John DeProspo

Bee Gees Foretold Trump’s Presidential Bid In Hit Single

June 15, 2016 By John DeProspo 4 Comments

I started a joke which started the whole world crying

But I didn’t see that the joke was on me – “I Started A Joke,” Bee Gees

For those of you old enough to remember, the Bee Gees had a hit single in 1968 entitled, “I Started A Joke.” The song is best known for its haunting melody and perplexing lyrics.

When Robin Gibb, the song’s lead vocalist, was asked to explain the meaning of the tune, he answered, “The listeners have to interpret it themselves, trying to explain it would detract from the song.”

I always felt the song was about unintended consequences. But lately I’ve come to realize, while partially right, the song was a musical forewarning of Donald Trump’s presidential bid.

No, Donald Trump did not start his bid to become the Republican Party’s presidential nominee as a joke (although some may disagree here). I believe Trump saw the presidential race as an inexpensive, surefire way to promote his brand. This view is actually confirmed by many former Trump campaign staffers who admit Trump just hoped for a good showing in the primary.

To almost every political analyst’s amazement, Trump’s racist, divisive, hate filled message resonated with the bulk of Republican voters. The Republican establishment, who never took Trump’s run seriously, is now looking at Donald J. Trump as their party’s presumptive presidential nominee.

But the joke isn’t only on the Grand Old Party; it is also on Trump himself.

Trump’s ego has so gotten the better of him that he is now doing the opposite of what got him into the presidential race in the first place. He is severely damaging the Trump name.

What Trump has worked so hard at doing, i.e. promoting the Trump brand to be synonymous with class, luxury, and glitz, has gone up in smoke in only a matter of months. The Trump name is now more associated with bigotry, stupidity and lack of sophistication.

Ego can get the better of us, sometimes; especially for a narcissistic con man like Trump.

The Bee Gees had another hit single much later in their career that also foretold of how Trump would con his way to the top of the Republican heap … “Jive Talkin”.

Comments

Show Your Support

Photo | smoothradio.com

Thanks To Trump, Racism Has Gone From Concealed to “Open Carry”

June 12, 2016 By John DeProspo 6 Comments

Racism has been a plague on our nation from its founding. It has flared and ebbed over the years. It has been directed at different groups, at different times, but it has always been passed down from generation to generation to ensure its ugliness never dies. A child has to learn to be racist.

Despite the fairy tale told by Chief Justice John Roberts nearly three years ago, when he sought to justify the striking down of the key component of the Voting Rights Act, racism in our country is far from a thing of the past.

“Our country has changed,” Roberts wrote in his opinion, Shelby County v. Holder. It has wiped away so much of its racist past that the “extraordinary measures” employed by a key provision of the Voting Rights Act could no longer be justified.

The very next day, after this “extraordinarily” horrid decision, states that had been covered by the Act started proposing legislation to make it harder for certain folks, mostly the poor and African-Americans, to exercise their constitutional right to vote!

What’s truly astounding is that nearly a half dozen states immediately moved ahead with restrictive voter ID laws, some of which had already been rejected as discriminatory under the Voting Rights Act!

You didn’t have to be a constitutional scholar to know what an abomination the Supreme Court’s decision was.

But it wasn’t until the emergence of Donald J. Trump that we truly discovered exactly how wrong was the Court.

Donald Trump launched his bid for the presidency by labeling Mexicans “rapists, criminals and drug dealers.” Of course he did not stop there. His hate speech soon covered Muslims, Asians, and blacks. His rhetoric became so popular with his supporters that he just kept doubling down with his racist rants.

And now he is the presumptive Republican presidential nominee! Even some stalwart Republicans have started to decry Trump’s over-the-top racist rhetoric.

What helped Trump most in securing the Republican nomination was that no other candidate spoke in such pure, overtly racist language. No more dog whistles here! Of course, Trump loyalists just eat up all the bile that emanates from the “billionaire’s” pie hole.

Trump is a man, say his supporters, who “tells it like it is” and who is unconcerned with political correctness. This, apparently, is what the Republican base had been wanting for so long.

It was only a matter of time before Trump supporters felt comfortable enough to show their inner, latent racism. What had been kept in check – concealed – was now on proud display.

Trump, in a real way, signaled it was OK for racists to come out of the closet.

The ‘n’ word has been popping up more frequently on social media and in public discourse lately. Latinos, Muslims and African- Americans are often beaten at Trump rallies for daring to protest the racist hero… all with the blessing of the dear leader.

