Octagon, octopus… most words that begin with the Latin prefix “Oct” have some connection to the number eight. But what about October? While the modern calendar considers the autumn month to be the 10th of the year, it wasn’t always that way. For the ancient Romans, who created the earliest form of the calendar we use now, October was originally the eighth month.
Today’s calendar follows a 12-month cycle, though the earliest iterations only had 10 months. In ancient Rome, the year began in March and ran through December, with the first four months named for Roman deities. The next six months had more straightforward, numerical names that referenced their place in the year. The remaining weeks of winter (which would eventually become January and February) were largely ignored on paper; when the harvest season ended, so did the calendar, until the next spring planting season rolled around.
Over time, the calendar expanded by two months; January and February were added around 700 BCE, and by about the middle of the fifth century BCE, they had become the starting months of the year. When Julius Caesar introduced the Julian calendar, he didn’t adjust the number-named months to more appropriate places, though later Roman emperors tried, using names that didn’t stick. Domitian, who ruled from 81 to 96 CE, called October “Domitianus” after himself, and decades later, Commodus dubbed the month “Herculeus” after one of his own titles. Some historians believe the attempts to rename October (and the other months of the year) were widely disregarded because the leaders themselves were generally disliked, though another theory might explain it best: Like many people today, Romans of the past just weren’t fans of change.
More voices are letting us know that the election could come down to the electoral college vote, which only proves how out of touch that system is. It seems that some of the people that predict such things already think Trump will win that vote. There are only 2 states that split their votes so it would seem that if a candidate carries the state they should get the votes. Will that be the case if in a red state Harris wins the popular vote will the electors follow that or give the vote to Trump? We really have to wonder how our country and especially our elections have become such examples of dishonesty and underhandedness. It is obvious that a republican win is going to promote hostility especially if they don’t have the popular vote. It will be worse if the democrats win, then it will no doubt be fixed or illegal or stolen. Trump will always claim he won, is the better orf everyone else, smarter than, and can do more, get away with more and all that. The truth is of course, proof of his incompetence, weakness and stupidity. If there is a hereafter that man is going to pay one hell of a price. Trump might be a great snake oil salesman like PT Barnum but that does not make him a great leader or suitable to be President. We have a number of wealthy people that seem to think that being gifted enough to make money off an idea somehow bestows greatness on them. The constant battle as to who has the most money does not make them better than any other person. Quite the contrary, the man who has nothing has a better perspective on life than a rich man because the rich man never went without, so no practical experience in getting by on nothing. The wealth they have acquired might give them the idea that they are so much more important than anyone else. Just keep in mind that the rich man and the poor man have the same bodily functions, what they put in may be different, what comes out is all the same. Beyond that they all put their pants on the same way, one leg at a time.
The United States has had some strange elections over the last 230-odd years, few more so than the presidential contest of 1836 — the one and only time that the Senate picked the vice president. Like the president, veeps are chosen by the Electoral College, and that year three names were on the ballot: Richard Mentor Johnson (who received 147 electoral votes), Francis Granger (77), and John Tyler (47). Johnson was the running mate of Democrat Martin Van Buren, who emerged victorious in the presidential race with 170 electoral votes. When it came to the vice presidential race, however, the Virginia delegation became faithless electors due to Johnson’s many controversies — including the fact that he had a relationship and two children with an enslaved woman named Julia Chinn — and cast their votes elsewhere. As fate would have it, the 147 electoral votes Johnson received left him one shy of a majority.
The Senate was thus called upon to exercise one of its rarest and most important duties. On February 8, 1837, it elected the beleaguered Johnson as vice president by a party-line vote of 33 to 16. Johnson had represented Kentucky in the upper chamber for 10 years, and upon being elected expressed the self-deprecating hope that “the intelligence of the Senate will guard the country from any injury that might result from the imperfections of its presiding officer.” He spent much of his term running his tavern back in Kentucky, eventually came to be considered a liability for Van Buren, and was dropped by the Democratic Party for the reelection campaign, leaving Van Buren without an official running mate.
