The Great Pretender

Posted in Abuse of Power, Biden, Kamala, Mistakes, Politcal Opinion, Social Media by

Somewhat staying with the music idea, let’s say a word about the 1955 Platters song “The Great Pretender.” Though it is an old song, it has a staying power. Just a wild guess, but I would guess that at least 60% of the the current US population have at least heard the song once. Quite frankly, I can see why. The tune is nice, but the words really hit home with just about all of us. Well, maybe, all of us. Certainly most of us have felt like singing the words right out loud, and mean them.

Indeed, most of us do some real pretending, pretending that everything is okay. We are doing just fine while we are breaking up inside. We don’t want the world to know just how much we are hurting.

Well, to me, the song, or at least the title has new meaning. You see, the dems are now the great pretenders. They have been pretending that everything is fine. Old Joe’s doing fine and his mental faculties are that of a forty-year-old. Now, things have changed. Their secret is out. I dare say close to 99% of the country now knows of his mental problems.

How-some-ever, the pretending has changed. You see, they all knew all the time, especially those that saw Old Joe on a regular basis. However, they pretend they didn’t know. They pretend that they are as surprised as the rest of us. No one wants to admit their part in the pretense.

The reality was… they knew alright and they knew all the time. It just is they they also knew they didn’t want us to know.

Now there is panic. Do they keep pretending Old Joe’s fine in spite of what the world has seen? Do they try to get him to step aside? Do they invoke amendment 25? All the choices have problems. All solutions have advantages.

For instant, if they invoke 25th, it is only a temporary solution. Old Joe is still on the ballot unless they can figure out some way to get him off of it. If he refuses to step aside, he will be selected on the first ballot at the Democrat convention as the nominee. I see no way around it. Even if he does step aside, the party really has a big black eye, trying to force a mentally disabled man on the country.

As I see it, maybe the best possibility is to allow Joe to run, and then immediately remove him with the 25th. As I say, It might be the best possibility, but it would appear, the best ain’t good. It would have to improve some to be poor. I’m really not looking forward to listening to Kamala’s voice for the next 4 years.

At any rate, we can now denote the Democrat Party as the party of the Great Pretenders.

The Grizzly Question

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I noticed that the Memphis Grizzlies managed to get a 7′ 4″ player yesterday. My guess is that he will contribute to their winning. At his height he would not have to jump much to drop the ball through the hoop. I truly hope it will help. I also hope it will increase interest and attendance. As near as I can tell, Memphis needs all the help they can get.

However, it does beg the question, when will those with the power decide to put in a few parking lots? The idea with putting the stadium downtown was to draw folks down there to see the games. My best guess is, most who attend will go, attend and return home. It sort of defeats the purpose of putting the stadium down there. Will it actually draw any business outside of the game itself? For that matter, how much will the lack of parking hinder the actual attendance.

You won’t find me fighting the traffic to get there, fighting to find someplace to park, paying a bundle to park, walking a block or two to the stadium and then sort of repeating the whole process in reverse when the game is over. For what purpose would I go to a shop or restaurant before or after the game?

I’m not trying to tell Memphis how to run their city. However, I am the official Memphis observer and it is simply an observation that demands the question, who is it that is making these ridiculous decisions. Does anyone, anywhere realize that the importance of being able to accommodate the auto if they have any hope of doing business with their owners. You know, it the old days, the shops had parking spaces in front of the shops. It would seem we have gotten away from that idea.

As an aside, why in the world are any cities building any sports arenas for players taking home millions of dollars. Many of the individual players make enough to buy enough land to build a stadium on. Yet, Memphis gives the land to them. If the NBA can afford to pay their players that much, they can afford to pay for the arenas. If they did pay for their own arenas, businessmen would make the decisions as to where build and they would very likely be built where the fans would have easier access.

But then, that would just make too much common sense. Better the tax payers pay for the stadium most of whom will never attend.

Well, maybe they will at least increase the TV audience if they start winning games regular. Maybe those in Arkansas and Mississippi will start taking note if they should actually be in the running for a championship. I don’t know. The NBA lost this fan when they decided to play ball with China. As far as I am concerned they ought to just move the stadiums over there. For me, they serve no purpose here, or in downtown Memphis.

My Apologies for a Memory Lapse

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Sometimes I remember things for absolute fact that just aren’t so. On more than one occasion, I have had to apologize to my wife for such things. Well, such was the case with the song, “Put Another Nickle in” When I wrote the post yesterday on music, I was thinking thinking that it was two separate songs, which might have confused a few out there. “Music, music, music,” is a line in the one song, not a separate song.

