Category: Entertainment

Dear Twitter: Ban our President for our safety please.

Posted on Posted in 2016 Elections, Discrimination, Education, Entertainment, Environment, Geoeconomic, Hero/Leader/Politics, Policitcs, Thoughts, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Please give President Trump a 90 day ban.

He is threatening a possible nuclear power.

He is supporting hate.

He threatens the United States.

He bullies online those he doesn’t agree with.

These are all violations of your use policy.

You want your platform to be a meaningful place of discourse?

At the bare minimum you must adhere to some standards.

 

https://support.twitter.com/articles/18311#

Violent threats (direct or indirect): You may not make threats of violence or promote violence, including threatening or promoting terrorism.

  • Harassment: You may not incite or engage in the targeted abuse or harassment of others. Some of the factors that we may consider when evaluating abusive behavior include:
    • if a primary purpose of the reported account is to harass or send abusive messages to others;
    • if the reported behavior is one-sided or includes threats;
    • if the reported account is inciting others to harass another account; and
    • if the reported account is sending harassing messages to an account from multiple accounts.

Hateful conduct: You may not promote violence against or directly attack or threaten other people on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, religious affiliation, age, disability, or disease. We also do not allow accounts whose primary purpose is inciting harm towards others on the basis of these categories.

#ironicTrumpIntelligence,#Billionairesclub,#makeamericagreat,#KathyGriffn,#rcfp,#keepingElectedOfficialsAccountable,#BanTrump

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You’re Fired! – A President who Threatens…

Posted on Posted in 2016 Elections, Discrimination, Education, Entertainment, Environment, Geoeconomic, Hero/Leader/Politics, Policitcs, Thoughts, UncategorizedLeave a comment

I am only want to say this once.

A President who threatens the citizens of America is no longer the President.

http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_HEALTH_OVERHAUL?SITE=WABEJ&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2017-07-30-14-35-08

ok.  One more time.

A President who threatens America is not the President.

 

#ironicTrumpIntelligence,#Billionairesclub,#makeamericagreat,#KathyGriffn,#rcfp,#keepingElectedOfficialsAccountable

 

40 Million dollar Men, Two Billion dollar Stadium, and ESPN layoffs…what’s in common?

Posted on Posted in Discrimination, Education, Entertainment, Environment, Geoeconomic, Hero/Leader/Politics, UncategorizedLeave a comment

At first glance one would say that there are no connections between any of the topics in the subject line.

Before I tie anything together – and if it all sounds like you have heard this before I’ll apologize in advance – a few things.

A disclaimer. I enjoy sports. I enjoy competition and of course I enjoy winning. I also don’t mind when I lose when the game is honest and competitive. In general and specifically humanity is competitive and this basic concept goes back to Darwin’s Law.

With the state of the sports world I am struggling to enjoy sports. I didn’t mind watching millionaires play a game and become wealthy. Most players when they are good become millionaires and I believed it to be a cool and good thing in general. They were on television and had advertising contracts and as they became more skilled they were able to make more on the market. The revenue streams were from contracts with over-the-air networks and the money all seemed to be reasonable. Mostly.

Leverage. Somewhere this word came into play with sports. It started with college with divisions signing large contracts with ESPN which shifted the college game. This occurred in all areas for the money was not small potatoes. Games which were once traditional over-the-air now are only available on ESPN.

Profit. I believe companies have the right to profit for their services. It is as American as apple pie and ice cream. ESPN is exploiting America and using publicly funded sites – stadiums specifically – to generate billions of dollars off the very taxpayer whose dollars built the very stadiums from which they profit.

Stadiums. Soon Las Vegas will have a new football stadium and it will be at the cost of over two billion dollars. It may very well reach three billion. Taxpayers will fund bonds to assist a billionaire owner to build this stadium at which taxpayers will then pay to park, eat, and recreate at this very stadium. ESPN will then charge taxpayers to watch anything inside the stadium. Should profit be generated by something the public paid for – and will continue to pay for? Ever?

