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The Acceptance Speech

8/26/2020

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My fellow adoring Americans:
 
For almost four years I have been the best president this nation has ever had.
 
It is fortunate I was president when we had that Kung-flu scare because my wonderful leadership has brought us through, and we are better off now than ever, better than any other country in the world. The Democrats caused the economy to take a bad hit, but I will have it more robust than ever very, very soon.
 
I have created jobs by eliminating unnecessary environmental protections and I will continue to do so. This has resulted in a wonderful improvement in our ability to expand our carbon emissions, pollute our rivers and lakes, and increase the toxicity of the air we breathe. These positive moves have enabled our businessmen, especially my friends that are in the highest income brackets, to further concentrate the nation’s wealth in their hands.
 
I have made great strides in eliminating influence from the generals, many of whom are overrated and know less than I do about military strategy. There is further work required in this area and I promise you I will not let the armed services abandon their duty to keep ordinary people in line. Protests in the future, for example, will be crushed with the maximum possible force using our great soldiers. Generals who don’t respect my orders in every way will be gone within the year.
 
I have accomplished much, with the assistance of the Secretary of Education who has always adored me, in destroying our public school system. This work will continue so more of my friends, including the Secretary, can cash in on the private school voucher system.
 
I have begun the difficult process of eliminating the free press which has never been fair to me. They have pointed out what they call my lies, my inconsistencies, and my failings. Since I never lie, am never inconsistent, and have no failings, that is reason enough to crush them. They don’t know how to deal with someone who is as amazing as I am. We will soon ask the Supreme Court to shut down any media outlet that attacks me.
 
Speaking of the Supreme Court, I have packed it and the lower courts with non-thinking partisans whose only goal is to advance our nation in whatever ways I think is right. They have assured me they will not consider precedent or merit.
 
I expect them to eliminate the protections of the First Amendment, and to strengthen the Second Amendment. I promise you, everyone who wants a gun will be able to have as many as desired without pesky background checks. Stand Your Ground rules will be expanded so anyone opposed to a law-abiding gun owner can be shot in the back in the name of self-defense.
 
I promise you that my attempts to encourage those very fine people who hate Blacks and Jews and gays will continue. Now I love Black people, myself. I even have one, what’s his name, oh never mind, I know he’s some kind of secretary in the cabinet. There has never been a president, with the possible exception of Abraham Lincoln, who has done more for Blacks. No, not even him. It’s wonderful how far they’ve come under my administration. Of course, we have to get rid of those rowdy ones who often protest in our streets. As I said, before long the military will be empowered to deal with them.
 
I will continue my love affair with some of the worst dictators in the world because I admire their ability to get things done and keep their people in line. And I’m not going to waste my time with so called allies because they don’t spend enough money in the way I want them to, and besides their incompetent leaders don’t like me.
 
I know some of you are concerned about recent polls. Do not worry. They are the result of fake media and criminal Democrats. I can tell you I already have instituted many voter suppression methods, and more are coming. If we need further help, I will unleash the awesome power I have to declare a state of emergency and delay or eliminate the upcoming election.
 
So, my worshiping Americans, I accept the nomination for a second term as President. I can assure you the Supreme Court will decree that four years is not long enough to accomplish all our goals and I will be designated as President for Life.
 
So shout over and over our new slogan: FUND AMERICA’S INTERESTS LAST. FUND AMERICA’S INTERESTS LAST. Let’s hear it: FAIL, FAIL, FAIL.
 
Now here’s an invitation just for my rich friends. Let’s go to my hotel and have a party and you can tell me how wonderful I am.
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Suck It Up

8/19/2020

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Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has picked a running mate: Kamala Harris.
 
Not happy? Apparently many aren’t, because the complaints have begun.
 
Is the ticket not far enough to the left for you?
 
Is the ticket not moderate enough for you?
 
Is Biden too dull or uninspiring for you?
 
Is Biden too old for you?
 
Did Biden vote the wrong way once in the past?
 
Do you feel Harris’s term as a prosecutor means she can’t be trusted to deal with police brutality?
 
Would you have preferred Elizabeth Warren?
 
No one ever seems satisfied with what is, because “is” is never what is ideal, no matter what “ideal” means to you.
 
Used to be, people would accept “is” and make the best of it. Now everyone is spoiled and won’t support anything that doesn’t meet “ideal.”
 
There are options for the dissatisfied in the upcoming election.
 
They can choose not to vote.
 
They can vote for a third-party candidate.
 
They can write in the name of anyone they want.
 
There is one other possibility I can’t bring myself to state and probably there are others.
 
All of them are stupid.
 
Because the cold hard fact is that the president for the next four years is going to be either Donald Trump or Joe Biden. That’s just the way it is.
 
No third-party candidate or write-in candidate is going to become president.
 
The choice on one side is a lying, bullying, divisive man intent on dismantling our country and making us into a second-class nation while forcing environmental havoc on the world.
 
On the other is a decent, experienced, not perfect man who has a long record of trying his best to do what is right for our country.
 
The vice-presidential nominee on one side is a privileged self-proclaimed religious fanatic who hypocritically accepts the immoral stands and activities of his boss, and who won’t eat lunch with a woman who isn’t his wife.
 
The nominee on the other side is a talented woman who through drive, intelligence, and courage has risen in service to our nation.
 
To all those who aren’t happy with the Biden/Harris ticket, I ask would you rather have Trump/Pence?
 
If you do, then I pity you because your thinking is skewed—and I’m being nice.
 
If you don’t, then why on earth would you do anything in the upcoming election to put Trump/Pence back in power? And make no mistake, that is exactly what you will be doing if you opt to not vote for Biden/Harris.
 
