I believe it’s the responsibility of the news media to report the actual news to “we the people” – accepting that every person and every entity have biases that are undeniable.  What we now have in America are a few entities attempting to do just that – and, to discover the TRUTH about the FACT our nation was ATTACKED by Russian cyber-criminals in an obvious attempt to sway the 2016 election to Donald Trump – plus, we have entities that are PURE PROPAGANDA like Fox “news” which, to me, are like TRAITORS to the constitution we’re all supposed to hold so dear.  And, then there are the fringe “Wing nut” outlets like the Enquirer that are specializing in inflammatory conspiracy theories which, apparently, enough Americans fall for that keeps them in business.  I see copies of their “garbage” – and, that of other similar publications – every time I check out at the grocery store. (Donald Trump calls the Enquirer “respectable media” – that should tell you all you need to know about our so-called “president”)

Of course, there are also many outlets such as Breitbart that specialize in a specific type of propaganda, and some are gaining “steam” because they proved to be significant in the “election” (with, of course, three MILLION less votes than his opponent) of Trump.  Breitbart, Fox, and we’re learning of others who either purposely or inadvertently  were the proponents of what is now referred to by Trump as “fake news.”  Of course, Trump is NEVER referring to the REAL “fake news” – that which was produced and pushed by Fox, Breitbart, other American entities AND most significantly Russian interests attempting to, at a minimum, destabilize American politics (a resounding success) and ultimately get Trump in the “White House” OR severely damage Hillary Clinton.

Well, republicans have been FOCUSED on damaging Hillary Clinton for 25 years, so the Russians were simply “helping out.”  How much they were working together remains to be seen, but we now know the Russian ATTACK on America was very sophisticated – and, with Trump in the “White House” and taking no apparent notice of this with the result being virtually NO American plan to PREVENT further attacks (which are likely happening as I’m writing this piece) I find it EXTREMELY interesting that republicans in Congress are sitting idly by while this is all happening.  Do they actually FEAR Trump to that extreme – that they’re willing to allow this ASSAULT on America to continue?  Would they be acting this way if  it was Clinton who COLLUDED with the Russians to win the election?  Yes, republicans in Congress almost unanimously agreed to the sanctions Congress directed Trump to place on Russia – which was supposed to be completed by October 1 of this year – and, Trump is refusing to put those sanctions in place.  Have you heard of the word “Kompromat?”  This is what I believe is causing Trump’s reluctance to say ANYTHING negative about Russia or Vladimir Putin AND why he’s refusing to enforce these sanctions.

“Kompromat” is the “stuff” the Russians have on Trump that they are – or likely could – BLACKMAIL him with.  For example, MUCH of what was written in the so-called “dossier” of Christopher Steele (former British Intelligence agent) is proving to be TRUE.  And, I’m hearing MORE reports that the “selatious” sexual innuendo – and, the reports there’s video of the incident – is also TRUE.  I suppose it’s NOT illegal for Trump to hire prostitutes in Russia to perform a “golden shower” on the bed President Obama slept in while in Moscow during his presidency – but, I’m imagining Trump doesn’t want video of that coming out at this point in time.  You know, might give added meaning to his words after Charlottesville – if you get my “drift.”

That all being said, the focus of my thoughts right now is how Trump is the master at “projection.”  I usually call it “political projection” because, it seems to me, it’s regarding political issues when I see people using this deplorable technique the most.  Projection is the foundation behind PROPAGANDA.  It’s the work of pathological LIARS.  Right now, we’re seeing a masterful attempt to DEFLECT (which is the PURPOSE of projection) the, apparently, IMPENDING results of Robert Mueller’s investigation which will UNCOVER much of the CORRUPTION that follows Trump wherever he goes.  Of course, this investigation will snag much more than Trump himself, and true to form Trump is already fighting back with his friends at Fox, Breitbart, and elsewhere lending their “hands.”

Trump, republicans in Congress, Fox, Breitbart, and, I suppose, many others I don’t pay attention to, are pushing a story that the real “Russia thing” is the sale of a Canadian Company involved in mining uranium in America to a Russian Company – that, like virtually all Russian companies – has ties to Vladimir Putin.  Trump seems to know what’s coming from Mueller, so he – and his “cronies” – are PROJECTING with “both barrels” – to kind of steal a phrase from another LIAR in the “White House” – General Kelly.  This is classic PROJECTION.  Blaming someone else – in this case Hillary Clinton as “colluding with the Russians” – on your “enemies.”

The Trump “supporters” are accusing virtually EVERY democrat – or “opponent” – they can think of.  Of course, their MAIN TARGETS are not Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama, BUT James Comey and Robert Mueller.  If you’ve been around and you’re NOT dumbed down by Fox “news,” the right wing “talkers,” or republicans who FEAR Trump enough to do his bidding instead of DEFEND this nation against Russian ATTACKS, then you maybe understand how people like Trump ALWAYS attack the MESSENGER in order to get people’s attention off of the MESSAGE.

In this case, the MESSAGE is likely that Trump and members of his campaign committed TREASON in the last election by working with the Russians to target specific portions of our nation with real FAKE NEWS.  (Of course, this is why Trump has been accusing the actual media of giving “fake news” as a classic example of this same strategy – this is NOT an accident)  Sadly, it worked, although, I’m kind of thinking it’s better that it did and that Mrs. Clinton is not president, because we’d be in impeachment territory already from this republican Congress – which can’t seem to do anything constructive even with control of both houses of Congress.  (It seems like republicans feel they were cheated from the chance to impeach Mrs. Clinton, so they’re attempting to do so “defacto.”

Additionally, unless you’re listening to a republican biased lawyer, Trump will likely be indicted for OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE – charges which led to the impeachment of both Nixon and Clinton.  Of course, it will likely take the election of 2018 to remove Trump from office because these present day republicans FEAR him to the point I don’t believe they’ll move to impeach even after the charges are presented.  And, those in Trump’s sphere will receive pardons probably before they are convicted in court.  The question will become, are republicans correct in their “bet” that progressives (liberals) stay home from the polls in 2018, or that they can purge enough through their voter suppression antics to continue their hold on POWER.

Here are the people who I believe are liable to exposed to criminal charges.  Everyone knows about Paul Manafort and Mike Flynn – but, Jared Kushner and Donald Trump Jr., and Flynn’s son are clearly vulnerable.  Additionally, in my mind and from what I’ve gathered listening to legal experts – EVERY member of the “White House” staff who were read into both the letter where Trump outlined that he was firing Comey to stop the “Russia thing” AND the misleading explanation of the June 9, 2016 meeting with Russians who were giving “dirt” on Hillary Clinton – and THEN  went out and gave FALSE information to the public are vulnerable to “conspiracy to obstruct justice.”  This would include the Vice President and the press secretary and likely key advisers in the “White House.”  In short: There’s a lot of legal vulnerability in Trump’s “White House.”

Reportedly, Trump’s got the pardon pen on high alert and Mueller is trying to figure out how to bypass Trump’s inclination to use his pardon pen at will.  I want to say this should be interesting, but the Russians have succeeded in helping to DIVIDE this nation to the point where, no matter how this turns out, there’s likely to be unrest.  And, keep in mind, most of those people carrying Tiki Torches in Charlottesville and shouting “Jews will not replace us” are armed to the hilt.  And, there’s cells of their supporters all across America.  Additionally, if violence breaks out should Trump face criminal charges and Congress do their duty (impeachment) we have a Justice Department being run by Jeff Sessions.  I don’t know if you have confidence that he’s apolitical and will defend the law and the constitution in this matter, but not so much as for me.

I started this post ONE DAY before Robert Mueller issued his first indictments – which was Friday the 27th of October, 2017.  As people like me would have predicted, based on “leaks” that have managed to hit the news prior to last Friday, Paul Manafort was one of those indicted.  Additionally, a Manafort associate I was not aware of, Rick Gates, was also indicted.  It appears Mr. Gates may have been involved with Trump much longer than Manafort himself.  The really interesting part of the announcement was that a young man named George Papadopoulos was arrested last July and has pleaded guilty to LYING to the FBI and is now a “cooperating witness” to what was going on between Trump’s campaign and Russia.

Papadopoulos is around 30 years old and was a “foreign policy adviser” to the Trump campaign.  Apparently, on occasion, he was the “go between” for the campaign and their connection to the Russians as they were getting “dirt” on Hillary Clinton.  It’s, at this time, unknown how much Papadopoulos knows, but there’s got to be some of the “higher’s up” in the campaign a bit nervous as I’m writing this.  As I looked at how Papadopoulos was connected to the  campaign, what he was doing, and then ALL the “counts” against Manafort and Gates, and it feels as if Mueller has his sights set much higher.

It appears to me that Mike Flynn (and his son), Donald Trump Jr., and Jared Kushner are all in serious legal trouble based on what I read today and what’s been published previously – and, this in above and  beyond what I referred to above.  I have no idea how complete a “house cleaning” Mueller has in mind, but if he’s one to take the constitution and our legal system literal, there’s a lot of those in the “White House” who should be nervous and spending time with their attorneys.  Clearly, I believe the “target” is Donald Trump himself.  If you remember, James Comey, in his last testimony to Congress actually said, “It makes me nauseous to think my actions could have swayed the election.”  Of course, those words were the last “straw” for Trump and he fired Comey – surely thinking that would end the “Russia thing.”  (another example of Trump’s stupidity – which included the meeting with Lester Holt and subsequently, in the Oval Office with the Russian Ambassador and Foreign Minister where he doubled down by proclaiming getting rid of Comey – which included derogatory characterizations of Comey – “took the pressure off from the Russia Investigation”)

Our media remembers all these things for a few days, but Mueller catalogues everything and it’s all going to come back to haunt the president.  I personally will find it the ultimate irony if Trump is finally IMPEACHED as he SHOULD be by the very entity which was responsible for his election.  It was Comey’s announcement 12 days prior to the election which swung the results Trump’s way  (along with the voter suppression in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin PLUS the Russian involvement in numerous surreptitious ways) and Trump was lauding Comey and the FBI for their “help” – at the time.  Not so much now.  I believe the results of Mueller’s investigation will cast Trump in a “light” that will place him in a DARK place in American History.  The question will become, at that point, is Congress willing to put themselves in that same place in the History books?  I really hope not!  There are members of the republican Congress right now who are reminding me of the McCarthy era of the 1950’s.  You’d think they wouldn’t want to go there!

Final Thought:  The Russians have succeeded, along with members of the right wing republican party, in dividing this nation to the point where we’re more likely to be arguing neighbor to neighbor than uniting in defending the basic principles this country was founded on – which begin with our RIGHT to VOTE.  I can only hope that the energy in the so-called “resistance” will last well beyond the 2016 election and that LIBERALS will not argue amongst themselves to the detriment of the country as a whole. They have the power to vote out this republican Congress and remove Trump from office if that becomes necessary.  To be honest, I hope it doesn’t.  The first line of defense against the Trump presidency is the republican Congress.  So far, they’re failing to do their job and adhere to their oath of office.  So, their removal may be necessary.