Layoffs. Recently laid off some of their staff. That is not the notable part. The part that was notable is who was laid off. It appears that any reporter or writer who wrote with insight and compassion regarding issues and topics was laid off. While the recent layoffs were jarring in the number it had actually begun years prior as they released talent that were both insightful and challenging to what it was that ESPN appeared to be becoming. It is not fair to say this but Stephen A Smith is a shadow of who is left. The best analogy is to say that there were trusted newsmen – sportsmen – and now there is this. Someone who has only opinions based on nothing but biases which as he speaks reveal the superficiality and vapidness of his being. There is no insight. And that is what ESPN has become. An empty package.

So here you might say that one should not look for insight or meaning with sports. And you know something…I agree.

But I wish for more. If the taxpayers of America are going to be paying for a product then it should be a quality product. It is not.

And what is scary is that ESPN leveraged itself with recent contracts to the NBA, NFL, and any other sport it wished to have. This means that as consumers cable and internet will rise. And not just a little bit. Billions of dollars just do not fall from the sky. They come from you. They come from me. The contracts which were signed are irresponsible and illegal.

I’d like to see 100,000 people turn off their cable every month for a year. Starting on the East Coast. Keep the internet but cut the cord. After 4 months the cable companies will begin scrambling. After 8 months defaults will begin. After 16 months there will be collapses in stock and prices. And after 24 months America can negotiate in good faith to no longer be exploited by big business.

You could say that you can’t follow your team. Watch your team.

You would be right. Let me tell you something…it is not your team anymore. See the uniforms they are wearing? Guess how much they are receiving for that? See the flashing signs? Take another guess. See “your” coach? Do you know how much he is making? Think you can go and meet him? Buy him coffee? Go ahead and try. I’ll put money on you getting arrested before you can just buy him coffee or a drink.

It doesn’t matter who your team is right now. They are not yours.

And before I stop here I’ll just say one more thing for today.

Education. Those billions belong to society.   Should be invested in society. Not removed from it. Invested in it.

I don’t fault ESPN for using their leverage.

 

 

I just believe we should take it back.

An example of something that no longer exists. Something that is challenging, flawed, and beautiful all at the same time. Foretelling of events occurring today somehow and the shifting of society. Writing that appears to have disappeared?

http://grantland.com/features/a-mysterious-physicist-golf-club-dr-v/

 

The Civil(ity) (WAR) – and other things

Posted on Posted in 2016 Elections, Discrimination, Education, Entertainment, Environment, Geoeconomic, Gun laws, Hero/Leader/Politics, Policitcs, Thoughts, UncategorizedLeave a comment

It is fairly amazing what is happening as of late. And I honestly would like to say that it is surprising on any level at this point. However, how can it be?

I go back a few years when learning communication skills and what it means to utilize argumentation. How it is indeed a skill and how it is based on a few things if one is to present a premise in a manner which is effective and accurate and what one wishes to be heard.

There were other things I learned as well. Something about assertions.

A false assertion which is repeated over and over again does not make something true. Should I repeat that?

In this time and day and age the certainty of the previous statement is at this time false.

It is why NASA this past week made a statement about not having child laborers on Mars.

It is why someone shot at a pizzeria because of statements repeated.

It is why Sandy Hook and 911 did not happen.

And it is again why the current president is sitting in office.

A few weeks ago I wrote about the loss of Civility. https://imagine-democracy.com/2017/06/02/218/

It should be noted what I did not say and I should have said very clearly. We as society have to rise and be above what is happening. Otherwise this will end very poorly for all.

There are in place ways to remove a sitting President. But the worst thing that one can do is sink to the level of this individual.

I find myself astounded by the level President Trump has sunk to in the past few days. I have been trying to write this for a period of time but every time I begin something else occurs.

