Remembering The Fall Of Rome (And It's Batshit Crazy Leaders)

As a kid I always wondered how mighty, kick ass Rome pretty much allowed itself to fall apart and rot from within as the barbarians trolled the gates. Of course, once you start reading just how insane its Caesars really were, you soon start asking yourself- just how was it that Rome managed to survive as long as it did?

Of course, our modern, interconnected world experiences everything at a considerably accelerated rate. And I have been amazed at what this country has been able to endure just in my lifetime, including a President who (while definitely not insane), at least kinda knew he was dumber than a rock in some round about, dry drunk kinda way- and didn't give a damn how many people lost their lives in his little macho military fantasies. Now we got someone running who not only doesn't have the slightest clue, but who actually thinks himself more intelligent than all human life combined. And even scarier, if such a scenario is even plausible (and it is)- there are people who actually think believe he is, while others simply revel in the fact that he'll forever be the ever lovin' dick that he truly is... (just like them- except w/o his $).

Civilizations in the final stages of decay are dominated by elites out of touch with reality.

          -Christopher Hedges
 

Season's Greeetings!

Nevada Assemblywoman Michele Fiore's (R) interpretation of Matthew 5:5.

Currently clocking in at about 40% of capacity from my most recent loss to the flu (think Rousey/Holms, the extended version), I was aching to return to normal society- but alas, that feeling for human vitality and normalcy were cut short with last week's insanity. A sickening, deadening insanity that has metastasized into what now flauntingly mocks normalcy. Ignorance, fear and neglect begetting a violence so mindless that it in turn erodes the sanity and response of those of good will still remaining. So we never address the root cause(s), never attempt to dialogue, never ever dare to even consider a reset.

It's so easy to point at those 'dumb' kids shooting hell outta each other in every inner city in this country. They never learn, it's just their lot- just don't dare make same said and simple observation when it comes to the world at large... the one adults roam and rule.

So we will continue to threaten and arm ourselves for: prevention, protection, retaliation. Our planet is dying all around us, but not to worry: kick back with your Big Gulp, Supersize that Happy Meal, and make sure ya got enough hollow points to outlast your fries- You're Good To Go!!!

Amen...

Lies, Lies, Lies... Very popular these days. On the news, the internets, the mouths of the pettiest of Presidential candidates. As true now as it was then- make them big enough, repeat them often enough... and people will fall in line to follow.

Not as loud, or convenient or as popular, there are always the facts. And for that, we can always give thanks, thanks for that increasingly rare opportunity to glimpse through the window of sanity...

Addendum: And speaking of truth in advertising...

Donald Mussolini

Professionals with a lot more experience, who are paid a helluva lot more than me, have somehow yet to make the most obvious of obvious comparisons. The boasts, the posturing, the smirking disdain, absolute arrogance and utter disregard for anything resembling the truth; all so frighteningly  parallel and irrefutable, despite the disparities of time, ethnicity and  geographical location. 

And yet, in this age when we may repeat the same said mistake, with the same sad and sorry said consequences-  I have yet to see this most relevant of comparisons...  anywhere.

Chris Hedges- "Civilizations in the final stages of decay are dominated by elites out of touch with reality."

Donald Trump's Political Advisor

Gets her just desserts.

The Trump Coward Family

No matter how much money I've inherited and made on the backs of others- I'm still a little shit... And look- I can prove it!!!

I have nothing against hunters who actually eat what they kill- I'd be some kinda hypocrite otherwise, since I eat meat. As far as these Big Bawanas who wanna prove how big theirs are by shooting defenseless animals for... sport are concerned- if you want to prove your manhood with a gun, there's many a government sanctioned organization that will happily send you off where you can "be all that you can be." But these Trumps, Nugents and lying dentists are just cowards to the core.

Donald Trump- Man Of Conviction!

Man Of Valor, Man Of Honor!

