I want to take a day off from writing here once in a while, but then I read an article in one of several publications that seem to have actual reporters and, well, here I go again.  Today, I’m reading an article in the Washington Post titled, “No longer a ‘lonely battle’: How the campaign against the Mueller probe has taken hold” and, among several things reported, one in particular caused me to start typing again.  Toward the end of the article, Charles Grassley, the senior (R) Senator from Iowa (who seems to be acting a bit “long in the tooth” if you ask me) says, “that the FBI and the Justice Department have been too slow to rout out people peddling ‘political influence.'”  Here’s the thing – Grassley, and several of the republicans he’s presently allowing himself to be associated with, including Devin Nunes – the infamous one who “recused himself” from the “Russia thing” while still being totally involved in the “Russia Thing” – are doing just that; peddling political influence.

They, along with a group of other republicans who seem to be CONSPIRING to discredit Robert Mueller, apparently in order to short circuit any findings Mueller will report which would implicate Trump in any wrongdoing are doing so by “peddling political influence.” (maybe the FBI should “rout them out”) The old saying – well, actually, I might be making up a saying here, “If you can’t defeat the message, go after the messenger.”  Honestly, I’m not sure where that thought came from…. but, I digress.  Grassley, Nunez, and a plethora of other members of the House of Representatives have, recently, been attacking Mueller, the FBI, the CIA, the outfit that produced the so-called “dossier,” and anyone in the media reporting about what’s in the “dossier.” (which, by the way, hasn’t had a single part DISPROVED, while MANY parts have been proven true.  I, for one, believe we’ll never know about some of the “dossier” unless Vladimir Putin decides we should know about it.  That’s likely why Trump is so adulating toward Putin – because Putin has his “secrets.”) OK, you’re right, I keep digressing.

So, I’d personally call “political influence” that needs to be “routed out” the influence Fox “news,” Rush Limbaugh, and the other water carriers for the right wing are “spouting” that is causing members of Congress to sell their souls in order to get re-elected.  In the process, many republicans who shared the near universal disdain for Trump after Trump admitted on the Access Hollywood tape that he’s a sexual predator (which just confirmed other public statements made by Trump over the years) are now swooning over him and attempting to OBSTRUCT Mueller’s investigation into the Russian ATTACK on America in the 2016 election.  That implies they maybe know something we don’t know and are willing to protect Trump at the expense of our constitution and our republic.  It appears to me republicans are more interested in POWER than patriotism.  These are the people who carry copies of the constitution in their lapels – evidently, failing to read them.

It’s as if the Russians will be allowed to “get away” with an attack on the MOST fundamental part of our republic as republicans prepare to defend Trump “come hell or high water.”  The reality is Trump pushes the “honor meter” very similarly to the candidate he and his alter ego Steve Bannon were pushing in Alabama, Roy Moore.  Trump’s rhetoric might be considered a “tick” above Moore’s, but in almost every other respect they could be “blood brothers.”  Yet, republicans in the Senate were poised to expel Moore, had he won the Alabama election, but they’re lining up to kiss Trump’s butt in an attempt to be on his ‘”good side.”  Personally, I don’t believe Trump has a good side. (Do you think they actually fear him?)

But, suggesting the FBI is “slow in routing out political influence” (which is republican “dog whistle” to let’s have another Clinton investigation) while he (Grassley) is pushing “political influence” in a very precarious way as far as defending our constitution and the rule of law is almost too much for me.  Grassley’s starting to come across as the crotchety old grandpa who has lost his senility.  Republicans are taking orders from people we’ll likely NEVER know exactly who they are (although the name “Koch Brothers” comes to mind) and they’re willing, obviously, to “do as told.”  We saw this with the incredibly arrogant tax cuts – which funnels over 80% of a TRILLION and a HALF borrowed dollars to the top 1% of Americans – and, we’re seeing it as they “circle the wagons” around Trump.  (As a slight aside:  I’ve said this recently regarding the tax cut.  When Paul Ryan said, “I’ve been waiting years to say this – we’re giving the American people their money back,” well, that’s absurd! That’s possibly the most disingenuous LIE I’ve ever heard coming from a congress person.  First – it’s NOT our money – it’s ALL borrowed, from who knows who and Second, they’re NOT giving it to “we the people.”  Over 80%, as I just said, is going to those who DON’T need it – the republican donors.  The only reason they “need” it is to show a “return” on all the money they’ve “invested” in our republican Congress)  Yes, I’m digressing – I can’t seem to help myself – there’s too much “stuff!”

