Last Speculatron of the 2020 Election: Saturday Political Soap Box 258

The above is a sample map.  It's nothing to do with my projection, but it shows the delusion level that can be found in the carefully crafted Facebook Trumplandia.

This is my final speculation for the 2020 election.

State and Local Races

Yes, Democrats will gain in State legislatures and Governorships.  The Governor gains will be modest, perhaps just one or two, but the legislative bodies' shifts should be more impressive.  I think that Democrat will increase almost everywhere and gain legislative control in two to four additional states.

House of Representatives

Since the Democrats made such significant gains in 2018, it will be hard for them to make another dramatic increase.  Nevertheless, I see the Democratic majority increasing slightly.  

Current 116th Congress

Democrats 232 Republicans 197 Open 6

Projected 117th Congress

Democrats 242 Republicans 193

An estimated gain of 10.  More importantly, the AOC-led Progressive Caucus (the Squad) will increase in size.  This will help them have a larger influence over legislation.  They're going to get harder and harder for Nancy Pelosi to ignore.

United States Senate

The Democrats will regain control of the Senate.  Yes, they will.

The composition of the current Senate includes two independents that caucus with the Democrats, as will the projected numbers. 

Current Senate

Democrats 47 Republicans 53

Projected Senate 

Democrats 54 Republicans 46

Yes, to get to this, I have a lot of things breaking the Democrat's way.  But I really feel that's where we're going.  I'm even optimistic that Georgia will gain one, possibly two, Democratic Senators. 

Special note to my fellow Georgians:  if there are runoffs in one or both of our Senate races, YOU HAVE TO SHOW BACK UP AND VOTE AGAIN.  This is vital to the future of Georgia AND the country.

The Presidency of the United States of America

This is not my final map.  Technology skills failed me in downloading my own map,  but it's fairly close.

Biden 413 Trump 125

My version has North Carolina and one district in Nebraska going blue and Indiana going red.  Those are the differences.

Biden will exceed Trump's vote total by 7 to 9 million.  His vote percentage will exceed Trump by 7.3 to 7.8%.

Is this optimistic?  Oh, I'm sure it is.

Is this as delusional as the Trump version at the top of this blog?  No.  This is based on real polling trends and my own judgment that the trend lines all favor Biden.  There has always been more of us than them, and I think we're finally showing up in significant numbers.  Trump has worn out his welcome.

Notes of caution:  Republican voter suppression efforts are massive and often supported by the Republican-stacked courts.  And there is also the possibility of hackers breaking into election systems.

These concerns are much more important in a close election.

This will not be a close election.

Trump will squaller and complain, but in the end, I feel he will exit early, like the coward he is.  He will resign around Thanksgiving, like gifting America an extra turkey,

He will leave under the condition that President Mike Pence gives him a blanket pardon.  This will not cover state crimes, so there is an excellent chance he will move to a country that won't accede to extraditing him.  Nevertheless, he will buy out or control the network OAN (One America News Network) and will continue to incite hatred and violence as long as he is able.

What happens beyond that?  I'll leave that to another speculatron.

Please note that in past speculatrons, I have been reasonably accurate, but I do tend to exaggerate Democratic Party results.  That being said, yes, this will either be a Blue Wave or a Blue Tsunami.

Buckle up, Trumpeteers.  It's going to be a bumpy ride.

  

The Worst COVID-19 Responses

 What are the worst COVID-19 responses you've heard?

I'm not talking about politicians.  I'm talking about everyday people you may have heard or read about.

Here's some of mine - 

"Well, we're all going to get it."

Really?  We just surrender?  That's the answer?

No.  There are countries that have controlled this SIGNIFICANTLY better than us.  We don't have to surrender to anything.

It's just an excuse to not do anything and/or justify Trump's administration's lack of response.

"Yes, I know our county numbers just jumped up quite a bit.  But that's from the prison."

Really?  So, some lives matter more than others? Being from prisoners (and guards) makes them less worthy of consideration?  How Christian of you.

Not from a private citizen, but from a Judge in Wisconsin, when asked to rule on COVID restrictions, dismissed them by saying, "Those are coming from the meat-packing plant, not from our regular people."

Another variation:

"I mean, a lot of these are coming from the elderly, who are sick and vulnerable anyways."

What are we, like some Inuit cultures, gonna set aside declining Grandma on an iceberg and just let her float away?

All life is valuable.  Unnecessarily cutting anybody short, with callous disregard, is WRONG.

This is not exclusively a virus of the elderly.  Not only the elderly suffer and/or die.  By now, we should all know cases that have upended or even ended the lives of otherwise healthy people.

All lives matter.  I can't even believe I have to hear this crap.

"I don't like the way I look in a mask."

Well, too bad, so sad.  I don't even know what to say about this one.  Choosing vanity over others' well-being is beyond the pale (or veil - you know, like a mask).

"Wearing a mask is an infringement of my liberties."

Methinks you don't know what liberty means.  How the word liberty came to mean my right to be a selfish prick exceeds my caring about and responsibility to others, I have no idea.

Should there be mask mandates?  Yes.  Should it have to take a mandate to make people be responsible and take care of each other?  I would hope not.  But that doesn't appear to be the case.

"We can't stay locked down forever."

You know what?  I can't speak to other places, but here where I live, WE NEVER REALLY SHUT DOWN!  Yeah, we pretended to make a stab at it for a couple of weeks, but it was feeble and quickly cut off.  Kemp made sure Georgia was last in and first out, and Georgia numbers show the damage that did and continues to do.

The only way to get out of danger is to COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN FOR FOUR TO SIX WEEKS. If your area hasn't done that, then talk to the hand, man. 

And then after you've gone through that shutdown, you can resume activities, AS LONG AS YOU wear masks and socially distance, test, and contact trace. If you don't do that, you're either going to have to shut down again and again, or you're going to have to watch a lot of people suffer and die.

"I think the Trump administration has done the best job that they can."

If you believe that, then you are straight-trippin', boo.  You need to get out of your Fox News panties and see the world as a whole.

4% of the population with 20% of the world's cases and deaths is NOT A GOOD JOB!

Those are a few I've heard.  What are some of yours?

C'mon!  Please!  Let's make this interactive!

Don't make me feel like I'm all alone out here.

Banana Republic Halloween

 

Listen to the music!

