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T-Rex

 

“…they cling to guns or religion…”

 

“…basket of deplorables…”

 

“…moron.”

 

It’s easy to identify the speakers of the volcanic verbiage that erupted after terrible frustration, expressing antipathy and disdain. It’s really not ok to publicly disparage (or get caught deriding others, or one’s boss).

We’ve all had oops moments, but we aren’t Presidential candidates or Secretaries of State. Still, everyone is subject to one’s own reptilian brain.

The reptilian brain is the part of the brain that controls involuntary functions. It’s in charge of our survival. It directs our heartbeat, organ function,and breathing. It is responsible for sexual behaviors and our fight or flight responses. Our responses to danger or fear stem from our reptilian brain. Our anger or other emotions and actions that take over in response to a perceived threat are automatic. We don’t even think about it. The reptilian brain runs the non-thinking, automatic, involuntary functions for survival.

But clearly the reptilian brain is insufficient beyond survival instincts. Thinking and thoughtfulness advances us. The reptilian brain governs without thought. Of course, if we were having to think about each heartbeat and physiological response, we wouldn’t be able to consider anything else. And, sexual behavior and responses to danger are necessary in some measure to ensure the continuation of life.

It’s hard not to feel like we are in the Land of the Lost. “Land of the Lost” was a tv series in the mid 1970s about a family thrown back in time as they attempt to survive among the dinosaurs. In our own Land of the Lost, we see governance by fear. We feel terrified of our government, our neighbors, our technology, and all others—those who don’t fit into our images of what is right or good. Of course there are more good among us than those who get attention, but I know there are many people who feel as I do: that we are lost, and if not becoming dinosaurs ourselves, we are certainly living among them, and our reptilian brains are taking over.

That sounds rather alarmist, doesn’t it? Perhaps I am being too dramatic, but aside from my exhaustion and grief from constant verbal warfare, and intense hurricanes, and unspeakable violence and hatred, even against quiet protest, I am astounded daily by the lumbering leaders, proving themselves to be like dinosaurs— especially the lumbering leader in chief.

Somehow, this POTUS whose reptilian brain informs almost every response, seems to get away with reprehensible speech and behavior, and at the very least, incompetence. I was utterly astonished yesterday that the one known for “you’re fired”, didn’t fire Rex Tillerson, Secretary of State, after Tillerson evaded (but did not deny) the report that he called his boss a “moron”. Perhaps the POTUS isn’t phased by such a reptilian faux pas. I mean we all slip, right? And who speaks and acts from the gut without thinking more than the POTUS?

Even more astonishing to me though, was Rex Tillerson’s obsequiousness during his press briefing. Couldn’t he survive without this position? His instinct is to work for a man he thinks is a moron? T-Rex went from seeming strength to a big old lumbering….what’s the word?…..dinosaur.

And you know what happened to the dinosaurs. They became extinct when the climate changed.

The Noisy Trumpet

One day, when my neighbor and I went down to the basement to explore and play, we found an old, out of shape trumpet.

It had a price tag on it, with the numbers crossed out. Even the tag looked yellow from time gone by. It was in the pile of expensive stuff ( which we really shouldn’t go near), but it still looked kind of cheap.

My neighbor wanted to play with it. We didn’t know as much then as we do now, and we will know more tomorrow and each tomorrow to come.

But this old, out of shape, cheap looking, expensive trumpet was different from our usual finds. And I knew it was supposed to be an instrument.

My neighbor cheered with excitement at this discovery. Although the old mouthpiece was filthy, he put it against his mouth and blew.

The only thing that came out of the trumpet was hot air.

I told him,” That’s not how it works.”

But he didn’t care. He continued to blow hot air through that cheap, old, costly instrument.

I’m still learning, but I’ve seen real musicians play decent instruments. I’ve seen the orchestra, with all sorts of instruments playing together making music. I know that just blowing hot air won’t make music.

My neighbor thought he wanted to make music, and he thought he knew how. He was first interested in the trumpet, and wanted to hear it no matter what. He didn’t care that this noisy trumpet never made music; and it probably never would.

He figured out that if he made a buzz with his lips into the trumpet’s mouthpiece, he could blast a sound. Lots of the same harsh sounds.

What an awful noise came from that trumpet! Each time he played the trumpet, it only made more noise.

Now I am sure that it was just a toy. It will never be used to make music. It was less than a cheap instrument; it was a very expensive toy that only makes noise.

