This is my wife taking a photo of an approaching elephant. I have to say, I was more than a bit disappointed when our guide said that I wasn’t permitted to exit the vehicle and ride the elephant. Naturally, I filed a complaint with the tour company demanding a full refund.
I have traveled all over the world, to Europe, China, and even to Canada. So, I think I know a thing or two about how to get around in foreign cultures – with the exception of Canada. Those Canucks are a total mystery to me.
Here’s a useful tip: When traveling to a foreign country, it is not necessary to be able to speak the local language. Say you’re in Paris. And the only phrase you know is “Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir?” – a phrase that is not very helpful unless you are trying to seduce your waitress at the cafe. No worries. Just speak in English using a really lame French accent. They will quickly become annoyed with you and start replying in English, “What are you trying to ask, Mister?” Trust me, everybody speaks English these days – except teenagers, who apparently only use emojis to communicate.
I recently returned from a three-week safari tour of southern Africa. You know, one of those “glamping” adventures, where you stay in “tents” that are nicer than my house. Based on my experience, let me share with you a few insights to help you evaluate whether glamping in Africa is your cup of tea.
First of all, to my surprise, I learned that Africa is not a country. It is a continent. And a very large one at that. We visited four countries: Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, and South Africa. The plan was to hop into Toyota Land Cruisers and drive through the wilderness in search of all sorts of exotic critters and birds. Oh sure, we saw plenty of lions (but not a single tiger or bear, oh my). We also came upon elephants up close, as well as hippos, giraffes, Cape buffalos, crocodiles, and other amazing critters in the wild. But I had my heart set on spotting a giant panda. Alas, during the entire three weeks, the only panda I saw was on a sign at a Panda Express fast food joint at the airport.
The areas I saw were mostly grasslands and woodlands, not the deep jungle. So, we did not see a single gorilla. Again, deeply disappointing. But we did see several baboons and monkeys – at a picnic area where our land cruisers made a stop at for lunch one day. One vervet monkey leapt out of a tree, jumped on the picnic table, knocked over a bottle of wine, and made off with one person’s sandwich. (True.) Monkeys can be so rude – almost as rude as American tourists.
I’ll admit it was kind of cool to see lions out in the wild. One time, a pride of seven of them came up to our land cruisers and lay down right next to the vehicles for shade. I was literally two feet from an adult male (see photo below). But I was more than a little disappointed when the tour guide informed me that it was not safe for me to pat the lion behind the ears – or on the belly for that matter – even though I saw Joe Exotic on the Netflix docuseries Tiger King do that all the time.
One thing that I found rather lame is that, unlike at zoos back home, none of the savanna areas we went had those informational plaques with fun facts about the various critters we saw. All you saw was the animal. I couldn’t even Google “fun facts about leopards” because we had no internet in the middle of nowhere. They really need to look into that.
And yeah, it was pretty amazing when we came upon a leopard that had killed an adult impala and carried it 25 feet up a tree – with only its jaws – so it could enjoy its kill without vultures or lions trying to muscle in on its dinner. Something I had never seen in my life. But I was hoping it would have killed a rhino or a hippo. That would have been way cooler. So, yeah, kind of a letdown.
No, this is not a doctored photo. The lions really got this close to us. I was about to offer up a slice of raw steak to coax one of the lions to jump in the jeep so I could pat him. I mean look how calm and relaxed they all appear. But our guide said no to that too. Some people are such Debbie Downers.
The lodges where we stayed all had tents. And not the kind of tent you might think of for a camping trip back home. These tents came with flush toilets, showers with warm water, ceiling fans, and electricity. But no flat screen TV’s in your room. Come on, guys! This is the 21st century. And they would not let you walk from your tent to the lodge after dark. They had to escort you with an armed guide, in case a lion or hippo might attack. In fact a lion had killed an antelope right outside of our tent the night before we arrived. (True.) That would never have happened had we stayed at the Marriott.