Nothing better than be-bopping into work headphoning the Estron's latest hit, Sound Crash, the most popular song in the country as Halloween 2023 approached.  Wearing a ruffled green skirt, Harley Quinn t-shirt, anklet sox, and pink shoes, she knew she was the bomb, the height of Dixon County fashion.

She nodded to the manager, older than her by three years, but thirty years older in behavior. "You're late," the manager complained.

"Am I," she said in a sarcastic tone.  "Did I miss anything?"

The Dixie Land Mills, a shopping district built from Dixon County swampland, was not living up to it's potential, to put it mildly.  Banana Republic was especially down.  The odds of any customers showing until school let out were pretty small.

"Not the point!" the manager exclaimed.  "Get over to lingerie and straighten it out.  Last night, some customer rummaged through it and left a big pile of misplaced bras and panties. And take your headphones off.  You're at work now!"

"Wow!  You are super pissy today, Arlene.  Didn't get any action last night?"

"I'm not talking about that with you.  Get to work."

She snapped a quick salute.  "Yes, Massah boss." Debbie immediately had second thoughts about using that phrase.  Oh, well.  What's the big whoop?  Arlene wasn't black.

"Headphones off, Debbie."

What a crank.  "Tell you what.  I'll keep them on until a customer comes in.  Then I will be the Glommer Queen, following them, upselling them, whatever it takes,"

Arlene sighed.  Not a battle worth having.  She waved to the lingerie, and Debbie got started.

A man passed by the front of the store.  He had a huge automatic rifle strapped on, it's barrel higher than his head.  Not an unusual sight.  Georgia was proudly open carry.  And nobody knew when Antifa or BLM would show up, and our Proud Boys would have to show them who was large and in charge.

Debbie had not really seen the lefty radicals, except a black guy a month ago carrying a rifle, but Security quickly scooped him out of the store.  She didn't know what happened after that.

Oh, great.  Here he comes.  Speaking of radicals, into the store came her old-ex, panting, out of breath, dressed like the hopeless nerd he was, khaki pants and button-down lumber shirt.  What she saw in him was beyond her. Despite the ending of their hook-up, they were still friends.  There was some connection that defied logic.

"What you doing here, Belmont?" she asked.

He said, between gasps.  "That guy with the assault rifle, did you see where he went?

"What?  How would I know?  Do I look like a stalker gawker to you?"

"This is serious, Debs.  I think I might be in real trouble."

"Oh, God, Bels!  What the Biden did you do now?"  Biden was the new curse word.  She didn't know why.  She just went with what's in vogue.

"I spray painted the side of Crowley City Hall."

"What?  What stupid thing did you write?"

"AOC '24."

"Who?"

"She's a politician, a Congresswoman from New York.  They don't like her.  They just arrested her on trumped-up charges to get her out of the way."

"You spray painted a criminal's name onto City Hall?"

"An accused criminal, but that's not all.  I spray painted the Pledge of Allegiance under her name."

"Well, that ain't so bad.  A lot of people like the Pledgers."

"Not when you leave out the phrase 'under God'.

"You weeble-headed moron!  Did anyone see you do this?"

"Yes.  Dotty Mathers was coming out of City Hall and saw me as I was finishing."

Debbie knew little of politics.  But she knew about local politician Dotty Mathers. She was in one part of the Congress and was gonna run in '24 for the other part.  She wasn't sure what it was called, but it had fewer people in it - maybe two each state? "Oh, Lord.  Your pooch is Bidened for sure!"

"I been running ever since, and I don't know what to do.  You're my closest friend, so I came here.  But I think they're trying to track me, like that guy with a gun."

Debbie didn't know if she was honored or insulted by him, considering her his best friend.  "Maybe you should go visit your Aunt in Pittsburgh."

"Maybe you're right.  I don't know.  Crazies rule the Earth now. You may have a point, though.  It may be easier to hide there for a while.  Man, things got really screwed up! He stole that election, don't you know.  Him and his Supreme Court buddies!"

Debbie put her hands over her ears.  "Oh, please, Louise!  Don't bore me with another history lesson!"

"History is important.  Those who don't learn from it are destined to repeat it."

"Cute.  Everyone knows the other guy was trying to steal it, with phone tappies and all kinds of things.  That's why the other guy, and the black President, and that other lady who tied to beat him the first time are all in jail."

"Do you like your cousin Rose?"

"You bet!  She is my number one A-lister!"

"How did you feel when her marriage to Lisa was voided?"

"That was some nasty piece of Biden.  I hated that."

"Who do you think did that?"

"I don't know.  Some county clerk?  A preacher?  I really don't know."

"The Supreme Court!  The President put two more on the Supreme Court, creating an 8 to 1 majority, and they've been stripping us of our rights ever since!"

"Whoah!  That is way above my pay grade! Tell you what!  You get way too uptight over this crap.  You need to chillax and listen to some music."  She tried to hand him her headphones. "Have you heard the latest from Estron?"

They were interrupted by a huge whistle blast,  The coppers!  Debbie pushed Belmont under a table of panties.

Two armed police officers approached Arlene.  "Did you call us, Ma'am?"

"Yes, I did, officer," said Arlene.  There's one of them Antifa people here, hiding under the panties."

Debbie whispered to Belmont, "Run!"

Belmont darted out, but he didn't get very far.

"Sir, you are under arrest for violation of the Dissidents Act."

They hauled him away.  They were no reading of his rights.  Under the Dissidents Act, he was not entitled to any of those.

As he was dragged out, Belmont turned back to Debbie and said, "Remember history!"

Debbie was confused.  She didn't understand what had happened, but something itched at her that it was not quite right.  It certainly irritated her that Arlene narced on Belmont.  What a Biden!

In the back of her mind, a little thought burrowed in, that she might not ever see Belmont again. That made her kind of sad.

Oh well.  Back to separating bras and panties.  Time to listen to Estron again.  Time to think about her Halloween costume.  Which way to go?  Ivanka, Harley, or Proud Girl?

Tough call.

Happy Halloween.

 

Final Grades: Saturday Political Soap Box 257

 

Weird times, huh?

Trying to get on my Soap Box about who to vote for when over 50,000,000 people have already voted?  These numbers are boosted by the Pandemic, but I think it's going to represent a permanent change - I think early voting will become almost as dominant as voting on Election Day.

That may be a good thing unless you wake up on the Monday before Election Day and find out your candidate is starring in a Borat video.

