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| A figurine of Union General John Buford |
- Samuel Smiles
It is 3:30 a.m. and there is no respite from the Trump-centric news. Sometimes we read about how histories will be written about this strange time. But there's a presumption that we will exit from this period and go back to our norms. We can pray for that to happen. I shouldn't use that term because it conjures up how Republicans encourage "thoughts and prayers" after a mass shooting.
Let's say we can hope that our overall culture gets back on an even keel. Then we can start digesting some histories of the perverse Trump chapter in America. I am far from convinced that we are really going to survive this. Elections have consequences and political priorities have consequences. Donald Trump was president for four years and has been "in our face" with his oddly galvanizing persona since 2016. Were he a mere celebrity we could be amused. But this is real world stuff.
Informed people close to our UMM tell me that "Trump got rid of the foreign students and that was our cash cow." I might quote Michael Lackey, a very sharp guy from the faculty. My friends would instantly sniff and say "he's (just a) liberal UMM person." I have had UMM's new chancellor confirm the accounts from others: UMM was dealt a blow with what happened in connection to the foreign students.
Everyone agrees that the Chinese students who were here were from wealthy families. Wealthy or not, it was a joy having them, just as it is a joy for any and all young people to come here.
I happened upon the UMM welcome picnic last night (Monday) by accident. My timing was good, arrived at the perfect time to get a nice plateful of food. Man, did I ever need that: I put aside my stringent dietary recommendations and availed myself of the fare. I reason that I can make a rare exception to the rules. I have no regrets. It is 3:30 a.m. and I have had no side effects with my Metformin medication. I will continue on the road of prudence.
I really truly try to stay disciplined for both myself and my physician, Dr. Huikko. Hey, I had a Coke last night! I'm feeling fine.
I thank the Lord for all days where my health seems sound. Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die? Oh no, I say that only in jest. Since I have been losing weight, might I be able to get a date with a shapely female? Once again I'm joking. After 68 years on this planet, I doubt the odds will ever go up for that. "Mongo just pawn in game of life."
Sans fashion?
I looked around at all the UMM students at the park last night and compared them to my generation when young. Well, with my generation it was much easier to differentiate with the two genders. Today it seems "unisex" clothing has taken over and there's little sense of "fashion," not in the way I remember it. Girls felt some impulse to look like girls.
Here's another interesting reminder: In the earlier time you did not see T-shirts or other clothing with printing on it that referenced local places. It was very rare - you'd have to special-order it. And then as you wore it around you'd get comments about it. Today? Such clothing with the local references are - I can't help but use the word - "ubiquitous." Zero novelty.
I remember the bumper sticker "Where the heck is Cyrus?" (This was actually derived from "Where the hell is Bird Island?") Today such things would blend in with the whole endless panoply. Times change. I do notice such things. We never saw kids with colored hair when I was young. Also, far fewer of us were overweight.
Oh, maybe it's not considered "overweight" any more. Maybe it's all within standard or accepted norms now. So maybe I'm being improperly judgmental.
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| Statue of John Buford |
I have friends who might enjoy reading this post but they may have been turned off where I starred out writing about Trump. They get irritated. Why do I harp away? Simple: Trump continues to loom with the threat of obtaining real power again. And next time around, he'll try to go full autocrat. Hey, he has essentially told us that.
And we don't care? Nothing fazes his supporters who are like the wild-eyed characters in a sci-fi movie. Their brains totally ossified now? Well yes, in spades. I'm trying to point all this out even though it can seem futile.
I'm certain that our local Apostolic Christians would vote 100 percent for Trump again. No flinching, no hesitation, even the women. Life is strange.
UMM itself is supposed to edify people. It's not working. Our country may be crumbling around us. However, I am reminded of Day 1 of the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863: The great Union cavalry commander John Buford was defeatist as hell, thinking there was no way the coming Confederate offensive could be blunted. "Lee will get all his men behind fat rocks," he said. But he suddenly put on a different face. He said among other things "we're gonna hold here in the morning."
