Trump

Tariffied

The duty-free

presidency,

except

to his own

constituency

of sycophancy,

who stigmatize

and compartmentalize,

can’t help

but

antagonize

for the

ego prize

and power.

Self aggrandizing,

without compromising,

he’s tariffizing

because 

he can.

It’s hard

to know

how this

will go

and lead

to a reasonable

end.

And while

we’re on

the subject

of ending,

he’s sending

every hint

that his stint

as POTUS
will be continuous-

his happily

ever 

after.

At least

Corey

Booker

and his 

filibuster

took some

attention

away from

the Trump

bluster

to muster

energy-

the longest

in history-

to stand 

up and

be heard.

The absurd

tariff policy

will directly

affect

everybody,

although

obviously,

some

much more 

harshly

than others.

In his own

duty-free

universe,

only

the perverse

can reverse

what’s

been built

without guilt

as long

as his support

remains

strong.

But the insistence

of the resistance

requires

persistance.

That’s how

they brought

us here,

now tariffed.

Never Mind

If Bush’s

Brain

was nicknamed

Turd Blossom,

then what should

The Boss Man

name

the insane

DOGE guy,

Trump’s

AI?

Musk Rat?

That lacks 

the punch

that

“Turd Blossom”

packs.

But the

so-called

genius serial

entrepreneur

will demur

to the hefty

jefe

the way

they all do,

regardless

of epithet

or slur

that did

ever

occur,

because

each one

consolidates

power.

Forget

their heartless-

ness;

their mindless-

ness

is worse.

The curse

of these 

billionaires

now running

the show

and showing

US

how to ruin

everything,

is their

lack 

of understanding,

never mind

caring.

The genius

of The US

has been

the power

of grace

and plurality

in our polity

and collective 

identity;

in reality,

literally

work

in progress.

Not to digress,

but I suggest

that these

unstable

geniuses’

malfeasances

will be

not exactly

what they

have

in mind.

They never

consider

what isn’t 

for them.

They are not

US.

Trump’s

artificial

intelligence

shows his

allegiance

with 

a chain saw.

How macho

the show,

that will

grow

like a weed,

until

they succeed

in nothing

but bloodletting.

Aiding

and abetting

seems like

getting

and keeping

more power,

never mind,

financial

gain.

But the 

economic

drain

won’t retrain

the mind

of this

wrecking

crew.

It’s what

they do,

never mind

what

they can

afford.

They hoard

and demand

for some

grand

faux theory

of efficiency,

by the 

least

efficient

faux

omniscient 

president

and co-

to co-

opt

it all

until

the fall,

which,

I wonder

if they

will ever

mind.

The Enemy of The Good

Forget

perfect.

The enemy

of the good

stood

in front

of the world

and hurled

lies

whopper

size.

The prize

denies

safety and

security

and the maturity

of institutions

for the immaturity

of the delusions

of grandeur.

To be sure,

the loyal

opposition

is in no

position

to continue

the sad

display

of cosplay-

so yesterday.

The enemy

of the good

has withstood

nearly

everything,

and the best

we can bring

are pink

and mini signs

and yelling?

We could

learn 

a thing

or two

from those

who

craft

creatively.

The artistry

is in the policy,

not the display

of crazy

on the floor.

We may be

our own 

worst enemy

unless

you forget

the enemy

of the good.

When people

forget

to bet on

the good,

for the sake

of the image

of strength,

the length

he’ll go

could forgo

what we know

and depend

upon.

For one

whose

encouragement

rests upon

punishment,

we can imagine

the torment.

But mere

lament

is losing

our way.

Who’s to

say what

will work?

But I know

what doesn’t.

It’s not a good

look

to use

the old

playbook,

when the guy

who reads

the room

better than

you assume,

suggests

the good guys

are the enemies.

Much 

has been said

about what

has lead

to now. 

How 

could

we maintain

the good

when the enemy

of the good

is the status quo?

