Who Sold Short? Part 2

The performance of the stock market over the past few days necessitated some Conspiracy Theory. According to those who pontificated on CNBC and others, there was fear of inflation and as a result rising interest rates, that caused some losses. Then the VIX, a measure of volatility, went up indicating impending unsteadiness and future losses to come. This exacerbated trader panic which resulted in elevated sales. Also, there was great exposure to inverse VIX products on margin. In other words, traders placed bets on market stability. Brokers called in these bets and the traders that made them sold stocks in order to cover these bets (and bet is a good word for this). This resulted in the precipitous sell off of the past several days.

The Conspiracy Theory: someone perceived the over betting on the inverse VIX products. They sold short on stock, maybe Exxon. Then they waited for a small natural downturn and bought or sold underlying options of the VIX and caused it to show increasing volatility. This further panicked traders and commenced the sell off. The conspirators then collected on their short selling, as well put themselves in position to benefit as the market recovers.

The Securities and Exchange Commission should investigate incidents like this in the same way the National Football League reviews every scoring play.

There's a Rumble in Berkeley Tonight Part 2

Yesterday, as expected, a riot broke out in Berkeley, mostly due to counter protesters showing up. There were few right wingers or white supremacists or whatever present, but they abandoned the field almost as soon as the opposition arrived. The police were keeping things under control until the black bloc anarchists appeared. The so-called Antifa, trying to cloak themselves with legitimacy, would not know a real fascist if he bit them in the black clad ass. The white supremacists clowns who attend these gatherings are a cartoonish bunch. I just want to laugh when I see them on TV stomping their feet, seig heiling and screaming, “White power!” They are simply fools. The real fascists sit in boardrooms and wear suits. They do not tweet, but they quietly arrange for the senators and representatives they own to pass laws that will slowly bring about the inception of the corporate state, where only the few will have a decent living and the rest live in squalor.

Those who proclaim that hate speech is not free speech step upon the slippery slope. As the corporate state becomes reality and their lives deteriorate, they might want to justifiably protest. However, by that time the corporate state will call their free speech hate speech and the police will gladly squelch any such protest.

The Berkeley Police seem to be giving these violent anarchists a pass. I wish they would actually do something. Maybe arrest a few more and gather intelligence about them like name, address, phone number and social media information and start doing some work. I suspect this is too much to ask.

There's a Rumble in Berkeley Tonight

“...Ringside seats for the neighborhood fight.” Paraphrasing Brian Setzer, there are indeed rumbles scheduled for Berkeley and San Francisco this weekend. I suspect it will be more of the same we have seen in the Bay Area over the last decade or so. Some of the right wing persuasion are holding rallies. Well meaning people who oppose them plan to counter demonstrate, feeling that they must oppose evil when they see it. As we have seen in past demonstrations, along with peaceful, sincere protesters the anarchists or black bloc or just plain punks dressed in black show up and cause violence and property damage,  usually, without a Nazi or Klansman in sight. Now, with these groups present, the anarchists are presented with a perfect foil for their activities. Over the past couple of weeks they have been lionized on the left for protecting them from the alt right. I have come to think that the anarchists are in the pay of those opposed to the ideas peacefully expressed, because they bring discredit upon the peaceful demonstrators.

The alt right and so called anarchists are two groups itching for a fight and I suspect they are going to get one this weekend. Sincere people should keep this in mind and consider how this corrupts their message.

2013 Emmy Awards Skin-O-Meter Ratings

The Skin-O-Meter is cranked back up and the results from the 2013 Emmy Awards are in. We have devised the Skin-O-Meter in order to rate the dresses worn. It is a scale from 0 to 100, with 100 being the top rating. It is just our overall opinion but a high rating will involve copious cleavage filled out appropriately as well other skin, such as leg, display. Selected luminaries are rated. We think this is a poor year and few will earn anything near top marks.

Heidi Klum 79: This dress show an admirable figure to nice effect and some clavicle display. Otherwise?

Sophia Veraga 93: This is about as good as it gets this year. A beautiful woman and shows some really nice cleavage.

Sarah Paulson 75: Gets points for effort, but you have to fill out the dress, girl!

Danielle Brooks 93: This is the kind of cleavage display we like. She could show more, but we feel that she deserves points for filling it out appropriately.

Carrie Ann Inaba 79: Nice cleavage display, but we need more!

