Draining the Swamp

Beware of Gators and Snakes

If you are ever going to drain the swamps - especially in the southern USA like Florida - a host of monsters await you. Most notable are the gators and snakes. Then there is also the chance of getting totally lost.

So many people find it very ironic - those with some semblance of honesty and integrity - when they know that the guy who promised to drain it turned out to be the biggest gator of them all. Perhaps biggest snake is more appropriate. His party is also totally lost.

As all of the charges unfold against a former American President, we will find out with proof, who really tried to weaponize the White House and all of its resources. It was not Biden or anyone else since Nixon. It was Trump - hands down. He is still trying to do it.

Being addressed as "Mr." by the judge sent a very important message. I was overjoyed to hear that Donald was upset. He has thumbed his nose at any form of rules or laws for most of his life and loves disrespecting others with childish (and not very clever) nicknames. He really did and still does think he is above all of this - too smart. NOT! Although there are many to choose from, his big mouth is the dumbest body part he owns.

There is only one thing that would be as satisfying as Trump being found guilty on any or all of these charges and even wearing prison gear (which is unlikely although it shouldn't be.) That would be to see a majority of Republican Congress members in both houses, summon up the guts to admit that the charges are true and that Biden won and Trump lost - twice.

The attempt to steal the last election was perpetrated entirely by Trump people and the GOP - not Biden and the Dems. Trump followers DID try to kill the VP and the Speaker. Others DID lose their lives. Anyone who even tries to claim that January 6th was just another day of free speech and protest in Washington should not be in office. That includes DJT.

If Trump is the GOP nominee you can bet your last dollar the 2024 will indeed be rigged - again - by the Trump team and their chicken hearted followers in the GOP. These people have no interest in making America great again. Like Trump, they only want to make their own bank accounts and lifestyles great again, or keep the ones they have.

Oh yes - if Trump wins, America will be toast - a sad chapter in the history books.

I would love to see Trump serve time but regardless he should never ever hold the office of President of the United States again. Electing him just because you don't like Biden is like amputating your foot because you have a sore toe. Americans - in particular Republican Americans - have a choice to make. There are several candidates who could make America great again if you don't think Biden has. Pick one of them. Some would pardon The Donald but at least there would be another four years without him. 

By 2028 who knows where he will be? One thing is for sure: Wherever that is he will still be spreading lies about losing in 2020. If most of his neighbours are wearing orange suits like his, they won't care and they hate cry babies.

Even I will concede that it would make America at least a little greater again.

#thebrewsterblock

Bird Brains Could Teach Us A Lot

The Ultimate Empty Nester

While sitting on my back deck enjoying a morning coffee and writing this, I was watching a pair of robins who have nested under our gazebo. My wife and I follow this performance every year. This time after building the nest, the female seemed to disappear which is common after laying eggs. To confirm, I used one of those small mirrors on an extension handle to view the inside of the nest. I saw three beautiful blue eggs. Then I was promptly buzzed by the male who is always close - standing guard. So far, so good.

There followed however a period of hot temperatures and lots of rain so my observations were less frequent. After a couple of days I heard a real confrontation in the next yard involving what was clearly a robin's distressed tweeting. For a week or more, I didn't see the female, assuming she was injured or fell prey to a cat.

The male continued to stand guard, dive bombing me if I got too close. He often perched on the side of the nest and peered inside seeming to be in great distress. After a few days I once again viewed the nest via the mirror - it appeared to be totally empty. For many days she has remained missing. I am never sure because we have a large yard with many trees and there are several pairs of nesting and competing robins close by.

This made me realize just how miraculous Mother Nature is. We humans could learn a lot from the animal kingdom in general. How many times have you known of a case in which a female becomes pregnant - not even a birth yet - and the male disappears, never to be heard from again? If there IS a birth and subsequently a divorce or split, the mother is still left to fight in court for any kind of support whatsoever! The female robin is even smart enough to cast out any defective eggs or chicks who don't make it. In some places this is not permitted with female humans.

We really started to feel sorry for the poor guy thinking perhaps that he was young and inexperienced. The last two days we have both seen him bringing worms to the nest. I have read that even if he tries to look after hatchlings he can't do it alone. As humans this is not true although many males claim that it is. There are many successful single male parents.

So much for the sad news. Today as I enjoy my coffee, I have seen both of them bringing worms to the nest! He is not a mentally challenged male after all! She even sat on the nest for a short period. I believe that recent very hot weather meant that keeping eggs warm was not a priority and the nest is totally out of direct sunlight. So we will be able to see little mouths reaching up to be fed in a few more days, assuming that other birds or racoons don't get them first. OMG! I see two now! Will be interesting to see if there are three.