I realized it yesterday after noon as the tune kept going through my mind. I would have corrected it earlier but I was fighting a little fever and sore throat. I didn’t do much of anything but sleep. The illness still lingers, but just slightly. I would like to blame my error in memory on it, but I was feeling fine at the time of the post. I guess I’m just going to have to own this one.

Incidentally, it does say something about the song when it has a tendency to continue to go through my mind 70 years later. It does make me wonder, how much of the current music will be remembered for one decade, let alone seven.

Music, Music, Music

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I can remember the old song by the above title as well as “Put Another Nickle In.” My guess is that few will remember listening to those songs by Teresa Brewer shortly after their release as I did. On the other hand, my wife and I were walking into a McDonald’s three or four years ago and kid in the back was singing Rocking Robin, and doing pretty good. (originally released 1958) I yelled back to him, “Hay! You’re not old enough to know that song!

He had a hard laugh and said his mother played it a lot.

In answer to the question asked, I enjoy a lot of music prior to 1970 and a little post 1970. As far as I’m concerned, if after 1980, it doesn’t exist. I like everything done in Gilbert and Sullivan operettas (around 1900) I have listened to the music over and over. The lyric are humorous and the tunes are catchy. There aren’t may who can keep up with “Modern Major General” from the Pirates of Penzance.

I have often said, my favorite song is Whispering Hope sung by Jo Stafford and Gordon MacRae (1949). When I feel bad, I have been known to play it repeatedly for 19 or 20 times. I don’t know. Maybe more. It sort of took a personal turn as I walked guard duty in Vietnam in the morning as the rain beat down me in December of 1969. Then of course, as the song says, the sun came up. The world seemed so much better as I remembered the words.

Stafford and MacRae recorded I guess a dozen or so Christian songs about the same time and they are all really good. I remembered listening to them when I was 4 and 5. The rest, I don’t remember all that much, but I always keep Whispering Hope handy.

I am a big fan of the show tunes of the 40’s, 50’s and a few of the 60’s. I have copies of many of them. If I were to lose them, I would replace them. This is especially true of Fiddler on the Roof. I have no idea how many times I’ve watched it or listened to the songs. It’s just one of those things that touched my mind and also touched my heart. It is also one of the main reasons that I have become so pro-Israel. I do not understand how a person can see the show and pay close attention to it without also being in favor of the Israeli people.

It is something of a oddity, I guess, that I also like most the ABBA songs. I also enjoy listening to the instrumentals whenever I hear them. None the less, my favorite of these is Chiquitita. Strangely, I have not met many who don’t like the song. Or, maybe it’s not so strange.

When I was seven, I remember listening to a song, “Donkey Serenade,” in which the character in the movie is singing to mules drawing a stage. Okay. That one sounds strange I admit it. But it’s no less strange than the beautiful song from “Paint Your Wagons,) I Talk to the Trees. By the way, those are also the first words in the lyrics. However, to be truthful, I’d love to be able to sing well enough to do both songs justice.

Speaking of strange songs, consider the song, “Does Eat Oats (and little lambs eat ivy)

I guess the way to sum it up. I like what I like and I don’t like what I don’t like. If you disagree with it, it is entirely up to you. It is also a shame you will never get to listen to that man serenading the mules.

Speaking of mules, how many out there have heard “On the Trail,” by Ferde Grafe. It was so good it was used for advertising way back when.

Daily writing prompt
What is your favorite genre of music?
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Gratitude

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This is one of my favorite subjects. I have already written on it twice and I would write on it far more if I didn’t think people would get tired of reading about it.

Maybe I should start with what started me down this track. It is a Bible story I read many times before it really hit home what it was about. Jesus healed ten lepers but only one returned to him and thanked him. Jesus asked something like, Were there not ten? Where are the other nine? I would guess that Jesus was likely well pleased with the one and disappointed with the nine.

If you look, really look at the story, you will realize that Jesus had three messages here. First, be grateful when someone does something for you. Don’t take it for granted. It is a good lesson regardless what your religious beliefs might be, even for the atheist.

Secondly, a word of appreciation goes a long way. Don’t you think that it made Jesus feel good just to hear those two words of gratitude. Every day, God does things for us. Every day, we take it for granted. That includes me, though I really do try to say thank you for it all. It is simply impossible to be fully aware, let alone to say thank you for it all. Instead, most of us are as the Hebrews as they complained about only having manna to eat. I really hate to admit it, but I would have likely been one of the chief complainers if I were there. Even today, I know I am poor example. God provides things and I complain.

