Donald Trump Suggests Assassinating Hillary Clinton

There is no other way to say it folks, when the Republican candidate for the president of the United States said yesterday:

“Hillary wants to abolish, essentially abolish the Second Amendment,” Trump said to boos from the crowd.

“By the way, if she gets to pick her judges, nothing you can do folks,” he then added.

“Though the Second Amendment people, maybe there is, I don't know.”

Donald Trump suggested that those "Second Amendment" people should assassinate Hillary Clinton should she be elected president and appoint Supreme Court Justices. 

Donald Trump has disqualified himself as the Republican nominee for president of the United States of America.  

This isn't about Hillary or the Democrats. This is about a man who has proven himself again and again to have the temperament to hold the most powerful position of power in the world. 

It is time for the Republican leaders to take steps to remove Donald Trump as their candidate and replace him with a responsible adult.

The time is now. Trump has caused enough damage in this country. God help us if his careless and thoughtless remarks yesterday result in a tragedy. 

Successful Saturday!

Dressed and ready to go!

Yesterday morning dawned bright and sunny.  I woke up mentally and physically prepared to assault my adjoining residential development of Oyster Rocks.  Yes, your intrepid neighborhood volunteer for the Democratic party was going to take advantage of their neighborhood yard sale and introduce myself.  

I have to admit it was with some trepidation as I dressed in my non-threatening, user friendly outfit of blue pull over sweater, pale yellow shirt, and clean jeans and headed out on foot with my clipboard, name badge and Democrat pin.  Ready to go Ron!

The roads in Oyster Rocks that I walked yesterday - lots of exercise!

I walked from my development which adjoins Oyster Rocks.  Checking my list of names and addresses, I stopped at the first house on my list.  I knock on the door and middle aged gentleman answered the door. I asked if his wife was in.  He said she was but she was busy.  I then identified myself as "Hi!  I'm your neighbor from Covington Chase and I'm the neighborhood volunteer for the Democratic party.  I want to let you know that we're active in the neighborhood and urging all registered Democrats to vote in this year, the off year elections.  Here's my card if you have any questions." 

He took my card and told me they had recently moved into the neighborhood from Maryland.  I told him that I had moved from Pennsylvania to Delaware in 2006.  We thus began a pleasant conversation that lasted about a half an hour.  He took me on a tour of his backyard.  As I was talking with him and going on his tour I noticed more cars and activity around me, as more people were coming into the Oyster Rocks development for the yard sales. I thanked him and excused myself and was on my way.

Oyster Rocks neighborhood yard sale yesterday

Well folks, I won't go through everyone that I saw but I did see a LOT of folks!  I think about twenty-five.  I made a good dent in my list of contacting registered Democrats.  Some just answered the door and I gave them my card.  Some others, like Patty W., was also a passionate Democrat who saw the need for a change and we had long conversations.  So, from 8 am to about 11:30 am I had an extremely productive time introducing my wonderful self to said registered Democrats.  

I was apprehensive about knocking on doors of strangers but it appears my fears were unfounded.  My friend Pat told me that I would more likely make more friends than have a door slammed in my face.  The only negative I had was when I knocked on a door of an older house out on Oyster Rocks Road.  An older lady (older than me so you know that is OLD) answered.  She was reluctant to open the door but I motioned for her to open it so I could give her my card.  After I introduced myself she said, with a scowl on her face, "I hate all politicians! They're all liars!" Hmmm, actually I couldn't totally disagree with her and told her so.  Apparently that broke the ice because we also had a long conversation about local politics, the neighborhood and her family which has been in Sussex County for generations (her daughter and son-in-law lived in the house next to hers).  We ended our meeting with her saying to me "God bless you!"  So what do you think folks?  Could I be one of those lying politicians? Nah, I don't have the temperament.  First, I couldn't and wouldn't lie.  Secondly, I have very little patience with some of the more extreme right wing views and I would vociferously voice my views.

One of the hidden houses on Route One (behind that clump of trees) - I couldn't figure out how to get in

After a very successful morning in Oyster Rocks, I returned home and had lunch and took my daily nap.  Awaking from my nap I was all energized again and decided to stop out on the highway (Route One) and knock on those doors. Well folks, that was a completely different demographic out there.  Registered Democrats for sure but not the "imports" that I was so successfully talking to in the morning in Oyster Rocks.  These folks are the original Sussex County residents, lower on the economic scale and houses not quite so grand as mine and my fellow neighbors in Oysters Rocks.  All the houses except one I didn't get anyone to come to the door.  I know they were there because I saw the pickup trucks their driveway.  Again, just another reminder of how lucky I am to have a nice home among nice friendly folks.  There is definitely a cultural divide down here folks, even among us Democrats. 

