Children Talk Trump

Having the occasion to spend a few hours with my nephew and nieces, ages 10, 12, 14, and 19, we were flipping channels looking for Olympic coverage when we happened to land on a station featuring yet another shocking story about Donald J. Trump. Trump stood on a a dias, behind his podium, not surprisingly sliding in yet another dig at US President Barack Obama, or as Trump calls him 'Barack Hussein Obama'. This time he was making light of his witty use of sarcasm after having doubled down on his claim that the current president, along with his M.V.P.  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, were the actual founders of the terrorist group ISIL. As he laughed off the incident as a clear example of sarcasm, Trump couldn't help but give his audience one more gem by adding "but not that sarcastic" in a mock-muffled tone.

Why am I surprised that I am no longer surprised by the sheer volume of verbal diarrhea coming out of candidate Trump? When did this become something I can almost anticipate like clockwork in conjunction with his first Tweets of the morning and ending with his final call of the day to his pep squad over at Fox 'news'.  Is everyone who has been subjected to over 12 months of Trump, not unlike a form of ongoing torture, so used to the shock and pain that we have adjusted our truth-o-meters to accommodate bananas? If we have become immuned to it, what is happening to the children who are watching the Trump campaign break every rule we have been trying to teach them since the history of forever?

We teach our babies to; be gentle, be kind, be a good friend, tell the truth, say you are sorry, play nicely with others, share, be polite, be compassionate. We teach them by showing them the example of lived values. We praise them if the situation warrants, we laugh with them, we cry with them, we help them learn coping strategies. We tell them that there is value in a good work ethic, that cheaters never win in the end, that as long as they do their very best, we will be their biggest cheerleaders. We tell them it is wrong to make fun of people who have limitations or are different from them, that children are children are children. We tell them that boys and girls are both wonderful and important people, and that even though they might not have many persons of colour in their class, that the world is a beautiful place because everyone is different, and everyone has their own unique beauty and gifts. Most of all, we tell them that when they are older and they find someone they love, someone that treats them with loving respect and kindness, that we will be happy for them, because love is precious and all people deserve love.

I looked at the faces of these four amazing kids, all with varying degrees of confusion registered on their faces, and I decided it was time to turn off the television. I really worry about what kids are taking away from the 'race to the bottom' Election 2016 coverage. I decided it was time to check-in with them and ask them what they thought about what they just saw. I simply posed a question and the responses of these four kids, all raised in different homes, all talented in a dozen different unique ways, are a very small snapshot of what parents across the globe, and particularly in the US are currently juggling, actively or perhaps by their inaction.

So I asked the question, a kid-friendly and appropriate question, one I would be likely to ask after a rough day at school or squabble among neighborhood children;

Q: If somebody said something really mean about you, something that wasn't true, and then apologized to you, how would you feel? How would you feel if right after that person made an apology, they said "but I'm not THAT sorry"? 

Without missing a beat, all four sun-bleached, tanned and wide eyed kids starting to shake their heads back and forth. The youngest, and only boy, immediately said precisely what I anticipated from him. A very empathetic and loyal friend, he piped in with "then that mean person was never really sorry at all, they were just saying it because someone told them to". He shook his head a few times and threw his arms up in exasperation adding, "but Trump is a rump". Yes little man, Trump is definitely a rump.

My 19 year-old niece quickly added, "Trump is an old man, he should know that when you say you are sorry for something, you have to mean it. If you can't apologize when you are caught lying, then you are acting like a bratty little kid, not an adult." Yes, she nailed it too. She went on "Trump lies like this every single day, and he even lies about his lies." Clearly someone has been discussing politics in her vicinity, and I owe that person bigtime.

The 12 year old, who spends most days dancing or doing gymnastics, was quick to support her older sister and cousin. "I don't think that guy even knows what an apology is for. Everything he says looks like he is just trying to be funny." Well, leave it to the kids to always call a spade a spade. This little goober went back to trying to do the splits on the area rug in front of the sofa.

Finally, my 14 year old niece looking suddenly much more her age and just returned home from sleepaway camp in Nova Scotia made every one of us in the room choke from laughter as she added, "Oh that's just Donald Trump, he always says crazy things for attention. He is so completely stupid. He knows he makes lies everyday and can't remember what he said, but he doesn't even care because he doesn't know what sorry even means." Then she went back to taking selfies, many many selfies.

Out of the mouths of babes.

Think A Second Time

So after my previous spectacularly anxiety ridden post regarding my overwhelming feelings about how dangerous Donald J. Trump is, not to mention the number of serious problems I have had about former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, I found myself spinning my wheels. I have been falling into the proverbial quicksand of the 2016 US Election, the more I try to make sense of something so removed from what fits with any reality I have ever known, the more I seem to sink into the muck. I need to take a step back, catch my breath, and then try to find a newer more objective and less frightening way to consume all the information coming from south of the border.

As he has done many times before, Myles Dyer, a UK based Social Justice activist, vlogger, and all around smart guy in the room, came to my rescue with his latest YouTube video. This week Myles speaks about some very helpful ways you can tweak your internal dialogue to not only process all the information coming in, but to flip the script and feel empowerment as opposed to helplessness. In this video, called Unhelpful Thinking Habits, Dyer gives us 12 concrete examples of just how we can use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to pull ourselves back from the abyss and discover the nuance of the conversation, as well as the likelihood that we (myself included) are blowing things out of proportion.

Please check out all of the videos Myles Dyer has created over his 10+ years as a vlogger on his YouTube Channel, his latest in particular have been instrumental in my ability to consume the deluge of information flowing in while putting it all into a Social Justice and Progressive framework.

