#He can get the democrats to do a lot of mundane dirty work on a) making the government run and b) protecting the interests of capitalism

[screambirdscreaming]

Ok so I'm out of the habit of rolling with these punches. But I'm quickly remembering that trump's number one game is playing insane mode "good cop, bad cop" with every other political power in the US but especially the democratic party.

He will completely change course in a moment as soon as looks like it might benefit him to do so. He will get everyone to go along on something he swears up and down he will do, and then at the last minute flip to playing his own devil's advocate. He will do all of this at the exact same level of uncompromising forward momentum.

It makes it really hard to tell which things he yells about will actually happen. Which is frustrating and stressful and makes it hard to organize and keep up resistance. This is part of the point, presumably.

It also makes it so sometimes he seems to pull off bizarre tactical maneuvers, or apparently outwit his political opponents. In retrospect once you get past the immediate confusion, it usually looks less like a grand plan, and more like turning on a dime to catch any short-term advantage.

It does mean he doesn't make much forward progress on any coherent political goals, as measured or understood by anyone else. Including, and this is the small silver lining, any of his hangers-on and coattail-riders, many of whom have much more coherent and terrifying political platforms.

Trump himself seems to be motivated by power, attention, and outrage. He is good at doing damage, which counts as power. Many people try to take advantage of this damage blast to their more specific nasty ends, which he is generally on board with. The silver lining, again, is that he turns on most of them at some point, when he sees any benefit in doing so. This isn't much of a comfort to anyone caught up in the damage that does get caused.

Last time, I had to learn not to follow his moves too closely, because that just led to getting caught up in the whirlwind and being stressed and confused. Pick some issues that are your battles and focus on what needs to be done there. When the damage blast is aimed at you, push back on it. When he turns on a dime in some bizarre and flashy way, don't overthink it. Just keep your eyes on what you're trying to get done.

Again, many of his hangers-on have agendas that are terrifying and bear watching closely. But don't get caught up in the shitshow hurricane.

[cksmart-world]

The Completely Unnecessary News Analysis

by Christopher Smart

April 16, 2019

SAN JUAN COUNTY BANS TOFU & GAME OF THRONES REDUX

OK, who does environmental activist Rose Chilcoat think she is suing San Juan County just because she and her husband, Mark Franklin, were charged with felonies for attempting to kill cattle while hiking in Bears Ears National Monument. Here's the deal: White people in San Juan County — descendants of Mormon settlers — don't like outsiders, especially communist environmentalists who want to protect lands for everybody. In reality, they're just a bunch of cattle haters who eat tofu burgers. Lookit, San Juan County was first inhabited by Mormon settlers — if you don't count the preceding millennium and Native Americans. And everyone else can just keep the hell out or risk  indictment for their Obama bumper stickers. Local hero Phil Lyman has seen first-hand what tourists, the government and Indians can do. First they threw him in jail for leading a rebellious motorized parade on sensitive lands. Then they stole the county commission and filled it with Navajos. There is only one way to deal with all this bullpucky — cut the county in half and give the bad part to Indians, tourists and those people in Washington who want to make everything a national monument. Otherwise the place will turn into another Moab with Californians who pierce their nostrils, drink Frappuccino and vote for Democrats.

Game of Thrones Redux

OK, it's the 8th season of Game of Thrones and as you will recall, Samwell Tarly is now in Winterfell. But before we go any further, put on your Game of Thrones costume so you can really get into it, kinda like Rocky Horror without the fruit throwing. OK, so Tarly meets up with Bran, the Three-Eyed Raven Stark, and they time-travel to the Citadel. Here, it gets better than Entertainment Tonight, because it turns out that Snow's real parents are Rhaegar Targaryen — who happens to be Daenery's brother — and Lyanna Stark, who is Ned's sister. We know Wilson, it gets awfully confusing, like trying to keep track of interbreeding between lobbyists and Utah legislators. But one thing is for sure in Winterfell: Hot Pie is still making hot pies. It's always good to have constants, like Republicans and tax cuts for the rich. Meanwhile, the Stark sisters outsmart Littlefinger, while Gendry, the blacksmith, makes dragonglass weapons to fight the White Walkers. It's a lot like Wikileaks and the Russians conspiring to turn Bernie voters against Hillary. Fun if you're a Stark sister or a Hillary-hater. Not so much, if you're Euron Greyjoy and find out Cersei lied about her pregnancy or if you're a muslim congresswoman blamed for 9-11.