Attacking our free press is an issue. Attacking the appearance of a human being is an issue. Promoting a visual representation of these is an issue…and then repeating it all again. And the largest issue? Does it even need to be said?

Repeating something until it becomes true. This is a fallacy of argumentation in which the argument cannot and does not become true. In the end what has been said is discredited and determined to have no merit so the argument is indeed false.

EVERYONE should take note of this.

This is a trying time in our Democracy and we have indeed elected the President of our times.

This is a time when people willingly follow and believe falsehoods because they fit in with their ideals/religion/beliefs. This is a time when there should be independent thought and actions but instead whenever this may occur…it is reeled back in and those speaking so or such…lambasted.

This is a time when a person will listen to their phone while driving and turn into a lake…because they were not looking.

President Trump is perhaps the biggest caricature of what society current is at this exact moment.

And you know something else? It is ok.

We will be ok.

I believe people will learn and the charlatans will fade and we will again have real knowledge and news which isn’t dismissed but appreciated and acknowledged.

I believe that people will see that the lies which are being told are only being done so because of one thing.

I believe that the Power that they seek and have sought will be fleeting.

I do believe in the positivity of People in general.

I am waiting for it.

I have been standing for it

Am I alone?

 

ironicTrumpIntelligence,#Billionairesclub,#IamWaiting,#mediaEthics,#makeamericagreat,#KathyGriffin

Megyn Kelly, hate, and Media Integrity – what is any of it?

Posted on Posted in 2016 Elections, Discrimination, Education, Entertainment, Environment, Geoeconomic, Gun laws, Policitcs, Thoughts, UncategorizedTagged , , , , , , Leave a comment

It is completely desirable to “shine a light” on newsmakers.

It is the responsibility of media and reporters and if anything…it is the responsibility.

And dealing with the responsibility in an equitable manner is taught throughout the country in various forms which directly returns to something called the Ethics of Journalism.

Currently we have “newsmakers” writing on the events of the day who have zero ethics. They only have what they believe and have monetized their beliefs into something which is curious because their “supporter-base” follow this somehow. On their own their belief would not be an issue but because of this base this changes the tone of what they are from innocuous to something much more malignant. One of these newsmakers has a prominent supporter in President Trump who comments often regarding events around this movement. And he should for they are quite prominent in his rise and election to President.

With the recent election cycle we saw the rise of information which was generated not to educate or inform but to mislead and to harm. Our current President is a part of this. This information was viewed not as entertainment, distraction, or farce but something else. This information was viewed as fact and was in fact acted upon to the point where the election was influenced.

Alex Jones has millions of followers. Megyn Kelly’s attempt to get someone who attacks the innocent(s) and address his actions should be celebrated. Ms. Kelly’s point that Mr. Jones not only has a platform but quite a large base underestimates what is true. Millions of women and men listen to someone who quite simply spins tales. How can anyone listen to someone who says and has said multiple events are not true. It is baffling that those in the United States have become so ignorant to untruths.

As I write this I am quite simply astounded that any rational human being will knowingly follow someone who has no ethical responsibility to anyone. Mr. Jones quite simply is a fraud with zero interesting things to say. What is sad is that so many follow this fraud.

Anything that is written by him or said is to perpetuate an agenda which appears to be based on fear and hate. History will decide how this will play out and in time I have to believe people will come to realize that Mr. Jones will say and do whatever makes him money.

At the end of the day what does it mean that President Trump aligns with this charlatan?

Is it appropriate to tie together two individuals with no appearance of ethics other than it appears they have tied themselves together?

Oh… and in a statement from Mr. Jones about Ms. Kelly regarding whether or not he was attracted to her? Umm…is this an attempt to further marginalize someone who is seeking truth?

Media Integrity.

