Yosemite.

I initially began writing this in December of last year, since then, many...too many…other events have transpired. So I've had to make edits, and then more edits, Now we have less than a week.

"It's now or never." I said. So here we are. It’s a much more different place than it was in the fall of 2016. Democracy and human decency were Shattered in one slowly unspooling night of un-reality.

Agent Orange, as I call him, told you that it would be he who would clean up the country, due to the fact that people of another race, "raped and murdered civilians."  That was it, his...opening salvo in what has been an embarrassment of incompetence. A never ending and systematic take down of every core ideal that our nation was founded on began almost immediately. From the denial of women's rights to innocents....children, caged like animals, resembling a scene from world war II.

In doing so, he tapped into a side of the country we had long thought left us. A side so vile and disgusting, we’d rather not acknowledge their vile filth. But that’s the thing about locking away bad memories is they come back at the worst time.

So, since then, an all out assault on civil rights has ramped up. Cities are burning. We now have police officers, clad in body armor and carrying heavy assault weapons running on the whims of an unstable maniac. Now the police, Americas protectors, are now feared by many. 

It is flat out exhausting at times, to try and count the daily atrocities committed by this gutless scum. One day its taking a blind eye to bounties placed on the heads of American soldiers, the next day, its sending in government agents to fire weapons at peaceful protesters. They are then strafed with a helicopter, in the middle of a major American city, the nations capital no less!

The holder of the office of President of the United States of America is in charge of holding our nations best interests at heart. This...inhumane being has done nothing of the sort, caring only about himself. The president must be ready to compromise and negotiate. Instead, he has chosen insults and bullying. My neighbors son drives a truck with a flag on it that says, "Make liberals cry again." That's flat out bullying. Maybe not physically, but it is mental and emotional bullying.

That is the kind of behavior Agent Orange encourages. Is that what you want to be known for? To attack someone's want to live in our country, to practice whatever religion they want, to love who they want? To be viewed however they want? A country founded on the basis of freedom for all? A country whose land is actually stolen from its natives. We have zero right to say its own people aren't welcome. Athletes and entertainers. Artists and executives. They are all being verbally attacked by this shambling mass of grease. Why? Well for one thing because they, like every normal human being, agree that being shot at or abused because of the color of their skin is not acceptable. So when you get angry at looters…maybe think that the way we treated people before has led us to this. You can anger only the lion so many times till the lion mauls you.

Now, we find ourselves in the midst of a global catastrophe, made worse by the careless attitude possessed by this fool. Instead of picking a fight with an NBA champion, this idiot could focus on finding a cure for a disease that to date, looks to kill millions. Some of whom are even his staff and family. Lives lost, both American and in other nations. The sole job now, the only concern should be stopping this virus. But I guess golf is more important. No, wait, it’s not. This is the only thing that should be addressed by the President right now. THE ONLY THING. 

Even after he, his wife, and staff were stricken with this virus, he still defied medical orders. This is due to his unabashed and now certifiably dangerous ego.  Do you want to be known as the home of people who don't believe scientific theory is real? Those people who are currently denying countless decades of proven education based on a 5 minute video they saw on YouTube?

My doctors, like every other medical professional, have dedicated their lives to helping and saving others. They have all gone through years of schooling. They have sacrificed family, friends, relationships and sleeping in on Sundays - to ensure they are at the top of their game every day to help save people. Then they go back to school to learn more. They have had more sleepless nights, heads buried in a text book of medical procedures than you can imagine. So while some complain about how vaccines don't work because they "were created as a secret plot to steal my polished rock collection..." they're placing an IV in a terrified patient shaking with fear. Now go tell me how your little, "Drinking motor oil will beat the virus by Frank the bum." video has more sound reasoning.

I Shouldn't have to fear going outside because I might catch something. I shouldn't be going on what is now my 8th month of not being able to touch another human aside from my doctors. This is not how humanity should function, but this utter and complete asshole has made ignorance the norm.

