Surviving the Circus

While I am not the least bit surprised that Trump dictated his medical report which his doctor then signed, I am now more convinced than ever that America has become morally bankrupt. When I was applying to college in the 70s, I had to have two people provide references. It was a popular Southern Baptist school in my state, and I guess they wanted to make sure I was an appropriate student for their dogma. The letters had to be mailed by the writer of said letters. At the end of my application process, I had to sign a document that stated everything I had submitted was true. If it were to be found out that I had lied, I would be subject to dismissal. We were expected to be truthful and honorable in how we presented ourselves. I guess we expected more from our university students in the seventies than we expect from our president today. How sad. Here's 4 reasons why Donald Trump faking a doctor's note actually matters. Dr. Harold Bornstein needs to tell...

It's been three weeks since I opined on Trump attacking Amazon . This morning, while reading the news, I stumbled onto an article written on Fortune.com, in October of 2017, which explains everything. It would appear that Trump may have a grudge against Bezos, or maybe he's just jealous. Whatever the reason, the facts seem to add fodder to the fuel that many (or most) of Trump's actions as President, are of self-centered benefit to Trump, rather than being beneficial for the nation as a whole. And I quote... Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s CEO, took the number two spot on the  Forbes  list for the second straight year, with an $81.5 billion net worth. Meanwhile, Trump moved from  156th on the list down to 248th.  Amazon Caused Donald Trump to Lose $400 Million in Net Worth, Says Forbes. Trump’s real estate holdings, specifically those in New York City, have taken a big hit in the past year, as retail values are struggling in response to Amazon’s e-commerce g...

At a time when most Republicans want to make it harder to achieve higher education, it if refreshing to remember the Barbara Bush Foundation. “The American Dream is about equal opportunity for everyone who works hard. If we don’t give everyone the ability to simply read and write, then we aren’t giving everyone an equal chance to succeed. ”  Mrs. Barbara Bush https://www.barbarabush.org/our-story/ “At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child, or a parent.” Barbara Bush Love this photo of the Obamas with Barbara Bush. Three great humans being fabulous. “Cherish your human connections, your relationships with friends and family.” Former first lady Barbara Bush said that she did not understand how women could vote for Donald Trump .  Neither did I. I also do not understand how women, and men for t...

The argument that Trump makes against Amazon is ridiculous. "In 2012, Amazon began collecting and paying state taxes in California. Since April 2017, Amazon has collected sales taxes in all states that levy one. Additionally, in its latest annual report to the Securities and Exchange Commission, Amazon said it paid $957 million in income taxes in 2017." Continue reading the main story at The NY Times. If this is truly about government contracts and paying taxes, then what about Boeing? "Boeing has managed to avoid paying even a dime of state income taxes nationwide on $35 billion in pretax U.S. profits. Nationwide, Boeing reported $96 million in net state income tax rebates over the 2003-2012 period."  Reference: Largest state tax subsidy in history...   As for Amazon taking advantage of the Post Office, that is partially true, due to the fact that the Postal Service has offered their services at bulk pricing (to everyone) in order to attract more bu...

Amazement continues to wash over me almost daily as more corporations take a humane, moral, and common sense stance on gun control in America by cutting ties with the NRA. *NOTE Just to make things clear, the 2nd Amendment includes the words "well regulated" militia. No matter how one defines "well regulated," remember that when those words were written, the government was not as capable (pertaining to weapons) as they are today. There is literally no logical method by which individuals could successfully fight the government.  Below is a photo offering a little proof of their superiority, taken in 1994. As for those who say they are aware of this fact, but at least they will go out in a flame of glory - you are part of the problem. Grow up. Stop letting the NRA put the fear of tyranny in you.  1994 Be careful what you fear, because people tend to attract their worst fears. Why? Because they spend so much time thinking about it, and it elicits a powerful emo...

Two school shootings in Kentucky in two days. After the massacre in Las Vegas, Kentucky's Governor, Matt Bevin, posted on Twitter, labeling those concerned about strengthening and enforcing our gun laws as "political opportunists." Today, Gov. Bevin and the state of Kentucky are dealing with back to back school shootings that occurred Monday and Tuesday. One can only hope that Governor Bevin does some deep soul searching. It is unconscionable to me, that he can call those of us who are alarmed, disheartened, and heartbroken over school shootings as "political opportunists." Our stance on tightening the gun laws has nothing to do with politics, and everything to do with protecting our children. Our state and local governments need to understand this. After all, isn't that one of the functions of government, to protect our citizens? Image from Sonoma County, California, website. Governor Matt Bevin ‏ Verified account   @GovMattBevin Foll...

Taking a lesson from nature as food for thought this Sunday. I love this lesson from Ram Dass... When you go out into the woods and you look at trees, you see all these different trees. And some of them are bent, and some of them are straight, and some of them are evergreens, and some of them are whatever. And you look at the tree and you allow it. You appreciate it. You see why it is the way it is. You sort of understand that it didn’t get enough light, and so it turned that way. And you don’t get all emotional about it. You just allow it. You appreciate the tree. The minute you get near humans, you lose all that. And you are constantly saying “You’re too   this , or I’m too   this .” That   judging mind   comes in. And so I practice turning people into trees. Which means appreciating them just the way they are.   Regarding judging others... and even ourselves (in my own words). I shall " practice turning people into trees." Meaning I will h...