When the Joke is Over

I admit that when Donald J. Trump announced his candidacy for President of the United States it struck me as absolutely absurd. Here was a man I have watched, over my 43 years on this planet, do outrageous things, say worse, and repeatedly cloak himself in the stink of one failed business after another. I remember in the 1980s, my parents somehow got ahold of a copy of a "Trump" board game, it sat in it's black box with the giant golden monogram of the man's name taking up major real estate on the boxtop. We never once played it, the rules were confusing and it was a gimmick, just like everything else Donald Trump did. It was about using that Trump name to make a buck, screw the consumer, and laugh all the way to the bank.

When Trump began his Twitter career and his turn as a Fox News 'source', I know it escaped my notice. I remember him mainly for his serial relationships, odd fetish for anything gold-plated, and for his grandiose personality from television appearances that culminated in his turn as the big man in charge on 'The Apprentice" back in 2004. I personally found him to be grossly misogynistic, petty, and a self-inflated child. His ego was out of control most turns around his boardroom table, and I must admit it held little appeal for me after the first season. Trump is Trump, he doesn't get wittier or more charming, he doesn't get more magnanimous or more likeable, he was a bully and a blowhard, but in the world of television, he was just a blip on the reality television horizon.

But now things are different, the world is different, and by legitimizing his campaign the mainstream media and all of us who consume it's manufactured news, full of bias, brought this on ourselves. The GOP loved the dash of Hollywood appeal Trump brought to their debate stages, making it must-see TV like never before. By lowering themselves to his level, each of Trump's opponents fell into the trap one by one. They were all unwitting contributors to their own demise, each taking the bait and trying to out-insult the other. It was comical, but we all figured it would end. How was this troglodyte, this well known bullshit artist managing to take-down career politicians. While those of us who saw Trump for the bully he was were aghast, an angry public was looking for an underdog to root for. Trump zeroed in on the lowest common denominator qualities of the 'angry white American male', a group that despite being in a most-privileged category in society was looking for a man who would speak to their most base insecurities and deep seated fears. Fears that must only occur to those who feel threatened by women, minorities, immigrants, and the educated. Fears that those in progressive mainstream society were hopeful to leave far behind, the sooner the better.

So here we are in August, and somehow despite all rational arguments, the weight of his massive record of failures, and trust-fund baby antics, Donald J. Trump is now the Republican Party nominee for President of The United States of America. The rush may be to suggest that I am a liberal, a progressive, a Canadian socialist, a hater, but I have no dog in this race. I am not able to vote in the American elections, and frankly right about now I would be rocking myself in a corner somewhere in the face of a possible Trump or Clinton presidency. The world is watching, and we aren't laughing.

Those of us who have studied some of the darkest periods in history are watching events repeat themselves daily, from calls to ban or 'surveil' entire religions, mocking of the differently abled or ill, to more blatant racism thinly disguised as a jab at illegal migration. It echoes close to the bone, it is painful and frightening to watch, and it scares me. It scares me. If you can't see the signs, I promise you, they are there in flashing red letters.

I am not a fan of Hillary Clinton, nor am I a fan of the American two-party system, but Donald J. Trump is not a statesman, not a leader, not an inspirational figure. He is a con and a grand hoax on the most vulnerable in society. Those looking for real hope and change, those that actually believe he is a man of the people have the most to lose. He is playing games with the fate of America, and the world, our safety and our respectability. 

The Joke is over, we created this monster, and now he has come home to do exactly what he became famous doing, dividing people into categories, inciting and condoning violence of all sorts, and spouting hatred and outright lies with absolutely no consequences. While Trump sees this as his biggest gamble yet, one that has nothing to do with his long track record of party swapping and donating to prominent Democrats, including the Clintons, those watching from the sidelines are wondering how this horrible roller coaster will end. I am not laughing anymore, and I have to wonder about the mental stability of those that find this to be one big joke. It's time someone with the power to stop Trump stepped up to the plate and said publicly, "this man does not represent Conservatives, he does not represent the GOP, and he does not represent America". Unless of course, he really is exactly the politician that America deserves. I have to hope, with everything that I am, that this isn't the simple, ugly, truth of the matter.

Why Universal Healthcare?

In December 2012, the United Nations adopted what was termed a 'momentous' resolution on Universal Healthcare. Support came from across the globe, including the US, but the reality almost four years later still falls woefully short for many individuals and families. The idea that any family is one illness, one accident, away from bankruptcy is absolutely the antithesis of the Universal Healthcare concept, and deeply troubling from an ethical perspective.

 

Living in Canada, I have been the benefactor of a country wide, provincially directed healthcare system. I have been both a lifelong patient, and a nurse working within the system, and there is nothing so comforting as knowing that when I seek quality health care, that I can access it the same way anyone of lesser or greater financial means could.  My family is not in severe debt over health care bills compounding interest year upon year, I have excellent doctors, and I have the ability to seek second opinions or switch caregivers if I deem it necessary.

As a nurse, I don't have to count the number of supplies I use when caring for my clients. I do not have any indication in their records of their financial health, nor whether or not they carry additional coverage for prescriptions, dental and eye care. It means I can give the best care to my patients and not have to give a second thought to whether or not they can cover the cost of that care.  

A colleague of mine opted to practice in the US shortly after we both graduated from University in the late 1990s. She was courted by a US based medical staffing agency with promises of great hours, high pay, and housing allowances.  When she returned from the states, Texas to be specific, she seemed to be entirely disenchanted with Nursing. We spoke about what it was like to work in the states, at that point long before 'Obamacare' had been introduced.

My colleague, who I will refer to as Jane, was most upset by what she could not do for her patients as opposed to what she could.  Patients would arrive at hospital in a variety of ways, but before she even began her nursing assessments, Jane could see it clearly marked on the client charts whether or not they had any health insurance. The point was constantly driven home to her by her supervisors, if the patient had no coverage, they were to receive an absolute minimum of care and be discharged at the soonest possible moment. Conversely, if a patient was admitted who had full coverage and insurance, the staff was encouraged to run any and all diagnostic tests, to slow-track discharge, and to use a heavy hand with supplies and treatments, involving as many members of the Health Care Team.

