Republicans Guilty by Disassociation

New GOP Symbol is Three Monkeys

The Republicans should change their symbol from an elephant to three monkeys: Mizaru - See No evil; Kikazaru - Hear No Evil; Iwazaru - Speak No Evil.

It seems appropriate today since most of the Trump lemmings want to ignore and forget January 6, 2021. The problem is they don't really want to forget it. What they want is a second but successful insurrection.

Most people including me thought the monkeys simply represent turning a blind eye; looking the other way; or feigning ignorance of something we know is wrong. In the article below by Richard Cassaro, the true meaning of the famous monkeys and what they symbolize is examined. It is very interesting.

The Secret Occult Meaning of the "Three Wise Monkeys" Hidden by the Elite - Richard Cassaro

I mention it in passing because it is also applicable. Apparently the real significance of the monkeys has been known since their origin by those elite people who run various societies. In brief you should never allow yourself to either see or hear true evil because it will enter you and become part of your person, affecting your behaviour - like violence on the news and in video games. If you speak evil it shows that it is now part of you and what you say.

As examples, the elitists who control the stock market and media, are happy to perpetuate the secret. It keeps us subdued and we never really see what is going on. Bad news sells and preoccupies us so we don't fight back.

The point of today's post however is something else. I am trying to understand why the GOP members who still support the Big Lie voted against an investigation into January 6th to give Americans a chance to prevent another attack in the future.

I am taking a layperson's approach and these are the only possibilities I come up with:

1. Some in Congress or the Senate are real accessories and legally liable
2. They think that whatever the conclusions, it will hurt the GOP party and therefore their own jobs and careers
3. They think that Trump still has influence over those same jobs and careers and will do and say anything to avoid offending him
4. They might not be accessories but in their minds they wish the vote had indeed been overturned through violence or by any means
5. Some know it was wrong and has to be avoided in future at all costs but they are still Republicans at heart and as yet there is no alternative party to call home
6. They are mere puppets of their constituents who wanted the insurrection to succeed. To protect their jobs they are doing what their electors want rather than resign or try to convince those electors to change beliefs
7. They are verifiable dingbats. Several names come to mind
8. They somehow think it is their job to oppose anything which the Democrats initiate even if they will have equal representation on any committee

Perhaps I could squeak out a couple more but here is the major point:

Not one of the above demonstrates love of country or respect for their oath to defend her and the constitution. They are all about politics and selfishness.

Any other suggestions? Please comment.

#thebrewsterblock

USA: The New Banana Republic

Yes you have no Bananas but the Rest is a Match

Look up a definition of banana republic. 

Although bananas are not associated with America and it does have more than one product to export, the rest is a fit: politically unstable; exploitation by corporations; usually a large impoverished working class and a ruling class plutocracy; run by business, political, and military elites by way of the exploitation of labour.

That's a good fit and it is getting worse. Elections have been rigged for a long time - NOT the way Trump maintained, but rigged just the same in the background and it is getting worse. Just look at all the bills that Republican states are passing today - every one designed to weaken the opportunity for visible minorities to vote, and the right to replace anyone responsible for counting votes etc. at will. Reversing a Democratic wave next time will be a breeze.

It won't be the Democrats. It will be the other side. They are meticulously preparing for it. This includes one attempt already to overthrow the legally elected Biden administration. Watch out for more. When Republicans who were inside The Capital when mobs were looking for people to hang, are now trying to cover up any investigation into how it happened, something is rotten at the top and it ain't in Denmark folks!

The only reason Trump started crying foul way before the 2020 election was that he and his team realized something - not the base who are just Trump lemmings. The efforts underway to undermine the minority vote, were not working.

In 2024 America needs international monitors for its election. How about China, Russia, The Philippines, or after this week Lukashenko from Belarus?

America finally joined other nations to defeat Germany. Who will help Lady Liberty defeat those overthrowing her own country?

