OMG!! Just as I’ve feared for the past TWO years, Merrick Garland doesn’t have the “stones” to handle the job he’s been given and his place in history will be a critical one, but not one which Mr. Garland would want. Today Mr. Garland named a special counsel to investigate ALL the potential charges against Donald Trump. No idea what this special counsel, Jack Smith, will ultimately determine, but one thing is certain – this will drag out the timeline of a decision to prosecute/not prosecute our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president. Just as I feared – as I said above – Garland wants to put something that is OBVIOUS onto someone else’s “plate.”

Trump is the MASTER at projection. When you listen to him play the role of a “victim” you can hear his supporters TOTALLY sucking his LIES in. Trump puts his corruption onto whatever convenient place which might allow him to continue his CORRUPTION without consequence. Let’s be clear – Trump should have ALREADY been indicted for INSTIGATING the INSURRECTION at the Capitol on January 6th, 2021 PLUS the reality he attempted to STEAL several THOUSAND documents from the National Archives which included HUNDREDS of classified documents some of which were of the HIGHEST sensitivity deserves indictment. In fact, there were something like 40+ folders labled “classified” that were EMPTY which likely makes all this even WORSE!

I mean, where do you think the documents which WERE in those empty folders went? I almost hate to speculate. Do you really think the documents found in Trumps office weren’t viewed by others? Keep in mind, these documents in the possession of any OTHER person would havve quickly resulted in an indictment. So, when “we the people” say “no one is above the law” what we really seem to mean is “unless it’s a high level republican politician who will raise holy hell.” Remember, Matt Gaetz has been credibly ACCUSED of “child sex trafficking” by his “buddy” who’s in jail in Florida and has provided all the EVIDENCE which would be needed to indict virtually anyone – yet. Mr. Garland apparently didn’t have the guts to prosecute Gaetz either.

I’m part of a “chorus” of MILLIONS who’ve been fearing the WORST when it comes to Merrick Garland – and, now our worst fears have been realized. Garland is suggesting he’s appointing this special counsel because Trump has – earlier than ANYONE in American history – announced his candidacy for the office of president. I hate to tell him this – obviously Mr. Garland is much smarter than me – the more time which passes until a “charging decision” is made the WORST this will become. If they choose NOT to prosecute that will be as DISASTROUS a decision as could possibly be made. And, the closer we get to the actual campaign of 2024 the more likely Garland will find a way to “chicken out” of charging Trump. Again, DISASTROUS.

If Mr. Garland thinks this gets him off the hook or makes it seem this is “apolitical” it’s Mr. Garland who is delusional. Trump’s “putting his hat in the ring” should NOT have been a surprise. He’s been violating our legal system for MANY years – well before he ever put he decided to run back in 2015 and this decision by Mr. Garland is perfect for what Trump was wanting to gain from becoming a “candidate” once again. Trump was losing his “grip” on the republican party after the mid terms which had, at best, a “pink wave.” If there is anything which might allow Trump to win the nomination next year, this will be it. Ron DeSantis is probably as frustrated as I am. And, ultimately Garland is still in charge and will be responsible for any charging decision, so what on earth does he think he’s gaining here?

For example, the evidence which is already public regarding the CLASSIFIED documents being STOLEN from the National Archives – the Presidential Records Act required ALL documents regarding the president’s activities to be recorded for “posterity” – would suggest Trump SHOULD be indicted “forthwith.” And, is there any question whether or not Trump INSTIGATED the assault on our nation’s CAPITOL on January 6th? If you question that, I question your ability to rationally interpret facts!