Jane Krakowski 78: More clavicle and it is a little busy on top and is distracting.

Jennifer Westfeldt 79: Like Inaba a nice effort, but needs to fill it out better.

Katrina Bowden 78: Great attempt again, but we do not see much.

Lisa Rinna 79: In line with most of what the season has to offer.

Kerry Washington 79: We do see some nice curves here.

Lena Dunham 72: Gets a few points for attempt, but the dress and makeup are just too weird.

Cat Deeley 50: Gets the Paltrow award for trying and not having enough. She just does not appeal very much.

Claire Danes 78: Nice attempt at cleavage, but not with enough to share.

Bridgid Coulter 82: Good looking cleavage display with enough to back it up.

Alfre Woodard 83: Nice size, but we would like to see more.

Lauren Parksekian 83: She shows us what we need to see.

Anna Faris 83: More of what we want.

Guiliana Rancic 84: Nice cleavage.

Nancy O'Dell 84: Cleavage is improving.

Shawn Robinson 84: Nice boob view.

Blue State Liberal Hubris

In the wake of the Connecticut school shootings, calls have come again for gun control. This is a show hubris by “Blue State” liberals. They must realize that the last time Democrats called for stricter gun control, the Republicans seized the issue and gained a majority in the House of Representatives. I do not think that the Republicans really represent the economic interests of most “Red Staters.” However, the Republicans were able to leverage this issue to put them into a position that allows obstruction of any progressive and needed policy, like health care. Recent news coverage estimates annual gun deaths in the United States to be between eight and thirty thousand. While tragic, I have to wonder how many more millions of lives will be lost due to inadequate health care that results from an issue, like gun control, that drives voters to the right.

ENDEAVOUR: NORTH BERKELEY FLYBY!!!Breaking News! Here are a couple of images as the Space Shuttle Endeavour does a flyby of North Berkeley! Enjoy.

Christine McKinley Strikes Out Again

On a recent episode of “Brand Meltzer's Decoded”, the crew is investigating the “Alaska Triangle,” an area delimited by the cities of Juneau, Anchorage and Barrow. Apparently there is a much higher rate of disappearance of people and aircraft in this area than in the rest of the state. This triangle contains three of the largest cities in the 49th state, Juneau, Anchorage and Fairbanks as well as the Alaska Pipeline. This is the area where the majority of travel occurs and therefore the greatest chance of disappearance. Engineer Christine McKinley and writer Buddy Levy take a bush plane ride to follow the route taken by Congressmen Nick Begich and Hale Boggs whose plane disappears in Alaska during the 1960s. McKinley notes that the plane's compass is gyrating and says that when a scientific instrument acts in an anomalous fashion, it must indicate an unusual occurrence. It is not unusual for a compass to swing back and forth after a turn. It takes a few seconds to a minute for it to settle on the new heading. The bush plane is also experiencing turbulence, which could also cause compass gyrations. It is not clear if the pilot is making a turn or if they are feeling the effects of turbulence, but Christine McKinley, claiming science assumes the mantle of fool.

2012 Academy Awards Skin-O-Meter Readings

It is now time for the 2012 Skin-O-Meter Ratings for the Academy Awards. We have devised the Skin-O-Meter in order to rate the dresses worn. It is a scale from 0 to 100, with 100 being the top rating. It is just our overall opinion but a high rating will involve copious cleavage filled out appropriately as well other skin, such as leg, display. Selected celebrities are rated. This is an historic appraisal because we have our first perfect score.

Jennifer Lopez 100: Jennifer Lopez is always on the leading edge of cleavage display. With her delightful “Wardrobe Malfunction,” she boosts the art into the stratosphere. We love J. Lo!

Angelina Jolie 82: Not much to see in the upper body area, but she gets points for flashing the gam.

Stacy Kiebler 80: She is attractive and the dress fits nicely.

Melissa McCarthy 50: Frumpy and Dumpy. As a big girl McCarthy needs to go big with cleavage. Draw the eye to your chest.

Alexandra Lamy 83: Good neckline plunge. We would like to see it filled out better.

Kelly Osbourne 72: She has a great figure and the dress shows it but, as with the Grammies, she needs to show off what she's got.

Bo Derek 82: The body still looks good and we get a hint of cleavage.

