Category: Arts & Entertainment

No comments

First they Came for…

  By , , , , , , ,

First They Came for…

First They Came for…

 

By D. S. Mitchell

One of the most poignant and powerful pieces of prose ever written about silence, apathy and the end result of such inaction in the face of injustice was written by Luthern pastor, Martin Niemoller.  The piece was created from a collection of speeches written by Niemöller (1892–1984). In the 1920s and early 1930s, Niemoller supported many Nazi ideas and the right-wing political movement. But after Adolf Hitler came to power in 1933, Niemöller became an outspoken critic of Hitler’s interference in the Protestant Church. Niemoller spent the last eight years of Nazi rule, from 1937 to 1945, in a Nazi concentration camp.

The central message is that silence in the face of injustice makes us complicit. The words remind us of the importance of collective responsibility, emphasizing that an attack on any group’s rights is a threat to us all. The quotation expresses Niemöller’s belief that most Germans had been complicit through their silence in the Nazi imprisonment, persecution, and murder of millions of people. He felt this was especially true of the leaders of the Protestant churches.
First They Came
First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist
Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist
Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me
Silence is easy. Speaking out is tough. Do the right thing. Stand up for your neighbors and your community. People are being shot on the streets of America, by ICE.  The only thing that will stop Trump and Stephen Miller’s right wing agenda is us.
No comments

25 Years Of My Elle Woods Obsession

  By , , ,

25 Years Of My Elle Woods Obsession…

25 Years Of My Elle Wood Obsession…

By Cate Rees-Hessel

 

Woods, Elle…

Twenty-five years ago, July 13th (yes, it was a Friday, the 13th, but lucky for us) the world was introduced to Elle Woods, a seemingly unlikely feminist played by serious dramatic actress Reese Witherspoon. She has said, she had qualms about the part, but was encouraged to take it by none other than feminista extraordinaire Gloria Steinem – this breakout movie role catapulted her to film fame. “Legally Blonde” is a romantic comedy with a very strong message of women’s empowerment, and a cult classic all over the world.

Pink Focused

It positively affected my life; some might say I am “Legally Blonde” obsessed – I consider it blonde ambition. I own props and jewelry from the film, and our Mini Cooper has an Elle Woods personality plate. My adorable Chihuahua, who crossed Rainbow Bridge some years ago, has been succeeded by my precious pug. I dyed my hair platinum blonde, and I am seriously looking into law school; I was also vice president of my Delta Nu sorority chapter. My husband calls me a plus-size senior real-life Elle Woods.

Giving Girly-Girl with Grit and Gumption

Why does Legally Blonde have such a huge impact on the general public, not just fans of the film? Because it’s about feminism, self determination, and supporting others while taking care of yourself. Like Ms. Woods, I am a staunch feminist girly-girl that believes in social justice. In our world today, more than ever, we must stand firm as women with a clear sisterhood.

A Film Phenomenon

I encourage everyone to see the original classic, check out “Legally Blonde 2: Red White and Blonde”, “Legally Blondes”, “Legally Blonde: The Musical”, and Amazon Prime Video’s new prequel series “Elle”, executive produced by Reese herself. The film’s profound societal impact is all about the strength of us ladies – it’s all about Elle. Let’s give ‘em Elle, using the intelligence God gave us while looking good and doing good. Here are 25 iconic moments from “Legally Blonde”:

