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“Rage, rage against the dying of the light.”
Dylan Thomas’ poem about death could be applied to the demise of life as we know it in this sorry country.
Each day darker than the last.
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How dark will it get before someone strikes a light to lead us out? Who might that be?
It is incomprehensible to me that I should even be writing such words in this country that has been the symbol of freedom and democracy.
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The really awful part of this is the waiting, of not knowing exactly what will come and therefore not knowing how to prepare.
Try as one might to think of something else, the dread sits in the pit of your stomach to remind you.
And yes, I rage against the takeover by thugs, idiots and the brazenly corrupt.
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Many thousands have already fallen victims of this merciless regime, fired from government jobs for no good reason, to be replaced, if at all by sycophantic yes men.
Women, it seems are ultimately to be relegated to the home and deprived of the power to vote.
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That will never happen?
I’d like to think not, but the Supreme Court has also been corrupted. In any case The Law is now insignificant.
And the government is being run by shameless misogynists.
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What I find deeply distasteful is the number of women who are a part of all this. I’ve come to think of them as the Stepford Wives.
Hard bitches all.
And from what I see, not very smart.
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Let me say that I am not a member of any political party.
Government reform, I’m all for it.
But indiscriminate firing is not the way to go about it.
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Among those fired were staff who oversee the safety of food and life-sustaining medical devices. Not to mention people responsible for Ebola prevention and Nuclear armaments.
They have since been re-hired but this is sheer recklessness.
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As an aside to the story of the USFDA workers being fired, another little gem came to light about DT Jr.
(I cannot bring myself to type that odious name)
It is no secret that the sons are keen hunters.
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Hunting for food or to cull a herd, this I must accept.
Hunting for the pleasure of killing innocent animals makes you a savage, no matter who you are.
Recently, I saw that Jr was in trouble for killing an endangered bird in Italy. Not half as much trouble as he deserved.
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There was another report of him hunting in Mongolia, but I only now heard the details, which included shooting and eating marmots which is against Mongolian law.
There is a news clip of him laughing about that technicality.
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Why is it against the law? Not because they are cute cuddly animals.
Because eating infected marmots is how bubonic plague is contracted.
Perhaps it’s what the planet itself needs, to be rid of the human species?
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This is dark and I don’t want to depress people.
But I think we need to recognise that these are seriously dark times and I can’t not acknowledge the fact.
Maybe I need a street corner and a bullhorn.
Show an affirming flame.
You began with a poem. This is is from W.H.Auden writing in September 1939
Defenceless under the night
Our world in stupor lies;
Yet, dotted everywhere,
Ironic points of light
Flash out wherever the Just
Exchange their messages:
May I, composed like them
Of Eros and of dust,
Beleaguered by the same
Negation and despair,
Show an affirming flame.
Thank you Josie.
Fact is – your blog IS an affirming flame for those of us who follow you.
Thank you. That’s kind.
Now he has allowed the Tate brothers to flee Romania and have refuge in the USA. Not only allowed it, but put undue pressure (or bribery) on the Romanian government to return their passports and allow them to travel. They are both rapists, people traffickers for prostitution, exploiters of underage girls, and advocates of brutal sexual violence against women. He is certainly surrounding himself with people who are just like him.
Best wishes, Pete.
Yes. Two more stars.
And now you will be getting a State visit!
I will spit in their eye!
we are living through a takeover of democracy and I will continue to battle it in every way
Thank you, Carolyn, for your political thoughts. Life in your country and mine is difficult to accept as a new reality. We can only hope that change will come.
Joanna
Yes, yes to Josie – Show an affirming flame. We must not be silent, but we must be judicious in our acts.
So you’re saying the last batch of career boomerang checkbook diplomacy thugs, the history and literature rewriting WOKE cancel culture think like us fascists were any better than this round? I find the dire hyperbole surrounding the current group no less alarming than the fascists. I’ve read all the executive orders to date and nowhere has the civil rights act been revoked, it is not illegal to be gay, or female, or non-white, racism has not become the new theocracy, history save for the Gulf of Whatever has not been re written, no monuments have been destroyed. All I can tell is like what happened to my younger brother after six years of beer in the frat house – daddy closed the checkbook. Every regime brings in their own yes persons, it’s the way of politics. Somehow the last group raised and spent 3 to 1 and had 1.5 times the billionaires in their pocket, paid Oprah 2.5 million for an endorsement and still got their asses kicked. I’m waiting for the shakeout before I hit the too depressed to function button. Unless he signs an executive order making it illegal to be an old white Catholic electronic musician with Irish Setters and an ancient cat. As for women being second class citizens, that has sucked for thousands of years. And like the prez said, that’s a state issue because the Supreme Court is a bunch of spineless weenies. Is there nothing to talk about besides Trump? I# there anything bitching and moaning about things that have yet to be lost going to change it? So let’s all go paint or write or dance or play music and STFU about Trump. How much free lip service, good or bad, does he deserve?
The man is a blithering idiot and a convicted criminal. He is obviously totally unfit for the job. It is embarrassing beyond belief to listen to him speak. And the sight of his followers kissing up to him is enough to make you vomit. No, I don’t think the “others” are perfect but by God they were a better bet. At least they didn’t try to suppress anyone who spoke against them. It’s the total hypocrisy of the Republicans that floors me. I voted for them a time or two but I never will again. They are morally bankrupt. You’re right that the fat idiot does not deserve lip service but I feel that sitting around in silence is mute acceptance and I will never accept him. Ever.
“At least they didn’t try to suppress anyone who spoke against them.” Did you miss cancel culture? Blithering idiot is what they ran against the winner. Embarrassing was the farting drooler and word salad master who couldn’t find the Rio Grande or Europe on a map. I don’t care about Trump one way or the other, he’s another politician. Most of them are lucky they’re not in jail. My point isn’t who’s a saint and who’s a sinner, but why keep beating a dead drum? If we have the gifts why not Make a joyful noise, shine a light in our corners of the universe, fuck Trump and all the rest of them. Worry and wish help nothing. This is what we’ve got. Next.
Yes. The man is a “blithering idiot” and a threat to democracy. That said – at least three of his Executive Orders state plain common sense.
When are the Democrats going to come to their senses and drop this unscientific and dangerous identitarian nonsense? No one has ever changed sex and men don’t belong in women’s sports and spaces
Because he is such an ass and so obnoxious, I can’t give him credit for anything. I figure one or two good moves are bound to happen, probably by accident. Yes of course those things you mention are sheer idiocy that should never have been entertained. Seems to me trans-gender people should stay away from sports.
I agree, it’s always the wait to see how things are going to work out, that makes you tired and anxious. You can’t tell me anything about corruption – it was “hidden” for years in our country, but nowadays it happens openly – it creates a powerless feeling for the citizens who have to witness this daily. I recently read that DT has invited Afrikaners (from South Africa) to come and settle in your country … I think I’ll decline, thank you: Better the devil you know, than the devil you don’t …
Yes, what a generous offer. I saw videos of South Africans saying thanks but no. If we could leave, we would,especially after today’s shameful performance.