We Got One In The White House!

Photo: © Stan B.

Anyone Get Their Check Yet?

That finger is pointing at me as much as anyone else (look closely and
it's the wrong finger anyway...)     Photo: © Stan B.

              

No, not the usual (if that's the case) income tax refund, I'm talking the $5,000 stimulus check from the DOGE dividend- ya know, the heaps and heaps of money we saved from all those well thought out DOGE cuts.* Or, the $2,000 tariff dividend refund- anyone see one of those?!? Well, I've said it before- at least we have $2.00 gas!** And on the lucky day when I do get those checks- I'm donating them straight back to his Big, Beautiful Ballroom- ya know, the $200 Million, $400 Million, $1BILLION that's uhhh... not gonna cost us one-red-cent!!!***

*A study published in The Lancet in July 2025 projects over 14 million additional deaths globally by 2030 due to cuts in foreign aid. Specific cuts to the president's Malaria Initiative are projected to cause 107,000 deaths in a single year, while funding freezes to initiatives like PEPFAR could cause over 780,000 deaths in one year.

**Gas is currently $6.16 per gallon Regular in CA.

*** "To date, the White House has presented no evidence to suggest that the project will be largely financed by the president. Similarly, there’s no available information about why Trump sought so many private donations if he’s “putting up $400 million” toward construction."

The Lo-Fi Photo Zine King!

Hamburger Eyes- the brand, the slogan, the B&W Photozine King Y'all! If you're down San Francisco way from now till end of summer- make sure to stop by the main public library at Civic Center, make an immediate right at the main entrance, and down ya go to the Jewett Gallery on the lower level where you'll get a taste firsthand of what Mr. Ray Potes has conjured up in the last 25 years... Congrats!

 A Photographer Walks Into A Bank...

When Cooler Heads Prevailed

Photo: © Stan B.

After I got over the initial shock of the rather startling and for all practical purposes, unknown bit of history contained in the previous post, I couldn't help but think what Vasili Arkhipov must have gone through as the one dissenting officer (of a required three) who steadfastly refused to launch a nuclear torpedo at American naval forces. The one sole vote that prevented nuclear Armageddon. You just know that was one super heated, supercharged exchange as he stalwartly refused to go along with them- a formidable nuclear exchange of its own as he was undoubtedly threatened and called every name in the book including coward and traitor to the motherland with the rest of his crew in that submerged coffin more than likely thinking much the same... All that occurring simultaneously as American depth charges were exploding all around threatening to end the whole lot of them at any second!

And cooler heads, or at least- one cool dude prevailed. How many millions were reduced to radioactive cinder those fateful days thereafter in an alternate universe where the decision went the other way?

And some sixty years later- we have a buffoonish, clown, idiot contemplating dropping The Bomb on... hurricanes! Yes, back in our very own space-time continuum- this was actually put forth by the man in charge of the-world's-largest-nuclear-arsenal! A man whose deep rooted, infantile insecurity is so profoundly ingrained in his perverse psyche that he actually cannot restrain himself from resorting to such flagrantly juvenile behavior- (14:15). 

And we are all currently in the hands of a man-child who has finally been cornered into a situation completely of his own making and short sidedness that he cannot talk, bribe or bully his way out of...

My Kinda War Hero

It's nice to have more than one! We don't have a single statue, memorial or monument for Hugh Thompson; Russia doesn't have one for Vasili Arkhipov, nor does any other country in the world despite the fact that he prevented... a nuclear holocaust- probably on a worldwide scale! And no one even knows his name. I sure didn't.

1 Sick Mo-Fo!

Photo: © Stan B.

And now... DEMENTED! Woulda made a swell campaign slogan. Meanwhile- we won, we've almost won, we're winning like no one has ever seen before, in numbers no one has ever heard of, like no one would believe!

Yeah, we have seen this before- countless times before. We went in, promised to pull out fast, and didn't- now we want out, they want us to be responsible, we say not our problem, they say that's why we're making it your problem, and... here we are- AGAIN!

