Best New TV Shows of 2021

*I apologize for the delay in posting. I should have written this before New Year’s Eve.

1. Loki: Tom Hiddleston shines once more as Loki, the complicated immortal who has become much more than the standard antagonist. Forced into new circumstances, he goes on a journey that forever changes him.
2. The Wonder Years: This reboot of the beloved 1980’s/1990’s series is just as poignant as its predecessor. The choice of making the main character and his family African-American only adds to its relevancy.
3. Law & Order: Organized Crime: This spinoff of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit starring Chris Meloni as returning Detective Elliot Stabler is a thrilling and spine tingling hour of television.
4. Ordinary Joe: This new NBC series is the story of one man and three distinct life paths before him. Told concurrently and using different colors for each decision, is is a reminder of how one choice can affect the rest of our lives.
5. Impeachment: American Crime Story: The latest chapter of this long running F/X series focuses on the affair between Monica Lewinsky (Beanie Feldstein) and former President Clinton (Clive Owen) and the impeachment trial that followed. Instead of focusing on Clinton, the story is about the women who were directly affected by his less than honorable actions.
6. WandaVision: This first foray by the MCU via DisneyPlus is everything it promised to be. Wanda Maxmioff and Vision (Elisabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany) are living in family sitcom wedded bliss. But it not what it seems to be. With a star making turn by Kathryn Hahn as Agatha Harkness, this series is a must see.
7. All Creatures Great and Small: Ths unexpectedly Masterpeice/PBS series is adorable and charming. A rookie vetenarian starts his career in rural Yorkshire in the 1930’s and grows in unexpected ways. The new season starts tonight at 9PM ET/ 8PM CT.
8. Atlantic Crossing: This second Masterpeice/PBS series tells the story of the friendship/supposed affair between Franklin Delanor Roosevelt and Crown Princess Martha of Sweden during World War II. Forgotten for nearly a century, this tale of one woman’s drive to save her nation is truly worth watching.
9. The Book of Boba Fett: This latest entry into the Star Wars universe from DisneyPlus just premiered on December 29th. Though only two episodes have been released, it is already asking questions that are begging for answers.
10. Behind Her Eyes: Based on the book by Sarah Pinborough, this six part Netflix series about a married man’s affair with his secretary has a delicious ending that is jaw dropping and completely out of left field. Few endings have wowed me as this did.

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Impeachment Trial 2.0 — By Hook Or By Book

As you know, the second impeachment trial of Mr. Trump began today, and if anyone needs a reminder of why this is necessary, check these two videos out.

Impeachment Trial 2.0 — By Hook Or By Book

The Firing of Alexander Vindman & Gordon Sondland Should be the Last Straw

In my professional life, I’ve never aspired to a managerial position. But if there is one thing I have learned over the years, it is that a good manager does not want yes men or yes women. He or she at least listens and respects the opinions and suggestions of their team members. Whether or not they act on said opinions or suggestions is another story. But at least the employee is given the courtesy to being heard.

After the debacle that was the impeachment trial, you know whose victory dance went well beyond the usual petty and immature behavior. He fired Alexander Vindman and Gordon Sondland for telling the truth.

In any business, when a manager hires or fires based on whether or not an employee will yes them, that is something to be concerned about. But when a person in political office, especially in the office of President of the United States only wants yes people around them, that is disturbing. He or she must have different voices around them.

If nothing else, the firing of Ambassador Sondland and Lt. Vindman should set off alarm bells. The man whom we have unfortunately elected to lead this country is unwilling and unable to listen to anyone who does not agree with him. With the 2020 Presidential election less than a year away, this should be the last straw for the voting public.

But I have a feeling that for many, it won’t be. That is what scares me.

Thank You, Mitt Romney

Albert Einstein was not just a genius when it came to science. He was a genius of of the human condition. One of his most famous quotes is the following:

“The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.”

I can’t think of a better quote to sum up the hideous fact that you know who was acquitted today of both articles of impeachment.

But in spite of the fact that the majority of Republicans continue to fall over themselves to curry favor with you know who, there were a few who stood up for the country and the Constitution.

Senator Mitt Romney (R-Utah) was the only Republican in the Senate to convict the President for abuse of power.

