September 16, 2022

Mind Games

I was listening to Lennon and the Plastic U.F.Ono Band this morning while doing the daily housework. Although I have zero musical talent other than selecting a good CD to listen to, I attempt to sing along when there is no one around. This gets the dog's attention, and she knows this is the perfect time to engage me in a bout of tug of war. With all stuffing from her favorite previously stuffed animal, I play along until she is tired out.

Today is the day that Judge Cannon will hand down her decision. I know that there is less of a chance of her honoring the law, than of my being confused for the fifth Beatle. That's a shame, but it is the harsh, cold reality of life in America today. A judge who has been roundly ridiculed in the way she has veen isn't going to budge. Indeed, this weakness in character is noth why Trump appointed her, and his defense team appealed to her.

Although I still maintain respect for our justice system, I am fully aware of its faults, from law enforcement up to the Supreme Court. I've worked on enough cases to know that injustice exists. In his famous "Letter from Birmingham Jail," Dr. King wrote that "justice delayed is justice denied." I understand that. I do. And I appreciate that while "politics" shouldn't be a factor in the case of the stolen documents, it absolutely is.

Checking my e-mails, I found one from a person working on the Josh Riley campaign. He is someone I've spoken to on the phone a couple of times, and who has expressed interest in how I have organized local campaigns in the past. Being of simple mind, I thought the simplest way to communicate my ideas would be to send him the link to an internet "handbook for grass roots organizing" I had wrote a decade before a decade ago.

This was from when "fracking" was an issue, and I had organized a meeting of grass roots leaders from across the state. Such meetings always seem to include some confusion, and if not properly run, can involve nonsense of various types. I prefer keeping things simple and structured. Anyhow, my assistant put my "handbook" on a free internet site. But when I found it yesterday now demands money.

So I wrote back to the fellow who had e-mailed me, and focused on how a proper structure identifies what particular talents and abilities each volunteer has to offer, and coordinates them from the grass roots up. It's not original, of course, but rather, the result of combining what I learned in political science classes in college, and from my own study of campaigns over the decades.

Later in the day, I watched reports on Judge Cannon's ruling. As anticipated, it is dreadful. It is actually worse in ways from her original ruling, in that she came right out and said she is giving Trump special treatment, because of his status as ex-president. That alone should be added to the motion for a partial stay that the DOJ has certainly been preparing to file. That should be granted shortly after the motion has been filed.

In the evening, I had a phone call from a staff member working on Governor Kathy Hockul's and another House candidate's campaigns, to discuss grass roots organizing strategy. He noted that while we don't know one another, we have a connection -- at his last job, he worked with Lewis Steel, the lawyer for Rubin Carter's co-defendant John Artis. And we had a good discussion on how important it is to win elections in November.

September 13, 2022

The Fight

“In every age it has been the tyrant, the oppressor and the exploiter who has wrapped himself in the cloak of patriotism, or religion, or both to deceive and overawe the People.”
― Eugene Victor Debs


I listen closely every time I hear Rep. Jamie Raskin speak. There are a number of Democrats in the House of Representatives who I really like, but none that I respect more than Raskin. I admire his intellect and especially his ability to communicate with the public.

Raskin pointed out that fascist, authoritarian movements are not defeated by liberals alone. I immediately began thinking about that, in the context of the very real threats to our country that the Trump cult poses. I was reminded of my own experience in 2010.

The supervisor of my hometown had made the news for his attacks on a tiny Sufi settlement in the township. The Sufi's lived on parts of what had been John & Yoko's Dream Street farms. The supervisor and two board members -- one his stepson, the other a business partner -- were best described as "mutant tea-partiers," as they had been kicked out of the region's chapter for being too extreme. When Keith Olbermann named the supervisor as "the worst person on earth," the conflict reached the international media.

I'll post a link to one news story below, then quote one sentence from it that you might notice has a familiar ring to it:
https://www.berkshireeagle.com/news/local/n-y-town-supports-sufi-community-in-controversy/article_be6a7e31-63b2-5c7f-ba1e-2e372ae94766.html

" 'I could kill Mother Teresa and this dog would still love me,' he says, before driving away." -- Sidney Town Supervisor Bob McCarthy

The leaders of the town and county Democrat Party contacted me, and requested that I help them combat the local fascists. Although I resided in a different county, I was happy to help. My focus was on uniting good people to oppose the supervisor and two board members. That was accomplished by electing a Democratic majority on the town board, for the first time in its history.

