FA Cup Meets March Madness

The NCAA Basketball Tournament... March Madness they call it. Yeah it's mad alright, in a cash register ka-chinging kinda way! As we all know we can boil down college athletics these days to just a bunch of corporate suits exploiting small town hicks and inner city gang-bangers resulting in a whole lot of people getting rich. Yeah I know, they've got the Title IX tax, mustn't marginalize the women you know. But hey, there's plenty of money to go around so WTF? Well fine goddammit, it's the way of the world, I get it. But can't they at least TRY to make it just a little more fair? You know, for appearances sake?

Anyway I have a suggestion which I unfortunately can't take credit for but sounds promising. Let's do away with seeding. That's right, get rid of the automatic number 1 vs. number 'ain't got a fuqing chance'. Adopt the FA method, put all the names in a hat and have a draw.

Now the big schools will complain of course. Their argument will be that they should be rewarded for their magnificent accomplishment of going 30-2 in one of the most highly competitive conferences in the US blah, blah, blah. Yeah right! They want an advantage when they already have every advantage under the Sun. Right now it's like the Tournament is run by the Harvard admissions office. The draw I propose would 'democratize' things with no more free rides for the 1%ers. Yes yes Carolina might have to play Duke in the first round. OMG the horror! But then again we might get a Murray State that wins a couple, finds their tournament legs and actually plays up to potential. We might actually end of with a Final Four that doesn't include the same twenty or thirty national powers that have been national powers for the past fifty friggin' years.

But, as in politics it's all about money and power, so will it happen? Not a chance in hell. Nobody with a stake in this methodical madness wants a Murray State vs. St. Mary's final.

Failing Out of the Electoral College

The NCAAs are all set and I'm sure to be bitching/commenting about that, but for now let's talk some Electoral College.

It seems about a half dozen States have signed on to a National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC) that awards their Electoral College votes to whomever wins the popular vote among all the States combined, and that's even if the individual doesn't appear on their own State's ballot! Theoretically I could run as a write-in candidate and never get one vote in California (for example), but if I somehow received a plurality in the OTHER STATES then I would get California's 55 votes as well. This compact currently has about two thirds of the votes needed to elect a President (270), so it's the real deal not to be taken lightly.

To the casual observer this scheme may seem unconstitutional but not so fast my friend, the fact is state legislatures are given wide latitude in how they allocate their Electoral College votes. Now to anyone with a lick of sense this is obviously a recipe for disaster but I personally think it might not be so bad. As we all know the left is constantly pushing the envelope in terms of what they think they can get away with, and they've been pretty damn successful at (de facto) amending the Constitutional through judicial rulings and Presidential fiat. I've long thought federalism is dead and if successful this stratagem will be just another nail in the coffin. Leftists hate federalism for the obvious reason that if they are to achieve their goals then centralized power is a an absolute necessity. Tyranny cannot exist without centralized, concentrated power, that's just a fact Jack. But in my view this scheme to denude the Electoral College and further marginalize middle America will likely backfire and could very well precipitate the break up of the country (the law of unintended consequences rears its ugly head). Think I'm crazy? Hey join the club. But regardless of how this may play out, rendering much of the country basically unrepresented, well I just can't see Red America putting up with this for very long.

The NPVIC is an example of 'pure democracy'. Another example is two foxes and a chicken voting on what's for dinner. 

Let's dig a little deeper into this and see what's really going on. Just so you know the American left feels victimized (Bless their Hearts) as the left everywhere always has. For the National Socialists the Jews were the aggressors, for the Soviets the capitalists. For Chavez and Maduro the US is all things evil. The left ALWAYS FEELS VICTIMIZED and therefore justified in anything they do in response, and when I say anything that's exactly what history has proven...ANYTHING!

The way our Coastal Elites and their lapdogs in the DC Establishment see it they have the money, they have the population, they pay in more and receive less and they do this while giving away their political power to a bunch of hicks not fit to shine their Louis Vuittons. In 2016 they saw THEIR candidate lose to a racist, populist pig who treats women like shit (not that they ever would) and is completely and totally unacceptable as he is THE OTHER. They've had quite enough of Mr. Trump thank you and they're used to getting their way, and NO WAY they're living by the rules of Independence, Missouri or Gainesville, Georgia any longer. It's time to do whatever it takes, but THAT'S IT, NO MORE!

For our Establishment it's either us or them, and I happen to agree. If this NPVIC crap is allowed to stand it's all over. Let me give you just one example, THE VOTE. Who is allowed to vote in America? Well it has always been citizens of a certain age (and sex prior to 1919), but always CITIZENS. But now the left is openly trying to change that, and even if they don't illegals will take up the slack. Did you know only four States, RED states in fact, require proof of citizenship to vote? So some Naco from Juarez who arrived last week can saunter into the Board of Elections with an electric bill (to prove residency) and get a LEGITIMATE VOTER CARD. All our 'undocumented American' needs is to attest to his/her citizenship, in other words check a box. As you might have surmised Voter ID means exactly fuck-all in this situation. As we speak EVERY leftist State exploits this loophole to the tune of 5-20% of the vote, election after election after election (shout out to Mazzoli-Simpson 1986). With this NPVIC the big States are incentivized to crank up the numbers. Not only is their State in play the whole country is as well. So now you see why open borders is a priority. They need warm bodies (to supplement the cold dead ones they have maxed out presumably).

So I say this, bring it on. The country is too big, too "diverse" and therefore too divided. We in Red America (a misnomer if there ever was one) see things differently from the Elites. Let's try to negotiate an amicable divorce. It will be hard but necessary and the alternative will be one of two things; terrible violence with great loss of life or a terrible tyranny which will eventually culminate in great loss of life. If the Coastal Elites and their DC Establishment bum-chums want to move forward with the Chinese model then off they go, we'll stick to free enterprise capitalism thx. The Soviets Union broke up, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, not without some pain certainly but let's try to learn from their mistakes. I believe it can be done. To begin with we must recognize it's in ALL our interests. Nothing says we have to be enemies, we just fundamentally disagree on the way our societies should be structured. We can have a relationship similar to what we now have with Canada and Mexico. Will this happen, could it happen without bloodshed? I'm not sure. It depends on which brand of leftist holds sway in the Blue States, the radical, Antifa communist more than willing to embrace violence or the 'tech leftist' who thinks globally in terms of capital and control.

Regardless, the US of our forefathers has just about played out. Let's start thinking about an end strategy before things get out of hand.

Welcome Back My Friends....

