I watched about the last half of Joe Biden’s speech at the Democratic National Convention and, as someone who “loves” Joe Biden and what he accomplished I thought the speech was very good – I’m sure republicans will find fault as much as they can get away with (Trump will likely make fun of the stuttering) – but, there was one part that stuck out to me which, as I listened to the “pundits” talking about the evening, no one seemed to think was important. Of course, except me. (It turns out Eugene Robinson noticed the same sentence as I did)

Toward the end of the speech President Biden addressed the war in GAZA and pointed out the importance of that war coming to an end. He also adamantly pointed out (the obvious, at least to me) how important it is to provided food and supplies to the Palestinian people. Then he said something that caught me as incredible in today’s world of division that totally caught me off guard when he said: “Those people out there (referring to those who were protesting in the streets of Chicago for the Palestinians) they have a point.” It seemed to go unnoticed, but, to me, it was a refreshingly honest self criticism based on how the war in GAZA has evolved – with over 40,000 Palestinian citizens killed by the IDF.

My thoughts in this rant will likely seem MORE disconnected than usual. Tonight (day two of the DNC Convention) both Barrack and Michelle Obama were the featured speakers (at least that I saw). I teared up watching both of them (just as I had watching President Biden last night – call me old fashioned) and, while focusing on a positive “path forward” they got in plenty of jabs at Trump. Still, I managed to check out my email messages and, as usual, there was a link to “Raw Story” an outlet I subscribe to which, in their email messages to me, give excerpts from longer “stories.

What caught my eye tonight (well, one of the things that caught my eye) was reporting of Trump speaking in front of a bunch of Police Officers (I’m not sure where – “Livingston?”). He was supposed to be giving an “policy position” address regarding “how you reduce crime.” Now, I’m guessing the following was Trump, once again, straying from the teleprompter – either that or more people in his campaign need to be fired. Here’s part of what he said: “You can’t walk across the street to get a loaf of bread, you get shot, and you get mugged, you get raped, whatever it may be. You’ve seen it. I’ve seen it,”

Well, I have to be honest. I HAVEN’T seen it! I’ve driven to the store several times this year (like, maybe 100 times) and I still haven’t seen it. But, what struck me tonight was the immediate thought which crossed my mind when I read his words. I pictured Trump in the store with some of his insurrectionist friends from the “Oathkeepers” or “Proud Boys.” I figured it would be Trump doing the raping (E. Jean Carroll, Stormy Daniels) and his militia buddies doing the shooting. I still haven’t come to a conclusion as to who would be doing the mugging. (Members of the House “Freedom” Caucus? Members of QAnon?)

As an aside: Crime is nearing a 50 year low since Joe Biden became president.

In another location in Chicago where republicans were attempting (and apparently failing) to upstage the DNC Convention Rep Byron Donalds (Fla) was “heaping praise on Trump for his support of Police Officers.” (Apparently, this didn’t include the Capitol and Metropolitan Police Officers circa January 6th, 2021 – but, I digress) when he was asked the following question by a reporter: “President Trump (actually former – my words) has a history of not always paying for bills related to security costs provided at campaign events. So, I’m curious, since you emphasized President Trump’s support of men and women in blue, if you think it’s important for presidential campaigns to pay for protection for local police departments who provide security at those events?”

Rep. Donalds cut off the reporter before she could finish asking her question – you know, it probably made him a bit uncomfortable. Why do I conclude that? Well, the first thing he said was, “that’s a very interesting question.” He followed that brilliant non answer with an even MORE brilliant one. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Maybe he should have interjected something about people being shot and raped?

Speaking of crime: Donald Trump is scheduled for sentencing in reference to his CONVICTION on 34 FELONIES in Manhattan. I have a small tidbit of advice for Judge Merchan; make sure Trump surrenders his passport. I realize he’s got a plane which goes (I don’t know how) far, and he’s been speaking kindly of Venezuela lately because they have no extradition treaty with the U.S. but, well, by now you’re probably reading my mind. (I always figured his landing spot would be in Russia – yes, I’m predicting he will “flee” America once he’s LOST this next election.

