Category: PAPA’S MISS/MASH (Page 2 of 4)

Yikes! One political side, unable to conceal glee, announces that the pure as snow jury system has spoken. The American justice has worked. It is a testament to truth and justice. A convicted felon cannot be elected US President. Dare they say “convicted felon” again and again until the cows come home? The haters love the cable outlets with 24/7 condemnation. It feels so good to have one’s brilliance confirmed every other second.

Another political viewpoint is that the trial was all rigged. The fix was in. This verdict, like all other charges against the former president, is political lawfare. The American justice system has been soiled. The stain will not be removed unless Biden is voted out of office. How dare these hooligans tarnish America’s greatest president since Lincoln.

Life must be very comforting for simple thinkers. Our man good. Your man bad. However, it may take some time to see how the jury’s verdict shakes out with the voting public. There will be more and more polls. So far it appears the verdict helped in fund raising. Going after a candidate with at least some contrived charges always seemed ill advised. (Nearly 100 counts.) Yet, they charged ahead with a court case that has overturned written all over it. I assume the democrats figure that it’ll be after the election before the case is reversed. So what? in their minds. The election will be over and a felon will not have been elected. Unless, of course, all this legal targeting strikes a negative chord with independent voters.

Hold your breath. We may not be done yet. It’s not possible that the New York judge would impose a jail term on a past president/candidate is it? Talk about tempting the voters sense of American fairness. I’m a bit surprised that it has not happened yet but I assume a legal path out of the state jurisdiction will be pursued. It appears violation of constitutional rights exists and a decent argument can be made that an outcome down the line (After election) is another dagger at the constitution. Maybe Trump is waitng for things to develop/sink in. Maybe the trigger would be pulled if he’s given a jail term. MARTYR in caps for sure. More polls and polls and polls.

In 2016 some chanted “lock her up” in reference to Hillary. After the election Trump said in an interview that was not his goal. He said he’d not want the DOJ to go after her. He said the people would not want that. Noble in some respect. However, soon there was an inference that the Russians acted to elect Trump which was followed by a Mueller investigation and two impeachements. Just before the 2020 election the Biden laptop contents were dispaaged and declared to be Russian dis-information and that stance was underlined by candidate Biden in a debate. Recently the laptop was verified as authenticate, found not tampered/changed and admitted into evidence by a federal judge at Biden boy’s trial. Over and over the democrats push the test of America’s sense of fairness. Who knows if another attempt will suceed? If a jail sentence is being contemplated it would not shock me. Will the polls, up or down, push the legal proceedings?

It’s way too early to predict anything. Summer is starting. Papa will take leave of the craziness and contemplate eagles and whales and sunsets. September is the start of football season. I can start to think about politics later. Legal stuff can also wait. It’s not the end of America because a NY verdict is suspect. It’s not like juries/trials are always correct and now there has been an earthquake that shakes our constitution to its roots. It’s a good system and I always did my best in my roles to seek justice. However, nothing is perfect.

Mistakes can and do happen. That’s a prime reason I don’t like the death sentence. Rigged, unfair things have happened before. {To Kill A Mocking Bird…Atticus’s client was found guilty. Or, Scottsboro Boys} The New York circus matters little to this writer. For sure neither candidate is worth my vote. The current guy is a clear and present danger. A timid administration may be playing as if it’s Machiavelli’s double but it more likely is testing the brink. Which doesn’t automatically lead to a vote for someone Papa does not feel is worthy. It’s my vote and I prefer not to contribute to electing just anybody a main political party puts forward or the lesser of two evils.

Papa’s state bar membership dues statement has arrived. It has appeared like clockwork for fifty-six years. Retired and no longer needing bar status I still pay my membership level because I believe in supporting an organization that promotes professionalism. I’ve always been proud of my state and I feel it is a proud distinction that I was admitted to its bar. I’ve been exposed to many jurisdictions at the military, federal and state levels. There is a bit of a hodge podge in the quality of the legal profession across this country. Most have been good in my experience. I classify Wisconsin as top shelf. ( As it is “in everything” I can hear the cynics say.)

