Carole Simpson

Republicans Deaf and Dumb on Impeachment

Dec 6, 2019 | Congress, Republicans, Something. To. Say.

Republicans Deaf and Dumb on Impeachment

Hello Everybody. I have something to say about Republicans.

     I’m talking specifically about those elected to Congress as the people’s representatives. Could someone please tell me what turned congressional Republicans into a ragtag band of sycophants bowing and scraping to President Donald Trump?

       These Republicans were on display in all their vainglory during the House hearings into the impeachment of President Trump.  They squealed, shouted, interrupted and insulted witnesses while putting on a pitiful defense of the president. They had no facts, no evidence, just “hoax”, “witchhunt” and “scam.” If you watched the testimony and had only half a brain it would probably be clear, that our president is corrupt and should not only be impeached but kicked out of office.   

     Yet, except for Senator Mitt Romney some time ago, not one Republican in Congress has had the cojones to speak out against the President’s misconduct. Aren’t there some— one or two— Republicans who will say Trump has violated his oath of office? But they say nothing. Nothing.

            A close friend of mind says the congressional Republicans act like they are in a cult. A Trump cult. I can imagine that— like they drank the Kool-Aid and can’t and won’t, speak ill of Trump, under any circumstances.  Are they so anxious to get re-elected that they are putting party before country? God help us. I don’t think history will look kindly on the Congressional Republicans of today.

Kids Say The “Damndest” Things

Nov 21, 2019 | Racism, Something. To. Say. | 0 comments

Kids Say The “Damndest” Things

Hello Everybody.  I have something to say about kids and race.

         I love children. Lately, on Sunday nights after 60 Minutes, I watch “Kids Say the ‘Darndest ‘Things” hosted by Tiffany Haddish. It’s an update of the old  Art Linkletter show of the same name.  Cute precocious children are asked  questions and their answers can be sweet, hilarious and outrageous.

        Recently, Tiffany asked a nine-year-old boy what his ideal wife would be like.

Without hesitation, he said, “Maybe a white girl.”

        The audience gasped and then laughed. Tiffany pretended to cry and told the boy he hurt her feelings, because, as she put it, “I feel you’re telling me I don’t have a chance.”  The little boy seemed to realize that what he may have said the wrong thing, and he buried his head in his hands, while his parents cringed in the audience.

       I wondered why this little boy would specify the race of his ideal wife. He didn’t say she had to be pretty or smart or rich. She had to be white. Where did he get this? From his parents? Friends at school? The media?

       I only saw one boy on TV, but I thought about how many other young boys out there would give a similar answer? Hundreds of thousands? Probably.

       We know there is racial prejudice in America, but that today, it is still reaching down to our young children, is truly depressing. Many people like me dreamed that someday color would not matter. Unfortunately, it will always matter. Huh, I just said the damndest thing.

Until next time.

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Men Exposed

Nov 15, 2019 | Bad Behavior, Men

Men Exposed

Hello Everybody.  I have something to say about the exposure of male genitalia.

      I can’t believe that I just said that and that I’m going to talk about it.  But someone should. And since I’m a wise old woman, it may as well be me. I was reminded of the issue when Ronan Farrow’s book was released detailing the alleged sexual assaults on women by Harvey Weinstein and Matt Lauer. They both apparently exposed themselves to women.  And of course, there was former New York Congressman Anthony Weiner, who sent pictures of his manhood to women on social media.

   I have to tell you I just don’t get it. Why do men think women want to see their private parts? From all the women I know, of many ages, they would just as soon not see them. Men, even though you may think your stuff is attractive and irresistible, the average woman does not agree.

       I did some research. Yes, there are studies. They showed that men who often exhibit themselves have big egos and are proud of what they’ve got and want to show it off. They use that to exercise power and dominance over women. They tend to be sexist and disrespectful of women.

     Men, have you ever heard of a magazine for women that features images of male genitals? There aren’t any.  No market for it.  Women don’t want to see that. So, keep your stuff to yourself and in your pants zipped up, until–if you’re lucky–some woman wants the visual. But if I were you, I wouldn’t  hold my breath.

