Leaving MAGA

All the old goats sat an watched a presentation on television. Leaving MAGA is an organization trying to help cult people. It was a good presentation and help us to understand how the cult recruits people. The speaker was in the cult for seven years, and then read some real news articles. That and figuring out a couple other things about the deceit made him leave. Visit leavingmaga.org to find out for yourself some good ways to help friends out of the cult. 

The Magic Hat

The Magical Powers of a MAGA Hat

MAGA hats are like magic wands for the mind — but not in a good way. Slip one on and suddenly you can abandon logic, swallow every Trump lie without question, and proudly sign up for membership in a political cult. The transformation is instant.

The real magic, though, is not in what the hat does to the wearer, but in what it signals to everyone else. A MAGA hat is like a flashing neon sign over your head: “I’ve checked out of reality.” It tells the world you’ve traded critical thinking for blind loyalty, that you’re willing to embrace delusion as long as it comes wrapped in red fabric and stitched with Trump’s slogan.

Clothing has always been symbolic. Uniforms, badges, even simple accessories help identify people and their values. A doctor’s coat signals professionalism, a wedding ring symbolizes commitment, and a MAGA hat? It shouts ignorance, gullibility, and a willingness to be duped. It’s an advertisement that says, “I’ve stopped questioning. I believe whatever I’m told.”

Nothing in modern American politics so perfectly captures the cult-like devotion to one man as that red cap. To the rest of us living in reality, it serves as a warning sign — a reminder that some people would rather cling to fantasy than face uncomfortable truths. And perhaps the saddest part is that they think it’s a badge of honor, when in reality it’s just a billboard for foolishness.

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Have some fun, spoof a Republican

Kadizzle had to go to the pharmacy at the grocery store. For privacy the line for services is in one of the grocery aisles until your turn. Bored Kadizzle decided to do a Trump spoof. Holding his phone up as if he were talking to someone Kadizzle said all the bad things he could think of.  The who idea is to rile any Trump Hoopleheads in the line. It worked. A Trump dog stared at Kadizzle as he spoke to a woman in line about what a rat Trump is.  When Kadizzle finished his fake call the woman in front of him said she hated Trump also. This was perfect. The two of us ranted about Trump and the Hoople just stared in anger. 

OK, you can do Trump spoofs. With modern phones one half the conversation is broadcast into headphones, hearing aid or whatever. So you just hold your phone to your ear and act like you are talking to someone. You can do it at the doctors office while you wait or anywhere Trump dogs might be in ear shot. Sometimes the Trump dogs cannot hold on and will make a remark. That just makes it more fun. 

Frank the MAGA Dog

Frank the MAGA Dog

There’s a MAGA dog in town. His name is Frank. Frank has one trick, and he trots it out every time you mention Trump. If you criticize Trump, Frank barks: “You’re just full of hate!” That’s it. That’s the whole act.

Now, it’s a strange thing when you think about it. Since when did calling out corruption, lies, and creeping fascism become hateful? When patriots push back against authoritarianism, they’re not spreading hate—they’re standing guard for democracy. But in the world of MAGA dogs, barking at a tyrant equals cruelty, and wagging your tail for the strongman equals virtue.

Frank isn’t alone. There’s a whole pack of MAGA dogs who’ve been trained to confuse loyalty to one man with loyalty to the country. They can’t tell the difference between healthy criticism of a leader and mindless devotion. They’ll growl at anyone who points out that Trump tried to overthrow an election, treats truth like garbage, and stirs division like a chef stirs soup.

The irony is thick: Patriots who resist fascism are branded hateful, while those who salute lies and cheer for authoritarian rule call themselves “lovers of freedom.” MAGA dogs howl about “unity,” but only if unity means obedience.

So when Frank barks, “You’re hateful,” what he’s really saying is, “Don’t question the leader.” That’s not patriotism. That’s training.

A real patriot doesn’t roll over for a would-be dictator. A real patriot knows that dissent is not hate—it’s duty.

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Arizona Public Service Commission

Kadizzle admits it—he made a big mistake. Without crunching the numbers, and thanks to Republican policies that padded the pockets of the power companies, installing solar actually raised his electric costs. Sounds crazy, right? But here we are.

