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Tag: politics

Ameri Can

Published on April 26, 2025

America doesn’t need Democrats to save it. It doesn’t need Republicans. It doesn’t need liberals or conservatives, leftists or righties, centrists, Independents, old school or new wave, fundamentalist or radical, or any other kind of way to divide, disappoint, distract, dilute, dullen or deaden all of us. In separate boxes, on separate lists, in separate discussions, decisions, and definitely on separately and securely maintained documentation.

We need to stop writing this shit down so it can be spoken aloud.

That is not America. This is not America.

It may be an idiotic thing to say, but America is not that easy to destroy. If you believe in the ideal. If you actually live your life as if the ideals by which this country was founded are real, in the way that so many will swear that their own personal savior is alive and well and still talking to his people the way he talked to people 2000 some years ago.

The point is that all these folks who are in “power” don’t own America. They don’t even run it. They all work for us. They are our employees. The executive, legislative, and judicial branch, and every department, unit, field office, division, and individual representative. They report to us. And their employment contract is the Constitution of the United States.

Not standing up to a bully isn’t just cowardly or shameful. It’s breach of contract. It doesn’t matter what side of the fence, aisle, country, or any other dividing line you are. Or at what level.

I have one thing to say to all of them. Do your jobs. For me, your boss. Or you’re fired.

26 Apr 2025

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The Sellout: brag

Published on April 23, 2025

It’s hard to explain, but here’s living proof:
he’s the piped piper pumping undisputed truth,
a loud clarion shout to disenfranchised youth,
wrapped up head to toe in a bright angel suit.

It doesn’t make much sense, but then again, what does?
You never see the bees, but you can hear the buzz:
there’s no real use for reason, just believe because
it’s the way to get along, and everybody does.

Either life or destruction, doesn’t matter much,
when you can turn into gold everything you touch;
morality is just an inconvenient crutch.
Set it on automatic, you don’t need no clutch.

We’re all really flying, thanks to magic wings;
and parachutes, we don’t need them stupid things!
Who knows what the future or tomorrow brings?
Who cares, it’s a miracle each time he sings.

He’s the master of disaster, the true overlord,
who promises the life we want and can afford.
You won’t get left behind or be the least bit bored;
and those who disagree, in prison or ignored.

It’s hard to explain, but this is what you get:
and it’s too late for apologies. Have no regret.
The best part ain’t even started happening yet;
just keep your eyes on his channel on your TV set.

23 APR 2025

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Change Your Mind

Published on April 18, 2025

“I have an idea. I want to find what the average man thinks of it. Then when we’ve found out what he thinks of it, we’ll change his thinking.”

A great quote from Vincent Price’s Champagne for Caesars. But is it about advertising or religion or politics? And does it matter? Aren’t the effects the same? So loaded with promise, so ripe with possibilities. If a better movie, in a better time, with a greater social media presence and more mentions per capita, it would probably be a text studied alongside Machiavelli’s The Prince, Sun Tzu’s Art of War and Donald Trump’s Art of the Deal. No kidding. I’m gonna go write a doctoral thesis on that now. Give me a minute.

I can’t think of a better way to tell you to stop drinking the water. Or Kool-Aid. Or Drano. Whatever it is they’re telling you is in the Dixie cup, or what you wish or you’re hoping it will be. It isn’t going to be what you think. Cause it’s never going to be forever. Nothing is.

As was said in another film, The Princess Bride, “Life is pain, princess. Anyone who says otherwise is selling something.”

19 APR 2025

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Change My Mind

Published on April 18, 2025

What do you think it really takes to convince someone about anything? I don’t mean to the level where they’re nodding their head, flashing a smile, or clinking their drink to yours in a display of temporary solidarity. I mean convince someone: change their mind, their point of view, their way of seeing the world. Touch their inner core, self, soul, atman.

It’s not like selling them a used car. It can’t be. The stakes are so much higher, and the consequences may be in that moment, and for many more thereafter, profound, lasting, and of monumental importance.

Especially when you’re dealing with a species you’ve been told are self-focused, narcissistic, hedonistic, opportunistic, and worst of all, just not all that interesting. This is a way-station after all, a proving ground, a temporary assignment, a pit stop or slight detour on the way to something better. Convincing anyone of anything at all, even given infinite time, space, and energy to achieve it, is no walk in the park.

That’s why charlatans are so effective: just like a great ballet dancer or singer or athlete makes it look so easy, so effortless, a con artist makes the lies and empty promises and misdirection seem so simple, guileless, and without visible support that they are the spoonfuls of sugar that make the medicine go down. But not all that glitters is gold; not every drug is a medicine. Some are deadly poison.

Most really good evangelists know to work the room, but more importantly, they know how to pick the room. Preaching to the choir is a lot easier than preaching in the wilderness. At a minimum, there’s better cell coverage. And where you can connect to the world, you have a message. Messages, however, are a lot like drugs. Only some have medicinal value.

Do you have what it takes to do the convincing? What would it take to convince you? Maybe you think those two are different ends of the same stick. Maybe you don’t. But whether you believe in that kind of cosmic balance or you don’t, when you pick it up, it’s the whole stick. Don’t ever expect anyone to ever be a bigger pushover than you, because it’s one thing to be stubborn about something, but it’s quite another to keep beating yourself on the head with it.

It’s a big job.

19 APR 2025

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The Blunderbuss Dragon: amphigory

Published on April 15, 2025

Behold the dragon come alive:
not breathing fire, but spewing jive
and nonsense from its rubber lips,
and poison from its finger tips!

It cannot speak except to squawk,
and is too pendulous to walk,
except some strutting to and fro
in front of mirrors it loves so.

Its cave is strewn with blood and guts
from enemies who think it nuts
and dared to speak against its rule
or worse, declared it just a fool

a puppet slung on rotted strings,
who dances while its master sings
and fiddles while the free world burns
to ashes those who never learn.

Enough! This beast will eat us whole;
It has no heart, or mind, or soul,
but lives to ravage, burn, and loot,
and tear the world up, by the root.

How can we slay this fearsome beast,
or lock it in a cage, at least?
There is one way, one way alone:
chip at the mirrors on its throne,

and don’t repeat its callous cries.
Ignore it, and this foul thing dies!
Without its ego, it deflates
and will slide through the sewer grate.

14 APR 2025

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Learn to Sing the Blues

Published on April 8, 2025

Nothing to choose:
only new ways to lose;
learn to sing the blues
retweeting evening news.

And in the end, the ruse?
That life’s a pleasure cruise
and not a dog that chews
through everything of use;

that every cut and bruise
and all your worn-out shoes
will be sufficient dues
to get you passage through.

What victories excuse
our sink back to the ooze?
No matter what your views,
each of us stands accused.

Somebody’s fault, but whose,
when misery ensues?
Don’t waste your fire or booze
on a few old statues.

What method will you use
to propagate your views?
When suffering’s old news,
we all just sing the blues.

08 APR 2025

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