Living On the Diagonal

Speaker Paul Ryan & Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi Call For Unity During Time of Tragic Shooting  "On days like today, there are no Democrats or Republicans, only Americans" - Nancy Pelosi "For all the noise and fury, we are a family. An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us." - Paul Ryan The tragic shootings in Alexandria, VA this morning gave Speaker Paul Ryan a moment to pause and address the entire House in leading a prayer for Rep. Steven Scalise and the other victims of the lone gunman's attack on a baseball field. His words were poignant and heartfelt. Similarly, Nancy Pelosi, House Democratic Minority Leader followed his lead. Pelosi used the metaphor of sports, in this case baseball to illustrate how the one-hundred year tradition of the two parties playing this annual charity event promoted good feelings, teamwork and competition. Speaker Ryan and Rep Pelosi actually agreed that this is a time to "take pause...

A New Face for a President of the United States January 21, 2017 Washington D.C. (04:25) Michael Beschloss,  official Historian for   MSNBC succinctly put into words his view of the 45th President upon delivering America's most important speech. "If one did not know, his speech was more of the same campaign rhetoric" as we have heard for months. Most in attendance described it to be "dark" and "vengeful." I would add "uninspiring."  The first Inaugural speech I recall is the one the majority of Americans best recall, whether Democrat and Republican is that of President John F. Kennedy. The tone rang of the strength of the nation, a surprising agenda defined as the far reaching goal to land the "first American on the moon within the next decade." JFK challenged ordinary Americans with the most memorable phrase as a challenge that chimes today.  "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for y...

OBAMA DEFINES AMERICA FOR DONALD TRUMP AND IT WAS "REALLY, REALLY GREAT" Note: Alternate Title, Revision President Obama Addresses the Democratic Convention to the envy of the Republican Party July 27, 2016 Last night in Philadelphia, the birthplace of the Constitution and  the United States of America, President Barack Obama addressed thousands of Democrats at their convention. The President gave yet another moving and uplifting speeches that citizens across America and the world have come to know. Obama now has four of the five top speeches delivered at any Democratic or Republican convention. Barack Obama delivered an address that may define this election and repudiated the reckless campaign based on fear, hate and fascism. Obama reminded all of America that this is a nation that refuses to be "ruled" by one man driven by his ego and terminal narcissism. The beauty of Barack Obama is that he dismantled the Republican nominee without ins...

PHILLY STEAK or CREAM CHEESE? WILL DEMOCRATS STICK WITH CHEESY CLINTON OR SWITCH TO A FAVORITE BERNIE & BEEF? LIBERTY BELL MAY REMAIN CRACKED, BUT DEMOCRACY INTACT A FUTURE TO BELIEVE IN June 22, 2016 ACCORDING TO THE LATEST POLLS CONDUCTED BY THE HUFFINGTON POST, BERNIE SANDERS REMAINS MOST FAVORABLE AND MOST ELECTABLE CANDIDATE! This begs the question (once again) why would Democrats opt for the coronation of Hillary Clinton over a nomination of Bernie Sanders as their Presidential choice. The numbers and the electoral map as of yesterday favor Clinton to defeat Donald Trump in November, but by a much smaller number of Electoral Votes than Sanders. With so much on the line the Democrats should remain in tune with the polls as they are changing daily leading up to the Philadelphia convention in July. What if the unthinkable should happen and Hillary Clinton falters in the ensuing months when the Trump campaign will throw every negative they can conjure...

  WHO IS THE BEST CANDIDATE?   In light of the media frenzy surrounding yesterday's flair up between the Democratic Candidates, I thought it best to edit, add and make revision to this post. For what it is worth, I combined some of the character traits of a President and grouped them.   The personal remarks of Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton as to which is the best qualified are regrettable. Up to this time the Democrats have stuck to policy issues and how they contrast. Republicans remain mired in the muck of name calling, accusations and an embarrassing debate of the size of body parts.   I am a bit embarrassed for Bernie as he became a victim of Feeling his own Bern. Senator Sanders voiced his reply to the remarks of Hillary Clinton in Philadelphia. Bernie over-reacted to the attack by the wording in a Clinton campaign outline of strategy. Both have since retracted and restated the intention of their words. It is interesting I find how all ...

AS OBAMA PROMOTES BASIC FREEDOMS IN CUBA HE SPEAKS TO THE HEART OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY March 22, 2016 As many Americans I awoke today to the news of the horrific terror and human devastation taking place in Brussels. The images broadcast from Europe are taking effect. It comes to mind that Europeans and Americans froze in place witnessing again the fear promoted by a few upon the many. As first responders rush to the aid of multiple casualties, leaders in Belgium and France echo "We are at War." And with those words police and the military are in the process of locking down the city and have begun house to house searches and secure the borders. People are advised to stay indoors as authorities are sifting through the chaos. As Europe struggles to regain composure and reclaim some sense of order, individual liberties are put on hold. In the Middle East there are reports of ISIS celebrating this temporary victory. The strategy of fear has once again put the West on noti...

AS 2015 COMES TO A CLOSE, LET US PUT FEAR BEHIND AND FACE THE NEW YEAR WITH COURAGE AND RESOLVE FOR WHICH WE PRAY PRAY, PRACTICE PEACE in 2016   God, Our Father grant us the grace to forgive, but not forget the violence and terror, death and destruction and the deep divisions across the world this past year. Let us not forget those lives lost upholding your peace.  God, grant your intercession now, as in the past and in the future. We implore your help in rejecting all who embrace violence, practice terror and follow an ideology mired in nihilism. God, guide and protect us as we move forward in a new year with courage, not fear. Let us reject those who divide, embrace the transparency in truth, find unity in our resolve and receive your gift of serenity and peace present each day.

September 25 -27, 2015 - Observations Of a Bi-Polar Weekend POPE FRANCIS BERGOGLIO RAISES AWARENESS, SPIRITUALITY & SOLIDARITY IN A WHISPER OF A MOMENT WHILE OUR CONGRESS REMAINS DEAF TO THE MESSAGE Where in God's Name were these people? Were they not in the same room with Pope Francis Borgoglio? On the morning after Pope Francis challenged Congress to get their act together on the important issues of the day, Speaker John Boehner announces his retirement and a few dozen rejectionists in his own Republican Party cheer! I felt embarrassment for their continued juvenile behavior that divides the nation. From a distance I can feel the weight in Pope Francis's heart while members of Congress continue to oppose any chance of compromise. I believe John Boehner made his courageous decision to step down from the strength of Pope Francis and his words. I realize now that Speaker Boehner is good man, a patriot and a great public servant who became sick and tired of the ...

GOVERNOR   SNYDER TYPIFIES THE MODERN POLITICIAN SPEAKING TO ONLY THE ISSUES HIS AUDIENCE CAN IDENTIFY This photo may have inspired the television Ad. Here Gov. Snyder pays close attention to a recipe for "flat bread" as part of Michigan's Economic Recovery (September 18) How many times have you thought about our Representatives on federal, state and local levels who you cast your vote only to be disappointed by their lack of performance? Who are these people?  This is not who and what you supported. They have sold out and abandoned the issues they made promises they avowed. Should you learn anything from this blog, remember a "true statesman" maintains his integrity and courage. On the other hand, the "politician" maintains a huge war chest (campaign funds) and has no remorse as to how he uses it. Today, there is no simple explanation of how our government is moving toward the dismantling the basic  Principles of Democracy and rights of...