Hey Democrats ... Say It With Me. "I-S-I-S"

Apparently, the word "ISIS" was not to be uttered at the Democratic Convention this year. After almost a week of speeches, the word was not mentioned, except a couple of times when Democrats mocked Republicans for fear mongering.

Neither were there any speeches on issues such as global terrorism, radical Islam, radicalization of youth, or anything even remotely relating to national/international security.

Geez, ya think maybe just a few minutes of their time would have been well spent telling us how their presidential candidate intends to deal with these issues...

But noooooooo.

It's way too important for Tim Kaine to show us how much he remembers of his his high school Espanol, or for Bill Clinton to tell us what a storybook love affair he's had with Hillary (in between his multiple affairs, trysts, and sexual harassment incidents that he ignored).

Topics that were thoroughly beaten to death include social justice, income redistribution, Black Lives Matter, gun control, police brutality, minimum wage hike, and climate change. But the threat of terrorist attacks?

Not a peep.

Well, to be fair, Hillary finally touched on the subject of terrorism in the last speech of the convention last night, but saying she touched on it is being generous. She's all in with continuing the status quo - some drone strikes and convincing local ground forces to deal with terrorists. In other words,  keep doing what we've been doing as ISIS and its influence grows by leaps and bounds every day.

Some insight into the Democrats' mentality can be gleaned from President Obama's take on the Republican Convention. In Cleveland, Republicans had a concerted focus on threats to national security, terrorism, and ISIS. During a recent press conference, the President told us what he thought of this focus and how Democrats view the issue of our safety. This is what he said:

"I think it's important to recognize, is this idea that America is somehow on the verge of collapse, this vision of violence and chaos everywhere doesn’t really jibe with the experience of most people. I mean, I hope people, the next morning, walked outside and birds were chirping and the sun was out, and this afternoon people will be watching their kids play in sports teams and go to the swimming pool, and folks are going to work and getting ready for the weekend. And in particular, I think it is important, just to be absolutely clear here, that some of the fears that were expressed throughout the week just don’t jibe with the facts."

Wrong, Mr. President. According to a New York Times/CBS survey, 79 percent of Americans believe that a terrorist attack is likely or very likely in the next few months. 70 percent of

Americans also believe that ISIS poses the greatest threat to our domestic security. 96 percent of Americans polled viewed terrorism as a critical issue or an important concern. 94% of Americans believe that mass shootings are also a critical or important issue.

Last but not least, 54 percent of Americans feel less safe about living in America since you took office. Only 10 percent feel more safe than they did before.

What does all this mean? First, it's patently obvious that Democrats have their proverbial heads firmly entrenched in the sand when it comes to how the public views global terrorism. The party of donkeys exemplifies the stubborn nature of their adopted mascot as they continue to turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to the sentiment of every day Americans; and instead of addressing the perceived dangers, Democrats vilify those who believe that a danger exists.

If I may, on behalf of all Republican candidates, thank you very much Democrats. Please continue to mock the majority of Americans who don't see the world the way you want us to. Keep refusing to call the terrorists what they are - radical Islamic terrorists - and continue to tell us that it's all our fault that they're trying to wipe us off the face of the earth. Tell us again how we should be turning the other cheek, cut them some slack, and not to even think of doing anything that might offend their fragile sensibilities. 

Even the French President calls them what they are - fundamentalist, radical Muslim terrorists - but you're too sensitive to do the same. The best Hillary could do last night during her moment in the spotlight is to call them, "...a determined enemy."

Sheesh.

THEY'RE TRYING TO KILL US!!!! Just in case you didn't hear me, let me say it again...THEY'RE TRYING TO KILL US!!! In just the last few days, there have been several attacks carried out by Islamist terrorists. Who can forget the images from the news coverage following the truck attack in Nice?

On Tuesday of this week, two 19-year-old ISIS radicalized Muslims executed an elderly Catholic priest in France by slitting his throat as he was saying Mass. In between, there has been a suicide bombing, an axe attack, and a machete attack in Germany.

