HEED THAT YOU LOSE NOT IN DIGNITY WHAT YOU GAIN IN REVENGE
Part V and final on Nineteenth Century French Writers Quotes Adapted to Today’s Politics
HEED THAT YOU LOSE NOT IN DIGNITY WHAT YOU GAIN IN REVENGE
Haven’t we all heard our fill of this creep Trump vowing,
Every time I hear him sputtering and whining outlandishly,
Each one of his cult followers instantly swallowing all his hate,
Democracy is much too good for this guy and his MAGA crew.
Trump is hard-wired for revenge, and MAGA love this about him,
His personality disorder is interpreted as strength; we know,
And the concept of dignity is only foreign in the conversation,
Trump can only be the disordered Trump; God help us if he wins.
Yes it might seem there are a large population of complete fools out there,
Oftentimes I must just shake my head at the overwhelming ignorance,
Understand that the average MAGA won’t realize they’ve been screwed.
Liberals, their venom towards such is like a king cobra’s,
Oh yes such indoctrination keeps their irrationality very high,
So many apparently sociopathic billionaires stomping on us all,
Each million they’ve spent on their dystopian worldview; I guess well spent.
Now I wonder if these folks realize Trump’s mental sickness,
Oh yes one might assume that the pathology is widely shared,
Trump to them is probably only as a tool; their special crescent wrench.
Imaginations out here probably can’t quite comprehend the sickness,
Now these exclusive country club types want what they want.
Dignity to MAGA is stomping on the head of their chosen enemy,
Is it that all these authoritarian followers are of the same mold,
Given that they are incapable of thinking all on their own,
Now it is true that I despise such people aping in such unity,
It will be that the base instincts will probably control them all,
Trump is who they identify with regardless of all applicable factors,
Yes they will do what he tells them too; we’ve seen it all before.
What exactly will they all gain by enacting revenge on their foes,
Heaven knows they haven’t thought it all the way through,
And the coming explosion of their egos might be only melodramatic,
Trump’s revenge might not entirely satisfy them in the end.
Yielding to their insanity is not at all possible at this juncture,
Of their certain acts of violence; will they actually face repercussions,
Understand that what might occur might be very nightmarish.
Given our adversaries: Russia, China, et. al.; what will they try to pull,
Although America is strong, are there too many loose threads,
Indeed, the perfect storm might or might not occur to us then,
Now we all know many billionaires have their endgames; at this time?
It might seem that the global oligarchy wants only to truly rule,
Nothing but a dominant rejection of their wants will propel it all.
Remember the days of Reagan so very long ago; how quaint now,
Extremism is really all that is left of these people and their party,
Vengeance against anything that smells of liberal values,
Each irrational thrust of imagination of their country being taken over,
Needless, we know they are primed for any horror that comes along,
Given all their fear and loathing of all their appointed enemies,
Enough of writing about this, I’m hoping I’m only dead wrong.
Heed that you lose not in dignity what you gain in revenge
SERGE PANINE, By George Ohnet
Georges Ohnet (3 April 1848, in Paris – 5 May 1918) was a French novelist. Ohnet's understanding of his readership helped him devise the passionate style for which he became famous. He disdained the romantic melodrama motif, choosing instead to explore complex passion. His literary genius was in being able to introduce originality into a genre so greatly archetypal as the romantic melodrama. It was this quality that made him one of the most widely read authors of his time. Ohnet's magnum opus was the novel Le Maître de forges (The Master Of The Forges, 1882). The book became an instant success, finding wide acceptance not only among French readers but also readers in other parts of Europe. Ohnet enjoyed success with his other works too. Countess Sarah (1882), Lise Fleuron (1884), The Ladies of Croix-Mort (1886), Will (1888), Dr. Rameau (1889), Serge Panine (1890) and At The Bottom of The Abyss (1899), the last of these regarded commonly as one of his best works.
