If anyone is questioning my 20 year “plan” of lobbying for “we the people” to vote “today’s” republican party (it is continually getting worse – while that almost seems impossible) into the History books all you have to do is make sure you’ve paid attention to House republicans over the previous 3 or 4 weeks. Between listening to Matt Gaetz (him of the alleged “sex trafficking of a minor” – that the Justice Dept. didn’t have the “stones” to prosecute) making daily threats to pull the rug out from under Kevin McCarthy’s “speakership” and listening to McCarthy, himself, the speaker with NO moral compass (some suggest he’s without a spine) accentuate the “stink” of this republican party America is looking at some dark difficult days moving forward.

Gaetz has made it clear there IS going to be a “government shutdown” which we can all argue over whether it’s Gaetz (and his “freedom caucus” – what a misnomer) fault or the fault of McCarthy who “sold his soul” to the right wing extremists in the House back in January in order to get his hands on the Speaker’s gavel he’s been yearning for over the past decade? Keep in mind, the “framework” for the economy going forward was established back when there was a bipartisan debt ceiling agreement earlier this year. Was there ever any question Gaetz and his “cohort” would renege on that agreement? Of course not, they were incensed that the agreement required bipartisanship – that without democrats voting for it, well, they would have been able to cause a U.S. default. I guess a “government shutdown” is the next best way to damage our economy for these right wing wack jobs.

McCarthy recently, unilaterally, “opened an impeachment inquiry” into President Biden – I’m certain with the hope it would mollify the so-called “freedom caucus,” but, of course, that was wishful thinking on McCarthy’s part. Keeping in mind, ALL of the so-called “evidence” linking Joe Biden to alleged nefarious activities of his son Hunter in Ukraine has been debunked over and over again. But, with republicans, that’s not the point. Their focus is to convince their “uneducated voters” that Biden was taking MILLIONS in coordination with his son. Evidence is beside the point – their goal is to somehow get politics “greatest LOSER” – our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called four times INDICTED two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president – back into office. Here’s what might be the end result of this fiasco – Trump’s son-in-law may end up being investigated. (OK I can hope) I’m predicting Hunter Biden will be acquitted of the “gun charge” – a charge which should never have been filed.

After all, Kushner’s $2 BILLION from the Saudi’s and close to another BILLION from the Emerati’s, the Qatari’s, and others makes Hunter Biden’s alleged $3.5 MILLION from his time on the board of Ukrainian Energy Company Burisma look like chicken scratch. But, again, the “investigations” of the Biden’s are not aimed at anything representing the “truth,” but simply to bring down Joe Biden’s (and VP Harris’s) approval ratings. Unfortunately, the so-called “liberal media” in America could often be referred to as TV for STUPID people. One of the things about America I cherish is the freedom to think for oneself – if we choose – but, with the emergence of “Social Media” along with outlets like Fox, Newsmax, etc. we’re seeing a “master class” in brainwashing coming from the “right” in America with help from foreign entities who would benefit for America’s “democracy” (it’s a democratic republic) to fail.

Trumpo is openly saying the “bad” part out loud. He’s going to attack our free press if he’s re-elected, he’s going after the Justice Department, the Military, the intelligence community, and the many institutions which have turned America into the wealthiest nation in the history of the world. He’s going after “Black and Brown” people, Jewish people who vote for democrats (most of them in America), young people who are demanding action on climate change and gun violence, and, of course, the largest voting block in America, women. If he’s re-elected the Supreme Court could easily become even more tilted toward the corrupt right wingers who already sit there. And, the list goes on. Of course, his most pressing “plan” if re-elected is to stay out of JAIL. His base is largely composed of the “STUPID” voters who watch Fox “news” – as referred to by Bannon – and, of course, he’s openly praised his “uneducated voters” on more than one occasion

Speaking of “uneducated voters:” Steve Bannon finally said something I could easily agree with. He said, “Fox ‘news’ (my quotation marks) is “TV for STUPID people.” If you’ve listened to or had conversations with ANYONE who’s a Fox viewer you know Bannon is correct. Of course, Bannon has turned on Fox for only one reason – his fuhrer (Trump) has turned on Fox. Maybe all of this will help bring Fox down – where it belongs – right next to Trump in the History books!

