Category: Hero/Leader/Politics

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/

 

Leader

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

What exactly is a leader?

Are they elected, born, or created? Or do come from something else?

My definition is a simple one.

A leader is someone who speaks for the mute.

A leader is someone who acts for the paralyzed.

A leader is someone who listens for the deaf.

A leader is someone who thinks for those who cannot.

Currently our leaders seek to remove and dismantle so much of what the country is about.

Remember that they are not leading but acting out in fear.

Fear that a Leader will indeed speak for all those who cannot.

 

Remember this.

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

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 Loss of Civility

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

It seems like it began more than eight years ago when a black man was elected President.

And then it all boiled over when it became not just a little likely that a woman would be elected…but a certainty.

And then history changed.

We are indeed a country that respects free speech. We are also a country which respects expression. These are things which come from the heart which is perhaps difficult to discern.

But what is not difficult to discern is hate. Hate takes the form of many different things. Hate also comes from the heart. Expression which is meant to harm and create confusion is dangerous. Knowledge is indeed power and it is intriguing just how far people have gone – and continue to go – for that power. And one key with keeping the power is restricting and eliminating effective education which is in motion.

Over the past election cycle the public has been pounded with the continuing statement of “Fake News”. It is and has continued.

And the hate which is associated with it continues as well.

A journalist is assaulted. A story is concocted about a candidate who is selling children and having sex with them. A story is told about immigrants which assault and hurt the “native” children. News sites which write more to a “theme” than facts have more leverage than “real” news.

And through it all…a loss of civility.

President Trump continues to not make any statements when the true Americans stand up and help those in need.

An aside…

President Obama was a great President.

This nation will morn the loss of Hillary Clinton for many years to come. One can only hope the current administration implodes upon itself and is replaced appropriately and civilly.

Be respectful of yourself and others.

Remember to be Optimistic. Remember the good.

Be the Country we wish to be. Not the one which is filled with hate and short-sightedness.

And mostly…Just Remember.

For it will be tomorrow soon. We just have to remember…

#Portlandheroes, # noTrumpstatementagainsthateagain, #ironicTrumpIntelligence, #Billionairesclub, #1984, #education, #devinnunes, #makeamericagreat

Empathy, Emotional Intelligence, Hatred, and the overall growth of things – Emmett Till

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

Recently an image of someone’s suffering inspired another human being. This image and imagery of the casket from Emmett Till’s funeral has a feeling that is not isolated to one race, sex, socioeconomic category. It is a tragedy on many levels and the meaning of it cannot ever be minimized if one is indeed a part of the human existence or humanity.

But let’s for a moment say that it is and can be minimized. Take for an example a situation which we change species – from the Homo Sapiens – to the Macropodidae. And in this case a member of the Macropodiadae is run over by a car. Is it true to say that only the Macropodiadae can mourn their loss? Why?

Racism exists and it exists on so many levels, colors, and hues. Expressing compassion for loss of and about Homo Sapiens regardless of race, color, gender, money, etc is the ultimate sign of growth by the species as we move forward into the onrushing future.

Parker Bright’s concerns over color and compassion which is purely based on race shows just how much further we have to go.

After all when I see a Kangaroo on the side of the road after being hit I feel compassion and pain for that animal. For that being.

It is part of the maturing of our society and humanity that we accept kindness and empathy. Those two things are not bound by “anything”. Bright’s statements that they are shows she has not considered the larger image of the future and is still in the past.

 

Texas A&M’s new Student Body President

 

First of all congratulations to Bobby Brooks.

And second congratulations to Texas A&M for being able to identify issues during the election and act.

And finally it is more than ironic that Rick Perry is having an issue with an election where the person who received the second most votes won.

Someone here looks to be vested in all the wrong issues.

But then this person is not familiar with basic science so we do have that.

 

Rep. Devin Nunes

Not much needs to be said here. During an active investigation where there is explicit evidence of tampering by the Russians of the election of 2016 Representative Nunes lets out information which “supports” his views? And then briefs President Trump? By going to extreme lengths to sabotage the intelligence committee’s efforts he has in the end only given more credence and strength to the fact the election was not only influenced but was won by their chosen participant. What is unfortunate is that instead of having concerns that this occurred and addressing it in the appropriate manner it appears that the Russians were prescient in their choice. Representative Nunes’s actions only continue to affirm this. An apology by President Trump for unfounded and bizarre claims is still needed. The briefing in no way shape or form backs up the tweet accusing President Obama of spying on him. Simply put…a lie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#ironicTrumpIntelligence, #Billionairesclub, #howtoapologize, #1984, #education, #Emmitttill, #BobbyBrooks, #devinnunes

“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.