kid v bunny

I sincerely hope that all you football fans have your snacks ready, and also ways to watch the alternative MAGA version of halftime.  I hear that wings will cost 1999% more this year and it's Biden's fault.  Right.

It baffles me that the cult continues to follow the most corrupt and, actually, demented {OTUS we have ever had.  And you know what? I was not surprised when American citizens were mudered in cold blood and Truth Social continues to be the platform du jour for spreading insults and racism.  The  supporters of this administration evidently are not aware that the entire world hates us or they just don't care.  Check out all the boos at the Olympics and the many town halls that MAGA attempts to put on to justify the damage that has been done to the American people.  This is insanity.  

There is a lot of chatter about the mid-terms and the possibility of a change in power  I am an independent voter who is well informed and I live in a blood red state.  I was not really politically aware of how bad things are until Trump v1.0.  When I was recovering from a near death surgery in 2020 I watched his impeachment proceedings from my hospital bed.  That was also when COVID got real and Kobe Bryant's helicopter crashed.  Not really good viewing for a very sick woman looking for a reason to be hopeful. n

And then, there was J6.  I was working with a client at that time and we watched it happen live.  These were not protesters paid by Soros but pissed off right wingers intent on causing chaos.  And Trump encouraged them to do the deed.  People were killed by these maniacs and they all got pardoned by Trump 2.0.  

If I had ever believed that Trump had the best interests of the American people I would not have a grudge.   Candidates will lie through their teeth to get elected like "lower prices on day one" and "no more war mongering." He has not solved any wars, and instead started new ones destablizing our safety and security.  Our allies have moved on, and rightfully so.  

The mark of a strong leader is to learn from the past and do different, not continue to blame the past leaders.  We need strong bi-partisan leadership NOW and it doesn't seem to be anywhere on the horizon which makes folks wonder why we even try to be a part of a democracy.  Those days are gone and it is serious.  Lest you think that I am a demolibtard, I do not have much respect for the Democratic party either.  By refusing to realize that Biden was senile they made matters worse.  Chuck Schumer is the democratic equivalent of Mike Johnson, in my opinion.  No leadership skills in either of their playbooks.  

How did we get here?  I am a baby boomer born in 1955 when there was hope for  As a teenager I watched the murder of college students at Kent State and the tragedy of Vietnam vets returning with multiple health and mental problems.  These folks did not sign up it but were drafted by the government to fight a stupid war that was for nothing.  I feel for them, as well as veterans of other foreign wars like Iraq and Afghanistan.  There was no draft in those conflicts but active service members gave their lives to do what they were told by previous administrations.  It gives a whole new meaning to service to country.  Like most of you,  I watched in disbelief as New York was shattered on 9/11 unfolded.  Congress is still trying to get funding for those survivors which included fire, police and other agencies.  One of my most vivid memories was of the FDNY chaplain being hauled out of the towers.  The sad thing is that the perps were trained in the US to fly and that went under the radar until later.  BTW, these were folks from countries that hated the western world and ways.  And Dubya captured what's his name who had no weapons of mass destruction. Period.

As I see this administration lying and claiming to cherish world peace, I realize that we are in a very dangerous situation.  We used to be a strong and proud country in spite of historical greed and corruption.  As Jesus would say "Blessed are the peacemakers."  

Give peace a chance ^j^

stealth

I am a terrible liar and always have been.  Let's just say you don't want to be my poker partner because my face tells it all.  I also tend to be selfish on occasion, choosing my own needs over those of others.  And, well kind of "putting folks out" because I'm stuck here.  The rain started about an h our ago and now that huge snowbank out there is steaming with fog.  By golly good old Jeff Jones has kept the road scraped through it all. It's traffic as usual.   

U am a big believer in separation of church and state.  Our founding fathers included that in the Constitution in the form of the first amendment, though not in those exact words.  I do not think that anything biblical such as the ten commandments should be posted in government buildings, including schools.  Freedom of religion is a right but should not be dictated by political agenda.  Which brings me to Trump's remarks at the National Prayer breakfast where he praised the fact that the dictatorial leader of El 

Salvador showed up and was praised for CECOT by POTUS.  If the "worst of the worst" end up there well, I reckon that's okay.  However, that is not what is happening with immigration enforcement in this country. The quota system for any type of law enforcement is based on making money, not only by ICE and CBP is something that has turned into a nightmare for US citizens who are constantly being targeted by lawless idiots who have anger and control issues.  And we, the taxpayers, are footing the bill for all this crap. How many jets does Kristi Noem need to do the job she has been tasked with?  Two American citizens have been murdered in co;d blood by untrained idiots who just like to play cat and mouse.  There are no judicial warrants for most of this activity.  If a judge issues an order, it is either ignored or turned into a long drawn out ordeal while innocents are locked up and deprived of their rights.  

