Maine Drag

Guilty

until proven

innocent

against 

the recent

rape charge,

an issue

so large

it trumps

a Nazi

tattoo,

the guy

who would

defy

old categories

and deny

old stories

or try

to eschew

what he knew

was problematic,

was a “new”

democrat

who wasn’t

an aristocrat,

but an oysterman

everyman,

if every man

were accused

of rape

and had a 

Nazi

tattoo.

The senate

race

in Maine

has been

an insane

drain

on Dems

everywhere

who care

about

how to 

gain

a majority.

The midterm

priority

to return

to accountability

was weirdly

accommodated

when Platner

was nominated,

as he won

as an outsider.

Brash

and progressive,

if not transgressive,

he’d upend

the successive

terms

of Susan Collins.

But Platner

won’t be

Maine’s

Democrat

nominee

even if he

were innocent.

Now the race

is a drag

causing 

confidence

lag

in the ability

to find

a good 

candidate

at this late

date.

A late

update 

happened

not long before-

in 2024-

and look

how that

election

ended.

There 

is no ideal

candidate,

but to bet

on the base

instincts

not only

stinks,

but drags

Maine

and

the whole

country

down.

Even W,

son-of-a

Bush,

was a push-

over.

Wanting

a beer

with a candidate

is inadequate

to governance.

Substance

should count

an inordinate

amount,

not one’s bank 

account.

Wanting

an outsider

taunting

the system

is wisdom

not always

true.

Who meets

the standard

is answered

by history.

Victory

delivery

should be

considered

carefully,

because

then 

the term

must 

be served.

What must be

preserved

can’t be

dragged

through

the mud.

Just look

at that 

Maine stud,

Graham Platner.

Happy Birthday to US

The labor

was intensive;

the birth,

expensive,

and everyone

celebrated

what the fathers

created.

(But actually,

necessity

is the mother

of invention!)

A declaration

of independence

from the king

would bring

forth

on the fourth

of July, 1776

an evolution

of politics

from the critics

of monarchy,

with a vision

of democracy

that somehow

included

people

as property

for almost

another

century.

But the muscle

memory

of and for

opportunity

has guided

the trajectory

of this 

then new

country,

founded,

and now

hounded,

by old men.

When was 

America

just a 

replica

of her

ideal?

Electing a

president

set a precedent

for self government,

but how 

to effectuate

is still 

a debate.

What makes

America great

isn’t innate

or fate.

It’s the pursuit

not just

of happiness

but of 

the less

obvious

equality

of every

body;

even the ones

who look different 

from you

and

with whom

you disagree

(or worse).

The curse

of freedom

is over

abundance;

tolerance

of bigotry,

and over

reliance

on individuality.

The miracle

of the American

ideal

is made real

every day

while

also being

contradicted.

We may be

conflicted

over 

what seems

inflicted,

depicted

incessantly

on our screens.

But tomorrow

we’ll all

face 

the sky

as fireworks

fly,

like celestial

candles

on our

birthday 

cake.

What gifts

will you 

give?

Or will

you just

take?

Do you

expect

party

favors?

On our

best

behaviors,

we’ll

make sure

we’ll

endure

for

another 250

and more.

Happy Birthday

to US. 

The New Colossus

I just returned

from

the land

of the Golem,

(a sort of 

Frankenstein,

that predates

the Shelley

tale),

where 

the Soviet

and Nazi

lost to

democracy,

and memory

is preserved

not erased.

The Golem

of medieval

fantasy

was initially

created

as a magical

protector.

It (he)

was large

and clumsy,

slow-witted,

and soulless;

immune

to conventional

weapons

or pain.

(Sound familiar?)

It would become

eventual

that this 

folk hero

would grow

fearsome

and violent,

which meant

its destruction;

a lesson

we keep

needing

to learn.

We tend

to yearn

for 

a protector

and champion:

strong-

even masculine-

forgetting

that subletting

power

weakens

us.

“The New Colossus”,

by Emma Lazarus,

was the poem

befitting

Lady Liberty.

