The U.S. Supreme Court is a mess as I’m writing this. At the head of the class of Justice’s who have issues with their ethical standards, of course, is Clarence Thomas who’s been in the news over and over again over the previous couple of months. I’ve written about Justice Thomas’ wife, who I believe, SHOULD be part of the January 6th investigation of Jack Smith due to her participation in the attempt by Trump to STEAL the 2020 election (as he was pushing the so-called “Stop the Steal” fiasco) in both CLEARLY being part of the CONSPIRACY – based on the publicly released text messages during the Select Committee’s hearings – AND, based on her part in recruiting republicans in the “FAKE ELECTOR” scheme put forth by Trump et al.

Justice Thomas, it has been revealed in public reporting he hasn’t denied, has been accepting “hospitality” in the nature of private jet transportation, exotic vacations, trips on exotic yachts, and “friendship” from a Texas Billionaire named Harlan Crow who is a collector of Hitler and Nazi “memorabilia” (go figure!) and has poured likely MILLIONS into the ledger of The Thomases. Was Clarence Thomas, for example, going to pay for private jet Travel to places around the globe with no obligation to pay for anything once he got there? I don’t think so! (I guess that makes my question rhetorical, doesn’t it?) By the way, how Crow and Donald Trump are similar is they both inherited their wealth via Real Estate “empires.”

Not only is Mr. Crow paying for the Thomases to trapse around the globe on his dime, but he’s also funneled (at least) hundreds of thousands of dollars directly into the pocketbook of Mrs. Thomas – none of which was reported on Justice Thomas’ disclosure forms – just further affirming the belief by many into the right wing’s CORRUPTION on the court. These judges – and, I’ve closely watched the confirmation process of virtually all of them – including Thomas back when he was (allegedly) LYING about his harassment of Anita Hill – all of these republican appointed judges have proven themselves to have been unhinged from the TRUTH – for example, as America’s women now clearly know, regarding their belief in “stare decisis” the principle of following judicial precedent – most specifically regarding the Roe precedent. They ALL claimed “allegiance” to this judicial principal. LIARS?????

I looked up the “net worth” of the justices and I don’t think many would be surprised to “learn” that the top members of the court according to their wealth would be the republicans – led by Chief Justice Roberts, Justice Gorsuch, Sam Alito, and Amy Coney Barrett all close to or exceeding net worths of $10 MILLION. (i belief Justice Barrett is likely a bit under that amount) These right wing Justices are hanging around “institutes” that (allegedly) have business before the court and, I believe, it’s a rare occasion when one of them recuses themselves from a case. The optics of this court are TERRIBLE and are only going to get worse.

Virtually everyone of the right wing judges on this court could be accused of (allegedly) LYING in their confirmation hearings. For heaven’s sake, Judge Kavanaugh was, in my view, embarrassing in his response to the (alleged) sexual assault charges which came out against him during the process. Since, we’ve learned he (allegedly) LIED outright in this process and also that Trump called off the FBI’s investigation into additional accusations against Kavanaugh which still haven’t been heard. This is REALLY bad, but, it’s taken Justice Thomas to convince more and more Americans the Supreme Court is nothing more than a Kangaroo Court.

And, that doesn’t even get into the “work” of Ginni Thomas, Justice Thomas’ wife. I can’t help but thinking back to the days of Justice Abe Fortas, who resigned from the court – supposedly, to save his wife from some kind of political issue. Nothing regarding her was referred to in his resignation letter, but I think it paid a large part in him agreeing to resign. (He had accepted $20,000 from a foundation which was having problems and to whom he returned the money – compare that to the Thomases) To me, Ginni Thomas was right in the middle of those encouraging Donald Trump and Mark Meadows to do whatever they could to overturn the 2020 election. What were her personal beliefs on the election? Personally, I don’t think that matters. If she bought in on the “big lie” that’s a her problem – it doesn’t excuse participating in a CONSPIRACY to commit several FELONIES.

I really don’t understand why Mrs. Thomas’ political activities are not MORE of the issue with the CORRUPTION of Justice Thomas. She has said she doesn’t talk to her husband about politics (if you believe that I’ve got a bridge………………) but, only to her “best friend.” There’s a way LIARS are always exposed and she’s no exception. She later referred to her “best friend” as her husband. Can you connect the dots?

And, as always with republicans/conservatives there’s always more. Now the TRUTH about the Texas judge who made the (rather obscene from a legal perspective) ruling on the so-called “abortion pill” is coming out regarding his confirmation process. He (allegedly) hid a controversial article he had written prior to his nomination by Trump to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas – a district SMALL enough that “judge shoppers” can be assured to get their issue in front of HIM – because, well, he’s the only option in that district – his name is Matthew Kasmaryk and he (allegedly) took his name off the article which should have been part of his confirmation process right before the hearings so that he wouldn’t have to include the article in the required writings sent to the Senate before the confirmation process.

