People Who Like Zombies Disgust Me!

Yep, you read that correctly. I think it is totally disgusting that some people are infatuated with zombies.

For quite awhile now, I have been aghast at the people who are fans of the television series, The Walking Dead, an ongoing story that is obsessed with zombies.

It is the Halloween time of year right now as I compose this Roland Hansen Commentary; and, many folks are going all out to have that zombie look. That just sickens me!!! The zombie part, that is; not Halloween itself.

Look at this still photo from a zombie scene of The Walking Dead:

ref: Cast and crew on zombie show The Walking Dead are 'turning vegetarian after grisly scenes put them off eating meat' By REBECCA DAVISON FOR MAILONLINE PUBLISHED: 08:19 EST, 19 October 2014 | UPDATED: 09:08 EST, 19 October 2014

Now, tell me:
Is that how you want to think of your dear deceased loved ones, your parents, grandparents, spouse, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, children, and others?

The Republican Party according to Harry S. Truman. 33rd President of the United States of America

Harry S. Truman was a member of the Democratic Party and he also was the 33rd President of the United States of America. He had some strong thoughts concerning partisan politics of the Democratic Party versus the Republican Party.

Here is a copy and paste of some of his partisan poitical thoughts about Republicans according to one web site I found on the internet (attribution and link to the website immediately follows the quoted material): 

The 10 Truest Things Harry Truman Said About Republicans

#1. “The Republicans believe in the minimum wage — the more the minimum, the better.”

#2. “Richard Nixon is a no good, lying bastard. He can lie out of both sides of his mouth at the same time, and if he ever caught himself telling the truth, he’d lie just to keep his hand in.”

#3. “A bureaucrat is a Democrat who holds some office that a Republican wants.”

#4. “Republicans don’t like people who talk about depressions. You can hardly blame them for that. You remember the old saying: Don’t talk about rope in the house where somebody has been hanged.”

#5. “It's an old political trick: "If you can't convince 'em, confuse 'em." But this time it won't work.”

#6. “A leader in the Democratic Party is a boss, in the Republican Party he is a leader.”

#7. "Carry the battle to them, don't let them bring it to you. Put them on the defensive and don't ever apologize for anything."

#8. "When a fellow tells me he's bipartisan, I know he's going to vote against me."

#9. "Republicans approve of the American farmer, but they are willing to help him go broke. They stand four-square for the American home--but not for housing. They are strong for labor--but they are stronger for restricting labor's rights. They favor minimum wage--the smaller the minimum wage the better. They endorse educational opportunity for all--but they won't spend money for teachers or for schools. They think modern medical care and hospitals are fine--for people who can afford them. They consider electrical power a great blessing--but only when the private power companies get their rake-off. They think American standard of living is a fine thing--so long as it doesn't spread to all the people. And they admire the Government of the United States so much that they would like to buy it."

#10. “The Republicans … will try to make people believe that everything the Government has done for the country is socialism. They will go to the people and say: "Did you see that social security check you received the other day—you thought that was good for you, didn't you? That's just too bad! That's nothing in the world but socialism. Did you see that new flood control dam the Government is building over there for the protection of your property? Sorry—that's awful socialism! That new hospital that they are building is socialism. Price supports, more socialism for the farmers! Minimum wage laws? Socialism for labor! Socialism is bad for you, my friend. Everybody knows that. And here you are, with your new car, and your home, and better opportunities for the kids, and a television set—you are just surrounded by socialism! Now the Republicans say, ‘That's a terrible thing, my friend, and the only way out of this sinkhole of socialism is to vote for the Republican ticket.’"

ref: The 10 Truest Things Harry Truman Said About Republicans, Fired Up! Missouri,

Well, let me add something to that. The following is a reproduction of an entry I made over on my other blog, Roland's Ramblings.

I saw this meme on Facebook allegedly attributing a quote to Harry S. Truman, 33rd President of the United States of America:

I decided to check its contents out for factual accuracy. So, I turned to good, ol' faithful Snopes.com.

