Perception is reality.

A friend of mine and I determined back in November of last year (2015) that the coming election year would be the most entertaining of our lifetime and indeed, my prediction is coming true with every passing day.

Last weekend, those opposed to the Republican frontrunner (Donald Trump) claimed a victory over him when he canceled an appearance at a rally not unlike the one I attended in January here in Tusla...err...Tulsa. 

His concern for the people in the arena in the face of potential violence was his reason and of course this was interpreted as cowardice by his opposition.

That was Friday night.  On Saturday morning a lunatic decided to jump a barricade and attempted to accost Trump at a campaign stop in an airplane hangar in Ohio. 

All very entertaining,  if you have a sense of humor like mine.

A few things struck me regarding these shenanigans.   As you know, if you are a regular reader of this volume (chuckle...All three of you?), I have not declared support for ANY candidate running for POTUS this year and I don't plan to in any public forum.   That said, it has amazed me in the few days since the events of the weekend how utterly CLUELESS people are about the suppression of the right of free speech that took place last weekend by people who selectively abuse it and then hide behind it.

A former elementary school classmate of mine from WAY back commented that while he doesn't condone what Donald Trump has to say, the fact that he didn't get to say it is a serious usurpation of HIS right of free speech, and that what those who "shut him down" REALLY achieved may do more harm than good on election day for their cause.  I have to agree with that sentiment because the right of free speech applies to EVERYONE, not just people you like.

It's comical to see how people defend the actions of the protesters on Friday night.   They think based on Trump's rhetoric they were perfectly justified in their actions.  That is right, but it's also wrong.  In a free society both sides should be heard...not just the loudest or the greatest in numbers.  So the question has to be asked: why we're the protesters allowed their rights and the Donald was denied his?

From what I observed at the Tulsa rally in January,  I can say that Trump's organizers make it clear in an announcement that free speech would not be suppressed but, the event is a private one paid for by the candidate and he reserved the right to eject anyone.  He makes everyone register on his website and they have to have a ticket to get in, as a a matter of fact.

As for the individual who charged the podium in the hangar, that was just stupid.  Especially with the Secret Service now guarding Trump and the other candidates.   If f*cking with the Secret Service is on your bucket list, take it off...it's not patriotism, it's just stupid.  What's even more stupid is that the assumption that the Secret Service were Trump's "thugs".   I read that over the weekend.  That literally made my right eye face my left. 

The fun continues.   Stay tuned...

Election 2016: Just when you thought it couldn't get any DUMBER...

Two months ago, I attended a rally for one of the candidates running for President of the United States, billionaire Donald Trump.

Under the guise of it being an excuse to "spread my journalistic wings" away from the area of sports writing I ventured forth to the Oral Roberts University Mabee Center to stand in the same room with someone who might become the 45th POTUS.  

Yup.  I sure did.

You can read about it in Tulsa Today, in a piece co-written by my publisher and I, and it is a fair stab at political writing but the entire experience rang hollow with me.  Indeed, I was not moved to support Trump but I wasn't compelled to condemn him either.

To be 100% honest, I was there to see the dog and pony flea circus.

I wasn't disappointed. 

As I said earlier, this rally was in January and since then several primaries have taken place.  Unless there is a serious meltdown on the part of Mr. Trump he will be the GOP nominee.  

Seeing that this is abhorrent to many...including the very media machine I hope to be part of one day...there is a major effort to torpedo Trump on the way to the nomination.

Forgive my naivete,  but to me it's a wee bit staggering to imagine that anyone, especially a journalist or a group of journalists would suspend any commitment to truth they may have to undermine a candidate for an elected office.  Of course, I should also keep in mind that the average American is an idiot when it comes to voting and typically they are not consciously choosing someone when they vote...they are being told who to vote for.

For myself, I am not a huge fan of Trump.  I don't like him, but I don't hate him necessarily.   That alone lands you in a unique position, especially in the social media circles. 

Since mob rule is the norm on any social media outlet if you are not moving with "the herd" the predators try and pick you off like cheetahs and antelopes we saw on Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom.  The mere fact that I am not on the balls to the wall "hate train" attached to Donald Trump, that automatically makes me a supporter.

Just like I was told that I was a "closeted Republican" last time around when I was considering changing parties to Libertarian,  which was just plain stupid.  Now it is true that I don't like the presumed nominee (Hillary Clinton) on the Democrat side either and the same effect applies but with a twist.  If you say you don't like her "the herd" not only labels you a supporter of Trump but then adds misogyny and sexist to the mix to apply the obligatory shame and ridicule that comes from that side.

All of this rot makes for a much more entertaining election cycle in 2016 than anyone could have hoped for.  With the exception of the 2000 election  of course.  At the end of the day I am glad that I listened in school when I was told that elections were IMPORTANT and not to be taken lightly.

The problem us...no one else did.