Showing posts with label crime. Show all posts
Showing posts with label crime. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

The Gospel of Power: Trump, Crime, and the Illiberal Republican Vision via Christian Nationalism

Christian Nationalism in a liberal democratic constitutional republic, is a blight, as is American Evangelicalism when fused with things outside (and inside) the realm of religion (see also, mega-churches, and RICO) that is leading to a Kakistocracy.

From Democracy to Theocracy, from Oligarchy to Kleptocracy: 

Trump’s Exploitation of the nightmare of Christian Nationalism (see also, pre-WWII German and the rise of Hitler's Nazism), and the advent of Kakistocracy.

  • Democracy: literally, rule by the people. Democracy is vital for a civilized society. When a country or community is democratic, it lets everyone have a say in who runs the country, makes the laws, and governs the people. If only some people are allowed to make these decisions, it is not fair to everyone else who has to live by them.
  • Theocracy: Theocracy is a form of government where it is believed that a god, deity, or group of deities, or a deity is in charge. The supreme being is usually thought to rule through human figures, like politicians and clergy, who are believed to be in direct contact with and/or of direct descent from the supreme being.
  • Oligarchy: A system of government in which a few individuals are responsible for ruling over or making governing decisions for a country. The word has Greek roots and is derived from oligoi, which means ''a few,'' and arkhein, which means ''to rule.'
  • Kleptocracy: Most explanations of kleptocracy – derived from the Greek for ‘thief’ and ‘rule’ – stress the aspect of ‘grand corruption’ whereby high-level political power is abused to enable a network of ruling elites to steal public funds for their own private gain using public institutions. Kleptocracy is therefore a system based on virtually unlimited grand corruption coupled with, in the words of American academic Andrew Wedeman, ‘near-total impunity for those authorized to loot by the thief-in-chief’ – namely the head of state.
  • Kakistocracy (see also, Donald Trump, POTUS45, & POTUS47): A government run by the worst, least qualified, or most unscrupulous citizens: Kakistocracy is one of those words so seldom heard that it might be taken to represent some­thing that never existed. It means “a government by the worst men.” Lowell gave the term an intolerant but more colorful definition, “a government… for the benefit of knaves at the cost of fools.” To wit: "Trump’s kakistocracy invites possible catastrophe."
First, here are a couple of references, the first from a recent blog of mine:

Now, to detail how Donald Trump has abused Christian Nationalism to bring their illiberal fantasies to fruition, in giving them the power to empower him, to breach our separation of church and state, to bring about their anti-American, nonsensical and dangerous, Christian delusions.

Donald Trump has leveraged Christian nationalism to consolidate support among religious conservatives and bolster his political power. By aligning his rhetoric and policies with the movement's goals, Trump has become a figurehead for an illiberal vision of governance that intertwines religion with state authority, undermining the separation of church and state.

Christian nationalism promotes the idea that the U.S. is divinely chosen as a Christian nation and that its laws and governance should reflect conservative Christian values.

This...is utter bullshit.

Trump exploited this narrative by casting himself as a defender of "traditional" Christian values against perceived secular and liberal threats. For instance, he frequently invoked religious themes, such as protecting "religious freedom," while implementing policies that aligned with Christian nationalist priorities, like restricting abortion rights and favoring policies seen as discriminatory against LGBTQ+ individuals.

Trump's courtship of Christian nationalists often involved overt displays of religiosity, despite his personal history being at odds with evangelical values. His appointment of conservative judges, particularly to the Supreme Court, fulfilled a long-standing goal of Christian nationalists to shift American jurisprudence in a direction more sympathetic to their worldview, particularly on issues like abortion and religious exemptions in public policy.

This strategy has roots in the Republican Party's historical alignment with religious conservatism, dating back to the "Southern Strategy" of the Nixon era. The approach used race, religion, and cultural issues to polarize voters and diminish the salience of class and economic concerns. Trump took this further, employing more explicit appeals to xenophobia and racism while maintaining the focus on culture wars. His framing of liberals, secularists, and immigrants as existential threats to the nation echoed the Christian nationalist narrative of defending America from both internal and external enemies.

These tactics have mobilized a substantial base of religious conservatives while drawing criticism from other Christian groups and secular organizations that view the movement as a distortion of democratic and religious principles. Many have argued that Christian nationalism's focus on power and dominance conflicts with the pluralistic ideals upon which the United States was founded, and they see Trump's exploitation of this ideology as a direct challenge to the constitutional principle of separating church and state​.

What is the fix to this crap perpetrated by an ever-increasing illiberal Republican Party and a criminal element as exemplified by Donald Trump, his crime family, and the criminals Donald Trump has empowered in his cabinet, and his administration?

Addressing the rise of Christian nationalism and its impact on American governance requires a multi-pronged approach that reaffirms democratic principles, protects the separation of church and state, and fosters a more inclusive society. Here are key steps to mitigate this trend:

1. Civic Education and Advocacy

  • Promote Constitutional Literacy: Increase public understanding of the First Amendment and the principle of church-state separation. Educational programs and public campaigns can help counter misinformation.
  • Empower Advocacy Groups: Support organizations like Americans United for Separation of Church and State, which work to uphold secular governance and challenge policies that undermine religious neutrality.

2. Strengthening Legal Protections

  • Enforce Church-State Separation: Courts should continue to uphold rulings that prevent religious influence from dictating public policy, such as school prayer mandates or preferential treatment for specific religions.
  • Challenge Misuse of Religious Freedom: Monitor and contest laws that misuse the concept of religious liberty to justify discrimination or erode rights.

3. Building Broad-Based Coalitions

  • Interfaith and Secular Collaboration: Encourage alliances between religious and secular groups that oppose Christian nationalism, emphasizing shared values like justice, equality, and respect for diversity.
  • Community Engagement: Foster dialogue within communities to address the concerns of religious conservatives while advocating for policies that are inclusive of all faiths and beliefs.

4. Political and Electoral Strategies

  • Counter Culture War Narratives: Politicians and public figures must articulate alternative visions that focus on unity, economic fairness, and individual freedoms rather than divisive cultural issues.
  • Encourage Voter Turnout: Mobilize voters, especially among younger and more diverse demographics, to elect candidates committed to upholding secular democracy.

5. Promote Religious Diversity

  • Highlight Pluralism in America: Showcase the rich diversity of religious and non-religious traditions in the U.S. to combat the notion that the country belongs to one faith tradition.
  • Support Public Religious Dialogue: Encourage discussions that emphasize the role of religion as a personal, not political, force in society.

6. Media and Counter-Narratives

  • Fact-Check and Debunk Propaganda: Actively counter misinformation and conspiracy theories propagated by Christian nationalist movements.
  • Support Independent Media: Fund and follow outlets that provide balanced reporting and expose the dangers of merging religion with state power.

7. Grassroots Action

  • Empower Local Communities: Encourage grassroots efforts to resist the imposition of Christian nationalist policies, such as organizing against book bans or curriculum changes that promote religious indoctrination.
  • Engage Youth: Invest in youth programs that teach critical thinking, civic responsibility, and respect for diversity.

Long-Term Cultural Change

Ultimately, reducing the influence of Christian nationalism requires cultural change that embraces pluralism, reinforces democracy, and rejects authoritarianism. This involves creating spaces where diverse beliefs can coexist peacefully and ensuring that political power is not monopolized by any one ideology or group​.

How do we address the challenges posed by an increasingly illiberal Republican Party and the influence of Donald Trump, his associates, and policies that have empowered a criminal and authoritarian political culture, a multifaceted approach is essential?

