I used to be a three-county tinker, but I gave up Alameda County. It was just too far to go. I also gave up those under-the-counter jobs where your head and back are in the cabinet looking up at 30- or 40-year old fixtures and drains or garbage disposals in leaking and desperate need of being replaced, while your arse is cantilevered out in space 4″ above the floor held up by your lower back muscles connected to both flexing calf and thigh muscles and any sinews and fleshy joints still working at age 74. It was just a bit too much to go into Oakland to have all this FUN when I could fix a gate latch or leaning fence or install new closet shelves in Benicia, Vallejo, or Walnut Creek; AND lessen my carbon footprint and also aggravate our current faux- and grossly under-qualified President by posting snarky anti-Trump diatribes on my Facebook pages at early morning or late night activist hours.
Why waste gas despite Trump denying global warming? Has he taken any science classes in his lifetime? What if anything does the GOP stand for these days with that pathetic and useless TrumpCare Health Plan after 8 years of GOP planning nothing, and what became of the Democratic party? Who’s in charge of that shambles now? Or will the “investigations”_on Trump ever come to a factual close so we can truly know whether or not he was “golden showered” by real Russian hookers in the night? Did Melania approve any of this, or was this allegedly during “working hours?” And how many of his family and transition staff discussed lessening the U.S. sanctions on Russia imposed by President Obama after Putin sallied his forces into Crimea? It’s all just too much to contemplate! HOW much does Russia have invested in “laundered money” in Trump Towers, and why is Trump allowed to NOT have his possibly bankrupt holdings in a blind trust? Who’s in charge of our election apparatus? Putin’s team of hackers? Or Putin? Does the U.S. middle class and all we seniors have anything to say about all this or are we just pawns of the Kremlin too? Hey, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, take a look at our federal state of shambles. Is this what you expected just 241 years after our Declaration of Independence? Will Trump’s investigators eventually make us independent of Trump and Putin, or is The U.S. in a rathole of its own making?
Will President Donald “tweet” into North Korea and possibly tick off that other nutjob and those two under-qualified clods then terminate the known world as a diversion to advance further daughter Ivanka’s retail sales agenda for Designer Clothing made in China and sold 9 to 5 with brunch in the White House Rose Garden? AND is her husband really doing something of note for the U.S., and what are his qualifications? Who vetted him? Are all the rooms in the White House available “For Sale or Lease” with potential oil drilling or fracking there or just in the national parks? I’m confused about so much “good” being done in the First 100 days. Is Air Force One available for others to jaunt to Florida for “weekend golfing vacations” or just Donald? Who, pray tell, is in charge? Of anything? (Post Script Tuesday: Trump has just fired his chief Investigator of Trump-Russia Collusion, FBI Director Comey. Further proof that Trump has learned nothing from Nixon & Archibald Cox. Stupidity prevails as expected, who will be next under the bus as Trump attempts to purge and/or Clorox his guilt with bus lane offerings?)
Peter Bray writes, works, and lives in Benicia
and has written this column since 2008.
Bob "The Owl" Livesay says
You are correct Peter. You are confused. Stick to your Handyman projects.
PETER BRAY says
Poor Bobby Livesay, the owl– whining forever about Mayor Patterson, were you demeaned by an authoritarian aunt or other female figure in your childhood so that all your rants are adolescent flavorings of Valero and Big Oil and the misogynistic carpings much like soon-to-be-impeached Trump? Stay tuned for the Impeachment proceedings, on all channels in luding the Owl Channel we hope.?
Bob "The Owl" Livesay says
I will not call you a name Peter. President Obamas numbers were always in the 40’s until just before he left office and that is when they went above 50. Sorry Peter President Trumps numbers are from 45/48 at present and are rising. I assume you are following some other reads except your beloved Bernie and Warren. President Trump will not be impeached. In fact he will be re-elected by a wide margin and the Socialist Progressives will lose more seats in the Senate and the House. Say what you want, you lost on the 2016 election and will lose in 2018 and 2020. Nothing you said or any of the other anti President Trump comments meant a thing. He won. You lost. Yes Peter stayed tuned. You apparently forgot who is in charge and it is not the Socialist Progressives. Yes Peter stayed tuned for all the good news about President Trump.
B.B says
Are they really rising? That’s pretty unique. It may be valid since Trump has a hustorically low approval rating for the first 100 days of a presidency. Where did you get your approval rating numbers? I can’t find the same ones you’re referring to.
