I’m not sure who’s most disgusting, Trump, or the republicans who are leading the backlash to the “Russia thing” – apparently willing to allow the Russians to ATTACK this nation and, in various ways to “change the subject,” turn the focus of gullible Americans back to Hillary Clinton, the FBI, the Justice Department, and more. What SHOULD be obvious is if there’s no “there, there” why all the attacks? If Trump has nothing to hide, why is the right wing Congress attempting to turn America into a total autocracy? Are republicans afraid of Robert Mueller because they understand he’s a reliable investigator? Do they believe Trump is guilty of something and the only way to protect him is to undermine our FBI and Justice Department?
I can tell you the long term damage if republicans actually attempt to PURGE the Justice Department and fill it with cronies who will give loyalty oaths to Trump aint gonna work! If you were around in the 60’s and remember those protests the response to any attempt to turn our Justice Department into a “Trump tower” will make the protests of the 60’s look tame. The American public – minus those who watch Fox “news’ (AKA GOP TV) – are on the edge of their seats waiting to find out who was involved with the Russians that attacked – and, as I’ve said many time here – are likely still attacking – the fundamental premise of our republic. Maybe having Russians influence the outcome of an election is OK with “Fox and Friends,” but it’s a HUGE red line for MOST of America.
As the investigation gets closer to Trump, who appears to be mentally unstable, republicans in Congress seem to be “circling the wagons.” Are they failing to read the “tea leaves?” If they want to have any chance of staying in power, they SHOULD be allowing the investigation to proceed and hoping it’s finished sooner rather than later. If Trump is to be accused of criminal wrongdoing, republicans SHOULD be planning for whether his crimes amount to impeachable offenses and they SHOULD follow through accordingly. This strategy of attacking the messenger to stop the message is faulty at its core – and, will require “we the people” get rid of any member of Congress that is OBSTRUCTING the Russian investigation.
If the president can’t OBSTRUCT an investigation, I have to assume members of Congress are not able to do so as well. It was reported last night that the Senate Judiciary Committee sent a letter to the Justice Department recommending criminal charges against Christopher Steele, the well respected former British Intelligence officer who compile the so-called “dossier” and reported the Russian ATTACK on America to the FBI. That report is going to tell people in Europe that the American justice system has “lost its mind.” Of course, the net result of this action will make it so Mr. Steele will not come to America to testify about his findings. Obviously, that appears to be the republicans on the Judiciary Committee’s intent.
Republicans are pulling out all the stops to protect Trump from the “Russia thing.” Trump fired James Comey thinking that would protect him from the Russia thing. He sent multiple persons to the Justice Department to prevent Jeff Sessions (unsuccessfully) from recusing himself from the “Russia thing” – expecting Sessions to protect him from the “Russia thing.” Trump asked several members of Congress to block the investigations to protect him from the “Russia thing.” Trump dictated a letter regarding Donald Jr.’s collusion with the Russians (along with Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort) in order to protect himself (and his son) from the “Russia thing.” Trump has called out all the “troops” – Fox (and “friends”) plus others on the right wing media circus to attack Mueller’s and the FBI’s credibility to protect him from the “Russia thing.”
It should be obvious to anyone who can think at a sixth grade level, Trump is hiding something and it’s serious. He’s willing to destroy the foundation of America to protect himself from the “Russia thing.” For Trump, it’s all about Trump. What’s really curious to me is why so many republicans can’t see this? Are they so desperate for someone who’ll sign any piece of legislation they can put on his desk that they’re willing to destroy our nation? Do they believe the Justice Department and the FBI should be filled with political loyalists? If that’s the case, let me remind them that the 2018 elections are right around the corner. Every time republicans pull another stunt designed to undermine Mueller the chances of democrats retaking control of the Congress goes up. As the saying goes, “two can play this game.”
Rumor has it that Trump is planning to fire Jeff Sessions – the first republican to endorse him – so that he can appoint an Attorney General who “will defend him from the Russia thing.” Just as Trump’s recent legal attacks on the book “Fire and Fury,” demanding the publisher not publish it, (as an aside: I’ve already ordered my copy – Barnes and Noble has them at 30% off) caused the publisher to move up the release date, I believe Trump’s (and the republicans) actions are pushing Mueller to take the next “step” sooner rather than later. Do republicans think they can undo all the investigation that has taken place? Do they realize what this will do to America if they succeed in thwarting Mueller and destroying public confidence in our Justice Department?