Yes Paul Ryan, we Dems are a diverse bunch

Finally Friday

I got my list and I'm ready to go

It's finally Friday!  I just spent the morning transferring the 75 names and 49 addresses from the registered Democratic voters lists that I received last week.  As I mentioned in an earlier post I've been "volunteered" to be the neighborhood volunteer for the local Democratic party.  My first job was to introduce myself to the folks on this list.  

Just what I need, another responsibility.  But the more I think about it I think I'll enjoy this.  I've always been interested in politics (I watch MSNBC all the time just like the good liberal progressive that I am.) I like to meet people.  I like making a difference.  But the question is "Do I have the time?"  I do love my blogging, gardening, taking Bill for rides, taking and organizing my thousands of photos and reading and many other activities.  Plus I have that job at the hotel with I enjoy (most of the time).  

This morning I finished entering all the names and addresses in my computer and I printed out a more manageable list of folks I'm to visit and introduce myself.  But first I have to wash my car.  Won't do to show up in a dirty car.

So I'm off to the car wash and back her for lunch, a nap and then maybe I'll head out this afternoon in the neighborhood behind mind and meet the folks.  Wish me luck!

Me congratulating Delaware Governor Jack Markell on his announcement for support of marriage equality in Delaware

The Conservative Republicans' Delusion

During the Clinton years I had to endure a constant harangue from my conservative Republican friends and family about "The Rapist" (i.e. Bill Clinton) and "The Bitch" (Hilary Clinton).  It got so bad that I hated to visit my Mother and my brother who lived with her because they would work themselves up into quite a lather after listening to Rush Limbaugh.  Hey, I wasn't too thrilled with Clinton either after he double-crossed the GLBT community by signing into the stupid "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law and Defense of Marriage Act.  But that didn't make a difference to them, they felt they had to hold me personally responsible that "The Rapist" was president.  Never mind that the Clinton Years were some of the best for the economy of this country in a generation.  No, the GOP Hate Machine was in full force to delegitimize Clinton by impeaching him.  Of course Clinton was reelected for another four year term thus throwing the Republican Haters into a frenzy of self-delusion.  

After the Clinton eight years we got Bush. Need I say more?  I'm not even going there where that the Republicans probably stole both elections.  Look at the mess Bush Junior left us in,  but not to my conservative Republican friends and family. Soaked in their Fox News paranoia they think all the problem is the Democrats blaming Bush for everything that ever went wrong with this country.  Delusion.

So now we have Barack Obama reelected as president for a second term.  This after four years of the conservative Republicans trying to delegitimize President Obama as a Kenyan, Muslim, Socialist, Hitler, and homosexual.  Delusion.

Barack Obama, only the third president to be reelected with a 50% majority since Ronald Reagan,  the other presidents being Roosevelt and Eisenhower.  

So now I am being bombarded again by some of my conservative Republican friends with their paranoid conspiracy theories that President Obama is a Socialist Muslim Terrorist who stole the election and is hell bent to destroy this country.  The Mau Mau are coming!  

Friends, I have to be blunt here.  I'm 71 years old and frankly, I am tired of fighting these delusional people.  Friends, relatives notwithstanding, I am tired.  I can't imagine responding to their fantastical delusional conspiracy theories for the next four years.  I just can't.  

I've tried to figure out what makes these people tick.  Is it racism?  Maybe that's part of it.  I really don't know.  This is what I do know.  I heard a quote today form a columnist that I never heard of before that sums up my feelings best.  This is the quote:

The GOP’s Shrinking Tent

“If you believe in climate change, finding a path to citizenship for millions of hard-working and the right to marry the person you love, there is no place in the Republican Party for you.”

Timothy Egan – New York Times 11/30/2012

So friends and relatives, do not send me any more of your hateful e-mails, snide comments, and put-downs because I voted for Barack Obama.  I have better things to do with my time than respond to you and try to explain reality to you.  My suggestion for you is to arrange an appointment with your therapist to get to the root of your hate filled delusion.  

I'm running out of time folks and I am tired.  Take all that energy you're putting into hate and try to do something positive for this country that ALL OF US LIVE IN.  

Take a deep breath and connect with reality.  

