What Would Molly Say?

by Fe Bongolan

I don’t know about you, but after three months of witnessing world-altering events in Japan, the Middle East, and even observing the one-year anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf, writing about election politics finds me in a state of bemused detachment.

Yes, I know it’s too early to gauge anyone’s interest in presidential politics, but watching the lead-up to the 2012 horse race for the White House, I can’t help but feel that I’m looking at a stage play while doing a handstand. All the characters are there on stage and in their proper positions, doing the right gestures and saying the right lines, but the context in which they are performing is meaningless. It might as well be upside down for all the sense it’s making. If you’re a normal everyday American citizen, you probably are not tuning in, not interested, or don’t care. I don’t blame you, but as someone who blogs about politics here and elsewhere, my lack of interest in politics is a strange admission, especially given the fervor of the run-up to the 2008 Presidential primaries.

These days I find myself missing Molly Ivins. Molly was the one who first identified “the Elvis factor” in candidates, spawned first by Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential candidacy, which was unmatched in crowd intensity and political superstardom until 2008 and the Obama campaign. She was also the one who coined the name “Shrub” for George W. Bush, insinuating that George was never quite the intellect or man that his father was. When it comes to American Presidential politics 2012, which begins now and extends out over the next year and a half, we Americans need our entertainment value. And when it came to the entertainment called politics, Molly was one of our favorite critics.

Which brings me now to the candidacy of Donald Trump. First of all Republican Party, what are you thinking? Sarah Palin is a former state governor who never finished her term. Michelle Bachmann is the congresswoman who, when interviewed by Chris Matthews on “Hardball,” was asked after her responses whether she was on her meds. And now we have a billionaire: The Donald, whose TV show “The Apprentice” has spawned such a cult following that it might comprise a mandate for his candidacy. All three are material of such richness for Ivins’ irony you could not pour it over biscuits and eat it without having to go to church afterward.

I could hear her now: Mama Grizzly, Princess Dizzy and The Comb-over. Like Mitt Romney, another Republican candidate who is a multimillionaire, The Donald is staking his claim on his business acumen to bring the country out of its economic malaise — a malaise caused by the few others like him who reap profits off of interest earned, while everyone else is still trying to scrape by on minimum wage, reduced hours, vanishing pensions and unemployment insurance.

It will be very interesting to watch how these candidates will be able to explain their positions on energy with Fukushima in our recent experience, or to push for offshore drilling after what has happened to the Gulf. It will be very interesting to watch how these and any candidate will explain to seniors that Medicare may no longer be covered at the current rate, and that you will instead be given vouchers to pay for health care services. It will be interesting to see how candidates can explain how tax cuts will revitalize economically flat communities, save schools and improve public services. It will be interesting if they even explain it once without having to use the words ‘death panels’. It will be interesting to see if The Donald would dare to use the term “You’re fired” when addressing the have nots in the American public.

Rachel Maddow had a great point the other night. Republicans fear their base, the Tea Party, while the Democrats disregard theirs, liberals and progressives. Democrats run from the word ‘liberal’ for fear it will make some conservative cry, or mad enough to commit seppuku on the Federal budget. Thus, because of fear and weakness, we are beset by the basest of logic provided by an artificial grassroots group funded by a well-heeled, behind-the-scenes corporate empire. Having a superstar-brand corporate imperialist — actually a pretty smart guy — run for president and cater to the Tea Party by repeating the debunked, racist and shrill smear-questioning of the President’s lack of birth certificate is as phony as a stage prop, and it continues to guide the dialogue of our politics with a leash held by the Tea Party. This is the political theater of multiple Neptunian illusions. No wonder why the stage I’m witnessing looks upside down. It’s not real.

What’s happening in the world is a lot bigger than what our current American politics want to handle. We’re caught between a lie and a hard place. We have to face the consequences of poor decisions from decades ago that bring us to this present day, and that indictment goes to both parties. We continue to ask: Why are we spending so much money on war? What’s going to happen to my retirement? How will I take care of myself and my family if I get sick? Will my children have a future? Can we still drink clean water from the tap? Will our food be safe to eat?

What would Molly say? Doing a little Molly channeling, maybe she’d say this:

Donald, old, stale repetitions in answer to our long-held complaints fill us with rage and for good reason. When we are angry because we’re jobless and close to homeless, when medical expenses are beyond anyone’s normal capacity to pay and the social safety net has a big hole in it — a deaf response only adds more height our already increasing blood pressure.

