Political Terminology

Many opponents of Donald Trump have labeled his supporters as. "The Great Unwashed," Rednecks and low class blue collar workers. I'm the last person who has the wisdom and/or the ignorance to follow this trend. I can, however, point out some important points.

Many of us Republicans have mixed feelings about this. That the party is being ripped apart is obvious. That it is doomed is not necesarily the case. While the polls and pundits have faced many issues, they haven't yet counted democrats among Trump supporters opposed to republicans.

The pronouncements from the press and pollsters have repeatedly stated that republican votors have in some cases doubled in numbers. This isn't necessarily an indication of a resurgent GOP, but a possible crossover vote from the democratic party and of course thos that never vote. UNTIL NOW!

Broken down, the dems may lose just as many voters as the GOP if Trump wins the nomination. In my view, If Trump becomes our president, we will either become a dictatorship or he will be charged by the congress and convicted by the senate in the early days of his administration.

While terrorist are attacking all over the world, we may be hoisting one into the most powerful position in the world, by popular vote. God help us all.

Patty Duke, LIVE 1965

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qo7VlwKtIGg

Back When

I started blogging in June of 2005. Yesterday, I went back to the beginning to see what was still valid today. I wrote one about the economy just as we were sliding into the great recession, but before it became obvious. Here is a link to that post which I believe is even more appropriate today than back then. Perhaps I will be the new male Cassandra.

http://bayviews.blogspot.com/2008/12/when-will-recessiondepression-end.html

Brokered Conventions

Since the advent of primary elections, brokered conventions have become rare. But let me tell you how it used to be.

Many candidates in high delegate states would run as favorite sons. When the conventions occurred, bargaining began. Sometimes the favorite coming into the convention would lose to a candidate that may have started out as a dark horse.

This was due to many delegations would send uncommitted delegates to the convention, who would then horse trade for what they wanted from the new president designate. My family used to sit for hours as 10 and more ballots would take place. Finally, a state would switch candidates and a nomination would happen.

Folks this was the way it was back in the 1950's. Whore houses in Nevada had better reputations than convention delegates. Still it was great entertainment. The price is right and do you want to be a millionaire of today wasn't as entertaining.

The roll calls were tense, as you would hear, "Mr Chairman, the great state of (fill in the blanks) cast all 38 of it's votes for (fill in the blanks) the next president of the United States of America.

These would usually take the place of a chamber of commerce with some taking 10 minutes to announce their selection while we the audience hung on every word as we sat on the edge of our seats.

This wasn't democracy in action so much as representing the smoke filled room strategies of the day. The closest we can come to those days are the states that still use caucuses that represent a small fraction of the electorate.

Whether this type of convention happens this year, only time will tell. The pundits tell us that it is extremely possible  that the clown named Trump may not have enough votes to trump ( I couldn't resist) the other wannabes.

After the first ballot or so, depending on the individual state's rules, if a majority isn't there, the bargaining begins. If anyone wonders why some candidates suspended their campaigns rather than dropping out, they still have their delegates to bargain with come the convention.

Let the carnival begin as most of us traditional republicans, (Neither Tea Party, Constitutionalists, libertarians, etc) try to squirm out of the prospect that we may have of a president Clinton or Trump.

Aging

I just passed midnight of my seventy-eighth year. I did this by staying awake until after midnight.Today I am not sure why I did this, except I wasn't sure I would make it this far.
Tomorrow I Will wake up as as it were.  I will awaken to the realities of aging. Until then I will celebrate having dodged he grim reaper this long.May your coming year be as fruitful as mine has.

Belgium Burns

Most of us have read or at least heard about the siege of Troy and the story of the Trojan Horse. Certainly, this story fits perfectly with today's refugee crisis, and thousands of Muslims, some of them Jihadists, being welcomed into Europe and here in the USA.

The Paris massacre, followed by the arrest of the last perpetrator in Belgium apparently triggered today's mass bombing of the Brussels airport and subway train terminals. Leaving hundreds severely injured and many dead.

Europe, after welcoming hundreds of thousands refugees from Syria and other hot spots without a doubt from any sane person, resulted in a free for all for these terrorists.

The open door policy spawned by the UN and our don't call them "Islamic or Muslim terrorists" president, have opened up Pandora's box for these brutal thugs. The only challenge now is a pathway to explosives, which is a simple thing.

The oath a president takes, is to protect our constitution and our citizens from attack. Not to play golf in Cuba.Obama is so entwined with his ultra liberal philosophy, that practical matters are not on his agenda.

Perhaps impeachment would be in order, except during an election year, he could commit murder in front of 20 witnesses and the senate would still not convict. One wonders what will be left of our country between now and January 20, 2017.

Many politicians of the left, have coined the term,"Fear " when discussing this problem. This is terminological spin. To suggest that concern over national security is emotional, rather than logical preparedness.

Dick Hansen, R.I.P

I have no details, but Dick a long time forester, retired, and owner along with wife Shirley died yesterday.

They own the Bitter End Marina along with extensive acreage on the north side of Cape Horn Road. More when I get it. Dick is one of the most respected people in town and many other places.

