Okay, so Ryan and McConnell

are sucking up to Trump, being assholes, and all that. I totally agree. But, after hanging out here in DU for a few weeks, I just can't buy the usual explanation that they're just assholes or traitors or whatever. It's not enough for me.

They have to WANT something. There has to be a REASON for doing what they're doing. So...

Are they being blackmailed by [insert your favorite villain]?

Are they being paid gobs of money by [insert your favorite villain]?

Are they tired of government service and just don't give a shit anymore?

Are they protecting Trump because they feel they can do whatever they want with him in office?

I don't have a clue, and I'm sure there are lots of opinions. So please jump in with yours. What do they want?

Looking for a good Democratic association to join

I've been wanting to get involved in something and looking for Dem associations online, but most of them just seem to want to talk at you and ask for donations. I even looked at local Dem Party units.

Are any of you involved in a group that actually does something besides social activities and talk? Any suggestions?

Man deported to Mexico after thirty years here

I've only seen a little bit on this story so far, and I think it's beyond reprehensible and way beyond bullshit, but I do have to wonder why, in thirty years, he didn't do anything about "becoming legal."

Is there some law that doesn't let illegals become legal?????

I'm guessing there will be more on the story, so I'll watch out for it.

New red hat, anyone?

Trump's merchandise lines are manufactured where?

Don't know if this has been discussed here, but I just found two interesting articles:

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/17/made-in-america-week-donald-trump-businesses

which states that T clothing is made, among other places, "in Bangladesh, Honduras and Vietnam. And China."

and that Ivanka's clothing is made in "Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia and Vietnam"

then there's

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-made-in-america_us_596f9be6e4b01696c6a24918

which states that T's suits are made in Mexico and, reportedly, Indonesia.

There are several other articles, including one from the Washington Post.

Fascinating reading. Does that mean that T wants people from some countries to stay home so they can make stuff for him to sell?

They referred to Trump during the Saints-Vikings game today!

We were out having lunch and watching a bit of the game, when, just before a commercial break, this graphic flashed on the screen. I only saw it for a split second, but it said:

Offensive line of the year

Sorry, couldn't resist.

That woman who returned a dead Xmas tree to Costco

back on January 4 got me thinking...

People like her are probably the reason we are bombarded with idiotic signs and disclaimers all the time. Two of my recent favorites:

At Ikea, just last week, there was one of those 400 square foot "model apartments." The place actually looked nice and livable for people who don't have a lot of accumulated stuff. But there in the bathroom, right under the toilet seat and big as life, was a sign saying something like "for display only." I saw the same sign on several other toilets.

At Safeway, there was this area consisting of a counter backed by a wall display, all full of nuts. Nuts: all kind of nuts. Even overhead there was a sign saying nuts. And on the counter was a very small, nicely made sign that said, "Caution: products in this area contain nuts." I asked the clerk behind the counter about it, and all she could do was roll her eyes.

I understand a lot of it is the fear of getting sued, but it makes me wonder how far this "dumbing down" will go.

Fire and Fury: the Broadway Musical?

This morning I caught myself wondering how long it would be before someone makes a movie based on the book. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if it was already in the works.

Then I had a really weird thought - what if it were made into a musical?

FIRE AND FURY
the Broadway Musical
"You Can't Make This Shit Up!"

I agree it's disgusting, but I also find it fascinating

that so many of these people still fawn over himself. Even though I agree they're assholes, that term just doesn't cover it for me. I think they have to WANT something really badly.

What do they want? Fame? Power? Influence? Certainly not money: a lot of them are already multi-millionaires. Every time I see a photo of McConnell, Ryan, and several others, smiling, I wonder about that smile. It is genuine, or is it just that they're getting something they want?

Miller's little tantrum on TV really made me think about this. Granted the guy comes across like a prick, but he must want to get something really badly to be so (and I quote) obsequious.

That's a great word, BTW. Don't get to use it all that often.

I would love to see a panel of shrinks, ideally from another country, do a study on this and see if they can come up with some ideas.