Lied into another fuckin' war, for no good reason whatsoever- with no way out... no way out while saving face, that is. And there's no way we can admit that: Iran wasn't two weeks from having... The Bomb (as Bibi's been claiming since- The Nineties) and that they weren't going to attack us the very next day as we slept if we didn't strike first! Lies only the dumbest of the dumb (spelled M-A-G-A) would even remotely entertain. And there's no way we coulda killed over a hundred schoolgirls on our first day, because, well, because we didn't- and the investigation we promised and we'll never have will prove us right... just-you-wait! 

And after we win (again), it's on to Cuba, and Greenland, and then finally- goddamn fuckin' Canada!

I said this guy was One Sick Fuck and to invoke the 25th when he started spouting off about having more people at his inauguration than Obama just days into his first term. One massive, indisputable Reddest of The Red Flags that this guy was... 1 SICK Mother-Fucker!!! And he's still Cryin' about it to this very week- now adding that he had even more people than MLK did in DC! And the only respite we get from this repetitive cycle of psycho war rhetoric and nostalgic personal inanities is when he regales us with tales of his personally handpicked drapes and golden Oval Office knick-knackery which eventually lulls him into his peaceful afternoon REM sleep as his Cabinet looks nervously about as daddy drools in the public eye. 

Fuck the dead Iranian school girls he killed a few weeks ago, Fuck the girls he and his Best Bud of Fifteen years had their way with years ago...

Everything Old Is...

Like everyone, I love looking towards the masters: their work, their wisdom, their legacy. They've been there, done that, shown the way- The Real Deal! And it's always such a joy just to lean back and be humbled and awed; they teach, they enlighten, they inspire!

But sometimes you get to wonderin'- what of the future? Where's the new generation that has the passion, the integrity, the will to put in the work, day in and day out- not just to promote themselves and their goddamn "content," but to contribute to the medium in a way that preserves the best of it, while helping advance it? Watching most photo vlogs by most newbie wannabes is an exercise in self abuse: fledgling salesmen extoling their new equipment choices, revealing 'the secret' to good pictures, or just giving you the low down on anything and everything their year and a half of experience and 'mastery' have bequeathed upon them, and are now willing to share with you... Smash the like button- and buy my presets!

I've already highlighted one such individual (Paulie B.) who breaks the mold with his infectious enthusiasm and love of the medium, and Jared Thomas Tapy is yet another whose love and reverence for the craft, history and art of photography is apparent in every topic he navigates and delves into, whether it's The Decline of Photojournalism (the kid brings receipts!), The Racist History of Photography (doesn't hold back), or Why Film Photography Won't Make You A Better Photographer (lays it out to the letter), one can see he respects the facts, the actual history, and isn't just out to give his personal take- and when he does, it's usually well measured, well researched and well thought out. 

 

Like I said, never tire of the masters- but always great to see a youngblood headed on the good foot...

Embrace The Triangle!

These guys kept popping up on my feed- who are they, what are they- I Don't Wanna Know!!! But they wouldn't stop- on and on and on they kept appearing, reappearing, unwarranted, unrelenting... 

Maybe if I feigned the slightest attention they would release me and move back from whence they came- so I watched and I listened, and... 

I... ENJOYED!!! Ladies and Gentlemen- Angine de Poitrine:

Taxes And Uhmm... Fraud

The Tesla corporation (along with another 87 of the largest corporations) paid $0 in federal income tax in 2025, despite making a collective $105 Billion profit. Did you pay nothing?

Meanwhile, the Dept. of Defense has never passed an audit and is currently asking for $1.5 Trillion... with at least $10 Billion of confirmed fraud. Anyone remember The Fraud Called DOGE that went well outta its way to cut AIDS prevention meds for thousands, many of them babies, while not touching or ever even considering one precious penny from our military!

Addendum: This is what taxes should look like!

Zine vs. Zine

I've now published a coupla zines via Blurb, and I'm quite pleased with the quality. The thing I don't like is that they only use "perfect binding" as opposed to also offering "saddle stich," which is what most commercial magazines used- ya know, with the staples. The reason I mention is that saddle stich allows double truck images that are much easier to lay flat, see and enjoy (the entirety of the image over the two pages).

MagCloud allows zines with saddle stich, so even though I don't relish learning yet even more software, if the quality matches Blurb- it may just be worth the bother. Will try later in the year; viewing the occasional double truck image in a zine or book allows yet another valuable way to mix, edit and present your images in print, and it really is compromised in Blurb without saddle stich... 