Thank you, thank you very much, it's so good to be back. As you know I very much enjoy interacting with common folk, the little people, the people that make this country run so our Elites may enjoy a lifestyle unparalleled since Ancient Rome. So again, thank you so very much!
But why you may ask, after all this time, WHY COME BACK NOW? Well a number of things really. The NCAA tournament is cranking up, we're coming into an election year and there have been a lot of changes since I last posted TWO FRIGGIN' YEARS AGO, and frankly I have a lot to say and I'm sick of FB and Twitter. Plus even though I'm an opinionated sum-bitch I learn a helluva lot from you ingrates, halfwits and degenerates, and of course it's all about ME.
Now if you're new here this blog is my take on politics, pop culture, sports, family, whatever I like...but mostly politics. I'm sometimes profane, sometimes slightly humorous, sometimes so far off into left field you'll think I'm huffing industrial solvent, but I try to be as entertaining as possible. Now if you slept thru high schools civics that's ok, we don't judge here. We do however ridicule quite a bit and we're not averse to talking about your stupid ass opinion, but we won't talk about your mama (or your drinking habits, erectile dysfunction, the poor condition of your lawn or your daughter's promiscuity etc.). All comments and opinions are welcome but again, let's try to keep the personal insults to a minimum. If you must go there please do it in the nicest possible way.

Ok, now that we've got that bullshit out of the way let's talk some b-ball. STATE GOT FUCKED!

As anyone with eyes can see ((unlike NCSU forward DJ Funderburk) this bleach-blonde African is NOT 'going for the ball' as color man Mike Gminski said but is actually trying to injure a key rebounder and scorer, which he did. Coach Tony Bennett benched the guy for the rest of the game (out of fear of retaliation I'd say).
From a strictly basketball standpoint I love this Virginia team, they play hellacious defense and their guards are some of the best in the country. Down low they're good but not great (relatively speaking) and Salt is prone to taking the day off. They may get their #1 seed but I'd look for them to go out in the second round, if not earlier...just like they always do. After the aforementioned dick move I say good riddance.

UVa Coach Tony Bennett on a recent 'recruiting' trip.

Ok, enough about those cheating assholes in Charlottesville, let's talk about some other cheating assholes in Chapel Hill. This Tar Heel squad could go all the way, they are that good. I just don't see any weaknesses apart from not being able to stop Zion Williamson inside, but hey that goes for every team in the country. As my friend Bad Bob said about Duke/Carolina, these guys could play for a week and still be within a basket of each other. But I like the Heels chances better than Duke's. If the Blue Devils (and UNC) have proven anything it's that Duke is still a great team without Zion, but not a championship caliber team.

But generally speaking man we've got some great teams in the league this year, and they're the RIGHT teams too. No BC, no Pitt, no Syracuse, which are insults to the ACC. We have some of the best backcourts I've seen in a long time. Kinda reminds me of the late seventies and early eighties (shout out to Jim Spanarkel and Phil Ford...if he's sober). As the Sainted Jimmy Valvano once said, give me two good guards and a rebounder and I'll kick your ass (not an exact quote of course) and we got guards and we got rebounders.

Well that's all I have to say for today, the tournament will be set tonight and everybody will be working on their brackets. Not much politics today but stay tuna, we'll get there. Have a good day...now get outta my face.

Oh gee, almost forgot. HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY! 

Random Ramblings From the Psychotic Side of Town

Care to know why Rednecks have so much trouble with New Yorkers? Here's a good example: "Where Conn's Loss Ranks" in the New York Post. The article (by some guinea bastard named Mike Vacarro) describes the UConn women's defeat by Mississississississippi State as a momentous upset in the grand pantheon of American sport (which it was, you know, if you're into lesbo b-gall). Ok fair enough. We all know the University of Connecticut "Fighting Property & Casality Insurers" have a storied history in college basketball (at least since the 90s). But this porca stronzo ranks the Giants beating the Patriots in some long forgotten Super Bowl ahead of the USA/USSR hockey match in 1980. WTF man!? A bunch of college kids beat the Red Army team that just a few weeks previous had annihilated the NHL's best, but that ranks as less an upset than professionals beating other professionals?
But the one that stuck in my craw was as usual, Villanova/Georgetown in '85. Ok, I admit, based on their previous 28 meetings the game was an upset. But it wasn't THAT big, in fact I would call it a mild upset. Look, these were league teams. They knew each other intimately. In January that year the Hoyas beat 'Nova by two points. TWO POINTS! Their later meeting GT won by seven with late free throws making it seem ON PAPER less competitive than it was. These were two veteran teams, well matched, well coached, and Villanova was due for a win. The idea this was some world shattering upset is ludicrous and only a New York WOP with his Dago nose up some Catholic school's ass would even suggest such a thing.
Any objective student of the game knows the greatest upset in the history of NCAA basketball is NC State's victory over the University of Houston. The Cougars had two future "greatest 50 NBA players of all time" with Clyde Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon. We had a future women's figure skating commentator, bus driver and failed coach. This Houston team, had they won, would be talked about in the same breath as 1975 Indiana, '68, '71 UCLA, '57 UNC and '74 NCSU. Nobody, and I mean NOBODY gave the Pack a chance, and rightfully so. I repeat, THIS game my friends is the greatest upset in NCAA tournament history, and the Villanova/Georgetown contest doesn't even come close.
Now, on to this year tournament...UNC should have lost! I know, Carolina is a better team. That's true. But Oregon played the better game. One can only imagine the outcome had they had their best player suited up. Note to Oregon: Hit your free throws and block out.
Well, as you know I was looking forward to an 'All Carolina' final. I wanted the thrill of seeing the South Carolina Gamecocks take down the mighty Tar Heels. UNC is the Evil Empire. In the State of North Carolina they control the...well they control, that's all you need to know. What other school in these United States could run a bogus department with bogus classes for 18 long years and escape with a slap on the wrist? Back in the day SMU did much less and had their football program destroyed for all time. But it is what it is, no point in crying about it. If your goal is to run a basketball factory and semi-educate a bunch of debutants, penny loafer wearing pricks and leftist freaks, UNC does it as well as anybody I guess.
How 'bout them Zags? That guard of their's Nigel Williams-Goss (the Fifth Earl of Salisbury) is a friggin' machine. I don't think Carolina's guards can handle him. Plus, that big Pole with the beard, Karnowski! My God in Heaven, what a hoss! As I've said previously, I haven't seen that much West Coast ball this year so I didn't know, but that guy can play. When I first saw him I figured (as one does) he's just this big eastern European they found somewhere who's main function is to clog up the lane. No so! This big ugly white boy can play!
So, prediction time. I think Meeks and Big Ugly will neutralize the middle. UNC's star guard Joel Berry CLAIMS to be 100% but he ain't. I've seen too much of this kid this year. He's hitting on about 3 cylinders. Jackson for UNC is a beast so I give that to the Heels. The difference is Gonzaga's freshman forward/center Zach Collins. I haven't seen a kid this young play with such poise and skill since Bill Walton. So....I predict a close one with the Zags in a squeaker. We shall see.

