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 

Who will make America great again?

Our system is experiencing political gridlock and Americans are angry. I get it. One man alone may have not caused it, and for certain no one man alone can fix it. We need more than rhetorical catch phrases and circus-antic rantings by those dominating the media during this all-important election year. We need leaders who will work together, leaders who encourage and inspire, not those who incite and denigrate.

Will we, the people, do what is right for all Americans not just the wealthy the institutionally and politically powerful? The world is watching. Will the United States get it right?

I am wary of and discouraged by those who would encourage us to build a box and live within the confines of our fears, to limit the expansion of ideas and discoveries for the advancement and betterment of mankind and his environment.

I long for the visionaries, those such as Martin Luther King who had a dream: “I still have a dream, a dream deeply rooted in the American dream – one day this nation will rise up and live up to its creed, "We hold these truths to be self evident: that all men are created equal;" men such as Robert Kennedy who said: “There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why? I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?”

We the people, Republican, Democrat, Independent, Conservative, Progressive and Moderate, we the people of every color, persuasion and creed have a responsibility to keep the light of freedom, liberty and equality shinning for the world to see.

Chris Hanch  2-4-16 

Donald Trump for President?

For a moment let’s put aside Donald Trump’s derogatory comments about Mexicans who have come to this country, and about banning all Muslims who would emigrate to the U.S. Let’s not consider that he likes those in the military who “have not been captured.” Excuse if you will Trump’s blatantly false claim that thousands of Muslims gathered in New Jersey to celebrate the death and destruction in the wake of 9-11 terror attacks. Let’s address one key concern which has not yet been broached by the media:

Should Donald Trump become President of the United States, will he run his business empire on the taxpayer’s time and money? (The Office of President is a full-time job requiring intense and full-time dedication.) How would a high-profile, guru-of-control executive such as Donald Trump who prides himself on his hands-on business acumen relinquish even modest control of his financial interests? When it comes to the benefit of the Country or his own personal business activities, which choices will be made? Can a leopard truly change his spots? These are all legitimate questions we must ask. When it comes to the security and welfare of our Nation, can we afford to take the chance?

Chris Hanch

   

This Place

It is winter and I have aged considerably

since last spring. With that said, I haven’t

bothered to clean this place for months

on end. Oh, I’ve had lots of time to do so,

just not the energy or will.

You are the first visitor the dogs and I have

had in quite some time. When I get disgusted

with the dust and dirt I pretend I am a hermit

living in a cabin in the remote wilds of Alaska,

a place where it is unruly and earthy all the time.

There is no need trying to keep anything but

the cold outside. Here, the Earth holds claim

on everything inside and out the same. Don’t

mind the mess. At my age and in this time,

I surrender to Mother Earth and her ways.

So, come in please and add some warmth and

charm to this aging place in soulful disarray.

Take off your coat and hat and have a seat;

no need to worry about wiping your feet. The

dogs and I no longer bother, why should you?

Chris Hanch  1-18-16