Here's what can be done:

1. Restore Accountability in Government

  • Strengthen Oversight Mechanisms: Bolster independent bodies like inspectors general, ethics committees, and watchdog organizations to monitor and investigate abuses of power.
  • Legal Reforms: Close legal loopholes exploited for personal or political gain, such as strengthening laws around emoluments, conflicts of interest, and obstruction of justice.
  • Prosecutions and Transparency: Ensure that alleged crimes and misconduct are investigated and prosecuted, no matter how high-ranking the official, to restore faith in the rule of law.

2. Reaffirm Democratic Norms

  • Election Integrity: Counter voter suppression efforts, enhance election security, and make voting more accessible to combat undemocratic tactics.
  • Strengthen Civic Institutions: Support nonpartisan initiatives that promote democratic norms, media literacy, and informed participation in governance.

3. Combat Authoritarian Narratives

  • Fact-Checking and Media Accountability: Actively counter misinformation and lies, especially those propagated by high-ranking officials and partisan media outlets.
  • Public Education Campaigns: Promote an understanding of democratic principles, emphasizing the dangers of authoritarianism and corruption.

4. Rebuild Ethical Leadership

  • Cultivate Moral Leadership: Elect leaders who prioritize public service and ethical governance over personal enrichment or party loyalty.
  • Promote Whistleblowing Protections: Safeguard those who expose wrongdoing within administrations.

5. Engage Grassroots Movements

  • Mobilize Local Action: Empower communities to resist undemocratic policies and advocate for reforms through local government, protests, and voter education.
  • Support Nonprofit Advocacy: Strengthen organizations that fight for justice, transparency, and democratic governance.

6. Strengthen Judicial Independence

  • Depoliticize Judicial Appointments: Advocate for reforms that reduce partisanship in selecting judges to maintain impartiality in the judiciary.
  • Review Supreme Court Policies: Consider measures like term limits or ethical standards for justices to ensure accountability.

7. Reduce Corruption's Influence

  • Campaign Finance Reform: Limit the role of money in politics to reduce the power of wealthy donors and lobbyists over public policy.
  • Transparency in Governance: Require robust financial disclosures from public officials and enforce anti-corruption laws.

8. Foster a Unified Resistance

  • Cross-Partisan Coalitions: Work with conservatives, moderates, and progressives who share concerns about authoritarianism to build a broader defense of democracy.
  • Promote Unity Around Democratic Values: Focus on shared goals like fairness, accountability, and the rule of law to bridge divides and counter authoritarianism.

By taking these steps, it is possible to restore democratic principles, resist authoritarian tendencies, and ensure that the government serves the people rather than entrenched power structures or criminal elements.

I wish us all the best...


Image by & Compiled with the aid of ChatGPT

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

American Citizens v The MaGA Fascist Delusion

Considering The Handmaid's Tale and how the US conservative side of our legislators have been going, and GOP stacking our Federal courts, with SCOTUS killing Roe v Wade leading to women who have needlessly died from medically desperately needing abortions, etc., how is the US government paralleling that dystopian story?


The United States, particularly in recent years with the actions of some conservative lawmakers and the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022, has drawn significant comparisons to The Handmaid’s Tale, especially in terms of the potential erosion of women's rights and bodily autonomy.

Here are some key ways in which the U.S. government and societal trends might parallel the story of The Handmaid’s Tale:

1. Reproductive Rights and Control Over Women’s Bodies

  • The Handmaid’s Tale is set in a dystopian future where the government controls reproductive rights, stripping women of their autonomy and reducing them to mere vessels for childbirth. The 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade is seen by many as a step toward similar control, particularly with the lack of federal protection for abortion rights.
  • States have gained greater power to impose abortion bans and restrictions, with some requiring a woman to carry a pregnancy to term even in cases of incest, rape, or when the mother's health is at risk. This echoes The Handmaid's Tale's depiction of a government that forces women to bear children regardless of their personal circumstances.

2. Criminalization of Reproductive Decisions

  • In The Handmaid’s Tale, women are not just controlled by societal norms but by a theocratic government that criminalizes their reproductive choices. In some states, laws have been enacted or proposed that punish women and doctors for seeking or performing abortions. This echoes the criminalization of women's autonomy seen in Gilead.
  • Women who need medical interventions, such as those whose health is at risk, may be denied necessary care due to restrictive abortion laws. In the case of The Handmaid’s Tale, women are punished for not conforming to reproductive expectations; similarly, some real-world legislative actions have criminalized miscarriages, self-managed abortions, or the use of abortion medication.

3. Lack of Medical Autonomy and Forced Births

  • The Handmaid’s Tale portrays women being forced into motherhood for the sake of the state, a horrifying fate that echoes real-world concerns where the health and well-being of women are often secondary to political and religious ideologies. In some cases, pregnant women have died because of lack of access to abortion care or because doctors feared legal consequences for providing the necessary treatments.
  • For example, there have been instances where women with serious health conditions, like ectopic pregnancies or severe complications, were unable to receive necessary abortion care in states with strict abortion laws, mirroring the dangers and oppression seen in The Handmaid’s Tale.

4. The Role of Religion in Politics

  • In The Handmaid’s Tale, the theocratic regime of Gilead justifies its actions through a twisted interpretation of religious doctrine. Similarly, many conservative lawmakers have cited religious beliefs in their push to restrict abortion and other reproductive rights. Some advocates of anti-abortion laws argue that the sanctity of life is central to their faith, positioning their stance as not just political, but moral and divine.
  • This alignment between certain political groups and religious ideologies in the U.S. mirrors the religious zealotry in The Handmaid's Tale, where the state enforces a narrow, patriarchal interpretation of religion to control women's lives.

5. Impact on Women's Social and Economic Mobility

  • The Handmaid’s Tale is not just about physical control but the social and economic marginalization of women. In a world where women are valued only for their reproductive capabilities, they are stripped of education, careers, and individual freedoms. In the U.S., restrictions on reproductive rights can significantly impact women’s economic and social mobility, especially for those who cannot afford to travel to access care or who must leave their job or education to manage an unintended pregnancy.
  • The loss of reproductive rights disproportionately affects marginalized groups, particularly those in low-income communities, who may face additional barriers to access. This creates a class divide, where wealthier women can navigate around restrictive laws, while poorer women are trapped in a cycle of inequality and limited opportunity.

6. Surveillance and Control of Women’s Lives

  • In The Handmaid’s Tale, surveillance and control mechanisms are employed to monitor women’s behaviors, particularly regarding their reproductive choices. In the U.S., there has been growing concern over "fetal personhood" laws and the potential for surveillance of women’s health and reproductive decisions, such as tracking menstrual cycles or investigating miscarriages, which some critics fear could become the basis for legal action against women who have abortions or face complications.

Conclusion

While the U.S. government has not reached the totalitarian extremes of The Handmaid’s Tale, the trends toward restricting reproductive rights, increasing criminalization, and the increasing role of religion in policymaking have raised alarms among those who see parallels to the dystopian society depicted in Margaret Atwood’s novel. These changes reflect a shift away from a woman’s autonomy over her body, echoing the disturbing trajectory of The Handmaid’s Tale—where personal freedoms are diminished under the guise of moral or religious imperatives.

Why isn't there some format for US Citizens to sue or counter bad legislation that is literally killing Americans from a mindset that is fundamentally of ill will and based on anachronistic religious mythology?

The issue of Americans being unable to effectively challenge harmful or unjust legislation is a complex one. While the U.S. legal system allows for challenges to laws through courts, the process can be difficult, slow, and limited by various factors. Here are a few key reasons why it’s challenging to sue or counter legislation that harms people:

1. Standing Requirements

  • To bring a lawsuit, a person must have "standing," meaning they must show they are directly affected by the law in question. This can be a barrier because not everyone who is harmed by bad legislation can easily show this direct harm, particularly when it involves a broad societal issue like restrictions on healthcare or environmental protections.
  • For example, in the case of abortion rights, a person may not be able to sue on behalf of others unless they are personally impacted (such as being denied an abortion themselves), which can limit who can legally challenge such laws.