This court is a REAL part of the scheme by republicans to RULE America via minority rule – republicans continue to publicly show their disdain for democracy. And, the court is right in the middle of it all. Of course, for me, it started when the Court chose Bush/Cheney as the “winners” of the 2000 presidential election. Much of America’s modern day “woes” emanate from that egregious decision. (Think the Middle East) but, as I’ve said over and over, there’s always more. The Court responded to the election of Barack Obama into the “White House” with the Citizens United Decision which was referred to by Jimmy Carter as “legalized bribery.” Close to $5 BILLION in “dark money” has flowed into our elections since this decision came down. The Court has also eviscerated the Voting Rights Act of 1965 so we’re seeing state after state (with republican governors and legislatures) enacting laws that are designed to suppress voting. Republicans in Wisconsin, for example, bragged they had “blocked” upwards of 100.000 voters in Detroit from voting (ie democrats) in the 2022 election – where Ron Johnson was “re-elected” to his seat in the Senate by less than 50,000 votes over his African American opponent. Do you see how this is working?

Here’s what bothers me most about all of this. I’m 75 years old and I understand my children and grandchildren have to live with this right wing court long after I’m “pushing up daisies.” If Americans – and, I’m talking about, mostly, young Americans – don’t get firmly involved in the process of being “responsible adults” – by VOTING – if another republican is voted into the “White House” in the next 30 years or so, this could get much worse. Justice Alito, in his unhinged decision overturning Roe v Wade, pointed out that those who don’t agree with their decision have the power to change it via Congress by “voting.” Does that strike you as disingenuous as it does me? Saying the solution is voting as you’re making it easier to BLOCK people from voting pretty much says it all, regarding republicans, as far as I’m concerned.

While “we the people” have been focused on Donald Trump the Supreme Court of the United States has been busy undermining progress which has happened in America over the past 50+ years. Women’s rights are under attack, students’ rights are under attack, LGBTQ rights are under attack, voting rights are under attack, and our democratic republic’s fundamentals are under attack by the right wing courts in this land. The most recent issue is the overturning of an FDA ruling (which has been “there” for over 20 years) potentially opening a “can of worms” regarding medications in America the likes of which we’ve NEVER seen. It just keeps getting worse, and the fact Clarence Thomas can violate laws and norms with impunity says it all! Our court system is BROKEN!

Final Thought: The encouraging part in all of this, to me, is I keep seeing signs America’s young people have “had enough.” They’re watching republicans block legislation aimed at fighting the plague of gun violence, watching republicans block legislation aimed at the Climate crisis, watching republicans attack the rights of women who want to have children (and, make no mistake, these anti-abortion laws will cause MANY women in America to die), they see republicans doing whatever they can to make the income inequality issue worse – making housing a stretch for many of them, republicans are attacking LGBTQ Americans, banning books, and treating immigrants inhumanely. I think it will be America’s young people – and, I’m talking those from the early thirties to those just eligilble to vote in the next election who are going to turn this nation back toward it’s roots.

And, by its “roots” I’m not talking about America’s racist roots – in fact, as we saw in Tennessee just recently, republicans are determined to make national leaders out of young Black Americans with the courage to stand up against their tyrannical nonsense. When you listen to the “stuff” Donald Trump is “promising” should he be re-elected it makes me think I hope he’s actually the republican nominee. That should cause the republican party to be voted to where I’ve been lobbying for at least 15 years – and, that’s into the History books. I’m not even suggesting THOSE books be banned – I think American’s youth need to read about ALL of America’s History – the good and the bad. These republicans will find themselves right next to Benedict Arnold in the History books – in a chapter right next to the one telling the TRUTH about America’s TORTURE and MURDER of African Americans for roughly three fourths of our history. I keep thinking these RACIST “conservatives” in the South and the Rust belt are direct descendants of people who were involved in the LYNCHINGS which took place in the early 20th century. Stay tuned………………..

Back to Reality, I’m just jotting down a few thoughts which might motivate another post on another day – I don’t feel like writing too much today. From the lips of Zoe Lofgren, D. of California, regarding the interview of Cy Vance on Sunday’s “Meet the Press.”Something doesn’t smell right.” She was referring to the FACT Mr. Vance, who was the District Attorney in New York prior to Alvin Bragg, said he was asked to “stand down” regarding the investigation which has culminated in the present charges against Donald Trump. What the???? Who in the SDNY (Southern District of New York) asked Vance to “stand down.”

Of course, then the SDNY also STOOD down. Michael Cohen was allowed to serve a 3 year prison term for the same offense. That was the case which caused me to refer to Trump as “individual 1” for over two years – until it became apparent, after Trump lost in a LANDSLIDE to Joe Biden in 2020 – that Merrick Garland didn’t have the “will” to follow through on an investigation which had been initiated – and likely closed by Bill Barr’s Justice Department. As I look back on this, it’s apparent Cohen was targeted for prison by Trump’s “lacky’s.” It was until they realized he had the “goods” on Trump until Barr attempted to “overturn his conviction.” I’ve been pointing out how republicans have become LOWER and LOWER lowlifes for the past several decades. (Going all the way back to Nixon)

Once again, republicans don’t take long to prove they can always go LOWER. Now, as I’m writing this the state legislature in Tennessee is in the process of EXPELLING three members of the democratic party in Tennessee for, get this, protesting the gun lobby after three CHILDREN and three adults in a Christian private school where a former student shot her way with several high capacity military style (AK-47) firearms into the school and MURDERED those children and the adults there to take care of them with something like 150 shots being fired before the police could intervene and shoot the “shooter.” Two of the three being EXPELLED are the youngest African American members of their body.