Fun fact: Despite what I had learned from playing the Hungry Hippos game as a child, hippos don’t actually eat marbles. They mainly subsist on grasses, aquatic plants, and the occasional annoying tourist.
I was also unimpressed by the food. For some reason, every lodge we stayed at kept offering us African food with unpronounceable names like Nshima and Ifinkubala and Vitumbuwa. Not one lodge served pizza, let alone donuts. And don’t even get me started about the fact that apparently Mountain Dew seems to be outlawed in Africa.
So, if your idea of a fun vacation is to explore totally different cultures, try exotic foods, see amazing wild animals in their natural habitat, and immerse yourself in a totally alien world, all the while camping in luxury, then, I guess Africa is okay.
Personally, I’d rather go to Disney World and spend the afternoon on their Jungle Cruise ride. There you can navigate you through some of the world’s most treacherous waters, steam past lush foliage and waterfalls, and glimpse lions, hippos and zebras up close. And then finish up your adventure with a pepperoni pizza and an ice cold Mountain Dew at the Pizzafari restaurant. Pretty much the same experience, and far less chance of being eaten by a hippo.
That’s the view from the bleachers. Perhaps I’m off base.
PS: If you enjoyed this week’s post, let me know by posting a comment, giving it aLikeorsharing this post on Facebook.
Left: How we all fantasize about car ownership: out in the desert, warm breeze blowing on our face. Right: The reality of car ownership. Not so much a warm breeze as a hot steam spraying up from under the hood, in the desert, in the middle of nowhere. Did I mention that you’re out of cell phone range?
I love cars. But owning a car is a lot like being in a long-term relationship with a temperamental, unpredictable partner. In the beginning, it’s all love and smooth rides; you’re cruising down the highway with the windows down, music blasting like Jerry Maguire singing along to Tom Petty’s song Free Fallin.‘
But then, you hit a few bumps–figuratively and literally. If you’ve owned a car long enough, you’ll eventually learn that a few universal truths exist, no matter how much you try to Dodge them. Here are seven immutable laws of car ownership. If you’re a first-time car buyer, you better buckle up. You’re in for a bumpy ride.
The First Law of Breakdowns
No matter how carefully you maintain your car, the first time it breaks down will occur at the most inconvenient possible moment. You’ll be late for work, or worse, five minutes from the airport with a suitcase packed full of non-refundable destination vacation plans.
The breakdown will happen in the middle of a busy intersection or on a lonely road in the middle of nowhere – with any luck in utter darkness. The car will die at exactly the point when your AAA membership expires, and your phone, which in your haste you forgot to charge, will lose power just as you are attempting to text your neighbor, “Hey Carl my car broke down. Can you get me? I’m at – “
The Law of Mysterious Fluid Leaks
Every car has a secret, and that secret is a small, irritating fluid leak. It’s always the kind of leak that doesn’t show up on a regular service maintenance check, but when you’re least expecting it, turning your driveway into the setting for a small environmental disaster. You’ll detect an oil leak, or a coolant drip, or other mysterious “blue liquid” that’s not covered in the owner’s manual. Of course, this leak will only appear when your mechanic is out of town, and the entire auto parts store will be sold out of whatever overpriced magic potion is supposed to fix it.
Any idea what this purple fluid is that is dripping down from your engine block? No idea? Don’t worry. Your local mechanic will know, and trust me, it’s going to cost you an arm and a leg.
The Law of Unsolicited Advice
Everyone you know will have an opinion on how to fix your car, whether they have any qualifications or not. That guy at work who’s convinced that you can repair any car issue by watching YouTube will tell you to fix it yourself, even if you can’t tell the difference between a spark plug and an alternator.
Your devoutly religious elderly mother will offer to “pray for the car,” as if divine intervention will fix your busted radiator. And don’t get me started on your buddy Norm who says, “Just use duct tape, dude. It worked on my engine once!” No. No, it didn’t! You should never listen to anything Norm tells you. Why exactly are you even friends with him, anyway?
