For those language geeks out there....

The language you speak affects what you look at.

Lessons learned to late: Afghanistan

“We don’t invade poor countries to make them rich.
We don’t invade authoritarian countries to make them democratic.
We invade violent countries to make them peaceful
and we clearly failed in Afghanistan.”

James Dobbins (U.S. diplomat to Afghanistan under Obama and Bush)

We want a president, not a mob boss.

On this sign, a sentiment I fully agree with. Why are all of Trumps close buddies members of the Russian or American mafia? Why doesn't anyone care? I don't get it.

Reflections on the 4th Democratic Debate

I watched the 4th Democratic Debate. As always, Sanders and Warren are impressive for their focus on the wealth gap. As Wilkinson and Pickett's book The Spirit Level shows, inequality is economic equivalent of Ebola crossed with the common cold. It's going to infect and destroy everything.

Biden continues to be unimpressive. His campaign slogan appears to be, "Elect me and I'll ensure that nothing at all changes in Washington."

Buttigieg, after coming across as a very authentic person, was a bit of a disappointment as well. The exchange between Gabbard and Buttigieg was interesting. Gabbard deserves credit for coming out clearly against foreign interventions. Buttigieg voiced the same lines we've been hearing for decades--"We need to leave the Middle East but just one more tiny intervention before we go. (No, I take that back, just one more, last one, I promise.)" The fact that much of the non-interventionist rhetoric is coming from people that are economically more right-wing is interesting. It shows how deeply entrenched the military-industrial complex has become.

Klobuchar suffers from a dual curse, a complete lack of ideas accompanied by a lack of charisma. I don't understand how she's still on the debate stage.

Harris continues to impress with her speaking abilities. She'll definitely be someone to reckon with in the years to come.

Booker had a better performance, although I'm not that "let's be nice to each other and all get along" constitutes a catchy campaign slogan.

The most disappointing part of the whole debate was watching everyone pile onto Warren about the possibility that she'd raise taxes to pay for universal healthcare. Every advanced country in the world has universal healthcare, and it's always much cheaper than U.S. healthcare. Who cares whether they send their check to the IRS or to their insurer, or whether the company they work for deducts the money from their wages?! It's just a huge distraction. As Warren says, let's consider costs and drop all the smoke and mirrors being used by the crowds of politicians funded by big Pharma and the other immoral thugs and lobbyist who control the country.

Some definitions

BEAUTY PARLOR

A place where women curl up and dye.

CHICKENS

The only animal you eat before they are born   and after they are dead.

COMMITTEE

A body that keeps minutes and wastes hours.

EGOTIST

Someone who is usually me-deep in conversation.

HANDKERCHIEF

Cold Storage. 

MOSQUITO  An insect that makes you like flies better. 

SECRET

A story you tell to one person at a time.

TOMORROW  

One of the greatest labor saving devices of today.

WRINKLES

Something other people have....similar to my character lines.

YAWN

An honest opinion openly expressed.

Transcript of Trump call

Here's the transcript of Trump's call to the Ukrainian president. He's clearly asking for a favor. And his request for Giuliani to carry out the diplomacy is clearly a violation of the Logan Act forbidding civilians from acting as diplomats. Why these gangsters haven't been tossed out of office (and into a prison cell) is completely beyond me.

A few thoughts on the Democratic candidates

Out of the Democratic candidates, I'm disappointed that Bernie Sanders isn't doing better in the polls. He's one of the few candidates who clearly identifies the key issues and what needs to be done. As he says, it's impossible to make any changes unless you're willing to take on the rich and powerful. Elizabeth Warren also strikes me as a great choice, and Kamala Harris is interesting and to be applauded for being one of the few candidates (along with Bernie) who straightforwardly support universal healthcare. She has a phenomenal ability to connect with people. Buttigieg, beyond standing out for having the most difficult name, is surprisingly candid, which is likely to give the voters whiplash in Orwellian era of Trump.

Them New Mexicans crossing the border....

Sometimes I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Someone please tell me this is a hoax.