This reminds me of what I’ve been reading, “Caste” by Isabel Wilkerson, and I’ve come to the conclusion EVERY high school student in America should have this book as required reading. The legislature of Tennessee is PROVING the darkest history of America is still a major problem in our nation. Wilkerson pulls no punches as she points out the 250 years in America where African Americans were treated in a near equal manner to the Jews who faced the MURDEROUS Nazi’s for 12 years in Germany from the early 30’s until the Third Reich was defeated by the “allied” troops back in 1945. That’s right, 250 years of white people murdering and torturing selected “Negroes” in order to put the fear of God in the other members of their SLAVES.

And, of course, it didn’t get much better after the Civil War and “Reconstruction” which lasted only a very short number of years and was followed by the “Jim Crow” years. Jim Crow was a pejorative term in the South which is how the laws insured African Americans would face segragation in all forms of their lives. And, the torture and MURDER of Black Americans continued well into the 20th century. Until the 1960’s Black Americans were prohibited from attending the “White public” schools and it was in the sixties when the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were passed and turned virtually every elected official in the South away from the democratic party.

I was in High School back then and I remember (vaguely) watching Black Americans getting bludgeoned on the Edmund PettUs bridge as they were starting the March to Montgomery in Alabama. This has been referred to as “Bloody Sunday” when African Americans protesting the murder of Jimmy Lee Jackson who had been MURDERED a short while previous, for participating in a peaceful protest at the bridge. The bridge is named after a Confederate General who was a “Grand Dragon” of the Alabama Ku Klux Klan. “Bloody Sunday” was what led to the passing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 – thanks to it being shown on national TV.

Many white people in America, like myself, even if we’ve been supportive of the Civil Rights movement in America which, obviously, continues, have little to no knowledge of what African Americans have REALLY endured over the 400 plus years since white Europeans “discovered” this nation and, at first, began the genocide of the Native Americans who had been here for thousands of years while bringing the African SLAVES here and auctioning them off in the most disgusting manner of inhumanity – a process which started in the early 1600’s and lasted until the Civil War nearly 250 years later – to do their labor. All of this is coming to mind as I’m watching these two African Americans (along with a White former teacher who had experienced a school shooting as a teacher) being expelled simply for voicing their support for gun legislation after the recent school shooting in Nashville.

Our Supreme Court participated in what led to the March across the bridge when in the 1890’s (I believe) it decided the so-called “separate but equal” decision in the case referred to as “Plessy v Ferguson” which cemented the Jim Crow “Laws” in the American South. The continued suffering inflicted on the African American communities in America continued unabated up to the 1960’s and the peaceful protesting led by Martin Luther King. Things are better now, but it appears to me the so-called “MAGA” movement is trying to relive this dark History in our nation. I can’t help but think of some of the “stuff” coming out of Florida, via Ron DeSanctimoniouis and the Florida legislature, where they’re banning books just as the supporters of the so-called “Lost Cause” back in the aftermath of Reconstruction were doing.

The bottom line here is that republicans can’t be trusted in ANY circumstance. Much of the stuff they’re doing is no longer “under the rocks” but out in the open – as if they actually believe they are in the majority. In places like Tennessee the gerrymandered districts allow them to act as full blown authoritarians. Just the other day, a “liberal” was elected to the Wisconsin State Supreme Court, another state which is shamefully gerrymandered, giving the “liberals” a 4 – 3 majority on the Court much to the chagrin of republicans. It didn’t take but a few hours after the election. where the “liberal” candidate won by OVER 10% – a landslide in Wisconsin, for the republicans in the state legislature to begin talking about IMPEACHING her. Of course, in Wisconsin – a state with a nearly identical number of democrats to republicans – the state legislature has a “super majority” of republicans – thanks to partisan gerrymandering – enough to actually impeach this judge. This “garbage” is happening all across our nation – fueled by republicans who live in fear of losing their grip on POWER.

Here’s the deal, if they would choose to do this, the people in Wisconsin will simply vote the “liberal” justice (I can’t remember her name) back into her position as a Supreme Court justice in their state. The gerryrigging of so many states in America is just consistent with the History of this nation people like Ron DeSanctimonious, in Florida, don’t want “we the people” to understand. It’s shameful! I hope the two young Black Tennessee legislators are voted right back into this body and the people of Tennessee rise up against this POWER grab.