Obviously, having a “special counsel” will cause this process to be delayed, at best, from my perspective, and, at worst, will give Garland the opportunity to hide behind someone else in a failure to hold Trump accountable. Keep in mind, when we’re talking about the CONSPIRACY to overthrow our government – leading to the ATTACK on the CAPITOL – there’s a bunch of others involved in the CONSPIRACY, including several members of Congress AND the wife of a Supreme Court Justice. Does Garland need a “second opinion” when gathering the courage to INDICT people like Jim Jordan, Scott Perry, Rudy Giuliani, Louie Gohmert, Matt Gaetz, Mark Meadows, other members of the House “Freedom Caucus,” Sidney Powell, Geffrey Clark, John Eastman, Mike Flynn, Steve Bannon, and Ginni Thomas? The evidence of their involvement in the SCHEME to overthrow our government – the exact words used by Trump when he said “Mike Pense had the authority to overthrow the government” – is all part of the public domain. Why does Garland need another lawyer to find the guts to prosecute these people?

Here’s the bottom line of how I look at this. And, I’m going to use the words of Mike Flynn when he was speaking for Trump during the 2016 campaign at, I believe, the convention – “if I did ONE TENTH of what these people have done I would be in jail” – stealing a term from myself – FORTHWITH! Not only is Mr. Garland’s reticence to prosecute Trump resulting in “we the people” being subjected to another couple of years listening to his pathalogical LYING, but it’s energizing his “base.” The “scuttlebut” regarding Garland was he feared the backlash from all the violent members of Trump’s base and, now, he’s just pouring gas on that “fire” by putting all this off. Another six months or year (hopefully not longer than that) won’t make Trump any less GUILTY.

As I’ve (and millions of other Americans) said many times here, “NOT charging Trump will create MORE damage to this republic than whatever his supporters might attempt to do if he’s prosecuted. What are they going to do? Will they attempt to break him out of jail if that’s where he ends up? I don’t think so, but if that would be the plan my response would be “good luck.” If Trump is NOT charged – that could be as much a threat to the future of our republic as we just faced in the mid term elections. The reality there’s a large segment of our nation who are willing to accept a fascist regime – not only in federal office, but also in the state governments where the ultimate decisions on our voting takes place.

The FACT a group of “election deniers” failed to win a select group of governorships and offices of Secretaries of State was a reprieve to those of us who want the American “experiment” to continue – but, make no mistake, these people are not going away until the American voters VOTE them into the history books. That means this version of the republican party needs to be DEFEATED. And, despite all the celebrating by American pragmatists that the “far right” failed in their bid for a “red wave” understand they will keep coming back like a bad dream. Republicans gained control of the House and, despite the reality it was by a razor thin margin, their disruptive ANTICS are going to happen.

Thankfully, between Biden’s veto pen and the fact Democrats continue to have the majority in the Senate – again, by a razor thin margin – we’ve put off the impending DISASTER, but maybe not for long. The 2024 election will give republicans the opportunity to retake the Senate and, of course, they’ll be going all in to regain the “White House.” It will be the FOURTH straight election which will be the “most important election in my lifetime, And, as in the previous 3 elections Donald Trump will be right in the middle of it – whether he wins the nomination or not. When you look at how easily he gets republicans to fall under his spell you can be certain that a large part of his plan via the earliest announcement of a campaign for president in American History is his usual strategy of “delay, delay, delay.”

Just think about the possibility Trump fails to win the nomination and, say, someone like Ron DeSantis does, and should DeSantis prevail in the 2024 election (God forbit!) you can bet that Trump will EXPECT DeSantis or ……………….. (fill in the blank) to PARDON him. Should Trump somehow convince enough Americans to put him back in the “White House” do you think he’s NOT going to pardon himself? Trump has been DARING the American Justice system to hold him accountable for his misbehavior for YEARS – well, before he ran for office – and, he’s not going to stop until he’s sitting in a cell someplace – and, “don’t hold your breath.”

Final Thought: It’s now Monday and I wrote the previous posting last Friday after hearing about Garland’s appointment of Jack Smith as a “special prosecutor” in the two cases trudging along toward, hopefully, INDICTMENTS of Donald Trump. That’s exactly how the news caused me to feel – and, I’m simply hoping the day will come SOON when Trump fails to BULLY his way out of facing accountability for his CRIMINAL conduct. Since last Friday I’ve listened to several “experts” in the law who I have great respect for and, to a man (I think they were all men) they suggested Garland had done “the right thing.” Several suggested that, despite appearances this appointment would SLOW down the process, they believe it will actually speed it up. I remain open to being proven WRONG and, in fact, I’m HOPING I’m proven wrong. From my point of view Trump can’t be INDICTED soon enough. It REALLY is time “we the people” prove that “no one is above the law” in America. All of us who’ve been paying attention to politics over the past 50 year know that “hope” is/has been a “pipe dream.” Let’s just say, “no time like the present to start.”

