Hanging Chad……..a Retrospective?

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*It seems like only yesterday in November of 1999, when Al Gore had a seminal moment in Florida.  It wasn’t exactly Cooke County in Chicago back during the Kennedy/Nixon hallowed days of 1960….but it was significant.  The decision in 1960, could have been taken to the Supreme court then….but wasn’t.  In 1999, it did wind up a political decision of the Supreme Court that actually made the call, the Punch Card Ballots didn’t ever meet muster after that,  in the modern age of politics.  The Diebold Machines, which could easily be hacked or altered with the slip of a key stroke of course were not challenged, because both Republicans and Democrats were each playing with those machines from afar.   It all finally came down to 10 Poll Workers in Dade County Florida, holding up Punch Ballots to the light and determining in their wisdom, whether it was a hit or a miss.  The news cameras whirling…..

George and Laura were immanently more likable than Al and Tipper.  We can’t say why, except that Al was a little more caustic in his chat and discussion of the issues.  Maybe just too overcompensating when it wasn’t always necessary.  Sort of the like the present situation, where our so devoted Commander and Chief, calls anyone unsavory names in a heartbeat.  What did mom say:  “Using profanity shows that you lack an abundance of communication skills and vocabulary!”  Be that as it may……Joe, Jill and Kamala have garnered an advantage of nearly 5 million popular votes in Election 2020.  Taking the State of Georgia of course is historic in the extreme:  As Scarlett O’Hara said:  “I’ll think about that…..tommorrow!”  The Ghost of John Lewis – dancing a gig! Taking Wisconsin and Michigan and Pennsylvania gives us the “Warm Fuzzies”.  Seeing Colorado come to the party re-energizes the possible import of additional Californians.  Nevada and Arizona…what can one say:  “The Ghost of John McCain is smiling!”  Thank you Cindy McCain and Jeff Flake…..you are true Americans!  Thank you Lincoln Project and of course Colin Powell, Mitt Romney, John Kasich and the handful of other great Republicans who understand a modicum of common sense and history in this country.

As we look around the country, people are dancing in the streets.  There were more celebrating folks in front of the White House on Election Night than had attended the last Inauguration.  The latest rumor is that THIS Administration is going to deploy our Military Industrial Complex to the streets of America.  Firing Defense Secretary Esper with just two months to go – should tell us something.  People forget that Social Unrest and Public Protests come on the heels of Bad Policy Decisions and Bad Personality Traits of the Leadership.  LBJ had terrible unheavels, Richard Nixon worse!  After World War I, Woodrow Wilson deployed troops and killed several hundred veterans protesting after the Great War!  Kennedy never had Social Unrest or Protest and Ronald Reagan only got Protest when he was the Governor of California.  Both were Veterans…..albeit that Kennedy was on a PT Boat in the Pacific, and Reagan was in a Cavalry Unit on the outskirts of Hollywood.  We bring this up because yesterday was the birthday of the Marine Corps and today a National Holiday called Veterans Day!  For all those with friends and loved one now serving the military – we salute you.  For all of us that served in the Military and got out with an Honorable Discharge:  Congratulations Amigos and Amigas……we made it home – thank goodness!  Some came home broken, some came home changed forever.  Some came home with live long infirmities.  Some came home without a variety of limbs, cancers of all types, PTSD or lifelong mental problems.  Some came home to broken homes.  Some came home to find a missing wife or husband or children – never to be seen again. Some came home without their buddies in combat and friends that didn’t make it.

What is sacrifice?  When you raise your hand and swear as you enter the Armed Forces of the United States – you have just signed a contract that your life will or could be at risk for every day of the length of service.  This is what our current resident of the White House doesn’t quite understand or want to address.  Saying you “Love the Military” or “Love our Police” means that you will be sending every member of those groups a Christmas present and a birthday card.  Try saying: “We Respect our Military!”  “We Respect our Police!”  Those words are couched in another word: “Responsible Behavior”!  Responsible Behavior goes both ways and  yields Respect from all quarters!

So as Rudy Guiliani chases after a bunch of Digitized Hanging Chads….we wish him well.  Good luck there Rudy!  When you and Pompeo and Jared finally find the evidence….we can’t wait to review your work.

The truth will set you free they say!  Well Don and Melania and Invaka…….”Bye Bye Miss American Pie, took my Chevy to levy but the levy was dry and good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye……saying:  “This will be the day that  I die!”  Our deepest apologies to Don McClean!

Hanging Chad……..a Retrospective?