I’m 77 years old and I’ve spent (almost) every day of my life in the United States of America. Over the years I’ve come to cherish the reality I’ve been living in a country where “freedom” is foundational. (OK, that “reality” has been evolving) Yet, with the Donald Trump’s Assault on this nation some very troubling “realities” are emerging. The one I’m presently focused (and, almost depressed by) on is the bipartisan cowardice we’re seeing in our “leaders” back in Washington D.C. in the face of Trump’s impending second reign on this nation.
Let me explain. I first want to start with Jack Smith, the supposed “nose to the grindstone” type of prosecutor who has doggedly pursued justice in regard to Trump’s attempted coup d’etat and his STEALING some of our nation’s most secret documents – some of which are still missing – and sharing them with who knows who.
As an aside – do you think Trump could possibly have been tempted to share those MISSING documents with others? Remember, it’s been reported Trump had at least 7 phone conversations with Vladimir Putin during the Biden administration. Suggesting that’s illegal (Logan Act: Any citizen of the United States, wherever he may be, who, without authority of the United States, directly or indirectly commences or carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both) would at this point be laughable – because Trump has been granted a king’s authority by our suspect SCOTUS – Trump will NEVER face accountability for his criminal conduct unless Alvin Bragg and the New York justice system awaits his removal from office. If you’ve watched Bibi Netanyahu in Israel, you’ll allow me to think Trump will attempt to NEVER be removed from office – even when he gets to the point of drooling while he’s presenting “we the people” another “word salad.”
Back to my point. Why am I placing Jack Smith into this bevy of “leaders” who are caving in the face of Trump’s “victory” in the 2024 election? Well, to me, the FACT Smith has had the indictments – returned from Grand Juries – dismissed because Trump will soon be president once again is pure cowardice. Mr. Smith, in my view, SHOULD have forced Trump to cause his Attorney General – whoever that end’s up being – to dismiss the cases. It is really irking me as I watch all these people back there refusing to stand up to this “deplorable” president elect. He’s not even in office yet.
Of course, Merrick Garland is likely right in the middle of that decision by Mr. Smith. I mean, it’s obvious the Justice Department would NEVER have investigated Trump had Mr. Garland’s timidity prevailed. Clearly the Select Committee on the January 6th INSURRECTION forced his hand. They made Trump’s criminal conduct “clear as a bell.” So, was it Garland who ordered Smith to move to dismiss these charges? Likely, but will we ever know? As a “booby prize” maybe Garland will be so “courageous” as to allow Smith’s report to be made public. Don’t hold your breath!
When it comes to American politics, there’s always more. Now we have Christopher Wray, the head of the FBI, showing his true Washington D.C. colors. Trump has made public his plans to nominate (the uniquely unqualifed) Kash Patel – he the author of “children’s books” about him and “King Donald” – to be the next head of the FBI. Patel’s plans are to fire what amounts to the “head” (meaning the leadership) of the FBi and “weaponize” the FBI to “go after” Trump’s “enemies.” Now, just give that a bit of J Edgar Hoover thought. He also wants to end the FBI’s counter intelligence division. Not very “intelligent.”
So, Mr. Wray is going to make doing this easy for Trump by resigning at the end of Biden’s term as president. Here we go again – just like Smith, Wray is refusing to make Trump FIRE him – which can only be done for “cause.” FBI directors have 10 year terms in an effort to prevent “politics” from polluting the institution. Apparently, Wray is tired/afraid of the MAGA “forces” doxxing him or something. From my perspective, evidence of Trump’s criminal conduct SHOULD be “memorialized” so that these cases could be pursued once he’s out of office. But, hell no, not with the cowards who seem to have permeated our nation’s highest offices. I can guarantee you, Wray and the FBI are not doing this. Here’s the reality: Our president-elect is a common CRIMINAL (according to the jury in Manhattan)
I’m listening to democratic leaders in Congress talking as if these are normal times – that they’ll try to find ways to go along with Trump’s agenda. For God’s sake, have they not read Project 2025? I keep saying this is why I’ve NEVER been a democrat. Now, don’t get me totally wrong – based on the prevailing definitions, I’m clearly a liberal. But, I’ve been saying for years (at least 20 years) democrats need to understand there is a war going on for the soul of this nation. Biden “gets it” but the democratic party abandoned him and now, in many circles, they’re blaming him for Trump being the president in 2025. They need to look in the mirror!
