No Matter Who Wins, We Lose
Just do one thing: Don't vote for genocide!
What More Could Go Wrong?
The U.S. Presidential Election began as another opportunity to judge which of the Oligarchs was the true patriot, which is measured by how many millions each was willing to add to the pot in this peculiar game of poker?
Then on Oct. 7, 2023, a mystery player sat down at the table. Said his name was Bibi Netanyahu, and he came to play. Bibi suggested a game of “Kill the Palestinians,” and the other players, many of whom had fond memories of the Levant, chimed in as one.
Hamas, the rag-tag leaders of the Palestinians of Gaza (those formerly known as the Phoenicians and Canaanites) had conducted an attack across the border with Israel. More than a thousand Israelis were killed, while more than a hundred more became hostages of Hamas. The Bronze Age Israelis also were known as Canaanites. One wonders who had the closest DNA, the Israelis and the Palestinians, or the Russians and the Ukrainians? In any case, both conflicts can be characterized as brother killing brother.
The lopsided war has ground on, with the Israelis killing at least 40 times as many of their Gazan “brothers,” with the help of the United States’ financing and weapons. It’s worth noting that Israel’s “brothers” in Lebanon and Yemen seem to be quite angry at their sibling, as well.
Meanwhile, both candidates of the “major” parties, old Joe Biden and old Don Trump, declared their fealty to their old friend, Bibi. Before he bowed out of presidential politics, Biden slipped Bibi an envelope containing $5.2 billion toward replenishing and expanding Israel’s missile and rocket defense system; another $3.5 billion for purchasing advanced weapons systems (presumably from U.S. weapons manufacturers); $1 billion to enhance weapons production; $4.4 billion for other defense supplies and services provided to Israel (just some walking around money); and some $2.4 billion to US operations in the region amid the Gaza war, says the Times of Israel.
Protests erupted on U.S. college campuses and in other countries, as well as at candidates’ appearences. The World Court, and billions around the world, agree that the Israeli military (IDF) was committing genocide.
At press time, the Lebanese army, Hezbollah, responded to the escalation of drones and missiles by Israeli, and vowed not to quit until there was peace in Gaza. Israel also employed a new weapon, exploding pagers, which is clearly a war crime. How long before all of us are afflicted with exploding iPhones?
Back on the Home Front
On June 20, President Joe Biden bungled a debate with former President Donald Trump, causing many of his strongest supporters, including VP Kamala Harris, former President Barack Obama, former President Bill Clinton and would-be President Hillary Clinton, among others to turn on him. It was an odd performance by the President. After months of leading Democrats defending Biden from charges of Alzheimers, it seemed that they were ready to see him go. Did someone forget to slip Joe his meds?
The demands that he step down began immediately, and so did a “groundswell” for Kamala Harris, the VP, to take his place. Old Joe didn’t want to go, but in the end, he went half way. He would not resign as President but he agreed, on July 21, after being threatened with removal, via the 25th Amendment, not to run again.
Kamala Harris won the Democratic nomination with 99 percent of the votes cast on Aug. 5. The newly energized Harris began a round of town halls, auditorium speeches and one interview. She also engaged in a debate with Donald Trump, which most of the media said she won.
Not to be outdone, Donald Trump grabbed some of the spotlight when an assassination attempt was made, July 14, in Butler, Pennsylvania. The alleged shooter, Thomas Crooks, nearly hit his target in the head, and did, in fact, nick Trump’s ear. Trump recoved in time for the Republican Convention, which was held on the following Monday.
On Aug. 30, an unknown assailant climbed a restricted barrier at a Trump rally in Johnstown, PA, before being subdued with a Taser.
“Witnesses, including some in the press corps, described a crazed individual shouting expletives at President Trump,” said campaign senior adviser Danielle Alvarez. “His aggression was focused on the president and towards the stage as he entered the press area.”
Ryan Routh apparently attempted to shoot Trump with an AK47 on Sept. 15. A Secret Service Agent spotted a gun barrel poking through a fence near where the ex-president was playing golf on his private course in Palm Beach, FL. Routh is 58 years old and has a political history. He has been an advocate of American and Afghan volunteers joining with the Ukrainian army in fighting against Russia. He’s been interviewed about his cause several times and is active on X.com. Routh was registered to vote at various times as a Democrat, to which party he made donations, and as an unaffiliated voter.
Routh’s hostility toward Trump may stem from the candidate’s statement that he would immediately end the war in the Ukraine. Trump, however, is a strong supporter of Israel’s war in Gaza, as is Harris, who has largely adopted Biden’s equally strong support of Israel.
Meanwhile..
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has suspended his campaign and is advocating for Trump. Kennedy says his participation is changing “the DNA of the MAGA movement and totally changing the conversation in America.” He is campaigning with the slogan “Make America Healthy Again (MAHA).”
Tulsi Gabbard, who is not running for president, still has a large following from her 2020 campaign. She is apparently banking on her role as a National Guard veteran. She appeared with Trump at the Arlington National Cemetery and at a meeting of the National Guard Association.
Not to be outdone, Kamala Harris gained endorsements from Dick Cheney, former VP. and his daughter, Lynne Cheney. Dick’s unpopularity reached its nadir of 13 percent shortly before he left office. His poll rating was nearly as low as Harris’ rating when she dropped out of the 2020 presidential primary.
Who to Vote for?
How dare you vote for someone who endorses genocide?
Of the remaining third party candidates, only one seems to be rising in the polls. Jill Stein, the presidential candidate of the Green Party is on the ballot in 48 states and, recently, has been gaining endorsements from U.S. Muslim-American Public Affairs Council; philosopher Tariq Ali; Medea Benjamin, Code Pink; Michael Hudson; economist; Briahna Joy Gray, Social Media Commentator; and Jeffrey Sachs, Columbia University Professor.
You’re dreaming if you think the Greens have a chance of winning, but at least you’ll have a clear conscience that you didn’t vote for more genocide.