Strip Tease

In addition 

to deportation

threats 

and ridiculous 

tariffs,

then paying off

and laying off

professional

civil servants;

cutting off

contagion 

deterrents,

the Gaza plan

to rid

each Palestinian

from the strip

is bound to please

no one.

So why the tease?

To create unease

from the diseased

mind

of this president.

As Elon 

steals 

private data,

and the country

reels

from threats on

Gaza,

there’s buy in

on the buy outs

by the louts

who think 

they’re dude-licious.

They are malicious

and they revel

in their level

of audaciousness.

Stripping

government 

agencies

of employees, 

money,

and people’s

tax ids,

seem to be

terrible

policies,

much less

an incredible

display

of heinousness.

He knows

how slowly

our system

moves

as he proves

he can force

the course

of events.

The remnants

of the GOP

in congress

abide

willingly.

It worked

with Dobbs,

as he robs

the country

of morality

and integrity,

in the name

of liberty,

stripping

down

to barely

function,

claiming

victory.

It’s only

early

February.

The master

of mutual

approval

loves

removal

to show

he’s 

the  boss.

The loss

is ours

if we

just watch

him peel

each article

away.

That’s What She Said

In a play

of morality

the other 

day,

a display

of truth

entered

the interfaith

service;

a great

service

to the country 

and to

humanity,

but not

to the mendacity

of the new

administration.

Bishop Budde

plead

for mercy

on behalf

of those

threatened

by executive

orders.

In the corridors

of religion

her decision

to confront

the affront

to decency,

magnificently

reflected

with clarity

the necessity

of and for

dignity,

honesty,

and humanity.

Obviously

aggrieved,

Vance

shook his head,

disagreed,

as his boss,

ever

resentful

and always

peeved,

later

demanded

an apology.

Christian

conviction

finally

gave voice

when Trump

had no

choice

but

to hear

her 

(and our) prayer.

His greatest 

care

was being

dissed, 

his ring

not kissed,

and boy,

was he

PISSED!

Also amidst

the insanity

that is officially

this presidency

the “MAGA GRANNY”,

as she

has been

dubbed,

snubbed

the president

and his pardon,

speaking

truth 

to power.

A rioter

on 1/6/21

she received

a pardon

for her conviction

after serving

60 days

behind

bars.

Pamela Hemphill

has endured

the horrible,

after suggesting

that Trump

is a criminal.

She admitted

she committed

a misdemeanor

to which 

she plead

guilty.

She served

her time

for her crime,

and now

suggests

she was

gaslit.

She thought

she knew

what was

true,

until

she broke

from groupthink.

Out from 

the clink

she warned

others

not to drink

the Koolaid.

Unafraid,

she shared

her story

and continues

to face

the daily

onslaught

of anger.

The real

danger

to Trump

and MAGA
is truth

and authenticity,

and the critically

powerful

women

unofficially 

(politically speaking)

speaking out.

No doubt,

they and others

will receive

threats

or tests.

They spoke

the truth

and invoked

a spark

of inspiration.

This administration

will fail,

because truth

will prevail

even when 

hushed

or temporarily

crushed.

(Even in Russia!)

Just remember:

that(’s)

what 

she said.

His Truth is Marching On

The Golden Age

of guiltless

gilt

is again

the rage

as the pendulum

tilts

away from

moderation.

The pull 

of bull*#@!

and excess

never felt less

tension

in an ongoing

extension,

despite apprehension,

of our historical

monarchical

attraction.

It’s the trappings

and happenings

of power

and endless

stuff

that make 

it so easy

to declare,

“enough

with compromise!

Super size

me!”

More 

is better. 

Greed is 

good.

Look 

what’s

happened

to 

the neighborhood.

Intrinsic

to our politics

and capitalistic

society,

is all consuming

consuming

all

mixed with

hypocritical

piety.

It always

feels worse,

this curse

of ours,

wanting

more

to store

or spend

at the expense

of innocence.