However, I’m not an advocate of the complete other alternative – which would be a die hard “liberal” Congress that was acting in a totally partisan manner as with this present group of republicans.   There’s an old saying, “Don’t make the perfect the enemy of the good” and my hope is that those who are “progressive,” “moderate,” and “conservative” and can place this country ahead of their partisan beliefs can come together and purge our nation of this administration which has a closer identity to a mafia organization than a governing one AND members of Congress who are unable to work with their cohorts no matter their party affiliation.  I don’t think I’m alone in believing, on most issues, the best solution lies somewhere between the “left and the right.”

I wrote the other day about the inspiring speech Jeff Flake gave on the floor of the Senate announcing his retirement from the Senate because he could not envision “winning the primary without compromising his conservative principles” – or words to that affect.  In the post, I pointed out how much I appreciated a republican speaking out about the bizarre behavior of the president who is a member of his own party.  He and his cohort Bob Corker of Tennessee are the two most outspoken critics of Trump, who are republicans (and, in Congress – there’s MANY outside of Congress)  In the post I mentioned I’d love to “have breakfast with Flake and discuss our differences, maybe we’d both grow.”

Both Flake and Corker will be in Congress for another year and a half – here’s the rub.  Despite their criticism of Trump (well founded, and accurate) the reality is they vote for Trump’s “stuff” almost 100% of the time.  So, while they are leaving Congress, apparently they’re not willing to help BLOCK his terrible agenda.  Just yesterday, both Flake and Corker voted to repeal a regulation from the Consumer Financial Protection Agency that prohibits large banks from blocking consumers from suing them when they commit consumer fraud.  These republicans are FORCING consumers to accept “forced arbitration” the next time they’re ripped off by a financial institution.  I believe both Flake and Corker voted for the budget that cuts $1.5 TRILLION from Medicare and Medicaid in order to pave the way for another HUGE tax cut for the rich (that will be called “tax reform”) that republicans will claim will “balance the budget” – BUT, in reality, will increase the deficit by TRILLIONS.  This happens EVERY time a republican makes it to the “White House.”

Recently, the House voted to repeal a large portion of the so-called “Dodd-Frank” legislation that was put in place after the financial meltdown of 2008-2009.  Fortunately, I believe the Senate will be required to have 60 votes to get this one through.  However, it’s appearing to me they’ve figured out a way to get their “tax reform” through with only 50 votes – which means, for people like me – MIDDLE CLASS – we’re going to be paying MORE while the republican benefactors will be paying MUCH less.  The deficit will balloon and, in 2020, when some, at this time, unknown democrat retakes the White House republicans will be  BLAMING that president and the democrats for the deficit and the national debt they’ve so masterfully given us since the days of Reagan.  How many times will “we the people” repeat this stupid step before the TRUTH sinks in.

I’ve mentioned many times that there’s a plethora of “low information voters” in America and outlets like Fox “news,” Breitbart, the right wing radio talkers, etc. target them – just as the Russians targeted them in the 2016 election.  The plan is to keep “we the people” arguing about stuff that is irrelevant to the administration of the country – which should focus on the economy, the infrastructure, education, public safety, the judicial system, and the military to name some of the stuff which is relevant.  While “we the people” are arguing about “wedge issues” like abortion, gay rights, and “drill baby drill” the republicans are continually FLEECING us out of TRILLIONS of dollars.  Their GREED is never ending.  And, they ALWAYS couch it in words like – these rich people, or these rich corporations will reward all us minions with better jobs and higher salaries!  Yikes, when will we learn?!

This time, Trump is claiming his tax cuts are aimed at the Middle Class.  Well, from what I can tell, there is some truth to that.  We in the middle class will be paying MORE.  The percentage of our income going to federal taxes will stay about the same – but, especially, for those who live in states where there’s high sales taxes and property taxes – we’ll be paying federal tax on those taxes because that’s one of the “deductions” they want to eliminate.  I’m still wondering if they have the nerve to eliminate the deduction for home mortgage interest charges???  When the smoke clears, republicans will own all this and Trump will claim “victory.”  The question then will become, how soon till Trump’s own voters recognized what he’s doing to them?  Unfortunately, many of them watch Fox – which, I’ve predicted will at some point be part of the dregs of American History.

Fox, along with the republicans, as I’ve stated many times, are strong proponents of the “Big Lie Theory” – where, if you tell a LIE over and over, eventually people will believe it’s true.  (This theory was the work of Joseph Goebbels of the Nazi Third Reich) They’re in the process right now of a WHOPPER!  I forced myself to listen to a couple minutes of Sean Hannity the other night – it was like TORTURE and a couple minutes was all I could handle – and he was proclaiming, essentially, the “greatest scandal of the century.”  I’m not kidding when I say he was talking about the so-called “uranium deal.”  Referring, of course, to a 2010 deal which was approved by the Obama administration while Hillary Clinton was Secretary of State and involved a Russian company buying a Canadian company that controlled approximately 10 – 20% of America’s uranium – which they could NOT sell outside the country.

As far as I’m concerned let the republicans investigate Hillary Clinton, Jim Comey, Eric Holder, and Robert Mueller (to name a few of their supposed “targets”) till the cows come home.  I’m just hoping that, at some point, “we the people” wake up.  Around the world the STUPIDITY of the American public is becoming well known – and disturbing to our allies.  Of course, to the Russians, they’re all smiles.  This latest effort by Fox and republicans to DEFLECT the attention of “we the people” from the REALITY that Russia  ATTACKED the U.S. during the last election with the purpose of either helping Trump or damaging Mrs. Clinton – AND, for sure dividing “we the people”  SHOULD be alarming to EVERY American – no matter their “politics.”  The Russians are laughing at “we the people” – and, we continue to give them fodder!

They believe they succeeded in getting Trump elected – and, I’m certainly not one to doubt they’re correct.  “We the people” still don’t know MUCH of what they were “up to” during the election – it’s coming out “drip, drip, drip” just as the COLLUSION with Trump and his campaign.  Reports from people who actually stream Russian TV report something entirely different from what we in America see and hear on our media outlets – including the so-called “liberal” outlets like MSNBC and CNN.  (I don’t know anything about CNN – I’m just going on hearsay that they have a “liberal bent” – personally, I doubt it)  Here’s something I saw recently from a website that is clearly “anti-Trump” – but, claiming to be streaming Russian TV (and, I’ve heard this same “stuff” from others)

From: “The Resistance at “lockhimupnow.org”

Last month Vyacheslav Nikonov, a member of the Duma (the Russian Parliament), said on national TV that “Russian Intelligence stole the President of the United States.”  He asked how the United States can claim to be a world power when it can’t even get elections right.

And last week, a Russian who worked for a government agency known as the “Internet Research Agency” (a/k/a the “troll factory”) said that he and his colleagues watch Netflix’s “House of Cards” TV series to learn how to corrupt the electoral system, and “set the Americans against their own government.”

Here, there are still some Americans who aren’t sure whether Donald Trump and his Russian allies stole the election.   But in Russia, you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who doubts it.

So, Fox and the republicans – to a degree, at least indirectly, including both Flake and Corker – are attempting to DEFLECT the attention of the American people from the likelihood that Trump conspired with Russians to win the election to the sale by a Canadian company that controlled a small percentage of America’s uranium mines – their interest to a Russian corporation (that, is undoubtedly indirectly connected to Putin – isn’t everything in Russia?)  This happened about 6 years before “we the people” were concerned that the Russians were meddling in our elections.  Trump and the republicans along with all the blowhards that spew right wing garbage on the airwaves will do whatever it takes to ALLOW the Russians to get away with this.  Why wouldn’t they?  There’s another election on the horizon in 2018 and many republicans will get a “vacation” from Congress UNLESS they can continue receiving this support from Putin.

What’s really scary is that the Russians are teaching republicans, who already were in the “end justifies the means” mentality how they did this.  It’s called “divide and conquer.”  I’m concerned that media outlets that are trying to figure out what’s going on will continually be one step behind due to their unwillingness to think outside the box or to really PUSH to investigate not only what happened, BUT what’s happening!  I personally believe the Russians are STILL busy finding ways to intrude into our government – and, obviously, the Trump administration is and WILL do NOTHING to stop them.  Why would they?  Come on people, wake up!

So, while I do appreciate republicans like Corker and Flake speaking out, their continual support of the Trump agenda will just allow this NIGHTMARE to continue.  Why would we allow ANYTHING Trump was “for” to pass – until it’s CLEAR whether or not he COLLUDED with the Russians.  (of course, the meeting of June 9, 2016 answered that question didn’t it?)  Flake’s speech was very well written and, as I said before, inspirational – but, his ACTIONS in the Senate, just like Corker’s, leave MUCH to be desired.  In fact, Corker is supposed to be a “deficit hawk.”  So, why – now that he doesn’t have to run for re-election – would he be voting for HUGE deficits?  Courage in Congress comes in strange ways!  I’m reminded of the saying, quite often these days, “Actions speak louder than words!”

Final thought:  The Russians are laughing at us.  Most Americans are unaware of that.  I have to wonder how that will reflect on our media outlets as History is written?  God HELP the United States of America!

OMG, the “stuff” just keeps coming.  Almost every day I have something to write about Trump and another unbelievable act or comment or LIE.  Here’s the bottom line as I’m absorbing this continuing fiasco – the republicans in Congress are bordering on pathetic.  And, Trump’s surrogates at the “White House” – maybe worse. (If that’s possible)  I’m having trouble getting the picture of Mitch McConnell sucking up to Trump the other day in the Rose Garden as Trump initiated the latest public relations DISASTER when he accused President Obama “and many other presidents” of not calling the families of fallen troops.  Of course, the SAD picture of McConnell standing next to Trump has been completely overshadowed by the ensuing controversy as Trump (and his chief of staff John Kelly and his press secretary Sarah Sanders) continued the verbal assault on the family of Sargent La David Johnson who was killed in Niger on October 4.

Then I’m reminded of the “round table” in the “White House” as Trump’s surrogates, a few months ago – one by one, with Reince Priebus the most pathetic – expressed their blubbering gratitude that Trump would allow them to ruin their personal reputations via their association with him and his “lying ways.”  At the time, I almost gagged.  Now we’re to the place where  EVERYONE who’s paying attention – and NOT watching Fox “news” – knows that Trump is a SERIAL LIAR along with being an incompetent president.  He’s a DISASTER and we all know it – including the republicans on Capital Hill.  Apparently, they’re afraid of him – despite knowing he’s a LIAR AND he’s violating the Emoluments clause of the constitution virtually DAILY, AND he’s creating a gulf between America and her traditional allies, AND he, or his campaign (or both) COLLUDED with the Russians to get elected, AND he’s OBSTRUCTED justice in the investigation of the “Russia thing” – all of this is not enough to get the attention of more than a handful of republicans in Congress.

