Democracy

Right Guard

In that arid,

extra dry

city

of angels,

a legal

and  peaceful

demonstration

met recrimination

by  the criminal

White House.

Sure,

it’s no secret

that any rally

in blue Cali

makes Trump

go bat-bleep crazy.

He picks ICE
to make 

all immigrants

pay a price

which won’t

suffice.

Fake video

seems

to show

the protests

becoming

violent.

It’s the pretext

for

the pretend

savior

to call

the National

Guard.

The guy

who ignored

the pleas

for order

restored

at The Capitol

at the 1/6

insurrection,

has decided

that at 

his direction,

LA

needs

the National Guard

to prove

how right

he is.

But the right

guard

is not hard

to see

particularly

as the citizenry

is mobilized

to demonstrate

for democracy.

The whole 

immigration

situation

needs 

an overhaul.

But not at all

what we’ve 

seen thus far

by this 

White House

reality star.

What’s next?

Will the new

LA Law

be 

martial law

or some straw

man

argument

against

any immigrant

regardless

of how innocent?

There’s more

in store,

you can 

be sure.

It’s enough

to make

you sweat.

Our perspiration

is his

satiation,

and he’ll go

to the nth

degree

as he

disregards

constitutional 

rights,

much less, 

humanity.

Insurance Guise

A search 

is on

for 

the one

with a gun

who

in silence

killed

the insurance

head

of United

HealthCare.

A hit job

like the mob

might execute,

on a blue suited

CEO

feels so

unnerving.

But no more

so

than the swerving

headlines

from the front lines

in South Korea

and France,

where 

we look 

askance

at the dance

of power

grabbing

leaders

and the bottom

feeders

who enable.

Is Democracy

stable

or able

to withstand

such demand

as we see

globally?

There is

an odd

sense 

of masculinity

equated 

with brutality

that we see

clearly,

yet feels

unexpectedly

new.

Frustrated

and castrated,

the unsophisticated,

heavy handed,

strong man

brand

is in demand

(with support

of some

women)

and commanding

center stage.

It’s all the rage.

Literally.

This man’s

world

has unfurled

since the war

on terror,

now 

in the west,

where

the test

of autocracy

(and of course

hypocrisy)

in the guise

of democracy

is proving

all that was

projected.

Be wise

to the 

insurance

guise—

the faux

protector,

deflector,

projector,

denying

necessary

procedures.

The teachers

of history

are a mystery:

the anonymous

populous

who never

gave up

on the insistency

of true democracy.

Faux Finish

Forgive my French

terminology

while exploring

the psychology

of the art of

trompe l’oeil

(sounds like

Trump Ploy).

It’s a trick

of perception;

a bit

of deception

with the intention

of confusion.

The illusion

comes from

the tension

between 

what is real

and what isn’t,

always drawing

attention

to it’s own

chicanery.

Architecturally,

creating 3-D

interiorly,

painting

faux columns

or walls

may not be

exactly

high art.

But faux

finishes

are part

of the art

of deception,

challenging

perception.

Ah….

Voila!

The Trump Ploy

to destroy

includes

not just

enemies

within 

his mind,

but the behind

the scene

design

of a faux

finish.

It will likely

not end

in a couple

of weeks

as he seeks

to paint

objects

as real

and appeal

any objection.

As this election

is his deflection

from crimes

and accountability,

in addition

to voting,

join me

in promoting

democracydocket.com.

Voting rights

and election

litigation

shaping democratic

institutions

should not

be illusions.

Help defeat

the delusions

of the faux finish.

Trump’s Helene

The next Helene

won’t be seen

on doplar 

or radar,

though more

storms 

are in store

for sure.

Our climate

has changed

to an environment

estranged

from sustained

productivity

and health.

The VP

debate

will not 

indicate

much that

we don’t 

yet know.

Hungry

for power,

angry,

and dour,

Vance

will provide

snickers

for the other

boot lickers

as Walz’s

smile

that extends

a mile

will soften

his more

serious

side.

But don’t

be fooled

by the 

ghoulish

tool

who’s

willing to

stand 

in the eye

for the guy

who wants

to be

a Helene.

Flooding

with bluster,

creating

disaster,

devastating

what was

once

thought secure,

he’s sure

of his ability

to evade

responsibility

and focus

on a specific

path.