Nothing is dishonorable which is useful
AN "ATTIC" PHILOSOPHER, By Emile Souvestre
Émile Souvestre (April 15, 1806 – July 5, 1854) was a Breton novelist who was a native of Morlaix, Brittany. Initially unsuccessful as a writer of drama, he fared better as a novelist (he wrote a sci-fi novel, Le Monde Tel Qu'il Sera) and as a researcher and writer of Breton folklore. He was posthumously awarded the Prix Lambert. In 1846, Souvestre published the ambitious Le Monde Tel Qu'il Sera [The World As It Will Be], a full-blown dystopia and science fiction novel which featured some remarkable predictions. In it, a French couple, Maurice and Marthe are taken to the year 3000 by a man named John Progress on a flying, steam-powered, Time traveling locomotive. There, they discover the existence of steam-powered subways, submarines, synthetic materials imitating real wood, marble, etc., telephone, air conditioning, giant fruits and vegetables obtained through what we would call today genetic engineering, etc.
I am confessing that to my understanding this phrase seems to encapsulate what we witness on the far right and MAGA on a daily basis in these times. There seems no pretense to anything approaching honor in their daily public behavior. One has to wonder what their private lives are like? The lying and rampant hypocrisy is so off the charts that it’s astounding. I know it’s all been normalized much too much. One must assume if this trend continues to get much worse our society will eventually not withstand the assault. Perhaps some of these people are the Fox ‘News’ crowd who might have that as an excuse, and they don’t realize that they are a part of the problem. It appears that the right wing have their communications infrastructure soundly in place. I’m assuming that some of the apparent confidence seen among these people has to do with this fact. And the useless conspiracy theories are so widespread and new ones are constantly being dreamed up. So much angst against fictional happenings is constantly our country’s albatross. Can it ever improve? It’s hard to think that it will at this point. There is money in it all, and as long as this is the case expect no relief from it.
I am not in the habit of consulting the law
A WOODLAND QUEEN, By Andre Theuriet
Claude Adhémar André Theuriet (8 October 1833 in Marly-le-Roi – 23 April 1907 in Bourg-la-Reine) was a 19th-century French poet and novelist. M. Theuriet gives a natural, simple description of rustic and especially of woodland life, and Théophile Gautier compared him to Shakespeare's Jaques of the forest of Arden. The best of his novels are those that deal with provincial and country life. Theuriet received the prix Vitet from the Académie française in 1890, of which he became a member during 1896. He died on 23 April 1907, and was succeeded at the academy by Jean Richepin.
Donald Trump apparently hasn’t made it a habit of consulting the law for most of his life. This morning on Twitter a psychologist which I follow wrote a tweet stating that nearly everything Trump does or says is psychological projection. He apparently confesses in every interaction he takes part in these days. I had observed before on his writings on Twitter, with the assumption that it was all projection, but upon closely observing his writings on Joe Biden and the southern border he mentioned “Crooked” and “Criminal” in multiple areas in his post. They were always capitalized, bringing about special attention to them. The following image shows this correspondence from Trump. One has to assume that this originated straight from him, although someone else may have actually written it.
From The Shallow State [@OurShallowState] on Twitter these words: “Everything Trump says and does, is confession or projection. As such, a lot of it is confession VIA projection. If the MSM [Main-Stream Media] would give this ONE THING its due and qualify his comments knowing how much of it actually portends the opposite of what he's saying, I for one would be happier.”
FRENCH AUTHORS PHRASES - Part V Final
SERGE PANINE, By George Ohnet
(See bio above)
Antagonism to plutocracy* and hatred of aristocrats
*plutocracy - the rule or power of wealth or of the wealthy. A government or state in which the wealthy class rules. A class or group ruling, or exercising power or influence, by virtue of its wealth.
Speaking only for myself let’s just say I appreciate the sentiment in the above quote for most of the right wing plutocracy of the country. There are exceptions, and I understand life is nuanced, not black and white. Certainly there could be some deep-seated hatred toward a few notable oligarchs, and especially the Koch family. But there are numerous others who are in direct opposition to democracy in America. The “let them eat cake,” crowd obviously exists in their rarefied, sheltered world. They have many more times the influence that they should have thanks to several US Supreme Court decisions. The “conservatives” on the Supreme Court mirror their rich benefactors closely. One can tell of their obvious arrogance, selfishness, and very closed minded approach to life in their decisions since it has become a supermajority on the court. They justify much of their world view through their rather aggressive religious dogma, of what particular parts of the Christian Bible they might read. Somehow they work in some type of “prosperity gospel is great view” into their slanted beliefs. They think themselves as more worthy than nearly everyone who might not be ultra-wealthy. That is apparent, although one really would never be within their world to take a close look. As far as the MAGA people go, they are very mixed up. They rail against “globalists” and Soros, but apparently like some of these same folks like Trump and Musk, although Trump has been proven not to be a billionaire. How they differentiate in this view between the “elites” seems not to be based upon any particular rationality. With Trump, he is their cult leader, and for some Musk might fulfill this role as well. Once in a cult, irrational thinking is really all that occurs. Regardless, ever since Reagan, the worship of the rich has been commonplace. Trump merely snuck into this realm which already existed. It really doesn’t make much sense to me, but apparently it does for millions of us Americans.
