THREW Mikes EyEz

Original Writings, Images, Video and Artworks of Mike Hartley

Tag Archives: politics


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Flaming Out

Is the orange one flaming out? Could be, it looks like the ship is taking on water and listing badly. I salute those showing up today at the No Kings Rally.

Photo by Mike Hartley

I was going to go to the local one here, but my body is not cooperating. Cold weather and wind are not a combo that is going to untwist my body. My daughter is representing in DC today. I may change my mind. I’m hitting the shower now. The local one starts at 1pm.

Don’t worry, I’ll be very involved in change this year. Including my vote and support for anything that is opposed to the current cult and moving the country forward instead of backwards.

Shot from last years No Kings rally. Photo by Mike Hartley


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Down the Tubes

Seems like we’re going down a path that wasn’t the wisest choice AGAIN. A bit over a year into this mess it keeps getting worse, and like the current war the end is not in sight. The two meanings of Down the Tubes I found are, wasted and unrecoverable and deterioration or failure. Either case it’s bad.

From what I see and hear, most countries think the reputation of the United States is stained badly and may be unrecoverable depending on the continued damage done to it. We certainly have spawned a new generation of terrorist at a minimum.

Photo by Mike Hartley

We are struggling to get a grip on ourselves and take back power from a narcissist toddler who has never been told NO. Well, he is going to hear it soon and it’s not going to be pleasant because till now it’s been his way or the highway.

I don’t know how long the struggle will take. I don’t know if he will be like Hitler and just try to burn this country down if it doesn’t follow his ideology. I don’t know how ugly it will be between now and then. But somehow, I feel majority rule will play out even if he tries to fix the midterm elections.

The drama may end quickly with a whimper. Or it could go out in a civil war over a long period. Our choice. One thing we need to remember, well those in the US. We are all Americans.


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Choose wisely

The killings in Minneapolis are unacceptable. My eyes know what they saw and Alex Pretti was executed in public. And while our government who killed him paints every protester injured or killed as a terrorist, I know different. I believe a lot of other people know different.

I’ve had it with the cowards that hold the check and balance in government unwilling to do their jobs. I’ve had it with the Nazi administration and the lies it spews.

This country is going to crap because of the idiot at the helm and the few puppet masters manipulating the fool along with state television. It’s time to hold people responsible for these murders and people above them accountable. It’s time all of us to combat mistruths and wake up from lies.

Active pathways. Photo by Mike Hartley


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Not so funny

I never thought about living in a police state. One where freedoms are illusions. But that certainly seems to be the direction we may be headed in. Calling out the military will be the last step. It will just expand from there and the election will be in jeopardy.

If I’m not mistaken the term Marshell Law comes to mind. Hey, I’ve been shocked about the last 12 months and the failure of both congress and senate. And they say take people at their word and he has said to beat, shoot or hang those that oppose him.

Photo by Mike Hartley

I guess it’s possible. There are countries where that is the case. Ones controlled by criminals.

The current administration is the closest thing in my time to feeling that. Basically, if you disagree with anything he proposes, says or does, you are the enemy. And I’m fine with that. Never thought I’d be labeled the enemy in my own country but hey, this isn’t the first Civil War.

And I have no problem being the opposition to the orange one. Bullies are never as tough as they pretend to be. We can make a difference.


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Not alone

On the way down to Columbia MD Saturday one of my old favorites came on the speakers. The song, Woodstock performed by Crosby Stills Nash and Young. One I listened to as a teen in 1970.

The reason for being out was to attend the No Kings rally. I decided to stop sitting on the sidelines. Don’t take that the wrong way. I vote in every election, even the primaries. I’m tired of the nonsense and the direction this administration has taken the country. And I’m getting involved in changing it.

Family taught me some history lessons before they passed. The WWII and Korea generation warned me of this kind of ideology. Declaring your own citizens the enemy is harking back to dangerous days.

A bully and narcissist are not what we need to lead this country. So, I will be part of the change.

Just a few of the warning signs I saw at the rally.

Photos by Mike Hartley


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Monday Thoughts

Vertically challenged

I’m neither short nor tall. I guess average for my generation. I’ve always thought it is good to be very comfortable with what you have been blessed with.