Jane spoke of other issues, particularly those related to undocumented immigrants, frequently unaddressed language barriers, and the number of patients that arrived at acute care settings long after they should have, often delaying care until a situation was dire.  Once a serious condition or injury has progressed past a certain point, getting it managed and/or healed is often an entirely uphill battle. Contrast this situation to one where a small wound is cared for at a walk-in clinic or physician's office before it reaches the critical point where far more expensive and extensive interventions are required.

Is this story anecdotal and possibly out of date, absolutely. However, it has always remained with me for a very simple reason. I don't want to know my patient's financial circumstance, I don't want it to alter the excellent care I provide in any way, nor do I want to feel pressured to do more or less based on something so far removed from what I believe Nursing is meant to be. Jane almost left the Nursing profession entirely, and likely would have had she not returned to Canada and our taxpayer funded Universal Healthcare System.

Speaking purely as a patient, I wouldn't want to seek care had I no insurance and lived in the US. If I knew I could barely afford food and housing for my family, a strange lump in my breast tissue or persistent infection in my lungs might well be relegated to the bottom of my priorities list. This would be the case particularly if I knew it would bring not only a financial burden, but prevent me from working in a market where full-time employment is scarce. 

Is there any better argument for Universal Healthcare? It costs the system more, not less, to care for an advanced illness. It costs society more, not less, when a taxpaying fully employed citizen is struck down with a catastrophic illness as opposed to a small treatable condition.  It smacks of hypocrisy to suggest that all people can receive equal quality care in a pay-to-play system. It also highlights the growing inequity between those who can and cannot afford health insurance.  Obamacare, and indeed all government directed health programs are never perfect for everyone, but if they benefit the most people in the most humane and cost-effective way, we become healthier as nations and as a society. When you support Universal Healthcare you are saying that the health of your citizens is just as important, if not more important, than the wealth of your citizens. It is just one issue to be addressed on the Progressive dinner plate, but in my view, it is the one staple that all the others require to succeed.

Are We 'Progressives' or 'Regressives'?

Yesterday I read the actual Republican Party Platform as posted online, just for kicks. As I was reading through an endless list of punchy titles (I actually physically recoiled several times), it struck me just how un-American this document seems. So many barely veiled religious references, the discussion of removing essential resources from those most in need, I actually has a visceral reaction to what I was reading. What shocked me most of all was the negative, narrow, limited vision of what America could be.

The third paragraph of the GOP platform 'preamble' states in no uncertain terms the "the American dream is at risk." This is followed by reams of positions that seem to be entirely regressive, not just a matter of maintaining the status quo. For instance, the platform seeks to eradicate abortion access, ban pornography, and return to a traditional judeo-christian definition of marriage as that between a man and a woman exclusively. In the same vein it seeks to reduce taxation on corporations as a means of remaining globally competitive, preventing something the GOP refers to as debt explosion, while at the same time suggesting that it is critical that the United States has a highly trained and skilled workforce. I'm not sure if the GOP missed the memo about the state of the student debt crisis, but they apparently think that highly trained and skilled workers evolve in an education vaccum. Does that even resemble the American anyone wants, knows, or loves? I doubt many dictatorships could top this initial 'wish list'. It seems so backwards that I can only say it is the exact opposite of a progressive way of thinking, it is infact a regressive way of thinking and acting.

Out of fairness, I also looked into the Democratic Party Platform. Here the difference are stark just in the choice of words and the broad range of ideas and issues presented. For instance, the Democratic document speaks of "too many being left out or left behind" in the current political climate. I think all Americans can identify with that sentiment, which is why candidates like Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders hold so much appeal as outsiders. The platform focuses more on ways to help America achieve the so-called 'American Dream', as opposed to stressing that the concept is under attack. With the help of Bernie Sanders guiding the platform in a progressive direction, one at least feels somewhat hopeful when coming away from the document, even if they note (rightly so) that it is still not progressive or proactive enough. It's not that I am all about an exclusively progressive outlook for the Democratic Party of the future, but currently I am caught by just the differences in tone. This is not about the presidential candidates, it's just about the ideas and language in the document as presented. While reading this second document, I came away with a very different feeling.

America is not about one side of the aisle or the other, it's about the very best of ideas coming together. I understand the two-party system, the checks and balances, and that no single party has yet managed to achieve an entirely 'utopian' [if we take their platforms to be a model] society. The red team wins some games, sometimes it is the blue team. The balance is what we see today, it is 'western' culture, this mix of ideals and ideas. However, what happens when this system breaks down? 

What if, let's imagine for a moment,  the blue team uses steroids or other performance enhancing drugs, and the red team does not (or vice versa), would we be ok with that? You can easily see these 'influences' as a matter of the moneyed interest driving candidates to vote against their constituents interests. What if it happened for eight years in a row. America would look very different, as it always does, when a two-term President with a majority house and senate leaves office.

Human Beings are fascinating creatures when you think about the way we form societies. For example, the power of the US Supreme Court is pivotal for shaping policy and precedents. We need to recognize our own limitations, but also give ourselves enough credit for having the bravery to reach higher and be better. This wired-in world is so different from the one that I was met with back in the early 1970s. With information comes knowledge, knowledge bringing empowerment, it gives us a more realistic picture of the actual urgency and priority of issues.

So if we have any one party with an eight year stranglehold on government, eventually a lot on their wish list is brought forward for debate. Let's step away from the American two-party system, and open the doors to other parties, independents like Bernie Sanders, and imagine how remarkable these debates would be if instead of just two teams on the field, we see a round-robin tourney of multiple viewpoints representing the nuanced positions that real people, the voters in this case, care about. That is where ideas like the Brand New Congress hold great appeal for those who can see beyond the two-party system. Even if the small handful of independents or third parties in congress can't sway the vote, at least their positions can be heard and evaluated by the people. That is the America I want to see, the America that the people deserve, and the America that is bound in the living breathing document that is the United States Constitution. So the question we should really be asking is not if we are Democrat or Republican, but are we Progressive or Regressive as a society.