He lost his time, his money, his hair, his illusions
To the average MAGA still aboard the Trump steamliner, I think this word phrase may be a portent of what has occurred and what will eventually happen. The Lord only knows how much time they have put into adulation of their orange messiah. And many have given their money directly to Trump with not a second of hesitation. Trump has been a major political figure for almost eight years, so certainly there has been hair loss among his people too. Most of us outsiders will expect their illusions will be the last thing to leave them, if ever it might happen. If only the illusions could be altered first, some of these losses could perhaps be avoided. But one can only expect the illusions of Trump the omnipotent leader to hang on with a stranglehold until the very last moment. One can only hope that some lessons will be learned in this process. But undoubtedly for some nothing will be learned and further delusions will be their only possible soft landing.
Is a man ever poor when he has two arms?
This sounds like something one would hear from Ronald Reagan back in the day. Otherwise the two arms can make a living for the man regardless of any situation. I suppose to a certain extent I too subscribe to this notion. I’m assuming that many MAGA would also feel comfortable with this quote as well. One knows that Trump never will bad mouth Reagan. Reagan is the sacred cow to millions of Republicans. But one also knows that Trump most likely has a dim view of Reagan as he does in nearly everyone, not himself. He is smart enough to keep it to himself, so although you see him and MAGA taking cheap shots at the Bush’s, Reagan wasn’t around to challenge anything from Trump’s movement. One might hope that Ronald Reagan might say something truthful about Trump, should he be here. But I’m not entirely sure if he might not keep his mouth shut too, like George W. Bush does. The moneyed are counting on Trump now, and Reagan in all his time was all about the moneyed as well. One did not want to tear up the feathered nest.
Scarcely was one scheme launched when another idea occurred
This could describe any number of Republicans at all levels. And not only Trump and MAGA, although they are especially devious. The disenfranchisement of the voter of color is perhaps a major scheme of this political party in decline. And any scheme that they can come up with to continue with this goal they are all for one hundred percent. It seems that most of the schemes in these times by the GOP lack much of the imagination that they once had. Trump bumbling into politics probably has a lot to do with the lack of sophistication of the Republicans in this day and age. Many of the schemes, well honed, such as tax cuts while in office and running up the debt when they can so to scream about them later to hurt government programs are mostly widely known now. But it appears they are still using this trick, although its effectiveness is very suspect at this time. Charlie Brown had the football pulled away one too many times. Not trying to solve the southern border problem is also the scheme they will continue to exploit politically. I suspect that climate change will only increase the number of people migrating north in the coming years. And Republicans will be glad to keep this as an issue for them and most likely there will be no legislation should they regain the presidency and Congress. I can’t ever see them try to solve this problem. But perhaps by kicking out millions of Hispanics they might feel they are doing something possibly positive. If they can be cruel enough they might go through with it all. Time will tell.
Unqualified for happiness
I know I’ve written about this before, but Trump is incapable of the normal happiness available to all of us. His personality disorder makes for this to probably be unlikely. One never sees him smile. One seldom sees his wife smile or his son Barron smile. I think that most likely this quote above fits Trump well. Happiness to him is most likely at the expense of his many enemies, which become more numerous every day. I’m actually getting “Trump tired” at this time. I’ve spent too much effort on him today, and it always seems I’m only spinning my wheels in the effort. I suppose that Trump brings no happiness to me, and even if he were to disappear I doubt I would have any relief from the country he corrupted. There are always others who might try the same tricks. But for now I will stop writing. As for myself I don’t expect to always be happy. But I do want to feel happy at times. I really have empathy for people who can never be happy. But I don’t have a lot of time to accept those who might resort or encourage political violence upon the innocent whomever they might be. Their particular pathology should be treated, and as a nation we are not good at this. Our society has a ways to go to become such a safer one. It might be getting worse in the age of Trump, let’s hope once he is gone we can recover a little bit.