And please folks, stop telling me what I can or cannot post on my Facebook page and blog.  As I have said many times before, if you don't like what I post on Facebook, unfriend me.  If you don't like what I post on my blog, then don't read it.  Last I heard this was a free country.  Check the U.S. Constitution that you're so fond of quoting to justify owning your automatic rifles, somewhere in that document is a mention of free speech.  It's called "The Bill of Rights".  Applies to gay men and women, black men and women, Hispanics, Asians, young people, women and yes, even white men. 

The Day After

I woke up this morning and realized that last night wasn't a dream.  President Barack Obama was reelected for a second term. 

This election proved that no matter how much money was spent by the 1%, they couldn't lie to the majority of the American voters who rejected the most deceitful, and secretive man ever to run for president, Willard Mitt Romney.  

This election proved that the majority of the American voter can only be lied to so much before they see through the lies and realized that the election of the vacuous Mitt Romney and the heartless Paul Ryan would begin the destruction of the social safety net that was begun with Franklin D. Roosevelt.

This election proved that all the racial dog whistles didn't prevent the majority of the American voters to see past the race of the man and know that the person who will look after THEIR interests and not the 1% was Barack Obama.

This election proved that a candidate who , at a secret $50,000 fund raising dinner for his rich benefactors says the following:

"There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what. All right, there are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you name it. That that's an entitlement. And the government should give it to them. And they will vote for this president no matter what.... These are people who pay no income tax. Forty-seven percent of Americans pay no income tax. So our message of low taxes doesn't connect. So he'll be out there talking about tax cuts for the rich. I mean, that's what they sell every four years. And so my job is not to worry about those people. I'll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives."

will not and SHOULD NOT be elected the president of ALL THE PEOPLE of the United States.

Last night the majority of the American voters elected a man who believes that ALL Americans deserve an equal chance to succeed in America.  

Last night the majority of the American voters elected a man who believes that the young, old, white, black, straight, gay, rich, and poor ALL deserve a seat at the table.  

Last night the majority of American voters elected a man to be president of ALL the people, not the privileged 1%.  

Last night the majority of American voters proved that they could not be lied to and could not be bought.

Vote Early and ...........

Arrived at Cape Henlopen High School EARLY this morning to get in line to vote

Woke up at 4:30 a.m. this morning ready to vote!  The BIG DAY is finally here!

"Mr. Cool" waiting to vote (in the WRONG place)

I was SO READY TO VOTE!

My new place to vote this year is at the Cape Henlopen High School.  I voted there for the first time this past summer in a primary.  If you read my blog posting at that time you'll remember that I was somewhat frustrated.  School was open, there was no parking, and the voting took place in the lobby which was like voting in the middle of an intersection.

Waiting in the new line outside the main building (we got kicked out)

This morning was so much different.  I arrived at 6:15 a.m.  I wasn't the first voter in line.  A woman with her young son was already in the lobby.  Bill was with me.  He doesn't vote but wanted to go with me anyway.  He's the one who took most of the pictures you'll see in this posting.

"Vote Here" sign goes up!  Not long now.

Check out the short video where I got kicked out of the building.  Funny stuff!  Look at my goofy reaction to being kicked out.  Funny stuff.

The line starts to build (picture fuzzy because I get nervous taking pictures of strangers without their permission)

Me and the lady and her young son moved out into the little enclosed area at the front door.  At least we didn't have to stand outside in the 40 degree temperatures.

Line at 6:30 a.m. - growing rapidly!

It didn't take long for a line to form.  In fact the line began snaking around several times until the newer arrivals in our now expanding line had to go outside.

7 a.m. - polling open!

I only had to wait in line for 45 minutes.  At 7 a.m. right on the dot, the doors opened to the main lobby where the registration desks and voting booths were waiting for us.

I show my driver's license as my voter I.D.

I was surprised when I was asked for my voter ID.  Not a problem, I supplied my driver's license.  I don't think a voter ID is required in Delaware.  When I was a poll worker in Pennsylvania I never asked for an ID.  Times have changed in this era of Republican voter suppression.  Those Republicans will do anything to steal another election.  However, there is a "small" problem, we are becoming a more diverse population and the straight, white, male is rapidly becoming the minority voter.  How's it feel guys?

My voting booth is about to open!

I signed my name and headed to my booth.  Pulled the curtains, checked the EASY ballot (no ten page Florida ballots here in Delaware).  Voting here in Delaware is electronic.  I put my hot little (actually it's quite big) forefinger on the "X" next to the name I want to cast my vote for.  I put my finger and NOTHING.  No red light, nothing.  Uh oh.  I open the curtains in my private voting booth.  I give my best stupid expression to the poll worker and say "Uh....it's not working."  I heard the guy in the voting booth next to me say the same thing "This thing isn't working." Then I hear a voice say "Plug it in."
Viola!  My electronic voting board lighted up like a Christmas tree!