#thebrewsterblock

The Graduate and Ocean Pollution.

Benjamin Braddock was seduced by Mrs. Robinson and... ?

Once again readers are probably looking at today's title and wondering what I am smoking. There is a link folks. For those old enough to have seen this great movie when they were themselves about the age of Ben (Dustin Hoffman), see if you can remember. Someone else took him aside for a little talk.

Mrs. Robinson gave him the most famous "talk" and also a look at one side of women he might not have seen before. However she was helping herself as much as Ben.

I was watching a documentary on ocean pollution. They were trying to capture a seal ("Buckethead") in order to remove a plastic ring from a bucket which had become stuck around his neck. It also featured underwater shots of the terrible amount of floating plastic in the ocean. Sometimes people are the lowest creatures on the face of the planet.

Remember yet? The actor was Walter Brooke who played Mr. McGuire. I had to look this up but I remembered him saying one word. I also remembered how beautiful Katherine Ross was as a young bride.

At a graduation party where everyone was so proud of Ben (Dustin), Mr. McGuire steals him away to have a quick word. When alone he says 'I only have one word for you - you listening Ben? One word - PLASTICS.' Ben is silent and puzzled. The idea was that there would be a great future in plastics and Ben should consider a career choice in the field.

What a future. Plastic is one of the most widely used man-made substances - it is in everything. One problem - there is no viable way to get rid of it. It is ruining our oceans and our bodies. No doubt though, many Mr. McGuires have made fortunes on it and still are.

Welcome to the Industrial Revolution. Like all revolutions, something gets out of control other things are unintentionally destroyed.

#thebrewsterblock

Katherine Ross

No Masks and The Big Lie

To Tell the Truth - so Help You... YOU!

I have spent my life trying to uphold certain beliefs and principles ingrained during my formative years. One of them, fool that I am, is honesty - telling the truth. Although I still practice those behaviors, life has taught me that I have wasted my time.

Saying that honesty is the best policy is like believing: size doesn't matter; the golden rule; you should do a good turn every day; justice will prevail. Successful people for the most part rejected such tripe long before rising above their peers. Have I become a cynic? You bet your ass I have.

What you might ask, am I going on about? Re-read the title folks. The common element between Trump and co. and not wearing a COVID mask is that same illusive thing - honesty.

How? Recently America announced that wearing a mask to avoid catching or spreading Covid-19 is optional if you are fully vaccinated. Many people have pointed out that this means you are totally dependent now on people being honest about that condition - are they fully vaccinated? Proof is not required.

Biden himself stated that he has ultimate faith in the honesty of American citizens. Really? Millions of them believe that he is not the legitimate President. Why? The answer is that dozens and dozens of elected members of Congress who are Republicans and the previous POTUS himself are willing to lie through their teeth, saying that Trump won - just to keep their jobs.

Honesty? Who values it anymore other than me? I'm not so sure. In my lifetime I have learned that most people I know will lie in an instant if it suits their needs.

The most famous democracy in the world - based on the law and truth - is lead by a bunch of liars - present President and many around him excepted.

Perhaps the famous words associated with Lady Liberty herself should read: “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, Your most proficient liars.”

The new GOP: Group of Prevaricators.

#thebrewsterblock

Rand Paul Eye Doctor who Fails to see the LIght

Rand Paul Eye Doctor or "I" Doctor?

I read that Rand Paul was an Ophthalmologist. Maybe he should go back to his practice.

When a dancer, athlete, skater etc. does not have what it takes to be No. 1 or get the gold medal, they often end up teaching their skill. For others, they end up becoming a politician. Which is Rand Paul?

It seems that he was so used to shining lights on everybody else that he decided it was his turn to shine the light on him. Hence he became a professional politician. He has been sounding off ever since. Top doctors in his former field make top dollars. Maybe he wasn't so "top." If on the other hand he is following in his father's footsteps, remember that Ron Paul tried three times to be President and failed. Not a good omen.

