Obama Presidential Center

Having two posts in a row about politics is a first for me.    But I would be remiss if I didn't talk about the historical event that took place in the Southside of Chicago.   Former President Barack Obama's Presidential Library had their official opening ceremony this past Thursday, June 18th at 10:30 AM CST and had their first full open day in time for Juneteenth.

The timing of the official opening couldn't have been more perfect.   A lot of folks are choosing it as the real 250th Anniversary celebration.   Speaking of which, it was quite the contrast to see the number of celebrities and political figures that came out in support of the Obama Presidential Center from all the celebrities that were running away from any association with Orange's event.

All the former living presidents and their spouses were there - The Bush's, The Clinton's, and the Biden's.    They were behind a glass shield because sadly there are evil people that might try something.   But I imagine the security for the event was pretty tight.

The center itself has been in the works for several years.   I got to see it constructed over the years as I commuted back and forth to Chicago for work.   It seemed it would never open but in the last year the powers that be confirmed they were targeting this past Juneteenth for the center to be open.

Museum tickets are already sold out through November.   Dom is definitely excited about checking it out so we're hoping to do so sometime next summer.   I'll just have to be on the lookout for tickets when they become available.

The official opening ceremony itself was quite spectacular.   I happen to be working from home that day so I got to watch a little bit of it as it aired.   It was a reminder of what America took for granted when Obama was in office.    I knew it was going to be hilarious when I saw Martin Nesbitt, the Obama Foundation Board Chair, coming out in a tan suit as he gave the opening remarks.    "How ya'll like my tan suit?"  (LOL too funny)  There were several other celebrities who chose to put on tan suits as well.    Hard to believe that some of Obama's opposition was attacking his wardrobe.    But then again they couldn't find anything else to attack him on.

But the highlight of the ceremony had to be when Michelle Obama spoke in dedication to her husband.   It was sweet seeing how emotional Barack was getting as she listed all of his accomplishments.   She reminded us of how under the microscope Obama was as the first black president.   She also got quite a few digs on Orange and his administration without saying the Orange name.  Obama rightfully earned his Nobel Peace Prize.   It was a delight to hear and she is indeed a powerful speaker.   I do wish she would consider running for President but I completely don't blame her for not doing so.

Of course Barack Obama spoke as well.    He also got in a few digs at Orange without mentioning his name.   I didn't get to watch it in entirety but I plan to.   

What a contrast having an intelligent president that can speak complete sentences.   America definitely took him for granted.   Sally did remind me that she faced her toughest years during the Obama presidency.   2007 was when she lost her IT job and it was a long seven year struggle.  But she also found her way out of it during the latter part of the Obama presidency.    It does go to show that we all have our individual crosses to bear regardless of who the president is.   But having someone that has intelligence, charisma, and common sense goes a long way.   

I don't know if we can recover from Orange's tyranny.    It's going to take many years I imagine.   But for one day at least it was nice to see common sense win for a moment again.

Skewing Vance

 The state of the U.S. current administration is depressing to think about.   You can't get away from hearing or thinking about it whether via the news, social media, or being out and about.   I'm tired and grateful for my current employment and know while I do gripe about my finances from time to time, things could be a whole lot worse.    The ways things are politically doesn't make things any better.

This past weekend was Orange's 80th birthday.   For several weeks Orange was talking about celebrating the days following that dreaded day with a patriotic concert that many celebs when they found out they were on the list, quickly distanced themselves from.    Even Fab Morvan of Milli Vanilli fame (and actually a potential family cousin) dropped out.   He's thankfully redeemed himself years back from a situation that wasn't his fault.   He wisely distanced himself from the concert series.

So this past weekend, Orange held a UFC event after further desecrating the White House.   The event was a disaster with the "winner" wrestler chose to end his rant with a sophomoric insult to Michelle Obama not worth repeating.   

The UFC Boss tried to renounce it but didn't do anything beyond lip service.   He had the nerve to say the event was intended to be patriotic and not political.   

But in an even crazier move, the Vice President thought it was a good idea to go promote his book on The View.   I knew he was delusional but didn't realize how much he is.   Or maybe his team thought it was a good idea.   Also he has time to write a book while holding the 2nd highest position in the country.   That says all I need to know.

