Au Cochonnet Marin

“No matter what name we give it or how we judge it, a candidate’s character is central to political reporting because it is central to a citizen’s decision in voting.” Roger Mudd

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We will soon go to the polls. We will have to pick the person who for the next four/eight years is going to be the standard bearer of America and for the values for which it stands.

Such vote should be based on the candidates’ character, the mental and moral compass of an individual, not on demagoguery.

We will have to choose between the two main contenders, a Republican and a Democrat. Abstaining or voting for a minor candidate (one who does not have a chance to win) would be a disservice to the nation for “Bad officials are selected by good citizens who do not vote.”

It is an important choice and every citizen ought to be involved. Basically as I see it, it is a choice between authoritarianism (repression) and democracy.

Beware of demagogues. Once in power they have a tendency to drift into force or violence. And once a choice is made, it is quasi impossible to backtrack.
Show me a “macho man” and I will show a potential dictator.

Even if you don’t read newspapers or magazines, you still can form a basic opinion by watching news clips.
Watch for the candidate who insults or denigrates any specific group; we all belong to such a group, be it socialist, Christian, Freemason, homosexual or the press corps.

When the man in charge takes on any such group, he is very likely to soon take on another group that displeased him.

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

In California, employees can take as much time as they need in order to vote, but only a maximum of two hours is paid.

On Tuesday, November 8, forget anything else, vote! Your life depends on it.

Alain

 “I just received the following wire from my generous Daddy; Dear Jack, Don’t buy a single vote more than is necessary. I’ll be damned if I’m going to pay for a landslide.” — John F. Kennedy

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If you are reading this page in the WordPerfect format and cannot see the links located on the right side, click twice on the title of the post (in blue) and twice on the “Home” link to access the original format.

So how was it?
It was, excuse my French, f***ing hot. Ninety-four degrees in the shade. Too hot to allow my superbly tuned machine to function properly.
I think that I overheated and blew a gasket, maybe two. I subsequently failed as a photographer and as a player.
We thoroughbred need decent conditions to perform optimally. Sorry about that.

I also realize by the way that I took a lot of pictures of young Julien Bourgade, but I am partial to kids… so sue me.

But enough with the confounded meteorological conditions.

A respectable bunch of people showed up for the picnic and the tournament.
A picnic for about 60 people is not a walk in the park. It takes a lot of hard work to bring this to fruition.
I don’t have all the facts but I know that Verena, Claudie, Liv and Helga, Alain Marchand, Antoine and Jean-Claude Etallaz worked very hard to make this event a success.
Don’t forget to show your appreciation, or even kiss them (yes) next time you see them.

40 people signed up to play in the tournament. Based on a random pairing the teams were as follows:

1. Bleys Rose & Tamara Efron
2. Damian Jonathan & Sandra Shirkey
3. Brigitte Moran & Nancy Jencks
4. Marc Di Maio & Liliane Sebban
5. Francois Moser & Gilbert Sonet
6. John Johnson & David Lindsey
7. Charlie Davantes & Evan Falcone
8. Philippe Arnaud & Verena Rytter
9. Mark Shirkey & Harry Helms
10. Ed Porto & J-M Poulnot
11. Teri Sirico & Mireille Di Maio
12. Alain Efron & Ellen Leznik
13. J-C Etallaz & Sabine Mattei
14. Albert Wood bury & Calvert Baron
15. Gustave Foucher & Logan Ginsberg
16. Noel Marcovecchio & William La Velle
17. Louis Toulon & Caitlin Woodbury
18. Joe La Torre & Helga Facchini
19. Julien Bourgade & Alain Bourgade
20. Christine Cragg & Claudie Chourre

Three games were played in afternoon and at the end of the day the results were as shown below:

1^st place: Ed Porto & J-M Poulnot $35.00 ea
2^nd place: Damian Jonathan & Sandra Shirkey $30.00 ea
3^rd place: Joe La Torre & Helga Facchini: $25.00 ea
4^th place: Brigitte Moran & Nancy Jencks: $20.00 ea
5^th place: Bleys Rose & Tamara Efron: $15.00 ea
6^th place: Julien Bourgade & Alain Bourgade $10.00 ea

After taking the usual celebratory pictures, I ran away like a thief to take a much-needed shower and to cool off in the sanctuary of my air-conditioned abode.
Don’t be offended if I did not say goodbye. It was “un cas de force majeure”.

I still love you.

Alain

1. To look at photos of this event and listen to the accompanying background music, turn your computer’s sound on, and click on the link “My Photos” located on the right side of this page. For best viewing, go Full Screen.

2. If you are reading this page in the WordPerfect format and cannot see the links located on the right side, click twice on the title of the post (in blue) and twice on the “Home” link to access the original format.

The problem with political jokes is that they get elected. —Henry Cate, VII

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Fifty-three days until the elections. Can the so-called “undecided” finally decide and can some voters forsake traditional party allegiance?
Can some Trumpists vote for Clinton? Or vice-versa?

Fat obese chance.

“Trying to change someone only makes them cling to their existing behavior with brutish, primal force.” Brian D’Ambrosio

It is visceral. People only believe what they want to believe and nothing short of a major miracle could sway them.

An open-minded person could possibly change his mind, but it would be a very slow process that would require a lot of research.
You would need to have the willingness to seek details and sift through the mountains of baloney spewed by the candidates.
Television sound bites cannot possibly give you all the data you need. If you are serious about the electoral process you absolutely need to do some research and verify the various outlandish claims (e.g. Obama founded ISIS) made by the candidates.

“Give me a man or woman who has read a thousand books and you give me an interesting companion. Give me a man or woman who has read perhaps three and you give me a very dangerous enemy indeed.” 
Anne Rice, The Witching Hour

I could not put it any better.

Then there is the much ballyhooed “honesty” factor.
Is “clean” Donald more honest than “crooked” Hillary?
After considering his checkered past and his various shady enterprises, I very much doubt it.

Trump is a crude carny barker. He will say anything to get voters into his tent without anything to show.
So far I have not read or heard any of his concrete solutions (I will build a great, great wall?) about the various problems besetting America.

Trump is also a crafty dodger. When are we going to see his fabulous Health report and his Tax return? Why aren’t they forthcoming?

At election time you need to be pragmatic. You need to deal with things sensibly and realistically.
Before trudging to the polls and committing to a candidate, you need to ask yourself a few questions:

• Who is more qualified to become Commander in Chief?
• Whose decisions would you trust in a situation like the Cuban Missile Crisis?
• Who would be cooler under pressure?
• Who has more experience dealing with world leaders?
• As an average American, would you get a better shake from Trump or Clinton?
• Who has more skeletons in his closet, the Donald or Hillary?
• And finally, and be honest about it, would you buy a used car from Donald Trump?

I rest my case.

An erratic and unpredictable leader (like Korea’s Kim Jong-un) can make quick irresponsible decisions without weighing the consequences.

In November you are not only voting for yourself, but for your children, the future of America and probably the fate of the free world.

Vote carefully and thoughtfully.
Mind 1933. Don’t repeat German history.

Alain