Turmoil and tragedy are tough for the nation, but a tonic for Presidential approval. At times of crisis, Americans look to the President for reassurance and comfort. A few palliatives and we feel better about ourselves and our leader. We can emerge with unity of purpose, as after 9/11.
Trump used Charlottesville to chat up his base rather than sweet talk the nation. With Hurricane Harvey, he seemed as concerned about crowd size as the scope of devastation.
My musings are subjective, polls are objective. Trump trended down after Charlottesville and has registered no gains during Harvey. We look to our president for leadership, but Trump is not there.
Thursday, August 31, 2017
Friday, August 25, 2017
The False Prophet
Living in a Midas inspired New York Penthouse, with his Slovenian super model wife, Donald Trump was not an obvious candidate for working class hero. But, wealth is not a barrier to action and empathy. No president did more for the working class, and rural poor, than the patrician FDR. Unfortunately, Trump is no Roosevelt.
Faced with an economic crisis Roosevelt sought solutions. Working with his cabinet and talented advisers he crafted the ten legislative and executive programs known as the New Deal. His hard work provided jobs and relief, as well as hope, for a crippled nation.
Trump inherited a robust economy scarred by inequity. Rather than proposing solutions, Trump stokes resentment. He speaks to those who believe that whites are facing federal discrimination, and that Christianity is under attack, He channels and funnels resentment toward the other, be they immigrants, Muslims, or the so called Washington and media elites.
The nation is in turmoil because Trump is stoking a hunger that he cannot, and will not, sate. His disinterest, and disdain for the legislative process, threatens to expand economic inequality. More concerned with notching a win than helping his constituents, he backed health care legislation than would have reduced access to affordable medical coverage. His holy water is ready to bless any tax plan, no matter how slanted to those at the top, that can pass.
FDR worked to calm and help a desperate nation. Trump is fostering fear to help himself.
Faced with an economic crisis Roosevelt sought solutions. Working with his cabinet and talented advisers he crafted the ten legislative and executive programs known as the New Deal. His hard work provided jobs and relief, as well as hope, for a crippled nation.
Trump inherited a robust economy scarred by inequity. Rather than proposing solutions, Trump stokes resentment. He speaks to those who believe that whites are facing federal discrimination, and that Christianity is under attack, He channels and funnels resentment toward the other, be they immigrants, Muslims, or the so called Washington and media elites.
The nation is in turmoil because Trump is stoking a hunger that he cannot, and will not, sate. His disinterest, and disdain for the legislative process, threatens to expand economic inequality. More concerned with notching a win than helping his constituents, he backed health care legislation than would have reduced access to affordable medical coverage. His holy water is ready to bless any tax plan, no matter how slanted to those at the top, that can pass.
FDR worked to calm and help a desperate nation. Trump is fostering fear to help himself.
Tuesday, August 8, 2017
Chagall Off Canvas
The Chagall exhibit at LACMA, http://www.lacma.org, explores a side of Chagall, that, at least for me, was unexpected.
Of course, characteristic paintings were on display.
But the focus of the exhibit was Chagall's painting and/or design of costumes and settings for Ballet and Opera.
Of course, characteristic paintings were on display.
Friday, August 4, 2017
Pardon Me
Loose lips not only sink ships, but also torpedo Presidential pardons. Trump's carefully leaked praise for Flynn after firing him, was Morse Code for pardon me and I will pardon you.
Fearing friendly fire, Trump has fueled leaks about his broad pardon authority. But presidential pardon authority stops at the state line. A president cannot pardon state crimes Most of Trump and Kushner's business interests run through New Jersey and New York. New York has a Democratic Governor, and New Jersey, soon will.
New York has a comprehensive, broadly written, money laundering statute. So, if we can prosecute them there, we can prosecute them fair and square, so it is up to you New York, New York
Fearing friendly fire, Trump has fueled leaks about his broad pardon authority. But presidential pardon authority stops at the state line. A president cannot pardon state crimes Most of Trump and Kushner's business interests run through New Jersey and New York. New York has a Democratic Governor, and New Jersey, soon will.
New York has a comprehensive, broadly written, money laundering statute. So, if we can prosecute them there, we can prosecute them fair and square, so it is up to you New York, New York
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
The Festivals of Montreal
Cities with cold winters exult summer. Montreal takes that to another level with overlapping festivals. We just missed the jazz festival which draws up to 2,000,000. But, we were not short changed.
We saw the German entry in an international fireworks competition.
Scheduled performers on St. Dennis Street made for a lively dinner.
Waiters on stilts, stoled food and drink, sometimes sharing with the crowd.
Futuristic acrobats exuded upbeat energy.
The Ha, Ha Ha festival had a number of free events.
Since, many performances were in French we opted for the universality of music. Fortunately the 'Festival International Nuits de Afrique was only 3 blocks from where we were staying, with constant performances from mid afternoon until late at night.
The options exceeded our time and energy. The flurry of events in summer is as dense as the snow in winter.
If you enjoy, and would like to help support this blog, please consider purchasing one of my ebooks.
My most recent book is '4 Americans in Cuba: A Traveler on a Rope Guidebook.' My other 3 books in the Traveler on a Rope Series are on SouthEast Asia, including 'Bangkok and Chiang Mai on a Rope.' Just go to Amazon kindle books, Ibooks or GooglePlay and enter Larry Stein. Thanks.
We saw the German entry in an international fireworks competition.
Scheduled performers on St. Dennis Street made for a lively dinner.
The Ha, Ha Ha festival had a number of free events.
Since, many performances were in French we opted for the universality of music. Fortunately the 'Festival International Nuits de Afrique was only 3 blocks from where we were staying, with constant performances from mid afternoon until late at night.
The options exceeded our time and energy. The flurry of events in summer is as dense as the snow in winter.
If you enjoy, and would like to help support this blog, please consider purchasing one of my ebooks.
My most recent book is '4 Americans in Cuba: A Traveler on a Rope Guidebook.' My other 3 books in the Traveler on a Rope Series are on SouthEast Asia, including 'Bangkok and Chiang Mai on a Rope.' Just go to Amazon kindle books, Ibooks or GooglePlay and enter Larry Stein. Thanks.
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