MIDWEEK MUSINGS : LET'S NOT TALK POLITICS?

This week's musing has been on my mind this week as we were asked by our group leader 'not to talk politics' as we are on a trip to enjoy Ireland specifically their music. In my ear, Natureman's voice is saying: "Everything is political."

How can we be in a country that has so much history affected both politically and in its religiosity and not draw political conclusions?  Granted the Irish 'do' want to talk politics with us even if we are not supposed to talk amongst our group, I have had some interesting conversations with locals here. 

With the election getting into full swing, we have some soul-searching to do as a nation. I was asked this question by an Irishman, " Why is this race so close?" 

We're not talking politics: You are just reading James J Smith's poignant comments…

THE CLOSENESS OF THIS PRESIDENTIAL RACE SAYS MORE ABOUT THE COUNTRY THAN THE CANDIDATES! 

I don’t know about you, but I often get asked this question, “Why is this race so close?” To most of us there is no question about which candidate has a brighter vision for America’s future, and which candidate wants to drag us back into the past. Kamala Harris speaks of an America that treats all Americans equally and fairly with dignity and respect. Trump rambles and verbally wallows in a word salad leaving those who can stand the lies he spews, to wonder what the hell  he is talking about!

Donald Trump is not a mystery person, he has been on the public stage for the past nine years, and longer than that if you go back to the 1970s. He has a long record of racist acts committed against Black people in New York, City regarding his rental properties and the hateful ire he directed toward the “Central Park Five” in 1989. Multiple accounts of unwanted sexual encounters on women over the years because “When you’re a star they let you do it. You can do anything… grab ‘em by the p--.” Yes, this is the guy that tens of millions of Americans support, this 34-count convicted felon, this leader of an insurrection to overthrow the peaceful transfer of power because he didn’t want to leave the presidency! How can a guy like this be considered again for president of the United States? For that to happen he must convince millions to believe he is for them, he must sell the lie that current America is passing them by, and he will bring back the America that they were the majority in. Saying racist, divisive things have no power if the ears hearing these things don’t believe or share these views. This is America, and it has a racist track record since its beginning that has deep roots. So yes, racist, divisive words will find ears receptive to them! Trump has managed to find those people and sell them on the idea that Black and Brown, Queer people, non-Christians, and Democrats, are enemies of the state along with the mainstream media.

Comparing Kamala Harris to Trump is a no-brainer for most, she has an impressive resume while Trump has a Rap Sheet! The thing that blinds Trump supporters to her qualifications to be president are racism and sexism! That’s all Republicans got to go with stirring up “White Fear” of the scary Black woman! The fact that candidates so starkly different are basically tied in this race, speaks volumes about this country. Trump is a selfish, narcissistic, criminal, with empathy for no one. America is a transactional enterprise for him as is our way of life. He would sell us to the highest bidder if he could, he cares nothing about this country or its people! Millions want to follow this man even though if he had his way, he would “terminate the Constitution” and replace it with Project 2025. They would follow him despite all the things I mentioned, because of the one thing he has firmly made them value, THEIR WHITENESS!

White people will soon be the new minority and Trump has done a masterful job of playing on that fact to stir up “White Fear” of the other. Republicans have seized the moment to use it as a vehicle to drive home their racist policies of voter suppression and attacks on LGBTQ+ Rights and to further their relentless attack on women. Meaningful border legislation could have been passed, but Trump told Republicans to kill it, does that sound like a man who wants to secure our southern border? Trump the man is no secret, we know what he is about. Kamala is introducing herself to a lot of the country. What she has shown so far should be enough to convince America the choice is clear. Stop drinking the orange Kool-Aid Trumpers, the future of your country is at stake!