The ladies on the View minus the current conservative panelist Alyssa Griffin skewered him as expected.   They actually could've been worse (Sunny in particular was quite restrained) but I'm sure they were told to hold back some.   Vance failed miserably in winning over any new folks or anyone that was on the fence.

Vance apparently is making the rounds in talk show and podcast land.   I saw that he did an interview with a podcaster.   The headline is very clickbait.  The White House is trying to make people deny what they can see with their own eyes.   Unfortunately mainstream media isn't doing enough to hold the current administration to the fire.   Hemingway I probably won't watch the whole thing as I find Vance repulsive but I may check out snippets of it.

An Orange You Just Can't Peel

 Apparently the White House is saying there was yet another assassination attempt on Agent Orange.   This time the alleged incident took place Saturday evening at the White House's annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner.    It's interesting to learn the history of the dinner.   It was originated by former president Woodrow Wilson in 1914.   The purpose at the time was to protect press access to the president after rumors that politicians may limit which specific press members could attend briefings.

The irony in that is the current Orange administration has threatened to control which press members are allowed and what they can report on.   So the fact that they were even having the dinner in the climate they have created is shocking in itself.   

In the last few decades of the WHCA, it is tradition to have a comedian roast the president and the press.  As thin-skinned as Orange is, he would definitely would not be able to take any ribbing.  Just look at how he tried to get comedian Jimmy Kimmel fired a few months back.   In fact, Orange did away with that tradition by not inviting any comedians for this year's event.

Kimmel, not happy with Orange doing away with the tradition, decided to have a mock roast.   Orange and Melania were not having this, though.   Orange went so far as to accuse Kimmel of playing a part in the assassination attempt.

Let's back to the attempt.   The WH is saying that a lone gunmen somehow was able to breach security and the president's life was in danger.    There are various videos showing the VP being escorted out first and later the president tripping on the floor as secret service went to take him out of imminent danger.   Other pictures show various Orange advisors like Stephen Miller hiding behind a pregnant spouse.  Incidentally some astute observers couldn't help but notice Orange watching backstage.  If he was in any real danger, wouldn't the secret service have him out of sight in some barricaded room?

Other hilarious videos showed an old man sitting at the table that was unbothered by the commotion and continuing to eat dinner.   Yet another showed a lady grabbing all the alcohol for a post-drink party in a nearby hotel.  

The only thing is later reports say that the gunman was on a different floor.    So Trump was not in any immediate danger.    The lone gunman himself was not shot but a service member was shot though protected by his vest.   Later reports say that he wasn't shot by the gunman but rather another secret service member in friendly fire.    What a shitshow!

So needless to say a lot of folks are calling the attempt a hoax that was staged (like the other Orange attempts).   Adding fuel to that fire is that less than an hour after the alleged attempt happened, Orange was holding a press conference and everyone was all smiles like nothing ever happened.   In the press conference, Orange was demanding his ballroom plans resume as the incident would not have happened if it was in his ballroom.   And this is the current state of the United States!    You can't make this stuff up.   It will be interesting to see what happens with the lone gunman.

Praying For Peace

I came across this video randomly in the Youtube rabbit hole about a black American man and his trip to Iran.   It's very timely given the current war that Orange and his regime has started.   From watching my various independent new sources, the attack on Iran is something that Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu has been wanting to do for decades.   Netanyahu has been seeking U.S. assistance from various presidents over the decades and apparently finally found his in through Orange.   The theory is that Netanyahu blackmailed Orange into attacking Iran due to having incriminating evidence on Orange's involvement with Jeffrey Epstein.    The war itself is another distraction from people talking about Epstein.

The video I found followed a random man as he explored Iran.   Just like the rest of the world, the Iranian people have their hopes and dreams.    They are just trying to make the most out of the life they are given.   It is sad to see this knowing all the destruction that is happening in Iran now.    As a result of the war, the immediate effects is the increase in price on gas.    There have also been retaliatory attacks on the U.S., including most likely the attack on a synagogue in West Bloomfield, MI. 

Dom made an interesting observation.   He noted that the media stopped talking about Orange's orchestrated attacks on Venezuela which no doubt were done to steal their oil.    Dom feels he wanted Venezuela's oil in preparation for Iranian oil potentially being blocked.   

