Coulrophobia (COOl-ruh-FOE-bee-uh) is a fear (phobia) of clowns. Children and adults who fear clowns may experience extreme reactions when they see clowns in person or view pictures or videos of clowns. Someone with a fear of clowns is coulrophobic.
When I was young, my great thrill was Hellraiser. I didn’t understand the movie at all, I was too young to get the points, but the images were mindboggling frightening even though I knew they were fake movie magic. But in my mind they could be real, and that was all that mattered. I put away my incredulity for the thrill of the emotion.
Like many people, it wasn’t that I was afraid so much, but that I wasn’t! I was thrilled, scared, laughing that I survived it like a near miss from a speeding bus and I wanted to feel that thrill again. I wanted my friends to know how brave I was, how I could look into the face of destruction and laugh.
In point of fact, it was actually a movie by Michael Keaton that I found the most frightening thing I’ve ever watched as a movie. Pacific Heights was horror show for me as it showed a nice couple building a home and renting out apartments, only for one man to come along with a plan of greed, terrorism and theft seeking to steal what they worked so hard to make.
He seemed like a straight forward person, if a somewhat intense and a bit strange individual. There were no drooling fangs or chainsaws, and that violation of what seems safe frightened me more than I can say. It was realistic. It was very very possible. And worse, the homeowner’s destruction came at their own actions. Here I am in my later 50’s and it still bothers me. I won’t watch the movie again.
In the same way I found such fear in Michael Keaton’s character in Pacific Heights, the fear of clowns stems from the unpredictable nature they represent. Their image says one thing, their actions say another, but somewhere inside exists a nature that makes no sense. Are they a sad clown, a happy clown, a juggler? You just never know until a comically oversized cleaver guts you and he plays with your innards. Too dark? They laugh at your surprise, they mock your confusion, they change reality on a whim and you never know if they are lying or not.
It is that element of unpredictability that frightens many of us while emboldening others like a rollercoaster ride of “what if”.
I have made it into my 50’s without the fear of clowns, but that has changed. I don’t know what the clowns will do. Will it simply be uncomfortable, embarassing, or physically and financially devastating.
No matter how popular the clown is, he is still a clown. But, we have lost the ability to fear the unknown because the clown told us we were the smart ones. We lost the ability to fear the results of thrill seeking because the clown told us the people who warn us about it were fake. We don’t care about the truth because the truth isn’t near as fun as the power the lies give us. Us? Who is the “us”?
It is my belief and opinion that this latest group of clowns are seeking to pillage the money from the taxpayers and destroy the services the government provides the middle and lower class citizens. For anecdotal proof I offer Louis DeJoy, the postmaster Trump emplaced who set out to ruin the post office by publicly destroying the irreplaceable sorting machines, underpaying the workers and refusing to fill vacant needed positions, only to have the Republicans in Congress question him on why he can’t run the post office efficiently and speculate it should be abolished. These people worship power as their god and crave money as their drug, they think long-term gains and have no compunctions on who they hurt to take what they want. Many of Trump’s first acts have been to remove the inspector generals, to emplace the easily manipulated and underqualified, line edit off the constitution and flaunt the rule of law while the fools cheer.
Hugs All. Randy
Here’s the latest on key Trump picks to join his administration care of The Hill:
Confirmed
Secretary of State: Marco Rubio
The Senate unanimously confirmed former Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) as America’s 72nd secretary of State.
The vote came in on Trump’s inauguration day, cementing the first member of the president’s Cabinet just as he assumed office.
Rubio’s seat in the Senate will be filled by Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody.
CIA Director: John Ratcliffe
John Ratcliffe, Trump’s former director of national intelligence, will lead the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in his second term.
After a largely cordial hearing, the Senate Intelligence Committee advanced his nomination with a 14-3 vote. The full chamber confirmed him 74-25, as 21 members who caucus with Democrats voted alongside every present Republican.
After Rubio, Ratcliffe’s confirmation puts half of Trump’s national security team in place in his first week in office.
In Progress
Defense Secretary: Pete Hegseth
The Senate on Thursday advanced Hegseth’s nomination to lead the Pentagon on a largely party-line, 51-49 vote.
That sets up a likely Friday evening final confirmation vote.
Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine) voted against Hegseth.
Hegseth was the first of Trump’s Cabinet picks to appear before a Senate committee in the week ahead of his inauguration. The former Fox News host has been one of the president’s most controversial choices, drawing sharp criticism from Democrats over his qualifications, views on women in combat and allegations of infidelity and excessive drinking, which he denies.
Homeland Security secretary: Kristi Noem
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R), Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Homeland Security, went before senators last week after an initial delay to her hearing.