“If you get sued ‘knocking the crap’ out of protesters,” Trump promised, “I will pay your legal bills.

Hey, if the man who might become our next president thinks it’s all right to call a spade a spade (no pun intended), why shouldn’t I be free to express my sincere, deeply-held hatred?

Donald Trump has single-handedly set back race relations in this country to the 1960s. I fear what he has uncovered and unleashed could take decades to repair … even with the inevitable loss Trump will suffer at the polls in November.

While Trump may soon be removed from the national political stage, his many loyal followers will still be around displaying their newly green-lighted “open carry” racism.

Photo | cnn.com

Donald Trump’s “Springtime For Hitler”

June 11, 2016 By John DeProspo 1 Comment

What happens when you cook up a scheme that will make you some easy money, through failure, but instead, your hoped-for bust turns into a booming success?

Of course I have just described the plot of Mel Brooks’ “The Producers,” a play and movie exploring the hilarious consequences of unintended success.

“The Producers” is the story of two theatrical producers, Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom, who scheme to get rich by setting out to produce the worst play ever written, getting rich old ladies to back it and then skipping town with the money once the show is a total flop. Complications arise, however, when the play, “Springtime For Hitler,” unexpectedly turns out to be a hit!

I can’t help but think of Herr Trump when I reflect on Brooks’ comedic masterpiece.

I am convinced Donald Trump entered the Republican presidential race as an easy and inexpensive way to promote the Trump brand. He had not intention of seriously contending for the Republican presidential nomination. Trump’s own former strategist, Stephanie Cegielski, confirmed the con.

Said Cegielski, “Trump never intended to be the candidate. But his pride is too out of control to stop him now… What was once Trump’s desire to rank second place to send a message to America and to increase his power as a businessman has nightmarishly morphed into a charade that is poised to do irreparable damage to this country if we do not stop this campaign in its tracks.”

Could Trump have made the non-seriousness of his campaign clearer from day one? No genuine candidate for the presidency has ever kicked off his presidential run by calling Mexicans, “rapists, drug dealers and criminals.”

But a funny thing happened after Trump threw his sombrero into the presidential ring. Instead of his offensive comments costing him support, his poll numbers skyrocketed. And that has been the story all the way up to Trump’s securing enough delegates to become his party’s presumptive nominee.

Like Bialystock and Bloom, Trump failed miserably at failing.

But, in the end, Trump will get his intended result … he will not be president. Intentionally or not, he sabotages his campaign with each passing day. There is hardly any voting bloc left Trump has not dissed or offended.

Unfortunately for Trump, instead of enhancing his brand’s reputation, it has been severely tarnished. Talk about ironic, unintended consequences!

The brand that Trump has fought so hard to make synonymous with luxury, glitz and glamour is now one drenched in bigotry, hatred and exclusion.

Photo | thehardtimes.net

Trump Still Searching For Running Mate After Latest Rejection

June 10, 2016 By John DeProspo 4 Comments

Texas U.S. Representative, Louie Gohmert, is the latest Republican to turn down Donald Trump’s offer to be his VP pick. This latest slap in the face has left the Trump campaign in a complete state of chaos.

Gohmert makes the 25^th Republican politician to refuse Trump’s rose. Said a Trump spokesman, who requested to remain anonymous, “In our wildest dreams, we did not believe we would ever be in this position.”

The Trump campaign, along with the entire world of political pundits, believed Trump’s first VP pick would grab the chance at being Trump’s number two man… well, woman. Sarah Palin had lobbied hard for a second shot at the second spot but, in the end, she developed a serious case of cold feet.

“I really wanted to do it but I thought I should first check in with my lord and savior for guidance,” said Palin. “He didn’t come out and specifically tell me Donald would lose the presidency but he strongly hinted at that.”

“I really enjoyed campaigning with John last time around,” Palin continued. “I just didn’t think I could take another loss. And anyway, my life is going great! Did you know I am going to have my own Judge Judy-type TV show soon?”

The anonymous Trump spokesman confirmed there would be a new game plan going forward. The list of potential VP picks would now be made up of only non-politicians. The word is that Trump would like another celebrity to join him on the ticket.

Some names that have been rumored to be on Trump’s list are: Joe Pesci, Clint Eastwood and Ted Nugent.

Trump recently stated if he does not find a running mate soon, he would be more than happy not having one.

