Dump Trump

From the opening bell, the tRump administration has been a disaster.  From sketchy inaugural donations and lying about crowd size, to today's COVID mishandling and endangering democracy by throwing shade on elections The Orange One's (my preferred reference) time in office has damaged this country. 

So to help jog people's memory, here's a short list of things he's done that the MAJORITY of Americans will find distasteful/illegal/evil/unAmerican.

THE LIST

• Claimed millions voted illegally
• Put children in cages
• Refused to release tax returns
• Denigrated Gold Star family
• Calls free press “enemy of the people”
• Has lied over 15,000+ times

• Gave security clearance to Ivanka and Jared over intelligence objections
• Denigrated John McCain for being a POW
• Thinks of veterans as suckers and losers
• Skipped Normandy ceremony as he didn't want to ruin his hair in the rain

• Politicized masks and other possible ways to mitigate spread of COVID
• Banned Muslims from entering country unless they are from a country he does business with
• Called Nazis very fine people
• Insults allies
• Praises dictators
• Ignored intelligence reports about Russian bounties on US troops
• Called African nations “shithole countries”
• Belittles US generals and believes he knows more then them
• Stole money from his charity and is banned

from having any new ones
• Foreign governments stay in his hotels to curry favors
• Forces government employees to stay in his properties while traveling
• Played golf more than any prez after stating he wouldn't have time to play
• Government must foot bill for his golf excursions which means we have paid his company over 200 times his salary
• Promoted snake oil cures for COVID 

• Donates his salary as a tax dodge because he makes so much off golf trips.
• paid off porn star to remain quiet about sexual affair
• Had sexual affair while wife was pregnant with son
• Promised to build wall along border has only completed three miles of new fence and Mexico will not pay for it
• During campaign his operatives had numerous meeting with Russian agents in order to gain an advantage

• Obstructed investigation into his Russian connections
• Attempted to bribe Ukrainian president for help with his election
• Asked China to help him win re-election
• Impeached for Ukrainian scheme and his obstruction of subsequent investigation 
• Has nearly daily Twitter

tantrums
• Attacks private citizens on Twitter
• Hurls childish nicknames at those he perceives as foes
• Pudges leaders of other countries aside so he can walk at front
• Threw paper towels at hurricane victims
• Removed clean water and air regulations
• Promised to get drug prices lowered, instead the went up
• Drain the swamp? He added more swamp creatures
• Knocked out the teeth of the EPA
• Kicked Dept. of Interior in the

balls
• Dumbed down the Department of Education
• Suspected of being Russian asset
• Supports white supremacy groups 
• Validates racism
• Inherited a good economy, destroyed it
• Highest trade deficit in years
• Started tariff war with China, lost
• Due to tariff war had highest number of small

farm bankruptcies since depression
• Utilized secret police against citizens
• Largest civil unrest in nation since Vietnam years
• Attacked federal judges he didn't like
• Ignored danger of COVID-19

• Ignored scientists on COVID
• Over 220,000 deaths from COVID and climbing
• Downplayed seriousness of COVID
• No national plan to control COVID

• Dismantled pandemic response team prior to outbreak

• Didn’t replenish national supplies of PPE and other medical equipment

• Federal government seized PPE from states who imported it for their state’s use

• Owes millions of dollars, possibly to foreign interests that could compromise US security

• Tax cuts for rich, peanuts for others

• No definitive foreign policy

• To help his business interests, caved to Turkey and betrayed our Kurdish allies

• He has become a laughing stock of other world leaders

• Favorability of US in the world has gone down except in dictatorship countries

• Promoted budget that would diminish Social Security and Medicare

This is not an all-inclusive list, there are tons of regulations meant to protect us he has overridden, countless people he has insulted, untold number

of norms he has violated and more. At least this is a starting point though of why you should not vote to give him four more years. If he is reelected it will be an incomprehensible disaster for this country. So read over this short list one more time and go vote for Joe Biden. Return this country to decency and prominence. Vote The Orange One out.

Ah, James Thurber

The Thurber Brigade apologizes for once again getting off the path of making light of the interaction between men and women. We couldn’t sit aside without comment though when this most important election in decades takes place on November 3^rd. The Brigade will get back to its usual snarky self next time. Maybe.

