Iran and the Plane

Who is Covering Up Now?

I could write, as have others, many pieces about Trump and the U.S. and their role in all of this. None of it is good. I loved the quotes on CNN- verifiable - of DJT while Obama was POTUS predicting that Obama would play "The Iran Card" and start a war so he - Barack - could be re-elected. "Ironic" does not do it justice.

But let's look at the other side now. Some Islamic leaders have justified beheading and other horrific acts in the past as fighting the enemy - meaning any non-believers. Other more moderate leaders have said Islam is all about peace. We all hope so and know many peace loving Muslims.

But what do the leaders of Iran who also are the political leaders of their government in this non-secular country say about this murder of so many innocents? How is that justified? I understand an objective of removing American forces from your country and the Middle East. I can even understand the hatred of the idea that foreign governments think they have the right to force their ways and beliefs upon you.

But what role did those 176 passengers play? Why did you deny it and try to cover it up by cleaning up the site? The big question to me is why the perpetrator(s) would attack what is obviously a commercial jet taking off from Iran? Were they extremists trying to cause the Iranian regime massive problems at the passengers' expense?

One more point. What does Ukrainian President Zelensky whom Trump was so eager to "help" prior to his impeachment, think of his American friend now? Thankfully he probably has too much tact to try to make this tragedy any worse for the families of those lost. I wonder what DJT would do in similar circumstances? 

Oh good - I have just seen that Iran has apologized. Now what are they going to do about it?

The Brewster

Linda Ronstadt

The Sound of Her Voice Indeed!

I recently watched a well-advertised special on CNN about the rise of Linda Ronstadt. What a pleasant break from all the Trump dumping. This is one hell of a talented lady. The film shows her immense diversity and the album she did with Nelson Riddle drives home the point.

I always felt this but seeing her career in one continuum knocked me over. It was very well done containing a lot of personal dialogue with Linda herself. She always spoke her mind and did her own thing. This is an artist who knew exactly what she wanted song by song and had the guts to try literally anything in the music world. Good on her.

It was a sad thing to learn of her illness and how it stole her voice but she has an upbeat attitude or at least she is good at covering up any depression.

Too bad I wasn't playing tourist walking along the beach one day as she took a stroll. I am not an autograph seeker but sure would have asked for hers.

Good on you Linda. I have since dragged out the CDs and even cassettes I have of you.

The Brewster

The USA is Now Safer?

Swat a Hornet's Nest and See If You Feel Safer

The White House is saying after the attack and killing of Iranian and Iraqi military men on territory belonging to Iraq, that the USA is now safer. Do you - anywhere in the world - feel safer?

I don't:

• Anytime we are possibly about to see a major conflict grow into all out war with nuclear weapons a possibility. But hey, I am not DJT or his cronies
• Anytime a people who already hate all Americans and everthing they stand for swear they will strike back
• Anytime the USA says some hostile force is defeated and yet they really aren't
• Anytime a US President is desperate to be re-elected
• Anytime passionate religious fanatics are involved
• Anytime America loses a conflict and has to start another so as not to lose face

Those are probably enough reasons but there are lots more.

The Brewster

Iraq Smack

One of These Days - POW!

Those who remember Jackie Gleason in The Honeymooners will recall him threatening his wife Alice with "POW" and hitting her so hard in the kisser she would go to the moon. Very incorrect these days!

However the same applies increasingly to America.

The U.S. has a history of violating other nations by launching attacks and military actions in their sovereign spaces with reckless abandon. Seldom is it purely for the sake of the poor oppressed or violated peoples of those countries. There is always an ulterior motive: protect or attain oil or other resources; secure or protect a military base; create a new strategic military position; and often simply to be the first to prevent others like The Soviet Union / Russia from beating them to it. Let's not forget the same few company executives getting filthy rich from the war machine.

Where were they when the Canadians were reporting on the slaughter in Rwanda?  Thousands of citizens including women and children had their arms and/or legs chopped off just for sport. There were appeals to the U.N. but it was seen as a humanitarian fight. There was nothing in it for America.

Even in the first and second world wars someone else had to convince the American Presidents it was in their best interests to get involved - now or later. (There was also of course in the 2nd case, a direct attack by Japan.)

There is no question I am glad, as are others, that America is there as a backup and often a disincentive to others with aggression or expansion in mind. However we hear daily declarations that the USA still has the mightiest military and weapons, years beyond what anybody else can develop. I am not so sure anymore. China in particular probably has many strategic weapons and technologies they keep to themselves.

Many of those other countries still bear a hatred for America. I don't think this is about to happen but let's say that China launched an all out attack against the USA. One or two others like Russia, Syria, North Korea, India, or Pakistan could side with the Chinese. Start ducking! The USA would have to bring out the nukes making results anybody's call.

I digress. My point today was about the latest killing by the United States in Iraq. Aside from the Twin Towers, there has never been a really big assault on mainland turf. More and more countries however could do so. They could also sink a ship; reach a major city with a missile; or target senior US military leaders in return. This would likely be to give America a taste of her own medicine. She would have to respond.

