When The White House Went Dark

 Sunday night May 31^st 2020 The White House goes dark. President Donald Trump hides in the bunker beneath the main floors strickened in personal terror. Police and protesters clash in the streets outside; around the surrounding grounds of the White House and throughout other parts of the nation’s capital. 

Metaphorically and philosophically the White House and nation went dark in a somewhat gradual and very real moral way when Mr. Trump was sworn into office January 1^st 2016. His presidential  lies, half-truths and fabrications began with Trump disputing the crowd size of his inauguration over President  Obama’s.  He declared war on the press calling  all reportage that painted him in a bad light or was contrary to his twisted narratives “Fake News.” He extended his ire to his own intelligence community and the FBI. He was out of the blocks with a vengeance and there was no “Honey Moon” for “Mr. Trump,”   

The current climate of unrest is tied to the death of African American Citizen; George Floyd at the bidding of four Minneapolis police officers, Trump’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic  and a greatly suffering economy. 

 At the present Trump continues to tout false cures, untested procedures and quackery as remedies for the corona virus and uses race bating and brutality as solutions to civil disobedience. In his own mind the crumbling economy and unemployment rates are fine so these things are not even addressed. If at all he wants to dangerously reopen all businesses and social activities. This in spite of warnings from his own medical advisors and scientific authorities. Members of his cabinet and appointees are filling the jails as much as they are implementing  policy. Many of the president’s men have been indicted and many convicted (at least six individuals) for criminal activities, a number of which they have admit to. The numbers include his personal lawyer’s paying of hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels for various extra marital escapades with his boss. Most recently his advisor Steve Bannon was arrested for fraud and is currently out on bail as he awaits trial. 

                                                          Unrest @ The White House

Trump when not playing  golf remains busy. He is at this moment trying to suppress voting by shutting down the USPS with the aid of his crony Louis DeJoy; Post Master General who is also his ardent supporter and campaign donor.  DeJoy is removing mail sorting machines, mail boxes and cutting workers over-time hours across the country.  This due to Trump believing fewer voters equal fewer votes against him and will benefit his campaign in the end. The Trump  abuses of power, ignorance and attempts to form a sort of dictatorship  not unlike Putin’s Russia are very important to him. His intentions are to subvert the constitution while staying in power for as many years as possible.  He would love to destroy our system of a three branch system of government with clear separation of powers at the federal level. In this he is most dangerous; a true threat to democracy. 

  

Lastly and equally distressing is Trump’s allusions  to and possibly mentally delusional remarks on the fore mentioned idea of his staying in office after what he will surely call an unfair and rigged election. This is of course if and when he hopefully and prayerfully loses his bid for reelection.  The election happens in a period just over two month from now. Given that he might   attempt to stay in the White House beyond his term I am convinced that he will be evicted shortly after the swearing in of former Vice President and Senator Joe Biden. He will be removed (if not by his own free will) then by members of the Secret Service or if need be the United States’ Armed Forces (Rule of Law will prevail) as Biden takes over the reins of Commander in Chief after his swearing into office; the afternoon of January 1^st 2021.

The Trump Bomb

The Untimely Death and Aftermath of George Floyd

 How long does it take to kill a man? What method of murder is the most efficient? What is the price of a human life? The answer to these questions are wide and varied, almost unlimited. In the particular horrific case of George Floyd we have certain answers. 

The untimely death of Africa-American George Floyd came about four weeks ago on May 25th. He was sentenced, tried and executed by four White police officers. Three to physically commit the act and as with every daylight crime, one assigned to be lookout. This being done to prevent any by-standers from intervening. The motto; “To protect and to serve” took on a unique and unintended meaning that day. The officers protected their Minneapolis community from a handcuffed, physically restrained helpless man as they served their unanimous decision to terminate him. All following little deliberation and committed without passion, effort or struggle. They did exhibit a sense of coolness, emotional distance and callousness. Their hands in their pockets in a manner of normalcy and familiarity with the inflicting of death. Due to being captured on video this tragedy shortly became national and international news. The results of which are still growing and resonating. The world collectively heard a plea for mercy; one that we had heard before but somehow expected to not hear again: “I can’t breathe.” 

The time passage in the case of George Floyd’s death was approximately eight minutes. Eight minutes for the breath to leave his lungs, his heart’s beating to stop, his brain functions to cease and for the accused police officers to feel comfortable that this man was beyond any chance of recovery. 