Straight DemocratIC and PROUD OF IT!

I looked for the Democratic (and I do say "Democratic" not "Democrat" which is the Republikans sneaky way to put a negative slant to the word "Democratic") slate.  I found it and with great pleasure put my finger next to EVERT DemocratIC name and got instant gratification when the red light appeared.  After I was done I pushed the VOTE button.  FEELS GOOD!

Voting is underway!

Now to sit back and see if the Republikans can steal this election by voter suppression.

A long line awaits to vote - I'm glad I got there early!

Thank God I missed these annoying people at the entrance to the polling place by arriving early - they were just getting started when I left this morning

Wilmington VAMC Visit

The Wilmington VAMC December 19, 2011

Yesterday morning I visited the Wilmington Veterans Affairs Medical Center.  I had a lot on my plate to accomplish during my morning visit.  I had to coordinate the following:

• Blood work
• Dermatology
• Sign up for MyHealthevet
• Swollen leg and ankle issues

I get the best care I've ever had in my life through the VA system.  The only problem is that the main medical facility is 82 miles away from me.  The American Legion Post 28 out of Millsboro, Delaware provides a van to ferry us old vets to the Wilmington VA Mondays through Thursday.  The only catch is that we have to finish all of our appointments by 11 am so all us Old Vets can catch the van back to Sussex County, at the very end of Delaware.  Wilmington is at the top of Delaware.  Delaware as you all know is a peninsula.  We're a little like Korea, just a jut of land sticking out in the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay.

My trip from Point A to point B yesterday 

I was dreading this trip because I didn't think I could coordinate everything and see everyone.  I especially wanted to see my doctor (I finally have a doctor who CARES about me) to address the problem of my swollen lower legs and ankles.  When I called earlier int he week the earliest I could make an appointment with him was 1 o'clock in the afternoon, and that would have been too late.  He suggested I do a "Walk In" and take my chances.

So that was the challenge I was faced with yesterday.  Without going into the boring logistics I will tell you that I was successful!  To do the "Walk-In" I had to go to the Emergency Room.  They saw me immediately.  The nurse practitioner looked at my legs and ankles and filled out the required Sheet of Paper that I was to take to Team B.  The Sheet of Paper is required to gain entry.  

Waiting for the doctor to check my ankles, that my records on the computer 

While I was waiting my turn for give blood for my blood work I took the elevator to the sixth floor and the Dermatology unit and was taken care of in a timely manner again.  The Wilmington VA has residents and doctors from Thomas Jefferson University of Philadelphia to make the daily trip from Philadelphia to Wilmington to take care of us Old Vets.  Coincidentally when I was first diagnosed with a pre skin cancer condition twenty-five years ago it was from a doctor at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.  At that time I worked at a bank just up the street.  Yesterday the resident found five spots on my face and he burned them off.  Didn't feel good but at least I'm keeping the skin cancer at bay.

I would rather be shopping

Then back down to the first floor to have my blood drawn.  Then to wait for another doctor to look at my legs.  He determined that I should wear special support socks to keep my lower legs from swelling when I stand a lot, which is what I do when I work at the hotel like I am all these week.  He also increased the size of my "water pill" prescription.  

I arrived at the VA at 7:30 am.  I was done with all my business at 10 am and coincidentally the van driver was ready to go.  Perfect timing!

Bill picked me up at the Rt. 1 and 5 pickup point for the VA van and while he was driving me home my doctor called me and discussed my situation, including my upcoming biopsy for prostate cancer.  While I am not looking forward to this biopsy (I'm looking for any excuse to get out of it), I did feel more comfortable talking to a medical professional he seems to care about ME.

It's ironic but my whole life I've never felt I had a doctor who cared about ME.  Never.  In fact I had a doctor who almost caused my death by his negligence and other doctors who seems only interested in Turnover.  What I like at the VA medical system is that the people who work there are not in it for the money.  Most of them seem to work there because they truly care about us Old Vets.  At the VA they don't put you in a cubicle to wait for them because they're trying to get as much turnover as possible to make as much money as they can.  There is a difference.  