There have been so many different attacks on people with this current regime of marginalized folks including black and brown people as well as those in the LGB and especially T community.    I pray for peace in the world and that somehow we can find our way back from this fascism.   But I don't know.  It may be too late for us.

But anyway the video touched me and I wanted to share.

On a lighter note, today is Pi day.   Dom and I are supposed to be running errands later today.   Maybe we can pick up a pie somewhere.

Stone Tone Deaf

 

Apparently there's a new movie coming out later this month that is about Orange's wife Melania.   I don't know who thought this would be a great idea considering the state of the current White House administration.   It's been reported that thousands of posters mentioning the movie has been vandalized.   Given the feelings people have about Orange, I can't say this is much of a surprise.   The advertising company wisely decided to remove all the posters and not add them once more.   

There's supposed to be a premiere of the movie at the Kennedy Center the evening before it's released in theatres.   I refuse to call the Kennedy Center anything else.   I see this movie flopping and being pulled out of theatres after one or two weeks.

The current White House administration continues to be tone deaf in how a lot of the American people view them.    We're in a world now where the administration's mandated "ICE" agents which really consist of former Proud Boy members, can target anyone on the streets and harass them and potentially kill them.  Sadly they even harass people in their own homes.

Every day Orange says one stupid thing after another and noone in Congress is doing anything about it.  Sure they refute what he says but the fact that he is still in office (or even was eligible to be elected for a second term) is a travesty.  

He's turned a lot of our allies against us and there may be a day soon when the United States is no longer a country.   We're truly living in scary times.    My only grace is that I'm in my 50's and not starting off my life trying to navigate in a world where rent, food, and housing is higher than income and having a government that's working against me.   Sure I have to deal with the food and housing now but at least I was able to establish myself years back when things weren't as insane.    Who knew those were the good ol' days?   I do not want to be in my 20's today.   They have a lot stacked against them.

So yeah back on topic, hell to the no on this movie!   I will be reading the reviews though for those brave enough to watch it...should be fun.   Cue in the popcorn.

Another Trip Around The Sun

 Happy New Year!   As I pen my official first post of 2026, I'm feeling blessed to have made it into another year.   I spent my last evening of 2025 quietly at home with Dom.   I ordered some crab legs and claws from an outfit called PrimeFish Seafood Company.   The order arrived just before Christmas and I was able to freeze them and save some for part of my New Year's Eve dinner.    They were a pricey order but part of their appeal is that you only get the crab and lobster meat itself which is freeze packed and not the shells.    So it's just a matter of cutting the package and letting the meat out.   You can either eat it cold or cook it in some butter for a few minutes.    Either way it was very tasty and a good meal for the New Year.

It was a pricey meal and something I probably won't do for a while.   But I've seen the ads for the company for at least two years and was curious to try it out.   My order of 24 oz of snow crab leg meat, 16oz snow crab claws, and 16oz lobster claw meat cost me $315.   But the appeal of not having to break through the shells and sometimes not getting all the meat can't be denied.   Enjoying seafood sometimes is a lot of work so it was nice not having to cut through shells.

New Year's Day was pretty quiet as well.   There is another random family currently housed at the AirBnB/VRBO across from us but thankfully they are mostly quiet.    We did have a nightmarish situation there with a large gathering there at Thanksgiving and some of the cars parking without our permission in our small lot and they were noisy.   We contemplated calling the police but the extra cars did wind up moving after an hour or so.   I have not been thrilled with having it so close to our house and the main owner is not a nice person at all.    The one positive is that the main owner is next door in the garage so if things really go south, at least he's there to deal with it firsthand.

I was dismayed by our latest gas/electric bill from Nipsco being charged almost $500.   Nipsco needs to be investigated.   They are a monopoly like American Water and unfortunately they get away with charging higher and higher prices.   It's crazy how a company can be so universally despised yet they are an integral part of our existence since we need gas, electricity, and water to live.   It's so frustrating.

I continue to pray I can hang on to my job with the rising costs of everything.  Maybe get a small raise again.   That might be too much to ask though...LOL.  I do worry about the financial aspect of things since the stock market isn't exactly doing great either.