The Mother

of Exiles

whose torch

is a beacon

of light

for the weary-

quite

a contrast

to the dreary

giant man.

Trump is a

hulking,

clumsy,

dimwitted,

soulless

(faux)

protector,

whose power’s

run

amok

with endless

luck;

a new colossus

for us

in the worst

way.

But for America’s

semi-

quincentennial

birthday,

I say,

remember

anew

“The New

Colossus”:

“Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free…”

as us.

Our strengths

are not

artificial intelligence

(though with regulation,

such sensation

could be transformational).

By 250,

we

need to

grow up!

The New Colossus

is not this monstrous

idiot.

It’s the generous,

creative spirit

that is 

inspired by

and of 

liberty;

not irresponsibility,

but human

dignity,

integrity,

and decency,

with liberty,

and justice

for all.

Your Friends and Neighbors

Watching

the show

of 

the title

above,

is frustrating

for me.

It should be

entertaining,

but it seems

like it’s

claiming

to be

more

than it is.

Another series 

streaming

about seemingly

endless

wealth

and beauty

in a particular

community

of exclusivity

where 

under

the surface

lurks

insecurity

and too many

jerks.

Did I mention

that it’s mostly

white,

but for

a few tokens:

a wealthy

Korean

family,

a black retired 

basketball player,

and a 

latina

maid?

The conceit

is the deceit

not only

of the “friends”

but of 

Jon Hamm’s

Andy Cooper-

“Coop”

who chooses

to stoop

to becoming

a thief

for relief

after being 

fired

from his

hedge fund.

While the rest

are mired

in superficiality

he knows

the reality-

that with such

abundance

their material

redundance

means

he can steal

Hermes

and Cartier

for a big

pay day,

while the friends’

and neighbors’

lives 

remain

extravagant.

The cast 

is good,

and Hamm

is great,

but the show

lacks

greatly.

Beyond

the obvious

obliviousness

of the wealthiest,

the least

pretentious

or contentious

one,

a loving father

and a loving

son,

(and ex-husband),

is still

a thief.

The implicit

social 

commentary

is as 

conspicuous

as the anxiety

and consumer

spending

consuming

our society,

but more

subtly,

is the sad

state

of our social

ties

and how

we’re all

being robbed

before 

our eyes.

He’s no

Mad Man,

or Landman,

and I’ll still 

watch

because…

Jon Hamm!

But the show

has to go

deeper

than its

gorgeous

face.

Not unlike

our politics,

a mix

of expensive,

incomprehensive,

and meh,

we’re uninspired

by the tired

grind,

while 

being 

robbed

blind

from behind

the scenes

of what seems

to be 

less and less

the land

of opportunity,

and less

and less

a community

of friends

and neighbors,

much less,

united

states.

Good Looking

Looking 

for the good

should

be obviously

easy,

but seeing 

clearly

comes

with difficulty.

Looking good

could

be

a secondary

priority

in this society,

if only

we

were true

to

individuality

without

ego.

I know

it’s ridiculous,

but our

conspicuous

show

of identity,

like a human

theory

of relativity

except

compulsively,

aggressively,

competitively

being showy

of one’s

type

through

affinity

is definitely

not a good

look.

Take a good 

look

at how we’ve

devolved

from a society

prizing

individuality,

(Did we

really?

Or were we

always

just about

hyper individualism?)

to the ME

Generation,

and beyond

Gens XYZ-

all 

identity

driven.

We continue

to merge

church

and state,

and at this

rate,

the bible

will 

determine

which

tribal

affiliation

will drive

each state

of the republic.

Looking good

has been

the way 

society

created

bonds

and tensions,

but the extensions

have 

made a blame

game

of shaming

shame,

and fame

for anyone

who became

a name

in a video

frame

regardless

of content.

To a great

extent

we have

advanced

in this

enhanced

reality

of super

easy

access,

unless

you don’t

have success,

and therefore

are without

tools

sufficient

for the efficient

search

of artificial

intelligence;

hence,

your irrelevance

seems of great

importance

(which makes

no sense).