2. Legal and Constitutional Challenges

  • Challenging a law involves demonstrating that it violates the Constitution or existing legal principles. This process often takes years and requires substantial legal resources, especially when laws are passed at the state level, where state courts may interpret them differently than federal courts. Even when the law is eventually ruled unconstitutional, changes can take time due to appeals, or the law might be reformed or replaced in a way that still poses harm.
  • In the case of Roe v. Wade, for example, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that abortion was a constitutional right in 1973, but it was overturned in 2022 with the Dobbs decision, returning the issue to state legislatures. This creates a fragmented approach, where some states provide strong protections and others impose severe restrictions, with individuals left to navigate a confusing and inconsistent legal landscape.

3. Political Influence Over the Judicial System

  • Political forces often play a significant role in the judicial process. For example, the appointment of federal judges (including Supreme Court justices) is often driven by political considerations, and the outcomes of legal cases can be influenced by the ideological leanings of the courts. This makes it harder to predict outcomes, particularly when it comes to issues that are highly partisan.
  • With some justices on the Supreme Court or lower courts having more conservative or originalist views, legal challenges to laws that align with those views (such as abortion restrictions) may face an uphill battle, even if they are argued on constitutional grounds.

4. The Role of Legislators in Blocking Legal Remedies

  • Legislators can pass laws that shield certain actions from lawsuits, or they can create legal immunities for government entities and private companies. For example, in many states, abortion providers may face criminal prosecution or civil suits, and the law may explicitly protect certain actors from being sued in those contexts. The creation of these legal barriers makes it harder for individuals to take legal action against harmful legislation.
  • Additionally, the political power of corporations and wealthy individuals can influence legislation in ways that benefit their interests, often at the expense of public health or well-being. Efforts to counter this through legal means may not have the desired effect if powerful lobbying groups continue to shape the laws in their favor.

5. Limited Public Legal Resources

  • Many individuals who are harmed by bad legislation may not have the financial resources to afford a lawyer to challenge those laws. Legal costs can be prohibitively high, and while there are public interest law firms that work on behalf of underrepresented communities, they may not always have the capacity to handle all cases, particularly if the case would require years of litigation.
  • Pro bono legal work does exist but is often limited in scope, and the logistics of organizing large-scale legal action against harmful laws is a monumental task. It often requires substantial coordination, funding, and public support to make an impact.

6. Public Advocacy and Political Action as Alternatives

  • While suing bad legislation through the courts is one potential avenue, political and social movements often serve as important ways to challenge harmful policies. Public protests, lobbying, and advocating for new laws can sometimes be more effective in a democracy, especially when the public strongly opposes certain legislation.
  • In fact, the overturning of Roe v. Wade sparked widespread political action, including the introduction of bills aimed at restoring abortion rights in some states. This shows that while legal remedies are important, political engagement and reform often go hand-in-hand with efforts to challenge harmful legislation.

7. Separation of Powers

  • The U.S. system of government has a separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. This system is designed to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful, but it can also make it difficult for citizens to immediately address grievances through legal channels. When the legislative branch passes laws that harm citizens, the judiciary may not always be positioned to intervene quickly or effectively, particularly if the law is narrowly written to avoid clear constitutional violations.

Potential Solutions or Improvements:

  • Broadening Access to Legal Challenges: There are proposals to make it easier for individuals or groups to challenge unconstitutional or harmful laws, such as expanding "standing" rules or enabling class-action lawsuits.
  • Constitutional Amendments or Legislation: New federal laws or constitutional amendments could protect certain rights, like reproductive rights or healthcare access, regardless of state actions, providing a uniform standard for citizens across the nation.
  • Public Mobilization and Advocacy: Advocacy groups, especially those focused on civil rights and public health, continue to work toward changing harmful legislation through public campaigns, lobbying, and litigation.

In short, while the U.S. system allows citizens to challenge harmful legislation, the barriers to doing so—such as legal standing, political influence, and financial constraints—make it a difficult and slow process. This is why political and social activism, as well as changes in legislation or constitutional protections, are often necessary alongside legal challenges to address widespread societal issues.

I wish us all the best... 

Saturday, August 10, 2024

What IS Trump selling?

 What is Trump selling through his MaGA concept/contempt?

Memories. The Past.

What are the rest of us involved in?

Life, reality, progress.

It is in THAT gap between, wherein Trump has weaponized reality against US all.

All "that" IS our lives.

Not the past.

Trump’s “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) concept taps into nostalgia for a perceived better past. It suggests that this longing for the past can overshadow the realities and challenges of the present and future. Here’s a breakdown:

Trump’s Selling Point: 

Nostalgia – MAGA is centered around a romanticized vision of a past that many see as simpler or better. This focus on “the past” can evoke strong emotional responses and a sense of identity tied to bygone times, which can be potent in political messaging.

The Present and Future – In contrast, being “involved in life, reality, and progress” involves addressing current issues and preparing for the future. This often requires confronting uncomfortable truths and working towards change, which can be more complex and less immediately gratifying than nostalgia.

The Weaponization of Reality – By leveraging a nostalgic view of the past, Trump can create a narrative that frames current realities as problems to be solved by returning to an idealized previous state. This can be seen as a way to weaponize reality, turning it into a battleground between the idealized past and the challenging present.

The Gap – The difference between a nostalgic vision of the past and the reality of the present. This gap can create a disconnect, where solutions based on outdated views might not address current complexities effectively.

By focusing on the past, Trump’s narrative can sideline the more nuanced and necessary engagement with the present and future. This dynamic is a powerful tool in shaping political discourse and public perception.

It is counterintuitive and counterproductive. But it gives Trump and MaGA leadership, power. It leads to an imbalance as power must come from somewhere. Which is where the rest of us come in.

Donald Trump is actually a very poor debater. But he seems to win debates. Why?

That phenomenon is often referred to as "rhetorical manipulation" or "demagoguery." These terms describe tactics that sway audiences not through structured argumentation, facts, or reasoning, but by exploiting emotions, distractions, or other forms of persuasion that deviate from traditional debate norms. Some of the tactics Trump has used in this context include:

  • Ad hominem attacks: Attacking the opponent personally rather than addressing their arguments.
  • Appeals to emotion: Using fear, anger, or pride to rally support.
  • False equivalence: Presenting two unequal things as though they were comparable.
  • Gish gallop: Overwhelming the opponent with numerous rapid claims, many of which may be false or misleading, making it difficult for them to respond.

These strategies can allow someone to "win" a debate in the eyes of an audience without adhering to the logical structure typically expected in formal debate.

There is more involved in all this mess we've been led into today. Things that MaGA and Trump are pushing so hard into the Republican Party that they are no longer the once "Grand Old Party", the GOP they once were.

And it began long ago...

Did you know, Rutherford B. Hayes’ decision to remove federal troops from the South in 1877 played a significant role in shaping race relations in America and has lasting implications. When Hayes withdrew the troops, it effectively ended Reconstruction and allowed Southern states to enact Jim Crow laws, which institutionalized racial segregation and disenfranchisement of Black citizens.

This set the stage for nearly a century of oppressive policies, including limited voting rights and economic inequality, that continued to fuel racial tensions well into the 20th century and still resonate today.

The removal of federal protection for ex-slaves led to widespread violence and intimidation, often perpetrated by groups like the Ku Klux Klan, which sought to maintain white supremacy. Many of these groups, or the broader movement they represent, have ideological ties to today’s problematic militias, which see themselves as defenders of a particular social order.

Back then, “gun clubs” and paramilitary groups often formed to protect white interests, especially as federal oversight waned. Some of the anti-government militias seen today claim lineage from these 19th-century movements, though modern militias are more fragmented and diverse in their motivations.