This dog may need some counseling.

Walking in St Michaels MD. Photo by Mike Hartley

Missed Her

Saturday my better half was out all day with family. I missed her and always have when she isn’t with me. But I have the pleasure again of her company all day today.

How much is Enough

I’ve always considered myself one not in need of a lot of material things. Especially expensive, status and luxury items. Oh, I like them, I ogle over them at car shows or a boat show, but I’m not a buyer.

Now would I be if I had more? Would I be drawn into the same trap that money can make me happier? I hope not, and not at this age I believe. Possibly when I was much younger and didn’t have some basic wisdom.

Drivers

I’m out for less than 5 minutes on a Sunday morning and a BMW 840 passes a car on the exit lane on Rt 99 and the car he passed was going over the speed limit. All just a couple hundred feet before the elementary school. Luckily, he didn’t do that on a weekday when parents were out to witness it.

Some parents might have taken upon themselves to FUBAR the driver.

Everything has been more out of whack on the highways since Covid. The empty roads were speedways when nobody went out much. Now they are full again and we have people that can’t adjust. Or that they are so self-entitled that they will hurt someone without a second thought.

I was out for a total of about 20 minutes on the road and saw another driver run a red light and got cut off badly by another driver trying to get to HIS turn lane.

Here’s hoping for a smoother drive this afternoon.

Department of War

I see Trump has told military leaders to handle the enemy within. I guess that is me. He declared the company I worked for decades for “the enemy of the people” in his first term. I’m a registered democrat and he defines that blocks as radical left lunatics. I’ve always thought I was rather middle of the road.

I’ve never had any thought ever about raising arms against my own military but jeez, if you’re going to send them, I guess I have no choice. My father and two uncles are probably rolling over in their graves thinking they defeated the one and only Hitler.

A lot of military leaders, troops and even local police have some very important decisions to make soon it appears. I’m right here. Same address I’ve been in for decades. Thanks for the warning of war against your own citizens you took an oath to protect and serve. Much appreciated.


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Who gets the hook next

I’ve always enjoyed late night TV and the humor poked at life. I’m sorry CBS and ABC have made the decisions they have to appease pumpkin head and his hoard. I don’t expect this to stop. He declared me the enemy in his first term and endangered my life, so we have been on the outs since then.

Of course, it might be some time before he gets worried about my singular level of discontent and disrespect. Then again, things are happen very quickly, and he has been successful at dividing and concurring at an unexpected pace.

So where does it stop. Is all but praise for him unacceptable? Is life for all of us one soon to be one of his kiss ass cabinet meetings? He’s threatening to pull FCC licenses of those he doesn’t like.

I’m not sure where everyone stands but I’m not kissing ass or the ring.

Time to think of more positive things and get the day rolling in a good direction. I have a taste for a pit beef sandwich for lunch and a ride with the top down. Only then, will I will return to chores.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • If you take care of things, they last. Unless it’s a piece of crap in the first place.
  • The tail is wagging the dog.
  • One of my best friends birthdays is today. Going to celebrate.
  • My need for TV in the future might not be needed. I’m not into state sponsored propaganda.


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Seemed fitting

Truth is sometimes hard to get at. Sometimes it’s right in front of everyone.

Words for thought. Photo by Mike Hartley

I would pass by this a few times a night. I always liked it.

Good thing I can lose myself in my young grandson for a few hours this week to help me cope. And I’ll be absorbed in basketball this weekend. The trouble is I’ll worry about his and all our safety.


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Alive again

I think my fever broke last night and hopefully I’m on the upside today. Like getting up off the mat after losing a fight. This guy beat the hell out of me. I guess age is a factor in fighting viruses now. I only have half a kidney on the right side due to cancer and when I’m sick it feels like George Forman (RIP) was giving kidney shots for 12 rounds.

My better half was sick earlier in the week and some friends seem to have had the same thing and they all were saying it takes 4-5 days to start feeling normal again.

Hopefully this week I’ll be able to get back into the surf of things.

Photo by Mike Hartley

Frustration

For the first time this year I couldn’t put some miles on the treadmill. I was sick on my daughter’s birthday. I had to move 3 days of planned to do list items to future days. There was a nice day when I missed riding with the top down on my car in the warm sun. I haven’t picked up a camera or worked on a piece of art in 3 days. I haven’t worked on yard or home in 3 days. It bothers me that I haven’t kept up with blogs I like.

