Hail to the Chief

Congratulations to the new President of the United States of America Donald Trump!  Trump was sworn in on Friday and those who didn't vote for him continue to whine about him not being duly elected.  As a citizen of the United States of America I really wish they would grow up and quit their whining.

I have family members and friends who say "Oh, he didn't get the most votes in the election".  They are correct.  But the last time I checked the Electoral College has decided the winner of the presidency in every election since this country started.  If the Electoral College is such a bad idea why haven't the whiners gotten off their butts and tried to change the US Constitution?  A question that needs to be asked of the "whiners" is why didn't they go to the polls in November like they did when Barack Obama was elected in 2008 and 2012?  Analysts have repeatedly cited the failure of minorities and Democrats to go to the polls in Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida.  It's pretty simple.  If minorities and Democrats had voted for Hillary Clinton at the same rate they did Mr. Obama, Ms. Clinton would be President. But, she's not because her advisers didn't campaign in key counties and didn't get out the vote where they should have.

People in the "rust belt" (those states I mentioned above) are fed up with the economy and with the federal government.  Many have lost their jobs and their standard of living is worse than it was eight years ago.  I do not blame Mr. Obama for that.  In fact, I think he did a great job of running this nation.  Like many others the blame needs to go to Congress.  Many voters wouldn't vote against their congressional representatives but did apparently blame the Democrats in Congress for problems that were never resolved.  My thought is many of those voted against Hillary Clinton or just didn't vote as a protest of the feckless legislative branch of the federal government.

Finally, there are some national media biased against the Trump administration because he has called them out on their policies.  As a former journalist I have to say some reporters I know are among the laziest people on earth.  They are either unwilling to challenge Mr. Trump's opponents or else just don't understand why US citizens are angry.

This morning I heard one of the most biased interviews on NPR disguised as journalism.  I have no idea why these individuals were allowed to rant and complain about the Trump presidency for more than eleven minutes.  The name of the piece was: "Examining Obama's Legacy on Race Relations and What to Expect from Trump".  One individual on the panel, a "journalist' by the name of Debra Dickerson, spouted hatred of whites and at one point stated "Whites had better wake up".  Apparently she is of the belief that we are on the verge of a civil war and cited skirmishes in the 1800's along the Missouri - Kansas border.  I respect Ms. Dickerson's right to write what she wants.  But, NPR shame on you for giving this racist a forum on public radio stations under the guise of journalism.

It will be interesting to see how some national media treat our 45th president and if as Trump states they are trying to de-legitimize his presidency.

Happy New Year...Even If it's a Few Days Late

I am writing this on January 3rd because frankly I was too busy to write it on January first.  I didn't see the New Year in and fell asleep in front of this computer, where I am writing now, about 11 p.m. on New Year's Eve.

I have enjoyed the New Year thus far because I have not yet gone back to work.  That will happen tomorrow and may I say with tongue firmly planted in cheek I can hardly wait to get back to the office and working with a bunch of "unique" individuals.

I guess the most fun I have had in the first three days of 2017 was watching the St. Louis Blues beat up on the Chicago Blackhawks in the NHL's "Winter Classic" played yesterday at Busch Stadium. The Hawks scored first, but the Blues came back with four unanswered goals to win the game 4-1.  I didn't score tickets to the game but enjoyed it with family and friends in front of my television.  The Blues were the better team yesterday, but the Blackhawks are still ahead of the Blues in the division standings.

I also took joy in watching my newly adopted Green Bay Packers beat up on the Detroit Lions on New Year's night.  I will write when I get some time about what the Packers front office did for me this past summer so that they are now my favorite NFL team since the Rams bolted St. Louis for Los Angeles.  And let me thank my friends L&J for a great day watching NFL Sunday Ticket while feeding me dinner.  You guys rock!

One thing about being on vacation is the chance to stay up late each night and to sleep in each morning.  I have enjoyed a number of fine craft beers in the past two weeks, some that have made me sleep like a baby.  But, now it is time to return to reality.  So, with reality in mind let me wish you a Happy and Healthy 2017!  May it be your best year yet and may you find it happy, health and prosperous!  Happy New Year and "Go Pack Go"!