Cartoon: Mike Luckovich

Being the modest, humble, utterly truthful, and self proclaimed hero, that he is- be it in the heart of the relentless Falklands War or the protest march under his hotel, don't forget this man has also shed his blood in our name in the battlefield called... The War on Christmas. While we routinely celebrated the holidays safe and oblivious, Bill has stood his ground and survived a bloody onslaught against all odds, single handedly fighting the good fight against every imaginary foe and attacker he can possibly hurl at himself, at home and abroad!

God Bless Him! There is no quit in this man!!!
(no shame or humility either- but, what the hey!)

How Not To Save Yourself From... The Hanging Tree!

This article in Wonkette about the further adventures of a clueless software graphics firm called SeaSalt & Co, and their latest product called the Hanging Tree, is both hilariously funny, and accurate. They wanted to go with a dark, foreboding and maybe, just maybe... controversial image to highlight and announce their new, absolute pride and joy.

And as is so, so true so many, many times before- what do you do when you dig yourself a hole too seemingly big to crawl out of? Why... dig yourself a much, much deeper one!

Via Petapixel- where yours truly contributed "a few" choice comments of his own...

Me And My Gun!

Sometimes I just can't help myself. After reading all the PRO-GUN hype and hysteria commentary on this particular piece of Yahoo journalism... couldn't help adding my own $0.02:

 

Why can't people understand that you can't be a MAN in America unless you have a gun? Is that too hard to understand? American men can't feel safe, secure and masculine without having a bigger gun than the guy standing next to him. It's all there in the Constitution! 

And you have to have one to be a good Christian, Jesus was all about his guns! He never backed down- always brought his piece, and wasn't scared to use it either.

I mean, come on, take away our guns... And we're nothing!!!

UPDATE: Anytime I leave a comment anywhere on guns, it's always followed by insults, threats, and more threats. This time... crickets!?!?

An Assistant's Tale

In the late seventies I had one very brief career run as NYC's least illustrious photo assistant. One Sunday after straggling in around 6AM, I got a call some two hours later from this studio photographer I worked for once before. Of course, no amount of money was gonna get my sleeping, still drunken ass all the way back into Manhattan. N-F-W. But he pleaded, and pleaded, and pleaded some more, and not having any solid work dates lined up, I gulped down major aspirin and dragged my sorry twenty year old butt back into the subway.

Long story short, I go to collect my forty bucks at day's end (the going rate then for second assistant) and the SOB tells me he's only going to pay me... thirty. After begging me to come in, on a Sunday no less, the guy's actually gonna stiff me ten miserly bucks when he should have been paying me double! I look at the guy incredulously, ask for my money again, and get the same response.

Clearly, I had lost this argument. Leaning into his desk, I smiled into his self satisfied mug, yanked the cord and repositioned his office typewriter onto my shoulder (that's right kids, computers were just a gleam in your mama's eyes), walked out the studio, and slept soundly every Sunday morning since.

I'm Not A Scientist...

So if I had even the slightest sense (of humility), I really would keep my fucking mouth shut (if only to spare myself the embarrassment)- but since so many of my fellow colleagues in Congress are also bought and paid for by oil companies, and our constituents actually believe in talking snakes and FOX News- what's to stop me!?!?

Help Us, Save Us... Anyone!?

Well, the American people have spoken! Dissatisfied with our current lot and our current crop of ineffectual, so called leaders, we once again ran screaming to the flip side of the same sad coin to elect those who can get things done- and in the worst possible way. Case in point- soon to be Senate Majority Leader Mad Max Mitch O'Connell gathered mucho support because of his pro-US stance on Big Coal- his gun ho, yahoo supporters completely oblivious to the fact that his filthy rich wife is in the business of shipping in cheap coal from... Columbia (along with a little blow on the side). The "git the gov'ment out of my Medicare" brain fart mentality goes a long (long) way in brainwashing the Republican faithful, along with copious amounts of voter suppression and under the counter racism galore. These guys are determined to run whatever's left of the earth into the ground, out of the ground and straight into their ever lovin' pockets. And they won't stop until there's nothing left to hide behind...