I’ve talked many times on this site about the “damage” Trump might do before he is ousted as our so-called president. Well, what he’s conspiring to do with the help of republicans in Congress is like a plan to turn America into a third world nation. I believe “we the people” understand the hypocrisy of the tax scam. As Trump said to his rich friends: “you all just got a lot richer.” I think most Americans who are paying attention (and, not watching Fox) realize whatever pittance they might get from this scam, the $1.5 TRILLION (probably double that if history is any guide) addition to the national debt is not worth it. More and more people are starting to realize, in America, the Middle Class has been getting “jobbed” by the “top 1%” for years, and the Trump/Ryan tax scam is just one more example of their reverse Robin Hood tactics. But, that is nothing compared to what republicans are attempting to do to our FBI and Justice Department!
It was reported yesterday that several members of the FBI and Justice department have been called before Congress for what appears to be extensive “grilling.” These are dedicated servants to America, but someone – most likely Rob Rosenstein and Christopher Wray – have succumbed to the pressure coming from the likes of Devin Nunes, Lindsay Graham, and other republicans who are coming off to people like me as “turncoats.” The republicans in Congress are still pushing for investigations into Hillary Clinton designed to take attention off the “Russia thing.”
America’s political dysfunction is leading us down a very dangerous path. First and foremost, it’s as if the republicans are willing to pretend the Russian attack never happened. I’m guessing, the Russians are still involved in the brainwashing tactics these republicans are using to keep their base of about 30% of America “in line.” I don’t use Facebook, but from what I’ve heard and read, they’re likely still a mechanism allowing disinformation to spread to targeted areas of America. Trump’s supporters believe it’s a political vendetta out to get him – but, they’re unwilling to allow the investigation to clear him. Do you, as I, wonder why? I think most people think the answer to that question is that Trump is guilty of something!
I’ve written about the direction of the republican party since I started venting my frustration about American politics 10 years ago. I’ve argued, as a Christian, I don’t understand how people who believe in Jesus Christ can associate with today’s republican party. I know, for most, it’s about abortion – but, to me that’s not a justification for every thing else that comes with these republicans. Now, we’re talking about the very foundation of America, and for some reason republicans are circling around an admitted sexual predator, a pathological LIAR, a racist, a misogynist, a narcissist of unbelievable proportions, and someone who knows almost nothing about American history and presidential protocol. Somehow, Trump’s claim to be reading “2” Corinthians hasn’t convinced me he’s got “Christian values.”
People who supported Trump believed he would “drain the swamp,” but he’s just filled the swamp with more Goldman Sachs refugees who are continuing to funnel more of America’s Middle Class tax dollars to themselves. Yes, he picked a right wing judge for the Supreme Court but is that worth destroying our nation via undermining the Justice Department? I’ve written that the good people of Central California need to fix the problem of Devin Nunes in the 2018 election, but in the meantime the rest of us need to be watching his every move. I believe he’s the “leader of the pack” trying to undermine the “Russia thing.” When this is all said and done, I hope Nunes has to face accountability for his actions. And Grassley and Graham? Something happened to these two guys.
When Mueller was appointed both Grassley and Graham were heaping their praises on him and his integrity. Grassley, I remember when it was reported that Trump might fire Sessions as a way to get rid of the “Mueller thing” said any new appointment for Attorney General had to go through the Judicial Committee and there would be no hearings “that year.” Graham said, “If Trump messes with Mueller all hell would break loose.” Somehow Trump has managed to turn both of these formerly respectable republicans into his minions. It’s both sad and disgusting. I truly hope the people in their states are watching and don’t want Russians ATTACKING America surreptitiously via internet trolls.
If this attack on the FBI and Justice department ends up with more investigations of Hillary Clinton and succeeds in blocking Mueller’s investigation America will truly be at a crossroads. Honestly, it’s hard for me to even imagine there’s enough turncoats in the republican party to turn the Russia investigation into an investigation of the FBI and another of Mrs. Clinton. How long will republicans be able to HIDE their illegal behavior behind investigations of Hillary Clinton? To me, any republican in Congress who conspires to protect Trump from accountability regarding the Mueller investigation becomes part of the issue. If Trump did commit TREASON by working with the Russians to win the election he should face the consequences. Evidently, there’s republicans who believe that’s OK. They should face the same consequences!
Final thought: I believe Fox “news” should also face the consequences of conspiring with Trump to undermine an ongoing criminal investigation. All these people, evidently, believe Trump will be accused of criminal activity. Instead of allowing the “system” to run its course, they are attempting to manipulate the system. I’m struggling as to why this is OK with anyone. If Fox is spewing LIES why is that’s OK? (and, when I use the term “if” I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt – personally, I have no doubt, it’s why I can’t watch them for more than a few seconds – as I hear the LYING my stomach crawls and I have to click the remote) My brother in law suggested this morning Trump is “Making China Great Again.” He’s right on, I’m thinking that’s the thought behind my next post!