Farewell To Privacy

Did you know that Alexa listens to all your conversations. Of course, it's great to say, “Alexa, put on LadY Gaga,” when you're changing a diaper or throwing pottery clay. But it turns out that Alexa is listening to your every word. According to Bloomberg, Amazon employs a global team that transcribes the voice commands into audio clips of everything from the “mundane” to “possible criminal activity, including potential sex assaults.” The so-called mundane things could range from arguing with your spouse about in-laws to foreplay with your neighbor after a couple glasses of wine. Better be careful when you do your taxes. We've willingly invited Big Sister right into our bedrooms. Critics of Artificial Intelligence (AI) fear the worst Orwellian outcomes — as sinister as Stalin's thought-police or the Republican National Committee's loyalty oaths. This, apparently, is of little concern to younger folks, who think nothing of posting nude selfies on Instagram — until they go viral. (Oh, I feel so violated.) And some Facebookers post the most personal trials and tribulations with little thought to a global audience. It's not only the Russians who are watching. Forget the Fourth Amendment, privacy is on the way out. Hey Alexa, phone up that naughty chat line — but don't tell Wikileaks.

Treason Is In The Air

Chris Stewart, our dogged investigator of a congressman was right all along. There was spying. And it wasn't just any spying, it was dirty, damn treasonous spying. That's right. Attorney General William Barr confirmed to a Senate subcommittee “that spying did occur.” He didn't say who exactly did the spying, but whoever it was, it's downright dastardly. Well, let's see, it couldn't have been the FBI, because the Department of Justice inspector general already investigated those allegations, including claims by Donald Trump that Kenyan Barack Obama wiretapped Trump Tower. But our Chris Stewart knows what's going on — you can't fool him. Along with his colleague, Devin Nunes — who sued Twitter over a cow meme — Stewart sleuthed out the real truth: And it's treason. The investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election was just a cover for an attempt to overthrow Trump by evil-doers. It was a Coup de Ville — or whatever. There are treasonous evil-doers lurking as sure as Joseph McCarthy sniffed out all them Hollywood commie pinkos in his Un-American Activities purge. And Barr will get them. But even if he doesn't, President Trump and Sean Hannity will love him for his efforts. Unseen treasonous enemies are the best kind.

Post Script — This has been another great week for President Trump. He threatened to send detained immigrants to sanctuary cities as payback to those stinkin' liberals. It's a better bluff than his promise to close the southern border. Some will say he's a sinister, lying, crazed maniac and poor excuse for a human being. That aside, he's a great bluffer. Mayors from San Francisco to Boston are in a dither. Haha. Trump's base just loves it. And as they say on the shopping channel, That's not all: The president's re-tweet of Congresswoman Ilan Omar superimposed over the Twin Towers falling on 9-11 has put her life in danger. One man already has been arrested for threatening to put a bullet in her brain. What a stroke of genius from the guy in the Oval Office. When you're good, you're good.

Well, that's it for another rock-'em sock-'em week here at Smart Bomb, where the staff also has been busy getting ready for swimsuit season. We've been working on a cleans of onion juice, prune juice and Maker's Mark. We got a pilates book and went to the sauna and we broke down and bought some TRUMP-brand spray-on tan. Of course, Wilson and the band are sitting the whole thing out. Their idea of a fun beach day is lounging under the cabana with a cooler of Dos Equis while inhaling smoke from burning herbs. OK, Wilson, wake up the band and put us in the mood: Sunshine came softly through my window today / Could've tripped out easy but I've changed my ways... / We stood on a beach at sunset, do you remember when? / I know a beach where, baby, it never ends...