You are talking too much about it to be sincere
The rather crude searching for the black vote by the Trump campaign reminds me of this quote. In fact the whole approach of the right wing on their rather bizarre actions when concerning race might be told in this phrase. They for the most part are and probably always will think the white race is superior. Trump had to do the I have too many black friends spew, which is talking too much. They know that they can’t possibly disenfranchise enough black voters through unnecessary state voter laws to make up the difference so they must put out an effort at acting that they are not white supremists in the hopes of enticing a few blacks to their camp. The black church in Detroit full of white Trump supporters, with Trump proudly portraying his golden image of I’m not prejudiced is only another instance of this whole farce which they continue to try and subject upon the well informed American. Most likely this behavior will continue to be with us for a long time, until people like Trump are long in the ground. The world might just continue to become less prejudiced and possibly will smother out this inherent American evil. But I will never see it in this life.
AN "ATTIC" PHILOSOPHER, By Emile Souvestre
(See bio above)
Always to mistake feeling for evidence
This might truly apply to the angst among the right toward the Clintons and perhaps of Obama and Biden as well. It seemed that the Clintons brought forth so much ire and suspicions, perhaps more so than any other targets of the right. They got their start in Arkansas as of all places, as Democrats surprisingly. Right away they were quite unlikely to rise to prominence due to their place of origin and their politics. Now I personally think that the southern Republican viewed these two as traitors to the south. I think that this may have been the feeling behind all the myriads of conspiracy theories that grew like kudzu around the Clintons. The hatred was so very intense toward these two, it was bound to come out in some form. And it did, and continues to happen. The Obama’s also find their share of these feelings as well. The right wing went crazy with a black man as president. He still is vilified, his wife is said to be a man. And they claim that Obama is actually running the presidency instead of Biden. And Hunter Biden was an easy target to direct their hatred. But there has been no evidence that Hunter’s activities were ever associated with Joe Biden. There is never any evidence on which to base any of these delusions on the right. But they only continue to hatch out more conspiracy theories for all of these people. They “feel” that they must all be as corrupt as Trump is. Everyone is corrupt, is their excuse for all the madness.
Contemptuous pride of knowledge
I must admit that the pride I perceive from MAGA and Trump is entirely opposite of any degree of knowledge. They seem to revile in their ignorance, and may actually despise the idea of the “liberal professor” in our society. The disdain for science clearly expressed is of an anti-knowledge within the movement. I personally perhaps exhibit more of a contemptuous pride of knowledge than the average MAGA might show. And pride is a very strong ego in man, and perhaps I should try to dissolve this characteristic in me. But I seem to have a sense of responsibility in science and knowledge, that I’m really not at a point where I want to discard this personal characteristic in me. It might appear that to succumb to widespread ignorance helps no one. Is my education truly of a benefit in the scheme of things? I often think that it is a burden to bear. I’m uncertain of this apparent dilemma I find myself in at this time. It seems the longer I live the more uncertain I might be. It will probably only stay with me from now on.
Each of us regards himself as the mirror of the community
America is a very large country with much diversity in the many various communities which make it up. I have lived my life in rather unpopulated areas of America, and my perspective is shaped by such. By and large the community of rural America are in the Republican camp, with most perhaps MAGA. This community has a very disordered mirror in my opinion. I certainly do not fit in. My wishes are that this particular community may find some enlightenment. It is my opinion that their perspective, particularly in politics, is based upon rather intransigent myths, solidified by their choice in what news sources they follow. They find their community in these beliefs, and feeling a part of something is such a powerful force that they only wish to keep with it. MAGA is largely a cult, and a mirror image is very important within such a society. MAGA spend most of their time finding people to exclude from their fold who may disrupt their sensibilities of sameness. As for myself, I find myself within the liberal ideals and I suppose I cherish this particular community to a certain degree as well. Humans are social animals and our own particular herds keep us comfortable. As far as being in a liberal cult, I see no indications of such. Open mindedness is desirable in the herd I belong to. If it were to change I would hope I would have the courage to leave.