No need to reinvent the wheel.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_ethics

#noTrumpStatementAgainstHateAgain, #ironicTrumpIntelligence, #Billionairesclub, #MegynKelly,#mediaEthics,#makeamericagreat, #alexJones

The Loss of Civility – Severed Head, the Beautiful Kathy Griffin

Posted on Posted in 2016 Elections, Discrimination, Education, Entertainment, Environment, Geoeconomic, Gun laws, Hero/Leader/Politics, Policitcs, Thoughts, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Addendum:

I think it is important to keep perspective and context. And not fall into what is easy to fall into. That which we know as hate.

That being said I really cannot say anything negative about what Kathy did. She honestly she portrayed was the accumulation of frustration and irritation of a thousand cuts inflicted by President Trump.

This is a man who has inflicted harm – in no particular order – upon:

  1. our environment
  2. our rights
  3. our nation
  4. our animals
  5. our children
  6. our elderly
  7. our poor
  8. our compromised
  9. our society
  10. our lives
  11. our press
  12. …continue the list here. What do you think he has destroyed is destroying?

essentially in the sort period of time Trump has been president he has inflicted harm across all. Except for one group. The ridiculously wealthy. This is a person who has spent more time over a misspelled word than when people are harmed in his implicit name. More time spent over a misspelled word than acknowledging the heroes in Portland. More time spent over a misspelled word than making a statement versus making a STATEMENT against hate.  Essentially President Trump has done nothing but destroy. We have in place a good and valuable system to manage and remove destroyers. Now is the time.  Kathy Griffin’s expression simply showed at a boil the feelings of all those who are being harmed. They have no voice for they are not millionaires nor billionaires.  It is time to Remove Trump.

I am thankful for all Artists in this world and that is what she is.  An Artist.  Artist’s have freedom to express themselves in America without any rebute.  It is no stretch to say that an Artist’s job is to challenge and confront the norms, expand the known, and stretch the imagination.

Thank you.

 

#Portlandheroes, # noTrumpStatementAgainstHateAgain, #ironicTrumpIntelligence, #Billionairesclub, #KathyGriffin

The Wrong side of History

Posted on Posted in 2016 Elections, Discrimination, Education, Entertainment, Environment, Geoeconomic, Policitcs, Thoughts, UncategorizedLeave a comment

It is difficult to even list all the ways that this seems to be going wrong.

An administration which is teetering on fraud and corruption and straight out lies is astounding in any context. But when one considers that this is involves the Presidency of the United States it becomes all the more alarming.

The Greatest Hits of President Trump’s reality show to this point.

  1. An administration that actively seeks to harm minority rights, the compromised, and women.
  2. An administration that reduces protections of the consumer of all things electronic and web based in a time of unparalleled levels of spying of consumers by industry. All in the name of profit.
  3. An administration that actively colluded with Russia during and after the election in ways which compromise any legitimacy that President Trump may have which as the “drip-drip” of news and information continues only further erodes any confidence in anything that is said about it by the administration. Additionally the compromising of the first investigation by providing “information which will never be able to be confirmed.”       And new switch to blaming and creating doubt and fear is a tactic which has proved effective to this point for President Trump. How long will the public fall for this?
  4. An administration which actively sought to squelch any honest testimony though both intimidation and threats.
  5. An administration has backed up it’s belief that Global Warming does not exist by attempting to bring back one of the most harmful energy sources. Harmful for both the environment and those who work the mines.       What is ironic about this is the level of automation – if it comes back – which will severely reduce the work force which has been clamoring for it.
  6. An administration which is actively seeking “leaks” and presenting a Deep State. Seeking only an environment where there is Group Think. Dangerous in any situation.
  7. An administration which presents a budget which eliminates social programs essential to the poor, elderly, indigent, and veterans. Further demonstrating that President Trump has taken advantage of the very core of those who voted for him.
  8. An administration which proposes “choice” for education but it is a choice veiled in one thing. Money. This essentially removes the ability of America to become great.
  9. An administration which will actively reduce taxes on the wealthy and shift the burden – percentage wise – to the poor. Not the middle class. The poor.
  10. An administration which has zero accountability for false statements and spreads hatred and tolerates crimes against the less fortunate. A President which shows zero class and attacks and lies about a President who did more in the past eight years with little assistance from the very people who in the past week decided the Affordable Care Act is indeed better than anything that they can create.
  11. An administration which is essentially looking to harm the very proponent of being a GOP supporter.       Pro-life. Approving and reducing controls for chloropyrifos.       Why is this an issue?       Widespread use of these chemicals can affect the unborn fetus and damage brain growth. Not to mention the damage to the bees. Why was this undone? How? It was undone with no discussion or rational look at science. It was undone by someone who just may believe that the earth is flat. It was undone by another of … the billionaires club.
  12. An administration which continues to utilize multiple end-around using family in positions which they have and are vested in the very topics they have been appointed to.