That we still have to ask our government to secure basic human needs in the 21st century and then are met by a bread and puppet show is no answer. Will a birth certificate get me a job? Will it stop Congress from obsessing over what’s in my underpants? Will I be able to marry whoever I want and not be run out of my state? Will it fix the crumbling bridge that I take into town to work every day? Will I have to work until I’m 70 so that I can still eat when I’m 85?

I know the press has deemed you this month’s ‘latest thing’ in politics. But I think we’ve been too beset by billionaires in government to have one be President. So I ask you please to spare us your hairdo for the next year and a half. Forget about dropping the cool billion it will cost to run for president.

Instead, why don’t you write us a personal check for the same amount to cover the costs for a national pothole repair program? You can afford it. At least then for once, unlike most billionaires, you’d finally be useful.

Just my two cents.

24 thoughts on “What Would Molly Say?”

  1. I know what she’d say, Fe — she’d say, “Life’s too short, kids. Don’t let the bastards get ya down.” She always gave good advice.

  3. yah, sorry Amanda, I misspoke, I was referencing my astronomy notebook I have, which contains different constellations and their respective stars. kind of a hodge podge of drawing, notes ,etc. from diff. sources, inc. things I might read on PW that might pertain to a certain star, as well as my own perceptions.

    you are correct, the fiery red Mars is the association with a god of war.
    I think I was implying (in my mind) with Betelgeuse being red & the fact that he is due to explode (but we don’t know when) & he is the pivot point for the arm with the club in it that there is a war-like quality about it but it didn’t type out clearly.. at all. : ((

    I have a bunch of old star maps and one of them (the one I like) depicts Betelgeuse as the point of Orion’s shoulder. but that’s just one interpretation for sure. it kinda goes with the whole image I personally see when I look up at the sky, which is Orion as a Hunter with a bow in one hand, a club in the other, his trusty dog Sirius close by who is chasing Lepus the Rabbit (right below Orion), with Columba the Dove flying parallel to the action…

    anyway, a good reminder for me to qualify where I am getting my ideas, and apologies for any confusion with my babbling through my notes. : ))

    as an aside, a reminder the Lyrid showers are tonight-dawn in the US, named after Lyra: the lyre or harp of the musician Orpheus. check it out!

    peace.

  4. Thank you, Eric, Fe, Amanda and Stellenium in Sag. I appreciate you taking the time to respond. Your answers give me some direction for further study. I know what you mean, Fe, about “so much going on that it is hard to keep apace.” That reality deepens my appreciation. Kat

  5. Michele – Rick Mercer is da bomb! I used to watch him on the CBC out of Vancouver, and he is among the best there is. I still remember the Prime Minister Jean Poutine gag he pulled on Shrub (I think). His rants work at so many levels…

    Poutine, for those who wish to know, is a Quebecois dish consisting of fries, meat gravy, and cheese curds. That’s the simple recipe, there are many others. Apparently, it is best eaten between the hours of 2 and 5 am following a night of indulgence in all types of alcohol. I’ve never had poutine, but there is a certain winter-time comfort food appeal to it. Just ignore the calories, the cholesterol, and the general food evil about it and you’ll do fine.

    Fe – I miss Molly, I think she’d be having a field day with the politics of now. She probably is, it’s just that there is no available link to her studio just now. Who needs Shrub when one has Frump & Co.?

  6. hey stellium —

    the name “Betelgeuse” does not itself refer to a war god. the ancients could see it was red, and associated its color with mars, hence the war association.

    from wiki:

    “Betelgeuse and its red coloration have been noted since antiquity; the classical astronomer Ptolemy described its color as ὑπόκιρρος (hypókirros), a term which was later described by a translator of Ulugh Beg’s Zij-i Sultani as rubedinis, Latin for “ruddiness”.[13][14] With the history of astronomy intimately associated with mythology and astrology prior to the scientific revolution, the red star, like the planet Mars that derives its name from a Roman war god, has been closely associated with the martial archetype of conquest for millennia, and by extension the motif of death and rebirth.[13] Prior to the modern systems of stellar classification, Angelo Secchi had created his own system of spectral analysis with Betelgeuse as a prototype for his Class III (orange to red) stars.”

    apparently the name is of arabic derivation, and may have to do with orion’s “armpit” or else his “hand,” which was then mistranslated as “armpit”:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betelgeuse#Name

    and apparently there is no consensus about how to pronounce it, either. 🙂

  7. Yes T it was a long connect the dots that went like this — dating back to 9-11-01 with the Moon at 28+ Gem, and in the Banda Aceh tsunami chart. And then the Moon there in the Japan charts. Early in the 3-11 scenario (btw, six months to the day after 9-11, significant in astrology) there were rumors of Haarp being involved. That is not my branch of “conspiracy theory,” however it seemed responsible to follow up the theory, particularly since I kept seeing corporate fingerprints on so many of these charts, with no explanation of how they got there (I had a complex theory about Banda Aceh involving polar caps melting, oil drilling and a knock effect).