Final Thought: Just about everyone in America understands our History – at least to the point where we know how African American parents have to teach their children how to act if/when they’re pulled over by a state trooper for a traffic issue. Often time, the issue is driving while Black. Most of us witnessed the modern day version of a “Lynching” as George Floyd died under the KNEE of a racist Mineapolis cop! That led to massive protests all across this nation – with young Americans of all “stripes” marching in protest of police brutality toward Black Americans. That has led to ANOTHER backlash by White Americans led by Trump and the so-called “freedom caucus” in the House of Representatives – those who call the INSURRECTION of January 6th, 2021 a “peaceful” visit to the Capitol. I taught Middle School until I retired in 2014 and I have confidence the young people I taught will be a part of the movement in this nation which will overturn this push to White Supremacy from the MAGA movement! Stay tuned……….

I received an email from Pittsburgh today showing a red “MAGA” hat with the encription reading under the capital letters “MAGA” with “my ass got arrested.” At first, I couldn’t help myself from laughing – and, then, I turned on the TV to watch two young – and IMPRESSIVE – Black legislatures in Tennessee as they got expelled from the legislature as detailed above. Numerous thoughts are filling my head and it will take a day, or so, (likely) for me to understand what I need to write next. God help this nation!!!

I’ve been writing about attempting to write a posting which is “positive” over the past couple of months. My brother-in-law who lives in Pittsburgh (a long way from Washington state) is, in essence, tired of all the negativity. In reality, so am I. I fully understand Trump is someone who craves attention, good or bad, and I, like many others, have been “sucked in.” I’m always questioning my Christian bona fides because it feels like I despise Trump and I’ve referred to republicans many times as “STUPID.” However, I’m going to attempt going “elsewhere.”

The reality, for me, is I’ve been “blessed” with a passion for politics. So, on the positive side, I’m going to write about my views of Joe Biden and what the democrats were able to accomplish in his first two years in office – which, to me, considering all the roadblocks, was historic. I’ve been fortunate because I was a teacher and have a teacher’s retirement which comes every month a couple weeks prior to my Social Security benefit. I have access to Medicare insurance and can afford a supplement which covers much of the medical bills someone like me – 75 years old – just naturally accrues. However, I’m very cognizant we are still coming out of a “once in a Century” pandemic (as of today, well over 1 MILLION have died from it) and many Americans are not as fortunate as me.

That’s why I believed the Covid Rescue legislation Biden and the democrats enacted shortly after taking office was the most significant legislation, aimed at working Americans, I had seen in my lifetime. (Well, with the exception of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 – which took place during my High School years.) For example, I know a family of five who go to our church who ALL contracted Covid – before the vaccines were available. I made a food run to Costco for them because they couldn’t leave their apartment and, the Dad was off work and they didn’t have the money to buy food. The money they received from that legislation prevented them from becoming homeless. First it was the $1400 for the Mom and Dad and then, for several months, they received $250 for each of their three girls every month. That was desperately needed income for them, and, I’m sure millions of other American families – no matter whether they were in a “red state” or “blue state” benefited similarly as well!

That was followed by legislation which benefited America’s Veterans who had risked their lives in places like Afghanistan and Iraq and were suffering from diseases caused by the water they were forced to drink after being housed next to “burn pits” which were spewing toxic fumes. There’s much more that “we the people” SHOULD do for the veterans who have served – with MANY part of the HOMELESS problem in our nation and, also, not receiving the medical or mental health care they deserve. There are democrats to this day attempting to get legislation through republican roadblocks in Congress to further help our veterans – but, at least, we know there ARE elected members of Congress who care.

Another thing the Biden “team” had done – and, I’m going off the top of my head for all of this, is pass a bill which is aiming to bring the Semi-conductor manufacturing business back to the states. It really was foolish for “we the people” to stand for our politicians sending so many “jobs” to China – so we could buy our stuff for cheaper prices. I’m looking forward to the day when “we the people” can say more and more “parts” to the things we use are “made in America.” It appears we’re closer to that day.

The Biden administration has been agressively supporting the push for MORE “EV” automobiles. (Full disclosure, I’ve been driving a Chevy Volt since 2015 – I’m on my second one and I love it. I’ve bought an average of 10 gallons of gas for it each year. Also, my wife drives a fully Electric Nissan Leaf, which is one of the nicest cars I’ve ever been in – she gets approximately 250 miles per full charge) Trust me, the $7500 tax credit is a welcome addition to the process of buying them – or should I say subtraction. That tax credit brought the cost of my Volt down to $22,000 when it was new. Due to the increase in gas prices, my Volt is worth, according to the Kelly “Blue Book” almost as much as when it was new. (In my view, it’s a shame Chevrolet stopped making the Volts)

The Biden administration is also very focused on supporting the renewable energy potential of solar and wind power – along with geothermal and ????? Again, full disclosure, I used my savings when I retired to put 32 Solar panels on our property (two outbuildings with roofs facing due South). Along with government incentives I’ve fully recouped the original investment and every kilowatt we produce is worth the equivalent of what our local PUD charges for electricity – which right now equates to 8,.6 cents per kilowatt. I put the solar panels up in 2015 and, so far, we’ve produced over 81,500 kilowatts. Our system produces about 10,500 kilowatts per year. And, solar panels are FAR less expensive and more efficient today than they were 8 years ago and there are good incentives to help pay for them. I have a friend who put them up and, who has a more energy efficient home than us, and he pays virtually NOTHING for his electricity.

