Trying to keep my mouth shut about D.T has been hard. His myriad of unsavory behavior has been coming to a point that my brain is going to break if I don't talk about it. By no means will I hash out my feelings of his competency as President. Lets just leave that to the fake news. Instead, I am talking about my feelings on his character. Since he has been elected, I often imagine aliens landing in DC, scurrying along on their slug bodies toward the White House. Under their fishbowl helmets, one eye darts back and forth frantically (yes, it is drastically less scary to imagine them as the aliens from The Simpons) with drool dribbling down their chins they ask in a very Groaning way, "Take us to your leader".
Then the internal shudder we would feel as the marmot-topped creamsicle greets them. From the first words uttered, conflict would be brewing.. inevitably, his ego would blow a gasket. It wouldn't take long before he'd offend the invaders with his chutzpah. After he declare a net be constructed around the atmosphere to keep them from returning; Kang and Kados would look at each other's cyclopes faces, agreeing that they are a superior species and give the green light to their fleets to invade and begin enslaving humanity.
Yes, this is extreme. I understand the worst possible scenario is probably along the lines of nuclear warfare, so I'm going to remain calm. For the past several years I went about an apathetic approach to politics, believing the mysterious Bilderbergs are surely controlling our democracy. It's too big, too powerful to be an honest system. No chance that a President would have any real power. The government, from Congress to the President were merely a marionette to be the face for the people.
Since Trump has been in charge, however, I am beginning to think that either my disenchanted stance on government is regrettable as there is no possibility that any pyramid of power above the naked eye would allow this man as President... or....that they are directing the government and have a fantastically frightening plan for the future of the world.
For now, I feel that I have laid the basic foundation of my opinion of him. As I said, I'm not here to talk about the President though. I have a few bones to pick with Mr. Trump, the person as a whole. Don, Donny, Don-man the Con-man, whatever he feels suits him best. It is no secret that his career has been a sequence of chasing celebrity status. Beyond his fame, his fortune, his schemes, his persona, there is still an oxygen breathing mammal with a a brain and beating heart (I think). I've been fascinated with his personality since he began speaking at Republican rallies; at the time, I still believed his pursuit to be President was just another innocent Trump PR stunt, how wrong I was. I've read articles by psychologists who've attempted to unearth the chain reactions in his life that resulted in his gargantuan presence. My obsession has taken me from doodling his face into a nuclear mushroom cloud to an actual vivid-as-hell nightmare involving extra terrestrials invading present day earth, except my subconscious came up with a much more formidable type of species than what I described above. Love him or hate him, it is true he leaves an impression. Being unforgettable is an important quality, and he is, perhaps, most successful in his life at just that. This is why he has been rightfully smeared for the word vomit he projectile hurled throughout his career and why I am so uneasy with him as the leader of the free world. While he has cast prejudice on just about every race, religion, mammal, reptile and marsupial in America during his campaign, I was most startled as the curtain of his entire career was drawn back to remind us of the chauvinist he truly is.
Ladies Man-
It seems to be true: men with money and women with fake boobs go together like peanut butter and jelly. Do I find this offensive? A problem in society? No. It always has been and will always be. So, rummaging through Trump's adult life, seeing the many beautiful women he wore as an accessory is a natural, normal biological event. The male bird with the most vibrant feathers gets first pick of the prime females, why wouldn't nature carry this over to the primate with the most net worth? The Playboy image he projects does make sense. When viewing women as a golden trophy of success, and a legitimate consequence of having a dizzying amount of money, I cannot find any fault in Trump. He has just done what is customary for a man of his wealth. Even though his past was littered with allegations of harassment, poor judgement of comments to media sources and authentic sexism, Trump was doing what Trump does best: lose lipped, rage induced, ignorant lynchings of anyone that got in his way.