I could go on and on about that, but I will leave that to the podcasters and talking heads of this world.  

The dude that brings my propane came this morning and we chatted about the state of our union.  Like most folks, we believe in the live and let live philosophy.  I don't care what lifestyle you lead as long as it is not affecting me.  I am not God and it is not my place to judge others, lest I be judged.  We all fall short and that is the beauty of grace.  

I have attended church most of my life and have a very strong faith.  That faith does not include exclusion of those who are not like me. Remember that little song that goes "red and yellow black and white, we are precious in his sight."  Yeah.  That.

Most folks that I know and connect with have political and religious beliefs.  Some differ from mine personally.  Yet we get along because of friendship and the spirit of community.  It is the only way for us to survive and thrive.  

There is always a need for the rule of law.  What I see happening more and more is overreach by those with political power.  Oh, and back to church and state.  We don't need to hear little Mike preaching from his Congressional seat.  Seems like he identifies with Paul in many ways.  I wonder when HIS eyes will be opened.  Do not dare to preach from Romans while doing the devil's work.  This Christian does not like that, and neither does Jesus.  

I totally realize that ther is corruptiion in both political parties which is why I identify as an independent voter.  I look at voting records and personal accountability before casting my vote.  If DJT has his way, the mid-terms will be policed by his thugs.  I guess he wasn't kidding when he said that his election would be the last.  Proget 2026 is in full force.

I have zero respect for those who are not smart enough to form their own beliefs without being led by cult leaders. Life is short..so love your neighbor.  Who is my neighbor?  Ask yourself that in a hard way and keep the faith ^j^

 

lived experience

My father had frontotempral demenria and it was not an easy road for anybody in our family.  Symptoms of this sort of dementia include angry outbursts, a lack of common sense and inappropriate behavior because there is no concept of others and their needs.  My mother was blind as a bat in her later years and he literally kept her hostage in their home, the one in which I currently live.  For about ten years following his diagnosis, he was a force to be reckoned with.  My brother, daughter and I worked tirelessly to try and make things a bit better for Mom.  The main characteristic of his dementia seemed to be control.  He turned mean, if you will.  All of this is to say that I recognize the behavior of Trump because I have lived with it.  Only my dad wasn't POTUS, thank goodness.  He would have settled 8 wars and started 5 more.  

There is one particular instance that I remember distinctly.  I got a call from my mother that Daddy had fallen while out walking on Samaria Bend.  He walked a lot with his head down not really enjoying the scenery but on a mission.  Our neighbor down the road called somebody who then called me and I was faced with the task of cleaning up his bloody body.  He refused ambulance transport ( go figure ) and I patched him up as best I could.  

They did not have home health because he was adamant that they were just fine.  He hated the social worker who showed up to work on a plan to make their last days easier.  It was a nightmare and battle of the wills. Billy was always a stubborn type and the dementia magnified that part of his personality,  The day that we took his keys away was the beginning of the end.  I was the bad guy.  Not pretty.  This was a man who was raised as a poor sharecrpper's son and never forgot it.  Compare and contrast this with the current situation in the white house.  Daddy didn't have nuclear codes or insider trading deals.  He was just one man trying to control the universe.  Sound familiar?  Anywho, y'all stay warm and keep the faith ^j^

enough

We are under a blanket of snow and ice out here. Plus it's really really cold!  I am in a warm house with food watching our country go to hell in a handbasket.  That is the big news of today.  Alex Pretti...say his name. If you believe the Trump administration he was a violent protester.  same for Renee Good.  I do not believe their spin for a minute.  One of the reasons is that I can still see well enough to view videos made by those who are enraged at what is going on in MN and other blue states.  The things we are seeing now in real time are not partisan issues.  Federal control over our lives is not normal.  I depend on local law enforcement to keep me safe.  If ICE and CBP were here, I would be scared out of my wits because they are on a political vendetta against those of us who are anti MAGA.  Does that not scare the shit out of y'all?  

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Pretti had a concealed carry permit for the gun that was on him.  He was attempting to help a lady up who was knocked down by CBP to get up.  Minutes later he was shot mutiple times.  It seems that CBP is much less forgiving in situations like this.  

What bothers me the most is that the trump minions are covering for all of this by offering up "domestic terrorist" as an excuse.  That could be me or you or anybody else you know who believes in the first and second amendments to the US Constitution.  