I would like to add that I feel we in Bayview, and other places have lost a giant of a man. He will be missed.My condolences to Shirley, his wife, and to his children and grand children.

**cdlarkin, by email

 Hi Herb, sorry to hear about Dick's passing, he was our Forestry Instructor in 1965-1967 at North Idaho Junior College, we were the first class in Forestry, about 25 students. Dick was quiet, but very well versed and  respected and we learned a lot from him. RIP my friend!

Freedom of Speech

Freedom of speech apparently means different things to different people. The Move On agitators apparently only believe that it applies to them, not to those that have different views.

Refusing the right of others to speak freely and for those interested to hear that speech has no relationship to free speech. It is bordering on riot and denying others to gather for a lawful purpose.  Extremists from both the far left and far right don't get it. though those on the far left have a tendency to get violent more.

As I watched the cancelled speech at the University of Illinois unfold, it struck me that the campuses teach leftist beliefs and foster that born in the '60's I am not a supporter of Trump, but I do support his Right and that of his followers to congregate together.

The gathering of a diverse  bunch of agitators didn't promote free speech, they denied it.   If our college campuses intend to put up with this kind of behavior, perhaps federal funding should be withheld along with subsidized tuition. You teach hard core misbehavior, it will cost you.

Irv Leifer, R.I.P.

Some of you may have read the story that Irv Leifer, basketball coach at Renton High school died this past week. But he was much more than that.

He taught my P.E. class when I was in Jr High School at Renton Jr-Sr high back in the 1950's.I was a basketball manager, which meant we shagged balls, handed out towels and such. We also carried the Seattle Times paper route which included Irv Leifer. He use to call me Husie.

I was at the game when Renton, dominated Elma high school for the state championship. George Struger was a 6 '5" Center that was as wide as he was tall. Elma had a 7'1" center that was a string bean, having to take oxygen during time outs. Struger dominated the key, not letting the skinny kid anywhere near the basket.Renton won.

In 1953 through 1956 when I graduated from Renton, we were the largest high school in the state.
Renton had a couple of career coaches, in Leifer and John Suzic. Suzic's daughter and husband, recently retired from hydroplane racing.

I don't think I've ever met a nicer teacher, nor any other man. Still he was very intense in his training athletes Here is a link to the story in the Seattle Times.

 http://www.Seattle Times.com/sports/high-school/state-basketball-coaching-legend-irv-leifer

2016 Election

After observing all of the debates, I have come to the conclusion that the candidates belong in a circus, center ring. I have voted in general elections since 1960 and have never seen anything like this.

Fasten your seat belts 'cause it's going to be a wild ride. I believe this glut of Republican candidates is akin to a feeding frenzy. Seeing the Democrats vulnerable, everyone wanted into the race. Unfortunately, the old saw, "too many cooks spoil the broth" comes to mind.

Donald Trump could very well become the Republican nominee, simply because the other bunch are knocking each other off, while the Redneck branch is sailing along blissfully. After talking to many of Trump supporters I have reached a conclusion. Trump supporters don't care about anything other than throwing our government under the bus and bring in fresh talent.

That would be fine, if only the outsiders have any talent other than the ability to make loud noises.

Buckle up because the term unintended consequences will be a radical departure from how office holders have been elected in the past. The fact that the GOP has more registered voters than ever before would be great if they weren't so unsophisticated. We now have Larry the cable guy as our majority.

Our choices are between an avowed Socialist, a woman facing criminal charges and on the other side, A Tea party type, a second generation Cuban and egotistic buffoon capable  of squandering a fortune that he inherited. God help us all.

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Food Porn

Due to a limited income, I don't eat out much, Occasionally the delicious tacos at Ralph's or the great fish & chips at the Captain's Wheel.

But I got a great surprise yesterday when the 'Wheel served up a chicken dinner special for only $10 bucks. Three pieces of fried chicken, southern style, nice and brown, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The dinner included mashed potatoes and gravy, Coleslaw and garlic bread.

I don't know how much they ordered or sold, but I'd get right down there before they run out. It was an outstanding dining experience.

Future Republican Party

If Donald Trump wins the Republican Nomination, there are three possible outcomes. One, he loses to Hilary Clinton. Two, he destroys the Republican Party.Three, he totally changes the demographics of the party into a vast unknown place.

It is clear that he leads a portion of the electorate that probably hasn't voted often or even ever. The majority of these supporters like that he sounds about like the voter would themselves, totally forgetting that they wouldn't be qualified to lead the country either.

It would help if Trump had a political agenda so we would have a reference point to measure him by. He definitely isn't a conservative, nor is he especially religious, yet Charismatic Christians are flocking to him, with notable exceptions.

The founder of Hobby Lobby, who went to the Supreme Court over religious rights, has characterized Trump as a non-Christian who uses name calling and a heightened volume to out shout the other candidates and even the moderators at the debates.

His insults apparently resonate with many, but certainly not educated, successful people. Perhaps a sudden awakening will take place before it is too late, if it isn't already, but I'm not counting on it. The inmates, are now running the asylums.