macphysto

He was the “right” black man only because he was a “safe” black man (not radical, not militant, not aggressive, not forceful — unlike the current occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue) for a segment of the electorate. For me, Barack Obama was not the right black man. America needed — and still needs — a “person of color” who didn’t — and doesn’t — play it safe. Perhaps that man is Zohran Mamdani.

Where were the evolved gals last November, Cap’n?

Follow-up Poll: Which Woman Do You Think Would Make an Ideal President? Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, because her spunk, Democratic Socialist ideals, and (unfortunately rejected) "Green New Deal" legislation are the types of "breath of fresh air" that are desperately needed in America. Summer Lee, because, just like fellow "Squad" member AOC, she is fighting for the kind of future for America that I want. Kristi Noem, because America is going to the dogs, and this b*tch knows how to pop a cap on that problem! Rachel Maddow, because America would still be able to have a First Lady. Caitlyn Jenner, because she's got balls! RuPaul, because why not?! "Sissy that walk, Grrrl!" Write-in Candidate

Proving that great minds think alike, I entirely agree with you, BobDylan.

When asked about a woman becoming president of the United States of America, Former First Lady Michelle Obama bluntly stated, "We ain't ready." "Well, as we saw in this past election, sadly, we ain’t ready. That’s why I’m, like, don’t even look at me about running, because you all are lying. You’re not ready for a woman. You are not! So don't waste my time. You know, we got a lot of growing up to do, and there are still, sadly, a lot of men who do not feel like they can be led by a woman, and we saw it."

Bill Maher quits performing live standup

I, for one, cannot help but wonder about the consequences of electric cars on the "national power grid." If all Americans were to buy electric cars and all electric car owners (of which I am not one) plugged in their vehicles to charge car batteries at the same time -- say, between 7:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. . . . To quote H. Ross Perot out of context, "you're going to hear a giant sucking sound" . . . followed by The Big Blackout.

That people get history and economics lessons from a 'toon exemplifies one reason why I despair for the future of America. Here are (IMO) more intellectually nutritious, more educational, more adult, and more valuable explanations of Capitalism and Socialism.

I'm retired, so every day is a holiday for me. But, when I was running in "the rat race," I was all for more holidays -- like, April Fool's Day (my choice for "Election Day"), Arbor Day, Columbus Day, Flag Day, Groundhog's Day, Valentine's Day, Veteran's Day . . . Macy's White Sale Days. Actually, to me, the obvious "Election Day" holiday would be July 4. But, I think it would be nigh impossible to get Americans to forego their Fourth of July barbecues and picnics and instead stand in voting lines. According to info on the Web, the first United States presidential election was held on February 4, 1789. Perhaps that should be "Election Day."

BobDylan, Have you ever encountered an American who doesn't vote? If you have, did you ask him/her "Why not?" If you did, what was his/her answer and did you try to convince him/her to change his/her mind? I have/had family members who don't/didn't vote. The living nonvoter believes "It just doesn't matter." The dead nonvoter (my mother) became disillusioned after her choice for President of the United States in 1952 and 1956, Adlai Stevenson II, lost both times to Dwight D. Eisenhower. She felt that her vote didn't matter and felt alienated by American government. My debates and arguments with her to change her mind became a waste of my time and energy. After experiencing my own frustration with, and disappointment in, the American electoral system (to date, the only presidential candidate I voted for who won was Jimmy Carter), I am steadily becoming My Mother's Son.

"Edgy" perfectly described Bill Hicks who, alas, is now either playing the main room in The Celestial Comedy Club or roasting a packed house of Republicans in the stygian Eternal Night Club. I am not smart enough to devise machinations and I am too irrational to be logical. I think the best fit, mac-wise, for me would be macaroni and cheese -- my favorite dish. It's also my "safe word." But, we won't go into that.

. . . to his eternal damnation, as far as I am concerned. Exactly! America does not have to exactly and slavishly copy the single-payer/universal healthcare models in other countries. Customization and optimization should be the strategy! Adopt what would work in America. Jettison what would not work.

No comprendo. But, that's okay. I don't need to understand everything. The last time that I dined with carnivores (during a business luncheon), pre-pandemic, I was asked the reason why I am a vegetarian. I recited the answer that had inspired me: "I don't want to eat anything that has to die to satisfy my appetite." . . . which initially caused an uncomfortable, squirming silence at the lunch table -- followed by my coworkers eagerly and hungrily tucking in on their burgers, steaks, and baby back ribs. I don't proselytize because, in my cynical opinion, proselytism -- aggressively trying to change people's minds -- not only doesn't work, it puts some people on the defensive and, in extreme cases, the offensive. If a meat-eater is considering "going veggie" and asks me how to do that, I'll offer recommendations. But, I will not militantly try to convert a flesh-eater to my lifestyle and my way of thinking. My philosophy is, everyone becomes "enlightened" at his/her own pace and in his/her own way. Tossing slavery into the discussion is not a persuasive argument for me. Lumping and equating any or all bad behaviors is too broad a generalization. I prefer to consider the sins of Man on a case-by-case basis. Pardon my compartmentalization . . . or don't. Bon appétit!

