Will Snail Mail Make A Comeback?

The internet has given us e-mail and texting as popular forms of communication. In the process the United States Postal Service and its snail mail have suffered large losses and some say are terminal. Terminal? Not so fast. Hell, politicians and their shenanigans were much safer with snail mail. By the time a stupid snail mail became public they were already history. Not so with e-mail. E-mail as Hillary Clinton and Debbie Wasserman Schultz well know can get into the wrong hands in real time. Any politician worth his salt must have concluded by now that e-mail should not be the bearer of smears and sensitive comments. Snail mail is a much better choice. By the time snail mail is delivered the events leading to its creation are history. Of course snail mail will not make a comeback. We are too committed to quick ways of becoming asses. For instance, tweeting has become an important form of communication for most politicians. In the future politicians will only be guilty of stupid squawks. Incidentally, is it texting's turn to upset some politician's apple cart?

No Time For A Revolution

As far as I'm concerned, Bernie Sanders is no longer a viable presidential  candidate. His campaign has boiled down,at least in my opinion, to a greedy power struggle no matter the cost to the future of this country. Nothing short of a revolution would see his solutions to the issues implemented. This country was born from a revolution and has evolved through hard work in legislative halls into a super power. One birth is enough. There is much about Bernie Sanders position on issues that I like. His strategy in the closing months of the primaries however is the strategy of an egotist - not a statesman. I'm not enamored with Hillary Clinton but comared to The Donald she is a winner. It is time that Sanders comes to the same conclusion.

A Stink To Rival The Cicadas

In about two weeks the Cleveland area will be subjected to the deafening sound of the 17-year cicada. According to the latest reports the nuisance will be gone by the time of the RNC convention in July. All that will remain will be lots of dead bugs and and the stink of shells. I firmly believe that these reports are a bit premature. The 17-year cicada may be gone by July but another loud, obnoxious creature which goes by the name of Trump will invade Cleveland in July. After a few days of screaming and roaring it will be gone and only a stink will be left behind. If only we could build a wall.

May God Have Mercy On Us

One of the lessons of Campaign 2016 may very well be that it is time for change. Not the change that the Democrats and the Republicans talk about which is political garbage but the change that disillusioned voters have inferred by their support of a demagogue like Trump and the Don Quixote like Bernie Sanders. The country needs a new political party which can challenge the stodgy Democrats and Republicans without resorting to misguided showmanship. Bernie Sanders' campaign demonstrates that we are ripe for political change. It will not happen without pain. Unfortunately that pain may very well be a President Trump. May God have mercy on us.

Go Obama! Go!

Not having to face a re-election campaign can do wonders for a sitting President's approval rating and  legacy. Obama has been on a tear issuing executive orders and taking positions all designed to benefit those in need of a champion - the Mr. and Mrs. John Does. He has proven once and for all that he has calgione . Shining example, he now advocates the elimination of the forced leasing of cable boxes. This ripoff by cable companies costs the consumer over $200 per year. For what? An antiquated piece of electronics. One has only to look at the history of the telephone to appreciate what the end of leasing can mean for cable boxes.

Enough about cable boxes. The purpose of this post is to put forth a proposal that the term for POTUS be limited to one term only for six years. Not faced with months of political maneuvering a President could concentrate on governing. At least it would get us closer to the benefits of a parliamentary  form of government.

Obama has eight months left to work on his legacy. I have the felling that at long last we have the President we thought we elected in 2008. Bravo Obama!

What you sow, you shall reap

The holier than thou conservative Republicans are in a state of turmoil and the Democrats have had nothing to do with the chaos. Lets give thanks to Donald "Il Duce" Trump. The obstructionist and racist politics of the past seven years have come to roost and the evangelistic base of the GOP is raising its arms toward the heavens and wailing,"What you sow ,you shall reap". Obama must be gloating all the way to a respectable legacy.

Is there a rebate for watching a GOP debate!?

