Negative Man Singing in a Karaoke | People Like Us DOOM PATROL 1x08 [HD]...

Leon Redbone - "Walking Stick" Live at the 1973 Buffalo Folk Festival

Fantasyland: How America Went Haywire: A 500-Year History by Kurt Andersen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Anderson presents a history of the United States, looking at just what it is about us that makes us different from so many other industrialized nations. We were indeed created and populated by people willing to accept fallacies and ideas that were often rejected by contemporaries across the ocean. The Disneyfication of America began before Walt created his first theme park, as is evident in how showman like Barnum and Buffalo Bill were able to make believers our of generally skeptical folks.

The books looks at how Evangelical religion and ultra-conservative politics merged to become a force that shaped the political and social framework of the nation over the past century.

I found the book fascinating, but am sure that folks to the Right of me politically and more accepting of mainstream religion might have a problem with some of Anderson's positions. If nothing else it makes clear what it is about the "American" way that can lead to our current situation and the rise of "reality TV" stars to the highest office in the land.


View all my reviews

Powerful poem about sexual abuse delivered by Halsey at New York Women’s...

pete seeger which side are you on

Cardi B Speaks On The Government Shutdown

Liberal Redneck - The God Damn Wall

Trump's Favorite Things! - A Randy Rainbow Song Parody

Voting this November

I just received my ballot yesterday, since I'm signed up for mail-in ballots.  Donna and I always had a hard time trying to coordinate our schedules so we could go to the polls at the same time. We figured this would make things easier for us.

It's hard, at this point, to remember that I used to vote Republican in some local and state-wide elections. I've always been pretty liberal, but back in Connecticut there was a moderate/liberal wing to the GOP that brought us folks like Lowell Weicker.  Sadly, the party has moved so far to the Right that I don't know if Weicker can recognize it today.  Hell, I think Barry Goldwater would be out of step now and even Reagan would be considered a moderate with little hope of getting elected.

I haven't even opened the ballot, but already know that it's probably going to be close to if not a straight Democratic list for me. Although there are a few incumbents I'm not crazy about I suppose I'll bite the bullet as I did in 2016 and go Blue Wave. I wish I still had faith that the Green Party was more than a joke every four years.  Since we Democratic Socialists remain in the main party that waters down much of what we wish to do.  I've given up hope for a true Progressive party to make any inroads in my lifetime.

In case, anyone wonders things are going pretty well with me. My health is pretty good, but all my doctors agree that it's time I take weight loss seriously.  I know why I gave up caring, but now I have an important reason to start taking better care of myself.  I would like to be around for a few more years.

I know I always make this promise, but it probably is time to start posting here more frequently, not not just sharing videos.  If anybody is still out there, remind me that I still have two blogs.

Peace out!

Geese in Lake Forest, CA

IF YOU EVER GOT IMPEACHED - A Randy Rainbow Song Parody

NRA Going BANKRUPT

Josh Olson on THE TRIUMPH OF THE SWILL (You'll want this to be true)

Bitch Grandpa Whine Man

Violent brawl breaks out on Carnival cruise ship

Gateway to Sedona DEBUNK

The Public (Emilio Estevez Movie) - Official Trailer

A situation we should take a moment to think about. This film may be controversial and will no doubt promote debate. 

I've been a Librarian for over thirty years and admit to being conflicted.

Donald Trump Garners Support From “Fake” People

One Day at a Time: Trying to move forward

For those of you who might not know, my wife and best friend, Donna, passed away on Aug. 13th of this year.  To say it was a tragedy doesn't even come close to capturing how this has effected me and the rest of her family. To those who knew her, Donna was a force to be reckoned with.  Until the very end she was as active as her health would allow and was making plans for the future after I retired this coming December.  We had some adventures planned and I'm sure they would have been amazing.

People, who I know mean well, keep asking me how I'm doing.  There are two answers to that question.  There's the one I always give, which is the one they want to hear.  Basically what you see in the title of the post. "I'm getting by one day at a time."  It makes them feel good I believe and that usually ends the conversation.  The other is one I keep to myself and is the real answer. I'm in a very dark place, one darker and deeper than the one that Donna rescued me from all those years ago.  If not for Kristina and Sarah, I'm not sure I'd really want to 'move on' as I see nothing out there.

Maybe, if I had faith or belief it would be different.  I could pin my hope on some future date when there is some grand reunion in the sky.  I call bullshit on all that and at this point don't care who knows it.

For Whom Has Trump Made America Great? | The Resistance with Keith Olber...