Now, don’t get me completely wrong here. I know MANY people in my peer group (I’m 76 and white) who watch Fox “news” who, other than talking about politics, I consider to be good hard working Americans. I know one YOUNG person, in particular, (OK, not really in my “peer group”) who I consider myself very close to who won’t watch Fox anymore because “they’re not ‘conservative’ enough.” (They said bad stuff about Trump) He now gets his “news” from Newsmax. Some of the stuff he’s said to me has been so outlandish that, at one point, I responded (without thinking) “you can’t possibly be stupid enough to believe that, it’s an anti-semitic trope.” Well, it took just one look into his eyes to realize, “yes he was.” He was making comments about how America is really two countries and other “details” I can’t remember, but his rant included the typical anti-semitic reference to the “Rothchild’s.” Him, along with every other right wing Fox viewer – or, in this case, a former Fox viewer – are almost impossible to dialogue with. That said, I would stand in front of a bus for this young man.

Getting back to Gaetz. Save for the timidity of AG Garland and the Justice Department, Gaetz would have his own serious legal problems. For whatever reason, in a situation where the Department had the “receipts,” they chose not to prosecute Gaetz for the alleged “sex trafficking of a minor” – among other alleged offenses related to the crimes of his former acquaintance Joel Greenberg. This made Gaetz attacks on Merrick Garland in the Judiciary Committee the other day seem somewhat ironic (at least from Garland’s perspective). Gaetz, after the Garland hearing – and on Fox speaking to Marie Bartiromo, said of Garland, ” Merrick Garland will sit there and he’ll answer my tough questions and he’ll smirk at me or he’ll obfuscate and then, guess what? He goes back to the Justice Department, and the coffers are full with money from the American taxpayer that gets turned against the brave patriots in this country.” (Apparently referring to the “J-6” defendants) That “charge” against the man (Garland) likely responsible for Gaetz still sitting in Congress and walking the streets a free man.

Here’s some more of the nonsense coming from Fox “news” as the looming “shutdown” will be a time for even larger “tales” being spun: Sean Hannity on the “border,” ” You know you talk about the self-induced problem at the border. It’s never been this bad. At the end of three years, I believe the number will be somewhere probably north of 8 million illegal immigrants that he has facilitated into the country, and now we have a new policy of just flying them in directly from the countries they come from, so it doesn’t look so bad.” First of all, Hannity’s numbers are absurd (surprise surprise) and suggesting Biden’s “facilitating” the migrants is more than absurd – I couldn’t figure out how many “illegal immigrants” have entered the country during Biden’s first 2 1/2 years in office, but what I did find was that approximately twice as many are expelled as manage to remain. And, as I’m writing this all I could think of is what is causing all these people to risk their lives to come to this country? – where nearly half the population will despise them – and, obviously, the circumstances from where they came are horrific. The source of the problem lies in their home countries and, at some point, maybe we will help find a solution there.

Coming from the mouth of Will Cain: (I have no idea who he is but he’s apparently a “host” on Fox) ” This is not a policy failure, this is a policy success for the Biden administration. This is the execution of a policy. And, Lee, there’s no nation. There’s no nation-state without a border. We’re watching the destruction, on purpose, successfully, of the nation-state of the United States.” And, as Bannon suggests, their (Fox’s) audience buys this crap.

And Jenine Pirro: ” The people who want us to be petrified that the world is coming to an end — and I think according to some it should already have come to an end — they just want to make sure that we live a minimalist life while they prosper based upon all the money they make from the green energy bill that was touted as the Inflation Reduction Act. And, you know, while we suffer, they don’t want us to have gas stoves, they don’t want us to have fans, they don’t want us to have gas cars and they are just interested in making sure that we’re as miserable as possible. You shouldn’t be eating meat. You shouldn’t be doing anything that we’re doing.” Holy Brainwashing – How did this woman get on TV? OK, Bannon’s correct – as I said above! I could go on and on – to Rupert Murdoch I say “good riddance.” Your place in History will also be right next to Trump and Benedict Arnold.

These are stalwarts of the republican party saying – well, whatever might gouge the darkest places of their audience the deepest. I pointed out to someone (who I love – she’s in my extended family) that Fox “news” is full of LIES. She said she didn’t believe that. I asked her whey she thought they paid Dominion Voting Systems $787,500,000 to settle their defamation lawsuit. She didn’t believe that either. (Of course, Fox was not FORCED to correct the issue on the air so that people like her would understand what LIARS they really are.) She doesn’t believe Trump is a LIAR and she believes he actually “won” the 2020 election. This is why I KEEP saying “The republican party’s got to go!” And, there is a difference from “spinning” an issue toward your point of view and out and out LYING. It’s almost as if LYING is a requirement of being in leadership of the republican party!

