Why It’s A Waste of Time To Worry

Me-Worry

Are you a worry wart?

Do you spend a lot of time worrying about what bad things could happen in the world around you?

You’re not alone.

Forty-two percent of Americans say they personally worry a “great deal” about race relations in the United States, up seven percentage points from 2016 and a record high in Gallup’s 17-year trend.

Nearly two-thirds of Americans, divided sharply along party lines, are worried that the United States will become engaged in a major war in the next four years, according to results from the latest NBC News SurveyMonkey poll.

What good does it do for us to worry about things that are out of our control? Why worry about anything?

Psychiatrists say it’s part of human nature to worry; be it about health, finances, family, rumors of war, and relationships. We’re imprinted with a worry gene. In order to combat this situation we must actively identify our worries, then work on dispelling them.

  Roy T. Bennett  offers a simple solution: “If you want to be happy, do not dwell in the past, do not worry about the future, focus on living fully in the present.

According to the avoidance model of worry outlined in Psych Central, individuals may worry in order to avoid feeling emotions that may arise in the event of the “worst-case scenario.

Whatever causes you to worry…it’s a waste of time.

That may sound heartless. It’s not. Worrying won’t solve your problem. All you’ll get from worrying is being stressed out daily. End result, a shorter life.

It’s your choice.

As It StandsAna Monnar sums things up nicely, “Whatever is going to happen will happen, whether we worry or not.”

 

Poem: The Statue of Liberty Wept Today

A tear splashed down from Lady Liberties eyes

as Trump adviser Stephan Miller told outright lies

about immigration and what she stood for

claiming Lady Liberty was a political whore

The snake spun tall tales for the white house press

where they came from was anybody’s guess

Spin snake, spin, smiling slyly at his narration

Denying it’s a racist legislation

Coming from a White House limiting immigration

if you don’t speak English in Trump’s new nation

you aren’t going to get confirmation

to come to America.

 

 

What Is Trump’s October Surprise?

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Liar-in-Chief, Donald Trump, is preparing for an October surprise.

No, it has nothing to do with elections that are normally associated with the dictum. And no, it doesn’t have anything to do with Halloween. Then what, you ask?

Trump plans to sabotage the nuclear deal with Iran.

The plot began two weeks ago when Trump was forced to sign and certify that Iran was in compliance  with its end of the deal after the International Atomic Energy Agency had confirmed Tehran’s fair play.

According to  Foreign Policy, Trump threw such a temper tantrum in the Oval Office it took the adults in the room—Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, and National Security Advisor H. R. McMaster—to eventually calm him down on the condition that they double down on finding a way for the him to blow up the deal by October.

In summary, Trump has been advised to use the spot-inspections mechanism of the nuclear deal to demand access to a whole set of military sites in Iran.

Once Iran balks—which it will since the mechanism is only supposed to be used if tangible evidence exists that those sites are being used for illicit nuclear activities—Trump can claim that Iran is in violation, blowing up the nuclear deal while shifting the blame to Tehran.

According to The New York Times, the groundwork for this strategy has already been laid.

Here’s the takeaway:

The administration is committed to finding a way to claim Iran has violated the accord, regardless of the facts—just as George W. Bush did with Iraq.

As It Stands, I can’t help wondering what the rest of the world thinks about Trump’s plan to go to war with Iran, because it’s obviously no secret.

 

Truth Be Told: It’s Not Always That Easy

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“Pretty much all the honest truth-telling there is in the world is done by children.”Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

Have you ever met someone who always tells the truth, no matter what?

The people I know that have always told the truth can be counted on one hand. And that’s being generous. In 66 years, I have met a lot of people who claim to always tell the truth. Truth be told, 99 percent of those I’ve met in my travels, flirted with truth like a coy lover.

Confession. I have lied. Most of the time I tell the truth, but there have been times when I lied. The reasons didn’t matter. A lie is a lie. That may sound harsh but it’s true. There’s no such thing as a white lie in my book.

Unless a person is a saint, they’ll tell a lie to stay alive in a tight situation. Thomas Paine put it succinctly, “He who dares not offend cannot be honest.”  I guess that makes me honest!

The lunatic notion of a “post-truth or “post-fact” society gained traction during the administration of George W. Bush, whose lackeys lied their heads off so spectacularly and for so long, with the aid of the effectively state-sponsored Fox News Network.

Philosophers are interested in any issue involving the concept of truth. The principal issue is: What is truth? 

It is the problem of being clear about what you are saying when you say some claim or other is true. 

Our Liar-In-Chief  wouldn’t know the truth if it bit him.

The most important theories of truth are the Correspondence Theory, the Semantic Theory, the Deflationary Theory, the Coherence Theory, and the Pragmatic Theory.

After studying these five theories you’ll know everything there is to know about telling the truth.