The Law of The ‘Check Engine’ Light
The primary reason this particular dashboard light was created is to generate intense anxiety, in order to send you rushing to the nearest repair shop and opening up your wallet. In reality, no one – especially you – has any idea what it actually means.
When it first comes on, you panic and frantically check the manual to decipher its cryptic message. From what you can surmise it means either that the battery is about to explode or possibly that the transmission is about to completely freeze up.
So, you take the car in for a diagnostic, and they’ll tell you it’s a minor sensor issue and that it’s probably safe to keep driving it… for now. Of course, you’ll still spend the next three months Googling “check engine light causes” and wondering if you’ll be stranded in the middle of the freeway at any moment with yet another warning light that flashes in bright red, “Your car is fucked.”
The Law of Unknown Sporadic Car Noises
There’s a sound your car will make. A random squeak. A clunk. An ominous rattling. The noise will occur at the worst possible time, and you’ll immediately think the car is on the brink of a mechanical breakdown. You’ll take it in, and the mechanic will give you that classic shrug: “Hmm. I couldn’t hear anything. It could be the camshaft. It might be the clutch assembly. Or maybe you need a complete engine rebuild. Unfortunately, your vehicle is out of warranty by 100 miles. If it keeps making that sound, bring it back in.”
You’ll drive around for weeks listening to that same unrelentingly unnerving sound, but the minute you bring the car back in, it will stop. It’s like your car is playing some sort of twisted head game with you. And it’s winning.
The Law of Repairs ALWAYS Costing More Than Expected
So, you notice one of your headlight lightbulbs is out. You take it to the local Firestone dealer to replace it. Good news: A replacement bulb only costs $25.00. Should be in and out in about twenty minutes. Forty minutes later a service tech informs you that your vehicle’s model year uses a special non-standard bulb that has to be custom ordered from a warehouse in Stuttgart, Germany. This special bulb costs $150. And they are only sold in pairs, so that’s $300.
It’s impossible to install these bulbs unless you’re a professional mechanic. If you want the dealer to install them, that will be another $200. It takes three weeks for the part to arrive from Germany. Then the earliest date they can squeeze you in for an appointment to install the new headlight bulbs will be two weeks after that. But only if you can leave the car with them all day. And no, they don’t have a shuttle service.
The good news? All your car needed to fix that rattling sound is a tiny widget the size of a spool of thread, which only costs you $5.00. The bad news? Installing it will be another $375.
The Law of Premature Car Replacement
At some point – usually about three years before you were planning to begin looking for a new car – you’ll find yourself facing the decision of whether to fix your car again or buy a new one. You’ll weigh the pros and cons, calculate how much it would cost to keep your 2011 Toyota Camry running, and ask yourself unsettling questions like, “How often do I even use the AC anyway?” and “How important is it that I can’t pull my car into reverse anymore?”
No matter how much you try to delay it, you’ll eventually face the unavoidable day of reckoning, reluctantly accepting that it’s probably finally time to call that annoying radio jingle phone number, 1-877-KARS-4-KIDS, and donate your lemon of a car to charity.
It turns out that the cost of a new car is surprisingly affordable lately, by which I mean roughly the same amount as the cost to send your youngest child to college next fall. And you can’t afford to do both. Tough decision, I hear you. Sure, she got accepted into Princeton. But you really need a new car. Good luck explaining to her how Riverside Community College is a lot like Princeton.
In the end, owning a car is a mix of love, frustration, and myriad unforeseeable expenses. But remember, the next time your car breaks down when you least expect it, don’t freak out when you receive that insanely high repair bill. From what I’ve been reading, community colleges are a much better investment than four-year universities anyway.
That’s the view from the bleachers. Perhaps I’m off base.
PS: If you enjoyed this week’s post, let me know by posting a comment, giving it aLikeorsharing this post on Facebook.
Trump-Canceling Headphones. Nothing works better to help you forget about the fact that we have elected a madman to run our country for the next four years. No worries!