Given that, I'm still going on advocating until Election Day, even though many of you have already voted.  Indeed, my family is voting today, so we'll be part of the early brigade.  Benjamin is home this weekend, and we like to go vote as a family.  My big dream for my home county is for the Republican Candidate to receive a lower percentage of votes than they did in 2016. What did Trump get here in 2016?  87%.

I would do a post of endorsements, but it's not very involved this year.  Vote for Democrats all down the line.  Choose Reverand Raphael Warnock in the Georgia US Senate open primary style race - we need to consolidate behind one candidate to get into the two-person runoff (and there is at least a chance that Warnock could win outright with 50% plus).  

I won't dwell on the incredibly offensive and toxic personality of President Bone Spurs.  What I would like to do is grade the two candidates on a few of the issues that are most important to me. Please note issue discussions about these won't be in great detail.  For greater detail, please see some of my other 250 plus political posts.

Reversing/mitigating Climate Change/Global Warming

The ideal position is support for a Green New Deal.  Biden does not go that far, but he recognizes the crisis's reality and is willing to take serious steps to mitigate it.  On the other hand, Trump doesn't care about it, doesn't think it's real, and wants to gallop us off in a direction designed to accelerate it.

Biden B+  Trump F- 

Universal Health Care

The ideal position is universal health care, which I identify as Medicare for All.  This may be one of my biggest disappointments with Biden, as he has firmly stated he won't implement Medicare For All.  That said, he is for important improvements - improving and preserving the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare), and even putting in a public option.  Trump, on the other hand?  He knows nothing other than he wants to destroy Obamacare because it's connected to his predecessor - he doesn't have a real replacement because he really doesn't give a rip after that.

Biden B Trump F-

Raising Minimum Wage

The ideal is a living wage - whatever wage it takes so that a full-time working person can support themselves and their family.  The number most bandied about is $15 per hour.  Biden supports this.  Trump doesn't even support a minimum wage.  I'm not sure he even knows what the minimum wage is.

Biden A Trump F-

Addressing Income Inequality

This involves a lot.  It's highlighted by the fact that as most of the US has fallen into a severe recession, billionaires have actually GAINED in money and power.  Solutions involve tax reform, antitrust legislation, raising wages (as addressed above), the hated necessity of government regulations (including consumer protections - which you might hate, but I don't).  Biden is slightly flawed as he has often represented corporate Democrats, but I think he recognizes the problem and will work in the right direction.  For all of Trump's symbolizing economic resentment, he has done little but serve his Wall Street masters.

Biden B- Trump F-

Systematic Racism

This is deeply ingrained into the American system and has little to do with personal racism (that's a problem, but only a corollary to systematic racism). This will require police reform, ending housing discrimination, prejudicial bank practices, and so much more.  This has to be graded on a curve, as this will take time and requires so much from ALL OF US, not just political leadership.  For the record, Trump can't even say the phrase "systematic racism."

Biden A- Trump F-

Foreign Policy

Some may be surprised at this, given my other positions, but I am not much of an isolationist.  The world is far too complicated for America to withdraw into its own little corner.  But that does not mean that I support military intervention - that should always be a last resort and done with clear objectives in mind.  I believe in a super-strong diplomatic corp and the very best intelligence-gathering agencies we can muster.  Trump has dismantled the diplomats and has tried to turn the intelligence services into his OWN tool for his OWN means. 

Biden A Trump F-

War! What is it good for?

Absolutely nothing. Can it always be avoided?  Maybe not always, but I think it can 95% of the time.  Biden does not seem as potentially militaristic as Clinton did, but I can't rule out, since Trump has put us in so many holes around the world, that war will not happen on the Biden watch.  Trump, for all his bluster, seems less inclined to actually go to conflict.  How that would be true in a second term, and with sinking relationships worldwide, is anybody's guess.

Biden C Trump D+

Preservation of Democratic Institutions and Principles

I mean, good Lord, do I even need to discuss this one?

Biden A+ Trump Z-

Bipartisanship

I mean, I kinda want this one, but honestly, I also kinda don't care.  We have a lot to get done.  I'll take some compromise, but my God, we have a lot of ground to make up.  Nevertheless, the choice here is clear.  Biden has an almost naive Obama-esque attachment to working with Republicans.  On the other hand, Trump works well with no one, even trashing Republicans if they dare utter a hint of a word in opposition to him or to anything he wants.

Biden A+ Trump Dante's Ninth Level of Hell

Coronavirus Response

Think of the James Bond movie Goldfinger:

Biden: My god, man?  I favor science, masks, reason!  I have an actual plan!  Do you expect us to get over this without a plan?

Trump: No, Mr. Biden.  I expect hundreds of thousands of Americans to die! (Dr. Evil level chortling)

Biden A++ Trump -  A Blackhole of Death and Doom

There are other issues, but I don't want to go on forever.  

After all, I have to get ready to vote this morning.

Biden/Harris 2020

AOC 2028

A Celebration of the Commons

One of the oldest ideals of our American society, even predating the Revolutionary War, is the town commons' concept.

The town common was a space, not owned by any individual, where the townspeople could gather and participate in municipal activities or share a space.  Most often, these were small parks in the center of town.  People would gather for concerts, dances, open markets, town discussions, debates (trust me - much different from our modern debates), and many other types of social gatherings.  It was the primary way that a diverse town could feel united, that everyone had a voice and a right to participate.

As time went on, we lost many of the activities that bound us together.  I remember my parents participating in bowling leagues, bridge clubs, and square dancing.  My Dad joined Civic Clubs, such as the Lions, who helped do good works for the sight-impaired.  The movie theatres were large and packed,  television programs were watched by millions (All at the same time!)  As it is now, politics was divisive, but nowhere near as cutthroat, where we seem to be bordering on civil war.

Social media, which was supposed to bind us, has often led to more division, as people create alternate realities based on their own preferences.

Despite this assault, the commons still exist.  And that can be seen most in our community's public libraries.

Our public libraries are a great access point to the world of books, which, being a devoted bookaholic, I love.  But it is so much more than that.  There are DVDs if you love movies.  There are computers where one can research and play games - computer access does not have to be a matter of wealth.  There are magazines galore.

Much more than this, though, are the dozens of activities that the library sponsors - book clubs, Story Time for children, arts and crafts projects, gaming groups, writer's groups, instructional classes and lectures.  One of my favorites is Free Comic Book Day, where hundreds turn out for a whole range of activities, many in costume.