Instead of just getting gouged by APS, now we’re also paying the solar company. Every month, $108 goes straight to the solar outfit just for “renting” the panels. Meanwhile, APS still charges us for everything—even the privilege of using the sun.

Why? Because APS owns the legislature. Republican lawmakers, bought and paid for by APS lobbyists, helped craft the rules. One of their clever tricks: slapping solar customers with “grid fees,” essentially charging us for the wires and even their pencils.

And here’s the kicker—APS buys my excess solar power for 7 cents per kilowatt, then turns around and sells that same power back to me for 35 cents. They won’t pay me a dime for the use of my own roof, but they’ll happily profit from it.

Kadizzle thought solar would be freedom from the monopoly. Instead, it feels like getting scammed twice.

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Lying Hoopleheads

Old Kadizzle has developed a bit of a fixation on the Hoopleheads who spin lies online. They’re an interesting breed, but they all share some predictable traits. First, they rarely invent their own lies—they pick up a falsehood from another Hooplehead and happily pass it along like a contagious virus. Second, they hide. Many cloak themselves in fake names, as if anonymity grants them a license to slander. And of course, they adore Trump’s style of lying—distortion is their preferred art form.

When you challenge a Hooplehead to meet face-to-face and talk through the lies they’re spreading, the pattern is almost comical. The first excuse is fear—they insist they might be harmed. Kadizzle has solved that problem by offering to meet at the police station or the public library, but that offer is met with an awkward silence.

The second response comes if you bump into one on the street. Ask them about their falsehoods and they’ll flee like a spooked rabbit, only to later claim you assaulted them.

And the third favorite trick? Posting bits and pieces of a story—partial facts with no source, no context, and certainly no official documentation. It’s a Hooplehead specialty: lying by omission, distortion, and cowardice, all rolled into one tidy package.

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Is our paper in danger?

When the Watchdog Becomes the Lapdog

Our local paper, The Payson Roundup, has long been one of the few defenses against the flood of MAGA extremism in our town. Three of its writers still stand firm, calling out the dangers of Trump’s politics and the damage he’s done to truth itself.

But here’s the problem: an assistant editor—someone with real influence over what the community reads—has been caught deep in the Trump fantasy web. And when confronted, his defense was chilling. He compared Trump to a plumber: “I don’t care about his politics as long as he fixes the leak.”

This isn’t harmless indifference. It’s a dangerous moral collapse. It’s the same logic that’s been used to justify the rise of tyrants throughout history—overlooking corruption, sexual abuse, lies, and felonies simply because the leader “gets things done.” That’s how democracies rot from the inside.

When the gatekeeper of a community’s information starts excusing criminal behavior in a leader, the paper stops being a watchdog and starts becoming a lapdog. And once the press lowers its moral standards, the community soon follows.

The moment we normalize “the ends justify the means,” we’ve already surrendered the soul of our democracy.

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Another day in the oven

Had a good meeting with the Donut Army this morning. While sitting there Kadizzle noticed a man looking in the window. Kadizzle went out and invited him in. The man turned out to be a Hoopleheaed. He wanted a pro Trump sticker. Somehow he did not realize he was at Democratic headquarters. Finally it dawned on him. Kadizzle offered to let come in and perhaps be capable of leaving the cult, but he was a solid Hoople. You would have to be to get the Democratic headquarters mixed up with the Republican den of Hoopleheads.  

A lot of discussion has taken place about the Democrats sponsoring and hour on KMOG. KMOG is the right wing Hooplehead version of Fox News in Payson. Kenny Murphy host the show and he is deep in the cult. Democrats asked to have a host that was neutral rather than a Trump deranged cult guy. KMOG compiled for two programs, but now is apparently brining Kenny back.  So next Wednesday the sparks will fly. 

 

Dry as a popcorn fart

 It is hard to comprehend a person that does not realize we are in a climate crisis. Rain right now would be like gold. Years ago the military predicted climate change. They were right. Everything predicted has come true. One of the predictions was mass migration of humans. People are moving north from Africa. As predicted weather is getting more erratic, more storms, more severe storms, more hurricanes, floods, and natural disasters. The ocean is rising. What does it take to convince the dingers ?