Anyone have experience with Magcloud?  Some have mentioned that images tend to come out darker... but as opposed to Blurb, or as a result of an uncalibrated monitor? I've generally never had an exposure problem with printing on Blurb via my images straight form the monitor as is.

So True...

All our discoveries and triumphs, struggles and disappointments- gone... All as passingly trivial as a loose snapshot floating in a bin at a second hand store; the love you longed for, the goals you achieved, the losses you persevered and the burning passion that fueled all of it- the cause, the consequence, not even the memory will remain. It is the human experience, renewed and extinguished ad infinitum. 

The camera provides some of us that small confirmation of our own existence. How well we master it, and ourselves, can afford others some passing measure of what intrigued, humored or captivated us. They were our moments, of that which no longer exists, our one step on the uneasy ladder of humanity and existence.

Sound Advice

 

47 = 25

Photo: © Stan B.

Right now, our entire nation (and the world) is waiting to see if (when) Donald J. Trump will needlessly slaughter even more people in a country that was productively negotiating in one sided talks conducted simply to allow the US sufficient time to initiate their attack in the most effective manner possible. Not satisfied that they are unwilling to submit completely to Trump's whim, he is now set to destroy their nation to the cheers of his remaining sycophants.

He is about to commit yet more war crimes en masse and not one active member on his team is willing to confront a now mentally addled senior (who was delusional his entire life) in order to deter even more war crimes in a completely illegal and unnecessary war and prevent the needless deaths of yet thousands more..

They need to invoke the 25th Amendment as-of-yesterday- if only so that this sad excuse of death, corruption and criminality can enjoy the rest of his life explaining how Joe Biden used an autopen to an audience of six year olds... with the strictest adult supervision, of course.

Tomorrow will be too late...

No!

Donald, seen here in much happier times peeing on the graves of SS & the US Constitution.  Photo: © Stan B.

It took eighty years, but Donald finally heard the word "No," firsthand! All his life he was able to stall, able to bullshit, able to bully his way through every problem of his own creation. People might complain, but they would eventually back off, give up, submit. It was how things were done decade after decade in his incestuous circle of illicit money, lies and deceit, whether in New York real estate or DC politics.

But radical Islam doesn't give a flying shit about Donald's ways, about the fact that he's a successful businessman (with six bankruptcies and 64 failed businesses)- and US President to boot! They keep telling Donald to just leave them be, and he keeps insisting they play his game- even killing them doesn't seem to make them understand!

Donald's upset! He honestly doesn't know what to do, so he's: screaming, and cussing, and threatening some more- and promising to keep killing until they do play his game. Someone finally told Donnie- "No!" And now we all must suffer the consequences he has wrought upon us...

Choose Your Personal Jesus!

Easter's coming up this Sunday, and in anticipation of this year's Hunky Jesus celebration here in San Francisco, thought it would be appropriate to let you choose your number one from years past. Feel free to pick your personal favorite from these previous three Jesus models- just remember, they're all winners!

Photos: © Stan B.

 

How Is This Possible?!?

Photo: © Stan B.

Brazil and their fledgling democracy tried, convicted and imprisoned their wannabe king- we, in our democratic paradigm, gave ours more time to commit more crimes...

The King's Throne!

The burden of power lies heavy on the throne!

Yes!

By god, yes!               Photo: © Stan B.

Why?

We are, as we speak, now sending a small contingent of soldiers and Marines to Iran, positioning them directly under constant drone and missile attack (ie- sitting ducks). Why? Why proceed with a policy that can only result in increased deaths and guaranteed escalation? This sad excuse of a delusional POTUS has no plan for victory, no plan for retreat, no plan for any semblance of sanity other than to propagate a distorted view of masculinity that masks his total lack of any semblance of true manhood. The lives of our armed forces, the citizens of this country, and anyone and everyone worldwide exist solely to serve him- all are readily expendable, whether they do so, or not.  Meanwhile, he babbles on about... Sharpies, his hand picked drapes, his majestic ballroom to be, his new coin, his Parisian dwarfing Arch...

Hitler planning his new, imaginary Berlin as Russia swarmed above.

Empire Up In Smoke

Photo: © Stan B.