As It Stands, truth is a rare commodity among men and women, but animals are always truthful.

 

 

 

Kicking Back in the Dog Days of Summer

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We are in the Dog Days of Summer.

The sultry summer heat has descended upon North America.

Depending on where you live, it’s probably pretty hot, perhaps humid, and in general uncomfortable outside right now.

For some, August heralds the end of summer vacation and a new school year ahead.

Here in America, it’s became proverbial among farmers that a dry growing season through the dog days was preferable to the trouble of a wet one:

Dog days bright and clear
Indicate a good year;
But when accompanied by rain,
We hope for better times in vain.

Why the dog days of summer, you ask?

Simply put, the Romans decided the sultry part of the summer was supposed to occur during the period that Sirius, the Dog Star, rises at the same time as the sun.

From July 3 to August 11, is traditionally reckoned to be a period marked by lethargy, inactivity, or indolence.

I’ve got all three covered.

It’s hotter than hell in Medford, Oregon right now. We’re looking at temperatures in the 100’s this week. For me, that means staying inside and not even trying to brave the scorching heat outside.

I sincerely pity those who have to work outside.

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I think that the Dog Days of Summer should be a time when everyone takes off work.

I realize that could get messy, but maybe this country needs to kick back for awhile and just relax.

With all the fiery rhetoric coming out of Washington we could use a good cooling off period.

Molly, my pug, thinks it’s a good time to go surfing (see photo on top of page of pug surfing). Cowabunga dude!

As It Stands, wherever you choose to take your dog just remember, don’t leave them in the car!

 

Naked Ambition in America

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The other day a friend asked my why so many billionaires are in Trump’s administration? It didn’t seem to make sense to him.

“It’s not the money” I explained. It’s naked ambition.

I gave him a recent example:

Citing “multiple sources,” The New York Post’s Page Six reported that Anthony Scaramucci’s (Trump’s new Communication director) wife, Deidre Ball, filed for divorce after three years of marriage because of Scaramucci’s efforts to get close to President Donald Trump.

Ball reportedly “despises” Trump, according to the Page Six report.

One source saidShe is tired of his naked ambition, which is so enormous that it left her at her wits’ end.” 

All one has to do is look at Trump’s billionaire boys club masquerading as a presidential cabinet to see what’s going on. Naked ambition. They have the money. Now they get to satisfy their lust for power.

What better example of naked ambition than Trump?

All I know is that naked ambition usually ends up badly for someone. In this case Trump and the American people. There are exceptions.

Speaking of Naked Ambition, you should read Lisa Martinovic’s account about streaking in 1974, during her second quarter at UC Berkeley. Quick and fun read.

There’s a new thriller out called “Naked Ambition,” by Rick Pullen. Quick intro:

“When newspaper reporter Beck Rikki receives an unsolicited call from a high-ranking government official sending him off to investigate a candidate for President of the United States, he doesn’t realize he’s stumbled onto the story of a lifetime.”

Still one more book worth reading for a good laugh is “Naked Ambition: Corporate Animals Stripped Bare” by Lawrence Basapa. Quick intro:

“A tongue-in-cheek look at different personalities in the corporate world, Naked Ambition will keep you wondering what games are afoot where you work, and who’s doing you in, even as you read.”

Hmmmmm…almost sounds kinda familiar. Like what’s happening today.

As It Stands, Cris Jami said it best, “Find a purpose to serve, not a lifestyle to live.”

 

WWWF White House Action Reports

Donald Trump, Vince McMahon, Bobby Lashley, Stone Cold Steve Austin
WWW Action 2009

Now that Washington DC is the new home for World Wide Wrestling Federation, politics has never been so entertaining.

Gorgeous Donny Trump, resplendent in gold tights, has been wrestling with Jumping Jiminy Cricket Jeff Sessions in a royal smack-down that started days ago, and has no end in sight.

Alt-right fans have loved the action thus far. This is what they paid for when they voted for Trump.

The rest of the country is looking on with fear and loathing.

Trumpanzees love the colorful cast of characters. The new punk on the block;  Mooch the Mauler taking on Paranoid Reince Priebus, and pinning him with vulgar insults, lies, and the backing of Gorgeous Donny. It was a winner-take-all match and Paranoid Priebus was blindsided.

Just days before, in an unscheduled event, Gorgeous Donny tag-teamed with the Mooch the Mauler and body slammed Mean Sean Spicer through the ropes.

He was last seen staggering down the White House driveway with a bloody nose and a torn-up contract.

And who can forget Gorgeous Donny’s death match against Too Tall James Comey? It was billed as Russia vs the USA. Their first match was declared a tie. Check with HBO to see who is broadcasting any further matches between the two wrestlers.