 The method of murder was death by the collective weight of approximately seven hundred pounds placed stratigally on Floyd’s back and neck; again, as he lay helpless. The knee of one officer (Derek Chauvin) conveniently slid between the head and shoulders on Floyd’s vulnerable and weak human neck. This as Chauvin strategically increased pressure from time to time while ignoring Floyd’s begging to him and his other assailants; “please…I can’t breathe…” 

The price was a mere twenty, presumed counterfeit dollars. From the point of view of his murderers the equivalent of nothing; a valueless existence.

In the following days and weeks; the aftermath of Floyd’s death, the United States have seen many drastic and well documented events in response. Protests both peaceful and violent, marches from coast to coast and a new and deeper, inclusive meaning of “Black Lives Matter” has emerged. Spain, Syria, Australia and the UK are among the vast world nations to march and exhibit symbols of solidarity with Americans in this crisis. 

 There has been positive dialogue, genuine anguish along with public and police reaching out and coming together in unity. We have seen and heard both good and bad words and actions from law enforcement and politicians. Mural tributes to Floyd’s sacrificial death have sprung up; again nationally and internationally. NASCAR has removed the symbol of oppression and slavery; “The Battle Flag of the Confederacy” (“The Stars & Bars”) from all of their racing events. This as many iconic and offensive statues of racist historical figures are toppled and removed. There are even calls to defund and abolish the dated form of American policing.  

There are many signs of hope amid the chaos. We can learn from all that is happening in this current time of unease with COVID-19 also not showing many signs of deflating or going away. There is no doubt that these are unusual, uncharted stressful times. Yet times given the opportunity that can see political and spiritual lasting agents of change.

To date across the country and abroad the protests continue, the marches and the rallies continue. An abundance of good will offerings continue along with the deaths of innocent Black Men and Women; American Citizens, at the will and discretion of the Nation’s Police continuing as well.   

                                               

                 

COVID-19 The Corona Pandemic

The world is under siege. Massive lock-down, hoarding and largely fear is ruling in the many corners and epicenters of as many nations. It is ensnaring epic numbers of people in pain and suffering both physical and psychological. Without argument the coronavirus is infecting relentless numbers and is the most serious medical crisis we have faced in generations. Along with the infections; of course, come large numbers of deaths; the ultimate price/disaster. It is primarily sentencing the elderly communities but all ages can become and are the virus’ victims. People with chronic diseases along with the elderly are most at risk and the chief victims; those with heart disease, lung disease and MS are the types of related afflictions represented in the highest numbers of deaths; victims in this pandemic. It is a thing of a nature that the majority of the world’s citizens have not experienced or seen. Now; with all this said, “There is still hope and COVID-19 will not ultimately win.”

This systematic war is largely trench warfare and we are in said trenches.  Every one of us fights by keeping our distances (6 feet) whenever possible, covering our coughs and sneezes and avoiding crowds. Also; wash your hands and self-quarantine when necessary. We do what we can as the Pharmaceutical and scientific worlds search for treatments and a cure. The fact is that there is no magic bullet and time is a factor as much as it is of the essence. 

                                                                     

                  Stock Up But Don't Hoard!

Another way we fight for and to protect our families, friends and neighbors as well as ourselves is to listen to facts and follow experts. There are leaders who should better understand human nature and this epidemic but choose to speak from their “guts” and not their heads. Always listen to those in the “medical know” those who have dedicated their lives to treatment and disease prevention (the CDC.) Listen to reporters and leaders that respect and honor truth over fear and personal posturing. We can and will win in this current environment largely of the undiscovered and the unknown.

At the moment of the writing of this Blog I personally know of no one that has contracted the Coronavirus.  I know a very small number that are under limited lock-down because of exposure to possible infection. In that I am fortunate. I am looking/hoping/praying   for their exoneration from the disease. My area is not a large urban center and maps are showing that the less densely populated areas are not seeing large numbers of cases or even deaths by volume or either percentage. This is a blessing.   

Daft Punk May Have Always Had The Right Idea.

I urge everyone to send up a few extra prayers and make every personal effort humanly possible in preventing the spread of this horror in this; the time of COVID-19, The Coronavirus. We support all and I wish everyone good health and good fortune.