But not one word at the Democratic Convention about ISIS, terrorism, or the threat we face? And really, Mr. President? Anyone who has a fear that violence is a real threat is only worthy of your condescension?

It's the Democrats, who are out of step with how the public feels. The overwhelming mood of the public confirms that you have completely missed the boat. Go ahead and laugh at us. Have you run. But don't be surprised when November rolls around and you see who had the last laugh.

SNL Recaps the DNC Convention Through Wednesday

I must confess that I watched very little of the Republican Convention last week. I have, on the other hand, watched some of the Democratic Convention after hearing about the Wikileaks email dump. Call me quirky but I thought it would be an opportunity to watch some interesting theatre. 

Democrats laughed at Republicans for the chinks in the unity armor before the festivities in Philadelphia got underway. Then came the Wikileaks email dump that made it clear the DNC had rigged the primaries in favor of Hillary. I was curious to see how the Bernie or Bust-ers would react when they saw what the DNC had done to their socialist icon and so far they have not disappointed. They've heckled speakers, played cowbells through speeches, chanted, staged sit-ins, staged walk outs, booed their hero, burned flags, marched, disrupted meetings, repudiated the party's nominee, and otherwise made the Republican Convention look like a Kumbaya-fest.

But if you haven't had a chance to catch the DNC Convention's first few days, worry not. Saturday Night Live has managed to summarize the goings-on in the clip posted below. So, without further ado, here's all you need to know about what the Dem's have been up to so far this week

Enjoy.

Fairy Tales And Lies - The Real Bill & Hillary Story

On Tuesday night, if you could have closed your eyes and listened to what Bill Clinton was saying during his speech at the Democratic Party Convention, you would have gotten all choked up at the beautiful story being told about two crazy young kids who fell in love, said "I do", and are still together after all these years.

But if you were old enough to be around in the late 1990's and you saw that it was Bill Clinton speaking, you know that the story he was telling was a fairy tale...and a well orchestrated, disingenuous lie.

But then, isn't that what both Bill and Hillary are really good about? Lying, that is.

In the speech, Bill Clinton gave us a blow by blow (no pun intended), year by year, detail intensive narrative about his mate in order to make her seem like a human being rather than the manipulative, controlling, unlikeable person she is perceived to be.

Somewhere along the way, Bill forgot about 1998, among other years. He also seems to have forgotten about a lot of other events and people who have been intertwined in the marriage.

On Tuesday, when Bill finished with 1997, he merely said, "Now fast-forward...” and jumped to 1999. Nothing to see here, people, let's move along.

But instead of fast forwarding, let's hit the pause button and and fill in that gap. Oh, that's right...1998...that was when Bill was exposed for having oral sex in the Oval Office with Monica Lewinsky, a 22-year-old doe-eyed intern; and, it wasn't just a one-time dalliance. According to Lewinsky, between 1995 and 1997 she and Bill had nine sexual encounters in the Oval Office.

The scandal surfaced in January of 1998, but only after Bill tried to give Lewinsky the old "It's not you, it's me" routine. She was having none of it. Lewinsky told her story to a colleague who recorded their conversations, she saved a blue dress with Bill's semen all over it, and after a grant of immunity spilled the beans about the sordid affair.

Now, let's put this into perspective. In 1995, Bill Clinton was 49 years old and the President of the United States, arguably the most powerful person in the world. Lewinsky was a 21 year old unpaid summer intern from California.

She was also someone's daughter, star struck bait in the shark pool of Washington D.C, politicos.  That made her ripe pickings for someone like Bill who had a history of infidelity and preying on women.

Reportedly, Bill had some 14 affairs before his last presidential term ended beginning with affairs during his first stint as Governor of Arkansa in 1979. According to rumors, once a dog always a dog, as Clinton has had affairs and trysts with other women since leaving office.