Republicans in the House are meeting secretly to produce “parallel reports” to Mueller’s, apparently, reports which will attempt to divert the attention from whatever they see coming “down the pike” toward Trump – and DEFLECT (that’s a MAJOR Trump strategy – these republican congress persons are quick learners) the attention of “we the people” apparently to the Clinton’s and, presumably they’ll find a way to make accusations they never have to substantiate against President Obama and, maybe, others who might be investigating Trump.  This has worked for Trump, probably his entire life, as he’s successfully manipulated enough of the media to maintain a mid thirties approval rating – historically LOW, but apparently, in his mind, high enough to claim he’s the best president in history.  Of course, only Trump himself – and, now Orrin Hatch, would have the nerve to make that claim.  Sad! :o)

My point is these republicans, including Grassley, are “peddling political influence” and then warning their unsuspecting base about people “peddling political influence.”  I’ve written numerous times, in the past, about this “technique” of the republicans – and, others who want to spread LIES, and that is “projection.”  Here’s how it works – Grassley, Nunes, and others are in the process of “peddling political influence” – they are attempting to counter the Mueller probe before it becomes public with a false “report” – and, to protect themselves from what SHOULD be the obvious criticism, they’re attacking people in the FBI etc. as “peddling political influence” to build a “firewall” around what they must assume will be the findings.  By making their accusations before “we the people” know what is coming from Mueller, they take the focus off of their own nefarious activities, that SHOULD be scorned by ALL – not just democrats (or liberals if you must) but by EVERYONE.

The bottom line is that if Trump conspired with the Russians – or if ANYONE in his campaign CONSPIRED with the Russians (it’s apparent Michael Flynn was up to his eyeballs with the Russians in some kind of way and LIED about it – we don’t know the full details other than as a former General, his actions were disgraceful – I’m happy he is repenting, that’s the RIGHT thing to do – and, to tell the TRUTH) there should be accountability.  Our society has become somewhat obsessed with accountability – I recently retired as a public school teacher and I can attest the accountability for teachers is almost suffocating – while you’re trying to figure out how to help, in my case, around 30 students in each class.  I’m not suggesting the accountability was bad, I’m suggesting it should also be expected that those at the highest levels of government, including Trump, should be accountable for their actions.  And, in the case of the “Russia thing” we’re talking about something as serious as I can remember in my lifetime.

I believe the future of this nations lies in how this issue bears out.  I’m OK with Trump being Trump if the investigation exonerates him and those around him – although, as I’ve already said, Mike Flynn was a naughty guy (and Manafort and two others already either have been indicted or made a plea arrangement) and, it’s apparent to me, Jared Kushner is in deep legal trouble.  Trump Jr.’s willingness to meet with the Russians was problematic and, from what I can tell, the June 9, 2016 meeting, itself, was COLLUSION.  Yes, as many republicans trying to defend Trump have said, “there’s no law against “collusion.”  However, there are laws against TREASON and LYING – and, I have a feeling Trump Jr. has “pushed” the “bar” in both instances.  Whether he’s in Mueller’s sights, or not, time will tell – but, I would suspect we’ll find out about that when we find out the level of involvement with Trump himself.  Mueller is reputed to be very smart – which is what I believe is making so many republicans so nervous.

If Mueller gets real technical and what most of us suspect is actually TRUE then there are a plethora of people in the “White House” who could be in jeopardy, including, presumably Steve Bannon.  I’m guessing there’s a good reason we haven’t heard of Bannon being interviewed yet – or, for that matter, Kellyanne Conway.  I believe BOTH could be in jeopardy.  It’s apparent LYING to the American people is not a crime – so, Sean Spicer and Sarah Sanders (and, possibly Conway) will maybe avoid getting caught up in all this – but, it seems as if the “White House” is being run as a kind of crime syndicate – that’s just my observation, but, I really don’t want MY country to become a satellite of Russia with Trump acting like Putin.  If we don’t stop this, the next thing that will happen will be all the “donors” who are being fed taxpayer dollars via the recent tax cut will soon be called “Oligarchs.”  Yikes!!!

So, if you’ve read this far (that’s rare) don’t be fooled by people like Grassley when he says he’s concerned about people “peddling political influence.”  That’s EXACTLY what he and those he’s conspiring with – to defend Trump – are doing.  In a recent post I wondered if House republicans might be in jeopardy, themselves, of OBSTRUCTION of justice as they try to interfere with Mueller’s investigation.  Grassley, and those he’s working secretly with, are attempting to influence “we the people” not to believe whatever Mueller comes up with.  They will try to DEFLECT our attention to something likely about the Clinton’s.  It’s an old “record,” but as long as they can continue getting away with it, I suppose they’ll keep “playing” it.  Some day, Democrats will decide to fight back in a way that prevents this kind of skullduggery from going on. (I suppose the reason they don’t – or won’t – is because they are likely guilty of the same kind of crap)