Everything that the town common achieved, the public library is keeping alive.  And how important is that in this world that pulls us all apart?  There is no division between race or class, rich or poor, religion or politics.  All are welcome.  All are invited to join together.  And how many area activities can make that claim?

Even in times of adversity, such as the current Pandemic, the public library does everything it can to stay vital and, as things slowly open up, to offer a safe space to join together and use its resources.

When it is time to vote for funds for the public library, such as is the case with the Waycross Ware County Public Library where a SPLOST proposal is on the ballot, please consider how important it is to hold onto this oldest and most cherished value, that of the Town Commons.

 

The Squallering Starts Early

 

squaller (plural squallers) One who squalls, a crier, complainer, or bad singer.

First, let me note that I live in a very conservative area.  In 2016, in my home county, 87% of the vote went to failed TV reality personality, Donald J Trump.  So, if you are a faithful blog reader and live far away from Southeast Georgia, please know what I'm dealing with here.

When things go bad, many people around me start to squaller about too much political talk and want to shut it down.

I noticed this particularly after the election of 2012.  Once it was clear that Obama had won re-election (which many around here were not expecting), nobody wanted to talk about it.  Politics was done, and it was time to move on to other things.  They particularly frowned at anything that my locally outnumbered progressive friends and I said or posted that was any way celebratory.

This also happened after the 2008 election, but I remember it more pronounced in 2012.  

Don't get me wrong.  There are ALWAYS people who don't want to talk about politics.  There is always squallering on social media about one thing or another. Why do people post so much about food - I don't care to see what they got for lunch!  Why are people posting so much about religion?  Why ae they are constantly kvetching about their health or their life circumstances?  Why aren't they talking about what I want them to talk about?

What I am talking about is something more than just the normal disdain for politics that many have.  A disdain that is understandable given the vitriolic nature of much of our political discussion.  

I see a turning away from politics because things didn't go your way, and you don't want to talk about it anymore.

And it's happening earlier than I've seen it before, even before the election takes place.

Many people don't want to talk about politics anymore.  Most of that comes from people who will wind up voting for Trump, but that may be just because of the area I live in.  But I don't think so.

Why are they squallering early?

I don't know for sure, but my suspicion is two-fold:

1) They know he's going to lose

I am not going to iron-clad say Trump will lose - our politics has been far too insane to do that.  I am saying they have heard and seen enough to feel like he is going to lose.

With that knowledge, they feel like it's a waste of time to talk about it.

2) They don't want to justify why they are voting for him

This, to me, is the biggie.  Even within the protective bubble they have built for themselves, they are beginning to understand that there is something terribly wrong with this man and that it may not be right to continue to support him - but they just can't help themselves.  Voting for a Democrat, even a mild-mannered centrist like Joe Biden, who has said he wants to work with Republicans and even include them in his cabinet, is just a step too far.

So, they know they will vote for Trump, but they no longer want to explain it or justify it to others.  It is easier for them to wrap themselves in the memistic* attitude that ALL POLITICS SUCK!

So, if Biden wins for many regions of the country, you can party, celebrate, even gloat.  Down here where I live?  The message is already being sent out -

Don't you DARE talk to us about politics!

-----------------------

A side note about the picture at the top - 

I was really looking for a picture of Trump sqaullering, but in a sign of how Reich Wing Facebook has become, when you search the phrase "Trump Whining,"  most of the pictures you get back are not Trump but are anti-Biden memes.  

My little bubble of FaceBook may be way too protected.  When you go out there in the Trumpian wilds, there must be some pretty vile crap: Thanx and a hat's tip to Russian trolls and bots.

*don't bother to look up the word memistic.  I made it up as a way to describe those people who share and damn near worship memes of one kind or another, people who let memes influence their social and political positions.  And yes, we Progressives can be guilty of that as well.  We constantly search for the right meme that will make Trumpeteers fall to their knees, confess their sins, and be converted to the Gospel of Progressivism.  Yeah.  Probably not gonna happen.

 

 

A Few Minutes to Say Hello

 Well, I have a few minutes I squirreled away to write. 

Let me take that time to say 

Hello!

Is that not exciting?  I found the color blue!

I wonder what else I can find!

HOLY KAMOLE'! THIS TEXT IS BIG!

There's a face button up there.  I wonder what that does.

☝👀👫💗😍😎💪🍎🐜🐕

What the heck are those things?

------

Ok, a brief check tells me these are EMOJIS.

I think that's Japanese for symbols you won't find on a 1973 Smith Corona.

I wonder if I can change their size.

👱👸👾

Wow!

I can mess with the background color.

Huh.  I'm not sure I like that.

Let me try one more thing.

Ok,  That messed with the background AND the text color!

There is so much more to explore but the time clock has ticked away my squirrely time.

GOODBYE!

This COVID-19 and politics-free post is brought to you by.....

T. M. Strait

Do you have a complete collection of T,M. Strait books?

Check out the Okefenokee Heritage Center, Amazon, or your public library today!

A Vote For Trump: Saturday Political Soap Box 256

 

It's getting tricky.

Some of you have already voted.  Bravo!  But that does mean it's too late to convince some of you to vote one way or another.

But...politicking does go on. So, therefore, I must continue my windmill tilting.

I know that the likelihood of converting a Trumpeteer at this point is very limited.  Nevertheless, I don't know if I can live with myself if I stop trying.

I will use this blog post as an anchor and add to it every day that I can until the election.

Monday, October 12th early voting began in Georgia. My time to persuade my Trump leaning friends is running out. I urge you, my conservative friends, to not make this mistake. I pray that you do not turn your back on this country and what it can achieve. Do not make a mistake that will haunt you for the rest of your life. Do not vote in a way that will puzzle and mystify future generations. How could Grandpa have done that? What was Grandma thinking? Did she/he not care about the future of this country? Please, I'm on my hands and knees. Do not once again leave this great land in the hands of Donald J Trump. Please value your country over partisanship.

A vote for Trump is a vote affirming that you think climate change/global warming is a hoax. I don't think that will go well. It is the gravest threat to mankind and civilization of our lifetime. Of all the mistakes you make in voting for Trump, this may be the greatest, causing the longest term damage. It's another thing you will have to answer for to your children and grandchildren.

A vote for Trump is a vote for continued consolidation of wealth and power for the Top 1/10 of 1%. The last tax cut he endorsed blew a multi-trillion-dollar hole in the debt, and those who pretend to be deficit hawks could care less. He's not interested in you. He wants to pay less in federal taxes than a teacher. Did he cheat to achieve that low taxation? Yes, but he also drove mac trucks through the gigantic loopholes spun for him and his buddies. If you want to keep covering their debt, then be my guest- maintain Trump and bankrupt the future for you and your children and grandchildren.