Does America really want to trigger this? Trump should make up his mind. Either get out of the business of nation building and bullying as he campaigned, or not. Many people agreed with him to let others fight their own battles unless the USA itself were in danger. What he is doing now is like throwing another spark into an almost defeated forest fire just to keep it going. As if we don't have enough forest fires to fight.

Is this to divert attention from impeachment or is it just another case of war being good for the economies of major participants? It is never good for the rest of us.

Mr. President if you keep playing with fire, one of these times you AND your great nation really will get burned.

The Brewster

Nancy Pelosi and Mitch McConnell

Top 5 Pelosi / McConnell songs for 2020

As the standoff between these two continues into 2020, I thought it might be interesting to guess the tunes each might be singing right now. Here are some from the first few books I picked up!

Nancy

1. As Long as He Needs Me
2. Too Beautiful to Last
3. Anything Goes
4. We've Only Just Begun
5. Ain't Misbehavin'
6. Don't Stop Me Now
7. All the Way
8. It Was a Very Good Year
9. As Time Goes By
10. Just Between You and Me

Mitch

1. What Kind of Fool Am I?
2. Don't Fence Me In
3. Ain't She Sweet
4. Devil Woman
5. My Way
6. Release Me
7. At Last  
8. Quit Your Low Down Ways
9. Under Pressure
10. Helpless

There are lots of possibilities.

The Brewster

A Politician's Resolutions

Double Speak at its Best: Top 5 New Years Political Resolutions

1. I will endeavor to channel all of my focus into solving the problems which all hard working citizens experience as roadblocks to the fulfillment of their dreams in this country of opportunity which is the envy of the world (WTF?)
2. The public has spoken in an abundantly clear tone and I have already directed my administration and my cabinet to double down in their efforts to become transparent and seek public feedback through town hall meetings and focus groups we have already initiated since the election to fulfill the mandate we have been given throughout 2020 and our entire term of office (Come again?)
3. There is no greater priority for our government than to leverage the resources of government to increase our productivity and efficiency while reducing cost and waste in a similar fashion to what we know single families across this great nation have to do day to day. Our government will be there for you. (yadda, yadda, yadda)
4. The people of this great land have spoken and that is why from this day forward environmental change and the disastrous effects it will have on our children and future generations has become our number one priority.
5. The people of this great land have spoken and that is why from this day forward health care for all has become our number one priority.

Holy crap. This is just what we need. It's about time. Glad I voted for this person.

The Brewster

Is The Perfect Society a Dream?

The Seven Deadly Sins

History and religion has often referred to seven deadly sins which are:

1. Lust
2. Gluttony
3. Greed
4. Sloth
5. Wrath
6. Envy
7. Pride

To me the worst of these is greed. I say that because I believe it is the cause of most of the major conflicts, wars, and slaughters in history and the ultimate demise of most societies. It still reigns supreme. Ours is likely to follow suit.

All people require basic food, water, protection from the elements, and a safe place to live. The poorest peoples lack one or more of these. The comfortable - our "middle" class, gradually and often through hard work accumulate all four. The powerful obtain them in abundance through any possible means and then want more, even at the expense of the first 2 groups. THAT friends is GREED.

Might has always made right. Often it meant the strongest with the best weapons simply eliminated the weakest and then took what they wanted. That is still happening in parts of the world.

But for decades now, the weapons have been replaced by money and the brawn has been replaced by cleverness and deviousness in accumulating that money by any means.

Here is a list  of many of the things which I find impossible to justify. Those who already have them or indulge in them have no problem rationalizing their possessions or actions. Many just say "why not?"

1. Monster houses including the land often surrounding them; multiple swimming pools and the drinking water in them; pool heaters; the energy required to warm and operate such houses.
2. People who own several of these, often inhabited for only part of the year.
3. The entire racing industry including monster trucks and speed boats that use enough energy in one session to plough fields and grow food for many, many people.
4. Personal vehicles with enough power to pull a semi often for the personal travel of one individual.
5. Buffet style restaurants where individuals eat enough for three or four and waste the same amount
6. People who have hundreds of millions of dollars and want even more, often paying no taxes on what they have. Many of these were born into their wealth.
7. People who have made all of their money on the stock market often by illegal means and have never worked at a "real" job in their lives. Investing in new businesses that become successful and provide goods and services to society are a good thing. People who make tons of money by simply buying and selling stocks are not. They don't add any more to the benefit of others than loan sharks.
8. People who use personal vehicles to commute when public transit is available. Equally to blame are the leaders who fail to provide such public transit, often because of the greedy desire to be re-elected.

The list could be longer. I would add that the other six sins could also be a result of greed.

Socialist, Communist, Fascist, Capitalist, left, right, or centre - all have greedy people wielding the power who end up with the most of the peoples' wealth.

Does anyone have any better ideas?