I knew that couldn't happen by appealing to just registered Democrats. For the majority of voters in the town are republicans, followed by independents. Democrats were a distant third in numbers. No, it required uniting people from both the left and right of the Democratic Party against the mutants. It took a heck of a lot of work, mind you, but we did it.

As Rep. Rasking noted, he looks forward to the day when he can again debate republicans on a variety of issues that they disagree on. But, at this time, he has to focus on getting more to oppose the fascist threat. I can relate to that. I was okay with some of the republicans from my hometown, but they aren't people I ever have socialized with. I'm likewise no fan of Liz Cheney or Adam Kinzinger. But I respect their service on the J6 Committee. It is mighty important in confronting the maga monster.

I have always been comfortable with "the left." I recognize that some have issues that are expressed in ways I disagree with. "But if you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao, you ain't going to make with anyone, anyhow," as John sang. I dislike the media at times reinforcing the maga's stance that they represent the Democratic Party. This is particularly annoying, since there are many rational spokesperson for the left, who are never interviewed by the mainstream media.

Rep. Raskin's message is essential, in my opinion, for us not only to win elections in November. It is equally important in slaying the threat from the authoritarian, fascist right-wing threat to our country. Others may disagree, of course. But I think that Raskin is correct.

September 10, 2022

Bad Boy Steve

Steve Bannon, you've been a bad, bad boy, and now you've got to pay your dues. You are facing trial in state court for a crime that you accepted a pardon for -- admitting guilt, according to the US Supreme Court -- when charged in federal court. Bad, bad, bad. Now you are facing time in a shithole of a state prison.

Thoughts & prayers,
H2O Man

September 7, 2022

On Locus & Lotus

Today, I'd like to speak about the concept of "locus of control." I think it is kind of important, in the context of OPs/threads that I've read over the past 24 + hours, since Judge Cannon released her foul ruling. I anticipate that some (maybe many) will disagree with me, which is fine. However, if you do, please consider replying, so that there may be a meaningful conversation.

"Locus of control" is a concept that applies to individuals and groups. Thus, it spans the fields of psychology and sociology. It can be internal, external, or anywhere in between. A person with an internal locus of control thinks they are able to exert a positive control over many -- but definitely not all -- of the circumstances in their lives.

To illustrate with an example, the great heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali had an internal locus of control. This went beyond thinking he could defeat any and all opponents he faced in the ring. When Uncle Sam drafted him, Ali knew he could not control what the government did. But he could, and did, have complete control on how he responded. He was prepared to stay true to his beliefs while acting on them, come what may.

An external locus of control is found in those who identify as victims of circumstance. They tend to be those who were lied to since they were itty-bitty children. They were not raised to be condident of reaching their potential. They did not get adequate encouragement from parents or teachers in school. They identify as being powerless, helpless, and hopeless.

Most of us fall somewhere in between. We are good at some things, not so good at others. Lots of things we can influence, if not control, including having an idiot for a supervisor at work. Other things, such as the price of groceries, that we might have some control, if only in what we buy.

Groups can influence circumstances, too. Good examples are found in the 2018 and 2020 elections. Now, that didn't give us control over who Trump placed on the federal courts. But it did provide us with the ability to take advantage of having Democrats control what the other two branches of the federal government might do to respond to the current federal judiciary.

Now let's consider a common reaction to "bad news" in individuals and groups. I have the ability to go immediately to "worst case scenario" when confronted with routine medical tests at the doctor's office. I torture myself with thoughts of the pain and suffering that the worst case scenario surely means. Days later, when her office calls to say everything came back good, I always ask, "What aren't you telling me? Is it too horrible for words?" They try to reassure me, despite my request for an prescription for strong placebos.

Some things are too horrible for words. Trump's election in November od 2016 was the very definition of "worst case scenario." Everything he did made it worse than that. That includes the horrible people he placed in the federal courts. It includes the hordes of people who believed him when he said, "I alone can fix it." They have as external locus of control that they believe someone else will "save" them.

I'll take that further. We know his hordes are dangerous. But even that is evidence of an external locus of control. They don't dare go out into public without a gun. Yes, it is a phallic symbol. But it is also Dumbo's feather. People who are confident they can handle themselves don't need Dumbo's feather.

Now, there is anything you or I can do about the loose Cannon on the federal bench. But there are things we can do. If you believe that President Biden is correct about this being a battle for the nation's soul, then work on electing Democrats. If you are mad as hell about Cannon trying to protect Trump, then work like hell to elect Democrats. Do not doubt your ability to make a valuable contribution.

