The Beauty Of Him

"The Beauty Of Me Is That I'm Very Rich."

~Donald Trump

Yes... he is beautiful. A lot in the same way a large heap of garbage is pretty to the scavenger birds that sometimes circles it. Donald Trump is the presumptive GOP nominee for President Of The United States! I knew that there was a possibility of that fact, and I think I might have mentioned it last summer, but I think there was still probably hope that the monster could be and indeed would be stopped in his rampaging tracks. Why did I think that? Its not like the GOP took his presidential run seriously. They shined it on as he won primary and caucuses right and left. And with nothing else to do, the GOP bowed down to them in a shocking display of cowardice. The latest of which, being Paul Ryan, who quietly endorsed Trump by way of a column he wrote for the Janesville Gazette.

 What? Was the Pennysaver already filled for publication that day? And speaking of that day, it should be noted that on the very day Ryan chose to endorse the presumptive savior of the GOP, Trump decided to lash out at the press for doing it's job! Nice timing. And I truly mean that! Highly entertaining for me, and cringe worthy for any clear thinking republicans that might still be left! 

As I write this, Trump is in California. My state. Zigzagging about, threatening the PGA, reporters who aren't employed by the National Enquirer, and flicking verbal rubber bands at Hillary Clinton. Blissfully, he has nothing to say to Bernie Sanders, since Sanders said HELL YES to a debate with Trump, and Trump slithered away like the coward he is. Which brings me to the picture for this post, taken not a year ago, or even 6 months ago, no, I took it about a week ago, in Berkeley, Ca. Okay, yes, it's true, Berkeley is heavily populated by progressives, but there are a few republicans to be found as well, and as I made my way around town, looking for political signs, this is the only one I came up with. From either side. One small sign, in a big window. I will keep watching the windows in Berkeley, perhaps enthusiasm for voting will grow over the summer.

I hope so.

The California Primary is this coming Tuesday. And it is a dead heat between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. Trump is the only nominee left on the right. I already voted by mail, so I can go ahead and share who I am voting for, but I have decided to wait until Tuesday, so you will have to comeback then to find out. But I bet you can guess my choice, and feel free to if you like. I will give you a hint... my candidate isn't orange. Does that help? 

Mood: Perplexed

~Me

A Photo A Day For 6 Months: Day 27: California Primary

"Voters quickly forget what a man says."


~Richard Nixon


Today, Tuesday, is a primary day in California. I have already cast my ballot, I always do so by mail because I appreciate being able to double check on the different initiatives and candidates before making my decisions. Also, in recent years, it just feel more comfortable than voting in person. A few years back my polling place was held in the fellowship hall of a local church. I don't know... it just felt wrong to me. Don't get me wrong, I am a person of faith, which is why I have decided to give up on organized religion, and I will speak more about that another time, but for now I will just say that I believe organized religion has NO place in politics. Every time some entity decides to speak for GOD, I find it offensive. Particularly when there is much more emphasis placed on GOD's ire as opposed to GOD's teachings of compassion, love, charity and forgiveness.

Voter turnout for this primary are expected to be at an all time low, which doesn't particularly surprise me, I just wish it wasn't so. When it comes to American politics, there is certainly a lot of room to improve the system. I voted for Barack Obama in the 2008 election, but Hillary Clinton was my first choice. I wish that a sitting president wasnt always regarded as the only choice after the first 4 years. I would like to have seen a serious challenger in the primary, rather than having the feeling of not being able to make a different choice inside the party. I think it would be a good idea if the sitting president is automatically challenged after 4 years. If they did a good job, and actually kept their promises, then no problem, they will more than likely be chosen as the party's candidate. But on the other hand, if you find yourself with a politician who hasn't done what they promised to do, you have the choice to say... No... NOT AGAIN.


I had my doubts about Obama, and I still do. But that's all I want to say for now. Over the course of the summer I will say more as we get closer to the election. I will say that I know he did inherit a terrible situation on all fronts. Bush left the country in a mess, and it would have taken a miracle worker to have not just dug us out, but to have indeed made us whole again. Like I said I will say more as we move toward the fall. California has some propositions I will be watching, but the real state to watch is Wisconsin. Governor Scott Walker must be recalled. He is damaging to the state, and he needs to move along. I will be keeping my fingers crossed for Tom Barrett. 


Well, anyway, that's all for now. Hopefully tomorrow will be a good day. That's all any of us really wants... right?