I watched most of Thursday's GOP debate before I finally gave in to some common sense and went to bed. After listening to almost two hours of trash talk and uncivil behavior I had to turn off the TV before a hurled a chair at it. These so called debates, are character assassination events. Can you top this slam is the name of the game. The candidate who succeeds in insulting the clear thinking voters wins the debate. As for me, I plan to ask CNN for a rebate to compensate me for the nightmares their debate caused. May God have mercy on us no matter who emerges as the nominee.

We have nothing to fear but -------

FDR said that "We have nothing to fear but fear itself". There are two variations which can well apply to current events.

Concerning the war against terrorism , we have nothing to fear but the extremism of religions. The posturing taken in the name of God or Allah promises to guarantee us a long costly war with no end in sight.

The rhetoric being spewed out by the GOP presidential wannabees makes me shudder. One cannot help but feel that we have nothing to fear but the possibility that a Trump or Carson could set foot in the White House as a resident. Concerning Trump, I wonder if he is a fan of Benito Mussolini?




In the end, if one is to maintain any degree of sanity, he has no choice but to embrace FDR's admonition. We have nothing to fear but fear itself. To do otherwise only encourages the extremists.

About Presidential Term Limits

The past six years have proven that the rhetoric used to win a Presidential election should not be taken too seriously. Remember "Yes we can"? Translation: We can change the way government works - just elect me. Of course the candidate had no intention of turning Washington upside down. His priority was to get elected. Once elected, his tune would become: Maybe we can, but later.

Why later? Becoming President is an ego trip. Once elected, it becomes mandatory that the successful candidate starts running for a second term. In order to do so ,the President's omnipotent advisers convince him to put his campaign promises on hold. "Yes we can" now translates into:  Don't rock the boat. The net result is four years of procrastination in implementing programs that got the individual elected in the first place.

Once he or she gets the coveted second term, one would expect immediate attention to governing the country. After all, the electorate gave the President four more years to do what should have been done in the previous four years. Four more years? Not so fast there are the midterm elections to be considered. Now is not the time to anger the Legislative branch. The net result is two more years of of a government devoted strictly to political maneuvering  rather than trying to implement social and economic reform.

Finally,with the midterm elections over and comfortable with the reality that there are no future elections for the sitting President to  reckon with, it is time to get things done. Translation: The hell with politics. Two years to work on my legacy - yes we can. Two years to get done what should have been done in the previous six.

I can only wonder whether or not it is time to consider a change in the term for the office of President. Six years with reelection off the board may be the way to go. The individual now has three years to learn what powers he or she has and three years to work his or her ass off implementing what got him or her elected in the first place. Absurd? Unrealistic perhaps but not absurd.

 Of course it would take decades to implement term limit changes. Fearing a negative effect when he or she seeks reelection, it is problematic that anyone would take the initiative.  In the meantime, invoking an old cliche, the people will be left to suck hind tit. Yes they will!

Anno Nuovo

Yes it is a new year. 2015 hopefully will see me become a nonagenarian. Now that I think about it, nonagenarian sounds a little negative. Be that as it may (had to get that cliche in), I'll take it if it is offered to me.

Anno nuovo (the new year) is not all about aging. It is also about the return of good TV and I'm not talking about football playoffs. Tonight at 9PM, "Downton Abbey" returns for its fifth season. The Lord be praised, Sunday TV, thanks to PBS will be entertaining again.

Play ball! Of course Anno Nuovo will also usher in my favorite sport, baseball. I predict that the Cleveland Indians will make it to the Series and take it all ( only an octogenarian on his way to becoming a nonagenarian would dare make such a prediction - some would call it a sign of dementia).

Not to be sneezed at (another cliche - 2015 must be the Year of The Cliche), this year we will be privileged to see the greatest show on earth. The race for the White House starts in earnest and will challenge Downton Abbey for must see TV entertainment.

The down side of 2015 comes tomorrow. Republicans take over control of the Senate as well as the House. The only thing they seem to have on their agenda is to make sure that the last two years of the Obama presidency are a disaster, no matter how miserable it makes the ninety-nine per centers. The light at the end of the tunnel is that Obama will toss politics aside, put on his gloves ( lets hear it for cliches) and make his last two years full of presidential initiatives designed to restore this country to the ninety-nine per centers. Yes he can!