I learned that some of my neighbors enjoy just making noise. Lots and lots of noise.

Not too much later, we were bored of just noise and nothing else. And we had awful headaches. We tossed the noisy trumpet  in the junk pile where it belonged, and went back upstairs from the basement.

Soon after, I learned that the noisy trumpet, that only made noise, was a popular toy for Russians not so long ago. I guess they thought that the noisy trumpet could be valuable.

But even when all this trumpet does is produce noise, even with a lot of buzz, it’s a pretty rotten toy.

Sometimes on rainy days, my neighbor wants to return to playing with the noisy trumpet in the basement. I remind him that there is more for us to do upstairs, where it’s brighter, and we could make stuff work better. Especially without that noisy trumpet.

Is That All There Is?

By now I suspect that many have been watching/reading/listening to the news– especially since the Jr Don email bombshell– and have been hearing The Godfather Waltz (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPskYVBqdNw) in their heads. The Jr/Fredo connection seemed obvious.

An equally apt, if not even better comparison, was made between Jr and Gob Bluth (Will Arnett’s character on Arrested Development—also a perfect title for these days). I hear that ukulele every time I see Jr Don.

Let’s create a Playlist for this ever unfolding story! You could add songs by category:

James Bond Theme Songs:

From Russia With Love
The Spy Who Loved Me
A View To a Kill
Skyfall

TV Show Theme Songs:
Get Smart
Family Guy
Arrested Development

Beatles Songs:

Please Please Me
Do You Want to Know a Secret?
Help
Baby You’re a Rich Man
Back in the USSR
Helter Skelter

Classics:

Anything Goes
I Wanna Be Loved By You
Is That All There Is
Unforgettable
Shake Rattle and Roll
Who’s Sorry Now
A Beautiful World

And more:

Signed Sealed Delivered
Gimme Some Truth
Upside Down
Burnin Down the House
Say You Say Me
Whatcha Gonna Do For Me
Thriller
Chain Gang
It’s No Crime
What Have You Done For Me Lately
Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For

You get the idea. Now add your songs to the Playlist in the comments here or on the FB post. Feel Free to add links to (g-rated) videos.
Play nicely. Let’s create a (g-rated) soundtrack for this Glass Onion of a story.

Reality Winner

Drip drip drip..… Leaking sludge..… Quietly exposing naked truth….. Releasing the fluid nature of hidden conflicts, shady relationships, questionable connections, while trustworthy historical international alliances, treaties, and accords are disparaged.

Trickle down economics doesn’t work, but trickling droplets of actual occurrences, conversations, meetings, statements, and other pesky facts, are puddling and flooding airwaves, bandwidth, eyes and ears.

Each daily shocking revelation is really no surprise; just a bit more proof of what so many suspect and are eager to lay bare. What seems so obvious must still be uncloaked, and we have procedures and laws which must be followed.

It has become difficult to sustain patience in the era of the tweet; just ask POTUS Trump. But reality will trump Trump.

Reality Winner, the prescient name of the first leaker of the Trump presidency to be arrested, exposed a top-secret intelligence report detailing Russian meddling in the American election from within a national security complex and sent it to The Intercept. But consider that this 25 year old woman is but one of over a million people with top secret clearance who have access to government secrets due to the post 9/11 expansion of security agencies.

Reality Winner is facing a difficult road ahead after her arrest. Yet, Reality Winner may just be the meta name of this era—not Trump.

History Buffed

I’m surprised he didn’t say Michael Jackson. Or Janet Jackson. Or Jermaine Jackson. Or even Glenda Jackson.

In an interview yesterday, POTUS Trump wondered why the Civil War wasn’t “worked out” and suggested that Andrew Jackson, who died 16 years before the war started, could have prevented the most horrific war in U.S. History. Oh, and he neglected to mention the word slavery, among any other facts.

The POTUS Trump’s ignorance is staggering, and his ability to “tell it like it is” is actually a pathetic display of what little ability he has to speak beyond childish simple phrases (albeit with unwarranted arrogance instead of naïveté). This is not merely about not being a great speaker, (which he thinks he is). This is about inadequacy, incompetence, indifference, and idiocy.

This is real news, (and yet, is this really news?), and real history. The POTUS is about making history, and The POTUS TRUMP is all about being an historic figure (although, he will probably remain historic for all the wrong reasons). I never expected any POTUS to be an historian, but I do expect presidential candidates, much less THE POTUS, to be real students of History.