If there was a way to thank him in person, I would. While his fellow Republicans put their careers and their conscious over the voters and the country, Senator Romney did the opposite.

What concerns me is the precedent that the acquittal establishes. Today’s ruling says that the President is above the law. He or she is not beholden to the same legal boundaries as the rest of us. He or she may also sell the office of the President of the United States to the highest bidder, whether they be foreign or domestic.

After today, one thing is clear. We must vote in November. If our Senators are too chicken to get you know who out of office, then we, the voting citizens must do so. This man and those who enable him are a menace to our country. I can only fear what he may do with another four years in office.

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.

Thoughts on Today’s Impeachment Bombshells

The reason that many of us pay attention to any impeachment trial is that it is not an event (not that it should be) that happens very often.

There were two major bombshells during today’s impeachment trial.

The first bombshell came this morning. Senator Lamar Alexander (D-TN) spoke out as to why he did not believe that witnesses were necessary during the trial. His reason for believing that witnesses are not necessary is the following:

 “There is no need for more evidence to conclude that the president withheld United States aid, at least in part, to pressure Ukraine to investigate the Bidens; the House managers have proved this with what they call a ‘mountain of overwhelming evidence.”

The second bombshell came a short time ago. After hours or debating, the Senate voted. In what was a close race, the majority of Senators voted against witnesses.

Is it me, or are the Republicans trying to rush this trial through? It’s as if they are more concerned with sucking up to you know who and saving their own skins instead of doing what is right for the country.

There has been, as it is natural, comparisons to past impeachment. As most of us above a certain age can easily recall the Clinton Impeachment, the comparisons are easily made. But as I see it, there is a difference. Clinton’s failings were moral. Not that he didn’t deserve what was coming to him, but he did and what you know who did are on completely different levels. Clinton did not sell out this country or threaten to withhold badly needed funds if his political rival was not investigated for some imagined crime.

We will have to wait until next week to find out the results of this trial. I can only end this post with the concern that if you know who is acquitted, all h*ll will break loose.

Thoughts On the Impeachment Trial

Impeaching a political leader is not meant to be done lightly or easily. It is meant for a time when the political leader in question has acted so egregiously, that there is no other choice but to impeach them.

Like many Americans, I have been glued to my TV and my radio, listening to the impeachment trial of you know who.

Ideally, we should be paying attention without being partisan. We should be listening to the facts and making a judgement for ourselves, instead of letting politics get in the way. But this is far from ideal and unfortunately, impeachment by nature is not bi-partisan.

As I see it, nothing that the President’s defense has said has swayed my opinion. Instead of presenting hardcore information, they spew the same half truths and lies. Now granted, the President of the United States is given certain powers because of their position. But they are not a one person band in the corridors of power.

Our founders purposefully created three branches of government. They knew that at some point in the future, there would be a President who believed that they alone knew how to run the country.

Some people have asked why impeachment is being forced on the nation instead of letting the ballot boxes speak in November. In another Presidential election season with another Republican incumbent, no one would ever consider impeachment. But given that we have used car salesman wanna be demagogue for a President, this trial is absolutely necessary.

Something is Fishy About the Lack of Witnesses at the Impeachment Trial

When we are young, we are taught about due process and one’s right to a fair trial. Part of this due process is the right to call witnesses to confirm the accused’s innocence or guilt.

The impeachment trial of you know who started today. Among the many points that were considered was whether or not to call witnesses. Not surprisingly, the Democrats wanted witnesses to be called. The Republicans argue that witnesses are not necessary.

I’m not a lawyer or a legal expert. I know where the boundaries of my knowledge lies. But I know enough to know that witnesses are necessary in any trial, regardless of whether it is on the local level, the national level or somewhere in between.

I have to wonder, in denying witnesses to speak for themselves, what the Republicans are hiding. Or, if they are not hiding something, they are afraid that these witnesses will reveal the truth. The truth that you know who did use his office for personal and political gain. By not going against you know who, they prefer to stay in power instead of serving the public who voted them into office.

Only time and history will tell how the impeachment trial of you know will turn out. Either way, the fact that Republicans refuse to call witnesses says it all, at least from my perspective.