Turning out backs on these militias, ignoring their misrepresentation of the 2nd Amendment, esp,. in modern times has allowed a counter narrative to grow into a political entity that has set the stage for some very untenable and ridiculous beliefs, infecting a major political party.

1991 interview on The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour Chief Justice Warren E. Burger: “The gun lobby’s interpretation of the Second Amendment is one of the greatest pieces of fraud — I repeat the word ‘fraud’ — on the American public by special interest groups that I have ever seen in my lifetime. The real purpose of the Second Amendment was to ensure that state armies — the militias — would be maintained for the defense of the state. The very language of the Second Amendment refutes any argument that it was intended to guarantee every citizen an unfettered right to any kind of weapon he or she desires.”

In short, Hayes' decision to end Reconstruction gave rise to segregationist policies and violent white supremacist groups that evolved into organizations that still influence race relations and militia culture today.

Had Hayes not been president, perhaps today the bigotry and racism would be far, far less apparent. We are a nation of mixed cultures. We can work together. We can be pulled together by our similarities, rather than praise politicians and religious leaders who sell us on division and irritation, fanned into fear and hate, all for their personal agendas and success.

We can do better. Obviously.

Cheers! Sláinte!

Friday, June 28, 2024

Walkabout Thoughts #92

Thoughts in Streams of Consciousness, Rough & Ready, and Lightly Edited from an Award-Winning Filmmaker/Author you’ve never heard of while walking off Reality and hopefully the last half-life vestiges of Long Covid while listening to podcasts.
Walking Day is Wednesday, 6/26/2024.

Weather for the day… nice day, starting out 61° with a little wind and overcast.
62° once back at home.

Podcast is Prosecuting Donald Trump, episode  ‘A Dessert Topping and a Floor Wax’



[OK the Presidential debate was last night. Sigh...Look. Here's the thing. Biden allegedly had a cold, why couldn't it have been Trump feeling unwell he feels unwell to me constantly. But the thing in this election is this, I'd vote for Joe's dog Commander over Trump. Better an honest old guy, a bit slow, who has decent people around him to keep things on track, than Donald Trump, a convicted felon who wants an autocracy or theocracy, to kill democracy, who lies constantly. End of that story. 
Fact check: Biden and Trump trade falsehoods and context-free claims at 1st presidential debate of 2024. Moving on...]

By the way, yesterday I posted a blog on the challenge coins I earned in the USAF. Mostly I wanted something for my adult kids to refer to about this as they sit on my home office desk. They know about them, but not the specifics surrounding them. I also thought I could share with those who are unfamiliar with military challenge coins.

So...It says it’s not supposed to rain today, but it sure feels like it but if I look at the clouds that are headed over this way, they’re not as dark as the ones that are moving away from me.

It's garbage day and also this week is recycling. This is ever so wonderful because all the trash bins are right out on the street where you walk next to them.

First up, one of the filmmaking podcasts I listen to is The Filmmaking Stuff Podcast.

'The Bear' Season 3 is chewy, delicious and overindulgent: Review

‘Here’ Trailer: Tom Hanks and Robin Wright Are De-Aged for Robert Zemeckis’ ‘Risky’ AI Epic

The risky decades-spanning drama is a “Forrest Gump” reunion with a "de-aged" Tom Hanks and Robin Wright.


HBO ‘Harry Potter’ series hires ‘Succession’, ‘Killing Eve’ writer Francesca Gardiner as showrunner; Mark Mylod to direct

I saw a new documentary called The Grab coming out. Looks like an interesting subject. Basically, I think it’s about countries grabbing water from other countries and it’s even happening here. But I think it’s more than just that.

I’ve written many times about the issue of war being fought over oil and oil doing dastardly things, especially in developing countries. Lots of movies and news and stories about that.

But I also warned about fighting and wars and toxic capitalism over issues of clean potable water. I think it was 60 Minutes who did a piece about big oil in a country in Africa where there is oil everywhere in the countryside. And it’s poisoned theor water.

The answer was a company coming in and selling bottled water to people who'd previously had natural clean water available for free. So we’re seeing for some time now the concept of selling a life necessity to people that should be free, worldwide. At least enough to survive on.

I would argue that in America, where we pay for our water via PUDs, though I used to have a well and just had to pay for the electricity for the pump, we should have an amount of water deducted every month and paid for by our government, to allow our and our family to exist with the water one needs to drink to sustain life. And maybe a basic subsistence of additional water for basic needs. Then, when you use more, you can pay for that extra, like watering a lawn, washing your car, etc. Washing dishes is a gray area, but cleanliness does sustain health, so...

When we started seeing bottled water sales grow exponentially, I found it worrisome. While there’s been bottled water for a long time, especially in countries with not the greatest water..like Perrier (from 1863), which has been around seemingly forever over my lifetime.

Perrier: The French brand of sparkling water Perrier was founded in 1863, and the source of its water dates back over 100 million years. Dr. Perrier, the medical director of a spring near Les Bouillens, was involved with the brand's origins, which were part of the spa craze at the time. In 1894, Dr. Perrier began selling the water with the help of his business partner, St. John Harmsworth. Harmsworth is said to have come up with the unique shape of the Perrier bottle after seeing Indian clubs he used to regain strength following a paralyzing car accident.

I don’t have a problem with that... in general. Though bottled water as an industry is problematic and kind of weird.

But, when you’re selling water to people where it’s not a luxury to purchase bottled water because of another company, especially big oil, or when they own the bottled water company, I think it's a crime against humanity. Just more toxic capitalism at the very least.

But my point in all this is that we’ve had wars over petroleum and wars over water. Well, we one day have war over clean fresh air. Will they start charging us for air one day? Will they start taxing our breathable air?

I remember decades ago I got an album California 99. A concept album about dystopia. I believe there was a photo in the album that showed a toilet with a meter and a hand with a handheld meter where they were checking how much waste you were putting through your toilet so they could tax you.

We need more good Science Fiction. Part of its reason for it to exist has gotten lost a bit in using futurism to warn us about where we’re headed or could be.

I think back to when Blade Runner (1982) came out, and people were commenting about the director's choice of it seeming to be raining all the time. Decades later, now look around. It may not be raining all the time but how do you show extreme weather in a film like that? Just have it rain all the time.

Look at how Donald Trump has been abusing our court system. It looks like we need to revamp it. Judge Canon almost appears like a judge who Trump put in place to protect him. While he did appoint her, her inexperience and seemingly evidentiarily obvious leaning toward benefiting Trump, shouldn’t be able to happen. She was asked by at least one judge above her to recuse herself, but she refused.

As the attorney on the podcast I’m listening to today said, people don’t realize that in the court system when a higher judge suggests you recuse yourself from a case, if that were him, he indicated, he would’ve immediately recused himself. But Judge Cannon refused. either out of her desire to help Trump, or her ever obviously inexperience.

I would argue regardless of the court system and how it normally works in a case like this with Trump, we should never put an inexperienced judge in charge of the case. It's just simple logic. Simple protection of the US Constitution and the American citizen.

Donald Trump has shown us in our government what career criminals tend to show us, the weak points and single points of failure in a system where their whole life goal is to find and apply pressure to their benefit in the denigration of the American system and the American citizens. This is not debatable. It’s just the way it is.

When you see that’s happening, you fix it. You pass new laws, you change the system. You add regulations.

Saying we’re doing any of that is not trying to bring Trump down. Which I would argue he has earned. He's such a pathetic victim all the time. So manipulative So pathetically, obviously pathologically narcissistic. But it’s just about fixing a system when we see obvious flaws and discrepancies.