A vote for Trump is a vote for racism. Now this one causes the most sqallering. "But Tom! How dare you accuse me of racism? I'm not racist!" Well, maybe not. But Trump is irrefutably racist, and some of you have decided that is not a dealbreaker. In the past, some politicians have used subtle language, dog whistles, to signal their racism. Trump does not - he uses a bullhorn. The fact that some of you can't hear it, or worse - pretend you can't - does not mean that your children and grandchildren won't pick up on it and ask, "Why, Grandma? Grandpa? How did you not hear what that awful man was saying AND doing?"

A vote for Trump is a vote against health care. It is a vote that will result in the loss of coverage of MILLIONS, both through unaffordability and through the return of pre-existing conditions. Trump is behind a case coming before the Supreme Court in November that will effectively end Obamacare, and THERE IS NO PLAN TO REPLACE IT. When your child turns 19 and is booted off your family plan, and they have no job or means to cover themselves when your asthmatic young adult son or daughter find themselves left out by pre-existing conditions when a plan REJECTS YOU because you had COVID-19, are you going to be able to explain it to your questioning child and/or grandchild?

A vote for Trump is a vote for authoritarian fascism. More squallering? I know. That's not a thing you want to see. But that doesn't make it not true. It's clear that Trump WANTS to be an authoritarian, but he has been somewhat slowed by institutional barriers. These, however, are being slowly worn down, including adding more and more to a compliant judiciary. Don't take my word for it. Look for yourself, and look to the many former military leaders, and Republican leaders, and Christian leaders, who have spoken out against Trump and his chipping away at democracy. If we give him another four years, he may very well succeed. And your children and grandchildren may not be able to ask you why you gave up on a Democratic Republic - they may no longer have the right to speak out.

A vote for Trump is not just a vote for domestic authoritarianism; it is a vote to side with dictators worldwide. Trump's foreign policy, such as it is, more often sides with dictators (communist, fascist, anything in between - makes no difference to Trump) than he does with more democratic countries and our traditional allies. Whether it's beautiful love letters to Kim Jong-Un, siding with Russia over our own intelligence services, praising Chinese President Xi for China's response to Covid-19 (until Trump saw an advantage to xenophobically condemning the "Chinese virus), letting Turkey's Erdogan invade the Syrian border and kill our Kurdish allies, and countless other examples. Trump always views foreign policy in the same way - what's in it for ME, not what's in it for America. His policy is not America First; it's ME FIRST. How you explain, allowing and encouraging the rise of dictatorships around the world to your children and grandchildren is beyond me.

A vote for Trump is NOT a vote against abortion. What would a 6 to 3 far-right supermajority at the Supreme Court do? Overturn Roe V Wade? What will that do? Return it to the states. Do you think all states will eliminate it? Hardly. So, women will just have to travel to where they can get them. They will get Plan B, legally or otherwise. Abortions have been declining the last few decades, including under Democratic administrations (the steepest decline coming under Obama). Because the way to reduce abortions is through love and support, not through criminalization. Education, better access to birth control, supporting young mothers and families, equal opportunities for women, adoption services - these are the ways to reduce abortion in America. And what have you traded to accomplish virtually NOTHING to reduce abortion? A Supreme Court that will rule for the wealthy and corporations, attack voting rights, reverse LGBTQ civil rights progress, gut environmental protections, destroy health care, cripple unions - this is just a tip of the iceberg. And when your children and grandchildren ask you how you allowed the rights and hopes of everyday citizens to be chipped away to nothing, all in order to criminalize women and their doctors, how will you answer?

I could go on and on. There is nothing positive to say about Trump and what he has done to this country. The damage will take years if not decades to recover from. The last point I will make is that a vote for Trump is a vote against bipartisanship. Like Joe Biden or not. he is committed to being President of all Americans, not just those who voted for him. He will include Republicans (or try to include them) in his governing decisions. He is committed to compromise and moving forward together. From my own perspective, I don't know if that is very practical - we have a lot of important things to do that I'm going to be very unhappy about if Republicans (or Conservative/Corporate Democrats, for that matter) roadblock them. I'm skeptical that Republicans can be worked with. But THAT'S ME. That's not Joe Biden. So, if bipartisanship is important to you then Joe Biden is your candidate.

I'm going to close up shop here.  Election Day is near, and as I write this, over 70 million people have already voted.  So, some of you I have lost a chance to influence.

Hopefully, prayerfully, enough of you have come over that this election will be decisive and clear.  

Biden/Harris 2020

History of the Trap Vol. 2: Chapter Two - Dance Party Part 1

 

Chapter 2

Dance Party

 

1

 

One by one, they were interrogated.  The questioning led by a team of my Dad, Mr. Eurich (my favorite Social Studies teacher), and Mrs. Novik (Head Guidance Counselor), did their best to ferret out the truth.  All admitted they were friends of Mark Granite, and have often done him favors or offered him support.  All denied any involvement in the killings. 

“That’s something he did on his own, man.  We had nothing to do with that.”  That’s what I heard was the gist of what Ricky Rosalie, fellow track team member, and Granite buddy.

A few were visibly bothered by what happened and accepted with resignation that Mark was guilty.  Some vehemently rejected the idea, insisting that Mark was innocent and that he had been set up.  One blamed me and refused to talk if my Dad was one of the interrogators.  My Dad left, and Mr. Eurich and Mrs. Novik did their job without missing a beat.

Robert Pelly was one of the deniers.  Yes, the very person who witnessed Mark Granite kill Mrs.  Forsyth was one of the most adamant that Mark was being framed.  He did not accuse me of the crime. I’m not sure why.  I was the most convenient patsy, and we had no love for each other.  Up until Mark’s strange confession, I was convinced that Pelley was Lisa’s murderer.

Yes, I did tell my father and the other two interrogators that Robert Pelley was there.  No, he did not directly kill Mrs. Forsyth, but he was there and had done nothing to stop it.  The three said they would take it into account, but they would need more evidentiary support to be able to do anything about it. No one else saw him at the scene. 

Don’t worry, son,” my Dad told me. “I believe you.  We’re going to question his alibiers aggressively, and we’re going to have him under careful watch.” I nodded that I understood. But I didn’t. I loved my Dad, but I was not sure how well half measures would work.