Then he ran for President-
The history of his foibles and complete lack of self-awareness came blasting outward like Mt. St. Helens. At the time of each offense, years, even decades prior, it was just good ol' Donald being himself, but now he is running the highest office in the country. Can we as a people logically look at this man who has been so impetuous throughout his career and shrug it off as either ancient history or 'just' his personality? Not only that, but we were markedly refreshed about this little quirk throughout the campaign and into his presidency. Brand new comments and tweets began rattling out of his puckered little mouth constantly, proving there had not been any magical maturing juncture since those old headlines were broadcast. We all know what he has said, there's no use in repeating any of it. Everything that has surfaced came out just last year or is running through your feeds at this very moment because, well.. he's Old Faithful, guaranteed to blow every 45 minutes to an hour and we are in the front row, getting soaked every single time.
I wish I had time to talk on everything he has bitch slapped with his mouth. Hispanics, Muslims, the environment, ohhhhh it's all so juicy and begging to be ranted about.. but alas, I have to stay on task... this whole post is based off of just one sentence: "Grab 'em by the pussy".... there it is, all we need to know about the man who is also making decisions about our taxes, economy, foreign policy, and- the almighty universe forbid- war. Grab 'em by the pussy- because as a rich celebrity, you can do whatever you want. Grab 'em by the pussy, because I'm in a bus with a TV host who's better looking than me so I have to show my ape teeth to keep the alpha role. Grab 'em by the pussy, because "'em" are just meaningless females, who would giggle with flattery at the opportunity of intrusion by such a man.
The aftermath was, lets see...what's the word? Unfulfilling. Smack dab in the middle of a presidential campaign, this tape leaks and he has to answer to it. Then, he manages to sweep it over as though he were merely responding to a claim that he doesn't tip a customary 15% at restaurants. Just a brief, insincere apology to the American people, then the unforgettable excuse that it was just "locker room talk" and finally turning the pointed finger at Bill Clinton, who, let us not forget, was very much a ladies man, but he had game, no one forced Monica to do those deeds. So, that was it. He walked right over the coals and didn't get burned. If that doesn't say something about how behind our society is on equality, I don't know what will. As headlines seep out about unjust sentences for rich college athletes who've sexually assaulted women, the most disturbing concept that has come from this is that consent is a flexible word. That's why I am honing in on this one particular comment, out of the mass surplus of others; this one is so reckless because it balances the dial toward the side of the scale that there is a little grey middle between the line of consent and assault. Unfortunately, our public school system's sex education doesn't come close to providing instructions on properly protecting a banana from unwanted pregnancy, let alone what is and is not consent. Kids are now at the mercy of information from home, which we all know is such an infallible method; sons understanding that there is a rigid protocol of acceptance after the word no and daughters that anything after no is a culpable offense. Then, throw these kids together in low-lit, booze fueled college campuses and the lack of understanding creates a destructive storm. Factor all of that, then understand that the man in charge of our entire country, is making light of groping woman's genitals. The children watching him during the campaign, those hearing the adults in their lives discussing the topic, the term 'locker room talk' tossed around as an excuse for sexual abuse; the ghastly rationalization of those comments as just 'boys being boys'; all being heard by small, malleable minds journeying into those pubescent years where this impression becomes risky and potentially dangerous.