The next couple days should be interesting. Trump concluded his convention with a 90 minute rambling soliloquy focused on all his grievances INCLUDING the “Big Lie” (OMG how many of those has he unleashed on “we the people?”) – or so I’m told. I’m guilty of not watching any of the RNC Convention – but, Trump did manage to nominate a VP candidate who’s been widely panned as the least popular in modern times – someone with a history of calling single women “cat ladies” and saying stuff you should check out, but I won’t write here, about his couch – I’ll leave it at that. However, the “ratings” (which Trump is keen to obsess on) are much higher for the dems than for the GOP.

As another aside, when I typed the words GOP I couldn’t help but think of the husband of one of my now deceased sisters when I was talking to him the other day. He’s the kind of artist who likely won’t get famous while he’s still on this side of the dirt, but a very interesting man. (And, very bright) He brought up a word to me – psuedologue which, according to Merriam Webster means “a pathological LIAR.” (my caps) He was laughing as he said “GOP means Grand Old Psuedologues.” I told him I’d add it to a rant and here we are! I think I digressed again.

Final Thought: If you didn’t see her at the DNC Convention, former Trump “White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham confirmed what I’ve been saying for years, kinda. What she said is that Trump once told her “It doesn’t matter what you say, Stephanie — say it enough and people will believe you.” In case you don’t understand, that’s right out of Mein Kampf – the “Big Lie Theory” – It could have been Joseph Goebbels shouting from his grave – AND – along with the puppeteers behind Project 2025 you see recipe #1 for their road to fascism. They deny this, OF COURSE, but when’s the last time you believed ANYTHING coming from Trump’s mouth? (Or, for that matter, any of the “MAGA” republicans)

Ms. Grisham, who stated she couldn’t believe she was actually speaking at a Democratic Convention, also pointed out how Trump refers to his followers as “bottom dwellers.” I’ve heard him refer to them as his “uneducated voters” – the perfect formula for a fascist. I know, in America, it’s not “kosher” to refer to Hitler or fascists, but, to me, “if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and looks like a duck, IT’S A DUCK! Trump and republicans are also all about PROJECTION which is another of the core tactics of the Nazi’s in the 1930’s. Trump plays dumb to all of this and, in most instances he is DUMB, but he’s clearly read up on Hitler. (ie “they’re poisoning the blood” or referring to his opponents as “vermin”)

I have to add: Since I mentioned Trump’s (and the republicans) use of projection I was looking for an email and while checking my SPAM folder there was an email from, you guessed it, Donald Trump – asking me for $10. Here’s his sales pitch – the Democrats are raising MILLIONS (my emphasis) in “dark money” ………. can you just send $10? (This coming from the “billionaire” who originally said he could self fund his campaign. I believe he said it this way for emphasis: “I’m really rich.” In addition today he said, “The Obama dark money machine is bankrolling America’s demise.” (Do you think the Obamas got under his skin on day two of the Democratic Convention?)

Then he added “He (Obama) teamed up with the Clinton “cartel” (my quotes) just to humiliate us! the “kicker” was asking for “3 MILLION ‘patriots’ (again my quotes) to chip in and declare your support for Trump.” (To help pay his legal expenses?) Do you find it interesting Trump accuses the democrats of raising dark money, when Elon Musk is pouring $45 MILLION per month into one of Trump’s “Super PAC’?” That’s not to mention the other Silicon Valley billionaires or Sheldon Adelson’s widow who “aims to do whatever it takes to help Trump win, or ???? (Miriam Adelson has about $33 BILLION to work with) As I’ve said, should be interesting.

Oh yes, I think it’s Arizona where republicans are attempting to purge about 40,000 from the election rolls. Just saying…… (Gonna be interesting)