Super Bull 2.0

Bad Bunny headlines the halftime show at this year's Super Bowl February 8. PHOTO:NPR

We catch the action at the beginning of the second quarter. Score is 225 Mags, 0 Libs. Quarterback Donny "Doo Doo" Drump and his Mags have held possession of the ball since the opening kick-off, working his throwing arm harder than a jackhammer on concrete. Signing one executive order after another, surpassing the 220 he completed his entire first 4-year season.

The Mag team has basically stood around and watched, essentially giving Donny free rein. Some say his dirty looks and threats have frozen the team's ability to pass bills into scoring laws.

We move to the press box.

"We've never seen a quarterback control every element of the game before, Tom. What's your analysis? We're starting the second quarter and the Libs haven't touched the ball."

"That's right, Joe. Donny has been on a tear and nobody seems to be able to stop him. The game did get a little rowdy early this quarter when Mag players took over Minneapolis with the Libs calling foul, only to have their fans hauled away and two of them... well, even knocked out cold, like dead."

"Donny plays a mean game, Joe. Just when you hear him say he's going to change his strategy, he pulls the same play again. There once was a quarterback in this league, Tricky Dick Nix'em, who pulled some stunt plays. But Donny makes Dicky's tricks look like kindergarten stuff -- sneaking into a hotel to steal plays. Big whoop." 

(Laughter in the press box)

"The game's become a lot wilder, Joe. Sometimes I feel threatened myself just making comments. I'm glad I'm making the big bucks."

"I wouldn't do this if I wasn't getting paid five-times my old salary. We're not on the air are we?"

"No, Tom. I made sure to flip the switch below the monitor after that last time out. The last thing I want is to lose my job for something I said."

"Okay, it's Joe Bonk and my pal, Tom Badey, back with the action at Super Bull 2.0 here in Santa Clara, home of the San Francisco Forty-Niners. Funny how some teams keep their location name even after they change their home location."

"That's a hoot, isn't it?" 

"Okay, Donny's over the center calling signals... No, was a minute! He's calling out players on the Libs team, actually yelling their names... err, that is, nicknames for them. Let's see if we can hear him."

(We hear Drump's voice on the stadium speakers -- "Fuck you, Newscum. I'm gonna make sure you never give another dyslexic speech, I'm gonna rip your tongue out. You're a dirty disgrace to this game." 

(A cheer rises from the stadium but we can't make out what they're saying.)

"I've never heard that before, Tom, at least not over the stadium sound system. Drump seems to have the entire game wrapped around his middle finger."

"You know, Joe, I can say that for the first time I'm actually looking forward to the big halftime show this year headlined by Bad Bunny."

"Yeah, I agree, Tom. Even if we can't understand his Spanish. It will be good for a little change of pace. But I know Drump doesn't like him and may try something funny. Like having his Mag fans race onto the field and bust some heads."

"It really doesn't matter what they do, as long as they destroy the immigrant vibe, Drump will pardon them following the riot, I mean, game. Err, I didn't really mean 'riot' did I Joe? Did I say that? It's love. It's all about love..."

(The sounds from the fans become louder. They're chanting Bad Bunny, Bad Bunny, we love Bad Bunny...  It becomes obvious that Bad Bunny has more fans here than the Mags or the Libs. The predominant vibe really is love. Fans are  here to see Bad Bunny not Drump.)

Note: I have been publishing additional stories on Substack that do not appear on this blog. I invite you to join me on Substack by subscribing for free: https://kevinsamson731032.substack.com/. Thank you and good luck.

The Magic Mountain

"Ladies and gentlemen. Very Well. Very well indeed. Very. Settled. But will you keep in mind... but no more. On this point not another word... Let us drop the subject. I feel we understand each other, and now --- to the point!"  -- Mynheer Peeperkorn 

The above quote comes from a character in Thomas Mann's novel, The Magic Mountain published in 1924. It seems relevant this week as bigwigs from around the world gather in Davos, Switzerland to discuss our world's economic progress. 

The World Economic Forum is an annual get-together in the beautiful Swiss Alps and this year all ears will be listening attentively to President of the United States Donald J. Trump's key address on Wednesday.