Has this ever happened to you? You’re channel surfing to see what’s on TV and just about everywhere you look, the screen is filled with images of Trump ranting about how terrible everything is and how only he can fix it.
Or you’re out doing errands, so you turn on your car radio. Within seconds you hear Trump’s grating voice as he explains his latest plan to invade Greenland and deport anyone who didn’t vote for him to Guatemala.
Or you’re just thumbing through TikTok and the next thing that pops up on your phone is Trump with his co-president Elon Musk explaining to Fox News how he’s going to reduce everyone’s grocery bill by implementing 25% tariffs on all foreign-produced food items. Huh?
All of this non-stop bombardment of Trump 24/7 would be enough to make even the most stoic person start considering a permanent vacation to a remote island where cable news is unheard of and there’s no such thing as social media. But fear not, because VFTB Enterprises is announcing the solution to your Trump-fatigue: Trump-Canceling Headphones!
Trump-Canceling Headphones are revolutionary new headphones designed to instantly block out any mention of Donald Trump, whether it’s on TV, the radio, or your favorite podcast. The moment his name or his voice hits the airwaves, POOF! – it will be replaced by soothing, calming music. It’s like a spa day for your ears, except it’s available anytime, anywhere. So, the next time you’re watching CNN and it takes you live to the latest infuriating MAGA rally with Trump bragging about how “Vladimir Putin told me I’m way smarter than Biden,” in an instant, your Trump-Canceling Headphones will turn your world into a serene, peaceful getaway.
How do these headphones work?
Trump-Canceling Headphones utilize cutting-edge technology, specifically designed to detect the sound frequencies of Trump-related discussions. The moment the words “Trump,” “Elon,” or “MAGA” are uttered, the headphones instantly cancel out all sound related to the Orange Menace and replace it with a symphony of serenity. Choose between classical music, smooth jazz, spa music, or many other music genres. Or upgrade to our Soothing Sounds of Nature Deluxe package and choose from among over five dozen relaxing ambient sound options, from babbling brook to crackling campfire to purring kittens.
The possibilities are endless, and the relief is instant. But don’t just take my word for it. Let’s hear from a few of our satisfied customers:
“As a young mom, I worry about my young daughter’s future. Every time Trump’s face pops up on my screen, my blood pressure spikes. That was until I tried Trump-Canceling Headphones. Now, when Trump appears on TV, all I hear is peaceful lullabies. It’s like I’m at a spa retreat in my own living room!” – Karen from Phoenix
“I was a political junkie, constantly plugged into the news, until one day, I just couldn’t take it anymore. The constant barrage of Trump’s name was too much. I tried everything–meditation, yoga, even binge-watching nature documentaries about the migration patterns of Arctic Terns. But nothing worked. Then I tried Trump-Canceling Headphones, and it was like a massive weight lifted off my shoulders. The moment Trump’s name came up on the news, I heard nothing but Kenny G on sax. I could feel my blood pressure drop. If only I’d found these sooner!” – Grover from Cleveland
“I couldn’t escape the man’s name. I’d go to the gym, and there it was – Trump’s latest tweet blaring from the TVs. I’d be on a run, minding my own business, and then – bam – a story about Trump nominating Kanye West for Attorney General would pop up on the treadmill screen. After trying the Trump-Canceling Headphones, it’s like a magical filter. Now, every time Trump is mentioned, it’s replaced with the tranquil sound of ocean waves. I’m in bliss. Thank you, Trump-Canceling Headphones!”
– Jane from Austin
But that’s not all! If you order your Trump-Canceling Headphones by midnight tonight, we’ll throw in a FREE pair of Trump-Canceling Sunglasses.
These stylish yet functional sunglasses will instantly replace any image of Donald Trump you see on TV, social media, or in the grocery store tabloids with a brilliant cartoonlike image of a whining Baby Trump in diapers having a temper tantrum.