I live close to Oracle Stadium, the home of the San Francisco Giants baseball team. It's easy to know when they're in town cause the fans flocking to the stadium are all dressed in orange and black, the official team colors. The amount of team swag is borderline incredulous- adults adorned as if their mothers dressed them for Little League. Every once in a while, I'd walk on down myself (in my civvies) to see if I could possibly get a picture or two amongst the crowds, a goal I've yet to achieve and fortunately never considered seriously. But I digress...

I loved baseball as a kid, but I usually fall asleep by the third inning these days those handful of times I've attempted to watch. Still, I considered going to catch a game this opening season, particularly since my childhood team, the NY Yankees were playing. Figured I'd get a cheap seat in the nosebleed section and hopefully relive and experience some innocent childhood nostalgia. Three figures put that little fantasy to bed- just like $6.50 for a one scoop ice cream cone had me in a U turn out the door at a local ice cream parlor.

Went down to the stadium anyway, again, on the vague promise of a picture, being that it was opening day and all. The crowds were energized and enthusiastic, even on the street, root-root-rooting for the home team. I watched the kayaks floating and bobbing about in McCovey Cove, the mood was festive and upbeat- and then I heard the National Anthem, "the bombs bursting in air!" The irony was tangible, although unnoticed by the celebratory crowd around me, even in this most liberal of cities. My mood changed as I turned to go home only to see two F-15's zooming by overhead- the type of planes that are wrecking death and havoc on many an innocent child and civilian right now. And still, the irony did not register on those around me as they oohed and aahed. It would take actual ordinance raining upon them for that insight. Then I heard an uproar behind me, and saw a truly amazing sight, full of color and splendor and spectacle; the biggest, most brilliant American flag suspended and floating mid air! It-was-spectacular- a truly resplendent sight courtesy of modern technology. And as I raised camera to eye, it dissipated as quickly as it appeared...

Did Ya Hear The One About...

This almost makes me wanna work again- just so I can get the day off on Donald J Trump's... Birthday! Oh, what a cause for celebration that would be, and then vacation at Mt. Rushmore to stare contently at his beautiful, chiseled, he-man of a mug shot while counting my illegally minted Trump coins!!! Sends a chill right down my spine it does.

All this while Trump golfs our future away- the guy doesn't even bother trying to hide it anymore. Manipulating the stock market while making shit up right in our face about directly holding talks with Iran over the weekend- which so obviously never happened. Unlike the so called "talks" (ie- stall tactic) his two personal 'diplomats' (ie-real estate agents) held with them to delay the start of 'Epstein Fury,' in which Iran had actually agreed to all his terms thus making this entire debacle he can't get out of completely superfluous and unnecessary!

Yeah, but still nowhere near as bad as Obama wearing a tan suit...

13 And Counted ...

Well... entered the NY Times Portfolio Review for the 13th time this year, and got rejected for the 13th time this year. So, it was not quite without expectation... The thing is, these ten pictures are pretty representative of the best I can do in a cohesive grouping,* which reminds me of an old New York saying, "That and a token will get you on the subway." Or to update that- "It is, what it is." That is, I think I finally got the picture. 

Anyway, here are the final, chosen ten that went down with the ship, yet again...

All Photos: © Stan B.

 

All Photos: © Stan B.

*Not counting my leather fair photos which people will always look at, but never seriously consider even though they all rise to the same criteria for which any street photographs are judged (yeah, I've sent them those too)... BTW, will be updating this project later this year now that I've ended it.

Found!

 As a wise commenter remarked, "They finally found the POTUS who Trump said congratulated him on having
 'the guts' to invade Iran... it was 45!"

"I Can Take It"

"I can do whatever I want with it." So Sayeth Lord & Master of the Universe Donald J Trump in reference to the sovereign nation of Cuba... as if enough hasn't already been done to promote its downfall and suffering.

In fact, to hear Donnie J speak of Cuba is pretty much like hearing him speak of women, or underage girls...

I Am So Pumped!

Word to the Wise- NOW is the time to buy real estate in Dubai, once in a lifetime opportunity...

Cannot wait for... Victory in Cuba!!!!

So, Let's... Review!