And now the sun has set, and my cough is coming back and I feel warm. Maybe a premature prediction of life returning.

Politics

I see our Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick was quoted saying “Let’s say Social Security didn’t send out their checks this month. My mother-in-law is 94, she wouldn’t call up and complain. She just wouldn’t. She would think something got messed up and she’d get it next month,” he said. “A fraudster always makes the loudest noise, screaming, yelling and complaining.”

Well I’m no fraudster Lutnick, and yes I’m going to be pissed as hell if I don’t get my check on time. You took it out of every one of my F’ing paycheck so do you part and get it here on time or there will be HELL TO PAY for it.

71 Million Americans will be letting you know how we feel about missing even one social security payment.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • I believe I’m going to start to supporting the organization Democracy Forward.
  • Mess with my Social Security and I will FUBAR YOU.
  • If you don’t have your health, it seems to stop life.
  • I seriously doubt we will make it 4 years without major unrest.


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Step up

I was up early but my productivity has been slack. Still trying to feel comfortable in my skin today. And I’m not going to feel comfortable outside. It’s cool and damp. And those nasty storms that are killing and hurting so many in the south seem to be headed this way tomorrow.

It’s time to step it up this evening and knock out a few things. I was doing well with my To-Do list, but it’s filled up again. Adding those outdoor activities takes some significant time out of the schedule.

Steps at the State House. Photo by Mike Hartley

I need to get back on the exercise routine. Some pain slowed my roll on, Friday and this morning. Yesterday hurt my monthly average and I’ll have to hustle to make it up.

Politics

I’m disappointed in the following members of the Senate who voted for the budget yesterday. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, Dick Durbin of Illinois, Brian Schatz of Hawaii, Gary Peters of Michigan, Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire—as well as Angus King, a Maine independent who caucuses with Democrats.

It is my opinion they showed an incredible lack of a spine.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • I read about a long list of people who are stopping posting on X. I’m proud to say I never even had that crap, when it was Twitter.
  • I guess the plan is to wipe out our life’s saving, and then bring prices down.
  • I enjoyed reading John Feinstein a sportswriter, author and former Post employee. He passed yesterday. A nice tribute to him by a former co-worker Eugene L. Meyer, found here.
  • Tough loss today for my Terps. But we go dancing next week.


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Out of the shadows

I love watching deer around our homes. I think this guy was asking me about this recent cold snap and when its leaving. Watching them wake, stretch and emerge from the shadows is always fun.

And a good day to you also. Photo by Mike Hartley

We met our son and grandson today for the Maryland Home and Garden show at the state fairgrounds and had a great lunch together afterwards.

Photos by Mike Hartley

Politics

Unsurprisingly to me, the rest of the world seems to be alarmed over our recent alliance with Russia. As displayed recently with the horrible meeting between the leader of Ukraine and Putin’s Puppet. Well, there are a ton of people in the United States that are against this also. And I am one of them.

For some reason people and officials in power who have condemned the Communist Government of Russia for decades are all of sudden kissing their ass. Well far as I’m concerned you have traded sides and can no longer be trusted to have the best interest of this country at heart.

You have completely sold out not to condemn this crap. Lindsey Graham, you can go to Leningrad and talk that crap if you want brag about being proud of Trump’s display, but don’t peddle that crap with me. There was a famous line in the 90s from the show In Living Color. And that line was “Homey don’t play that.” And I hope most Americans all don’t either.

Maybe Trump’s nickname for Marco Rubio “little Marco” was right. Because he never looked smaller than he did sitting there and watching that display. I never thought we would populate the Government with a bunch of Communists loving idiots. Anyone who thinks Russia has our best interest at heart is a FOOL.

If Obama or Biden started conceding to Russia the Republicans would have wanted them removed from office and shot for treason.

I’ve been looking at some items from World War 1, World War 2 and Korea from my father and grandfather. I can’t make them proud by remaining silent.

