Saturday, October 29, 2016

New Rule: The Danger of False Equivalency | Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO)

It puzzles me when I hear "ones as bad as the other" excuse. Bill's right it's people being lazy and not even really doing their homework on the candidates. The just hear the headlines or what gossip they heard secondhand at work, the bar, school or wherever. What was most damaging about the release of the FBI letter to congress was that the two words "Hillary" and "email". That's all people will hear at this point. They won't hear much after that. Not that it had nothing to do with her email server or actual email that Hillary sent.A pure case of the headline is more sensational than the actual facts behind it.




This is the full quote by Noam Chomsky that Bill cites in his video:

"Well, let me give an example. When I'm driving, I sometimes turn on the radio and I find very often that what I'm listening to is a discussion of sports. These are telephone conversations. People call in and have long and intricate discussions, and it's plain that quite a high degree of thought and analysis is going into that. People know a tremendous amount. They know all sorts of complicated details and enter into far-reaching discussion about whether the coach made the right decision yesterday and so on. These are ordinary people, not professionals, who are applying their intelligence and analytic skills in these areas and accumulating quite a lot of knowledge and, for all I know, understanding. On the other hand, when I hear people talk about, say, international affairs or domestic problems, it's at a level of superficiality that's beyond belief."- Noam Chomsky

It shows we are capable learning capable of learning about something when we choose to. We can know what a baseball batter's average is in the 7th inning facing a left-handed pitcher with the wind going out to right field when in a particular ballpark in the month of September after he had taco's and beer the night before but couldn't tell you the significance NATO, name the Secretary of State or that latest email news doesn't even involve Hillary's email server or anything sent by her. That will get lost in the headlines.

Before spouting of one's as bad as the other do some actual homework. Especially before choosing whom to vote for. It deserves a little more attention than worrying about Brangelina's divorce.

Saturday, October 22, 2016

Nobel honors Bob Dylan, bard for a changing world


Sister Rosetta Tharpe - Didn't It Rain



Bob Dylan - To Fall In Love With You


Friday, October 21, 2016

Thursday, October 20, 2016

Two dollars and a nasty woman



Hillary now has 3-0 streak after last nights debate. November 8th will make it a 4-0 sweep of "The Donald". She already started ahead by an average of 7 percentage points and I doubt this will have any negative affect on her lead. She didn't need to knock it out of the park like Donald needed to.

Hillary's strategy wasn't to go for the home run with each swing but to keep knocking in runs with singles and the occasional double. Let's face it she prepares to the max for these things. As Donald reiterated she's been doing this stuff for 30 years and it shows.

I think the very first quest Fox News Chris Matthews asked about the Supreme Court painted a telling picture of this whole campaign season. Hillary gave what could be called a straight forward unexciting typical politician-like answer about her views and goals for the Supreme Court. In contrast Donald immediately started whining about Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's remarks about him that apparently he hasn't gotten over yet. In other words it was all about him and his wounded pride. Him not being able let go of a perceived slight against him. He is like the paperboy in the comedy from the 80's "Better Off Dead" who chased John Cusack's character around everywhere demanding his $2.


Of course what everyone else is noting that when asked whether he'd stand by the the election result's his answer was: " I will tell you at the time." This was asked amid his recent campaign rhetoric of swearing the elections will be rigged if he loses. Of course this line plays right into his base of support that the system is rigged against. I think many may not understand that this isn't just political bravado but an affront to our given assumption that transfer of power will be honored when someone else is elected. This and his 2nd debate remark of her being imprisoned just adds to his third-world authoritarian outlook on leadership. Part of this is due to him knowing that he's probably going to lose but has to deflect blame as it doesn't fit into his brand's image of winning.

He also further reinforced his problem with women with a comment of  "Such a nasty woman" while Hillary was talking of Social Security and entitlements. Hillary didn't pause for a second or give any indication say noticed what he had said. 

Hillary's experience, knowledge and coolness prevaled. She barely give notice to whatever outlandish bull Donald was spouting out in a given moment. When she did  speak she was calm but would insert jabs at Donald in precise and almost sly way. This of course was exactly what she planned to do. After awhile Donald soon was jabbering in his best "Alec Baldwin" impersonation  "Wrong, wrong, wrong. " and sniffling his way towards the end of the debate. 

Perhaps this is what Hillary's given path to Presidency.  That it would have to go through an overgrown misogynistic playboy tough guy from Brooklyn who can't stand losing to a smart confident woman. A nasty one to boot. 

Hillary Clinton’s 3 debate performances left the Trump campaign in ruins


Saturday, October 15, 2016

Don't Think Twice It's All Right - Bob Dylan

My dad used tease me about my love for Paul McCartney by saying he's no Bob Dylan. Bob Dylan is one of those artists that every musician or songwriter has on their "who influenced you" list. Even The Beatles wanted meet him when they first came to the United States. Admittedly I've not been as big of fan of his as maybe I should be. Sometimes he's hard to understand and doesn't have great singing voice(which he admits). It's through his words that his mind and soul shine through. 

I think my Dad would be happy to see that Dylan had won the Nobel Prize for Literature. I think he had seen or felt something that I've missed over the years. Hopefully it's not too late for me.

He's been called an "American Troubadour" and I think it fits him perfectly. 

New Rule: A Bone to Pick with Undecided Voters | Real Time with Bill Mah...




It baffles me that in an election campaign that has lasted since last year that there are undecided voters among us. Seriously? In what is probably the most contentious and partisan election in our recent history you really need more time with this? 

Ken Bone, undecided voter, enjoying his 15 minutes of fame. 

Ken Bone a recent Internet sensation is our picture of this undecided voter walking among us. His Internet fame flamed out quick when people found out he had human faults and quirks. It guess Trump misogynistic, authoritarian, demagogic  behavior wasn't enough to sway him. Donald wanting to ban an entire religion wasn't enough. Mimicking a handicapped reporter in a speech wasn't enough. Insulting Vietnam veteran  Senator John McCain because he was captured wasn't enough. Bragging about his penis size during a Presidential debate wasn't enough. Saying a Federal judge was unfit because of his Mexican heritage wasn't enough. Calling a US Senator "Pocahontas" wasn't enough. Accusing a rival candidate's father of being involved with the Kennedy assassination wasn't enough. Promising millions to veterans organizations then crying when caught by reporters for not giving a dime wasn't enough.   Getting into a feud with Gold Star parents wasn't enough. Calling a former Miss Universe "Miss Piggy" and "Miss Housekeeping" (she's Latino) wasn't enough. Brags about using his fame  to kiss and grab women's genitals wasn't enough. The 11, and counting, women in the last week that have come forward saying he actually sexually harassed and assaulted hasn't been enough. How much more information do you need? He must be fun at ordering food at a restaurant.


Like Donald Trump though, Ken Bone's past comments seem to be catching up to him. Apparently made some controversial remarks about the Trevor Martin tragedy and is an apparent fan of Jennifer Lawrence's butt hole from the leaked photo's of her a few years ago. A testament and warning that anything you say or do online or on video/radio may seem harmless at the moment but can come back and grab you in the genitals in the future.