Almost a year ago I joked that the anti-Trump politicians might hit 100 indictments. Overall they came up a bit short. However, my prediction that there was a danger of casting Trump as a victim seems more clear now. If one is to go after someone, political targeting being a dubious move in any event, it would have been a good idea to hone in on a few select charges. Solid evidence would have helped. And, of course, having competent attorneys act as hatchet women/men would be high on a list of qualifications. Clowns, grifers and bozos need not apply. However, so far it has at least been entertaining.

The current trial has also caused some of my atrophied legal brain cells to revive long enough to remember the olden days. Jury trials. (See the movie “Twelve Angry Men”…sorry RO it was filmed in black and white.) I always appeared for a jury duty summons. At times I had legitimate excuses for an excuse and knew there was little chance I’d be selected. However, I wanted to be a part of the justice system to keep balance. I defended enough criminal cases to want a decent mix of citizens for jury duty. Fairness in due process is crucial. Thus, I’d show up and leave it to others whether I’d make a jury. Never did. If you are ever called to jury duty I recommend trying not to avoid it. It is an essential part of citizenship.

News reports from the Trump trial make mention of sleepiness during court sessions. I was always happy to be a trial attorney because you have to be on stage all the time. Not so for most others at a trial. That can also be true for a judge. Judicial rulings/interactions during a trial can be few and far between. I recall a county judge back home who dosed off in a jury trial. It made the news. I felt bad for him as I knew him to be one of our better judges. Who was really mad about his lapse was the jury. After all the jury missed work or their daily routines to show up and stay awake. Years later that memory prompted Papa to have a paper clip on hand to press into the palm on hot, muggy afternoon sessions. May not have been the best judge but I was awake.

Soon a New York jury will hand down its verdict. In my experiemce there is no higher high than a positive verdict for a trial attorney. A low can go pretty deep if an attorney is heavily invested in a case’s merits but falls short on a verdict. Civil or criminal a trial consumes an attorney’s attention for long periods. I often talked to myself while driving or walking alone when I rehearsed opening/closing arguments or a sequence of questions to ask a witness. Certain folks might catch me babbling on and suspect me of going around the bend.

The Trump trial has highlighted an aspect of the current state of our news media. There is an onslaught of cheerleading, for and against, rather than any veiled attempt to be objective. The throw him in jail crowd seemed to be 24/7. Every word of testimony was flashed with more than enough spin to satisfy its diehard viewers. When a witness was crushed in cross the pale it caused on presenters was obvious. But, soon another talking head recovered and said it all was not as bad as it might seem. Hope for a conviction prevailed. The other side pointed out all the holes in the case. What a tragic turn of events for America and our judicial system was proclaimed. Papa sits and thinks about showmanship rather than what the last fifty-six years has been about for him. Woo is the system.

Well, it came and went. Once again Papa was at the wrong place at the wrong time. Totality, or at least as close as it possibly gets, passed over my beloved Sight Point at the appointed time. Clouds parted or were thin enough to not see much here in Oregon at the same time. Of course the road is still unpassable at our cabin. Not like Papa could have sat on the deck overlooking the gulf to watch darkness. So, did I miss much? Tonight I will turn off all the house lights to imagine the darkness of an eclipse. And, dream I am you know where.

Papa loves history and politics. As a boy in the 1950’s Mad Magazine was a favorite. Reading it was about as rebellious as I ever became in my lifetime. The title of the above post comes from a saying of the mascot of MAD. Today I connect that memory with a poliical event taking place tomorrow. South Carolina holds its republican primary.

