Should he stay or should he go?

President Trump Returns from New

Anyone who has spent even the slightest miniscule of moment in time around here knows what I think about that question…

However, after listening to most of the Supreme Court hearing yesterday (yeah, I know, I know… I need to get a life obvs) but be that as it may, it didn’t take long for me to realize that it isn’t even going to be close as to how the Supremes are going to decide — Trump will not be denied ballot access by them. Even the left of center Supreme ones were unable to contain their skepticism of the argument before them, either of that argued by the lawyer representing those heroes bringing the suit, or of that by the one arguing for the state.

Justices across the ideological spectrum expressed skepticism about several aspects of a ruling from the Colorado Supreme Court that Mr. Trump’s conduct in trying to subvert the 2020 race made him ineligible to hold office under a constitutional provision that bars people who have sworn to support the Constitution and then engaged in insurrection.

Supreme Court Justices Appear Skeptical of Arguments to Kick Trump Off State Ballots, New York Times, February 8, 2024

Actually, I do have ever so slightly mixed emotions about the argument myself, especially since Trumpadump was never convicted of insurrection by a court as far as I know; although, he was certainly convicted by his words and deeds in the court of common sense, at least the one governed by yours truly.

What miffed me most about yesterday’s hearing, besides the fact that the ruling will not go the way of common sense, was “Justice” Alito’s argument, or line of questioning, concerning his concern that if the Supremes were to rule that Trump is to be denied ballot access nationally, that the ruling could cause serious national strife (my words poorly paraphrasing his).

For one, as long as Trump continues to breathe, he will cause strife, nationally and beyond, just by continuing to breathe, so what’s a little more on his account, especially when it’s for such a worthy cause?

For two, why should such a concern even be considered in regards to the constitutionality of the case before them, or of any case for that matter?

I mean, if we allow such emotional concerns to govern our rule of law, if we are concerned that a constitutional ruling might cause harm, then obviously the parent(s) of a family struggling below the poverty line should be allowed to steal from the local X-Mart to feed their malnourished children, right?

I mean, now there’s some strife that is being faced by far too many families nationally, yet if a parent were to be caught stealing to feed their family as often as Trump has been caught for all his countless illegalities, then 9 times out 9, that parent will go straight to prison – even more so if race is factored in. Right?

Right?!

Anyway…

#joestrummersghostforpresident

Transgender Community* Trumped by the Arc and Bent of Autocratic Politics

My fury throughout the whole last campaign to and through the election until now has never been much about politics.

Politics in this country, while they have been expanding outward toward the wacky fringes leaving the mostly moderate radicals (the rarity of moderates these days makes us rather radical) like myself quite lonely, have always, and hopefully will continue to, arc this way and that.

Because if our politics are not forever fluid and free to flow this way and that depending upon the tides of our national temperament, then it must mean that someone must have dammed up our river of democracy.

Metaphors… sigh.

Anyway, I don’t know if you’ve read my about page but there you will see in one sentence how I feel about politics and politicians…

To me, politics is simply acting for ugly people. Pretty actors go to Hollywood; ugly actors go to Washington DC.

Consequently, as our politics arc to and fro in this country, our politicians arc right along with them…only always just slightly behind the arc as they forever fail in their efforts to try to predict its toing and froing.

No, my fury for the most part has been directed solely at Trump and his bent towards authoritarianism; which means then that the more he contorts himself into a true to life autocrat, the more he is strengthening his power at the expense of my freedoms…

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If I Were a Machiavellian

700px-portrait_of_niccolo_machiavelli_by_santi_di_tito

I’ve tried to read Niccolò Machiavelli’s THE PRINCE several times throughout my reading existence but thus far I haven’t been able to finish it.

But I did watch that risqué/raunchy TV show about that bad, Bad Pope called “Borgia” (not “The Borgias” mind you; still haven’t seen that one yet), so I have a pretty good TV idea about the dude on whom Machiavelli based his “prince.”

Anyway, for some reason I’ve been thinking about Machiavellianism lately.

Not sure why, but according to that informational cyberwonderland called Wikipedia, it appears I’m pretty much a “Low Mach” kind of guy. However, just the fact that I am a guy, a typical one at that, pretty much guarantees that I’m a of a higher Mach than the typical kind of gal.

Here are some interesting quotes regarding Machiavelianism:

Machiavellianism is “the employment of cunning and duplicity in statecraft or in general conduct”.

Machiavellianism is also a term that some social, forensic and personality psychologists use to describe a person’s tendency to be unemotional, and therefore able to detach him or herself from conventional morality and hence to deceive and manipulate others.

Machiavellianism is one of the three personality traits referred to as the dark triad, along with narcissism and psychopathy.

People scoring high on the scale (high Machs) tend to endorse statements such as, “Never tell anyone the real reason you did something unless it is useful to do so…”

Hmm… it seems that I know someone who might possess one or all of those of the “dark triad.”

Yes, I’m sure I do know someone who is Machiavellian, narcissistic, and psychopathic.

The name’s not coming it me right now but I’m pretty sure I know someone Just. Like. That.

Anyway…

Sometimes it seems that life would be much easier if I were to be more Machiavellian; if I were to only worry about myself and my needs; to see others only as either obstacles or opportunities to satisfy my needs.

Yeah…

Hey! If you’re interested in knowing whether you’re a High or Low Mach kind of human, you can take the test here.

Post your score in the comments for us…

If you feel it would be to your benefit to do so, that is.