In any event he should not be criticizing Dr. Faucci over COVID any more than Faucci criticizes the former Ophthalmologist about his eye practice. I'm sure that does not happen.

Everybody in the USA who is bent out of shape about the inconvenience of this virus should look outside their own country for a change. This applies to most self-centered American issues. Those who did best with this pandemic - and it IS a pandemic Dr. Paul, took the tough decisions and steps to lock down. To hell with the "you can't make me" crowd - another American problem.

Nobody - including Faucci and Paul - has yet said conclusively that people who have had the virus or the vaccine can not transmit it to others who might not be so lucky and die from such selfishness.

Doctor's take the Hippocratic (not hypocritical) Oath. Perhaps it is confusing to some.

Doctor Faucci did not switch to being a professional politician. Thank goodness - and that's exactly what he exudes.

#thebrewsterblock

Life by the Decade

Life's Times Table

I don't know if kids learn their times tables anymore the way we did. They rely on their phones and smart devices. Our smart device was a brain. We count using a base of ten. Most computers prefer two. Regardless of the base, life happens at warp speed and is accelerating.

Can anyone else relate to the following? I'll use 10 for the older generation.

When I was ten my Mom and Dad
Seemed pretty old to me.
If I could be their age again
What would my future be?

At twenty I still shared their home
When I was not at school.
I charmed the girls or had they all
Just played me for a fool?

When thirty came I settled down
We worked hard for our money.
And life itself soon let us know
It ain't no bowl of honey.

Was forty our life's half time show?
Where was the raucous crowd?
Now I avoid most anything
That's boisterous and loud!

By fifty we had lost our Dad
I'm like his clone folks say.
Alzheimer's took him from us all
Will I go the same way?

At sixty I still thought I was
Still thirty in my heart.
But soon I had a specialist
For every body part.

Now seventy has come and gone
We miss our Mom each day.
If I could find life's reset key
I'd press it right away.

What would you do different? I can think of many things. As long as I can do that, maybe things could be worse.

#thebrewsterblock

 

Liz Cheney for President

Maybe Dick Cheney Can't Shoot Straight, but Liz Sure Can

Liz Cheney has more potential for POTUS and the GOP than Trump ever did or ever will and more spine as well. For that matter so do most decent people. What Republicans need is a twin ticket of Liz Cheney and Mitt Romney. They've just gone too bonkers to realize it. The only problem would be which one would be the VP and which the big Kahuna. I think it is time for a woman as President but I doubt Romney would tolerate that.

I jest of course because the entire group of backstabbers formerly known as the GOP have rejected truth, justice, and democracy. Now THAT is ironic - some of you might remember the original TV show Superman, and that was part of the intro: "fights a never ending battle for truth, justice, and the American way!" Superman would not be amused with Trump and his bunch.

It is sad to see the Grand Old Party being treated by its youth as though it has become geriatric. Most of the big names in the party have exposed their true deceitful side. Don't ever forget them. Today the party reminds me of the Gong Show or Laugh In. They are prepared to "Sock it to" the voters, the country, and anybody else who has maintained senses of morals and integrity.

Maybe some day it will all come out in a movie - it has already spawned several books. Think of the possibilities. There was another movie about corruption - The Big Easy. This one could be The Big Lie. It has all the ingredients of a Thriller.

No Oscar however. No awards at all.

#thebrewsterblock

Time for Change at CNN

 FOX Spews Big Lies. CNN Just Spews

This is for all the anchors and management at CNN. In particular I target Cuomo, Anderson, and Lemon. I have said this before but after watching Chris Cuomo last night, I had to repeat it. If anybody can forward this to the network please do so.

I watch a lot of CNN. I believe overall they are more truthful and believable than others like FOX. Networks like FOX hire liars and host guest liars. From what little I have seen however, the guests do get to speak. Not so on CNN - at least with the above big 3 and Cuomo tops the list.