What I find especially interesting is that there seems to be a steady drumbeat from the Trump campaign and all its supportive talking heads that Niki Haley should drop out; yesterday. Why is she still trying? What does she have to gain? One guy on television today suggested that if she had half a brain she’d have quit after New Hampshire. Or, was it after Iowa? There seems to be a trace of anger in the voices of various talking heads. Why would that be? If your favored candidate is a shoo-in why not be calm and magnanimous about an opponent? What harm can she do?

Thus, “What me worry?” seems a more appropriate reaction to a two person race when Trump cheerleaders ballyhoo a 35 or is it a 40 point advantage. Tomorrow is the vote. I’ll be watching the results. Mostly to see if there is a major blowout. In that event I still will be pondering why so much angst about a candidate that is not a threat. I don’t recall such anger/upset when Harold Stassen stayed in GOP races later than February.

In a prior post I predicted 100 indictments of President Trump. Solemn federal and state prosecutors were on a roll at the time. Democrat politicians were on the job. Democracy was to be saved. However, indictments have not gone much beyond the 90 count since then. A lull in the action. So when Papa said 100 was an achievable aim, was he wrong? Perhaps not, thanks to Colorado and Maine already declaring him guilty. Other states are poised to also find him guilty of insurrection. I believe it is only fair to wedge insurrection verdicts that assume/presume guilt without due process into the mix of charges. Who needs a formal charge/indictment? (To paraphrase “Treasure Of The Sierra Nevada” who needs a stinking finding?) Of course he is guilty. Like in the “Oxbow Incident” just cut to the chase. It is reasonable to count all such efforts. That is how 100 indictments/charges are achieved. Papa is a visionary.

I don’t have the time to do the research but I’d bet Trump has set a record. I’m not sure charges against Dillinger, Capone and Bonnie and Clyde combined come close to 90 much less 100. Beware. I also predicted that “piling on” might just make Trump a martyr. The American people historically have demonstrated a sense of fairness. Who knows if voters might favor a criminal in 2024. (Whether a crook by Kafka standards or by an old fashioned trial verdict.) Some Trump supporters may quaintly think due process has a role to play. Trogludytes. The business of saving democracy is too important. However, even Bonnie and Clyde were romaticzied by some despite 13 alleged murders. Of course, those who so despise Trump know in their heart of hearts that Trump’s actions are worse than murder. Papa may not have voted for the man but I can see where many voters will see the democrats’ legal manuvers as a bridge too far. Even voting for a jackass may be viewed as preferable in order to teach that ignoring our constitution is beyond the pale.

Or, perhaps all these astonishing legal shenanigans will dissipate when Trump actually becomes the Republican nominee. He may be the only candidate Biden can defeat. 90 plus charges provide a ton of talking points to scare the pants off voters. How can one person do so many bad things in such a short time? Save us, please. It’s just possible enough voters will take a deep breath and again vote for a seemingly more moderate alternative. Unless an alternative arises. Stay tuned.

Tis the season. It’s the thought that counts. That saying is never more true than when I take scissors in hand and proceed to crinkle, crankle and slash decorative Christmas wrap to shreds. In that condition the wrap never seems to securly cover a present. Eight or nine strips of Scotch tape helps shape up my offering by 20 or 30% improvement but it often still resembles an item kids played “kick the can” with for a day or two. Just remember that it is the thought that counts.

Any present that I wrapped for you can be located in a hiding position anywhere from 5 to 10 yards BEHIND the Christmas Tree. GPS locators generally not needed to find said present. Just think, “location that does not spoil beautiful setting”. Sadly, practice does not make better much less perfect. Because of age remedial training will not improve my wrapping skills.

I lay all of my paper cutting deficiencies at the feet of a certain unnamed Kindergarten teacher. Unnamed not out of respect but only because computer access now has names of first teachers, dates and favorite toys stored as iron clad security codes. I can still see Miss F’s face of wonderment as I tried to cut a straight line on colored paper that I sensed was ten-fold thicker than the paper given to my classmates. Paper given me to cut circles was even worse; the thickness of a pizza crust. Lest you think of Papa as paranoid I will not chronicle the perfectly round edged scissors assigned to me.

