I keep, periodically during one day or the other, get ideas of what I should write my next post on – and, then, I watch/listen to one of the “leading” republicans speak and, well, I get all confused and have to write about whatever it is that annoys me on the latest day. I’ve been writing for YEARS about the projectionism coming from republicans, and it NEVER seems to end. Today, it was Mike Pense – he of the chant coming from Trump’s base “Hand Mike Pense” – trying to make his case as to why republicans should consider him as the future of the republican party. (Apparently, instead of “hanging” him) He used the catch words, “the left,” “woke,” accusations about LGBTQ+ stuff appealing to homophobes, suggesting republicans are being forced to tolerate “the left’s obsession with race and sex and gender” as he was joining the list of right wing “book banners” on the horizon.

Kind of reminds me of all the republican “anti-gay/anti drug” politician/religious leaders of previous years who were secretly meeting with their gay “lovers” and doing cocaine with them during their………………… (You can fill in your own blank). Pense, along with DeSantis and, now, Nikki Haley are all recommending purging BOOKS from our schools which might actually teach, for example, ACTUAL history – or books with any reference about – ugh! – sex, or you name the latest thing “liberals are forcing” on conservatives and their children. (Have these people not heard of the internet – I’m old, but I’ve heard students could very well access “porn” on the internet while they’re trying to figure out what the “fuss” is all about!

These people think “liberals” are forcing – who knows what – upon them and their children and they apparently fail to understand their BOOK burning is forcing their “anti woke” (ie racist) agenda upon everyone else. For example, let’s look at the word “woke.” I was a 6th grade teacher for almost 25 years at the end of my working life – and, I didn’t know what “woke” meant. So, having learned how to use a search engine in my later years, I “Googled” it. And, sure enough, now I have, at least, an idea. According to Miriam Webster: “aware of and actively attentive to important societal facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice).”

The term “woke” was first used in the late 1930’s, supposedly by the Black musician Huddie Leadbetter, ie “Leadbelly,” when he warned Black people “Best stay woke, keep their eyes open” as they progressed through Alabama – the reasons SHOULD be obvious to you. Then, the term re-emerged during the George Floyd protests in 2020 as a word of “action” where activists were encouraged to “stay woke.” I hope you get my drift – the use of this term by DeSantis, Pense, Haley, and who knows how many other “conservatives” (ie Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley, etc., etc.) is outrageously RACIST. What these people are attempting to do, as they lead the “charge” to BAN BOOKS our students in K-8 schools might actually read – is to prevent their children from learning about America’s RACIST history.

Again, as if their children don’t know about the internet. My wife is still teaching and she teaches FIRST graders – and, these kids are likely more proficient using the internet than I am – and, if not, they soon will be. Here was one of my favorite “tricks” when I was still teaching sixth graders: On the white board to the students left as they took their seats I would write the directions for the day – and, if I really wanted them to ALL read them, on the white board in the front of the room I would write: “Whatever you do, DON’T look at the other white board! 100% of the time, EVERY student would look to their left and carefully read what I told them NOT to read. Do you get my drift???

I like to read about History – actually, ALL of it – to the level my 75 year old mind can consume and one of the books I read a year or two ago was about the American History following the Civil War. We’re talking about “reconstruction” and, thanks to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln our 17th president was Andrew Johnson. I’m going to share my memory off the top of my head, so I’ll do my best, but my point was Johnson was, in essence a “traitor” to the cause of reconstruction leading to the brevity of that period of time. What ensued was the period called “The Lost Cause” – where those in the South led a push to “sweep under the rug” the TRUTH about the Civil War leading to extreme repression of the new “freemen.”

During the “Lost Cause” there was a push which dangerously resembles what is happening in several states around our nation. The best example which comes to my mind is what Ron DeSantis is doing in Florida as he pushes for BOOKS to be banned, teaching to be “white washed,” and other parts of his “anit woke” agenda. That is his RACIST agenda – sadly, an agenda which is not being clearly identified by oiur so-called “liberal media.”

While these republican “leaders” are PROJECTING their own insecurities/failures on the rest of us their all, also, attempting to convince us they’re worthy to be our leaders – in the case of DeSantis, Pense, and Haley – they would have us believe it’s them who should win the republican nomination for president come 2024. Now, I TRULY hope “we the people” don’t forget the “stakes” in this next election and ALL the elections for the immediate future, but each one of DeSantis, Pense, Haley, (and, likely Cruz, Hawley, and a bunch more) will say whatever they think will convince us otherwise. I’ve been pointing this out for YEARS – if it’s a republican speaking to their suppporters these days, they’re LYING. Count on it!

