YOU CAN'T MAKE THIS SHIT UP: Pita Bread

F LoBuono

Since I live alone, I tend to do my grocery shopping at the local Korean market. I can walk there and get most of the staples that I need to survive. I mean, it's just me, so how much do I really need, right? It may cost me a few bucks more but it's just a few - after all, I'm not feeding an army. So, I rarely go to the large supermarkets that I have to drive to. Besides, I don't like the crowds I have always found there and there are SO many items that I can't find half the stuff that I need anyway.

Well, today was one of those rare exceptions when I HAD to go to the supermarket. I was having a few people over and I needed some items that I just wouldn't be able to find at the corner grocery. So, I hopped into the car and drove the 5 miles to The Big Store.

It was early on a weekday. At least I wouldn't have to deal with the huge weekend crowds. So, I grabbed a shopping cart and began the daunting task of actually finding the things that I needed among the vast and dizzying array of products.

One of the items I was in search of was pita bread. So, after a few minutes , I actually managed to locate the bread aisle and headed in its direction. Once there, I found a plethora of bread products. There was white bread, brown bread, wheat bread, potato bread, Italian and French bread. In fact, there was EVERY kind of bread EXCEPT pita. Overcoming my manly aversion to asking for directions or seeking advice, I queried a clerk as to where the PITA BREAD might be located. She responded quickly and politely, oh, that's in the deli section.

Now, of course, I could have debated why pita BREAD was not located in the BREAD section but what would be the point? I still wouldn't have my pita BREAD. So, I rolled my shaky shopping cart the 5 or 6 aisles to the suggested site and, sure enough, just in front of the deli counter lay the pita BREAD.

Why it was located there was never clarified. I would still like to know who makes these decisions and by what reasoning. It defies logic! But, those are questions for another day. My mission was accomplished. I had my pita BREAD.

No folks, you can't make this shit up . . . 

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT: Time Does Heal

A well-worn metaphor professes that "time heals all wounds". Many agree, but many others simply do not. Their response is often, "wounds that cut so deeply are never truly cured."

I certainly see and feel both points of view.

In the beginning, when we experience the emotional devastation of loss - a loved one, a pet, or deeply held relationship - like a surgical incision, the pain is intense, the wound raw and ugly. Our minds are consumed with the thoughts of how unfortunate we are and how could this have happened to me. Often, if that loss involves a personal relationship, those feelings can morph into anger against whom you perceive as the purveyor of that pain.

But, with time, just as a physical cut on your body becomes less sensitive to the touch, less shocking to the eye, and less taxing on our physical being, the wound to our emotions is also diminished.  

Like a raw scar, the memory of the hurt fades. It does not disappear, but like the wound itself, becomes a less pronounced feature of our being. We are less likely to call attention to it. And, the pain of loss evolves into gentle, fond memories. Instead of crying when thinking of our loss, we now smile with the very thought of their presence. If the hurt involves an interpersonal relationship, the anger, once so intense, has dissipated. The memories fade in a GOOD way. It all becomes manageable and, hopefully, we move forward.

I suppose that, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, time does heal all wounds. But, also like a chronic disease, it does not cure them. We just learn to manage the hurt better and go one with our lives. Because, as stated by another prophetic slogan - failure is not an option.

Today's MOZEN: DEPLORABLE

F LoBuono

During the 2016 campaign season, I believe that Hillary Clinton made a huge political mistake when she referred to Donald Trump's hardcore supporters as a basket of deplorables.

It was ill-timed and unfortunate because, even though I understood that she may have simply been describing the many bigots and racists who have supported him from the beginning, it was used in broader terms to characterize ALL of his supporters as well as those who were merely thinking of supporting him. This was extremely politically damaging to her campaign as it became an effective rallying cry by those who were simply NOT that nefarious in their intentions. Many Independent voters who were uncertain in their choice of a candidate and may not have ultimately supported Mr. Trump, were rightly insulted and in the final analysis voted as much AGAINST Ms. Clinton as FOR Mr. Trump.

But, that was then and it this is now.

We've all had ample time to see, first hand, what a train wreck this Administration is and the lengths that those who continue to prop it up will go to to keep their hold on power, even at the risk of destroying our democracy.

If every incredibly poor policy decision, from Health Care to Immigration Reform to Foreign Affairs made by this Administration and President isn't enough to convince you that he is (and, always was) unfit for the office of President, then how about his: raging, bullying, inappropriate, insane, inaccurate, false, fabricated, grammatically incorrect, foolish, bigoted, poorly worded, ill-conceived, faulty, inappropriate, insensitive, improper, nonsensical, and downright inane, statements, tweets, comments and appearances to further persuade you?

