Category: More Topics

25 More Things to Make You Smile

  By

25 More Things To Make You Smile

D. S. Mitchell

Sunday Is Play Day

It’s not that the news stops on Sunday, but Sundays are my private, quiet, centering myself days. I reserve Sunday to nap, snack, read, think, and remember the good times.  I also take a few minutes on Sunday to write a list of the things that make me smile. Here are 25 reasons that I wrote down this morning that make me smile.

1.) Being a vegetarian, nobody had to kill an animal to feed me 2.) Homemade soup 3.) Loving wherever I am 4.) Standing tall, like Mom told me to 5.) Cookie dough 6.) Dancing in the dark 7.) Sock puppets 8.) Sci-fi novels 9.) Autumn  leaves 10.)Things that come easy 11.) Yellowstone 12.) Potato soup and cheese bread 13,) Christmas in Palm Springs 14.) Sailing 15.) Art Walks 16.) Silence 17.) Electric pencil sharpeners 18.) Neil Young 19.) Bringing left overs home for the dog  20.) Clematis growing on a porch  21.) White picket fences 22.) WWE ringside  23.) My mother’s smile  24.) High desert country 25.) Suspenders

Calamity News and Politics, is known for its examination, analysis and comment on the news headlines and the U.S. political scene. I will be back with all that tomorrow. Today I think we should lean back, take a breath and smile.

Join the Resistance

 

Thinking Aloud

  By

Thinking Aloud

D. S. Mitchell

Thinking Aloud

I’ve been going to the pool most of the Winter, for my hour of morning exercise. During the good weather, as much as we get here on the Oregon coast, I try to walk 3-4 miles each day. But, once November rolls in, the thought of walking four miles in a down pour is a real turn off. As it is now, some days are nice, and I walk, while others are nasty, and I go to the community pool in Seaside. None of this matters except that I do very little on Sunday, except play on the internet and write for Calamity Politics.

Sunday Afternoon Thoughts

Mom Said

My Mom used to say, “People will dismiss facts, ignore science, and argue the unarguable;  if it’s in the interest of their pocketbook.” I thought for years that she had come up with that on her own, but then one day I saw the quote attributed to New York Yankee catcher, Yogi Berra. Whoever the source I think it is particularly astute.

Start Writing

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 is 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.

Continue reading

Another 25 Things to Smile About

  By

Another 25 Things To Smile About

D. S. Mitchell

Calamity Politics, my favorite political blog by the way, is getting off to a slow start this morning. I have been enveloped by a fog of ‘do nothingness’. Honest to God, some days I wake up ready to take on the world, and by 0800 I’ve convinced myself I need a day off, or at least a very long break.

It has been another bad week for Trump and his associates. Allegations, scandals, lies, and political calamities of all magnitude. There is so much crap flying I can’t write fast enough, or research deep enough, to address each of them to the degree they deserve.  So, here’s something for the weekend to remind us all that it is easier to smile than frown.

1.) Emeralds and diamonds
2.) Fresh donuts
3.) Saturday matinees
4.) Clean socks
5.) Puppies
6.) Kittens
7.) My birthday
8.) Dancing
9.) Fly fishing

10.) Sunny days
11.) BBQ’s
12.) The Beatles
13.) Yoga
14.) Baseball
15.) Lightening
16.) Teddy bears
17.) Portland, Oregon
18.) Mom’s Apple Cake
19.) Whale watching
20.) People watching
21.) Pool walking
22.) First in line
23.) Reclaim something old
24.) Shooting stars

25.) Funny T shirts

Join me tomorrow when I will return to the insanity of the United States government in the era of Donald J. Trump.

