Trump Assassination Attempt

Trump is Not the Real Victim

Yesterday the world witnessed an attempt on the life of former President Donald J. Trump. It could just as easily have been Joe Biden. Many are surprised it had not happened before now. I am one of those.

Literally the real victims here were firstly the poor, innocent attendee who lost his life and his family, and secondly those critically injured and their families. Figuratively the other victim is the tragic blow to the already horrible state of affairs in America.

Imagine this being YOU. You leave. You watch. You listen. You never come home to your family. 

The American experiment in democracy was already in need of repair - if not broken - for years. This incident is more proof. The test of America and of Donald will be how she and he react. Biden already stepped up in a manner befitting a President. Trump could rise to the occasion and do the same.

He loves to rant about the deep state and how he will tear apart many of its federal institutions. He DID have a moment of normalcy and showed gratitude that some of those institutions had saved his life. Good for that. Ironic don't you think?

Trump now has the opportunity to do something great. The incident will no doubt help to solidify his chances of a win. He could make an historic appeal for calm at the 2024 National Convention this week. His insistance on standing up after the shooting, shaking his symbolic fist salute, and yelling "FIGHT" makes you think that is highly unlikely. That would be typical and unfortunate.

I thought it was VERY telling that his first concern was for his shoes. With Donald it is all about image - HIS.

Will he and those around him blame this all on Biden and the Democrats? Probably. It will be total bull. Will someone else now take a shot at Biden? We hope not. I am listening to Sunday morning network TV and they are saying that no othe country in the world admires American democracy anymore. I believe it.

America has become a real version of the hit TV show SURVIVOR. That show is all about reading other people, screwing anybody you can, and trusting nobody. That is probably why it was and still is such a hit in America.

Soon there will be images of Lady Liberty hitchhiking on the side of a highway with a sign that reads "France - or anywhere else but HERE."

#thebrewsterblock

Fate: The Great Equalizer

What is YOUR view of Fate? 

Do you know what will unfold in your life a second from now - a day, week, or year? A world of con artists will tell you what yours is - for a suitable fee. Don't fall for it. In my humble opinion fate is NOT predictable.  

 

This makes it an equalizer among all individuals or species. It is this aspect of fate that gave rise to faith and religion in the first place. People need something to explain the unknown. Religion has been taking advantage of this from the beginning of time (whatever that means). 

 

What triggered this column? Yesterday I was talking to my neighbour and playing with a young and beautiful dog in my unfenced back yard. He had been pet-sitting and came across from his own yard to talk. The dog darted around in freedom - a large dog in a large yard. She is usually in a condo.   

 

Today while I was drinking a coffee inside and observing my front yard the same neighbour suddenly appeared chasing the frisky unleashed dog. She usually darts away a few yards and waits for him to catch her. We live on a busy highway - 5 lanes of traffic. Suddenly I witnessed fate several times.  

 

1. The dog while dragging its leash decided to take off across the highway at full speed. There was a lot of traffic. Thankfully a couple of cars managed to avoid her by inches.  

 

2. Then my neighbour had to run - with some caution - across the same lanes to retrieve her from a ditch opposite our houses. He managed to slow down cars enough to avoid being hit himself. 

 

3. I expected the dog to run through the traffic, returning to our side as his keeper approached. To her this is a game. 

 

4. He emerged from the ditch with the fortunate dog on leash at his side. Luckily he had managed to secure her. 

 

5. They both managed to cross back safely to our side. 

  

Both of their fates could have unfolded in a far more tragic way. Why was he lucky?  

 

In California several families wake up one day and everything they own - businesses, homes, and personal belongings have turned to ash in an instant by a wildfire.  Most survive with their lives. Some do not. 

 

A friend repeats an activity performed hundreds of times and verifies a lottery ticket. He is suddenly rich beyond his wildest dreams. Fate can be good. Meanwhile a close relative is told by her doctor that she has ALS. 