With his regime in power, countless Americans will lose health coverage and die. I could very well be among them, my Parkinson’s alone leaving me as one of the many who bear the title of having a, “Pre-existing condition.” So, essentially, one thing I’m saying is anyone voting for this prick wants me to die. And I get it, I like mint chocolate chip ice cream, and I yammer on a bit, but I don’t think I deserve death. I do like it here, amongst the living, ya know?

Another frightening example of his battle against science was his impulse into forcing NOAA, the agency in charge of the National Weather Service - to issue false warnings about the path of Hurricane Dorian last year. This served as yet another clarion call that he must be regarded as life threatening to Americans and people the world over. The narcissistic freak altered an official weather map out because he refused to admit that he misspoke. Instead, he took a marker to the map, and created a non-existent threat that confused many. This ego stroke likely cost an untold amount of money.

How many different kinds of despicable does this feckless piece of trash have to be until you realize you've been duped? The economy is not better, jobs are not flourishing, and basic civil liberties are actually in doubt. 

Removal from office is the only option. This is a move both he and his spineless brigade of yes-men have fought. This despite the overwhelming evidence pointing to the absolute and total guilt of a wretched husk of a human. You've all seen what is happening. Countless hours of footage, and his own damning ramblings are commonplace. These ramblings are very likely tied to a severe mental and cognitive disability. Many high level staffers have come forward painting a picture of a chaotic mess driven by an off the rails, self serving egotist. Nary a week goes by that a new book is released, taking another brick of integrity away.

He has used baseless fears, playing on conspiracy theories to try (and Sadly successfully) brainwash anyone who dares question him and his regime. The fabric of trust between the government and its people has been torn asunder. It needs to be stopped or these same elements of corruption will continue on this course, unchecked for far, far too long.

This is an individual so soulless, so lacking in any morality, that its astounding how he has made it this far in life.  What he has been selling since the start are flat out lies. He's preying on the naïve and weak minded. He is toying with the uninformed. He doesn't think you're smart enough to know when you’re being fed alternative, or flat out made up facts to keep some afraid - and to keep him in power.

He supports nazi's and racism. He's slowly pushing the idea that if you're not white, you're not American. This is exactly the way hitler pushed the idea that Jews weren't German, no matter how many generations they'd lived there. He's following the nazi playbook to the letter. He preaches hatred under the guise of, "necessary" change, while change is what he actually fears. When confronted by this during the recent debate, he was offered the chance to deny once and for all. It was an easy answer. Instead, he not only failed to deny, he encouraged violent white supremacist's and militias to take up arms. This very likely led to a near kidnapping of Michigan's governor. This is not change, this is dangerously close to anarchy.

Is that who you want leading our nation? For those who voted for him. I beg of you to take just a moment to look inside yourself and ask, "Does he stand for the same things I do?" Is a man who mocks handicapped people one who I want running the nation? This...man who labels countries, "shitholes", then insults and threatens cities in his own nation, is he the right choice? , a man who brags about sexual assault and ignores science...is that...truly what I, or my children want?" Look within yourselves and question if you really think this is the right track.

The change we actually need is for this regime to crumble at the might of truth and democracy. Throughout history we've seen empires rise and fall, even the highest leaders, ones with absolute power, crumble.

A united nation listens to its founding ideals, one of which he attacks on a near daily basis. That is Freedom of the Press. The free press is not the enemy of the people. It never was. It reports the truth, which is something that terrifies this tiny man. A "man" whose soul was corrupt from the start. I love my country. I would gladly fight for what it should represent, but I, nor any of you should recognize a government that tries to silence its own free press. He has tarnished our image and made a mockery of us on the global stage. He has done nothing but make us a shameful shell of a once great idea.

Thanks to people like him, greed and hatred have poisoned our souls. We need to purge it. The color of my skin, my gender, whom I chose to marry, my ability or lack of ability should not be my defining characteristic, nor should it be anyone else’s. What should we define a person by? The moral content of their character. Yet Agent Orange and his followers have none. No moral integrity whatsoever. 

I am speaking as an American. An American who will fight against injustice, intolerance, hatred and fear. It is time for that to end. And it all starts by voting him out of office in a defeat that sends a resounding rebuke to the unethical, immoral hate that he pushes upon you.