[sirius-whoisleft]

full natal birth chart // Sirius Orion Black III

Sun in Scorpio

The Sun represents vitality, a sense of individuality and outward-shining creative energy.

Scorpios are known for their intensity. They are determined folk that absolutely throw themselves into whatever they do -- but getting them to commit to something is rarely an easy task. In fact, it's better not to even try to "get them" to do anything. Solar Scorpios absolutely have their own mind. And, their primary motivation is unlikely to be prestige (like their Capricorn friends), or even authority (Leos can have that, too)--it's real power. Their power can absolutely be of the "behind the scenes" variety, just as long as they have it. To others, Scorpios seem to have plenty of willpower. They probably do. Scorpios do know what they want, and they won't go out and grab it at the wrong moment. They simply sit back, watch (quite expertly), and then get it only when the moment is just right. This apparent patience is simply their powerful skills at strategy at work. Scorpio isn't afraid of getting their hands (their bodies, their minds) dirty. The darker side of life intrigues them, and they're always ready to investigate. Scorpios simply never give up. They have tremendous staying power. They're not in the slightest intimidated by anybody or anything. Confrontations are not a problem. In fact, talk to any Scorpio about their lives, and you'll probably be in awe at all they've gone through. Trauma seems to follow them wherever they go. When Scorpio learns optimism, instead of expecting the worst, they'll find that they possess amazing regenerative powers -- the power to heal, create, and transform. 

Short description:

Physical energy and courage. 

Strong passions. 

Regeneration and improvement. 

Strong sexual powers.

Suspicious

Defiant

Extremist

Vindictive.

Sun in IV

You invest much of your pride and energy into your personal and private life, your home, and your family. Privacy is important to you. You are naturally protective of your family, including your heritage, and of your personal life. Avoid being defensive as you work to build a secure foundation for yourself and the people you love.

293 Conjunction Sun - Neptune

There is an unmistakably dreamy, inspired, and sensitive side to you. A marked appreciation for music and the arts is present. The connection of Neptune with the Sun, which represents the ego and the will, certainly softens some of the hard edges that might be found elsewhere in the chart, adding a sensitive and spiritual dimension to your personality. You are naturally compassionate. It is so completely natural for you to accept that there is more to the world than what is before your eyes, that you tend to presume everyone must be spiritually-inclined. Of course, you come to realize that this is not the case at some early point in your life. Your attraction to spirituality and metaphysical subjects is usually marked. These aspects favor writers, artists, and musicians. You are sensitive to those who are suffering, although you are not usually taken advantage of. You are humanitarian and may have a special connection with animals. If other aspects and positions in the chart support it, you are not one to dominate others or assert yourself to the point of brashness. You have a fertile imagination, are full of inspiration, and very emotional - all qualities that you may use on the professional level.

4 Sextile Sun - Pluto

You have much sexual vitality and passion. It is easy and natural for you to find a passion and pursue it, and to focus on a goal. You are not much scared of anything. You enjoy and embrace growth, especially of the psychological kind. You love a good mystery, and you are adept at solving it.You readily assign meaning to what others might consider "ordinary" events. You look for symbols, and read between the lines in most any situation. The physical vitality is generally strong, and the body is usually able to heal quickly. You are not afraid to get your hands dirty, and you are usually quick to help others--not only with mundane tasks, but also on a spiritual or psychological level. Your insight is sharp and sometimes awe-inspiring. You are perceptive and not easily rattled or surprised in life. You are not a do-gooder nor are you a law-breaker. However, you are not afraid of the "dark side" of human nature, and you will bend the rules from time to time if you feel the need to do so. You take particular pleasure in growth and life's lessons. You are not fond of superficiality, and are generally the first to spot pretense of any kind. You are passionate and can be intense. You have a hunger to experience more than just an "ordinary" life, and you can be quite ambitious. Some people with this aspect are perfectionists, demanding much from themselves and reasonable amounts of effort and honesty from others.