All of this is part and parcel to an administration which is FINALLY doing something which is aimed at reducing the global warming which is threatening this planet and, especially, the lives of my children and grandchildren. To me, it’s about time we see movement from Washington DC to address this issue. Is it enough? For heaven’s sake, NO! But, it’s a start. In reality, it’s up to “we the people” to elect MORE democrats – and, to make sure they’re not “corporate democrats” and, they’re not going to end up like Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema. Both Manchin and Sinema are up for re-election in 2024 and, I’m assuming the democrats who are pushing these progressive issues will support Manchin, because he’s probably the ONLY democrat who has a chance to be elected from West Virginia. (Full disclosure, I was conceived in Wheeling West Virginia right before my parents moved to Portland, Oregaon, where I was born back in 1947). I don’t believe Sinema has a chance for re-election in Arizona and, all I can do is hope that Reuben Gallego gets enough support to win what appears will be a three person election. (My guess is the republican candidate will be Cari Lake – yikes!! – I’m trying to keep this positive, please excuse me :o)

There’s a LOT more I see as positive from Joe Biden being president – and, of course, as I’ve said before, I didn’t support him in the Washington State primary election. Now, I think he was the perfect candidate to SAVE this nation from what very well could have been a second Trump term – which, it scares me to think of what that would have entailed. Speaking of Trump, it is true the Covid Vaccines were emergency approved during the last month or so of his administration. However, it became painfully clear, Trump had no plan for distributing them. That’s ANOTHER positive accomplishment of the Biden administration. I’ve had my two doses of the Pfizer version of the vaccine plus a booster and a booster of the booster. Fortunately, I haven’t been affected by the virus despite the fact my wife and my son, both were infected with it. They both had been vaccinated and were only sick for a few days – and, NOT dangerously sick. I’m very thankful for how Biden’s team figured out how to get those shots to so many places. The clinic where I got my shots is a rural clinic and, yet, everytime I went there when I was “due” they had the shot available. When you think of the size of this country, that was amazing.

Yes, there’s lots of people who, apparently for political reasons, chose not to take the vaccine. I have a friend in that “camp” who became infected (that’s how my wife got it) and she is an “anti- vaxxer.” She got really sick, although she didn’t get hospitalized – the pills which are available seemed to work for her. I won’t go into the details, but her experience with the virus and her unwillingness to be vaccinated and some of the “treatments” she tried let me know she was hanging out in the right wing portion of the internet. I used to be a farmer and I had cattle, goats, and horses – along with some other animals. Ivermectin is what we used to worm the goats and the horses. My friend actually believed that would counter the virus – and, I believe she tried it with TERRIBLE results. Americans SHOULD be thankful the government provided these shots FOR FREE. To me that’s a real positive of the Biden administration.

I haven’t mentioned Ukraine. That very possibly will go down in history as Biden’t greatest achievement. Trump had come close to destroying NATO, which is Vladimir Putin’s greatest dream. Biden not only pulled NATO together, now both Finland and Sweden are joining because their leaders understand why NATO was formed in the first place. Biden has made it clear that Putin’s war mongering had better not go past Ukraine and he’s led the coalition in supporting Ukraine’s FIGHT for it’s own sovereignty. The war in Ukraine is NOT something I would consider as “positive,” but the leadership of Zelensky (Who Trump tried to extort) is historic and the way Biden has pulled the NATO alliance together is historic. The FIGHT of the Ukrainians is, to me, a positive – despite the reality of war and that they are LOSING a large number of troops in the battle. (Far less than the Russians, I believe)

Putin reminds me of Hitler back in the years right before I was born. Recklessly attacking his neighbor because he doesn’t approve of their desire to create a “democracy” where they govern themselves. And, I believe they’ll achieve that. It will take YEARS to rebuild Ukraine once this is all over, but I have no doubt the countries who’ve been supporting their military needs and their other needs during this assault by the Russians will help to rebuild their nation, once Putin has been pushed out. Will Putin use nukes? Personally, I believe there are more sensible people in Russia’s military who know how that would end. My hope is that Putin is “taken out” by his own people and the Russians go back to their own country – a country with the natural resorces to be a very important “cog” in the world economy, without being what amounts to a military dictatorship. There’s more, but, at least for tonight, I’ll leave it there. My point? I’m very thankful Joe Biden is America’s president and, to me, that’s a positive.

Final Thought: Another thing I believe is a positive with a “spin” away from politics. Baseball. Supposedly, America’s pastime – at least that is what it was called as I grew up – and, I’ve been a fan since my earliest days. In fact, in my household, we were always fans of the Pittsburgh Pirates. One of my idols was Roberto Clemente, a great hall of fame right fielder, who died way too young giving aid to the Nicaraguans. (He was from Puerto Rico and, in essence, the first in a line of GREAT major league baseball players from the Caribbean.) I will never forget getting in trouble in Jr. High school when I snuck a portable radio with an ear piece into class and couldn’t cotain myself when Bill Mazeroski hit the “Home run heard around the world.” (back in, 1960)

If you watched any of the “World Basebal Classic” recently, you saw an example of a sport which pulls people of all “stripes” together. The “Classic” was won by a team from Japan (and, arguably, the best player in the world is from Japan – potentially, the greatest player ever if he plays enough years – Shohei Ohtani.) and the attention to the games was incredible, The teams came from all over the world and it was really “positive” in my view to see all the comraderie. That tells us what is possible in other areas of our lives.