North vs. South

What a tournament uh? Man I do love me some b-ball but hey, I'm from THE hot-bed of the game. That's right, that's what I said. North Carolina produced the greatest player of all time, Michael Jordan, who throughout high school had planned to attend NCSU because he so much admired David Thompson, who was unquestionably the greatest player in ACC history and arguably the NCAA (my money is on Lew Alcindor but certainly Thompson is top ten).

Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, New York City, we appreciate you, we do, but you're just filling out the card. The State of North Carolina is the King Fish, the Big Kuhana, the Mac-Daddy of college hoops...and God-damn-it don't you forget it. Alright, got that out of the way so let's talk some 2017 tourney action.

I have to say the Oregon Ducks look AWESOME! I mentioned in a previous post I haven't seen them all year but someone, somewhere, at one of the 37 sports bars I regularly frequent on a weekly basis said something about "Oregon lost their best player", so I dismissed them early. WRONG! These guys are quick as lightening, aggressive and can score. Jordan Bell is a beast. The only weakness I've seen is their coach kinda pulls them back a bit. Let 'em go coach. These dudes are having a blast, don't "Dean Smith" them out of a championship.

Zags are looking good too and I can't believe this is Gonzaga's first Final Four. Talk about a team knocking on the door, these boys are good enough to kick it in (to paraphrase Bum Phillips). And how about seven footer Przemek Karnowski? I hate to have to feed that dude but he sure would be handy around the house. Sidebar: I knew a guy like that in high school. A buddy had a flat in his Vega (remember those?) and had no jack. This kid held up the back while we changed the tire. True story.

Now comes Kentucky North Carolina. The good thing here is one of these filthy, rotten, spawn-of-Satan teams is going home. These two are the most arrogant, entitled, win at all cost and to hell with you programs in the history of college athletics. They break more rules than the Cook County Board of Elections, with much the same consequence. The best possible outcome is they BOTH lose, but actually I don't want that to happen as I have an ulterior motive. I'm backing the Heels. WHAT? Yes that's right I'm all in for the Tar Heel scum today. Not out of state pride or conference loyalty, but because there's bigger fish to fry...and that fish is South Carolina.

MY team this tournament is South Carolina. Now I'm not a Gamecock fan, but I've always believed they were family. SC was once a league team and many years ago a basketball POWER. They left the ACC in the early 70s but almost immediately tried to get back in. UNC blocked those efforts as they got their asses reamed out a little too often by the Cocks. They are OURS, not the SEC's. There is no greater rivalry in college athletics than SC vs. Clemson. SC versus State, UNC, Duke were great and I very much miss those days. We hated each other so bad as often as not we'd meet them on neutral ground in Charlotte. The thing is they belong with us, but instead we have fuqing BC and Pitt and Syracuse. Why don't we all just turn into a bunch of Damn Yankees and wear socks with sandals and Bermuda shorts? Jesus, I can't handle this shit. HAS EVERYBODY GONE CRAZY!

So, I want to see a South Carolina, North Carolina final and I want to remember the days of John Roche, Tom Owens and Kevin Joyce. I want to see the Heels bleed that Carolina Blue blood they're always harping about. I want the Old Well to burn, burn, BURN BABY BURN!!! I want the ghost of Frank McGuire to strike a righteous blow for truth and justice that will bring down the mighty Dean Dome and the corruption that built it. I want Chapel Hillians in funeral garb for the foreseeable future. I want UNC athletics to pay the price for their 18 years of bogus classes the cowardly NCAA refused to make them pay. I want the evil empire expunged from the annals of basketball history and Carolina forever remembered as UNC-CHeats!

Well, got that off my chest. Enjoy your weekend.

🎼I Got a Basketball Jones 🎶

We all know I'm a political genus, but you may not know I'm a depository and repository of all things basketball, especially ACC basketball. Wanna talk some Everett Case, Frank McGuire or Vic Bubas? Does the names Dick DeVenzio, Charlie Davis, Chris Corchiani or Bruce Dalrymple ring a bell? Seen him but not sure who Mike Gminski is or why he's on the tube? Well friends you've come to the right place. So let's talk a little b-ball, pacifically this years tournament. However I will entertain questions from the galley after I'm done.

So, let's go down the list. I was very glad to see Villanova lose but not so happy they lost to a Big Ten school. I'm torn between my anti-Catholic school prejudice (not anti-Catholic generally however) and my hatred for the Big Ten. But if I had to choose I suppose I'd pick those communist bastards from Madison as opposed to Philly scumbags (Hey yoos guys, want I should stop at Geno's? Fuck you Carmine, I'll smash your fuckin' face ya fuckin' fanook. We had a fuckin' hoagie for breakfast!).

How 'bout UVA? Jaysus H. what a fiasco! We all knew the Cavaliers couldn't score but this was ridiculous. 39 points, by a Division 1 NCAA tournament caliber team? 39 POINTS! Shout out to Coach Bennett, high school coaching needs a guy like you...but not the ACC. There are no defensive coordinators in college ball. Get to scoring or get to stepping.

South Carolina had an exception second half against Steve Wojciechowski's Marquette Warriors. WoJo is one of Coach K's progenies and either him or Chris Collins at Northwestern probably have the inside track at Duke when the time comes. I like the Gamecocks. They're scrappy and they know how to finish. Plus I miss South Carolina being in the ACC, but let's not get into that, I'd be here all day (God-damn BC, Syracuse and Pitt; Swafford...YOU SUCK!).

Gonzaga looks good as hell, Xavier dangerous as hell and West Virginia tough as hell. Notre Dame Coach Mike Bret paid WVU a nice compliment after their loss, he said the Mountaineers always field MEN! I like that. Too many 'one and done' factories out there these days.