And, I could go on. Every day is another misadventure that would be laughable if it weren't so deadly serious. This ain't no Reality TV Show!

If, after what I have written above (and, you have seen with your own EYES) isn't enough to demonstrate that Donald J. Trump is unfit for his office, then you are the type of person he was referring to when he uttered one of the only accurate statements he has ever made - I could shoot someone on 5th Avenue and not lose a vote. 

And, therefore, you are truly DEPLORABLE.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT: It's in the Numbers

F LoBuono

Folks, it's really pretty simple. President Donald Trump's base will never be shaken. Never. And, instead of seeing that as a negative, they actually wear it as some sort of perverse badge of honor - you know, the shoot someone of 5th Avenue thing. So, we're not even going to bother to go there. We'll give them their due. This post is not for them.

But, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, ultimately, who cares?

His hard core followers, although surprisingly (at least to me) substantial, still generally hover in the range of 36-44% of registered voters. For arguments sake, let's average it to 40%. Now, do the math. That leaves a significant majority of people, i.e. 60%, who either flat out oppose him (and, his Administration), or have not decided on a Presidential candidate at this point.

There are at least a few important take-aways from these numbers:

First - of that 40%, nearly 90% of those are Republicans. Vote them out. All of them.

Second - of the 60%, most are Democrats. However, a significant number of Independent voters are on that list. They are the key. Independents must stand with others who vehemently oppose this Administration.

Lastly - GET OUT THE VOTE. Post election studies, including one by The Pew Research Center*, have determined that is was people who actually DID NOT VOTE that swung the election in Trump's favor. 

So, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, if like-minded people, those of conscience, stick together, AND motivate others to get involved, we simply cannot lose. It's in the numbers.

VOTE!!!!

*https://fortune.com/2018/08/09/nonvoters-trump-presidency-pew-study/

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT: We Must CREATE Change

All words and photos by F LoBuono

It's hard to believe that's it's been just over 8 years since we experienced the Occupy Wall Street (OWS) movement. Incidentally, most people would be surprised to learn that it was actually initiated by the Canadian anti-consumerism, pro environmental group, Adbusters. whose goal was to protest wealth inequality, political corruption, and corporate influence on government. The first demonstration occurred on September, 17, 2011.

Although named Occupy Wall Street, the demonstrations were actually held in Zucotti Park, located a few blocks away from the actual Wall Street. I was at the park for most of the demonstrations, covering them as a cameraman for CBS News. While I was there, I worked with veteran reporter, Randall Pinkston. Randall was always one of my favorites because even though he was the total professional he never lost compassion for those he covered.

We spent many hours and days witnessing the events and interviewing many of the participants. One of the things that we couldn't help but notice was, over all, how unfocused their ultimate goals were. In fact, at times, it was difficult to even get a cogent interview on what they might be. We saw plenty of chanting and drum circles but often wondered to what end? The people there, mostly young folk, were certainly dedicated to changing the world around them. The problem was that they had NO REAL PLAN on just EXACTLY how to accomplish that. All the drumming and chanting in the world may be great for a Kumbaya moment but what is actually going to accomplish? And, in the final analysis, despite raising public awareness to these inequities, nothing was really achieved in terms of lasting change.

Today, we have another group of dedicated young people committed to staving off a potential environmental disaster. Norwegian teenager, Greta Thunberg, recently nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, has become the face of this burgeoning movement. Millions of young enthusiasts have heeded her call and hit the streets to let the powers that be know that they are mad as hell and not going to take it anymore.

However, having experienced the failure that Occupy Wall Street eventually became, I would like to challenge this new generation of activists to actually DO more - to create actual change. And, the best way to do this is to VOTE or, even, participate in the process as a candidate for CHANGE. The new generation of have the ability to alter the process by which we are rapidly heading for our own self-destruction. But, if they do not translate their passion into decisive action then it really becomes just an exercise in mental masturbation.

So, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, young people the challenge has been issued. If you want change, make it happen. Marching, drumming, and chanting ain't gonna' do it. VOTING will.

