Politics Plus

Did I actually put “republicans” and “fun” in the same sentence?  I know, I know – but to be honest, it’s actually other folks making FUN of republicans.  So we’re good.

The week’s festivities started with Paul Ryan giving his Trumpcare/WeDon’tCare PowerPoint presentation for AHCA – and folks had a field day with memes.  So let’s enjoy some of their handiwork

First, let’s admit that they tried to incorporate some good points into their AHCA plan …

And it does try to offer some sound advice …

And it is elegant in its underlying simplicity at cutting costs …

But surprisingly enough, Paul Ryan actually gave an honest summation of the GOP’s AHCA plan – he concluded that it’s a …

Then Kellyanne Conway stepped up to TRY to “help” out Twitler with his bald-faced lie that Pres. Obama had his “wires tapped”, by claiming Obama wasn’t just limited to spying only by having “wires tapped” … he could also be using a microwave oven camera.

Conway actually learned of the microwave’s sinister photographic powers from her own oven:

And the sad duty of informing Pres. Obama of Conway’s odd, but extremely serious, charge of ordering microwaves to become a Snapchat spy on Twitler fell to Hillary.  Fortunately, she was up to the task:

But in all fairness, if you take a closer look at your microwave’s Control Panel, you can see there’s some possibility to Conway’s claim

But being skeptical, I decided to go right to the source and ask MY microwave if it was spying on me – and this is the reply I got from my oven:

So maybe Obama HAS been infiltrating Trump Tower …

I’ll leave you with this sobering clip.  Wanting to be thorough, I setup one of those “Nanny Video Cams” that record exactly what does go on in the kitchen when I’m not around.  To say the least, I was flabbergasted!

So who knows – maybe Conway was correct.

Nah – not a chance in hell.  I was just toying with you.

Originally I was going to skip this week because I was planning on heading up to Illinois to do Mom’s income taxes.  (She actually pulls everything together, but because of her macular degeneration she can’t fill in the boxes for the accountant.)  She got sick with a bit of a bug and had some vomiting.  She’s fine now, but I’ve postponed my trip up to Monday – so I won’t have a “Friday Fun” next week.

Since it’s that time of year, I’m going to do a reprise of Yosemite’s Firefall from a year ago. 

Given the snow and rain California has gotten this winter, the natural Horsetail Falls Firefall show that only happens once a year in late February should be spectacular.  The opportunity to view it lasts for only about 10 days … and only for 10 minutes each day right at sunset.  But boy, when the illusion of “lava” flowing down Horsetail Falls’ 1,570 feet (480 meters) face happens – it’s breathtakingly gorgeous!

For five of the past six years Mother Nature did not put on her show because of the drought –and this year’s plentiful snow and rainfall should make it extra breathtaking – IF all the other requirements fall in to place.

Not only must there be abundant water flowing, but the sun must also be aligned perfectly at just the right angle to produce the red, orange and gold reflections to create the illusion.  And for that to happen there can be no cloud cover, which can be pretty rare in February.  And then you have to be in the perfect spot in Yosemite Valley to view Horsetail Fall, which is on the east face of El Capitan, to capture it all.

(We should note that while the angle of the sun is also properly aligned in October, there’s no water flowing at that time of year to produce the Firefall.)

The natural Horsetail Firefall should not be confused with Yosemite Firefall that began in the summer of 1872 and continued for almost a century.  The owners of the Glacier Point Hotel had hot embers from dying fires raked over the edge of Glacier Point to Yosemite Valley 3,000 feet below. From a distance, it appeared as a glowing waterfall.

The Yosemite Firefall was a summer time event that began in 1872 and continued for almost a century, in which burning hot embers were spilled from the top of Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park to the valley 3,000 feet below. From a distance it appeared as a glowing waterfall. The owners of the Glacier Point Hotel conducted the firefall. History has it that David Curry, founder of Camp Curry, would stand at the base of the fall, and yell "Let the fire fall," each night as a signal to start pushing the embers over.

The Firefall ended in January 1968, when the National Park Service ordered it to stop because the overwhelming number of visitors that it attracted trampled meadows to see it, and because it was not a natural event. NPS wanted to preserve the Valley, returning it to its natural state. The Glacier Point Hotel was destroyed by fire 18 months later and was not rebuilt.