Jayhawks vs Michigan State, Lewis-ville vs Michigan, Wichita St vs UK and Carolina/Arkansas should all be barn-burners. Look for the Razorbacks to give "Ole Roy" all he can handle. The guys from that other Fayetteville (the one WITHOUT Ft. Bragg) got their scare the other day and they have a little tournament history (bad blood) with the ACC. They've beaten Duke, UNC, UVA in a good few Final Fours and regionals. They are not the least intimidated. So I look for the Heels to go down like a Kardashian on a Lakers trans-continental charter flight.

There you have it. If you don't like basketball that's ok. TMC has film festival going on celebrating MGM musicals with films like Guys and Dolls and An American in Paris and I Was A Teenage Cross-Dresser, so everybody enjoy your Sunday.

Kill the Rose

Ok, now that we've had a chance to learn some more about Paul Ryan's new and improved Obamacare I have to say it ain't all bad. But I still hate it. Let me tell you why.

You folks all remember Napoleon I'm sure, he was the short one with the weird hat. Real smart dude and came up with some insightful one-liners. He once said if you set out to take Vienna, then take Vienna.  What he was saying was (of course) follow through on your commitments. Not because it is necessary for the current situation, necessarily, but because that was the declared course of action... and everybody is watching.

Ryan-Care may be the greatest but it still sucks. We sent Trump to the Whitehouse and gave the Republicans majorities to REPEAL Obamacare. We need to see headlines all across the country saying "HEARTLESS REPUBLICANS REPEAL THE WONDERFUL AFFORDABLE CARE ACT". I didn't say want, I said NEED! Conservatives and ESPECIALLY leftists need to know our people will do what they say. We want Democrats to loose their minds and go ballistic over Obamacare repeal. We want them to do what they do best...lie and demagogue. We want them spouting the most outrageous claims, the most over-the-top 'dying in the streets' hyperbolic BS possible. We want them in full meltdown mode. Then, and only then should the Republicans bring new legislation forward to address the real problems in our healthcare system, preferably with a return to market based incentives. If they do, a year from now premiums will go down, deducibles will go down, coverage will increase and quality will go up. It will be plain as day who the good guys are, and we can hang it all around the progressive neck.

Again, I don't care what Ryan-Care does or doesn't do. I care about the optics, the politics. We need a big bold win for our side and a devastating loss for the Democrats. If we go all in for a "fix" then we lose a rare opportunity, and if this thing falls flat, our side owns it. If Ryan-Care doesn't do ALL the things a free and open healthcare market can and will do (and it won't) we conservatives will feel cheated and the progressives will feel vindicated. They will do to us what we did to them since 2009. So if you don't want a President Trotsky (a rose is a rose) then you better hope this thing dies a quick death. Otherwise the death will be ours.

The Establishment NEVER Quits (or helps)

Do you trust these two? Like most folks I trust them to be themselves. Our Congressional leaders while useful, are not our friends. If I had to guess I'd say they view themselves much the same as British Tories, better administrators and smarter, more realistic policy makers than their Democratic counterparts. But ideologically, regardless of what they tell us (and themselves) they're not that much different from Harry Reid. They are the super ego to the liberal id, the "conservative" reason to the progressive passion. As evidence I present Ryan-Care.

Tell me, why has Obamacare failed? Well for many reasons but certainly not last on the list are the policy requirements. There were ten or twelve mandates that drove up the price of these ridiculous pieces of outhouse accutrements that made no sense whatsoever, unless of course your place of bidnez is the 1500 block of K Street. Maternity coverage for 60 year old women is my personal favorite.

But there's more. The folks who signed up were mostly the sick and elderly. Young folks hated Obamacare because...wait for it...they were forced to buy it (or pay a penalty), they're healthy and see no need, they're irresponsible, and lastly (and perhaps most importantly) they could give a shit. Plus, as if the aforementioned wasn't enough, there were little landmines built in like higher premiums for smoking. When a 22 year old goes for a mandated checkup and Dr. Feelgood starts in preaching healthy lifestyle stuff like you need to stop partying, start exercising and put down the _______ (fill in the blank; cigarette, joint, Jagermeister, crack-pipe, tit, dick etc. etc.) and they have to PAY for the privilege of being berated, well call me crazy but that ain't gonna fly. And have you ever tried to talk an Obamacare doc out of an oxycontin prescription? It's like pulling teeth, which unfortunately IS NOT covered under Obamacare.

So, did Ryan-Care (soon to be renamed Trump-Care by one and all) address these issues? No they did NOT. Is Grandma still gonna get her birth-control pills for nothing? Damn right! Is this pig gonna fly? You bet, right into Air Force 1 with Trump on board.

So keep listening to these guys with their "This is the best we can do right now, more to come later" bullshit. This is the best they're WILLING to do now or later. They have no desire to make Trump look good. They will do nothing, I repeat NOTHING to advance the Trump agenda. They proved time and time again they are just fine with leftist policies. They rolled over so much for Baraq Hussein Obama I lost count ages ago. They rode "we will repeal Obamacare" to majorities in BOTH houses. They have voted to repeal Obamacare several times (when it meant nothing) and now, with a Republican President, this is the SHIT we get?

If Donald Trump's presidency turns out to be a disaster, if he turns into the joke the establishment always said he was, it won't be Pelosi or Schumer who did it, it will be these two.

Ok, Let's Crank It Up Again

As both of you know (my two readers) I used to be a big fish in a very small pond, the Conservative Wahoo pond. I spent, gee, maybe nine or ten years expounding my world view (some say BS) to an audience primarily made up of ex-Navy officers and CW's ex-girlfiends. CW and I were a marriage made in heaven (in a heteronormative kind of way). We shared a love of politics and once had very similar opinions, and I genuinely like the guy. CW is very bright, hard working, ambitious, disciplined and focused, in other words all the things I am not. But I had something CW needed for a successful blog and maybe he saw that. After all our backgrounds are VERY different. He's a east coast guy working his way up the establishment ladder: UVA, Navy officer, think tanks, war colleges and defense institutes. I, on the other hand am just a Redneck from an obscure little tobacco town in Eastern NC. I joined the Army at 18 because my girlfriend dumped me. Three years Spec/4, public college on the GI Bill. I've been to DC three times in my life, once on a junior high field trip.