And I’ve had it hearing about tax breaks for the rich and telling us we must live with less.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • It doesn’t feel like a Sunday.
  • Trying to focus on what I have instead of what I don’t.
  • I don’t even want to see what Comrade Trump is up to this day.
  • Here’s a thought. Do you think someone might want to cancel midterm elections?


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This and That

Down to the last few days of February and that feels both good and bad. Another month has flown by which always bothers me. On the good side the cold is starting to abate and the 3 seasons I love are around the corner.

The moon stands over our lights. Photo by Mike Hartley

Also, right around the corner is BaseBall. Little league fields to Major League ballparks. I need to practice shooting some sports/action shots, so maybe I’ll start with a few trips to Wallace Park.

Sunrise Inspired

Another beautiful sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean this morning. The water looked so calm. I can’t wait to be down there in person for that feeling. Most day trips to the ocean, I leave about an hour before sunrise so I can see it come up as I cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

I think I’m going to pick a warm night and leave around 2:30am and get to the ocean before sunrise. Take some photos as I like to do at that time of day and then take a nap on the beach in the warm morning sun.

Wake and wander over to Happy Jacks Pancake house and get some calories. Cruise from Ocean City up to Bethany Beach for some DB Fries and more sunning before heading back to Ocean City for a light lunch at Saltwater 75 for a crispy shrimp po boy.

Back to the beach for a few hours and watch people on the boardwalk. I’ll catch a shower and change someplace and head to Fagers Island for sunset on the deck there while a light dinner is had. Listen to the band for a while and then head west towards home again.

Politics

With the US voting with Russia again the latest UN Resolution condemning Russia for invading Ukraine. It gives a whole new meaning to the Red States in America, doesn’t it?

I have friends and family on Medicaid. And they are the people who can least afford cuts to their healthcare. Giving tax cuts to the rich and cutting benefits to the poor, seems ass backwards to me.

Cuts to medical research and people who protect our food supply seem short sighted to me.

Control the media, control the message.

So many thresholds, guardrails and boundaries are gone that we have crossed over into uncharted waters.


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I don’t agree

Some may agree with this foreign policy, I don’t and the reasons for it are that my parents and grandparents fought wars to keep us from becoming Russia or Nazi Germany. They taught me to appreciate freedom and democracy and that Russia does not stand for those things.

I shot this during his first term. Looks like we are on repeat.

Giving Russia anything is a bad decision. Looking at trusting them is a bad decision. Making any concession to Russia is a bad idea. Our President being their spokesman is a VERY BAD IDEA. Our governments elected officials should know these things. And if they don’t we all should remind them right now.

Plus what are we doing F’ing around there when we got real problems here. I don’t seem to be feeling those price drops. And I’m not feeling much safer knowing we are firing lots of law enforcement professionals. I thought you had an America first agenda?


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Are they coming for you

Being new rules are being made up as we go along, do you ever wonder if someone is coming for you someday? Ah, you think you’re safe, you haven’t done anything wrong, your a citizen. So you think, they just haven’t found or made up the one they like to make you guilty yet.

Photo by Mike Hartley

Just for the record, I won’t be going peacefully. Learn from history, don’t repeat it.


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Fly Strong Today

I’m feeling strong, but I also feels like something is lurking. So there is no alternative but to keep moving forward. I have my work cut out for me today, more than I’ve been doing, but I can adjust.

Fly Strong. Photo by Mike Hartley

Life

  • Every time there is a holiday now I get kind of giddy. Because I don’t have to work them anymore.
  • There is nothing fake about a dogs affection towards you.
  • I miss the voice of my granddaughter this morning.
  • If your not extremely comfortable in your home. Think about moving.

Plumbing

  • You’re always working in a space meant for a person half your size.
  • You always need a tool you don’t have.
  • The odds of having a leak are pretty good.
  • The odds of leaving some of my skin on a pipe, wall or beam is good.

Sports

I think I hit a wall last night. I passed out at the kickoff of the National Championship game. That’s about how much interest it held for me last night.

  • Congrats to Ohio State. It looks like money well spent.
  • Only 18 days till pitchers and catchers report for spring training. So says the countdown counter.
  • The problem with the NBA is the games aren’t close anymore and they look like they are going through the motions till they get near the playoffs.
  • College Basketball will help me survive the cold months of February and March.

