The current House of Representatives is like an old pickup truck I used to own.

It wouldn't start either!

"Plans? Plans? We don't need no stinkin' PLANS!"

Today's Republicans seem to be convinced that if they sound earnest and simply name a problem, they have solved it. "MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN" is just a concise distillation of that attitude.

What will you do if elected? "We are committed to doing what America wants done!" NDXT QUESTION!

What is your solution go homelessness? "These people should buy homes!" NEXT QUESTION!

How will you address global climate change? "We'll prohibit the export of our good air to China!" NEXT QUESTION!

What is your opinion of Donald Trump? "If you knew him as well as I do, you'd feel the same way as I do about him!" NO MORE QUESTIONS!

Will there ever again be a "there" there?

I guess this will be a rant. Some of the language may be offensive.

I have put this post off for some time because I know from the get-go that I cannot say what I would if we were talking over a cup of coffee or a beer. I am not entirely certain just where "the line" is, but I hope that the considerable restraint I intend to exercise will keep me on the "appropriate" side of it.

I think too many are willfully ignorant of just how serious is the "clear and present danger" that we now face as Americans. Too many would rather look the other way and hope that, somehow, "things will work out". And, while we cluck our disapproval at the crazies each time they chip away another piece of the basic decency and civility that underpin our ability to coexist in a diverse society, they wait---and watch---and, when no one does a damn thing about it, they begin some other outrage we had thought was in the "NO ONE would do such a thing" category.

What began as us being "the adults in the room" has gradually evolved into---Damn! I hate to say this!---consistent "appeasement"!

We are letting a growing minority of (I'll bite my tongue!) TERRIBLE PEOPLE do in broad daylight---often with live coverage---traitorous vile acts which should land their sorry asses in jail pending indictment as soon as they can be run to ground!

We are listening to traitorous fascist sonsabitches openly threaten violence if things are not done "their way" and we then DISCUSS whether they just might be justified or "have a point"!

Too many of us won't "dare" put a bumper sticker on our car or a sign in our yard that might piss off some MAGA troglodyte!

Too many of us won't correct some ass publicly spewing dangerous rightwing bullshit with what they most fear: truth!

Yes, I know: not everyone is capable of going toe to toe with a hulking Proud Boy, but many could do a helluva lot more than they are doing; say a helluva lot more than they are saying.

Silence really is complicity, folks and, yes, "all that's necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing".

I'm sure most have seen that bumpersticker that reads "If you're not pissed off you're not paying attention!" That's true, but just being pissed off
in private doesn't change anything. Find some way to be PUBLICLY PISSED OFF!

I'll end this by saying that rousting ourselves up off our blubbery asses in order to help keep our democracy is a pathetically small price to pay when compared to what the Ukrainians are doing in an effort to salvage theirs.

"But, but---Mr Trump ENDORSED me!" nt

Kevin, remember--- "If at first you don't succeed, try, try

try,try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try,---OMG!--- try, try, try, try, try, try, try-----!!!!!-----

Mr. McCarthy, if you're looking for sympathy, it's in the dictionary---

---between "shit" and "syphilis".

Democrats, please remember: to a Republican, "bipartisanship" means "vote our way" and "promises

were made to be broken" is baked into their DNA.

McCarthy's opponents have cast their votes for Biggs, Jordan, Donald's and "others". Gee, one might

conclude that these extremist clowns aren't "FOR" anything. They're just "AGAINST" McCarthy because he's not quite as extreme a whack-job as they are.

"Transendent" musical experiences ( for me ):

Unchained Melody---Bobby Hatfield

Ball and Chain---Janis Joplin

Nessun Dorma--- Luciano Pavorotti

When A Man Loves A Woman---Percy Sledge

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face---Roberta Flack

Chances Are---Johnny Mathis

Theme from A Summer Place---Percy Faith Orchestra

A Whiter Shade of Pale--- Procol Harum

I Can't Make You Love Me--- Teddy Swims

By no means is this a complete list, but these are a few of the songs that touch or stir or pierce me in ways that go beyond mere rhythm and melody. I love these.

When this day began, all 222 Republicans were "in the frying pan". But then, Jim Jordan

and 19 others in the kamakazi caucus hopped out "into the fire" where they now sit calling for the others to join them.

Pass the popcorn, please.