Au Cochonnet Marin

It is happening with a sickening regularity. Yesterday again, in Thousand Oaks, California, a gunman opened fire and killed 12 people.

How many times does this have to occur before a lethargic public finally wakes up? and breaks the chokehold of the gun lobby on the legislature?

Don’t fool yourself… Nobody is safe, regardless of race, age, faith, gender or political affiliation. This tragedy can happen anytime anywhere, whether you are a gun proponent or not.

A big deal was made when on June 14, 2017, congressman Steve Scalise (opponent of gun control)  was shot practicing baseball. A bigger deal should be made about the 12 students killed yesterday.

To stop this plague, the public at large has to be more vocal and put pressure on their elected officials.

The problem is that the NRA will target (and spend a great deal of money to defeat) any legislator favorable to gun control; and despite the fact that a clear majority of Americans support a form (not a total ban) of gun control.

“Not only does the NRA outspend gun control groups but it’s also simply better at mobilizing its base (it boasts a membership of 5 million) against candidates it deems a threat, according to the Violence Policy Center’s executive director, Josh Sugarmann.”

Unfortunately, politicians prize their jobs (and perks) above anything else and few are willing to lose their livelihood to take on the beast.

A vocal popular uprising has to take place to reverse this trend. There are enough people in this country who have lost a friend or a relative to start this movement.

On the other hand, if you are satisfied with the status quo, do nothing, but don’t come crying when the carnage continues.

“First 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 for me.” Martin Niemöller

 Alain

This is election time and the airwaves are flooded with innuendos, rumors, speculations…

Who will prevail? The challengers or the incumbents? The results of this election will give us a good indication of the chances of Trumpism remaining relevant beyond 2020.

If it does, no matter what, the incumbent will have to leave the White House in 2024. The 22^nd amendment guarantees this, and I do believe that this is a good thing.

“The 22nd amendment limits the president to only two 4-year terms in office. … After FDR died in 1945, many Americans began to recognize that having a president serve more than eight years was bad for the country. This led to the 22nd amendment, which was passed by Congress in 1947 and ratified by the states by 1951.”

 Contrarily to African potentates who cling to power after their term expires, the US Constitution guarantees an orderly transition of power. Regardless of his achievements, an incumbent has to go after 2 terms.

A two-term limit is a good idea. On his first stint, a leader is eager to innovate but is often ignorant about the ways to do it. On his second term (if there is one), he is at his best. He has acquired the experience and he knows that it is his last round. He can now disregard political pressures and do his best to leave the most favorable legacy to the public and his successor.
If there were a 3^rd term, it would be a letdown. People get tired even of “Suspiro de Limeña.”

“I think we want to see new voices and new ideas emerge – that’s part of the reason why term limits are a really useful thing.” Barack Obama

 A good leader should always show a willingness to give up power and return to a more anonymous life.

“There is a long and honorable tradition of citizens in service to their nation that goes back at least as far as Cincinnatus, the Roman citizen who, more than once answered his country’s call, then returned to his farm and his family and his work.” Tom Clancy

By doing this he will leave behind a grateful nation instead of a resentful one and will be fondly remembered for his service and accomplishments.

Alain

I have always wondered why some people wear garments emblazoned with logos or brand names…

Don’t they realize that they are acting as unremunerated sandwich boards? And for companies that probably overcharged them for this very garment in the first place…
The same irony by the way often occurs in politics. Some people will support a candidate who will ultimately exact a steep price for championing his cause.

In order to advertise their products, large outfits will shell out big bucks to have their brands splashed on billboards. So, if I ever became a walking advertising board I would naturally demand to be compensated for wearing anything on my back.
Apple, do you want me to promote your products? All right then, give me a free iPad. Fair is fair.

By the way, have you ever noticed that tennis stars sport itty-bitty logos?Everybody should know that the income generated by logo wearers is inversely proportional to the size of the logo. The smaller the logo, the bigger the income.
Remember the tiny Nike logo worn by Roger Federer? This insignificant looking little symbol is worth millions my friends! Smaller is always better.

Ironically, it is always the people who can least afford it that shell big bucks on such products. Do they think that the glory of a quarterback will reflect on them if they wear one of his jerseys? Will they attract more girls or get better seats in a restaurant? I don’t like to be the bearer of bad news, but I can definitely state that it is not so.

If I were looking for relationship material, I would surely avoid loud logos and set my sights instead on subtle trademarks. Good taste is always discreet and doesn’t have to shout to be noticed.

Personally, I don’t wear any kind of emblazoned garment. If I did, some people might confuse me with some celebrity and bother me to no end for autographs. I don’t do autographs! Period! I cherish my anonymity too much to fall prey to such cheap gimmicks.

In conclusion, if I ever choose to display anything on any of my garments, it will only be to promote myself.

Something like: Vote for me, Dummkopf!

Alain