“No Man is an island”… except for Trump!

When all of the world should be coming together, Donald Trump exhibits behavior that seems to be pulling us apart or at least from our Allies. Focusing on fear, embellished with lies, he tweets his nonsensical statements, almost sounding as though the words just flowed without thinking. Each time he does it he diminishes his credibility, until one day he will just be the little boy who cried wolf. When he finally does give a credible statement, if ever, no one will be there to believe it. Flexing his muscles has only accomplished “Make America Great Again” closer to being “Making America Alone” and we all know that as humans, we don’t do well without communication with others, as so with countries. Our Alliances since WWII have grown and given the dark side of the World a sense that we are stronger together both militarily and economically. Deals between countries are not decided by one person, but by the needs and advice of others. Plowing into NATO and pulling out of a voluntary agreement, The Paris Accord,  established for the betterment of the air we breathe and the longevity of our planet are just two more steps to loneliness for the USA.

“No Man is an Island,” a poem written by John Donne, meaning that human beings do not thrive when isolated from others. These words are also taken from the Bible, expressing the need for others. Whether it be humans, animals, or countries existing side by side, the need for communication is necessary for a nurturing existence. Trump, alone in his office or bedroom, being that his tweets are usually at some ungodly hour, sets off the tone of our country.  The world is listening, not just his base, and soon they will have a deaf ear.

Ignorance-Power-Blackmail…One, Two or all Three!

Those three words keep swirling around in my mind, thinking it is so simple to figure out the answer to this bad dream more than half of our country is experiencing on a daily basis. I know we, the so-called “Liberal Dems,”  are being blamed for having a “Sour Grapes” attitude ever since the surprise outcome of the 2016 presidential election declaring Donald J Trump 45^th President of the USA. That, however, is the excuse Republicans or Trump supporters use to overcome their own guilt of electing a man who has clearly shown behaviors depicting ignorance, abuse of power or even so far as one who is being blackmailed. 

Maybe all three reasons are contributing to his bizarre actions most recently displayed on his trip abroad when meeting our European Allies. First, the push and shove of the Prime Minister of Montenegro just to get up in front, turning, fixing himself and smiling, not realizing his bully style behavior was caught on camera clear as day. I was sickened when I saw this, but not as much as when I heard him speak to our allies in a condescending manner. Again, those three words keep popping up. Could it be ignorance, power, or just appeasing our adversaries, as in Russia, because of something they have on him or his administration, also called blackmail? 

 These are not the feelings of a “Liberal Dem,” rather the feelings of a concerned citizen who sees our Democracy slowly being dismantled, a word used frequently by Steve Bannon, Trump’s Chief Political Strategist. Scary stuff is happening every day with news coming from everywhere, but that does not seem to matter with this diehard group that simply supports, unwaveringly, an administration that has played with a continuously growing book of lies, led by a President who has a limited vocabulary at best, a weird relationship with Russia, a hidden income tax agenda, shaded business dealings filled with lawsuits up the kazoo, questionable belief in climate change, being that he is considering cutting us off from the Paris Agreement, a catastrophic decision if finally made. Republicans had better face the facts, the real facts; that this storybook romance they have is going to end, but not happily ever after! 

Trump Stew…Old Family Recipe!

Trump Stew…Old Family Recipe!

235 lbs. (approximate) Donald J Trump

1 whole Steve Bannon (a little tough)

1 whole Jared Kushner (no added taste)

1 whole Michael Flynn (sour)

1 whole Sean Spicer (nothing to speak of)

Dash of:  Jeff Sessions-Eric Trump-Donald Trump Jr. (just more of the same)

A pinch of Ivanka (for looks)

Optional – Melania Trump (for style)

Big League Brand / Bag of Lies (can be generic)

Most Important: Dressing must be Russian (thickens the Stew)

Preparation time can vary; 130 days to 4 years!

Mix all ingredients together making sure nothing escapes!

Chef Trump requests a Teflon Pan so that nothing will stick… with high heat …a must!

Not to worry, it doesn't matter how long it cooks…it will never get overdone…or done!

He says none of the ingredients are fake…and that is really news to me!

Trump Stew will stick together with tastes always changing!

Serve, preferably, with a liquid to wash it down because it may be difficult to swallow!

Enjoy!

Linda Gefen  

Undermining Democracy…with Lies!

It’s sad to see the opportunities President Donald J. Trump has let slip through his fingers. President of the United of America as of January 20, 2017, he had the chance to prove himself to both his base and his opposition. He just could not do that. Trump has demons within him, a personality disorder that does not allow him to do what people thought he was capable of doing once elected. They thought he was a genius of sorts because he told them so, through bullying and strong words exemplifying the most unacceptable behavior. I for one was waiting for that pivot everyone spoke about. That Presidential moment when “a man” becomes “the man,” but it never happened. The downward spiral is only the beginning for this President. When a man thinks everyone else is wrong other than him and tries to prove it with lies and more lies, implicating people who have exemplary past history, the sham becomes evident and talk of impeachment becomes real.

I still have hope in our democracy to overcome the cancer that is chipping away at its existence. Time is of the essence, and as it goes, he is digging fast and furious soon to reach China, as I used to think when I dug a hole at the beach as a child. My mother used to say, “You are digging so deep, soon you'll reach China.” Maybe he will!!

The Secret Life of….President Trump!!

In the book, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, the main character is living in a world of fantasy, only seen through his eyes. In his mind, everyday happenings become embellished with elements far different than what everyone else is experiencing.  Of course, being a novel, the author can change or decide on what is next. Donald J. Trump is the author of his very own book, only it is a non-fiction playbook continuously rolling out various versions of his very own fantasies or what the world may consider downright lies. His daily telling tales are getting more bizarre and implicating even to those close to him. Our Whitehouse is living in his secret world!

Unfortunately, our lives are real, and we just can’t stop the days and months from moving forward so we have to take responsible action to make the changes before the changes take us all down a road we cannot recover from. Hearing and seeing the news today is like listening to myself repeat what I have written as well as the words of others as in scholars, authors, doctors, just about anyone who knew Trump in his life before being elected, I am sorry to say, President of the United States of America. His web of lies has grown to a level of total disbelief. He is like quicksand; waiting to gobble everyone up just to keeping the truth about his unscrupulous life both in business and private from becoming public

Faster than the speed of light...

I guess Trump is running the government like he runs his businesses. Get away with as much as you can under the law, legal, but close to the wire. Pushing through a so called "New and Improved" Healthcare Act without scoring, as we usually do, is beyond reproach. Those who approve it will have to live with the consequences for a very long time, as well as the public who are the recipients of this probable abomination of legislation. They couldn't wait to do it, just to give a pumped up high, like that of a druggie, to our President. Surely it will lead to the falling of the Republican Party. I should be happy, as I am a proclaimed Democrat, but on the contrary, I am saddened by this debacle. 

They say it is a done deal. Shame on them if it is!

Time Flies...with a little help!

Although it feels like an eternity, Donald J. Trump is already into his 6th #Monthaversary, a word made up to celebrate the anniversary of every month that goes by during the Trump Administration. We have to celebrate eight 6-Monthaversaries, equaling a 4-year presidential term. Now that seems to sound better than 3 1/2 more years. We only have seven more 6 #Monthaversaries to go! Confusing? Anything to make it sound shorter!