I believe it is incumbent on “we the people” in America to be leaders in attempting to bring people together in this world and not allow the “haters” and “fearmongers” and the people who believe in using their guns to control the rest of us to succeed. To me, as I watched all these baseball players from around the globe participating in such an exciting event with virtually NO examples of poor sportsmanship in the entire process I couldn’t help but think of what might be possible. I played sports “back in the day” and, apparently, that’s where I got the belief that everyone on the “team” is valuable. In the U.S. we have a terrible History to overcome – and people are doing their level best to make sure we’re not aware of it. I belive our History is, to an extent, “repeating itself” and I’m thankful, at this critical point of time, Joe Biden is the president. The next few elections in America will determine whether or not “we the people” will decide to take the “high road” and present a POSITIVE example for the rest of the world. I have no idea if my brother-in-law and myself will live to see the outcome (we’re both in the elderly category) but, to me, Joe Biden is doing everything he can to set an example that is positive.

Lot’s of women, people of color, and people of all “stripes” make up his administration. His Vice President is a WOMAN of “color” and is doing a great job in the limited capacity of a Vice President. Biden nominated the FIRST woman of color to the Supreme Court – and, to me, as I’ve listened to her I’ve been totally impressed. His Transportation Secretary is an openly Gay man who, with his husband, has adopted twins. Biden is NOT intimidated by what I referred to above as the “haters” and the “fearmongers.” Yes, we’re seeing a strong right wing backlash to Biden’s progressive administration (as we saw with Obama’s administration) but we’re also seeing MANY younger Americans approving the direction Biden is “pushing” “we the people.”

I hope all of this comes across as positive. (Well, most of it) As I look in the mirror, I believe I see someone who’s been, at times, foolishly optimistic. Obama’s election was historic – but, my best friend who was African American – we were Middle School teaching partners for ten years – he grew up in Youngstown, Ohio – predicted the backlash which occurred. That backlash consisted of the core group of which nationalists who are presently controlling our House of Representatives. I have to believe “we the people” are reaching our limits of tolerance of their attempt to turn this nation back 100 years or so.

As I said, I believe it will take a few elections, but more and more people are understanding the importance of participating in our elections with the goal of stopping this present day version of the republican party. Again, I hope this comes across as a positive, because I believe, in the end, “good will prevail over evil.” It’s an historic time and, to me, Joe Biden is the perfect person to be our leader. Like the rest of us, he’s far from perfect. But, to me, he represents what’s best of America – and, his policy of working “from the bottom up and middle out” is a positive.

I’ve been suggesting for YEARS that back in 1980, when Ronald Reagan was running for president against Jimmy Carter, while (I believe the total was) 59 Americans were being held hostage in Tehran, members of Reagans campaign had somehow managed to make a deal with the Iranians to hold the hostages until Reagan was inaugurated. It always seemed obvious to me – they were released, essentially, at the same time Reagan took the oath of office. What was my proof? I had none, other than my ability to make inferences. The coincidence just didn’t add up. (And, of course, I was no fan of Reagan – who was the master at racist dog whistles)

Well, now – while Jimmy Carter has entered Hospice care meaning his life will be ending some time soon, more than likely, Ben Barnes, who was moving up the “ladder” in Texas politics back in 1980, travelled to several Middle East countries with former Texas governor John Connelly on the “mission” to convince the Iranians they “would get a better deal” if they held the hostages until Reagan was officially the president. Mr. Barnes, who is now 84 apparently can’t live with the “secret” any longer and wanted to go public. Does he want Carter to know before he dies? I suppose that’s his motive – but, I suspect President Carter knew all along – just as I have suspected. (And, give Carter credit because we’ve never heard a “peep” from him in this regard)

There are plane records of Connelly and Barnes traveling to Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Israel in July of 1980 (In the middle of the campaign) on “private business.” According to Barnes they passed the “request” along on each stop to people with connections to Iran not to release the hostages (“Reagan would give Iran a better deal”). There had been an investigation into this possibility, but it centered on former CIA director William Casey, who at the time was Reagan’s campaign chair. Barnes apparently shared some of the details with others who have corroborated he, at the time, told them what he an Connelly had done. So, now, I don’t have to point this out “without evidence.” For me, it will be a sad day when Jimmy Carter passes away, but he’s had a LONG and fruitful life. In my eyes, Carter is the one true Christian man who’s held that office in my lifetime (well, i feel that way about Obama as well).