California Presidential Primary Election Guide

 Yes on Prop 29

Dianne Feinstein





~Me :)


Now, let's see what my pal JR has posted. If you would like to join us in the APAD challenge, grab your cameras and come along. No theme to worry about. Just you and whatever your camera sees that day. Or, if you need to dip into your archives, that's good to. Especially if you have a photo you haven't shared yet.
It's all good.


JR
http://jrclinephotography.blogspot.com/2012/06/apadf6-25.html

Rain Likely With A Good Chance For Thunderstorms

"Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes."

-Oscar Wilde

Politics And Pop Culture

Like A Spider's Web In The Rain...

Do you ever feel a little like a spider on or about New Years? What I mean is, a year begins and you spend the rest of your time either facing difficulties or happily tidying your little web in the universe. Sometimes something will land in your path. It might be something that enriches your world, or it might be something that can ruin everything. Most of the time however, you simply build and watch for rain. I made my peace with 2007, and yet I felt a little sad when it ended because I had felt like I turned the attitude I had when the year began completely around to the point I was happy. So now what?

I had finally felt in control once again. Now, it feels like I am starting all over again, because there is a New Year on the calendar. Hmmm... I guess what I am feeling comes from my inability to let go of things. "To Move On." I will work my way out of this slump again soon.I know it's just the universe playing tricks on me. Heck, my horoscope even told me as much recently. I know that usually all I need is a good day with the camera. I am going to venture out of my cottage in a couple days... sunny or not. I wonder what I will find in the elements?

Rain With A Chance Of Hail...



Sigh. This child is lost. That photo of her breaks my heart. Not because I was particularly a fan of her, but mostly because I am a woman. Yep. I am feeling a little bit maternal, as much as I would feel if this were happening to a neighbor or someone I actually knew. But I don't imagine there is much guidance in this child's world. Her mother has some problems and we will leave it at that. Being a celebrity means a little less to someone Britney's age, because she has never had to claw from the ground up.

How can the rest of us expect her to grow-up? She never had a chance the first time around. But enabling her is the wrong way to go as well. So, what to do? Well, the first step has already begun, in that the judge in the custody case between Britney and Kevin Federline, finally removed the children from her care. It's life lessons like this that bring about maturity. This young lady is starting from a place of drug abuse and alcoholism, which will make it worse, but waking up in a hospital, with the DT's and no one to stop the mental and physical pain can mature you as well. It's the rain that teaches us to seek shelter.



It's Like Thunder And Lightning The Way You Love Me Is Frightening...

Ok, Iowa had it's lessons. Thunderous lessons. Hillary Clinton had a good chance of walking away from the Iowa Caucuses the big winner. She began her campaign a year ago, and she has held most polls ever since. But now, Obama is a big threat, and surprise, so is John Edwards. I tend to look at the results with a grain of salt. There is a lot about it I can't take too seriously. Such as the Republican choice, Mike Huckabee who is a scoundrel in true Republican manner. He proved as much with that dirty little trick of his, regarding his "negative" ad. He made the ad... then decided to hold a press conference to say he wouldn't stoop to that level. Then he gave out copies, and according the FactCheck.org, it still aired at least 10 times, on four different stations in Davenport and Cedar Rapids Iowa. It's all a lot of thunder, with no lightning in my opinion.

No matter who the chosen Republican or Democratic challengers are, there is one statistic that both parties might want to take very seriously. Who came out into the cold to vote in Iowa. Michael Moore pointed out in his newsletter, that 239,000 showed up to vote for the Democrats, while only 115,000 turned out for the Republicans. That statistic makes me smile. It gives me hope. I imagine every one of the 239,000 has had enough of the dirty tricks, the backstabbing, and the lies coming from Republicans. Are the Democratic candidates exempt from that kind of behavior? Apparently not. But I can tell you this, most American's are fed up with the lies. Most Americans are ready to see integrity brought back to the country. I have my ears open, and my mind set on what I want to hear and more importantly... see. Fair weather promises I can do without. I am a little more weather savvy then that. I don't fall for every pitch from every umbrella salesman who comes my way.

So, it's on to the New Hampshire debates. Tell me, will you watch tonight?Oooh, did you hear that? Probably not, because that big clap of thunder took place outside my window. It's raining here in the Bay Area, and it's hailing too. I like weather like this. It makes me feel alive and appreciate change. It makes me look to the future and all the sunshine coming my way. Observing politics is a lot like observing the weather. Sometimes you hear a lot of noise, that does nothing but make you feel scared and alone, while the best of days tend to go by in hopeful silence. The California primary is being held on February 5th, when is yours?

-OndineMonet
"One Fine Day"
Berkeley, California
April, 2005
Late Afternoon