Final Thought: It was announced today that Rupert Murdoch is stepping down as chairman of the board of Fox “news” and “News Corp.” My first thought was how many ways can I say “GOOD RIDDANCE?” (OK, I said that already) I know one of the ways would be with a single finger salute should I get the opportunity to face up to him in person. It’s been reported the nearly $800 MILLION he paid out to Dominion was in order to avoid testifying in their defamation lawsuit. (His deposition was FULL of provable LIES) All of the Fox “news” LYING will likely reemerge in 2024 as the defamation case of “Smartmatic” software comes into the headlines. Will Fox “news” survive? Well, I hope not – but, something will fill the void if they don’t. Murdoch set the stage for how to make lots of money be creating division in America – keeping in mind he’s an Australian – and LYING as routine. My succinct message to Mr. Murdoch: “Eff You!”

Finally bipartisanship: Today the Justice Department indicted New Jersey Senate Democrat Bob Menendez on charges of corruption. Corruption? Are you kidding me – based on the evidence included in the indictment Mr. Menendez apparently doesn’t feel as if he’s sufficiently compensated for his job in the Senate. The Justice Department executed a search warrant last year where they found over $500,000 in CASH over $100.000 in GOLD BARS and a Mercedez Benz convertible which was apparently a “gift” to his wife. The indictment seems as “cut and dry” as some of the indictments of Trump. Here’s a large difference: Democrats in New Jersey are demanding Menendez resign and he’s been removed from his chairmanship of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Of course, Menendez is “innocent till proven guilty” and a trial, if it gets that far, won’t happen until next year. Stay tuned…..

Undoubtedly, Melendez will be another example of the “two tiered” Justice system republicans continue to complain about. I suspect Melendez will be walking the streets “free” while awaiting his trial date while someone at the lower “tier” (like where I reside) whether White or – well, certainly Black or Hispanic – would be sitting behind bars waiting for their “day in court.” Are Melendez or Trump any less dangerous to our republic than the “J-6” defendants? Go Figure!!!

The republican led House of Representatives is apparently proceeding with an “Impeachment Inquiry” on Joe Biden based on conspiracy theories related to his son Hunter Biden. Now, keep in mind that if Special Counsel David Weiss indicts Hunter Biden, as he has suggested, I believe the odds are strong that Biden will be acquitted. (Sure enough, Weiss indicted him) I mean, public evidence suggests the charges will relate to him paying two years of taxes LATE – but, ultimately, paying them. Plus, when he was using drugs he purchased a gun and lied about his drug abuse. (Was he buying the gun to kill himself???) The gun was thrown away within two weeks of when he bought it and was never loaded. In both instances it would be a rare occasion for ANYONE to be charged. What are the right wingers in the House going to do if H. Biden is acquitted?

Republicans are doing their usual right wing smear job – intended fully to reduce Joe Biden’s poll numbers – as they attempt to connect Biden in some kind of way to nefarious behavior when he was Vice President. Here’s what’s curious to me: It was when he was Vice President – not while he’s been president – even if they find something from 8 years ago – just think of what would happen if we looked back to four or five years prior to Trump running for the presidency. What if Jared Kushner’s behavior while in office PLUS while after he left office squeezing a couple BILLION out of the Saudi’s and another BILLION from other Middle Eastern Countries – for an “investment group” which he was unqualified to manage. (Kushner’s reported “return” is a salary of a “cool” $25 MILLION per year. (As the saying goes: “Nice work if you can get it.”)

Personally, I have no problem with republicans opening this “inquiry” because it will simply further show “we the people” the incompetence of republicans given the “keys” to a functioning government. While this “inquiry” is proceeding it appears House republicans are going to “shut down” the government because, well, they have no idea what they’re doing and that’s what they do. Here’s what they’re good at: Blaming others for their own inadequacies. When they shut down the government one thing is certain – they will find myriad ways to BLAME Biden and the democrats. And, because so many Americans are (sorry) STUPID when it comes to politics, many will believe the LIES.

Republicans also want to IMPEACH several other members of Biden’s cabinet – including Merrick Garland. I say, “have at it.” If that’s what they call governing, well, then if America doesn’t do what I’ve been lobbying for the past 20 years and vote these people into the History books they/we deserve what we get. Trump is all about “retribution” and he’s got a long list of those he wants to “get even with” (although, I believe, not ONE of them has been accused of 91 FELONIES). Trump, of course, is planning to use his re-election bid as his “get out of jail free card” but I’ve got news for him – none of the prosecutors are playing “monopoly.” He’s in deep “doo doo” and he well could be confined by the 2024 election (even pending appeal). We’ll see if the “two tiered” justice system republicans continue to complain about continues – for example, what member of BLM post 4 INDICTMENTS with 91 alleged FELONIES would be walking around with his or her freedom? (OK, that was rhetorical – the obvious answer is NONE!)