Buford ended up a Gettysburg hero. Maybe the Trump supporters of today - Apostolics included - regret that the Confederates lost. That's the way it seems. Well, I love America the way it once was. And I am thankful that we have UMM with its "liberal" professors. I disagree that Mr. Lackey should be dismissed as "liberal." Listen to him for God's sake. Oh you won't. You are such lemmings.
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| Sam Elliott as John Buford in movie |
I'll be like General Buford here and try to do an about-face: maybe there is hope with the 14th Amendment, to prevent Trump from getting on the ballot again. But hell, I don't know all the logistics for that. The biggest handicap - the "elephant in the room" - is that the GOP leadership is just totally hopeless. I will try to hope anyway.
There was an article on Yahoo News Monday. The headline: "How states can keep Donald Trump off the ballot in 2024." There's more than a kernel of hope with that, IMHO. Pray again?
Trump's push for an insurrection or rebellion is a catalyst here for remedial action. Remedial action to help good win over evil. Conservative legal scholars are joining the argument for keeping Trump ineligible. But once "conservatives" come forward with reasoning like this, so many of their "conservative" brethren brand them as not really conservatives, or as "RINOs."
Trump believes in no compromise ever. He wants the extreme Republican agenda forced down our throats. Look at what he has given us with the Supreme Court. I place considerable blame on Mitch McConnell. He once posed for a photo standing in front of a big Confederate flag.
I posted the following comment to Yahoo News later in the day Monday. I got quite a bit of response, not as much positive as I would have liked. But there was some quite positive feedback. My comment:
Very interesting, but we have been dragged into this whole mess by the failure of Congress to impeach/convict, if not the first time around then the second. The second might have been achieved if Mitch McConnell as the Senate GOP leader had asserted himself properly. My goodness, we could have "moved on" and the GOP could have completely recovered from any embarrassment. Trump could have gone back to simply being the kind of celebrity he was before 2016: amusing, not dangerous. We may be dealing with the consequences now of too many elderly people in government, because McConnell may have been a little off-kilter. But we aren't supposed to question him because "he had polio as a child." If we all experience the wrath of Trump - "retribution" - the responsibility may lie at McConnell's doorstep. I dare say, praying won't be enough.
Here's how "Carl" responded to me:
If one of the big lib states like NY or CA were to keep Trump off the ballot, he'd lose those potential electoral votes and that'd lead to an interesting battle between red and blue??
Thanks to "Brandy" for this reaction:
It wasn't just McConnell's age, it was also he wanted the GOP to be in power and not look bad, even though they are bad. He even cheated out Obama in selecting a SCOTUS lying and saying it was too late in his presidency, giving Trump more to appoint. Just disgusting. If McConnell would have been a man and rallied the GOP to get rid of a lawless President, like you said, it would have been over for Trump a long time ago.
From "Lockhimup45":
Unfortunately I believe McConnell’s own health will prevent him from ever seeing the true consequences from his failures to stop that dumpster fire when he had full power to do so.
From "Jim": (presumably not Jim Morrison):
I agree Brian. . .If the Senate Republicans would have convicted the Fascist insurrectionist in January of 2021, we would not be talking about this.
(Anonymous) responded to my comment:
Do you honestly believe the 7 year plot called Stop the Steal was NOT managed and implemented by the hierarchy of the GOP? Was he so completely in the dark of his party agenda and methodology? Come on!! The Sein Fein was just as much a part of the IRA as the bus bombers, as Hamas and Hezbollah are arms of Iran and Syria, as Cuba once was for the Soviets and North Korea is a puppet of both China and Russia. Off-kilter is the axis of the Earth. Out of control is the mob on the Capitol steps. Has one single Republican APOLOGIZED for supporting the election fraud plot called Stop the Steal? 25% of the Senate and 1/3 of the House are still on board, 34 months later!!! 4 sets of indictments later, they are STILL co-conspirators. NO one in good conscience can remain blind to that reality.
"Edward" runs contrary, shall we say:
At this point you deserve retribution.