Politics

I didn’t watch a minute of yesterday’s Inauguration or its coverage. I’m changing the way I handle the next 4 years. The contrast in the two men at the forefront of attention yesterday is remarkable. I don’t want to waste time and energy listening to all the babble. Just what he does and doesn’t do.

  • I don’t agree with the pardons of the Jan 6 rioters and it disgusts me.
  • Pausing the ban on Tik Tok, proves again national security means nothing to him.
  • I don’t agree with ending birthright citizenship.
  • I don’t agree with implementing Scheduled F affecting federal civil servants.
  • I disagree with the withdraw from the World Health Organization and Paris Climate agreement.
  • The mandate to have federal workers return to the office 5 days a week is shortsighted.

Creating

  • I like to create each day.
  • Creating, makes me feel alive.
  • I love when I start something and then it spins off several other ideas.
  • I didn’t do art for a long time because I was concerned what other people would think. Stupid
  • Life creates restraints that you should ignore as an artist.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • It’s cold
  • It’s too cold.
  • I can’t think when it’s this cold outside, so I stay inside.
  • If I had a temperature gauge I bet it wouldn’t register this morning.
  • But remember, its never too cold for a bowl of ice cream. Just put some hot fudge on it if your chilled.


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Wrap it up

Another week in the books for 2025. A productive one and fun one. A week of extremes, sadness and joy. My week of exercise was also up and down unlike the previous consistent weeks. Maybe this coming week I can work to restore a balance in life.

Social Media

Not that it affects me, but it seems to be near the top of many concerns today is the Tik Tok ban. In short if experts say it’s a risk, let’s mitigate it. Even if it comes alive again, I won’t be joining.

A good friend of mine this morning started a discussion about dropping Facebook. Boy would l like to. And I may one day but right now it provides connections to a lot of old work friends of over 5 decades through alumni groups and a few old friends no longer living in the area. And of course, the occasional posts I see from family.

That is tough to disconnect from now, but as time has moved on this past year it has become less important. I don’t find myself even checking it each day.

Weather

I haven’t seen the snow I expected. So either it’s coming later than forecasted, or isn’t going to be much of anything when it comes. Whatever does come down I’ll clean immediately because it will get frozen tonight.

The real cold weather gear is coming out. The big gloves, scarf, heaviest coat and 1 piece insulated suit. Oh, the knit hats and hoods will also be employed.

Please stay safe this coming week, dangerous cold is on its way.

Politics

Some interesting times ahead. But that is true no matter who is in power. I’ll continue to support some issues I believe in. I’ll continue to vote at every opportunity. I’ll be doing more reading than listening to the talking heads.

As always, I’ll try to find out what the truth is. A mission harder and harder as time goes on.

Sports

I picked both winners yesterday and hope for the Ravens and Rams today. Not that I’m gambling apart from the small bet I make with my son to just stay in touch each week.

It was disappointing to see a less than optimal effort by the University of Maryland men’s basketball team. Yes it’s good to get that victory but they won’t compete with the Top 20 teams playing that way. But there is always the next game, to turn it around.


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Church and State

While I was shooting this church yesterday one of the thoughts that has been on my mind is the separation of Church and State in this country. I’m not sure these lines won’t try to be blurred in the coming years. I think that is dangerous.

Politics has been active in our churches in the last few decades unlike I recall in my youth. I have some differences with the faith I was raised in, which has led to far less participation in the traditional sense. And I believe it’s also a reason church attendance has dropped off. Politics, stances on abortion rights and some unforgivable transgressions have fractured churches in my opinion.

Sykesville Maryland. Photo by Mike Hartley

You have these mega-churches supporting rich and famous lifestyles for their leaders and wielding great political influence. Therefore more power and more money. I don’t get the following of these television preachers. Again my personal opinion is that they talk the talk but I’m not sure they walk the walk.

I probably should have stayed away from this topic but it’s coming to a head anyway. I try to respect all faiths and I respect those who chose not to practice any faith. I have a very good friend who is an atheist and he acts a lot more Christian than some who pretend to be.

Maybe if people referred to the words found in their faith they might be a lot more accepting and helpful of and for each other.

