Sunday Morning Coffee 16 February 2020

Welcome back to Sunday Morning Coffee my weekly blog on politics, religion and other stuff that make folks nervous. The news you've seen or, perhaps, missed all laced with my commentary.  It's been a hell of a week.  Let's GO!

The King

Just about the time when you think "45" couldn't get more out of control comes his Tweet...just before jetting off for a weekend of golf. The president was bemoaning his impeachment and wrote: "When you strike at the king you must kill him." The quote is from writer Ralph Waldo Emerson except the president changed it a bit.  You see Emerson wrote: "When you strike at a king you must kill him." Is "45" saying he is "the king"? Seems that way. The point is that the president was gloating that the House did not strike a fatal blow to his presidency because the spineless GOP Senate kicked the can. Of course the Twitter reaction was swift. But no matter we now know who thinks he is the king. Was there ever any doubt?

Farting

It would have been commonplace for a junior high-school student to re-tweet fart sounds but the President of the United States? Last week "45" could not contain himself and re-tweeted the audio of a city council person, who had forgotten to take off his microphone and  went to the restroom. Yes, there was farting...and yes the president was just entertaining his base. Weary...

Bill "The Fixer" Barr

There are no words. Take a cup of Attorney General Bill Barr and a dash of Rudy Giuliani, a pinch of Roger Stone and a heaping helping of Michael Flynn and you've got one giant crap cupcake. (Speaking of farting sounds...) The more these "swamp creatures" do the more at risk our nation is into falling off the cliff and descending into anarchy. And, it seems this is just fine with about 39% of the American public. 

Iowa and Religious Freedom

I get a kick out of these clowns who make up the Iowa GOP and work so very hard at shredding the standards of church and state separation. You might remember the "voucher program" that would take public money away from public education and shovel it to private (often) religious schools. That was just dandy until I (and others) applauded the move and indicated that finally religious schools affiliated with Jewish synagogues and Islamic mosques could catch a break and get public funding. "Well, ah, no...ah that's not exactly what we have in mind." I was told.

Now comes the dangerous "Religious Freedom Bill" that says if you have a religious conviction against...oh, gee, let's say a same sex marriage...you can tell "Sally and Joan" to buzz off and take their heathen lifestyle someplace else. But, let's say a Christian walks into a Muslim owned coffee shop (sounds like the start of a great joke...right?) and because the Christian is an infidel the owner refuses to serve him/her and demands that the customer leave.  Or how about the Rastafari who believes that white people are inferior to black people and refuses service?

Silly? Well perhaps but...just like there is no "War on Christmas" this bill would do more to divide us than unite us. But, then again...that is the mission of Governor Kim and her ilk.

Speaking of Governor Kim

Recently I was speaking to a person who has some high-level interaction with the Governor and her staff.  This is what I was told, "When she was first elected I thought, perhaps, she might be a bit less partisan and govern by reaching across to the Democrats. That, in my view isn't what she and her staff see as their job. She has surrounded herself with people who are in election mode and not governing mode. They are clear supporters of the president and his divisive policies. She, sadly, is cut from the same cloth."

I wish I could spill the beans but I promised to not ID. However we have seen this played out in front of us time and time again. Yet another reason to work to remove the GOP majority in the House and Senate.  We can do this people....

Michael Bloomberg

Ah, no.

How Do You Feel?

This weekend I made my monthly trip to Mason City to conduct services for Adas Israel and then yesterday held what is called a Midrash or a study session focusing on the Torah Portion of the week. In case you are interested it's Exodus 18 - 20 and it's full of big time stuff. Following the 2 hour class I asked the twenty or so people there how they felt about the current political climate. The group is made up of pastors, MBA's, PhD's, engineers, and bible scholars from many different faith backgrounds.  Oh, and we have a couple of Jews with us as well. The resounding response was, "Scared", "Frightened", "Worried about our standing on the world stage." and "I'm concerned that if people fail to correct our course we will fail as a nation."  Now, to be sure we do not often talk about politics. However in this Torah Portion there is a line about leadership that may work well into our current situation.

Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, is giving his son-in-law some pointers about leadership and choosing what qualities he should look for when it comes to appointing judges. "And you shall discern from among the entire people, men of accomplishment, G-d fearing people, men of truth, people who despise money, and you shall appoint them leaders..." (Ex. 18:21). 

I'll leave it there...

Partly Personal

Hope you had a fantastic Valentines Day and date night was superior. I get it for some this is a non-holiday of sorts. Sort of like tomorrow and President's Day. Both are used to sell us stuff. Candy, flowers, cards and dinners on Valentines Day and mattresses on President's Day. But, hey I'm counting on you to boost the economy. Which, by the way is starting to sputter a bit because, if you are listening later today to News/Talk 1450 KXEL at 2PM I've got a story as to why and it has to do with consumers (us) not spending as much and having our credit cards maxed out.  Just in case you've run out of stuff to worry about it is the U.S. consumer that accounts for nearly 70% of our economic growth.

Our granddaughter is working to raise money for the American Heart Association and their "Jump Rope for Heart" program. Each year she raises hundreds both walking door-to-door and online. I think she's up to about $500 in cash and checks including her online donations. Just in case you are interested.

Finally I enjoyed visiting with the Dallas County Democrats this past week. I attended their Central Committee Meeting and they have come so far. I remember back in 2012 when I was working with my friend Desmund Adams in his bid for the Iowa State Senate and they Dallas County Dems were....well struggling a bit. Today they are sitting on a pile of cash and they are ready to assist Democrats taking back the Iowa State Senate. I'm so pleased that Warren Varley has jumped in the race to oppose the really awful Sen. Jake Chapman (R-Adel) who is no friend to the working families of this state. Welcome to the race my friend.  Let's do this!

And, finally, thank you to the folks who have stepped up and donated to my campaign for the Iowa State Senate. When I'm out in the district I hear from so many that are so very willing to stop the evil that is going on under the "Golden Dome". It seems that with every passing day there is another horror story coming out of the GOP controlled House and Senate. We must, must turn that state-house blue to uphold the Iowa values we all treasure. If you are so moved to donate to this campaign here is a link to my website.  Thank you to the people outside of my district who have donated and thank you, in advance, for your future support!

Have a wonderful Sunday...and thanks for reading! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Joe Burklund]

One thing I fear is, after Trump is defeated, he will have over two months to rain demented havoc down on our heads. Much to fear.
But a prayer for Trump; Psalm 109 verse 8.

[Michael P Libbie]

Joe....OUCH! But I get the drift. Thanks for reading!