I don't have a whole lot longer to go in this world but I do feel comfortable knowing that where I go they do care about me.  That is as long as this government keeps the Republicans out of power.  Once they're in, they will try and do away with the VA medical system and privatize it.  If that happens, then I am a goner.  If anyone ever wanted to know why this lifelong conservative Republican is a liberal Democrat, one need to look no further than when George W. Bush and Company attempted to do away with medical care for veterans like me by charging an annual $2,500 FEE for us to use the VA.  Pardon me while I get on my political stump again but I seem to remember so clearly when I joined the Army, one of the reasons given to me to join by the Army recruiter was that I could have a FREE college education (which I took advantage of) and Lifetime Medical Care IF I NEEDED IT. 

 Well, there came a time in my life when I was without a job (2000) and had to have TWO MAJOR SURGERIES.  The VA performed those surgeries and saved me.  Bill had a ruptured gall bladder.  They took him by ambulance to Philadelphia in the driving snow and SAVED HIS LIFE.  Bill was in Intensive Care for FOUR DAYS.  They didn't think he would make it.  He did and I attribute that to the excellent non-profit motive driven care that he received from the Philadelphia Veterans Administration Medical Center.  My former dentist's wife had a similar situation where the VA saved her life.  

So when anyone asks me "How can you be ONE OF THOSE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS?" all I can answer is that the VA benefits that I EARNED (just like Social Security that I PAID INTO) saved my life  as well as saving Bill's life when he gall bladder burst during a snowstorm.  If the Republicans were in power and had their way both Bill and I would probably be dead or if we did survive we would be so deep in debt life wouldn't be worth living.  

So there my Republican Friends, chew on that reality.  And by the way, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The beautiful 2 ft by 3 ft watercolor (original) in the VA emergency waiting room
I WANT IT!

Obama Caves

I don't know where to start with my response to Obama's cave in last night to extending the Bush tax cuts for the rich.


Even though I knew he would give in to the Republican demands for tax cuts, I felt sick to my stomach when he made the announcement last night.  My feeling was one of betrayal.  


Remember what he ran on?  NO TAX CUTS FOR THOSE WHO MAKE OVER $250,000.


Another campaign promise broken.


Here is a partial list of campaign promises that Obama has not kept:

• End of tax cuts for families making over $250,000 a year - Obama said he will support an extension of the tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans for two years
• No taxes for seniors who make less than $50,000 a year - since Obama was elected president there has been no mention of this campaign promise
• Withdrawal from Iraq - we're still there
• End of DADT - Obama's Justice Department appeals court rulings that attempt to stop expulsion of gay service members until if and when Congress repeals the DADT law 
• Withdrawal from Guantanamo Bay - we're still there
• End of wireless wiretapping of American citizens - we're still doing it
• End of torture - we're still doing torturing

Obama and his administration touts their "accomplishment" the health care bill.  This is the same health care bill in which they didn't even fight for the public option which would keep costs down by competition.  Obama promised in his campaign that all negations would be conducted in public over C-SPAN.  Didn't happen.  Negotiations with the drug and insurance companies were done behind closed doors.  A deal was worked out where the insurance companies would get 43 million new customers with the mandatory provision of the health care bill but without the public option.  Again, Obama supported a bill that made it look like something was "being done" but in effect it is a lousy bill because the insurance companies will only raise their rates to cover the provisions of the bill that requires insurance companies not to cap their maximum payout and turn down people because or prior medical conditions.  

It is obvious now that Obama the president is not the same Obama the candidate. 

"Change that you can believe in?"  

No, Obama has proven by his performance the past two years that he takes the course of least resistance. 

Bill Clinton was right, Obama gives a good speech. 

Mark this date on your calendar.  Obama will be a one term president.  After last night's action, in which he didn't even fight for his campaign promise not to give tax cuts for those who make over $250,000, he has lost his base.  

The terrorists Republicans have won.

Almost There

Hey folks!  I'm almost back to my ornery self.  My arm is MUCH BETTER!


Today I engaged in a tete a tete with one of my Tipton cousins on FB.  We had a political discussion.  


He is of the conservative Republican persuasion that believes in no government or social programs.  


Do away with Social Security, Medicare, the VA. 


You know, the Glenn Beck/Bill O'Reilly/Sean Hannity mantra.


No taxes.


No government except to declare war so those of us in the lower socio-economic order can sacrifice our sons and daughters in this mindless destruction.


I've been holding off commenting on the recommendations of the Deficit Commission.  I can't hold off any longer.  Here goes!


How about those two bozo's who are chairing the commission?  Alan Simpson, the Angry Old Man from Wyoming.  Did you ever see a better candidate to play The Grinch?


Then there is Erskine Bowles?  WTF kind of name is "Erskine?"  He looks like an "Erskine."  You just gotta know this clown comes from inherited money.


So there they are last week.  Erskine Bowles sucking on the arm of his glasses in his too small mouth while Alan "The Curmudgeon" Simpson hunches over and spews out the bad news.


Cut Social Security.


Cut Medicare.


Cut taxes.


Charge a fee to use the VA.


Notice no where in their recommendations did they mention letting the Bush tax cuts for the rich expire at the end of the year?  Oh no, these birds are SO concerned with the deficit that they are willing to make those tax cuts permanent.


Well, it isn't going to work former Senator Simpson and former White House Advisor to the Clinton Administration Erskine Bowles.  Crawl back under your respective rocks.  


Let the Bush Tax cuts expire at the end of the year.  


Put the members of Congress, including retired members like Simpson, on Social Security and Medicare like the rest of us schlubs.  


And by the way President Obama,  step up to the plate and start leading.  

Clown Day

My favorite clown - an oil painting I purchased in Provincetown 1979

Today is the BIG DAY.  Election day 2010.  


Today is also the day I see an orthopedic doctor.  It's ONLY been two weeks since I fell and injured my arm/wrist.  I fell October 17th.  My doctor had an X-ray taken of my injury October 19th.  But I had to wait two weeks until Dr. Otter (the orthopedic doctor) had time to see me to discuss the results of my X-ray.  Is it me or does something seem terribly wrong here?  I'm using the private medical system so touted by conservatives.  Looking back on it now I think I would have been better served if I went directly to the VA when I injured my arm.  Again, to remind you of the irony of how I injured my arm.  I was entering the American Legion Post 28 building in Millsboro, DE and I tripped over a small rise in cement landing in front of the double glass doors.  I braced myself during my "Dick Van Dyke" fall so my head wouldn't go crashing through the double glass doors.  One would think with all the old and hobbled going in and out of the American Legion building they wouldn't have that dangerous small rise in the pavement.  One would be wrong.  After my fall I saw that every one was entering the building on the side with the ramp.  Now I know.


An update on my wrist/arm injury - it is still sore but not near as much as it was.  I still can't lift my right arm behind my head nor twist my wrist to the left very far.  I've only driven once since my injury and it is still chancy.  Oddly, my biggest problem is turning the key in my ignition - I have to turn the key to the left to turn my engine on.  When I do sharp pains shoot up my forearm.  Something is still definitely wrong.


Now to the election.....after I finish this post I'll get Bill to drive me up to the elementary school in Milton so I can cast my straight (no pun intended) Democratic vote.  No Republican needs my vote today.  A lot of them will be elected to office and now they will have a chance to show what they're going to do for the country.  Don't expect much except for them to extend the Bush Tax Cuts.  That's their answer to everything.  Creating jobs, improving the economy, and whatever else they're lying about.  If you want a more detailed update on the lies, go to Fox News (i.e. "Faux News") on your local TV station.   Look for the Republican controlled house to spend the next two years investigating the Obama administration with the goal to impeach Obama.  The Republicans will effectively shut down the government.  Be careful what you wish for folks, you just may get it.  


All clowns folks, all clowns.  Dems and Republicans.  Their only goal is to keep themselves in power.  Bought and owned by the corporate special interests.  

Profound Disappointment

Resident  cat on Rehoboth Boardwalk this morning.

A federal judge yesterday ruled that the 17 year old "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy is unconstitutional and should be discontinued immediately.

This is good news.  The bad news is that the justice department of the Obama administration will appeal this decision.

This is the administration of the same Barack Obama that pledged during this campaign to do all he could to end the discriminatory "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.  

Does it sound like Barack Obama said one thing during his campaign but is now acting differently once he is in power?  If you thought that, you would be right.

What was the campaign slogan?  "Change That You Can Believe In?"  Well, guess what?  That was a lie.  

I am profoundly disappointed in President Obama and his lack of leadership on this issue.  

Vice President Joe Biden is running around the country telling those of us unenthusiastic Democratic voters to "stop whining and buck up."  Biden is a jerk.

Susan Collins gets on the Senate floor and tries to have it both ways by saying she believes in the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" but has to vote against a bill to "discuss" the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", because it doesn't permit amendments.  Collins is a jerk.

This is what is going to happen.  Eventually "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" will be reversed.  It is going to happen.  