Join the Resistance

Dar

X-FILES AND TWILIGHT ZONE AT THE WHITE HOUSE

  By ,

X-Files, Twilight Zone At The White House

D. S. Mitchell

World Stage

I just watched Donald Trump and Angela Merkel at their joint press conference.  Merkel is  now the recognized leader of the West, according to the headlines.  While Trump, is now the recognized leader of weirdo, conspiracy theorists, and bizarro “de-construction” of the U.S. government schemes. Trump has turned the United States into a global joke. He cannot control himself.  The perennial gadfly took time to attack Obama. I saw it as an effort to elevate his phony charges of wire tapping by Obama to international levels. Trump accused UK counter intelligence of being the hands and feet of Obama’s alleged illegal tap.

Get More Sleep

Trump needs to get more sleep, and some psychiatric help.  He needs to stop watching re-runs of X-Files and Twilight Zone all night long.  If he got a decent nights sleep we might have less chaotic tweet nonsense at 6:00 am.  This is life and he needs to focus on the real, not the imagined. A conspiracy theory is the explanation of an event, or situation that suggests other motives and perpetrators, without warrant or evidence.  Generally, the event involves an illegal, or harmful act carried out by government, or other sinister men behind the curtain.  This thinking, dovetails beautifully, with Trump’s “deep state” accusations.

Continue reading

Absurdity

  By , , ,

Absurdity

D. S. Mitchell

No, Not Today

It’s another rainy day at the beach. I know it sounds like a long season of re-runs. So I’ve got time to play a game. All I need to do, to get a break at Calamity Politics, is shut off the work switch. Silly, but I’m not in the mood to be serious today. I was going to write an in-depth, thought-provoking, political post on Kim Jung Un and the burgeoning North Korean threat. However, I’ve changed my mind.

Rules Of The Game

Here are the rules of today’s game. I will open a dictionary. From the two open pages, keeping the words in sequential order I will write a story. The story of course will center on a well-known politician and his family.  I challenge you to do it. It is harder than it sounds.

So, here we go. The dictionary I will be using is, Everyday America English Dictionary, Edited by Ricard A. Spears, et al.  NTC (National Textbook Company) 1987.  Pages 130-131.

Daddy Knows Best

Donald Trump dropped his  fountain pen on the desk, and asked, “What’s for dinner tonight?”

“Some form of fowl that Donald Jr, bagged when he was on safari in Texas,” Ivanka answered.

“You are a fox,” Big Daddy Trump gushed, leering suggestively.

“Stop it, Daddy.”

Do you know what fraction of the federal budget is being spent on Jr.’s security detail?  Some woman reporter asked me today, and I had no idea.  Do you know?”

“Oh, Daddy, don’t worry about such stuff.  Just stamp it TOP SECRET,  and if that ‘fake news’ lady asks again, you just tell her it’s, classified.”

“Of course, of course. You’re right, sweetie.  I have more power in my twitter finger than ANYONE else in the world!  Especially some ‘fake news’ reporter.”

“We should have that finger insured.  What if there’s a fracture?  It would be a disaster,” she said, bobbing her head in confirmation.

“Careful, Daddy, that bowl is very old and very fragile.  Michelle Obama called it historic. She said something about Dolley Madison.

“Historic?” Trump repeated, simultaneously tossing the object skyward and catching it with his left hand.

“Daddy, please, stop juggling it. Stop it.”

Continue reading

Jason Chaffetz, Get Real

  By

Jason Chaffetz, Get Real

D. S. Mitchell

You’ve Seen Him

I know you’ve seen this guy. He was especially loud and intimidating during the Benghazi, hearings. It seemed his primary goal was to try to embarrass and de-legitimize Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. Jason Chaffetz said he would continue the Hillary Clinton Benghazi investigation “even if she wins the White House.” Really? How long did he plan on holding hearings, another 8 years? Sick and twisted ideology.

Seven

Calamity Politics is a progressive political blog. I want you to know that I believe most of the Representatives and the Senators are hard-working folks. There are a handful that are just plain objectionable. Those few that I find really irritating are Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, Lindsey Graham, Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, Jim Jordan, and Jason Chaffetz. Not in any particular order. Amazing, they are all Republicans. And quite honestly, I think the American political landscape would improve greatly if this seven guy team would find jobs outside the government. I know I would not mind clearing all seven of them off of the U.S. political news scene.