Bob "The Owl" Livesay says
Look up Rasmussen. You will get an Answer,. They are at 48%. approval for President Trump a very well regarded poll. Why can you not see that.. Very clear..
B.B says
No need to be rude.
Rasmussen Polls do indeed have him at 48%. Much worse than the last president, who in May was at 58%. You can’t compare the end of a presidential term with the start of one. There’s nearly zero cases where a president finishes their term at a high approval rating.
Bob "The Owl" Livesay says
I believe I made my statement and I am correct. I am not rude. But challenge me and I be will right at someone. My point is and will always be that President Trumps poll number are being taken out of what has been and is now. There is very little difference between President Trump poll numbers and President Obamas numbers during their first years. Time could change that. But that is not the case at present. The Socialist Progressives would want you to believe he is polling as the worst President ever.
B.B says
Not being rude, yet somehow needs to add in comments like “Why can you not see that… very clear”, When youre citing a pollong source that’s somewhat famous for its inaccuracy in a conservative lean. But hey, I’ll still work with it.
You admit Trump’s aproval rating is, roght now, mich worse than Obama’s right?
Bob "The Owl" Livesay says
No!. You did have to look it up. So my comment was not rude just giving some minor advise. Give me the inaccuracy’s of Rasmussen. You stated they are famous for that so you should have some facts. Thank you, that is not rude.
B.B says
https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/is-rasmussen-reports-biased/
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/fordham-study-public-policy-polling-deemed-most-accurate-national-pollster-in-2012
However, this point is relatively unimportant. According to the source you provided, Obama had a 10% approval lead over Trump, which is a significant difference, so I don’t really understand why you came to the conclusions you did.
Thomas Petersen says
Peter,
Post Post Script. It seems that Russian agencies punked the administration by posting photos of the the president meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak (who nobody knew would be attending). The administration was not very happy. A closed-door meeting with no US press allowed, but Russian press allowed? I’m sure it will just be made light of by the fans of this administration. I have a feeling that if there were ever to surface a video of the POTUS laughing hysterically while drowning kittens, his supporters would try to put some kind of positive spin on it; “Well.. what about …in some countries, they eat cats!”.
Bob "The Owl" Livesay says
Mr. Petersen do you like President Trump?
Thomas Petersen says
Mr. Livesay sir, Very much so. He is the best thing to happen to comedy in a very long time. His antics make me howl with laughter. I worry about his marriage, though……and kittens.
Bob "The Owl" Livesay says
Mr. Petersen you do confuse the readers with your not so coherent comment. Try again.
Thomas Petersen says
Only one.
Bob "The Owl" Livesay says
Your comment has no facts. Just opinion based. That’s fine. My opinion is just as important as theirs. I said Trump would win, also was right on about Govs, House and Senate. My facts have stated many times on. So maybe you should consult me first on national issues. I am serious.
B.B says
How is “In their first 100 days, Obama’s approval rating was 10% higher than Trump” An opinion in any way?
Bob "The Owl" Livesay says
Was President Obama over 50%
B.B says
Yes. 58%.
Bob "The Owl" Livesay says
That is true but he did not do a good job. President Trump will bring more jobs, industry, infrastructure, lower taxes and great relations with foreign countries. Plus a very good new healthcare system. it is already showing.
B.B says
Based on… your opinion? Remeber, you’re the one who brought up approval rates. Do they mean something significant, or not? if they do, they’re indicative of some huge problems for trump.
Bob "The Owl" Livesay says
In President Trumps case they mean nothing. Simply because a major majority of Socialist Progressives are very anti President Trump. That will drive his numbers down.. He is doing what the voters that elected him want. He will not compromise and do what the voters that did not want him elected want him to do. He is not a compromiser he is a negotiator. Big different. He wins every time.
B.B says
Man, that desctiption makes him sound like a genuinely awful person. “He isnt willing to work for the country, only the people he likes.”
Also, Why did you ever bring up approval ratings between him and Obama, if they don’t matter? If you have a reason that’s ok, but right now it looks like you thought he had better numbers than he did, and are not making excuses to discount them.
Thomas Petersen says
Spot on, B.B.
Bob "The Owl" Livesay says
I gave my answer on approval ratings. Now explain why he is an awful person. He works for the people just like all elected people do. Do you think Schumer, Warren, Bernie etc like his ideals? I think not. You do not like President Trump yet you want him to do what you want not what his electors want. That is not how it works. You lost he Won. he will be President for eight years then add another eight for another Republican as President. You still will not except a Republican President. You were not spot on.