Melanie Griffith 78: Like Derek she still looks good, but we need to see some more of those famous tatas.

Natalie Portman 77: Very pretty, but as with many of these women, we see skin, but it falls short of what we need.

Sandra Bullock 77: Gets some points for bare back. Otherwise?

Penelope Cruz 78: More of the same.

Gwyneth Paltrow 78: She actually improves because for her less is more. Abandoning the plunging necklines and adopting this form fitting dress is an improvement. We love her topless in “Shakespeare in Love,” but somehow the plunges do not work for her.

Sheri Shepherd 90: Excellent cleavage and bra display. What the Red Carpet should be.

Meryl Streep 75: Goes for the plunge, but we spent the whole evening trying to see something.

Annie Mumlol 88: Her dress shows off her body well and decent chasm.

Sheila E 88: Great fit and encouraging display.

Kristen Wigg 75: Adequate attempt, but does not fill it out well.

Octavia Spencer 83: It is an attractive dress that exhibits her body so well. Like McCarthy, she is a big girl who needs to go big with cleavage. She owes it to larger women everywhere to be more of a sex symbol.

Rooney Mara 60: Takes over Paltrow's crown for non workable low neckline. We love her nude in film and think she would be better served with a skin tight, bra less look.

Michelle Williams 78: Run of the mill for the season.

Viola Davis 90: Nice color dress and we could not keep our eyes off her upper body.

Maya Rudolf 72: Magnificent shape but lacking revelation.

Jane Seymore 85: Although getting older, she shows some of the young ones how to do it.

Nancy O'Dell 88: Exhibits the Great Valley.

Mother Dolores Hart N/A: She is a nun and it would be a sin. We do appreciate that she wears the old school, imperious habit. We think nuns have lost something since they start to dress like peasant girls in the 1970s.

Corruption in Drug Testing

Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers has had his fifty game suspension for use of performance enhancing drugs overturned. Apparently, protocols for handling of samples were not followed causing MLB to void the suspension. The sample taker, Dino Laurenzi, Jr., kept Braun's specimen in his home refrigerator instead of turning it over to FedEx as required by Baseball's labor agreement. Last week, Eric Davis, co-host of The Drive on 95.7 The Game, proclaimed that Braun's test was dirty and that he got off on a technicality.

There are reasons for technicalities. Human beings are imperfect and subject to mistakes and corruption. In his column in the San Francisco Chronicle, Scott Ostler parodies the late defense attorney, Johnnie Cochran, “'If you don't ship the pee, he must go free.'”

This reference to the O.J. Simpson case was fitting. Setting aside the questions of O.J.'s guilt or innocence, it was at least demonstrated if not proved that Los Angeles Police detectives planted blood evidence around his property. A technician took a blood sample from Simpson and did not turn it in immediately. A detective took blood samples off a fence that DNA testing showed to be Simpson's. Additional testing by the defense showed that the sample contained a preservative that does not occur in the human body. A reasonable conclusion was that the detective had taken some of the blood drawn from O.J. and planted it on the fence.

The point is that Eric Davis can not say for certain that Ryan Bruan's test is dirty. The state of his test is unknown because procedures and protocols are not followed. Ryan Braun says he does not use PEDs and volunteers for a DNA test. He is saying that somehow the specimen he gives is traded for another contaminated one.

Now, what are the reasons that Mr. Laurenzi, or someone else, might substitute for Mr. Braun's specimen? Money and blackmail are the most obvious answers. It is possible that nefarious individuals are threatening innocent ballplayers with substitution of dirty tests for clean ones or offering, for a price, the substitution of clean samples for contaminated ones. Maybe the ballplayers are somehow setting up MLB by managing to substitute dirty tests for clean ones of supposedly innocent players resulting in the discrediting of the program. The players may then be able to resume using steroids without interference. Maybe MLB and certain players are in cahoots, because the steroid era was certainly beneficial for baseball. The preceding scenarios are speculation and examples and there is no implication that anyone acts improperly. It is also speculation to say that Ryan Braun's has a positive test. We just do not know.

The Hypocrit on the Gridiron

During the past football season much has been made of Tim Tebow and the practice of Tebowing, named for the player's habit of kneeling down after a touchdown or win presumably to honor Jesus. If Tim Tebow must thank God publicly for every touchdown and win, should he not also honor Him for interceptions and losses? He might pray for forgiveness, improvement or to give thanks for the lesson in humility. It is funny, but many Bible Thumpers appear as though they have never read the Bible. During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus pretty much says thou shalt not Tebow (Matt 6:5-6). Tim Tebow certainly puts one in mind of the hypocrite in the temple.