A Reminder For All Feminists

Whatever you think of Hillary Rodham Clinton's politics or person, you have to admit that she has faced the scrutiny and scorn of countless individuals and groups during her time in the public sphere. I don't find her to be a credible or progressive candidate, I find she has a very unique relationship with the truth [to put it mildly], and I abhor some of the behind the scenes arms-length efforts to discredit her every political rival with ruthless precision as opposed to focusing on the issues. No matter my personal position on Hillary, it's undeniable that she has faced unrelenting attacks as either being too aggressive and un-first ladylike, or subjugating her pride as a modern woman in favor of upholding her marriage vows.

The first argument suggests that any woman who wants to hold public office deserves the kind of treatment that so many have gotten away with. The second argument is more puzzling as it is bandied about by so-called Conservative Christians, that Hillary is somehow less of a woman for staying in a marriage with a man who grossly embarrassed her in front of the world when his philandering nature was uncovered. As far as I am concerned, Hillary's personal relationship with her husband is her business and no one has the right to tell her how to conduct herself in the very private and complicated bonds of a marriage. In either case, this one point can be clearly seen in this small 3 minute clip that shows just a tiny sample of the asinine and archaic questions Hillary has faced over the last 30+ years.

I don't care what your politics are, there is no way I could have stayed calm while being compared to fictional characters like 'Lady MacBeth' or being labeled a 'nagging wife'.  So today I want to remind women everywhere, and particularly those who are thinking of a future in the political arena, that feminism means that all women move ahead, the ones we love and the ones that we definitely do not love. The point is that men do not have an exclusive monopoly on 'toughness' and women do not have an exclusive claim to 'gentility'. The most impressive argument I have ever heard for women standing up for all women and the injustices we face daily is in a poem by Melissa Newman-Evans, a piece called "9 Things I Would Like To Tell Every Teenage Girl". I am not going to say anything more, it speaks for itself and I hope that you will overlook a few cuss words and embrace the heart and intention behind this passionate plea.

WIN of the WEAK

WIN of the WEAK (Aug. 6/2016)

[I'm hoping to make this a recurring theme as a weekly item. Please weigh in with your thought.]

A count-up of five stories that celebrate 'Progressive Wins' or 'Weak Excuses'; or are just plain full of irony and much needed comic relief.

WIN of the WEAK: Netflix Accidentally Put Aziz Ansari Subtitles on a Nature Documentary and the Results Are Amazing

Source: Imgur

This small gaffe on the part of Netflix is almost entirely harmless and says an awful lot about what is going on with millennials and progressives in one hilarious moment. By combining the power of online entertainment as opposed to the entire television lineup of commercial media, a BBC Nature documentary showing an individual that is engaged and at the minimum curious about life on the planet, and the introduction of comic-relief by a talented comedian who also happens to be one of the first brown comedian to achieve a wide - and much deserved - level of acclaim, this situation is so full of WIN. Or maybe I am reading too much into a technical glitch.

Number Two: WEAK Donald J. Trump Brought to Heel by the GOP, Instead of being Disavowed

While I watched in mild surprise as Donald Trump read from a prepared list of talking points leading to his clear endorsements of high ranking Republicans, Speaker of the House Sen.Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) and Sen, John McCain (R-Arizona), I felt that that the Republicans were missing the larger picture, that this last ditch effort was just delaying the inevitable. If the GOP actually holds to its own platform and traditional christian values to have value, the continual embrace of a man like Donald Trump are not only destroying the Republican Party, but also reckless and highly un-American. Anyone left with any moral compass needs to do what is most difficult but most necessary for the sanctity of life in America. Perhaps that is the real take-away.

Number Three: WIN Most Americans Ages 18-30 Say Neither Political Party Represents Them, Poll Shows

A GenForward Poll out this week indicates that young millennials in particular are choosing issues over party loyalties by saying that neither the Republicans nor the Democrats represent their values. Specifically, only 28 percent of young adults overall are saying the two parties do a good job of representing the American people.This is a huge signal to the Progressive movement that it's future is in increasingly secure hands. When the issues and the realities facing the most people are the driving force behind policy creation, as opposed to a top-down approach, the movement moves forward and we see actual change in the priorities of politicians and corporations.

Number Four: WIN* GOP Convention Scared this Veteran more than Afghanistan

I call this op-ed by Christopher Carey a WIN for one very simple reason. It clearly presents precisely the problem facing every veteran, military serviceperson, or military family in America at this moment in history. These people are American patriots who respect the office of Commander in Chief of the United States. Their respect for this office is hinged upon the belief that the person calling the shots needs to fully understand the supreme responsibility of the office and can respond in the nuanced ways to threats while simultaneously minimizing the cost of human lives, American lives. It is the lives of all Americans that are on the line, and that is not something a man who has been on the front lines doing the very hard job of protecting home and humanity wants in the hands of a nihilistic narcissist like Donald J. Trump. These are the most powerful checks and hits that will drive voters away from a Trump candidacy and into examining other options up and down ticket.

[*Let me officially state that I deeply respect the service of this veteran and abhor any situation that would place such a fear into the heart of anyone.]

Number Five: WIN Team Refugees is an Elegant Political Statement that Cannot be Ignored

This Summer at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, there is a new team in the mix. Not a specific region, country, or state, but rather an example of the actual faces and the plight of the modern refugee. A picture in sharp contrast to that currently volleyed about in the political arena. While close to home Trump continues to paint the picture of refugees and immigrants, whether fleeing climate disaster, war, or political and economic shifts, as criminals and rapists. It is the very best foil for Trump's arguments and it is making it's presence felt on the world stage. This small team of 10 athletes was assembled by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and includes members from diverse backgrounds including South Sudan, Syria, Ethiopia, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. While I am not naive to the the very real potential that these athletes might be exploited for nefarious purposes, I can't help but be hopeful that if even one person comes to see their brother, sister, son, or daughter among these athletes, the progressive world becomes a richer place indeed. I will be watching with interest to see how the mainstream media and the IOC portray these athletes in the coming days.

