There is a simple way to describe Trump’s FEAR of the release of the Epstein files. His M.O. has always been to increase the deflection of issues he doesn’t like to whatever level he deems required to get the focus of – in this case – his minions, the media, and, of course, us “liberals” onto ANYTHING other than what he FEARS. And what he FEARS is whether or not his name has been “scrubbed” from the Epstein files before they can be released. It must be more challenging than I had thought because between Trump and the Speaker (Johnson) they are going WAY out of their way in an attempt to get “we the people” to simply forget those files exist.

First, it was the softball interview Todd Blanche gave Ghislaine Maxwell apparently assuring her an eventual pardon (he’s already mulling that publicly setting the stage for the actual pardon) in exchange for her compliments of what a “gentleman” Trump was around all those young girls she (and Epstein) were found to have violated sexually – girls as young as 14 years old. Today the SCOTUS refused to hear Maxwell’s appeal of her conviction leading to her 20 year sentence for “child sex trafficking.” I don’t know, but will his base respond positively should he follow through on the pardon that, today, Trump mused “I’ll have to asked the DOJ about it.”

The Maxwell scheme aside that wasn’t sufficiently working (today Trump played “dumb” in the Oval Office as someone asked a question about a possible pardon for Maxwell) – so, maybe the better way to get people’s minds off the Epstein files is to threaten to deploy American Troops into (“democratic led”) American cities in order to “restore law and order” to places like Portland, Oregon – right across the Columbia River from where I live – a city Trump says is “burning to the ground.” Now, if this were actually true it shouldn’t be difficult to arrest BOTH of the protesters recently viewed outside the ICE facility in Portland. If the city is “burning” then it must be the two people in costumes (I believe one was in a chicken costume and another in a frog costume) who were “burning the city down.”

Now, I only go over to Portland once in a while and I’ve managed to miss the fire. Every time I go over there all I see is people scurrying around living their lives. Yes, as in many cities, (including the small neighboring community close to where I live) there are homeless people in various places – people I attempt to help (in my small way) when I feel compelled and I’ve yet to see one of them setting fire to anything. Of course there are issues with “crime” in Portland, like in all cities (or should I say places) – but, nothing the local police force can’t deal with. It’s the responsibility of local law enforcement to work to solve local crime challenges – NOT the responsibility of America’s military. In fact, based on what little I can remember from my constitutional law classes back when I was in College, I believe it’s UNCONSTITUTIONAL for Trump (and Hegseth) to deploy the military in America for the purpose of “fighting crime.” And, the courts seem to be in agreement with my vague memory of my college years.

Trump and Hegseth even went to the unprecedented and EXTREME gathering of America’s top Trump brass into Quantico Virginia all in the same place at the same time forcing them to listen to unhinged speeches from the both of them for what had to be a God awful hour of total bulls**t – before sending them back around the globe at the cost of tens of MILLIONS of dollars – total “waste, fraud, and abuse.” Do you really believe America’s adversaries aren’t sitting back with grins on their faces as they watch Trump continue his FASCIST takeover of our government. Trump even suggested to the “Generals” they use America’s “democrat run cities” as training grounds for their troops. Yikes!!!

Other parts of his strategy – in full “flood the zone” mode – there’s the Trump ordered prosecutions of James Comey (who made it possible for Trump 1.0) and New York AG Letitia James – prosecutions he pretends he “knows nothing about” (as he manages to give the details of, for example, Comey’s indictment in his next breath) – where the DOJ is struggling to find lawyers wiling to prosecute the cases. There’s the government shutdown – which, of course, republicans are bending over backwards to blame on democrats – despite republicans controlling all three branches of government with the threat to fire massive numbers of government civil service employees in “democrat parts of the country.” The FASCISM is getting a tighter and tighter “noose” on “we the people” just as prescribed in Project 2025.

But, just maybe, even those in the cult will realize there must be a reason Trump is going to such lengths to block the release of the Epstein files. Maybe the FACT Trump and Epstein were “best buds” for either 10 or 15 years – depending on which one you believe – is enough to cause even republicans to put two and two together. My summary: do you really believe Trump wasn’t more than just “best buds” with Epstein? Do you believe the “birthday” letter was forged over 20 years ago? What do you think were their secrets Trump allegedly mentioned in the letter?

Final Thought: On the democratic side the main issue causing them to refuse to provide the sixty votes in the Senate allowing for the possible end of the “government shutdown ” is the looming healthcare crisis. Here’s the way I see it. The democrats are attempting to do Trump a great favor – of course he’ll never see it this way – by causing the health care cuts in the so-called “BBB” to be reversed. By allowing the subsidies to the Affordable Care Act to expire (I believe as of January 1, 2026) the premiums of MILLIONS of Americans will rise – sometimes by as much as double (or more) – plus democrats want republicans to reverse the draconian cuts to Medicaid – threatening the health care of low income Americans all across the nation PLUS causing the closure of rural hospitals and health care clinics often times in “red districts.”