    I knew that Betelgeuse was there at 28+ Gem, but it was not until Tracy Delaney said that Betelgeuse is associated by William Lilly (17th c. astrology pioneer) with “rare engines of war” that I got the clue that we were in the middle of a war, in which the environment was being used as a weapon. I then researched whether it is possible to make an earthquake, and found the United States’ secretary of defense, while in office, stating that it was.

    So, having what I needed to cross the threshold of probability, I went with the story in the (Friday subscriber) article Here at the “Edge of the World.” Later that night, I got an email from the close friend of someone whose tarot deck most of you have seen and many of you love, in which I learned that the author and artist of the deck had a dream in early January that the earthquake machine would be used to take out a nuclear power station in much the same fashion we saw, and was stunned to read the article. So I had a bit of independent confirmation.

    In fact the technology needed to make an earthquake is very, very old — old, just slightly less so than the phonograph (requiring electrical power, so that took a couple of decades). Read about Nikola Tesla and you will learn a little.

  8. wasn’t it when he (Eric) was connecting the dots between the South Node at 28+ Gemini, opp the Galactic Core, which showed up on the quake 1 chart and the red star Betelgeuse, assoc. with Mars (Orion’s shoulder holding the club) being described in an old text as representing ‘rare engines of war’? also there was some more investigation into the meaning of Betelgeuse, its name being from a war god? this makes sense to me given that Betelgeuse is known for someday going to explode, running out of fuel.
    anyway, I think he made a mental leap and determined that it felt like someone or some ‘others’ were involved in a war, and we were (are) in a war path of sorts, one that was created by ‘others’, I’m guessing that’s where the relationship to the G.Core comes in..

    umm. that’s my take on it. prob. better to ask him though.

    BTW, although Betelgeuse is assoc Mars, Antares, the heart of the Scorpion is actually seen sometimes as Mar’s imposter, his name meaning to “rival Mars”. anyway, getting off track, this was just a fun fact.

    peace.

  9. On separate note (I guess) I have a question for you or anyone else. I went back to some of the March 11 and beyond PW blogs and comments regarding the Sendai earthquake to try to find reference to the astrological signature which suggested to Eric and others that the earthquake’s genesis might have been human. (Although Soulport amazingly commented on that very day that his intuition was telling him the same thing!) This question has been nagging me for some time. Thanks in advance for any help on this.

    KatLyons:

    I emailed your question to Eric, so bear with us as we look at the recent archive. There’s been so much news lately its enough just to stay apace!!

  10. Ya, another important point many don’t know about SS, eh? That one has to pay for one’s medical coverage out of one’s benefits. And the deductibles are steep. So mostly, it’s no more accessable than any other health coverage. Just sadly “necessary” coverage for so many. There’d be more food on the table if the “need” for so many/so expensive meds weren’t in the equation.

    Anyway- I’m with ya, Donald should just write the check, then go back to lalaland.

  12. BRPR_N:

    You know I love you you madwoman, but why oh WHY did you leave me the verbal picture of The Donald as a woman?

    Only John Cleese carries that off well, though I think John Cleese would make a fine Trump impersonator.

  15. Dearest Fe,

    Thank you. Yes, we miss Molly, but thank God we have you. Keep cookin’ girl.

    I am so gratified to read your analyses (and Judith’s) as I am trying to keep my nose above water and my blood pressure under control during this major planet/sign shift that feels like a mini tsunami in my life. Your comments about the insipidly weak Democratic Party hearten me to at least know I am not alone in my observation and frustration (I am leaving the President out of the Democratic Party in this particular observation).

    But I know in the end I cannot look “out there” for what needs to happen—but must keep looking for it to be happening within. Within Me. As we seem to be drowning (Neptunian seemingly drowning) in the Rampant, Raging, Stupefying Materialism assaulting our senses daily I keep reminding myself that the solution, the only solution, is spiritual. A bunch (like grapes) of healthy, growing Mes connecting into the We that is One. .

    Apathy, fear, indifference, stupidity, laziness, selfishness? WE SHALL Overcome.

    And, Oh. If The Donald were a woman with hair like that, wouldn’t we want to call him Donald Frump?