Foreign Policy of Trump

Trump Calisthenics; open mouth, put foot in mouth, remove foot by spitting out bizarre lies, repeat with other foot. On Tuesday, once again Trump found himself unprepared and caught in another self-spun web. On July 31st Trump was being interviewed by ABC News Anchor George Stephanopoulos, saying a lot and yet still nothing of consequence when the topic shifted to Trump's knowledge of Russia and the Ukraine. Trump was adamant that Russian President Putin, would not be going into Ukraine [sic]. When corrected about the fact that the annexation of The Crimea and parts of Eastern Ukraine by Russia had infact happened two years prior, Trump once again doubled down. Perhaps we have found the source of Trump's failed Taj Mahal Casino in Atlantic City. Donald seems unable to walk away from the tables, and infact doubles down on every bad investment, refusing to leave the table (or topic) until he comes out on top or another debacle takes it's place.

"He's not going into Ukraine, OK, just so you understand. He's not going to go into Ukraine, all right? You can mark it down. You can put it down. You can take it anywhere you want," Trump said in an interview on Sunday with ABC's George Stephanopoulos on "This Week." Source: CNN Politics.

By Monday, August 1st Trump hammered away at the topic again by emitting several tweets obviously aimed at saving face. Now suddenly an expert on the Ukraine, he explained that what he 'meant' to say was that under a Trump Presidency 'it never would have happened'. He doesn't know what 'it' he is talking about, but at least he now knows he could have prevented it. He might actually have a group of imaginary advisors in his mind that could have done a better 'deal' than any other candidate in the history of forever.

By the time Tuesday came, Trump went on Fox "News" Show 'The O'Reilly Factor' with Bill O'Reilly, to clarify still further, now adding that "Obama is the worst president in the history of the United States", which is convenient since he has actively campaigned, supported, and/or run for office with at least three entirely different political parties over at least six different election seasons. I had not realized how rabid Trump's appetite was for studying the history of the US Presidency was. To suggesting that Obama is the 'worst' and 'weakest' ever would require extensive scholastic efforts. Trump then added, "I know more about foreign policy than [Obama]." [video below]

More about foreign policy or foreign tax loopholes? I think Donald may be confused. They are not the same thing Mr Trump. To suggest you know more about foreign policy and relations than a sitting Two-Term President that has travelled the world to international summits, met with heads of state, and had eight years of actual experience with foreign relations, is frankly absurd. Let us not forget to mention President Barack Obama is an Ivy League Educated Lawyer, widely respected, who can actually read and understand the language of policy documents.

Taking military steps to intervene at the time of the annexation of the Crimea by Russia would have destroyed decades of work from GOP and Democratic Presidents alike, but also may have led to actual war. Had Obama acted in a 'tough' not 'weak' way, as Donald puts it, we may well have seen an escalation in the conflict, being called upon by NATO agreements to send over, house, arm, clothe and feed thousands of military personnel, endanger the lives of servicemen and servicewomen, as well as innocent civilians, including women and children. Let's remember folks, Russia has a nuclear arsenal and would not hesitate to use it on us. But then, had we survived a potential Nuclear war, Trump would be listing all of the things Obama had done wrong by being 'too tough'. I'm not even sure that Trump could define what he means when he calls people 'weak' or 'tough', he has no ability to employ nuanced or quantifiable terms. He 'alone will fix', as he says so eloquently, I know those details will be released soon, right along with his tax-returns.

There has never be anyone so contradictory in his own interviews and speeches as Donald J. Trump. The thing is, I believe I may know more about foreign policy than Trump, and I am a Canadian and a Nurse by profession. I just want to have an idea about what is going on in the world. Quite simply, I read and research information when I have questions about world events, I have studied statistical interpretation of research and know that almost without exception every mainstream media outlet has it's own agenda and political ideology. It's almost a comedy routine whenever Trump starts to lash out at the media for being 'unfair', I can hardly keep track of which outlets are on his good list. This is a grown ass man, 70 years on this planet and he has yet to understand that the media is not your personal playground, The televisions news business is after all a business. It is there to inform and interpret daily events, sell lots of ads, pull in the ratings and go where the story is. There is no loyalty in the mainstream media, they are corporate owned entities that seek to turn a profit, and they don't care who they take down.

A sign of a mature adult is one that is not afraid to ask for help. Unlike Trump, I would want the best trained, most experienced, and most knowledgeable aides and advisors to help me become ready to take on such a tremendous responsibility. Being responsible for the safety of every US citizen, it's allies, and ultimately the planet, is not a joke, it's not a publicity stunt. The presidency is often frenetic and overwhelmed, sometimes isolated or maybe boring, repetitive, frustrating, and definitely a twenty-four hour responsibility. It is not so much Trump's lack of knowledge, he can hopefully learn anything he sets his mind to, if he is of sound mind. It is Donald's stubborn 'My Way or No Way" attitude that is sinking his ship. Mr. Trump, please just admit to America that you don't know it all but you are willing to learn it all because you take the office of POTUS very seriously. Unless of course you aren't willing to put in the work, and don't actually want the job, which would be fine by me.

Bad News for 'Disgusted' Donald

Most normal people have moments where they are generally offended by something gross or disgusting. Let's face it, life is messy. Most parents or pet owners have cleaned up snot and vomit, not to mention other bodily fluids, the whole deal. At some point you have to plug your nose, put on the latex gloves and get to work. While we all have something or other that absolutely sends us into the 'nope' zone, we generally mature past the point of making a public spectacle every time we are put off by an odor, sound, or sight.

