A.S. 8/22/16

There are few with hearts like ours
And even fewer that boast our scars
Although we have much that we share
Objectively, we don't compare

I do not have a face like yours
My resolve weakens while yours endures
I may lose faith, but yours stays strong
When I stumble and fall, you carry on

When I can't laugh, your smile glows
Where my doubt starts, your love grows
When I lose sight, your vision clears
When my trust fades, yours appears

There exists much in life ahead
That we both claim, that we've both said
Despite all that we've seen or done
There a few like us, and like you? -There's none.

Another Argument Against Trump

About the flood in Louisiana... About Trump coming to show support while Obama "vacationed."

I ask you to consider a couple things.

First, the governor told Trump not to come.  It wasn't that he thought Trump's supplies couldn't help.  I'm sure some did.  It was that his appearance would cause impediments.  That the most important thing at that moment wasn't to see a candidate, but to receive lifesaving aid.  He knew that resources would be diverted if he came down.  They were.  He knew people needed to help would gather to see him.  They did.  So he asked that he didn't come.  That request was ignored.

Second, it was requested that if he insisted on coming, to do so without media attention.  This wasn't a time for photos.  This wasn't a time for a politician to appear at a disaster to further political gains.  If he wanted to come to show support, photo ops were unneeded and frankly, disrespectful.  That request was also ignored.

Third, the office of the governor asked in lieu of these things, if he really wanted to help, if he really cared most about the people of Louisiana and not just the appearance of caring... to just donate.  No trucks.  No hat signing.  No meet and greet.  Donate to the Flood Relief Fund.  Think about how the money spent on travel, his staff, and the trucks could have been used if he had stayed home and gave a charitable donation.  But he didn't stay home.  Because we all know that old expression...

If a billionaire signs a check for Flood Relief and gives it to a state in crisis and there's no camera to take a picture of it... Did he really give the money at all?

Fourth, and this is the big one...

Imagine what it would take to secure an area for President Obama, especially in a flooded area.  The threats that would need to be ascertained and neutralized before bringing him in.  The amount of resources diverted.  The Governor knew this.  That's why he asked President Obama to hold off, focus on sending relief, and come at a later date to ensure rescue efforts did not abate.  Obamadid not ignore that request.

Here's the thing.  Appearing to be presidential and BEING presidential are two very different things.

So what is more presidential?  Ignoring the Governor of a state to appear presidential in a photo?

Or is it listening to the Governor of a state and giving it the necessary time to ensure rescue efforts are not blocked or otherwise impeded?

Trump's Shameless Statues

Body shaming?  Double standards?  Hate?

This was art.  Hard to look at, but still art.

Art doesn't have to be pretty.  It doesn't have to be censored.  It's not about being politically correct or conforming.

It's about the OPPOSITE of these things.

It's to make you feel something.  Promote a dialogue.  Point out a flaw in the world.  Show a blemish.  Whether it makes you cringe or smile, art is this ridiculously unapologetic thing that just has to exist to be what it is.

Good art and bad art?  These are interpretations.  A brilliant author may be unrecognized in his time and die penniless... and a few centuries later, he's recognized as a literary genius.

Perspective over time.

My perspective?

This statue highlighted an important point with the Republican candidate.

If you take away his rich suit, strip away his hubris, comment on his body as he has commented so horribly about the bodies of others, and call him an Emperor (which is what he would be, even if he claimed the mantle of President)... You get a real, unadulterated, completely uncensored look at the candidate as he really is.

It may be hard to look at... But the truth usually is.