The outrageous comments, conspiracy theories or the most recent thing to get his name in the news is all that matters to Trump. As long as he is getting the attention he cares not what is being said, his name is on the airways. We are very close to the election and he does not need airtime or facetime, he needs to be ignored no matter what he does or what legal issue is coming his way. The things that need to get attention are winning the election with Harris and Walz, squashing any attempt to overturn the election and making sure Trump goes to jail, in that order. We can follow those things with purging the Supreme Court and purging the House and Senate. The supporters of the effort to overturn need to go and the fact that at least 3 people perjured themselves to gain a seat on the Court requires their censure and suspension. Our government has been polluted by a group of very wealthy people that are convinced that the only good things in our world are what they get to take to the bank. Manipulate laws and put easily corruptible people in positions of trust that make a point of stabbing the American people in the back for the sake of appeasing the rich. Time to turn the tables and start prosecuting those that believe they are above the law. With the election of Harris and Walz we will have people in office that are either trained and schooled in smoking out rats or they are in possession of common sense and honesty. Hopefully we can put enough of the supporting players in Congress to make ridding that body of useless near-do-wells a possibility. Democracy was purposed and adopted by the founders of our nation. They knew that every system of government has its weak points, it is a human idea so it will have flaws. Those weak points have been found and exploited by people that are interested in self not society. That brand of people includes people like Nixon, Reagan, the Bush family, Trump, and most of their appointees as well as supporters. The founders tried to make a government that was responsive to the people and it worked for many years. The weak spot was that a bill can be attached to a legislation on the final reading before passing into law, and someone did just that and our voices are no longer heard because that bill took away our voice. We need to find a way to get it back, as well as repeal laws such as Corporations are People too, and the super pack money pools. All of these things make it possible for the elitist to keep raping society for their own benefit.
Most U.S. presidents have attained some form of higher education, and there are a number of commanders in chief with law degrees, but only one received a Ph.D.: Woodrow Wilson. After beginning his undergraduate career at Davidson College in 1873, Wilson transferred to the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) and studied political philosophy and history. He next attended the University of Virginia School of Law, though he withdrew during his second year. He managed to become a lawyer anyway, but quickly grew bored and chose to pursue a Ph.D. in history and political science instead. He did so at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, completing his doctorate in 1886.
While there, he wrote a book called Congressional Government: A Study in American Politics that was published before he graduated. Wilson’s time in academia didn’t end there, however. After teaching at Bryn Mawr College and Wesleyan University, he returned to his alma mater — first as a professor, and then as the 13th president of Princeton. He served in that role from 1902 to 1910, when he launched his successful bid for governor of New Jersey, and later won the 1912 presidential election with 435 electoral votes.
Lincoln was self-educated. His formal schooling was intermittent, the aggregate of which may have amounted to less than twelve months. He never attended college, but Lincoln retained a lifelong interest in learning.
This just proves that education doesn’t make you, character and effort do .
It is truly amazing that the man who can be managed with flattery is saying that his opponent will be an easy mark for foreign leaders. He gets along just fine with those that know how to blow smoke up his ass but the ones that don’t are considered unworthy of support from the United States. This is just one of several reasons why we do not need 4 more years of Donny dumb ass. The autocrats have his number and they can play him like no one’s business. And if they can’t woo him that way they can always buy him as everything is up for sale. His integrity, not that he had any, his honor, or lack thereof, and what else his wife, his daughter perhaps his own ass. All that and our entire nation is for sale when he is on deck. He has no morals or conscience when it comes to money, that is first. The other major issue of the day was the debate that pitted a college educated snake oil salesman to go against a man of moral principle. The number of questions asked that did not get answered by Vance was ridiculous. All it took was yes or no and he could not, or would not provide an answer. He spent the debate blaming immigrants and making false statements about every other topic that was presented. Gov Walz could answer the questions asked of him, provided verifiable information on all the subjects that countered everything Vance claimed. Honesty can be presented by someone that is not well versed at debating or talking to large groups and will still win as truth is truth. Another prime reason we do not need another session of Donny dumb ass. With a VP that is complacent in the lies and willing to sacrifice honor to boost the ego of a sick, worn out, useless old man because he has a big mouth is pathetic. Let’s move on and improve our country, not tear it apart with hate and violence.
