The ReBirth of a Nation???

This is “The Age of Donald Trump.” This era of political and social unrest, of chaos and violent death; he owns. It is his. We try to look to him for healing and thoughtful resolve…we will not find it…it does not reside within the man or within his words.

The events last weekend in Charlottesville Va. happening figuratively in my own back yard. I live in Va. not really so far from that town. As every thinking and caring person by this times knows; it was a horrific two days that culminated in the death of a caring and dedicated young woman; Heather Heyer. People of good faith around the world mourn her death along with two state troopers that lost their lives. These men merely doing their jobs (to protect and to serve.) It is Heather’s death that will have the most lasting impact. Her mother has vowed to not let her daughter’s death be in vain. She will take up the mantle, the fight against oppression and hate. In that she will vindicate Heather’s life and goals. We must support this as we support our better selves.

In anger and zealous rage an insane man rammed his car into a group of counter-protesters to his rallying of white supremacy. His cowardly act resulting at best, in illuminating the danger of the condoning and coddling of his kind of ignorance and vitriol. And in answer to all of this what do we learn of President Donald John Trump? He will not denounce his own.

Donald Trump N.S.S.B.

His complaints, animosity, lying and rude vulgarity began in the presidential campaign and went into full blown anarchy on inauguration day. The size of his crowd as compared to that of President Obama’s became an issue. The popular vote loss as compared to Hillary Clinton’s numbers he raised as yet another question. The rounding out for day one was and remains; press coverage. This United States President would lead one to believe he hates the press, that it is unfair and false; but to the contrary he consumes the news (limited to television coverage) with an unbridled passion. Donald Trump is a "dangerous mind," a threat to himself and humanity and very much a ticking time bomb of a man. 

After reaching his one hundred day mark he had no real accomplishment. He had gotten his Supreme Court nominee appointed; but it took a major change in the decades old rule of a clear bi-partisan majority. He also won some favor for the bombing of Syria. There has been no follow up are any coherent plan of action or policy on the Syrian Civil War. By the same token his Muslim Travel Ban remains blocked and he is to date unable to replace and repeal affordable health care. He has multiple appointments yet to be made and his people remain under investigation for collusion with the Russians. Trump lives in the White alone and tweeting in the early morning hours. His weekends are lavish retreats to his ritzy Palm Beach, Florida digs. He spends his time golfing and gorging alone without his wife and young son.

Who gets it next???

Donald Trump having just returned from his first trip abroad; a venture very mixed in tone and accomplishment. He made an arms deal with the Totalitarian Saudi Monarchy. They sang each other’s praises and danced to world repressive and dominance.  He went on to bullying, insulting, boasting and mis-representing almost every protocol and diplomatic standard in the remainder of his trip. The European allies were little impressed with the man, especially Germany and France. This whiles his son-in-law; Jared Kushner becomes part of the Russian query, North Korea defiantly steps up their long range missile testing and his communications director’s sudden resignation. Trumps latest and biggest blast is his decision to drop out of the Paris Climate Accord. This is an incredibly bad move for the USA and the world at large. He may not recover as he has continually spiraled downward from his administration’s outset.

Mr. Trump; those in the Russian Government are not your or our friends (they are laughing at your ineptitude.) The press is not your enemy (it is the corner stone of and essential in a free republic.) With your tweets you are hurting yourself (Twitter is a form of social media not intended as a means of governing.)  Listen to Ivanka; you say she wants you to be a better person/leader. Mr. Trump; by every measure, you are failing miserably. Don’t make The United States a “Loser Nation” following the paths you consistently and irrationally seem compelled to take.

Inauguration Day 2017...

Inauguration day has passed and Donald trump is in the White House. Yes; it was a sad day for the millions that voted against him/for Hillary. Protests went on around Washington DC, the rest of the country and across the free world. I do understand that Mr. Putin and Mr. Netanyahu were pleased. Politics make for strange bedfellows and “the enemy of my enemy is my friend…”

I personally chose to dress in all black for the occasion. My fashion statement did not go unnoticed. I received a number of comments from my co-workers, friends and associates on my job. Many were amused and there were actually smiles and laughter in response to my effort.

Trump’s term as president is potentially dangerous for the United States and the world. In the midst of it all we must; as Michelle Obama said during the campaign “…they go low, we go high.” I was and am immeasurably happy to see the tremendous number of protests (world-wide) especially the peaceful ones. “Civil Disobedience” is a beautiful and necessary thing. The potential injustices and wrongs that Trump can inflict are too numerous to mention in a single blog. We have to express our disapproval of the presidency of an ignorant man elected possessing no character, hatred, bile, bigotry and unlimited personal greed.   

