Category Archives: News & Politics

20 February 2025

Memories and the Fight Against Injustice

By Rick Ladd

I am a secular Jew. My paternal grandparents fled the pogroms in what was then called “The Ukraine,” which was part of Russia or, later, the Soviet Union. On my mother’s side, my great-grandparents escaped Eastern Europe a generation earlier.

I was born in Los Angeles, about two years after the end of World War II. While I encountered some antisemitism during my childhood, I grew up primarily in the San Fernando Valley, then a burgeoning bedroom community of L.A. For the most part, my upbringing was almost idyllic—aside from the occasional fight when a classmate called me a “kike” and threatened me. As an Ashkenazi Jew, I was Caucasian and didn’t “look” Jewish by stereotypical standards. My family belonged to a temple—a schul—where I attended Sabbath services and spent four years in Hebrew school, three days a week after public school. In 1960, I became bar mitzvah—a “man of the commandments.”

Many members of our temple had escaped persecution in Eastern Europe, including Holocaust survivors. My father worked at the Grand Central Market in downtown L.A., and I often accompanied my mother there to shop and greet him. At the market, there was a French dip shop owned by two men, Sam and Dave, who bore tattoos on their forearms—haunting reminders of their time in Nazi concentration camps. I can still see those tattoos vividly. At the same time, I can almost taste the incredible lamb sandwiches I enjoyed at their shop—a bittersweet memory, tied to both resilience and survival.

I mention this because, even now, at nearly 78 years old, a part of me is always (metaphorically) looking over my shoulder, waiting for the other shoe to drop—for antisemitism to once again take center stage and threaten what has, so far, been a fulfilling life. I suspect this unease is part of our collective cultural memory—the nagging sense that our lives could be disrupted at any moment. With the current state of affairs in the U.S., as well as in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, that feeling is far more prevalent than ever before.

It’s already happening to immigrants from Mexico and Central and South America. The twisted logic of those in power—especially at DHS and ICE—suggests they’ll soon extend their oppressive policies to African Americans and others. They’re already questioning the citizenship rights of Indigenous people, who have been here for eons, likely because they don’t want them to vote. I also fear for both of my daughters, who we adopted from the People’s Republic of China. 

We cannot afford to sit idly by as the threads of decency and democracy are unraveled before our eyes. My life, shaped by the resilience of those who came before me and shadowed by the ever-present specter of hatred, is a testament to the fragility of freedom—and to the strength required to protect it. The scars of history are not just reminders; they are warnings. If we fail to act, if we fail to resist, we risk condemning future generations to relive the very horrors we swore never to forget. It is our duty—not just as Jews, immigrants, people of color, or any marginalized group, but as human beings—to stand together and demand a better, more just world. The fight for equity and compassion is not optional; it is essential. And it begins with each of us refusing to let fear or apathy win.

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18 January 2025

You Say You Want a Revolution

By Rick Ladd

I posted the following on Threads and want to share it here as well. Nearly 60 years ago I fervently hoped to see love conquer hate. It fueled my activity in the antiwar and antiracist movement during the 60s and 70s. I am deeply disappointed to see the U.S. going backwards, yet I take some solace in the phrase “The darkest hour is just before the dawn.” Here’s what I wrote:

I was prepared, and preparing, for a revolution as far back as the late 60s. I was a young man, full of piss, vinegar, and righteous indignation over a war of aggression by my country; a war that had already claimed the life of my best friend. Through my antiwar activities I had become aware of many of the realities of the U.S. that had been hidden from me, especially rampant racism and sexism.

I’m aware many of my fellow citizens have a hard time realizing just how bad things have been in this country. Consider this, and I believe this is pretty much common knowledge: most of the land that comprises the U.S. was already inhabited when the Pilgrims arrived here. Much of the infrastructure of our country was built by slaves or indentured servants, virtually all of whom were kept in appalling living conditions. The fucking White House was built with slave labor. Meanwhile, white people were building generational wealth while systematically preventing POC from doing the same.