As more gays and lesbians come out of the closet and those in power realize that gays aren't those extreme examples seen in gay pride parades like nuns on roller-skates and gyrating men in thongs, they will see that gays like me are not a threat to their lifestyle.  Being gay isn't contagious.  

I'll vote this November.  I'll probably vote for Democratic.  I cannot see voting for a nut bag like Christine O'Donnell.  

One thing is for sure, I'll never vote for Obama again.  He's just another lying politician (like Clinton) who takes the gay vote for granted.  

Lying has consequences.  Got that Joe Biden?

Stop Whining

Our Vice-President - Joe Biden

My longtime friend (since grade school) Lar has lived in Delaware for over thirty years.  Joe Biden has always been his senator.  


When I lived in Pennsylvania, I was always put off a bit whenever I mentioned Joe Biden and Lar would have a negative reaction.  Lar is a pretty reasonable guy.  I could never understand his organic dislike for Joe Biden.  Lar likes everybody and if he doesn't like them he rarely, if ever, expresses his dislike for them.  However, with Joe Biden Lar doesn't hesitate to express his dislike for the former senior senator from Delaware.  Lar's dislike of Joe Biden is visceral.  


Now that I live in Delaware (since 2006) and have experienced Joe Biden first hand, I understand my friend Lar's dislike.  Joe Biden is a self-important, vacuous, arrogant phony.  


Yesterday Joe Biden again proved what a flatulent, pin headed, arrogant, pompous ass he is by advising those Democrats and Progressives who are disappointed in the weak-kneed and promises not kept Obama administration by advising those Democrats to "Stop whining and get out and vote for the Democrats."  


Hey, what a way to win over the base!  Is this man a genius or what?  Insult your base.  That's what you do to get them out to vote on election day.  Then he goes out and says "Buck up!"  Obama said the same thing later on in the day.  They obviously got their talking points.  


So why should we Democrats and Progressives vote for the Democrats?  Obama and Biden say that the alternative, the Republicans lead by the Tea Baggers are worse.  Hey, there's another good reason to vote Democratic.  Never mind that this administration has been rolled repeatedly the past two years by the Party of No, the Republicans.


 Never mind that they let the likes of Joe Lieberman get away with his nonsense. 


Never mind that they passed a phony health care bill without a public option. 


Never mind that the absurd law "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is still on the books.  


Never mind that Obama can't even take a leadership role and at least put a stop loss on any further discharges from the Armed services of our gay and lesbian members. 


Never mind that even though as judges overall the DOMA act, Obama's Justice department is still challenging those actions. 


Asked why, Robert Gibbs airily explains away the Justice Department actions as "pro forma." 


Hey, I thought when we voted for Obama we voted to change the way things were done in Washington.  Apparently that was a lie.


So Joe Biden addresses dissent and disappointment in the Democratic base of his party as "Stop whining" and "Buck up."  


I have choice two word answer to Biden but since this is a family blog I won't say it here.  However, what I will say is that now I understand my friend Lar cannot stand Joe Biden.  I can't either.


What a pompous ass.  

Christine O'Donnell Won!

The sign I saw yesterday at the end of the road out of my development as I turned on Rt. 1 to vote in Milton - an Ominous Sign 

I voted yesterday.  I wanted to vote for Christine O'Donnell but I am a registered Democrat and Delaware has a closed primary.  I could only vote for Democratic candidates.

Those who know me know that I would never vote for a right wing nut candidate like Christine O'Donnell but I wanted her to win in order to give the Democratic candidate for senator from Delaware (Chris Koons - how about that name?  One would think the Democratic establishment could pick some unknown with a better name than "Koons."  I can just imagine the field day the southern senators will have with that name if Koons is elected to the Senate.)  

I don't consider myself a tea bagger, or as they refer to themselves now as "Tea Partiers."  They made this name change after being informed that there was an obscene urban definition for a "tea bagger."  You'll have to look it up, I won't spell it out here.  

I don't subscribe to many of the Tea Party candidates promises to get rid of Social Security, Medicare, the VA and the other government safety net programs.  I paid into Social Security and I want my money.  I was in the Army for three years and promised VA medical care if I needed it.  The government should keep its promise to me and other veterans like me who put their lives at risk for their country.  

I think there are too many racists in the Tea Party who just can't accept the fact that there is a black man with his family living in the White House.  Get over it.  

But having stated my reservations about being a tea bagger, I do subscribe to their general theory of "throw the bums out!"  

