Paid in Full

Rent is paid today. Phone calls I have been

Avoiding have been made. Thoughts about

Where I’ve been to date have been played.

And plans for where I’m headed have been

Layed. There is no clairvoyant, neither prog-

nosticator nor soothsayer, no oracle who

Can definitively say what volume or shape

My future will take. Rent is paid today. I am

Sure of that alone. Another month has passed

Under the sun of this life I have made. Dust is

Still dust as I remain--paid in full today.

Chris Hanch 9-2-16

Donald Trump the Bully

For a few moments let us consider some of Donald Trump’s despicable xenophobic, misogynistic proclamations and narcissistic personality traits. Let’s take a look into the radical and bigoted remarks he has leveled against immigrants, Muslims, women and the disabled. Let’s focus on one aspect of his detestable rantings which have become manifest this election cycle, that of name-calling, i.e. Lyin’ Ted, Little Marco, Crooked Hillary, etc.

How many of us were bullied and called names as a child, hurtful names such as fatso, fagot, pig, sissy, stupid, and the like? How many as parents have experienced such demeaning remarks launched at our children? Trump has made these deplorable attacks against his opponents and critics the hallmark of his campaign tactics. As is the case with all bullies, Trump’s shameful antics are merely a smokescreen cover for his own weaknesses as a politician and inadequacies as a human being.

As decent and compassionate people, as responsible and freedom-loving citizens of the greatest country on Earth, how could we ever allow Donald Trump the Bully to represent us and our values at home and around the world as President of The United States?

As one who has experienced enough bullying and name-calling in a lifetime, this one failing alone is enough to disqualify Trump and his hatefully inspired agenda. 

Chris Hanch  

Elation and Disgust

As I watched the press conference in the White House Rose Garden with President Obama and Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, of Canada, I was once again reminded how humorous, intelligent and accomplished is our President. I felt pride in my country and its first black President.

I thought about this election season and all the rancor, bitterness, hate mongering and divisive demagoguery coming from several of the Republican candidates, they who would occupy the highest office in the land, they who would be our representatives to the world, they who have no class, no honor or decency, and hopefully they who have no way of becoming President of These United States.

Chris Hanch

Advise to Hillary Clinton--a Preemtive Strike

Should Hillary face-off with Trump on the Presidential Campaign Stage, she will be confronting the preeminent school yard bully of modern times. He will not only attack Secretary Clinton on her professional record, but will go after her husband, President Clinton’s official and personal life. He will stop at nothing to unravel her.

I understand that Hillary is a strong and tenacious woman and politician whose international experience includes dealings with those far more daunting and wily than the likes of tough guy Trump.

Having had experience with bullies as a child myself, a few tactics of my own come to mind. Stare him in the eye and don’t flinch. Never back pedal or let him put you on the defensive. Let his name-calling roll off your back as you continue to stare him down. Don’t respond in kind to his accusations and slanderous attacks—be prepared, no “Oh yeah, says who? Oh yeah?” Keep your focus on his face and smile. He may shove you first. Then, let him have it. Throw your best punch right between the eyes (metaphor- ically speaking, of course).

I gave this advice to my son when he was the victim of a bully in junior high school. He threw one decisive punch (and it was physical, for being underage he could not be prosecuted for assault)) which sent his nemesis flying. And my son was never bullied again.

Of course Hillary could always tell Trump—You’ve made a big mistake, Mr. Trump. This is one woman you can’t intimidate or divorce.

Chris Hanch

A Brief Reflection on Scalia Passing

A brief reflection on the passing of Supreme Court Justice, Antonin Scalia. I didn’t know Justice Scalia personally, but from what I have heard through the media, he was a good man, a family man, a man of great intellect and good humor, a legal mind who interpreted the Constitution in a conservative light. Personally, never having had first-hand issues with Roe v Wade and not being a gun-toting right-winger, I never had the occasion to follow the legal wrangling of our Nation’s highest court. Scalia was one of five conservative justices on a nine-justice Supreme Court bench.

Needless to say, Senate Republicans and that party’s presidential candidates were greatly disturbed that lame-duck, Democratic, President Barack Obama, would likely exercise his constitutional duty and submit a more liberal replacement for Senate confirmation before his term in office expires. This political firestorm erup- ted almost immediately after news of Scalia’s passing hit the airwaves. Hopeful of a Republican presidential victory in November, Senate Majority Leader, Republican Mitch McConnell, offered that the Supreme Court nominating process should  wait until after a new president is sworn into office. Other Republican Senators have threatened to squash or delay any nomination from President Obama.

Here we go again. For the past seven years the Republican majority in Congress has fought the President tooth and nail on many key legislative issue. These Partisan Congressional Pirates have their own agenda based on blocking any legislation proposed by the Democrats and a Progressive Democratic President. Is there any wonder that the gridlock in Washington, Congresses’ ability to at least negotiate equitable solutions in the interest of all Americans has been a profound disgrace to our Nation?

This great country of ours, Conservative, Moderate and Progressive alike, will certainly mourn the loss of Antonin Scalia, the man, the brilliant and witty Associate Supreme Court Justice. This year our vote has greater meaning and impact in that we, the electorate, will play an instrumental role in determining the posture and long-term direction of our Supreme Court.

And as for the problematic gridlock in Washington? I am hopeful that our votes will strongly and decisively speak to that.

Chris Hanch