Ever hear of Angel Island, where we kept Chinese immigrants from 1910 to 1940? I’m sure you’ve heard of the Japanese detention camps used during WWII. My in-laws were detained at the one in Colorado (Amache) for two years. Many of my wife’s relatives lost everything during those years. The number of horrendous things done by white people to POC is disgusting and worthy of retribution, certainly of derision and disgust. So, why am I bringing all of this up?

Well, As I said, I was prepared decades ago for a revolution in this country. We have been in a class war as long as we’ve existed. However, I came to realize as a straight, white man it wasn’t up to me to decide when and how such an event should be prosecuted. I am somewhat privileged and don’t believe I have the moral authority to ask for the kinds of sacrifice such an endeavor would require.

I am, however, ready to support an effort to free the working class from their servitude to the upper class. I believe capitalism has served whatever purpose it once had (moving us away from feudalism and slavery) and needs to be replaced by, at the very least, a form of democratic socialism. I don’t believe billionaires should be allowed to exist. Having that much money is immoral and should be illegal, IMO. All to say, I’m down with any attempt to upgrade this nation, by any means necessary. I prefer it to be peaceful, but people with far too much money are making that impossible.

Things most likely have to get a lot worse; some of the wealth has trickled down to us and too many of us are either comfortable or convinced wealth and privilege are just around the corner. I don’t believe we can continue along the path we’re following, and it’s not just maga or trump. Capitalism rewards greed and avarice. Money is god! Socialism, OTOH, at least attempts to put people first. That’s what I’d like to see. Who’s on board?

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15 November 2024

Paine’s Nightmare

By Rick Ladd

We’re about to find out just how many “summer soldiers and sunshine patriots” have managed to ascend to positions of power and influence in our country.

I fear such knowledge is going to be deeply disappointing and demoralizing. I will be surprised if even half of elected Democrats rise to the occasion. I hope I’m wrong.

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29 August 2024

Trump’s a Disgrace

By Rick Ladd

Look at these fucking ghouls! Smiles and thumbs-up? This should have been a solemn occasion, not a place to yuck it up. This may be one of the most disgusting things I have ever seen.

Trump disgraces memory of the fallen at Arlington National Cemetery.
Trump’s a Pig

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24 July 2024

Steve Bannon is no Leninist

By Rick Ladd

“Lenin wanted to destroy the state and that’s my goal too,” replied Bannon. “I want to bring everything crashing down and destroy all of today’s establishment.”

~ Steve Bannon

Bannon is an idiot. Lenin was a Marxist. He believed that economies and societies evolved and that capitalism created the preconditions for socialism, which would create the preconditions for communism, which would then evolve into anarchy. Not bomb-throwing anarchy, but the “withering away of the state”.

Lenin didn’t want to”destroy the state”. Rather, he believed—as did Marx, and as do I—that humans and our economic relationships will evolve (perhaps over centuries) to the point where the coercive institutions of the state, e.g. police, prisons, perhaps even government as we’re used to, would no longer be necessary.

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels adhered to the philosophy of dialectical materialism. They knew human economies were fluid over time and predicting the march of history was a fool’s errand. After the October Revolution the Russians made a major mistake by trying to move from a feudalistic economy to a socialistic one when the necessary preconditions didn’t exist.

Unfortunately, their (and Lenin’s) blunder still haunts us.

To reiterate – Steve Bannon, like far too many in his orbit, is an idiot.

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16 July 2024

Why Are People Giving In?

By Rick Ladd

In his book, “On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons From The Twentieth Century”, the very first lesson Timothy Snyder presents us with is “Do not obey in advance”.


Yet this is precisely what the mainstream media (including MSNBC and even Comedy Central) are doing wrt the “candidacy” of Rapey McEarGotNicked. They’re cravenly removing shows that might “offend” Trumplethinskin, ostensibly in the forlorn hope that if he wins they’ll obtain or retain access to him during his admin, er reign as King of the World.

Another admonition from Snyder; “Be calm when the unthinkable arrives.” Unfortunately, if my admittedly unscientific analysis is correct, this is what far too many of us are doing on the daily. I say this because of a couple of things.