 

Entire countries and populations are being demolished by greedy dictators. The fate of a nation depends on an election. One child is born with a brain like Einstein's. Beside it in a hospital bed is another with a mental handicap. One elephant, moose, or whale is slaughtered while others survive. 

 

As humans we can attempt to minimize the effects of some horrible and some beautiful events, but few other animals can. 

 

Destiny we can control and we alone can mitigate the destiny of every living thing on this planet. We are failing. Will fate punish the worst perpetrators?  

 

Are you one of them? 

#thebrewsterblock

Preserving Animal Species

Do Animal Preseves Protect? Maybe Not!

Ever been tempted to take in one of those apparent animal preservation attractions where you can get up close and personal with some type of wild life? Swimming with dolphins is a famous example. Perhaps you should think twice. I will do some research before I visit one. Some are not worth a visit. Why? Read on.

Is this Natural for the Species?

Try to think like the animal. If you are swimming with dolphins or mingling with and touching a species which would normally run from or attack humans, this is NOT natural.

• How did this "preserve" acquire these animals which are usually found elsewhere?
• Why has a normally wild species become tame?
• What kind of harsh training or conditioning have they received?
• Are they spending most of their time in a pen or cage? How wild is that?
• With a bit of research some of the answers you will find are horrible.

What prompted this post?

I was reading an article in my CAA Winter 2023 magazine (Canadian Automobile Association) called Creature Comforts by Vawn Himmelsbach which got me thinking about this. She sites several organizations you should check out. Here are some of them:

• nathab.com
• sanctuaryfederation.org
• worldanimalprotection.ca
• whalesense.org

Humans Helping Animals

It is uplifting to see that some people think beyond cats and dogs when it comes to animals. Many Zoos have come a long way in the last few decades from past prisons for poor caged animals to elaborate environments spanning hundreds of acres.

They are in some ways a necessary evil as THE dominant species grabs more of the world's resources for itself leaving less for those who pre-dated us by thousands of years.There are also more efforts to outlaw poaching for money to punish the guilty. More is needed.

Humans Helping Themselves

However looking back in history people have not changed much. The money and wealth motive still dominates. For years we have been seeing daily inhumanity inflicted on others in Ukraine and the Middle East to name a couple. America is full of its own unique horror shows and it is getting worse.

So on one level you have to wonder how you can expect humane treatment of animals when the two-legged variety keeps slaughtering its own. We often use the term "treat like an animal". That is disgusting in itself. Animals kill for need - never for sport or trophies. Phrases like scalping, tar and feather, burn at the stake, and skinning alive to name a few ae 100% human and 100% vile.

On another level perhaps those participating in war will find some solace in their down time by furthering animal causes.

Like an animal - don't hold your breath.

#thebrewsterblock

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The Donkey and the Tiger

We all know some of these people

Do yourselves a favour and Google "The Donkey and the Tiger" - it's a very short read. Apparently the author is unknown. Skip to the end because that is our subject today: "When ignorance screams, intelligence shuts up. Your peace and tranquility are worth more."

As you will have seen if you researched this there are very appropriate interpretations for you to consider. The objective here is to inspire you to create your own. Think of all the people you know. Everybody has met and has to tolerate someone like this.

Are you one? I suspect to some degree that I am - especially after reading and pondering this little gem. These people really annoy me and probably you too. Now have a close look in the mirror. Is Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. Righty staring back?

The most notorious person I can think of that fits this characterization is of course Donald J. Trump. The most notorious group would be his MAGA followers. But let's drop down a level to our own social spheres.

I can think of 2-3 right now. They must always have the last word and won't stop even when you try to be diplomatic. Some are used to getting their own way by virtue of being high up in a structured organization. Others like teachers, cops, and military people are used to subordinates having to listen and obey. I remember teachers who were like that but my favorites were the opposite. They had the knack of making you feel just a little more relevant. If you were totally wrong they had a tactful way of letting you know but welcomed the engagement. Some parents lack the skill - the poorer ones.

