WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT: The Tip of the Spear

F LoBuono

If you think the current sad condition of our Country, i.e. a pandemic, record unemployment, racist police policies, and rioting in our streets, is solely about President Donald J. Trump, you would be both right AND wrong.

There is no doubt that the President's gross mismanagement of affairs, both at home and abroad, has brought us to the bring of chaos. His constant tripping on his over-sized ego leads him to make decisions that he sees as burnishing his image rather than what is best for OUR Country, often siting his TV ratings as a rationale for his actions. The fact that he uses so much make- up and elaborate hair styling to cover his obvious baldness, shows us just how important a certain image is to bolster his fragile psyche. Mr. Trump is simply not capable of seeing past his own self interest. And, by all accounts, this is how he has ALWAYS been.

However, this is not just about him. When you think about it, Trump is The Tip of the Spear. He has simply given voice to a pernicious underbelly of America that has been simmering for years. It surfaces periodically with fringe groups masquerading as legitimate political organizations like the Tea Party. Today's most radical manifestation can be found within the so-called QAnon whose followers believe that Mr. Trump is being attacked by deep, dark underground forces that traffic in child pornography. Really.

He is the figurehead, poster child, front, mouthpiece, and icon for these movements that have existed since the inception of this Country. But, he is NOT alone. Trump has given voice to the Bannons, Millers, Stones, Pompeos, and the like whose agenda can be summed up in three words:

GOD, GUNS, and COUNTRY.

Within those three, relatively short and simple words lie a theme that encompasses a racist component, i.e. a white, Christian god, white folk keeping their guns, and a white country that keeps black and brown folk in a subservient role, if any role at all.

With every word, followed by every dirty deed, Mr. Trump and his unwavering, fanatical followers reinforce their commitment to those 3 ideals. And, it's becoming more and more obvious, as witnessed by a vigilante's murder of 2 innocent people in Wisconsin, that they intend to pursue their goal, no matter what the cost. Therefore, I truly fear that a civil war may be closer on the horizon than we dare to think.

I would like to say that the choice of directions in this Country has never been clearer. But, that wouldn't be totally accurate either. That choice has been crystal to me from the very beginning. Donald J. Trump is an evil man. He always has been and always will be - because that's what he has in his heart and soul.

What's in yours?

VOTE HIM OUT - and, don't let the door hit him OR his cronies in the ass on the way!!!

Today's Mostly True Short Story: The Box - The Little Car That Could

2003 Honda Element, a.k.a. The Box

There is little doubt that Americans are crazy about cars. It wasn't always that way, but that's a story for another day.* Generally speaking, next to buying a home, purchasing a vehicle is one of the largest investments we will make in our lifetime. So, it's important that we get it right. In fact, owning a car has become a modern day necessity. And, despite current efforts to increase the use of public transportation and encourage other alternatives to driving, there are more vehicles on the road than ever before.

But, for most of us, a car is more than just a mere means of transportation. It is often seen as an extension of our very personalities. Perhaps, that's why there is such a dizzying array of makes, models, and colors to choose from. And, just like their owners can come in all shapes and sizes, too - from compacts to vans to sports cars to SUVs. Whether we choose them for practical purposes or to make a style statement, the car is often a reflection of what we represent to others. And, if you own one long enough, they can almost become like old friends.

I believe that all of us can look back to a vehicle that has special meaning to us, e.g. the car you learned to drive with, your dad's old Buick with the muffler loud enough for your neighbors to know every time you left your driveway, the first car you purchased for yourself, the hot convertible you showed off in, or the clunker your friends had to push so that you could jump start it.

Sometimes, like an old pair of worn out shoes or ripped jeans you should just get rid of, but just can't because they just fit you so well, you hang on to one way longer than you probably should have.

Such was the case with one of my vehicles that we affectionately dubbed The Box. At the time (2003) I was looking for an inexpensive, not-too-large, efficient SUV to haul my camera gear in when my then wife and I noticed a newly released Honda model known as the Element. God, it was funny looking - perfectly square - hence the moniker, The Box. However, after driving many other makes and models, none could compare to the overall quality and efficiency of the Honda. So, we bought it.

And, I kept it for 17 years and drove it for over 287,000 miles (287,588 to be exact) with virtually no major issues until recently. The Box was fun, easy, and despite it's awkward appearance, incredibly efficient. She did everything I ever asked her to do. Through heat, cold, rain, or snow, she simply never failed. I suppose that's why I related to that vehicle so much - I think she reminded me of, well, ME - not all that much to look at but, boy, she NEVER failed - reliable until the very end (something I also aspire to) and, again, as I hope to be, totally spent.

People would reasonably ask, why not simply buy another, newer one. And, I would have except that Honda decided to stop making the Element in 2011. So, I hung on to it for as long as I possible could - probably too long.

Over the last few months The Box really started to show her age. She even started to groan like an old person! The clutch started to squeak so much that when my mother rode with me she would ask, "does your car always speak to you that way?" She started to leak radiator fluid (possibly due to a cracked head). I even lost my cruise control because my mechanic said that it had simply rusted away. Because I needed new shocks and struts get around with her was like being on some kind of amusement park thrill ride. Then, like a VERY old lady, she had trouble starting up in the morning. The Box's greatest assets - consistency and reliability -were now gone. And, it was going to cost a bunch of $ to keep her going. My mechanic, whom I trust completely, advised that it was simply time to let her go. Like a dear old pet, I was hanging on for me, not for the car.

