Month: November 2024

Elon Musk Joins Donald Trump for Thanksgiving at Mar-a-Lago

A turkey day video of Donald Trump and Elon Musk dining at the roped-off head table, preventing the MAGA riffraff from getting too close to the wealthiest man in the world dining with the most powerful man in the world, has gone viral.

Elon Musk had a seat at the family table at Mar-a-Lago, the mecca of the MAGA faithful. Musk, the father of 12 children with three different partners, chose to spend this family holiday with Trump and his sycophants rather than with his children.

Joining Trump at the head table was Melania, his trophy wife, who seldom deigns to appear with her husband in public. She sat next to her son Barron, who provided a buffer preventing her from interacting with her husband, more than was absolutely necessary.

Musk, who owns the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, wore a T-shirt with an “X” emblazoned on it. Musk has done to Twitter what Trump has done to America; since he bought Twitter the valuation of the company has plummeted, its reputation ruined, and its subscription base has shrunk.

The viral clip captured Trump paternally tapping Musk on the shoulder while his campaign anthem “YMCA” blared from the speakers, prompting the billionaire to raise his hand and move to the disco beat.

The video of the senile septuagenarian and the besotted billionaire trying to be cool is cringey as hell, but it’s also terrifying to realize that these two turkeys are in charge of our democracy.

North Korea’s Missile Shaped Skyscrapers

North Korea a dystopian and impoverished country of twenty-four million inhabitants supports a military of more than 1 million soldiers. In comparison the United States with a population of 230 million has 1.29 million active-duty troops.

The Hermit Kingdom does not need such a vast army, nor does it need to spend 30% of its GDP annually on military expenditures, including nuclear weapons.

North Korea has a military-first political ideology, which means that military spending comes before feeding its starving masses, health care, infrastructure, and everything else.

North Korea does not need a million-soldier army, or nuclear weapons, none of the countries that border it, China, Russia, and South Korea pose any threat. Who would want to invade and occupy a failed nation with a starving population, no infrastructure and no oil or any other natural resources?

North Korea’s huge army and nuclear arsenal are not primarily to deter any outside threat, but to discourage its citizens from overthrowing its dictator, Kim Jong Un. Its nuclear intercontinental missiles also discourage the United States from meddling in its affairs.

Kim Jong-un’s iconic missile shaped skyscrapers dominate the skyline of North Korea’s capital, Pyongyang. They are symbolic of the failed dictatorship, residents of the towers can only use its elevators when there’s electricity, which, due to the nation’s faltering electrical grid, is for three hours in the evening. Imagine thousands of the residents trying to use the elevators at the same time, that pretty much sums up life in North Korea.

Did God Smite TD Jakes with a Stroke While Preaching?

“During today’s service, Bishop T.D. Jakes experienced a slight health incident and received immediate medical attention following his powerful hour-long message. Bishop Jakes is stable and under the care of medical professionals.”

PageSix.Com

The morbidly obese 67-year-old Prosperity Gospel pastor dropped his microphone after delivering a lengthy sermon and fell silent. He then began involuntary shaking in his seat, leading many to believe he may have suffered a stroke. He was rushed to a hospital and is under the care of medical professionals.

The Prosperity Gospel teaches that it is always God’s will to heal. If you aren’t healing after prayer and supplication, it is because of your lack of faith.

A Prosperity Gospel church should practice what it preaches, instead of being rushed to a hospital to be ministered to by medical professionals, the church deacons should have surrounded the stricken pastor, laid hands on him, and prayed for healing and deliverance.

What a bunch of hypocrites, they know damn well that divine healing is a pile of shit, and the last thing they wanted was for their moneymaker to die so they called for an ambulance to take him to the hospital, the only place where real healing takes place.

If Jakes wasn’t guilty of the sin of gluttony he wouldn’t have to worry about heart issues. And maybe if he hadn’t attended dozens of freak-off parties at Diddy’s mansions, his heart wouldn’t be beating so fast, worried that he would be exposed as a hypocrite.

Trump Did Not Win in a Landslide

Donald Trump has a penchant for speaking in superlatives, in vintage fashion he bragged that his election victory handed him an “unprecedented and powerful” mandate to govern.