On the other hand can you remember your school experiences - primary, secondary, college in which you were socializing face to face? Who were the natural "leaders" you wanted to hang with? I remember some who just stood out and NONE of them had to be right all the time. When a group of you walked down the street, these were almost always in the centre with wannabes on either side. The girls or guys were attracted to members of the opposite sex with this charisma like a magnet. This was before other gender groups were even recognized.

These people took an interest in you and others around them. They listened when you spoke and commented on your contributions to the conversation. They laughed at your jokes even if they really were not funny. Today they might even manage to tolerate the subjects of this blog.

In terms of celebrities a few that come to mind are: Johnny Carson; Jay Leno; Dolly Parton; Diane Sawyer; and maybe Joe Biden. With celebs you never know what they are like off camera but I suspect these would still be very likeable people. My current fav above all is CNN's #Alisyn Camerota. Her personality just grows on you.

So back to the beginning. Don't waste time on these people. They will never change. They probably lack confidence and have nothing else with which to impress you. Don't sweat the small stuff - and these are the small stuff. Be the intelligent one - just let them have their petty victory.

One thing to give you solace - there isn't one person like this who isn't already held in disregard by others. There is no need to point it out.

So one more time: "When ignorance screams, intelligence shuts up. Your peace and tranquility are worth more." I'm going to try to be more "intelligent" from now on. I have learned in many ways that I am indeed often critical of what others say and do.

Maybe it's not too late.

#thebrewsterblock

 

Titanic Unites the World Again

Second Titanic Disaster Looming

It is hard to believe but in the next 24 hours the world will learn whether a second Titanic disaster will occur off the coast of Newfoundland. Ironically the vessel involved - the Titan - from OceanGate Expeditions was in the process of descending to view the original Titanic.

How many times in your life has the entire population of the globe united as one to hope and pray for a miraculous outcome? I recall many. There have been pets and babies who have fallen into narrow wells; many mining accidents; Apollo 13; the kids trapped in a cave flooded by the tides; the "Sully" Sullenberger piloted Airbus that had to put down in the Hudson river; and other aircraft that ran out of fuel but managed to glide to a safe landing. These all turned out well.

In the year 2000, the Russian submarine Kursk sank to the bottom of the ocean and all were lost. This was indeed a disaster. So were countless train and plane crashes. But in all of these and more, countries from around the world who are often traditional enemies sometimes offer help and expertise to save the lives of the unfortunate.

This is what is happening as I write. The chances of success are slim. Oxygen will run out in about 10-12 hours and the craft with 5 people on board has not even been located.

As the world waits, hopes, and prays for the victims, several things come to mind:

1. To those praying we all thank you. But if the outcome is indeed miraculous, after you rejoice and claim your prayers were heard, don't forget to ask the same God why the event occurred in the first place.
2. Why is it that nations who might be conducting a war killing millions of people with seldom a thought will offer to help in situations like this?
3. The fare for this is some 250 million dollars. At least one passenger is a billionaire who also paid for a ride into space. Why do people who worked so hard to accumulate their wealth risk it all on a thrill? They could do so much more with their wealth while still alive.
4. Do these high end thrill seekers ever think about all the expensive resource and skill that might have to be employed if things go wrong? Not only are other valuable people risking their lives and our tax dollars, others who were not seeking a thrill might die because their would be rescuers are busy attending to the thrill seeker. It is like people who go ice fishing on thin ice after being told not to.

 If an exceptional person dies having a thrill, the world will probably not be what it could be if they lived. What about their family? Perhaps they have indeed made great contributions to society but they could make a few more.

Some say that people become great BECAUSE they take risks - probably true. However that usually refers to money or thrills that might result in injury but a continued life. How can you enjoy life to the fullest when you are dead? Stay off the mountains. Stop swimming with the sharks.

The entire world is overdue for a miracle and I certainly HOPE this event becomes one. Time is running out.

So are miracles.

#thebrewsterblock