Herr Trump spends the first year and a half belittling and insulting our allies, telling the whole wide world far and wide that we can do whatever we want, whenever we want and we don't need no one, no where, to tell us different- thank you, very much. Then he invades Iran, riding tall on his Venezuela contact high (ignoring advice from the military leaders who knew better) only to find himself left high and dry (with jerk off buddy, BiBi), begging the very same allies he gleefully pissed and shit on to help him out for their own good! Such obvious comeuppance would usually read so wholly unimaginative and predictable, to the point of wholesale incredulity- if not happening in real time.

Most parents of whatever basic quality usually try to instill such basic lessons in life and living early in their child's upbringing- but Little Donnie was busy gagging on the silver spoon he never quite let go, an entire life that never said... "No!" 

And somehow, enough people so desperately latched on to that delusion of invulnerability that we all now find ourselves trapped in the consequences of their collaboration- the most easily foreseeable of self owns. 

So... do we declare 'Victory!' ASAP and scramble back home tail between our hurrying legs- or will our Anti-Forever War POTUS 'man up' and "stay the course" to ensure yet more death and destruction for all involved? Will Bibi panic first and usher in nukes and WW3? Will Trump's enablers blame ill-fitting clown shoes for the lack of the most basic guidance, common sense and restraint?

However it ends, a new Era of Terrorism, economic hardship, conflict and destruction has been ushered in... 

SO-MUCH-WINNING!!!

The Face Of War

Photo: © Stan B.

Faces, actually- well over 100 of them... the faces of children. I suppose that's what Popgun Pete meant when he said, "We are punching them while they are down;" that we are operating "without mercy." No accountability, no responsibility, no apology, let alone reparations. 

Trump recently went all out racist (again) stating that terrorism was due to "genetics," I wonder if those same 'laws of genetics' also apply to rapists, the people who applaud them, and to... those who rape children.

Are We There Yet?

One is then left to contemplate- is the statement in the photo that far off?    Photo: © Stan B.

Have we not been lied to enough? Is it not yet obvious enough? Have enough people not been killed yet? Or are we all still so thoroughly enraptured by... "so much winning?" 

He was both career criminal and unrepentant narcissist, pedophile and Russian asset well before the advent of his now irrefutable dementia- while threatening to remain POTUS pro vita. He's run our governmental institutions to the ground, run the very notion of truth, rule of law and common decency into the depths of irrelevance, and is now actively destroying the very economy he was voted to safeguard and rejuvenate, as he humiliates our allies, while recklessly attacking perceived enemies and endangering our citizenry without cause or care...

It Doesn't Matter!

It doesn't matter if we rid ourselves of every vestige of Iran's military- this illegal, immoral, unprovoked attack of Iran will unleash a new round of world wide, high profile terrorist acts for an entire generation! We have all now been made less safe- thank you, Donald!

Truck Stop!

I describe my first encounter with these unique vehicles in the preface (see preview- and don't forget to click the embiggen arrows) and how I decided to photograph them as a typology. All the 'subjects' were confined to a one block square area, but I had to work fast: I chose an overcast day for more even light (along with a small flash), but the sky was clearing overhead and I had about fifty vehicles to cover in all- which I did in about an hour and a half just before... it started to pour!

A World Of Hurt Of Our Own Making...

This is the best analysis of the Iran debacle I've heard (by a retired US Colonel), period. Apparently, we asked Iran if they wanted to cry uncle (seems we're already running low on missiles), and they replied... "Wha...?!? You just started this party and ya wanna go home already- we came to dance!" Is this how the empire finally crashes with our crazed emperor incoherently slurring his way through yet another speech transitioning from war casualties to... his beautiful, personally hand picked, gold drapes? WTF!?! And I don't think our (former) allies will come rushing to our aid in our hour of need after we've done nothing but shit on 'em for a whole year. As the good colonel explains, the longer Iran lasts- the weaker we look, and China, Russia, North Korea are looking on and getting ideas as we flail about looking for a quick exit excuse to declare... 'Victory!' Regime change doesn't fall from the sky.

Epstein Who?

Photo: © Stan B.

Now, I ain't ever met a theocracy I liked, but Iran had already agreed not to produce nukes; so Trump upped the ante and demanded they give up their ballistic missiles too, leaving themselves basically defenseless and open to attack by someone like say... Israel, who did exactly that (again) the previous evening, allowing Big Brother Trump to come in and discombobulate after he done obliterate. We good?

"Nothing bad can happen, it can only good happen."   -Donnie J!