But this POTUS is always distracted and seeks bright, shiny objects (and “Strongmen” where he has business interests). And where luster begins to fade (in his case, knowledge and ability), he buffs it up. Of course any kid who has ever taken an AP U.S. History exam knows, the causes of the Civil War is an essential question/prompt. Actually, every child learns about the causes of the Civil War in elementary school, before tackling the complexities of the conditions preceding the war in more sophisticated high school history classes. This POTUS really is like the Emperor With No Clothes. He is in the buff. He’s no history buff; just nakedly foolish and impetuous, caring only about enriching himself and his family, while feigning Populism.

How many history buffs will be created as a result of this latest ridiculousness? I hope many. What has happened here, and is happening around the world, is an obliviousness to History’s lessons. Those who rightfully feel like Democracy is not delivering fast enough, or the downsides of Globalism and Immigration, as well as technological advances that render many jobs obsolete, have reason to be frustrated and concerned. Legitimate concerns need not deligitimize all of reality, including institutions and forces that have many dimensions, and understanding actual trajectories and consequences, rather than fantasies.  This POTUS and others who claim a similar “Populist”/nativist appeal like to think that their personal histories are the most important, and that problems need not be complex. It’s so simple. Just ask the history buffs.

Who Knew?

Who knew “that healthcare could be so complicated”?

Who knew that deportation edicts could cause chaos and inspire hate?

Who knew that experience matters?

Who knew that respect is useful?

Who knew that disrespectful words and actions could yield hateful words and actions, and threatening and criminal behavior?

Who knew that racism was institutional?

Who knew that misogyny is alive and well?

Who knew that ultra-nationalism and xenophobia would resurface?

Who knew that anti-semitism didn’t die with Hitler?

Who knew that one’s personal gender definition and sexual preference would threaten others?

Who knew that differences could strengthen us and elevate us?

Who knew that hate always lurks under the surface?

Who knew that the press is the enemy?

Who knew that public radio, television, schools, and bathrooms are threatening?

Who knew that National Parks are unAmerican and a waste?

Who knew that Climate Change is real?

Who knew that alternative facts were made up?

Who knew that facts are facts, and that they matter?

Who knew that wars were always won?

Who knew that friends and family loyalty would be a potential problem for governing the USA?

Who knew that Republicans would turn a blind eye to Russian interference in our election?

Who knew that business deals can be a conflict of interest with politics?

Who knew that Democrats could be so ineffective and uninspiring?

Who knew that the term “working class” often refers to white people?

Who knew that teachers matter?

Who knew that the arts are essential to education and humanity?

Who knew that the sciences are essential to education and humanity?

Who knew that health is a right, and an essential part of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?

Who knew that infrastructure would be so expensive?

Who knew that American-made would be costly?

Who knew that anyone, and any family in any and every community in the US can be afflicted by drugs and addiction?

Who knew that “The American Dream” was always a dream without consistent effort and reinforcement?

Who knew that cultural divisions would drive politics and governance?

Who knew that Democracy requires education, access, vigilance, tolerance, honesty, equality, and balance of power?

Who knew that a white billionaire developer’s hiding his tax returns before becoming POTUS would not be questioned, but a black senator’s birth certificate would be demanded after he became POTUS?

Who knew that W’s words would be welcome now?

Who knew that Moonlight was the best picture, not La La Land?

Who knew that not normal is normal?

Who knew? It’s simple: it’s complicated.

Control -Alt -Delete

I have long thought that Donald Trump wanted to return to an alternative version of the 1990s—not the 1980s ( when Trump Inc built gaudy buildings and he became a loud-mouth celebrity of sorts); nor the 1950s—that vanilla era of seeming harmony and affluence, when Father knew Best, and Westerns dominated tv (and the issues of civil rights and women’s rights were simmering beneath the frothy surface).

The 1960s, of course, would not be the Don’s optimal back to the future decade. It was then that he avoided serving, obtaining 4 deferments, ultimately keeping him from going to Vietnam.

The turbulence of the 60s and 70s were not his bag. He began working for his father, and by 1971 took over the real estate firm and expanded it exponentially, for hundreds of businesses and partnerships.

But the 1990s….now there’s a decade to which he seems to want to return. He could Delete the Clintons, and restore an Alternative version, where he could Control the media (especially using 21st century Twitter). So far, he has sought to correct political correctness—that 90s term— by Alternatively spewing hateful, cruel, or at best, thoughtless phrases. The Contract with America will get an Alt-Right update with Trump. As long as he is in Control, (and Republicans Control both houses), the Alt-Right will Delete whatever it can.