Just a few of the women Bill Clinton has been linked to in extramarital infidelity

As shameful and pathetic as it might be for someone to act as Bill Clinton has, it pales in comparison to what he tried to do Tuesday night. He stood in front of a national audience, and with a straight face, tried to tell us what a magical, wonderful, devoted life he and Hillary have shared. But again, why should I be surprised? Bill Clinton is not just a serial adulterer, he is an admitted, bald faced liar.

In 1998, after news broke of the Lewinsky affair, Bill Clinton held a press conference, stood in front of America, wagged his crooked finger at the camera, and said, "I...did not...have sexual relations...with that woman...Ms. Lewinsky...These allegations are false."

Subsequently, under oath, Clinton was asked pointed questions about the events in the Oval Office with Lewinsky. Clinton artfully attempted to dodge the questions, using nuance, convoluted word definitions, and anything else he could think of to avoid answering simple yes or no questions. Compare the Bill Clinton you see in the video above to the one you may have seen last night at the Democratic Convention.

And here's the coup de gras. The fallout from Clinton's testimony was so great that Clinton was forced to hold another press conference and finally admit that he had lied about the Lewinsky affair.

Clinton was impeached by the House of Representatives on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice but the Senate fell short of the requisite 67 votes (50 votes were in favor of conviction) needed to convict and remove him from office. He was subsequently cited for contempt of court by a federal district court judge for willful failure to obey repeated orders to testify truthfully in the sexual harassment suit brought by Paula Jones against Clinton.

Afterward, Clinton paid Jones $850,000.00 in an out of court settlement, the State of Arkansas revoked his license to practice law, and the United States Supreme Court disbarred him from the Court.

How do you like Bill now?

If only the story ended with Bill...but it doesn't. I say this because lying, deceit, making it up as you go along, thinking you can say whatever you want and people will believe you, is not just in Bill's DNA. It's firmly entrenched in Hillary's as well. Watch the video clip below and listen to Hillary.

I know Donald Trump is a clown, has a huge ego, and can make your skin crawl with his perchance for gaudiness. But so far, he hasn't looked me in the face and lied to me. Trump may be scary, but the Clintons are dangerous. They will twist facts into a knot if it suits their purpose. If she's elected it's at our peril.

The choice in November boils down to a clown and a liar. At least the clown makes me laugh.

The Trouble With Revolutions

The problem with starting a revolution is that sometimes you begin to believe that you are more important than the revolution. But the people whose passions you ignite won't follow a person blindly when they think they've been betrayed. They will abandon the person who started the revolution and have no qualms about venting their anger at being betrayed.

Judging by the reaction that Bernie Sanders has gotten at the Democratic Convention from a large segment of his heretofore-Kool-Aid-Swillers, it may finally be dawning on our socialist friend that when you cuddle up with revolutionaries, you play with fire; and when you have to keep that fire under control, it can "bern" you.

Bernie Sanders is a typical socialist who has never actually had to endure the realities of socialism.  He is also an opportunist. This election cycle, he almost parlayed himself from a little known Senator from a tiny state to the Democratic Party's nominee for President.

To put that into context, there are ninety or so metropolitan areas in the U.S. with a larger population than the entire state of Vermont, but by inciting the passions of people with a massive entitlement mentality, Sanders started a roller coaster ride that had no brake. He promised them free college, single payer health care, higher estate taxes, higher income taxes, expanded Social Security, and a chicken in every pot.

That sounded great to his peeps since none of the promises would cost them anything. What could be better than all kinds of stuff at the expense of others?

They flocked to him like moths to a flame. Millennials living in their parents' basements, college kids with no jobs and more time on their hands than they knew what to do with, twenty-somethings who balked at getting a job after 7 years of college and a degree in Indonesian History, pseudo-intellectuals who sat at Starbucks and Panera Bread all day, all of these folks joined Sanders' revolution happily.

What Sanders failed to realize is that the people to whom he was pandering don't live by the same rules that the rest of us live by. They have no respect for authority, property, or anyone who disagrees with them because most of them haven't worked for anything in their lives.

What makes them even more dangerous is their unwavering belief that the end justifies the mean, even if it means burning everything down in order to accomplish a goal. When you've got no skin in the game the game is fun to play.