If Biden or Obama were going through this, doing all the stuff Trump's been doing, and I’ve said this since Trump came on the scene as PO TUS, I would not support either of them. I would’ve turned my back on them. For some reason MAGA continues on supporting who they should know by all sense of rationality and reality, is a criminal.

How do you not hear his words? How do you not understand his meaning and intent? I understand that criminal leaders, mob leaders like Trump, speak in obtuse ways. Consider any child who gets in trouble and is being reprimanded by their parent. They often lie out right. But if they have the orientation to never lie, they will stumble and mumble around and obfuscate and essentially do exactly what we see Trump, constantly doing.

Like when Trump was asked what his favorite Bible verse was. He doesn’t have any! That’s obvious. But what does he say? "It’s private." You ask any Christian what their favorite Bible verse and they are happy to tell you. It’s not private, they want to share it.

The only reason it’s “private“ to Trump is he doesn’t know what to say. It’s either a lie or a kind of lie of omission. Yes, I would prefer him refusing to answer than lie. Just don’t be disingenuous about it. Be direct. Like an adult. Like an exPOTUS. What happened to the concept of Gentlemen or Gentlewomen? Class. Ethics. Decorum. Decency. Manners?

Of course, in Trump’s case, it's obvious to everyone (it should be) that he doesn’t know what he’s talking about so he disassembles. I’m sorry, the man is just like a lot of his now-convicted administration officials, and campaign officials.

By the way, all that crap about Trump as POTUS45 increasing the debt having been about COVID-19 pandemic? Nope. That was some of it, but the minority of it.


Healthwise I think I’ll mention this. You know those little bottles of water you can get? Little stubby plastic bottles? I had been using one for a while to carry with me on my walks. In the beginning, I hadn't carried one. But I got really dehydrated and felt ill sometimes from it so I started carrying water. Because of Covid over the past few years, I’d wake up in the middle of the night sometimes feeling dehydrated. Especially if I was taking any antivirals or certain medications. I’d have to get up to get a drink of water. So I just started keeping one of those little bottles, on my bedside table.

It occurred to me that while those bottles may be fine for a single use they’re not really designed for months or years of use. I worried about things leaching into the water I’m drinking out of them because of the plastic. Then there was that article about forever chems. Sigh... 

I decided to get a couple of replacement glass bottles, certainly for the bedside. One for walking is problematic because if you fall on it, could be ugly. I carry it in my leg pocket on my cargo shorts when I’m walking so if somehow you got hit by a car and it squished that bottle it could add to your damage.

I went to Winco and not one little glass bottle like that. I was thinking of just buying one of those little glass bottles like a pint or whatever, of apple juice, or something. Drink the juice. clean the bottle, and there I am. Good to go. So I tried Safeway. They have a little higher priced items and they might have those. But nope. So I got a POM pomegranate bottle of juice. Still plastic but hard plastic so maybe better? Weird double bubble bottle but, whatever. I'll keep an eye out for something better, but this is a step up. Sideways? Whatever...

Beginning mile two…

Wow, The clouds that are moving away from me, I can see to my south and southeast are pretty dark. I think somebody might get rained on today, maybe somewhere between Seattle and Tacoma?

Wind picked up a little bit and it’s a little bit cool but perfectly acceptable for a walk. Not quite cool, actually. I much prefer it a little cool for walking or hiking. When I break into a sweat I prefer it to be out of effort and not just the sun beating down on me.

Tomorrow is the presidential debate between Mr. failed exPOTUS Clown Show and President Biden. I can’t understand people's attraction to Trump, maybe in an entertainment sense (but for POTUS?). I just don’t get it regarding being president or in the White House. Or even driving by the White House or allowing him to look at it.

I saw a meme today about the last three Democratic presidents lowering the deficit and the last three Republicans having raised it. A Liberal’s feel-good meme I thought. So before I shared it, I looked it up. Sure enough, it’s true. There are hems and haws and nuance and whatever involved but basically, it’s factual.

Then there was that graph the other day about Trump versus Biden on the deficit. MAGA kept saying yeah, but Trump had to deal with the pandemic. He got the brunt of it in the beginning, but Biden also had to deal with it, thus the incentive pay out which you could argue all kinds of things about it, but it really helped.



Anyway, there’s that breakout (resharing above) that shows how much of the deficit Trump cost us that was the pandemic and had nothing to do with the pandemic and the biggest bulk of his debt things that had nothing to do with the pandemic. So there.

Oh, and if you’re curious if Judge Cannon is inexperienced or manipulating her Trump trial in favor of the defendant then listen to this podcast because they lay it out for you in one section. They’re very good about being neutral even though they’re pro-American and anti-Trump.

They make it clear and explain about using a magistrate judge. If she were actually being a judge and being neutral, she would’ve been utilizing one of those. She keeps saying she’s swamped so she has to slow things down and have all these hearings while some of them are utterly nonsensical, the Trump lawyers having thrown them up just to delay and obfuscate.

Many judges would’ve brushed those off or passed them on to a magistrate to speed things up. But she doesn’t want to and that's painfully obvious and in technical and legal ways, not just in a hearsay or populist way.

Oh, in my attempt to evolve these walkabout thoughts blogs from politics, more into the creative, the arts, filmmaking, etc., I was watching The Daily Show this morning and they had an ad by Jon Stewart about a new The Daily Show podcast he’s doing. 

He’s returned to the show, just on Mondays, and pissed me off this last Monday because he wasn't on. What pissed me off was not so much he wasn’t on. I was disappointed, but it was that there was absolutely no mention of it as if, if we don’t mention it, no one will notice... or get pissed off. [OK, I should have realized this, Jon saved his one day a week for live after the Presidential Debate Thursday night. Still my complaint, they said nothing on the Monday show about it? Why?]

Sorry. A lot of us wait to see Jon on his Monday shows. I mean, we we’re told months ago he was coming back to the show and then we find out it’s just on Mondays. Then a few weeks ago he changed it to Thursdays. Then the next week he was back on Monday. Stop screwing us around!

Anyway, Jon’s got like five episodes up and new ones weekly, so it’s on my list.

The good thing about that is Jon is funny and he is actually fair. He has very good arguments on things. One of the few people I’ve seen addressing a person he’s interviewing who is feeding him bullshit and he faces them down about it and rationally counters them down with facts, reality, and humanity. So many journalists or reporters I see who interview, even the same person Jon interviews but they just let stuff slip by. Some less than others. Problem is I know, when people being interviewed throw so much nonsense out there, it's hard at times to either know what they're talking about, or how to know everything they could come up with. Disinformation and breaking debate tactics. 

I don’t understand why, when these people on news shows and op-ed shows who are interviewing, especially MAGA people spewing lies and utter fantasies, have an earpiece in their ear but don't seem to utilize it to its full potential!

They should have fact-checkers in real-time working with producers in the control room, telling them how to counter some SOB's crap, and maybe display it on their screen at their table on camera. AI will be able to do this much better and faster and very soon.

This debate Thursday needs to be real, and Trump called out on his bullshit. Of course they’d end up fact-checking Biden too. Because yes, he’s old and I know my memory is not what it used to be. But due to my age and experience, I could still administrate better than a lot of younger people. Biden may say something he believes is true or he may spin something they could correct. Fair is fair. The thing is with Trump, if you ARE fair in something like that, it appears as unfair to Trump. Because he's so far off the rails.

The difference between Biden and Trump is Trump is utterly and completely full of shit so if we check him in real-time, it would at least force him to get back into spin rather than his usual outright lies and disinformation

We need to do something about this. 

