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Bird’s Eye View (Nov. 16, 2016)

From The Old Buzzard, comes another in his insightful series. “Signs that the Apocalypse is Approaching.” Buzzard reports,

“So Donald Trump will be America’s 45th president, and having retained their majorities in the House and Senate, Republicans will now fill the vacant Supreme Court seat with an arch conservative(s). The Democratic Party has seldom looked less powerful. The vote certainly reflected anger at the establishment in Washington. And so from January 20, the establishment in Washington will be Mr. Trump.

“On the home front, with Republicans controlling both Congress and the White House, the president-elect has pledged to appoint highly conservative pro-life justices who will uphold gun rights and reverse the 18-month-old decision allowing same-sex marriage, among a number of other far-reaching decisions that will display its right wing leaning. His victory may have changed retirement plans for Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 83, and Stephen Breyer, 78, the elder liberals on the bench. If they hang up their robes over the next four years, and the new appointments are in their sixties or so, the Supreme Court may be unrecognizable a generation down the road, and the country itself taken along a path the majority of its citizens do not wish to be on.

“While some of his policies remain shrouded in bombastic politicking and electioneering pontification, with regards to the women of America the president-elect has been crystal-clear. His administration promises to ban late-term abortions; to repeal the Affordable Care Act (although he seems to backing off with regards to some aspects of that) which covers birth control for millions of women; and to restrict funding of Planned Parenthood, which gives women access to cancer screening, contraception and safe abortions. What worries many, though, are effects unwritten in policy or law. During the campaign the half-hearted apologies by Mr. “Make America Grope Again” for plainly misogynistic comments and behavior did not, evidently, deter many white women—53% of whom voted for him. We knew that most white males would vote that way, but I had some hope that the majority of such women would have more common sense.

“Donald Trump has just become the first American president-elect to lack any political or military experience and later this month he will mark another first: defending himself before a jury in federal civil court against allegations of fraud and racketeering. The complaints stem from his Trump University real-estate seminars, which the plaintiffs allege violated consumer-fraud statutes in California, Florida and New York. He faces other legal wrangles too. New York’s attorney-general is looking into his charitable foundation. Mr Trump is suing two celebrity chefs who cancelled plans to open restaurants in his Washington hotel, and has threatened to sue several women who accused him of sexual impropriety. His campaign manager says he has not ruled out appointing a special prosecutor to investigate Hillary Clinton’s use of a private e-mail server while secretary of state—even though the FBI has already declined to charge her.

“On a brighter note, one of the very few, the election count here in California showed that out of all fifty states the Golden State had the highest percentage of Democratic voters. This begs the question, “Is it time for a “Calexit’?” One cannot help, upon seeing and hearing the thoughts and beliefs of so many Trump voters around the country, that in many ways this is a desirable option. According to the International Monetary Fund, California on its own has the world’s sixth strongest economy, behind only the US, China, Japan, Germany, and the UK, and so it is no wonder that folks are saying we should leave this mess behind and take our progressive, all-inclusive, broad-minded thoughts, along with our avocados and legal marijuana, and create the world’s “coolest” nation! Until that happens, however, it’s welcome to the new New World, where to many it seems as if the Apocalypse, which was approaching fast, has actually arrived.”