XXX

 Photo: © Stan B.

 

Let There Be... ART!!!

As True Today...

As the day it was written!     Photo: © Stan B.

On another note, happy to report that I'm in the midst of completing a new photo project that happened quite unexpectedly and is developing much as I envisioned- after first thinking it wasn't quite doable, at all. An amusing little piece of documentation of no particularly significant significance- which would pretty much describe and sum up most all my work! Should wrap up in Spring...

Grown Ups Talking (cont)...

Slightly different issue on a much related topic to the one prior. Again, two adults talking, not smack- wisdom....

2 Grown Ups Talkng

Almost forgot what it sounds like. An actual conversation where people communicate without screaming or vitriol, choosing instead to address the subjects(s) at hand: intelligently, insightfully and in as coherent a manner as possible. Didn't think it still possible, particularly with the subject at hand. An intriguing analysis of the motives, modus operandi and consequences of the evil amongst men of power...

Review And Resist!

I'm still reeling, seething from the disgusting, despicable display of conduct unbecoming of any human being of any age, sex or social stature thrust upon us via Trumpland today! I am, of course, talking about Pam Bondi the US AG who was bribed and bought while still working in Florida by one Donald Trump, and who makes the lowest thief, cheat and traitor combined in the entire history of humanity stand tall and proud in comparison. Of all the people in this cowardly, sycophantic administration devoid of a human soul, she alone by sheer force of will rises to most worthy of debasement, torture and eventual dismemberment.

Now- on to the camera equipment review... 

Recently bought a Godox iT32 shoe mount strobe for my Fujifilms, and it works like a charm- a little (it's surprisingly small, roughly the size of my Ricoh GR), dedicated TTL flash unit with separate camera dedicated magnetic mounts also enabling off camera operation! It has a host of manual/automatic, on camera/off camera features- but I want it mostly for direct sunlight fill flash. I got it on a Saturday morning just before I was to cover a protest, and didn't think I'd have a chance to sift through its multiplicity of operations to deftly use it just for fill, almost left it home. Nevertheless, I turned it on, scrolled upwards as directed on its back screen, and Boom- first stop... TTL mode! And it worked flawlessly* the entire afternoon... 

Photo: © Stan B.**

I wish I could say the same for my Fujifilm X-T1/2 cameras. After losing one too many photos due to their abhorrent, literally non existent AF, I will now switch to MF when using them. It's tedious, outrageous and rage inducing, but I really have little choice. In the long run, I'll end up losing more photos if I continue to use their nonfunctional AF, as opposed to manually focusing my subjects the slow, methodical OG way! Hell, did it for decades with analog and film, and if I could learn to shoot and compose with my right eye after decades of being a left eye shooter (when I got my floaters), I'll gradually if very grudgingly adapt to it again- with many a loud, choice cussword along the way (hopefully, not within earshot of my subjects)...

*Check to see compatibility with particular camera brand and models- with possible exception of Fujifilm, seems to work only with latest brand models (Leica version supposedly coming soon- hope it works with original Q).

**Yeah, don't usually like smiley pictures much, but kinda partial to this one. I'd show others but anything else that came close was outta freakin' focus despite being incredibly well lit! Actually, doubt such a small strobe had much effect at that distance from the subject- just needed something positive to look at after the Bondi madness and revulsion...

Not A Fan- A Supporter!

I'm not a fan of Bad Bunny's music (mostly an age thing)- but I am a genuine supporter of Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio! He's a beautiful human being, so positively proud of our tiny 30 X 100 mile island, its people and its culture. An island so small and widely ignored that the President tediously threw paper towels at its inhabitants in their hour of need; a people so disparaged, that we were said to hail from "an island of garbage" by a supporter in that same President's last election. This is a man so vilified by the MAGA hateful for posting the signs: “The only thing more powerful than hate, is love” and “Together, We Are America.”

The ultimate irony being that an official alternative was created and offered utilizing an aging performer who sang about doing girls, a performer singing and rejoicing about the same accusations the President himself so desperately continues to hide...

So... This Changes Everything, Right?

Everyone who didn't know Trump was an avowed, dyed in the wool racist before is now fully awoke, aware and in full condemnation mode- Right?!? They just weren't sure before, and people (like myself) are always trying to demonize him. Or... hey, it's just a meme, it really doesn't mean anything, so... "stop the fake outrage!" 