I respect Chris. He is very intelligent and well spoken. His vocabulary is impressive. He keeps fit. These are all qualities I admire. He and his colleagues bring on guests every night to express their ideas and views. The problem is that they proceed to rant right over top of their guests not letting the viewer hear those views.

Last night is was Rick Santorum. Cuomo allowed us to see and hear a speech made by Rick with which Chris had issues. When Rick attempted to explain what we saw Cuomo did what he always does - impose his OWN view and thoughts in an overpowering, rude, incessant interruption. In so doing Cuomo is insulting his audience as well as his guest. Does he really think that we can't form our own opinion about the response? Can't WE decide if Rick answers a question or dodges it? whether he is being evasive? or indulging in spin talk? No we can't because Cuomo is making the comments impossible to hear. He does this all the time.

Don Lemon and Anderson Cooper do the same. You'd swear somebody is in their earpiece ordering them to interrupt or pull the rug out from under the guest. The dialogue is not CNN enough! The men should take a lesson from the women. Hosts like Burnett, Harlow, Balduan, and Bash to name a few also keep their guests honest by re-asking a question the guest dodged it but they usually let them speak first. Sometimes this is more effective because it looks like the guest thought they got away with it. Again however, if things go too far away from CNN speak, they interrupt.

I said for a couple of years that CNN with all of the Trump bashing was either going to help him win or at least strengthen his base. I feel they helped to do the latter.

You have good guests CNN. Let them speak controversially or otherwise. You sound like Trump in the Presidential debates.

#thebrewsterblock

Real Republican Values. Where is this Party Now?

 
Ronald Reagan at his Finest

Below is a link to a 1970s YouTube interview someone sent me where Johnny Carson discusses issues with Ronald Reagan before he ran for President. It is an eye opener. Unless Johnny gave him the questions in advance, Reagan is sharp as a tack without Nancy at his side.

After laughing at Carson's lapels, tie, collar, and hair, listen to Reagan. Also notice how much better dressed he was than Johnny. Where did Carson get that jacket? Even Don Cherry wouldn't have worn that!

The take away for me is that all the values Reagan touches are now missing in the party today. He hits all the conservative hot buttons but does so in a common sense way. In those days I was also a conservative in my beliefs. Also listen to how many times he mentions both parties - this was when, despite different views, one party did not hate the other.

The most shocking thing of all was when I mentally tried to envisage Trump in the same interview. What a difference! He would have been totally lost without a teleprompter. I don't know if all of the stories Ronald told were true but he handles Carson like a pro and many of the ideas made perfect sense. One thing is sure - big government and professional politicians and their costly studies, committees, and papers have not changed.

(3) Ronald Reagan Interview on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson - 01/03/1975 - Part 02 - YouTube

C'mon Republicans. Wake up. THAT is what you stand for, not rebellion and lies, lies, lies.

#thebrewsterblock

Second Amendment - Final Post (for now!)

 

2nd Amendment - Some Food for Thought

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

In my last post I created the statement below which I will fictitiously call the Brewster Amendment. Its structure is also primarily innuendo just like The Second. Imagine it was authored during the industrial revolution:

Mechanized transportation, being necessary to the maximization of a productive economy, the right of the people to operate motorized vehicles shall not be infringed.

It very closely parallels The Second and it might be helpful to develop suggestions and enhancements using a driving analogy without the gun emotion attached to The Second. I hope we can agree on the following regarding the Brewster Amendment:

1. That mechanized transportation can include things like cars, trucks, busses / trolleys, ATVs, motorcycles, skateboards, as well as tanks, armoured humvees, and ICBM carriers.

If common sense says to eliminate the last 3 because they have nothing to do with commerce, why include AK-47s, Uzis, and machine guns as "arms" in interpreting the 2nd? They are not for personal protection anymore than tanks are for grocery shopping.