Turns out…not so well.

 

Am I the One Who's Wrong Here?

 

I didn't take a lot of psychology in school, but I took enough to know about a classic experiment from the 50s that tested conformity and how groups can be influenced, even by untruths.  If anyone wants to look them up on the Google machine, they are called the Asch Conformity Experiments.

In a nutshell, a group of students was asked to identify shapes and lines in pictures shown and/or drawn for them.  At first, all the students identified the pictures as shown.  Then all but one of the students would start lying about what they've seen. Three straight lines might be called a straight line and two curved lines.  The one student not in on it would be perplexed - am I not seeing what I think I see?  If everyone else sees it that way, shouldn't I see it that way too?  They would often conform to what the group is saying rather than what the experimented-on student THOUGHT they were initially seeing.  GROUP CONFORMITY CHANGED THEIR POINT OF VIEW.

So, am I the wrong who's wrong here?

We are in the middle of the worst pandemic in a century, and the area I live in is acting more and more like it's OVER, DONE WITH, IN THE PAST!

Some things around here have remained pretty strict and cautious, such as the public library.  Others are very mixed.  Most stores around here have mask requirements, but the compliance rate varies from store to store.  Krogers hits between 50 to 70% compliance - it was slighter higher when Trump was diagnosed, and then dipped back down after Trump's 👉👉👉PATENTED MIRACLE CURE!👈👈👈

Waycross passed a mask ordinance that quickly became THE MOST IGNORED LAW IN THE HISTORY OF WAYCROSS.  Many stores slapped up signs that said, in essence, we're special, and we don't have to obey the law.  Milledgeville had the same type of ordinance in my son's college town, and their stores also had the same snotty, defiant signs that Waycross did.

Visually, there is very little to suggest that this area recognizes there is a crisis.  I've seen pictures from private schools in this area where virtually no one, student or staff, is wearing a mask.  Our local public school system has refused to make masks mandatory.

All of this was highlighted to me at a recent public event I attended, involving people performing without masks.  I wore a mask and sat way more than six feet away from anybody.  A guess at the number of people there was maybe between 40 and 50.  Of that group, I saw a total of three other masks.  Three.

So, am I wrong?  Is this thing over?  I really want to do theatre again, but have passed because of the risk involved.  But am I being silly?  How do I know when so many around me are acting like nothing is going on?  Am I the crazy paranoid one?  Are the three straight lines I see really one straight line and two squiggly ones?

Given everyone's behavior here, the numbers in Ware and Pierce are not accelerating as much I would expect.  So, maybe I am being silly.

But then I hear, anecdotally but from multiple sources, that one of the reasons numbers have not gone through the roof here is because getting tested has been discouraged. I have heard of doctor offices and clinics that have actively discouraged people with symptoms from being tested.  I have heard of a person being told, "Yeah, you got COVID, no need to bother with the test."  So, that case will not get recorded as a case because the numbers come from tested people.  A nurse gleefully told a recovering COVID case, "Just think!  Now you don't have to wear a mask!"  - as if we knew for a certainty about immunity and how long it lasts.

This is terrible if numbers are suppressed because places like my church are trying to make reasoned decisions about re-opening and what cautions to take. 

Suppressing numbers puts us all at risk.  It does help with the little Asch Conformity Experiment conducted in my home/work counties.  It makes even me question what is really going on.

But, then, as any reader of this blog already knows, I hear the beat of a different drummer, and it is harder to make me believe I am seeing what I'm not seeing more than most.  I'm not bragging.  We all have our skills and talents.  I've just always been more resistant to conformity than most, and I have a built-in ConMan detector, honed by years of both professional and educational experience.

So, am I the one that's wrong here?

No. No, I'm not.  Sorry, Ware/Pierce.  I do not buy into your by-default herd immunity experiment.  I will do everything I can to fight it, no matter how isolated and non-conforming I look.

Deal.

The Bear is Cornered: Saturday Political Soap Box 255

 

We are in perilous times.

Polling indicates that Biden has a very substantial lead, even in important battleground states.

That should ease the minds of the majority of us, who are so anxious to see the end of Trump's presidency.

It does not.

Maybe I've seen too many horror movies where the final twist scares us and makes us realize that not everything ends well.

Maybe we still feel the pain from witnessing Hillary's Clinton clear popular victory win get overturned by an electoral college squeaker.

But a cornered bear, a wounded bear, is by far the most dangerous.

Trump is now flailing wildly, and he doesn't care who he hurts or takes down to get his way.  His interviews are becoming more and more unhinged, demanding the immediate arrest of his political opponents.

He has risen like a phoenix from the ashes of COVID, bragging about his health while providing no details. He promotes REGENERON, a medicine developed from fetal cells obtained from an aborted baby, huckstering it like he was a late-night television barker. Yet he provides no real detail about his health,  And he is ready to endanger thousands again with an early, unwarranted return to White House events and political rallies across the country.

Is he well or in roid rage?  No one knows for sure.  We don't even know when he got it and how long he was contagious.

But he sees that he is sinking in the polls and is coming out full scorched Earth.  

He will offer bribes ($200 drug card to Medicare Seniors).  He will call for the rest of his rivals and call them monsters and communists.  He will destabilize our belief in the election results and energize his base's most radical elements to take violent action.

Think I'm kidding?

Why don't we ask Governor Whitmer of Michigan, where the FBI helped bring to arrest a group of domestic terrorists determined to kidnap the Governor of Michigan and put her on trial?

Why?

For DARING to control the spread of COVID in Michigan, for the affrontery of mask mandates and the temporary closing of some businesses.

In April, many involved in this were part of a group that stormed the Capital, protesting, invading legislative sessions while brandishing military-grade weaponry, blocking the entrance to Sparrow Hospital.  And what was Trump's response to this criminality?

His tweet?

LIBERATE MICHIGAN!!!

His response to the arrests this week?  To continue to blame and denigrate Governor Whitmer!

Sadly, the cornered bear is not just Trump.  It is all the right-wing extremists he has hopped up with his support and his special message to "stand back and stand by."

As it becomes more self-evident that Trump is running way behind, and when he does decisively lose the popular vote, I fear many will not fade into the woodwork.  That the FBI is right - the greatest terrorist threat to the US are right-wing extremists.

Trump is uncorking that evil, and I'm not sure it can be put back.