Now, today, I saw a “presser” by Devon Nunez – the head of the House Intelligence Committee – yes, he who’s recused himself and then apparently “sort of” “unrecused” himself (“unrecused” is not a real word, because NO ONE’S ever done this before) from the Russia investigation – is now opening a NEW investigation of Hillary Clinton and the infamous sale of uranium interests from a Canadian company to a Russian company back in 2010.  Hillary Clinton’s State Department, at some level below Mrs. Clinton, along with 7 other agencies of the government approved the sale.  So, now in an apparent effort to take the focus of the media off of Trump’s COLLUSION with the Russians, the Russian ATTACK on our most basic fundamental value – voting – and whether or not they actually succeeded in flipping the 2016 elections (which the Russians believe they did) we’re going to have ANOTHER republican assault on Hillary Clinton.  Someone needs to tell them she’s not running for president again, it’s time for them to back off.

Somehow, these people continue to get elected.  They have no idea how to govern – they’re only good at using dirty lying tactics to win elections and they have the MONEY from people like Charles and David Koch – who care ONLY for more TAX CUTS and fewer environmental regulations – and, they have willing recipients of all their money – both Charles and David are worth MORE than $50 BILLION and their company, Koch Industries, generates OVER $100 BILLION annually – and, it’s a private family owned business.  Obviously, they’ve got a LOT of MONEY and they’re willing to spend it.  When Steve Bannon is threatening “moderate” republicans with “primary opponents who are well funded” you know who’s supplying the MONEY.  The Kochs have a network of rich people who participate in their buying of our government – and, interestingly (and, not surprisingly) some of them have ended up working for Trump.  For example, I have little doubt that the family (probably on both sides) of Betsy DeVoss – who’s busy trying to destroy public education in America – is an integral part of the Koch network.

So, I guess, if we’re all wondering why these republicans are looking so pathetic as they watch Donald Trump taking our nation down notch by notch day by day with his deplorable behavior, his incompetent actions, and his authoritarian tendencies and policy decisions that mirror a certain German Chancellor back in the thirties we can look at the money.  These republicans seem to be volunteering for a dark place in the American History books.  And, our media, including the so-called “liberal” media seems to be “tip toeing” around all this – with a few exceptions in a way that causes me to think Fox has more power than just on their own audience.  Our media doesn’t have an obligation to be “fair and balanced” – it’s got an obligation to be TRUTHFUL.  Many of them are working hard at finding out the TRUTH behind Trump’s unlikely election triumph – now that much of the Russian interference is becoming apparent.  But, many still are seemingly reluctant to call a Trump LIE a LIE.  Honestly, I’m really getting tired of comments using terms like “that was an untruth” or maybe “he misremembered” or “maybe he forgot.”

The other day when General John Kelly got in front of “we the people” and he spewed out a series of LIES about an African American Congress person who had essentially told the TRUTH about how Trump’s phone call to a grieving widow of a slain American soldier was received he showed his time next to Trump had created a stain on his own character.  Instead of Trump realizing he had offended this person – more than likely unintentional – this is another area where Trump has NO IDEA what to do and he was apparently coached by Kelly, who also has no idea what to do based on this episode – and calling this widow again and apologizing that his words were taken the wrong way from what he intended and this issue would have been resolved – plus, people would have been amazed that Trump could be compassionate – he chose to do his usual response to ANY criticism – launch a counter ATTACK! To me, just like those blubbering around the table in the “White House” their gratitude that Trump would allow them to work for him, this is ANOTHER episode which shows the degree he’s pathetic.  He’s GOT TO GO! (The most disappointing part of this episode, to me, was General Kelly’s behavior.  I had been fooled into believing the press reports of his integrity.  He not only came across as a LIAR, but also a racist)

Unfortunately, “we the people” are depending on republicans to IMPEACH  Trump and they’re either afraid of him OR they believe he’ll sign anything they can muster as a legislative victory no matter what the cost will be to “we the people.”  Right now, as I’m writing this there’s a group of Republican Senators speaking to the media and defending their “tax cut” legislation as something that will create jobs and stimulate the economy.  We’ve been hearing this same CRAP since the days of Ronald Reagan and it’s NEVER worked.  George HW Bush called it “Voodoo Economics” and he was the one republican who got it right.  In fact, HW Bush actually worked with Democrats to raise taxes in 1990 due to the high deficits and the Desert Storm war, ultimately costing himself his re-election in 1992.  There’s a lot to question about George HW Bush, but, in this instance he was a republican with the courage to do the right thing working with democrats.  These type of republicans are few and far between these days.

Here’s how deep the LYING goes in the republican party – Yes, no one compares to Trump – but, this group of republican senators trying to convince us all they can cut TRILLIONS of taxes from the top 1% which will create jobs for all us “minions” and will not further balloon the deficit are – well – a bunch of LIARS.  One of them stood there and actually said this, “We (meaning republicans) have created 1.7 MILLION jobs since last November’s election.  Of course, if he was telling the truth he’d be talking about the present budget deal and how it would improve the economy they inherited from Barack Obama.  That is, because virtually EVERY ONE of those 1.7 MILLION jobs (or, at a minimum –  a HUGE majority of them) are the results of the Obama administration.s economic policy which Trump inherited.  As I’ve said many times here, ANY new president is subject to the previous administration in regard to the economy for the FIRST YEAR.  Trump, and the republicans, are just getting around to passing their FIRST budget deal – if they can manage to actually do it – and, “we the people” can judge it based on the resulting job creation around this time next year.

Trump inherited an economy that was creating about 200,000 jobs per month and it’s continued to do so – despite the FACT Trump and the republicans have been UNABLE to do virtually ANYTHING so far in his administration (except continually taking credit for what President Obama’s administration left him).  They’re taking credit for Obama’s success is “par for the course” with republicans.  And, they BLAME democrats for ANYTHING that seems wrond or goes wrong.  If you remember, when President Obama took office, the economy was shedding jobs at the rate of almost 1 MILLION per month – due to the financial meltdown resulting from the Bush/Cheney decisions (which mirror some of what Trump is now trying to do) on the economy  – and, republicans were inexplicably blaming Obama for these jobs losses BEFORE he took the oath of office.  It took President Obama’s administration about one year to turn the disastrous job losses around.  And, more jobs were created than lost in EVERY month for the last 7 years of Obama’s administration – and still going strong!  (Sadly, it’s seems apparent Trump and the republicans are trying to outdo the Bush/Cheney DISASTROUS tax cuts which led to the last economic disaster and the HUGE budget deficits)

For President Obama’s entire two terms in office republicans were CONSTANTLY blaming him for the huge budget deficits.  Well, the reality is that during his two terms in the White House the deficits were cut by approximately two thirds.  The sad reality is that Obama inherited deficits in the neighborhood of $1.5 TRILLION per year and when he left office the deficit was somewhere close to $400 BILLION.  Republicans OBSTRUCTED every initiative Obama proposed to get the deficits down even more (ie an infrastructure program of over  $1 TRILLION in investments to our roads, bridges, railways, and more)  Republicans will continue LYING about all this and when their proposed tax cuts (aimed at the top 1% as usual) pick up “steam” the LYING will pick up steam right with it.  If they succeed, they’ll once again say “Reagan proved deficits don’t matter” and they’ll save their “deficit hawk” critiques for the next democratic president.  As I said above, this is all PATHETIC.

In a sinister way to dampen the effect on the deficit of the HUGE tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans – the “top 1%” – republicans are proposing cuts to Medicare and Medicaid in the neighborhood of $1.5 TRILLION and, trust me, Social Security will be next.  Paul Ryan’s had his eyes on these “socialist” programs since he entered the House of Representatives.  They attempted to make these cuts in their “health care” legislation which they couldn’t get the votes for in the Senate – mainly because there are still republican senators who understand the importance of these programs to “we the people.”  Despite Trump’s CLEAR promises in the campaign that “Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid will not be touched” I guarantee you he’ll WILLINGLY sign anything republicans can put on his desk that he can claim as a “victory.”  In the campaign he said, “we’ll have so many victories it will make your heads spin.” (or something to that affect)  The rich right wingers who don’t need the benefits of these programs NEVER STOP trying to destroy them – this has been going on since the days of FDR – although, for many years from the 50’s until the 80’s they were in the so-called fringe of American politics.

I’ve been writing for years about the need to purge this republican party as it presently exists.  Now, we’ve got Steve Bannon on the same bandwagon – the problem, as I see it, is he’s on the opposite side of the wagon than myself.  He’s wanting to push the entire party closer to the so-called “tea party” while I’d love to see the party headed back to the days of people like Mark Hatfield, Jacob Javitz, Bob Dole, Everett Dirksen, and others who, I’m imagining, would be disbelieving of what’s happened to the “party of Lincoln.”  Honestly, it turns my stomach every time I hear one of these present day republicans use that phrase.

Final thought:  In my next post, if you read it, you’ll find the words of a republican who “used those words” relating to the “party of Lincoln” who didn’t turn my stomach.  In fact, I found his words prescient and inspiring.  I hope you’ll read them, I published them in their entirety.

I’ve been “railing” against where the republican party has been going since I started this “blog” (if that’s what it is).  As a “baby boomer” who’s committed to the blue collar “middle class” created after WW II by the “New Deal” of FDR and followed by – ultimately – LBJ’s so-called “Great Society” where the Civil Rights movement made great “inroads” for African Americans and ultimately many people who check “other” when filling out forms, I’ve been watching a progressively decaying republican party since Ronald Reagan managed to win the “White House.”  Well, the “topper” was when Trump, with the help of the voter suppression tactics of republicans in key states AND the Russians – who to this day are BOASTING they put Trump into the “White House” – we got the ultimate consequence of republicans watching Fox “news” en masse, listening to Limbaugh and the other blowhards on right wing “talk radio” as they drive around, and their tolerance of the white supremacist movement in America.

Republicans claim to be the “party of family values,” they all walk around with copies of the Constitution in their lapel pockets, you have to have an American Flag on your lapel to be a republican, and they constantly preach their moral superiority to all us “liberals.”  And, they support an admitted serial women’s predator as their leader, a man who’s committed over 1300 provable LIES since taking office, a man who demands his surrogates LIE for him (and, unfortunately, many of them are willing – including a four star General), a man with NO moral clarity who’s pretending to be a Christian – to get votes (to me, that might be the worst part of all of this), AND a man who is destroying America’s standing in the world and threatening the health of not only America but the entire world.  Many consider him psychologically unhinged.  Yet, his republican colleagues in Congress continue to support him.

Well, NOT all of them.  On this site, I long ago pointed out it will have to be courageous republicans who get rid of Trump.  The democrats don’t have the power to do so until AT LEAST 2018 and that might be too long to wait.  I’ve pointed out numerous times that I have a right wing friend, who actually supports Trump, that I can talk to and share our different philosophies to the point where we each grow.  We lament that Congress seems unwilling to do so.  My friend disagrees with my take that it’s the republicans who’ve created this problem of divisiveness – I believe the “philosophy” was put on “steroids” by Newt Gingrich back when republicans had been in the minority for a generation (due to the very reasons they’re headed back to the minority)  Yesterday, someone much WISER than me pointed out why this is so.  This is someone who I’d love to sit down with and discuss our “differences.”  – I believe they’d be small and there’d be room to grow for each of us.  I admire this man and will probably buy his book “The Conscience of a Conservative.”

