Sunday, March 03, 2019

WETNESS -- TESTIMONY -- MADNESS


A strange experience occurred here a few days ago.  That wet stuff that falls out of the sky we’ve had for days suddenly ceased.  There has been this golden glow --  blindingly bright yellow rays from the sky during the day,  causing me to feel warmth on my body when I’m outdoors -- though the air is still colder than our typical 69 degree average temperature this time of year.    

This weather situation continued a whole week before more of that soggy wet stuff descended.   I learned it’s called rain.   Some home owners are experiencing hillsides threateningly sliding away from their house foundation.    In the past two months Santa Anita Racetrack, down the freeway in Arcadia, reports twenty horses have died, or had to be put down, raising concern that the rain's effects may be a causative factor.  They refurbished the race track, but news reports as I write this are that another horse was injured in such a way it had to be be put down after the most recent race. 

The good news is so much rain has fallen our drought is officially over, but at least two more strong storm systems are coming.   So those of you living east of Southern California get prepared, more “chilly wetness” of one kind or another may soon be coming your way. 

* * *
What a surprise ... to learn in recent Congressional testimony our Prez is alleged to be a cheat, liar and con man ... would never have guessed.   Isn’t he just a real estate developer, trying to make a buck?   He wouldn’t .....

-- give priority to his personal business interests over that of our nation, would he?

-- compromise our national interests with autocratic dictators of countries dedicated to undermining our form of government, would he?

-- attempt to alter our democratic system to become a dictatorial-type leader, would he? 

--  lie profusely to confuse people, would he? 

--  try to disparage our journalistic free press to undermine this system check designed to protect our democracy, would he?

--  be guilty of committing all the reprehensible behavior he accuses everyone else of doing, would he?  

* * *
If the madness is getting to you, just turn off thoughts of the world and tune into this classic Criterion Collection movie I laughed through the other night to release a few of my mind/body healing endorphins:



“It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World” – a madcap movie that elicited gut-wrenching laughter when I first saw it years ago and still elicits laughs from me today.   Some of the funniest most prominent comedians with other celebrities of the day appeared in cameos and slapstick sketches that defied common sense, with a plot revealing how greed can creep into some lives -- even those in respected positions.   That could never happen today .... could it?  


26 comments:

  1. I will be so glad when this nightmare of an administration is over. Maybe I should see if I can stream that movie since the world is spinning too fast for me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Real zany antics and some interesting scenery are what you’ll see with this movie.

      Delete
  2. I only watched a bit of his testimony, the last part but why would anybody believe what he said-- before or now? He's a rat looking to save himself. He has a Clinton operative (who trusts them) to write his words. I will add that Trump ever hiring him says a lot about him that's not flattering either. To me, this has been disillusioning about every level of our government and media, who only posts what suits their agenda. I am losing faith that there is a way out for future generations in this country. What happened to old fashioned values like kindness, responsibility, working, helping others who can't help you back??? Neither party shows any of that and least of all any candidate currently for president. I do follow the news, read both sides of issues and it's not making me hopeful for my grandchildren's generation :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Clearly you are disillusioned with all. I hold out more hope for the future and believe there are individuals who will make an honest effort to better our nation and the world.

      Delete
  3. It seems like every time I hear about the weather out in California it translates to human misery. So sad about those horses!

    Wouldn't you have loved to hear what was said in the closed congressional hearing? We didn't really learn anything we didn't already know from the open hearing about our so-called president, who will go down as the most famous Con Man in history.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We have so much sunshine and desirable weather in California, what makes the news is when our weather is out of the ordinary. The disastrous news affects select areas and those living there, but many of us aren’t directly involved.

      Delete
  4. I honestly believe it is more visible today. I live in a small province and see the corruption up close and personal so to speak. The checks and balances are in the uncompromised "free press". But then again they're influenced by advertisers - corporations. 45 is the culmination of this. he just doesn't have the intellect to be more discreet - partly due to his narcissism and psychopathy.