Along with an Anno Nouvo there always is an Anno Vecchio. The past Anno Vecchio, 2014, has lessons for 2015. 2014 saw the most serious flaw in our great democracy raise its ugly head. Racism is alive but not well. Along with the cancer of racism, the militaristic posture of our police forces made its debut. If 2015 can see more progress in making the words "all men are created equal" accepted by all, it will indeed be a  good year. If we can stop the march towards a militaristic and gun toting society it will be a very good year.

Pardon The Constipation

Last published October,13,2014! WOW! What's going on? My blog is in a state of limbo.  One might conclude that I don't give a shit about blogging. "Musings From Tony's Keyboard" may be suffering from constipation. Taking some time off was meant to be the laxative to get posts flowing again. Bad prescription. I'm trying like hell but my creativity just won't break loose. An enema is in order, but I'll wait until after the midterm elections. From what I'm reading the Republicans stand a good chance of taking over the Senate. If that proves to be the case, it is bound to scare the shit out of me.

Our Achilles Heel?

Glad to see President Obama taking a more vocal stand on gun control. Unfortunately, I doubt that his call for effective gun control will move too many Congressmen off their asses. Not only are they in the NRA's pocket (or should I say dipping into the NRA's pockets) but with the defeat of Eric Cantor in the Virginia primaries we could have the spectacle of more Republican Congressmen ( and shamefully some Democrats) trying to convince the Tea Party how conservative they are by wrapping themselves in the Second Amendment. As far as wrapping goes, there is a company that has developed a bullet proof blanket which they claim is the solution to protecting our children during school shootings. Unbelievable that massacres have almost become an expected event. At least someone is developing protective devices while others develop more lethal guns.

Sad indeed that mass shootings have now defined the society of this country. Shameful that legislation for gun reform always ends up on the back burner. Frightful that a very conservative interpretation of the Second Amendment may very well become this country's Achilles heel.

Where have the statesmen gone?

Where have the statesmen and or stateswomen, enlightened leaders and dedicated legislators gone? They must be out there someplace. Or have they been repelled by greedy politicians? Low blow! I'm sure the preference is pragmatic politicians. Whatever or whoever they are, our representatives are letting us down. Politicians have made it perfectly clear that their first loyalty is to their political party. If there is any loyalty to spare their countrymen may be tossed a bone.

Needed legislation is on a merry-go-round.The chances of  immigration reform are practically nil until the mid-term elections are over. Raise the minimum wage? Don't bet on it - another third rail before elections. As a matter of fact any meaningful bill that impacts the wealth of the one per-centers is dead on arrival. They have so many congressional wimps in their hip pocket. Then there is gun control. The NRA not only has Congressmen in its hip pocket it has most potential presidential candidates in its front pocket.

Any action designed to fight global warming has about as much of a chance as a snowball in hell. Climate change action not only is a no-no around election time, it is a no-no supported by "Big Money" lobbyists year 'round. As one politician after another stands in denial of global warming, one can picture Nero fiddling while Rome burns. Not even the scientific evidence that the Antarctica ice shelf has disintegrated has stirred much comment in government circles. For that matter, neither has the media taken up the fight for climate control. Everyone is too busy with the NBA team owner scandal and the NFL draft.

It could be argued that once the midterm elections are over the new Congress will set aside witch hunts and will address the problems facing the country with a sincere desire to resolve them. Whoa!! Someone is forgetting that the big prize is up for grabs in 2016. There will be no time to focus on any action which might give one party or the other an edge. There will only be time for posturing and digging up material to destroy a perceived front runner.

Lets face it. Modern politics in the United States is all about winning elections. Nothing wrong with that except it has become a full time effort. Its as though the legislative branch of government is on a perennial recess. What to do?  Reform campaign laws - fat chance. A strong executive branch willing to lead at all cost might help but that's where I began. Where are these statesmen and enlightened leaders?