Fame and power are gifts that are dearly bought
Hunter Biden comes to mind in this quote. If his father were not President, does anyone think he would have been prosecuted for having a gun for a few days as a crack addict? Most likely not. He is being sacrificed to a certain degree from his past mistakes purely because he has a target on his back. And those who are Democrats have not raised hell over this apparent injustice. We are too enlightened to resort to the banter which we see on the other side constantly. Is there actually goodness in such nobility in these particular times of a threatened democracy? To me this is perhaps open for discussion. When knowing right from wrong is so foreign to so many, must we become the same? Clearly no. Regardless of all factors, what perils we face, living by principles still is our only option. I personally think that when they go low, we must go low at times, and go high at other times. One must demonstrate the ability to adapt, and show courage at all times regardless of situations. Bullies will run over someone not willing to openly show courage. That might be perhaps the most important lesson of this discussion. But if one lets the ego turn you into your opponent you have lost in the end.
Finishes his sin thoroughly before he begins to repent
All of us who aren’t in his cult and who are paying attention probably correctly know that Trump is far from turning from his lifelong criminal activities and sinning and due to his personality disorder is incapable of repenting now or forever. Truly a hardened malignant narcissist could never admit being wrong about anything. So the quote above might apply to the normal person on earth, but not Trump. As for myself I’d like to think that I’m in the repentant mode. But who can really accurately judge one way or the other? Will MAGA learn what repentance means in the future, although they would be the last to declare that any repentance might be in order. It seems that we are in the middle part of this quote at this time, and to accurately answer it might prove too difficult for me. Should one even concern themselves over a MAGA repentance? Perhaps it’s a waste of our time, even though we might know some of these people. There is something very sad about the person who may claim to be a staunch Christian who wallows in the same muck as Trump. Such a level of abject wanting of self-awareness can only be dismissed as a lost being who might do better in their next life, if karma is not too harsh for them in that time.
Ignorant of what there is to wish for
American society is mostly ignorant. I say that because of how we choose our leaders, and in particular a segment of our population who continue to support Trump. One is uncertain what exactly the average MAGA might wish for. Continuance of white supremacy is certainly on their minds, as the revulsion displayed during Obama’s presidency might allude to. But other than that maybe freedom with any firearm they wish to have, low taxes and the ability to drive their monster trucks burning gallons of hydrocarbons into the future. The idea of what America is and should be into the future is widely divergent among many of us. The far right are extremely reactionary in what they will stand for. And anything new is mostly reactionary to their sensibilities. They hold us back, and they are currently mostly angry at what they might see. As far as their wishes to remain in 1950s America, something they will not give up on, one can only shake one’s head over it all on this incessant pipe dream. As for myself, I mainly wish that America remains a democratic country. It’s on the line as the presidential debate I’m listening to clearly indicates.
No one is so unhappy as to have nothing to give
What exactly are each of us willing to give to continue our American experiment? Many who might have similar thoughts as I do may underestimate what we might have to give. I’m concerned that I’ve not done enough so far. These words put down may be more of a therapeutic exercise for me rather than solving anything. I’m constantly thinking of further steps I might take other than my writing and my social media presence. Perhaps these are enough to stem the danger we might find ourselves in right now. I’m uncertain, how could I really know? My personal spiritual life is something I concentrate upon. I’m very committed to my own being. The future of our country it’s rather uncertain now. One can see easily how things might go south. I suppose as to the quote above for myself I don’t necessarily think I have nothing to give. What I have may not be earth shattering but I’ll give what I can.
So much confidence at first, so much doubt at last
Trump is Mr. Confidence in his swagger and his loud voice. One must realize that his psyche is different from most of us. He is virtually incapable of not projecting the Apprentice vibes. One realizes that he certainly finds failure on a regular basis, most of it his own doing. But as far as him doubting himself, most likely he probably couldn’t do that with his psyche. Listening to Biden tonight I heard some doubt in his voice. He’s a normal guy, hence to me it’s understandable. Most incumbent presidents have difficulty in their first debate as I have heard today. But I do not wish to rush to any conclusions about the parts of the debate I listened to. When Trump starts lying, I tune him out. Perhaps millions do this and instead concentrate upon Joe Biden. My hopes are that the needle has not changed in this election. The America of Trump and Project 2025 is not one in which I wish to live. I doubt if my life will be safe if Trump wins the election. And if he loses there still will probably be some violence.