Alongside

the tide

of excessive

pride

and greed

is our 

profound

need

for individual

priority.

And now

notoriety 

is an identity

politics

crisis.

Attempts

at opportunity

for historically

oppressed

minority

communities,

is seen

as threatening

the integrity

of the 

majority

impending minority.

And how

best

to best

the rest

of us?

Outrage

us

with outrageousness

and muss

with the truth

regardless.

Some youth 

know this;

others don’t

access

facts,

much less

analysis.

And as youth

would

have it,

an easy

fix

is to nix

what’s been

and fall

in line

with rebellion.

Anger 

is simple

and made

pure

by

being sure

of owning

the truth.

Maybe

it’s not

youth

so much

as the immature

who wield

such power,

led

by that

towering

inferno.

Battle him!

For the sake

of the republic!

Remaining

democratic

is not automatic.

It requires

an all hands

on deck.

Advice and Consent

The trouble

with a pass

for past

transgressions,

including

aggressions

sexual-

non-consensual,

is the essential

foundational

understanding

of power

structure.

A financial

agreement

may quiet

the chatter,

but the matter

still matters

even when

the accused

has denied 

it.

3 nominees

for cabinet

appointees

have had

involvement

and/or charges

of sexual

misconduct.

Leading defense,

justice, 

and education

these department-

head 

potentials

without

credentials

beyond

loyalty and fealty,

in reality

have each

been accused

of having known,

paid off,

and/or

abused

women

and/or

children.

Is Trump 

getting advice

or just

ignoring

the vice

for which

he’s been

found

to be

a criminal?

Gaetz 

withdrew

as he knew

that gory 

detail

of his 

chasing

young tail

and paying

everyone

would derail

his nomination.

It remains

to be seen

if claims

against

Hegseth,

possible

Secretary

of Defense,

who insists

his

innocence,

saying 

there was

consent,

will prevent

his confirmation.

And the latest

revelation

about the 

top education

spot

is not 

befitting of

that 

or any

position.

The wrestling

McMahons

were named

in a lawsuit

that claimed

they failed

to stop

their announcer

from grooming

and sexually

abusing

boys

in the 80s

and 90s.

Knowingly

negligent

allows

empowerment,

including

payment

for 

behavior

abhorent.

3 nominees

in a week

who seek

power,

lose 

stature

hour by hour.

Or do they

stay

around

in the background

doling

advice

with the

consent

of the president-

elect?

Trump

will protect

Trump,

and remain

obtuse

on abuse,

except

if the effect

will infect

his standing.

Somehow

he escapes

accountability,

but the probability

of others

is another

story.

Now he’s got

Bondi,

the blondie

AG

from FL.

To hell

with the

rest.

Remember,

Be Best.

He’ll consent

to advice

to entice

despite

choosing

poorly

thrice.

There’s

little

to no

price

to pay

now.

Ed. McMahon

No,

not that one

next to Carson;

but the one

tapped to run

The Department

of Education.

Her association

with the WWE,

heading

the entertainment

promotion

company

was her claim

to fame,

and her name

long

linked

with the guy’s

whose instinct

has always been

akin

to wrestling.

A lover 

of spectacle

of the not respectable,

Trump’s

BFF

is selected

to ref

the referendum

on education.

The McMahon

pick

for Secretary

of Education

has nary

a hint

of a stint

as an 

educator,

but has been

an administrator

of sorts.

She led

the Small

Business 

Administration

during 

Trump’s first 

administration,

stepping down

in 2019.

She chose

her lane

behind the scene,

helping maintain

his re-election

campaign 

and then 

became

chair 

of the super PAC,

America First

Action.

More recently,

prepping 

for another

Trump

presidency,

she chaired

the America First

Policy Institute

which sought

to contribute,

like the Heritage 

Foundation’s

Project 2025 

preparation,

outlined

policies

for federal 

agencies

shifting

priorities,

including

the teaching

of history.