Glacier Hotel Actual Firefall of Embers

Undoubtedly the Awahneechee Indians, who called Yosemite Valley home for hundreds of years, had observed the natural Horsetail Firefall – but if so, they never shared that information with white settlers who discovered the Valley in 1851.

Galen Rowell is the person who took the first-known photograph of the natural Horsetail Firefall, and that was only in 1973.  Now hundreds of photographers from around the world flock to Yosemite in late February hoping they’ll be one of the lucky few to actually view it – an experience they describe as so deeply moving that it brings tears to their eyes along with actual applause from the crowd of shutterbugs!

The most convenient and crowded viewing area for the “lava” show is at the El Capitan picnic area, just shy of 2 miles past Yosemite Lodge at the Falls on Northside Drive.  It’s only a small pullout area marked only by a small sign – but in late February, if you keep your eyes peeled for a horde of tripods, you’ll have found it. 

Not satisfied with just her stellar rollout of the Orwellian concept of “Alternative Facts” on "Meet the Press", Kellyanne Conway decided to take it up a notch with her vivid – and totally mendacious – detailed history of the “Bowling Green Massacre” by two Iraqis to justify Twitler’s Muslim Ban on Chris Matthews’ "Hardball"

Well, Kellyanne – your biggest problem is IT NEVER HAPPENED!

But that doesn't stop them from trying to claim their Muslim Ban is exactly the same thing that Pres. Obama did.  But WaPo shot that “Alternative Fact” falsehood down with a THREE Pinocchio rating!

But there is one good fallout from Conway’s fantasy: It has led to some entertaining memes.  So let’s enjoy a few …

We Honor Them by Never Forgetting

Please RT this photo as a reminder of those we lost in the Bowling Green Massacre. #NeverForget pic.twitter.com/iF4XGpPALf

— Fox Base Alpha (@jeffthelad) February 3, 2017

NBC’s Brian "My-Helicopter-Was-Shot-Down" Williams Proudly Served

Brian Williams won a Purple Heart for his service at the Bowling Green Massacre.

— Michael Blackman (@ParaComedian09) February 3, 2017

And if you missed it, Twitler celebrated Black History Month by talking about the abolitionist slave Frederick Douglass in the present tense:

“Frederick Douglass is an example of somebody who’s done an amazing job and is being recognized more and more, I notice.”

Trump: Fredrick Douglas, 'someone who's done an amazing job.' Fred, u here? Where's Fred? Not here? Well he's done an amazing job. The best. https://t.co/jv8Ipgu5GM

— Jeffrey Wright (@jfreewright) February 1, 2017

And when his Press Secretary was asked to explain why Trump talked about Douglass in  the present tense, Sean “Alternative Facts” Spicer also failed American History 101 by explaining: “I think the contributions of Frederick Douglass will become more and more.”

Which explains this Tweet:

One still shudders to think how bad the Bowling Green massacre would've been if not for the heroic intervention of Fred Douglass.

— Alec MacGillis (@AlecMacGillis) February 3, 2017

A Nice Memorial

Here are all the names of the people that perished in the Bowling Green Massacre. May they Rest In Peace pic.twitter.com/vB3k6vNz2y

— Sam Z Comedy (@SamZComedy) February 3, 2017

Well, there WAS one Bowling Green massacre … but it involved football – and NO ONE was killed!

This is the only Bowling Green Massacre I have ever heard of: pic.twitter.com/27M7SIRL3g

— Jen Myers (@downhiller1976) February 3, 2017

So Mark Your Calendars

Thank you, @KellyannePolls for reminding us about the famous Bowling Green Massacre, which occurred on February 30th at 13:00.

— Mike Drucker (@MikeDrucker) February 3, 2017

Anything for a Buck (Must Be a Trumpkin)

if you'd like to donate to the fund for the victims of the bowling green massacre please PayPal me directly

— Max Read (@max_read) February 3, 2017

Trudat: There Was One casualty – Another Nail in the Conway Credibility Coffin

The only victim of the Bowling Green Massacre is Kellyanne Conway's credibility.