Now, does Biden need to push back against all these frivolous “charges” coming from the House? Well, of course he probably must because, in essence, the goal of the republicans is to cause people to believe s@#t that doesn’t even resemble something which is true. Being “true” is beside the point. Today, I was thinking how Biden could push back, including if something like a presidential debate would be where it would happen. Here’s how I think that pushback should go.

Picture Biden and Trump debating with Trump pushing the same old $3.5 Million payment to Hunter Biden from the Mayor (or his wife) of Moscow – a truly bogus claim which has already been proved (over and over) to be false. Here’s how Biden should answer: “Hunter was not a “senior adviser” in my office at the alleged time AND no one has accused him of squeezing or even trying to squeeze $2 BILLION out of anyone but agreeing to accept $3.5 Million. I can’t imagine anyone having a son, or for that matter a son-in-law who would take $2 BILLION from anyone who his father had close political relations with. Now, keep in mind, the charges against my son (they will have been resolved by this time) were for paying his taxes late and, of course, I don’t condone ANYONE paying taxes late – or, for that matter, not paying taxes at all – which I don’t consider to be ‘smart.'” (Mike drop!)

Trump’s foremost objective, at this point in time, is attempting to (somehow) stay out of jail. I’m sure he believes the best way to do that is to cheat his way into the “White House” once again. At the same time he continues to use the “Big Lie Theory” (originated in Germany by Adolf Hitler) in an attempt to pollute the jury pool in his upcoming trial(s) along with ginning up his rabid followers in order to encourage violence should he be convicted in any of his trials. The judge, the prosecutors, the grand jurors, the potential jurors, the witnesses – ALL of them he’s attempting to put in the “crosshairs” (figuratively or literally) of these MAGA “crazies” you see driving around with a Trump flag flapping from the back of their pickup truck.

Jack Smith has FINALLY requested the judge put, in essence, some tape across Trump’s mouth when it comes to talking about the case pending before her court. Of course, he won’t listen to her and he’ll keep pushing until she, quite possibly, has to have him locked up. (Likely, if it gets to that, she’ll put him under house arrest in Mar-a-lago – unless that doesn’t work either. Will he FORCE her to actually jail him – thinking his followers will attempt to “spring him?” You might ask, why does he just keep “flapping” his mouth? Some people actually think he’s the deranged one. I’m not there.

He (and his republican sycophants) keep repeating their LIES over and over with the belief if they do so enough people will believe the LIES to actually be true. Trump simply needs to get ONE juror to refuse to even consider the evidence against him and he will either be acquitted or he’ll get a “hung jury.” Would Jack Smith (and Merrick Garland) try him again? (Personally, I doubt it) On top of that the House republicans are doing the “Hillary Clinton treatment” on both Joe Biden and Kamala Harris – and, you have to wonder if the democrats understand what is happening? Or the so-called “liberal media?” By repeating LIES about Joe Biden re: Hunter Biden OVER and OVER again they are causing more and more Americans – who are unsuspecting – to believe the garbage they’re spewing is actually true. If you remember, they did this post Ben Ghazi on Hillary Clinton. Enough Americans believed the LIES to have an affect on the 2016 election.

I’m presently reading “Proof of Conspiracy” by Seth Abramson which lays out – step by step – how the Russians, along with the Saudi’s, the Emirati’s, the Egyptians, and the Israeli’s were part of a conspiracy to help Trump “win” the 2016 election. We’re already seeing signs of this “conglomerate” forming for the 2024 election. Do you really believe our elections don’t have interested parties overseas? Just think about it. Vladimir Putin is already at work attempting to prop up Trump and do you actually think the Saudi’s or the Israeli’s or the Emirati’s don’t want Trump in office once again? MBS and MBZ didn’t fork over close to $3 BILLION to Jared Kusher out of the kindness of their hearts! If you know about these two, their hearts are not “kind,” And if you think Benjamin Netanyahu has a “kind” heart, I’ve got a bridge to ……… These are all countries and leaders operating under the guise of authoritarianism. (i.e. fascism – defined here) These are all rulers who benefited from Trump’s first (and hopefully only) term in office.

Here’s the bottom line – the elected republicans in the House and Senate are either corrupt along with Trump (remember, almost 150 of them voted to overturn the 2020 election even after the INSURRECTION) or totally COWARDS – knowing what’s “right” but afraid to say so because their job means more to them than their country. These are ALL people who took an oath to the constitution and a case could be made that every one who attempted to participate in Trump’s coup d’etat SHOULD be ineligible to be part of this or any government entity in the United States by virtue of section 3 of the 14th Amendment to that very constitution. And, to think they’re using a propaganda strategy devised by Adolph Hitler makes it even worse for me. I don’t know how many times I’ve thought: “Earth to media; Trump (and republicans) are using the propaganda tools of Hitler’s Nazi Germany!” Would that matter to MAGA republicans? Likely not (if you’ve ever had a conversation with someone who watches Fox “news” you know what I’m talking about), But “we the people” SHOULD know why Trump et al keep LYING – over and over!