Women Say the Darndest Things, Part III

There were so many arguments and comments about the previous blogs on this subject (Part I and Part II) you just knew that a third venture into the area would be forthcoming. Although there were minor interruptions about sports in those, since we have a hold on sports, now seemed like the time to give it another go.

You know, women often say the darndest things when the subject turns to sex. For example, 

WE INTERRUPT THIS BLOG FOR BIG NEWS!
SPORTS ARE BACK!

Coach Jay here again, once more interrupting this blog that I'm sure the author believes will garner him a lot of attention and controversy, to let you know that we have emerged from the dark mantle of a sport-less period. Slightly.

Truthfully, it never went away completely. I blogged a while back about the importance of exercise during these troubled times, so we've still had that to keep us occupied. And of course, there were those who resisted orders to stay apart and recklessly took part in pick-up games of basketball, soccer and more (bad boys and girls. Shame on you). However, real organized sports were put on hold.

Slowly, that began to change. Over in Europe, they began to play football (Americans say soccer) with the Germans leading the way. But soon, other sports began to give it a try, from golf to tennis. Then the bigger ones, by that I mean the ones with more AMERICAN viewers, such as basketball and hockey began to creep back to the public view. Now, AMERICAN football is on the scene.

When the other sports returned, they had very strict guidelines which included no fans were allowed. This meant that they would pipe in crowd noise to simulate fan attendance and to enliven the viewers experience. Football however is being a little more reckless.

Many teams are allowing fans to attend. Admittedly, in small numbers. When you consider that stadiums may hold from 50,000 plus people, only allowing in a fraction may seem safe. Theoretically they could have one person per every six seats. But we're humans. We don't do that, we talk and yell and sometimes sing when at sporting events. But mainly, we huddle together to better enjoy the moment and excitement. And that's what is happening. Instead of everyone spreading appropriately apart, people are gathering in groups or clusters. Often these groups are spread out, but having 10-20 people in a group defeats the idea of social distancing that is so crucial to getting us out of this morass. 

For the players it's different. Most of them get tested two to three times a week. Some teams use “bubbles” that isolate them from the outside world. So the players have a great many safeguards. The fans do not.

Coach Jay suggests that teams and fans keep their distance. Fans should not go to the game, teams should not invite them. We all are desperate to get back to going crazy after a touchdown. To high five your buddy next to you. To boo loudly that lousy call by the ref. But now is not the time for that. We must get out of the humongous death march COVID-19 has brought us and that means having a little discipline. Yes, as a coach that often means I yell at some player for screwing up, or sending someone off to run laps for breaking a team rule. Now however, I can only plead with you to do the right and safe thing.

Wear a mask. Wash your hands. Keep on social distancing. Don't go to places where there are big groups of people together. Don't go to that stadium. We can get through this. If we all do what the doctors and scientists say for just a little while longer, we will get back to the days of wild football games with marching bands, cheerleaders and rowdy fans. Stay safe. 

Now, back to the regularly scheduled blog already in progress.

I know that radical feminists will hate this, but “normal” women, if they are honest, will have to agree. It's obvious.  Whew, aren't you glad The Thurber Brigade tackled this issue once again instead of having one of those odd sidesteps into politics or some social issue? 

Ah, James Thurber

The Highland Near Miss

Way back in 2003, there was an interesting TV pilot that played called “Keen Eddie.” It starred a NYC cop named Eddie (Mark Valley) who got assigned to work at Scotland Yard. I guess you'd call it a “dramady” as it was quite funny.

In one episode Eddie is taking a bus to work and notices a cute female sitting nearby. They exchange smiles and both seem to be interested in each other. Eddie, who was standing in the aisle on the crowded bus doesn't take any action though. An older woman sitting next to where he stood looked up at him and said “why don't you talk to her?”  Eddie shakes his head, but smiles at the older woman. She scowled though and shook her head and says “wanker.”

I can understand why he didn't after all he was a stranger to the country plus he may not have wanted to seem rude to just talk up some random bus rider. Of course, I've mentioned numerous times how it's always the male who is expected to make First Contact, maybe Eddie just didn't want to.

I like to bring this up, not just because it's one of my favorite DVDs to watch (sadly, the series didn't get picked up), but also because I had a similar experience. Mine didn't happen on a London bus, but did happen up in Scotland. So pretty close.