Noem has been vocal about immigration and border issues, though the Mount Rushmore State is far from the U.S-Mexico line. She was floated as a possible running mate for Trump before a controversial anecdote from her memoir appeared to dull her chances.
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Monday advanced Noem by a largely bipartisan 13-2 vote. Senate Republicans hoped to confirm her the week of Trump’s inauguration, and a cloture vote is expected Friday evening.
Office of Management and Budget director: Russel Vought
Russell Vought is on track to be Trump’s next director of the Office of Management and Budget, reprising first-term role.
Democrats grilled Vought during in two hearings about his ties to Project 2025, the conservative Heritage Foundation’s blueprint for a second Trump term.
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted 8-7 on Monday to advance the would-be budget chief. He also went before the Senate Budget Committee on Wednesday.
Treasury secretary: Scott Bessent
Scott Bessent, the billionaire founder and CEO of hedge fund Key Square Group, is Trump’s nominee to lead the Treasury, overseeing U.S. financial security.
The Senate Finance Committee voted 16-11 on Tuesday to advance Bessent, teeing up a floor vote. Sens. Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) notably bucked party lines to join Republicans in backing the nomination.
Bessent would be the first openly LGBTQ Cabinet member confirmed by the Senate under a Republican president.
Attorney General: Pam Bondi
Pam Bondi, Florida’s former attorney general, is Trump’s second choice to lead the Department of Justice after his initial pick, former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) withdrew from consideration amid controversy.
Bondi was a senior adviser on the defense team for Trump’s first impeachment and has backed Trump’s false claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 election.
She appeared last week before the Senate Judiciary Committee, where she was grilled by Democrats over Trump’s potential influence over a Bondi-led DOJ. A committee meeting to advance her nomination initially slated for Wednesday has been postponed.
Interior secretary: Doug Burgum
The Senate’s Energy and Natural Resources Committee advanced Doug Burgum (R) by an 18-2 vote, putting the former North Dakota governor on track to lead the Interior Department.
Burgum, who ran against Trump for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, faced Democratic questions about the new administration’s controversial climate stances, though the hearing was largely cordial.
If confirmed to the post, Burgum would also be in charge of Trump’s new “Council of National Energy.”
Transportation secretary: Sean Duffy
Former Wisconsin congressman Sean Duffy, who would oversee national transportation systems and infrastructure as Transportation Secretary, was unanimously advanced by his Senate panel.
He told the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation committee that, if confirmed, he’d dig into issues around Boeing and buck pressure to interfere with Tesla – the company helmed by top Trump ally Elon Musk.
Housing and Urban Development secretary: Scott Turner
An alum of Trump’s first administration, Scott Turner was previously executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council. For the president’s second term, he’s been tapped to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The former NFL player appeared last week before the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, and was advanced with a 13-11 vote.
Energy secretary: Chris Wright
Chris Wright, the founder and CEO of Liberty Energy, is Trump’s controversial pick to lead the Energy Department amid Trump’s pledges to “drill, baby, drill” and roll back environmental regulations.
The Senate’s Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted 15-5 to advance him on Thursday.
If confirmed to the post, Wright will also serve on a newly formed “Council of National Energy” led by Burgum.
EPA director: Lee Zeldin
Former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin (R) went before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee last week in his effort to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, and he advanced in an 11-8 vote on Thursday.
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) was the only Democrat voting in favor of moving Zeldin forward.
In nominating Zeldin, the president promised that his pick will “ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards.”
United Nations ambassador: Elise Stefanik
Trump’s pick to represent the U.S. in the United Nations is Elise Stefanik, an outspoken Trump ally and defender of Israel who went before senators in the Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday.
Senate Democrats appeared ahead of the hearing to be warming up to the nominee despite concerns about how the new administration views the international organization, after Trump moved on Day One to withdraw the U.S. from the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate agreement.
Veterans Affairs secretary: Doug Collins
Former Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) is Trump’s choice to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs, overseeing the body tasked with providing health care and other benefits to former members of the military.
A vocal Trump ally and defender, Collins served as counsel for Trump after the 2020 presidential election, as Trump questioned Georgia’s election results.
The Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs advanced him by an 18-1 vote, with the lone dissent coming from Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii).
Agriculture secretary: Brooke Rollins
Brooke Rollins, a former White House aide in Trump’s first administration, is set to appear Thursday before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.
Health and Human Services secretary: RFK Jr.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who ran an independent bid for president in 2024 before endorsing Trump, is on tap to helm the Health and Human Services Department.
But the vaccine skeptic has faced pushback from public health experts as senators ready to review the nomination.
A hearing before the Senate Finance Committee was scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 29, and an appearance before the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Thursday, Jan. 30.