It is the wrong side of history. As more people become entangled in the lies and creative use of facts by President Trump time will demonstrate just what is real and fake.

It may be time to call for President Trump to resign. The signs are becoming more clear by the day.

 

#ironicTrumpIntelligence, #Billionairesclub, #howtoapologize, #1984, #education, #BobbyBrooks, #devinnunes, #prolife, #makeamericagreat

 

“I Apologize” President Trump

Posted on Posted in Discrimination, Education, Entertainment, Environment, Geoeconomic, Hero/Leader/Politics, Policitcs, UncategorizedTagged , , , , Leave a comment

These are words one cannot imagine would be uttered from the leader of the free world.

They should be.  Accusing President Obama of wiretapping his phones and then making a big deal about it – in lieu of actual facts – is more than a little disheartening.

During the election cycle President Obama mostly stayed on the sidelines when it came to comments regarding President Trump. Now it is more apparent that he should not have. The President is not currently President because he ran a campaign based on truth and honesty and integrity.  President Trump is President because he ran a campaign based on deceit, corruption, and lies.  President Trump’s continued assault on the free press for reporting accurately the information as it becomes apparent further paints his words as skewed in truth, inaccurate, and generally deceptive. And as this continues to move forward – the Presidency of the 45th – it appears this is unlikely to wane.  This is perhaps the biggest issue.

Last anyone looked there is a new President in office. Attacking a former President who did more for the underprivileged, the climate, our education, and general rights generally, is appalling. It is however utilizing the play-book which allowed for President Trump to become President. Pander to the extreme right, drum up support from those who cannot utilize reason in a rational manner and stoke the flames of fear.

There is no honor in the words coming from President Trump’s mouth. There is no integrity from what he is saying. Ask Preet Bharara.

A man with the CIA and FBI at his disposal has many tools before him. He needs to utilize a few.

Starting with something most learned when they were just starting to play with and share some toys.  Some words that two-year-olds learn.  Two words.  And then why.

I’m Sorry.

 

#ironicTrumpIntelligence, #Billionairesclub, #howtoapologize, #1984, #education,

Make America Great! – update

Posted on Posted in Discrimination, Education, Entertainment, Environment, Geoeconomic, Hero/Leader/Politics, PolicitcsLeave a comment

While it would be premature to judge a president who is less than 60 days in office there are some distinct watermarks to observe at this point.