I think I remember a phrase I heard some time ago. Our strength is in our differences. Forcing school prayer of one or any faith is wrong IMHO.


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Moving on

I woke today to find myself in the minority opinion in this country. It’s not a small minority but it fell short of the goal and therefore is subject to the results.

But my approach this time has to be different. I remember the frustration the former term gave me and I’m not going to repeat that. Life is too short to be unhappy.

So I’m going into survival mode. I’m not even sure what that means yet but it’s going to start with a lot less TV. I’ll read my news and keep that limited to a few trusted sources.

The last time it split family and friends and I’m expecting more of that. I also expect poor behavior and discourse to increase so I’m preparing for that also.

Financially this changes a lot of things. I’m not the believer he’s the economic guru he pretends to be. And if he is, I’m not in the class that is going to benefit from it.

I’ll do my best to further restrain sharing any political opinions here in the future. Not like I spent a lot of time on it anyway. I’ll just stay in my lane. But I am worried for my children and grandchildren.

Either we are going into deep water or coming out of it. Photo by Mike Hartley

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • The good old days might have been quite recent.
  • A walk, lunch, and ice cream with my better half and all is right with the world for a few minutes.
  • If they come to take me away, the phrase “Say hello to my little friend” comes to mind.
  • Vive la Resistance


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Tired

Morning Greetings all – I went to bed tired and physically spent. Pushed my sick behind too much yesterday. I didn’t think I had done too much till I got home at 6pm and couldn’t stop coughing, couldn’t breathe and had to lay down for a while. Next thing I know its 4:30am this morning. My chest was much better, I could breathe and had some energy as I woke. Now some energy for me is maybe getting to 30% because I have had nothing now for several days. But each day has had some kind of improvement and I think I’m getting better. So I’m a ray of sunshine this morning.

Sunset on bay in Ocean City
Photo by Mike Hartley

I would have loved to make a post yesterday but I didn’t anticipate having to crash so early. And in an effort to make up for missed time and opportunity I might just throw a few together today.

Changes

Being I’m such a disorganized and random individual I thought I’d at least try to present my thoughts and images in a different layout that might be easier for you to follow along and maybe lead to better thoughts about what I’d like to say and the images I might use to illustrate them. Well, at least I’m going to give it a go. Don’t expect anything special for a while. It will be gradual.

Political Crap

Might as well end this now, one way or the other. Do we start to seek the truth and come to a consensus and direction and leadership by both sides working for the good and future, or do we just retreat to our MSNBC/FOX  camps, take up arms and supplies and just get to deciding this argument? It won’t take much to trigger the later, being we’ve migrated to both camps already.

Just as troubling or maybe more so than what the President said, is the two versions. He says he didn’t say that and a Senator who was in the room said he said it repeatedly. That one Senator was a Democrat. As I have read so far this morning, only one Republican Tim Scott, stepped forward and say yes the news reports were basically accurate. Lets just get to the truth with this man can’t we? If he can’t take ownership of what he says, then what the hell is he doing running our country. We don’t need a liar running the country from either party. We need someone we can trust. Integrity is everything.

Well, enough politics for the day, I’ve got to shop for food and ammo. Just kidding, actually shopping for a special birthday celebration. Would be nice if life was like it was before where we weren’t consumed with hostility and concern, to be able to go through a week and not be worn out by the news and conflict. But that was wrong also on my part to be comfortably numb to some serious and underlying problems this country hasn’t come to terms with yet.

Don’t Stress, its only a matter of time. 
Photo by Mike Hartley

Maybe those days are finally upon us.

Random Thoughts of the Day

Life is short. Thats it.

I’m a star when it comes to thinking about eating better. I’m something far less brighter when it come to doing it.

I used to think I had a lot of faults, now I feel much better about myself due to our President.

Irony = Trump signing a MLK proclamation less than 24 hours after his comments on Haiti and African Countries.

Karma = the MLK statue falling on the man wants to be another kind of King, on Monday.

My WP spell check says shithole is not a word. – maybe it will be added this year. Google has it. “an extremely dirty, shabby, or otherwise unpleasant place.”

Maybe today will be better. I’m going to try to make the best of the S-hole I find myself in.