No, even when Biden wins, this will not go away.  It may become more violent than ever.

We cannot stop being vigilant.

We cannot stop sounding the alarm.

The bear is cornered, but he is not gone.

On the Bench

 

I have not seen this yet, but I can attest this is a great play, a fun delight.  I base this on having been in it before, and the cast that I see is in it now.  I hope to go this weekend, although it may be all the way to the last night.

When I go, I will ensure that I am sitting socially distanced (I'm sure that WACT is taking measures for this as well).  I may wear my mask if I feel it is necessary.

I miss performing in theatre.  I have had to pass on the first two plays that WACT has cast.  It is not easy for me, as I wanted to be both in this production and the upcoming Elf the Musical.  

I've been contacted by both people from both plays, wanting me to try out, or even offering specific parts.  It's been very hard for me to pass, but I have felt it necessary to do so.

I'm a card-carrying old person now (yep, I've got my Medicare card in my wallet), and because of my age, hypertension, and prediabetes, my risk is slightly higher than others.  I have always had an excellent immune system, with only one major flu/virus in the last twenty-five years. I'm blessed but not superhuman.  More importantly, I have to consider others in my life.  Alison's parents both have conditions that put them at great risk if they contract the virus.  Benjamin has asthma.  So, I have reasons to be cautious.

I can't judge what others are doing.  I'm sure WACT is doing everything they can to make it as safe as they can.

I look forward to returning to the theatre.  It is in my blood - I love to perform.  I miss my fellow thespians.  I know my age and weight limit the roles I qualify for, but I still would love to contribute where I could.

WACT is one of the longest-running theater groups in the state.  Let's do what we can to support them, even in these tough times.  Even if you are not ready to see a play yet, please become a member and support their efforts.

I Love My Church

I love my church.

We re-opened today, very carefully, with a lot of rules and procedures that should keep us safe. We are re-opening cautiously and correctly.

Alison and I joined Grace Episcopal Church about 22 years ago.  I have attended Grace more than any other church in my lifetime (I likely passed that mark after the first few years).  When we first moved to Blackshear in March of 1997, we sporadically attended Blackshear Presbyterian, the church Alison attended growing up. The church was nice, but we began to feel uncomfortable as our employer also attended that church and would bring up work while we were attending services.  Now, everybody is different, but I had a phobia (neurotic distaste) for discussing work in a church.  It stems from some childhood incidents that I can enumerate in other posts (and may have if I can find them amidst my 2200 posts).

Neither Alison's father nor mother attended Blackshear Presbyterian any more after their divorce.  Alison's father went to more evangelical churches.  We went to Emmanual Baptist with him a couple of times and found that it did not suit us.  Nuff' said. And we tried Grace Episcopal, where Alison's mother went.

Over time, we fell in love.  We had found our church home.  We went more and more often until we found ourselves members.  People were open and kind to us.  There were many, but Anita and Gene Lynn were particularly special, as were Sarah and David Rollison.  

Alison and I attended the special church event at Honey Creek called Cursillo, a significant spiritual and bonding moment in our lives.  And, in attendance with us, was Benjamin.  Yes, Benjamin is not just a cradle Episcopalian but a womb Episcopalian.  

There are many things I love about my church.  The one I will highlight in this post, something that is very important to me, is the church's diversity and tolerance. This is not only demonstrated in our openness to all communities, including LGBTQ members but in our political diversity.

In most other churches in this area, there would be little to no political diversity.  Virtually all white-majority churches in our area are dominantly Republican-only clubs. They are on the Christian Right and the political right.  In the past, when I ask them if Democrats are welcome or, in their language, "saved," they either outright say no, or look very puzzled and uncomfortable.  The county I live in has little political diversity within the white community, and that is largely because of the over-sized role the Christian Right plays.

Grace is different.  It is one of the few churches in the area (maybe the only church) where the congregation is equally divided.  It's hard to tell.  Sometimes I think the progressives have a thin majority, and at other times I think it is the conservatives.  But I love it.  I love it that we are diverse.

It is so easy to demonize people you don't see.  It's so easy to be arrogant and hateful when you only hear one point of view.

That said, I don't understand people who are willing to vote for Trump.  BUT my church's diversity helps me so those Trump supporters as PEOPLE.  I see their kindness.  I see them doing things to help the church and the disadvantaged in our community. So, it makes it harder just to blindly hate.

I've long felt that people can have different political viewpoints, and as long as they keep the care and support of others in their minds, we can have different ways we think that can be achieved.  Admittedly, support of Trump stretches that hope to the limit.

I cherish our political diversity.  I would not want to go to a church that didn't have that.  We learn so much from each other.

As open as our church is, the division on social media is beginning to strain at us.  Too many church members are engaging each other in ways that re not healthy.

To the extent that I have contributed to that, I apologize.

I strive my hardest to express my political opinions strongly, without compromise.  But I strive to never make them personal.  I have general complaints about those who may take positions that I believe are detrimental to our future and our democracy, but I do not make my attacks personal to one person.

I do not, church member or not, individually question anyone's intelligence or faith.

I do not say things like, "I thought you were more intelligent than that" or "when did you, my friend/fellow church member, become so hateful?"

I'm not perfect.  I have fallen short at times. It's a rough political season.  But I will redouble my efforts to be civil WHILE AT THE SAME TIME be clear about my opposition to Trump and his policies.  

Political divisions run deep.  But, thanks to my church, I can see that there is decency and love in many.

I love politics, but I love my church more.  I am looking forward to the time when the election is over, and maybe, just maybe, we can argue about the best way forward to cover all those in need of health care, food, and shelter, and less time around the character defects of our leaders, and our slide towards authoritarian fascism.

P.S.

Our first service went very well.  Around two dozen parishioners participated and did so wearing masks, socially distancing, and following all protocols. It was a joy to be back!

P.P.S.

Yes, the picture above is from pre-COVID times.

 

I Can't Stop It: Saturday Political Soap Box 254

 

I can't stop it.  Every day, I look afresh in the kaleidoscope of events, only to find we have moved on to something new.

Books come every day.  From family members, from former staff, from reputable reporters who have his words on tape.  He calls military people losers and suckers, he acknowledges the virus in private but dismisses it in public, he makes fou of evangelicals behind their backs.

He plots to win the election, even if he loses the vote.  His team censors scientific reports, on coronavirus, on climate change, on a myriad of fronts.  He treats Democrats and others not aligned with him as if they were enemies of the people.