9/21/14 NYC- Photo: © S. Banos

Climate Change Facts  vs.  Climate Change Hucksters

9/21/14 NYC- Photo: © S. Banos

The Luxury of Unemployment

It's been well over four years since Dominique Browning was cast unto unemployment much like myself along with a cast of hundreds of thousands of others. And if you're anything like me, you've also spent many a restless night wondering about her ultimate fate and well being. 

Alas! Unlike the vast majority of those unwashed minions, she did not have to ponder who would hire a middle age adult, or how she would survive on a minimum wage income lost and forgotten amidst the nightmare of ridiculously unaffordable rents, or the plague of crime ridden streets. She just bravely carried on with the life she was destined to lead, contemplating her plight as she walked the quiet sands of the beach surrounding her... one remaining house, and writing a labor of love, appropriately entitled... Slow Love: How I Lost My Job, Put On My Pajamas, and Found Happiness. I can only begin to imagine the struggle she endured to find a publisher!

Beef, Refried, Mild Salsa & Assault Weapons

These mature, respectable gun wielding patrons at Chipolte can't seem to put down their assault rifles long enough to order a burrito for fear it would render them vulnerable and defenseless to bad guys with assault weapons who may walk in right when they're garnishing their hot sauce.

Reminded me of... This Headline.

Fortunately, neither of these two look like anyone who would shoot up a campus- or a burrito shack, or...

“I don’t recognize the United States government as even existing.”

Cliven "USA" Bundy 
Photo: Scott Watson

I'm sure used to seeing the whole "Love it or Leave it" crowd wrap itself within the flag, but for a guy who straight out swears he doesn't even believe in the United States- Cliven Bundy sure does go outta his way to drape himself in the very symbol of what he doesn't believe in one whole heapin' helpful! And, of course, while he rails against "Negroes on government subsidies," he has no problem unlawfully using government assets for personal gain to the tune of several million dollars.

But then, these are the armed, demented morons that the Republican Party has embraced and unleashed upon us all...

"Everybody Knows God Controls The Weather & God Is Super Angry"

Portrait of An American Politician

Bit late with this, but then, this has been an ongoing joke since Republicans purposely chose to dumb down our electorate late last century. Must give credit where credit's due- great job guys! We are the laughing stock of the world- and these are the same ignorant, arrogant bastards who will crack racist jokes about natives in "deepest, darkest Africa" and their... uncivilized superstitions.

I'm also gonna go out on a limb (and not a very long one at that) and bet the person above would have no problem cracking lesbian and trans-gender jokes. Go figure...

Terry Richardson = Major Dickhead Supreme

I gotta admit, years ago I thought that maybe (just maybe) there was a bit of possible (penis) envy involved when it came to Terry Richardson. Here was a middle aged four eyes with a plaid shirt, one major sleaze bomb of a pervert looking guy shooting, partying and scoring beautiful 20yr old models galore. Hey, he's doing it- you're not! Get over it, and cut the guy some slack for livin' the dream...

But over the years, the Lance Armstrong factor came into play big time, and just kept building... There are some guys where the sleaze factor finally reaches critical mass because they've been getting away with it for so damn long, they really don't give a flyin' anymore. They think themselves invulnerable.

Then along comes this claim (amongst countless others)... And to all those who say she could have simply said, "NO." Yes, very true- someone with a little more gumption would have simply bit his dick off and told him to, "Photograph this!" Or simply walked out... But there are others who when put in high pressure, threatening (yes, shoving your dick in someone's face is threatening) situations simply comply to get it over with, particularly when they're in the perpetrator's home court, surrounded by his collaborators. Aggressors know when they have someone compliant in hand, usually because they've done it so many times before. And he's damn well smart enough not to try it with someone on an equal power level. That's how he gets away with it, time and time again.

By now, everyone should be aware that even innocent people can be made to confess to the crime at hand (even murder raps) when aggressively interrogated- just to get the ordeal over with...

Just One Drop!

Good enough then- good enough now...  And 14%'s considerably more!

Ted

Yet another draft dodging, flag waving, gun ho, super patriot, hypocrite

like Rush, John Wayne and a host of others who love to shoot- 
only when they don't shoot back...