This will simply be one more reason why it will be imperative for democrats to win elections for the foreseeable future – for example, to prevent a republican president from pardoning Trump once he’s FINALLY convicted. We are about to witness the REAL reason why this is an imperative as we watch what republicans are going to do with a margin of 3 votes in their majority and it’s going to be disastrous. Mark it down! NOTHING useful will get done and MUCH which is destructive very well might “get done.” For example, will republicans succeed in “kneecapping” Social Security and Medicare? Will they actually cause America to DEFAULT on her debts? We know they’re going to be focused on REVENGE because Keving McCarthy will be depending on Marjorie Taylor Greene for the speakership. Put that in your Space Lasers and “smoke it.” Stay tuned………………….

I’ve waited over a week now to publish this, and, by all accounts (again, of the legal experts I respect) the appointment of Jack Smith as the “special counsel” is a positive step. (despite my feelings otherwise) I’ll say this, the Justice Department had NOT admitted there was an investigation of Trump re: January 6th, 2021, and we now KNOW for sure there is one and it’s fairly far along. While I’m waiting to see the results of the “Special Counsel” I continue to believe Trump SHOULD have been indicted long ago. Today, a couple “Oathkeepers” were CONVICTED of “Setitious Conspiracy” – the SAME charge I believe Trump and the MANY who participated in his part of the CONSPIRACY to overthrow a free and fair election SHOULD face. Now, Stuart Rhodes and Kelly Megs are facing 20+ years in prison for their FOOLISH attempt to overthrow our government. And, there’s two or three MORE groups – including some “Proud Boys” (of “Stand back and stand by” fame) facing the same charges. Do you think today’s verdict is going to cause a rush of defendants to the “bargaining table?” Maybe guilty pleas with an agreement of cooperation? Time will tell……….

I’m going to write a small (I hope) piece on how STUPID Trump continues to be as this issue with all the documents he STOLE from “we the people” as he left Washington DC with his “tail between his legs” back on January 20, 2021. Let’s deal with Trump’s “defense” one absurd claim at a time. First of all is “These are mine” – the MOST absurd of the claims – Trump believing he could take whatever he wanted from the “White House” to Mar a Lago. It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to understand EVERY document created while in office is subject to the Presidential Records Act – meaning it/they go to the National Archives to be filed away for “posterity.” Before the now infamous FBI’s exercizing a search warrant for the documents still at Mar a Lago this past August we KNEW he had taken documents ILLEGALLY and, we also KNEW, that, while in office, he had destroyed documents by tearing them up/ flushing down a toilet (I’m not kidding) or “torching” them in a “White House” fireplace.

So, This was KNOWN and then we learned Trump had LIED (or had his attorney LIE) to federal Agents about the remaining documents (at the time, they turned over 30+ CLASSIFIED documents) stating there weren’t any more – yep, a LIE. (is that a “little lie?”) This LIE led to the search of Mar a Lago where thousands more document were found along with over 100 more sets of CLASSIFIED documents – some of the mose extreme sensitivity – documents apparently causing the DOJ to suggest the Espionage Act may have been violated. This is where some of Trump’s claims become absurd, from my standpoint. It’s as if everything Trump does regarding these documents and his attempt to STEAL them from “we the people” just makes it wose for him.