This cannot be the new normal. This is not OK. We as a human race should march forward as a society, not regress. 

He told you Americans were the greatest people, and at times we were, and I believe we can be again, but we are far from that now. We can get back there, but only as a whole. As one unified, united nation. 

I ask you, don't listen to him, this world has room for everyone; but we have to start treating it with respect. Life can be free and beautiful, but we have to correct the course. We must remove him from office, only then can we make inroads not to past good times, but better future times. 

He is evil to the core. The only thing that evil needs to succeed is for those are good, and pure of heart to sit by and do nothing. We can make a change, we don't have to take this. We cannot despair. The anguish that is now upon us is the result of the bitterness of a man who fears human progress. He hates forward progress. Only the unloved hate, and this disgraceful psycho is unloved. The power he has taken from the people must be returned. Only then will democracy, hope and liberty return. Don't give into this tyrant, this withered out husk of a man who in truth doesn't care about you. What he does do is collude with enemy states for his own benefit. He is a hollow man with an empty mind, tiny hands and no heart whatsoever. 

Our flag was created as a symbol to help inspire us and become a place better than its predecessors. Pitting one American vs. another to the point of which it breaks families...breaks friendships...that is not what this flag stands for. Instead of fighting common evils, this sociopath has us fighting each other. We swore we would learn from that mistake in the past, yet here we are again, facing another civil war. Dignity, honor and justice must see their way to the forefront again. We should help everyone when its possible. The base human instinct should be to help one another. We generally want to thrive in each other's happiness, not wallow in each other's misery.

You are Americans dammit, You are human beings! You can come together when disaster strikes right? Now's the time. You, the American people, have the power to make life free and wonderful. You have the power to make a change by removing this weak minded buffoon from office. Remember, there are more of us than there are of them, more people willing to fight for humility and for humanity. More people who are in the shadows, questioning the ruthlessness of this madman. For you, it is time to step free from the cloak of fear and stand up to fight for what you know is right. 

We have a choice to make. We all have the opportunity to be patriots. Will you take a stand?  You need to hold them accountable. Doing nothing gets us nothing. I don't care what his brood says. America was founded on one principle above all else. That is that we fight for what we believe in, no matter the odds or the consequences. The problems we all are currently facing can be solved. But we have to do it together. It has been said that a person can do anything once they realize they're a part of something bigger. Well, you are a part of that something bigger. We all are, and now is the time to show it, to become a part of that bigger, nobler cause. In a way it’s built on guile and sheer willpower.

Yes it’s a daunting challenge. 

However, with hope, and together, we can accomplish anything we set our minds to, including bringing peace to our society again. In the name of freedom. In the name of Science. In the name of Gender and Sexual Equality, and in the name of Immigrants rights, Black rights, and American rights, we have to fight this. And we have to fight to win. We are fighting for a new day, a new world, one that is accepting of science and love. One that is free from the grasp of this absolute lunatic, this...dictator. We have to fight for a world of reason, a world where progress will lead to the utopia we know we can be. Hate and intolerance? This is not what America stands for. VOTE HIM OUT

5 Bullets And A Broken Hope

   "I'm from Staten Island and I'm sorry," is how i often introduce myself to new people i meet in other parts of the city. It's not something I am proud to say. I wish I could speak about how beautiful this island is, with its beaches and untouched woods. I'd truly enjoy speaking about the great pizza and tasty Ralph's Ices, or tout Snug Harbor.

But no, first I have to defend myself from the stereotype that random Manhattan or -insert city/town/state here- is making. Because, before I even get to the, "Island", "Staten" is all they needed to hear before making their opinion. That opinion is likely even further cemented in their brain if they hail from the city.

They know of the laughing stock that is Richmond County. The forgotten borough, the family member you have to acknowledge but don't ever admit to being related to. That's us.

