Rocking a Hard Place

[H2O Man]

The first recorded phrase "between a rock and a hard place" is found in the American Dialect Society’s publication Dialect Notes V, 1921: “To be between a rock and a hard place, …to be bankrupt. Common in Arizona in recent panics; sporadic in California.” The phrase's origins is believed to have roots in the "Bankers' Panic" of 1907. It became to be used frequently, in the context of tensions between mining companies and unions. By the 1930s, the phrase became common in American newspapers.

I found myself thinking of this while watching a clip of the felon garbling on stage somewhere. Normally, I turn to something else when he comes on. But what caught my attention was his weak, confused sputtering. Now, I could be wrong -- as I often am -- but lately I get the sense that on some level, he is not invested in serving (himself) as president again.

He definitely wants to win in order to end the federal court cases. No doubt. He wants to be recognized as a "winner," even if that requires cheating and breaking the law. He wants everyone on earth to think about him at least once each day. He finds losing humiliating. He cannot stand the thought of losing to a female. Losing to a non-white female is the embarrassment. All of this is true.

Although he was at best a part-time president, if one watches his performances campaigning in 2016 or even 2020, one sees that the aging process has taken a toll. Add the pressures of his legal problems, and that downhill slide increases in pace. I always like to focus on people's vocabulary as a measure. Generally, this increases until one reaches their mid-60s. Then it will, in many people, remain stable or slowly decrease. But even in those that remain stable, the networks in the brain begin to become less efficient, making it harder to find the right word off the top of one's head. Tests show that older people have more trouble on tests involving identifying a picture, than on multiple choice synonym tests. Think about this the next time you listen to the scumbag speak.

An older person can still be an effective president, especially when they have good people in their administration. I recognized that President Biden was aging, but was definitely supporting him until he stepped aside. I know that good presidents, passionate about the job, always age at an increased rate while serving. Most of us at this stage of life make lists of things we plan to do, sometimes foolishly mistaking our physical abilities for being the same as when we were 25. I have hundreds of such lists. After making one, I'm tired and need to rest, thinking, "I'll get started on these things tomorrow."

All of my friends my age report this happening with them. However, being president does not allow this option. Joe Biden wasn't putting things off. He has been a full-time president. And he put in overtime.

The felon could not put in a solid day's work, even if he wanted to -- which he doesn't. His campaign does not have the pace of his two previous efforts. It's true that those two included his spouting off-the-wall bullshit mixed with lies, but the "quality" (I hesitate to use that word) is greatly reduced.

He knows the clock is ticking. He has no desire to serve the country. Never has. He wants to save himself, and punish his enemies. He appreciates Netanyahu's attemp to bring the US into a wider Middle East war, because in his fantasies, he wants a domestic civil war. One in which his cult is something aking to the "sovereign citizen" movement, following their own misunderstanding of the Constitution, immune to actual law and order. With its capital being mar-a-lago.

[Easterncedar]

1. Too right, as usual

I appreciate ya, H2O Man.

[H2O Man]

3. Thank you.

I suspect that Mr. Smith's court filing being unsealed will increase the pressure on the felon.

[malaise]

2. Nicely done although I think he's between a rock and a hard place

while flooded rivers are heading in his direction and he has no escape.

[H2O Man]

4. Thanks!

Mr. Smith's filing is that river!

[Saoirse9]

6. That filing is devastating

And I am relieved that Jack Smith seems undeterred by the SCOTUS decision on immunity.

We just have to get through about another 5 weeks and the evil old man is gone.

I saw a video snippet where old 45 seemed so exhausted he was leaning on the podium heavily while he spewed his nonsense. If he does manage to win I can't see him lasting long in office. But he won't win, he'll lose and Jack Smith will make mince meat out of him.

[H2O Man]

8. It is a powerful

document. And I think it will weigh heavily on the felon's mind.

[malaise]

9. May be three rivers combined

😀

[pecosbob]

5. I've long wondered if the phrase somehow evolved from the myth of Scylla and Charybdis.

[H2O Man]

7. That could be.

If my fading memory serves me correctly, "incidit in Scyllam cupiēns vītāre Charybdem" is closely associated with "choosing the lesser of two evils." That seems pretty close, now that I think about it. Thank you for mentioning this -- much appreciated!

The felon, of course, seems to prefer choosing the greater of two evils.

[Hotler]

10. Also, I think he owes a shit pot full of money to a lot of bad people and the only way he's going to be able to

pay that off is to steal it from the American people .

[H2O Man]

11. Great point!

Hard to believe people still buy his crap.