We will survive Donald J. Trump and there is the potential for a better world beyond the Trump years. Trump’s election is a “wake up call” indeed a call to action. Many have already heeded and righteousness will ultimately prevail.  

Salvador Dali PREMONITION OF CIVIL WAR

It was painted as a response to the looming Spanish Civil War by the Master Surrealist; Salvador Dali. It rivals and is a foil to another artist’s statement on the same destructive force; Pablo Picasso’s Guernica. Dali’s miracle; “Soft Construction with Boiled Beans Premonition of Civil War” Is amazingly on point. Dali’s depiction of an entity/creature painfully and horrifically in the process of destroying itself is both alarming and seductive.

Dali’s creation is also in many ways cause for celebration. His colors are rich; his technique, his drafting skills are brilliant and the genius of his imagination is phenomenal. Rarely has any artist taken such an ugly truth as civil war and transformed that truth into something beautiful; something to study and treasure. Premonition of Civil War is a true masterpiece of priceless magnitude and monumental in stature.

In light of the recent election of Donald J. Trump this nation finds itself at tremendous odds. Protests that have taking place; largely in cities across the nation, demonstrate a bitterness and unparalleled divisiveness on many levels. Individuals are being attacked and bullied in schools while others walk out of their own schools in response and protest. This is a time of civil disobedience that I haven’t personally seen since the Nineteen Sixties. Actor Robert Di Nero said Trump’s election felt emotionally something like those he felt on "Nine Eleven," 2001. Decidedly one of the worst days in American History. I have to agree with Mr. Di Nero. Something of my own feelings of that time hauntingly returned to me.

A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure, permanently, half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved — I do not expect the house to fall — but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other. 

                                                                                                                         

                                                                                                           Abraham Lincoln

                          

Donald Trump’s presidency will not destroy the union. It in all likely hoods will not lead to civil war. But he will be passionately opposed when wrong and equally acknowledged when right. The nation will vote again in four years, we will choose quite possibly Mr. Trump’s replacement. It is too our good fortune and credit that we have such a system of government. At present Donald Trump chooses and prepares his administration, the protests continue, we continue to look to great art for comfort and inspiration…life and creativity go on. We are very much a nation of one with many different minds and visions. We are a nation of people and ideas of which the best of each will ultimately endure. 

CELEBRATE AMERICA "Hillary Has Won" (Well; Maybe Not...)

CELEBRATE AMERICA

November 8^th Twenty Sixteen

By

James Jones

Celebrate in music, in letters and in song.

Celebrate with loud noises and in silent tears.

We are witness to History Tonight!

Hillary Clinton is elected The Forty-Fifth President of The United States of America.

She is the first woman to be so elected.

This is a Time of Greatness, of Miracle and of Wonder.

This is Her Time and Ours

Yes

CELEBRATE!

Addendum_The previous was something that I had really hoped I was going to be able to honestly say. The reality is; as you know, that Hillary Clinton did not win the election (at least not by the electorial college). Donald Trump is the President Elect; the American people have spoken. The moniker; Hillary Clinton President, is not to be. Our nation will move on and tomorrow, I'll write another blog.  

#ELECTION2016

                                                                                                     

This 2016 US Presidential Campaign and eventual election are both historical and by far the most unusual in recent times. The candidates; Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are no strangers to the American cultural and political scene; but as familiar as we are familiar with them both, we continue to read, hear and see daily releases of new potentially damning revelations. Trump’s allegations of misconduct with women and Hillary’s misuse of a private email server are at present fore-most.  People across the United States and around the world are alarmed, saddened and dismayed to new levels. Many consider the candidates to be the least liked, trusted and admired; ever. What do we do?

The options are not much different than they have been for a while. The first is vote for the person you genuinely consider to be the best; that shares your beliefs, aspirations and vision of the future. Second; vote the lesser of two evils. This speaks for itself. The third being there are two other choices; the Green Party and the Libertarian Party. Forth; you can write in someone, living, dead or ficticous. Lastly; stay home, don’t participate. Again; what do we do?

In light of all that is being hashed out mere days before the final debate between Mr. Trump and Mrs. Clinton  I’m blogging and posting some of my own (you might call propaganda) political/editorial graphics. I’m looking to amuse here and hope they will strike some nerve and resonate with you. Please; enjoy these offerings!