2. That when they mentioned "Mechanized Transportation" the author of the Brewster Amendment had no way to anticipate vehicles with 600 horsepower accelerating to 100 mph in mere moments which are available today .

Common sense says that these road monsters are not part of moving goods to market, people to work, or kids to school. So limits on horsepower, speed, and emissions on some forms of Mechanized Transportation are reasonable. Why not the same for types or "arms" in the 2nd? Today's super cars are like today's super weapons. If the government can make car makers accountable, so should it the gun makers.

3. That mass transit, trains, and trucks require large amounts of energy but are still better than individual monster cars to move people to work and goods and services to markets

Again if this is reasonable then surely a national military is a better way to fight off a foreign aggressor than 50 independent militias. United we stand, divided we fall. The British are not coming. State militias to repel a foreign aggressor make no sense. Should there be 50 air forces as well as 50 militias?

4. That countries which are regarded by the world as the most technologically advanced are usually those which have already created national mass transit strategies and systems for people, like mini and electric cars, bullet trains and convenient trolleys and busses throughout their cities.

In a similar manner, America's greatness as seen by other nations is historically in the country as a whole, not her 50 states. It was the American Nation that others feared, not her State Militias. Foreign adversaries would LOVE the Union to break apart over guns or any other issue and this should be avoided at all costs.

5. That The Authors of the Brewster Amendment were not envisaging one or more states developing their own fragmented transportation laws just to spite the Feds. Imagine for example some states driving on the left and some on the right or each with their own gauge of train tracks. This would shatter any hopes of a robust national economy. So states did not indulge in such petty rebellions because it was not in their best interests overall.

Likewise The Authors of The Second did not intend any group in one party to storm The Capital or to hang prominent members of the opposition just because they were not happy or they liked their own policies better. Elections serve that purpose.

6. All vehicles operating on public roadways are licensed - that is to say - registered. This has seldom been questioned.

All guns ownership should be registered as well. Guns are designed to kill - cars are not. Neither the Brewster Amendment nor The Second forbid registration.

Enough philosophy and academia. Time to throw some meat into the cage. On the surface non of these violate the language of The Second Amendment:

1. The sale and distribution of arms. Some regulations exist regarding sales and those selling. Apply these regulations across all states using one set of laws. This will require a lot of diplomacy and negotiation. Casual sales by individual citizens at gun shows or to friends, relatives, and strangers must be included as well as restrictions on sales to the mentally disturbed and existing gun felons.

2. Regulate the USES of any arms held by citizens, anywhere. Obviously crimes like bank robbery are already covered. Murder in the name of self-protection is not. Work towards all states following the same laws and eliminate nebulous concepts like "invaded my space" and "felt threatened". Nobody knocking on a door to ask directions or ask for assistance should be legally shot by the homeowner.

3. Agree on a list of those weapons one is allowed to bear. This again is a state problem - a big one - which should be consolidated. Assault weapons should not be on it.

4. The sentences for those guilty of crimes committed using a gun, should be greatly increased if the gun is a banned weapon.

5. Regulate the ammunition of banned weapons including its manufacture, distribution, and sale. Only the military and groups authorized to use such weapons should be able to buy its ammunition.

6. Tax the hell out of gun ownership. This does not violate The Second unless you view it as "Infringement". That would mean that ANY form of taxation is an infringement (some already believe this). If all taxation ceased then governments and their services including infrastructure and policing would cease to exist. Perhaps the revenue could go towards settlements for the victims of current gun laws.

7. All states should have the same minimum age for gun ownership which should coincide with the age to serve in the military.

Remember this: there are multiple inquiries ongoing as I write into police departments and their firearm use, especially in regards to fatal shootings by officers. Most are in agreement that there have to be some new standards about both how police can use firearms and making them accountable. Surely the same applies to private citizens who don't receive any formal training in their use. It would be nuts to charge a cop for a shooting if a citizen can commit the same offence with no repercussions.

That's a start. Fire away.... 

#thebrewsterblock.