-61 Square Sun - Ascendant

He can face conflicts in life due to a projection of character that doesn't match what is on the inside. Misrepresentation of the self is frequent. He must strive to understand how others perceive him and work on presenting a more accurate persona to the world, or he will rub people the wrong way or feel unrecognized and misunderstood.

Moon in Sagittarius

The Moon represents the emotional responses, unconscious pre-destination, and the self-image.

More than anything, Lunar Sagittarians have a need for personal freedom and space. They are extraordinarily happy and easygoing folk, as long as they don't feel caged in or cooped up. Lunar Sagittarians have a simultaneous need for activity. Meeting new people, going out in the world, and travel are all important to their sense of well-being. They love open spaces, and, in their homes, a roomy and bright environment. There's a bit of a teacher in Moon in Sagittarius, and definitely a helpful spirit. They easily forget appointments and the like, and some are even considered irresponsible. However, it is hard to stay angry at a Lunar Sagittarian.

When the going gets tough, these people run away. They don't like to be caught up in routine for too long, and they simply need to escape. There's a blind faith in Lunar Sagittarians that is admirable. They simply believe that everything will work out. Not much for making detailed plans, people with Moon in Sagittarius prefer to wing it. They're very adaptable and generally on the go.

Short description:

Likes to throw himself into the unknown and into adventure.

Agile, tough and enthusiastic. 

Attracted to long voyages, to discover the unknown. 

Takes great risks in throwing himself into the unknown and into adventure. 

Audacious, bold and rebellious. 

Unable to stay in one place.

Is always ready to risk everything to achieve his goal.

Moon in V

He likes pleasures, distractions of all sorts. Emotional life is rich. He loves children, and will have a lot. He will be self-taught.

You love to share emotional experiences with loved ones and have a flair for the dramatic. Love affairs are magnetic and intense, and you don't take them lightly by any means, although you may go through much change with regard to your romances. You are attached to children, whether they're your own or not. Your creative hobbies are subject to relatively frequent changes, and you have innate artistic talent. You have a vivid imagination and are given to daydreaming often. There is a sense that you are always in touch, or trying to get in touch, with your inner child. If the Moon is challenged, you may have problems with impulsive shopping or gambling, or with frequent love affairs that never fully satisfy you. In any of these cases, you are more attached to the game than the player, and this is something to work on if you are looking to find true fulfillment. You might take risks just for the fun of it, but in the process, you are being irresponsible to others and to yourself.

Mercury in Sagittarius

Enthusiastic, humorous, and sometimes moralistic. He has strong opinions, and often shares them! Democrat, philosopher, tolerant. Interested in foreign places and learning more languages. Believes that everything teaches you something.

Mercury in V

Taste for intellectual games, sports that require skill and finesse. He is very curious about everything, even in love. He likes children.

You tend to use your voice, whether written or spoken, as a means of creative self-expression. You can be witty and humorous, an engaging communicator, and a fun friend. You love playing games, especially ones that employ your intellect. You love tricks, jokes, plays on words, and mimicry. You might be skilled at impersonations. Some of you could be clever at lying. You might have a tendency to promise more than you can deliver, or overstate your case. In some way, you are very entertaining with the spoken and/or written word. Communication and intellectual rapport is most attractive to you when it comes to romance. In some cases, this can indicate more than one lover at once. Curiosity can be a strong motivator for making social and romantic contact. You might also take much pride in your children's intellectual abilities and talents. You would make a good teacher, as you are very curious about how people learn and can come up with many ideas that allow you to teach others creatively.

-45 Square Mercury - Pluto

He may be impatient. He likes contradiction. His arguments are noisy and animated.

You are very incisive and aggressive with your opinions. You have a tendency towards fanaticism and often want to impose your ideas on others, sometimes in a subtle manner and sometimes more imperatively. You will find yourself attracted by the occult and other mysteries but it is recommended that you avoid those subjects because they can generate certain fixations or obsessiveness. You must learn to control your impatience and impulsiveness, to think things over before speaking, and to respect the weaknesses of others.