It’s no 

mystery

why 

I 

(who taught

history)

am wrestling

with 

how best

to deal

with this

real threat

while maintaining 

sanity,

as eliminating

and vanity

are the principals

of the strategy.

So the World

Wrestling

Entertainment

chief

shares the belief

with Betsy DeVoss

that the boss

of the department

of ed.

should be led

by someone

who 

has few,

if any,

ties

to education,

and seeks

to dismantle

it’s administration,

stating

that educating

belongs 

as an issue

for the states.

We’ll see 

how that goes.

But Trump 

knows

and shows

that

he loves

the undereducated.

The Pearly Gaetz

Clutching pearls,

swirls of shock

over the king

of schlock’s

sick picks

to stick

it to

who

ever

he can,

there’s 

consensus

that he’s 

doing what

he said

when he

ran.

Now we’ve got

Gaetz ,

who ingratiates,

insinuates,

conflates,

debates….

the perfect

sycophant

intransigent

who kept 

Kevin McCarthy

at bay

and had 

his day

and night

in the limelight.

Apparently,

it’s loyalty

that qualifies

one

to be

Attorney

General,

no matter

how incredible

or un-credible

the selection.

An ethics

investigation

for sex trafficking

and obstruction

of justice

is just

so last

administration.

Deposing

The Speaker

showed that

the weaker

are the ones

who run

from

Trump. 

What looks

like cowardice

to me

will now 

lead Justice

as  chief

Attorney,

although

he barely

practiced 

law.

With his

shiny

teeth and hair

and not

a care

for decency,

his lust

for power

or just

luster

as the guy

who will

try

anything,

giving him

the bling

in the Trump

ring,

the gates

are open.

Along with

Tulsi

directing

national intelligence,

the oxi-

morons

pile up.

We’re a part

of the global

warming trend

toward “strong

men”;

a reminder

that artificial

intelligence

demands

astronomical

energy.

The synergy

within

the incoming

administration

is like everything

shocking

but not surprising.

With the stench

of Musk

reeking,

wreaking

pain

with insane

people

who are

his personal

best,

the country

now waits

at 

the pearly

Gaetz’

department

of justice

for the 

ridiculous,

now serious.

Lost in the Woulds

Would that the first

First

Gentleman-

Elect

reflect

the scope

of change

and hope

and range

we thought

we ought

to be celebrating

after electing

the first 

Black-Asian-

American

woman

POTUS…..

we would

still

be terrified

about 

a result

denied

and would

be bracing

for 

more

terror.

Would

this moment

become

some

abberation

or recalibration

or decimation?

Would we

continue

as who

we thought

we ought

to be

or would

we flee?

Would

chicken eggs

be worth

more than 

human

eggs

without

Citizens

United

and the Supreme

Court determined

to abort

women’s 

reproductive

healthcare

everywhere?

Now that 

we are getting

a sequel,

we would

have 

insured

a different

prequel.

America

the beautiful

is full

of ugly

Americans

full

of greed

who concede

racism

and misogyny

and who 

need 

to be freed

of their pain.

What seems

insane

and inane

to half

of us

doesn’t

matter

to the rest.

Who would

have thought

we’d fail

the test

of what

we were

taught

to matter?

I am sadder

that we 

are so 

desperately

lost,

than angry,

though

admittedly

somewhat

scared.

I guess

my anxiety

prepared

me

a bit

for what

would

have never

been

imagined

until

recently.

The fantasy

of individuality

and “Don’t

Tread on Me”

will always

be

selective.

It’s the stupid

economy,

I hate to say,

that seems

to sway

the most.

We’ve lost

our way

when 

we would

rather

say anything

and do

anything,

no matter

how harmful,

because 

we are

so broken.

Everyone

is broken.

This would

not be

a revelation

had this

election

gone differently.

But apparently,

breaking

bad

with a mad

man

(and lots of

angry

men

and the women

who support

them)

is where 

we are

no matter

how far

gone

we have

lost

ourselves

in the

woulds.