Public Service Announcements. #543. Live Music is once again presented at Lauren’s Restaurant in Boonville beginning at 9pm this coming Saturday, November 19. On this occasion the always entertaining Ukeholics and Boonville Tiny Orchestra will be performing with support from the delightful Ukeladies featuring Leslie Hubbert, Patty Liddy, and Valerie Smith. #544. Catlyn Gilman invites you to attend the Blackbird Farm Fall Festival located in Philo. Catlyn writes, “The festival will be on Friday, November 18 from 3-6pm and is free to the public. Our students will be leading games and activities that showcase the unique character of Blackbird Farms. Handmade food and treats will be provided. The entrance to the farm on Ray’s Road will be open and vehicles will exit to Philo-Greenwood to allow visitors a full view of the Blackbird property. There is handicap parking available at the barn, next to all the action. A rainy-day plan is in place so the festivities will continue rain or shine. We would be honored with your presence. No RSVP required, but if you have any questions, feel free to give me a call 895-3660, or cell (530) 933. 7468.” #545. The Vets from the Mendocino Animal Hospital have no more visits this month but they will be at the AV Farm Supply on Highway 128, north of Philo, on two occasions next month. December 1 and 15. #546. Need a burn permit? From 11am to 3pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays you can get one from the Firehouse in Boonville. Call 895-2020 for more information or stop by. #547. The next Barn Sale, and the last one until the spring, will be December 3/4 (Sat-Sun) from 9am-3pm at The Big Barn on AV Way just north of Boonville. #548. The Boonville Farmers Market continues with its Winter location and hours at The Boonville General Store, Saturdays from 11am-1pm. For more info, call Cindy at 895-2949. #549. Premium Beef For Sale. Grass-fed Murray Grey/Angus cross beef 1/4’s for Nov-Dec delivery from the 4 Bar K Ranch in Boonville. Contact Dave Kooyers at dkooyers@gmail.com or call 895-2325. Being a beef-eater of some repute, I can personally vouch that this is great stuff! #550. The AV Lending Library run by The Unity Club is open Tuesday and Saturday at The Fairgrounds: Tuesday 1.30-4.30pm and Saturday 2-4pm. #551. The County Dump is open from 9am-4pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. Dump Executive Director, Mike Mannix, rewards good customers with a star but will be very harsh with anyone thinking they can leave dead animals!

Here is the menu for the Community lunches over the next week in the Senior Center at the Veterans” Building in Boonville. The Center asks for a $6 donation from seniors and charges $7 for Non-seniors. Tomorrow, Thursday, November 17, the lunch, served by Marti Titus and her crew at Noon, will be Mustard Roasted Fish, and Dot’s Coconut Cream Dessert. Next Tuesday, November 22, the lunch will feature Smothered Steak, with Carmel Apple Cake for dessert. Closed next Thursday, November 24, Thanksgiving Day. All meals include vegetables, salad bar, and fruit, plus milk, coffee, tea, and lemonade. Maybe the best value for money all week!. Tai Chi is available every Tuesday at 11aml Thursdays at 11am is Kathy’s Easy-stretch Yoga class. Also on Thursdays, the Active Life Club from 10am to 2pm featureing games, crafts, and music. The Senior Center/Community Bus goes to Ukiah on Mondays and Santa Rosa on the first Wednesday. Don't forget to sign up early at 489-1175. ALL ages are welcome! Hope to see you there.

The Three-Dot Lounge ownership and staff have walked out in depression at the election conclusion and have joined the wake held by the majority of regular customers. Meanwhile, a few regular patrons, a minority one has to say, arrived at the door ready to celebrate democracy at work and a victory for their man. They were no doubt disappointed to find the doors closed. So there are no “Moans, Groans, Good Thoughts, and Rampant (yet surprisingly reliable) Rumors” from my favorite gathering place in the Valley.

I’m outtahere. I’ve got see a man about a sheep. “Please take me drunk, I’m home,” and until we talk again, be careful out there; if you break a leg don’t come running to me; stay out of the ditches; be wary of strangers with more dogs than teeth; show love to your pets, remember to keep your windows cracked if you leave them in your vehicle; think good thoughts; Keep the Faith; try to not let life get in the way of living; may your god go with you, and may your dog go with you too. A final request, “Let us prey.” Almost always humbly yours, Turkey Vulture. Contact me through the Letters Page or at turkeyvulture9@gmail.com. PS. Keep on humming, Hummingbird. Missing the Venerable Pheasant. On the sheep, Grace.

One Comment

  1. Jim Updegraff November 18, 2016

    Susie: good point!!!

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