First of all, it appears the most OBVIOUS legal liability Trump is facing would be the OBSTRUCTION of Justice violation outlined in the original search warrant. To me, that charge has nothing to do with whether or not Trump magically did a mind meld on the documents to declassify them, but, in reality, NONE of the three areas of concern – meaning “there was probable cause a crime had been cimmitted – as put forth in the warrant – require documents to be “CLASSIFIED.” Of course, Trump has managed to manipulate the proceeding to make it all about whether or not the documents were “DE classified.” The claims are absurd on their face – but, let’s assume somehow Trump de-classified the documents.

The violation of the Espionage Act has NOTHING to do with whether the documents are classified – it has to do with whether or not there are documents directly having to do with defense department documents – probably, documents which include secretive material. Yep, had Trump actually “de-classified” the documents that wouldn’t change whether or not they were documents which pertain to secretive defense department information. Reports are there were extremely sensitive document having to do with the nuclear program of Iran and the intelligence capabilities of the Chinese. Some are suggesting, prosecutors won’t prosecute if the documents weren’t classified.

But, there’s another way to look at this. As HIGHLY classified documents, it appears there’s a good chance these documents would NOT be able to be used in court as evidence because of the sensitivity on their pages which could NOT be shown to anyone who might be on the jury – not to mention, all the others involved in a criminal proceeding. However, if Trump actually DID de-classify them – well, then anyone can look at them – which likely would be his defense regarding all the people he’s shown them to in the past year and a half. Should this be the case, then it would make sense the DOJ would file CHARGES against our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president for violating the Espionage Act. Oh yes, and don’t forget about the OBSTRUCTION charge. (If you read Mueller’s report – I did TWICE – you know how significant OBSTRUCTION is)

Trump SHOULD have simply returned ALL the documents when first prodded, but EVERYTIME he comes up with another “strategy” to defend himself, he gets in DEEPER. God help us if, in the upcoming mid-term elections, “we the people” are STUPID enough to put these LYING republicans back in control of Congress. I SHUDDER to think what the next two years will be like – instead of signing legislation, President Biden will be signing VETO’s. And, how “we the people” can have such a low “approval” of Biden blows me away. I’ve said here several times here Biden wasn’t my choice for the democrats – but, clearly, I was WRONG. He was the perfect candidate for the present times. I truly hope progressives show up at the polls on November 8th and that the suppression bills of republicans won’t succeed in overturning the results if democrats win.

Final Thought: Every day I feel more of a sense of grief for the Ukrainian people – those FIGHTING the Russians and those who are being forced from their homeland by Russia’s fascist dictator. We KNOW the Russians are TORTURING Ukrainian captives, we KNOW they are purposely bombing civilian targets and the energy system, and we also KNOW the Ukraine forces have the Russians fleeing from one place after another in the South and East. Here’s what I think – EVERY time the Russians blow up a Power station or blow up a residential structure the Ukrainians SHOULD take another “chunk” out of that bridge connecting Russia with Crimea. Additionally, I’m not sure why this “war” is confined to Ukrainian soil. Why aren’t the Ukrainians venturing in to begin making this war more “painful” for the Russian people. I “get” the threats of nukes – but, the WORLD can’t allow Putin’s threats – made because he’s LOSING – to carry the day. It’s kind of the same feeling I have with Trump’s threats about what will happen if he’s indicted. These kind of threats simply can’t rule the day. Putin, Trump, these are right wing organized criminals. They are both pathological LIARS and obscene narcissists. They represent a faction of the WORLD’S population which needs to be STOPPED! Sooner rather than later!

OK – the American people kept the Senate in the control of the democrats – by “razor thin margin” and, also by a razor thin margin, they put the republican wack jobs in the House back in charge. One thing we can count on – they’re going to “get to the bottom” of Hunter Biden’s life come hell or high water. Will they impeach Biden? I almost hope so. We are going to be faced with two years of the republican revenge tour. Honestly, not sure how I will respond to all this – I’m getting tired of writing about the republican “crime family.” It was reported today that Merrick Garland has appointed a “special counsel” to complete the INVESTIGATIONS of Trump and his fellow CONSPIRATORS regarding the January 6th, 2021 along with the investigation of the STEALING of classified documents from the National Archives. Who knows, some of these republican members of the House who are flapping their lips regarding to their plans for the House once they take over might end up with more to think about. People like Jim Jordan, Matt Gaetz, Louie Gohmert, Scott Perry, Andy Biggs, and others were reportedly part of the planning for the overthrow of our government on January 6th. Stay tuned………………