I suppose for a brief time you might feel superior, thinking you stood on your principles. But then you will have four years to watch your principles being systematically taken from you.
 
So suck it up and vote for the country.

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Generalization and Self Destruction

8/12/2020

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There are some things that anger me and others I can’t for the life of me understand.
 
Generalizations anger me.
 
Taking actions that undermine one’s goals confound me.
 
I’m going to discuss a national debate that illustrates these.
 
The debate deals with the controversy over the future of policing following the disgusting murder of George Floyd.
 
This is not a discussion of the merits of positions, although I am in total sympathy with the need to alter police behavior. Here I’m discussing only the logically impaired approaches both sides are taking.
 
On one side of the issue are the protesters and activists advocating change.
 
On the other are the local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies for the most part resisting it.
 
Let’s start with the protesters. They want to achieve a safe environment so Blacks don’t have to fear harassment or worse from the police. They are supported by a large number of others in the community.
 
Many of them state the police are racist. This is what I call a generalization. Without doubt, many bigots exist in law enforcement and they enjoy harassing minorities. But the statement is really saying that, because there are some or even many racists in the various police departments, all members of those departments are racist. And that’s just not true. Generalizations, in addition to almost always being false, tend to cement hardened views on both sides that get in the way of fruitful discussions.
 
The protesters also have taken actions that hurt their cause. Instances of violence and destruction have offended many. I think most of the protesters do not condone such activity. The trouble is, the general public doesn’t react well to lawlessness, so it’s bound to hurt the protesters’ goals. Also, it gives ammunition to those perfectly happy with the status quo.
 
Another unwise strategy is adopting the slogan “Defund the police.” Look how the opposition has jumped on that, even though a complete gutting of the police is usually not what is meant. Unfortunately, the words of the message, especially “defund,” make accomplishing the goal more difficult. Most people still want a police force. They’ll accept changes, but they want to be able to dial 911. And they want first responders to deal with school shootings. Words are important.
 
On the other side (and it’s unfortunate we have to talk about “sides”), many in the police have their own generalization: Some protesters are criminals; hence all are. Notice the general result based on the actions of a few. The vast majority of protesters are not criminals.
 
So how are the police convincing the population that it is their side the angels prefer. Seems to me they’re not being very smart either. Overzealous use of tear gas and other crowd control measures. Employment of riot gear and huge displays of force. Unions that don’t accept the need for changes and give tacit approval to the idea that police will not do their job because of fear of backlash. Essentially going against their sworn duty.
 
Furthermore, many in law enforcement who are quick to condemn the actions of the protesters have demonstrated an unwillingness to follow the law themselves. Some police chiefs and sheriffs have said they will not obey laws restricting guns in their jurisdictions. Some have indicated they do not support the required wearing of masks during the pandemic and will not enforce such an order. How can Blacks, or anyone for that matter, put their trust in police if the same police demonstrate a lack of respect for the law themselves.
 
We’ve got a real problem here that has to be solved. Generalizations and self-defeating stands aren’t going to help. It’s time for everyone to listen, search for the good people on the other side, modify their messages to truly reflect what is important and basic to their goals, and work together to produce necessary changes.

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The Interview

8/5/2020

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Tell me, sir, do you drive a car?
Sure do. It’s that big red one over there. Got all sorts of the newest gadgets on it. Warns me if I’m swerving out of my lane or there are pedestrians in front or if I’m getting too close to another car. It’s a marvel!
 
Do you have any fear of flying?
Now why would you think that? That’s one of the safest ways to travel. Airplanes have many safety features and the air traffic control system is outstanding, letting them land in all sorts of bad conditions.
 
Would you walk across the Golden Gate Bridge?
Well, I’ve got to tell you I’d avoid going out to that commie San Francisco, but if I ever was so unlucky as to be there, I sure would walk the bridge. It’s really something, isn’t it?
 
Safe?
Of course.
 
I see you’re wearing a digital watch and you have a case for a phone. Do you make use of a lot of digital equipment?
Oh my, yes. It’s amazing what is available now, and more and more every year. I always get the newest gadgets. Imagine having this little box and being able to call anyone in the world from anywhere I happen to be, and then, when I feel like it, take pictures or videos or play games.
 
Watch much television?
Not as much as I’d like. I’m on my computer most of the time working with companies all over the country. Wonderful, isn’t it, what you can do with them these days. But, back to your question, I have an 80-inch TV with all sorts of special features. I can set up multiple screens and watch more than one program at a time.
 
Tell me about your home.
Oh, I’ve got the latest in everything. I can control all my lights, thermostat, and locks with my phone. I can check who’s at the door no matter where I am. You know, I even have an oven that has digital controls. It’s really great.
 
Sounds like you’re pretty much up to date with your equipment. Is there anything you’re looking forward to in the future?
Well, you know, I’m kind of excited about robots. I’d like to have a couple to do a lot of the dreary work, maybe to mow my lawn and to mix me a drink when I get home. Already got one of those round vacuums for my place. Unbelievable how it maps out your floor plan and returns to a charging station when necessary or done.
 
What do you think about the recent sending of two astronauts to the space station and their safe recovery a couple of months later?
Isn’t that marvelous? We’re the greatest nation in the world and we really showed them, didn’t we? And to think it was done by a private company. That’s the American way!
 
Any health problems?
Thanks for asking. Just a knee replacement. Feels great. It lets me do everything I was able to before.
 
I notice you’re not wearing a mask, and I know your car uses a lot of gas. Do you have any opinion about the mask requirement and climate change? Experts have weighed in on both.
It’s a bunch of nonsense, young man. You can’t trust science.

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