Crying in the Chaple

Elvis made this song a pop hit in 1965. Elvis had a great gospel voice.
Artie Glen wrote the song in 1953. Artie's son, Darrell, made the first recording (while still in high school) in 1953, which hit number one on the "Cash Box" hit list.
It has always been a favorite song of Americans, no matter who recorded it, and most singers had a hit with this song.

Real American ?

Inclusion (widening of rights) has always been a battle against the Constitution. The idea that the Constitution is so sacred that it should not be changed, is a false interpretation of the intentions of the founders who wrote the Constitution. The founders were well aware that the Constitution and its good words of equality and justice was not a reality of their day, and not even a reality of the way the founders lived their own lives. They were true leaders. Leading us away from the ugly part of humanity that oppressed just because they had the power.
Part of this crazy election is the last gasp of centuries old white power in politics. The false cry of, "We will make America great again" suggests that America was greater before all this progressive interference and race blending that created the "melting pot."
Immigration is the life blood of this country. To turn away from that is anti-American. The beacon of freedom and a better life was and still is the reason people want to come to America. The color and culture of those people is what has changed over the centuries. America is becoming a white minority country, because of immigration and the effects of the "melting pot." Every culture and people who have come to America have been discriminated against, like a rite of passage, or a college initiation.
A large minority would have us believe that racism no longer exists and certainly is not institutional. Hogwash. That same minority seems convinced that progressiveness and inclusion of rights to all is already achieved. Hogwash. And an even smaller minority thinks our freedoms don't apply to certain groups, because they are not real Americans. The Birther movement is certainly racist, but look at how many millions of Americans believe that false accusation. It can be proven false factually, but they just want to believe it. Just as they want to believe Obama is Muslim despite all the facts to prove that wrong.
What does Trump mean when he claims he is the candidate of law and order when the facts say that crime is highest in urban areas of large black populations? And what policies and laws backed by the white majority led to black poverty and crime in our cities?
Racism and bigotry are learned behaviors. Seems parents are keeping these traits alive. The final word on laws, thankfully the courts have struck down voter restriction laws that are racist, and abortion laws that restrict freedom.
Trump has proven he is a racist. His success has motivated racists and given them a voice greater than their numbers deserve. David Duke said last week that his decision to run for office was based on Trump's success. All the garbage Trump is spewing is splitting the Republican party ideologically, but Republican leaders refuse to condemn Trump and his racist statements, signalling that racism is preferable to a president Clinton.
So where do Republicans go after what appears to be a huge loss at the polls this election, at least for president? The Republican party will not die, but this split appears permanent. There will always be opposition to Democratic party progressiveness, but that is different from the minority of racist ideas. A third party, especially made of racists, will not win, but will change the election numbers. Americans will get used to the president being a minority winner of the majority of the American voters, just as Bill Clinton was.
Racism has reared its ugly head at different times in American history and this seems to be another time racist ideas have found a voice. America will be a white minority country by 2050 and that will be reflected by who gets elected to office, As usual, minorities suffer while the majority slowly embraces inclusion. The Teflon Don says, what have you got to lose black Americans, try Trump. Black America is smarter than that, but are white Americans ready to say no to Trump's America?
It's an irony that white racists of Europe came to America and stole this land from real Americans, killed them at a genocidal rate, then even stole their identity as real Americans. The vestiges of our murderous act still live on in our "reservation" system and blight on the Native Americans. Americans were one of the last to make slavery illegal and a century later we still treat blacks as second class citizens. We totally ignore Native Americans.
The American character at its core, is racist. But we have had good leaders. Leaders who do what leaders should do, lead us away from what we know is wrong, even if we are still practicing that wrong. Leadership should lead to new directions, not just be the leader of old, ugly characteristics. Trump is just pandering to and trying to enlarge the old characteristics of hate, not lead us away from that negative character. That is not a leader, that is a demagogue.  

The Voice

                         Jay Black - lead singer of the band "Jay and the Americans."
                                              Also Known As  "The Voice."
                                             Singing "Cara Mia" from 1965.

Toyland

"Toyland" was written by Victor Herbert and Glen MacDonough in 1901. It has become a traditional Christmas song and lullaby. It has been recorded by just about every singer, or singing group. I think this version by the great Doris Day recorded in 1964, is the best. Doris Day was one of the most popular singers of the 20th century. She never sang this song in a movie, but did release it on her Christmas album. Check out the songs of Doris Day and discover why she was one of the best singers ever.