Keep in mind: Several of the major democratic accomplishments of the previous two years won’t really take full effect until this next two year cycle. Here’s the reality of American politics: not a single republican voted for any of this (except the “bipartisan infrastructure bill”) and they’ll be at the head of the line taking credit for the after effects. For example, when inflation comes down, the republicans will be falling all over each other to take credit (even though it’s already started to come down). When THOUSANDS of good paying jobs are created by the “Chips Act” there you’ll find republicans attempting to take credit! Count on it!!!

It’s just a few days until the 2022 mid-term elections in America and, in the county where I reside (in Washington State) a typical “America 1st” LIAR is likely to become our next representative in the House – because, as a republican leaning district, our previous representative, Jaimie Herrera Beutler got “ousted” for having the audacity to vote for Trump’s IMPEACHMENT after he instigated the INSURRECTION on our nation’s Capitol. Just this morning I was watching a football game and, sure enough, there was Joe Kent looking straight into the camera and LYING about his opponent – and, conversely, about himself.

Take for example the actual republican “platform” as put forth by Rick Scott, the head of the republican Senate campaign committee, called the “American Rescue Plan.” Part of this “plan” would lead to an increase on the income taxes of MOST Americans earning less than $150,000. Well, sure enough, there was Kent this morning accusing his opponent of proposing tax increases on Americans earning less than $150.000. Just that one statement demonstrates why Kent is perfect for today’s republicans – not only is he proving his competence as a LIAR, but, he’s demonstrating his ability to use projection as a poltical tool. (Putting your own shortcomings onto your opponent – republicans are expert at this)

I’ve paid attention, as much as I can – because there’s not much publicity with this campaign – to this contest and I’ve done considerable research on Kent – who has been affiliated with one white nationalist after another – which hasn’t been publicized much in my view. In his profile publicized after he filed for the election Kent said the congressperson he most identifies with is Matt Gaetz – he of the suspected (alleged) “child sex trafficking” issue – which Merrick Garland apparently doesn’t have the “stones” to allow an indictment. Maybe Garland is thinking the indictment of Donald Trump will be all “we the people” can stomach at one time but Gaetz isn’t the man you want hanging around with your young daughter. Mr. Kent, mark my words, will be palling around with Gaetz, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Jim Jordan and, well, you can figure out where this is going – the gang who attempted to help overthrow the 2020 election.

My hope, of course, would be that those republicans who voted for Herrera Beutler in the primary would not be able to stomach Mr. Kent enough to vote for his opponent, Marie Perez – who is a small business owner in a small community in the eastern part of this district. (The totals for Beutler and Kent were very close.) I also checked Ms Perez out – via her website – and was pleasantly surprised to find a very pragmatic progressive. After visiting her website I sent her my MAX donation of $25 – I’m an old man without enormous resources so I have to spread my donations around in small amounts. (The penalty for that is the 250 email messages in my inbox every day – many coming from who knows who running in places all around the country.)

I don’t stop the flow of emails to my inbox because I believe the time I have to spend each day deleting several hundred messages is the least I can do in regard to this upcoming election because there are people who I decide I need to send a few dollars to – usually a guarantee they’re going to lose (unfortunately, from my standpoint). For example, some of the people I’ve sent money to lately are Tim Ryan (in Ohio), Katie Porter (in California), Raphael Warnock (in Georgia), John Fetterman (in Pennsylvania – several small donations), along with donations to various groups – like the Lincoln Project, Vote Vets, and I can’t remember the others. Anyway, I feel obligated to participate in this election in, I understand, a very small way.