September 5, 2022

All Along the Watchtower

" No reason to get excited
The thief, he kindly spoke
There are many here among us
Who feel that life is but a joke
But, uh, but you and I, we've been through that
And this is not our fate
So let us stop talkin' falsely now
The hour's getting late, " -- Bob Dylan; All Along the Watchtower



I don't think anyone is surprised by Judge Cannon's ruling per a special master. She had proven herself to be a Trump advocate when she said she was likely to appoint one, before even hearing the DOJ's response to Trump's original filing. In that sense, it was similar to knowing that the current Supreme Court would be eager to overturn Roe. However, in the current case, the potential for long-term harm to the public is not even close to the same.

The most significant OP I've read on DU:GD today is from our friend FelineOverlord:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100217123883
One can like or dislike Maggie Haberman -- or have no opinion of her at all -- and still see the importance of her comment. Likewise, one can forgive Hyle Cheney for that last name, and recognize the value of making the ruling available.

If a judge in a trial said, "Bring the guilty bastard in, and I'll give him a fair trial," most everyone would recognize that judge was not objective. Likewise, when a judge states publicly that they are likely to rule in favor of one side, before even hearing from the other side, we know that they are not objective.

Her comments on the harm that indicting Trump might cause -- found on pages 9 and 10 -- further document her inability to be objective. Add to that her comments on the public interest, where she clearly shows that she thinks the Trump cult is by definition the public, and it appears there are issues the DOJ could appeal her decision on.

I trust the DOJ to make the best decision on how to respond to this naked attempto to delay justice. No special master is going to decide that Trump had the right to take and keep the classified documents. It already seemed likely that the DOJ wasn't going to indict Trump until after the November elections. But this is a speed bump on the road to justice, and not a spike strip. We need to keep our eyes on the prize.

September 4, 2022

Mr. Robinson

" Being an old farm boy myself, chickens coming home to roost never did make me sad; they've always made me glad." -- Malcolm X


Holding Cassius, I was focused on being a grandfather for the first time. But something that Eugene Robinson said, on the television I was only dimply aware of, struck me as intense. He said that President Biden's speech was a wartime address to the nation. Here's to you, Mr. Robinson, sane people appreciate you more than you could know.

A brand new link in the DNA chain going back hundreds of thousands of years deserves a better world than the one this old man is handing down. But I'm not wringing my hands in distress. There's a lot of fight left in this old bag of bones, ready to contribute to the larger fight taking place across the nation to battle the fascist threat to democracy.

Back home, I took a phone call from one of the heads of the campaign for Congress that I am working on. I like to find out if people are hoping their efforts will secure a job in DC , or if they are intent upon serving as a grass roots organizer. Perhaps a combination of both.

I was encouraged talking with this young man. I can easily tell who is interested in hearing what an old activist has to say, or if they believe they know everything necessary after sitting in a college/university classroom. For the best campaigns are neither restricted to top-down or bottom-up, but combine the two.

The best campaigns do not include clinging to old grudges. An obvious example would be that in 2016, the majority of white women voted for Trump over Clinton. And a significant percentage of black women -- the strongest base of the Democratic Party -- did not vote. But it would take the synergy of ignorance and pettiness to create the error in thinking that we do not have to appeal to black and white women to win in November.

In this region of rural upstate New York, the numbers of reistered voters goes in the following sequence: republicans, independents, then Democrats. Thus, everyone who has retained the math skills they mastered in the first grade can recognize that a Democrat has to appeal to independents to have a chance for victory. Those chances increase if the candidate can also appeal to some republicans.

At very best, it would be foolish to the point of self-defeating for us to engage in imaginary purity tests as November approaches. If you and I were preparing to go door-to-door, imagine if I said the most important factor for me is knowing if they supported Robert Kennedy or Eugene McCarthy in the 1968 Democratic primary. Why, you would know that I should focus on stuffing envelopes at campaign headquarters, not talking to potential voters. For you would know that my brain was stuck hip-deep in a bitter past.

Now, that's not to say that stuffing envelopes isn't just as important as going door-to-door. I imagine that, over the decades, I've stuffed about as many envelopes as I have knocked on doors. What it does mean is that we all have talents -- things we are good at -- as well as things we aren't as good at. Conversing on someone's porch, for example, is distinct from addressing a crowd. We all have something to offer.

We need people to reach out to teachers' and labor unions. To college senates and other campos groups. And on and on. Everyone's efforts are of value, and needed.

What I do best is convince voters who are to the left of the Democratic Party to vote for our candidates. That doesn't include all Democratic Party candidates equally, of course. I can break bread with those who wouldn't give most campaigners the time of day. And it wouldn't matter if I was wearing shorts and a Malcolm X t-shirt, or a suit. They know I'm not there to lie to them, and that they don't only hear from me come election season.