For the life of me, I cannot understand why this is happening except for retribution by a pissed off man who has never done a thing other than grift off of others.  This ain't the 80s people.  According to my calendar it is January 2026 and our rights are gone from bad to worse.  

I believe that the "flood the zone" mentality is working on us as a people.  We think that we have no options except to come together as fellow human beings.  There will be more death at the hands of federal law enforcement.  If I am one of them, say my name ^j^

the polls and the people

From my perspective, polling doesn't count for much.  Trump's approval rating is in the toilet and yet he still carrying on like it is his world, hemisphere and kingdom.  We all know that is handlers are worn out and afraid of gettin' canned.  That tells a lot about their integrity.

As we speak, there is a major winter storm for which FEMA is not prepared, cciting  various reasons such as "lack of funding or direction."  All of the money is being spent on ICE enforcement, with a couple or five military takeovers around the globe.  It is all funny money at this point.  

There are people who can step up and stop this madness but thet won't.  That is the tragedy,  What is happening in our country is not a partisan issue, but a humanitarian one.  When is enough enough?

I totally understand that everybody wants to think about happy shit...I do too.  The truth is that sticking your head in the sand and being a party liner just doesn't work if you have a conscience.  Either side.

Bernie Sanders is my political hero, mostly because he speaks his mind as an independent.  I have a bleached out sweatshirt that I bought prior to the 2016 election that I still wear on cold days like this one.  

I am kinda sorta like a toddler now, going to sleep early and long then waking up in the dark.  I never know what a day will bring but I have faith that it will be good.  Every day that I wake up to an America that is fighting back, it gives me hope.  This shit is not normal, I don't care who you are.  

I live in a food desert about 15 miles from the closest grocery store.  I do have a home with electricity (so far) to cook what I have stockpiled from instacart orders.  That is my new crack.

If I were asked to be honest right now I can do that without a polygraph  I have one of those faces and voices that can't tell a lie, which is why I suck at poker.

Y'all stay warm and safe and keep the faith ^j^

when you know better

 Well, if you learned anything valuable, you do better in my experience.  Everone has their own set of standards regarding
 treatment of other folks with respect. Judgement should not stand in the way of meeting others where they are.  Being open to the trials of your fellow human or animal or whatever kinda sorta is what Jesus would do, and demonstrated during his ministry.  A prime example of that is our local Salvation Army that feeds about 200 plus per day at the food kitchen. This organization is staffed by volunteers and run by (once again)  a director who is not paid.  Nor the bell ringers, bless their hearts.

Which brings me to an epiphany,  Not that I didn't see it coming but because the new world order is pretty damn scary.  There are authoritarian leaders all over the world who have cultists following them.  Some elections are not fair.  I was once a part of a voter tracking thing locally.  My friend and I worked our asses off publishing a magazine devoted to that end.  The budget was small and it lasted about a year or less.  We were promised support from other contributors that never happened,  I don't regret the experience, but I learned from it. And here we go.

* remember who you are and from whence you came

* Smile or cry or vent when you need to.  Nothing is worse than a fake persona or anything fake.  Phone a friend when times get hard. And always keep the faith ^j^

hp hp hp and caw caw caw

Merry Christmas to all y'all and your mama'n them. Here in West Tennessee and Pecan Lane in specific, it is a balmy 70 degrees and the crows have taken over my yard for the end of the year.  There are plenty of pecans out there with stink bug spots but I doubt they mind that.  Tis early flu season around these parts so count your blessings if you are not afflicted.  I have heard that it's brutal.

Meanwhile, POTUS is playing golf and threatening Greenland again. And starting a war in Venezuela playing pirate games.  And the whole world is watching and waiting and getting ready for WW3.  And us?  Well we are mostly barely making ends meet and scared as shit of what is to come.  At this point, it's just damage control.  

I am slowly but surely making my way toward repair of a parastomal hernia.  Six years after I almost died from a serious colon infection I will be once again on the operating table.  I don't remember much about the last time but this go around I realize that the initial surgery that ended with a colostomy will need TLC through the years.  I could care less about a re-connection because I'm used to it but, this hernia?  It affects the fit of my bag setup so it has to be fixed.  

The Lord (and my late mother) moved me the other day to call Senator Marsha Blackburn's office regarding the Senate vote on ACA extension that never made it out of the House.  I was pleasantly surprisd that the woman who answered the phone was curious because I knew a lot about the evolution of healthcare in West Tennessee.  Why do I know?  Because I worked there for 41 years.

So I hope y'all are eating way too much and enjoying family, even drunk uncle.  Just say "bless your heart and pass the peas."  Peace on earth, good will toward men ^j^