The 90s… We were not deeply embroiled in wars and our economy was strong, and to most, felt strong. Law and Order reigned supreme. (Never mind the consequences over the last 3 decades.) The Militia movement became a thing. The President could get impeached for a sex scandal and remain in office. Microsoft was dominant. And of course, with the collapse of Communism, Russia could be our new friend.

Enter Trump. In the Trump universe of “truthful hyperbole” or Kellyanne Conway’s “alternative facts”, anything goes—especially facts. This administration is desperate to Control or provide “Alternative”, or just Delete facts that are unappealing.

The Women’s March on Saturday, an historic event in the USA and around the globe, was not only remarkable in its numbers, but in its inclusion, peace, and joy. Everywhere, participants seemed to share the same experience. Women organized a march (and satellite marches and rallies) that encouraged participation, expansion, opportunities, concern for one another, and responses to the insults and invective that Mr. Trump has hurled, especially at women. This was not merely “identity politics”, another throwback term. This was a statement of solidarity that we can do better—all of us— on a range of issues.

Communities everywhere were invigorated. Individuals were energized. The tone everywhere was positive and aspirational, in stark contrast to the “American Carnage” Inauguration speech delivered just the day before. But Trump and his spokespeople insisted on the new Control Alt Delete in response: Determined to assert Control by insisting on “Alternative Facts” and even deleting unappealing information.

Today, the Trump administration issued a gag order to the Environmental Protection Agency, instructing the EPA not to discuss a recent freeze on grant funding and forbidding the U.S. Dept of Agriculture from releasing “public-facing documents”. No tweeting, National Parks!

This Control Alt Delete strategy is Orwellian and feels utterly Anti-American, not retro. Trump proclaimed his Inauguration a “National Day of Patriotic Devotion”. His charge that day and his Control Alt Delete actions every other minute are the antithesis of the patriotic devotion that I experienced and witnessed on Saturday. And I have never felt more patriotic devotion than I did that day.

Diversity became pluralism. Liberty (not mentioned in the inaugural speech) was petitioned for all. Excellence in our institutions, not dismantling them, was being insisted upon. Community engagement and action opportunities were provided. And the truth was in the facts.

Control Alt Delete won’t make America great again. But a new movement is afoot that just might.

Sign of the Times

Today I noticed this sign on my morning walk. I had never noticed it before, and I walk the same route daily.

Rarely do we look for signs (other than street names telling us where we are). But 2017 started with some very ominous signs: A threat to gut the House Ethics Committee, which was then immediately reversed after a Trump tweet; Trump disregarding Intelligence (yes, I said that).He has brushed aside reports on Russian hacking and our election, and has been cozying up to Julian Assange, Dr. Evil of Wikileaks. Sure, it’s more of the same–only moreso .

The vitriol and lack of decency– much less, common decency– is standard.  Hey grownups: Forget Simon Sinek’s explanation of what’s wrong with Millenials. Adults seem to have lost their way (and many seem to have lost their minds). It’s the grownups who need more discipline and direction.

I can disagree and prefer a different path without being discourteous in public.  I can also share the path with those approaching from the opposite direction. But, I am also acutely aware of those who disregard decency (and Intelligence). I don’t believe that that path leads toward anything but a dead end.

Take heed of the signs. There is much positive work to be done. And please be courteous–share the path!

 

 

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The Hateful ate

I expected a close election, with half of the country to be disappointed. I confess, I had the other half in mind. But either way, there is so much hate. Many are astounded that a man who ran on hate, bigotry, willful ignorance, crudeness, debasement, lack of sophistication, dearth of knowledge, and disregard of facts won the election. He is absolutely hated by so many, but obviously so many others disregarded his blatant narcissism and obnoxious behavior, because they hated the woman who opposed him. They also hated the status quo and wanted change.

Some explained the choice as the lesser of two evils. EVILS. I beg to disagree. Flaws are not evils. Too many no longer make such an important distinction. It is easier to be hateful toward that (or those) with whom we might disagree or even profoundly disagree.

Now, though, we have a country that “understands” (assumes) that hate is somehow brilliant politics. It defeats compromise (and even decency) and efforts to include an array of concerns. Hate disguised as authenticity or political or economic philosophy wins.