The Brewster

Twinkle Twinkle Little Child

The Power of Innocence

When it seems the whole world is coming undone,
When no one remembers the meaning of fun,

When none of your plans come to fruition,
When you start to doubt your very life's mission,

When you desperately need that twenty-fifth hour,
When your trademark smile has gone and turned sour,

When you need a friend but none heed your call,
When you just want to scream and your back's to the wall,

When all of your dreams still seem miles away,

When you feel all alone at the end of the day,

When you hold in question your own higher power,

When your endless faith has waned and turned sour,

That's when you see a little child smile.

That's when you know it all is worth while!

The Brewster

The Statue of Liberty (LIBERTAS)

One of Few Female Figureheads More Famous Than Queen Elizabeth II

I just read a great history of The Statue of Liberty on Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statue_of_Liberty). The lady ("Liberty Enlightening the World") has quite a past. The entire story is very inspiring. It is a wonder that it all came together the way it finally did.

It is ironic that this world famous icon of might, power, and freedom is depicted as a woman when the country it represents still has a hang up about electing a female President. Go figure! I digress.

The story and the artefact are so awesome it inspired me to write the following:

The Brewster

**************************

They tell me that I have made these words by Emma Lazarus famous:

"Give me your tired, your poor,
your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me:

I lift my lamp beside the golden door.” 

Thank you, Emma. I have indeed seen them come from afar through wind, storm, floods, hurricanes and wars. They reached my lofty perch and stared. I can not offer encouraging smiles and words but I hear and see. Millions of them. They are inspired. My creators Bartholdi and Eiffel would have been proud. 

There was a dedication for me in 1886. That keeps me smiling internally - a private joke. I am the only woman in history who had an erection so famous it was celebrated the world over. It has been a long and arduous 133 years. 

I have been fixed and cleaned; rebuilt and enhanced; had my head and crown adjusted; my arm strengthened and my skin re-vitalized - the wish of so many other women. Yet here I still remain.

I have seen this country build itself from scratch after casting out its imperialist rulers. Here we have built a symbol of what a united people of all creeds and colours can do together. The world was in awe.

133 years I have held this torch, cradled this tablet, born this crown and posed for countless millions of people in awe of me and all I represent.

But I am tired. I am fearful that after all that I have witnessed and endured the worst is yet to come. 

I fear that instead of standing for victory and opportunities in the future, I will become a remnant of the past. I am told that there is a famous movie in which the world has self destructed, and it's lone human survivor happens upon my arm and torch still protruding above nothing but sand and rubble and all that was. I fear this is underway - NOW.

I fear that there are those who wish to undo all that I have stood for right here for 133 years. Must I develop a tear flowing from these famous eyes like so many of my lifeless fellow creations to make you take notice? If I could I definitely would.

Take heed. I can no longer stand tall to represent a former nation which allowed dark forces from within to tear itself apart. Take a long look at me. I broke through my chains and I am always moving forward - not back. 

I have outlived any other woman. I want to stand here just as proud and dominating for many more hundreds of years.

Please. I have never asked for anything else.

LIBERTAS

A Few of my Favourite Things

This should be easy ...

In one of my posts I featured pet peeves. It was easy to come up with a long list.

Significantly more difficult was developing a list of my favourite things. It should have been the easier of the two. This must say something about life today - at least mine anyway. I should mention that I don't have kids and recognize that they will probably make this list easier for those who live for their family. 

Here are a few things that give me satisfaction, a feeling of warmth, and a desire to replicate the sensation:

• Spelling and pronouncing words the English / Canadian way and hearing my American colleagues express dismay - like favourite over favorite! Just kidding
• Shoes that are comfortable from the first fitting and stay that way made better only by comfortable socks
• The aroma of freshly baked goods including roast beef and turkey
• A really good carrot cake, apple pie, or butter tart
• Really good and probably expensive perfume, but only a dab - not the cheap stuff that some women splash on like holy water. I say it again - less is better
• A really attractive female whether individual the parts or the total being
• Making others laugh, even at my own expense
• The laughter of children, especially infants in a group. They have not yet learned anything evil
• A well composed, uplifting, and eloquently delivered speech
• Solving a problem others were unable to solve
• Sitting outside early in the morning on a pleasant day with nothing but the sound of nature to distract me - minus the crows
• Satisfying a hunger with great food or a thirst with cold water or beer
• Completing a difficult physical task I hated doing
• Hearing someone at the gym say I am in great shape, even though they diplomatically omitted the "for your age" part
• Preparing a meal and having my partner say it is really good. Makes me regret all the years I neglected to say the same to her day after day. I did sometimes but should have complimented her more often
• As with the speaker, a very talented and accomplished singer who hits every note bang on with limitless pitch and volume and total control over both. Examples: Celine Dion; Karen Carpenter; Barbra Streisand; Josh Groban; Roy Orbison; Colm Wilkinson in Les Mis.
• Shooting a really good golf score. This one is still on the bucket list.
• Appreciating a really clever new invention
• People who can genuinely listen without interruption and when appropriate, offer help or suggestions
• The opposite. People who value me enough to share something but know when enough is enough and give me a chance to comment if I should wish to
• Knowing that I can and will keep a secret, and people who will do the same for me. These are as rare as the Loch Ness Monster
• Finally catching a very bad criminal(s) and seeing justice done