Mars in Scorpio

Mars represents the desire for action and physical energy.

Mars in Scorpio natives love to challenge themselves to do the impossible. They throw themselves into what they decide to do with concentrated energy and awesome willpower. These people make formidable opponents, although often quietly so. They keep their cool and their equilibrium on the surface. Below the surface may be another story, and they are unlikely to easily let you in. Mars in Scorpio has the potential to exploit others--these people see through others, and rely heavily on their gut feelings. The sexual stamina of this position is thought to be the strongest of all the positions of Mars. Sometimes, Mars in Scorpio people are attracted to taboos, and their fantasies may involve blowing the taboos to smithereens! They enjoy scenarios in which the "other" is giving in to them, wants them completely, and will do absolutely anything for them. And, their sexual appeal is strong enough that they generally do get what they want.

They find it difficult to share their partners, though they will likely never admit this. In stark contrast to Mars in Libra, who is most comfortable with the middle ground, Mars in Scorpio has a black-or-white philosophy of life. These are the people who say, "Just choose!" They really are not comfortable with compromise--what kind of satisfaction could you possibly get from compromise? Real living, to Mars in Scorpio, is all about accepting challenges and making changes. These people constantly test themselves, and, often, others. They make all kinds of rules and goals, just for the personal satisfaction that comes from achieving or mastering them. Their survival instincts are strong, and they embrace their own animal nature when they are all alone with themselves, without guilt.

These people have a provocative quality to them. This quality is usually most evident in youth, though it is often carried over into adulthood in more subtle, controlled ways. Mars in Scorpio natives who have low self-esteem can become mighty twisted. Instead of beating themselves up, they turn self-loathing outward, and end up manipulating others and feeling resentful. While Mars in Libra is constantly striving to bring fairness to the world, Mars in Scorpio knows that life simply isn't fair.

Mars in IV

Quick decisions, he has a lot of things on his plate and wants to climb the social ladder. He will succeed through phenomenal work-rate. Stormy family life, where his aggressiveness shows itself.

367 Conjunction Mars - Neptune

His feelings are dominated by wisdom and geared towards the ideal. He likes water, sea voyages. He likes odd people.

-78 Square Mars - Ascendant

He is quarrelsome, critical and violent. His success is obtained by dubious means.

Jupiter in Sagittarius

Jupiter represents expansion and grace.

He attracts the most good fortune when he is open-handed and generous, tolerant, and practices what he preaches. Can be inspirational, and find success in travel, education, teaching, sports, publishing, and foreign cultures. Very philosophical, forward-looking, and enthusiastic. Has strong morals. Strongly values freedom of movement and expression.

Jupiter in V

He likes games and distractions. He has passion which lights up his days. He is lucky in love, but also professionally, with pleasant working conditions and duties. He loves his children and gets much enjoyment from them.

-90 Square Jupiter - Pluto

He might be tempted to exploit others. He is rarely satisfied with his achievements unless they are big. He is an opportunist. He likes meeting friends, around a good meal and in a cordial atmosphere. He is pleasant, jovial and engaging.

Uranus in Leo

Uranus represents individual liberty, egoistic liberty.

He is self-contained, resolute, tenacious. Likes freedom of action and independence. He is above all independent and original. Sometimes blunt and irritable. Never lets himself be influenced. He does not tolerate any sort of setback. He is ready for adventure, even though it's risky.

Uranus in the first house alters the way an individual projects personal energies onto others. You are likely to seek, nay demand, freedom in the way you present yourself to the world. Dressing simply but quirkily, you will have no problems in asserting yourself. You are not shy in letting everyone know where you stand on issues. In fact you take pride in presenting your unique perspective. "I am a simple soul with few wants and needs," is what you tell yourself. All you can feel is an altruistic desire to change the world! Friends and relatives probably find you a trifle erratic. They know you to be good-hearted and genuine about your feelings. Your passions rise fast and you lose interest at the same rate.

Neptune in Scorpio

Neptune represents transcendental liberty, non-egoistic liberty.

