An Open Letter to the GOP by Bruce Lindner

Dear Republicans;

We get it. You all saw what he did to Liz Cheney, and you don’t want that to happen to you. Short of outright political banishment, if you displease him in the slightest, he might even mean-tweet you from his golf cart in Florida. You all tremble at the mere thought of that.

And he knows it, which is why he does it; to control you. To get you to confirm the most unqualified Cabinet secretaries in American history. If the gravity of that situation wasn’t so solemn, it would be comical.

But what’s done is done. You didn’t want to suffer the indignity of being mean-tweeted, so you seated a drunk who paid a woman $50,000 to buy her silence to become America’s Secretary of Defense, an anti-science conspiracy theorist for Health and Human Services and a man who openly hates the FBI to run it.

You’ve watched in silence as his hatchet man—or should I say his chainsaw man—has wiped out the careers of untold thousands of Americans, the cascading effects of which will no doubt threaten the very existence of poverty-stricken communities who rely on America’s bounty and generosity.

You fidgeted in your seats a bit when he shook his fist at Mexico, Canada, Panama and Denmark. But no outright condemnation from any of you, because again, you can’t: the spirit of Liz Cheney might haunt you.

You’re in a unique position. Hard as it is to believe, you’re the gatekeepers. Once upon a time, in a magical epoch known as pre-Trump, Congress was a coequal branch of government. That means YOU had it within your power to keep lawlessness and tyranny in check.

But that was then and this is now. You’ve ceded your authority because; say it with me: Liz Cheney.

In the hierarchy of things that matter to you, in order from most to least, are:

• Me

• My personal safety

• Not getting mean-tweeted

• Getting re-elected

• People who won’t vote for me

• People in shithole countries

• The nation

At the far end of the courage spectrum from you and at the far side of the planet, there’s a guy named Volodimr Zelenskyy. He must look like an alien species to you, because his priorities are diametrically opposed to yours. When offered a chance to be airlifted out of his embattled nation, he turned it down and confronted the threat pouring over his nation’s borders. He then addressed his people from a darkened corner somewhere in Kyiv, reassuring them that he and his government will stand and fight on their behalf.

But now he and his 38 million fellow Ukrainians face a new threat: Blatant betrayal by the President of the United States. If Trump follows through with it, Zelenskyy himself, perhaps the most iconic example of raw courage in the world today, will be hunted. And if captured, meted out Navalny justice.

But that can only happen if you let it.

Yes, I know, you murmur amongst yourselves over martinis how you had to swallow hard to vote for Tulsi Gabbard, or to stay silent when he gutted the USAID and the national parks. But unless you take a hard stand, and say HELL NO, I’m drawing the line right HERE… you’re as complicit as he is.

This quote has never been more relevant: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing.” ~ Edmund Burke

This is your moment. History will document your names right alongside his. I’m looking at you, Lindsey the Lionhearted. Ted the Turd. Joni, Queen of Castraters. Rise up. Fear not the mean-tweet.

Liz Cheney knowingly sacrificed her career, as did Adam Kinzinger, because they made the calculus: Who am I and what are my core values? And they deduced that there are bigger things in this world than themselves.

Thus far, not a single Republican in this picture has come to a similar conclusion.

Cowards, all. And if you allow Ukraine to fall by your inaction, you’ll be accomplices in mass murder, as well as the beginning of the end for NATO.

Written by Bruce Lindner and found on Facebook

The Funny Papers

Adam Zyglis, Clay Bennett, Trevor Irvin, Dennis Goris, Rick McKee, Pedro X Molina, Max Espinoza, Mike Luckovich, Ted Littleford, Marc Murphy, Michael de Adder, Kirk Anderson, Gary Huck

Why Is It ...

… that I haven’t been able to teach my body that the fight or flight response is supposed to be for life or death situations, and not answering an email.

… that whenever I see two people arguing online I believe whoever spells correctly.

… that blocking someone on social media isn’t enough; I want them to have lice.

… that every so often I burn sage in the house and then I pass out because I’m the negative energy

… that when life gives me lemons I just eat them whole; I choke that lemon down … skin, pulp, pith, seeds, and all. And I don’t break eye contact with the lemon. I figure life will stop being a bitch if I show it that I am done fucking around.