A report said that Biden made a shocking “threat” against Trump. This is big news for no reason at all, but when the reverse is the case it is no big deal. Everyone knows that the truth and Trump don’t reside in the same room. He tells lies because his ego gives him permission to do so to make him feel better about him. The fact that the news media is so quick to pick up the lies and spread them only proves that the owners of the media, who’s voice is to be heard, are just as corrupt and power hungry as Trump. The monied segment of society feels that anything that will give them more money in their pockets is the way to go. It is a damned shame that all that wealth does no good in the world as these over indulged, self important near do wells just sit in the safe like Scrooge McDuck in the cartoon and play with the money. There does not seem to be a way to alter this problem since the laws of the land have been bastardized to assist rather than curtail this sort of behavior. Accountability in government must be reestablished. Who we elect at all levels needs to be focussed on representatives of character not hollow promises. The Supreme Court needs to be purged of the dead wood that currently resides in at least 6 of the seats. Laws like “Corporations are people too” need to be repealed. The big money pacs buying representatives needs to stop, and those that either attempt to buy and those that are tempted to sell need to be prosecuted. Treat these deals just like the law treats both parties involved in prostitution. It is the same thing. When major laws have been set at the highest levels, one must question why states choose to follow another path or go counter to that order. Most of the time, at least recently, is the fact that the states making the biggest stink are the ones that opposed the results of the last Presidential election. By the time the people sitting in the state houses are elected you would think that their maturity had developed past the point of “I did not get my way so I will hold my breath till I turn blue” stage. Give me another reason if that is not it. From the perspective of age it is time to bring representatives of youth into the business of government. They need to have abilities, not just a desire to get their name in the papers, and character to listen to, understand, and propose solutions to problems that solve those problems for the greater good. It is time to look beyond our narrow vision of what we know best and see what others have done to solve issues and if it works adopt those techniques. Other societies have overcome problems that we seem to be unable to resolve. Homelessness, public safety, care for the elderly, noise, how to live with our neighbors in confined spaces, and so many more. These societies have built all sorts of projects and still have money in the bank, we have debt and belligerent opposing forces with a better idea and no sense of compromise. We have a great system in Democracy and it has proven to be successful. The problems have arrived with the purposeful corruption to provide favor to one segment of society with total disregard for all others. It only works when we all prosper.
So now we have an idiot with an interview show that is saying that VP Harris is giving off Voodoo vibes like Obama did. This is complete and total nonsense to start with. He no doubt has a reason for this bizarre comment. It is another one of the possible excuses for why, in the upcoming election, Trump loses. It further supports the poor showing of other republican candidates because there was a spell cast on them. The real reason they don’t do well has to do with the leader of the pack as much as anything. We need no more of Trump’s crap and the lower rank and file are all missing the boat on issues among other things. When you are either showing your stupidity by sucking up to the man or hiding in the shadows so that he doesn’t taint your name are the reasons that republicans are not doing well. The ones with the sucking fetish are all on the back slope and it will not take a lot to push them off into oblivion. Another of these “men of god” is calling on high for the destruction of Harris and her campaign. If this kind of open threat was made against Trump these idiots would be losing their minds to have it investigated and someone punished for such treason. We all know the drill by now, the media does not equally cover these kinds of issues because the media has stopped being unbiased and only reports what the owner wants reported. Another example of why a monopoly is not good in any environment, one voice is all that is heard. The wealthy and elitist all feel that they should run things without them ever being held responsible for any negative issues. Socialism is a terrible thing and we want to do away with that as well as anything that may threaten our right to rule. The problem here is that socialism is what has been the main building block of society. Even the first humans learned that if they banded together they had a better chance at getting enough to eat or protecting the group from predators. The modern world is a showcase of social activity. Roads, skyscrapers, automobiles, ships and airplanes are not built by one person on their own. Someone had an idea and then found the talent to take that concept and make it real. The wealthy think they can look down on those that are of their class, but who do they call when the toilet backs up? It is not another elitist because we don’t get our hands dirty. If you think about life and how to enjoy it then you have to realize that without others providing the food on your table, the roof over your head, the light to see what you’re eating, and the plumbing to clean up after the meal, you know that social societies work. The societies that were dictated by a master group or individual may have survived but it did not advance. The master was always concerned with self or self interest and wanted all resources committed to that end. Build my castle even though you live in a mud hut. Build my pyramid and you can bask in my glory but you are still in the barest of housing. This is also true of societies run by religion. Great churches were built to glorify God and the labor force made do the best they could. That labor force is the only thing that made that structure happen, without it the religious idea man would have had nothing. Did these efforts advance mankind, for those that are religious the answer would be yes, and for others it did as well. These constructions brought about the trades that make things happen today. They not only consolidated their talents but they formed organizations to improve their positions in the grander scheme of things, and by doing so advanced society.