Disaster relief

will require

belief

that civic

action

matters.

Tonight’s

midwest 

contest

for best

vice

may entice

a few,

but the top

two

is only part

of the crew

to pay 

attention

to.

From school

boards

to courts

and of course

senate

races,

down ballot

places

are essential.

The potential

to mitigate

the next Helene

may not mean

eradicating

storms.

But new norms

and laws

that prevent

descent

into chaos

are up to us

to elect

those who

represent

the majority

whose 

priority

is democracy.

Liz and Dick

No, not those two

that you

may have thought

might still be

tabloid fodder.

Much odder,

it seems,

is the new

dream team

of Liz and Dick

Cheney.

Conservative pols

way down in the polls,

managed to get

people

to hate them.

He’s the

Daddy Darth Vader—

enhanced interrogator—

and she’s 

the daughter

who fought her 

way from

right wing Republican

to democratic citizen

first 

and foremost.

Each one

a hawk

now ready to talk

about voting

for Harris,

The Democrat!

The admission

is now a permission

for others

to vocalize

and mobilize

against Trump.

Say what you will,

it’s still

patriotic

against the despotic

and despicable

guy.

Liz and Dick,

I hope it

sticks,

and kicks

the pants

off MAGA.

Their name

synonymous

with the sonorous

and serious

hard right

might

bring

more of the once

right wing

to vote

for the only

thing that matters

now. 

Liz and Dick!

Whodda thunk it?

I’ll take it!

Marvel Us

As Comic Con 

descends upon

the city

I call home,

super heroes

will be 

in line

for days 

at a time

to get inside

the convention

center.

What a marvel

we get to 

see

as thousands

agree

with decency

and civility

to 

continue

the tradition

with whatever

addition

moves the

conversation

at the convention.

I think you get

where I’m going

here.

It’s clear

the marvel 

happened 

yesterday

when Biden

announced

he’s stepping

away,

so Harris

can earn 

your vote.

The Marvel

Universe

is always 

threatened

by destructive 

forces

and ego.

But the hero

and shero

know

they must go

forward

for

more

than their

own selves.

How marvelous

for us

to witness

what fitness

really means.

The courage

and strength

and great 

length

it took to be

our superhero

of democracy,

without

a stage lit

like a show,

showed

the world

our marvel.

I imagine

his grief

will not be

brief,

but his 

legacy

will be

an inspiration.

I’m so grateful

for this

moment,

and moved

by a torrent

of emotion.

Excitement,

relief,

new-found

belief

that good

could

still

win

over spin,

but also 

compassion

for what must

have been

excruciating

for Biden.

So now

the comical

Comic Con

that will soon

surround me,

will oddly

ground me

in knowing

that real

heros

and sheros

and so much

fantastic

is not made

of plastic

or on green

screen.

It’s democratic;

at times,

dramatic,

a universal

marvel

that is US.

American Dream

Leader

unique 

in our history,

upending

the status

quo 

of politics

and society.

Charismatic.

Inspiring 

a movement.

Protesting

the status

quo.

Calling out

institutions

that have

failed

Americans.

Shifting 

perspective

at home

and around

the globe.

Revered.

Feared.

Cheered.

Jeered.

Creating a

movement

and a moment

of history.

MLK.

DJT.

Both

American

sons.

Both dreaming

of freedom—

one from segregation;

the other

from incarceration.

One marched

to change

laws

to invite

democracy

for all;

the other

threw catsup

on the

walls

after inviting

others

to overthrow

a democratic

election.

One exuded

grace;

the other,

not a trace.

Demonstrable

authority

whose priority

was leading

through

new tactics.

One sermonized;

the other,

demonized

and weaponized—

literally—

by proxy.

Both understood

that violence

could

erupt 

in an instant.

One welcomed

it;

the other

became a victim

of it.

And the one 

who boasts

the most

of anyone

ever,

claims

victimhood

of every 

situation

and

negative

comment

other than 

his own.

One taught

non-violence;

the other 

sought

compliance.

Will DJT

have a

holiday

in his 

memory,

or will

today’s

caucus

in Iowa

be the coldest

reminder

of a chilling

future

that has

no historical

precedence

for presidents

of the United

States

of America?

Don’t 

just 

have dreams.