My brother and I had taken my parents to England and Scotland as a 50th wedding anniversary gift. We rented a car in London and traveled from there through Wales and up to Scotland. So pretty much a grand tour of the U.K.

The rental car

My parents loved seeing the sights, in fact, my mother had never even been out of the US so it was a special treat for her. However, traveling with family is never easy. Especially my father and brother. Although I was the Black Sheep of the family, those two had a difficult time getting along. I remember many a long, raging argument between them as a teenager. Being in a small car traveling around all day with them was not much better even as an adult. 

"Rob Roy" at Glen Coe

So although I loved seeing all the beautiful scenery and places, it was also enjoyable if I could slip away from them now and then. I did this again (I don't think I'll bring up the other times) after we had gone to Glen Coe and stopped for the night at a friendly B&B in Glan Coe Village. Glen  Coe is a beautiful valley and later while watching my “Rob Roy” DVD I realized they did some filming there because of its stark beauty and solitude.

The Williams Clan at Glen Coe

Anyway, I told the Big Bro and the parental units that I was going for a walk, and headed out around the village. I accidentally stumbled upon this charming and intimate pub during my walk. Okay, it's possible I had noticed it during our driving around looking for the B&B. So I walked in, grabbed a pint and sat down at a small vacant table.

Not the actual pub, but similar

Sitting at a table across from me was an older couple who talked quietly to each other while sipping their beers. I had picked up some pamphlet when I walked in, so tried to look like I was studying it closely while enjoying my beer, thinking it might dissuade anyone from joining me. Within a few minutes two attractive females sat down at a table to the side of me. 

They talked merrily to each other and occasionally would glance at me. Likewise, I took one or two quick glances at them and also managed to give them a smile one time when our eyes locked. I took another sip of beer and noticed the old lady at the other table looking at me. I smiled back and she nodded her head toward the two females. I gave her another wry smile and took another sip, then looked down at the very interesting pamphlet. I'm pretty sure I noticed her roll her eyes and also think I heard her mutter under her breath to her husband “stupid Yank.” Maybe.

Lock Leven from the B&B

But what could I do? I was a stranger there, a tourist. More importantly, I was traveling with my family. What if I had hit it off with one of them and she wanted to go back to her place? Or maybe I could take her down to meet my folks and then look for another room at the B&B? Sure. Again, it boiled down to me having to make First Contact. I just couldn't see a scenario where that would be beneficial to me.

Of course looking back on it now with a few more years and relationships under my belt, I have second thoughts. Perhaps I should have taken the plunge. We could have had a pleasant non-relationship seeking conversation. Or even if I had hit it off I could have just got her address and said I'd write her later (this was before email and texting were a thing). 

I still enjoyed my stay at Glen Coe and yes, did manage to slip away at several other stops, but didn’t have any similar encounters. However, I still like to think back to that pub, and seem to slip there every time I watch “Keen Eddie” again and wonder "what if."

Ahhhh, James Thurber

 

 

 

I Rant, I Instigate—I Write

Recently, several writing acquaintances said they had grown weary of political posts or statements on Facebook and other social media. They really only wanted writing-related information or posts.

Years ago I thought about this issue. My first impulse was to think that I should keep my opinions to myself as I didn’t want to offend anyone and maybe dissuade them from trying out my books. However, I remembered several articles that discussed social media for writers and they typically said you use them to let readers know about you, not just to promote your writing. In effect, you are promoting your writing by letting people see who you are as a person most articles stated.

So my thinking expanded and I decided that includes not just pictures of my cat or living room, but also my thoughts on issues. In much of my writing I point out superficiality and stereotypes and how that can be detrimental (or wrong). In other words, don’t judge a person on how he looks.

Well, one of the best ways to let people know about you would be to let them know your beliefs on issues. That gives insight into the way a person thinks and acts. So I decided to do just that. If I were to offend someone and so they decided against buying one of my books, so be it. If I lose a few cents, that’s better than not standing for what I believe.

Keep in mind that I don’t have a pure author page on Facebook or Twitter, but do have individual book pages (Facebook). On those, I leave issues out.

Souls on Fire

Sex and the American Male

Wings of Honor

Tax Break

Writing Trash and Hunting Buffalo

However, on my Twitter and personal Facebook page, well, it’s no holds barred.

