As Donald Trump (R-NY) successfully sidesteps his own explosive devices, something to ponder. The Bloviator’s base is very loyal, but his disapproval numbers are high. Therefore, could his current poll numbers be both his ceiling and his floor?
Speaking of The Bloviator, he’s not stupid – so his talk about a third-party candidacy is (in my opinion) just more hot air. After all, he cannot get on the ballot in Ohio (a must-win state) because Ohio has a “sore loser law” preventing him from getting on the ballot. Yes, Ohio’s Secretary of State has already declared it so.
Although “debate” is the descriptor, this statistic helps demonstrate why these aren’t debates while also providing rationale for my pods-of-4 model.
For the interested, he next Republican debate is Wednesday, September 16th on CNN.
Here are two articles for the political wonks who want to read about the conservative media’s influence on the Republican party: Recent and one from Oct. 2014.
For those who remember Mr. Haney on Green Acres, this is a must see. Of course, I’m curious to see who checks it out.
This new commercial from GEICO insurance made me laugh.
It wasn’t a good week for me visiting blogs. 😦
Collaborating with Marina for On Blue was a pleasure, and readers appreciated the dualism we provided through words and art. Marina made me two images that she posted on her blog when reblogging our post. For space purposes here, I melded them together as one, but you can tell where the two meet. Thank you, Marina.
On a personal note, I know my first gay couple who recently married – and I’m proud of the fact I went out of my way to congratulate them when I saw them at church.
Mark this date on your calendar – Tuesday, August 25th at 9:30 pm for the opening act of Dance: The Musical. (The musical will be running on Tuesdays, not Wednesdays.) More information is on the Here Ye page.
The Explore series continues on Saturday featuring a wonderful video about a person, place, or thing.
To lead you into The Onion, here’s their video explaining Putin’s Russia.
Weekly Headlines from The Onion (combos welcome)
Nation’s pansies announce plan to slowly acclimate to pool
Single women with 3 young children unaware she is subject to 984 judgments today
Coworker retreats to remote corner of office to complete disgusting food order
Rescuers heroically help beached garbage back into ocean
New statewide education standards require teachers to forever change lives of 30% of students
Interesting Reads
The future of America’s slums
Cars in Cuba
Not everyone likes kissing
Now 40 years old – The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Selling lingerie in Egypt
To send you into the weekend, here’s a flashback to a before expressways. I enjoy Asleep at the Wheel, but this version from them is new to me. Have a safe weekend and in the words of Garrison Keillor, Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.
You’re right, Frank, this wasn’t a debate, it was a ratings grab by Fox and they placed Trump right in the middle of it. Literally. Egomaniacs like Trump love attention and the media and their thirst for ratings have been only too willingly to oblige. He’ll go away reluctantly at some point.
Love the commercial.😊
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George,
Not only a ratings grab, but a PR move by the party … after all, the party works with networks to determine the schedule, which is part of their marketing. Oh yes – the love/hate relationship between Trump and the media is a win-win.
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“could his current poll numbers be both his ceiling and his floor”—Probably true. Great insight. I think you should be commentating on CNN. If you do, promise you’ll use the term ‘Bloviator’?
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Carrie,
If I was on CNN, I would absolutely use Bloviator .. and Nincompoop … .and would resurrect Jackwagon.
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Awesome!
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I don’t think Trump is worried about the “sore loser law” in Ohio. In his mind, he’ll win every state he’s on the ballot by a landslide, becomes president, and then bombs Ohio in retaliation.
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X,
Before bombing, I would imagine he would sue first. After all, I imagine some states would cave into his pressure.
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Trump–I just wish he and his bloviation would just disappear. I could say that of our governor in NJ, too, but I just don’t see how anyone can consider Trump as a candidate.
Some of those Onion headlines are a little bit too close to the truth this time! 🙂
My husband and I saw Asleep at the Wheel long ago at a concert when we were in college. We had never heard of them, but from what I remember it was a fun concert. I think I might have heard this version on the radio, maybe American Routes?
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Merril,
To me, good satire seems real. Meanwhile, sure seems Gov Christie is going nowhere … but I did enjoy the clip of his encounter with Rand Paul.
Hooray … cheers to you seeing Asleep at the Wheel. Here’s their normal version of this great song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMWLl4KcELI
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Thank YOU, my friend! Wishing you a wonderful weekend! 🙂
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Marina,
Thank you for the gift! … hope it look acceptable as a combo.
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It looks fine, my friend!!! 🙂
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I loved the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
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Catherine,
What did you like about it?
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Everything! I was one of those who would act out scenes when at the movies, toast, lighter, newspaper on head, etc.
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Now we know.
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I’m a big fan of Green Acres, Frank, and I found the clip about free healthcare very funny. Unfortunately, all too many people don’t think any farther about the subject than stuff like this skit. Until they need some healthcare themselves, that is. The truth is that services under the ACA still involve payment and many insurance deductibles are high – nothing is free. Here is a letter I sent to our local paper just this morning on the subject:
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Jim,
Cheers to you sending a well-thought letter to the editor. Did others respond to you? No question that the people did a lot of information about the ACA. As a matter of fact, I’ve felt the government as a whole has done a poor job of educating. That aside, I hope you realize why I selected this video.
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Frank,
Actually, I wasn’t quite sure why you selected the hilarious Green Acres clip on healthcare and I’m not so sure your readership was either.
Political attitudes are rigid things and people often view things through a fixed lens. I had an uncle, I’m sorry to say, who thought professional wrestling was real. This last week an acquaintance of mine at the YMCA, knowing of my political persuasion, engaged me in a conversation and ended up labeling me as a communist.