And you know what? I'm sick of it. I'm also sick of defending the racist, homophobic, xenophobic, epistemophobic(look it up.), and fascist lot of ignorance that has sunken its teeth into my home. For years, i'd be the, "Staten Island Apologist", hopelessly defending the backwater, backwards and outdated mindset of a place so far behind the times, its a wonder that we have working power and water.

Yesterdays disgusting farce of a parade down Forest Ave once again threw Staten Island into the forefront of national news. This time for banning an openly bi-sexual Pageant queen from marching. "Security concerns" was the reason given. This is lie. Admitting the truth, the parade is organized by a homophobic organization, would be, "pandering to the liberal snowflakes." as a random Staten Islander would say as he chugs a beer on his front lawn, which is adorned with "America: Love it or leave it" signs. Watch out George Washington, we have ourselves a real patriot here.

And with those actions, we went from a laughing stock - to the signal fire at the top of everything that is wrong with the current state of the world.

I saw an episode of, "The Simpsons" the other day. It was the one where the family is watching TV, which is showing a program like "Taxicab Confessions", wherein a drunken Homer enters the car. After a brief exchange, clairvoyant and sharp witted as ever, Lisa, with deadpans, "Another proud moment for the Simpsons." A prediction proved accurate as Homer verbally eviscerates his family. I sympathize with Lisa here. Every time I hear Staten Island mentioned on any news program, or see it mentioned in any article, I cringe as it is almost always in a negative light. And island residents do little or nothing to defend itself from the negativity. In fact, it sometimes almost seems to double down on it.

A prime example of this is what happened here in 2016. An island man had a local, "artist" erect a giant letter, "T" in his front lawn, to, "honor" the criminal who would steal the presidency. This resident knew it would be divisive. This due to the fact that, surprisingly, not everyone on this island supports someone who puts people in cages. Nor do they support someone who brags about sexually assaulting women. The sign would subsequently be set ablaze. One might think the story ends here, with the man admitting defeat and let his 5 minutes of fame fade.

But no, undaunted and in a show of true Staten Island bullheadedness, the, "artist" returned, this time erecting a bigger sign. This example only furthers the complete and total lunacy that this island displays day in and day out.

In a time where where vitriol and toxicity reign, this island does not look to engage in peaceful debate. It instead resorts into shouting matches and hate speak. We get enough of that from 1600 Pennsylvania ave. I don't want to deal with it during what should have been a celebration of Irish heritage and culture.

And don't for one second hide behind the bible. For one, I an atheist, am not governed by a textbook that tells me i'm a bad human for not going bowing down for forgiveness because I saw a breast on a TV show, while the man in the silly Jedi-robes gets away with touching little kids. Isn't it odd that the rules only apply for your conveniences, not everyone's, even though, "God loves all creatures?" Except the tan and brown ones right? They don't belong on,"your island" right? Nope, can't have diversity, because then we might not be able to elect a rich old white man into power? Thats the Staten Island way. And screw anyone who thinks otherwise.

This island is a backwards thinking sinkhole. In fact, the response to African Americans and other people of color asking to not be harassed by authorities for doing nothing other than walking, driving or even sitting on their front porch? A whole wave of pro-police, anti-black sentiment rose up. People of color politely and respectfully request the same common decency any white person would get. They were met with a stubborn wall of ignorance and hate.

Island residents beg and cry for a Whole-Foods or a Wegmans or -insert random company here- to open up on the island. Then when said company declines, the residents cry out in shame, "Why?!" Well, maybe, just maybe, some companies don't want to be associated with the type of populace this island seems to put on center stage? Whole Foods is known as a company that caters to those who support sustainability and environmental growth. You know, the way must upward beings do? Meanwhile, Staten Islanders align themselves with a, "man" who denies climate change is a real. He blatantly altered a weather map to, "prove" he was right, and has done more harm to our planets future than any other one person on the planet.

It is impossible to stand up anymore and offer this island to the masses and say "You're welcome here." I've tried, I really have. I've been a staunch supporter of showcasing the good, the potential for the island, then I hear the voices of the clueless. One of those being the city councilman who's answer to the lack of support from the city is to, "secede", that is to say, become our own city. This is an idea that has been floated around from time to time but has thankfully never gotten much traction. It is always seen as the, "Child who doesn't get what they want so they draw on the wall with markers to get attention." type of argument.