2012 Grammy Award Skin-O-Meter Readings

The Skin-O-Meter is cranked up and the results from the 2012 Grammy Awards are in. The Skin-O-Meter rates dresses worn. It is a scale from 0 to 100, with 100 being the top rating. It is just our overall opinion but a high rating involves copious cleavage filled out appropriately as well other skin, such as leg, display. We rate selected luminaries.
We expect the Grammies to be at the forefront of female skin spectacle. This year is a disappointment. Let us hope this is not a continuing trend.

Nicki Minaj 50: Come on girl. We get the rebellion with the Nun in Red and the Bishop. But bishops like to see some skin.

Adel 50: Swept the competition and appears to have some curvature. SKIN? Next time try to show off more.

Katy Perry 50: Shows nice curves, but that is all.

Rihanna 90: Beautiful woman with plunging neckline that shows great cleavage from the side.

Taylor Swift 60: Form fitting dress with open neck, but we do not see much.

Kelly Rowland 78: Shows admirable figure well and a hint of cleavage through lace.

Malin Acherman 75: Good try. If she fills it out better the score is higher.

Fergie 75: Well, at least we get to see her undies.

Flo Rida's Date 95: Cleavage popping out all over the place. This is what we like to see.

Ledisi 88: Cleavage to commendable effect.

Taraji P. Henson 87: Delightful cleavage.

Paris Hilton 58: Well meaning try, but nothing to show.

Amber Rose 78: Yellow dress is hot with charming leg split and bare shoulder.

Kelly Osbourne 78: Lovely shape fitting dress.

Anne V 80: Points for leg exhibition and plunge.

Hillary Scott 78: Shows us some leg and top is somewhat low cut.

Occupy HUNC

I got an email from a friend who told me that he is concerned about losing his job because business is so slow. Since he is in his early sixties he does not think he will work again. His plan is to retire at 62 and turn over his Social Security to a low cost senior housing program, “And just exist.” This conjures visions of 21st Century Apocalyptic Hell for me.

I know at least three other men in their late fifties to early sixties who have lost or may loose jobs. Most have had relationships end and I imagine may have to consider such an existence. Where is the revolution when you need it? Of course, there is the Occupy Wall Street et al movements. This movement, especially the Occupy Oakland division, seems to be more of a field of play for the young and anarchistic. In Oakland last weekend the Occupiers went on a rampage destroying city property, including a 100 year old architect's model of city hall. The motives of some of these protesters/rioters are questionable. If these were right wing demonstrations, ala 1930s Germany, many of the current crop would participate. One thing is clear; neither Democrats nor Republicans are really acting to solve these problems and I think more radical solutions are necessary and Occupy does not appear to be it. They have changed the tenor of the discussion, but then they blow all they have gained with scenes like last weekend.

Mychael Urban On Board

It is pleasing to hear that at least one local sports personality views coincide with Carpe HUNC. Today Mychael Urban says on 95.7 The Game that sports owners are billionaires and their purpose in sports is to finance championships (see Carpe HUNC of July 26, 2011) and that As' owner Lew “Boob” Wolff is not fulfilling this function. Too many in the media say that these teams must be run as a business, but they ignore the reality that ownership of a sports franchise, race horses, race cars, racing yachts, etc. are mostly for the massage of wealthy egos. The media must stop coddling these guys and hold their feet to the fire for lack of aggressiveness in putting a winning team on the field.
Giant's fans beware! With Tim Lincecum signing a two year deal and with no appreciable upgrade to the offense it looks like ownership is satisfied with one championship ring and may be willing to go the way of the As. If the Giants stay barely competitive, the turnstiles will keep turning for a couple of years and the owners will not have to invest in a top hitter. They may trade Lincecum next year near the deadline, dump the rest of his salary and continue to collect more money until the team finally declines. Bay area fans deserve better.