Lacks Understanding

Jason Chaffetz, Republican Congressman from Utah was making the political morning shows on 3/7/2017 when he showed, not only his lack of understanding of ‘living poor,’ but any basic human compassion.

Trump Care Plan

At first perusal, the new Trump Care Plan will give huge tax cuts to the richest Americans, while delivering a brutal blow to health care for lower-income Americans.  The Republicans are rushing this terrible bill through Congress.  Besides helping the wealthy, it reduces access for low-income and rural Americans to health care. It weakens Medicare, and guts Medicaid.  Furthermore, this bill is a direct attack on women’s access to reproductive health. The bill would de-fund Planned Parenthood, where over 50% of low-income women in the United States receive health care.

Feeling The Hate

Chaffetz told the CNN viewing audience that, “Americans have choices, and they’ve got to make a choice.  So, rather than getting that new iPhone that they just love and want to go spend hundreds of dollars on that, maybe they should invest in their own health care.” Wow! Utah’s Congressman seems to have no understanding of the cost of health care insurance and the equipment people need to get by in a modern society. Studies show that cell phones are the primary means of internet access for many lower-income citizens.  In a 2015 Pew study, at least 13% of Americans rely on their phone to connect to wi-fi.  Furthermore, the cell phone is a necessity for finding a job, and maintaining one.

Significant Expenses

According to Obama administration reports, only 77% of people currently enrolled in the ACA will be able to find a plan for less than $100 per month this year.  Nearly 30% of cell phone users have had financial issues significant enough that their phone service was either suspended or cancelled. On Fox, Chaffetz, rephrased his CNN remarks. “Maybe I didn’t say it as smoothly as I could, but people need to make a conscious choice and I believe in self-reliance.  And they’re going to have to make those decisions.”

Healthy And Wealthy

I get so mad when I hear mostly wealthy, healthy able-bodied men say such bull shit.  Your life changes with chronic illness, disease or disability. Life changes when you are paralyzed and can’t get out of bed without help, your life changes when you lose your job, your life changes when your mother is diagnosed with dementia, your life changes when you have a special needs child, your life changes when you are diagnosed with cancer.  Sadly, not everyone is young, able-bodied or wealthy.

A Slap To The Head Might Help

Would somebody please slap these people upside their heads.  This country has had the largest transfer of wealth in human history since the 1980’s.  Four hundred families control 90% of this country’s wealth. And inexplicably the Congress and the White House are falling all over themselves to give the wealthy an even bigger share of the pie. It seems the lawmakers can’t wait to cut up the 10% of the remaining wealth among their big donors.

Conclusion

Some people should keep their mouths shut. Jason Chaffetz you have no compassion or understanding of the plight of the poor. Please retire, and let the people of Utah find a man with heart to fill your vacated position.

Join the Resistance

 

Another 25 Reasons To Smile

  By ,

Another 25 Reasons To Smile

By D. S. Mitchell

Take A Break

I’m finding the U.S. political scene, rather irritating, at the moment. It is obviously time for Calamity to take a brief time out, and throw the political crap out the window. Well, for a few minutes, anyway. So, for a couple of minutes I want to focus on something a bit more pleasant. When things look bleak, I find it important to consciously think about what makes me happy. To count my blessings. There are so many small things in life we take for granted, but it is often those small things that make life worth living. Making a list of those things always brings a smile to my face.  Here are the ones I came up with for today:

1.) A friend’s smiling face 2.) Chocolate 3.) Crystal goblets  4.) My dog, Lily  5.) Flannel sheets 6.) New shoes 7.) The smell of fresh coffee 8.) Spring flowers 9.) Ducks on the pond 10.) Clean windows 11.) Images from the Hubble telescope 12.)  A Foot massage 13.) Slow dancing 14.) Hide-n-Seek  15.) Old diary entries
16.) The Internet 17.) Winter storms 18.) Finding my cell phone 19.) Old movies
20.) Persian rugs 21.) Mom’s mac & cheese 22.) Bingo 23.) Summer dresses
24.) Milk and warm cookies 25.) Betty White

Please take a few minutes to hug those close to you, and write your own list of happy thoughts.