… that no one seems to be aware that, for me, the lack of coffee may cause memory loss and sometimes memory loss.

… that it took me this long to realize I have just Three Moods: What the Fuck? Are you Fucking kidding me? And Fuck this.

… that those who like my social media posts are happier, more intelligent and better looking than those who don’t … according to a study I made up in my head.

… that being human is sometimes so miserable that I’d rather be a baby hippo who is allowed to bite everyone.

I Didn't Say It ...

Ken Martin, DNC chair, on the administration morons texting out war plans to a journalist:

“Pete Hegseth was unfit to lead the Defense Department even before he risked our national security though his own sloppy handling of sensitive military information. Just like his boss … Hegseth—and everyone else involved—put on a stunning display of recklessness and disregard for our national security. Hegseth should resign, and if he doesn’t, he should be fired. It’s crystal clear that our men and women in uniform deserve better—and that our national security cannot be left in Hegseth’s incompetent and unqualified hands.”

Can you imagine what would have happened had this monumental fuck-up occurred during Biden or Obama’s term? The GOP would have railed about impeachment, Fox News would have had conniption fits, and Republicans would have cried and stomped their feet.

But it happened under their Dear Leader so from the right and the rightwingnut media, it’s crickets.

Resist.

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Conan O'Brien, receiving the "Mark Twain Prize for American Humor" at the Kennedy Center and using the opportunity to humiliate The Felon:

"Thanks to my people who invited me here a few months ago: Deborah Rutter and David Rubenstein [former board member and chair that The Felon removed] … And a special thanks to all the beautiful people who have worked here at the Kennedy Center for years and who are worried about what the future might bring. Twain was a patriot in the best sense of the world. He loved America, but knew it was deeply flawed. Twain wrote, ’patriotism is supporting your country all of the time and your government when it deserves it.’ Now, some of you, some of you might be thinking, ‘what does this have to do with comedy?’ Twain is funny and important today because his comedy is a hilarious celebration of our fears, our ineptitude, and the glorious mess of being human. Only [The Felon] knows his priorities best. There’s a lot going on in the world but probably taking control of the Kennedy Center should be at the top of the list.”

The Felon rants about performances and Broadway shows and portraits of him, but nary a word about eggs and gas prices and housing, or any of the promises he made to the cult to get elected.

Resist the ignorance of the tiny orange man.

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Raphaël Glucksmann, French Parliamentarian, responding to the White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt’s attack after he suggested France should reclaim the Statue of Liberty:

“Dear Americans, since the White House press secretary is attacking me today, I wanted to tell you this. Our two peoples are intimately linked by history, by the blood we shed, and by our shared passion for freedom—symbolized by the Statue of Liberty, which France gifted to honor your glorious Revolution. As the press secretary for this shameful administration said: without your nation, France would have ‘spoken German.’ In my case, it goes further: I would simply not be here if Americans hadn’t landed on our beaches in Normandy. Our gratitude to these heroes and their sacrifices is eternal. But the America of these heroes fought against tyrants, it did not flatter them. It was the enemy of fascism, not the friend of Putin. It helped the resistance, not attacked Zelensky. It celebrated science, not fired researchers for using banned words. It welcomed the persecuted, not targeted them. It was far—so far—from what your current president does, says, and embodies. This America—faithful to the words inscribed on the Statue of Liberty, your America—is worth so much more than betrayal. More than the abandonment of Ukraine and Europe. More than xenophobia and obscurantism. We in Europe love this nation to which we owe so much. And we know it will rise again. You will rise again. We are counting on you. And that is why I said in a rally: if your government despises everything the Statue of Liberty symbolizes, we could symbolically reclaim it. It was a wake-up call. No one, of course, will come and steal the Statue of Liberty. The statue is yours. But what it embodies belongs to all of us. And if your government no longer cares for the free world, we will take up the torch here in Europe. Until we meet again in the fight for freedom and dignity, we will be the continuators of our shared history and the protectors of our greatest treasure: not copper and steel, but the freedom it represents.”