Any Good Republican Ideas Out There ?

It's misinformation to say the Teabaggers are a grass roots movement, given the people behind the movement are the likes of Dick Army. Yet, it has stirred up an old traditional attitude among Americans; that all politicians are crooks and not to be trusted, especially with our tax money. There is a lot of truth in that thinking, which is why it is so easy to get millions to agree with it.
It's understandable to see why the conservatives of 40 years ago thought the generation of sex, drugs, peace, rock n' roll, and anti authority were loonies. There were many loonies in that crowd. It's one thing to say, all you need is love, but it's another thing to understand the reality of 7 billion people living together on one Earth, and all the good and bad that goes along with humanity.
It's harder to understand why conservatives of today are so willing to believe the ravings of uneducated talk show hosts, or ideas like birthers and shouts of the President being a Communist, a Fascist, or a Socialist. Of course their past behavior (McCarthyism) does bend towards paranoia, but even the uneducated could just use a dictionary to know their accusations are wrong.
It's understandable that conservatives have a more stubborn (unmovable) ideology, but their current political strategy is a failure, and could be dangerous for the country. I don't like to call my political opponents thinking as stupid, but there is no other way to explain the position of today's Republicans.
As a people, we allow way to much stupidity to be aired under the guise of freedom of speech. An idea does not deserve respect just because it is an idea. Can we no longer simply reject dumb ideas, especially those that have been proven to be a failure?
At long last sir..............have you no brains?

Sweet Dreams

                                                     The Great Patsy Cline.
This song "Sweet Dreams (of you)" and her version of "Crazy" (and many other hits) made Patsy Cline one of the biggest stars in all music. Country music was her specialty, but she was a crossover national star. One of the great voices of all time. She died at the age of 30, in 1963. This song was released after she died. Check out her music!

More Insanity From Trump

As the saying goes, continuing to do the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result, is insane.
So Trump rolled out his version of trickle down economics. Cutting taxes and raising spending. Apparently expecting growth from tax cuts to increase income enough to pay for his trillion dollar plans. It would be laughable, if not for the reality that Americans have fallen for this economic insanity for over 30 years. The reality is, that economic thinking has failed every time it has been tried and left us with multi-trillion dollar debts.
I guess we should expect this kind of economic insanity from a guy who has had his businesses end in bankruptcy multiple times, yet, considers himself a successful businessman. I have to wonder whatever happened to the idea that we have to invest money to make money and cut our indebtedness. It really does come down to simple math, but I guess his college did not teach such simple tactics.
It wasn't just rich people who have had their taxes cut over the last 30 years, and we can't pay off our debt by just taxing the rich. So Clinton's economic plans are just as flawed, even if the Democrats win majority besides the White House. Getting rid of corporate welfare and tax cuts will bring in 100's of millions of dollars, but that still leaves a huge debt compared to Clinton's trillion dollar spending plans. The choice is what you prefer government to spend your tax money on, no matter how much the debt is increased.
I'm sure glad I won't be alive to pay for this financial mess, and glad my votes did not support such insane financial tactics that created this financial mess.  

The Do Nothing Congress

Congress's popularity ratings have been below 15 percent national approval for years now, and at some points in the single digits. There is a clear failure of legislation addressing the problems of the nation. Republicans have had majority for years, so much of the blame is theirs. Obstructing Obama is not their only duty, although, they have stated that is their only goal. If Clinton wins without gaining majority, it seems Republican strategy will not change. An unhealthy strategy for America and an irresponsible strategy for the majority in power (Republicans).
Republicans not only have majority in national government, but in many States. Yet, the laws they are passing in those States are being found unconstitutional in our courts (their voting laws, abortion laws, and many other laws). If the laws Republicans are passing are being found unconstitutional in the courts are they a reflection of their constituents? If so, then we should be happy that our courts are working as they should and protecting the rights of all Americans. The court did turn down Obama's immigration presidential decree, but upheld the ACA law that passed Congress. A guide to compromise and Congressional legislation being the best way to govern. 
Obstructionism is not in the tradition of what's best for America. No matter how difficult the compromise, compromise is the key to getting things done and progressing the country. If you think the compromises now are tough, imagine compromising on slavery to get a constitution ratified. That compromise caused a Civil War 80 years later, but we had a nation under law that gave basic rights. That law (the constitution)  had an amendment process in hopes that future Americans would improve on the work of the founders. Part of the foresight and genius of the founders was, they knew their law was flawed and not sufficient for the generations to come. They knew their good words were not even a reality in their own time. Yet, they were smart enough to make amending the constitution hard. A guide to making sure any changes would truly reflect a majority of Americans.
There is a good argument that when the public is so at odds politically; might not be a good time for the majority to pass laws that end up being unconstitutional and/or unpopular. I certainly would not favor this time of diametrically opposing political views a time for a constitutional convention to rewrite and/or amend the constitution, as many have called for. Although, history tells us the first constitutional convention had opposing political views much harsher than today. I believe history also shows those founders had an enlightenment and intelligence our representatives do not show today.
Working through all these rules has given our Congress the reputation of being slow, and Congress changing their procedural rules hasn't made it any better.
One thing I agree with the political pundits on, is this election shows the people want change. We must be careful that this public frustration does not lead us on a path away from the basics of our constitution. We have to rely on our courts to be the check and balance, so it's more important than ever that our courts act as unbiased and unpolitical.   