The latest on the Orange front is that he orchestrated an invasion in Venezuela and took the president Nicolas Maduro and his wife hostage.   The reasoning seems to be due to the need to control oil.   It does appear the Venezuelan people are for it but what's to stop Orange from trying to take out Canada, Mexico, or Greenland.   He himself is a wanna-be dictator.

We're coming on one year since he's been in office.   Will we survive for another three years?  Will Orange?  Maybe Orange planned this latest attack in an attempt to minimize the stock market reaction to the news and of course to add more distractions from the Epstein files.

Either way I'm glad to have a few independent new sources to get the latest information from.  Some of my favorites include Don Lemon, Joy Reid, and Jennifer Welch/Angie "Pumps" Sullivan.

As for New Year resolutions, I haven't made any official ones.  I do have the goal still of paying off the mortgage this year which is on target.    It will definitely be an exciting time.   I do want to work on being more healthy in 2026.  We shall see what's in store for the year.    Whatever happens I'll do my best to navigate through things.

Brother Clay Cane

 Back in the mid-2000's when I first starting blogging at my original blogspot, I discovered over time a community of folks who had their own blogs and occasionally chimed in with feedback and sometimes tough love on my blog depending on the topic.    When I started blogging again a few years back, I often wondered what happened to my fellow bloggers and hoping they all are living their best lives.   

I recently rediscovered none other than Clay Cane on Youtube.    I knew from his blogspot (which actually I need to get invited again...LOL) that he was a prolific writer and political activist that was already making moves.    It's so cool to see him doing his thing on Youtube and he's speaking the truth on a lot of topics.   I don't have SiriusXM so I'm not able to listen to him live or call in so it's good he adds them on Youtube as well.    And he's also an author as well and has an upcoming novel titled "Burn Down Master's House" that's coming out in late January 2026.   I will definitely have to check that out.   I also looked him up on LinkedIn and can see that he has a profile there.   I sent him a connection request so I'll see if he responds.   In the meantime here are a few of his videos.

First one I'm sharing is his most recent (as of this blog entry date) where he and his co-host Reecie Colbert talk about ICE's attack on a black Southside neighborhood apartment.   From reports that I've seen, they took everyone out of that apartment and kept them in custody for several hours.   It's crazy how they are using immigration to violate human rights.   They didn't care if a person was a U.S. Citizen or not when they removed everyone.    Not only that but the way they did it, rappelling from helicopters and breaking windows and doors to get into apartments.   There were children living in the apartments and I can't imagine the trauma they'll have to deal with thinking that they don't have a safe space.   Of course Orange's administration doesn't care about that one bit.

The next video I'm sharing is one where Clay Cane with co-host Ted Winn talked with legendary R&B singer Teena Marie's daughter Alia Rose who is an artist as well.    We got to hear stories about Teena Marie from Alia's perspective.    She also mentioned an upcoming biopic that's she involved in that tells her Mom's story.

Finally here's Clay's video about former The Biggest Loser loser trainer Jillian Michaels and the gall about her recent comments relating to slavery and how it wasn't so bad for black folks and that less than 2% of whites owned slaves.   I watched Netflix's documentary on The Biggest Loser and was reminded of what a piece of work she and Bobby Harper were to the folks that participated on the show.    Like everything else on TV, it was all about the money.   The show went on for 18 Seasons and spawned other versions of the show internationally.

So Hemingway it was nice seeing that Clay is doing well and I wish him continued success.

Does Freedom Still Ring?

It's been a wild eight months since Orange taken office.   Everyday it seems the news mentions one ridiculous thing after another that he has said or done.   I've tried to shut it out but it's everywhere when looking at posts from Facebook or on the news.     He promised to end the war between Ukraine and Russia on Day 1 of his being in office.   Lies.  The price of eggs became a hot topic for awhile.   At one point he claimed that he'd get the prices lowered, which didn't happen.   Prices did eventually peter down months later.

Every other day looms the threat of tariffs which has caused havoc with the cost of items like cars, electronics, and now even drugs.   Because of his antics, international travel has dropped significantly, with cities such as Las Vegas, reporting much fewer visitors.   There was also an uptick of near misses on the air due to cuts in federal workers and his relentless attack on anything DEI.

The latest attack is now on the First Amendment.   The First Amendment is part of the U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights that protects core freedoms from government interference.   These include the freedom of religion, speech, the press, the right to assemble, and the right to petition.