  1. The removal of guidance for a minority group and stating a move toward state rights. Utilizing power to not protect the weak but expose them. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/trump-administration-poised-to-change-transgender-student-bathroom-guidelines/2017/02/21/cd690204-f7bf-11e6-9845-576c69081518_story.html?utm_term=.65014ea3cb95
  2. The offering of guidance on states choices for enforcement of certain drugs with the probably of returning billions of profits to Cartels and drugrunners. Utilizing power to return money to the strong and further hurt the weak. http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/white-house-expects-justice-crackdown-legalized-marijuana-45697809
  3. The barring of certain press agencies by the White House. Utilizing power to censure and control free speech.      https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/02/24/white-house-blocks-cnn-new-york-times-from-press-briefing-hours-after-trump-slams-media/?utm_term=.872379f93ad0
  4. And for the first question for the White House…this goes to an ALT right publication whose vetting of information leave much to be desired. Using power to spread misinformation and often times lies. http://bigstory.ap.org/article/61c231e80a8340688078f8a2497e9ed1
  5. The continuation of crimes against minority groups that are both explicitly and implicitly tied to the White House.       The lack of condemnation by the President using his Social Media platform is both distressing and alarming.   Using power to support discrimination and hate.
  6. Making statements which alarm our allies and threaten our “non-friends” which essentially makes things less safe globally for both our citizens and our allies. Using power to hurt America specifically.
  7. Creating an informal – or formal depending – Billionaires club in positions which runs completely contrary to the “drain the swamp” mantra which many believed. Not one appointee at this point has anything in common with the populace which elected the President.
  8. Twitter. Need anything more be said here?
  9. Throw in here what you wish. Immigration ban, feud with Mexico, promotion of daughters clothes, promotion of resorts and branding, ethics –what -, protecting the planet, protecting people, protecting society, women’s rights etc…
  10. Russia.  #Russia

America is great. It allows for many amazing things to occur and they do essentially by the minute in this great country.

America is great for there are checks and balances in place which help all.

I want to be hopeful for the coming years under this President and see him settle into the position and come to comprehend what it truly means, find his balance, and truly lead.

Welcome to the Rio Olympics – a place of Beauty and Wonder.

Posted on Posted in Entertainment, Environment, Geoeconomic, Olympics, Policitcs, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Soon this region will accept into their fold the elite athletes and their families and coaches. It is a time where all the years of hard work and sacrifice will be rewarded through possible new records, achievements and accomplishments.

It is a time which much preparation has gone into. Unfortunately this preparation has been almost entirely one-sided.  The single-minded drive and passion of the athletes should be reflected by the venue which this year is happening in Rio.

So a few numbers to consider. The number of actual participants.  The number of volunteers.  The number of coaches.  The number of sponsors.  The number of dollars.  The number of mosquitoes.

Currently the World Health Organization has completely minimized the issues around the Zika virus and the mosquitoes which are responsible for it.

Just a cursory glance at the facts and the information coming out of the area make relatively simple conclusions which correlate with that information.

Facts:

  1. Over a year ago it was determined that the water in venues which the athletes were to be competing was not safe. That individuals were getting ill and showing symptoms from any exposure to the water.
  2. That any testing that was to be done was slowed to the point that it was and is only effective is showing that there is an issue. But what exactly is that issue?
  3. These issues did not just “happen” since the Olympics were awarded to Rio. Brazil has had approximately 10 years to work on the underlying issues.
  4. Money has no place in this. But it is driving the minimizing of the whole issue.
  5. As any activist in any part of the world is aware we are not “helping” our planet. Here is an example of just how far it is going to go. Are you really going to participate in an event which directly places all participants in direct line of fire of a situation which has been “handled”?
  6. 121 Generations. The Aedes mosquitoes have approximately a 3 week life cycle. They obviously live and require water. This water they have been flourishing on is the untreated human waste of Rio.  This includes antibiotics, viruses, plague, and bacteria.  With each of those generations growing and mutating the are automatically inoculated against the very weapons humankind has at our disposal because we have inoculated them.  We have altered their very genetic makeup to make them more resistant to that which we battle them with.

So welcome world to Rio. The head, latrine, lavatory, loo, potty, privy, water closet, outhouse…of the world.  Athletes state that it is worth the risk to win a metal.  I say, is it worth your life?  Is it worth your families life?  Is it worth your childrens?

I petition that new sites be found immediately. This begins with you.  Television will minimize the affect of moving things and it can still be called the Rio Olympics.  Only instead of being an area it will be what it truly is.  A World-Wide Event!