The War on ISIS

As I write this, the president is about to give a press conference. The press conference is about the progress on the war on ISIS.
Few people know, because the media is to busy covering every idiot thing Trump says, that we are pounding ISIS.
You won't here about that on NBC, CBS, MSNBC, CNN, and certainly not FOX. If you seek out the information on the progress on the war, it is readily available. It's amazing the right hasn't said a word about it, especially since they are claiming Obama is doing nothing about ISIS, which of course, is just another lie about Obama from the Republicans.
Obama is prosecuting the war exactly as he said he would and is having great success. ISIS is basically beaten on the field. Their tactics are changing because of their defeats on the field. It's the attacks around the world by small groups sometimes individuals that make the news and are killing people.
We are at war. If you want to criticize the president on how he is prosecuting the war, then you have to know what is actually happening. While Trump was making headlines with his vitriol, our soldiers killed 250 of the enemy in one attack.
And where are all those Republican pro military activists? No cheers for our victories? No cheers for our brave soldiers? How about it Sen. McCain?
So back to the Republicans bitching about Obama doing nothing about ISIS, while he is winning the war against ISIS. Republicans prove their hypocrisy again. 

Trump

Trump has been trying hard to chase away Republican support. He obviously doesn't like Republicans. Recently he has said he doesn't support Ryan, or McCain and is actively supporting other people for their seats in the upcoming election. McCain and Ryan have halfheartedly supported Trump simply because he is the Republican nominee, as have many other Republicans. They continue to come out and denounce his statements on various issues, including the latest dust up about Mr. and Mrs. Kahn, yet, continue to say he is the only choice to be the next president. Certainly it is a choice of two evils for Republicans, with Hillary being the most evil.
It's the majority of the Republican voters who have put Trump in his position and Republican leadership in their uncomfortable position. Trump is an outsider as a Republican, as much as Sanders was an outsider in the Democratic party. The Republicans chose the outsider, the Democrats did not. That puts Trump at a disadvantage for Republican party unity and getting the most possible votes out of Republicans. Hillary won her party's nomination, but Sander supporters claim they won't vote for her and decades of negative Hillary feelings within the Democratic party towards Hillary means she won't get the most available democratic votes. That negativity towards Hillary from within the Democratic party is why she lost to Obama (an unknown) even though she was considered a shoe in to win the Democratic nomination in 2008.
This will leave the undecided vote (at a high of 20%) to decide who the winner will be. That's one of the only normal facts about this election. The undecided voters often decide who will be president. I doubt a huge democratic voter turnout (which hasn't appeared during the primary's)  can make up that 20% undecided vote. Those undecided voters seem to be in the same quandary,  which candidate is less evil, which candidate do they dislike more.
Democrats are hoping Trump's big mouth will get those undecided voters to go with Hillary, but there is no sign that is happening. The "Teflon Don" has yet to say something that has changed the mind of those undecided voters. The undecided percentage hasn't changed in months. Even the negative comments from Republican leaders about Trump hasn't had an effect on the undecided number. The traditional ideal of what a president should be characteristically doesn't seem to matter. As repulsive as Trump can be, that hasn't changed the undecided voters, yet. Similarly, all the negativity about Hillary hasn't changed that undecided number. These undecided voters will probably not vote, or make up their minds as they vote. Just make a pick, like pin the tail on the donkey. It's a crummy choice in their eyes.
As for me; my State will go big for Hillary, so I probably won't vote. If I was in a State that was close, I would vote for Hillary based only on my repulsion for Trump. I am not a Hillary fan. Good luck with your choice, undecideds.