Well, is the latest scandal of the Trump “administration” working? Supposedly, about two or three weeks ago Trump revoked the “security clearance” of John Brennan due to the FACT Brennan speaks what is called “truth to power.” (I mean the guy’s been a private citizen for almost two years) Of course, that means Trump doesn’t like what Brennan is saying because, well, he’s telling (something Trump and his sycophants don’t understand) the TRUTH. So, “we the people” basically had NO IDEA Brennan’s security clearance had been revoked – and, honestly, I believe most of us could care less – until TODAY! Why do you think we found out today?
And, not only did we find out today, but Sarah Sanders spent the first few minutes of her press briefing LYING (again) to the American people about why Brennan’s clearance had been revoked and listed a bunch of other’s who’ve been critical of Trump who are having their clearances “investigated” (or a word to that effect). So, my guess is the “plan” is to somehow get the topic off Omarosa – referred to as a “dog” by Trump – who appears to be using Trump’s own playbook as she threatens to “destroy” (bring to his knees?) Mr. Trump. Is this plan of revoking security clearances going to work? (I’m guessing each time they do this there will be less “shock.” They’ll have to come up with something else. Which, of course, they will)
Well, today it appeared to me it is working to a certain extent – Omarosa is not the focus of the discussions on MSNBC – people are sharing their disgust that Trump would go after someone critical of him in this “un American” manner! But, is anyone really surprised? I certainly wasn’t. The only way this interests me is if it works – to change the topic from Omarosa who, yesterday, said she has PROOF that Trump knew about the stolen emails BEFORE they became public knowledge. Now, digest that for a few seconds – and while you’re doing it – run through your mind how many times you’ve heard Trump say “no collusion, no collusion.” (I’ve pointed out many times where that strategy came from – you’ll have to visit my archives – or “google” the Third Reich – go figure it out). Trump is apparently scared to death of this woman he referred to as a dog. Do you really think she’s intimidated by this – she’s been around Trump for years!
I’m tempted to buy Omarosa’s book – because it probably is a great edition of Trump’s own “art of the deal.” Like how do you treat your “enemies.” Maybe Trump shouldn’t have pushed Omarosa into the category of enemy. Should you call a Black woman who allegedly has enough tapes of you and those around you to make everyone in your place of work scared to death a dog? (So far, I’ve only heard of two people who don’t consider that a racist comment and they’re the two guys wearing the “I’d Rather be Russian than Democrat” shirts at Trump’s recent Ohio campaign style rally) Trump continues to cause me to question his claim to be a “very stable genius.”
Here’s something interesting about how all this is playing out, not withstanding the next “act” of Omarosa – who I believe has plans to stay in the “spotlight.” Brennan’s security clearance was cancelled by Trump due to Brennan’s expression of free speech. However, his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, somehow gained this “coveted” clearance after lying repeatedly on his SF-86 form, after attempting to surreptitiously set up a “back channel” to Russia – clearing the way for communication beyond the reach of our intelligence community, meeting with Russians offering “incriminating evidence” on his father-in-law’s opponent during the election (“collusion” by definition), and, likely, more – but, NEVER speaking out. Trump, himself, gave classified intelligence to the Russians shortly after firing James Comey. Trump, shrouded in his hypocrisy, continues to act as if he’s got something to hide.
I’ve pointed out how many books I’ve read since I started writing here and the latest one is titled, “Trump/Russia a Definitive History” by Seth Hettena. I’m just in the first few chapters of this book, but I can tell you it’s FULL of FACTS about Trump and his relationship with Russians. It doesn’t take long in reading this book to put an exclamation point to the LIE that Trump has NEVER had any dealings with the Russians or anyone from Russia. The section of the book I’m presently reading is explaining Trump’s actions during the years when he had built the Casino in New Jersey named the “Trump Taj Mahal.” Of course, if you know much about Trump’s “history,” this Casino was involved in one of Trump’s bankruptcies – back in the early 1990’s.
What’s of the most interest to me as I read this book is that this Casino’s most significant “supporters” came from the Russian “Mafiya.” Members of the “Russian Mafiya” were “busted” for LAUNDERING Millions through this Casino’s and the Casino’s faced huge fines as a result. Trump, of course, managed to escape any personal legal liability, but the “ground work” of how he operates was set – and the REALITY that Trump’s claims of “innocence” when it comes to affiliation with Russians are simply part of the thousands of blatant LIES he’s spewed onto “we the people” since he took office as our so-called president.
This is all just more evidence that justifies the special counsels investigation into whether or not the Trump campaign was part of the conspiracy to swing the 2016 election toward Trump. It’s absurd to think members of Trump’s campaign were not involved (think Cambridge Analytica, Jared Kushner, and Steve Bannon) and now we have Omarosa suggesting Trump knew much more than he’s publicly acknowledged (surprise, surprise). When you read this book, it just makes it crystal clear the Russians have some, as yet, undetermined level of “kompromat” on Trump which affected, not only, the election – but, also, what has happened since.