Finally, we should be thankful for what others do for us, even if we are paying for it. It is so easy to neglect being thankful to those we pay for work. You should see the surprised expression on the faces of people I say thank you to in, say in restaurants. Sometimes, it outright confuses them. It’s okay. I like to see that kind of confusion. It makes me feel better to see that I have improved their moment in time for that day.

Sometimes, I really confuse them. I tell them that they have my permission to have a good afternoon. I know they enjoy it. I can see it in their faces. Oddly, some find it funny. The fact is, I really mean it. Okay, it does not lie within my power. However, if I did have the power, I would do as I can to improve their time as they put in a hard day’s work.

And, if there are any atheist reading this, you need to pay particular attention to this. For when we say something to improve the lives of others we will also improve life for ourselves. If you don’t believe me, just try it. I submit that it is impossible to have a bad attitude while you thank someone for what they do for you.

And you know what, It doesn’t cost a thing.

Daily writing prompt
How do you express your gratitude?
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The Two Things They All Have In Common

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During my 76 years, I have seen my share of alcoholics. They all very in many ways. Some get angry or even violent when drunk. Some get happy. On the other hand, some just simply sit there and let the world go by. A few know better than to try to drive . Others, well you might need to hide their keys. A few have a reasonable memory of what happened while inebriated. Others, when they sober up will say they must have had a good time. Their wallet’s empty. It does make a person wonder what the started with.

None the less, all alcoholics do have a few things that are absolutely common. They want others to drink. It helps their guilty conscience. When they start on one of their binges, they are usually specific about what kind of alcohol they drink. Once partially under, they just might drink antifreeze if you put it in front of them.

Invariably, while their mental abilities are reduced, they will say that they are fully able to function as well as when sober. In some cases, this distortion will be maintained even when they can’t stand.

Frequently, people under the influence will try to do things they would never try sober. Ironically, they are less likely to be successful while impaired.

To be sure, I really wished I hadn’t seen any of it. To be sure, those around the alcoholic generally suffer more than the alcoholic. In some cases, those that suffer the most don’t even know the one under the influence.

However, what ever the common facts of the alcoholics, two things are always, and I mean always common. They all took their first drink and they never know when they will take their last one. Then too, most of them have one more thing in common. Most wish or will wish they never took the first drink. However, as they say, that is just one of those things that can’t be undone.

Then too, this is all shared by most of those with chemical dependencies. It is only logical. Alcoholism is a chemical dependency. The only big difference is that alcohol is legal. Well, there is one other difference. It causes more problems than all the other drugs combined.

Culpable

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We now know many who are not only lacking credibility, but they are culpable. Being culpable, they have disqualified themselves as proper possibilities as candidates for president. That is to say, they acted in concert to fool and deceive. It is easy to know who they are. We know Kamala is definitely culpable because she is in frequent proximity to Joe. She sees him on a regular basis. This is particularly important because, guess what? She is next in line. If Joe should bail out for any reason, she will assume the reins. She will take up residence in The White House and she will sit behind the desk in The Oval Office.

Now isn’t that reassuring that we have a woman standing in the wings that is qualified by two things. She is a woman and she is Black, by Joe’s own words. On the other hand, we also know that honesty is the furthest thing from her mind. Deceit was her main job for over three years, and, by the way, she seems to have done it well. Never once did she admit that Joe should be removed.

Moreover, she just might be one of those the dems are thinking about to run against Trump. Now let’s see. Do we really want someone for President that that has specialized in deceit. Do we want someone who was given the task of dealing with the problems on the Mexican border and failed miserably.

Oh, by the way, her methods to gain the office of district attorney was that she had a law degree and slept with the right men. Sorry, I am among those in this country, rare though we be, that would call such a thing a disqualification.

On the other hand the dems might run the current gov of California. Let’s see. He is neither Black nor a woman. That seems to disqualify him out of the starting gates, don’t you know? Besides, he needs to defend himself too. Don’t you think he was in with those who knew about the great deceit. That also makes him a liar. He did say that Old Joe was highly qualified. Saying that, he would either have to admit to massive dishonesty or massive stupidity. As I think that over, maybe he’d be completely honest in pleading both. I mean, he did provide a demonstration on how to drive one of the largest state’s economy from a small positive to a huge negative. Do we really want that man signing the checks for the US?

Then there’s Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama. I don’t think I want anyone connected to Obama in The Oval Office. She didn’t like the country, by her own words. Regardless, she says she doesn’t want the job. Even if they talk her into running, do we really want her as president. Well, she is a woman. She is Black. She does have the major qualifications these days. However, do we really want a person as pres. who openly hates the country. Besides, her first act would be to lie as she takes her oath to defend the the nation and the constitution. She will do neither and she knows it. And by the way, we are well aware of it too.