Karoline Leavitt’s husband bought her the job as Press Secretary and she has proven herself to be woefully inept and way out of her league when it comes to policy and politics.

She’s a little girl playing dress up and doing it badly.

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Bernie Sanders, Vermont Democrat Senator, on holding rallies with AOC and sparking the resistance:

“Today AOC and I had 34,000 people come out to us in Denver. It is the largest rally that I have ever had. And it tells me that the American people will not allow [The Felon] to move the United States into oligarchy and authoritarianism. We will fight back. We will win.”

The latest gaffe by this White House will shift many people away from The Felon and his minions, though the hardcore cultists and Fox News will play the No Big Deal Card.

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Jessica Tarlov, Fox News host, stuns The Cult by incinerating The Felon for sending innocent people to a "gulag" in El Salvador:

"[The Felon] saying on Truth Social that maybe you'll go to El Salvador—at this moment when the ACLU attorneys are reporting that people have been falsely sent to El Salvador, which is what we said was going to happen, they're being sent back. Because guess what? They're not Venezuelan and also they sent some women and El Salvador doesn't want to take women. Are you going to finally admit that the way they are vetting these people is inaccurate?—

Tarlov was interrupted by The Felon lapdog Jesse Watters who said:

“Oh vetting is good now!"

"That's so funny. You guys are so hilarious. What about the Venezuelan soccer player who was tortured by the Maduro regime and was sent to El Salvador? He had a legitimate asylum claim, went through a legal port of entry––"

Now it was Judge Jeanine “Boxed Wine” Pirro, who said: 

"What about the Americans who have been murdered by illegals. Let's not do all this. The question has to do with Democrats—"

"Why not? Because it doesn't suit you right now. You're so ridiculous."

Pirro shrieked: 

"It's not ridiculous! The question was a simple one and you can't answer it."

"I did answer it. I answered it explicitly because I'm a grownup. And I can say 'Oh Jeanine asked me question, here's my answer.' Also, Jeanine then could you answer my question: Do you think it's okay that innocent people are being sent to a foreign gulag?"

Pirro: 

"I think that what's important is that we get rid of ... I think that's what important is that we get rid of the criminals in this country that your favorite president allowed to come into this country—"

"But these aren't criminals!"

Pirro and Watters shut their yaps because, though they’d never admit it, Tarlov schooled them and put their ignorance and cult behavior on full display.

Plus, Jeanine was drunk and Jesse had wet his pants.

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Tammy Duckworth, Illinois Democrat Senator, demanding DUI hire Pete Hegseth’s resignation after he repeatedly lied about sharing classified information in an unsecured group text message:

“Pete Hegseth is a fucking liar. This is so clearly classified info he recklessly leaked that could’ve gotten our pilots killed. He needs to resign in disgrace immediately. Hegseth and every other official who was included in this group chat must be subject to an independent investigation. If Republicans won’t join us in holding the Trump Administration accountable, then they are complicit in this dangerous and likely criminal breach of our national security.”

Duckworth—a combat veteran, former Black Hawk helicopter pilot and member of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations committees—said Hegseth put the lives of American service members in danger by discussing the timing and sequencing of U.S. attacks targeting the Houthis in Yemen in early March.

Hegseth, The Felon , and the GOP say he did nothing wrong by texting on an open channel, and to an investigative reporter for The Atlantic.

Fucking liar indeed.

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Jack Schlossberg, JFK’s grandson, speaking about The Felon declassifying his grandfather's assassination report:

"[The Felon] is obsessed with my grandfather—but not in his life or what he achieved in it. No, just like [my uncle, Robert Kennedy Jr], [The Felon] is only interested in JFK’s carcass. JFK drafted the civil rights act—[The Felon] made DEI illegal. JFK stared down Russia and did not blink—[The Felon]  is Russia’s closest ally. JFK sent a man to the moon—[The Felon]  gave Elon the keys to Air Force One. JFK created USAID—[The Felon]  eliminated it. JFK fought fascism and Communism. [The Felon]  is selling us out to tech warlords, at home and abroad. JFK stood behind unions and labor, demanding healthcare, higher pay. [The Felon]  is stripping working families from lifesaving care , financial support. These men [The Felon, RFK. And Elon Musk] are stealing history from present and future generations—by appropriating the past for their criminal agenda, they normalize themselves in the minds of those without living memory."