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Trumpers Are Scared People

Nov 8, 2019 | Bad Behavior, Something. To. Say., Trump | 0 comments

Trumpers Are Scared People

           Hello Everybody. I have something to say not about Trumpers but to Trumpers. And  Trumpers would be the almost 50 percent of Americans, who incredibly support Donald Trump no matter what he does. And it includes just about every Republican in Congress who do everything they can to protect Trump and keep him in office.

           What the hell is  wrong with you people? Do you read? Do you listen? Do you think, really think?  I truly don’t get it. How in the world can you support the president, who is crude, rude, corrupt, lying, vindictive, semi-literate and demented? What would he have to do to lose your loyalty?  Kill somebody? You’d probably say he or she had it coming. And Trump believes he could get away with murder. He said as much himself. Trump Is already trying to kill our democracy, and he’s killed America’s image around the world and killed whatever unity we may have had as a country.

         I’ve heard some of you interviewed. Oh, he’s improved the economy. He understands how I feel. He’s not an elite, professional politician. He’s keeping illegals out of the country. But I don’t hear any of you say you support him because he’s a racist, or because he’s a misogynist. You won’t say that. You’re scared. You don’t  want  white people over run by black and brown people and uppity women in charge. That’s why you support Trump.

         But tell me this. Is Donald Trump so great that you would want one of your children to grow up and be just like him? Think about it.  A child just like Donald Trump.

Until next time.

Too Old To Be President?

Oct 11, 2019 | 2020 Election, Ageism, Democrats, Elections, Politics, Something. To. Say. | 0 comments

Too Old To Be President?

 Hello Everybody. I have something to say about old presidential candidates.

     “Age ain’t nothing but a number,” is a song popularized by the late singer, Aaliyah.” The phrase has particular relevance today when voters are beginning to focus on the ages of the frontrunning candidates for President. It hadn’t been talked about too much, until Bernie Sanders suffered a heart attack on the campaign trail.  His image as a robust, energetic 78-year-old was shattered in 24 hours. He’s the oldest candidate. Joe Biden is 76, Elizabeth Warren is 70. And Donald Trump is 73. Never before have so many septuagenarians run for president.

        I think ageism is likely to become a factor for each of them, because we in America think old people aren’t physically or mentally capable of being president. But do you have any idea of how many sick younger men were president and had serious health problems? 

         Franklin Delano Roosevelt came down with polio at age 39 that left him paralyzed in both legs, but he hid his condition from the public.

       Dwight Eisenhower, while he was in office, suffered a heart attack, a stroke and Crohn’s Disease.

      John F. Kennedy was only 43, but he kept secret his Addison’s disease, chronic back pain and addiction to painkillers.

        (Photo) Nobody knew Ronald Reagan was unhealthy, but he had bad arthritis, and while occupying the White House he had surgery for skin cancer, prostate cancer and colon cancer. And he was shot in the chest.  He also began showing signs of Alzheimer’s at the end of his second term.

      Young or old, people have health challenges, but should that rule them out for America’s top job? Don’t we care about intelligence, open-mindedness, compassion, and honesty in candidates? I think we do. Age ain’t nothing but a number.

Until next time.

Generation Z Needs to Get Woke

Oct 8, 2019 | Something. To. Say. | 0 comments

Generation Z Needs to Get Woke

Hello Everybody.  I have something to say about Generation Z.

          On the first day of class last year, when I was still teaching college, I was shocked at how young my 60 freshmen journalism students looked. So I asked, “In what year were you all born?” One boy shouted out, “The year 2000.”   2000? I thought, oh my God. This is Generation Z, the vanguard of people born in the second millennium. They will be the largest generation in our history.

            I was thinking they don’t know anything know about American history, civics, and the economy…and the perilous times for our democracy. That’s why they were in my class. They had flunked the history and civics entrance exam which immigrants have to pass to become naturalized citizens. Our American kids failed and I had to teach them.

       Let me tell you about Generation Z. It is made up of entitled children, who grew up with time outs and iPhones, iPads, credit cards and Fortnite. They probably didn’t hear “no,” very often. And now this huge influx of young people comes barreling in, and I feel they aren’t prepared for the serious challenges the United States will face in the future.

      We older generations have a responsibility to help prepare these kids to take over the country someday. The schools can’t do it all. We need to teach them about what it takes to be a good citizen, a productive member of society, and  a good person.

              Generation Z is expected to be the smartest generation in history, but what good will that be if all they care about is me, myself and I.

Until next time.