Had that not have happened we would still be living with candles made from fat and living in dirt huts while the master tried to stay warm in his drafty castle.
There are issues and issues that need to be discussed and broken down to highlight either the plus or minus of each. One of these is the debate over the idea that religion needs to be the driving force of society and government. So take a look at the nations that are currently run by religious leaders and the results it has on society. Most of these nations are in the middle east and they have literally draconian laws that suppress women and dominate men all to appease the whims of a religious leader that has somehow gained power. They have a controlled world, through fear, reprisal and intimidation. Women are kept literally locked up and out of the way. Their dress covers them from top to bottom allowing no recognition or vanity to show through. Prayers happen 5 to 7 times a day, stop what you are doing and pray. The interruption that are caused cannot be good for businesses. Many businesses that we know here most likely do not do so there. Ladies apparel and shoes, hair products getting your nails done. Elective cosmetic surgery such as breast enhancement. Women are not allowed to drive, get an education, vote or have a say in anything, they are but vessels to produce the next generation. Men are controlled by the prayer cycle and religious police to see that they are doing what is required. They may earn a living but since it is a class society advancement only happens for those at the top. Playing soccer or gambling seemed to be the major activities of the masses. We have people here that want to bring religious control to our society, along with a great deal of suppression of the female part of that society. Somehow they rather misinformed individuals think that this will turn everything into some utopia. The need to suppress women probably is caused by the fact that none of these guys can get a date, with the attitude that women are to bow to them is it any wonder. Looking back at history things have changed in our society as acceptance or suppression has ebbed and flowed. The 19 teens were and age of dark clothing and long dresses, and just very straightlaced. The 20’s were just the opposite with the flappers and smoking and all that jazz. Along came the 30’s and the depression and we are back to drab. The war years were a mix of glamor and uniforms. The 50’s were getting dressed up whenever possible, Father Knows Best and all that sort of thing. The 60’s brought drugs, sex and rock and roll. So we have cycled back and forth and we are at a point that is confused and confusing. Politically we are either going to hold democracy close and continue with life on a social plane or we are going to digress to a class society with the rich having the power and the rest of us being left to the scraps. The rich would like the class society and they just have to decide if they want the religion or not. If they go that way they may have to give up on the midlife crisis things like trophy wives and fancy cars, we will have to wait and see. Maybe if they let the religious leaders have those things it will make a difference. So is the democratic society that has socialist tones a bad thing. When you say that socialism takes away the ability to exploit opportunities then we must ask how is this being done. No one is held back from growth, what they are being asked to do is not be selfish about that growth. Social societies make sure everyone is treated equally and given a leg up when needed, not left of the side of the road. I do not see our society being at that point as we still have lots of marginal people around and nothing tells me that is going to change anytime soon.
So for those that feel they must throw a vengeful god into our national leadership position let me leave you with a poem. May bleeding piles possess you, And corns grown on your feet, May crabs as big as horseflies crawl on your balls and eat, And when you are old and feeble a syphilitic wreck, May your spine fall through your ass and break your f_____? neck.
Esoteric Meandering Shouting Into the Void 
You must be logged in to post a comment.