Of course, the original of that book was written by Barry Goldwater back in my formative years and he was also a Senator from Arizona.  It was one of the first books relating to politics I ever read – a few years back I purchased another copy of it to re-read.  It seemed less prescient in today’s world, but, back in the day it was a profound book.  Jeff Flake is the heir to Goldwater’s “Conservative Conscience” and I’ve been waiting all year to hear his words coming from a republican.  Sadly, it was in a speech that announced he was not running for re-election because he would have to compromise his values to win a primary in Arizona – which he’s unwilling to do.  Of course, his words were trashed by the right wing “blowhards,” Sean Hannity on Fox, and it gave Breitbart’s Steve Bannon the feeling of victory as he’s going around the country attacking “establishment republicans.”  Essentially, we have a president attacking members of his own party!

Personally, as a LIBERAL (I once considered myself a conservative, but the meaning of the terms have changed, apparently, a lot over the years) I was inspired by Flake’s speech.  Sooooo, I thought the appropriate way to appreciate it was to publish it here for anyone who’s not heard (or read) it in its entirety.  In my mind, despite the FACT he’s a republican and I don’t like many of his votes, it’s a shame he’s leaving the Senate.  I find him the type of honorable person I can look up to even though I see things differently than he does.  Here’s his speech:

JEFF FLAKE, Senator from Arizona: At a moment when it seems that our democracy is more defined by our discord and our dysfunction than by our own values and principles, let me begin by noting the somewhat obvious point that these offices that we hold are not ours indefinitely. We are not here simply to mark time. Sustained incumbency is certainly not the point of seeking office and there are times when we must risk our careers in favor of our principles. Now is such a time.

It must also be said that I rise today with no small measure of regret. Regret because of the state of our disunion. Regret because of the disrepair and destructiveness of our politics. Regret because of the indecency of our discourse. Regret because of the coarseness of our leadership.

Regret for the compromise of our moral authority, and by our, I mean all of our complicity in this alarming and dangerous state of affairs. It is time for our complicity and our accommodation of the unacceptable to end. In this century, a new phrase has entered the language to describe the accommodation of a new and undesirable order, that phrase being the new normal.

But we must never adjust to the present coarseness of our national dialogue with the tone set up at the top. We must never regard as normal the regular and casual undermining of our democratic norms and ideals. We must never meekly accept the daily sundering of our country. The personal attacks, the threats against principles, freedoms and institution, the flagrant disregard for truth and decency.

The reckless provocations, most often for the pettiest and most personal reasons, reasons having nothing whatsoever to do with the fortunes of the people that we have been elected to serve. None of these appalling features of our current politics should ever be regarded as normal. We must never allow ourselves to lapse into thinking that that is just the way things are now.

If we simply become inured to this condition, thinking that it is just politics as usual, then heaven help us. Without fear of the consequences and without consideration of the rules of what is politically safe or palatable, we must stop pretending that the degradation of our politics and the conduct of some in our executive branch are normal. They are not normal. Reckless, outrageous and undignified behavior has become excused and countenanced as telling it like it is when it is actually just reckless, outrageous and undignified.

And when such behavior emanates from the top of our government, it is something else. It is dangerous to a democracy. Such behavior does not project strength because our strength comes from our values. It instead projects a corruption of the spirit and weakness. It is often said that children are watching. Well, they are. And what are we going to do about that? When the next generation asks us, ‘Why didn’t you do something? Why didn’t you speak up?’ What are we going to say?

Mr. President, I rise today to say: enough. We must dedicate ourselves to making sure that the anomalous never becomes the normal. With respect and humility, I must say that we have fooled ourselves for long enough that a pivot to governing is right around the corner, a return to civility and stability right behind it.

We know better than that. By now, we all know better than that. Here today I stand to say that we would be better served — we would better serve the country — by better fulfilling our obligations under the Constitution by adhering to our Article 1 — “old normal,” Mr. Madison’s doctrine of separation of powers. This genius innovation which affirms Madison’s status as a true visionary — and for which Madison argued in Federalist 51 — held that the equal branches of our government would balance and counteract with each other, if necessary.

“Ambition counteracts ambition,” he wrote. But what happens if ambition fails to counteract ambition? What happens if stability fails to assert itself in the face of chaos and instability? If decency fails to call out indecency? Were the shoe on the other foot, we Republicans — would we Republicans meekly accept such behavior on display from dominant Democrats?

Of course, we wouldn’t, and we would be wrong if we did. When we remain silent and fail to act, when we know that silence and inaction is the wrong thing to do because of political considerations, because we might make enemies, because we might alienate the base, because we might provoke a primary challenge, because ad infinitum, ad nauseam, when we succumb to those considerations in spite of what should be greater considerations and imperatives in defense of our institutions and our liberty, we dishonor our principles and forsake our obligations. Those things are far more important than politics.

Now, I’m aware that more politically savvy people than I will caution against such talk. I’m aware that there’s a segment of my party that believes that anything short of complete and unquestioning loyalty to a president who belongs to my party is unacceptable and suspect. If I have been critical, it is not because I relish criticizing the behavior of the president of the United States.

If I have been critical, it is because I believe it is my obligation to do so. And as a matter and duty of conscience, the notion that one should stay silent — and as the norms and values that keep America strong are undermined and as the alliances and agreements that ensure the stability of the entire world are routinely threatened by the level of thought that goes into 140 characters — the notion that we should say or do nothing in the face of such mercurial behavior is ahistoric and, I believe, profoundly misguided.

A president, a Republican president named Roosevelt, had this to say about the president and a citizen’s relationship to the office: “The president is merely the most important among a large number of public servants. He should be supported or opposed exactly to the degree which is warranted by his good conduct or bad conduct, his efficiency or inefficiency in rendering loyal, able and disinterested service to the nation as a whole.”

He continued: “Therefore, it is absolutely necessary that there should be — that there should be a full liberty to tell the truth about his acts and this means that it is exactly as necessary to blame him when he does wrong as to praise him when he does right. Any other attitude in an American citizen is both base and servile.” President Roosevelt continued, “To announce that there must be no criticism of the president or that we are to stand by a president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”

Acting on conscience and principle in a manner — is the manner — in which we express our moral selves and as such, loyalty to conscience and principle should supersede loyalty to any man or party. We can all be forgiven for failing in that measure from time to time. I certainly put myself at the top of the list of those who fall short in this regard. I am holier than none.

But too often we rush to salvage principle — not to salvage principle, but to forgive and excuse our failures so that we might accommodate them and go right on failing until the accommodation itself becomes our principle. In that way and over time, we can justify almost any behavior and sacrifice any principle. I am afraid that this is where we now find ourselves.

When a leader correctly identifies real hurt and insecurity in our country, and instead of addressing it, goes to look for someone to blame, there is perhaps nothing more devastating to a pluralistic society. Leadership knows that most often a good place to start in assigning blame is to look somewhat closer to home. Leadership knows where the buck stops.

Humility helps, character counts. Leadership does not knowingly encourage or feed ugly or debased appetites in us. Leadership lives by the American creed, “E pluribus unum.” From many one. American leadership looks to the world and just as Lincoln did, sees the family of man. Humanity is not a zero sum game. When we have been at our most prosperous, we have been at our most principled, and when we do well, the rest of the world does well.

These articles of civic faith have been critical to the American identity for as long as we have been alive. They are our birthright and our obligation. We must guard them jealously and pass them on for as long as the calendar has days. To betray them or to be unserious in their defense is a betrayal of the fundamental obligations of American leadership and to behave as if they don’t matter is simply not who we are.

Now the efficacy of American leadership around the globe has come into question. When the United States emerged from World War II, we contributed about half of the world’s economic activity. It would have been easy to secure our dominance keeping those countries who had been defeated or greatly weakened during the war in their place. We didn’t do that. It would have been easy to focus inward.

We resisted those impulses. Instead, we financed reconstruction of shattered countries and created international organizations and institutions that have helped provide security and foster prosperity around the world for more than 70 years.

Now it seems that we, the architects of this visionary rules-based world order that has brought so much freedom and prosperity, are the ones most eager to abandon it. The implications of this abandonment are profound and the beneficiaries of this rather radical departure in the American approach to the world are the ideological enemies of our values. Despotism loves a vacuum and our allies are now looking elsewhere for leadership. Why are they doing this? None of this is normal.

And what do we, as United States senators, have to say about it? The principles that underlie our politics, the values of our founding, are too vital to our identity and to our survival to allow them to be compromised by the requirements of politics because politics can make us silent when we should speak and silence can equal complicity. I have children and grandchildren to answer to.

And so, Mr. President, I will not be complicit or silent. I’ve decided that I would be better able to represent the people of Arizona and to better serve my country and my conscience by freeing myself of the political consideration that consumed far too much bandwidth and would cause me to compromise far too many principles.

To that end, I’m announcing today that my service in the Senate will conclude at the end of my term in early January 2019. It is clear at this moment that a traditional conservative, who believes in limited government and free markets, who is devoted to free trade, who is pro-immigration, has a narrower and narrower path to nomination in the Republican Party, the party that has so long defined itself by its belief in those things.

It is also clear to me for the moment that we have given in or given up on the core principles in favor of a more viscerally satisfying anger and resentment. To be clear, the anger and resentment that the people feel at the royal mess that we’ve created are justified. But anger and resentment are not a governing philosophy.

There is an undeniable potency to a populist appeal by mischaracterizing or misunderstanding our problems and giving in to the impulse to scapegoat and belittle — the impulse to scapegoat and belittle threatens to turn us into a fearful, backward-looking people. In the case of the Republican Party, those things also threaten to turn us into a fearful, backward-looking minority party.

We were not made great as a country by indulging in or even exalting our worst impulses, turning against ourselves, glorifying in the things that divide us, and calling fake things true and true things fake. And we did not become the beacon of freedom in the darkest corners of the world by flouting our institutions and failing to understand just how hard-won and vulnerable they are.

This spell will eventually break. That is my belief. We will return to ourselves once more, and I say the sooner the better. Because we have a healthy government, we must also have healthy and functioning parties. We must respect each other again in an atmosphere of shared facts and shared values, comity and good faith. We must argue our positions fervently and never be afraid to compromise. We must assume the best of our fellow man, and always look for the good.

Until that day comes, we must be unafraid to stand up and speak out as if our country depends on it, because it does. I plan to spend the remaining 14 months of my Senate term doing just that.

Mr. President, the graveyard is full of indispensable men and women. None of us here is indispensable nor were even the great figures of history who toiled at these very desks, in this very chamber, to shape the country that we have inherited. What is indispensable are the values that they consecrated in Philadelphia and in this place, values which have endured and will endure for so long as men and women wish to remain free.