Sometimes you have to spell things out. Final piece of evidence: look who’s leading the GOP field in the polls! 🙄
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In terms of the video, I was intentionally subtle. Because you took a peek, here’s the scoop … I was comparing voices: Ted Cruz & Mr. Haney. Now rewatch it in that light.
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P.S., My letter to the editor hasn’t appeared yet. I anticipate it will in tomorrow’s Sunday edition.
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Hope you get it published and create dialogue.
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Route 66….ahhhh I was so in love with Martin Milner and George Chakiris…and of course…THAT car!! I haven’t done such a fine job of keeping up either, aFa…hope all is well.
We’ll have to have that cuppa before winter. You game?
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Raye!!!!
Greetings to the Queen of the Rose City! Overall, life is well. Cincinnati is in the throws of August heat and humidity (not my favorite), but fall is approaching.
I imagine you’ve been busy with the gardening gloves and tools … then finding some relaxing time tinkling the ivory keys with a cuppa nearby. Is my guess close?
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Very close, aFa: Celebrated my first year anniversary in my house with a neighbourhood BBQ, clean (or try to) my nails daily of accumulated garden dirt, played/practiced Bach piano duet(s) with friend Rosie for the first time in…forever! Celebrated all accomplished with enormous cinnamon latte(s). And, yes! fall is in the air…winding down and more time to sit at the drawing table once again.
Whew!!!!! Life is good!!! RRR
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Glad to see that my guess was close. Cheers to all your joys! Also, I toast to your first year in new address.
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PS: Here’s something for you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zw1tiNGQ4wI
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Oops…should have researched and not relied on memory…It is and was George Maharis and not George Chkaris as stated in my original comment. Apologies, aFa.
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Heck .. I didn’t even catch it! … but I knew you would enjoy this clip!
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Been traveling. Wifi access is always dicey. I think that has been a fortunate thing. Missed out on a lot of the donald’s trump-eting. I don’t think he actually wants to be president. Too many checks and balances built into the position by our constitution.
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Jim,
I’ve sure you had wonderful travels. Where did you go? in terms of The Donald, on thing for sure, he loves the attention.
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Very interesting article on Cuba and the old cars. Those special ramps for jump starting them is a brilliant idea. Have a great weekend, Frank. 🙂
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Sylvia,
Glad you enjoyed the article about Cuba and its cars. It will be interesting to see the cars changing once economic markets open and quality of life improves.
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Great week this week Frank. Enjoyed it.
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John,
Thank you, Sir … and I hope you had a good weekend (running a bit late at this end).
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Yes, I did. Thanks
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Here’s my Onion: “Coworker retreats to remote corner of office to slowly acclimate to New Single women”
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Fasab,
Darn it … he got to her first!
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Loved this post. It took me awhile to read it….Learning more and more about the things you write about. Like the “Onion”.
Chicken is on the menu for Saturday. Finally. Danny enjoy his meatloaf and taters.
Happy Saturday. Enjoy.
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Sarah,
Running late at this end … but trying to catch up!
As you are learning, I have a wide range of topics in my little corner of the world. Way back when, I started as as mainly politics and sports … but broadened quite a bit over time.
The Onion is a great source for satire, so always like working them in. Meanwhile, hope the chicken was tasty and cheers to meatloaf!
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Interesting article about the cars in Cuba. The lead editorial in today’s Cincinnati Enquirer follows it up.
I respect your assurances that Donald Trump will fade into oblivion. However, I’m a little nervous that a few Trump wins in the early Primary state elections could set off a GOP shark feeding frenzy over a weakened Hillary Clinton, that could lead to the unspeakable situation of the Republican Party actually nominating The Bloviator to head the 2016 GOP ticket.
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Tim,
I know of the Cuba editorial in our paper, but haven’t read it yet. Meanwhile, I see a parallel between your Trump thoughts and your golf game …. you think too much.
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You’re correct that talent ‘trumps’ thinking every time!
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Fun post, Frank! The GEICO ad is a hoot (I love the Free Range Chicken one a lot, too) The Cruz?Haney deal is a riot & Route 66 is fun. Thanks!!
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Resa,
Cheers to you enjoying the GEICO commercial … and (as you know) their ad group is a tad creative … and glad you saw the Cruz/Haney clips as I simply thought the similarity of their voices is a hoot.
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I like Putin, if it were not for his actions, America and its allies would be in full blow war in Syria, however, Putin submitted that, Syria give up its chemical weapons (the only reason that Syira had the weapons in the first place is because Israel keeps threatening its existence and pilfering land, like The Golan Heights) with inspectors to verify that this was done, and it was.
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Genie,
Then again, there’s always Putin on the Ritz. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IV4IjHz2yIo
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Frank, that’s over the top hilarious!
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In the words of Elvis, thank you very much.
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We had Rocky Horror Picture Show parties with dress-ups. It was a hoot.
Amazing – 40 years. Whew … where does the time go.
Have a great weekend … !!! 😎
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Isadora,
Wow … you’ve released a little known hidden gem about your personality to us. Can you tell us which character was your attire?
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I will definitley be watching the next Republican’t “debate.”
Trying to keep an open mind. But – the go back into the dark ages mentality & “religion” as a cloak to hide behind while actions show differently is hard to swallow.
LOL – on the Green Acres / Ted Cruz bit.
And – those Geico commercials are so catchy & memorable.
YAY for attending a gay wedding. I’m so happy for marriage equality. #LoveIsLove!
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RoSy,
I haven’t officially decided on the next debate, but I imagine I’ll pass again … I want the field to narrow before I give it some time.
Now that you’ve watched, does Ted Cruz sound like Mr. Haney?
A clarification about the newly married gay couple. They held a private wedding, and I wasn’t there, but I did want to congratulate them.
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Sounds like a plan.
LOL – he sure does. Sad part is he’s running for office & people support his thoughts. Eek!
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