Take

just

actions

in honor

of MLK Day

today

(and as many

days ahead

as possible).

What 

will

you do?

The Bald Eagle

The Bald Eagle,

that bird

of prey,

is an opportunistic

feeder

swooping down

and snatching

its next

meal.

It builds

the largest

nest

of ANY

ever recorded.

Sexual maturity

is attained

at the age

of 4-5 years.

The Bald Eagle

is not really 

bald,

but actually

“white headed”.

hmmmm…..

So this Big Bird

who disguises

his baldness

with an orangey-

blonde

combover,

has an abundant

food supply

and old growth

trees 

for nesting.

He repeats 

bald-faced 

lies

feigning victimhood

while no

competitors

within his ranks

really

challenge him.

The Eagle has landed

3 indictments

thus far,

while Georgia’s

on my mind.

I’ve never understood

why a predator

would be

revered

as a national 

symbol.

The Bald Eagle

was threatened

with extinction,

but saved 

from it.

Broad wings,

keen sight,

and powerful,

soaring flight,

The Bald Eagle

has been

appropriated

in human 

form

as the predator

that he is:

Not majestic,

but gaudy,

white headed,

building nests 

in the tallest

trees

scraping the sky.

The eagle,

like the lion,

has long 

symbolized

authority

and strength,

much like a king.

Sure,

birdies

and eagles,

just under par,

denote skill.

But the skill

of this

Bald Eagle

who threatens

American Democracy

and feigns

representing it,

is his predatory

nature. 

This Bald Eagle

belongs

in captivity.

Off Spring

This Spring feels way, way off.


Weather aside, 

this season of renewal 

has been one 

of oppression,

even for what has been

a years-long pattern.

The blooming of authoritarianism

and the reemergence

of overt and repressive

racism and misogyny

seems to have started

with the former

guy.

But of course, 

we know,

that like Fox,

the crazy

needs the audience.

And the audience

has been around

for a long time.

The former guy

became known for

Birtherism,

spreading lies 

for the sake

of stirring up

not merely

opposition,

but

racism

and all manners of hate,

against 

President Barak Obama. 

Trump didn’t invent

Birtherism. 

He saturated the media

with false claims

and false questions.

He wanted to be

the guy 

who wrestled

in the ring 

of public discourse,

coarsening 

the conversations

for everyone.

And this birthed

a candidate

which birthed 

a movement 

front and center

of grievance,

lies, oppression,

even violence,

while raising money

and hoarding

and never-ending

shamelessness

(and crimes)

upending 

and threatening

until….

This climate change

has already devastated,

and the pandemic virus

of authoritarianism

is spreading

around the globe. 

Forget 

RINOs,

now there are 

dinos—

democracies

in name

only.

Well, we see

crocuses of justice

beginning to blossom,

but fear

an off-season

frost

may impede 

healthy blooms

of justice

(despite Thomas, et al).

We thought

a Garland

would braid so much

evidence together

after Trump was

leaving such

an obvious mess,

but the pathetic

and yet 

successful

power grabs 

and conspicuous

cruelty 

and despotism

from every level

of government

flagrantly unleashed

upon the 

innocent,

makes me want

to stay

in the fetal position.

But birth

takes labor.

A LOT of labor.

And pushing.

This Spring

feels off, 

and I want

more than 

a break.

The push

toward justice

and accountability

will require

our insistence,

not merely 

watching or

scrolling

news with nausea.

Do something

to let your reps

know that

American democracy,

racism,

misogyny,

violence,

gun safety,

healthcare

(especially for women),

ethics,

justice,

and more,

matter.

This is Spring

training. 

It’s past

time

to get in the game.

Un Tuck It

Letting it all

hang out

doesn’t suit

an outfit

that dresses

up

the truth.

While displaying

contempt

for Dems,

they actually

deride

their own

antidemocratic

followers.

Beneath

the smug

mug

of the elite

of Faux

News,

a frayed

Tucker,

insisted upon

giving

the people

what

they want:

b.

s.

Taking stock

in losing

stock 

in case

the base

flees

from Fox,

the show

must go

on while

the truth

remains

tucked 

away

on the air.

But the Dominion

suit

has exposed

the intentions

to deceive

the Fox

audience,

sustaining

The Big Lie

with no

accountability

unless….

until….

there is more

demand

to Un Tuck It.