  1. “What, like it’s hard?”
  2. After getting into Harvard Law, Elle arrives with her caravan of decor, clothes, and cosmetics. She carries her precious pooch Bruiser, telling him not to be afraid, a boost of confidence she herself needs but her determination wins out.
  3. Her playboy bunny outfit at the party she was tricked into believing was a costume party. After leaving the event she finds herself in line to purchase a new computer because once again she is more than determined to kick some Harvard booty.
  4. Having followed to Harvard the ex-boyfriend Warner who broke up with her because he felt she was not serious enough in hopes of winning him back, at the aforementioned party, she comes to a realization, saying to him, “I’ll never be good enough for you, will I?” That moment is when she decides that, of course, she is more than good enough, she is awesome. We all need to live our lives as Elle after she realizes Warner is not worth her trouble.
  5. Pink is my favorite color, just like Elle who wears it well.
  6. The moment Elle and Vivian bond together over the years Bruiser (?)
  7. The relationship between Paulette and Elle.
  8. Getting Paulette’s dog back from her ex
  9. The infamous “Bend and Snap”.
  10. Elle finding out that she got one of the coveted internships with her Harvard professor.
  11. The famous slap when Elle helps her friend get dates.
  12. Slap number 2 when Callahan when her law professor makes a pass and finds out what Ms. Woods is made of.
  13. When she discovers her true love, Emmett.
  14. Brooke Windham’s alibi is safe with her sorority sister because a pinky swear between friends is sacred.
  15. A wolf whistle gets an “I object” from Elle.
  16. Harvard female Professor Stromwell sees Elle for the fabulous woman she is, encouraging her to stay at Harvard and finish her degree.
  17. Elle defends Brooke Windham and the truth about the murder comes out.
  18. Emmett encourages Elle in court, and her fellow students show her respect and support.
  19. Elle and Emmett get engaged.
  20. Paulette bends and snaps, breaking the UPS driver’s nose.
  21. Paulette marries the UPS guy and is pregnant by film’s end.
  22. Emmit and Professor Callahan are impressed by Elle’s pretty scented resume.
  23. Elle teams up with Emmett to get an alibi for Delta Nu sister and workout star Brooke Windham, falsely accused of murder.
  24. Elle tries to join Warner and Vivian’s study group, bringing sustenance muffins with her. Her hurt at being rejected does not stop her from being kind.
  25. Elle, “a woman, a blonde woman”, is Harvard Law valedictorian…

 

What Would Elle Do?

Wear pink, watch “Legally Blonde”, bend and snap, get your nails done, use toilet paper that doesn’t chafe, put on your big girl faux fur panties, don’t buy last year’s dress at this year’s prices, read your horoscope, and be empowered, be an Elle…

Nasty Games

  By , , , , ,

Nasty Games

Nasty Games

Negative Adjectives for Donald J. Trump

D.S. Mitchell

Calamity Politics is happy to announce that I, Editor-in-Chief, the only Editor-in-Fact, I am going to devote the entire first political blog post of the day to a really nasty game. I want to ensure you that the ‘game’ will not distract me from my usual in-depth political coverage; that will come later. LOL. My regular readers know that the ‘in-depth’ description is probably a bit misleading.

I’m decently polite and tend to shyness. Rarely do I attack. But this morning as I was driving back home from my acupuncturist appointment I started thinking about Donald J. Trump, 45th and 47th President of the United States, con-man, self-promoter, convicted felon, and started tossing adjectives around in my head as I made the 20 minute drive from Cannon Beach to my home in Surf Pines. Quite simply the guy is a mafioso kingpin. He and his family are pocketing billions of dollars from scams and even government contracts.

The game I’m suggesting is very simple. Your first task is to think of a word. It must be a negative adjective that describes Donald Trump, such as liar, or narcissist, or bully. Choose any word you like, then think of as many synonyms of that word as you can.

My core adjective for Donald Trump is SWINDLER. Here is my list of synonyms for the word:

1.) cheat
2.) fraud
3.) crook
4.) grafter
5.) shyster
6.) hustler
7.) con-man

8.) villain
9.) conniver
10.) rogue
11.) cheat
12.) charlatan
13.) cozener
14.) thief
15.) chiseler

16.) filcher
17.) robber
18.) gouger
19.) rascal
20.) criminal
21.) phony
22.) creep
23.) rat

24.) flim-flammer
25.) bilker
26.) hypocrite
27.) pretender
28.) slicker
29.) gyp
30.) hustler
31.) heel
32.) loser
33.) liar
34.) lowlife
35.) sneak

36.) SOB
37.) dishonest
38.) trickster
39.) imposter
40.) scoundrel
41.) grifter
42.) booster
43.) cheater
44.) pitchman
45.) dodger
46.) villain
47.) thug

48.) hoodlum
49.) manipulator
50.) opportunist

If I had used double word descriptions such as confidence man, bunco artist, slick operator I might have been able to manage 100 Trump negative adjectives. THIS IS NO JOKE FOLKS.  Trump is a criminal. He’s been ripping people off for a long time. He’s used to fuckin’ people over; he doesn’t know how to be anything but what he is, a thug and a grifter. I don’t mind attacking Trump, he attacks anyone and everyone. He’s a bully. I feel no guilt; I can approach him with the same attitude that he approaches all those who disagree with him. Slash and burn, take no prisoners. Call it as I see it, as low and dirty as that may be.