From all of this i can draw a couple of conclusions - both of them involving Mother Nature:

1. He was not at all inexperienced but a real STUD. Maybe he found a new mate. If there were no hatchlings the first time the nest would be clean enough use again. Or perhaps I could conclude that she was always on the scene, is super fertile, and laid a new clutch of eggs. It is good news either way.

2. I am definitely seeing two very hungry young robins poking their heads up looking for food! That again is M.N. at work because now I am hungry! However I have to get off my butt to go and prepare some food! At least I will have a choice.

3. Yours truly is so far gone I can no longer even operate a mirror!

Have a great day!

#thebrewsterblock

Biden and Trump - Both TOAST?

Let the School Yard Scrapping Begin!

BIDEN

There once was a POTUS named Biden,

Whose age they couldn't keep hide'n,

When he went for a dance without any pants

The pole numbers kept right on slidin'!

"Just WATCH me!" was his reply,

He needs help from The Man in the sky.

He's still very clever, so never say "never,"

But is this his final Good Bye?

TRUMP

Donald was soundly defeated,

Despite all the lies that he Tweeted,

Not even a "Maybe" - he's such a cry baby,

Since he was born he has cheated.

The world is tired of his gripes.

He's worse than the bloody bagpipes!

West, north, east, south puts his foot on his mouth,

Can't wait to see him in stripes!

BOTH 

Too bad this once model nation,

That created a world wide sensation,

Will implode from within, sheer greed as it's sin,

I pity the next generation.

Imagine a person who leads

By addressing their own nation's needs.

No promises met by increasing the debt,

A legacy known for good deeds.

OTHERS

If the world can't get it together,

To stop this pollution and weather,

Our common abode will soon self-implode,

The question is when and not whether.

So Xi Jinping, Putin, and Biden,

Stop pointing fingers and chidin'.

Get together and try before we all die,

Doomsday is near and you're hidin'

thebrewsterblock

Nicknames for Donald J. Trump

Sticks and Stones... You Know

Well it won't be long now before the debates for the nomination of who will represent Republicans in the 2024 U.S. Presidential election. That means it won't be long now before the world sees the likely nominee - DJT - calling people names like a kid in a schoolyard - a primary school yard. Unfortunately it lowered the dignity of what used to be the most highly regarded political position on the planet - no more. Thanks DJ.

We saw and heard it last time in 2016 but this time he is even more desperate and he will lower the station to total depravity - a shame really. But what else do you expect? The man knows not the meaning of true class. I doubt he has the IQ to devise most of the childish handles but he seems to have enough scriptwriters to compensate.

Maybe it is time that he tastes a little of what he doles out, Already some of the charges against him give us some optimism. I suggested done this before but perhaps the responses will increase this time.

Please comment with a few suggestions of names that other candidates could label The Donald. Who knows? Maybe some will make it to the debate podium. Please use the comment section below.

Here are a few to get you going:

1. Pinocchio. This is a natural. He has the lying thing down - enough for an army of Pinocchio's. His personality and I.Q. are that of a wooden puppet The only thing missing is the nose - make that knows - it is more appropriate since he knows very little for a world leader.
2. Donald Duck. These first two would violate some kind of intellectual property rights but don't worry - he wouldn't. He also sounds a lot like the Disney duck especially when on a rant. He is a natural cartoon character. Disney could have had a blast with him.
3. Goofy. Funny - another cartoon character! Is any further explanation needed?
4. Don the Con. This has double meaning - he has been conning people his entire life but soon he might be wearing a real con striped suit of a different design. Will they let him wear his trademark red tie? No. Somebody might strangle him.
5. Forrest Gump Trump. "Gump" can be a compliment but what do you think? Will that be the first thing that comes to most minds?
6. Welcher Donald. A history of examples.
7. Humpty Dumpty. He also fell from his lofty perch. But at least Humpty HAD a wall to sit on! We are still waiting for DJ's and for the first peso to pay for it. All the King's horses and all the King's men are still laughing.
8. Titanic Donald. It was supposed to be unsinkable as well.
9. Don the Wiz! Just like the Wizard of Oz, once you pull back the curtain and expose all the trickery, there's really nothing there. The real Wiz was a dream. This one is a nightmare.
10. Joker Don. The Joker is also one of a kind and a real card. He can be anything you want him to be. The appearance is usually that of a clown or jester. Typically, it was supposed to be have introduced by Americans who wanted to change the rules. Trump is also a card term but in that case it usually helps you win.

So there you go. Let's hear from you. Many of the other candidates are too dignified to call him names but we can! Give him a name and preferably why it applies.

If any of them stick it will drive him crazy! OK crazier!

#thebrewsterblock

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