That’s right, folks. The moment your eyes meet Trump’s irritating orange-makeup-coated mug, these high-tech lenses will work their magic and transform him into the iconic image of a large balloon – youknow the one – with a baby Trump in diapers whining. It’s hilarious, it’s comforting, and it’s exactly what you need right now to make it through another news cycle.
“I’ve been suffering from ‘Trump-overload’ for nine years. Everywhere I go, there’s his face, his hair, him doing that weird YMCA dance! It’s like he’s a constant exhausting presence in my life. But after trying the Trump-Canceling Sunglasses, it’s like a miracle. Every time his image flashes on the screen, it’s replaced with a giant baby Trump balloon. It’s hysterical. I can’t stop laughing, and suddenly, all the stress melts away. Honestly, I don’t even care about the news anymore. I just want to see how ridiculous the next balloon baby image will be!”
– Sarah from New York
The next time you find yourself tensing up at the sight of Trump attacking his enemies on TV, don’t get hooked. Just put on your Trump-Canceling Sunglasses. But be careful. You’ll laugh so hard, you just might pee your pants – just like whining Baby Trump.
“I was ready to throw my TV out the window until I heard about the Trump-Canceling Sunglasses. Let me tell you, these things are a game-changer. Every time Trump’s face appears, I’m treated to the sight of a giant, diaper-clad balloon version of him. I’ve never been so entertained. It’s like a carnival in my living room. I highly recommend these to anyone who’s ever wanted to scream when his ugly face shows up on their screen.”
– Tom from Chicago
So, what are you waiting for? Don’t let Trump control your life any longer. Order your Trump-Canceling Headphones and Trump-Canceling Sunglasses today! With our 100% satisfaction guarantee, you’ve got nothing to lose – except your Trump-related stress.These headphones come in a wide assortment of colors (not available in orange).
Order before midnight tonight, and we’ll include a coffee mug imprinted with the inspiring rallying cry, “ANY SANE CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT IN 2028” – absolutely free.
Because you deserve peace. You deserve tranquility. You deserve a world without Trump. Order now and take the first step toward banning Trump from your brain – for a few hours a day, anyway.
PS: If you enjoyed this week’s post, let me know by posting a comment, giving it aLikeorsharing this post on Facebook.
I used to stress out over some of the silliest things, like, was I a good enough manager at work? Was I doing enough to be a supportive husband? Would my teenage daughters turn out okay? Would I ever cure my banana slice drives off the tee? (Answer to that last question: No.)
But then I met somebody who helped me put so many aspects of my life into proper perspective. His name is Buddy. I’ve known Buddy for the past eight years. He’s starting to get up there in age. I’m not sure how many more years he has left, to be honest.
I’ve never seen him shave. He seems to wear the same outfit every day. He prioritizes comfort over fashion. Buddy has never been one to be concerned with impressing other people. He doesn’t care if others judge him for his lackadaisical lifestyle. He is comfortable in his own skin. Buddy leads a simple, modest life.
Nowadays, since I’m retired, and I’m pretty sure Buddy doesn’t work anymore either, we see each other often. He’s never been into accumulating tech toys, expensive clothes, or watches. He never pursued getting a driver’s license, so he can’t even legally drive. As far as I know, he doesn’t travel much. At least he’s never mentioned any trips to exotic locations. He’s never been to Disneyland, nor has he expressed any deep desire to visit the Grand Canyon. He’s pretty much a homebody, from what I can tell.
Buddy’s needs are simple. He doesn’t brag about his latest achievement. He never talks rudely or arrogantly around women. He doesn’t drink or smoke. He’s no gourmet, but he wouldn’t turn down a good New York steak if you offered it to him.
In our visits, Buddy has helped me realize what’s important in life – and what isn’t. He comes by now and then and, with a gentle glance, reminds me to take a deep breath and relax. If he had a mantra, it would be four words: “Don’t Worry. Be Happy.” The way my friend sees it, nothing on my list of worries is all that pressing, anyway. Whatever it is I’m currently obsessing over, it can’t be that important. Or if it is, it will pass soon enough. Keep reminding me about that, okay, Buddy?