Director of National Intelligence: Tulsi Gabbard
Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (Hawaii) is Trump’s controversial pick to lead the U.S. intelligence community, and her process through the Senate has faced delays after Democrats said they didn’t have the full slate of background checks and other paperwork needed to move forward.
The former Democrat’s path to confirmation could be in trouble over her past support for Edward Snowden, a meeting with now-deposed Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad and other controversial comments about Ukraine and Russia.
A hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee was scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 30.
Commerce Secretary: Howard Lutnick
Howard Lutnick, chair and CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, is Trump’s pick for Commerce Secretary. Lutnick’s hearing was also reportedly held up my paperwork delays, but he’s set to appear before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on Wednesday, Jan. 29.
SBA: Kelly Loeffler
Former Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) would serve as administrator of Trump’s second-term Small Business Administration. She was previously rumored to be Trump’s pick for secretary of Agriculture before the role went to Rollins.
Loeffler was scheduled to appear before the Senate Small Business and Leadership Committee on Wednesday, Jan. 29.
Nominated/nothing scheduled yet
Education Secretary: Linda McMahon
Linda McMahon led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s first term, and she’s his pick for Education secretary in his second tenure. She’s chair of the board at America First Policy Institute, a pro-Trump think tank, and served on his transition team. Politico reported earlier this month that McMahon’s hearing was waiting on paperwork delays.
Labor Secretary: Lori Chavez-DeRemer
Former Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.), who flipped her Oregon district in the midterms but lost reelection in November, is Trump’s pick to lead the Labor Department. Her nomination was taken by some as a signal that Trump’s second administration could have a more receptive stance to unions.
Trade Rep: Jamieson Greer
Jamieson Greer, an aide in the trade office during Trump’s first term, has been nominated as U.S. trade representative. The president has said Greer “played a key role” with tariffs and other moves in his first term.
Scottie's Playtime 
Hi. Randy I am sorry I did not read this earlier. It is spot on and powerful, like all your writings. This line got me. These people worship power as their god and crave money as their drug, they think long-term gains and have no compunctions on who they hurt to take what they want. How I wish the rube who constantly get taken in by the emotional high of these clown shows only to realize the clown and the clowns friends have picked their pockets, stole their wallets, and taken their house keys to burglarize it later. Yes the nominees are picked due to their fealty to the top clown, their ability to bribe him, their ability to destroy the agency they will lead, and their ability to profit from that destruction to again bribe the top clown. It is scary. We have two years for the democrats to learn to message and get their message to the people. We need to take back the House and Senate in 2026 and the presidency in 2028. Remember the census is in 2030 and the person in the White House will control what data is asked for. Hugs
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Hi Scottie. I initially had a title of “send in the clowns” on this post, but I didn’t want to associate that beautiful but sad song with the chaos and theft I believe is going on now. The message in that song was a tragedy happened in the circus and the clowns were to come in and distract the paying audience while the high-flying performers were helped off the center circle. In a way, it was spot on, but not quite the vibe.
As every political conversation eventually seems to go, people ask why anyone would spend millions of dollars to gain a job that paid low six figures. Are there some who do it for the people? Perhaps some. But somehow so many enter politics relatively middle wage and soon are millionaires. In the score of things I hope that they are doing the things we need done…? Now we have a group of billionaires. They are too damn busy to be doing this out of the “kindness of their heart”… and we have seen the history of some of them, I don’t believe there is any kindness in there. No, these people are doing what they are doing for power and money, a LOT of power and a LOT of money. I don’t expect these type of people to fall for trump’s “get prison tat’s quick” schemes.
In regard to the Democrats. I don’t expect they will ever fare well if their own morally questionable behavior is allowed to continue. Call the spade a spade. If you are stealing, bribing, abusing power, you can’t really hold anyone else accountable. If you are turning a blind eye for expediency, you are just as to blame. Saying that they only do a little of that, not near like the republicans is a bit like the story of a guy who asked a girl if she would have sex with him for 5 million dollars – when she enthusiastically said yes, he asked about just 5 dollars – she said ‘you think me some cheap prostitute to sleep with you for $5? – he responded ‘oh, that wasn’t in question, now we are just haggling price’. Also I guess it’s a bit like the old saw about not slinging mud with a pig because the pig likes it and will beat you with experience; Washington unfortunately seems to only work by corruption. For example, I really didn’t like Obama, despite it being the proper and professional thing to do, even giving trump the merest of civilities. They aren’t supposed to be like a pair of co-workers, not after what was said and done.
To go back to my post: I don’t expect people to agree with me. In fact, I try to leave the door wide open for argument one way or another. I’m hoping to jog some presuppositions and even learn a bit myself. Hoping.
Hugs.
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