One – Facebook provides a range of reactions for posts and comments. These are “Like”, “Love”, “Care”, “Ha Ha”, “Wow”, “Sad”, and “Anger”. I see lots of people reacting to news of Mango Mussolini’s outlandish “positions” (especially Project 2025) with “Sad” rather than “Anger”. Being sad is debilitating. Being angry is energizing. It can, and should, lead to dogged determination to resist, whereas being sad leads to fear, anxiety, and panicked paralysis.

Two – On Threads which, despite being a META product like FB & IG, doesn’t provide for a range of reactions, I consistently read comments by people who are afraid or uncomfortable. Hardly any are angry at what’s going on with the Treason Weasel’s “campaign”.


What we face with the prospect of another Trump Presidency is objectively horrendous, yet many seem to be paralyzed and incapable of doing anything other than complaining and expressing their fear for the future.


Maybe I’m off base here, but I believe they are doing what Professor Snyder is admonishing us against, i.e. obeying in advance or, to put it more succinctly, giving up.


WE NEED TO DO BETTER. Only 112 days remain for us to educate and fire up the electorate, especially the large chunk of people who don’t ordinarily vote.

PS – I’m a 77-year-old, straight, cis gendered, white male who lives in SoCal, is retired, and has enough retirement income (thank you Social Security & Medicare) to squeak by almost no matter what happens. Nevertheless, I care about my fellow meat sacks and, especially, my two adopted girls. For this reason I will not obey, either in advance or afterward. There’s just too much at stake.

Hasta la victoria siempre. ¡Venceremos!

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28 April 2024

An Historical Note

By Rick Ladd

I can’t remember if I began writing and posting these diary entries on Facebook each day, or if I wrote it here on WordPress and just forgot about it. Regardless, I know I wrote these short updates of my bout with COVID-19 beginning at the very tail end of 2020. Actually, the results came in on my brother’s birthday. I was more than halfway through my 74th year on this planet and I was somewhat riddled with the dreaded comorbidities.

Since most everyone seems to have forgotten (or understandably repressed the memories of) just how difficult things were during the pandemic, I’m posting this now to memorialize my struggle with the disease.

12/24/20 at 14:37:
Out of an abundance of caution, I initiated an e-visit with Kaiser to determine if I’ve got COVID. I don’t have any of the worst symptoms, but I definitely have some of them. I’m scheduled for a test this coming Monday.

12/28/20 at 09:48:
Getting my COVID-19 test in the parking lot.

12/29/20 at 09:12:
Well … Now if someone asks if I personally know anyone who’s tested positive for COVID-19,I can answer “Yes.”

Me!

So … the illness I really didn’t want to test my immune system and my overall health on finally got me. Now I have to isolate for 10 days. I think I’ve already been through the worst over the weekend.I’m taking MucinexDM once every 12 hours, an occasional Aleve, and vitamin C. I can’t taste a damned thing and I wasn’t terribly hungry for the past four or five days; I’ve lost eight pounds in the last six days. I’m feeling good today. No fever this morning and SpO2 is staying around 95%. No congestion, hardly a cough. I know this thing can offer some surprises, so I’m monitoring myself carefully, but it looks like I won’t suffer as much as I thought I might, which is a pleasant surprise. Still, being cautious seems prudent.

12/29/20 at 20:08:
Have I mentioned I feel like shit. I have a mid-grade fever and I’m sweating under the blanket, but I get the chills if I get out. Typing this is difficult. Stomach is sour and SpO2 has dropped as low as 91%. I’m dizzy, weak, tire easily, and can’t take a deep breath without bronchial pain. Other than that, I’m feeling just peachy.

12/30/20 at 10:02:
Sitrep: As of this morning, I am feeling better. No fever, but that’s how yesterday started. SpO2 is 96. I think the low reading I got yesterday was an anomaly. I have never felt as though I was having trouble getting enough oxygen. Still taking MucinexDM every 12 hours, which seems to be working quite well as a cough suppressant and expectorant. Also taking vitamin C. Still hurts to take too deep a breath, but doesn’t cause spasmodic coughing. Kaiser and many, many people have sent me lots of instructions, many of which I will choose to ignore, because that’s the kind of asshole I am. Haven’t left the bedroom.