    Sadge and she, feel the hug, and don’t miss my wink atcha under my shades : > )

  16. michele:

    “if there were four lesbian inuit women in labrador they’d be a target group but apparently youth are not a target group – youth, you are dead.”

    OMFG. This guy would do well on the Court TV channel in America.

  17. michele — please post your other link! it sounds priceless. it’s just one link per comment, not one link per comment thread. 😉

  18. Fe – Molly was a breath of fresh air, and so are you. I love the way you so often articulate so accurately what I am thinking and feeling, but haven’t put into words. Your articles are gifts. Thank you.

    On separate note (I guess) I have a question for you or anyone else. I went back to some of the March 11 and beyond PW blogs and comments regarding the Sendai earthquake to try to find reference to the astrological signature which suggested to Eric and others that the earthquake’s genesis might have been human. (Although Soulport amazingly commented on that very day that his intuition was telling him the same thing!) This question has been nagging me for some time. Thanks in advance for any help on this.

  19. we aren’t far behind.

    http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadavotes2011/story/2011/04/21/cv-election-parenthood-042111.html?ref=rss#

    poor saskatchewan conservative guy, though. he was off-script. harper’s script, that is. if the cons get elected, he will be so far on the back bench… i just hope his gaffe draws attention to the facts that are so easily slipping so many minds. which are the channelled questions you raise. same shit different pile re: us and canada.

    (interesting sidenote: the northwest territories runner for the cons, and until a few weeks ago a liberal, isn’t even allowed to speak publicly. won’t answer questions. won’t say squat about anything. won’t participate in public forums. and though she was, until she declared herself in the running, the territorial minister responsible for the status of women’s council, refused to acknowledge their request for their usual candidates forum. she was running health in the territory, ffs!!)

    i’m also quite happy that our election phases are short (though frequent) these last years. i cannot imagine years and years of this.

    super-intense amazing piece, “bemused detachement” works. the only equivelent i’ve noticed up here is rick mercer and his mind-blowing rants. (i’d link the one about “if there were four lesbian inuit women in labrador they’d be a target group but apparently youth are not a target group – youth, you are dead.” i cannot tell you how that has affected the young people across canada. they are PISSED.) but one link only.

  21. Bravo Fe. I know that feeling.

    I’ve been scouting for the ‘in’, as far as ‘real’ folks go. I think we’re gonna have to take over this shit if we want something done. The chaos is big, but the focus can be laser.

    Politics has gotten to such a level of bullshit that it needs a new paradigm. The beast is big, but as any snowball goes.. avalanche ensues, and it all comes to rest at the foot of the mountain.

    It’s the mountain I’m looking to scale. It’s just I have to climb it in ‘my own way’.

    ..if I didn’t have laughter, Trump would scare the shit out of me. He’s a fucking idiot! (Same with the rest of those plasticine ghouls).

    So, we’ve (“the people”) got to find a way to absorb the power structures in order to transform this plane of existence, without relying on the power sources to oblige (technically, we are the power source, and that’s part of the realization).

    Just because it popped into my head here’s a few lyrics, “..and the politicians throwin’ stones, so the kids they dance and shake their bones, ’cause it’s all too clear we’re on our own, singin’ ashes ashes all fall down. Ashes ashes all fall down!”

    Peace in an active front my friend,

    Jere

  22. Hey sweetie, great article!

    One small correction: Medicare covers only 80% of medical bills, the rest is paid out of pocket, is paid by supplemental or other “Advantage” plans. And there is a percentage taken *out* of SS to cover that 80%. So it is far from ‘free’ for senior and disadvantaged populations, since they are living on, say, $1300 a month, and $200 or so goes back to MC. It’s puzzling to say the least, as 12.5% of every paycheck goes into the MC/SS fund.

    As for the Bachman, Romney, Trump, Palin line-up, well . . . I’m thinking it’s Obama’s to lose. It feels like the tepid Clinton/Dole contest to me. And while Now always feels more urgent than Then, it doesn’t seem like the Right is more rabid than they were during the Clinton admin.

    Given his kissy-face with corporate America (Citizens United? under *this* Prez? how. did. that. happen??), I’m more focused on helping Barry get a grip on his own political base than shadowboxing with the Land of the Dead.

  24. Fe,
    Magnificent piece. i miss Miss Molly too. Her gift for making us laugh and see the (often painful) truth at the same time was the equal of Will Rogers and Mark Twain. Do not discount yourself, however. Some of the greatest Planet Waves moments have been of your composition. Today’s blog is proof of your gifts and mastery. Thank you!

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