For a moment, lets pretend for a moment that the secession movement was successful. That we did gain our, "independence" from the big bad city. What then? Where would our newfound city get its money? Taxes. Those taxes would go through the roof like a Saturn V rocket. All those city services we do have now, police, fire, schools, they'd no longer be run by NYC, so we'd need to get that money somewhere...where....i know! more taxes! You think bridge tolls are bad now, just wait until the city of Staten Island gets on the map. You'll never leave again, which is maybe what some people want. They want to be insulated in their own bubble of,"maga, maga, maga, liberals are bad, deport all immigrants!"

Well fine, if that's what you want then go for it, because when it fails, i'll do nothing. Those of us who truly care about humanity and common decency and love and inclusion will long ago have laid down our arms. I say we because I know that I am not alone. I know there are good, kind, smart and caring people on this island. I see you, and I hang my head in shame with you, because I know that you too have tried, and simply grown to weary of it all.

"If you don't like it then leave!" the ignorant punks will say. Unable, as always to see their ignorance will be their undoing. It's started already. The supposed,"Great big hope" for the island, the New York Wheel was to be the islands crown jewel, a majestic Ferris wheel. It was to have been hundreds of feet high on the tip of the island's north shore. All around would see it and gaze in wonder.

But alas, it would never come to be. Financial problems and construction problems would sink the wheel before it even got its massive legs into the ground. Another in the long list of failed projects that have scarred the island. From grand shopping halls, to immense waterfront parks, to even a few failed race tracks, this island is where great ideas go to die. Almost every developer runs into problems here. The reason is because on Staten Island, "we do things our way, and if you don't do things that way, you can leave," is again the stubborn answer. It's as if this island has an innate fear of anything that could make life better for its residents.

It's kind of funny that the two things the island is known for, the Staten Island Ferry and the Verrazzano Narrows bridge, are two ways to escape the island. If that isn't a sign to out of borough residents, I don't know what is.

When offered a chance at its first ever female president, they instead went with the most morally bankrupt individual on earth. They didn't do so because they claimed she had a, "Shoddy background." they didn't choose her because shes a woman, and that's different, to different for an island run by the male elite.

It's no surprise the city, state, country and world mock and deride us. We have done nothing to prove we are anything else than what they see us as. If it ever changes, maybe we'll get that ferry from Great Kills to Midtown. Maybe one day we will receive a proper city-run hospital so I don't have to wait with my father in the ER for 6 hours. Hey, its only a heart attack, they don't kill everyone, right? Maybe one day i'll be able to say to that pageant queen, "do you want to march with a pride flag, a banner, or both?"

But sadly, those days are far, far far away. This island should be ashamed of itself.

My NAME....is not Oliver Queen. But I wish it was.

I kinda get a post-funeral/memorial-at the restaurant/bar kinda vibe from all this right now. Like we're at that stage of trying to get over the grieving/lets enjoy life and remember the good times, all while planning for the future kinda feel.

I'll address what I alluded to in the comments below before i forget my thought, and so ya don't have to scroll down as much, then i'll get on with the rest.

I think the reason they haven't announced any cast really about the Green Lantern HBO show is...they knew they were gonna cast David, but didn't want to spoil the surprise for us, though most everyone at least speculated. If this is the case, thats another bit of amazing cooperation of keeping a secret, almost, if not better than the >!Ezra!< cameo in Crisis.

The episode scared me at first with the documentary thing, because as neat as it was the first time, i didn't want to go through it again. I'm happy it was dealt with quickly.

The cameos, oh my, they were all perfect, they didn't feel forced or jammed in, they fit in exactly where they should have.

Mia is still....shes....shes got potential, but she needs to be written better, Kat is a great actress and wasting her on being a spoiled brat is an insult to her ability.