But again, I had (have) something CW needed (and still needs) but will never possess. That something is instinct. As gifted as my friend is, he is as politically nearsighted as anyone I've ever met. CW couldn't see what's just around the corner if his life depended on it, and in politics that is an absolute necessity. Plus there is no substitute for instinct, you either have it or you don't, and whatever other skills one may possess they cannot make up for the lack thereof. CW if you are reading this I apologize for pointing this out, and you have my permission (as if you needed it) to point out my innumerable flaws if you choose (both of intellect and character). But know this, I am forever grateful to you for allowing me to espouse my, as you say "over the top" views. As you probably know, most of the time I was only trying to have a little fun (I'm a fun junkie, always have been). So keep in mind we are still pals even though we've taken divergent and conflicting paths. I just wish the hell you had listened (heartbroken in fact). If you had I'd be visiting some big office in DC right about now and YOU would be making policy.

Well enough of that, all things must pass (as George Harrison once said). I was going to prognosticate and pontificate a bit but I find myself not quite in the mood now. So give me a few days and I'll give you a fresh portion of bullshit like only the Hammer can. Stay tuna.

Dragon Tattoo Thinking?

Stellan Skarsgård "interviews" Daniel Craig

Did you ever see "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"? I did. I thought it was one of the best movies I've seen in a long while. It was one of those movies where you go to bed and you're still replaying scenes in your head. The plotting was methodical but timely, it was very well acted with incredibly interesting, well developed characters... and the story, WOW! Although extremely weird it was wholly believable (verisimilar as an old professor once said). Again, one of the best movies I've seen in years.

The reason I bring this up is there's a scene in which the killer interviews the protagonist just prior to chopping him up into little bits. He's asking why the victim willingly came into his house. He knew danger was afoot. He knew this man was likely a serial killer. He knew all this and the killer knew that he knew, but all he had to do was invite the guy in for a drink. The killer was incredulous. Why would he do it? But he relates that they all do it, so apparently the desire NOT to offend is stronger than the survival instinct. And back in the world of the real I think that's probably true, at least much of the time.

This very same behavioral phenomenon may indeed account for much of our politics. Apparently we would rather risk death than offend someone. This is the root of political correctness, of group-think, of the Orwellian corruption of the language so adroitly and astutely used by the left to control us. Rather than say Black Lives Matter is a racist organization we try to rationalize their violence. God forbid we be misunderstood and called racists ourselves. And this is just one example, I could think of a hundred more.

The point is we need to all say what we're thinking regardless of the consequences, at least with the things that matter. I refer specifically to politics. I've said some pretty outrageous things over the years and sometimes even been right. I've pissed people off and made tons of enemies. But whatever criticism one may direct my way, being reticent is not one of them. If you ask my opinion you're gonna get it. My belief is people and ideas and systems all need to be vetted. How else are we to know what is valid or not? If we are afraid then the unafraid will use that fear against us, with terrifying results. In the aforementioned film Martin understood this crack in our human defensive system, Mikael did not. He was lucky enough to live through the experience, but it's not real life, it's just a movie.

Well Well Well, What Have We Here?

What do you know, the Brits are not complete idiots after all. In all honesty I'm a bit surprised. Yes yes, I knew it was possible but I thought knowing what I do about establishment types, and more importantly what they are capable of, I was sure they'd steal this thing rather than let it succeed. But this one was a hard one to steal. Will I tell you why? No prob, here's why. If you're gonna steal an election it helps if you know who to steal it from. The way this vote played out it's was the old labor strongholds of Newcastle, Sunderland and Merseyside that were most in favor of Brexit. Imagine that, working class voters rejecting an establishment that has betrayed them at every turn.

So, does this have implications for the American election? You bet your sweet ass it does! Immigration, trade and an insular government who's only care is the care and feeding of a monied elite were the issues in Britain and are the issues in America. We've seen globalization up close and personal...and it sucks. Oh it works just fine for the few, but the few don't elect folks. We are right now in the grip of a bureaucracy that hates the middle-class, a media that doesn't respect us, an education establishment that thinks we need "fixing" and a business/investment class that thinks we're a commodity to be used and thrown out the second something better comes along. We're like a stripper, as soon as things start to sag we're shown the door or the mop bucket, but we're still expected to give management free BJs.

The establishment made a good effort though. They went to the tried and true "scare the shit out of the rubes" playbook but it just didn't work this time. Nigel Farage hit back on immigration and Boris Johnson on free markets and capitalism. Not to leave out Merkel, she did her part with long lines of twenty-something Jihadists (thanks Angela!). But the real reason for this result is the same as in America; the establishment has told too many lies too often to too many people. They have blow the one thing any good politician or political movement must have...credibility. And that my friend is why Hillary Clinton will not win our election. Plus, just like in Britain it won't be conservatives who seal her doom. No, it will be the working class slubbs she and her kind have used and abused all these many decades, the ones who have voted Democrat (Labour) all their lives. THEY will be the ones who turn on her, and I'm sure it will be just as big a surprise.

Smells Like Team Spirit

Last evening, after all these many years I finally attended my first formal GOP meeting (of any kind). This was a small gathering held by the county Republican Party with a few local candidates and office holders in attendance.

To be honest I've never had any desire to involve myself in party business before as I always considered them functionaries long on enthusiasm and short on brains. Plus I don't really consider myself a Republican so much as a conservative/libertarian. Unpaid party folks always struck me as all "go team go" who would work their asses off for Nero if he were on the ticket. I am certainly not that guy.

That was the way I felt going into the meeting and that was the way I felt leaving the meeting. Look, these are nice folks with good intentions. They perform a vital service for the party with little fanfare or reward. I appreciate what they do, I just don't want to do what they do. Stuffing envelopes or knocking on doors or manning a phone bank is time I could be spending productively in a sports bar somewhere, and furthermore I'm an ideas man NOT a grunt.

A quick example of the kind of groupthink I'm talking about: One of the county commissioners was talking about the need for a new jail. Apparently with the huge influx of Nuevo Leonians moving into the area illegal hat dancing has quickly gotten out of control. But just this past year the county gave a European drug multinational a HUGE incentive package the benefits of which are dubious at best. So the county is strapped for cash (what county isn't?) but they give away money they desperately need for a fistful of promises. Do you think there was a word mentioned about that? Forgetaboutit! One guy asked about borrowing the money to which the commish agreed would probably happen. I almost fell off my damn chair.

See what I mean? It's all about the team, let's pull for the team, GO TEAM! And being the loud-mouth som-bitch that I am, this is NOT the environment for me. But I ain't giving up yet. I will attend another meeting or two, if for no other reason than out of spite. You see I was thrown off their FB page for not abiding by the rules (e.g. nothing critical, only positive happy talk). The party FB page is run by what could only be described as a couple of schoolmarms who have very little patience with a guy like me (the one in attendance last evening gave me the evil eye). But that's ok, I'm a big boy. Plus I've never been thrown out of a political meeting before so I'd like that on my resume.

