Awesome: Something inspiring awe. A pet peeve of mine, the word awesome is an overused beat-up adjective tossed around like so much twaddle. Informally and popularly, the word is used to describe anything that the user finds the least bit interesting. It has become another cutesy bit of slang, like cool, rad or sweet, except worse.
Calling the Grand Canyon ‘awesome’ is a factual observation, whereas your new bow tie is not — not even close. I might like your new bow tie, but I’m not in awe. Some dopes would say something like: “That’s an awesome haircut, Donald” But I’d say: “Man, that’s a ridiculous haircut, but on you… it looks awesome.” (Now that’s an awesome double-edged compliment.)
America First: A jingoistic Conservative slogan. Another stolen phrase used by the Trump regime is “America First” originating in the 1920s by the KKK. (Part of the snappy Klan credo is “America first, last, and forever.”) Later the slogan was used by American Nazi sympathizers like Henry Ford and Charles Lindbergh before WW II. It just goes to show that Trump is a lousy historian and a worse president… and a terrible dancer.
MAGA: “Make America Great Again”. The slogan, which was adopted by Donald Trump, was first used by Ronny Raygun in his 1980 campaign for presidency. (Trump has never been known for originality or creativity.) MAGA is now considered a loaded phrase and racist “dog whistle.” Many of his cult-like followers wear garish red MAGA hats proclaiming their allegiance to an ex-Reality-TV star turned presidential golfer.
The question is often asked, “Exactly when was America great in the first place?” Probably just after WW II when America was the undisputed master of the world. But there were no civil rights laws, no women’s rights, and no gay rights. Segregation, antisemitism, racial profiling, and lynching were the norm. Back then America was great… for white guys.
Faith: Believing what you know ain’t so. I have faith that Trump will straighten up and fly right. If the DOJ finds that Trump was using Jefferey Epstein’s services, would MAGA lose faith in their fearless leader? I doubt that, because I have no faith in the DOJ.
Miracle: A divine intervention. It would be a miracle if Trump straightens up and flies right.
Thoughts and Prayers: A well-meaning sentiment. When a mass shooting occurs and many preteen students are savagely murdered, the first statement by a right-wing politician is, “Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the victims and their families.” That’s a superficial cliché. The second statement is usually, “But guns don’t kill people, people kill people.” That’s not an argument; it’s a cheap slogan. (Sorry, but there’s nothing funny about this national disgrace.)
It will happen in two weeks: An overused phrase meaning “to kick the can down the road.” Instead of this sleight-of-hand phrase, why not say something pseudo-philosophical like: “It’ll happen when it’s time.” Or you could actually tell the truth: “Maybe it’ll happen. Maybe it won’t. Hell, I don’t know. Whatever.”
Truth: Conformity to fact or actuality. Truth can only be based on fact. But nowadays, we have factoids, alternative facts and truthiness. You are entitled to your own opinion. But you are not entitled to your own facts. (Fact check that sucker!)
Courage: To control fear in a dangerous or difficult situation. Nowadays, it takes courage to do the right thing. (It’s so sad it’s funny.)
Respect: To consider worthy of high regard. There are too many Americans that believe that respect is a catchy tune by Aretha Franklin. Respect – like trust – is not simply bestowed upon others; it is earned.
I must respect people with opposing viewpoints, and those people need to respect me for calling them out for having such idiotic viewpoints. Respect is what you give to a powerful manipulator who threatens to primary you. (See: Courage)
Integrity: Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code. An old fashioned, quaint notion that has fallen by the wayside due to lack of fortitude. (See: Backbone)
Values: The beliefs people have about what is right and wrong. Trump knows the price of everything, and the value of nothing!
Character: Moral strength and integrity. These days, character doesn’t seem to matter much in America. We live in a country who put a man into the White House who is a convicted felon, a sexual predator, a draft dodger, a pathological liar, a womanizer, a racist, a climate and science denier, a conspiracy theorist, an insurrectionist, and much more. (Character? Yeah, he’s a character alright.)
Shame: A painful emotion caused by the awareness of having done something wrong or foolish. The fact that so many foolish Americans voted for the wrong candidate is a shame!
Trump: To surpass or outdo someone. Sound familiar? Well, it’s all in the name.
DC has been a frustrated musician for over fifty years, and now has decided to become a frustrated writer. Learn more at DCDuncan.com. He’ll keep you posted.