Today's Mostly True Short Story: Conversations at the Liquor Store

Just when you think that, just perhaps, this Country is coming to its senses regarding the thuggery being employed by the Trump Administration, something like this happens:

I stopped at the local discount liquor store in an upscale, Northern New Jersey town to resupply. While I waited at the counter, I eavesdropped on the conversation between the clerk and a customer. The clerk was effusive in his praise of President Trump's most recent appearance and speech at a campaign rally in Minneapolis. It went something like this:

Did you catch any of the President last night? He is just brilliant. He was supposed to speak for just one hour and he went on for two and half. There were 70,000 people going crazy on every word - especially when he said "the only reason Biden was made Vice President was because he kissed Obama's ass." Trump is just awesome!

The woman replied: I haven't seen it yet but I intend to on UTube with my husband. I can't wait! Trump is just the greatest.

Now, I call these Mostly True Short Stories because I can't quote the people verbatim. However, it's close enough to the truth to capture the spirit of what was said.

These were nice, clean, middle class suburban people - in other words, our neighbors. And, 63,000,000 others feel the same way.

If you are one of those 63 million, I respect your right to support whomever you feel serve your interests. But, I have to admit that I also feel sorry that you see things that way.

However, if you are like the MAJORITY of this Country (and, the world) you will reject his cruel agenda and vote him OUT!!!

It is your RIGHT and your DUTY. SAVE DEMOCRACY!!

Today's Mozen: Normandy?????

John Belushi as "Bluto"

"Over? Did you say over? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the German's bombed Pearl Harbor? John "Bluto" Blutarsky, Animal House.

Only one other man has risen to this level of complete idiocy in my lifetime: Donald J. Trump. The difference is that Bluto was a fictional character played by John Belushi in an outrageous comedy. The other happens to be The President of the United States.

In defending his decision to abandon our allies in Syria, the Kurds, he said this to reporters on October 9:

“They didn’t help us in the Second World War, they didn’t help us with Normandy, for example.”

One not need be a historian or even a student of history to know what an inane statement that is. Part of the complex issues involving the Kurds is that they lack a homeland to call their own - one of the things they are fighting for. And, never have. So, please explain to me how a people, desperate to claim their own place in the world, were in a position to help us at Normandy????

The only thing more outrageous than the inaccuracy of the statement is the cruelty it will inflict on a loyal ally. 

No other comment is necessary.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT: Simple - Just Don't Care

F LoBuono

Some people have difficulty with concepts like live and let live, or to each their own. They cling to the things that make them the most comfortable and, generally, fear things (i.e. people) that deviate from their definition of normal.

Well, if anyone reading this finds themselves in that mind-set, please consider this: it doesn't have to involve altruism or surrender, or even acceptance. Make it easy on yourselves. Simply don't bother to care. That's right, just don't give a shit. Think of it this way - don't waste your time giving it too much thought. Just let it go.

See?

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, that can work. You stay comfortable in your own little cocoon and the rest of the world can go on living a life of freedom and choice.

That is all . . .

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT: The Children of Privilege

F LoBuono

Let's get something perfectly clear: EVERY child of rich, powerful parents, whether they be in politics, business, or sport, and beyond the color of their skin, is a Child of Privilege. And, just because the results of this entitlement have been occupying much of the news headlines recently, it has been the case for centuries.

Hunter Biden, ALL of the Trump children, and the offspring of celebrities recently caught up in the college admissions scandal have all been the beneficiaries of the rank and privilege bestowed on them simply because of the lofty positions one, or both parents hold.

In some cases (most?), the practice is not illegal. However, it can sure as hell be seen as immoral - especially by those of us who were raised by simple, hard working parents.

Regardless of talent, worth, or need, these people are exposed to the best things in life - the best housing arrangements, the best food, the best schools, and the best jobs. They need not EARN these things - they are simply given - literally - under the premise that having them around will bring the benefits associated with their influential parents.

All parents desire to give the best things in life to their children. Many do so by sacrificing themselves so that the children may have the opportunities their parents were never afforded. But, in the case of the rich and powerful, these parents can offer what most of us have no claim to - influence and access to the corridors of power. And, THAT, my friends, is worth an awful lot to many.

While most of us have to pay our share of dues, The Children of Privilege continue the tradition of the haves getting more and the have-nots taking whatever they can get.

In the final analysis it doesn't matter if you are Republican or Democrat, white or black: Chelsea Clinton, Jenna Bush, Hunter Biden, Ivanka Trump, and Malea Obama are all in the same category - they will never want for anything in life. Because what ultimately does count is who your parents are and what THEY can offer to a school or an employer, etc.

Well, at least I can take satisfaction in knowing that I earned EVERYTHING that I have achieved, even if that may pale in comparison. All my parents gave me was a chance. And, that's all I needed.