The point is ideas and policies and performance must be vetted and defended. That's how you separate the wheat from the chaff and THAT'S what I bring to the table. I am the critic, not the actor, the pundit, not the policy maker. I don't like people well enough to be an effective politician but I can smell bullshit a mile away. I would very much like to influence my local government as I think they make some pretty hair-brained decisions on occasion and God-damn-it, it's my money too! But with people like this at last nights meeting the vibe was all Amway presentation.

So I'll give it a couple more goes and see what happens. I'm not optimistic however. Sheep tend to herd up and protect each other and I am definitely not a sheep. I am the WOLF.

Mitt is a Dipship! (but you knew that already)

Woke up bright and early this AM and lo and behold, I was outta hooch. So off to Food Lion for some Mad-Dog to get me by before the ABC Stores open. Life's a bitch, and by the way so is Mitt Romney.

On the way I'm listening to Jesse Watters on Fox/Sirius and it was totally disgusting. They were playing clips from yesterday's Romney interview with Wolf Blitzkrieg and brother-man let me tell you what, he was ragging Trump's ass down to the ground. Going on about trickle-down misogyny, racism, bigotry...blah blah blah. Heard it all before so not really a surprise. What was surprising when asked about Hillary he said that no, he couldn't vote for her due to her policies and positions. Nothing about how she turned the State Department into a cash register for the Clinton Foundation. Not a word about how she compromised our national security and endangered our soldiers, friends and allies with her NON-SECURE private server that a 14 year old in Finland could hack. No it was all about character with Trump but nary a word about Hillary's (or Bill's) character! No wonder three million stayed home! He thinks like a Democrat (Romney-care anybody?) so why bother voting?

Seriously, what could be more revealing? Trump is a racist for calling out an Hispanic judge that belongs to a racist organization dedicated to the at least partial destruction of the United States, but Trump is the racist? Where's is Romney's criticism of Japan, Mexico and most of the countries on this planet that actually try to protect their people and culture? 

The unwritten rule on American immigration has always been one comes here to assimilate, to become an American. You may be from Genova or Riga but that was then and this is now, become American or go home (and many did). But now we let in Islamists who will plainly and clearly tell us they have no desire whatsoever to adapt to the American way of life. They are Muslims first and last, now and forever. We have Central Americans who access our social safety net the minute they get here at rates of 80% and more. We have women flying in for the sole purpose of having a baby on American soil when they want nothing more than to steal from us and our society. We are the world's Walmart with no clerks or guards. If you can get through the door just take what you want and we have a political elite that will act as your guide (baby diapers? come with me I'll show you). Trump is trying to address this incredibly insane (on so, so many levels) situation but he's a racist! The world apart from Western Europe and America acts in their own best interests, and think us total fools for not acting likewise...AND RIGHTLY SO!

I've said this before and I'll say it again up to and until our GOPe friends get it: If you people screw up this election you will be cutting off your nose to spite your face. We, THE PEOPLE will never forgive you. You will never live it down. If you do indeed succeed in electing Hillary the Republican Party will never win another national election and the Republic will be for all intents and purposes dead. Your arrogance, your condescension, your misguided belief in your own infallibility will be your ruin. Personally I'm tired of trying to talk you idiots down from the ledge but unfortunately I'll go down with you. So keep on listening to Mitt Romney, and at the end of the day you will find yourself right where he is, at the corner of Loser and Bitter streets. 

The Eternal Bureaucrat

Do you see this bastard? This is the IRS Commish. He's a bastard. He's a lying, corrupt, arrogant bastard who thinks he is above the law. In fact he thinks he IS the law. It's very rare you see someone get in front of a Congressional committee and show their ass like he has, on several occasions. Himmler would have loved this guy, his Christian name isn't Reinhard is it? Maybe President Trump will introduce this guy to our FBOP bureaucracy.

Anyway the theme here is bureaucracy and bureaucrats and I had occasion to come in contact with our state health bureaucracy just recently. Amazingly (well not really) I could have been talking to the aforementioned bastard (did I mention he's a bastard?).

Here's the situation. A few years back we moved into our new house, an imposing estate far from the hot polloi we so detest (don't know if you've noticed but poor people smell different). But alas we were left with our old house and the dilemma of whether to rent or sell. As we were still in the shadow of the the housing crisis, caused of course by the Clinton era Community Reinvestment Act of which GWB was prevented from reforming by Barney Fwank but nevertheless received 120% of the blame for the inevitable crash thanks to our corrupt media (take a breath), we decided to rent the place. So one day I happened into Wells Fargo bank in an attempt to cash an NSF check written to me by (see above) the banking officer mentioned he was looking for a place. "It's your lucky day" I replied. So I drew up a lease and saw no need to perform a background check as the man was a BANK OFFICER! Wrong, wrong and "HOW COULD YOU BE SO FUQING STUPID!!! Turns out the guy was a total loser scumbag playing the minority card in the "you can't fire me" employment game.

Long story long he and his hoard of filth-mongers left the place in a right state. It is perhaps two notches up from your typical crack house with damage that defies belief. Some of the damage is just so bizarre and weird one asks themselves "How the fuq did they do that?". How is it possible, even if you tried, how is it possible to tear, warp, disfigure and discolor and/or generally ruin this or that even if that were your goal? What deranged mind could devise the destruction of something that for a normal person would require tremendous thought and effort when you know said individual would not put in ANY effort into anything for any purpose be it to destroy or not? It is the very definition of MINDLESS DESTRUCTION. It's a talent really if you think about it. The next country we want to take out we shouldn't even bother. Just drop in a few thousand shit-heels like this and they'll have the place ruined in no time.

So, to my point ('bout damn time Hammer, you long winded bastard!). Did somebody just call me a bastard? Never mind. So anyway, I go by the house to put in a few house of work (so far maybe 200 hrs and 10k) and there's an envelope in the door with the tenants wife's name printed on it and stamped CONFIDENTIAL. So I opened it (as you would). It was a form letter, delivered by courier from Raleigh (a mere 34 miles or an hour and a half round trip) stating that so and so needs to contact the NC Department of Public Health IMMEDIATELY due to an IMPORTANT health issue. Oh great I says. This bitch has left HIV or TB or Hep C floating around my house and I've been knee deep cleaning her filth for two weeks. So I decide the best thing to do is call the NCDPH and see what the issue may be. I call and eventually get some attitudinal asshole on the line and state my case. "Sir, I am aware you are prohibited from sharing other's health information but here is the situation (I tell him what's what). Now, the reason for my call is, and I need a yes or a no...am I at risk?" The bureaucratic piece of shit answer emphatically no, no way Jose, you are good don't worry about it. By the way, what's the name on the notice?