I rank package wrapping right up there next to plastic wrap package opening. Has it ever occurred to these brainiacs in the field to sell wrapping paper in sheets that match gift box sizes? 8″ x 10″ inches etc. They can do it with lumber. Not that hard. Otherwise one must go to extremes to wrap a gift. For example a certain young woman I dated in my youth had worked at a depatment store and she was an artist with wrapping paper. She liked doing warpping. Loved it. That was a solution to lean on of course but a life time commitment was a stretch. She didn’t have other attributes that made any top 50 list.

So, I continue my fumbling ways. I can’t remember the last time a store offered to wrap a gift. It’s difficult to remember being in a store now that I think on it. However, rest assured that thought and feelings are attached to any gift I hide for you to find. Merry Christmas!

As the oldest of you approach your driver’s licensing day, any news story about dangerous driving catches Papa’s eye. A local 19 year old speed demon was clocked at 176 miles per hour on the interstate. He was arrested on an off ramp near our gyms. I am at a loss for two reasons. I didn’t know any car could go that fast if it wasn’t on a raceway. (Papa is notoriously slow per a family member.) Secondly, I didn’t know anyone that stupid still existed. I remember the first such person(client). He had a habit of fleeing the police, ditching his car and climbing up an electric tower. It was not his first such rodeo. He enjoyed watching the cops search the field below for him. On his final day no one could say if it was the electric jolt or the fall that killed him.

Don’t speed. At 176 miles per hour a car would travel the length of a football field before a driver could start to react. That local kid is lucky he didn’t kill anyone. And, to have survived his own recklessness. There is a reaon why there are speed limits. It takes time to recognize danger, brake and avoid potential disasters. In the 1950’s some cars had a red ribbon as its speedometer that flowed left to right from 0 up to 120. I recall getting half way up that dial one evening driving a heavy Buick on a county road. The speed shocked me. Those cars rode relatively smooth and I didn’t realize the car was going that fast. I was young. It takes awhile to get the feeling of a car. That is why it is important for you to pay attention when driving. It’ll take some time to feel comfortable behind the wheel. Comfortable means not being nervous. It never means losing focus. And, don’t climb any electric transmission towers for any reason.

Tomorrow is National Vietnam War Veterans Day. I didn’t know there was such a day until I received an e-mail alert. Interesting to me because I recently had a strong emotional response to Vietnam. This year marks fifty years since the last US troops left South Vietnam. US direct combat involvement ended. There was an understanding at the time of the peace agreement that US power (Probably B-52s) would be used if North Vietnam re-invaded. Being communists, that of course is exactly what North Vietnam did in 1975. Without congressional fortitude the US did not react to stop the invasion. Papa senses a source of irony when one wobbler from those days now claims unity for “as long as it takes’ in support of Ukraine. Not a confidence builder in my mind.

Elsewhere I’ve written about coming home from Vietnam and passing through San Francisco airport. Not a cheerful place for a person in military uniform. Thereafter, memories of a year away just faded and melded into life. With one exception. I recall leaving a real estate transaction on a hot summer day in the 1980’s. A realtor said he hadn’t felt such heat since Vietnam. He was a client and friend from high school. I didn’t know he’d been to Vietnam. Nor, did he know my background. He said he never talked about it because of how negative people were towards Vietnam veterans. I couldn’t disagree with his experience. US public attitudes on Vietnam began to feel a bit more positive after the Gulf War and 9/11. I started to receive “thank you for your service” comments.

However, the phrase often felt a tad rote. But, one day two words jolted me to the core. I was surprised at my reaction after more than fifty years. Tears nearly welled up. I was seeing my most recent (sixth) internist since moving west. She had been a doctor with the military. I think she knew what words I had been waiting to hear since that New Year’s Day so long ago. Discovering that I was a Vietnam veteran (Agent Orange issue.) she looked me square in the eye and sincerly said, “Welcome home.”