Thus, I was ecstatic when I heard the breaking news on the Rachel Maddow show last night that Christine O'Donnell won the Republican senatorial primary in Delaware, beating the establishment pick Mike Castle, a long time Republican fixture in Delaware who has held every office from lieutenant governor, governor, representative and now (he thinks) senator.  Sorry Mike.  It ain't  going to happen.  You just lost your turn.  The rules have changed.  Have a nice life but go away dinosaur.  

Mike Castle - a regular ball of fire

When I voted yesterday, my only choices on the Democratic ballot were a bunch of local politicians that I didn't know anything about.  So I voted for each one who was SECOND on the ballot.  That was my way of protesting against the establishment.  I figured that the Democratic establishment put their picks first on the ballot.  

On the Chris Matthews' show "Hardball" last night, he was interviewing Matthew Dowd, a former Bush speechwriter.  Now normally I would never agree with anything a former Bush speechwriter would have to say but I have to admit that Mr. Dowd's assessment of the anger that the Tea Party voters represent is right on the mark.  He said:

"The Tea Party candidates who are winning represent an intense anger from the voters who voted for them."

"They will vote against anyone who represents the Establishment."


"November doesn't matter, they're establishment candidates are in the way."


"Washington is disconnected from people's everyday lives."


"Washington spends money without regard for what is really going on in the country."


"They (the voters) think that Republicans and Democrats, regardless if they get along publicly, cut deals.  It's "I'll scratch your back and you scratch my back."


"They're (the politicians of both political parties) are only interested in rising up the (political) ladder."


"They're only interested in what they can get out of Washington."


"They're only interested in power for power's sake."


"They're not interested in designing a government that reflects where they (the voter) are in their lives."


"It doesn't matter if you're a Democrat or a Republican but if they feel you represent that (kind of politician) they don't like you."


This is EXACTLY how I feel.  


Chris Matthews went on to say that the people who vote for Tea Party candidates feel that the 


"Rot is at the top" (the politicians from the president on down)


"The Mob (new immigrants and the poor) are at the gate"


"We're (the middle class) is stuck in the middle"


The Tea Party voters (and many others like me) are sick to death of the "get along to go along" mentality of many members of BOTH POLITICAL parties.


I had great hope ("Change that you can believe in") when Barrack Obama was elected president.  That hope is gone.  


Sure, there was a health care bill passed but it's a phony bill.  My health care costs are still going up.  Where's the public option?  Oh, I forgot.  Rahm Emanuel advised Obama to forget that key ingredient in bringing down health care costs if there was any hope of getting a health care bill through Congress.  Obama and the Democrats didn't even try to get a public option.  It's a fake bill. Sounds good but doesn't really change anything.  


Then there is the stupid continuation of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.  Sure, Congress has to repeal this lame brain, discriminatory law but at least Obama could put a stop loss on any further discharges from the military of its gay and lesbian members.  Nothing has changed.  Patriotic citizens of this country who just happened to be gay or lesbian are still being kicked out of the armed forces just because of who they are.  Barrack Obama failed to provide presidential leadership.  


Then there is the DOMA law.  You know that one, a law passed that marriage is only to be between a man and a woman.  Obama is on record that he believes that marriage should ONLY be "between a man and a woman."  I can't believe he really believes that but if he does, shame on him.  If he doesn't but professes to believe it, then shame on him again.  He's a hypocrite.  


What I really fault Obama and the Democrats for is that they again have taken for granted gay and lesbian support.  They think we (I'm gay) have nowhere else to go.  They're right there but I don't have to contribute any more money to the Democratic party of Democratic candidates.  I don't have to vote.  Which upsets me a lot but I will not vote again for a Democratic candidate who isn't going to do more than lip service to working for equal rights for ALL of our citizens, including the GBLT community. 


I couldn't wait to vote for the first time in my life when I voted for Barry Goldwater.  I've always felt special when I voted.  For the first time in my life I an seriously considering sitting on my hands and not voting.  That's how bad our political system has failed, to cause me not to vote. 


So that's why I'm glad Christine O'Donnell won yesterday.  Mike Castle, a political fixture in Delaware for a generation, thought it was his turn to be the next senator from Delaware.  Or, more accurately, the Establishment thought he would be the next senator from Delaware.  They would be wrong.  


It was interesting watching the two candidates on TV last night.  Representative Castle look tired and old.  Christine O'Donnell looked young and fresh.  Hey, so what if she's just another nut job?  Can we do any worse than the crowd that's in power now?  I think not.  


Congratulations Christine!

Christine O'Donnell - WINNER - Delaware Republican Senate candidate