I'm a vegetarian, s-l-o-w-l-y making my towards veganism. But the dogmatism of The Hopeful Herbivore and the "fellow travelers" he/she quotes rubs me the wrong way. I hate people who presume to know how "most people" think, feel, or behave -- and are arrogant enough to tell them how they think, feel, or behave. Fact is, "most people" don't give a damn about the pieces of meat in their refrigerator. A hardcore, atavistic bunch -- who like blood in their meat -- want to hunt and kill their din-din. I care about animals, which is why I don't eat them. Indeed, I prefer animals to people . . . especially people who are insufferable, toffee-nosed preachers like THH. But I am not a militant vegetarian. I won't eat with carnivores. But I don't lecture, scold, and shame them. I don't like being lectured to or nagged, so I don't lecture or nag other people. I decided to "go veggie" after a coworker once explained to me why she was a vegetarian. "I don't want to eat anything that has to die to satisfy my appetite." That simple, gentle, humane statement made a profound impact on me. Almost forty years later, I haven't "touched meat" since then. I once loaned the brutal 1949 documentary Le Sang des Bêtes to a neighbor. When she returned it to me, she said, "Wow! That's almost enough to make me become a vegetarian!" I didn't say anything, but I thought, "Almost?!" THH can call it "cognitive dissonance." "OtherCosmonauta" can confidently state what "most people would have wanted." Whatever. Most people prefer to think that a hamburger comes from McDonald's and bacon 'n eggs come from a grocery store.

Today on National Public Radio, I heard a report about the elimination of the IRS Direct File program by DJT's administration. After only one year in operation, Direct File is closed for business. The program was killed at the behest of lobbyists for tax preparers such as Intuit and H&R Block. . . . and The Big Wheels keep on turnin'. Moving right along, Professor Robert Reich lays down the law and tears monologist and tax dodger Josh Kornbluth a new one in Kornbluth's autobiographical 2015 comedy Love & Taxes. Astringently memorable to me is the following exchange between JK (asking how he can avoid paying taxes) and IRS Commissioner Sheldon S. Cohen (Reich): Sheldon S. Cooper: "Mr. Kornbluth, without those taxes, there would be no money!" Josh Kornbluth: "Okay, sir, I get that. But with all due respect, I think you're still kind of dodging the issue. I mean look, here we are in your beautiful office, right across the street from The White House. From what I can tell, sir, you have made quite a pretty penny from helping those pishers get out of paying their fair share." SSC: "You don't know me, Mr. Kornbluth." JK: "But, sir, I do know you. You're The Man. Your actions help this whole corrupt system fund its wars and bail out its corporations. While at the same time, the public schools, the libraries, health insurance -- everything I care about -- is falling apart!" SSC: "Mr. Kornbluth, anyone can criticize the system. You don't like how the tax burden is allocated. You don't like public spending and where it goes. Then elect different representatives. It's on you, Mr. Kornbluth. I am not The Man. YOU . . . are The Man."

How is it that you know me so well after such a brief time? 😉

Cap’n, my avatar is humorist Robert Benchley, father of Nathaniel and grandfather of Peter. He is one of my literary heroes.

One thing that really bugs me about psychological studies is the presumptuous, generalizing tone of psychologists. Sez who? Preferring my own company is exactly the reason why I am antisocial! Although Paul Simon probably did not intend I Am a Rock to be a proud anthem -- for me, it is. Wrong again (in my case), Dr. Freud! Psychologists give me a pain.

My take on the seven Democratic senators and one Independent senator who threw in the towel: none were up for reelection in 2026. Two senators are retiring. They did not have any "skin in the game." I would love to be a fly on the wall in the offices of the remaining thirty-seven Democratic senators and two Independent senators. I'd want to learn how many of them genuinely believe in extending Affordable Care Act subsidies and how many of them care only about keeping their jobs.

Don't lump Independent voters with Republican voters. I am a registered Independent voter who did not, never has, and never will vote Republican. If Democratic candidates want my vote, they must earn it. Merely selling themselves as Not Republicans is not a good enough reason for me to support the Democratic party. Until Dems convince me otherwise (which means adopting, supporting, championing, and running on a Progressive-Socialist platform), I shall continue to vote "third party."

According to a 2025 YouGov survey conducted October 25 to October 27, of the 1,623 adult Americans who participated in the survey, "32% blame Democrats most, 35% [blame] Republicans, and 28% [blame] both equally." More, the Republican share of the blame declined four percentage points compared to an earlier survey conducted by YouGov and The Economist. Polls are always suspect, as far as I'm concerned. But, those numbers don't incline me to share your sunny optimism, Cap'n. I wanna see 90%-10% or 80%-20% results heaping the main blame on Republicans (actually I'd prefer to see the GOP get 100% of the blame . . . but I live in America). A whole lotta news is gonna happen between now and next November. The future cannot be reliably and definitely predicted. Time will tell, and the thrilling outcome will not be revealed until The Final Act. Stay tuned . . . . . . and heed the guidance of Margo Channing:

I share your aggravation, Lindy, and I agree with you that the shutdown was a waste. I am not surprised by the news. I was hoping against hope that Democratic congress members would surprise me and "hang tough." But -- incurable pessimist and cynic that I am -- I knew that it would be Democrats who would cave in. None of the Democratic senators and Independent Senator Angus King in Maine who "backed the Republican deal" are up for reelection in 2026; two (Illinois Senator Richard Durbin and New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen) are retiring. I am a lifelong registered Independent voter. The Democratic party has never failed . . . to disappoint me.

. . . or all get to be eaten. Should I wind up on the menu, per favore, serve me with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.

My Favorite Bill Hicks Slam

An arguable bigger accomplishment by DJT and bigger failure by liberals and progressives: The inordinate amount of time and mental and emotional energy we devote to him (to use a popular, tiresome but true expression: DJT is "living rent-free in our heads").