Rumors have it that Women’s Wrestling in the White House is just around the corner. First match; Killer Kellyanne Conway vs Sarah “The Beast” Huckabee Sanders. Stay tuned.

As It Stands, who knew that Trump’s early days with the WWWF would qualify him to be the next president of the United States?

 

Life In TrumpLand: Government By Absurdity

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“Off with their heads!” the Queen of Hearts shouted.

“Putin & I discussed forming an impenetrable Cyber Security unit so that election hacking, & many other negative things, will be guarded..” Trump tweeted.

Shades of Alice in Wonderland reflected in current Life in TrumpLand . 

Nothing is too absurd.

Trump appointed a guy to be in charge of the Department of U.S. Energy who wasn’t even aware that there was such a department. Rick Perry, past Texas Gov., and Dancing With The Stars partner, is our Secretary of Energy. His past experience – None. Absurd enough?

The height of absurdity is trusting Trump. No matter how much undying loyalty he demands from anyone near him, it’s a mean one-way street. Trump is only loyal to Trump. Period.

Ask Jeff Sessions.

LBGT folk who believed Trump’s campaign claims of equality for all people are probably feeling absurd if they voted for him. Here’s why

Perhaps one of the most absurd statements Trump has repeatedly made is the claim that Mexico is going to build his “yuge” wall on the border to keep it’s citizens from illegally coming into the USA.

The Mexicans laughed at that joke, and now Trump has become a favorite pinata to wack during parties.

Not so long ago; Trump’s Response to Comey is Frivolous and Absurd

On foreign relations:  Why Trump’s Attempt to pit Pittsburgh Against Paris is Absurd

New America Slogan: “Absurdity, Uncertainty, and Disharmony – Divided We Fall”

As It Stands, there’s nothing absurd in looking forward to the weekend!

 

Drip, Drip, Drip…

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Leaks from the White House. Leaks from other government agencies. A sea of confusion in Washington, as Trump threatens anyone who opposes his will. Information slowly dripping out about the Trump campaign’s dealings with Russia.

America drowning in a sea of lies.

After his first closed-door meeting with senators, Jared Kushner confirmed that Trump was the subject of at least one extortion attempt during the 2016 election campaign.

It’s history repeating itself, as Kushner continues to reluctantly release information…drip, drip, drip, he should have given six months ago before assuming the position as Trump’s number one boy.

The second meeting started out with that revelation. Can’t help wondering what else he forgot to mention. Time will tell.

Last night Trump spoke before an adoring campaign style crowd and gleefully threatened senators to the delight of his audience who were looking for blood. Chants of “Lock her up!” and “build that wall” kept breaking out.

The Boy Scouts of America are under siege today. Here’s why  This is the first time in 80 years that the Boy Scout Jamboree (held every four years) was riddled with controversy. Thank Trump for that.

As It Stands, it’s not easy watching America writhe in fear and loathing as Trump assaults all civilized conventions.

 

Hitler Youth Rally, Rare Earth Mining In Afghanistan, and What Price Loyalty?

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(Photo – Trump is considering ways to exploit Afghanistan’s rare minerals.)

Did you happen to see the big Boy Scout Jamboree Monday night?

Parents, former Scouts and others were furious after Trump railed against his enemies, promoted his political agenda and underlined his insistence on loyalty before an audience of tens of thousands of school-age Scouts in West Virginia on Monday night.

Somehow Trump turned a gathering of boy scouts into a Hitler Youth rally. Speech experts say Trump’s speech pattern is that of a fourth grader. Maybe that’s why he got cheers -he spoke to their level –  as he shared his politics and views on loyalty.

The Boy Scouts’ official Facebook page was barraged with comments condemning the speech. Several people posted links to the Scouts’ policy on participation in political events — which sharply limits what Scouts should do. Boy Scouts are typically 10 to 18 years old.

Trump Explores Exploiting Rare Earth minerals in Afghanistan

Always in the pursuit of money, Trump is now searching for a reason to keep the United States in Afghanistan after 16 years of war.  The reason: Afghanistan’s vast mineral wealth, which his advisers and Afghan officials have told him could be profitably extracted by Western companies.

Now there’s a good reason to keep our combat troops there – to protect Trump’s mining interests! Not!

On Loyalty according to the Book of Trump

Trump judges loyalty in a warped way. Not loyalty to the country. It’s loyalty to me. Lately he’s been accusing Republicans of not being loyal to him. He’s openly questioning his AG Jeff Session’s loyalty.

During his propaganda pitch at the boy scout gathering he even got a plug in when discussing the 12 attributes of Scouting: “Loyalty is important. Some people need to be more loyal to me.”

One last observation: loyalty goes in one direction with Trump. He expects you to be loyal, even when he’s not.

As It Stands, like everything in the Trump era, even words like loyalty can be twisted into something ugly. 

 

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