Lo and behold, I discovered the remarks attributed to President Truman in the meme really are true; although. the meme itself has deleted some of the other remarks that Harry Truman made in his speech of October 13, 1948.

The following is what I found over at Snopes.

Claim: Text reproduces a statement by President Harry Truman about Republicans.Origins: On 13 October 1948, President Harry Truman made an appearance in St. Paul, Minnesota, stumping on behalf of both his own re-election campaign and a bid by the mayor of Minneapolis, fellow Democrat Hubert Humphrey, to land a seat in the U.S. Senate. During that appearance in St. Paul, President Truman delivered an address at the city's Municipal Auditorium which was carried on a nationwide radio broadcast and included the criticism of the Republican Party referenced above:

Today the forces of liberalism face a crisis. The people of the United States must make a choice between two ways of living — a decision which will affect us the rest of our lives and our children and our grandchildren after us.

On the other side, there is the Wall Street way of life and politics. Trust the leader! Let big business take care of prices and profits! Measure all things by money! That is the philosophy of the masters of the Republican Party.

Well, I have been studying the Republican Party for over 12 years at close hand in the Capital of the United States. And by this time, I have discovered where the Republicans stand on most of the major issues.

Since they won't tell you themselves, I am going to tell you.

They approve of the American farmer — but they are willing to help him go broke.

They stand four-square for the American home — but not for
housing.

They are strong for labor — but they are stronger for restricting labor's rights.

They favor a minimum wage — the smaller the minimum the better.

They indorse educational opportunity for all — but they won't spend money for teachers or for schools.

They think modern medical care and hospitals are fine — for people who can afford them.

They approve of Social Security benefits — so much so that they took them away from almost a million people.

They believe in international trade — so much so that they crippled our reciprocal trade program, and killed our International Wheat Agreement.

They favor the admission of displaced persons — but only within shameful racial and religious limitations.

They consider electric power a great blessing — but only when the private power companies get their rake-off.

They say TVA is wonderful — but we ought never to try it again.

They condemn "cruelly high prices" — but fight to the death every effort to bring them down.

They think the American standard of living is a fine thing — so long as it doesn't spread to all the people.

And they admire the Government of the United States so much that they would like to buy it.

Now, my friends, that is the Wall Street Republican way of life. But there is another way — there is another way — the Democratic way, the way of the Democratic Party.

ref: Snopes, Politics Quotes, October Surprise, updated Oct 2, 2012.

ref: President Harry S. Truman – Views on the Republican Party in the U.S.A., Roland's Ramblings, Posted on October 23, 2015.

My opinion of the Republican Party is actually quite similar to that of President Truman.

I would be interested in reading comments from other people on this topic.

Guns Are A Right. Health Care Is A Privilege. It's The American Way!

U.S.A. - U.S.A. - U.S.A. 

In the United States of America, there is a common belief that individual citizens have a legal right to own a gun. Advocates of this perspective cite the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution as the authority. Others who disagree with that perspective assert that the constitutional amendment applies only to the "militia", i.e. the National Guard, of each state within the United States.

On another public policy issue, many gun proponents are opposed to health care being a right of the United States citizenry. These folks think of health care as a privilege and assert that individuals who desire health care should be required to purchase health care in the private, profit-driven marketplace. Meanwhile, those persons in favor of universal health coverage are decried as socialists by their opponents.

Conservative vs. Liberal Beliefs

Gun Control:
Conservative - The Second Amendment gives citizens the right to keep and bear arms.  Individuals have the right to defend themselves.  There are too many gun control laws – additional laws will not lower gun crime rates.  What is needed is enforcement of current laws.  Gun control laws do not prevent criminals from obtaining guns.  More guns in the hands of law-abiding citizens mean less crime.
Liberal - The Second Amendment does not give citizens the right to keep and bear arms, but only allows for the state to keep a militia (National Guard).  Individuals do not need guns for protection; it is the role of local and federal government to protect the people through law enforcement agencies and the military.  Additional gun control laws are necessary to stop gun violence and limit the ability of criminals to obtain guns.  More guns mean more violence.
Healthcare:
Conservative - Support competitive, free market health care system.  All Americans have access to health care.  The debate is about who should pay for it.  Free and low-cost government-run programs (socialized medicine) result in higher costs and everyone receiving the same poor-quality health care.  Health care should remain privatized.  The problem of uninsured individuals should be addressed and solved within the free market healthcare system – the government should not control healthcare.
Liberal - Support free or low-cost government controlled health care.  There are millions of Americans who can’t afford health care and are deprived of this basic right.  Every American has a right to affordable health care.  The government should provide equal health care benefits for all, regardless of their ability to pay.