I wish I could do more for Marie Perez but my body is somewhat failing so I don’t get around too much these days – but, I did, for the first time in my life, write a letter to the editor of our local newspaper – yep, we still have an actual newspaper which gets delivered to our paper box every day – except Monday. Interestingly, I know people saw the letter, because I got a message from one of my former teaching partners (actually, he was a long term sub for me when I had my knee replaced back in 2004). I know he’s a republican – whether my opinion struck home with him I don’t know – but, the gist of my letter was asking republicans to take the time to consider whether or not Kent is OK to them.

Are they OK with having a white nationalist, a LIAR, and an election denier as our representative? Sadly, according to all the pundits, it will take a miracle for Kent to lose simply because the county where i live is chuck full of republicans who vote republican reflexively. I can say this for sure, because I know and talk to many republicans who have no idea what republicans actually stand for. To most of them it’s all about the abortion issue. But, also, most of them are clearly not understanding how racism as infiltrated their party. The bottom line for me is, it will be embarrassing to live in the county which sends Joe Kent to Congress! I hope it doesn’t happen, but it appears likely it will – another republican election denier in Congress trying to latch onto Marjorie Taylor Greene as a way to access POWER. Yikes!!!

Final Thought: I can guarantee you that if the “miracle” I referred to above actually happens you will see attacks on the election department in my home county. Republicans will be up in arms and they’ll definitely claim “the election was rigged.” I don’t think it will get to that point, because Kent is clearly favored to win, but I actually hope it does. I’ve taken my votes and my wife’s votes to a local drop box in the hope there would be some wack job attempting to intimidate people who are voting – like what we’re seeing in places around the country. I was definitely going to confront whoever may have chosen that route with my crippled up body. Oh well, it’s a good thing we don’t have to deal with that stuff around here.

How did we get here? A certified wack job breaks into the home of Nancy and Paul Pelosi with a couple hammers, finds Pau Pelosi, 82, sleeping and, to make a short story shorter he ends up bashing Mr. Pelosi in the head with one of his hammers, cracking his skull – right in front of the Police Officers responding to a 9-1-1 call. And, sadly, as could be expected, some of the deranged members of the so-called MAGA movement show up on Social Media with, what they believe to be “funny” responses – the most notable, to me, coming from Donald Trump Jr. (Is he FINALLY making his papa proud?) The absurd “tweets” went right up to the new “chief twit” Elon Musk who proved immature, spoiled brats can be just as STUPID as immature sons of TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) presidents who are also spoiled BRATS!

Well, from this perspective, this is – REALLY – the work of Vladimir Putin – at its foundation. Putin started his “active measures” against America and other Western Democracies, where he discovered he could use the freedoms we take for granted against us long before he helped Trump “win” in 2016. This is where the actual “fake news” became commonplace. Misinformation flooded Social Media platforms and the Russians, later in conjunction with Trump’s 2016 campaign, became expert at targeting their mis/disinformation on platforms like Facebook and Twitter. (Mark Zuckerberg’s passion for making as much money as possible left Facebook a “sitting duck” to the Russian misinformation “troops.”)

I have to add, members of the republican party were highly susceptible to this attack on our nation – I mean, I remember being assaulted as a “liberal hippie” back in the 1960’s once I realized the TRUTH about the Viet Nam War – and, once again – in a nuanced manner – after the ILLEGAL invasion of Iraq in 2003 when I expressed my outrage at a small Community Church I was attending – where the demonizing of “liberals” was already imbedded into the brains of many republicans. Iraq was like “Deja Vu all over again” to me regarding my experience during the Viet Nam era and, once again I was ostracized as a “liberal.” (I have to add that, since then, several members of that church have apologized)

So, republicans were easy prey for Putin – and, eventually Donald Trump. Credible reports suggest the Russians started “grooming” Trump back in the 1980’s. He’s what they would call an “unwitting idiot.” But, Trump was perfect to carry on the work of Putin in America because of his narcissistic pathalogical LYING. Both Trump, and Putin, have proved our Justice Department is easily intimidated. Trump has been “stepping over” one legal “boundary” after another – for well before his four years in the “White House” – and he’s still walking free and sending INTIMIDATING messages to Merrick Garland and the rest of those in the department. And, of course, Putin was simply laughing at Robert Mueller indicting his hackers involved in the “active measures” caompaign.