Phoenix has been setting record heat days. Yesterday we came back from Cottonwood 112 degrees.  We are frying, and pretending like it ain't happening. 

What is the difference

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Donuts with Democrats: Open Minds and Open Mics

The “Donut Army,” better known as Donuts with Democrats, has been thriving in Payson. Every Saturday at 10:00 A.M., folks gather for coffee, donuts, and real political conversation. Speakers from both parties often attend, but what makes the gathering special is the format: the microphone gets passed around. Everyone is welcome to speak — Democrat, Republican, Independent, or just curious.

At the door, you’re likely to be greeted by Richard, who opens it with a smile and a warm welcome. No admission fee. No script. Just good people, good food, and free exchange of ideas. This is what democracy looks like — unafraid of questions, disagreement, or honest debate.

Now compare that to the Republican gatherings in town, usually organized under the Tea Party banner. If you’re known for challenging conspiracy theories or calling out Trump’s lies, don’t expect a warm welcome — you might not even get through the door. Open dialogue isn’t on the agenda. The mic doesn’t get passed around. Questions, if allowed at all, are filtered and tightly controlled.

Republican events in Payson often come with a price tag, a security guard, and a gatekeeper — someone like Inga, who ensures only loyal voices are heard. Dissent is unwelcome. Skepticism is shut down. It’s not a conversation; it’s a performance for the faithful.

In short, Donuts with Democrats welcomes democracy. The local GOP fears it.

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Debating Dingers

Someone brought up Kadizzle debating by responding to comments. If someone wants to debate they need to identify themself. If you don't have enough respect for your words to put you name with them, then more than likely you are just a MAGA dinger. MAGA dingers hide, run, and make false accusations. If you put your name with your comment it will get some respect.  

Trump's cult members show their stuff

Kadizzle will admit it—sparring with the MAGA dingers can be oddly entertaining. If only normal folks could see the bizarre responses that roll in on MAGA Facebook posts. There’s Timothy, for example, who seems incapable of typing a sentence without mentioning “bottom surgery.” Sometimes, he cranks it up a notch and throws in “drag queens” for good measure.

One thing you notice right away: profanity and sheer nonsense dominate their replies. One of these self-proclaimed patriots even suggested someone should defecate on my porch. That’s the level of brilliance we’re dealing with.

Thoughtful responses? Forget it. The MAGA dingers’ vocabulary is mostly four-letter words, and when they’re not spewing insults, they’re posting childish memes and cartoons. Critical thinking simply isn’t part of their playbook.

It’s easy to see why Trump adores his dingers—they’re tailor-made for his brand of con artistry. The same crowd that once fell for TV preachers and snake-oil salesmen lined right up for the Trump grift. Sadly, they still don’t realize they’ve been had.

The Head is spinning

Welcome to Trump Math: Where Facts Don’t Count

Reality quietly slipped out the back door the day Donald Trump decided the numbers no longer mattered—and made sure of it by firing the Labor Secretary for reporting inconvenient job figures. Did anyone even blink? In the world of Trump Math, truth is optional and arithmetic is whatever the moment demands.

Need a bigger crowd size? Trump Math adds a few zeroes until it feels right.
Two plus two? Forget four—it’s whatever keeps the base cheering.
Running low on eggs for that recipe? No problem. In Trump Math, one egg magically becomes two the instant you declare it so.

But numbers are just the beginning. We’ve entered a new faith-based era where belief trumps fact, and questioning the chosen leader is heresy. A new religion has emerged—complete with its own orange-tinted messiah. In this church, you don’t add, subtract, or measure. You simply believe, no matter how absurd the sermon of the day.

The congregation doesn’t need evidence. They don’t need truth. They only need the gospel according to Trump, where reality bends, logic folds, and loyalty is salvation. And if you dare notice that the emperor’s math doesn’t add up? Well, clearly, you’re the one who doesn’t understand numbers.

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