I’m going to write, today, about Pense, because he was making some outrageous LIES today while attempting to convince his audience he’s standing up for the constitution as he’s attempting to avoid testifying in the DOJ investigation into January 6th, 2021. What on earth could he possibly be HIDING? Where in the constitution is it written politicians should refuse to tell the TRUTH about CRIMINAL behavior? For some reason, it appears republicans don’t want to tell the TRUTH about what led up to and what happened on January 6th. What the……………? Why would someone think they were qualified to be president if they’re afraid to tell the TRUTH about an attempt to overthrow our – brace yoursel – constitution? I have no idea why Pense thinks “we the people” will find his COWARDICE to be anything but? No wonder he’s sitting at less than 1% in the latest polling.

I’ve got to end this “rant” by referencing something I read today while updating myself on what’s going on in Ukraine. As I was browsing through a long list of the various battles going on TODAY I ran across one caption titled: INTELLIGENCE UPDATE. Well, of course, the first thing I thought of was Donald Trump. He REALLY needs an “intelligence update.” I’ll explain (OK, the latest reason) : Today parts of the report from the “Special Grand Jury” in Fulton County, Georgia, were made public. Essentially, the first part (page) of a nine page report and the last part (page) were made public – with any personal identifying parts redacted.

There were two things of general interest in what was published. First, the Grand Jury concluded (via a “majority opinion”) that “one or more people LIED while giving their testimony.” Well, there were 75 people who testified and most were republicans – does that surprise ANYONE there was “alleged” LYING? Secondly, a Grand Jury (23 citizens) unanimously agreed there was no FRAUD in the 2020 presidential election in Georgia which could have changed the result of the election. Now, here’s where the words “intelligence update” struck me regarding the meaning of all of this – Trump actually wrote on his failing Twitter knock off this “completely exonerated” him. Yikes! He needs an “intelligence update.”

While there were NO indictments (YET) in Fani Willis’ investigation – virtually EVERY legal espert I listened to today suggested what was published today suggests Trump is going to be indicted – and, likely, soon. For what? Well, that’s not as clear – but, based on what I listened to today, there are a plethora of options for Ms. Willis. One interesting fact regarding Georgia law – if a person LIES while speaking to elected Georgia officials – for example, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger – that COULD be considered perjury. Now, if you’re reading this post and you’ve gotten this far you NO DOUBT have heard Trump’s infamous phone call to Raffensperger where he “just wants Raffensperger to ‘find’ 11,780 votes” – which would give Trump “one more” than Joe Biden. In this phone call Trump LIED over and over – plus, there were OTHER phone calls to other officials (which were recorded).

I’ve been pointing out for several years now Trump’s STUPID decision making prowess which caused him to get slaughtered in the 2020 election (by “Sleepy Joe Biden”) – most notably his absolutely (what should be) CRIMINAL handling of the Covid pandemic – not to mention 30 THOUSAND plus vefifiable LIES in just four years, the Russia “hoax” and on and on. Topping it all off by, today, claiming this Grand Jury report “completely exonerated” him. Seriously, he needs an “intelligence update.”

Final Thought: The reticence of Merrick Garland regarding Trump’s OBVIOUS involvement in the INSURRECTION of January 6th, 2021 is becoming more and more of an issue as the investigation into Trump and his co-conspirators while the key witnesses like Pense and Mark Meadows, to name two of them, attempt to use the courts to drag things out until, obviously, the 2024 election is into high “swing.” Will Mr. Garland, then, suggest Trump can’t be indicted during the middle of a presidential election? OMG – if that happens, it will be Garland, instead of Trump, in the very depths of the American History books. I wrote close to a year ago that I believed, from public knowledge, I could have gotten a conviction of Trump for defrauding the American people and obstructing an official proceeding as a retired 6th grade teacher. Yes, he’s likely guilty of SEDITION, but I’d be happy for him to have to spend even 5 years in prison.

And, why is it that Fani Willis, in Fulton County Georgia, appears to be the FIRST who’s going to indict Trump? Why is Mr. Garland leaving it to a DA in a small county in Georgia to do his “dirty work?’ (Letting her face the violent MOB both Trump and Lindsey Graham have predicted should he be indicted) I listened, today, to Mike Pense, refer to the “Democrat Justice Department” and, aside from my frustration with Mr. Garland, it just shows how disingenuous virtually EVERY republican is – so, what does Garland have to gain by acting as if he fears taking on Trump? I don’t know. Today, Matt Gaetz, who prosecutors allegedly had the RECEIPTS of his participating in a “sex-trafficking” ring in Florida – I mean the investigation started under Bill Barr 3 years ago – got the news he would NOT face prosecution. What???? Yes, all these types of prosecutions would have to get Mr. Garland’s OK and, well, is this a sign of what’s to come? OMG!!! Stay tuned………………

Once again, my apologies for publishing this withoug re-reading and editing it. It’s late and I’m feeling a bit lazy. Just sayin……………….