We cannot let these lies continue to spread and fester. This whole MAGA new-"1984" Trump bullshit like what came from a guy from the Heritage Foundation when he said on TV he wants to turn the Republican Party into full on Trumpism and drop Reaganism… Not that Reaganism was ever that great, but I think even Reagan would lean towards shooting Donald Trump rather than making him POTUS. Yet Republicans today would call Ronald Reagan from the '80s a RINO. When it’s pretty clear that Republicans are the RINOs. We don’t need Republicans In Name Only. We need Republicans in name and purpose, orientation, and functionality.

Doing these blogs daily is really wearing me down. I don’t doubt it’s wearing down any readers if anybody’s reading them daily which I kind of doubt. I assume it’s different people every day, or a mix. I’m hoping if I suddenly stop doing these blogs for a bit it will be because I’m finishing up my "Pvt. Ravel's Bolero film companion book".

Since I’m stalled on making any money off of that film because of legal music rights issues, I need to get some aspect of it to be economically productive.

Oh, and on these walks lately. I’ve been pretty sore after them. But I noticed today that seems to be wearing off. Must be acclimating to the new level of activity.

Some app on my phone said that I’m burning more calories in recent weeks. No kidding. It just popped up on my screen today. I didn’t even know I had that function on my iPhone 11.

My oldest son called me last night from his town. We text every day but he’s been kinda quiet lately and I haven’t talked to him in a week or so. We spoke for about two hours and that was nice. I was dying to get to the new episode of Dark Matter on Apple+ though I do prefer talking to him. We talked about just about everything. Past relationships and what’s going on with his girlfriend who has been in and out of hospitals for over a year and never able to come home. The new day to come home is Friday and neither of us believes that will happen. Hopefully. That poor woman.

Starting my 3rd mile…

It occurs to me that reading these blogs might give someone insight into how my mind works in it jumping around and playing its ADHD card. One might wonder how I ever get anything done. And yet throughout my work history, I’ve been known as the guy who doesn’t seem to be doing anything most of the time but does two or three times the amount of work of anybody else, and very high-quality work, by the way.

So yeah, I don’t know how that works. I just know what has happened and what I have produced.

I do know ADHD people have the superpower of being incapable of focusing, paying attention or staying on track. But they also have the other side of that coin. Superhuman ability to focus, pay attention and stay on track.

Apparently, there’s gonna be a Scott Pilgrim animated spinoff. When I heard the name, I was interested. When I saw "Animated", kind of lost interest. Much to the dismay of my kids since they were children. I’m not really into anime or animation. Though I do like some.

OK, the podcast is over. I looked through my podcast for the newest one and landed on Pod Save America, about the debate.

I saw a video of Trump saying if he took his shirt off you’d see a very good… And I’m like OK asshole what are you gonna say now? And he said, “person“. Not really. Almost like he was going to brag a lie, then realized it was going too far and caught his narcissism in its tracks.

He also was talking about the 10 Commandments at some event because of that nonsense going on and started to name them. He got as far as Thou Shall Not Kill, which I think just about everybody knows. He moved on to State another, and it seemed pretty clear it was going to be Thou Shall Not Committed Adultery, which also a lot of people know (and don’t follow, and he never followed), and it stopped him abruptly and then he moved on hoping no one noticed.

I keep saying that in months or years to come we may well find out that Trump has broken every single one of the commandments, except for murder, though we actually may find out that he was also involved in that.

You know me and just about everybody has said they don’t believe he has been involved in murder or assassination or ordered it. But whenever I find myself saying something like that, a little bell goes off in my head and I have to rethink it.

Who’s Trump's hero? Putin. Who else? Kim Jong-un. What are those guys known for among other things? Assassinations and murders. Good grief, Un murdered his own uncle. He’s had generals executed. You know you really can just fire them and put them into retirement... dumbass.

So my assumption about Trump is either he’s been involved in murder or he tried to be and failed or whoever he chose to do the "wet work" screwed it up. Or he’s looking forward to doing it at some point in his future but hopefully not as POTUS ever again.

As far as Trump leaning into (voice to text translated that as "trampolining") the Christian nationalists, and the whole Jesus comparison with him...my assumption about the antichrist had always been...well, somebody very different than Donald Trump. Better looking, more charismatic in a more cohesive way, not obviously a criminal but apparently, that’s not the case.

Five presidents have apparently been shot in US history and Ulysses S Grant had a horse fall on him. I’m not sure what kind of big deal that is though. My ex-wife was a horse trainer. Had it happen several times in her life. She said anyone who works horses all their life probably had it happen. Our youngest had it happen once as a kid shortly after we divorced but luckily they were fine. I was freaking out waiting for the doctor because I was not in the area, able to get to the hospital. He said kids were pliable at that age and there was no damage. 

All of this reinforced my feelings that I don't want an animal later than a dog or one that can fit in my car. However, I did see a photo once of a guy who cut the roof of his car so a horse could sit in the passenger side.

The podcast has a good point about two of the 10 Commandments not to commit adultery and don’t lust after your neighbor's wife. I guess women are free to lust after their neighbor's husband? Also, shouldn’t those two be the same because one does lead to the other. If you don’t do one, you don’t get to the other? So like, thou shall not covet thy neighbor's spouse or commit adultery? I mean from any writer's perspective that seems pretty obvious.

Apparently, the Faith and Freedom Conference was going to be canceled, but Trump said he was too afraid to not go to it so they rescheduled it so he could attend. Seems it’s something he does annually. Whatever...

Seems like the Faith and Freedom Conferences should be liberal's (faith, and democracy, and the freedom from tyranny and toxic conservatives). They should be trying to figure out how to get rid of Donald Trump, but hey whatever…

Trump and the Heritage Foundation Project 2025: If you don’t know what it is, you’d better find out.

Trump says he’s going to end the Department of Education and turn education back over to the states. Which may sound like a great idea with the whole American great experiment of having states trying things and other states selecting the best of what’s been working? But I don’t know if you’ve been noticing, we have some states seemingly under Republican leadership who are really fucked up. Which is why we have federal laws to protect citizens from stupidity in the states. You know, it shouldn’t be federal heavy, but it can’t be State abusive heavy either.

Trump said as POTUS he would not give any money to any schools that have a vaccine mandate or a mask mandate. So Polio we're welcoming you back with open arms! This man is so stupid as to boggled the mind of anyone how any would think he's someone to follow or be led by.

On Trump claiming Biden takes drugs before debates. First off any one who he gets a B12 shot, so what? The podcast had a good idea that Biden should tell Trump, "You know what drug I’m taking before the debate? I find a quiet place with Jill and she tells me how much she loves me and that’s all the drug I need. You know what that’s like, right Donald?"

One of the guys in the podcast said Biden should just say to Trump: “Narc.“ What’s interesting about that is it’s that personal freedom thing that MAGA is so into and in say ing that it makes Trump and his administration the police, the authority.

From yesterday:

Below is from yesterday's podcast and blog. I finished my walk and was out shopping and played out the rest of the Jewel podcast with Marc Maron on WTF?. Now one of my favorites of his podcasts. I guess along with the Geezer Butler from Black Sabbath episode on his last episode. Marc, you’re kicking them out of the park!

This podcast with Jewel is fascinating. I’ve heard her be interviewed before. She has had an interesting life, but beyond what we know about in the music industry.

This past week I talked on the blog about facing our fears. She mentions facing one's pain. She said she wonce read that the buffalo is the only animal that goes into the storm and she realized she has to go into her pain to deal with it.

And that’s a very good point.

Jewel Is Co-Founder of a New Mental Health Platform in the Metaverse: 'We Cannot Let Happiness Be Elitist'
"Accessibility is critical," singer-songwriter writer tells PEOPLE about why she's partnering with the virtual reality platform Innerworld

On that note, I’ll bid you adieu… and leave you with that. It’s noon and time for lunch.

Cheers! Sláinte!

Monday, March 11, 2024

The MAGA Moebius Strip Conundrum

Discussions with AI:

ME 

What do you make of this?