After nearly a year of watching Donald Trump tweet, repeat the same speech over and over, and use his incredibly limited vocabulary of 'the best words', one word has come to symbolize everything that is immature, underdeveloped, and quite frankly alarming about this likely narcissistic sociopath. 'The Donald' uses the word 'disgusting' an awful lot when referring to almost any normal bodily functions, particularly as they relate to women's bodies. Here are some prime examples of 'disgusted Donald' being his rude, self-centered, and sexist self using his most favorite word.

In December of 2015, Trump referred to rival Hillary Clinton's seconds late return to the debate stage after an apparent restroom break 'disgusting'. To a group of adoring approximately 7,500 supporters he said in an almost sing-song voice, "I know where she went -- it's disgusting, I don't want to talk about it." Affecting a look of mock-horror, as the crowd laughed and cheered, Trump continued,  "no, it's too disgusting. Don't say it, it's disgusting."[1]  I am not sure most actual children would say something quite so childish about something as simple as a bathroom break. I defy Donald to try to rush in a restroom break while wearing a pair of Spanx, if you have never worn a pair, it is rather like trying to escape from a straitjacket while suspended over a water tank, as a clock ticks down. In this particular case, I am definitely 'with her'.

This is hardly his most noteworthy use of his favorite word. In 2011, Trump famously called a female lawyer 'disgusting' when she asked for a brief pre-approved break during his deposition. Trump's lawyers had objected to the request. It seems Trump was once again in court facing claims of defrauding investors, when opposing counsel, Elizabeth Beck asked the court for a medical break. Facing this objection, Beck, a breastfeeding mother of a 3-month old infant, took out her breast pump to show the urgency of the situation, one many women can well relate to, particularly in the workplace. Trump's reaction was off the charts, even for him. Beck recalled the incident for an interview on CNN this year, “[Trump] got up, his face got red, he shook his finger at me and he screamed, ‘You’re disgusting, you’re disgusting,’ and he ran out of there”. This from a man that continually asserts that in his organization, women are equally respected and valued for their contributions. Beck referred to Trump's behavior “an absolute meltdown.” Trump's lawyers have agreed with Beck's recollections of the event. [2]

Women aren't the only target of the 'disgusting' label, as Trump made glaringly clear when describing his Republican opponent, Ohio governor John Kasich, in the primaries. In April 2016, having been photographed and interviewed while at several eateries during his campaign stops, Kasich often was seen eating meal after meal. Trump must not have appreciated anyone else being in the spotlight when he opined to an encouraging crowd "I have never seen a human being eat in such a disgusting fashion." The Donald decided us simple folk needed context for his rather below-the-belt attack adding "This guy takes a pancake and he's shoving it in his mouth. It's disgusting. Do you want that for your president? I don't think so. I don't think so. Honestly, it's disgusting." [3]

This is apparently a catch-all term from the Trumpster, as he has painted everything from his media coverage [4], the fatal police shootings of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling [5], and a protester at one of his rally stops [6] as disgusting. Trump seems incapable of nuanced descriptions, seemingly equating the way a man eats with the filmed aftermath of a tragic police shooting. It becomes utterly clear that Trump's language, behavior, and blatant bullying are not just signs of being a 'tell it like it is' straight-shooter, but rather a man incapable of weighing the relative gravity of events while being completely devoid of any sign of human empathy.

Far from an ideal parental role model, Trump's two eldest sons seem to be following right along in their father's inflammatory footprints. Donald Trump Jr. seems particularly disposed to using his father's most favorite of adjectives. In May of this year, Donnie Jr. was in downtown Vancouver, Canada while promoting the highly controversial 'Trump International Hotel and Tower'. Several politicians as well as local residents in the region have openly railed against Donald Trump, calling him a racist, and demanding his name be removed from the development. Donald the younger responded in the most Trump-like way possible, by suggesting the Mayor of the city and members of local city council "should be disgusted by themselves”. Trump Jr. did admit that his father's views are controversial, but doubled down on his wordsmithing by adding “to throw it out there like that, it’s a shame. And it’s disgusting.”[7]

If Donald J. Trump is disgusted by the mere idea of a woman having to use a restroom, he has another think coming. The joke's on Trump it seems, currently many of Trump's fellow Republicans are absolutely obsessed with the topic of public restrooms. Specifically, many GOP conservatives are hell bent on not allowing transgender citizens to freely choose the restroom that they feel most comfortable using. Cries of pedophilia and grown men throwing on a dress and being in bathrooms with little girls are preposterous and statistically non-existent. What we do know is that the GOP seems less concerned with actual facts about pedophilia or the abuse of minors, particularly among its own members, than it does for actually keeping children safe [8]. There is going to be a lot of 'potty talk' around Mr. Trump if he remains the Republican nominee for President. Somebody get that poor delicate turmeric-tinted man a few dozen boxes of latex gloves and a nose plug, and while you are at it, get me some ear plugs. 

Pro-Birth, Pro-Life, or Pro-Choice: My Truth About Abortion

Recently, as I regularly do, I left a comment on a facebook post by Senator Bernie Sanders, a man I admire greatly. In this particular post, Sanders made a very personal statement about his religion and family history. He was likely motivated by the DNC Wikileaks documents that questioned his religion and beliefs, something that should never matter in a country that claims a separation of Church and State. I was disgusted by this cruel 'tactic' to take down a decent man who wants to serve his country in the most selfless way. This post was extremely moving for me. I also identify as culturally Jewish, I was raised that way, and even though I am not religious in my adult life, I still am Jewish in every other way. That's why I felt the need to leave a comment;

My response had me in tears, out of respect for Bernie Sanders and for my own lost heritage, for the man he is and the way he inspires me. I wrote;


Every child and grandchild of the survivors of the Holocaust, and every other act of genocide known to history [and modern times] is proud to stand with you Bernie Sanders and fight for a world where everyone valued for who they are and their right to simply live in peace and raise their children in safety and love. My grandfather was the only survivor of his immediate family too, but for a single cousin who found her home in Michigan. He came to Canada and never heard from his large family of sisters, brothers, their spouses and children, his parents, his whole community again. They lie in a mass grave for simply being Jews, and it still breaks my heart and makes me cry to think of all that lost potential, all the cruelty, humiliation, and the hatred that pitted neighbor against neighbor in the maelstrom of racism, fear and divisive tactics of the Nazi regime. I may not be a practicing Jew in the religious sense, but it is my heritage and my moral compass was set early on when my Zaida, the best man I have ever known, simply loved us and took joy from his grandchildren, never even speaking of the pain and loss, the intolerable cruelty he suffered. He would have loved you Bernie, and I love you, and thank you, for being the very best example of humanity and a true Mensch. You are a blessing to us all.