The Warrior Goddess-
I still feel like I haven't ranted enough, but if you've come this far, I'll spare you. This piece came to me as I was drifting off to sleep recently. That weird little limbo where you aren't awake but REM hasn't taken hold of you yet. That is a magical time where I can get some of the most hit or miss creative flow. My mind was obviously on the subject. Clearly that night I had been fuming about his attitude toward women; this wrinkled potato has gotten away with so much malfeasance and is now going to have at least 4 years of legislative access to make women's bodies even more proprietary. The images of Hindu Gods with multiple arms surfaced, each arm with a tiny little hand, extending out to grab various Venus Fly Traps resembling female genitalia. The significance of the carnivorous plant in my mind being: the illusion of innocence and vulnerability, no superficial hints of something clever and sinister awaiting that stubby little finger coming to invade it. The further I got on my sketch, I began realizing how insensitive it is to shove Trump's face onto an ancient deity for so many millions of people, creating a mockery of something they hold holy. That is not on my agenda. I was ready to give up on it, I have had to vow that I stay tolerant and conscious of all beliefs. As much as I want to tell certain JW's my inner feelings when they arrive on my front porch on a freakin' Saturday morning, I do not, basically to retain that I am not a hypocritical asshole. Then the thought struck my feeble mind: why not understand what these Hindu Gods represent? Still assuming my Trumptopus should be retired, I found information on the very idol I had originally pictured... Durga. Suddenly, I am reading about the warrior goddess of the Hindu belief, I am enthralled by her, I respect her, she is the antipodal example of Trump's ideal woman... everything comes swirling into a pertinent marriage of what I have been trying to say all along. My eraser hit the ends of those devious little Venus Fly Traps. Instead of allowing his portrait to sit in stagnant place of a God, he was now in his own egotistical, self-appointed throne above women, believing his money and power is the Sun and women orbit him in constant graciousness for his mere acknowledgement of our existence. Gorilla arms sprawled out to grab what he feels is rightfully his. Beyond the seemingly fragile womanhood he grasps, are the elements that represent Durga's strength. Now, bare with me, I've only done some light reading on Durga and have seen and read different descriptions of the purpose and symbolism of what she represents and what she yields in her many hands. She is the warrior goddess, symbolizing the divine forces and positive energy of creation, vanquishing evil. I have also read her referred to as 'Mother' goddess as she protects her followers compassionately. The literal meaning of the word Durga is a fort, protecting her devotees as a fort would an empire. Perhaps that sums it up, there is so much more information but I must continue on... then her many arms, what she holds in each of those hands according to my research are as follows: her first upper right hand is a Chakra, representing dharma, or duties and righteousness, holding that we must be present for our responsibilities in life. In her first upper left hand is the conch shell, for contentment in performing these duties without bitterness. In her second right hand, the sword, to eradicate our evil vices and qualities. The bow and arrow in her second left hand is a reminder to hold true to our character/values through life's difficulties. In her third right hand is a club for surrender; so that no matter what comes across our path, we accept it graciously. The third left hand is my favorite, the lotus flower. This serves as our reminder to stay detached from an external world, just as the lotus flower blooms in the muddy, dirty water, smiling and giving its beauty to others despite its surroundings. The front lower left hand is a trident, for courage and the right is empty, palm out, representing forgiveness. Adding these symbols to each of my fly traps felt invigorating while learning of this beautiful philosophy presented in Durga, such an idyllic model of a true leader. It made me realize that despite my anger at America for voting in this jackass, the gravity is less heavy when thinking that he is a tiny little parasite and women are a vast mountain. He is one puny little dog, with a tremendous bark. His inappropriate comments liken to that of the same little dog that tore apart the garbage. Yes, it's maddening and he's gonna forget it ever happened. Due to his inbreeding, he may never learn from his mistakes, so, you pat him on the head and let him run around and chase his tail some more.
No matter our differences in politics, religion or occupation, I feel certain that as a species which dominates half the population, we have the same common opinion that our bodies are not all inclusive for even the wealthiest man. As long as women continue to be educated, make changes in their fields and breed responsibly, this putrid example of a leader will do no damage to our existence. His words are all that we need to know to be cautious of the world we live in under his command. Beyond that, it is on our shoulders to shape the future including fostering healthy role models and words for the generation that will proceed us. I suppose that's my mantra on everything, always keep the next generation informed to avoid the mistakes we are making now. Indeed, it is a strange time in history to live, but women have been through much worse. Perhaps the best part is that the joke is on Trump, I mean, those tiny little hands are good for just about one thing nowadays, his Twitter account.