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Backwards

Shouldn’t the rider be the one wearing the helmet? Sort of like the way this country is going. Everything seems to be ass backwards. Instead of moving ahead we are paralyzed. Instead of taking care of serious problems, we are focused on new ones of our own creation. Instead of getting spending under control, we’re pissing all over the place.

Helmet?
Photo by Mike Hartley

Things lately seem to be very split in perception. And each side thinks the other is totally biased and corrupt and bad for America. I wish I saw a way out of this before now. In some ways freedom of the press is exactly what is being used against each other. Selective news, extreme statements not substantiated with a factual base, personal assaults based on gender or race.

For every Republican that thinks Trump is draining the Washington swamp is a Democrat thinking the swamp is now covering the country. I really don’t see a way, such a divided country can continue. Even if Trump has done something illegal and is impeached then that will galvanize the Republican base that thinks he was unfairly run out-of-town. And this is exactly what our adversaries love to see. A fractured country. An economically weakened country. A country without strong leadership.

It’s really a sin. People on both sides failing to stay fully educated. People not willing to listen to each other. People always having to talk or yell over each other. Hell we might as well line up on two sides and get it over with because I still think its coming to that unless someone who is seen as having everyone’s interest at heart, who is SMART, Articulate, has Character (not a character) and can rally the people without a war to back it up, can save us. Of course no one person can save us and if anyone is proving that right, the character in office now is proving that. For in his own words “I ALONE, can fix this”. Well, you can’t and it’s very evident. It’s a strong team of people under a strong leader and communicator. And you will never wake up to that fact either.

So in the mean time its back to the range and getting my HQL and stocking up for a rainy day. Don’t worry, I look at shooting as a sport. And I hope that day never comes where I look at it as something else.


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Thank you, you idiot

Its going to take all the restraint I have today not to lace this post with foul language. I’m livid as I wake this morning and find the President has now put my life in jeopardy. Thank you very much A-hole. You see I just happen to work for “the media.” And our president (no longer using caps for that until someone else is in office) has just said that I am now part of “the enemy of the American People.” 

A very strong and threatening statement as far as I’m concerned. You see there are a lot of people who take our president very seriously. I know them, I’ve seen them and many of them are easily moved to action. And basically you just put me a war with half of the country. Do you think they are going to stop and ask if I write the articles or tend to their computer systems or print the papers? Hell no.

You want to make up new ground rules of living in this country in peace then I’ll start making up my own like the right to protect myself regardless of what might be the current law. And if some eccentric inspired by you comes after me or my friends just trying to earn a respectable living then we have a serious problem and I’m holding you responsible, and we will meet.

You think by being the loudest and having the largest microphone means you’re the only voice that is going to be heard you are very wrong. You think because you say it, that its, the only truth. Well screw you. I’ve stood up to bullies like you in the past in the business world and I’m not intimidated by you. Bring it on old man because I’m one also and I’ll kick your ass from here to next month. Threaten me. You have to be kidding.

Photo by Mike Hartley

Photo by Mike Hartley

I had no intention of writing this way this morning. I certainly didn’t want to have this post/blog become politically tainted. I was going to write about my favorite tee-shirt and the word on it. “RESPECT”. Well actually a Derek Jeter tee with the number 2 replacing the S. I was going to write about how respect is earned by actions and words. About how I’ve at least tried to earn the respect of my family friends and co-workers. Not always successfully because of my own failings, but I try constantly to set the right example, to try to do the right things, to have compassion and trust. To work hard, to be a responsible father, to figure out what is wrong and unjust and do the right thing. I was going to edit some more nature photos and post them. A very peaceful post was intended. But no, you got to screw with the first day of the weekend.

As I sit here hoping this venting would calm me a bit, it hasn’t but it has steeled my thoughts on NOT being open to you as a president for 4 years. I won’t have it any longer and thank you for motivating me to help in legal ways to remove you from office so you don’t put any more people at risk of harm.

Now I’ve got to work the rest of the morning trying to calm down and think positively and go about my life being able to greet people with a good morning, a smile and trust. All at the same time looking over my shoulder with no trust, for the person or persons intending harm on me if I happened to be wearing a company tee shirt. Now I have to take those out of the wardrobe to avoid confrontation. Thanks for my new reality A-hole.