What is indispensable is what we do here in defense of those values. A political career does not mean much if we are complicit in undermining these values. I thank my colleagues for indulging me here today.

I will close by borrowing the words of President Lincoln, who knew more about healthy enmity and preserving our founding values than any other American who has ever lived. His words from his first inaugural were a prayer in his time and are now no less in ours.

“We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break the bonds of our affection. The mystic chords of memory will swell when again touched, as surely as they will be, by the better angels of our nature.”

Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor.

Attention Republicans: Next MAN up!

The other day I wrote a post regarding the impassioned “speech” given at the “White House” press secretary’s podium by General John Kelly, Trump’s chief of staff.  In the post, I did my best to give Kelly the benefit of the doubt – with the conclusion being he should allow others to do the talking at the podium and just stay in the background (or words to that effect).  Well, after hearing ALL the words of the congress person he was sent out to attack, I’m glad he gave his speech – because, I’ve been listening to people “from both sides of the isle” giving Kelly the highest of praise since he took over as Trump’s chief of staff.  Well, obviously, there’s many in Washington DC who don’t/didn’t know Kelly very well.  We do now – and, personally, I don’t like what I see.

Kelly stood on that podium, which, until Trump came along, was noted for the HONESTY of the person speaking to “we the people.”  Kelly, himself, lamented about things he considered “sacred.”  Well, most of us have considered “sacred” the words coming from the president’s spokesperson – who speaks from the podium to reporters who keep “we the people” informed.  (at least, that’s how it’s supposed to work)  Since Trump became president we’ve seen Sean Spicer violate that “sacred” honor MANY times and, since he was unceremoniously FIRED, Sarah Huckabee Sanders has made one thing perfectly clear – she’s the daughter of Mike Huckabee.  That should tell you all you need to know.  You’d think the daughter of a minister of the faith would TELL THE TRUTH, but, noooooo – the lies keep coming.  (Of course, Huckabee has proven to be another person who deals in “alternative facts” – seemingly, whatever works to extend his “15 minutes of fame”)

Kelly started off his “laments” by saying “at one time, women were sacred.”  Now, I wasn’t sure how to take that one because, well, you know who he’s working for.  (women have NEVER been sacred to his boss – maybe Kelly missed the “Access Hollywood tape”)  I was guessing, he was making a veiled reference to the Weinstein situation that is, finally, causing people to – at least temporarily – take notice to the issue of sexual abuse of women.  You’d think, by the way, Trump would be feeling a bit uneasy as this “story” unfolds.  But, I digress…….  However, later in Kelly’s remarks it became clear what his real purpose was – and, it kind of reminded me of the Weinstein situation.  Kelly went after the Congress person from Florida – I believe her name is Frederica Wilson – with “both barrels.”  In fact, he called her an “empty barrel, whatever that’s supposed to mean (I took it to mean she wasn’t very smart.)

Kelly accused Congress person Wilson of taking the opportunity to dedicate a building in Florida, which was being named for two slain FBI agents, to aggrandize herself – kind of what Kelly’s boss does on a routine basis – when she gave remarks dedicating the building.  Kelly claimed Ms Wilson BRAGGED about gaining “$20 MILLION dollars from Obama” to get the building constructed and, basically he was suggesting her remarks were all about herself and how she was the reason the building was there in the first place (It’s an FBI building).  The two officers the building was named for died in a “shootout” in Miami back in 1986.

Keep in mind, Congress person Wilson is the member of Congress who was riding in the car with the widow of Sgt. La David Johnson who was killed in Niger recently – they were on their way to the airport to receive the casket – which couldn’t be opened due to the FACT his body was not found for two days after he was killed.  Trump managed to call the widow as they were driving to the airport and Ms Wilson was in the car along with the widow’s parents – she put the phone on “speakerphone.”  The resulting words of Trump, who was apparently being coached on how to do this by Kelly, himself, were taken as insulting by the family.  Trump consoled the widow by saying, “He knew what he was getting into, but I guess it still hurts.”  Well, those words apparently made it hurt worse.  (I pointed out in my last post that when I joined the Marines in 1967 I, nor my friends, did so with the idea we would be killed – the more I’ve thought about it, we were all so young, we didn’t know what to think)  Ms Wilson couldn’t help but over hear the conversation along with Sgt. Johnson’s widow’s parents.  Suggesting she was “listening in” to the conversation, by Kelly, was a bit bizarre.

So, the Congress person relayed that Trump’s words were not taken well and the family felt insulted by what he said,  True to form, instead of calling them back and apologizing (I don’t think Trump is capable of doing that) and demonstrating some actual heart felt empathy Trump went after Congress person Wilson.  If you’ve watched Trump at all, this is no surprise.  Anyone who does not “bow” to him, gets it with “both barrels.”  Well, Trump’s attack on Ms Wilson wasn’t getting the intended result, so out comes General Kelly – the person EVERYONE admires and a “gold star” father himself – in fact, Trump brought Kelly into this bru ha ha by injecting Kelly’s son who was killed in Afghanistan (“I don’t think Obama called Kelly – you’ll have to ask him” – and, honestly, I believe that’s the last thing General Kelly wanted people asking him about)

Well, now we all know General Kelly much better.  Yesterday, the ENTIRE speech Frederica Wilson gave to dedicate the FBI building in Miami in 2015 was published – likely in many places.  Of course, like what happens to Trump all the time, now Kelly is initiated, there’s TV cameras everywhere when stuff like this happens.  And, those who record stuff like this have archives.  So, it was not hard to get Ms Wilson’s actual words so we could all hear here bragging about getting the money to build this FBI building instead of honoring the two fallen agents and their brethren.  Well, here’s the problem for General Kelly:  Ms Wilson didn’t say one word about the money. She didn’t mention President Obama’s name once as far as I could tell.  After listening to her words I had a much better idea of why Kelly is working for Trump.  (If you read my previous post I had to wonder, after all his reminiscing and lamenting about honor, why would he work for someone who is the opposite of his supposed “ideals?”)

I’ll make this simple.  Kelly was LYING.  There you have it – just like the rest of the people associated with Trump and his administration – he’s a LIAR.  Ms Wilson’s speech was actually a bit inspiring.  It was nice to hear a democrat giving effusive praise to republicans – two I can remember for sure were John Boehner and Marco Rubio – as being instrumental in the efforts to name the building for the two fallen agents.  That’s actually what most of her remarks were about – the process of getting the building named for these two agents in a short period of time.  She gave credit to the republicans for PUSHING it quickly through Congress.  She also gave praise to the FBI agents that was inspiring – at least to me.  It was not AT ALL about herself.  In fact, it was a wonderful speech and she was giving it because the building happened to be in her district.

Furthermore, yesterday I heard more about Ms Wilson’s history.  This is a very honorable woman – NOT an “empty barrel” – again, trying to figure out what that means – Ms Wilson took it as racist – certainly it was the demeaning type of words that characterize what women are fighting about in regards to the Weinstein situation – at a minimum.  And, based on the FACT Kelly is willingly working for Trump, I would be unwilling to suggest it’s NOT racist – Trump’s “White House” is there because of his support from the “White Nationalist” movement in this country.  Ms  Wilson was a teacher, a principal, a state representative, a state senator, and now an honorable representative in the House of Representatives.  She’s spent her live serving others!

Kelly, based on his words, had been carrying these thoughts about Ms Wilson for over two years.  How he interpreted her words in the way he did speaks volumes about his own prejudices – that he needs to revisit.  The bottom line is his speaking about how women, at one time, were “sacred” causes me to wonder how he could be so insensitive as to agree to give this speech – and, how he could have interpreted her words in the way he did.  I’ve heard many commentaries regarding how many “generals” didn’t like having a “Black person” as their commander in chief.  Apparently, Kelly is one of them, because invoking Obama’s name into this controversy as he did was strange.  I didn’t hear President Obama’s name mentioned once in Ms Wilson’s remarks.  Honestly, this leads me to believe Kelly is part of the group of crusty old white men who can’t give up their “white privilege.”  I really don’t know what else to say.

Although, to me, if I was giving his original speech, I would have added that “at one time, TELLING THE TRUTH was ‘sacred.'”  Of course, Kelly was not telling the truth and he works for someone who rarely, if ever, tells the truth and he was at a podium that has been STAINED by Spicer and, now, Sanders being willing to stand before the American people and, obviously, LIE.  Yesterday, Ms Sanders was still standing before “we the people” and answering questions from reporters, one day after Kelly’s remarks, reporters who had actually heard ALL of Ms Wilson’s remarks.  Ms Sanders “doubled down” and, to make matters worse, suggested that disagreeing with a “four star Marine General” is …………………………  I can’t remember the exact word – but almost like she was saying it’s unpatriotic to question someone who’s a general – despite the FACT he’s LYING.  We have to remember the Trump “White House” lives in a world of “alternative facts.”  (and, Trump’s authoritarian personality)

Sanders went even further.  After pointing out “we the people” have an obligation to believe whatever a “Marine four star General” says she was asked if she had seen the entire tape of Ms Wilson’s remarks and she replied she had.  Then, she said, inexplicably (and, I might add, very “Trumpian”)  “she made other remarks off camera that General Kelly heard.”  Of course, then we get into a “he said she said” situation that apparently Ms Sanders felt would get Kelly off the hook.  Well, I don’t think it will work and, what it really does, is further soils Ms Sanders in the eyes of those of us in the group I call “we the people” who don’t like being LIED to and who actually check things out to figure out if someone’s LYING.  Ms Sanders was LYING – trying to make Kelly look better.

I said, yesterday, General Kelly would be better served staying in the background.  However, now that we know more about him, to me, he’s got two HONORABLE options.  He could return to that podium and apologize to representative Wilson and “own” that he remembered things incorrectly.  (of course, as someone associated with Trump, that’s probably impossible)  The other option is to RESIGN.  Let’s assume his original remarks were actually from his heart – then he’s being CORRUPTED by his time in the “White House” and, whatever he’s accomplishing there is not worth that.  If he’s the honorable man he tried to portray himself as, he should RESIGN immediately.  I doubt that he will, I doubt that he’ll apologize, and, my guess is, he’ll continue to delude himself into believing he heard words that were NEVER spoken.

What’s interesting is this building, apparently, was constructed prior to Ms Wilson becoming the representative for that area – at least the funding was approved prior to her service.  That’s why it was so strange that Kelly invoked the money and President Obama into his LIE.  Kind of makes me think he’s got issues with Black people in high places.  Again, that also makes it clearer to me why he’s willing to work in the “White House” for a man who has openly violated the very principles Kelly feels are sacred.  There’s a sad reality for both of these men, Kelly and Trump (and, I should add, Ms Sanders) – they should apologize.  Can you imagine what the public reaction would be if both Kelly and Trump apologized? (Trump should simply apologize to the widow of Sgt. Johnson)  It would be a simple solution to this most recent Trump created scandal (which has successfully taken the public attention away from a budget deal that apparently cuts over a TRILLION dollars from Medicaid and Medicare).  But, Trump NEVER apologizes – for ANYTHING – and, I’m guessing, neither will Kelly.  And, quite possibly, this “scandal” serves their purposes!