I didn't actually expect anyone to read it, I am rather verbose. But a few people did comment under mine. The first touched me, the second just pissed me off;

H.A.R. : We all stand with you and within Bernie. We promise we will never let it happen again, never again.

M.A. : If he's such a great guy why is he a supporter of the biggest genocide of our time, that being abortion?

Normally, I do not feed the trolls, but this one was so in my Nursing wheelhouse, I could not stop my fingers, and sarcasm, from flying across my keyboard.

"M.A. He doesn't support 'abortion', pro-abortion is not a thing. No sane person sits around saying, 'damn, there are just not enough abortions happening'. Bernie supports a woman's right to make her own educated decisions about what is right for her person. A decision based on personal religious, ethical, and moral beliefs and what is best for her physical and mental health in the moment. It is called being Pro-Choice. That choice is overwhelming to continue a pregnancy to term. In the rare case where a woman decides that termination of pregnancy is best for her, she will also be given legal access to that medical intervention.

The decision is that of the person in possession of the gravid uterus and any other person(s) she wishes to include, most often a spouse, partner, family member. Very few women make this decision hastily, they are asked to sign explicit consent forms before having any procedure, which include an explanation about any medical risks, future health concerns, and even a very explicit description of the procedure. She can still change her mind at any time until the actual procedure is initiated. Please note, in almost every State, women must be of legal age to obtain an abortion [without the consent of a parent], they must be within the first trimester of the pregnancy.

In Canada, and I suspect it is similar in the US, if a woman is past her first trimester she often cannot end a viable pregnancy without making an application to a medical ethics board that will evaluate her case. No doctors are mandated to perform the various procedures if their religious or ethical beliefs are in conflict with a woman's request or the ethics board."

But this whole issue has been spinning in my mind since I first responded to M.A. [name withheld to protect the ignorant]. What really pisses me off is this extreme anti-abortion position. Firstly, the term Genocide is not to be used lightly, and it certainly has nothing to do with an elective medical procedure. Genocide refers specifically to the deliberate murder of persons from a particular religion or ethnic group. Secondly, men are certainly entitled to their opinions about a woman's right to choose, but until you have a uterus and are in the position of having no options but to carry a pregnancy to term, even if it will be stillborn or unable to live outside the womb, you don't get to tell me what to do with my body. Most rational men understand this is a very personal issue for a woman and her family.

Those who profess to be militantly pro-life, or anti-abortion, baffle me in their absolute fervor and even violent protests. I respect everyone's right to their own opinions, moral or religious beliefs, but as a nurse who works in High Risk Obstetrics, I have been in the position where I have cared for a family facing the most difficult decision they may ever have to make, the choice to terminate a pregnancy because of a severe genetic or developmental condition. It is heart wrenching to watch a family both welcome and say goodbye to a life they very much love and want. It is not my place to judge these women, these families of varied cultures, religions, and beliefs; no one has that right. I have held tiny fragile stillborns, made handprints and footprints that will be treasured forever, and cried with families while the hospital chaplain said a blessing for them and the tiny dream that wasn't meant to be. It is emotional work and it is meaningful work, and it is important.

But there is more to the pro-life position that bothers me, and that is the sheer hypocrisy that lies in the name of this so-called 'movement'. If you are truly pro-life, that means all life, not just the un-born, but the living children in your own community. The children living at or below the poverty line, those attending sub-par schools, those who need school lunches because there is no food at home. If you are so very pro-life you should be anti-gun proliferation, anti-war, and fight for the rights of children across the country. You should get actively involved by becoming a foster parent, adopting a child in need of a loving home, or just volunteering your time working with kids in need.

What do we see instead? We see that Conservatives and the GOP, the 'family values' party, those who claim to be 'good' Christians, are the ones who want to make safe medical termination of pregnancy almost non-existent in America. The current Republican Party Nominee for President has said that there should be 'punishment' for those who seek legal abortions. These same political actors are the ones who refuse to stop the sale of guns to those on the Terrorist Watch List. In the US, they are gutting school lunch programs, refusing to consider Parental Leave allowances, actively trying to repeal accessible healthcare, and make radical cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program. In my opinion, this is absolutely not a pro-life position. In truth, it is a pro-birth position.

Pro-birth is a much more accurate name for this system of beliefs. They want all women to carry all pregnancies to term, and once that child is born, they expect it to be raised in a social justice vacuum. These 'good' GOP Christians pass judgement and point fingers, shaming the very families that they have let down, calling them 'Takers', 'Welfare Queens', or worse. Currently there are close to 400,000 children living without permanent families in the foster care system. Over 100,000 of these children are eligible for adoption, but nearly 32% of these children will wait over three years in foster care before being adopted [1].

This by no means applies to all persons who have a religious or moral issue with abortion, it is a very hot button issue, very personal, very private. It does however apply to those who are trying to 'suck' and 'blow' at the same time. In one breath suggesting they are trying to protect the sanctity of life, and with the next cutting the social programs that new mothers and families desperately need to care for that new life. It is not only un-American, it is devoid of any humanity, any sense of propriety, and is absolutely contradictory to the pro-life narrative.