Most pundits, pollsters and voters were expecting a razor thin election, and surprisingly he won all seven swing states giving him a decisive electoral college win.

Trump’s party also won both chambers of Congress, lending credence to his boast that he won a massive landslide.

He broadened his appeal across nearly all demographics, including blacks and Latinos, and other groups that Democrats take for granted.

When Trump cultists reveled in their “landslide victory” I was too dejected and demoralized to attempt to refute their claim.

But as vote-tallying continues in some states, including in dark blue California, Trump’s percentage of the vote has slipped below 50%. When a winner gets a plurality of the vote (as opposed to a majority) it is hard to spin it as a landslide victory.

Trump may control both chambers of Congress, and he may have the Supreme Court in his pocket, but he did not win in a landslide, and it is still a 50/50 electorate.

Democrats should not roll over and play dead, Trump barely won the popular vote, and it is incumbent upon us to fight his fascist agenda tooth and nail.

Trump does not have a mandate to destroy our democracy, it is time to wipe away our tears and fight for our values.

My Annual Thanksgiving Essay

I am a curmudgeon with a penchant for writing editorials exposing the frailties and baser instincts of politicians, preachers, billionaires, and bureaucrats who wield power over us. But on Thanksgiving Day I channel the spirit of the Dalai Lama and I wax poetic about things and people that are a blessing in my life.

I’ve been posting essays online since 1998, and some of them have gone viral, but nothing is more satisfying and ego gratifying than seeing my words published in a print publication. There is a visceral thrill and tactile satisfaction in turning the pages of a newspaper and reading news, editorials, and community events. I’m thankful that the Bedford Bulletin still publishes a print edition.

I feel a familial obligation to contact my family members who live out of state on Thanksgiving, even the ones who have political and religious views that are antithetical to mine. I end the perfunctory call and check them off my list. But I am thankful for Jackie my sister I seamlessly vibe with; I feel refreshed, reenergized and thankful whenever I call her, not just at Thanksgiving.

I was devastated by the election results; it is sobering to realize that voters placed party and perceived economic benefits over democracy and freedom. But I am thankful that I live in a free country where I can still express my opposition to the party in power by writing letters to the editor, attending demonstrations, and publishing my anti-Trump essays on my blog.

Nancy Mace Wants to Force First Trans Congresswoman to Use Men’s Room

Sarah McBride, a Delaware state senator, made history as the first out transgender person elected to the House of Representatives.

McBride was overcome with gratitude at her historic victory gushing on Twitter/X:

“Thank you, Delaware! I am proud to be your next member of Congress. Delaware has sent the message loud and clear that … this is a democracy that is big enough for all of us.”

But before McBride has been sworn-in, she was hit with the harsh reality that transgender persons are second-class citizens in the Trump regime.

South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace introduced a resolution to ban transgender women from women’s restrooms at the US Capitol.

“Sarah McBride doesn’t get a say. I mean, this is a biological man, the MAGA firebrand told reporters, adding that McBride “does not belong in women’s spaces, women’s bathrooms, locker rooms, changing rooms, period, full stop.”

Transgender women are women, period, full stop. Mace’s resolution to ban transgender women from women’s restrooms is discriminatory, anti-trans bigotry and bullying of the worst kind.

McBride should be welcomed with open arms by her Republican colleagues, her victory is a sign that we are making progress in making America a more perfect union. McBride should be allowed to focus on passing legislation that benefits her constituents and not have to waste time fighting a blatantly anti-trans resolution.

In a perfect world this misguided resolution would go down in flames, but I’m afraid that it may very well pass in the GOP-controlled House of Representatives.

Elonia and Donald Trump Make the Perfect Couple

“Elon Musk has unexpectedly found himself reimagined as America’s ‘First Lady’ over his close friendship with President-elect Donald Trump. Social media users have humorously used AI-generated images to depict the billionaire in various feminine roles typically associated with the position of a First Lady.”

INQUISITR.COM

Melania Trump only made a couple of campaign appearances with her husband during his long campaign to regain his throne, and she’s made it explicitly clear that she plans on living in New York to be close to the real love of her life, Barron who is a student at NYU.