We are indeed at war, no matter if we want to be, or wish things were different. We now have the opportunity to make things different. If we all contribute to the effort, we will find that democracy is the antidote to the rise of fascism.

September 2, 2022

A Twist of Lennon

"Breezing through the deadwood on a hot summer day
I saw a human being lazybonin' out in the hay
I said, 'Uh, hey Mr. Human, can ya rainmaker too?'
He said, 'I guess it's okay, ya know, the only thing we need is water
Cool, clear water, water, water, water.' "
-- John Lennon; Old Dirt Road; 1974


Listening to President Biden speak this week, I was reminded of one of Minister Malcolm X's teaching methods. If you place a glass of sparkling clear water next to a glass of filthy toxic sludge, you can trust that a thirsty public will make the correct choice. President Biden has been serving up that sparkling clear water.

Now, I've liked Joe Biden from early on in his political career. I've always been on the left in the Democratic Party. I loved when Rev. Jesse Jackson ran for president. But I always thought Biden would make a great president, capable of instituting necessary changes in society. Not that I took him for a perfect man, for there is no such thing. But he takes responsibility for those times he wasn't right. I supported him in presidential primaries when he ran, and wished he was running times when he wasn't. I did switch to supporing Senator Obama early in 2008, because I knew history was unfolding in real time. And I was happy when he picked Biden for vice president.

When Joe Biden was elected president in 2020, I was thanful. Finally! As much as I had wanted him to be president in the past, I was confident that he was the most capable person to serve this country in a time of dire need. I like what he has accomplished. And I loved the two most recent speeches. They rank up there with the greatest in presidential history.

Donald Trump is sludge. A toxic waste. No person with a healthy mind could support his madness. Only those with unhealthy minds, poisoned with fears and hatreds, could fail to oppose his anti-American agenda. Thus, we must treat them with the care and intensity that we do any toxic industrial waste dump site. Isolate them. Treat those that might be rendered inert. And beat the hell out of each and every maga candidate in November. And incarcerate every one of those who have acted corruptly in advancing Trump's crimes.

August 31, 2022

A Program

https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/30/politics/read-doj-response-trump-special-master/index.html


As we watch the Trump document scandal grow, it is apparent that it is part of a long-term program to damage -- and destroy -- democracy in the United States. To fully appreciate the scope of the program, I would suggest that we think of the implications of the batshit crazy program known as Q-Anon. For that is more closely tied to these documents than the Big Mac wrappers found within the boxes, among the sensitive documents.

Let's first look at the origins of "Q" as I understand them. There have been media efforts to uncover the identity of "Q." One theory is a computer Geek with a name I don't remember, the other is General Michael Flynn. I think one theory is fairly close.

"Q" was, I think, started by two left-wing Democrats. A retired doctor and a retired social worker. A former Weatherman (though not Weather Underground member) and a former YIPPIE! Now, I could be wrong ..... but I think they started the "Q" thing as a gag. The "Q" came from their earlier discussion of the source that bibical scholars call a scroll that influenced the writing of the four gospels.

A nest of retired FBI agents in New York City came upon it. These are the "friends of Rudy." Jim Kallstrom (you may have seen him on the series "The FBI Files" ) recognized that "Q" was not real, but recognized its significant potential. Keep in mind that "Q" started in 2017, and the late Kallstrom was an outspoken critic of the FBI investigation of Trump's campaign. Jim would attack Robert Mueller. He also called the Clintons "criminals."

Kallstrom brought "Q" to the attention of Rudy, who brought it to General Flynn. Remember, Flynn was very familiar withhow psychological operations include perception management. Flynn's decision was to create several threads of conspiracy that would rope in the vulnerable population that would become the Trump cult. Once that rope is created in a manner that secures it for the future, "Q" can disappear.

Flynn, of course, had plenty of time on his hands, since losing his job as National Security Advisor on February 13, 2007. He had enough time to drop one law firm and hire Sidney Powell, who began communicating with Bill Barr and Donald Trump about dropping charges against Flynn. But between losing his job and being pardoned, Flynn was a busy man He spoke to militia groups around the country. And on July 4, 2020, Flynn literally pledged an oath to Q-Anon. (Google it, if you don'r remember that. There are several sources.)

President Biden is 100% correct to refer to how this program has resulted in a semi-fascist republican party. To have become semi-fascist, of course, it has to be led by fascist enemies of our country. Some hold or held political office. Some occupy other positions. But they are out there, and that absolutely means all of us must work hard to elect Democrats in November.