Final thought: Again, I’m publishing this piece without re-reading and editing.  Apologies for the “foo pahs.”

I listened this morning to General John Kelly give an impassioned “speech” at the podium of the White House press secretary where he lamented that, in his mind, pretty much nothing is sacred in America anymore.  As I listened to him I had to wonder “how can you be working for Donald Trump with those feelings?”  Does he not see that the issues which prompted him being brought to the podium to castigate the Florida representative who was in the limo with the wife and parents of one of the fallen soldiers who died recently in Niger were the result of Trump’s own precocity to LIE – virtually, ALL the time?

According to Kelly, he was the one who coached Trump into saying, “Well, he knew what he was getting into (or what he signed up for – I can’t remember), but it still must hurt.”  Of course, the family members and the representative didn’t take that as an empathetic comment while they were receiving the coffin of their loved one in a casket that could not be opened.  (The soldier’s body was found two days after the troops were attacked – in a circumstance which is still not totally clear).  And, General Kelly had pent up disrespect for this congress person – evidently, resulting in her actions during the dedication of an FBI building in Florida back in 2015.  Apparently, she did something akin, from the perspective of those in the military and FBI, to Trump’s fiasco in front of the sacred wall of the CIA shortly after he was sworn in as our so-called president.  (Although, there are multiple reports suggesting Kelly’s allegations were unfounded – honestly, Kelly’s remarks show why it’s a rare occurrence for a General to be president – or even a president’s chief of staff)

General Kelly was very sincere in his remarks and came across, at least to me, as someone who’s frustrated with the direction of America – over the past many years.  And, I have to add, I have no problem with suggesting that members of Congress do despicable things – Kelly suggested it was terrible for the congress person to listen in on this call from Trump – but, the reality is she was in the limo when the call was made and the soldier’s wife put the phone on “speaker.”  I’m not sure how she could avoid listening in.  Maybe Kelly is suggesting the wife of the fallen soldier should have taken the call at another time?  That doesn’t seem plausible to me.

I gathered that Kelly was trying to “calm the storm” that was created when his boss, as he has a tendency to do, used Barack Obama to get himself out of what, apparently, he feels is a “pickle.”  Keep in mind, Trump is the type of person who will NEVER admit to making a mistake – he’s constantly looking for positive feedback about his own performance – AND if he doesn’t get it from those around him, he’ll give it to himself.  He LIED about how Obama dealt with those who died in action.  Keep in mind, Obama inherited a REAL mess (if you remember, Trump claimed he inherited a “mess” – more on that LIE in a bit) and over two thousand troops died during his two terms in office.  It would be impractical to think that President Obama would call the families of each soldier.  There’s a protocol about how all of the notifications and who makes the calls that General Kelly outlined this morning.  Obama didn’t call Kelly when his own son was killed and Kelly was quick to say, that was not a negative.

So, all Trump had to do on Monday when he was asked about the four soldiers killed in Niger was to tell the truth.  Like, there’s a protocol on how to deal with this and he’s in the midst of taking care of it.  I really don’t know what he SHOULD have said, but another unfounded attack on his predecessor – and, I think it REALLY bothers Trump that President Obama is much more popular than he is and MOST people consider Obama a MUCH better president – was the absolute wrong way to answer the question.  (Of course, there’s many republicans who despise Obama – Trump included – and, I’ve always maintained many of them do so because of the color of his skin – but, I digress….)  So, what I’m saying here is – despite General Kelly’s impassioned speech to the contrary – this ENTIRE episode was self inflicted by Trump.

And, as Kelly was going through things that SHOULD be sacred and lamented that the death of a soldier should NEVER be politicized (that’s me trying to paraphrase the gist of his remarks – apologies for any error) – and, I have to say, I agree with him – however, his boss ignited the controversy.  It sounded as if Kelly was trying to coach Trump through the process of calling the families of these four “heroes” and he, himself, gave Trump the words that ended up being so controversial.  Those words, in my mind, would sound much different coming from a soldier’s commanding officer than the president who NEVER served and found ways to avoid serving during Viet Nam.

And, I have to say that technically – at least in my mind, I’ve never served – BUT, in 1967 I did enlist in the Marines – what was then called the PLC or “Platoon Leader Corp” – during my junior year in college.  I had been brainwashed into believing the Viet Nam war was necessary to save us all from “communism.”  I was allowed to complete my junior year of college and then reported, I thought, to head to “boot camp” in Quantico, Virginia.  However, the Marine doctor took one look at the scar on my left knee (football injury from high school), had it x-rayed and said to me, “Son, if the Red Chinese were marching down Broadway in Portland, we wouldn’t take you” and, I was given a medical discharge.  I’m only saying this because I tried to serve and then witnessed 13 of my high school classmates die from action in Viet Nam.  (and, we had a very small high school)

I don’t believe ANY of us enlisted (or, back then, in some cases were drafted) with the idea of dying for our country.  Yes, you knew it was a possibility, but what was in our heads (or at least mine) was to FIGHT for my country and it’s values.  (which, by the way, I feel I’m doing on occasion as I vent my frustration – which obviously comes in a different form than Kelly’s – with the direction of the country I love)  So, I can totally understand why a grieving wife would take offense to someone like Trump saying “He knew what he signed up for” under these terrible circumstances.  Just the FACT that General Kelly was sent out to “clarify” all this just further confirms Trumps inability to “own” mistakes and an unwillingness to NEVER admit he’s wrong.

General Kelly came across to me as a fine man – someone who has genuinely committed his life to serving America – he called those in the military the finest 1%.  I’d love to be able to have breakfast with him and have an extended conversation about his frustrations and then have him explain to me why he’s enabling Donald Trump.  I “get” that his sense of duty is strong, but in his remarks, for example, he lamented how “at one time women were sacred.”  Of course, my interpretation of those remarks may be different than the meaning he was intending, but the first thought that went through my head was, “have you heard the Access Hollywood tapes?”

And, when he lamented that “at one time ‘Religion’ was sacred in America” – as a Christian myself, I just didn’t understand how to interpret that comment.  To me what has ALWAYS been sacred in America is the “Freedom of religion” – or, from the standpoint of many – the “freedom FROM religion.”  To me, one of the main reasons I continue to write my frustrations on this blog stems from the reality that “Christians” are the base of the republican party and, just as in Nazi Germany back in the 30’s when it was the “conservative Christians” who were Hitler’s base, it’s almost like deja vu all over again in America with Trump.  And, to me, Trump’s attempts to show he’s a believer almost make me sick to my stomach.  It’s possible, maybe since his “2 Corinthians” fiasco at, of all places, Liberty University – maybe he’s become a believer – but, as they say, the “proof is in the pudding” and I’ve seen none of Trump’s actions to cause me to believe that’s true.

And, for those who are offended by any comparison to the Third Reich – check your history.  Hitler’s campaign slogan was “Make Germany Great Again.”  The “Big Lie Theory” that republicans and their media enablers like Fox “news” and Rush Limbaugh have been “married to” for years is the work of Joseph Goebbels, the chief propagandist of the Third Reich.  Additionally, if you didn’t notice, many of those “fine people” – as Trump referred to the protesters carrying Tiki Torches in Charlottesville – were wearing Nazi armbands and carrying Nazi flags.  Do you need more?  Well, how about this – in one of Trump’s campaign stops he had the audience giving the “heil” salute to get their promise of loyalty to his campaign.  Is that not enough?  Recently Milo Yiannopoulus, a Breitbart associate of Steve Bannon, and a group of his “friends” – including Richard Spencer who’s the “money” behind much of the “White Nationalist” movement in America and a strong financial backer of Trump – were kicked out of a bar because, while Yiannopoulus was apparently “lip singing” Spencer and the rest were giving the “heil Hitler” salute.  Maybe they were joking.  Personally, I don’t find any of this funny.

I’ve heard that Kelly and General Mattis and Rex Tillerson (and, maybe others) are committed to protecting the rest of us from any irrational foreign policy decisions Trump may or may not make.  Most people who bring this up do so in a way to suggest “we the people” should be comforted by this.  Personally, it’s not that comforting.  When we have a president who’s an unbelievable NARCISSIST, who’s inept at the job he has, and who has a CLEAR authoritarian personality (I mean, those around the world he admires are the DICTATORS – like Vladimir Putin) I get no comfort in thinking the “check” to Trump is a group of Generals.  While listening to Kelly today made me admire him in the sense that he’s a genuinely good man, I don’t have a lot of confidence in his political IQ – or his ability to understand the world as it exists today.  Sounded to me as if he was longing for years gone by.  My advice to him would be “stay out of politics.”  And, making the kinds of characterizations of the Congress person from Florida – while serving as Trump’s chief of staff – would be better kept personal and private.  The part I didn’t like about Kelly’s remarks was that he appeared to be politically inept and ill informed – or, maybe just trying to live in the past.  Either way, he better serves his position by not allowing himself to be used in the way he was used in this instance.

Final Thought:  I said above I’d elaborate on Trump’s comments that he “inherited a mess.”  Like just about EVERYTHING he says, he’s a LIAR.  And, in this instance, you can use his own words to clarify.  If you remember, during the campaign he blasted the economic jobs reports and the reports about the unemployment numbers consistently IMPROVING during the last 7 years of Obama’s term.  The MESS was what Bush/Cheney left for Obama to clean up – which happened thanks to the “stimulus” package which was passed shortly after President Obama took the oath of office.  Additionally, Obama used some of the TARP “bailout” money that Bush/Cheney intended for Wall Street and SAVED the auto industry – SAVING over a MILLION jobs in the process – these were REAL jobs saved – not imaginary jobs saved as Trump has claimed numerous times since taking office.  In fact, Trump has claimed credit for several jobs saving measures that were in place well before he took office.  Once in office, the jobs reports and employment statistics – which continued almost EXACTLY as Obama left them – became something Trump willingly took credit for.