Do you see? The man is a creature of rules and regulation until such time of course the bureaucracy doesn't agree with said rules, in which case they are ignored with impunity. This jerk had no idea when he assured me I was not at risk when he had no idea who the subject was, what disease or condition and more importantly how easily this disease or condition could be transmitted. The guy had no time to pursue the stated goal of the bureaucracy, which is protecting public health. Why? Because that's not his goal. His goal is to draw a paycheck, expand the bureaucracy and look busy.

The broader point here is if you want America to be the great country it once was, the bureaucracy has to be brought to heel. They are servants of the people, not vise versa. Also, don't rent to scumbags!

Trump, La Raza and Why Political Correctness is DEAD!!

Oh My Lord! Did you hear? Can you believe it? Donald Trump attacked a sitting federal judge because of his race. Why it's outrageous! Charles Krauthammer bemoaned: "You can't do that in this country"...to which I say YOU CAN NOW!

Let's have a look at our impartial arbiter of justice shall we? US District Court Judge Gonzalo Curiel. He is a US born citizen of Mexican extraction, a fluent Spanish speaker and a proud member of the La Raza Lawyers of San Diego.

Hmmm, La Raza? Is that like a Chicano lawyer soccer league or something? No sorry, it's a racist organization dedicated to the violent (if necessary) reconquista (reconquest) of the American Southwest. Their membership runs the gamut from federal judges to politicians to gangbangers selling meth, and they ain't even bullshitting! Their motto is for the race everything, outside the race nothing. M.E.Ch.A is one of their armed and violent paramilitary offshoots currently ignored by the leftist media (too many violent, septuagenarian Tea-partiers to cover don't you know). You'll hear more about these guys and gals when they make their move, which could be soon. A few were in attendance last evening at a Trump rally and as you can see they are fond of hurling eggs (and insults) at Whitey. Thank God for camera phones otherwise the LA Times would have had the blonde throwing eggs and calling Mexkin girls PUNTA.

So Trump calls out a judge for consistently ruling against him when said judge belongs to a racist and violent organization hellbent on overthrowing the US Government, and this is deemed unacceptable? Well not anymore. Racism is racism and nobody gets a pass. Judge Gonzo should be impeached and thrown off the bench the same as any Klan member would be (and justifiably so). The days when we ignore the racism of minorities just because they are minorities ARE OVER! And we have Donald Trump to thank for it. All Hail the Donald!

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LGBT Rights to the Rescue!

As I'm sure you are aware we are having a bit of a dust-up here in Nor-Ca-lina about some ridiculous "bathroom law" passed by a bunch of blow-in Charlotte leftists elected by semi-literate minorities and know-nothing kids. The ordinance said anyone who "identifies" as this sex or that (regardless of biology) is entitled to use facilities designated for the sex they happen to identify with at any given moment. So a 40 year old man could waltz into the ladies changing area at Belks and if challenged simply state he identifies as a female and that's it, there would be nothing anyone could do legally or otherwise.
Now, in the State of North Carolina municipal government is a creature of state government. Everything they do is at the pleasure of the State. So the Legislature passed a bill (HB2) and the Governor signed into law a measure that said no individual shall use a facility unless said individual was of the sex so designated. This means that if you have a penis you are restricted to male facilities and if you don't then vis versa. True "transgendered" individuals who have undergone reassignment surgery would use facilities for the sex they have been "reassigned" to (I know, very confusing). Now keep in mind this is for PUBLIC facilities, not private. Some Triangle software company full of Queer Nation and Bash Back members could do what they like up to and including pissing out the window (presumably) if they like.
But apparently that ain't good enough for our progressives. Their position can best be illustrated by a recent Charlotte Observer editorial in which this was all equated to the Civil Rights struggles of the 60s and furthermore it is every 10 year old girl's duty to get used to male genitalia. "This is what the Obama administration nudged the rest of the country toward Friday. Yes, the thought of male genitalia in girls’ locker rooms – and vice versa – might be distressing to some. But the battle for equality has always been in part about overcoming discomfort – with blacks sharing facilities, with gays sharing marriage – then realizing that it was not nearly so awful as some people imagined."
As you might suppose "overcoming (the) discomfort" of knowing my daughter is behind closed doors with a grown man who at best is mentally disturbed and at worst a predator requires a bit more than a "nudge". And the idea that Obama's edict was just a "nudge" is ludicrous. It's full blown Federal Government intimidation.
But for me this represents a larger point, and that point is our cowardly conservative leadership. This is a HUGE opportunity! It's really huge, you wouldn't believe how huge it is. They should jump all over this "chicks with dicks" protection ordinance. Social issues are where Dems win because there is rarely any pushback as recently illustrated by our Senators Burr and Tillis (GOPe pussies). I don't give a rat's behind how "progressive" someone thinks they are, when their 14 year old daughter is in the loo with Ted Bundy they're going to go apeshit. Catch something like that on camera and the game is over. But sit back and let the progressives control the narrative, we lose and we lose ugly. But lest we forget, North Carolina is a "purple" state. So if you think this isn't all election year politics you are a naive fool and Senator Burr (the pussy) might want to give you a job.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/opinion/editorials/article77475147.html#storylink=cpy

The Kill Switch

Hillary must be a nervous wreck! There is no question she broke the law with her private server. There is no question if Obama's Dept. of Justice chooses to pursue indictments she is ruined politically and otherwise. In fact if they decide to go all out Hillary could go to jail. There's is absolutely no debate on these facts, and the State's Department's report released yesterday may be just the first salvo. I just don't know.

So what do we know? We know Obama, Valerie Jarrett, and Moo-chell all hate the Clintons like David Broder hated Nixon. We know Obama wants to remain a player in DC having just announced he will hang around a while after he leaves office (I'm just glad he's agreed to leave period). We know Obama LOVES Crazy-Joe Biden, affectionately referred to by the President as my "house caucasian". We know Obama does not trust the Clintons to carry on his legacy and suspects they will trash him (a la GWB) as soon as they gain power. We know the Clintons have tried to cut deals and make this all go away but Obama so far will not fold his hand.