Let's kick the shit out of the republican party. Do what you can, and don't doubt that your contribution doesn't matter. It does. Now, I will end with the favorite saying that I recite in my head before I dig into campaigning:

“The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and goodwill, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother’s keeper, and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee!” -- Samuel Jackson; Pulp Fiction

August 29, 2022

Remember

" No no remember, remember
The fifth of November."
-- John Lennon, Remember


I was talking to a friend who is impatient for the DOJ to indict Donald Trump. "It is clear that they have enough evidence to prove the crimes listed in the affidavit," said he. "So what is taking so long?"

Some times, I said, the answer is so obvious that we don't recognize it as being on the surface. The DOJ has noted that their investigation is in an early stage. Thus, as they already have enough evidence to convict Trump on those crimes -- beyond any reasonable doubt -- it can only mean that they are investigating other, related crimes. And that has to do with who Trump shared the intelligence documents with.

August 28, 2022

Rising Water

“It may be a species of impudence to think that the way you understand God is the way God is.”
― Joseph Campbell, Thou Art That: Transforming Religious Metaphor


Speaking of the increase of "christian nationalism" in our country, and with Dylan's "Watching the River Flow" in mind, I'd like to attemp a "threat evaluation" as we head into both the mid-term elections and the likely criminal prosecution of Donald J. Trump. For we are heading into uncharted territory, and need to cross this river to get back to a place where there is democracy and the rule of law.

We've all seen film of unfortunate examples of someone attempting to drive across a flooded stream when a hard rai has fallen, only to get stuck. Those most familiar with the natural world recognize it is impossible to find safe crossing when a river has overflowed its banks. For it is safer -- though not necessarily "safe" -- to cross it before it crests. And that is where we are at now.

We sense the gathering storm. In some ways, it appears like other storms we have either witnessed, or learned about in human history. In early April of this year, Samuel Perry and Jemar Tisby published the book, "The Flag + the Cross: White Christian Nationalism and the Threat to American Democracy." It is perhaps the most accurate forecast available to us at this time.

That the Trump cult views Donald as a religious figure brings to mind what Campbell was speaking of. They are convinced that they are now in a holy war, with God on their side. That "god," of course, is the group's combined projection of their self-righteousness. We see this in their portraits of a white Jesus. And we saw it on January 6, with Trump flags, conderate flags, "Don't Tread on Me" flags, christian flags, and the prayer to their imaginary Jesus in the Senate chambers.

When a group of people are convinced that they are in a holy war, with God on their side, it is much like a bend in a flloding river. While the surface water at the edge of the outside of the bend often appears the calmest, it is actualy where the undertows are strongest. But, before we consider what constitutes both sides of this bend, there is one more issue to consider.

Polls indicate that a growing number of people find the threats to democracy to be the most important issue facing our country at this time. This includes many who think we are approaching -- if not already in -- a civil war. Likewise, there are those who think a civil war is unlikely, either because it is not a fully geographic divide, or because the white christian nationalist Trump cult could not win such a war. That their forces are too small.

It is always risky to attempt to apply rational thinking to the motivations of those who are convinced they are engaged in a holy war. More, it would be an error in thinking to limit the concept of "civil war" to the north versus south experience in our nation's past. The proper model would be much more like "the Troubles" in Ireland. For that matter, the Ku Klux Klan was a white christian nationalist outfit, not unlike the cult members involved in the January 6 insurrection.

We know the Grand Lizard of the current members. We know he lit the fuse to set off the January 6 powder keg. And we see that there are two current powder kegs that he will attempt to set off if the DOJ and the Georgia criminal investigations lead to his being indicted. On the surface, the potential federal case may appear larger than the Georgia case, in terms of a powder keg. But I think otherwise.

Republicans in office would be less likely to support Trump if the document case continues to uncover what is the worst case scenario. Some will, of course. Maybe many. Either way, it would fracture their party. Fewer republican voters would be okay with Trump sharing classified intelligence with Russia, for example. But almost, if not all, will stick with Trump if he is indicted in Georgia.

If he is indicted by the DOJ, the task of bringing him to court --after attempts to delay -- than if he is charged in Georgis, while living in Florida. The role of governors may be important. Is DeSantis going to have his state cooperate with officials in Georgia? If Kemp wins the election in Georgia, might he pardon Trump? And what will the maga response be if Stacey Abrams becomes governor when Trump is tried? Isn't a state court a softer target than a federal court?

There are a lot of very important elections this November.