— Michael Blackman (@ParaComedian09) February 3, 2017

UPDATED

ETA:

For those who would like to help the countless number who suffered from the "Bowling Green Massacre" – I'm sure Kellyanne Conway would Want You To Donate

So – for a good laugh, just click the "Donate Now" button

(chortle – chortle)

Oh, and regarding Twitler’s Muslim Ban?  Let me just add:

Given what we’ve been – and will be – subjected to courtesy of the Tweetler-in-Chief, we’ve earned a little Schadenfreude.  So, let’s enjoy another assault to his fragile ego via his teeny-tiny hands and compare sizes … of Inaugural crowds!

It’s only been eight years, so we can all recall this joyous occasion on the first Inauguration of Pres. Obama:

This was the turnout for Tweetler Trump’s inauguration on Friday:

To defuse all the whiny excuse-fueled temper tantrums from Trumpkins, let me stipulate that BOTH photos were taken from the top of the Washington Monument, and BOTH were taken at noon.

This site proves it, and has a fun scroll bar that has both photos, so you can move back and forth to compare:

http://wtop.com/inauguration/2017/01/trumps-inauguration-crowds-compare-photos/slide/1/

But let’s get to the take-home message:

True to form, the Mango Mussolini today tried to claim he drew a crowd of 1.5 MILLION.

http://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/1/21/14347298/trump-inauguration-crowd-size

But it’s easy to see how he’s confused.  He thought that all that white from the protective Mall lawn panels were actually KKK Kluckers robed in their white sheets.  Donny's Delusion solved!  (Well, at least in the reality-based world.)

But a little hard data courtesy of the Washington Metro Transit should help him figure things out using actual numbers::

And if you’re confronted with a little Trumpkin trying to Trumpsplain the pitifully paltry populous because “We were all working” – I’ve found it helpful to counter with:

“Oh, you must mean because Pres. Obama, who inherited Dubya’s pitiful and plummeting unemployment rate of 7.9%, worked to turn it around to just the 4.8% that it is now.  You’re right – Thanks, Obama!”

And it wasn’t just the pitiful crowd numbers on the Mall.  Take a look at this video from Katy Tur of NBC News, filmed while traveling along the parade route: Empty bleachers!

Parade route from Capital to WH. Entire stands empty. Crowd thin. pic.twitter.com/7AcpJkBO8O

— Katy Tur (@KatyTurNBC) January 20, 2017

Everyone is trying to figure out what was in the Tiffany-wrapped box that Melania gave to Michelle.  Well, given the transcript of the exchange, I think I’ve got it solved.  Here is what was said between the two First Ladies when the Trumps arrived :

Michelle: Welcome to the White House.

Melania: Welcome to the White House.

Michelle: It’s very nice to see you again.

Melania: It’s very nice to see you again.

Michelle: Thanks for the beautiful gift.

Melania: Thanks for the beautiful gift.

(Michelle, under her breath: Oh brother, not THAT again!)

So, I’m pretty sure the gift is a leather-bound copy of Melania’s plagiarized Convention speech! 

(No matter what it is, it was a very nice gesture.)

Sadly, the speech isn’t the only thing the Trumps plagiarized.  Nope, they copied the official Inaugural cake that the Ace of Cakes chef, Duff Goldman, designed for the Obamas in 2009 2013:

The cake on the left is the one I made for President Obama's inauguration 4 years ago. The one on the right is Trumps. I didn't make it. ? pic.twitter.com/qJXpCfPhii

— Duff Goldman (@Duff_Goldman) January 21, 2017

And here’s some background from 2009 2013 how GOLDMAN designed the cake himself.  (Some Trumpkins are trying to claim that it’s the same because they’re ALL the same – and was directed from the White House staff.  WRONG!)

http://www.bonappetit.com/entertaining-style/article/the-presidential-inauguration-cake

But I believe we all hope that the Trumps will continue to plagiarize the ideas, ideals and policies of the Obamas.  (Too much to hope he’d plagiarize their dignity and grace.)
And I did deeply enjoy this banner that a plane pulled over NYC the day of Treump's inauguration: