As IF Times

Source: Rob Kardashian Blac Chyna: Couple Grills Together After Engagement Reveal : People.com

Since the invention of the IPhone, an entirely new industry has sprung up dedicated to supplying the public with applications (apps) that enhance the experience of phone users.  While some have been quite useful, including navigational apps, or ones that point out the location of a restaurant, gas station or massage parlor,  there have been many more apps invented for all kinds of conveniences that we never knew we needed.  For amusement, take a look here, useless apps, to take in some training wheel  samples of human ingenuity.  For those too lazy to click on the link, they include such cutting edge human experiences as a tickle app; an app that measures how long you can hold your finger on a spot and an app that simulates the draining of a beer glass as you tilt the screen are among the gems.

Notwithstanding the improvements to the human condition that these apps represent, the reality is that for most people past the age of giggling when someone mentions boobies, apps that convey newsworthy information may be among the most useful of computer and phone apps.  The whole point of having a portable communication device is to be plugged in to the social world.  Here’s an idea for some smart app developer out there: create a filter that automatically deletes or blocks any reference to the inane revelations of most pop culture from a news feed.  Let’s assume that you don’t think that the gripping adventures of the Kardashians are newsworthy, or don’t find stories of Miley, or Justin, or Ben, or Jennifer, or Snoop Dog worthy of using up your bandwidth as you read about the latest Global Warming tragedy: you should  be able to filter out these cultural gems and only read about things that aren’t intellectual pablum and which threatens to cap your IQ.

It’s not that the lovable antics of the Hollywood prodigies aren’t interesting to some; heck they are the millennials’ version of the pet rock from another time.  But the embedding of their breathless exploits into real news feeds requires that you sift through them as if you were filtering junk flyers from your regular mail delivery.  Anyone who can develop such a filter app will not only be doing a service to the news business, they will also be helping to increase the general IQ level for all.

Source: Ted Cruz on Donald Trump tweets: Who cares

All of the tabloid like headlines surrounding the battle for the Republican nomination gives a different perspective on the sanctity of the eventual office itself.

We can name numerous action movies based on the premise of protecting or rescuing the President from some terrorist or existential threat.  As the drama typically unfolds, armies of people are tasked with sacrificing their very lives if need be, to protect the safety of the President.  A literal army of people, the finest in protection armament, the cutting edge of electronic gadgetry; all are at the disposal of the Secret Service to save the President from harm.  Invariably, Morgan Freeman directs the rescue mission as if the fate of the world rests with the salvation of a politician.

And no doubt this depiction in cinema is reflective of the protocols observed in real life. This appears to make sense because the officeholder is the presumptive symbol of freedom for the entire world, not just the United States. But does it really?

Historically, leaders of nations were militarily adept and well suited to advance the fortunes of their empire.  From Genghis Khan to Julius Caesar, the empire depended on their leader’s health to preserve the integrity of the societies they ruled.  Even as recently as Winston Churchill, leaders exhibited some uniqueness of leadership, some essential irreplaceable  element that was important to the society’s survival.

Things are quite different today.  As we watch the nomination process for the potential Presidential candidate, we see that most are loathed as equally as they are loved, sometimes more so.  We see that most exhibit a stunning lack of leadership qualities and whatever moral high ground they claim is as ephemeral as the next poll. We see that the eventual winner is more likely the product of marketing, spin and bloc voting than because of any quality of leadership.  It’s about desire for the office more than the suitability. The process has become American Idol.   A survey of the candidates shows the following:

An almost septuagenarian egomaniac billionaire with the temperament of a 6 year old

A self avowed septuagenarian socialist who thinks money is like jujubes, to be given away to anyone who asks.

A preachy lawyer, who is possibly Canadian with a high dislike quotient by both parties

A professional politician who has no record of accomplishment in a lifetime of public service and whose ability to contort on every issue makes Gumby look like a piece of re-bar and who may yet be disqualified by law.

This is the cast of people, one of whom the Secret Service will be obligated to offer life and limb to keep safe after the election.  I dunno.  God forbid that any circumstance should arise when they may be called upon to extend extraordinary effort and cost to keep them safe from harm.  But as a pragmatic matter, maybe the calculus may go along these lines:  “Well he (she) wasn’t well liked anyway, he barely won the nomination and he really isn’t that special…we’ll just use the next guy.”

And that would be the end of political thriller movies involving the President.