I can already visualize Republican legislators silently, walk/running past reporters' questions in the halls of Congress in their heads down defensive posture. Can already hear the half apologetic, totally incredulous excuses by the few corralled in some wayward corner of a Capitol hallway, the self righteous and indignant denials by the FOX talking heads...

But we had no reason whatsoever to believe he was racist before- just like we have no reason to believe he's a pedophile...

PS- I wonder why such a sue happy kinda guy doesn't-sue-'Katie Johnson'* for saying such horrible things?!? Hhmmm...

*full video

The Grand Experiment Is Over.

If you ever wondered what it's like to live under fascism, as have I (being an amateur student of the history marking the beginning of 20th. century Europe), we in America no longer have to. This is not hyperbole- if the Commander-in-Chief gets his wish that the (Republican) federal government should directly control national elections (particularly in those states he does not control politically), there is no longer any debate or even the slightest lingering doubt that we no longer live in a "democratic republic." This will not be partisan control of an election, it will be outright, one man, autocratic control- one bona fide dictatorship... and he is beginning to orchestrate it in full view via Georgia!  Gone are the days when anyone (incl myself) could fairly accurately decry that Dems & Repubs are two sides of the same coin- the feckless Dems have seemingly willed themselves off said coin. 

The mask is off- except for those worn by our anonymous 'law enforcers.' Our First Amendment already lies mortally wounded, as we can now be placed on an official terrorist watchlist simply for watching/documenting said 'law enforcers' in action (funny how even the reliably, vociferous multitudes of 2nd Amendment activists who helped empower this now blatantly obvious dictator were completely silent for the first time in memory when one of their armed believers was recently shot down in cold blood by said agents). Does anyone still really think he will now only arrest (or kill) the Brown people he detests? 

Unless stopped, Trump will control national elections- a complete violation of and direct attack on the US Constitution (the very institution so many of his supporters claim to hold so dear- without even a passing familiarity with its most basic tenets). Some of his supporters may not like the term "dictator," but that is who they actively serve- and the rest of us must defy!

"Sexy And Cute Brazilian 9 Yr Old!"

Yeah, and there's plenty more SICK SHIT GALORE in... the highly redacted, 'PG' 50% of the Epstein Files we're allowed to see (so there can't possibly be even worse stuff in the Verboten 50% we're not allowed to gander)! Torture, pedophilia, talk of bodies and purloined newborns- a world wide emporium fitted to your sickest thoughts and desires. This was a whole lot larger and a whole lot worse than anyone imagined- Donnie's Bestie was running an international scale, juvenile use 'em and lose 'em flesh emporium.

But not to worry folks, Donnie's people, as well as Donnie J himself, have proclaimed that there is NOTHING worth examining, NOTHING worth investigating- so don't y'all go worryin' your perty little heads... Ya hear!?

Retirement Reset

Photos: © Stan B.

After a week of weather, followed by a week of... jury duty, I could finally get back to this thing called "Retirement." And a lovely thing it is! I still look in the mirror sometimes, only to see the reflection of a laughing fool- no superiors, no deadlines, no responsibilities other than to myself... and it only took seventy years! 

I started jumping on various trains on our MUNI (commuter train) system, riding to The Last Stop- no, I have neither the talent nor intention of doing a San Francisco equivalent, but it felt great getting out and hitting the pavement under an unusually warm January sun- even for NorCal. I started casually exploring great swaths of the city I was not all that familiar with, camera and cigar in hand- and it felt... great! Walking about the outer environs of what is still (ironically) perhaps America's most beautiful city- despite the mortal wound still festering in its downtown. And thinking myself still the thirty year old I long since ceased to be, I proceeded to walk hour after hour, hill after hill, until I felt a stiffness in my left knee- which turned into a discernible limp by the time I got home. Blew out my knee in just two days! Swollen, stiff with (thankfully) minor pain, I figured a good week before back to normal- that was two weeks ago. Revised prognosis- a good month, month and a half... Particularly taking into account, that I've also been documenting a protest or two (at somewhat lower speed) in the interim, with more to come- the one and only good thing about Trump, increased protest photo-ops...

Moderation- the new North Star!

When in the Burbs...