“Look, I am the smartest person I know. I’ve always worked better alone. Why do I need a VP anyway?” asked Trump. When confronted with the fact that a vice president is required under our Constitution, Trump morphed into his testy self.

“There are a lot of things in the Constitution we do not follow!” bellowed Trump. “Hey, we had a Canadian running for president for god’s sake! This would not even be as close a big deal as that!”

Get ready Joe for that big phone call!

Photo | breitbart.com

Trump Names Vice Presidential Choice – Bernie Sanders

June 8, 2016 By John DeProspo 5 Comments

In breaking news that is sending shock waves throughout the political world, Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has just named Bernie Sanders, the Democratic socialist senator from Vermont, as his running mate.

The announcement was made hours ago by the former rivals at a press conference held at New York’s Trump Tower.

“I am happy to announce Bernie Sanders will be my running mate in our effort to keep ‘Crooked Hillary’ out of the White House,” said Trump. “Yes I have called my running mate ‘Crazy Bernie’ but I meant it in a good way. He is crazy like a fox!”

Asked what lead him to agree to be Trump’s number two man, the 74 year old Sanders did not mince words, “Look, Donald and I basically have the same message, namely that our political system is rigged and corrupted by big money. Only a revolution will change the status quo. Look at how the GOP tried to prevent Donald for becoming its party’s nominee? Look at how the Democratic establishment fixed the primary contest against me? That Wasserman Schultz had it in for me from day one.”

Political analysts are still trying to digest the blockbuster news.

“It actually makes a lot of sense on a number of levels,” said one pundit. “Bernie and Trump are both calling for a complete political upheaval. Hillary represents more of the some old, same old. The appetite for a revolution is strong on both sides of the political spectrum.”

“I think if there was a Trump-Sanders ticket they would pretty much win the election and it would make history in our political process and possibly end the two party system,” said Quora contributor Albert Huang, adding that “the parties would try whatever they could to prevent it with their delegate bull***t but there would be widespread revolt from millions of voters if they were not allowed to run in the general election.”

It is well known that many “Bernie or Bust” supporters have pledged to either sit out the presidential election or vote for Donald Trump. The newly formed ticket makes it easy for them to vote and eases their conscience. For Trump supporters, many of whom think Hillary Clinton should be in a jailhouse rather than the White House, Bernie is seen as a steadying, experienced hand for the sometimes “erratic” Trump.

Hillary Clinton is not taking the latest news well. Word has it she will be looking for a non-political VP pick; one with a large ego, like Trump and some celebrity panache. Some in the Clinton camp have already started floating the name of Mark Cuban.

Warning: For those about to have a conniption, just satire, folks!

Photo | burlingtonfreepreess.com

Hillary Needs To Rebrand Trump

June 6, 2016 By John DeProspo 9 Comments

Donald Trump has a way of disparaging his opponents by giving them childish nicknames. Who can forget “Low Energy Jeb,” “Little Marco,” “Crazy Bernie” or “Lyin’ Ted?”

As silly as all this playground nonsense is, Trump’s names are short, catchy and they tend to stick.

Now Trump has saddled Hillary Clinton with “Crooked Hillary.” Clinton needs to beat Trump at his own game by coming up with a similarly silly sobriquet for the TV reality star.

How about “Don The Con” or “Con Man Don?” Either of these names would work well because, however silly, as with any good nickname there is an element of truth associated with the put-down.

Of course, Hillary herself would not hurl the disparaging nickname at Trump. That would be for her surrogates to repeat on a steady basis. Clinton does not have to get down in the mud with Trump.

As it is, the Trump name has lost much of the seductiveness it once had prior to Trump’s entering the presidential race. According to a report issued by Hipmunk, an internet travel booking and data service, reservations at Trump-owned properties have plummeted by nearly 60% over the past year!

Why not bash the Trump brand some more by associating the purported billionaire with the word “con?” Why not take some of that luster off a brand Trump has arduously sought to make synonymous with power, luxury and greatness?

In advertising, short and catchy phrases are what the consumer remembers. A good, memorable phrase seems to somehow stick in the subconscious. Who can forget “Stronger than dirt” (Ajax) or “Finger lickin’ good?” (KFC)

Yes, Hillary needs to brand Trump as the con artist he is. “Don The Con” or “Con Man Don” would do just fine.

Comments

Photo | rt.com

It Couldn’t Be Clearer, Trump Does Not Want To Be President

June 5, 2016 By John DeProspo 3 Comments

So much for the new and improved, more-presidential Trump!