Join the Resistance

25 New Things To Smile About

  By , ,

25 New Things To Smile About

D. S. Mitchell

Step Back

Frequently, we need to step back and think of the positive things in our life.  It keeps things in prospective. Writing and researching for Calamity News and Politics is good for my psychological well-being. My psychological well-being is in top form. What better release could I have than a political blog. It let’s me let  off emotional steam. However, my blood pressure I fear, on some days is off the charts. I read somewhere in the past that it takes more energy to frown than smile. It would make sense, but I have no idea if it is proven science.  What I do know is that the current U.S. political scene is causing me to rage and scream. I am going to take a breath and urge you to do the same. I am going to smile and I want you to smile too.

Offered Smiles

See if any of these images bring a smile to your face, that will make me happy:

1.) Sunday edition N.Y. Times,  2.) Old family photos, 3.) Jelly beans, 4.) Running on the beach, 5.) Old issues of Mother Earth News, 6.) Finding something you thought you lost, 7.) Goodwill ‘treasures’, 8.) The feel of cashmere, 9.) Misty mornings, 10.) Yard sales, 11.) Comfortable shoes, 12.) First dates, 13.) Cuddling in front of a fire, 14.) A few bad habits, 15.) Bubble gum 16.) butterflies 17.) Pay day, 18.) Discover your passion, 19.) Start a blog, 20.) Take a walk 21.) Complete a task, 22.) Share a hug, 23.) Fresh flowers on the table. 24.) Hop scotch, 25.) A good night kiss.

Have a wonderful Sunday.  I’ll try not to post again until Monday, but I can’t promise.  There is a hell of a lot happening, and some of it literally sets my hair on fire. Remember to smile it is easier than frowning.

Join the Resistance

VIRAL DECEPTION

  By , ,

Viral Deception

By D. S. Mitchell

Viral Deception

An MSNBC pundit said on a Sunday morning news show that Fox News and Donald Trump were spreading disease.  In fact, she said, they were disseminating “viral deception,” or “VD” for short. I loved it. Associating the ‘fake news’ assertions of Fox News and Donald Trump to a sexually transmitted disease made me laugh.  The comparison was honest and appropriate. I hope it catches on.  The Fox News Network has lost significant viewership since the Trump inauguration.  Fox has jumped into the pool of Trump lies with both feet. I think Fox News is a danger to our democracy. Lies and distortion dished out every night must stop. I call on Fox to examine its coverage of the president. Time to move toward a more honest reflection of reality.

Moderated Outrage

Join me at Calamity News and Politics for coverage of the ongoing political outrage. CP is a progressive political blog published from the beautiful Oregon coast. We try to offer education, analysis, opinion and comment. Occasionally you may see a bit of humor. Health care, income inequality, social and judicial injustice and the Trump outrages are front burner issues.

Join the Resistance

More Word Chains

  By ,

More Word Chains

D. S. Mitchell

Playtime

It’s playtime here at Calamity Politics. I love word chains, with a little politics thrown in. Hope that doesn’t bother you. Of course, I know you love politics, or you wouldn’t be reading Calamity Politics. Check out the following:

I can change lead to gold by changing one letter at a time, lead, load, goad, gold.

I can change less to more by changing one letter at a time, less, Tess, toss, moss, most, Mort, more.

I can change dog to cat by changing one letter at a time, dog, cog, cot, cat.

I can change find to lose by changing one letter at a time, find, fine, line, lone, lose.

I can change head to tail by changing one letter at a time, head, heal, teal, tell, tall, tail.

Thank You

I want to thank Rod L. Evans, PhD for the word chains, which I took with his permission directly from his great book, Tyrannosaurus Lex. Please look for it.

As a political commentator I must ask, can Donald Trump can change prison to pardon by changing one letter at a time?

Join the Resistance