ref: Student News Daily, Conservative vs. Liberal Beliefs

Right Wing (Conservative) vs. Left Wing (Liberal)

Gun Rights:
Right Wing - While some on the right are moving from strongly and wholly supporting the Second Amendment to accepting a ban on assault weapons, many still stand firmly in support of the right to bear arms. Their argument is that guns don't kill people; people kill people, and every citizen should retain the right to defend himself. The right to bear arms is enshrined in the U.S. constitution, and any attempt to regulate gun sales infringes on this right.
Left Wing - The left is in favor of restricting gun ownership altogether, or at least banning automatic or assault weapons.
Healthcare Policy:
Right Wing - Oppose government-provided universal healthcare and the Affordable Care Act. Favor competition to Medicare from private insurance companies; oppose Medicaid expansion.
Left Wing - Believe that access to healthcare is one of the fundamental rights of all citizens. Support universal healthcare, the Affordable Care Act, expansion of Medicare and Medicaid.

ref: Diffen, Left Wing vs. Right Wing

I suggest you read the article to which I have placed an embedded link:

Why is gun ownership considered a "basic human right," but not healthcare in the US?

For the past half-century or so, there has been a popular phrase in the United States of America:

America: Love It Or Leave It!

It is not uncommon for me to use satire and/or sarcasm in my verbal and written communications. That being acknowledged, perhaps, you may now understand why this Roland Hansen Commentary is entitled:

Guns Are A Right. Health Care Is A Privilege. It's The American Way!

USA - 2015 Democratic Primary Presidential Debate vis-a-vis The Republicans

Autumn 2015: Both major political parties in the United States of America have begun the debate forums of their respective candidates for the 2016 election of President of the United States. I think of the American GOP Republican Party President Candidates debates and the Democratic Party President Candidates debates as class warfare. The Democrats have class; the Republicans do not.

President Barack Obama and the White House Summit on Worker Voice

I just read a very interesting blog entry by Michael Byrne entitled "White House Spotlights Importance of Unions" over on the website of A.F.S.C.M.E. - the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees.

I will be right upfront with you: I love AFSCME.
Back in the day during my employment in the public sector, I was not just a member of AFSCME, I was very active in it holding several positions within the union at the local, regional, and state levels.
And as a result of my AFSCME involvement, I was also active in several union organizations.
Here is a listing of my labor union activities during my days of employment in the public sector.

• Local 544 AFSCME, AFL-CIO: Steward, Chief Steward, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Executive Vice President, P.E.O.P.L.E. (Public Employees Organized to Promote Legislaive Equality) Committee (i.e. Political Action) Chairman, Newsletter Assistant Editor.
• Northwest Ohio District Council 46 AFSCME, AFL-CIO: Delegate, P.E.O.P.L.E. Committee Chairman.
• Ohio Council 8 AFSCME, AFL-CIO, State Administrative Committee (Execuive Board), Annual P.E.O.P.L.E. Raffle Fundraising Chairman.
• Toledo Port Council, AFL-CIO, Delegate.
• Toledo Area AFL-CIO Council, Delegate.
• Ohio Labor Press Association.

And while working my way through college and prior to my graduation, I was a member of Local 1058 UAW and of Local 954 Retail Clerks, AFL-CIO.

But, I digress. Back on topic. As stated in the opening sentence, I read the interesting blog entry. I have reproduced its opening remarks below, in which I have also embedded a link that will take you to the entire article. Just follow that embedded link and you can read the entire thing.