The House of Cards and Machiavelli

The High Primal and I have been watching Netflix' House of Cards. We are hooked on it. After watching twenty-six episodes I'm convinced that the screenplay was written by Machiavelli, the father of modern politics. Frank Underwood, the central character in the House of Cards, makes "the end justifies the means" his rallying call as he manipulates colleagues and legislation in Congress while maneuvering his way to proprietorship of The Oval Office. Only Machiavelli could have come up with a scenario featuring the outrageous activities of Frank and his wife Claire as they ruthlessly maximize their power and squash their enemies. House of Cards is all about the seamy side of politics complete with raw sex, murder and high stakes shenanigans, all a testimony to Machiavelli's words: "Of mankind we may say in general they are fickle, hypocritical and greedy of gain".

A quote from  "The Prince" fits Frank Underwood perfectly: “The lion cannot protect himself from traps, and the fox cannot defend himself from wolves. One must therefore be a fox to recognize traps, and a lion to frighten wolves.” Frank Underwood is an astute politician to be feared and not to be underestimated. One cannot help but wonder how politics bordering on treason can payoff with "the lion" becoming the 46th President of The United States after devouring the incumbent President he served as Vice-President.

The political corruption, misuse of PACs, blatant power of lobbyists, lascivious sex and violence which are the foundation of Frank Underwood's house of cards beg for a third season. There is a weak link waiting to burst and bring down the house. As Machiavelli wrote: “A man who is used to acting in one way never changes; he must come to ruin when the times, in changing, no longer are in harmony with his ways.” Underwood cannot be allowed to survive  - or can he? If Machiavelli could have  anything to say about the script, the house of cards will turn into a fortress.

March Madness

March Madness has crossed the line. It was bad enough when we had to suffer the interminable basketball tournaments but now March Madness can't handle a gentle welcome to Spring. Spring is here but we will fall back to below normal temperatures and possibly snow. The Ukraine will see no Spring. The Cold War is back and Russia will spring forward. Add to the list Malaysian Flight 370 which is a MIA and you must conclude that indeed March events are meant for a loony society. Further proof? Baseball season will open this weekend but not in the USA. Opening day in MLB has been outsourced - the Dodgers will play Arizona in AUSTRALIA. How mad can March get? How about Obama and Congress kissing and making up. It will not happen. Making out is more likely but have no fear, April is near. God is merciful. Allah is great. If ever the twain meet, it sure would be neat. Oops, I've crossed the line into March Madness.

Cease Fire!

I understand that there is a war against the rich. I'm not really sure who is waging this war. It can't be the United States. I heard last night right from the horse's , excuse me - the President's mouth, that we were getting out of the war business. He went on to say that diplomacy must be given a chance before we unleash our military might. So who is waging this war against the rich? My money (what's left of it) is on the media. TV pundits like wars. More accurately, they like to talk about wars. A war against the rich is just made for TV. It will go on and on, longer than the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Like most wars these days, the war against the rich cannot be won. There will be enormous casualties, mostly among the poor. After all, the rich have all the money-money talks and money buys all sorts of ammunition with which to keep the 'have nots' in their place. Instead of a war against the rich, I suggest a war against Congress. Lets wake up this slumbering bunch of would be legislators. Hell, maybe we can get them to allocate some funds to promote a  social infrastructure which will make the road to riches smoother for all. No one is going to be interested in fighting a war if they really feel that they have a chance to live the American Dream rather than the American Nightmare. Oh well, I can dream can't I? One thing for sure, lets call a cease fire on that war against the rich and opt for some diplomatic solution before we end up with an "American Spring".

Of Machiavelli and Gun Control

" Before all else be armed."
"When you disarm the people, you commence to offend them and show that you distrust them either through cowardice or lack of confidence, and both of these opinions generate hatred."

These are not the words of the National Rifle Association's Wayne Lapierre or the late Charlton Heston. They are the words of Niccolo Machiavelli, proving that today's debate over gun control has actually been going on for centuries. Machiavelli would have been a powerful spokesman for the NRA.

Then there is the following quote from his writings which makes one question "stand your ground" laws (George Zimmerman attack of Trayvon Martin):

"Men rise from one ambition to another: first they seek to secure themselves against attack, and then they attack others."

Machiavelli's words  provide  food for thought about the viciousness and hypocrisy innate in man. No wonder politicians feel they are walking on eggs whenever considering gun control legislation. Machiavelli's writings speak to their dilemma and the fears they face:

"There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things."