I often wonder how Buddy lets the worries of life just glide over him, like water off a duck’s back. He never complains about any of his ills, even when his arthritic legs are acting up, and it’s hard for him to take long walks. He’s unflappable and takes everything in stride. I admire this about him. I want to be more like Buddy. I need to acquire his indefatigably calm perspective on life’s ups and downs.
Over the past several years, we’ve become extremely close. When I share some of the things I have been working on, Buddy never interrupts me. He’s a better listener than a talker. He never discusses his own troubles. He is the least self-absorbed, most well-adjusted fellow I’ve ever known. When you’re in his presence, his entire focus is on you. And in minutes, all my cares and worries seem to melt away.
Buddy doesn’t move as quickly as he used to. His walk has slowed to somewhere between a saunter and an amble. These days, he enjoys relaxing in his big comfy chair and soaking in the sun. There have been times when I was so busy that I didn’t slow down long enough to reach out to him to say hi. But he never seems to hold a grudge about those sorts of things. When we finally reconnect, he’ll just look at me with the kindest eyes, and I know he’s just glad to see me again.
I don’t know how much longer Buddy will be around. I’ve noticed he’s been moving a lot slower lately. And I can tell he’s in pain sometimes, especially when he gingerly attempts to negotiate stairs. But he never complains. He just accepts his lot in life, never choosing to play the victim. Buddy has taught me to be a more patient, calm, and grateful human being. He has taught me to be more forgiving of others and not to worry about things I can’t control.
I think about the fact that someday before too long, Buddy will probably pass away. When that day comes, I will miss him terribly. But until then, I’m grateful to have him in my life. And at the end of every day, I look forward to lying in bed, knowing that in a few minutes, Buddy will quietly meander into my bedroom, and lie down next to me. And my wife doesn’t mind it a bit. After all, Buddy’s her cat, too.
PS: Oh, about the photo at the top of this article. That’s a dear friend of mine named Charlie. He’s a great guy. Hope that wasn’t confusing.
That’s the view from the bleachers. Perhaps I’m off base.
PS: If you enjoyed this week’s post, let me know by posting a comment, giving it aLikeorsharing this post on Facebook.
(FOX NEWS) President-Elect Trump is wasting no time assembling his cabinet. He has already announced several bold appointments, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services, Fox News weekend host Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense, and Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence and Russian Public Relations. Trump has proudly taken credit for choosing the most diverse cabinet of white men in modern history.
The President-Elect has also named Matt Gaetz to become the next Attorney General. That said, this selection has been met with a few minorconcerns from a tiny fringe group of leftwing radical democrats opposed to the idea of Congressmen with a history of sex trafficking underage girls at cocaine-fueled rage parties being considered for the top law enforcement job in the country.Some people have such ridiculously high standards.
In the remote chance Gaetz fails to get confirmed or withdraws his name from consideration, there is growing speculation Trump may shift to his backup choice, Hannibal Lector, to whom rank-and-file Republicans have already given two enthusiastic thumbs up, making the case that he’d make a fascinating dinner guest.
In his selection process, Trump has devised a unique, rigorous, three-pronged set of requirements: 1) Has he seen the candidate on TV? 2) Have they publicly and repeatedly gushed excessive, obsequious praise of Trump? And 3) Do they lack any prior relevant experience for the job? Unless the answer to all three questions is a resounding YES, they won’t be considered.
Fox News has learned that in the upcoming week Trump plans to announce several additional bold picks for key roles within his administration. Here are a few names he is widely expected to name to his cabinet…
Secretary of Agriculture – Jake from State Farm. Apparently unaware that State Farm is not an actual farm, Mr. Trump has praised Jake from State Farm for being great on TV and for being a “nice-looking black guy.” He went on to add, “I love the blacks, and the blacks love me.”
