In his first month in office, he insulted with a Tweet:
A US Attorney named Preet.

In his second month in office, he insulted with a Tweet:
Two federal judges, and a US Attorney named Preet.

In his third month in office, he insulted with a Tweet:
Three top reporters, two federal judges and a US Attorney named Preet.

In his fourth month in office, he insulted with a Tweet:
Four progressive Congressmen, three top reporters, two federal judges, and a US Attorney named Preet.

In his fifth month in office, he insulted with a Tweet:
Five Gold Star families,
Four progressive Congressmen, three top reporters, two federal judges, and a US Attorney named Preet.

In his sixth month in office, he insulted with a Tweet:
Six Muslim countries,
Five Gold Star families,
Four progressive Congressmen, three top reporters, two federal judges,  and a US Attorney named Preet.

In his seventh month in office he insulted with a Tweet:
Seven sexually harassed women, six Muslim countries
Five Gold Star families,
Four progressive Congressmen, three top reporters, two federal judges,
And a US Attorney named Preet.

In his eighth month in office he insulted with a Tweet:
Eight foreign leaders, seven sexually harassed women, six Muslim countries,
Five Gold Star families,
Four progressive Congressmen, three top reporters, two federal judges,
And a US Attorney named Preet.

In his ninth month in office, he insulted with a Tweet:
Nine EPA scientists, eight foreign leaders, seven sexually harassed women, six Muslim countries,
Five Gold Star families,
Four progressive Congressmen, three top reporters, two federal judges,
And a US Attorney named Preet.

In his tenth month in office, he insulted with a Tweet:
Ten athletes kneeling, nine EPA scientists, eight foreign leaders, seven sexually harassed women, six Muslim countries,
Five Gold Star families,
Four progressive Congressmen, three top reporters, two federal judges,
And a US Attorney named Preet.

In  his eleventh month in office he insulted with a Tweet:
Eleven close advisors, ten athletes kneeling, nine EPA scientists, eight foreign leaders, seven sexually harassed women, six Muslim countries,
Five Gold Star families,
Four progressive Congressmen, three top reporters, two federal judges,
And a US Attorney named Preet.

In his twelfth month in office he insulted with a Tweet:
Twelve protesters marching, eleven close advisors, ten athletes kneeling, nine EPA scientists, eight foreign leaders, seven sexually harassed women, six Muslim countries,
Five Gold Star families,
Four progressive Congressmen, three top reporters, two federal judges,
And a US Attorney named Preet.

The post The twelve months of Trump [A Christmas sing-along] appeared first on Occasional Planet.

Let’s play “Political gifts I wish I could give this Christmas.” I have compiled a list of things that would give me a measure of satisfaction to present to some of this year’s political headline-makers. Donald Trump has a head start on me, though: He has already delivered–in the form of many of his cabinet nominations–a very traditional Christmas gift: fruitcakes.

Here’s my list, in no particular order:

To Kellyanne Conway: Truth serum

To Hillary Clinton: A do-over

To Paul Ryan: A spine transplant

To Nancy Pelosi: A Democratic majority

To Rachel Maddow: Smug remover

To Barack Obama: 4 more years

To Ben Carson: A padded cell

To Bernie Sanders: California

To Elizabeth Warren: The 2020 Presidential nomination

To Sean Hannity/Joe Scarborough/Bill O’Reilly: A permanent mute button

To Trump’s adult children: An ethics gene

To Rick Perry: Oops, I forgot what I wanted to give him

To CNN: A kick in the ass

To FBI Director James Comey: Oh, gee, I have some stuff I’ve been digging up for him, but I’m not sure about the appropriate timing. Oh, wait, I know–I’ll give it to him at time when it will do maximum damage to his reputation.

To Vladimir Putin: A coup d’etat

To the citizens of Syria: Anyone but Assad

To Donald Trump: A come-uppance [hopefully accompanied by a good-riddance]

The post Political gifts I wish I could give this Christmas appeared first on Occasional Planet.

It’s possible that the biggest obstacle to justice is the kindness and generosity of charity. No example can better illustrate this than St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay’s stance that Occupy STL will have to leave its “home” in Kiener Plaza because the Salvation Army’s Tree of Lights will be moving in.

The Tree of Lights, in fact the Salvation Army itself, represents the failure of our society to put in place a strong enough government safety net to protect individuals from the abuses of runaway capitalism or just plain misfortune.

The Occupiers are reminding us that the balance between the benefits of capitalism (honoring creativity, autonomy, strategic thinking, and optimal use of resources) and the regulations that are necessary to keep it in check has tilted too far in the direction of runaway capitalism. As is evident now, we have an economic system that in many ways is more like a slot machine in Vegas, which produces nothing but rearranges wealth in a way in which “the house” makes a profit on all transactions. Conservatives mistakenly think that “the house” is the government, but if that was so why would the government be in such debt while many large corporations on sitting on mountains of cash.

Does Mayor Slay really believe that there is no other location in a metropolitan area as large as St. Louis where a signature Christmas tree could be placed? There are dozens in and around the modest downtown St. Louis area.

What could represent that dominant culture in America more than all the pomp and circumstance that goes with a public Christmas tree lighting? The dominant culture will always survive; it’s too big to fail. The needs of the disenfranchised, i.e. those represented by the “Occupiers,” cannot be met without strong societal support. That help can come in small ways such as moving a Christmas tree rather than protestors making a point, or in large ways such as curbing the power of financial institutions, embracing a full-employment economy, and protecting consumer interests.

The Salvation Army and its Christmas tree is a minimal “feel good” for the recipients of the charity. It is a major “feel good” for the donors who can pat themselves on the back. Each community can brag about how generous it is while poverty remains unabated.

The Occupy movement is a healthy step in the evolution of the American economy from business-centric to being responsive to labor and consumers. To place petty and symbolic obstacles in its way shows a crass insensitivity to the actual quality of life for people in pain. The dominant society will remain. The trick is to make it do so while being inclusive.

Mayor Slay, gather your brain trust and figure out another place to put the Christmas tree. Then, when you have some free time, put your main focus on the issues of importance to the Occupiers.

The post You’re kidding: City favors Christmas tree over Occupiers? appeared first on Occasional Planet.

[A CNN poll, released on Dec. 23, 2010, offers some encouraging news–and perhaps a word of caution– for President Obama.]

Two nights before Christmas, surveying the land,

A poll put good news in the President’s hand.

Fifty six of a hundred folks made this confession:

“Obama did well in this year’s lame-duck session.”

The Republicans’ rating was just forty-two.

Oh, the damage that Senate obstruction can do!

Even Congress’ Democrats, damaged by voters,

Got forty-six, trumping GOP gloaters.

But it didn’t stop there, for on further inspection,

The surveyed said they like Obama’s direction.

Fifty-five say, “He’s moving our country correctly,”

With the GOP going the wrong way directly.

And out of 100, fifty-nine said,

“In reaching for compromise, Obama’s ahead.”

While just twenty-eight, who cannot be faking,

Saw Republicans doing the giving and taking.

“So, who is the source of the blockading passion,”

The surveyors asked, in surveyor fashion.

Here, Republicans won with a margin quite great:

46 to 28.

The lesson we learn from this poll is enlightening,

There’s a bit of good news, but the future is frightening.

Though some think the GOP’s good for the U.S.,

We’ll have to be careful, or else they will screw us.

–Gloria Bilchik

The post A gift to the President from the north “poll” appeared first on Occasional Planet.