Brandon Tierney and Creeping Dodgerism

During recent thirtieth celebrations of Dwight Clark's “The Catch,” 95.7 The Game's Brandon Tierney commemorates with a replay of the sound byte of Vince Scully's television call. First of all, Tierney should play Lon Simmon's great radio call. Secondly, Tierney gives a sigh of satisfaction and makes a remark about the great Vince Scully. Scully is an icon in the broadcasting industry and it is understandable that the local announcers respect and admire him. However, they should reserve this for the broadcasters' club, because this is nothing less than Creeping Dodgerism. Even though Vince Scully is doing a network NFL playoff game, fans in the Bay Area identify him as a symbol of the Los Angeles Dodgers and, as such, the locus of all evil in the world. When the Anti-Christ appears he shall be a Dodger fan. Tierney also whines about the choking performance of Alex Rodriguez. A's fans enjoy this, except if he is playing against the Dodgers in the World Series. Some might say that local fans benefit from an outsider's view. They already have this with the Eastern SPorts Networt (ESPN) and they crave dedication in local programming. Brandon Tierney is a newcomer to the area, but he needs to be taught proper values by those around him, possibly the likes of Greg Papa or Mychael Urban. The most important of the local values someone representing Bay Area sports must champion is proper Dodger hate.

The Real Hos of Atlanta Premier

Bravo TV premiers the new season of The Real Housewives of Atlanta this week. There are a couple of recurring themes worth mentioning. First, there are two scenes of NeNe Leakes as she confronts two of her fellow Hos. Last year there is one notable showdown between NeNe and Ho Kim Zolchiak. This must earn high ratings because the producers are prepared to over do this theme from now on. NeNe's attitude is tolerable a couple of times every year, but not two times per show.
In another scene Ho Kandi Burruss shows some of her comrades around a sex shop, as she considers opening such a business. The salesman asks, “Who likes doggie style?” Ho Phaedra Parks replies, “Doesn't everyone?” The salesman shows the girls a large, contour pillow that facilitates sex in this position. Phaedra hops on and demonstrates how she might use it. We absolutely love Phaedra!
Ho NeNe's attitude is tiresome and I hope we do not see too much more of it this season. A couple of times is necessary to show her character and we have had enough. We need more of Phaedra's sexuality, always interesting and enjoyable.

Occupy THIS

Some criticize the Occupy Wall Street et al movements for not articulating demands or a platform. The movement appears content to focus outrage and gain media attention. This is necessary. The public and the powerful need to understand the problems of the 99% vs. the hegemony of the 1%. It is understandable that the leaders of this leaderless resistance are hesitant to expound on specific issues. On the local level, media reports show that the protest has degenerated into playtime for the usual suspects. There are the professional protesters trying to recapture some of their youth of the 1960s, the anarchists looking for something to break, and those who want to rant about all the evil that white males have brought upon humanity. While it may be true that white males hold most positions of power, the converse is not. Most white males do not hold important positions and many are suffering. However, this rhetoric is divisive and since the civil rights era has driven many disaffected white males to the right, lately to the Tea Party. If the Occupy movement attempts to set an agenda along with the white male ranters there will be advocates for the rights of left handed lesbians as well as exploited space aliens. No wonder Occupy wants to avoid issues.

The Autumn Wind Blows

As the autumn wind fills the sails of Al Davis for the final run home, it is time to reflect on him and his legacy. Despite the move to Los Angeles, for which we will always accord him the rank of scumbag, he practices what he preaches, “Just win, baby!” He may not be successful every time but we know that he tries. Looking across the Coliseum to the offices of the Athletics we see Lew “Boob” Wolff, whose analogous quotation must be, “Just cash Yankee checks, baby!” If they do not love him, all NFL owners must be proud of Davis for his accomplishments with the Raiders as well as commissioner of the AFL. Wolff's fellow MLB owners are shameful that they allow this loser amongst them.