As I’ve said numerous times on this site, in the first year in office a president is “saddled” with the policy of the previous administration.  So, all Trump’s bragging so far this year about the jobs and Wall Street, etc. are the results of the economy President Obama left for him.  It all has LITTLE to do with Trump – although, most people suggest Wall Street surged in anticipation of HUGE tax cuts for the wealthy and reduced environmental and economic restrictions.  Anyone who’s paying attention knows that Wall Street is a HUGE gambling casino and it’s all about the MONEY and NOT about what’s best for “Main Street.”  Apparently, republicans are able to pass their budget which will cut almost $2 TRILLION from Medicare and Medicaid in order to fund their HUGE tax cuts for the rich.  (Months ago I told anyone visiting this site that “tax reform” would be HUGE tax cuts for the top 1% and that’s EXACTLY what’s happening – Democrats SHOULD be raising Holy Hell over this)

The actual “Trump effect” on the economy will be known by this time next year – if history is any indication and republicans succeed in this tax cut – they’ll be again saying “Ronald Reagan proved deficits don’t matter.”  (they won’t matter until there’s a democrat in the “White House” again – which will likely be in 2020)

As far as “foreign policy” – by the time Trump took office, the Obama administration (and, of course the military) had ISIL on the run.  Mosul was close to being re-taken by the Iraqi’s along with their American “advisers.”  The program of using special forces around the globe to fight the terrorists along with Drone technology was well advanced.  I’ve seen nothing to indicate that Trump is doing anything but following the lead of Obama with whatever “tweaks” to the policy that General Mattis has put in place.  Maybe they’ve made gains.  Mattis is well respected.  But, the reality is there’s FAR fewer Americans in “harms way” than when President Obama inherited two unwinnable and poorly thought out occupations.  It’s true he didn’t get all the troops home “on his watch” – but, the TRUTH is it was President Obama who inherited a MESS.  To me, as I’ve watched Trump in action I would say he’s CREATING a MESS!  I’ve often lamented about the “damage” he might do as our so-called president and, it’s in the area of foreign policy where the DAMAGE may end up being the most difficult to recover from once he’s out of office – especially if he makes it to the end of his first term.

It’s like the “stuff” is never ending with the Trump “White House” and it’s looking clearer and clearer that Bob Mueller is going to get through the “stuff” and Trump is going to be in a “world of hurt” when Mueller’s investigation is made public AND these cowering republicans are really going to be on the spot.  Do they follow their oath and do what’s right or do they try to placate Steve Bannon to avoid a “primary challenge?” (From a “White Nationalist for that matter – what has this country come to???)  Today’s “drama:”  Trump’s battle with the “gold star” families and his LIES about President Obama and Obama’s predecessors AND Jeff Sessions testifying in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Let’s start with Sessions.  His testimony SHOULD have been routine – because, after all, it’s the Senate Judiciary Committee which has the obligation for “oversight” of the Justice Department of which Sessions is the “head” – as Attorney General.  Well, of course, Sessions’ testimony was anything but routine.  From my perspective Sessions did the very same thing he did during his confirmation hearings – he LIED to Congress.  His answers to questions relating to the “Russia thing” and his involvement made little sense.  (Trump was “tweeting” in “real time” during the testimony so I have a feeling it was orchestrated as well as these inept Russian dupes – Trump and Sessions – are capable)  And, his own characterization of his own testimony was confusing at best.

Sessions repeatedly refused to answer questions relating to his conversations with Trump despite no claim of “executive privilege” – which, from the lawyers I’ve listened to, would be easily challenged in court if the Committee had the will to do so.  Of course, the chairman of the committee is Chuck Grassley who’s doing everything he can to BLOCK the Russia investigation as if their attack on our most fundamental values means nothing.  In fact, Sessions himself stated there’s NO Justice Department investigation into what the Russians did and there’s NO plan to STOP them from doing it again.  (Evidently, republicans are counting on the Russians to help them keep control of Congress in 2018 – which, considering the stupidity of so many American voters, just may be possible.) (And, go ahead Lars Larsen, call me an “elite liberal” again – as you’re one of the “water carriers” that keep so many Americans in ignorant bliss)

Sessions came across himself as a bit short “upstairs” as he was fumbling through any of the pointed questions designed to get “straight answers.”  The thought of him at the helm of the Justice Department makes me a bit queezy in the stomach AND knowing they’re doing NOTHING to prevent this type of ATTACK in the future is UNACCEPTABLE.  All Americans should be angry when they hear this stuff – republican, democrat, and independent.  Can you hear the republican uproar if President Obama had been elected because of outside interference – no matter where it came from?

The Russians were helping Trump – and, apparently there were Americans helping the Russians help Trump (do you think they were affiliated with the campaign?).  The Russians, as reported more than once by people who follow Russia’s media, think they actually swung the election Trump’s way.  Of course, there was also a plethora of “voter suppression” scams that affected key battleground states – states like North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin that could have, by themselves, made the difference in those states – all decided by small to “razor thin” margins.  I heard in one report that Wisconsin republicans succeeded in disenfranchising over 350,000 potential voters – with the target being democratic leaning demographics.  And, I have to add, democrats oblivious to it all because “Hillary was going to win.”

So, why isn’t the Justice Department, the foundation of American liberty, FIGHTING to make sure that foreigners CAN’T affect our elections and EVERY American who wants to vote has the RIGHT to vote?  Well, as republicans have famously said, “The fewer people who vote, the better we do.”  Maybe their new “mantra” will be “the more Russian influence in the election the better we do.”  I have to believe the ultimate person who will determine who did what and who needs to be held accountable for their words and actions will be Bob Mueller.  And, from what I can tell, he means business and he’s not going to be intimidated by ANYONE including our so-called president – Donald Trump.

Sessions testimony and his alleged LYING to Congress (again – or so it appeared to me and others) SHOULD have “ruled the day.”  But, NO, Trump just won’t have that.  As he’s done so many times he finds a way to change the subject and get just about everyone arguing about something else to get the topic off of Russia.  Trump’s diversion?  Well, yesterday, as I wrote just last night, Trump insulted the wife of one of the soldiers who was killed in Niger when he FINALLY called her – more than likely as a result of a question at a Rose Garden impromptu news conference on Monday – where he accused President Obama (always Trump’s fallback target when he has to make up a story – remember: “Obama wiretapped Trump Tower, Sad”) of not calling the families of “fallen soldiers.”

Trump was challenged on that assertion in real time – he was “outed” – so he went to his “secondary” story telling strategy (that he always uses – remember the “Birther movement?”  Trump would say, “I don’t know if he was born here, I’ve just heard that.  Why doesn’t he show his birth certificate?”) when he then said, “well I don’t know, it’s just what I’ve been told” as if that would make his LYING true.  Of course, Trump is never satisfied with his LIES (reminds me of a sign we had at my school – I was a sixth grade teacher – at the Principal’s office – “Tell the truth, there’s less to remember”) and he just gets deeper and deeper.  Why?  Because he’s INCAPABLE of admitting a mistake – which would have been the honest answer to the initial question.  In this instance he then, inexplicably, referenced the son of his chief of staff General Kelly who died in Afghanistan and said, “ask General Kelly if Obama called him.”  As if, General Kelly wants to re-open that terrible wound.

This approach is similar to sixth grade behavior – when a student would clearly do something that required some form of discipline or accountability – we’d call it a “teaching moment” – many would invariably defend their abhorrent behavior by saying, “but ‘so and so’ did this, or did that” as if “so and so’s” behavior – whatever it may or may not have been, made their misbehavior OK.  In my 23 years of teaching I could only estimate the number of times I had to deal with that type of thinking.  With sixth graders you feel you can teach them the “error of their ways” and help them change their behavior going forward (and, many times we did) – but with Trump?  The man is 71 years old, he’s the MOST narcissistic person I’ve EVER seen, AND, he appears to lack any moral compass or sense of compassion or empathy – I don’t think he will be changing anytime soon.

Today, we heard verification that Trump did insult the family of the soldier in Florida who were at the airport for the return of his remains – there was his grieving wife and his and her parents – the parents, along with the Congress person – who had a lifelong relationship with this very fine young man and was in the limo – all confirmed Trump said, “He knew what he was signing up for, but, I guess it still hurts.”  He said this to the fallen soldier’s wife in earshot of his parents (the phone was on “speakerphone”) and the Congress person.  According to the wife, Trump couldn’t remember the soldier’s name.  As Trump might end a “tweet,” SAD!  But wait, this is Trump, so of course, there’s more.

A “gold star” mom came forward (I heard her gut wrenching interview on “The Beat” with Ari Melber on MSNBC) and pointed out her son was killed last May and she has received no letter or phone call from Trump in the ensuing five months – neither of which, as she so emotionally stated, would bring her son back – she just wanted to KNOW that these soldiers – the ones who give their lives and those with injuries – she mentioned PTSD – would be remembered and they and their families would be taken care of.  This would not have been an issue for Trump had he simply said, on Monday, “you’re right, I should have said something about these fine soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice in Niger.  I’ve got to do better in the future.”  (Can you imagine how, if he actually did something like that, it would be received?)  No Chance, you say.  But, you’re correct: there’s even more.

Another young soldier was killed (I believe) in June and Trump DID call his father to give his condolences.  IN FACT Trump promised the Dad he would “write a check for $25,000” out of his own funds and send it to him.  That was in June.  Well, as of today, NO CHECK.  Trump, or his press secretary, was asked about the check and true to Trump form “it’s going out in today’s mail.”  Evidently, that’s another in a long line of Trump coincidences – just like the letters to the four soldiers who died in Niger:  “The letter was written this past weekend and it’s going out either today or tomorrow.”  If you actually believe that, I’ve got a bridge I’d like to sell…………..

Actually, that Trump promised the father of a fallen soldier a check for $25,000 seems to me a “good thing” – especially, because I didn’t hear him bragging about doing it.  Well, apparently he wasn’t bragging about doing it because he DIDN’T actually do it.  Of course, that nasty media found out and now Trump or his spokesperson has to say, “The check’s in the mail.”  I guess, maybe it is – so far, the Dad hasn’t received it – and, I hope he does.  (Do you remember Trump promising a MILLION dollars to veterans during the campaign and then NOT delivering until it was reported that he had “stiffed” the vets.  I’m assuming he’s since made the donation, but, again, it took the media to uncover the FACT he wasn’t following through on his promise.)  Trump has a long history of “stiffing” contractors and workers and lawyers and companies during his business career.  What’s the saying? “Bad habits are hard to break.”  (I know, I’ve got some)

So, there’s constant chaos at the “White House” and most of us think it’s the result of an amazing incompetency.  But, what if we’re all wrong?  What if all of this Trump chaos is an attempt to throw off (probably futilely) Mueller’s investigation or, at the minimum, “we the people’s attention to the “Russia thing” along with a constant “nurturing” of the 25 to 30 percent of Americans who are going to erupt when Trump is impeached?  That, to me, is why there’s no action by Sessions and the Justice Department (Trump has BULLIED Sessions into being a submissive surrogate) to make any attempt at PREVENTION against this “Russia thing” happening again.  It’s why Trump continues to call it a “hoax.”

Sessions unwillingness to answer questions today in front of the Judiciary Committee is further evidence that the “White House” is covering up whatever it was/is they’re trying to prevent “we the people” from learning.  It appears Sessions – and SURELY Trump – are trying to protect their own “skins” and that republicans in Congress care more about staying in power than defending this country against the most dangerous of attacks – the surreptitious cyber-attack that MILLIONS of Americans remain clueless about aimed at the fabric of our republic.  If our country is to survive as we’ve known it for the past 80 years, at least, it’s apparent Trump, Sessions, Pense, and many  republicans in Congress need to “go.”  Either via impeachment (Trump, Pense, Sessions) or at the ballot box – any republicans up for re-election in 2018 who defend this attack on our nation and it’s perpetrators.  I believe there’s a “method to Trump’s madness.”  He’s CONSTANTLY trying to divert the attention of “we the people” from the “Russia thing.”  Let’s hope he fails!