So we align

as a sign

of our

beliefs

and

commitments,

feigning

community.

Ideology

trumps

individuality

as currency

to looking

good.

Of course,

the eruption

of the disruption

era

is criteria

for progress;

that is,

unless

you’re

in Congress

in which 

case,

less is less.

But I digress….

You know

you’re

“good looking”—

I mean

looking

for the good,

not just

the sexy

novelty,

when

individuality

not tribal

affinity,

takes priority.

And individuality

is not

code

for disruptor

mode,

but for

that which

is unique-

even discreet-

our personhood

as a single,

capable

mammal

born

with inalienable

rights.

Be a good

looking

person

no matter

your 

physique 

or facial

structure.

Our vulture

culture

of devouring

is souring

and

narrowing.

America,

the beautiful,

good looking

one,

has run

from

facing

the truth.

Our destiny

should manifest

in our best

not the

easiest

or loudest,

as this test

has shown.

We have known

all along,

being good

looking—

should

be our priority,

even if it

isn’t sexy.

It’s About Time

All the time

Taking Time

Having Time

Bedtime

Dinnertime

Mealtime

What time is it?

What time do you have?

How much time do I have?

Do you have time?

Time of day

At times

Times like this

Doing time

Time out

First time

Last time

Against time

At a time

At one time

At the same time

In no time

Lose time

Out of time

Time flies

Time immemorial

Time of the month

Time out of mind

The time of one’s life

Time will tell

No time

Pass the time

Ahead of time

Time signature

The time being

Keep time.

Strait Talking

In memory

of those 

who died

in the name

of our 

freedom,

we pause

for their

cause,

US.

May

their 

memory

be 

for a 

blessing-

not messing

around

to the sound

of patriotism.

Now,

war hawks

are in peace

talks

with Iran,

and this

administration

is desperate

for this

to end

well

after it fell

into the trap

of trying

to sell

a war

of his own

making.

Faking

progress

in this mess

is,

by now,

expected.

Remember

how

he directed

that bleach

injected

would cure

those affected

by COVID?

I’m not sure

who said

he puts 

the ID

in idiot,

but the 

shoe 

does fit.

So

I have no

expectation

of consolation

on this 

sad

Memorial Day.

He’ll lay

a wreath

in Arlington

Cemetery

as is 

customary,

while

the rest 

of the country

mourns

the loss

of each

daughter

and son,

and no one

in particular,

just the vast

number

who have

died

for the legacy

of American

democracy,

that now feels

like almost

a memory.

Mourning

in America

turns

the sunny

phrase

dark,

in stark

contrast

to days

of strength.

The length

of this aberration,

a scourge

on our nation,

long

beyond

sensation,

will someday

be a bad

memory.

When will

Memorial

Day

be 

only

for the past,

not a forecast?

I hope

that at

last

the Strait

of Hormuz

opens

and continues

to be 

a conduit

and we 

don’t forget

how we got

in this situation.

Memorial Day

should remind

us 

that the wars

behind us

are warnings

not just 

of mournings

but of what

all those

young people

died for.

Victims of Hate

A few days

ago,

in the second

largest city

of the third

largest state,

5 people died,

victims of hate.

3 innocent

people

were shot

at the Islamic 

Center,

a place 

that welcomed

all

to enter.

The other two

who

died,

completed 

the murder-

suicide,

inside 

the car

borrowed

from 

the mom

of one

of the 

murderous

teens

despite

FBI screens

and warnings.

How many mornings

like this

have we seen

of a scene

predicted

from young

guys

who lean

in

to the spate

of hate

online

to find

camaraderie?

As far as

mass

shooting

casualties

go,

this one is

comparatively

low,

though,

no

less heartbreaking.

Families

are aching

and communities

are triggered

with each

shooting incident 

knowing

the next one

may be

imminent

with an 

abundance

of guns

at home,

and violence

online,

and stirred

up hate

to define

the other

as the 

reason

for 

what’s been

wrong

all along,

and therefore

why

they deserve

to die.