Willing to look beyond the superficial. He succeeds thanks to brilliant and unusual ideas. He is very much influenced by his mother. He is very easily influenced and fragile. He suffers disappointments.

Ascendant in Leo

House I is the area of self identity. The ascendant is a symbol of how one acts in life. It is the image of the personality as seen by others, and the attitude that one has towards life.

Leo rising people cannot help but be noticed. They radiate a special energy and magnetism that gets others' attention. Sometimes it's because they are loud people who pay a lot of attention to their personal appearance (especially their hair!); other times it's due to a regal manner that simply demands interest from others. Leo Ascendant people are very self-aware and body-conscious. They are acutely aware of others, and how they come across. In fact, these people are especially aware of their personal "backdrop"--they consider what the people they're with, and the environments they are in, do to their own image. Often, Leo rising natives feel as if they are on stage, even in the privacy of their own homes! They are given to rash decisions, temper tantrums, and excesses. However, they have plenty of staying power, drive, and their idealism keeps them from getting into too much trouble. The desire to oversee the goings-on in their circle can sometimes amount to bossiness. If this desire doesn't go too far, however, it can just mean a person who wants to make sure the people they love are all right. Many Leo rising people are managers, either by profession or character.

The tendency to overestimate things, and themselves, is generally present. This is due to a natural enthusiasm and optimism about any new undertaking. Sometimes, they are walking commercials. In fact, Leo rising people make excellent promoters. Leo rising people are generally demonstrative, and given to grand gestures. Drama comes naturally to these natives. In fact, some are so caught up in fiction, they're a little blind to fact. They have an unusual need to be admired. Leo Ascendants often have a strong physical constitution. They pay special attention to their personal appearance and mannerisms. Usually, they choose clothing and hairstyles that are youthful. Their manner is authoritarian and strong. Very full emotional life.

No matter their age in real-world terms, Leo rising people are kids at heart. They are fun-loving and warm; generous and spirited. Just how magnanimous and outgoing a Leo rising individual is will be modified by the placement of the Sun by sign and house. This is because the ruling planet of a Leo Ascendant is the Sun. For example, a Leo rising person with Sun in Virgo may not come across as strongly as a Leo rising person with Sun in Aries. No matter the placement of the Sun, however, Leo rising natives are quite self-aware and optimistic. They have a natural flair for presentation, an eye for quality, and a hard-to-resist warmth of style. They want to make things happen, and create a stir.

House II in Leo

House II is the area of material security and values. It rules money and personal finances, sense of self-worth and basic values, personal possessions.

Financial success will be very easy thanks to the support of influential people. Tendency to spend more than what is earned. Financial progress is slow but steady. Generous with loved ones and children. Sign and house placement of the Sun may show money-making channels.

House III in Virgo

House III is the area of social and intellectual learning.

He pulls everything to pieces, analyzes, criticizes. Over-thinking and over-analyzing is probable. A busy early environment. He is proactive, tends to details and takes care of things in an efficient manner. Doesn't take on anything without examining the pros and the cons. He is very careful, sometimes to a manic extent, taking everything into account even to the slightest detail.

House V in Scorpio

House V is the area of creative self-expression, romance, entertainment, children, and gambling.

Gets blinded by and drunk with love: everything revolves around his love. His passions are angry, exclusive and domestic quarrels are in prospect as a result. Fertile love life.

House VIII in Aquarius

House VIII is the area of emotional security and of security of the soul.

An unexpected inheritance.

House X in Aries

House X is the area of material action. The Mid-heaven represents the work one will do in his life, the place one will take in the world of society. It becomes more important as one grows older

All the leadership qualities are there: authority, energy, initiative, leadership, lots of gung-ho and of course intelligence.

House XI in Taurus

House XI is the area of search for social and intellectual security.

Likes to be surrounded by frank and good-hearted friends. These friendships don't stand on ceremony. Carries out everything he undertakes surely, composedly, calmly until successful.

House XII in Cancer

House XII is the area of education and of emotion.

Problems will only come from the family.