(Note for new subscribers: On Monday, I recap some of the positive stories/funny memes I’ve come across in the last week. Please add your own in the comments!)
Screamers, I’ve got good news and I’ve got bad news. The good news is you’ve made it to another Monday. The bad news is now you’re faced with another Monday…..
Let’s get things kicked off with a puppy playing soccer with a turtle………
Turning to the world of politics, Robert Kennedy Jr. announced his INDEPENDENT candidacy for President today in Philadelphia. This move was hardly unexpected, as the Democratic party has basically frozen Kennedy out and promised more of the same. On the other hand, Kennedy leaving the Democrats could be a powerful message to the party’s voters that the ‘leaders’ are out-of-touch with the needs of ‘regular’ Americans. (This was a common theme throughout Kennedy’s speech.)
After brief remarks by (newly minted right-winger) Dennis Kucinich and others — often with the crowd chanting “Bobby, Bobby” — RFK Jr. finally took the stage. Kennedy first spoke of corruption in government, the fact people can’t pay their bills, and the very real danger that government could direct the anger of Americans back toward the American people instead of at the corrupt government.
Sounding at times like a left-leaning Ron Paul, Kennedy talked about meeting scores of people across America, some sleeping in their cars and getting healthcare out of the back of a bus. RFK Jr. acknowledged that America is in a dark place right now, bouncing between despair and rage against a system rigged for the ‘elites.’ Despite that, Kennedy sees high levels of optimism surrounding his campaign this year.
It’s at that point that Kennedy declares himself an independent candidate for president. He declares independence from corporations that have bought our government, and from the mercenary media that fortifies the hate narrative. Independence from cynical elites who betray us and divide us, as well as from the two political parties and the corrupt interests that dominate the entire system. (I won’t lie, this section was some pretty solid speechcraft.)
Kennedy then declares is own independence from the Democrats and all other parties — not a decision made lightly, given his family’s rich history with Democrats. RFK Jr. sees Biden and Trump (who both suck, he says) as the predictable result of two-party politics. (Later, Kennedy mentions George Washington’s prescient warning about political parties.)
The argument, stripped to it’s core, is this: If you think you’re Team Good, you’ll do anything to defeat Team Evil — but that makes you Team Evil!
Renewal begins when we treat one another with respect, states Kennedy. Then we can break this hate-filled paradigm, ask questions, and discover solutions — RFK Jr. uses the border as an example of his own personal growth.
Kennedy stresses that we must talk to people we disagree with, because that’s how we learn — and that we must do this for every issue. Kennedy notes there are all types of people in his campaign, and they can disagree and be respectful - nobody has monopoly on wisdom.
(Note: This sounds a whole lot like “Freedom brings people together.”)
Kennedy reflects about how Democrats used to be against censorship, corporate influence and endless war — but no longer. (I make this point ALL THE TIME!) He notes that the “old” divisions don’t make sense any longer, but we still group ourselves around them. One of the reasons Kennedy’s optimistic is that’s changing - today more than half of Americans don’t identify with any party.
RFK Jr. then rails against the Uniparty that’s leading us over the cliff, stating that at the bottom of that cliff is the destruction of our country. But since both parties comprise the Uniparty, they’re both for endless wars and other policies that erode the middle class. When both major parties are corrupt, the whole system is corrupt, Kennedy states.
RFK Jr. proceeds to explain that independent candidates won’t have to deal with the bought-off……….everybody………so he can attack all those things while working with the good people in both parties. (Doubtful but hopeful.) RFK Jr. notes that while every candidate promises to unite, they can’t because of the system — they’re instead forced to “pick a side.” Kennedy believes that only independent candidates can unite the American people — the paralysis of the two-party system ends up just kicking the can down the road.
Kennedy concludes his speech by pointing out that this American hatred is orchestrated (by corrupt, bought-off media that’s already saying he has no chance), and that people must unite and “go over the castle walls” together.
The Democrats are frightened that I’m gonna spoil the election for President Biden, and the Republicans are frightened that I’m gonna spoil it for President Trump.
The truth is, they’re both right.
Watch the full speech below:
Footage of Democrats and Republicans trying to get along to support Kennedy:
Every pawsitive Monday post needs a little emotion, and today’s onion-cutting story of the day comes by way of The Dodo. Meet Scooby……..
Romeo & Juliet — Feline Edition:
Monday is also the perfect day for a ScreamUp Update! Substack star Chris Bray is in (location TBD - I think he’s in California?), and the number of meetup areas continues to grow! Check out the update map below:
I’ve set up a Discord channel with sub-channels for each “major” city covered by the meetups, so hop on today and help coordinate your event! (Cities so far include Austin, Charleston, Cincinnati, Detroit, Eerie, Houston, Kansas City, Minneapolis, New York City, Portland, San Francisco, Santa Fe, Scranton, Seattle, Spokane, Tampa, Tucson, and Washington DC. If you’re part of another group, please let me know what you want me to name your subchannel!)
If you would rather be looped in via e-mail, shoot me a message at simulationcommander@protonmail.com and I’ll get you on the correct list. (Note: I’m sending out a mail to the Santa Fe group today, so if you want to get in on that but aren’t on the list yet, let me know soon!)
Looking forward to meeting fellow Screamers and also getting pictures of other events around the country!
When you’re subbing in for a co-worker and need to look menacing:
Kitty is a huge fan of ‘building the wall’ in doggy daycare:
This video is actually kind of old, but was mis-saved into my ‘stories’ folder instead of my ‘happy’ folder. Apologies if you’ve seen it by now, but enjoy if you haven’t! (Or if you have!)
Finally, I want to thank everybody who pulled the trigger on a paid subscription after Saturday’s post, the support and the notes of encouragement are extremely humbling — and motivating. I can’t wait to get back to Screaming!
(Related note, apologies for not putting out an article yesterday. My wallet went missing and I was forced to deal with the repercussions of that. The story will run tomorrow instead — and you don’t want to miss it.)
Ack! With the addition of the Kennedy section, this is running long — I’m gonna shut up now! What made YOU smile this week, Screamers?
If you like what you read, buy me a coffee on Ko-fi — no subscription required!
Still reading and catching up, but...
So...Scalise. Good? Bad?
I was kinda hoping for Jordan, but only because he seemed to be the fighter McCarthy did not seem to be.
My big problem with RFK Jr. is the Climate Change crap. That's a non-starter for me. If they continue down this road of trying to slowly kill us by raising energy prices, there will be no middle class in 10 years.