So, with some sadness and much gratitude, I put the old gal out to pasture - or, at least to my mechanic's lot, unfortunately, to be sold for scrap. I suppose that's a rather inglorious end, but it must be. That car owes me nothing and will stand apart from all the others. Good bye, friend, rest well now. God speed. You've reached the end of your highway.

*https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-americas-love-affair-cars-no-accident/

Today's MOZEN: It's Pretty Simple

F LoBuono

Let's get something straight.

If you think you're a badass, balls-to-the-wall, no-one-tells-me-what to do, stay-out-of-my-face, freedom loving patriot that feels it necessary to go armed to the grocery store to protect yourself againt who-knows-what, but refuses to wear a mask, even if it could save just one other human being, YOU AIN'T! You're just a sorry, scared, selfish, sack-o-shit.

There is NO moral amiquity here. No damned if I do, damned if I don't paradox. The choice is clear:

Either you give a shit about your fellow man- or, you fucking don't.

And, if you don't - eat shit and die.

That is all. . . 

Today's MOZEN: The Word Is Love

F LoBuono

I've been thinking that if it were in me, and if I strove long enough, thought hard enough, and cared deeply enough, perhaps, I could come up with a single word or simple phrase that would have the power/influence to make people realize that in our very hearts and souls, we are all the same. We may come to different things in various ways, something we define as culture, but in the end, we all share the same emotions. In fact, we all smile the same way and we all cry the same way, too.

Certainly, I am not alone in this vision quest. Many before me, and far greater in every way, have attempted to accomplish this simple, yet herculean, task. 

Then, it struck me -

We already have it.

One word.

We've heard it over and over again. . . 

- from the gods, prophets, poets, musicians, misfits, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, sinners, and saints . . . 

And, that word is LOVE

It is truly THE most powerful force in the world.

A force so potent that it devours hate and conquers all, it allows one to forfeit our most precious gift, our very lives, to save that of another whom we love. It motivates our dreams and desires. It empowers us to be free, truly free - from fear and ignorance.

But, sadly, we often seem to be tone deaf to the beautiful music that is created through a lifestyle motivated by love. Instead, we allow our fears - of uncertainty, failure, and perceived differences, to seep into the foundation of our being, creating cracks and division- when all we need is to allow ourselves to be motivated by compassion and caring, i.e. love.

It really ain't that hard, folks . . . 

Today's MOZEN: YOU'RE FIRED!!

F LoBuono

Hackneyed phrases are generally eschewed by writers and journalists because they've become so over-used that they so lack in any fresh, creative impact as to be ineffective.

However, like cliches, they become that way because they contain a certain underlying truth.

So, with a risk to damaging my non-existent writing career, here are my top 3 such hackneyed phrases and cliches as they relate to President Donald J. Trump. I have used the terms with shameless regularity and present them again because they were true at the beginning of his tenure and remain even more so today:

- If his lips are moving, he's lying.

- You're preaching to the choir.

- You get what you pay for.

The first, actually, can be easily supported by the facts. According to The Washington Post*, Mr. Trump has made over 20,000 false or misleading statements - and, that number grows daily. There is simply no way around it.

The second, explains my frustration around the entire situation. The very few and most intrepid followers that I do have are so because they tend to be like-minded, especially when it comes to Mr. Trump. They find him, as do I, insufferable. It's unlikely that any of my posts might sway a true Trumper. So, a reasonable question would be, why bother? I suppose that I might answer that with yet ANOTHER hackneyed phrase: well, someone has to do it!

The third is arguably my most hackneyed of all. I certainly have used it as a theme on a regular basis. I suppose that's so because I'm constantly surprised that others are still surprised by his selfish bungling, often wondering aloud, how low can he go (yet ANOTHER hackneyed phrase!)? Well, the answer is - lower, a LOT lower because we're getting what we paid for!!

Arguably, Donald J. Trump's only true, acknowledged professional success was as the host for the reality TV series, Celebrity Apprentice (a show that I can proudly attest to never having watched). And, THAT'S how he is running the Country - as a fucking REALITY TV SHOW!

Every move, often backed by his own statements, is calculated for ratings and popularity - as HE sees them.  He makes decisions not based on what's best for the Country or even politically expedient, but rather on their ability to generate headlines that he and his misguided base feel represent THEIR America.

And, look, let's face it - Reality TV was not created to stimulate the imagination of deep thinkers. It generally appeals to the lowest common denominator in people - the weirder the better. The masses love to see the public embarrassment of the rich and powerful. And, so does Mr. Trump - until it happens to him - and, it will.

Isn't that what made the show, AND Mr. Trump such a great success?

So, what did we expect?

We did, indeed, get what we paid for!

And, I use the term we because WE did elect him. Even if you didn't vote for him, enough (over 60 million) did to make him the duly elected President of the United States.

Now, it's simply up to the rest of us to say:

YOU'RE FIRED!

And, I promise that's the last of the hackneyed phrases - for this post.



*https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/07/13/president-trump-has-made-more-than-20000-false-or-misleading-claims/