Acquitting You Know Who Could Be the Death Knell of American Democracy

If there is one thing that Americans are known for, it is the pride we have in our democracy. For more than two centuries, it has been a beacon of hope that the voice of the average citizen is heard and respected.

But American democracy is on the decline. The impeachment trial of you know who is set to wrap up this week. For weeks, there have been whispers that he will be acquitted of both charges.

If this happens, I fear that this could be the end of the American democracy. The purpose of separating the Executive Branch, Congress and the Supreme Court is to ensure that governmental power is not exclusively in the hands of one of three branches.

Some argue that censure is the way to go and to let the voters decide in the fall.

If another President (regardless of party) was being impeached under less egregious accusations, I would agree that censuring him or her is the way to go. But given that we have a bully man-child used car salesman as President who believes that he is above the law, censuring him is not enough.

Do you censure a school bully who verbally and physically attacks their classmates? No. You remove them from the school. This President must be removed from office by the Senate. If we don’t, then I fear that it will be the death knell of American democracy.

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Thoughts On the 2020 Super Bowl Controversy

For many viewers, the halftime show during the Super Bowl is the highlight of the evening.

On Sunday, while the majority of viewers were entertained by Jennifer Lopez and Shakira, some viewers got their knickers in a twist about the clothing worn by the performers.

I have two very big problems with the people who have problems with the costumes worn by J.Lo and Shakira. Both come down to the double standards that still dog our culture.

When Adam Levine went shirtless during Maroon 5‘s performance last year, there were crickets. Simply because this year’s main performers are female, they are being attacked in the press for presenting a bad image to young girls. This is where the double standard comes in. Women are encouraged (in more ways than one) to show off their bodies. But when they do, they are labelled all sorts of names and accused of corrupting the next generation.

Our world and our country would be much better off if certain people focus on important things. Such as jobs, education, maintaining our planet, etc. Getting your knickers in a twist because of the choice of wardrobe of a performer (especially a female performer) is not important and in the long run, will never be important.

American Manifesto: Saving Democracy from Villains, Vandals, and Ourselves Book Review

Democracy is not something that is automatically handed to us. It was must be fought for and maintained.

On the Media‘s co-host Bob Garfield‘s new book is entitled American Manifesto: Saving Democracy from Villains, Vandals, and Ourselves. In the book, Garfield examines how the United States has become a fractured country. Looking at the changing mass media, the influence of the internet and identity politics, Garfield not just names the problem, he provides a solution to bring this country back together.

I hate the feeling of being excited about a book and then feeling disappointed. This book is one of many to address the obvious societal and political change in America. I initially picked up the book because On the Media is one of the podcasts that I regularly listen to. The problem with this book is that Garfield gets so wrapped up in his ideas that he loses the reader. I wanted to be inspired by this book, but I was not.

Do I recommend it? Not really.