Davos happens to be the setting for Mann's classic philosophical tale. Mynheer Peeperkorn, a retired Dutch colonial businessman is described in the story as a loud, vacuous bag of wind. His character was compared to President Trump by conservative columnist Bret Stephens, then with The Wall Street Journal, during Trumps's first term.

The world has changed considerably since then. Trump has been impeached twice and reelected -- an astounding accomplishment in itself -- as if the majority of our country consists of masochists. Or has simply not paid attention. We're a busy nation buying stuff on Amazon and watching football games which makes it difficult to concentrate on the news. And of course the president has his own social media network and cheer leaders on FOX News. His bases are covered.

But Peeperkorn? Some things don't change.

President Trump 2.0 is currently on a roll, with his international tariffs run amuck and imperialist ventures in Venezuela with warnings that Greenland will be next. He wants to own the island that belongs to Denmark. I'm sure he has designs on changing its name as well. How does Trumpland sound? A big neon sign, or humgongous letter "T" shining brightly over the North Atlantic.

Perhaps a gilded casino/golf course indoor-outdoor complex with a retractable roof.

"Some people think we're in a transition," says Mirk Dusek, managing director in charge of programming the affair in Davos. "Some people think we've already entered a new era. But I think it's undeniable that you are seeing a more competitive, more contested landscape." 

The elite Davos attendees range from world leaders to celebrities -- 850 CEOs and chairs of global companies -- who want to partake in the high-altitude fun. Former British soccer star David Beckham showed up on the "white carpet" on Tuesday carrying his own intra-familial baggage, being chased by the local paparazzi. It's a scene.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, arguably the world's most important tech leader (producer of the most sophisticated AI chip] will be making his debut appearance at the Alpine confab. 

Influential Public relations firm Edelman issued its annual "trust barometer" after surveying 34,000 people in 28 countries, finding that recession fears have climbed to an all-time high, optimism is falling in "especially developed countries."

"People are retreating from dialogue and compromise," according to CEO Richard Edelman. His survey found, "We favor nationalism over global connection and individual gain over joint progress. Our mentality has shifted from we to me."

World hunger advocacy group Oxfam issued a report showing that "billionaire wealth rose by more than 16-percent last year, three times faster than the past five-year-average, to more than $18 trillion... The $2.5 trillion rise in the wealth of billionaires last year would be enough to eradicate extreme poverty 26 times over," according to Oxfam.

The group pointed out that the Trump administration has led a "pro-billionaire agenda" by slashing taxes for the wealthiest and fostering growth of AI-related stocks for investors. He's purchasing part ownerships in private companies, begging the question is he president or CEO of the United States of America?

So the money is there. It's just not reaching the empty hands.

Maybe these big cheeses can figure things out for the better, for the greater good. Or will they not have a clue to reality while they wine and dine and talk story in the Swiss Alps.

In The Magic Mountain, the characters are retreating and recovering at a sanitarium in the chilly mountain air, occasionally warmed by swaths of high-altitude sunshine. The main character, Hans Castorp, is so comfortable, and enjoys the intellectual stimulation so much, that he stays for seven years. They discuss our world's problems during the build-up to World War I, with philosophical ruminations. The atmosphere invites high-minded thinking. Maybe... perhaps... something good and beneficial will come from Davos this year.

In Mann's novel, protagonist Castorp prepares to leave Davos for the "European dance of death" (World War I). Peeperkorn, following scenes of nonsensical outbursts and preening among the varied guests, drives himself to suicide.

Final Note: President Donald Trump dominated The World Economic Forum in Davos last week with his typically long-winded, self-centered rambling threats, back-tracks and insults, mostly related to the free world's role of NATO, how they owe America a great debt and will pay. He emphasized his imperialistic notions toward ownership of Greenland. He accomplished very little, although he was instrumental in affecting Canada's stated intention to turn trade relationships away from the United States and toward China and Qatar. Trump proved beyond a doubt that he runs America, with similar designs of ruling the world, like a mafioso bully. He turned the World Economic Forum into his familiar political theater, naming enemies and avoiding details toward world peace and prosperity for all. Back home, his Homeland Security henchmen executed a second US citizen on the streets of Minneapolis.