Stand for what’s right. Join the Resistance.

 

A Gut Reaction to Superfoods

  By , , ,

A Gut Reaction to Superfoods

A Gut Reaction to Superfoods

By Cate Rees-Hessel

 

Topic of Conversation

With pre-, pro-, and other biotics being one of the biggest things in nutrition for a while now, how your gut is doing continues to be a significant topic of conversation. Back in the day, it was rather unladylike to discuss one’s guts, unless, of course, you were preparing fish.  The times, they are a changin’, since it is now quite stylish to converse about one’s innards.  I’m sure that mine are pink, and happily filled with mocha latte, with a few probiotics thrown in for good measure. My dear fashionable friend L. J., however, has taken an interest in my gut health, suggesting that I acquire some ginger root and steep it in boiling water for a yummy little elixir that will do truly exemplary things for my mocha latte-ridden internals.  Should I have the guts to actually drink this, I’m sure my system would dance an Irish Princess jig.

My Gut Instinct

I did actually purchase the ginger root, which looks like the stump of a weed.  It sits on the pantry shelf, taunting me – my gut reaction is to use it the next time we have sushi.  My gut instinct tells me perhaps a simple cup of tea with a jelly doughnut chaser could perhaps replace this culinary potion.  Mind you, I’m not speaking of an exotic fig twig kumquat pomegranate purple berry blast tree bark tea – an uncomplicated cup of chamomile laced with honey, drunk with one pink-polished pinkie extended, will do.  Perhaps the rather debonair L. J. will join me.  I think I will just resolve to stick to non-GMO, preservative-free real food in 2026, have the guts to stand up for my convictions, and of course, I’ll do it with style…

The Culprit

But those intestines can get you, if you’re not careful. I can recall trick or treating as a very small child, when we could all have yummies without worrying about the effects of allergic reactions. I never had any allergies back in the day, but as a woman of a certain age, I am sure killing it now. After many years of enjoying various flavors of rice, I am now intolerant of this particular grain, it appears. A small cup during a quiet afternoon at home had my anaphylactic self in bed for days. A quick cooking medley of long grain and wild rice, flax, and chia seeds was the culprit.

Continue reading

Something More to Smile About

  By , , ,

Something More To Smile About

Something More To Smile About

D. S. Mitchell

Thank you, for visiting Calamity Politics, where we normally feed our reader’s the unadulterated red meat of liberal political news. But today, I am having one of my, “not today,” moments.

Ha, ha. I changed my usual offering of “25 Things To Smile About” to “30 Things To Smile About” for this week only. So, many awful things have happened this week that I thought we could all use an extra couple of reasons to smile. Happy political blogging. Thanks again, for visiting Calamity Politics, we hope you find topics of interest and enough Trump news to keep you laughing and screaming all week-end.

1.) Parades
2.) Cannon Beach, Seaside, Gearhart, and Astoria, Oregon
3.) Fresh baked Molasses cookies with THC
4.) Music boxes
5.) Being on time
6.) Deep sea fishing
7.) Introverts Anonymous

8.) Old time rock ‘n roll
9.) Big trees
10.) Being appreciated
11.) Hand embroidered 501’s
12.) Penguins, walking
13.) Herb gardens
14.) Yard Chess

15.) Having my taxes finished by April 15th
16.) Double Caramel Mocha espresso
17.) Canoes and Kayaks
18.) Michael Fanone
19.) The journey
20.) Deep fried onion rings
21.) Summer Solstice
22.) A plan
23.) The beach, after Memorial Day
24.) Rock walls
25.) Tile roofs
26.) The WNBA
27.) Portland, Oregon’s Old Town
28.) Food, Views and Piano at The Bridgewater Bistro, Astoria, Oregon

29.) Plate of chips & dip
30.) The quiet, before the storm

 

That’s it. Remember, stand for what’s right, you’ll feel better about it.

Join the Resistance. No Kings.

