by Kyle K. Mann
Gonzo Today Publisher and Contributing Editor
*****
The Beatles
My life changed irrevocably Feb. 9, 1964 when the Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show.
I was 12 1/2, on the cusp between hideous childhood and the dawning, damning enlightenment of 60’s teendom. I needed Great Entertainment with originality, and the Beatles delivered. As I grew up, so also did they improve in their musical craft and messaging. Perfect timing on my part, and theirs.
And then the 60s were done, and as John Lennon famously proclaimed, “The Dream is Over.” And he was right, of course. Oh, there have been some bright spots since, naturally. But that pervasive certainty some of us in my generation felt, that Good would triumph over Evil, had vanished. It was an exquisitely painful disillusionment.
What follows is an Explanation. I’ve arraigned it into segments for ease of reading or skimming.
And yeah, here’s why, in my view, The Dream is Still Over.
Why This is My First Published Writing Since the Trump ReElection
I have no one in politics to represent me. The following will likely piss off every U.S. partisan reader.
In my view, the 2024 US Election was not a choice. My disgust with both candidates was at an all-time high, ok maybe a tie with 2016… there’s a special place in hell for war criminal HRC.
Trump vs. a candidate that had received not a single primary vote. Of course Biden was toast. But he’d lied about intending to be a one-term President. Lied like a rug. Watching him speak, or even walk, was painful, cringeworthy. But what was worse was having my dear friends defending this pathetically senile geezer. It’s a torment watching people you love losing their minds.
I understand Trump Derangement Syndrome, but the word salad Harris spouted was beyond ghastly. We survived 4 years of Trump, we can do it again.
Maybe.
Why I Won’t Protest at the No Kings 2.0 rally
I’m not a fan of illegal immigration. If you are here illegally, you should get the boot, as I see it. If I go live in some other country, and I don’t do it legally, I’ll get booted. And after decades of living in L.A. County, I can testify to the changes that adding millions of people to the population brings. I found those quality of life changes to be less than likable. To be blunt, it sucked. Democrats, by and large, were responsible. They suck. They seem to be the organizers of No Kings. So, protest today? No thanks. I wanna know who I’m in bed with.
Why I have never voted for a Republican
Abortion, for starters. Of course women should have the right to choose what happens to their bodies. It’s insane to think otherwise. Unfortunately there are a lot of crazy people out there. Many are influenced by odd religious programming. So as I say, I understand TDS. But I refuse to use it as a reason to vote for a Dem.
Why Trump Should be Impeached, but Won’t
The 20’s Dems are a sad lot. I mean, look at ‘em. Adam Schiff? What a weenie. AOC? You wanna lose to the Repubs, nominate a self-righteous pontificator in ‘28. Booker? Creepy. Newsom? If you think the country will elect a California tax-and-spend avatar, you need therapy. Buttigieg? Can’t win the Black voters. Whitmer, Pritzker, Wes Moore, Josh Shapiro, Andy Beshear? Regional pols. So the last thing the Dems will do is try an impeachment. If they did it for war crimes, like the outrageous murder of Iran’s General Soleimani, I’d get interested. But the Dems won’t do it because they murder people too. Like Obama did to Anwar Al-Awlaki and his 16-year old son Abdulrahman. Both were murdered in cold blood.
Too Many Guns
I believe guns have no place in civilized society. Hunting? I’m not into it, but if your gonna eat your kill, well, ok. I’ve been a veggie, full on vegetarian, for a half century. And I’m still here, healthy and hearty, on no meds, striding about powerfully while watching various human carnivores I know weaken and drop by the wayside. But this section is about guns, which I find reprehensible. Especially automatics. Need stiff consequences for shooting people. Really harsh. Self defense, ok. But if illegally owned, do the time. A long long time.
Defund Israel
Israel’s genocide in Gaza speaks for itself. Sorry, gang, ya lost me. Good luck, thugs.
Defund Ukraine
The USA doesn’t belong on the other side of the world, supporting an ongoing conflict we are not a part of. And if we give ‘em missiles to shoot at Russia, it’s the same as us launching ‘em. Chill baby chill! Way past time to pull the plug.
The Vax Madness
It was a huge scam, launched by Trump and endorsed by Dems. Mandates, bah. And it sure appears to me that many of the vaxed are less and less healthy, or already dead. Sorry folks… you got played big time.
Trans Athletes and Trans Child Surgery
Here’s a big reason the Dems will keep losing elections: their quixotic embrace of letting biological males compete in sports, including school wrestling against young women, invade their spaces, and Dem support for transitioning young children. Wow! If you can’t vote, you can’t mutilate your body. Freaking simple.
Price of Gold
$4200 an ounce and rising. The U.S. Dollar? Wait ‘till the bill comes due. Fiat currency abuse by both parties… sickening.
UFO’s/UAP’s/“Drones” – Disclose the Truth
Way past time to come clean on whatever this nonhuman intelligence is. No, it’s not demons, as some Christian believers believe. But it’s something, and we deserve to know. Same with 9-11, RFK, JFK… and Seth Rich, the unsung hero whistle blower who turned over the emails rock at the DNC, and got murdered.
WW3
The Dream is Over, for real. They’ve been threatening us with nuclear annihilation all my life. I’m sick to death of it.
Mary Werbelow
Yes, I found Jim Morrison’s muse before she died, in rather poor shape but communicative. At some point I’ll probably write about meeting her, and even cruising the Valley with her. But not now.
Gonzo Today
Yup, we are still here. Our EIC Kidman is raring to go, and at least one of our alumni writers is back. Me? Depends on my mood, as you see. Our FaceBook page got hacked at the start of the year. That soured us considerably. We are discussing doing some live-streaming. When? Soon.
Ray Charles
…is playing here at the Double Barrel, where I sit writing this deathless prose. “The Right Time,” one of the all-time great songs in my world. Great bar, by the way. Makes a mean Bloody Mary.
Women Who Don’t See Me
Not quite over ya, but getting close. Might take some DMT, if I can find it.
Momma’s Unspeakable Death
See just above.
Goddaughter’s Unspeakable Death
Same.
Palisades Fire
Glad I got outta Topanga before it. No, Topanga didn’t burn up thank Ghod, but it was close, and nearly 7,000 houses were leveled. 7,000 … The extreme horror! The stress! Yeah I miss my SouCal friends but we have rivers and waterfalls here, and the local music scene kicks butt. I don’t miss being afraid of burning alive.
49ers
Sure hope they beat the Falcons tomorrow, despite that mile-long injury list. No I didn’t bet. Long story.
My Music
Ah ha! Jackpot! This is what I’ve been doing full time in 2025. Keeps me happy! And I have a brilliant new partner for playing and performing with. I’m live on Tic Toc with her… Stand by for future updates!
Conclusion
“Nothing is real.” – John Lennon.
Thanks, Johnny.
*****
Kyle K. Mann
Portland, OR
October 18, 2025