And it all comes so fast and furious that none of it sticks.  Trumpeteers ignore it.  We're horror-struck but are immediately distracted by the next train wreck.

Trump's Tax Returns are a Charlatan Smeared Mess!

There is no good way to spin these obscenities.

Either he cheated big time and he's gonna get caught, unless he stays forever in the White House, I guess.

OR he played that system like a well-tuned fiddle, which says monstrous things about our tax system if the rich can get away with so much.

The numbers are shocking to people.  This self-proclaimed billionaire only paid $750 in 2016 and 2017?  How is that possible?  I bet many of my readers paid much more.  

The reason he's in audit is a $72+ million dollar refund that the IRS feels there is a good possibility he will have to pay that back.  With penalties and interest, we're clocking in at over $100 Million Dollars!

100 Million dollars he probably doesn't have, because...

the same information reveals that he owes $421 Million Dollars! most of which is due in the next four years!

How will he pay it back?  Because when debt is considered, he is not one of the richest men in America, he is one of the POOREST!

There is a lot to be used with here but here are the most important questions -

Who does he owe it to?

How will he get the money to pay it back?

These are super important national security questions, that need to be answered before the election.

But another day passes, and the kaleidoscope turns again, and...

Trump and the debate debacle from Hell!

All of America agrees with this one.  What the hell waa that s---show?

Trump was roaring off the chain - yelling, interrupting, blurting a fountain of lying, diarrhetic crap.

He wouldn't denounce white supremacy.  Worse, he ENABLED it - that's what stand back and stand by meant - keep your powder dry, boys!  I may need you soon!

He denied the legitimacy of the election and refused to accept the results if he loses.

He attacked one of Biden's son as a drug addict of low character and refused t acknowledge the military service of Biden's other son.

He dismissed the virus, and how his large rallies were safe (SPOILER ALERT - that did not turn out well).  He rambled about forest raking, promised a vaccine that he can't deliver on, basically called Biden stupid, and on and on nd on.

And what did Biden do?  The best he could under the circumstances.  Yes, he said Will you shut up, man?  after Trump interrupting for minutes and Joe asking him Donald would you be quiet? Biden put up with a lot more than I would have.

Yes, he called Trump a liar (FACT CHECK - he is).  Yes, he called him a racist (FACT CHECK - he is).  Yes, he called him a clown (as some interviewed decided voters said, "if the clown shoe fits...".

This was not just Trump going off his nut.  This was Trump deliberately trying to bombard and confuse Biden - get him to stumble and stutter, take advantage of the fact that Biden has a speech impediment so that people would think Biden is mentally unfit.

This is more monstrous than even a bad debate performance.  This is pure, motherducking evil.  

But we don't have a chance to dwell on that, because the kaleidoscope twists again, and...

Trump has COVID-19

For real.  Probably.  Unless...they're making it up.

Ok.  I believe it's real.

So, let me first make it clear...

My sincerest thoughts and prayers that the First Couple and others in the White House for a healthy recovery, and to all who are suffering from this dangerous and deadly virus.

Seriously, I don't wish anybody harm.  But he is RESPONSIBLE for the terrible and incompetent reaction to this virus.  His callousness and misinformation have resulted in the US having countless more deaths and cases than we should have.

Some of my friends are worried about the political ramifications this will have.  Will he get an early vaccine and trumpet it?  Will he be like Brazil President Bolsanaro and brag when he beats it, justifying his dismissive attitude towards the disease.  Brazil has paid a price like the US had.  They are No. 3 in cases and Mo. 2 in deaths.  The US is Number One in both categories.

I don't mean to be mean but this is Karma, big time.  He flaunted the rules, ignored the advice of his own scientists and the CDC, and now he and those around him are paying the awful price.

People are strange. Will he pay a political price?  I don't know.  To quote the President, "it is what it is".

And it was terribly predictable based on his behavior.

How will the kaleidoscope shift our picture tomorrow?

I don't know.  But, yes, I am anxious and a little bit afraid.

Please, November 3rd, hurry up and bring us good news.

 

WAIT.

I see they're taking him to Walter Reed.

The Kaleidoscope just keeps shifting.

History of the Trap Vol. 2: Chapter One - Justice Trapped Part 6

 

6

 

Diane, my sister, was already there, in what once was and now was once again, my father’s office.  We hugged briefly and then sat down.

“I know this is going to be hard on you,” my Dad began.  He was tall, of medium build, kind eyes with one eyelid partially closed due to a muscular condition. “I really didn’t want to be in charge again. But with everything that happened, and Mr. Tate being more involved in it than he should have been, it was felt that we needed a familiar figure to lead the transition. It’s temporary, I hope, until we can get things on firmer ground.”

“I’m not worried about it being hard on Lance and me,” said my sister.  Diane was a brunette, only a couple of inches shorter than me, which put her in the medium to tall range of the girls here.  She was attractive, at least as far as a brother could tell.  As far as I was concerned, Diane got the good looks of the family.   She had been together with her boyfriend, Mike, the entire time of the Trap, but there was no talk of marriage yet.  “I’m worried about it being hard on you, Dad.”

He took her hand.  “Don’t worry, Diane.  I can handle it.  I promise you; I’ll be safe.”

That did not ease Diane’s mind.  “You don’t know what you’re in for.  Mark Granite has more friends than you can imagine.  They’re going to retaliate sooner or later.”

Dad got up and went towards the window, looking out at the landscape, the same unchanging landscape we had seen for the last year, with no hint besides trees of what lay beyond the school grounds.  “I’m aware that there are dangers.  And we’ll take appropriate measures to mitigate any potential risk.  But the most important thing we need to do is restore normalcy, that we can make life here as good as we can, and continue to hope that we will someday find our way out of this..trap, and that when we do, we are still decent and kind, that we have maintained as much of what is good about civilization as we can.”

He sounded wistful as he looked into the limited horizon.  “I know everyone has been through so much.  I know thee has been so much tragedy and heartbreak.  But I am praying that we could hold on to our best traits and instincts.”

I appreciated my father’s dreams but I couldn’t help but speak out.  “I appreciate what you’re saying, Dad.  But I’ve seen the horrible things that so many seem to be capable of, and I don’t know how much we can hold them in check.”

“I don’t know either, son.  But we’ve got to try.  I don’t know if I can live with myself if we don’t even try.”

And he did try.  He tried very hard.  It was not his fault that it was not enough.