Several people now have asked me why I write my blog(s) -- yep, this is only one of them. For me the reason is clear. This blog gives me an opportunity to "clear my mind" -- elucidate and clarify my own thinking -- and come to conclusions based on my own experiences. Now, my experience is not your experience -- and you may disagree with me. That's fine.
"Oh well, what the hell" -- as my Dad used to say in our family bar. I am not trying to proselytize my readers, or even persuade anyone. I am just speaking my mind based on what I know to be factual, from my own "direct" experience.
In the past year I have had a lot to say about our new President -- those thoughts are not made up, they are based on real experiences with the man: in New Jersey (his Taj Mahal efforts in the 1980's and 90's which continue to this day), in a courtroom (where my "business partner" sued Trump, his business partner -- as did so many many others, for breach of contract, etc.); and at campaign rallies during the election of 2016. Trump is a businessman -- and in own opinion, not a very good one.
Except for his golf courses, and his new push to earn money off our government and foreign policy; a significant number of his projects have resulted in failure. And lawsuits, lots of lawsuits. According to the files of "lexis nexis" some 3500 lawsuits are filed for and against Trump the individual, Trump Enterprises, Trump Entertainment Enterprises, and other Trump companies. About a third of those law suits date back only through his election as President.
The rest of the lawsuits both for and against Trump (suit, counter-suit) are about his business "deals."
And many of them detail the hardships he and his companies have dealt to others: workers, vendors, county/city governments, and others. Do the research yourself -- I was there to see some of it.
And that's why I continue to "resist."
Friday, August 25, 2017
Wednesday, August 23, 2017
From Winning to Losing
President Trump may be the first American President to turn his campaign "win" into a presidential "loss." His speech in Phoenix last night was an unfortunate campaign rally speech set in a climate that should be trying to make progress governing the country.
By rehashing tired rhetoric about fake news, the NYT, the Washington Post, CNN, John McCain, the Republican Senate (and its leaders) -- Trump has, once again, undercut his own potential effectiveness as President (and World Leader). Many in the government are realistically worried about Trump's mental health and human stability. Is the Presidency a "game" for Trump? Something to "win" but then "not play anymore?
Who is the "loser" if Trump fails as President? We all are. He is, unfortunately, our current sitting President. Whether he is actually up to the job of being a President -- I am unsure. Would Hillary have been a better President? Who care? Life has passed her by on that count.
Recently I was challenged by someone I hope will be a "close friend" --- about Trump -- and my views in this blog. My views are what they are -- because I have participated in his campaign, and didn't like what I experienced. I have also "known" and "known about" Trump from his dealings building gaming casinos in New Jersey. I have seen Trump in action making speeches about all he was going to do to "bring jobs" to the Jersey shore. Ask those hundreds of individuals, vendors, small businessmen, jobbers, and employees what they think of Trump and Trump Enterprises now. I could tell you "true stories." But this is not the time, nor the place.
Continue to Resist!!!
By rehashing tired rhetoric about fake news, the NYT, the Washington Post, CNN, John McCain, the Republican Senate (and its leaders) -- Trump has, once again, undercut his own potential effectiveness as President (and World Leader). Many in the government are realistically worried about Trump's mental health and human stability. Is the Presidency a "game" for Trump? Something to "win" but then "not play anymore?
Who is the "loser" if Trump fails as President? We all are. He is, unfortunately, our current sitting President. Whether he is actually up to the job of being a President -- I am unsure. Would Hillary have been a better President? Who care? Life has passed her by on that count.
Recently I was challenged by someone I hope will be a "close friend" --- about Trump -- and my views in this blog. My views are what they are -- because I have participated in his campaign, and didn't like what I experienced. I have also "known" and "known about" Trump from his dealings building gaming casinos in New Jersey. I have seen Trump in action making speeches about all he was going to do to "bring jobs" to the Jersey shore. Ask those hundreds of individuals, vendors, small businessmen, jobbers, and employees what they think of Trump and Trump Enterprises now. I could tell you "true stories." But this is not the time, nor the place.