But hate doesn’t really win. It infects. The hate perpetrated against Obama, rather than any attempts to compromise or meet real people’s real needs, rendered our government practically impotent. Opposition to the point of doing nothing was more important than the messiness of imperfect policies or the ongoing work necessary for better solutions.

Hate has been a galvanizer of support for a very long time.

Our electorate has become a hatefulate, but everyone sees hate in the other side.

After perpetrating hate for so very long, the electorate has increasingly chosen to fragmentate and look to associate with those who hate the same stuff that they do. We communicate and concentrate amongst our own kind, and denigrate those with whom we can not seem to commiserate. We over -saturate and self-medicate.

I don’t mean to pontificate (well, maybe I do), but how can we graduate from being a hatefulate? The rhetoric of hate takes many forms. Some rhetoric and ideas are indeed hateful and absolutely shameful. We are a nation that has a horrific history of hate and exclusion, that has slowly transformed toward inclusion and opportunity, but not without hate. We have to reckon with being a hatefulate while saying how much we love Democracy and all the greatness of the U.S. We must look at ourselves, and the ease with which we dispense hate.

I too hate bigotry and misogyny, and injustice of any kind. I hate rudeness, and bullying, and obstinacy. I hate willful ignorance, and cruelty and disrespect. But I need to not be hateful. I see so much hatefulness even for good ideals. The hatefulness must be tempered.

We are a hatefulate as much as we are an electorate, employing hate as a means to win. I have to be hopeful, despite my overwhelming concerns. There is so much work we can do to improve matters, and people’s lives. And as individuals, we need to look at our own hatefulness, even if we are publicly polite. Hate has tremendous energy that can be toxic. It is easy to seize that energy to “win”. The sense of loss is what keeps driving hate. But the hatefulate really does lose. That’s US.

Base Ick

I have a confession. I have not watched a single debate this election cycle. I have always sought to be a good citizen, engaging in issues and participating civically. In fact I was drawn to teaching middle and high schoolers as a means to social/cultural and political/civic change. I always encouraged students to watch the debates and read newspapers. We would debate issues and discuss the debates. It was always a part of civic engagement. This year, though, I couldn’t . I wouldn’t.

With the immediacy of the internet and social media, the opportunity to get an up close look at the presidential candidates in real time seems to happen every moment of every day. The debates seem almost anachronistic to me. They are a tradition that seems to be less relevant as a litmus test of governance, than as a WWE match. These debates reinforce the worst. Of course, no doubt this year it is because of Trump, the anti-politician who has demeaned politics, and everyone and everything.

Of course I have read and watched recaps and analysis the next day, and even during the primaries when the first Democratic debate was substantive, I was not compelled to watch. The reality show that was unreal on the Republican side was easy for me to resist. I could be informed within hours, without needing Maalox.

Without enumerating the litany of disqualifiers that should have long ago eliminated Trump, I am frustrated that for so many election cycles, perhaps this one even more, the campaigns are played to the base. And what an apt term “base” is.
Base can refer to the foundation or starting point; that which (or in this case, those who) support the work (or organization). The base is a conceptual structure or entity upon which something is dependent. Sometimes, the base refers to a substance. In this case, the base  is not about substance. In our politics, the base is about ideology; but mostly it’s about anger and hate. It is worth noting that the base is the bottom.

Of course, as an adjective, “base” means without moral principles; lowly. Hmmmm……

The efforts of politics are directed mostly at the base. During the campaign, it is about garnering support from the base (i.e. strengthening the base), and then playing to the “undecideds”. These uncommitted voters are a tiny swath of the American electorate, and yet their votes are clamored for in the most outrageous, despicable ways, further separating politics from governance, much less from civility. The control of our politics is based on those who are uncommitted or possibly undecided.

We have been living in the gutter during this unbearable election season. Baseless comments, even fact-checked, get repeated and used to rile up anger and hate. Facts seem meaningless. Facts should be basic to decision making regarding our government, especially the presidency. But we are stuck having to try to not look at the disgusting politics, much less the disgusting speech and gestures that have captured this election cycle more than ever. What could be more base than misogyny, racism, jingoism, insulting veterans and their families, insulting disabled people, threats of violence or lack of due process, not paying taxes, taking advantage of workers, students, denying environmental threats…..and that’s not even mentioning the verbiage.

Our democratic principles are based on human dignity and decency.  Right now it’s back to base icks.