Do you believe raising health insurance costs on MILLIONS of Americans (Open enrollment is from October 27 to November 24 – so this has to be decided by October 27) or causing MILLIONS more to LOSE their Medicaid benefit will help Trump in the 2026 mid-term elections? Doesn’t make sense does it? To me, that’s further evidence Trump has no intention of America having “free and fair elections” in 2026. If he can’t fill the “democrat run cities” with Military troops he’ll figure out how to confiscate the ballot boxes in order to “prevent voter fraud.” Brace yourself, the s**t is definitely hitting the fan as I’m writing this. Stay tuned!!!

For a GREAT article from Thom Hartmann click HERE! He ALWAYS says it so much better than me. I recommend you subscribe to his substack!

I continue to find myself yelling at the TV or the radio when people I’m listening to (usually on MSNBC) continue calling Trump’s takeover of America’s government as “authoritarianism.” Earlier today I think I discovered why. Trump and his LYING sycophants have convinced Ms. Wallace and the rest of them on MSNBC that if they use the term FASCISM it’s too radical. Right wingers will criticize them for it. OMG! That would just be too much wouldn’t it?

Except, are they not listening to what right wingers are saying now? The names are coming hot and heavy and there is a small detail I’ve got to add about that. As they hear the terms like “radical lunatic democrats” OVER and OVER do they NOT understand that republicans are (purposefully) using propaganda strategies of none other than Adolf Hitler. Every time Trump (or his minions) repeat a LIE over and over again our “liberal media” SHOULD point out the Big LiE theory was devised by Hitler back in the early 1925’s in Mein Kampf. Republicans have been using this strategy since the advent of Limbaugh, but Trump is the master. And, democrats are silent!

In addition, every time Trump or republicans use “projection” to accuse democrats (or liberals) to that of which they are guilty it should be pointed out that is another strategy of the Nazi’s. So, what’s that old saying? If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, flies like a duck, it’s a duck! What Trump and Project 2025 are doing to the United States of America is what Hitler FAILED to do back during WW II. These people are FASCISTS and the sooner our so-called “liberal media” starts calling them FASCISTS the better the chance “we the people” might ultimately defeat them.

I continue to find myself yelling at the TV or the radio when people I’m listening to (usually on MSNBC) keep calling Trump’s takeover of America’s government as “authoritarianism.” Earlier today I think I discovered why. Trump and his LYING sycophants have convinced Ms. Wallace and the rest of them on MSNBC that if they use the term FASCISM it’s too radical. Right wingers will criticize them for it. OMG! That would just be too much wouldn’t it?

Sadly, when I say “them” it has to include the entire elected republican party who are willing to go along with this. And those who remain in the cult are fooling themselves because these people (Trump, Miller, Vought, etc.) could care less about their (as they refer to them) “uneducated voters.” People around the world are shaking their heads. America is NOT the most “respected” country in the world as per Trump. Let me make this clear – it’s Trump and his Project 2025 puppet masters (remember Trump isn’t the one writing all the executive orders) who are the extremists. Pointing out they are FASCISTS is simply our present reality and DUTY. That’s not “extreme” – that’s just telling it like it is.

For the last time here – for a little bit of help – here’s the definition of fascism:

noun

1. A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, a capitalist economy subject to stringent governmental controls, violent suppression of the opposition, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism.
2. A political philosophy or movement based on or advocating such a system of government.
3. Oppressive, dictatorial control.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition 

Remember this: (f)Elon Musk threw a couple “Sieg Hiels” at Trump’s inauguration and there was barely a “peep” out of our press. Just stop and think how they would have responded had one of Biden’s top advisers done the same. No one at the inauguration appeared to be offended! It appears our press is afraid of Trump – for whatever reason.

I rest my case. Democrats (and “liberals” er “progressives”) MUST lose their fear of “telling it like it is.” Spend some time helping the “uneducated voters” out in the heartland (and in the South) understand what is happening – using the CORRECT term and how it ultimately will affect them. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it once again – “authoritarianism” is a euphemism for FASCISM. It’s the “nice” way of saying it. Stop being afraid to “tell it like it is!” It’s FASCISM! Stay tuned…..

Final Thought: I’m really tired of feeling the need to write this. So far today I’ve listened to Nicolle Wallace, Chris Hayes, Jen Psaki, and Lawrence O’Donnell – all hosts on MSNBC – using the word “authoritarianism” to describe what Trump is doing to America. They even have bits on Russel Vought and Stephen Miller (two of Project 2025’s authors) which are right out of the Manifesto – and, still “authoritarianism.” It’s as if the words “fascism” or “Hitler” are unacceptable on respectable television. They all should read one of the many books on the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, for one example, which is a good way to get some history of the German Nazi’s. To see the parallels!

One last thing: I’ll also say this again – because it’s not getting said via our “liberal media” (which is 90% owned by Trump lackeys) – another sign of fascism is a “government/corporate partnership.” Think of that every time you read/hear about Trump squeezing a percentage of the profits of an American corporation – corporations who seem to go along with what appears to be “protection money” willingly. There are too many American entities (corporations, law firms, Universities, media outlets, etc.) who are caving to Trump with nary a whimper. Those of us who value our democratic republic are in “deep doo doo.” Yikes!!!