Women Of A Certain Age, In A Modern Era

  By , , ,

Women of a Certain Age In a Modern Era

Women of a Certain Age In a Modern Era

By Cate Rees-Hessel

 

Women of a certain age, here are three scenarios of life in the world today – may we always be able to laugh at ourselves. Tushy selfies on social media, medical mishaps, and deodorant differences are modern stories for our times:

Licking My Elbow

I found a lingerie clad female, complete with a bare backside, on my husband’s social media. He was rather unimpressed with her “assets”, and my sister thought she looked like a man. I, however, was very displeased with the friend responsible for bringing this individual into our lives. When I emailed my online buddy to inform her that there was a moon out tonight on my husband’s Facebook page, and that her new chum was smiling on both ends for all the world to see on my spouse’s timeline, she was very apologetic, explaining she barely knew the culprit when she accepted her friend request. Had she known she would target her other friends significant others, she would have blocked the person.

My pal, in an effort to make up for her new acquaintance’s behavior, sent me a how to video giving play by play advice to teach me how to take a rear end selfie of my very own. Huh? A derriere selfie is like licking your elbow – it can’t be done, can it? One must need to be contortionist to accomplish this feat. I informed my friend that my cell phone doesn’t have a wide angle lens – things are definitely larger than they appear. I assumed the backside bimbo on social media had a “photographer” do the deed for her. I was never good at the game “Twister” and I am not double jointed, but I must admit my curiosity was peaked. It can’t be any more difficult than the fifth position in ballet…

I donned my spanx leggings (with rear-lift technology built in) and gave it a whirl, twisting and turning while setting the camera at a jaunty angle just like my friend suggested. I wasn’t sure my husband would want this display on his page, either, but what the heck. Needless to say I threw my back out and fell on the floor right on my said tushie. En route home, after my trip to the chiropractor,  I stopped at a medspa for a non-invasive Brazilian butt lift, because my rear view has style…

Continue reading

Wandering Thoughts

  By , , , ,

Wandering Thoughts

Wandering Thoughts

D. S. Mitchell

Thinking Aloud

I’ve spent most of the afternoon potting plants. I’m putting my beloved lake house up for sale and I noticed the deck needs a bright summer look so I went on a buying spree in Home Depot’s garden section. LOL. My dear neighbor came over with his wheel barrel when he saw me struggling with my blooming treasure and made quick work of the unloading. Brilliant blue Witches Hat, a dozen baskets of gorgeous red petunias, and 8 giant pots of amazing white Snow Thimble.

Getting the picture; red, white, and blue; the 250th anniversary? Anyway, none of this matters except that I do very little on Sunday, except play in the garden, eat gummies, canvas the internet for conspiracy theories, and write for Calamity Politics. The Calamity Politics part of it is where I am right now. Some days focusing on a particular topic is easier said than done, so please bear with me as random thoughts bounce around the page as I play with what’s hopefully going to be an article for Calamity Politics.

Misfiring Electrons In My Brain

Mom Said

My Mom used to say, “People will ignore facts, dismiss science, and argue the unarguable; if it’s in the interest of their wallet.” I thought for years that she had come up with that on her own, but then one day I saw a version of the quote attributed to New York Yankee catcher, Yogi Berra. Whoever the source I think it is particularly astute. I wonder what Mom or Yogi would say about Donald Trump making at least 8 billion dollars in the first 19 months of his second term? I won’t mention his kids cuz they seem to be everywhere snagging US government contracts, causing protest rallies as far away as Albania. Since when is this alright? Mom? Yogi?

Yogi Berra

When Yogi Berra left this world we lost the greatest baseball comedian-philosopher of all time. I didn’t say that, I read it somewhere. In addition to the first quote noted above he had a million more; such as, “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.”  “Nobody goes there any more, it’s too crowded.”  “You can observe a lot, by watching.” “The future ain’t what it used to be.” “Never answer an anonymous letter.”  “It’s like deja vu all over again.” “He hits from both sides of the plate.  He’s amphibious.”  When queried about where he wanted to be buried, he said, “Surprise me.”  Yogi Berra had a zest for life that even death couldn’t stop. While men like Yogi Berra continue to bring smiles to our faces men like Donald Trump and his cronies are literally trying to break the American spirit.

Start Writing

What about encouraging some blowback? I don’t believe it’s right for Trump to run a mafia operation  out of the White House without some kicking and screaming from the American people.. If you haven’t written a letter to your Mayor, your local newspaper Editor,  your State Legislators, or one of your Federal Legislators, you should do it immediately.  It’s a great way to get what’s bothering you off your chest.   The Letter to the Editor is especially rewarding because you can present your beef to the community and garner a few minutes in the spotlight. While you’re fired up, make some poster board signs for the next NO Kings protests, get your drum, your voice amplifier, your comfy shoes and be ready for the biggest protest in US history.