After employing a scorched-earth policy to secure the Republican presidential nomination, Trump promised to be more gentle, more kind in his bid to become our nation’s 45^th president.

“I can be more presidential than anybody, if I want to be. I can be more presidential than anybody,” Trump has said. Not sensing the contradiction in his statement, Trump went on to say, “I’ve said this a couple of times, more presidential than anybody other than the great Abe Lincoln. He was very presidential.”

Following his big win in the New York primary, Trump actually pledged to be more presidential, joking, “I will be so presidential, you will be so bored.”

The hope among establishment Republicans was that Trump wanted to be more presidential going into the general election. No more of the racist, sexist, divisive, hate-filled rhetoric he so masterfully used to vanquish his 16 primary opponents. And, for a while (two-three days), many within the GOP bought into this promised transformation.

Paul Ryan, the highest ranking Republican, certainly fell for Trump’s pledge, finally endorsing the billionaire, TV reality star.

“I feel confident he would help us turn the ideas in this agenda into laws to help improve people’s lives. That’s why I’ll be voting for him this fall,” Ryan wrote in an op-ed for the Janesville Gazette of Janesville, Wisconsin.

He added, “It’s no secret that he and I have our differences. I won’t pretend otherwise. And when I feel the need to, I’ll continue to speak my mind. But the reality is, on the issues that make up our agenda, we have more common ground than disagreement.”

Just one day after Ryan’s endorsement, Trump was back to his old tricks, criticizing the judge presiding over his Trump University fraud case as unfair because of the many rulings against him … because he is “Mexican.”

Trump’s offensive comment against U.S. District Court Judge Gonzalo Curiel was followed by a similar attack on Muslim judges. Asked if he believed a Muslim judge would be unfair to him in light of the fact that he has called for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the country, Trump replied, “It’s possible, yes. Yeah. That would be possible, absolutely.”

Remember Trump’s comment that he could be more presidential … if he wanted to be? He doesn’t.

Trump will never morph into a more presidential candidate for one simple reason … he does not want to be president. This has been confirmed by former staff members and is born out by common sense.

A presidential candidate cannot alienate so many segments of the American voting public and still expect to win office.

This is only my guess but Trump is sticking to his racist, hate-filled rhetoric because he is planting the seeds for a new political party… one headed by Herr Trump for all the white racists who now form a significant part of his base.

Photo | snopes.com

Oh Those Petulant “Bernie Or Bust” Democrats!

June 4, 2016 By John DeProspo 4 Comments

Democrats have gotten their wish. A clown, con artist, racist demagogue, with zero experience in all things political, will be the Republican Party’s presidential nominee. A candidate totally unqualified to be our nation’s next commander in chief will carry the GOP’s hopes of regaining the White House.

A cakewalk for the Democratic nominee, right?

No, not if that Democratic nominee is Hillary Clinton. No, not when a significant number of Democrats say they would never vote for the ethically challenged former Secretary of State. For them, it is “Bernie or Bust.”

Well, it is fairly clear to most Democrats, except for diehard Bernie Sanders supporters, that Hillary will be the Democrats’ standard-bearer in the upcoming presidential election. But with negatives almost comparable to those of Trump, and with many Bernie supporters vowing to sit out the election, vote third party, or vote for Trump, Hillary is anything but a shoe in for the Oval Office.

If only Democrats could take a page from the GOP playbook. For Republicans, it is always party over country. Democrats need to heed the lesson of Rick Perry. Here we have a former presidential candidate who once called Trump a “cancer on conservatism,” now enthusiastically supporting his former rival. Party first!

Yes, Democrats are not as disciplined as Republicans. They do not know how to circle their wagons for mutual protection. What Democrats have proven over and again is they do not know how to close out a game. If they are skilled at anything, it is snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

Politics is a dirty business. Many times an election comes down to choosing the lesser of two evils. But for Progressives, the petulant children of the Democratic Party, standing on principle is a noble and honorable thing. They don’t care, or simply lose sight of, the greater good.

For “Bernie or Bust” progressive Democrats, all they need to do is think back to George W. Bush’s “win” in Florida in the 2000 election. A good number of Democrats voted for the “progressive” candidate of the Green Party, Ralph Nader… a non-electable, egotistical spoiler who took votes away from Al Gore. How well did that work out for the country, all you noble, honorable Democrats?