With the exception of Dwight Eisenhower, in my lifetime, I’ve known only republicans who’ve made it to the “White House” to be LIARS and cheaters. Of course, Nixon was really bad, but Reagan set this nation on the course we’re dealing with today with the so-called “debt crisis,” HW Bush was up to his eyeballs along with Reagan in the Iran/Contra scheme and, of course, it was the Right wing Supreme Court who chose GW Bush/Dick Cheney in 2000 and they managed to alter HISTORY negatively in more than one way. (Iraq, Afghanistan, and the financial disaster of 2008) Of course, it just keeps getting worse with republicans and Trump, I thought, would be the epitome – but, who knows Ron DeSantis is lying in the weeds with his fascist eyes focused on the Oval Office. Could he be even worse???

In the case of each of these presidents starting with Nixon they’ve ALL managed to avoid accountability for their ILLEGAL conduct. And, now Trump is facing almost CERTAIN indictment – maybe “times four” – and, his followers are threatening a response which, in the eyes of one I read about the other day, “makes January 6th look llke child’s play.” I say, “bring it on.” We might have to build more jails to handle all these people who claim to believe in law and order but can’t handle the reality their white nationalist views are in the minority and they can’t violate those laws with impunity – that the laws are meant just for people like myself. Additionally, it’s going to be getting worse for them the more they spew their HATE.

OK, I started this post a couple days ago – and, what do you know? Today, Trump was FINALLY indicted – FOR THE FIRST TIME. I’ve pointed out here several times there are two items on my bucket list (I’m 75) – the first, I’d like to shoot my age in golf. I came within about 3 shots a couple years ago, but my deteriorating body will likely make that “wish” unatainable. The other “wish” was to live long enough to see Trump going to jail for (at least) one of the MANY “alleged” CRIMES he’s committed – what appears to me, with impunity. He’s been DARING the Justice system to indict him since well before the day he came down the escalator in New York claiming alarm at Mexicans. As the Justice system has zeroed in on him his racist “dog whistles” have simply intensified. Most notably to me, the anti semitic charges that Alvin Bragg is a “Soros backed……….” along with accusing Bragg (who is Black) of being a “racist.” Interesting accusation coming from the mouth of the TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) – now indicted – president who referred to countries in Africa as “shit hole” countries.

The “law and order” members of the republican party will come to his support with, also, a torrent of racist “dog whistles.” Ron DeSanctimonious has already started the flow of dangerous rhetoric, in his feeble attempt to be Trump’s successor, claiming “Florida will not be a part of any extradiction of this ‘Soros backed’ indictment” – trying to have it both ways, as usual. To me, Trump is disgusting and DeSanctimonious is sleazy. They both are counting on what Trump has called his “uneducated voters” to continue to be “uneducated.”

Here’s the reality, from my point of view. I’ve still got a couple of years to live if I’m going to witness Trump going to jail. I also anticipate he’ll be defending himself from at least THREE different indictments. Two more likely coming from Jack Smith in FEDERAL charges – possibly covering as many as 4 – 6 different charges (I read the Jan. 6th report and they referred him for AT LEAST four different FELONY indictments). Depending on what has been discovered regarding what he was doing with all the TOP SECRET documents he was hoarding at Mar a Lago there could be another 2 – 3 charges. It seems apparent, OBSTRUCTION of Justice is obvious and, if you remember, the original warrant for the search included evidence the Espionage Act may have been violated. Depending on where that last one ends up, it COULD be the most significant of all the potential charges. (TREASON???)

Here’s what we’re going to see as the next couple years unfold – not to mention having a candidate for president under indictment – making us kind of like Israel. We’re going to witness how RICH people are able to manipulate our justice system evern MORE than what has taken place over the past 7 years. There will be an untold number of delays due to Trump’s legal team stretching this out as far as possible. I’m sure Trump’s number one hope is that he might somehow regain the “Oval Office” in order to stop all these prosecutions. Personally, I don’t believe that would stop anything – although, I can’t bring myself to believe there are enough Americans (including his “uneducated voters”) to vote him back in office. The way the primaries work, I can see him regaining the republican nomination – which would cement in history another of the examples of republicans being STUPID, which I’ve documented since his first day after LYING about his “oath.” (Trump’s ONLY oath is to himself)

If you’ve been around this site for the past few years you know that for at least a couple of years I referred to Trump as “individual 1.” It never made sense to me that Michael Cohen would be prosecuted and go to jail for a crime he committed “At the direction of and for the benefit of” inividual 1. I stopped referring to him with that “name” after it became apparent the Justice Department did not have the stomach to charge Trump once he was out of office and no longer benefited by the Justice Department “memo” saying a “sitting president can’t be indicted.” This reality was, when it became apparent to me, when I first began to question the courage of Merrick Garland – who, I believe, doesn’t have the “stones” for indicting a former president. We’ll see when Jack Smith comes to a decision whether or not Garland goes along with it if Smith wants an indictment – on, either of the potential charges.