If you’ve read about the organization Cambridge Analytica, set up in England prior to the “Brexit” campaign, and responsible for the hacking of Facebook allowing both the republican party (via Steve Bannon and Jared Kushner) and the Russians to pinpoint the “tendencies” of 157 MILLION Americans prior to the 2016 election – flooding Facebook with phony advertising full of “fake news” and, not only turning MILLIONS of Americans against Hillary Clinton, but beginning the process of indoctrinating Americans (radicalizing) leading to days like January 6th, 2021 (and the INSURRECTION) or, more recently October 28, 2022 when one of these radicalized (STUPID) people broke into Nacy Pelosi’s home and nearly killed her husband – with a HAMMER no less.

There can be no doubt where this dude’s motivation came from. He’s a strong Trump supporter, a QAnon afficionado, a white nationalist, an anti-semite (I guess those two go together, don’t they?), I suppose those on the “right” would refer to him as “scum” had he been a “liberal” attacking a republican. And, of course, they (republicans) would expect democrats to respond in an empathetic way had “the shoe been on the other foot.” Here’s the IRONY which we see repeated OVER and OVER with republicans – the republicans REQUIRE you to be a LIAR to have any chance of success in their “party” – and, of course, the reason this THUG who attacked Mr. Pelosi justified his actions because Ms. Pelosi is the leader of the “party of lies” (apparently, the democrats) This happens ALL the time!

Republicans after republicans were finding ways to obfuscate, dissemble, deflect, divert, or, sadly, make light of what happened to Mr. Pelosi. To me, how can you make fun of someone who’s had his head bashed in by a hammer – republicans are defensive because they KNOW their cowardice and rhetoric is what is motivating people like this to attempt to KILL or KIDNAP politicians who they believe disagree with them. The lady who might end up as Arizona’s governor (Kari Lake) made light of the attack, Donald Trump Jr. showed a couple “tweets” making a joke of what happened with a couple disgusting entries into Elon Musk’s new toy. I have to add, I’m sorry Jr. – but, your choice of “briefs” made me shake my head – I guess we used to call it “underwear.” I haven’t worn anything resembling your apparent “briefs” since I was in the eighth grade – that’s over 60 years ago. I’ve seen photos of your Dad in his tennis outfight wearing the same choice for “underwear” – as visible through his tennis shorts. Eeauu! Yikes!!!

Is this going to get better? Well, it seems not anytime soon. As I’ve been saying for years, until the Justice Department holds those “at the top” to the same laws which those of us at “the bottom” are susceptible to – this will continue. There are right wing “militias” all across America which want to start the next “civil war” and, should democrats prevail in the November elections that could happen sooner rather than later. (My biggest concern in such a scenario is how many of our Police and or National Guardsmen have been sucked into the right wing MAGA movement?) Who knows how many democratic members of Congress are in the “crosshairs” of these right wing wack jobs? And, what will republicans do in response to an uptick in right wing political violence? What happens when a member of Congress is killed? Will republicans remain quiet? Will they make more jokes? (Well, assuming it’s a democrat)

I have to wonder how will republicans respond when the “shoe is on the other foot.” Keep in mind, the last time I checked, you’re not checked for your political affiliation when you purchase and AR-15 for example. As far as I know, African Americans can purchase weapons too, I think. I have no idea what lies ahead, but I seem to have an active mind. And, NONE of this is particularly FUNNY – I hate to share that with people like Trump Jr., Elon Musk, Ted Cruz, Jim Jordan, etc. etc.

That being said, I have to add, as I’m thinking about “how did we get here,” the so-called “Tea Party.” A backlash to “we the people” doing the “unthinkable,” in the eyes of people like Charles and David Koch, by electing a “person of color” as the 44th President of the United States. To this day I believe Barack Obama is the MOST popular political figure in America – but, the TRUTH is, it was the “Tea Party” which set the stage for the emergence of Donald Trump via the so-called “birther movement.” And, it’s been the “Tea party” members who have slowly taken over the republican party allowing IN people like David Duke, Don Black, and a host of others involved in the white nationalist movement – which, as I liked to say at the time, was “hiding under the rocks” until the election of Obama.