    XO
    WWW

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That’s entirely possible with misdeeds becoming widely known rapidly now. I certainly agree that while journalists are subjected to pressures that can compromise their reporting, there are many dedicated to providing the facts — who care about protecting our democratic republic.

      Delete
  5. Yes, that was a great film. It's difficult to think of other films that were consistently funny rather than just funny in parts. Some Like It Hot definitely qualifies. Perhaps in 20 years' time someone will make a brilliant comedy about the madcap President Trump and how he blundered his way through the presidency.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, I agree, “Some Like It Hot” was funny, too — one of the better Marilyn Monroe movies for her dumb blond character — the only acting persona she ever created in the movies.

      Delete
  6. Hard to believe the race track is still trying to run races with so many horses dying. That is so sad.
    Enjoy that sunshine. We have had a similar lack of the bright orb. Today is a mixed bag.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pickets are present now demanding the race track be closed down. Some say the horses are worked too hard since the track condition has been determined to be okay. I hadn’t realized a number of race horses die every racing season from injuries, but this is an unusually high number.

      Delete
  7. The worrisome thing about Trump is that a lot of Republicans don't care what he did in the past, no matter how sleazy. He's given them what he promised. Scary stuff.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That has alarmed me, too, that they’re willing to tolerate anything in the naive belief they’re able to control that person — exactly what history shows occurs when suddenly an individual takes over in a trumped-up (no pun intended, but appropriate) assumption of centralized power, by legal means, usually, ala an alleged security need to declare martial law.

      Delete
    2. They don't even feel they need to control him, they're not going to turn on their own: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/were-not-going-to-turn-on-our-own-republicans-rally-around-trump-as-threats-mount/2019/03/02/6b9786ac-3bb2-11e9-aaae-69364b2ed137_story.html

      Delete
    3. You’re right, control isn’t the word. They don’t think he’ll exceed limits that could result in his assuming powers not intended by our founders or in our constitution causing loss of our freedoms as we know them.

      Delete
    4. It's all about judicial power. They want to remake the courts...everywhere.

      Delete
  8. I love that movie. It's one of those you can watch in its entirety or simply watch for a few minutes and get a good laugh. And we definitely need things to laugh about, don't we?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, many funny scenes can give us needed laughs.

      Delete
  9. On one of my trips to visit my aunt and uncle in Arcadia they took me to see Its a Mad Mad World. I almost hurt myself laughing - so very funny. I do not think it could be made today - people are too divided but I'd like to see them try.

    I agree with you about Cohen's testimony. It is still hard to swallow that we could elect a corrupt buffoon president but we did - Clinton was as vile a choice.

    Looks like the whole state is getting the same excess rain - several friends have been snowed in and even as far north as Oregon a friend was without power for almost an entire week. Reminds me of the late sixties when I first started skiing. Lots of snow then as well.

    Stay dry and safe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can’t recall seeing anything politically sensitive to anyone’s views in that movie, but maybe I missed something you noted.

      Power outages in the winter, especially, with the need for warmth when temps are freezing and below zero are miserable as I know from years of living in Great Lakes state. We had monsterous snow drifts but with no mountains didn’t have to worry about avalanches— except off rooftops — unlike what’s happening in some snow areas here. Sorry to hear about your friend. Hope they had fireplace or were able to go to where there was heat.

      Delete
  10. Well, thank goodness there is no drought in your area. As for Trump, he has so much negative publicity, I wonder how he can sleep at night.

    ReplyDelete
  11. -so much rain up here, too! The prez is an A-1 cheat & con. We must be able to rebound from this mess as a nation. I haven't seen the film you mentioned in years and years. I just recently rewatched California Suite & it held up, or so I thought. Maggie Smith gave a brilliant performance.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I recall Calif. Suite — a movie I enjoyed, too.

      Delete
  12. Thanks for reminding me about that crazy movie. They do help, don't they?

    ReplyDelete