Katie Cassidy(how many fucking Kates are we gonna get in the Arrowverse? haha),admittedly grated me at first, but she eventually grew on me, and I was sad when she initially left. To see her transform completely as an actress in front of my eyes shows how skilled she is. I rooted for Sirens redemption to the point of which I didn't want old Laurel back. So to that Screenrant writer who thinks shes gonna be the baddie in 2040, I hope you watched KC knock it out of the park with that scene with Blackthorne tonight.

Colton Haynes, my word did he go through a lot, both off and on screen, and he drove through it like a damn champion. He should be proud of what hes accomplished, and who he is.

David Ramsey. He's got that stoic resonance that....when he enters a room, he doesn't have to say anything, he doesn't really need to even move, and you can just tell the man deserves not only your attention, but your respect. He, in some ways, was more important to this show than Stephen. They called David "Little John." That'd make him almost Stephen's sidekick. No, no, he was more than that. He was his brother, his partner, his friend. If I could have a man just a fraction as loyal and good by my side, i'd be happy. He had problems, sure, but he pushed through them, and the only way he did that, is through David's acting. When they stupidly decide to reboot this show in 30 years, I feel sorry for whoever they try and cast as the new Dig, because honestly, you can't replace greatness.

Caity Lotz, I was introduced to the force of nature she is. And i'm all here for it. Yeah, i'll look at her as damn attractive, but what impresses me more so is the sheer determination she has to making Sara a complete character, physically and emotionally. Her workout routine is something I couldn't even begin to accomplish, and continuously leaves me awestruck. Aside from that, lets look at the fact she went from washed away side love-interest to the captain of a time-ship and crew of characters none of us were sure we're gonna work. Was it the doing of the writers? maybe a lil, yeah, but you need an actress to put those words into action, and she has done it in spades.

Paul Blackthore, a fellow photographer, absolutely killed it as Quinten. He went through a tapestry of emotions over his course on the show, and never once made them feel tropey or overdone. He did an arc the way an arc should be done.

And then we have Stephen Amell.

 My word sir. What you have done, what you have had a hand in creating...you may never truly understand. Anyone can throw on a costume and pretend to be a superhero. Keaton did it. Cavil tried. Maguire and others tried. He lived it, for years. More so than any expected, probably even him.

He put his body and mind and soul on the line for the entertainment of others. He didn't need to. He could have used stunt doubles a lot more, but he committed to his craft, to the character and to his fans. That says a lot about a person. I could wax philosophical for hours about the salmon ladder and the fight scenes, which I may at some point. But for me the real juicy scenes are the ones where he showcases emotion. The Lance scene, you know the one. The torture with Chase where he was for all intents....broken. Almost all of the prison scenes. Things like that are often tried and tired. Stephen just kept me wanting more.

In a day and age where some of us, even me, a lifelong geek of 35+ years - is at times suffering from, "Superhero fatigue", Amell just kept me friggin riveted. Even at the slow points, he managed to shoulder the burden of what, at times were some bad episodes. He never wavered.

The man deserves all accolades. He also deserves a rest. I can't even begin to imagine how much his body and mind have gone through these past few years. The constant conventions, the long, cold nights shooting, jumping, sliding, swinging, shooting damn arrows. It takes a toll. And for those who say, "he's an actor, he can deal with it," that's no excuse. You haven't done it. Sure you expect a show or a film to do well, but you never think it'll become a global phenomenon. The man still had to earn a paycheck, still has a family, and still is - human. Yes, I know it comes as a shock, but he still drinks the same water and breathes the same air, so for those who criticize him...go through a week of his life and see how you do.   The man is a hero in many other ways.

This show came at a weird point in my life. As it began, I was in the middle of a very odd college career, prepping for a hopeful career as a firefighter/photographer, now i'm pretty much just a photographer who runs and shakes a lot. Meh, thats Parkinson's. I've...had a lot of bad happen in my life, but this show brought an hour of respite in my life. It made feel good to be a geek again.

Arrow will always help inspire me to make myself physically, mentally and emotionally better, not because I want to be a superhero, I know that isn't real. I want those things, because I simply, like Oliver...want to do good.

So, to the cast and crew of Arrow, and their families, well done. You haven't failed this fan.