Casino Capitalism and the Cult of Winning—1983–1999

September 5, 2026 M.G.

Trump Taj Mahal Boardwalk Nightlife (generated using ChatGPT)

When Trump Tower opened on Fifth Avenue in 1983, Donald Trump was already a successful New York developer. Trump Tower made him something else.

It made him a celebrity.

The 58-story building was inseparable from the man whose name was attached to it. Bronze-colored glass, pink marble, a multi-story waterfall and expensive shops were part of the package, but so was Trump himself. He gave interviews, showed reporters around, and made sure that the building and its owner were presented together.

That turned out to be important.

Trump had discovered—or at least demonstrated—that the appearance of success had value of its own. A building could be real estate, but it could also be advertising. His name on the building suggested wealth, luxury, and success, and the building in turn reinforced the value of the name.

That feedback loop would become increasingly important over the next 16 years. [continue reading…]

0 comments

Nobody ever said, “You won’t believe what happened after I ordered the salad.”

September 4, 2026 M.G.

A pirate captain dismisses the idea of eating salad, insisting that great sea stories begin with rum, not lettuce—a joke about choosing adventure and indulgence over sensible healthy choices.

Odds & Ends 034

0 comments

Nice try, Bongo

September 3, 2026 M.G.

Bongo is trying to hide a tiny, voluptuous human woman behind his back from his suspicious mate. She has already heard the little woman squeak, turning the familiar “What are you hiding behind your back?” domestic scene into an absurd bit of gorilla jealousy.

Odds & Ends 033

0 comments

Eat Mor Chikin’

September 2, 2026 M.G.

Odds & Ends 032

0 comments

A presentation

September 2, 2026 M.G.

A little over a week ago, Luke Heffley, VP of the Pope County Historical Association, asked if I would be willing to give a presentation at their September meeting, scheduled for September 1 at Brangus Steakhouse.

They had been holding their meetings at the Check H Grill & Buffet and, after it burned, had to find somewhere else.

They held their August meeting at Central Christian Church on Independence Avenue.

I called Luke the next day and agreed to his proposal. We talked about ideas for what I might discuss.

I had a week to get ready for a 45-minute presentation.

I had spoken in public only twice before. Both were to the quorum court, and I was limited to just a couple of minutes.

Of course, I had been an instructor at the nuclear plant and had plenty of presentation experience.

I planned to cover a fairly wide range of topics, but I wanted to frame them around my use of AI and Wikipedia for research and writing, often on local history. [continue reading…]

0 comments