Secretary of Oil and Fracking (formerly the Energy Department) – Trump has hinted that the inside track for this important cabinet post goes to J.R. Ewing, former CEO of Ewing Oil until Dallas was cancelled in 1991. Ewing has a well-earned reputation for ruthless business practices, including bribery, blackmail, and brutally crushing his opponents. Ewing is known for being vengeful, a womanizer, and oblivious to the needs of anyone around him. “And those are just a few of the reasons he’d make a great addition to my team,” beamed Trump.
CIA Director – Vladimir Putin. “Nobody knows more about Russia and how to spy than my pal Vlad,” Trump told a press gathering. “I talk to Vlad sometimes three times a day. So, he’s really tapped into our intelligence situation like nobody I know. And I’m sure he and Tulsi will get along famously since they agree on just about everything, so that’s a big plus.”
Surgeon General – Dr. Phil. “Is Dr. Phil an actual medical doctor? Hell if I know. But if he’s good enough for Oprah, he’s good enough for me,” Trump told a gathering of sycophants at Mar-A-Lago. “But he really should get a toupee. I know a guy,” Trump added..
Trump, in an effort to Make America Great Again, plans to announce several brand new cabinet-level posts. Here are a few of the new departments Trump plans to unveil:
Secretary of Trans(De)portation – Trump announced this new cabinet-level department – which will replace the Department of Transportation. The primary function of this agency will be to identify transgender individuals and have them deported and banned from all high school sports teams.
Rumors are that Marjorie Taylor Greene has the inside track. “We’ve all known trans fats are dangerous. Even skinny trans are bad for America. So, I’m going to ban all of them once and for all,” Greene declared to a mob of supporters in red MAGA hats.
Some of the bold picks Trump will soon be announcing to fill key roles in his administration. These stunning picks just might Make America Great Again – or possibly accelerate the final, inevitable destruction of our democracy. Political experts say it’s a toss-up.
Secretary of Professional Wrestling – Hulk Hogan. “Nobody can rip open a t-shirt like the Hulkster can. He will make pro wrestling great again,” said Trump in a recent Truth Social post. “I will also ban volleyball and women’s golf. They’re just too gay,” he added.
Secretary of God and Bible Stuff – Lee Greenwood (who sang God Bless the USA). Trump praised the country singer for his patriotism, his love of God, and the $4 million Trump made from hawking his made-in-China Lee Greenwood Bibles on TikTok.
Minister of Propaganda (formerly Press Secretary) – George Santos. Trump posted on X (formerly Twitter), “Nobody is more committed to telling the truth than George – with the possible exception of me.”
Trump also plans to eliminate the Department of Education and replace it with a new Cabinet post, Department of Trolling. Political insiders expect him to select Steve Bannon because, when asked about Bannon, Trump shouted back, “Steve practically invented trolling as an art form. Nobody owns the libs more than this guy. He will drive them crazy for the next eight to twelve years of my administration.”
As this article was going to press, there was speculation that Trump might even go so far as to nominate Dr. Mehmet Oz to oversee Medicare, Medicaid, and Obamacare – three critical healthcare programs that directly impact the lives of over one hundred million Americans. Oz has been almost universally mocked and vilified for promoting quack miracle cures despite virtually zero medical proof they work.
On the one hand, Dr. Oz is a TV celebrity, and he appears to lack any of the requisite qualifications to oversee Medicare and Medicaid, so those are two big pluses. But even more importantly, it’s quite possible Trump may be confusing Dr. Oz with the Wizard of Oz, who he’s seen on TV. And Trump probably would love to have a scary wizard in his cabinet able to cast debilitating spells on his enemies on Trump’s command. So, the odds look good for Oz to join his cabinet as well.
That’s the view from the bleachers. Perhaps I’m off base.
PS: If you enjoyed this week’s post, let me know by posting a comment, giving it aLikeorsharing this post on Facebook.
PS: If you enjoyed this week’s post, let me know by posting a comment, giving it aLikeorsharing this post on Facebook.