This amendment has been in the news a lot lately.   It came into play when folks who spoke out against the racist beliefs of "political activist" Charlie Kirk being fired from their jobs.   Orange and Sofa have stated that there would be consequences for anyone who celebrate or mock Kirk's death.

Sadly it's become the norm for US Immigration & Custom Enforcement (ICE) agents to randomly harass and arrest U.S. Citizens and whisk them away to unknown locations.   A detention center, nicknamed Alligator Alcatraz, was built in Florida by the Florida Division of Emergency Management that is used by ICE to house detainees.   Conditions there have been described as being extremely hot, full of bugs like mosquitoes and crickets, with lack of food and water.   Also it's built near the Everglades which is swampy land that includes alligators and snakes.   Orange even alluded that escapees shouldn't run in a straight line since they may get eaten by an alligator.

ICE agents have been deployed in Washington D.C. and Chicago and is slated to be sent to other cities.  In particular he's targeting blue cities that have black mayors.

The government is at risk of being shut down on October 1st due to Congress and Orange stalemating on the budget.   Orange wants to cut everything that helps those that aren't rich.    The economy is in shambles with lots of layoffs happening.

This is supposed to be the land of the free.   But a lot of freedoms are being eroded away.   It's getting scary out here.   

Feeling Taxed

 Tax time has creeped in again.  With the way the Orange administration has been wrecking havoc on the Federal government, it's a wonder we still have a tax system.    Dom decided to do his taxes in early February in case Orange did something to mess up refunds.    He also already had that money spent on his favorite hobby.   I managed to finish my taxes in early March.   My refunds are not nearly as high as they used to be when I lived in Illinois.   Then again my property taxes are not as high as they were when I lived in Illinois.   Unfortunately though property taxes in Indiana have been steadily creeping up since I moved here.  I need to think about opening a separate saving account to deposit enough money to pay the property taxes once I finish paying off the mortgage.

So far I'm still on track to have the mortgage paid off by June or July of 2026.   I'm definitely excited about that one.   I'm peeved because the oral surgeon that I'm having my wisdom teeth removed requires me to pay the entire balance of the surgery which will run me $2100.   Apparently I will get it back from the insurance in two weeks (they claim).   It's such a racket that the surgeon gets their money and I'm the one that has to deal with the insurance.  Luckily I am also getting a bonus from work this week that should cover the $2100 I have to pay up front.  I just need to notify my credit card of the upcoming charge so they don't put a freeze on my card.

My original plan was to use the bonus as an extra payment for the mortgage but I'll need to wait till I get the money back from the insurance company to put it towards the mortgage.   I should have some more of the bonus available, it may come out to around $4000 (apparently the company had a great year).   So I can still put the remaining amount towards it.

My surgery is scheduled for Cinco De Mayo.   As I mentioned the oral surgeon is a lady and her staff are all women as well.   There's nothing wrong with that of course.    But they couldn't hire a guy or two...LOL.

I'm nervous about the procedure but I know it needs to be done.  I probably should've taken the other two out when I did the first two.   I just never got around to it.   Of course the oral surgeon was already trying to sell other products to me.   I was thinking I'll be damned if I get anything else since I have to pay for that upfront too.   I'm annoyed that my dentist chose this oral surgeon but she seems to know her stuff so I'll have to put faith that it'll all work out.

I pray that everything goes well with the surgery.   Dom will be taking the day off school to take me to the surgery.   I'll be knocked out during the procedure (I don't remember if I was knocked out when I had my first wisdom teeth removed).   But I already put in my time off for work and decided just to be safe to take the whole week.   They mention limiting your physical activity that first week.

In other news a member of my current Church family received some bad news today healthwise.   He was on a journey to ditching his CPAP machine for good and was in the final stretch of confirming that he could use Inspire as a mask-free solution.   He had to lose more than 20 pounds to be eligible and along the way had to deal with health issues.   He lost the weight and was in the doctor's office taking a test to see if he would be able to tolerate the device.    While they did a CT scan on his throat, they found a 6mm mass on one of his lungs.   He will have another CT scan on Thursday on his lungs.  I feel so bad for him and pray that he doesn't get dire news.