Democrats didn’t have the guts to run on ALL the successes of Biden’s administration – successes Trump will soon be taking credit for (and, democrats will sit idly by while he does it) and now, I’ve seen more than one of them suggesting Biden should pardon Trump. John Fedderman had the gall to suggest Biden pardon Trump for the 34 FELONIES he’s been CONVICTED of in Manhattan. Well, thankfully, Biden CAN’T pardon Trump for those because they are “state” crimes NOT “federal” crimes. And, let me re-emphasize, they’re CRIMES – brought by a Grand Jury – and CONVICTIONS – by a unanimous “jury of Trump’s peers.”
Obviously, MILLIONS of Americans are willing to look the other way from Trump’s “mob boss” type of criminal activity, but I’m not one of them. And, of course, it’s going to get worse thanks to the right wing SCOTUS “we the people” have allowed ourselves to be “saddled” with. But, these instances of Smith and Wray simply abandoning what SHOULD be forced upon Trump and SHOULD force him to ILLEGALLY make Smith’s indictments and Wray’s term as FBI director “go away” don’t “scream” courage. Robert Mueller, at least, “memorialized” Trump’s alleged OBSTRUCTION of his investigation so that it could be prosecuted at a later date should we have had an Attorney General with a spine. I know what you’re thinking, and you’re correct. The republicans are lining up to kiss Trump’s ass – but we’ve known for YEARS they are a bunch of hypocritical cowards!
I’m not even sure if I view this, anymore, as the threat to the rule of law I viewed even after Trump’s “re-election” became a reality. The rule of law in America is about to be obliterated along the follwing lines – “rule of law for me but not for thee.” (Of course, if you’re an African American you’re probably thinking “welcome to my world.”) I’ve listed in the archives the number of “groups” of Americans who “swung” Trump’s way in the face of the BOMBARDMENT on Social Media by Elon Musk in the last three or so weeks of the campaign and, sadly, many of them will be among the most affected by the “stuff” Trump (and Musk) and the republicans have in mind for “we the people.” Rest assured, Musk and the other OLIGARCHS won’t be affected. They are planning to GUT Social Security and Medicare – for starters.
Final Thought: The worst part of all this, to me, is the parallels to the rising of the Third Reich in 1930’s Germany. (Remember, Trump is a second generation German immigrant) His “base” is largely made up of Evangelical “Christians” who, in my view, have “sold their soul to the devil.” It’s vitually impossible for one of them to convince me Trump is “from God.” If he is, then he’s the Anti-Christ. I need to read Revelations once again! Occasionally, I have a former republican friend who I used to meet for breakfast on a regular basis who, at first, acknowledged what a despicable person Trump is, but like most of the republicans in the cult, once Trump had the nomination back in 2016, he “jumped in” with both feet.
Our relationship lived on until the COVID pandemic closed down the restaurant we would meet at – he ended up referring to COVID as “the flu” despite 4000 Americans per day DYING largely due to Trump’s incompetence. Occasionally, he comments here using a tacky German fake name referring to me as being “radical.” To him, Trump apparently is “normal.” The LYING, the CHEATING, the ADULTERY, the sexual ASSAULT, the covetnous (yes, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Viktor Orban), the brazen idolatry, etc. etc. None of this matters to my former friend or to so many of the “Christians” supporting Trump.
I mean MANY of those who stormed the Capitol on January 6th, 2021 beating the Capitol and Metropolitan Police officers with varying degrees of weapons – injuring over 140 of them (four would be dead within a week or two) some to the extent they were unable to return to work, call themselves “Christians.” Are they “Old Testament” Christians who believe they’re in a “holy war?” Give me a break! Apparently, (and my former friend actually said this to me) they just don’t believe in our “democracy.”
The republican party has slowly put a “noose” around our system of government – led by groups like the Koch Brothers – (now brother) original members of the John Birch Society – who’ve been scheming for years to bring this outcome which threatens the very fabric of our society. (They call it the “permanent republican majority”) Will republicans in Congress grow a spine? Don’t count on it – in fact you can count on this – they’ll go along with anything which keeps them in power. (Trump’s “goon squad” – which now includes Musk – will challenge any republican who doesn’t do as he/she’s told – example, Joni Ernst’s vote for Pete Hegseth) And, keep in mind, the “goon squad” will soon include the January 6th CRIMINALS who are going to be pardoned on Trump’s first day in office. The Proud Boy CRIMINALS who not only attempted a coup but who bashed in the heads of Police Officers as they did it.
Speaking of “courage,” I read reports today that Mark Zuckerberg is now funneling MONEY to Trump’s “transition team.” Go figure! I rest my case. Stay tuned…..