Continue to Resist!!!
Friday, August 18, 2017
For My Friend Hilary McIndoo
Don't be afraid -- I am an honorable man. Don't be afraid -- I am a gentle-man. Understand that I am a moral person who lives to include another person's morality within my one. Understand that I am a tactile, compassionate, and loving person -- in spite of my mind. Understand that I don't wish to control you (that would be impossible anyway) but only to "be with you."
I think I understand you about some things -- but not everything. I live by the rules of : tolerance, respect, doing as much good as I can, love, and sharing when I can.
"First, do no harm" is another "rule of life" that I live by. I have always been thus, even when you were a gentle sixteen and I was in my 20's. I used to be a well-versed over-educated Catholic "boy" -- but now I am a Ko-Shinto Buddhist "man." What does that mean? All of the above without any ritual(s) or bureaucracy.
I follow "the way" of life -- life as a journey towards ... whatever comes next. I believe in God; though I don't know what he/she is, what he/she looks like, how he/she is involved day-to-day with the universe.
In practical terms my "proposition" to you is just to relax -- and get to know me. If you have time, come and visit me (don't let money or lack thereof stand in your way). Be open and I will be too.
To pre-answer your possible questions: there is no "romantic interest" in my life right now. There has only been one since She's death in 2006, and that was a fluke (that saved my life), and led to all the other good things that have happened since. She is now (for some time) married to a long-time boyfriend (yes, there is a story there -- and a good one -- and you need to hear it someday.)
As to you -- you are a beautiful person, a beautiful woman, a strong friend. I don't want to change you or push you into a groove of "wifey lifestyle thinking."
Remember I know your brain in many ways -- through your extraordinary scripts, through your contact with Ella, and through your work. I have seen you -- I have even seen you as the respectful and careful host. We have swapped some personal family tidbits. But each of us has more to share; of that I am sure.
As to the world at large and Trump in general: continue to resist until the nightmare of "him" is over!
I think I understand you about some things -- but not everything. I live by the rules of : tolerance, respect, doing as much good as I can, love, and sharing when I can.
"First, do no harm" is another "rule of life" that I live by. I have always been thus, even when you were a gentle sixteen and I was in my 20's. I used to be a well-versed over-educated Catholic "boy" -- but now I am a Ko-Shinto Buddhist "man." What does that mean? All of the above without any ritual(s) or bureaucracy.
I follow "the way" of life -- life as a journey towards ... whatever comes next. I believe in God; though I don't know what he/she is, what he/she looks like, how he/she is involved day-to-day with the universe.
In practical terms my "proposition" to you is just to relax -- and get to know me. If you have time, come and visit me (don't let money or lack thereof stand in your way). Be open and I will be too.
To pre-answer your possible questions: there is no "romantic interest" in my life right now. There has only been one since She's death in 2006, and that was a fluke (that saved my life), and led to all the other good things that have happened since. She is now (for some time) married to a long-time boyfriend (yes, there is a story there -- and a good one -- and you need to hear it someday.)
As to you -- you are a beautiful person, a beautiful woman, a strong friend. I don't want to change you or push you into a groove of "wifey lifestyle thinking."
Remember I know your brain in many ways -- through your extraordinary scripts, through your contact with Ella, and through your work. I have seen you -- I have even seen you as the respectful and careful host. We have swapped some personal family tidbits. But each of us has more to share; of that I am sure.
As to the world at large and Trump in general: continue to resist until the nightmare of "him" is over!
Thursday, August 17, 2017
Time to Go
Donald J. Trump should resign! He has been the most awkward, ignorant, and arrogant sitting President in the history of that office.
He has disgraced himself, American values, and our country as a whole time and time again in just six short months in office. He has brought forth his many opinions in a variety of executive orders, only to be rebuffed by his own party and the Congress as a whole. His "republican agenda" reeks of self-interest, capitalist amorality, and outright nepotistic "values" which he attempts to portray as common sense.