Democrats need to unite behind whoever is their party’s nominee. Period. The stakes are too high. The motto “Vote Blue No Matter Who” should be the rallying cry for all right thinking Dems.

(AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)(Credit: AP)

GOP On Suicide Watch

May 22, 2016 By John DeProspo 6 Comments

After the Republican establishment’s failed effort to derail Donald Trump’s bid for its party’s presidential nomination, it now appears most GOP elites are rallying behind the egomaniacal, loose-cannon billionaire who has singlehandedly hijacked the party of Lincoln.

Yes, there are some party stalwarts, such as the three Bushes: Jeb, George W. and George H.W, and former presidential candidate, Mitt Romney, who refuse to bow down to their party’s presumptive nominee. But many of the “Never Trump “crowd are now willingly boarding the RMS Titanic at pier one.

It’s as though the party’s firmament – social and intellectual conservatives, the donors and lobbyists – have been forewarned that the cruise ship’s maiden voyage would result in disaster but they board anyway because the outrageously expensive tickets are non-refundable.

Take former Republican presidential candidate, Rick Perry. In a moment of clarity, he went so far as to describe Donald Trump as a “cancer” on the conservative movement. Now he has enthusiastically endorsed that cancer. (Rick Perry Endorses Cancer)

“I believe in the process,” Perry said during an interview with CNN, “and the process has said Donald Trump will be our nominee and I’m going to support him and help him and do what I can.” Hint: I’m available for VP.

But perhaps the biggest sea change in the anti-Trump movement may be taking place among the donor class. During the primary, Trump made it clear how he felt about the Republican Party benefactors, arguing they had far too much influence and vowing not to court and woo them. While this, no doubt, left a bad taste in their mouths, as they contemplate the prospect of another Clinton in the White House, many of the GOP’s most wealthy donors are coming around to financing Trump’s campaign.

The most powerful elected Republican, House Speaker Paul Ryan, has still not boarded the doomed ocean liner, hedging his support for Trump with “I’m not there right now.” But look for a détente between the two Republicans fighting for the soul of the GOP.

It is only a matter of time before Ryan realizes he has no choice but to fully back Trump and go down with the ship. Even though all signs point to a political debacle in November that may result in the death of the GOP as we know it, as one Republican operative put it, “What choice do we have?”

Photo | history.com

Wayne Newton To Headline Republican National Convention

May 21, 2016 By John DeProspo 3 Comments

In keeping with the character of his “reality show” presidential campaign, Donald Trump has announced he wants this year’s Republican National Convention in Cleveland to be more glitz and glam than the usual boring fare.

While no formal announcement has been made, the Trump camp is promising nights of star-studded entertainment.

“I’m going to put on a convention like you’ve never seen before, I promise you that. It’s going to be beautiful,” said the presumptive Republican presidential nominee. “You know I have a lot of friends in showbiz who offered their services to me.”

A schedule of the four-day event has, nevertheless, been leaked. Here are the headliners that will rock Cleveland in July:

July 18^th – Opening night. Donald Trump has gotten his good friend and supporter, Wayne Newton, to open the festivities. Said Mr. Las Vegas, “Should be a fun gig. I hear they are expecting a crowd of over 50,000. I have to say, Donny is a good bet to win it all.”

July 19^th – Day Two. Look for Magician David Copperfield to wow the crowd with his magic act. “I’ve known Donald for years and am a big fan. He has asked that I do one of my vanishing tricks. He wants me to make the fear some convention delegates have about nominating him go “poof!” said Copperfield.

July 20^th – Day Three. Realizing a little comedy never hurt, Trump will have comedian George Lopez bring laughter to some in the crowd who might still be a bit somber about a Trump nomination. “Donny thought a Mexican comedian would eventually help him with Hispanics in the general election. That gringo, always thinking!” said Lopez.

July 21^st – Closing night. The Convention closes with a bang with four of Trump’s biggest musical supporters: Kid Rock, Ted Nugent, Loretta Lynn and Kiss frontman, Gene Simmons. Said Trump, “I wanted a little bit country and a little bit of rock and roll. My fans span all kinds of musical tastes, you know.”

Between all that entertainment, the Republican delegates will have to get down to business and elect their 2016 presidential nominee, Donald J. Trump. The convention promises to be a ratings bonanza for the networks and is sure to set a new standard for political conventions going forward.

Be wary Debbie Wasserman Schultz!

Photo | vtheaterboxoffice.com