From "Roddy":
The 14th Amendment was not considered in this argument Brian. That brings a whole new level to the prospect of Trump's ineligibility to even be considered a candidate. Your impeach/convict argument is much different than a Constitutional amendment breach. Age has absolutely nothing to do with the 14th amendment or any requirement involving a presidential candidate. Your delusion that "praying" is also involved is ludicrous. Also your disdain for McConnell also is non-support of any part of this consideration. This is strictly a Constitutional consideration and all American states have to consider this amendment when allowing or disallowing a candidate to be on any ticket when our American constitution disallows it. Absolutely no other considerations affects this constitutional mandate.
From "James":
There isn't a rule about being too old. There is a rule of discrimination based on age. You do understand term limits can be voted on?
"Kevin" sounds like a sage person:
Start with Nixon. Failure there to impeach and remove then charge created an Imperial Presidency. He comes along thinking he is a king and people want that dictatorship. They think they won’t be subjected to the dictatorship. You will but not me. Someone once wrote: you live in the world you create. And no one is really dedicated enough.
"Suflaki Pirate" is a conspiracy person:
April 2016 Trump runs for POTUS. 5 days later, the s--t hits the fan and has not stopped. Trump knows where the bodies lie, and this scares the deep state, especially Obama.
"Paco" was disagreeable. What does "stfu" mean? Oh I know.
stfu your commentary is so ignorant.
"Dave" said something I kind of expected:
Thumbs down for the elderly people comment. Elderly people have tons of wisdom and experience.
Note from yours truly: I don't criticize someone for being 81 years old, I just figure we can agree that someone that age has exponentially greater odds of showing infirmities and limitations compared to younger folk. It's disturbing considering the power those people have.
"Jane" got pretty animated in her response:
"Completely recovered from any embarrassment". . .NO Thank you. They are a Confederates party of troublemakers. Bring a rope!
"Snoop" shows why it's hard persuading some people:
2nd impeachment was nothing but a show trial. They had no evidence and wanted to do it just because they're good at it. It was pathetic.
Here's from "Sascha":
"The GOP could have completely recovered," that’s a laugh.
Sounds like "Mark" listens to conservative radio:
The fake impeachments were #1 The Russia Hoax and #2 The phone call inquiring about China Joe and his 10%. This is all a radical left attempt at one party rule like Russia with the media behind it. Ironically China Joe will face impeachment inquiry next month and he is a traitor, read about it at oversight.house.gov.
This person goes by "Trumpistraitor":
Or they could have manned up at any time and done the 14th themselves.
Insight from "Lianne":
No truer words have been spoken, the monster is out of control due to the GOP's lack of taking action when they had the chance. I might add they don't like him either and couldn't keep this s--t for brains in control.
Hearing from "proud mom":
All very true, but this is something we can hopefully do now.
From a guy who goes by "TriDave":
MAGA senators willfully and openly refused to uphold their oaths of office. They ignored the rule of law and rejected the decision by SCOTUS out of fear that if they showed anything resembling a spine, the MAGA base would have voted them out.
From "Gary":
This is true, but most of the GOP have no "back bone "
Here's from "Engaged," certainly not persuaded by yours truly:
Perhaps if the other side had just set back and let Trump be president for 4 years, maybe get re-elected on the merits of the results - the country would be in a position to "move on." The continued persecution of Trump could put one in mind of what would be expected had Pilate not acquiesced to the demands of the mob as it is suggested that McConnell should have done. The retribution is deserved.
Insight from "Trustno1":
Well SOMEONE was paying attention over the Trump years in office! You hit the nail on the head. Mitch had a chance (2 actually) to end it and recover but, McConnell would rather eat his grandchildren than to give the Democrats any victory at all! Good for the country? Yes! Good for the GOP? Yes! Good for the Democrats? Oh no way in Hades! We cannot and will not have that, said the Grim Reaper with a smile.
From "Two Corinthians":
Trump needs to be disqualified. Period. End of story. We simply cannot allow a traitor who attacked America in a violent coup attempt to run for office again. We may as well be spitting on the graves of every veteran who ever died defending our Constitution.
Here's from "AAR":
No, because the founding fathers gave the people protection from a government that will use its power with the support of the people to crush and destroy those who oppose it. Like a tyrannical regime.
- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com
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