His family should urge him to leave office and go back to his money-grubbing business "empire." I believe if he does not resign, eventually he will be impeached -- but only if the stubborn republican establishment can find enough moral courage to do so. They too are complicit in his downward spiral.
Resist; resist; continue to resist!!!
He has disgraced himself, American values, and our country as a whole time and time again in just six short months in office. He has brought forth his many opinions in a variety of executive orders, only to be rebuffed by his own party and the Congress as a whole. His "republican agenda" reeks of self-interest, capitalist amorality, and outright nepotistic "values" which he attempts to portray as common sense.
His family should urge him to leave office and go back to his money-grubbing business "empire." I believe if he does not resign, eventually he will be impeached -- but only if the stubborn republican establishment can find enough moral courage to do so. They too are complicit in his downward spiral.
Resist; resist; continue to resist!!!
Thursday, August 10, 2017
Trump Should Not Be President
Threatening North Korea, off the cuff, is just one more reason why Trump should not be President.
He is NOT the grownup in the room; in any room. He is a fool with no filter.
He is an ignorant man, with only the most limited kind of knowledge about things. He responds on impulse, without understanding either consequences or connections. He has no soul (of course) but odds are good that his brain is not working correctly as well. He needs to abdicate -- now.
Resist; resist; resist!
He is NOT the grownup in the room; in any room. He is a fool with no filter.
He is an ignorant man, with only the most limited kind of knowledge about things. He responds on impulse, without understanding either consequences or connections. He has no soul (of course) but odds are good that his brain is not working correctly as well. He needs to abdicate -- now.
Resist; resist; resist!
Thursday, July 27, 2017
Trump has no Soul
Donald Trump lives by the "capitalist model." How can we save money: (drop expensive medical care from the armed services -- no 'transitioning' while in government service); find ways to save a dime no matter who it hurts (Republican health care); renege on all campaign promises that cost money and don't aid commerce (support for medical research, AIDS support, single parents, the aged poor, Federal prisoners, etc).
He is a liar, a hypocrite, a bully, a bad human being. I am sure even his family recognizes that and tries to ameliorate his worst tendencies. When he does finally leave office: impeachment, pardoned of all crimes by himself while in office, disgraced as a human being/President for some extraordinary humanitarian mistake that he can't blame on someone else -- the world will then move on, and the hiccup of a new American Hitler will be over.
It seems too long already --- resist, resist, resist!!!
He is a liar, a hypocrite, a bully, a bad human being. I am sure even his family recognizes that and tries to ameliorate his worst tendencies. When he does finally leave office: impeachment, pardoned of all crimes by himself while in office, disgraced as a human being/President for some extraordinary humanitarian mistake that he can't blame on someone else -- the world will then move on, and the hiccup of a new American Hitler will be over.
It seems too long already --- resist, resist, resist!!!
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
For Hilary
No, not the politician -- her name has two "l's!" Ms. Hilary is a former IAA student from a million years ago, whom I was finally able to meet in person again this trip to Florida.
In spite of the importance of this trip in terms of my interviews, grants, and the future of diabetic medicine -- more fun came from a couple of meals with my new friend Hilary. I won't use last names here (in case there are identity thieves out there) but suffice it to say -- she knows who she is, and now I know who she is, and that is the most important factor for me.
I hope to see her again sometime -- "god willing and the creek don't rise," or just plain "god willing."
There are too few chances for really close relationships in life.
Resist; resist; continue to resist!!!!
In spite of the importance of this trip in terms of my interviews, grants, and the future of diabetic medicine -- more fun came from a couple of meals with my new friend Hilary. I won't use last names here (in case there are identity thieves out there) but suffice it to say -- she knows who she is, and now I know who she is, and that is the most important factor for me.
I hope to see her again sometime -- "god willing and the creek don't rise," or just plain "god willing."
There are too few chances for really close relationships in life.
Resist; resist; continue to resist!!!!
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