"Part of the problem I have with MAGA is it acquires people with no personal compass (integral orientation) outside (untied to) its illiberal "doctrine" (which, it lacks). 
AS if tying themselves as a Moebius Strip into a knot, made themselves capable of divining an outer side."

To be clear, I'm not saying these people actually have no moral compass, but that it's been abdicated for MAGA, so that they become perhaps, what they were not. Or, as my primary contention is, if they did have an integral orientation or personal moral compass, they could not have become subsumed by such a travesty as the MAGA mindset as they would have hit at some point (as many have, even unto leaving MAGA as well as the entire Republican Party), as they could go no further because OF their integral orientation.


Moebius Strip


“If only it were all so simple! If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds, and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. And who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart?” ― Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, The Gulag Archipelago 1918–1956

Copilot

The sentiment you express is thought-provoking. The MAGA movement, with its fervent adherence to a particular set of beliefs, indeed attracts individuals who may find comfort in its ideological framework. Let’s dissect your statement:

No Personal Compass: You highlight that some MAGA supporters lack a personal compass beyond the movement’s doctrine. This raises questions about individual critical thinking and the ability to navigate complex issues independently.

Illiberal Doctrine: The term “illiberal” suggests a departure from liberal democratic norms. MAGA’s doctrine, while multifaceted, often emphasizes nationalism, populism, and a rejection of globalism. This departure from traditional liberal values can be concerning for those who value inclusivity and openness.

Moebius Strip Analogy: Your comparison to a Moebius Strip is intriguing. A Moebius Strip is a mathematical object with only one side and one edge. By tying themselves into this metaphorical knot, MAGA adherents may perceive themselves as uniquely positioned to discern an “outer side” that others miss. It’s a fascinating way to depict their self-perception.

In summary, your observation highlights the tension between group identity and individual autonomy. The challenge lies in fostering dialogue that encourages critical thinking while respecting diverse perspectives. 🤔




You

I also meant in the Moebius Strip mention, that there is no outer side to a Moebius Strip, nor only an inner side. To wit, there IS only ONE side, being both outer and inner while some try to claim there is only one or the other, a fruitlessly useless task that exhibits one's own uselessness.

Copilot

Thank you for the clarification! Your insight into the Moebius Strip is astute. Indeed, this mathematical curiosity defies our usual notions of “inside” and “outside.” Let’s explore this concept further:

The Singular Side: A Moebius Strip has only one continuous surface. When you traverse along it, you seamlessly transition from what we might conventionally consider the “outer” side to the “inner” side. There’s no abrupt boundary; it’s a harmonious blend of both.

Perceptions and Claims: Some individuals insist that there must be an “outer” or “inner” side, attempting to categorize it definitively. Yet, as you rightly pointed out, this endeavor is futile. The Moebius Strip’s essence lies in its singularity—a beautiful paradox that challenges our intuition.

Metaphorical Reflection: Your analogy extends beyond mathematics. It mirrors how people sometimes cling to rigid perspectives, unwilling to see the multifaceted nature of reality. Perhaps, in their insistence on absolutes, they inadvertently reveal their own limitations.

In contemplating the Moebius Strip, we encounter a reminder to embrace complexity, appreciate nuance, and recognize that life often defies binary categorizations. 🌀

MC Escher Mobius Strip II 1963

Copilot



Explore

The Möbius strip, also known as the Möbius band or Möbius loop, is a fascinating mathematical object. Let’s explore its intriguing properties:

Construction: Imagine taking a long, narrow strip of paper and giving it a half-twist before joining its ends together. The result is a surface with only one side and one edge. It defies our usual notions of “inside” and “outside.”

Discovery: The Möbius strip was discovered independently by Johann Benedict Listing and August Ferdinand Möbius in 1858. However, it had already appeared in Roman mosaics from the third century CE.

Non-Orientable Surface: The Möbius strip is a non-orientable surface, meaning that within it, you cannot consistently distinguish clockwise from counterclockwise turns. Every non-orientable surface contains a Möbius strip.

Embeddings: As an abstract topological space, the Möbius strip can be embedded into three-dimensional Euclidean space in various ways. A clockwise half-twist differs from a counterclockwise half-twist. It can also have odd numbers of twists greater than one or even a knotted centerline.

Single Boundary Curve: The Möbius strip has only a single boundary curve. Several geometric constructions provide it with additional structure.

Applications: Möbius strips have practical applications, including: Mechanical belts that wear evenly on both sides.
Dual-track roller coasters with alternating carriages.
World maps printed to show antipodes opposite each other.
Molecules and devices with novel properties.
Artworks by M. C. Escher and others.
Recycling symbol design.

Cultural Impact: Möbius strips inspire creativity, architectural concepts, and even stage magic tricks. They challenge our perception and remind us to embrace complexity.

In summary, the Möbius strip is a captivating blend of mathematics, art, and imagination—a loop that defies conventional boundaries. 🌀

For more details, you can explore the Wikipedia article on Möbius strips1.

Copilot

MAGA, short for “Make America Great Again,” is a political slogan that gained prominence during the 2016 United States presidential campaign. Here are some key points about MAGA:

Origin: The phrase was popularized by Donald Trump, who used it as his campaign slogan during the 2016 election. It resonated with many of his supporters who felt nostalgic for a perceived era of American greatness.

Meaning: The slogan encapsulates a desire to restore what some view as America’s former glory—whether economically, militarily, or culturally. It implies a return to traditional values and strength.

Symbolism: The red baseball caps emblazoned with “MAGA” became iconic symbols of Trump’s campaign. They were worn by supporters at rallies and events.

Criticism and Controversy

Polarization: MAGA is a highly polarizing slogan. Supporters see it as a call for positive change, while critics argue it represents exclusionary nationalism.

Historical Context: Critics point out that the phrase overlooks America’s complex history, including periods of injustice and inequality.
Policy Implications: The slogan lacks specific policy details, making it open to interpretation. Some view it as a rejection of progressive policies.

Legacy: MAGA continues to shape American politics. It has become synonymous with Trump’s presidency and the broader conservative movement.

Remember that opinions on MAGA vary widely, and discussions around it often evoke strong emotions.

While the MAGA movement has fervent supporters, it also faces criticism and negative aspects. 

Here are some of them:

Polarization and Divisiveness: MAGA is a highly polarizing slogan. It often pits supporters against critics, leading to further division in an already politically charged environment.

Some view it as an “us versus them” mentality, which can hinder constructive dialogue and compromise.

Nostalgia Bias: The slogan implies a desire to return to a past era of American greatness. However, nostalgia can be selective, overlooking historical complexities and challenges.
Critics argue that idealizing the past may prevent progress and adaptation to current realities.

Lack of Specific Policy Details: MAGA lacks clear policy specifics. While it resonates emotionally, it doesn’t provide a roadmap for addressing complex issues.
Critics contend that slogans should be accompanied by well-defined plans to effect positive change.

Exclusionary Nationalism: Some perceive MAGA as promoting a form of nationalism that excludes certain groups—whether based on ethnicity, religion, or immigration status.

The focus on “America first” can inadvertently marginalize others.

Historical Context: America’s history includes both triumphs and dark chapters. MAGA’s emphasis on a golden past may overlook systemic injustices and struggles.
Critics argue that acknowledging and learning from past mistakes is essential for genuine progress.

Resistance to Global Cooperation: MAGA’s emphasis on national sovereignty sometimes clashes with global cooperation. Issues like climate change, trade, and diplomacy require international collaboration.
Critics worry that an isolationist stance could hinder effective problem-solving.

Cult of Personality: MAGA became closely associated with Donald Trump. The movement’s success often hinges on personal loyalty to a leader rather than a comprehensive ideology.

