An Honest Political Aside

 I had a thought. What if something happens to Trump? I am SURE many have been hoping something would happen, that something would have happened last year in his legal proceedings to prevent him from becoming President again.

It didn't happen. In case you may have forgotten, he was running the GOP actively since early 2021, his face and words plastered across online and on-air outlets to make sure we did not forget his existence.

Let's face it: he was going to get back in no matter what, the machinery had locked it in place whether it was Biden or Harris. Harris tried her damnedest in those 4 months but fell short in a lot of areas. Those courtoom scenes and his Hannibal Lecter tangents actually increased his appeal somewhat. He called those little moments "The Weave" even though most of us with a working brain saw he was doing it BECAUSE HE KNEW HE WAS GOING TO WIN, SO WHY NOT FUCK WITH PEOPLE'S HEADS?

ALL THAT SAID...back to the starting question, the big what if?

I have a confession to make: I really have to hand it to Trump because he has created this power of personality cult in a way that nobody can come close and probably will never come close to creating. Not even the biggest social media influencers will have that charisma. Granted, his charisma has attracted the praise and loyalty of white supremacists and other extreme right-wing pockets of American society, but hey, they do cast their ballots

The power is DIABOLICAL to be sure, but it's there nonetheless, and you can whine about his not using his influence for the good of America and humanity in general...because he doesn't care about any of that, he cares about him...and when he goes, there is no more Trump.

And that's my point: if he goes, it's over. Do you think the weasels that we see stand behind Trump during Oval Office media events will be able to prop up JD Vance? No, he has the image and charisma of a grapefruit rind. There might be a movement to put Donald Jr in (or here's a horrifying thought: ERIC!) but neither "heir to the throne" is their dad and NONE of those possibilities would look good on the world stage, not that we're looking too hot right now.

If you look back 24 years ago, when W came in, he had not a friend in Washington, so in came daddy's war/oil buddies to prop him up. I almost felt bad for him at times...almost. Those same war/oil buddies are the same ilk that did a ton of profiteering off of Reagan and are the EXACT SAME TYPES that stand by Trump in the Oval Office, because they are looking good next to him and are likely lining their own pockets as I write this.

If Trump goes, they'll scramble to tell Vance or other heir apparent to maintain the status quo...and then we'll see likely the biggest crash of country one could imagine.

OK...I do believe in equal time...

On the flip side, The Dems aren't doing so hot, either and despite their complaints and all, I do not see anyone rising successfully out of the 2024 ashes as of now. Lots of protesting for sure, but no solid superman or superwoman or Capra-esque caricature is making grand orations to combat the Trump force. It's still a time of wound-licking, and having been in that place personally before, it's pitiful and nobody wants to be around it.

No American who is worrying about the coming future of higher costs and economic recession/depression wants to hear self-pity either. They want a leader who can take them out of whatever hell they feel they are living in, real or imagined.

The Church Life

 "The church is not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was the thermostat that transformed the mores of society,"-Martin Luther King, Jr.

   I guess one can take that in the positive or the negative. Personally, I do not think it should be one or the other, for I take church in a way that I suppose does not fit in with many people’s perceptions. When I think of church, I think of a place where I can learn more about God’s word, or rather what people have recorded God’s word to be...and yes I do know there is an ocean of difference when it comes to people's ideas. 

   It’s been a while since I entered a church of my own volition. Recently, my daughter asked if I would be willing to attend a local church with her and I said yes, but inside I had some reservations. This is because in my time in Las Vegas, I have attended a total of 2 churches. One was a large facility called Central Christian (that name alone has always bothered me) that I have attended with my in-laws on special occasions. 

   The other was a Mormon church that I attended for a regular service (with a work friend) and a baptism (again work friend-related). The regular service was interesting only in that it was pretty much like any other Christian church I have been to, except there was no offering. In other words, there was no evidence of the polygamy that the LDS culture has been depicted in the media. I know there are “colonies” where that happens but I don’t care to know any more about that than need be.

   This place where I am finding myself drawn to on a weekly basis now isn’t in what I’d consider to be a traditional church building of brick and stone...more like an office building. But the welcoming of any newcomer is felt, almost an exaggerated exuberance if I did not know better. But the pastor is active, loud, and engaging. No way I could fall asleep in that room with his energy!

   All that said, I still have my doubts. There is a strange history of churches I am quite familiar with that does not resonate well with me and never has. Yes, the church, no matter what church it is, wants more in terms of pew-filling, as well as funds to build or fix something or other, along with community service and outreach. I get both of those factors, people and money. 

   What I do not get or approve of is the social pressure and occasional outcasting. Almost every church I have attended has their resident “church lady”, and if you watched Saturday Night Live during the Dana Carvey era, you know who I mean. It is a judgment that is SUPPOSED to be left to the Man upstairs, but instead is taken upon those who feel they KNOW what is right and wrong all by themselves, from what is worn at church to someone’s gossip about who they saw with someone and where they were, to something so petty as how much pepper was put in the pot on soup night in the fellowship hall.

    Then there is the sense of power some churches get. I know I will likely get flak (if anyone actually reads all this, which is rare) for saying this, but the history of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church is disturbing. When a priest has been discovered to be fooling around with an innocent minor and then threatening said minor to stay quiet, said priest is often merely sent somewhere far away where they can begin their dastardly actions once more. Catch the movie Spotlight sometime, it sheds light on this practice.

   I have some vague memories of going to Sunday school at Hain Church in Wernersville when I was little, but I really did not go regularly to church again until I was 16. I don’t remember what it was, but I felt some urge to get to know God. I was always told we were a Christian family but I didn’t see it except on Christmas and even then the connection was vague. Not sure where to go, I got a lead on a church very close by that many people I knew went to, including a girl I really liked at the time (coincidence? You decide!). So I began attending, and also began attending confirmation class once a week. Later on I also got involved in the youth choir. It was a good two years where I got a better sense of Jesus.

   I also attended a church somewhat regularly when I went to school in West Virginia and also later on at Sonoma State, both leaving me feel more than a bit unfulfilled...but then at that point of life I was feeling unfulfilled in a lot of ways.

   I tried church a couple of times in Las Vegas at Central in my early days here before I met Vickie and then again at the same place when her family began attending. I had nothing against that church in itself, though I sometimes felt I was attending a variety show instead of connecting with God. Later on I got wind of some hierarchical doings and opinions there that once more soured me on the church experience.

   And here I am again, this time on my daughter’s lead, attending church. I went without her today, as she wanted to sleep in. As I said, I like the pastor and his speaking charisma. However, I hear much urging to become a member and immerse myself as a total Christian.

   I am not ready for either.

   The past year and some change has been a time of straightening myself out on several fronts. I’m still straightening myself out and probably will until I’m buried or burned, whichever ends up being cheapest.

   There have been many times when I felt God’s presence in my life and other times I did not. He has a huge world to tend to, I am just one of his black sheep in that world, wanting redemption but not sure how to go about it. Until then I will keep listening, and if this church continues to appear positive, I will listen to Pastor Nathan more and see if I fit in anywhere in that place.