This must be all very troubling for the Democrat Party, Debbie Wasserman-Shultze and every middle-aged, Krispy Kreme eating fat chick in the Western Hemisphere. Obama has his hand on the kill switch and they only thing stopping him is who will be the replacement and can they beat Trump. Obama is a "big move" kinda guy. He doesn't think small. If he can satisfy himself that #1 Hillary can't beat Trump so there's nothing to lose and #2 Old Joe has a much better shot even at this late date...well Hillary is in deep do do. So far #1 is close to being proven. Hillary is a lousy candidate and has more baggage than the Titanic. #2 all depends on Crazy-Joe. Can't wait to find out what happens.

Whoa! You Can't Do That!

I like 'Morning Joe'. Scarborough is a dick, Mika is an unreconstructed Stalinist (like her father) and Nicole Wallace is a turncoat skank, but I like them. The parade of effeminate intellectuals (one martini away as they say) and leftist newspaper hacks always give away what the Democrats are thinking, even when they lie. Well especially when they lie.
This morning it's all about Trump bringing up past peccadillos of Bill Clinton. That's what Democrats calls Bill's whoring (voluntary or involuntary) "peccadillos".

peccadillo |ˌpekəˈdilō| noun: a small, relatively unimportant offense or sin.

Pardon me all to hell but I don't put much stock in a leftist fretting about the demise of the Republican Party OR the direction of Trump's campaign. Everyone on that show this morning looked very disturbed by Trump. How can he win? He's not being "Presidential"! To which I say HALLELUJAH! Anybody who thinks the Clintons will be beat by letting them control the narrative is a fool. If this were Mitt Romney he'd be answering for every affront to gays, women, minorities (whatever and whomever) since the beginning of time, ALL THE TIME! Trump is a damn genius. He keeps the Clintons on their heels, always defending never attacking. The only question is will he be able to keep it up? Don't know, we'll see.

One thing is for certain, Hillary is no more than the coach's son and just because she got in the game doesn't mean she can play. In fact she's been a failure at every job she's had. Tell me, is our standing and security enhanced by Hillary's term at State? HELL TO THE NO! The woman couldn't run a long turd. The only reason she is where she is is because of her husband's political talent and her ruthless defense of his criminality. So there you go, that's what's she's good at; intimidation, backstabbing and behind the scenes bullying. Well she picked the wrong son-of-bitch this time because Trump is a master at this game.

You may not like Trump and at the end of the day I may not like Trump either. But one thing he is doing that sends a thrill up my leg is he's getting a little payback! He is in the process of positioning the Democrats for just what they are, users and hypocrites, and the beauty is he's using the Clintons to do it. So for the moment I'm going to set aside my reservations about The Donald and just sit back and enjoy. It just don't get any better than this!

Well, That's was a Good Start!

Wee doggie that inaugural post sure was fun! Proving once again, NOBODY can piss people off like the Hammer, friend and foe alike. So... let's keep up the momentum shall we?

In my defense I'm a little pissed too. From the Tickbite perspective it's getting a little too real with the mischief our #nevertrump friends are getting up to, so I'm going to try to cut through some of the bullshit and see where the problem lies.

If I understand the anti-Trump fanatics, their biggest gripe is The Donald is NOT a conservative. He is a marginal business man with no discernible ideology, ready to do business with anyone at anytime for anything so long as there's a buck in it for him. As proof our #nevertrumpkins say, one need only look at his shady business dealings and political contributions over the years and the evidence is overwhelming.  I, believe it or not, don't disagree. So he is not a conservative, but my question is as opposed to what? Does Paul Ryan or Mitt Romney or John Boehner represent what you call a "conservative"? That's fine if they do (we must do that "BIG TENT" thing you know) but in Hammer-World they're about as conservative as David Cameron. So complaining about Trump while championing these clowns is a little inconsistent wouldn't you say?

But hypocrisy aside, I remain more than a little suspicious as to the real objective of the #nevertrump crowd. Is it Trump they object to or is it #nevertrump, #never-tea-party and most especially #never-anybody-but-me? In my opinion this whole exercise isn't about Trump. Oh for some it may be but for the consultant class and the party insiders this is about power and who has it, and if they are threatened with an outsider they can't control then said outsider is gonna get nailed. It's plain as day. They have stated over and over they would rather Hillary than Trump. Why I ask? Simple, if Hillary wins they maintain their power and positions even though they lose the election. If Trump wins they are OUT! So if the choice is between the country or their power, well, as you can see.

The GOPe will come around. They are not fools and they know Trump could very well win without them, which would be the worst possible outcome from their point of view. So all this #nevertrump stuff with Paul Ryan's posturing is I believe just a negotiating tactic. They want one of their guys as #2 just like GHWB was foisted on Reagan.

The bottom line is this, at this stage of the game the GOPe is using the #nevertrump crowd as foot-soldiers to gain concessions from Trump. They are never NEVER-anybody if a deal can be made. Oh I'm sure they hate Trump with a passion. But they'll do business with him and ride it out and who knows? Maybe he'll turn out to be ok. The only problem is these #nevertrump folks may #never-recover. There's nothing more distasteful to a career Machiavellian politician than some naive chump who actually believes in something. A guy who can't be bought is a guy that can't be trusted. So to the extent these rabidly anti-Trump folks stick to their principles (which I admire greatly) will directly correlate to the damage they do their careers. Ain't saying it's right just saying it is.

Crazy is as Crazy Does

The old CW we so admire 

Our friend in pain

As you may know, our good friend CW has gone mad. There is something about the rise of Trump our poor Conservative Wahoo just can't come to grips with. My observation is the progression has been like many diseases, gradual but steady...and devastating. There have been no noticeable moments of clarity or introspection, just paranoia and withdrawal. It breaks my heart to think that one short year ago we had a vibrant, intellectual powerhouse always ready to discuss and debate. Now all that's left is a narrow, linear thinking automaton unwilling to even talk unless one prefaces their remarks with 'Bill Kristol said this or Ben Sasse said that'. He is a hollow shell of the man he was and I am totally dumbfounded as to the remedy. All I know is at this critical time we must show compassion and support. As Nietzsche once said (to paraphrase), be careful staring into the abyss, it might stare back into you. CW has jumped headfirst into the abyss and he alone must find his way out. I will offer all the encouragement I can but I'm not optimistic. It's hard to walk-back fighting words and CW has indulged his inner demons way too often. But regardless, I hold no grudges and I am here for my friend. When he's ready to rejoin the world of the sane, I for one will be ready to accept him.