Today Trump gave a press briefing on the “White House” lawn and shortly after he had finished explaining about the “made up story” of the democrats – you know, the “Russia thing” – he was asked about his response to the families of the four American soldiers killed recently (about two weeks ago) in Niger, Africa.  Well, what do you do when someone asks you a question which may make you look bad?  You’re correct!  You make up a story!

So, our “so called” president, first of all, LIED (what else is new) about his own response – which was apparently NOTHING – “last weekend I wrote some letters and, I believe, they’re going out today – maybe this evening (RIGHT)” – then, to top it off he HAD to reaffirm he is an institutionally MAGNANIMOUS Narcissist (I thought I made up the word “magnanimous,” but, thanks to “spell checker” it’s a word, I’ll let you guess the meaning) by claiming he’s the only president who “calls” the victims of war and “Obama and most of our previous presidents never did this (meaning calling the families of the fallen soldiers).  Of course, this is a LIE on two fronts: first, President Obama not only CALLED the families of the fallen soldiers, he met their caskets at Dover Delaware or the other places receiving them as they were returned from the battlefield.  Trump, OF COURSE, failed on both those accounts for our fallen troupes from Niger – he neither called the families NOR met the caskets.  What did Trump do?  He played GOLF on the day it was announced the boys died.

That was yesterday, today, as usual, Trump made a bad situation worse.  Why?  Because, first of all, the most NARCISSISTIC person EVER could never own a mistake and secondly, because Trump is, essentially, a terrible person.  When all you do is LIE, you’re constantly needing to make up stories to “cover your tracks” – AND, as the saying goes, “one LIE leads to another.”  So, today Trump invoked the son of his chief of staff General Kelly who was killed in Afghanistan in 2010 while Barack Obama was president.  On a radio interview Trump just couldn’t help himself – I think it was the typical Fox “softball” interview – and he questioned whether or not Barack Obama “called General Kelly when his son was killed.”  Well, I still don’t know the answer to that question because the members of the news media I listen to apparently know General Kelly doesn’t want his son’s death to be politicized under any circumstances.  Other than lambasting Trump for bringing this up, they didn’t get into any other details (I’m sure they didn’t want to call General Kelly and ask him to get into this political diatribe).

The reality is that Obama, Bush 1, Bush 2, Clinton, Carter, (and, I’m sure Reagan) all managed to do what they claim is the hardest part of their job – because, in essence they are the ones sending our troops into “harms way.”  I personally, during Obama’s term, saw several instances where he was honoring the returning remains of fallen soldiers with NO fanfare.  No one had to ask him if he was consoling “gold star” families – because it was routine.  Someone, in the media, obviously got wind that Trump wasn’t doing this – hence the question which caused him to make up (another) story.  Then, Trump compounded his folly by actually, tonight, calling the grieving widow of one of the soldiers killed in Niger as she was in the car heading to meet the casket at the airport (unbeknownst to Trump, her congress person was riding in the car and the phone was on speakerphone).

Trump, showing his INCREDIBLE lack of empathy (or class or fill in the blank) said to this young widow – mother of two with a third child two months from delivery – “Well, he knew what he was getting into.”  When I heard that I almost damaged my neck as I was shaking my head in disbelief.  Even Trump should know better than that – was my first thought – and then my mind reminded myself of his mimicking the disabled reporter, his attacks on John McCain for “getting captured,” his degrading comments about virtually every republican running against him in the campaign, his recent tweet referring to Bob Corker as “liddle,” (the spell checker doesn’t like that one), and – of course – the Access Hollywood tapes.

Then, of course, as I’m attempting to come to my senses my mind reminds me that Trump’s “base” is the so-called “Christian right.”  As a Christian myself (I guess I’m part of the Christian “left” if there is such a thing) I shudder each time I’m reminded of that reality.  How could we get to this place and it’s not hard to wonder why so many “Christians” have children who are rejecting anything that has anything to do with “religion.”  And republicans – where are they?  They have control of Congress – are they going to allow this to continue until the 2018 mid terms?  And, if democrats take control of Congress in 2018 will republicans block the inevitable impeachment of this man (and, hopefully, his “running mate” – and, believe me, I’m no fan of Paul Ryan – but, he looks better to me than either of the alternatives!

The reality is that “we the people” will have to wait until at least 2020 to FIX this problem – AND if 92 MILLION of us stay home and don’t vote – as what happened in 2016 – or they vote for some ridiculous third party candidate in protest – then we deserve what we get.  That’s the beauty of our system – we GET to choose our leaders.  If our people are going to continue to believe the garbage coming from FOX and/or the blowhards on the radio airwaves like Rush Limbaugh then we deserve to continue the plummet to third world status.  And, all these MILLIONAIRES and BILLIONAIRES who can’t get enough tax cuts and are more than willing to buy our corrupt CONGRESS to get them – well, it won’t take much more of “Trumpism” to totally turn the world off (with the exception, of course, of places like Russia, Turkey, the Philippines – if that’s what we want to rest on) and our great Wall Street “rally” will be heading south.  Will that be enough to get their attention?

Honestly, I’m not even sure another financial meltdown will be enough to get the attention of all the “white” disenchanted Fox viewers who are the most ill-informed people in America (that’s a fact) who will believe anything they’re told by Sean Hannity or Rush Limbaugh.  They’ve been brainwashed to believe their troubles are the fault of those who check “other” on their application forms and not on the real problem which is the fast changing technologically driven international economy.  While we’re all arguing about abortion, White nationalism, gay rights, etc. etc. the Chinese and Indians are developing alternative energy technology.  Germany already is way ahead of us in the ways of the future as Trump and his “cronies” (ie – the real inhabitants of the “swamp”) are pushing “clean coal” and “drill baby drill.”

So, here’s the question as we’re facing disaster from EVERY direction with Trump at the “helm:”  Will LYING about and insulting MORE gold star families be enough to get the attention of the republican enablers of this deplorable person?  (If you remember, he insulted a gold star family in the campaign with NO blow back from republicans – evidently, because it was a Muslim family – ugh!)  The constant LYING doesn’t seem to bother our republican Congress, the clear ineptitude doesn’t seem to bother them, the destruction of our image around the world doesn’t seem to bother them, the COLLUDING with the Russians doesn’t seem to bother them – or Trump’s unwillingness to even admit Russia attacked us and his unwillingness to do anything to PREVENT them from doing so again – especially the House, who’s Intel committee “chairman” is about as half baked as Trump – NONE of this seems to bother our republican Congress.  How bad does it have to get?

I’m even worried the republicans will cower even after Mueller completes his investigation – which clearly is NOT going to be a positive for Trump.  During the campaign, Trump said he could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue in New York and his supporters would still be there.  If he committed TREASON will they still be there.  If he OBSTRUCTED JUSTICE will they be there?  Obviously, the list of my objections is a long one – but today and yesterday as he LIED about his own response to our fallen soldiers and then attacked his predecessors for allegedly doing what he was LYING about regarding himself – that was too much.  Actually, my mind just reminded me of the accusation about President Obama wiretapping him.  He just can’t help himself!  Deluded is too kind a word for Trump – our “so-called” president.  Please republicans, live up to your oaths!  IMPEACH!

Final thought: I’m publishing this post without re-reading it and editing out the “foopahs.”  Yes, even after editing some of my writing would be given back to me by my sixth grade teacher – so, I apologize for that – maybe in a day or two I’ll fix the mistakes – but, in the meantime, “I hope you get my drift.”

I’m going to try to make this short.  Over the past few years I’ve watched fewer and fewer football games.  I’m not sure it that’s because I’m getting old or just tiring of watching grown men trying to mash each other.  And, it could be all the “fans” screaming at the tops of their lungs as one player “drills” another player into the turf.  Then there’s the millions of us who play “fantasy football” where winning means nothing and statistics means everything.  I still remember back when I actually played sports and my coaches reminded me that “statistics are for losers.”  I often think of those words when I’m putting “my” fantasy roster together.

That all being said, yesterday I happened to be watching the first part of the Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings football game when the Packers’ quarterback Aaron Rodgers got pile driven into the turf with the result was a broken collarbone in his throwing shoulder.  This, presumably, precludes Rodgers from playing anymore football this year (depending, I guess, on the severity of the fracture).  So, after the game, Green  Bay’s coach was quoted as saying they would rely on Brett Hundley and Joe Callahan to man the quarterback position for the rest of the year.  Hundley is someone I’ve heard of – he played at UCLA while in college, Callahan????

So, most people are saying, “Green Bay’s season is done.”  Well, as stated above, I’ve had a diminishing interest in all of this over the years and this year watching NFL owners squirm as their players continue the protest started by Colin Kaepernick last year designed to bring attention to the racism in America – especially regarding the murder of African Americans by police officers.  To me, watching Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys kneel arm and arm with his players PRIOR to the national anthem and then tell them if any of them don’t stand during the anthem they “will not play” was the height of hypocrisy.  The NFL owners “fraternity” are a significant part of the BILLIONAIRES who are responsible for the election of Donald Trump.  I seriously believe, like Trump, any of them served to protect that flag they’re so concerned about.

And, Trump of course, has found the issue with these players kneeling during the anthem (virtually ALL of them are Black) as a way to further gin up his base of white nationalists who march in places like Charlottesville carrying Tiki Torches and wearing Nazi arm bands.  Of course, the avid NFL “fan” cares not about this issue unless they are the phony “patriot” like Trump who never spent one day fighting for that flag.  In fact, Trump’s expertise, when it comes to our military, is getting deferments.  He had five deferments including a PHONY one suggesting he had “bone spurs” in his heal – enough to make him 4-F.

Of course, there are many who would support Kaepernick’s protest but just wish he’d find another way to make it.  But, when you think about it, NOTHING else was able to get people’s attention.  People like Trump ridicule Kaepernick as someone who should be thankful for all the money BLACK athletes make and they should just stand at attention and do what they’re told by the BILLIONAIRE owners who are making even more BILLIONS from all these Black athletes entertaining people who love to see those huge “hits” in football.  Trump, himself, lamented the game of football for actually trying to protect the health of its players.

Well, here’s why I TOTALLY respect Kaepernick (and, if you’ve been on this site you know I have NO respect for Trump) – he gave up his MILLIONS per year of income over this issue. (Trump wouldn’t even give up his millions to be president) Now, I don’t know why he “opted out” of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers, but – obviously – NO ONE in the NFL has offered him a job this year DESPITE the FACT he’s MUCH better than many of the quarterbacks on NFL rosters.  Now, you have the Green Bay Packers – with a good team that has a solid chance to make the playoffs (every teams’ first goal) – and their backup quarterback is Joe Callahan.  Kaepernick has taken a team to the Super Bowl.  The rumor is that the NFL is “blacklisting” Kaepernick.  Well, that’s a hard thing to prove.  But, after Rodger’s injury, If the Green Bay Packers don’t sign Colin Kaepernick that tells you all you need to know about the NFL!