What is the Outcome of a Trump Administration?

The "big" outcomes (to use a diminished Trump adjective) jump out at you: America will lose respect from other nations around the world; internally Americans will remain in a 'state of siege' trying to hold on to programs, values, and principles that make up our culture; our press corps and to some extent all of us will have to remain vigilant and resist the erosion of freedom itself brought on by the Trump autocracy; all Americans will have to endure the embarrassment of a "stupid" leader who has no regard for knowledge, truth, or even common sense!

Yes, it is a rough future I am predicting -- but unfortunately it has already begun. There are other elements yet to be discovered as well: possible "treason" by Trump and his "team" in working with the Russians to influence the last election; major "conflicts of interest" as Trump, his Family, his Brand, his Cabinet appointees and others continue to profit off of out country and set extraordinary precedents for corruption and malfeasance; and a possible "change of government" when Trump himself falls due to his own arrogant crookedness.  Resist!!  

Younger Sister Linda

My sister is "bravely" and "strongly" fighting her way back to health in a Milwaukee hospital. Taking
antibiotics, steroids, pain killers, and hyperbaric treatments daily (among other tests, treatments, and procedures) she is gradually healing the many wounds caused by cellulitis. One of her many doctors said it best: "that girl is certainly a 'fighter'". Too true.

Linda is still in for an incredibly awkward and long recovery -- I hope her friends, relatives, and employers all stand by her. She needs our support and she certainly will have mine.

Tttttrrrrrruuuummmmpppp!

A bully; an ignorant man; an autocrat; an oligarch; a misogynist; a homophobe; an anti-internationalist; an indomitably uninformed man; a father with no compassion; a husband
with no love; a patriarch with no sense of responsibility; a crazed ego; a narcissist; an inherently
flawed man; an unethical man; a jokester whose joke is himself; an emperor with no clothes; a failure; a bad leader; a small man (with small hands, and a small ....); a"big picture" guy who makes huge mistakes; a loser; a man who needs to be "fired"; a guy with little common sense; an egotistic jerk; and finally the current "president of the united states!"  Resist.

Pain as a World View

Americans are in pain. We feel the pain of embarrassment for the ridiculous nature of our President's ignorance, the fantastic "theories" made up about his conniving opponents, the stupidity of his decisions and dutiful responses to his more stupid backers.

We are hurting now because Trump is President. When will it end? That is the question we will ask ourselves until the longish nightmare is finally over.  Resist ignorance; resist Trump!

Hanging On...

My younger sister Linda has become a symbol of endurance and resistance for me -- akin to the attitudes and actions we must all have in these insane days of the Trump "ascendancy."

Linda has endured a near-death experience, yet another debilitating attack of cellulitis, and pain incomprehensible to someone as "lucky" as I have been.  She still faces a long healing time (hopefully not as long as last time -- 2 and a half years), incredible medical bills, and the continuing and ever-present worry that it could happen again. Just like Trump's careful planning!              

Endurance and Stamina

It's like being a "senior" with a chronic, painful disease. The road to health is a long and arduous battle: every day one gets a little bit stronger, wiser, and more capable of fighting back. Whether the disease is bad leadership (like a "Donald Trump" for example) or a painful case of cellulitis caused by infection -- the prognosis is the same: you will get better only if you slowly work towards your balance, your health, your wellness.

My younger sister has gone from a horrendous bout with a staph and "other" infections to painful open wounds and a tired body, to an immune system fighting gamely (with antibiotics) towards a body balance. The recovery process will be slow and not without setbacks.  There will be a slow recovery of muscles and tendons now used to being bedridden. There will be slow psychological comeback from being dependent to being independent. This is all a helluva lot of hard work.

And that's what life itself is. Resist, work hard, heal, and live.

Trump Has No "Ethos"

For those unfamiliar with the term, "ethos" is a person's or entity's character -- its sense of itself. Some people are honest, trustworthy, passionate, compassionate -- all in being "true" to who they are. But the "Donald" has no ethos. He wants to be everything to everybody. He has near absolute power as President of the United States -- and it has corrupted him absolutely.

Even more than when he was just a "failed businessman" -- the "Donald" is now a failed human being. He will do anything or say anything to be in every one's good graces. He will lie, cheat, switch sides, make up things, point his finger at others "giving false blame," over and over again. He practices the now-time-honored political trick of the "big lie." Say something over and over again for long enough and then at least one sycophant will start the mantra of "there must be something there if people are talking about it;" "if there's smoke there's fire;" and all that.

The "Donald" is unfortunately, leading America. And it may take a generation or more to lead us back to "truth, justice, and a truly American way." Please let this time under the "Donald" pass quickly. Resist.

And on a purely personal note. Linda -- please be well, get better, get healthy.