Sanders also made the mistake of believing that he could control his followers. He assumed that they would listen to him once he decided it was time to stand down. After all, they had gobbled up everything else he was telling them, why wouldn't they listen to the man behind the mirror?

Sanders never dreamed he would get as far as he did in the primaries, but then how could he know that Hillary Clinton would repeatedly shoot herself in the foot? Clinton came into the primaries with Democrats assuming she would win, but she brought a lot of baggage to the table - Benghazi, Libya, the email server, and the millions made from Wall Street speeches.

Further fueling the perfect storm for Sanders was Biden taking himself out of the running, leaving no real alternative to Clinton in the race.

Sanders was thus able to exceed his wildest expectations and parlayed his "revolution" into a sizeable chunk of delegates. But in the end, when the slipper didn't fit and there was no way to overcome Clinton's delegate tally, Sanders saw the writing on the wall. He figured it was time to cash in his chips, extract concessions from the DNC on the party platform, grab the prime time speaking slot during the Convention's opening night, and ride off to Vermont with a bushel full of political capital that would considerably elevate his meaningless status in the Senate. 

Clinton's short list of running mates other than Kaine from L to R - Housing Secretary Julian Castro, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (MA), Sen. Cory Booker (NJ), and Sen. Sherrod Brown (OH)

But Clinton wasn't done shooting herself in the foot. She riled up the Berners with her choice of running mate. Instead of picking one of several potential Progressive running mates that would have acted as salve to the wounds perceived by the Sanders' revolutionaries, Clinton opted to thrust her middle finger in their faces and tabbed the one person short of Ted Cruz that was sure to cause the Berners' heads to explode - Tim Kaine. 

The stage was thus set for a Convention that would easily outdo the Republican's Convention last week when it came to divisiveness, demonstrations, and upheaval on the floor.

And then the DNC became the gift that keeps on giving. A pre-convention Wikileaks email dump proved that DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz and her henchmen had rigged the primary to ensure Clinton's coronation as the party's 2016 nominee. Capitalizing on the embarrassment of emails that made the DNC look like Star War's evil Galactic Empire, Sanders got something he had wanted for a long, long time in the form of Schultz's head on the proverbial platter. Schultz resigned as head of the DNC. 

But the Wikileaks expose' did a lot more than cause Schultz her job...especially when Clinton shot off what little was left of her foot by immediately making Schultz the co-chair of her campaign's 50-State program to help elect Democrats, a post perceived by the Berners as a reward for a job well done for Clinton. 

The Sanders faithfuls' heads exploded. And when you combine a large group of people who think nothing of social convention, add a dash of righteous indignation, you rub their noses in defeat, and then try to tell them to grow up and play nice, you have a recipe for disaster.

Berners assumed that Sanders would be as incensed as they were after the Wikileaks bombshell.  What they didn't know is that Sanders had already decided to grab all the marbles he could stuff in his pockets and go to the dark side with his newfound political stature. All he needed to do was lead his sheep to pasture. Much to his surprise, these sheep weren't your ordinary sheep. They're believers. They'd been so hopped up on Sanders' Kool Aid that they weren't about to fold their tent and go quietly into the night.

Sanders sent them a text pleading with them to play nice. Fail. He then met with his delegates and asked them to join him in supporting Clinton. Sanders was so resoundingly booed that he was dumbfounded. Why wouldn't they listen? Didn't they know this was the way of...politics? You say whatever you think you have to say, you get what you can, and then you cut and run. 

Sanders showed them that after all the speeches, all the donations, all the time, all the effort, and all the theatre, he was nothing but a hypocritical opportunist. Sanders looked them in the eye, raised a hand to silence the boos, and said, "Brothers and sisters ... brothers and sisters, this is...this is the real world that we live in."

The place went nuts. And then the venom spilled onto the convention floor all night, with the exception of when Michelle Obama spoke. Speaker after speaker was taunted with cries of "Lock Her Up", "Hell No DNC, We Won't Vote For Hillary", and "Bernie, Bernie, Bernie". 