The Felon hopes to be remembered as JFK but rightly so he will instead be remembered as RFK Jr type of fool.

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Bobservations

Our local fine arts center put on a production of Hairspray last week and a good friend of mine directed it, so off we went to see the magic. Carlos, however, was confused as usual when I asked …

“Have you seen Hairspray?”

“I saw it with you.”

“I don’t think so. It’s been two movies, one a comedy by John Waters and one a musical version adapted from Broadway.”

“Well, I know we saw it. I mean, who was it that played the mother in the movie?”

“John Travolta.”

No, the mother.”

“John  Travolta.”

“It was a woman.”

“It was John Travolta.”

"No, it took place on an island and the mother … Meryl Streep! It was  Meryl Streep! She was trying to find out which one of her boyfriends was the father of her child. I TOLD you it wasn’t John Travolta.”

“And I’m telling you that you’re describing Mamma Mia and not Hairspray. Mamma Mia starred Meryl, but this isn’t that.”

“Oh, then I’ve never seen this.”

Oy. I adore that man.

Tuxedo thinks it’s time to put women in charge and end this misogynistic bull shiz. But then, he’s just a cat …

Leon Skum once texted this, but his child wasn’t killed. His child transitioned and is known as Vivian Jenna Wilson and has been disowned by her fucking asshole Nazi of a father.

This is who Leon Skum is; don’t forget it.

Walt Disney shareholders overwhelmingly rejected a proposal calling for the company to drop its participation in a benchmark index used to rank companies on how friendly their policies are to LGBTQ+ people.

Stay woke.

We live in an America, under this regime, that when children are gunned down in schools, the GOP offers “thoughts and prayers” but vandalizing a Tesla is called “domestic terrorism.”

Let that sink in.

After some of the political bile, I was in the mood for a plate cleanser like these gorgeous caramel cakes! Anyone hungry?

And now, back to bile ... The Felon’s Band of Merry Morons, led by DUI hire and sexual predator Pete Hegseth “accidentally” texted their secret war plans to a reporter.

But … her emails.

We’ve been talking a lot about websites erasing LGBTQ+ Americans names and honor; we talked about Arlington National Cemetery scrubbing references to Black and Brown soldiers and military women.

Just think of it like this: this scrubbing of websites to eliminate disenfranchised Americans, LGBTQ+ people, Indigenous people, people of color or women is the modern-day equivalent of burning books and if you have no problem with that then you’re a Nazi, too.

Late breaking news … yesterday Democrats flipped a Pennsylvania District from Red to Blue that the GOP held for 46 years!!! Congratulations to James Malone!

The Resistance continues.

Arnas Fedaravičius is a Lithuanian actor best known for his roles in The Last Kingdom and The White Lotus but I’d like to know … Would You Hit It?

Architecture Wednesday: Diamond House Hawaii

Welcome to the Diamond House, a 1958 mid-century Oahu A-Frame masterpiece born from the vision of famed architects Wimberly and Cook, who are well-known for landmark projects such as the Waikikian, Sheraton Waikiki hotels, renovation of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Don the Beachcomber restaurant, and Kauai's Coco Palms Resort.

This time they created a unique home with strong Hawaiian materials of lava rock, large wood beams, glass, and a strategic layout to capture the tropical ocean breezes flowing off the Pacific. The main floor features a large living space, dining room, kitchen and lounge alcove. The wrap-around lanai offers ample space to relax, entertain and enjoy the views outside the home or soak in the hot tub.

Up a few stairs from the main level you find ocean views from the primary bedroom, which also offers privacy and great storage space, and ensuite bathroom; there are two additional bedrooms and a bath on this level, as well as a loft.

Extensive renovations include new windows and doors; cherry kitchen cabinets, quartz countertops; new gas water heater; new light fixtures and ceiling fans; outdoor shower and hot tub; and much more!

Plunk down $3.75M and it’s yours!

Dwell