Melania has never shown any affection for Donald, her aversion is manifest in her penchant for swatting away his creepy little hand whenever he tries to hold hers.

Elon, on the other hand, basks in the presence of Trump; he’s practically moved into Mar-a-Lago after the election. Elon’s love for Trump may not be unrequited, the president-elect is smitten with Elon’s billions which he freely spent to elect the love of his life.

Trump’s love for Elon may be romantic, who knows maybe the world’s richest man has a package as big as his bank accounts. We all remember how Trump rhapsodized about the length and girth of Arnold Palmer’s dick.

In any event Trump doesn’t need his frigid wife to keep him warm at nights and to dutifully stand by his side when he faces the adversarial press. Move over Melania, Elon will gladly clasp Trump’s hand, and Trump will gladly grab Elon’s penis.

Trump’s Victory Signals the End of American Exceptionalism

“American exceptionalism, idea that the United States of America is a unique and even morally superior country for historical, ideological, or religious reasons.

Britannica.com

The doctrine of American exceptionalism is well entrenched in the Democratic and Republic parties, they both engage in patriotic rhetoric that paints America as the “shining city on a hill,” although Republicans sing the praises of America with more zeal and belligerence.

Is America, by light of its constitution and history of defending democracy, still the favored nation destined to play a leading role in world affairs? Is the President still the Leader of the Free World?

After Donald Trump’s landslide in the popular vote and Electoral College, improving his margins in almost every demographic, it’s clear that the electorate has chosen fascism and authoritarianism over democracy and liberty.

The MAGA movement not only won the White House but retained control of the House and won a strong Senate majority. With a conservative Supreme Court, there is nothing stopping Trump from destroying democracy at home and abroad.

Trump does not respect treaties or partnerships. He doesn’t believe in a win-win foreign policy; he regards geopolitics as a zero-sum game where only America wins, and both allies and foes lose. His America First philosophy will result in both our enemies and allies putting our interests in last place.

The orange clown and his court jesters and sycophants will ensure that the world ends not with a bang or a whimper, but a sigh of regret.

It’s Anathema for a Politician to Say ‘God Willing’

Whenever a politician prefaces an intention to implement a new policy by saying “God willing” or “with God’s help” it is safe to assume that the Almighty is the last thing on their mind.

A politician invokes the Supreme Being to give the impression that their policies are in accordance with His will. The truth is that God is simply not in the equation, period. It is imperfect human beings who govern, and it is the most conniving and cynical who claim to act in the name of the Creator.

Whenever a corrupt politician, like Donald Trump, mentions Jesus it does not give his words more power, his need to refer to Jesus exposes the weakness of his arguments.

Politics is a dirty business, and a politician should never refer to a deity when making a speech or uttering any statement. That is as unseemly as a sex worker telling her client, “With God’s help I will give you the best blow job of your life.”

In a secular democracy it is anathema for a politician to invoke the name of God. I can imagine God telling hypocritical politicians: Keep my name out of your freaking mouth.

A politician shouldn’t seek help in governing by praying or reading the Bible, but by listening to his constituents.

Word to the wise: Try saying “conceivably” “hopefully” or “possibly” instead of pissing everyone off by saying “God willing.”

Evangelicals in Uproar Over John Piper’s tweet

John Piper is an evangelical theologian, retired Reformed Baptist pastor, prolific author, former chancellor of a Bible college and seminary and a podcaster. In short, he is an accomplished and serious evangelical, but he’s not a Trump sycophant, and that makes him a person of ill repute in the evangelical movement.

John Piper posted the following fairly innocuous tweet, which has caused an uproar in the evangelical community:

“Presidential election results.

Having delivered us from one evil, God now tests us with another.”

I wouldn’t like or repost Piper’s tweet because I don’t see the same kind of moral equivalence between Harris and Trump that he sees. There is no similarity between a conventional politician who believes in the democratic process, and an authoritarian who is willing to blow up the democratic process to win an election.

If the Almighty doesn’t deliver us from monsters like Hitler and Trump, it’s fair to deduce that when it comes to elections He’s not in the equation.

In a democracy it’s voters, not any deity, who determine the outcome of an election.

But at least Piper recognizes Trump as an evil, and not a God ordained messiah to make America great again.