The Range of Corruption in Texas

As the conclusion of the 2011 baseball season approaches and the defending American League Champion Texas Rangers appear to be returning to the playoffs, it is time to reflect on the politics and corruption that aids them in this pursuit. In his 2009 tome, “Family of Secrets: the Bush dynasty, the powerful forces that put it in the White House, and what their influence means for America,” Russ Baker details President George W. Bush's involvement with the Rangers and his efforts to effect the construction of Rangers Ballpark.
Bush and his cronies think that the working people of America owe them a financial killing, so he leads the manipulations that build the stadium. The group floats a false story that team may move to Dallas and bullies the citizens of Arlington, Texas into adding a half cent to the local sales tax to raise construction funds. The ballpark and underlying land are turned over to the team, to the enormous benefit of George W. Bush and his co-owners.
The acquisition of the land is on the cheap as part of the liquidation of the Saving and Loan scandal which President George H. W. Bush oversees. They also obtain land via eminent domain with the help of some local movers and shakers, who receive Federal appointments and/or the turning of a blind eye towards criminal activity vis-a-vis the S&L scandal.
These sordid wheelings and dealings help set up Nolan Ryan and the Rangers to make their current run. As the Oakland Athletics maneuver to build a new stadium, the citizens of Oakland and San Jose must be vigilant to the machinations of A's owner, Lew “Boob” Wolff. He is cut from the same cloth as the past ownership of the Texas Rangers.

2011 Emmy Award Skin-O-Meter Readings

The Skin-O-Meter is cranked up and the results from the 2011 Emmy Awards are in. We have devised the Skin-O-Meter in order to rate the dresses worn. It is a scale from 0 to 100, with 100 being the top rating. It is just our overall opinion but a high rating will involve copious cleavage filled out appropriately as well other skin, such as leg, display. Selected luminaries are rated.

Katie Holmes 50: Her dress shows little and no hint as to the shape of her body.

Kate Winslet 93: Nice cleavage display and shows the curves of her hips nicely. Excellent jiggle when she receives her award.

Julianna Margulies 75: No cleavage, but decent curves.

Sofia Vergara 82: No cleavage, but she is pretty and her dress shows off her figure to good effect.

Gwyneth Paltrow 55: This time she gives us some midriff, but, try as she might, there is not much to work with here.

Heidi Klum 72: She gets some points for leg display. All the fluffy stuff is a distraction and her breasts are completely covered.

Jane Lynch 80: Finally a hint of cleavage.

Nina Pobrev 85: Decent cleavage, but that stiff upper part of the dress gets in the way of our enjoyment.

Jennifer Carpenter 94: Here is what we like. A good third of her bust is exposed as well as a nice long leg.

Claire Danes 75: Same old stuff this year.

Jane Krakowski 85: Passable cleavage without too many distractions.

Heather Morris 60: She gets some points for attempts to display. But like Paltrow, so?

Martha Plimptom 92: Nice cleavage and her dress puts the rest of her curves on display.

Christina Hendricks 95: Here we go! Busty girl gives us a nice show along with a sexy slit leg.

Amber Riley 88: She is a big girl and at least give us a hint of the girls.

Padma Lakshmi 78: Beautiful woman and the dress fits nicely. Cleavage?

Loretta Devine 89: Shows what she's got and we love it.

Emily Blunt 82: Nice plunge in neckline and does a little better than Paltrow.

Connie Britton 89: Cleavage and leg! Need we say more?

Archie Panjabi 84: She gets points for her attempts at cleavage. We have to hope she bends over, though.

Kerry Washington 82: Hint of cleavage, but not really. She scores for her form fitting dress.

Melissa McCarthy 80: Hint of cleavage, but a big girl needs to go bigger.

Jessica Pare 90: Yeah, baby!

Obama's Approval Drops and America Goes to Hell

President Obama's approval ratings are below 50 percent for the first time amongst Californians. His ratings dip around the country and now this phenomenon reaches the last bastion. This does not portend well for the country. Not that Obama is doing a bang up job, he is not. Of course he is the victim of circumstances beyond his control, but that goes with the territory and he lets the Tea Party wing of the Republican party define the debate. Most Americans do not like the direction in which our country is moving. One would be a fool to think otherwise. However, real danger lurks in the future for the vast majority in this land. Americans are accustomed to the two party system and when they righteously feel the need to, “Throw the bums out,” they only have the option of lurching towards the Democratic sort of left or the Republican extreme right. The populace is set up for a lurch towards the tea partying fascists who are making the rounds of the debates. The current group of Republicans are not of the Dewey or Eisenhower ilk, they are not even of the Nixon ilk. They are to the right of Hitler! And voting for their nominee will be like Germans voting for old Adolf in 1933. At least Hitler won at least one legitimate election which is more than the right can say for George W. Bush! The United States is in bad shape now, but voting for Republicans for executive or legislative positions will drive this nation to hell and there will be no return and an end to the United States of America.