Today's MOZEN: Thug-In-Chief

Photo courtesy "Marketwatch"

It's an exercise in futility - trying to convince a Trump supporter that the President is unfit for the job. Despite the mounting evidence that most New Yorkers have known for years; specifically that he is a thug and gangster and always has been, his minions are unshakable in their faith in his abilities.

It begs the question, WHY?

The only possible conclusion that I can fathom is that they see a lot of themselves in him. We've heard many a follower say, "he talks just like us" or, "he reminds me of my Uncle Ralph."

Well, this is not intended to be an insult to you or your Uncle Ralph, but unless you or your uncle are proud of talking like an idiot, you should give up that argument.

We need a leader who not only possesses a brilliant mind, above average communication skills, and a worldly intuition, but also a sense of decency and honor.

Roger Stone, leaving the courtroom today.

I am here to say that Mr. Trump is not endowed with ANY of these attributes. he doesn't write or speak well. He lies. He bullies. He steals. And, if a person can also be judged by the company he keeps, Mr. Trump fails there, as well. The conviction today on ALL charges of Roger Stone, one of his innermost circle, is just the latest example of his thuggish empire.

And, there are more to go - think Rudy Giuliani.

Rudy Giuliani (Politico)

So, I'll end this post with a question: if you continue to support an administration that is rife with corruption, gangsters, and thugs, what does that make you?

F LoBuono

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT: The Rise of the Machines

The Terminator (1984)

Most people are familiar with the ground breaking science fiction film classic, The Terminator (1984). It is a dystopian vision of what the future might hold if Artificial Intelligence (AI), i.e. The Machines, overcome the human race and destroy civilization as we know it. It stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as a virtually indestructible man/machine sent from the future to assassinate the woman who would give birth to the man who would grow up to turn the tide in favor of humanity. Eliminating the threat would seal our doom. It was so popular that it has actually become a franchise with a new sequel currently in movie theaters.

Of course, films are entertainment and not necessary reality. But, the question remains, could it happen? 

The simple answer is, YES.

And, it many ways it has already begun.

Robots, and robot-like machines, are already replacing humans in the work force in many ways. For example, hundreds of thousands of factory assembly line workers, particularly in the automotive industry, have already been replaced by machines who do the work efficiently, silently, and without complaint or need. No health care costs here!

And, it's spreading.

Now, when we shop, either at the food market or big box store, many, if not ALL, of the cashiers have been replaced by Auto Checkout stations where you can scan, pay for, and bag your own items - no human interaction necessary.

I have even seen it my profession - TV News. Our newscasts now contain a multitude of interviews conducted with the Internet service, Skype. It streams the video from a personal computer which is then recorded in the newsroom. You've seen them EVERYWHERE - they are the ones that look and sound like they were shot inside of a fish tank! The quality is just awful because it was NEVER designed for broadcast. It was made for grandparents to talk to their grandchildren over the Internet - and it looks it.

So, why would the news services use it?

Because it is not only CHEAP, it's FREE.

The rationale is why send an expensive professional crew to conduct that interview when you can get at least something that looks like one for free?

The problem is not only that the quality is so poor, we miss the human interaction provided by a professional film crew that makes us, well, human.  On TV, we are presented with an image that often looks less than real. In my opinion it looks robotic - literally. It lacks the warmth and honesty provided when a professional crew conducts the interview. At the store, there is no need to meet and great another person at the checkout counter. No conversation is necessary. It may be efficient, but lacks humanity.

And, this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Self-driving cars/taxis, trucks, and buses are well on the way to becoming a reality. This can be seen as exciting in some ways, especially if they live up to the claim that they will make our roads safer. However there is certainly a downside as well. What will the millions* who drive those trucks, buses, and taxis do for a living? 

As long as we accept these small intrusions into are humanity, we will continue to head in the direction where machines WILL take over most, if not ALL, human endeavors. Machines will clean for us, drive for us, work for us, turn on the lights for us, AND, think for us. In fact, they already do. How long will it be before they even feel for us?

I had a discussion with a coworker on this topic and he raised an interesting point. The concept of a future where machine do most of the physical work will free us to pursue other, so-called higher endeavors like thinking and creating. We will not longer be burdened with mundane physical labor. And, isn't this a Utopian vision of what COULD be?

Perhaps.

But, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, what of the beauty created, literally, by the HAND of man? Perfect art can easily be created more simply and effectively by machines. And, what will happen to the simple human interaction of greeting a cashier, bus/taxi driver, or, even, cameraman? These are the connections that make us HUMAN.  There is an EXCHANGE of our humanity.

Additionally, what will happen to our economy? There will be tens of millions of people who will now struggle to earn a living. Some will adapt to the changing environment and learn new skills to meet new demands. But, certainly, this will not be everyone, if not even the majority. And, No work means No money which means No spending which means No economy.  It will leave us bankrupt in so many ways.

So, be careful what you wish for. Sometimes, you get it . . . 


*Heavy-duty truck drivers (1.8 million; 19.7 percent) Light-duty and delivery truck drivers (878,000; 9.9 percent) School bus drivers (507,000; 5.7 percent) Driver/sales workers (427,000; 4.8 percent)

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT: Small Things Can Make a Big Difference

Words and photo by F LoBuono

With the complexities of living in the computer age where massive amounts of information is being processed at a dizzying pace, it's easy to become emotionally lazy. We are so wrapped up in dealing with the pressures of work, home, children, aging parents, health, and wealth, etc. that we lose our sense of mindfulness, i.e. the ability to meet even the simplest of challenges that present themselves to us on a daily basis. It all just seems too much. We are overwhelmed. So, we tend to nothing - even when the most elementary of measures can make a significant difference now, and into the future.

Let me give you an example.

I was shopping at one of my favorite stores the other day (The Dollar General, of course) and cued up to check out with the few items I had gone there to buy. In front of me was a woman, whom by the type and amount of items she was purchasing, was obviously the mother of a large family. After she paid for her items, the cashier helped her to bag them - using at least a half dozen doubled up plastic bags.

Now, I'm sure that the mother of a large family has other things on her mind than the fact that the environment can't stand to have any more plastic, including bags, heaped upon it. I'm sure that she is more worried about how she is going to keep feeding all of those hungry mouths!

And, this is what I mean by loss of mindfulness - she was thinking about everything else BUT the impact using so much plastic will have on her CHILDRENS' futures.

Well, if she wants to save the planet FOR hers and other children, she needs TO think about it. 

And, the solution is SO simple - just bring reusable canvas bags - like I do. I never leave my apartment to go shopping without at least one stuffed into a pocket. It's become such an integral part of my shopping routine that all the merchants in town now know not to bother offering me a plastic bag, usually saying: "oh, you always have your own bag."

When You Think About It, it's one of the easiest and most effective ways to create positive change, not only in your own lives, but in the world at large. We don't need for the law to solve this. We just have to be mindful enough to make it a part of our regular routine. Not everyone can create sea change, like Greta Thunberg, but we can do the SMALL things that when added up, make a BIG difference.

Let's start now.

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.