Let’s hope “there’s more of us than of them” – and, I’m referring to the “never Trumpers” as the “us” and those who are Trump’s “base” as the them.  I don’t do “Twitter” but often times stuff that shows up on “Twitter” makes it to other outlets.  Today, as I usually do, I was checking the “Yahoo Finance” page on the internet and there was a picture of Trump with text overlayed on his image that read “SANCTIONS ARE COMING NOVEMBER 5” in what looked to me as an image you would see at the local movie theater regarding an upcoming movie.  “Yahoo” suggested it looked like “The text and typeface riffed off the popular fantasy HBO show, ‘Game of Thrones’.”

I can only imagined the response of people around the world who are reviled by this so-called president.  This was the height of Trump’s narcissism.  “It’s all about Trump.”  And, in this case, the reality is that pulling the U.S. out of the “Iran nuclear deal” is largely about Trump as, from what I’ve read, it explains most of his actions.  Many of those who apparently advise him were strongly opposed to this.  My guess is, his son-in-law was in favor because Israel’s prime minister Netanyahu was influential in this decision along with, oddly enough, Mohammad bin Salmon of Saudi Arabia.  It’s apparent to me that Trump’s actions in this instance, as well in almost all others, are not based on any sound “educated” judgement.

In fact, in reading Michael Lewis’ “The Fifth Risk” one gets, at minimum, a sobering look at what “DAMAGE” (as I’ve referred to it since before Trump took his “oath” of office) Trump is doing to our nation AND to the world.  The section of the book I’m presently reading gives example after example of how Trump’s “transition team” essentially did NOT exist!  Committed public servants were in shock that NO ONE showed up to get “vetted” on what their responsibilities would be once Trump took office.  Not only Trump, but pretty much the rest of America, has no idea what the various departments of OUR government are responsible for.  The potential for disaster looms ever greater each day Trump’s lackeys allow agencies like the Department of Energy, the Department of Agriculture, etc. to flounder for lack of leadership.

One of the examples given in Lewis’ book is what went into putting the “Iran Nuclear Agreement” in place and what was accomplished in doing so.  Of course, here comes Trump and Co. and, just as he pulled us out of the Paris Climate Accord – more on this shortly – allowing countries like China and Germany to take the worldwide lead in clean air technology and, to top that off, pulling us out of the “Trans Pacific Partnership” (TPP) opening up Southeast Asia to Chinese dominance economically, we’re now “on an island” outside of the Iran nuclear agreement.  In all three of these instances it appears Trump is simply trying to ruin President Obama’s legacy with no reverence to the DAMAGE inflicted on America.

Here’s one thing that is really disgusting (among many) regarding this DAMAGE Trump is inflicting on “we the people” (along with those around the world who believe in self rule) as he seems intent on being the “anti-Obama” – Trump’s lackeys have required all references to “Climate Change” be removed from various agencies which would have an interest in combating “Climate Change.”  In other words, all these climate disasters which are repeating themselves around the globe won’t be of interest to Trump and those in America’s bureaucracy.  Trump, recently, even went so far as to blame the fires in California, which as I’m writing this have claimed over 50 lives – with hundreds MISSING – on poor state forest management and he threatened to cut off funding to help with the disaster.

This STUPID action by Trump likely is the result of California turning even BLUER due to the people’s repulsion of Trump and all the actions I’m writing about.  Some one must have clued Trump in on the reality that MOST of California’s forest land is FEDERAL land and under the control of the Agriculture Department which Trump has “beheaded.”  The list of vital programs which are being discontinued because of STUPID economic decisions by Trump and his lackeys is staggering.  I live in the state of Washington and the “clean up” of the Hanford nuclear reservation, which will take CENTURIES, is apparently being “de-funded.”  If you’re not aware, Hanford is the home of BILLIONS of gallons of nuclear waste that will likely, at some point, leak into the Columbia River.  This is waste resulting from Hanford being the site selected during World War II to develop the nuclear bomb which destroyed Nagasaki and Hiroshima in Japan, effectively ending the war. (And, resulting in many disagreements over  the tactic)

Lewis points out in his book that FDR discovered the Germans were close to developing a nuclear weapon in the late 30’s or early 40’s and America was rapidly pushing to do so in an attempt to “get there first” and “save the world” from German and Nazi domination had they succeeded before America.  Since then THOUSANDS of nuclear weapons have been constructed and the material used for them was mostly produced at Hanford.  What’s left are HUGE containers filled with nuclear waste that gets closer to a DISASTER every day – and, Trump apparently is attempting to cut the money out of the budget intended to continue the FIGHT to clean up this site – a FIGHT that has been ongoing for something like 30+ years and will last for at least another 100 years.

When it was time for Trump to take over the reins of government he was “missing in action.”  Neither he, nor those who were close around him, had any idea what they had gained control of.  And, of course, there was Steve Bannon by Trump’s side claiming their goal was to “deconstruct the administrative state.”  Maybe Bannon understood what that meant (although, I don’t believe he did), but Trump’s voters certainly didn’t/don’t understand what that meant/means.  Things we’ve taken for granted for years are soon to be in jeopardy.  And, it’s likely going to be very difficult to recover from the DAMAGE which is being inflicted on “we the people” by these ignorant narcissists.