The shooters’

parents

knew their 

boys

were troubled,

and one 

mother

called

the authorities.

Yet,

a home

with 

an arsenal

of guns,

and sons

suicidal,

or homicidal,

tons

of guns,

(30 from

one home),

and a virtual

community

of hate

and bigotry

is a recipe

for tragedy.

I’m sure 

the parents

of the shooters

feel excrutiating

pain

along with

the other

families of

victims of hate

who were slain.

So many factors

that we know

create

these

horror

scenes

emanating

from hate,

but I still

believe

we can

do better

than wait

for the next

time.

https://www.kpbs.org/news/public-safety/2026/05/19/ways-to-help-or-get-help-in-the-wake-of-the-islamic-center-shooting

The Friends and Family Plan

His Friends

and Family Plan,

paid for

by each 

American

citizen,

will be

a slush fund

of $1.8 billion

for those 

who have

suffered

“weaponization”,

is his

master plan

of corruption.

It may be

in his DNA,

and this is

the ultimate

NDA,

the ultimate

American

exceptionalism

for him.

His slush

fund

to shield

him

from any

audit or tax

tracks

with 

everything

he’s tried

so far:

Enriching

himself

and his allies

as he tries

to use 

the Justice 

Department

to enforce

his lies

and schemes,

while continuing

the rewriting

of history,

encouraging

and enabling

attacks 

on Congress,

physically,

verbally,

and ideologically,

while circumventing

governing.

A one-man

weapon

of mass

destruction,

whose

corruption

knows

no bounds.

And what

happens

when

the violent

men-

Proud Boys

and Oath

Keepers

having

been convicted

after having

inflicted

violence

without 

penitence

some having

started

to serve

a sentence,

get paid

a reward

for their

subservience

to him?

Will he

have

a private

militia?

The ex-cons

and The Con Man

need his 

Friends and Family

Plan

to keep

themselves

protected.

With a cadre

of the rejected,

disaffected,

and closely

connected

he’d like

this corrected

permanently

so that he

will never

pay,

and those

who opposed

him

will

foot 

the bill.

Only

a criminal

would

devise

such

a scheme

to make it

seem

like 

he is all

powerful.

He may

be 

a Strongman

but he is

a weak,

weak

person.

Xi Wiz

It’s not all

show biz

when leaders

meet.

This is

what it 

looks like

when he

takes a seat

alongside

actual

political

foes.

He knows

little

to nothing

other than

schmoozing.

When things

get serious,

he gets caught

snoozing.

His instinct

for greed

has helped

him succeed

and he knows

everyone

has the need

for more.

American interests

are not interesting

unless it means

acquiring-

his definition

of aspiring,

and therefore

(he thinks)

more inspiring

than actual

geopolitical

strategizing.

Of course

the economic

part 

is part 

of the art

of the deal,

so even this

shlemiel

can claim

it.

But reversing

Steinem’s

aphorism,

for him,

the political

is personal.

What’s in it

for him

to win

(and call it

American),

as successful

as he’s been,

has been

terrible

for the country

and the rest

of The West.

He fails

each test

to best

each 

global

rival;

each regime’s

survival

in tact.

In fact,

his numbers

plummet

after

a summit,

where his

foe 

understood

Trump’s 

show biz.

I’m sure

Trump is

pissed,

but will

persist

because

he’ll 

never

admit

defeat.

Like those

old

loudmouth

commercials,

“Nobody 

Beats

The Wiz”,

his 

brand will

expire,

(he’ll never

retire),

but will

his ire

trump

Xi’s

strategy?

The American

Tragedy

has been

self inflicted

by 

the guy

afflicted by

arrested

development,

whose 

envelopment

has been

incomprehensible.

Even worse,

the reprehensible,

once untenable,

is the new

normal.

Xi

seemed 

like he

was 

a wiz

at his game,

while

the stable

genius

gave us….????