Evangelicals are so caught up in the Trump cult, that unlike Piper they will never realize that he is the embodiment of evil, not even if his recklessness and stupidity start World War III.

If God is testing us with Trump’s victory, evangelicals have already failed the test.

We Must Stand with Transgender Women When They are Attacked by the Trump Regime

Donald Trump’s massive landslide victory is a crushing defeat for women, migrants, religious and racial minorities, and especially for the transgender community.

Armed with the Supreme Court’s immunity ruling and with the mandate he received from a conservative electorate, the second Trump administration promises to be a bleak period for transgender Americans.

Transgender women should brace themselves for attacks from the White House and a slate of anti-trans legislation from the GOP controlled House and Senate.

Trump mercilessly mocked transwomen in his hate filled MAGA rallies, and his presidential campaign spent millions on ads attacking the trans community. This anti-trans messaging has already done incalculable harm to this disenfranchised community, but the worst is yet to come.

Why all this hate directed at a marginalized community that makes up less than one percent of the population? Trump used anti-trans hysteria as a wedge issue to consolidate his support from the evangelical community.

I am not trans, gay or bisexual, but I am an American who believes that we should all be treated with love and respect. The greatness of a democracy is manifest when we treat our religious, racial, political, and sexual minorities the same as everyone else.

Today I am trans, and I call on all freedom-loving Americans to identify with the trans community, and to stand by them.

It’s time to stop crying over the devastating election results, and time to start planning how we can protect the rights of the LGBT community under the fascist Trump regime.

The Female Nude a Threat to the Patriarchy

“It never made sense why we can celebrate the body in art, but fear it in cinema.”

Demi Moore

Famous works of art throughout history in different countries and cultures celebrate the nude body. Only the pathologically prude or the sanctimoniously spiritual object to paintings or sculptures that depict nude subjects. The rest of us can look at “Birth of Venus” by Sandro Botticelli or “Lady Godiva” by John Maler Collier with artistic admiration and not prurient interest.

It is ironic that in the digital age when the most extreme expressions of hardcore porn are easily accessible on our phones, laptops and tablets, that there are still people who fear nudity in cinema, the Broadway stage and in books.

Religious fundamentalists may appreciate “Mother and Child” By Gustav Klimt in a museum but wax apoplectic if a woman is depicted breastfeeding in a movie, or horror of horrors, if she is breastfeeding in public.

Religious fundamentalists, whether they are Islamists or evangelicals, feel a religious zeal to cover up the female body regardless if it’s a work of art or a real woman with the temerity to express her freedom and autonomy in the way she dresses.

Women who “dress scantily” are sometimes raped not because they pose too much of a temptation to mean with a weak will, but because they post a threat to the patriarchal order to men with weak minds.

The female nude in popular culture shouldn’t be feared, despised or banned, but admired and celebrated.

Evangelicals Need to Stop Hating on LGBTQ Community

The LGBTQ community has made tremendous strides in recent years; most Americans no longer consider them outsiders to be feared and ostracized. According to a May 2022 Gallup poll 71% of Americans support same-sex marriage.

But evangelicals still consider sodomy the greatest sin in the world, even though Jesus never said a word about the subject.

There are just as many gays in church as there are in the secular realm, evidenced by the many ministers who have been exposed as closeted gays.

Evangelical pastors marginalize and ostracize gay people and rail against them from the pulpit because they are the one group that they feel safe preaching against.

The Bible has a lot more to say about pride, adultery, gluttony, and dozens of other sins, but if evangelical ministers preach too much against these sins, they will alienate too many people in their congregation.

Obesity is an epidemic in America but evangelical minister John Hagge who is morbidly obese never preaches against gluttony, but he never misses an opportunity to denounce gays.

Evangelicals who are so vehemently anti-gay worship Donald Trump. The same Trump who rhapsodizes about the length of Arnold Palmer’s penis, simulates performing oral sex on a microphone, and  closes his rallies by dancing to the gay anthem “YMCA.”

Evangelicals in the Bible Belt are the biggest consumers of girl-on-girl porn. They need to hit pause on their porn, stop using their bibles as a weapon, repent of their hypocrisy and recognize that hating on gays is a grievous sin.