Americans MUST NOT forget what happened at the Helsinki Summit with Trump undermining out nation while standing next to a grinning Vladimir Putin. It’s all going to eventually come out, but the more I learn the more I have to wonder, “Where in the hell are the republicans?” Is their “agenda” more important to them than protecting our nation from interference, via cyber attacks, from other nations? I’m guessing if the Russians suddenly had an affinity toward a democrat and did the same “stuff” they’ve done for the past few years building up Trump, well, all these republicans with their tongues tied would suddenly become the patriots they’ve always claimed to be. Can you imagine their response had Barack Obama stood next to Vladimir Putin on the WORLD stage and thrown our intelligence community “under the bus?”
Last night I listened to portions of an interview on MSNBC with Steve Bannon, who claims he’s going to mobilize republicans to save the House for Trump in November. My first thought was I hope he’s very public about this because I can’t think of anyone (other than Trump himself) who will motivate progressives to get their butts to the polls in November. Listening to Bannon almost made my skin crawl as he was defending Trump’s “very fine people” comment referring to the neo-Nazi’s marching with Tiki Torches and chanting “Jews will not replace us” in Charlottesville last year. Bannon, like Trump, gets support from Wall Street insiders while claiming to be a populist who’s all about “we the people.”
I feel myself heading off on a tangent – but, the reality is this is kind of like a journal to me and I simply let the thoughts “flow” – so, it appears it’s “Bannon time” for at least a bit. Bannon was claiming republicans can “win” in November by running on the tax scam. (He, of course, referred to it as a tax cut) He claims “we the people” will see the benefit of all the money going into corporate “coffers” because it will “bring jobs back to America.” Of course, that’s pretty much already proven to be “hogwash” and what he failed to mention was this year’s deficit will top ONE TRILLION dollars – again!
When was the last time it topped ONE TRILLION? Well, republicans would BLAME President Obama – but, the reality is the last time the deficit topped ONE TRILLION dollars was the result of Bush/Cheney economic policies which led to the “Great Recession.” President Obama, along with economists like Tim Geitner, slowly and steadily orchestrated a recovery which is still working – despite Trump’s tax scam and the trade war he’s instigating. Obama oversaw policies which reduced the deficit he inherited by around 70%. It was around $400 BILLION when he left office and it didn’t take Trump long to more than double it.
Bannon didn’t want to even discuss the FACT over 80% of the tax scam goes to the top 1% of Americans and Trump LIED to the collective faces of his supporters at rallies designed to support the legislation at the time, saying things like “It certainly won’t help me or my rich friends” – and, that his supporters are BRAINWASHED enough to believe him. Bannon seems to think they (he and republicans) can LIE their way into a successful mid term election. I’m sure he’s thinking, “We did it in the last election, we can do it again.” And, likely, the Russians will be right by their sides in 2018 as well!
Progressives (liberals) don’t have a great “track record” of showing up to vote in mid-term elections (in all elections, for that matter – otherwise these republicans would have been gone long ago) and, I believe, that’s what republicans like Bannon are counting on. Of course, they’re trying to “make sure” liberals don’t vote in November by making it as difficult as possible for those who tend to vote with democrats to actually vote. From voter suppression to other tactics – like fewer polling places in democratic strongholds leading to long lines – republicans attempt to prevent as many people as they can from actually voting.
The way I see this re-emergence of Bannon is he’s trying to force his way back into the spotlight. His expulsion from the “White House” and subsequent (what should have been) embarrassing support for Roy Moore has pushed Bannon into the shadows. I believe he’s trying to prove it was him and not the Russians that got Trump elected in 2016. Of course, if liberals (er progressives) fail to show up in the 2018 election we’ll be right back wondering how much effect did the Russians manage to exert on the process. With Trump’s FAILURE to even acknowledge the Russian ATTACK on our electoral process and his action in Helsinki, he pretty much invited them to “give a hand” in 2018’s election.
The Russian government is like an organized crime family and, obviously, Trump feels right at home in Moscow, when he’s with Putin, and when he’s dealing with Russian leaders. Trump has deep connections to Russians who are clearly part of the Russian “mafiya” and Mueller knows it ALL!
Final Thought: I started this post about a week ago, and – true to “Trump form” this is all already “old news.” No one is talking about security clearances a week after it was a major topic of the news cycle. No one’s talking about Omarosa (although I believe she’ll find a way to work her way back into the headlines to help her book sales). We’ve all moved on to the latest scandals and Trump’s NEWEST “Worst Week Ever.” It will be interesting to see how long KNOWING Trump has essentially been accused of committing TWO FELONIES will remain in the news cycle. Republicans continue to remain silent. We all have to wonder what they will do when the inevitable happens – Trump going after Mueller? Is there an even WORSE “Worst Week Ever” in store for our so-called president? Stay tuned……………………….