Note: I have been publishing additional stories on Substack that do not appear on this blog. I invite you to join me on Substack by subscribing for free: https://kevinsamson731032.substack.com/. Thank you and good luck.

 

 

The Ten Dollar ICE Cream Cone

The cost of an ice cream cone in 2026 is 35% more than 2016 when Donald Trump started his first term. 

Just when I sit down to write about the Ten Dollar Ice Cream Cone and its distinctive pleasures, I'm distracted by ICE raids in Minneapolis and the unnecessary killing of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother, by ICE agent Jonathan Ross, 65.

The President responded by promising to send more ICE troops to the Minnesota city. He has a bad attitude toward Somali immigrants, most of whom (95%) are legal US citizens. His strategy: Raise the tension and chaos. 

Is this really what the folks who voted for Trump want? I thought it was safety in our cities. I thought it was lower prices and an end to foreign entanglements, like the invasion and takeover of Venezuela. "I am the President of Venezuela," he proclaimed less than a week ago. "The only thing that can stop me is my own morality," he told a New York Times reporter.

What about us? Have you been to the grocery store lately? Not only are prices higher, the packages are smaller: shrinkflation.

Anyone who is paying attention sees what's happening here. We're being sold a bill of lies. Trump's Big Beautiful Bill passed by his lickspittle GOP cowards last September, ensure greater funding for our Defense Department (War Department to him). That is, an additional $150 billion, as well as $75 billion over three years for ICE detention and operations (to stop crime in America, according to him). 

Do you feel safer? The folks in Minneapolis sure don't. "Please go home, get out of our city," said the Mayor. Nor do the people of Los Angeles, Chicago, or Portland. These are Democratic run cities in Democratic states. The reason they are targeted is revenge. They didn't vote for Trump. Is our money being well spent?

I prefer not to write or talk about this, but it's extremely difficult when my country is becoming a police state. All power in the hands of one man. Yes, there are signs of hope, small glimmers that I pray will burst into major rays of salvation for everyone.

The conservative pundits in The Wall Street Journal are questioning Trump's influence as a "lame-duck" President as well as his motives.  Maybe that's his reason for raising the stakes, diverting attention from our cost-of-living and other dark secrets he wants hidden in the Epstein files, only 1 percent of which have been released, according the New York Times.

We know that he and Epstein were pals, but we don't know the whole story. A Trump Justice Department investigation has subpoenaed the Clinton's regarding their relationships with .Jeffrey Epstein. The Clinton's have lawyered up to fight it. May I remind you that they are no longer in government office and we have a sitting President who spent numerous days and hours with Jeffrey. Shouldn't we know about his history in this lurid tale? His moral choices? He is, after all, depending on his own morality to lead our country during a very challenging period. Victims of Epstein and their families deserve to know.

Trump says he won the last three National Elections in Minnesota, which is a lie. He claims they were illegal. It's his way of building a case against fair elections when he doesn't win. There's no guarantee that he won't pull deceitful stunts in future elections.

If you care about such things as your freedom and that of your neighbors, your living expenses, your values and rights, your safeguards as we enter the unknown world of AI and more, please make yourself heard. Don't ignore what's happening here. It affects all of us, our families and friends.

Protests of Resistance will be taking place across the country on Saturday, Jan. 17, as well as Monday, Jan. 19, in honor of Martin Luther King (Trump removed his legal holiday). Let your voice or at least your presence be known.

About a week ago I enjoyed a double-scoop ice cream cone from Baskin Robbins: Jamoca Almond Fudge and Chocolate Fudge. It was delicious. Although I was shocked when the young woman rang it up. It came to $8.41. And during these days of low wages and uncertainty, you're expected to leave a tip. Is that our responsibility? Not really. But what are we supposed to do?

Make Trump pay. 

Note: I have been publishing additional stories on Substack that do not appear on this blog. I invite you to join me on Substack by subscribing for free: https://kevinsamson731032.substack.com/. Thank you and good luck.

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