B.B says
You gave no answer on approval ratings. The beginning of this entire comversation started with YOU citing his approval rating as a sign of success. Why did you bring it up? Nobody mentioned it before you. Why?
Please read more carefully. I said YOUR description made him sound awful. Nothing about him. Also, you didn’t “win”. You didn’t do anything, and elections are not games. Stop acting like a child where everything needs a “winner”. You know nothing about my political affiliation and are convinced of where I stand, because you can’t handle the idea that other conservatives moght think your opinions are immature and unfounded.
Bob "The Owl" Livesay says
I know the answer. I do not have to Google it.
Bob "The Owl" Livesay says
BB I do not care what you think. I only care that he won. You may be a Conservative but not my kind of Conservative. Others opinions of my ideals are of no concern to me. But apparently they are to you.. You keeping commenting back, so you do care what I think and comment. If not do not comment back. That will solve the problem you seem to have. By the way you did use the word him. I assumed by “HIM” you meant President Trump. Read what I said. Approval ratings mean nothing to President Trump. Approval ratings are all ,over the Biased far left leaning Socialist Progressives media and comments anywhere you wish to look.
B.B says
Ok Bob. Go ahead and forget to remember that YOU brought up Trump’s numbers first.
” President Obamas numbers were always in the 40’s until just before he left office and that is when they went above 50. Sorry Peter President Trumps numbers are from 45/48 at present and are rising.”
Wow, look at that! Not only did you bring it up first, you were completely incorrect!
I’m glad I’m not your kind of “Conservative” Like I’ve said in the past, your kind is a RINO, whining, un-american joke of a conservative party, eho refused to admit that you share the exact same mentality as the extreme Left.
Bob {The Owl} Livesay says
I find your comments way over the top. I still do not understand what difference it makes who said what. I am a hard core Conservative and always have been. This conversation is going nowhere fast. Time to call it off. Bye
B.B says
Sorry you can’t stick to your own statements, and have to go for “you must like Bernie and Warren because you disagree with my incorrect numbers”. Have a good one.
Thomas Petersen says
Spot on, B.B.
Bob {The Owl} Livesay says
Sometimes folks will not let you go. Make statements that are not true. They must just carry on. I have been doing this in Benicia for over seven years and enjoy it very much. My ideals are very clear. Love me or hate me or just tolerate me is fine. But do not try to tell a story about my ideals that is not true. They have not changed. I will continue to write LTTE and make comments as I feel like I want to. I look forward to our next encounter.
Mike says
The Republican’s Guide to Presidential Behavior:
“It wasn’t so long ago that Republicans in Congress cared about how a president comported himself in office. They cared a lot! The president is, after all, commander in chief of the armed forces, steward of the most powerful nation on earth, role model for America’s children — and he should act at all times with the dignity his station demands. It’s not O.K. to behave in a manner that demeans the office and embarrasses the country.” more:
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/13/opinion/sunday/the-republicans-guide-to-presidential-behavior.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=opinion-c-col-left-region®ion=opinion-c-col-left-region&WT.nav=opinion-c-col-left-region
Thomas Petersen says
There are several indications, noted by experts in the field, that the behavior of the POTUS may be the result of early onset Alzheimer’s.
Bob {The Owl} Livesay says
The experts that are also in the field say the same about the Socialist Progressives. Are you a Socialist Progressive? If so you also may be effected by the early onset of Alzheimer’s. I wish that on no one. See how easy it is to spread false rumors. It is all BS and you know it. Where do you come up with this stuff.
Thomas Petersen says
Settle down. I was not talking about you, nor am I wishing anything on anyone. Please learn the difference. If you want to know where I got this, Google it.
Bob {The Owl} Livesay says
The only thing that Republicans were concerned about was policy decisions. Like ACA, Foreign Policy and of course the Iran deal and others. I would be OK if that was your case also. But it appears not to be so. You have made mention about Alzhiemers.
Thomas Petersen says
“The only thing that Republicans were concerned about was policy decisions.” Not even close.
“I would be OK if that was your case also.” You would be “OK”? I’m not looking for your approval
Bob "The Owl" Livesay says
If not even close what did I miss.
Thomas Petersen says
A select few:
Obama married a Pakistani guy
Obama had Andrew Breitbart killed
Obama’s ghostwriter was Bill Ayers
Obama’s coming for your guns
Obama was born in Kenya
Obama trained to overthrow the government
Obama is planning FEMA concentration camps
Obama caused the BP oil spill
Obama’s crack cocaine/gay sex/murder orgy cover-up
Obama’s campaigns were funded by drug money
etc.