Bottom line. This sucks, but I don’t think it’s going to kill me. Then again, this virus has proven to be trecherous and I have waaay too many comorbidities to let my guard down. Stay safe y’all. At least try … that’s what I did.

12/31/20 at 17:31:
The battle continues. My normal temperature is 97.6. This morning it was 98.7. Since then it’s been as high as 102.5 and everywhere in-between. Currently, it’s 101.1. Linda went out and got me some vitamin D, Zinc, & NAC, all of which are said to be efficacious in combating this fucking virus. Happy God damned New Year, reprobates.

01/01/21 at 12:21:
Happy New Year everybody. Well, these last few days have been trying and difficult, to say the least. I can finally taste again; not completely but it’s getting there. I no longer have to pay as close attention to my breathing as I have for the last couple days, as my bronchial tubes are opening up and taking deep breaths is far easier than it’s been up till now.

I still have another five full days before I can even leave the bedroom really, at least without wearing a mask and worrying about what I touch. I think I see the light at the end of the tunnel, and it’s daylight, not a train coming for me. I’m very grateful.

Temperature continues to be normal. Still dizzy and weak, but a bit more aware. Onward and upward.

 01/01/21 at 15:47
Man! This virus doesn’t give up. Temp is back to 102.3° F.

01/02/21 at 10:26
OK – Health update. I can’t recall the last time I had the flu, or anything for that matter, that caused me to have a fever, so I’m not sure if what’s been happening to me is the normal progression of dealing with a virus. As noted over the past few days, I wake up feeling reasonably well, with no fever, and by mid-afternoon I’m burning up.

Last night it got up to 102.5, the highest it’s been since last weekend. I feel as though my fever broke last night. I finally had to take my t-shirt off. It was soaking wet. I put another one on and it was pretty soaked by 9pm, so I took it off as well and, for the first time since this started, I was comfortable sleeping without a t-shirt, which is how I normally sleep.I had taken two Aleve, since my fever seemed to be climbing and within about an hour it was down to 98.3, which is still nearly a degree above my normal temperature of 97.6, but a good sign.

So . . . the signs are all good, but I’ve heard too many stories of people seeming to be on the mend then, boom, they’re in the hospital being intubated. No victory lap for me yet. Eight more days of quarantine. Hopefully, by next weekend I’ll be chomping at the bit to leave the bedroom. I haven’t really cared this past week.

ADDENDUM – I should add my breathing has improved considerably. I can take pretty deep breaths without pain or the need to cough and I have no congestion at all. I almost didn’t take a MucinexDM this morning, but decided not to tempt fate.

01/02/21 at 15:58
Yesterday at almost exactly the same time, my temperature was 102.3. Just now it was 99.1. I would call that an improvement. So there.

01/03/21 at 19:12:
FYI – No news is good news.

01/04/21 at 13:14:
Update: While I believe I’m pretty much out-of-the-woods wrt the possibility of being hospitalized, recovery is clearly going to take some time. I just took a shower for the first time in a week and I almost couldn’t finish. I had to stop and rest halfway thru drying myself. This virus really takes a lot out of you. I can only imagine how much more difficult it might be for people who are really overweight. I feel so much better being clean (I was too sick to care for a week) but I’m beat from the effort.

Be careful out there, folks. There’s a far-too-large contingent of obstinate assholes whose selfishness is making it harder to avoid becoming infected.

 

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17 April 2024

Fitting

By Rick Ladd

Did you know Donald John Trump is an impressionist? Here he is, captured by a courtroom artist, doing his impression of Sleepy Joe.

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2 February 2024

How About It, Men?

By Rick Ladd

Every man who denigrates the Barbie movie should be required to watch this powerful soliloquy as many times as necessary to get it through their thick, manscaped heads that we (men, that is) need to be supportive of women’s equality (and, I might add, bodily autonomy).

Women DO hold up (more than) half the sky. Why TF wouldn’t we want them by our side, not behind us? With us, as equals.

Let’s try matriarchy for a couple thousand years, MK? It’s only fair. I, for one, would welcome it. Women deserve it, IMO.

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