Mitch has also been on my mind lately.   He's reached a new milestone.   He officially has less than 3 years left in his prison term.   I've been meaning to write to him but have been so busy with life.  I'm hoping that he's hanging in there.   He's made a few strides in preparation for life outside of prison.   By the time he gets out, he'll be 65 years old.    He was able to find a new home that his children will be living in while he does his remaining time.   He pretty much will be at retirement age but he may look to do some part-time work.

Whenever I complain about my lot in life, I always find myself reminding myself that at least I do have freedom.   I pray that Orange and his cronies don't take that away from us.   It truly is a scary world out there.  I shudder to think where this country will be not just in four years but even another month from now.

Bishop Buddle's Plea

 

I don't blog often about politics.  It's not because the topic doesn't interest me.  I'm aware of how it shapes our daily lives, especially at the local level.   The last few federal elections have left me exhausted but even I knew the implications if Trump won the election.   I thought it was common knowledge.   How could a convicted felon, rapist, racist, and plain dumb man be given the keys to the highest position of the land?   The homework assignment was for everyone to do their part and vote for Kamala Harris.   It's disappointing that half of the country was so against having a black woman as president that they chose to re-elect an out of touch and dangerous man.   Harris was not perfect and perhaps the democratic party should've went through the normal vetting process to get a candidate that the party could stand behind.   But Harris at least was willing to work with folks even across party lines.   Trump has shown time and time again that he's not willing to do this.

I could not bring myself to watch the inauguration except for what the local media forced on the TV.   I felt the pain of Biden and Harris to have to sit there and listen to the nonsense that he was saying.  So imagine my glee when I heard about Bishop Mariann Edgar Buddle making a plea directly to Trump and the even more stupid but evil vice-president J.D. Vance during today's (01/21) service at the National Cathedral.    It was a thing of beauty to see and hear how Bishop Buddle pierced through with her words.   The whole family was squirming and appeared disgusted.   The only person that seemed to listen was ironically J.D. Vance's wife Usha.   

From the little I've seen of Usha, she seems to carry herself as a decent person.   How she ended up married to the likes of J.D. Vance I'll never understand.

Sadly Buddle's words will fall on death and dumb ears.   All it did was make Trump angry and he and the rest of the clan tuned it out.   But those who stand for decency heard her loud and clear.    The United States needs a lot of help and prayers to get through these next four years.

R.I.P. Jimmy Carter

 The last time I blogged about Jimmy Carter, I was celebrating his turning 100 on October 1st.   His birthday being the day before my Mom's birthday on October 2nd (different years).    He was defying the odds by remaining in hospice care for well over a year.   Well President Carter was called home on Sunday, December 29th.    He lived just long enough to cast his vote for Kamala Harris and died during a time to add a wrinkle to Trump's inauguration. 

The White House (President Biden) ordered the flags on the White House and other public buildings to be at half-staff starting at 30 days from Carter's death.   This period includes the day that Trump gets inaugurated into office.    Of course Trump was upset about this and threw a tantrum.   

A part of me wondered if Biden was being petty about the order knowing that the 30 days would also include inauguration day.   That day is set to be a pretty sad state of affairs.   Having the flags at half-staff does seem appropriate given the crazy that is taking over the White House again.   It may serve as a precursor of what may come over the next four years.   Will the United States survive another four years of his insanity?

He's been talking so much nonsense about having Canada become the 51st state, changing Gulf of Mexico's name to Gulf of America, taking over Greenland, and criticizing the handling of the L.A. wildfires.   It truly is scary that the majority of America chose to vote a convicted felon as president.  If he can be president, other convicted felons should be able to get lesser jobs.   In fact, all they have to do is utter the word "Trump" if a prospective job discriminates against them.

I wonder though if Trump will make it through his entire term.   I feel like they are setting the stage for J.D. Vance to step in and then all hell would really break loose.   All we can do is pray.

But back to what this post was really about.   It's celebrating the life of a great man who many say wasn't a great president.   However he was a better man who made a positive difference in many lives with the work that he's done with Habitat for Humanity.   Earlier today was Jimmy Carter's funeral at Washington National Cathedral.   I haven't seen any articles yet of any bad behavior but I'm sure those are still being printed.   But Mr. Carter is finally at peace.