Thomas Petersen says
Note that these are all over the top. In comparison, the claim of early onset Alzheimer’s is well within the realm of possibility.
Mike says
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3CFwkoqxIs&feature=youtu.be
Thomas Petersen says
Mike, One of my favorite parts: “Let me — sure. And I do — and I’m very — and I mean it. But just so you know, it was supposed to be a confidential meeting. They turned it into not a — number two, the conversation lasted for about a minute. They made it — somebody said it was, like, 25 percent of the — it wasn’t. It was hardly even discussed.”
Bob "The Owl" Livesay says
Give me the sources for all this info. It is just fake news that you love.
Thomas Petersen says
You don’t know how to use Google? Why do you hate technology?
Mike says
Trump revealed highly classified information to Russian foreign minister and ambassador:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-revealed-highly-classified-information-to-russian-foreign-minister-and-ambassador/2017/05/15/530c172a-3960-11e7-9e48-c4f199710b69_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-high_trumpintel-0504pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.5df12330bf73
Bob {The Owl} Livesay says
The source is not revealed. It is anonymous. Until further info is gained I think this is questionable. He did have someone with him during the meeting. We shall se. Nothing to jump to conclusions on. If true the highly classified info may not be as stated.
Thomas Petersen says
The ship is sinking very quickly. Not good.
Bob {The Owl} Livesay says
Are you talking about the folks that are not in power? President Trumps ship is upright and only hits a minor storm now and then. That is not new. It is only when you are in power that those on the other side try to sink the ship by sabotaging it.
Thomas Petersen says
“It is only when you are in power that those on the other side try to sink the ship by sabotaging it.” The last 8 years is a perfect example. Thanks!
Thomas Petersen says
“Are you talking about the folks that are not in power?” No.
Bob {The Owl} Livesay says
President Obama has no one to blame but himself and the self destructing Socialist Progressives. Petersen are you one of those self destructing Progressives.
Thomas Petersen says
What happened to “It is only when you are in power that those on the other side try to sink the ship by sabotaging it.” ? You know, the words you wrote.
DDL says
Remember when Joe Biden outed Seal Team Six as the team that killed Bin Laden?
The Taliban did avenge the death, and the Obama Administration turned their backs on the survivor’s families:
The Washington Times – Wednesday, August 5, 2015:
The Obama administration is violating a judge’s order to turn over documents in the Aug. 6, 2011, shootdown of a U.S. helicopter — call sign Extortion 17 — that killed members of SEAL Team 6 in Afghanistan, a watchdog group is charging.
On the fourth anniversary of the worst one-day loss of military life in the war on terror, families of the dead say they are aghast that the government will not honor basic requests under the Freedom of Information Act.
“It has now been four years since Extortion 17 was shot down,” said Doug Hamburger, whose Army air crew son, Patrick, was one of the 30 Americans killed. “I find it quite disturbing that the government is not willing to give us the answers we deserve. I find it very irritating that we will not question the Afghans about their knowledge of what took place that night.”
U.S. Central Command’s official investigation concluded that a rocket-launched grenade from a Taliban fighter standing near the landing zone clipped a rotary wing, sending the Ch-47 Chinook into a violent downward spin. It was the worst day for fatalities in the history of naval special warfare.
Bob "The Owl" Livesay says
Petersen it was your info not mine. Give the source for each one. I assume you have the source for each. It will be specif. So go ahead and send the sources. You must have them. If you do not have the source I will consider it Petersen fake news and move on.
Thomas Petersen says
Thomas Petersen says
May 16, 2017 at 2:01 pm
“……… I’m not looking for your approval.”
Bob "The Owl" Livesay says
I am not looking for approval. Just looking for your sources. Do you have them?
Thomas Petersen says
“I am not looking for approval.” Not what I said.
“Just looking for your sources.” Use Google.
“Do you have them?” Of course.
Bob "The Owl" Livesay says
I am not looking for your approval is what you said. My answer was very simple: I am not looking for approval which would answer the “your” in your original comment. You have the sources so just use them in the comment section. I will not Google for the answers. I may come up with many and then where are we? No where. Simple Petersen just post them. You can do that I assume. I will be waiting for your sources.
Thomas Petersen says
“I will not Google for the answers.” That’s fine by me. You can remain unconvinced, as far as I’m concerned. Very simple.