Trump and his sycophants are busy undermining one traditional American institution after another.  Government bureaucrats have been demeaned by people who have no idea how important they are to all of us.  As I’m reading Lewis’ book I’m amazed at how complicated the agencies like DOE and DOA have become over the years.  They are integral in the cliche’ “keeping America safe” and most of us have no idea how they do that.  What’s unnerving is when you find out our (so-called) president and those he’s appointed to run these agencies also have no idea how they “keep us safe.”  As I’ve said, “every day the potential for disaster gets greater.”

I’m certainly not suggesting anyone in Trump’s sphere could have stopped the fires in California or the Category 4 Hurricane which recently ravaged Florida.  What I am saying, however, it’s clear those in Trump’s “circle” are “climate deniers” of the worst order.  This is a FIGHT that will last years, but every year we lose in focusing on what needs to be done – and, keep in mind, that’s NOT attempting to “bring back coal” – makes the challenge more difficult.  There’s a point when inaction will result in going over the “tipping point.”  I certainly don’t know when that is, but it’s apparent to me procrastination is a poor strategy.

I started this post about three weeks ago and, I guess, I’m just tired of “chasing my tail” in commenting on Trump’s degradation of America.  The climate denial is disgusting, the racism and misogynism and the other “ism’s” are disgusting, and I could go on and on.  Here’s the deal;  The democrats took back the House in the Mid Terms – which I considered CRITICAL to the future of America.  The next couple years are going to be a BATTLE because Trump has NO scruples and he LIES in his sleep!  He’s clearly preparing his “base” to be outraged at Mueller’s report whenever that happens and he’s preparing republicans to begin BLAMING democrats from the first day of the next Congress for EVERYTHING that goes wrong.

And, I’ve been pointing out my contention the economy is RIPE for a trip in the downward direction as a result of the tax scam and the tariffs.  Trust me, Trump and the republicans will BLAME the democrats.  Trump will have his eyes set on 2020 as a way to somehow protect himself from what’s coming “down the pike” from Mueller AND the investigation in the Southern District of New York.  He’s not able to be indicted as a “sitting (so-called) president” – so, remaining in office may be his “get out of jail free” card.  He’s already an “un-indicted co-conspirator” to TWO felonies in New York and, it appears, there’s much more to come.

I also believe there will be a plethora of legal skirmishes over subpoenas intended to help the House of Representatives figure out just how much CORRUPTION is directly tied to the Trump administration.  Clearly they’ve had a “cheering section” in Congress instead of a Congress willing to accept its role as providing “oversight” over the executive branch.  The constitution was intended to PREVENT exactly what the republicans have been doing for the previous two years.  And, to suggest the stagnation in Washington is because of democrats is preposterous.  Republicans have been OBSTRUCTING, as “job #1” since the days of Gingrich’s “Contract (ON) for America back in the 90’s.  Check the FACTS – Mitch McConnell FILIBUSTERED Obama legislation around 700 times during President Obama’s two terms.  Republican OBSTRUCTION was no secret.

I anticipate democrats will attempt to pass actual legislation beginning in January but republicans will agree to NONE of it – and, they’ll blame democrats.  Trump may be smart enough to work with democrats on key legislation that HUGE majorities of Americans favor as a way to “save his skin.”  However, in regard to Mueller and the other investigations aimed directly at Trump, it appears “the horse is out of the barn” and our so-called president is looking at a “world of hurt.”  Look for him to be progressively more antagonistic and look for him to “gin up” the alt right “crazies” who will very possibly hit the streets with violence in mind.  The next two years should be interesting, to say the least.

As I’ve said, on other occasions, trying to keep up with Trump’s “scandals” is like chasing your tail.  It’s like at least “one a day.”  Sometimes I think he’s just completely stupid and other times I think it’s all calculated and it’s his way to avoid accountability – which he’s been doing his entire life.  To me, he seems to be like a pathological LIAR, but, then again, is he actually sophisticated enough to be using Goebbels’ “Big Lie Theory?”  Regardless, the LIES are flowing freely, and I don’t believe there will be any change – PERIOD!

As I’m writing this, Trump is being challenged by Vladimir Putin (once again) and, so far, as usual, he’s failing the test.  Just as he cowered in the face of Muhammad bin Salman’s BRUTAL murder of Jamal Khashoggi, as he’s cowered to Kim Jong Un’s continued buildup of his nuclear program, he’s likely to cower in the face of Putin’s ordering Russian ships to attack those of Ukraine.  This is getting beyond ridiculous – and, at this point, it’s ALL on republicans in Congress – because they appear to FEAR Trump – for whatever reason.  If Trump take’s “we the people” over a “cliff,” it will be due to republicans in Congress’ enabling!  (Actually, this  has ALL been on republicans since the day Trump took the “oath” – in front of the smallest inaugural crowd in recent memory!)

Final Thought:  I just finished reading Michael Lewis’ “The Fifth Risk” and now I’m in the middle of reading Michiko Kakutani’s “The Death of Truth.”  I highly recommend each book to anyone wanting to better understand the gravity of Trump as our “so-called” president.  Waiting two years to get him out of office may be too late to save this republic as it is.  I don’t see him capable of handling ANY kind of serious challenge and, in my view, there will be at least one during his time in office.  Hopefully, for the sake of the world, it will be an economic disaster and not a foreign policy disaster.  Trump has no idea what he’s in charge of and he believes he should just be able to do whatever comes to his mind.  The situation in Ukraine could escalate quickly and I don’t know ANYONE who believes Trump can “handle” what “comes his way.”  It’s time for republicans to put a stop to this nightmare – regardless of what anyone thinks – if Trump is stopped, it will be because of republicans (in the Senate).