Continue reading

On the Radio

  By

On the Radio

On the Radio

By John Curran

 

I try to lighten the load but one thing I have to have is my little Sony transistor radio. And so I turned it on and was listening this morning to a woman make a very interesting point. She was talking about how now since we got this big momentous date on the calendar called 250 that it’s just the greatest time and ‘n excuse for a big national party, not like no backyard BBQ thing this go ’round, no sir this one gotta be BIG, bigger more and more and more even, than it ever was. Yet at the same time, this woman went on, it’s pretty damn ironic that for a lot of people probably so what might not be a more logical response to the real ongoing real that is actually, not fake news here, actually happening. I mean this woman was saying that in point of fact this particular anniversary could and may well one day be looked at as maybe the most terrible time, the most perilous time, the time most in need of real solid brains and leadership and instead we got this ongoing dog and pony show, this delusion, that everything’s ok when, a whole lotta people sure ain’t with that one, no mo, no one wants this shit, says the woman, who then pointed out the irony of it all. That’s when I tune out. Irony? What’s that? Anyway, I think I know what she’s saying. Pretty cool, I tend to agree. I ain’t got nothing for Kid Rock anyway. So pretty dumb. Take it from a dumb guy, one who ought to know. Radio. It’s what I know.

Women of a Certain Age-Culinary Edition

  By , , , ,

Women of a Certain Age-Culinary Edition

Women of a Certain Age – Culinary Edition

By Cate Rees-Hessel

 

  1. If you watch “The Food That Built America” on the History Channel and shout “I bought that!” during the show, you might just be a woman of a certain age.
  2. If you call Lean Cuisine or Healthy Choice TV dinners…
  3. If you know what a Jawbreaker is…
  4. If you were unaware that many of the foods you have eaten in the past are GMO…
  5. If you ever ate a Pop Tart without frosting…
  6. If you remember when each of the new M&M colors came out…
  7. If you remember the red dye no. 2 scare…
  8. If you ate fruit off the tree without washing it…
  9. If you refer to a microwave as a microwave oven…
  10. If you ever had Jiffy Pop…
  11. If you remember who helped with the Shake’n’Bake Chicken…
  12. If you still fry chicken…
  13. If you had fish sticks on Fridays…when you were a kid
  14. If you think drinking milk with fish is dangerous…
  15. If you ever drank milk straight from the cow…
  16. If you drank from the garden hose…
  17. If you agree milk comes from a cow or a goat, not a nut…
  18. If you know who Famous Amos is…
  19. If you know Tab was a soft drink…
  20. If you drank Tang because the astronauts did…
  21. If you ever had caramels with white cream layer stripes…
  22. If you ever ate a Sky Bar…
  23. If you have heard of Willy Wonka Oompas candy…
  24. If you recall the Banquet chicken commercial with the hot chicken…
  25. If you recall the commercial with the stuck to the box pizza…
  26. If you ever drank Diet Rite cola…
  27. If you know what “Schweppervesent” means…
  28. If you remember Swanson Dinners and still eat their potpies..
  29. If you recall when Pringles were new fangled…
  30. If you know who Mrs. Fields is…
  31. If you think Dolly Madison snack cakes are named after Dolley Madison…
  32. If you know who quipped “good cracker”…
  33. If you know what tuna had their mascot looking for “good taste”…
  34. If you had a Charlie Tuna mug…
  35. If you have a Pillsbury Doughboy doll and poke its tummy…
  36. If you ever had the Goober Grape jelly and peanut butter combo in a jar…
  37. If you ever opened a can of pork and beans and had to search for the tiny piece of pork…
  38. If you remember the “Hostess is wholesome” commercials…
  39. If you know who the Jolly Green Giant is…
  40. If you know what’s “mmm mmm good”…
  41. If you know what choosy moms choose…
  42. If you recall the commercial with the chocolate bar bumping into the peanut butter…
  43. If your baloney has a first and last name…
  44. If you ever ate a fried baloney sandwich…
  45. If you ever ate butter on saltines…
  46. If you ever had turkey or tuna croquettes…
  47. If you made meatloaf on Mondays…
  48. If you ever ate ham loaf…
  49. If you ever had a hot beef sandwich with gravy fries…
  50. If you ever had lunch at the restaurant in Woolworth’s, you might just be a woman of a certain age…