Does Trump Have Any Real Friends?

For the last year, I have been waiting to hear from all of Donald's childhood friends, the ones he went to school with, the ones he grew up with, even those he has made in business and worked with over the years. Not his employees, not his progeny, not those that have been on the apprentice, those are not lifelong friends. What does it say about a man that has few, or possibly no, actually friends?

Since Trump has no political background or 'public' evidence of philanthropy, he has escaped a lot of the scrutiny that most running for office face. He eschews responsibility from any 'terrible' things he believes the US Government has done because he has never once participated in any form of public service. His unwillingness to release any tax returns also leaves a big question mark about his actual financial status. However, what most people do have, whether they are political actors or not, are friends that will speak kindly on their behalf.

The media and the GOP are not his friends. At best, the media presents him as a somewhat erratic but dedicated man of the people. At worst, Trump is called out on his lies and inaccuracies, his bizarre behavior, and his highly inflammatory statements. The GOP seems to be getting in line behind a man that they hope will allow them to continue business as unsual in Washington. As of today, only one registered Republican member of Congress, Rep. Richard Hanna of New York, has said he will vote for Clinton. While a handful of other Republicans have distanced themselves from Trump by saying that his views do not represent their own, few have actually taken the next logical step of rejecting him as their Candidate. 

So does Donald have an 'inner circle' of close friends developed in his 70 years on this planet? If he does, I have managed to miss the interviews or statements of each and every one of them. If you can name one that I have somehow overlooked, I would appreciate a link to the appropriate source. I cannot find evidence of any close friend speaking on Trump's behalf, nor has he presented a name of any single person that can vouch for his character over many years. He often alludes to what 'people are saying' or 'I have heard', but there are never any names attached to these assertions.

Why does it matter that Trump may have no real friends? It matters because normal people can and do maintain relationships over a sustained period of time. Most people have someone, even just one friend, that will vouch for their character. Many journalist and psychologists have put forth the very plausible suggestion that Trump has a Narcissistic Personality Disorder. As a nurse, I can honestly say that most people running for the leadership of a country have a healthy degree of narcissism, but the disorder is a very different from a merely inflated degree of self-importance, it walks right along side of being a psychopath. 

The Mayo Clinic, DSM-5 Symptoms of Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Trump's constant cries of being treated unfairly by the media, of being "the only one who can fix" the world's problems are not only childish, but incredibly dangerous. A true psychopath has no understanding of relationships, and no ability to empathize with other human beings. Not every psychopath (or sociopath as it is also known) is a danger to society, they usually are functioning people who simply lack the ability to fully empathize with others. Psychopathy only becomes dangerous when an individual has no ability to empathize or even sympathize with other human beings and acts in a manner that is dangerous or criminal. Again, these represent a very small percentage of those diagnosed with any degree of Psychopathy, but in the case of Donald J. Trump he is nailing every possible symptom of both Narcissistic Personality Disorder and Psychopathy. He is dangerous. He is dangerous for America, and he is dangerous for the planet.

Without friends, and without empathy for others, he simply can't make decisions when American lives are on the line. Trump displayed this spectacularly in the past few days as he first insulted a Gold Star family, the Khan family, then went on to suggest his business achievements are tantamount to giving one's life in service of country. What is shocking to me is the number of people in powerful government positions, almost entirely GOP, that have refused to speak up and denounce his outright bigotry, misogyny, racism, xenophobia, and disregard for even a modicum of sensitivity. That is the real story here. Why are generally sane Republican politicians not speaking out against this very dangerous man who is entirely bereft of any statesmanlike qualities?

Bernie Sanders Has Brought Us Closer to "One Day"

Bernie Sanders will be talked about by future generations the same way people talk about Rosa Parks, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., Eleanor Roosevelt, and other transformative figures in history. I believe this, and I am teaching my young nieces and nephew about how inspiring Bernie is. Bernie Sanders, his delegates, supporters, and each person that donated their time, talents, and passion to get Bernie's message out to the world have started a progressive revolution and reengaged countless numbers of disaffected voters. Our "One Day" will come, I believe in humanity, and Bernie is bringing us closer to that dream because he is such a decent man.

Matisyahu has been a curiosity to me since I first caught a performance on a random late-night show some time in 2006. Here was a man who was clearly comfortable with his personal beliefs, and who wrote songs that reverberated in my heart. It had nothing to do with his religion, he was saying things that I needed to hear, thing that matter to all of us. It is rare for someone coming from a traditionally close-knit Orthodox Jewish upbringing to move into public life, it is more rare when he sings, beatboxes, and has a remarkable reggae sensibility. Whatever personal journey Matisyahu is on at the moment, his music has always been remarkable.

I am not a religious person, I have no problem with people who are, who believe in a god or a higher power, that is the beauty of living in a democracy. I do not find prayer to be an answer to real scientific problems, I don't think it solves financial disasters, nor do I feel it is an absolute good. We know too much of the history of organized religion, and any ''holy scripture' can be manipulated to justify the most vicious and violent atrocities. I believe in the golden rule, that humans are overwhelmingly decent and good, and that we have more in common than not. I believe that positivity can overcome tremendous odds. I believe in the power of inspirational voices. When someone I know is hurting, I send them my most positive energy, my support, and my love, because to me those things are real.

I recently was sent a link to a video of an adorable young musical couple, YoNina, baby in arms, doing an acapella version of Matisyahu's "One Day" in a Carpool Karaoke moment [don't freak out, they were in a parked vehicle]. The words of the song really resonated with me as if I had never heard them before. I heard a song of peace, love, hope, and unity - and I thought of Bernie Sanders. Bernie, I want thank you for bringing us all closer to "One Day". We can get to that day, but only if we continue to make our voices heard. Matisyahu says it succinctly in this song. "One day this all will change, Treat people the same, Stop with the violence, Down with the hate".