President Obama hosted a “White House Summit on Worker Voice” Oct. 7 that focused on the importance of unions in the modern economy, a welcome national spotlight that comes as more Americans say they approve of unions.

Donald Trump. Adolf Hitler. Similar Style of Political Speech.

“The broad masses of a population are more amenable to the appeal of rhetoric than to any other force.” - Adolf Hitler

IN MY OPINION:

Unlike all the other candidates for President of the United States of America, the style of political speech used by Donald Trump of preying on prejudice, fear, and hatred is no different than the style of political speech used by Adolf Hitler. 

As I have listened to the speeches made by Donald Trump in his power-crazed quest for the Presidency of the United States of America, I have observed that he uses speech that preys on emotions, prejudice, fear, and hatred on a regular, consistent, and constant basis. That style of speech making is very similar to the style of speech used by Adolf Hitler in his power-crazed quest to control Germany, then Europe, and eventually the world. Fortunately, Hitler was stopped, but not before he gained control of Germany along with much of Europe, and not before the Hitler-inspired senseless slaughter of millions of people.

"In today’s society people often express disbelief that somebody like Hitler could gain and maintain the support of a nation. It is a credit to his skills of rhetoric that he was able to maintain an image of such righteousness in the midst of such atrocities .....
It is interesting in analysis to discover that appeals to pathos and ethos can override much of the need for logical argument in a persuasive situation. Surely this and other speeches combined with the actions of the Reich prove that emotion and trust can motivate just as effectively (or more) than logic alone. It should come as no surprise, then, when modern politicians attempt to use these appeals rather than explain clearly and logically what they have done or will do. It should also come as no surprise that, after having witnessed what can happen when this technique is used, the American people in the majority are mistrusting of politicians."

ref: Greg, A Political Speech Analysis., Six Mile Village, October 20, 2006.

"The personality cult around Hitler was of epic proportions. Germans, generally depressed about post-WWI conditions, looked to Hitler for guidance out of their dismal circumstances. Hitler's rhetoric and symbolic representations furthered this notion of Hitler as a savior. However, these are not the only factors that contributed to the personality cult around Hitler. Further research could include the role of the media and propaganda in fueling the personality cult, as well as other influences. A comprehensive understanding of the personality cult around Hitler could supplement the debate over how seemingly ordinary Germans participated in the implementation of the Final Solution. This theory helps to show how ordinary people became emotionally attached to a charismatic leader like Hitler and, because of this attachment, were willing to embrace his ideas and carry out his plans."

ref: Sitemaker, Fascist Personality Cult, Adolf Hitler, University of Michigan.

Donald Trump wants to make America great (strong) again. He advocates the central idea of strengthening American citizenship by excluding and controlling Mexican people and others deemed non-American. That sounds familiar, somehow. Oh, yes, it was Adolf Hitler who advocated:

"the central idea of strengthening German citizenship by excluding and controlling Jewish people and others deemed non-German. ... how did that help lead to Hitler’s ultimate rise to Nazi power? .. His record of speech-making was what brought the audience to that hall in Munich in 1920. And, as Stefan Kanfer explained in TIME’s 1989 examination of the origins of World War II, Hitler’s power was closely linked to his abilities as an orator"

ref: Rothman, Lily, How a Speech Helped Hitler Take Power, Time, February 24, 2015.

Gee, I wonder how The Donald ever gained the insight of speechmaking. Could it be that his ex-wife was being truthful in an allegation she made? Well, take a look by opening the embedded link and read the following article: Macias, Amanda, 
Donald Trump's ex-wife once said Trump kept a book of Hitler's speeches by his bed, Business Insider, August 28, 2015.

"When he lets rip on Mexican immigrants, global warming or hits back personally at the very people trying to interview him (e.g. accusing Fox’s Megyn Kelly of being on her period), unlike 99% of politicians in the same situation he never issues an apology. ... He doesn’t temper his remarks. ...
He doesn’t backtrack. ... And he doesn’t apologise. Ever."

ref: Raynsford, Jody, TRUMP: THE ART OF DIVISION AND PERSUASION, Copy Chief. September 9, 2015.