Jay’s Facebook

Twitter

The more I thought about this topic though, the more I believed that as a writer, I have an obligation to sound off. It’s a writer’s responsibility to put ideas out there.  As a super hero, that would be a writer’s ability—to express ideas, thoughts and concepts. Whether it is writing a fact-based news article about murder by American police officers; or writing a book about a man who fights for his ideals against Franco’s fascists (Hemingway); writers put out ideas about important issues.

Many times when talking to students I advised at The University of Texas, I’d warn them about getting their degrees. Warn them that they now faced danger because they were the types that dictators and authoritarian rulers feared and hated. I said intellectuals (and that includes writers) were the first up against a wall when those miscreants took over.

That’s why we see people like Donald Trump rant and rail about news reporters who dare to say something he doesn’t approve of that day. Worse, we see journalists in Putin’s Russia assassinated on the street, or a writer sliced and diced by MBS of Saudi Arabia.

Yet writers persist. They continue to write articles about drug lords in Mexico, ruthless leaders in the Philippines or white supremacists in the United States. They write short stories about greedy tycoons (Bazolaa) or books about horrible conditions in the meat packing industry (The Jungle).

Some writers become leaders of nations (Vaclav Havel, Czechoslovakia) others formed resistance movements, such as the White Rose who used writing against the Nazis.  This latter group didn’t get put up against the wall—they had their heads chopped off. So, as I mentioned,  standing up for your beliefs can be dangerous.

But you should.

Whether it’s writing pamphlets advocating for the American independence from Britain or writing for a student paper against the Vietnam war, writers through history have always stood up for what they believed in, for their morals, their ideals.

So the next time you hear another writer complain about your anti-Trump posts on Facebook, just tell him/her that you are following in the footsteps of other great writers through history.  Tell that person it’s time for him/her to step up and do the same.

James Thurber didn't mind sounding off

Women Love Macho

For some time I’ve wondered why women weren’t knocking down my door while seeking a mate.  I thought I had some qualities they sought. Things like a secure job, own my house, healthy and in shape, a good listener and sympathetic soul. However, I have now discovered that they’re not falling all over themselves to reach me because I have too many pictures of me with various cats. I’m not the macho man they really seek.

 

The Models

Researchers at Colorado State University compiled data on whether women liked a man pictured with a cat or the same person sans cat. They preferred the cat-less guy.

 More Neurotic Guy

"Men holding cats were viewed as less masculine; more neurotic, agreeable, and open; and less dateable," the authors wrote.

 Macho Man

A short time ago I blogged about macho men. Basically talking about how society tends to push us towards that image.  However, at the time it didn’t occur to me that women would be drooling more for macho men then those wimpy types who hold cats.

 Wimpy guy

For years, we’ve heard stories or read articles by women who claimed they wished men were more caring, willing to show emotion, or had a more compelling desire to talk about their feelings.

 Macho, Macho Man

Little did I know that they were kidding. Nope, women want the tough, macho guy.  Oh, you probably clicked on the link above and read how the data came from women who were 18 to 24 years old.  You may have said to yourself “well, those young women aren’t like us more mature, experienced ones.” However, stereotypes and beliefs are not independent. They are taught or ingrained—from our elders.  So this means that it’s not just young immature females seeking macho men, it’s all of them. They’ve passed that desire to the younger generations.

 Agreeable and open guy

A few years ago I blogged about how women were just as superficial as men. I stated they stereotyped men just as much as men did women. However, I missed this new, important point. Then I posited that men tend to stereotype women based on looks while women did it towards men based on status and wealth. Wellllll, I should have guessed that women stereotype on looks just as frequently as men.

 I wanna be a Macho Man

Let this be a lesson to all men. Oh, you should keep your cat, they are great creatures with distinct personalities and qualities, but be careful about having one around when there’s a camera. And if you make a mistake and a woman you are attracted to discovers a picture of you with a cat, act fast. Tell her that the cat was your sister’s or better yet, an ex-girlfriend who insisted you hold the fur ball. That may actually get you a few extra points in her eyes.

 Ahhhh, James Thurber

We at The Thurber Brigade apologize for once again making fun of the foibles of women. We thought that it would be good to get away from another sidestep about police brutality or the idiocy of the guy occupying the White House. We also thought it would make us feel better as it points out that women are just like men and have a variety of tics, faults, misgivings and other less than perfect qualities that make us all human.