It does leave the dems in a quandary. It would seem the best candidate they can field really is Old Joe.

So. Do the dems just give up now seeing the situation? Nope. Of course not. The dems never give up. They just cheat… every which way they can.

I Think the Word Is Credibility

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It is now clear that Old Joe has a credibility problem. He knows he has problems and he really thinks he can deceive us. That is no longer probable. Indeed, I consider it impossible. In the vernacular, the feline is out of highly flexible container. Everyone knows, whether they choose to believe it or not.

However, it is far more than that. The dems, in general and as individuals, have a credibility problem. I have heard many individuals, such as Rep. Pelosi swear that Old Joe is truly fit for service. I think now we know she was lying. They, the dems have said of a man that claims that they “Beat Medicare,” that he was the best man for the job. They certainly know better now and they knew better then. They all had firsthand knowledge of Old Joe’s problems and they have permitted him to cause national and international problems.

They individually, as well as collectively lied to the people about the condition of Old Joe. Truth is, Old Joe should have been replaced years ago. The fact is that he should have never been permitted to take the helm at all. …and for years the dems, in lock step, said he was the best man for the job.

That is what I call a real credibility problem.

The thing is, they keep talking about the damage to the “democracy.” Truly for a democracy, or a republic to work properly, the people must have accurate information about the people they are voting for. By hiding Old Joe’s problem, they are destroying any hope of the people making an informed vote, which obliterates any form of representative government.

The question that comes to mind, are they going to have to pay for their lies and deceit or are the dems going to just give them all another pass. I suspect they will all be given a pass. It is all about the power, you know. It matters not to any of them, right/wrong, good/bad, or truth/lie. They must do what increases the power of the party, you know. Nothing else matters.

Old Joe will turn into just another hiccup in that endeavor. The deceit must continue for the effort in the struggle for power.

…Who’s Got You?

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I have enjoyed watching Superman since as long as I can remember, which was before I was five. Considering I am now officially old (76), that was a long time ago. Naturally, even though at the time, I was grown, I had to go to see “Superman the Movie,” the one in 1976 with Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder.

I must admit that I was a little disappointed with it. After all, Christopher Reeve was not really the Clark Kent I grew up with. Still, I did enjoy the movie. It did have its moments. To be sure, the one line I found the best was when Superman reassures Lois that he had her. She snaps back, “You have me. Who’s got you?”

I must admit that it caught me completely by surprise. Not only that, the expressions were perfect.

I admit, it was not realistic. The movie’s ad told us that we would believe a man can fly. Truthfully, it was not that successful. When I walked out of the theater afterward, I had my feet planted firm on my earth, physically and mentally. I did not believe a man can fly. They failed in their goal.

Regardless, it was Superman and I would pay the price to see it again, especially for that one line. I must admit, that was priceless.

I got to thinking of the movie yesterday (Wed) and decided, there aught to be a good post there. If I thought about it while, maybe I could write something both entertaining and thought provoking. Now all I need is to figure out a way to write it, in which I have very little expertise.

Okay. She is falling and Superman rescues her. It is all she needs for the moment to be safe. There must be an object lessen there somehow. All right. I suspect a few are already ahead of me. I mean, who is it that can take hold me and provide absolute security, both now and forever.

The really neat part is that God is real, Superman is a character someone dreamt up so as he can make a living off kids with great imaginations. Even more, if Superman were real, he still has time limits. Even the imaginary character of Superman has no power over aging. We all grow old and die. I am one who can attest to that firsthand.

Still, God has me. When I have to give up this body one day, and I will, God will still have me. That is far more reassuring than to know Superman just rescued me from falling 100 stories off a building.

But, let’s face it, if there were a Superman, if I did fall off a tall building, if a Superman did come by and rescue me, I wouldn’t turn it down. After all, I am afraid of heights. Incidentally, I have learned my lesson to be grateful. I would make sure to tell him, “Thank you.”

Prep, Prep and More Preparation

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We’ve been told that that is what Old Joe’s been doing for what? 10 days or 2 weeks?

The question it brought mind is, in the vernacular, who’s been minding the store?

I have scarry thoughts. Maybe the V.P. is been doing it. Maybe Kamala is getting some O.J.T. That is a thought I hate to think. I mean she has not run anything bigger than a D. A.’s office. …and she didn’t have a clue as to how to do that.