Of Politics and Morals

Governor Chris Christie has been quick to say that he is embarrassed and outraged at the role some his advisers played in the "bridgegate" scandal. In assessing Christie's credibility it is well to muse over something which Niccolo Machiavelli said centuries ago:

The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.

Apologies for the misguided ventures of subordinates is not enough. At the very least, a Christie must make it clear that "the buck stops here" and the electorate has every right to assess his abilitity to lead by the caliber of personnel with which he surrounds himself.

Before expressing shock over political scandals, it is also well to remember another quote from Machiavelli's writings:

Politics have no relation to morals.

Given that politics will always be with us, we have not seen the last of scandals such as Watergate, Bridgegate, Benghazi and Iran-Contra. Neither have we seen the last of misguided wars such as Afghanistan and Iraq.

The Grinch Did It

I shop at Target occasionally. I may be one of the 47 million customers who used a credit card there between November 27 and December 15 but I'm not confirming that. Yes, I'm pissed. I'm not quite sure who I'm pissed with. Could it be that the Target CEO who was a strong supporter of Romney is the perpetrator (some analysts believe it was an inside job)? No way - he's only stupid when it comes to politics, not business. Then there is the Tea Party - is this another way to give Obama a migraine. If so, it didn't work - he's off to Hawaii. A better guess is that the NSA got carried away. If so, there is no need to worry, they are mining so much data gathered about our personal lives, that by the time they analyze credit card accounts, most of them will be defunct.


 As far as I'm concerned, the most likely thief is the Grinch. The SOB has been taking an online course, "Hacking 101". As a sidelight, I wonder why the Grinch is green?

I understand that there is a controversy going on as to whether or not Santa Claus is a man of color but there has been no mention of the Grinch and his color. I have it from an anonymous source that the Grinch is green with envy. Santa gets all the publicity and the Grinch gets all the flak. That being the case I deem the Grinch guilty of identity theft.

I know, I know! This is a lot of gibberish about a serious event. Sorry about that, but that's what happens when you live in an Orwellian society. It's one way of confusing Big Brother in case he's an anonymous follower of this blog.

In spite of political events, data mining and credit card theft, there will be a Christmas this year. Many will celebrate the birth of Christ. At least as many will celebrate the fruits of  50% off shopping and the Grinch will celebrate his new found wealth. You say I sound like the Grinch - I can understand that. In the interest of full disclosure, he is a distant relative (hope I'm in his will).

Of Politicians, Legacies and Sainthood

President Mandela is dead! Long live Saint Mandela! It is a wonder that Pope Francis hasn't come forth to announce the canonization of Nelson Mandela. There is no doubt that Mandela was an extraordinary man and is to be noted as a leader who served his cause well. Lest we forget, he was also a politician ( a very astute one). Politicians only take on the aura of a saint upon their death. Mandela joins the likes of Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy whose questionable political exploits have been relegated to footnotes while those that were masterful have been exploited to the point where they are deemed to be worthy of sainthood.

Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter traveled to South Africa to honor Mandela. I'm sure their own chances of achieving sainthood may have crossed their minds. I doubt that Bush really gives a rat's ass. Even one as astute as 'W' would realize that his legacy of the Iraq War makes sainthood out of the question. Jimmy Carter's chances are also less than nil.The poor guy has had an uphill battle trying to make people forget his presidential miscues and he hasn't gotten the release of a political prisoner lately. Obama has three more years for a shot at sainthood. I doubt that he will make it. Hell, he really hasn't fostered any legislative accomplishments even coming close to those of FDR or even Lyndon Johnson ( no matter what Joe Biden says). In all fairness, great legislation can only come if one has a a legislative body dedicated to legislating rather than destroying a sitting President.

And then there is Bill Clinton. Mr. Clinton already considers himself a saint- in-waiting. That's really half the battle. Now if he can get Hillary elected President in 2016, he will have it made.

I remember when FDR died. I was sure he would go down in history as the savior of his country. Not so. For some reason, his legacy is not worthy of sainthood. The more I think about it, deeds do not a saint make. The media makes a saint.