Trump is the master manipulator – well, with the exception of Putin – and, now they’ve succeeded in accomplishing Putin’s “wet dream” of turning America into TWO factions fighting at each other’s “throats.” Of course, the faction “close to Putin’s heart” is the one headed by Trump who created a MASSIVE cult following across America – full of people like the guy who attacked Nancy Pelosi’s husband. I mean have you no shame? The man was in his sleep and he’s 82 years old – and the dude cracked him over the HEAD with a HAMMER! OMG!!!

Less than a week (from when I’ll likely publish this rant) will be the mid-term elections of 2022 which most “experts” expect will allow republicans – the same group which keeps causing disastrous results in their INCOMPETENT leadership – to take control of Congress. We’ll be right back into the malaise which encompassed our country during the LONG four years of the rein of our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president. Here’s what they’ve promised: they’re going to, of course, vote to impeach Joe Biden. Maybe they’ll do it twice because, well, Trump has taught them the value of LYING and REVENGE. They are promising to go after Social Security and Medicare – by threatening to BLOW UP the American (and maybe world) economy over the debt ceiling. (Democrats have until January to get rid of the Debt Ceiling requirement – which is pretty much STUPID in its own right – and, I can virtually guarantee you will still be there in January)

Of course, republicans are planning to make the so-called Trump “tax scam (er cuts)” permanent. That would simply mean they would be “permanent” until the next time democrats gained control of Congress (which would hopefully be in two years – although “election deniers” say it will be “never” if they “win” in November). Republicans have shown they are OK with the use of VIOLENCE to get their way. They consider democrats weak – because democrats keep focusing on governing and they don’t fight back against republican overreach. Republicans will also impeach Merrick Garland in an attempt to protect Trump from the legal accountability he so deserves. (Plus, they’ll attempt to defund the Justice Department to block attempts at indicting Trump and his co-conspirators – which, I believe, includes the wife of Clarence Thomas) Some of them carry copies of the constitution around with them with no idea what it says. Trump is NOT “above the law” and it’s up to Mr. Garland to hold him to account. There are mixed messages as to whether he has the courage to do so, I’ll believe it when I see it. But, that’s how we got to this ugly place – a combination of Vladimir Putin enabling (and mentoring?) Trump to take advantage of cultural issues which were lying “under the surface” when Barack Obama was elected President. God help us!

Final Thought: I’ve been saying there’s a war for the heart and soul of America for about 20 years and I’ve lamented that democrats don’t seem to understand what is happening. Some of them are starting to “get it” but others seem to still be acting as if this election is just another election. The usual way Americans discover an issue is critical is when it’s too late. I’m not saying it will be “too late” if democrats fail to show up in November (and, who knows if “showing up” will matter in states with new election suppresion laws in place?) but, as I’ve said for years, it’s much easier to lose rights than to get them back. And, this Supreme Court is set on overturning some “rights” Americans have come to take for granted – well, again, I’m talking about democrats – rights which were fought for over the years and “assumed” part of our future – and, I have to believe the overturning of Roe was just the “tip of the iceberg.” Here’s how they think – if they could overturn Roe and democrats still not respond at the ballot box – well, “katy bar the door!” As Steve Bannon, himself, says, “buckle up!” Stay tuned…………………..

One more thing: I have a brother-in-law who lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (a KEY state in this coming election) who, apparently, thinks what I write is too depressing. He’d like something “positive.” My plan was to write about ALL the accomplishments of the Biden administration despite the Congress which has been “hamstrung” by the 50/50 Senate “majority” – with two reclacitrant democrats. The amount of legislation they passed would be historic under any circumstances, let alone in this combative climate. I hope to write about that, but even that could seem depressing should republicans take control of Congress next week. However, we’ll see……….