The man in power gives up his peace
In Donald Trump’s case there has never been the possibility of human peace within his mind as disturbed as it may be. And it really is not possible for there to be any peace going forward with Trump with three pending indictments at this time, always with the possibility of more as time goes on. Trump has always paid loose with rules and laws, this perhaps is why MAGA might love him so much. So at any time in the future possible indictments may fall against him. One knows that he has broken many more laws than have come to our attention in his time. He apparently has not and cannot alter this personal trajectory, it being primarily a habit with him and all his family who have closely followed his example, with never a tinge of remorse. Power will certainly be not conducive to peace, even among one not so corrupt as Trump has been all his days. In his case one can only expect a great fall at some point. The US Supreme Court and several billionaires are holding up the corrupted Trump, mostly because they are partners in the very same corruptive forces in play. Trump has a value to their interests and the potential results which they might find in their support of him are worth the corruption.
Two thirds of human existence are wasted in hesitation
It is very apparent that an institutionalist like Biden will waste much time in hesitation in regards to the danger Trump, MAGA and six US Supreme Court judges present to the nation. We all might assume that Biden would rather see the nation be destroyed by these people rather than take actions to stop them. This seems quite apparent to me at this time, and I’m hoping that I might be wrong. But I doubt I am. These people are very desperate to regain power for a hoist of reasons. The storm in the Caribbean today is historic in its intensity for this time of the year. One knows that the fossil fuel billionaires will only impede our efforts to address this problem, and loss of democracy might be more existential than climate change but they are both significant factors for our nation. We really have failed at the climate crisis, and we are failing with our democracy at the same time. We really can’t afford hesitation in addressing both problems regardless of right wing roadblocks to each. I have my doubts about the resolve of addressing either crises adequately and one has to consider other possible problems which might enter into the conversation.
Virtue made friends, but she did not take pupils
I might be pessimistic about human behavior in these times. From my use of quotes from past times over the last few years it seems almost inescapable that there may be far less wisdom these days than what was realized in the past. In my religious studies I have heard that we are near the latter part of an Iron Age. You can take the following with a grain of salt but it seems I must mention this end of the Kali Yuga as I have been taught. I honestly see only indications of greater and greater chaos in humankind. The far right is rising in Europe as well as North America. I can only see destruction associated with the far right. The following is a little discussion which might interest you.
In the Iron Age, humanity always arrives in the state in which it is presently. Thus, this is how this fourth beast (Iron Age) has been as dreadful and terrible as Daniel said, diverse from all of the other beasts (other ages), but his end will come from night to morning. As it is written, the day of the Lord will come when it is not expected. He will come “as a thief in the night.”
Therefore, in these precise moments, we are in the beginning of the end. The Apocalypse tells us of the beginning of the end, and we are precisely in the end of our era, that is to say, the end of Kali Yuga, the end of this fourth beast (humanity).
You will see within a very short time how the cities of the world will fall. Everything will be reduced to ashes, the earthquakes will intensify frightfully, they will be each time more and more powerful.
…..
Who are the ones that will be chosen to survive? These will be people who have chosen to explore themselves internally, those who eliminate their psychological defects, those who are finished with the cult of their EGO, the cult of their MYSELF, or ITSELF.
These chosen people will be formed by women and men of good will who in reality are able to transform themselves radically. These select people will be taken to a specific place in the Pacific Ocean. These chosen few will live during the end in a place for two centuries, where they will be able to see the struggle between the fire and the water in a battle to the death.
Therefore, when a double rainbow appears upon the clouds (a sign of a new alliance of God with human beings), these chosen people will abide in the new lands and new heavens, then the Golden Age will dawn.
As to the veracity of the words above I have no idea, but I was inclined to share them in this discussion. There are loads of people with psychological defects in these times. Trump and MAGA come foremost to mind but there are many others. I will leave it there right there for now. Trying to push my spiritual beliefs upon others is certainly nothing I want to be accused of.
I would like to share two lucid dreams from some years back prior to the January 6, 2021 insurrection. In one dream I saw Trump among a number of men surrounding him on a golf course. He looked my way at me and frowned. In another dream I found myself in the streets with armed men firing at one another. I was unarmed and I saw someone aiming his rifle my way. I awoke not knowing if I had been hit or not. Dreams tell us a lot I believe. If these two dreams mean anything I’m uncertain. But I’ve documented it in any case. Maybe my steady diet of News only contributed to such dreams, but I’m uncertain.
