently pops out (we're non-political here, but sometimes you can't help it).  A couple that came in the other day explained that he's American, she's Canadian; and their siblings are all in mixed-relationships, too.  What mainly concerns them seems to be the hassle of crossing the 'ruler-created border,' not to mention dodging our crazies.

Let's ditch FEMA.  I received help from FEMA more than once in Puerto Rico, and their help was a Godsend.  If you haven't experienced a natural disaster firsthand, just remember that if they dismantle FEMA and a disaster comes your way, you're up the proverbial creek (unless you've got money).

How much has the Trump family profited since, say, September?  They're splitting hairs by claiming their bit-coin business began BEFORE he was elected.   If you only listen to Fox News, et al, then you likely haven't watched past clips of Trump denouncing all kinds of things, including bit-coins, followed by his 180 degree words now.  They're making money hand over fist, hoping eventually they'll pass even Elon Musk in wealth, is that possible?

I've written time and again that it's just a matter of time before we ALL hit the top of some list to limit our access, abilities and success; and here comes mine...in Medicaid and SNAP cuts.  As it is, previous treatments for skin cancer have been paid; but now they're telling me No, and I can't afford those 6 month treatments so I'll leave the spots alone until my skin falls off and they send me to a leper colony.

Cross-Country WITHOUT Google Maps

THIS is what you use, if you're like me.  When I picked up the Chrysler Pacifica van at Newark Airport I asked for help with instructions (no manual provided), for it was such an intimidating cockpit and my car's a 2004.  I kept the fellow for about 15 minutes. Once I understood pushing a button starts the engine, the dashboard lit up and I saw what looked like a close-up map.

"Get rid of that, please!  Just the radio will be fine."

He laughed as he talked me through which icon to press to perform my request.  I'd only packed a carry-on for my expected 2-week traveling and it was already too heavy when I considered packing my trusty 2017 Walmart Atlas.  I figured I'd pick one up somewhere, no problem.

I made the same mistake when I left Florida on Ruff Life and figured I'd pick up charts along the way through the Caribbean; like stopping at a gas station in olden days.  I grew up in New Jersey so figured navigating the (sometimes confusing) roadways would be Duck Soup until I purchased one.

I was wrong, but I'm getting ahead of myself.  I flew from Eugene, OR to San Francisco, then a red-eye to Newark.  Halfway through the 1-1/2 hr flight to San Fran, the young gal sitting next to me, also traveling alone, stopped using her laptop, tapped me on the shoulder and said,

"Excuse me, I think I'm going to faint."

There were just our two seats in the row.  I turned and tried to look into her face, except my right side's my blind side and it's hard for me to turn my neck that far.  She looked Asian, and very tiny. "What?!"  (I've got tinnitus.)

"I think I'm going to faint," she repeated, and promptly slumped onto my shoulder.