It was a rough night.  Nightmare became reality.  Not only will Donald Trump again become president, but the U.S. Senate will be Republican controlled.  Probably the House too.  Said   Time : Trump campaigned on an authoritarian agenda that would   upend America’s democratic norms , and he is already preparing to deliver on it: mass detention and deportations of migrants; revenge against political enemies via the justice system; deploying the military against his own civilians. How far he chooses to go with the power the public has handed him is a question that will shape the fate of the country. A good look at  Project 2025  provides you the Trump agenda.   Global warming?  While it might not be a hoax anymore, the U.S. will not be cooperative, citing the actual recalcitrance of China and India as reasons.  Trump is also beholden to fossil fuel interests.  The world will suffer. Freedom?   Abortion rights will b...

We are on the Norwegian Encore from Miami to Southampton, UK, and will be at-sea for the next few days.  This gives me an opportunity to wonder how the USA got to the point where a convicted criminal, liar, misogynist and all-around lout, former president Donald Trump, has a 50-50 chance of getting re-elected tomorrow. About the voting public. Most of them have gone through our K-12 school system, which, in addition to academics, teaches you to be a good citizen, with some pride regarding our country.  Just about all states require students to daily recite the  Pledge of Allegiance .  Written by minister Francis Bellamy in 1892, it is short, simple and meaningful. I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. This was adjusted in 1954 when President Dwight Eisenhower, concerned about the Communist threat, asked Congress to add "under God." I pledge allegiance to the flag of the Uni...

The Donald Trump vs Kamala Harris debate has become a must watch event tonight. Tuesday, September 10, 9PM EDT ( 3PM in Hawaii ). Will be covered on most TV news channels.  Not much more I can add at this point, except to underscore that the future of Democracy in the USA is at stake.  Well, I can take a tangent, and while political betting is illegal in the U.S., there are ways, and propositions can be found here and there.  For example,  USA Today  cites Polymarket, a crypo-trading platform: There is an 89% chance Trump will say  Israel . border  at least 15 times, 67% alien  at least 5 times, 19% MAGA  at least 3 times, 30% Elon Musk , 35% Epstein  5% 91% chance that Harris will say  abortion . border  at least 5 times, 72% not going back , 64% liar , 34% Project 2025,  85% democracy,  86% Trump and Harris will shake hands = 27% I predict Trump will find a way to walk up to Harris and attempt to shake her hand, jus...

Six years ago, the  IndyStar  asked a group of people walking into Donald Trump's first Indiana campaign rally to find one word best describing him: Authenticity. Brave. Needed. Executive. Good. Powerful. Demanding. Great.* Embarrassing. Visionary. Brash. Boastful. Awesome.* Change. Hero. Honest.* Disgusting. Boorish. Greatest of All Time.* Driven.* Pro-American. American and America.* Fantastic. Ambitious. President.* Smart.* Dynamic. High-energy. Strength. Non-political. Businessman. Motivated. Resilient. Amazing.* Terrible. Leader.* Passionate.* Leadership. Winner. Bigot. Authentic. True.* Patriot. Strong. Non-corrupt. Strong-willed. Determined. Brave. Godlike. Friend. Rich. Dude. Wall. Strong.* Traditional. Bold. Revolutionary. Genius. Brilliant. Boss. Clever. Ballsy.* Family. Capable. Bad-ass. Heroic. Winner.* Loud.* Greatness. Good. Expletive-crazy. Powerful. Helpful. Charismatic. Rich.* Egomaniac. Fantastic. Transparent. Two years ago,  Rabbi John Rosove  pres...