If or when the mood strikes you to start dating, Papa was thinking of giving advice. Of course, I’d be flippant. For example: “Good Luck.” My memory is that at an early age dating can be a minefield. It started out well for me and then circumstances created bumps in the road until all smoothed out in the end. So, “Good Luck” was my first instinct. Beyond that, and with an “every man for himself” caution, here are a few items to ponder.

1. Smile.
2. Look for a smile in others.
3. Be light-hearted and fun to be with.
4. Activate your inner radar that seeks out character in others.
5. Be courteous, respectful and honest.

Dating/Courting is undoubtedly different than from my youth. There really is not too much advice to give. It’s part of the flying solo time of life. Don’t be a John Alden, he of Duxbury fame. Speak for yourself. (On the other hand, perhaps Papa would not have hit bumps in the road if he had used ChatGPT.)

My family bought our first TV around 1953. In 1946, the year when a certain member of your family was born, there were only about 6,000 television sets in the ENTIRE country!Ten years later there had been an explosion of TVs in US households. However, lots of TV sets did not mean a great number of television stations or program content. I remember that NBC was the dominate network in town. I don’t think the DUMONT network ever had an affiliate in our town. Overall there were only a handful of stations available to watch. And, they did not broadcast 24/7. I remember that on a few mornings I’d turn on our set and watch the test pattern while I waited for a mid to late morning show to start. At night there’d be a sign-off when the Star Spangle Banner was played.

One local program featured a man dressed as a cowboy who’d whittle while introducing movies. Believe it or not some of the films were SILENT. I assume the film rights were cheap and easily available. There was Charlie Chaplin of course. Papa liked the “Tons Of Fun” characters as well as Buster Keaton and Tom Mix. And, segments of some movies featured the Keystone Kops.

The Kops were a group of police with ill fitting uniforms and chaotic antics running to and fro; usually unsuccessfully chasing after a film’s comedic star. Crashing into each other, falling and bumbling were their hallmarks. They never got anything right. I don’t recall them ever making an arrest stick. Chaos reigned as soon as they appeared. They were incompetent as all get out. I was nonetheless amused, as much I suspect at their antics, as I was transfixed at the marvel of TV.

In popular culture, it has become normal to reference incoherent actions as a display of the Keystone Kops. That is easy to do in sports such as soccer when the defense scores an own goal. Or, in American football with fumbles and kicks and drops and whiffs at tackles. A Stanford/Cal game comes to mind.

However, it can be used at its best in the world of politics/government. It is a target rich enviroment. Enter the FBI. During the 1930’s-40’s, radio programs like G-Men/Gang Busters glamorized our nations lawmen. I Led Three Lives on TV and the Jimmy Stewart movie, FBI Story, both portrayed the FBI in a positive light. The FBI in those days had excellent PR. However, there were some underreported bumps along the way which were never overly publizied.

Flash forward and “The Bureau” seemingly put one D J Trump in its sights. How he got lined up by them is a story without an ending at this point. But, there he was. He was such a worthy target that a million dollar offer was made to a prospective witness by the crack agents of our most prestigous national law enforcement agency. A million bucks! Were they willing to spend such an amount of taxpayer money because they couldn’t detect the truth of political shannigans? The more germane question might be, couldn’t they have figured out the truth on their own?The days of old fashioned police work (shoe leather) had apparently faded away.

However, the story was too juicy to pass up. A Manchurian Candidate. Super spies. The FBI’s best and brightest had cheerleaders; A dogged media hound and finger pointing politicians. The events of 2016 needed a Mueller report. Tenacity was required for two impeachments. Out of office is not out of mind. How about a congressional committee? Or, better yet, a criminal case? This time will prove to be a charm. What could go wrong? The Keystone Kops and cohorts are still in action. Don’t worry that the fifth or sixth bite of the apple might generate sympathy for the target. What are they thinking? Papa still enjoys watching the Keystone Kops.