We do not understand that others may live on their own account
As far as the MAGA cult members are concerned, in our democracy we might criticize them, but we should not despise them only because of their beliefs. The path they have been led down is a very rocky one, and one can’t see it working out well in the end. They have made their choices based perhaps on much fiction, but the act of their choosing has its value. We are frustrated by these people, many who are children of people who fought against fascism not all that long ago. They cannot seem to recognize their errors in judgment, and for some they will never accept the facts of their deception regardless of what might transpire to them. The lost sheep might stay lost. We can only choose our paths in a wiser manner.
We are not bound to live, while we are bound to do our duty
I feel a very strong obligation of duty to my parents and what they went through. Not everyone who I know seems to have this attribute. I have come to the acceptance that it is not my duty to steer others in the right direction. And frankly I fear what might happen to me in the future with the deterioration of our democracy. But there is that sense of duty to my parents which I will not shed. So as far as the continuation of my life should we lose our democracy I have misgivings. I suspect I’m not the only one. At my age I can only fight so much and do only so much. It is still baffling to me the intentions of those on the far right. What exactly do they expect? There can be no doubt they will become strongly disappointed. But I suppose it’s their choice.
What have you done with the days God granted you
Joe Biden did something with his days in running for president in 2020. He seems still committed to the project although many might wish to see him now out at this time. He already has done much so regardless of his place in history can be assured. As far as the malignant narcissist, one can only hope that he won’t disrupt too many more lives in his time. But many are blocking for him to run his play. One has to assume that he will live out his place in history as well. If he is the agent of karma for which he appears to be so be it. I’m only hoping for the best for my two children and the rest of my family and friends in the coming months.
A WOODLAND QUEEN, By Andre Theuriet
(See bio above)
Accustomed to hide what I think
Being a more liberal leaning Democrat as an engineer around more conservative people at the workplace I often hid any thoughts dealing in politics. I really never expressed myself when perhaps I should have. But keeping a working relationship was more important in those times than expressing my views. My views were almost always not the same as those I worked with except for a few exceptions. I often wonder how difficult a federal job might have been in the age of Trump. I’m a little chilled to even consider it, especially with the Project 2025 plans of purges of civil servants proposed. I can see the wheels coming off in government soon very easily. I’m hoping that it will be avoided but fear there will be some type of showdown soon. I’m sure it will be an unpleasant surprise for all Americans if it should happen.
Fawning duplicity
One could perhaps not describe the MAGA follower better in two words than in this. The people who showed up in New York during Trump’s criminal trial certainly are duplicitous in their actions. And the word fawning describes their demeanor so very well. Many of these people vying for a Vice President slot or among his future cabinet still are active in their fawning duplicity to this day. One sees some of this behavior on the Democratic side as well to some extent, but never to that of the MAGA Republicans. Being authoritarian followers requires a special effort. And it shows. One might hope that in the potential end of Trump as a cult leader in the future that this phenomenon may possibly disappear in America. One realizes that many may never recover from their misplaced love for their perception of this man. He seemed never a political figure and as more than this the ramifications of the cult may be long lasting to a segment of our society.
Hypocritical grievances
I have learned in my spiritual teachings of the last years that the egos of the people we might most disdain are egos which may be a problem in our own lives. Certainly this would imply some hypocrisy in many of us, perhaps so deep seated that it’s difficult to comprehend. There are a vast array of grievances now applicable to Trump, the MAGA Republicans and certainly of the six reactionaries on the US Supreme Court. Our understanding of the entire situation may be based upon many factors we may contain within ourselves, however we may wish to discount the notion. The best understanding of these people comes from within ourselves, perhaps egos which we have managed to dissolve to a certain extent to be able to easily recognize it in action within others. This might be a hard pill to swallow, but I’m reasonably certain that there is much truth in it.
More disposed to discover evil than good
Donald Trump in a nutshell. This guy has apparently been drawn to criminals all his life. And I’ve heard many people compare him to the Antichrist, sometimes not directly but nearly everyone understands this guy would screw anyone for a nickel. He has thrown countless people under the bus, and so many seem to think it won’t happen to them as well. His personality disorder almost guarantees that there is no possibility of overcoming such evil. That so many are so enamored by his caustic personality is truly startling. And the feedback loop seems to only strengthen with each passing day between cult leader and followers. If we manage to survive this man, and his followers who give him his actual power, reasonably intact, is an open question I’m not in any way going to try to predict.
Nature's cold indifference to our sufferings
I think this quote might adequately describe young women in many red states now who might find themselves pregnant and needing competent medical care with doctors not chained to impossible anti-abortion laws. I suppose it’s not really nature at work but mostly the minds of control freaks, many who are men. I do think that Republicans will take a shellacking at the ballot box in November over their overreach in this area. And if the message will not become clear enough to Republicans after November they will continue to lose. This all depends upon us keeping our democracy alive however. What violence which might erupt may only intensify the revolution against this control of women's bodies. At least this seems a rather decent bet to me. Perhaps I’m overly optimistic. Time will tell.
The ease with which he is forgotten
I would like to suggest this quote applicable to Trump’s first term performance. It is bewildering of the people who lived through all the turmoil who still support him and his fascism. The American public do seem to have the memory of a gnat. Why this might be I’m uncertain. Certainly living upon the right wing media diet has much to do with it. The delusional remembrances plague so very many of our Americans. The storyline that Biden is too old is so strong right now, some of us who understand time constraints must focus on it in a very frustrating way. Perhaps there might be some truth to it, but he is the one us Democrats brought to the dance. We fear the consequences of a reelection of Trump, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. So the wholesale perceptions of Americans right now are all askew. It will be impossible to forget what Trump will do if he goes back into power. I suggest that many won’t volunteer as to whom they voted for after two years of another Trump presidency. Many things will be forgotten in this scenario. It might be fatal not to purposely forget them.
Those who have outlived their illusions
I would think that the illusions of Reaganomics still populate many minds. The health inequality is so very high now, the middle class has shrunk. And the tax cut scamming is much harder to pull off now. How many people who are still Republicans who might still believe in this tax policy is an open question. The rational mind is not a mainstay of Republicans, and it’s only getting worse. We all know that the taxes on the wealthy will be cut if Trump gets back in. There seems to be little effort to disguise it like Reagan and the other Republicans have done when in office. The game is mostly understood these days, but that doesn’t mean the game will be altered in any meaningful way. It will be forced through by brute force should Trump get back in. There is little incentive for modern Republicans to continue the charade. One can only see the decline of our Nation with continuance of this game, but the right could care less.
Vexed, act in direct contradiction to their own wishes
Speaking of Reagan, what would he say about today’s Vladimir Putin’s Russia? I really am not sure about this. How much of his anticommunism was only for show? I’m thinking he was a genuine person in regards to totalitarianism. But I’m uncertain at this time. How easily most Reagan supporters pivoted to Putin loving Trump might portray actual confusion in such matters. Reagan certainly carried on the love affair of dictatorship in other countries where it might help out American businessmen. But would he have actually said anything by now, or be mute like GW Bush currently is? I have no idea. We have always had our paradoxes in the country and this might be one of them. Liberal Democrats who might have protested against the Vietnam War now try to send arms to the Ukrainian Army to fight Russians. The word communism is largely absent from the Russia of today even if the totalitarianism might be much the same. It seems not accurately knowing differences and similarities are at fault among the far right. This is all perplexing to me, and I’ll leave it at that.
Vague hope came over him that all would come right
This might be the ideal French writer’s quote to end on. It describes me rather accurately at this point in time and in what might happen. I understand that the threat from right wing billionaires will not stop if Trump is out of the picture. One knows that they’ve invested too much not to continue trying to keep our government in its corrupted state. Will a fog of understanding overtake many people on the right if Trump is soundly defeated? Of course not with the right wing propaganda infrastructure in place and functioning. I think we might have a reprieve, but it might be very short. So I suppose my vague hope is better than nothing at this time. I don’t necessarily think Americans are any special breed anymore. Perhaps some of our problems stem from this delusion. But I’m conjuring up some hope to end this discussion right now.
I’m skipping any pseudo-sonnet as I’m near my word limit. Thanks.
191st Post, July 4, 2024.