It got uglier. Sarah Silverman was taunted by the Berners after she spoke in favor of Clinton. Silverman, who had supported Sanders until the convention, was having none of it and lost her cool. Interrupting Minnesota Senator Al Franken, Silverman elbowed Franken out of the way and said to them, "Can I just say to the Bernie or bust people, you're being ridiculous." That went over real well, coming from the likes of a half wit comedian. 

Might as well have thrown more gasoline on the fire because when Progressive darling Elizabeth Warren gave her speech urging the delegates to support Clinton, constant chants of "We trusted you" rang out.

So where are we? The Democrats chortled for an entire week during the Republican convention because Ted Cruz and John Kasich made asses out of themselves by refusing to live up to the pledge they signed when they were candidates. Trump didn't do himself any favors by...being Trump. 

In any other election, the Republican Convention would have been considered a big failure because of the lack of unqualified support for the party's nominee by all the primary losers. But this isn't any ordinary election. As mind boggling as it may be, Trump has actually received a 5-6 point post-convention bump in the polls to put him ahead of Clinton. And now we're seeing the Democrats implode with even more divisiveness, acrimony, and ill will than the Republicans had.

Stay tuned. Julian Assange promises more document dumps including emails involving the Clinton Foundation and possibly a cache of emails deleted by Clinton from her private server. It's going to be a bumpy ride.

Postcards From The Right Blog

Help!!! I've fallen and I can't get up. 

A few months ago I swore I would refrain from posting political stuff on Facebook. But I fell off the wagon. I saw a post from a family member who had gone to the dark side and was touting the likes of Gary Johnson for President. So I left a comment on his post. He replied, I replied, and on and on. The more I commented, the more entrenched each of us became and in the end neither one of us convinced the other about anything.

But I was fired up. With the recent Islamic terrorist attacks, the political season in full swing, and no sports to photograph and occupy my spare time until September, I started reading others' political Facebook posts and began responding. Soon afterwards, I was adding my own political posts on Facebook...lots of them. 

And then it dawned on me (yet again)...why would anyone care what I think about Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, gun control, abortion, Islamic terrorists, yadda yadda yadda? And more importantly, why was I mucking up my social media page, something I started years ago to share my photography, abuse my Cousin Joe, and keep up with the adventures of my family?

I found a Facebook Anonymous (FA) meeting and got a sponsor. I'm in recovery now. One of the things I have to do is make amends. So, here goes.

Hi, I'm Mike and I'm a Political Facebook Poster. It's been one day since my last political post. I've realized yet again that Facebook is not the place to vent my thoughts about Liberals, President Obama, Hillary Clinton, ISIS, or anyone/anything else that gives me heartburn.

But I have a need to vent. So, instead of butchering my Facebook page with political commentary, I will use my Facebook page for what I originally intended - sharing my photography images; seeing what the family is up to; and reading about my friends' dogs, moves, vacations, kids, etc. If I add something to my photography blog, I'll let you know. But no more political rants. Cross my heart. I won't say hope to die because I've been there, done that and it was no fun.

Knowing that I must vent, like when John Kerry recently said that air conditioners and refrigerators are as big of a threat to life as ISIS (seriously, he just said this on Friday while in Vienna), I will just sit down and express my thoughts in a new Blog I've created - this Blog - Postcards From The Right.

This will be my medium for thoughts, ideas, commentary, and opinions on what's transpiring in the world as I see it, and anything else that makes my blood pressure rise. I'll copy/paste the link to the Blog on Facebook when I add a new post in case any of you want to read what I have to say but this way you won't have to be bored/annoyed/irritated by my political diatribes within the confines of Facebook.

I may write a blog post once a week, it may be less frequent, it may be more frequent. I don't know. But when something is on my mind, I'll have a way to get it off my chest - and not on Facebook.

Once again, my apologies to my Facebook friends. A new chapter begins. The first post for the Blog is almost finished so stay tuned, if you care. If not, we can still be friends.

Peace, out.