When it gets right down to it, Trump’s “hush money” payments to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal very likely allowed him to (NARROWLY) “win” the 2016 election. As I’ve pointed out for years, this would make him a true modern day republican – win at all costs. Cheating and breaking the law be damned – “the end justifies the means.” This is nothing new in republican circles, but, Trump couldn’t stop there. If you read the Mueller report (I read it twice) you know the Trump campaign DID “collude” with the Russians and Mueller pointed out there’s no law against “collusion” – although, he also pointed out the only reason Trump Jr. and Jared Kushner weren’t charged for their meeting with the Russians to “get dirt” on Hillary Clinton is because they were too STUPID (my characterization of his words) to understand they were breaking the law by having the meeting.

Of course, as it always is with republicans, there’s more. Trump’s attampt to BRIBE Volodymyr Zelensky led to his first IMPEACHMENT and, likely, was also a violation of law when he held up duly authorized aid to Ukraine by Congress. He felt he was “exonerated” because Bill Barr LIED to the American people about the Mueller report which “memorialized” about TEN examples of OBSTRUCTION of Justice – which Mueller made a point to explain how serious OBSTRUCTION is. Naturally, that wasn’t enough either, so Trump had to attempt to OVERTHROW a “free and fair election” on January 6th, 2021 – which he will LIKELY also face INDICTMENT for. And, his republican minions will continue to spew their illogical and dangerous rhetoric as they attempt to defend the indefensible. It’s really time the Justice Department PROVE we are “a nation of laws and not men.”

We’re already hearing people suggest Trump could run for president, and be president, from jail – should he be convicted. I have to argue with at least some of that. If Jack Smith follows the recommendation of the January 6th Select Committee and charges Trump with INSURRECTION and, should he be found guilty, then via the 14th amendment to the constitution he would become ineligible to hold any office – I forget the exact words and I’m too lazy to look it up – in our government – most surely, that of being president. I can’t seem to get off the edge of my seat! Stay tuned………….

Final Thought: Many “progressive” lawyers seem to be giving the rest of us sage advice: In America all defendents are PRESUMED to be innocent until proven guilty and, of course, that’s true in Trump’s case. Reports are that DA Bragg will have a challenging job on his hands proving his case “beyond a reasonable doubt.” At this point, to me, the outcome of this case is irrelevant – Trump’s actions in the Stormy Daniels case very well could have changed the course of History – and, at the minimum – since Michael Cohen was sent to PRISON for doing the “dirty deed” (in Cohen’s words) for Trump, it’s only fair Trump “face the music” in this case. If his lawyers can prove he’s innocent so be it. But, next Tuesday in Manhattan Trump will be getting finger printed, DNA tested, and getting a “mug shot” in the same building where the “Central Park 5” did the same thing in 1989. They were falsely accused and Trump spent something like $85,000 on full paid adds suggesting they should face the death penalty. Isn’t karma a b@#ch?

I’m looking forward to the culmination of the investigation in Fulton County Georgia along with the two investigation by Jack Smith. Naturally, in Georgia, the white hierarchy is busy in the background. Georgia’s legislature just gave themselves the power to remove any County DA they disapprove of. Do you really think that wasn’t because of Fani Willis and the Fulton Co. DA’s investigation, where the “Special Grand Jury” members have already suggested they approved indictments of 12 people (which would likely include members of the legislature which passed the egregiously racist law along with Trump and some of his associates.) Seriously, this kind of stuff has been going on in the South since the inception of this country. You don’t have to do a lot of reading about American history to understand today’s white establishment in the South are the offspring of parents who very well could have been directly involved in the LYNCHINGS of the early 20th century. (Of course, the white people elsewhere in America were, in large numbers, just as racist – seems to be a theme in America, doesn’t it?)

It appears a significant portion of Georgia wants to move on from that terrible racist past, but, in reality, those who have the “controls” could care less what people like me think of their actions. Once again, “the end justifies the means.” Read “Caste” by Isabel Wilderson and you’ll get a sobering view of American history. I told my son today, the more I learn, the more I realize I don’t know. For example, I’ve studied the early period of Germany as Hitler was coming to power. (Read the biography of Diedrick Bonhoeffer) But, I never understood the Nazi’s studied how the Americans were keeping the African American population “under control” as they devised their “strategy” of “Aryan purity.” It really is sobering the more I read about our actual history. And, keep in mind, today’s students who are being shielded from the TRUTH of American History are no different from those of us “Baby Boomers” who had textbooks full of LIES back in the 50’s and 60’s.

Let’s hope Fani Willis finishes her investigation without interference and that Trump is forced to defend himself in each one of the pending investigations in addition to the one already charged. I really hope Jack Smith is close to charging decisions because, to me, it’s already too late. Over 1000 of the “minions” have faced charges or are in jail for following the encouragement of Trump on January 6th 2021, yet Trump still walks free along with his co-conspirators and further, his brainwashing of his CULT following continues, unabated. I believe Merrick Garland was FORCED to investigate Trump’s conspiarcy (which COULD include up to 100 people from where I sit – although, that’s unlikely) because of the January 6th Select Committee’s public hearings. The evidence of CRIMINAL conduct by Trump and MANY of his close associates is OVERWHELMING. Let’s get on with it!