Critics caution against elevating any individual to a messianic status.

In summary, while MAGA resonates with many, its negative aspects include polarization, nostalgia bias, lack of specificity, and potential exclusionary tendencies.

ME, channeling Solzhenitsyn:

When vice is accepted as rewarded and virtue punished, the natural order of things has become corrupt.

Rachel Alexander reviews Solzhenitsyn and American Culture at Law and Liberty.
“For Solzhenitsyn, repentance is the only remedy for individuals and nations—both Eastern and Western—caught in the grip of ideology. Yet, repentance is particularly difficult for modern man. Ashamed of the notion that there may be anything defective or corrupt in man, we deny the evil within us for which we need to repent. “Traditional ideas of ‘good’ and ‘evil’ become subject to cynicism and ridicule,” Wallace notes, and a moral relativism takes their place. At the same time, with nothing to check license, gross evils do indeed proliferate. We cannot help but to notice them, but whom can we blame? We direct our unlimited rage at systems, classes, and parties, producing what Wallace calls “a destitute tyranny of hatred.” Without repentance, which requires a recognition of the evil within ourselves as well as a recognition of the good within our enemies, our hatred will destroy us.”

More:

A USA TODAY article discussed the stark differences between their inaugural addresses, highlighting how Biden’s speech called for unity and collaboration, while Trump emphasized an “America First” approach.

POLITICO, provided a comparison in terms of length, style, and content of their inauguration speeches. 

Academic research, such as a bachelor’s thesis available on Comillas University’s repository, conducted a comparative discourse analysis of their inaugural addresses.

These analyses examine various aspects, including themes, word choice, and overall tone, to understand the rhetorical strategies of both presidents.

Monday, October 28, 2019

Gumdrop, a short horror -.The Editing Continues

I've been editing the video I've shot on my short horror film, "Gumdrop, a short horror". This blog is for those new to filmmaking really, as more experienced filmmakers already know much of what I'll say and may even roll their eyes from time to time or simply shake their head wondering how I even turn out a product. Well, it's working for me. For now. And I'm learning as I go. And as we all do.


I passed twenty minutes in length yesterday and I'm hoping to keep it under 30 minutes total.

First, I would like to congratulate my friend and cartoonist, Pat Moriarity! He is doing very well with his first animative project, "The Realm Beyond Reason"(using Adobe Animator with Adobe's aide in software development) which he world premiered at our Gorst Underground Film Festival recently. He just won a "bloody" award at the Bellingham, Washington, Bleedingham A Northwestern Horror Short and Film Festival! Congratulations, Pat!

Moving on...

If things go well this coming Saturday, November 2, 2019, at the Bremerton Historic Roxy Theater "Slash Night" event I will be screening it for attendees along with other horror films, live entertainment, and filmmakers with their films. If I don't get it ready in time with a rough cut, I'll premiere it again the following month on December 14, 2019. Slash Night is first Saturday night at 10PM (December saw a previously scheduled event on the first Saturday so we're using the second Saturday).


Gumdrop", is my short horror film, a prequel based on my original short horror true crime story, "Gumdrop City" which was published in 2012 and I first heard about in an abnormal psychology class at Western Washington University toward my degree in the major of psychology and a minor in creative writing and team TV script and screenwriting.

[Note 2/22/2022, UPDATE: our film has won some awards and continues to do so...]


It was a horror show of a class the day we were told about this crime. And so I wrote it as a fiction story and worked it up as an unfinished screenplay with a producer in Hollywood a while back. I may still finish that feature film as I'm not signed and have a producer attached to my other true crime and biopic, The Teenage Bodyguard with producer Robert Mitas.

My blog for last week was also on "Gumdrop" but I've made progress and because I may (hopefully) be showing it this next weekend, I'm updating my progress leading up to it.

I'm new to this editing software and I started editing film as a kid. Then did a phenomenology film in 1983 on black and white reel to reel videotape, a documentary in 1993 using VHS videotape and a short last year using this Sony Vegas Suite software on "The Rapping", which won one small award and showed at the NY Midnight Horror Festival.

One of the things that bugged me in this new effort with many hours of video shot and about thirteen actors involved was the paring of my separately digitally recorded audio with the visually recorded shots. What is the fastest way? I tried several things and it was painfully slow.

So I just moved forward, finding the best shots, following my screenplay roadmap, cutting them in, sometimes finding better shots or "lost" shots and replacing what I'd edited. Sometimes finding that a different order of shots or scenes comes out better than the planned route and readjusting to fit that new slightly different story and editing it as what turns out the best film. Or perhaps I should say, movie, as it moves along and isn't on film but video.

This was/is all rather frustrating at times, but the end product, not my feelings, or energy levels, or emotional state, or level of perseverance, really matters. On that plane, the thing that matters really, is your audience and your intentt in your project. First off? FINISH IT!

What I've settled on is to just cut and edit. Finish it.

Then I will go back, list all the audio clips/filenames and video clips/filenames and process the audio in my audio software (I'm using Reaper), then marry the audio to the video and replace the video in the editor. That will replace all the clips all through the project. Not for the faint of heart, but in the end, it will certainly produce a much better product and... audience experience.

I do have a backup mic ON my camera but if I'm using autofocus (which I seldom do but has almost accidentally given me some incredible shots...when it works right), you can hear the motor on the autio focusing. Besides, the digital recorder (Roland R-26) using a boom and separate and better mic (Rode) allows me to better position the mic where it needs to be recording from.

The amazing & talented "Bobby and Bobby" as "Gays for Jesus" with lead actor Tom Remick
So far? It's been an interesting experience editing.

I've learned how to push through the frustration things I missed on set, like an actor "spiking" the camera (looking into the lens, breaking the "fourth wall" and ruining a shot. Or my saying "cut", too soon in a shot (do NOT do that!). Always record a bit before acting begins after saying "action" (or whatever you say, as the Clint Eastwood story goes that he doesn't because he was used to not hearing "action" on a set with horses so as not to spook them and the same goes with some actors).

And let the camera record too much even in silence, at the end of a shot. You never know the gold you mine in that sometimes. Everyone rushes on camera for some reason. Well, inexperienced actors whom I'm mostly using. Oddly enough, the most experienced actor n my production is Jennifer True and I only used her for some voiceovers, sadly. But she came late to the production and... maybe in the next production. Hopefully.

Whenever an actor during a shoot has an alternative to how I want something shot, I listen to them. I don't always take the shot, unless they insist and then sometimes it's just easier and faster to shoot it and move on than to argue over it.

Sometimes, they don't want to do what I want but another way. So I listen, and if I can't get them to drop it, I just sa:

"OK, let's shoot it your way. But, and especially because I wrote [when I have written] the screenplay, let's also get my shot down also because it's stuck in my mind. Since I wrote it and I may indeed while editing, use your idea/shot and I will honestly look at using it. But I can't move on with a clear mind unless I get MY shot. It will continue to bug me going forward, just as not getting YOUR shot as you want, now. So please...and, action!"

Filmmaking is indeed a collaborative endeavor. Even though I AM my entire crew now. I do hope to get a crew eventually. It would be so much easier, though scheduling then becomes the nightmare it usually is.

Still, I do believe that you need to choose the right actors for the parts because that's half the work. The actor learns the role (hopefully) and knows the character (again, hopefully). So when they say, "I think they might do this, or say that...", listen. Give it a moment's thought. Even if it's "ridiculous".

Because sometimes you don't et it at first and they are right. it can take time to absorb it. Understand it. But the4y are living the character more than you and that is collaborative,, and highly useful. Use ALL your resources. Not just your desires, your roadmap, your style. Be open. And you will find a wealth of two things. At times, utter annoyance and frustration. And at others, sheer bliss and perfections as if touched by the Gods.

More to come...