Final Thought: Trump has been bullying his way through life since his father listed him the heir of his apartment conglomerate. (Many referred to them as “slumlords”) For those of you who still question whether or not Trump is a RACIST – it all started way back when the Justice Department “dinged” them (Him and his Dad) for refusing to rent to African Americans. That was followed by Trump’s famous full page add suggesting the “Central Park Five” (who, by the way, were ALL innocent) be executed for the crime they didn’t commit. And, on and on, up until he was the “front person” for the “birther” movement, followed by labeling Mexicans as murderers and rapists, and then referring to African nations as “Shithole countries.” As someone I can’t remember who it was once said – when someone shows you who they are, believe them.

Today was the day of INDICTMENT #4 for our TWICE IMPEACHED (now) four times INDICTED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president along with a plethora of the lawyers who were scamming to overturn the 2020 presidential election AND, apparently, some others who were involved in the FAKE elector scheme PLUS those who were STEALING voter machine data in “Coffee County” Georgia. I believe there were a TOTAL of 19 people listed in the INDICTMENT along with about 30 “unindicted co-conspirators” and they were INDICTED under the Georgia RICO laws. (RICO = Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) Fani Willis has much experience prosecuting organizational CRIMES via this act.

If Trump is found GUILTY once this case goes to trial (Ms. Willis stated she would like to have the case at trial within six months) There are MINIMUM sentences and there’s NO way to avoid jail time if convicted. In total there were 41 counts in the indictment. So, here comes the real attempts by Trump to BULLY his way into threatening witnesses, jurors, the prosecutors, the judge (who hasn’t been identified yet) and anyone else who Trump identifies as the “enemy.” And, it is in anticipation of these attempts to manipulate potential jurors and witnesses that I’m thinking about tonight.

Now, in my mind, Trump has already crossed the “line” which would have caused me or you or just about anyone else to be thrown in the “slammer” for violating the conditions of his BAIL release agreement. I’ve pointed out here several times for republicans who are complaining there’s a “two tiered” justice system that Trump is the epitome of PROOF that is correct. He’s facing something approaching 100 FELONY counts at this point in time (more to come???) with several LIFETIMES in potential jail sentences via convictions and, yet, here he is going wherever he chooses and saying whatever he chooses while those who’ve been far less DANGEROUS have been sitting in jail since they were originally indicted following January 6th, 2021. (It was Trump, himself, who said “remember this date forever”) How much DANGER will Trump be allowed to create before a judge says “enough already” and treats him like any other DEFENDANT. I’ve said here more than once that it will be when Trump realizes he’s pushed the limits to the point where his “liberty” is threatened that will be the day he fuels up his 737 and heads for a country with no extradition treaty with America.

It appears there could be a “clashing” of potential TRIAL dates between Jack Smith’s January 6th case, the case brought by Alvin Bragg in Manhattan, and this indictment – all potentially setting trial dates in early 2024. I’ve heard several expert lawyers – for some time now – suggesting Trump’s greatest danger lies with the investigation of Ms. Willis. Some of the names I recognized aside from Trump’s in his “criminal enterprise” are Rudolph Giuliani, John Eastman, Jeffrey Clark, MARK MEADOWS!, Sydney Powell, Jenna Ellis, Kenneth Chesebro and a bunch of names I didn’t recognize. As I said above there are 30 unindicted co-conspirators – many who likely have been “flipped” by Ms. Willis and are testifying against Trump. (It will be interesting to find out who those people are – I remember, for example, seeing some interest in Senator Lindsay Graham and General Michael Flynn – neither of them listed as “co-conspirators.”)

Graham actually was one of Trump’s sycophants who made a phone call with Brad Raffensperger (and possibly other Georgia officials) seeking whether Raffensperger could disqualify ballots based on “signature” issues. First, I’m guessing the calls to Raffensperger were recorded – so Graham’s claims which differed from Raffensperger’s observations could have made Graham a “co-conspirator” so I’m just wondering if he’s one of the 30 “unindicted co-conspirators.” In addition, Michael Flynn was ordered to testify to the “Special Grand Jury” and he’s not listed in the main part of the indictment. Could these two be, in Trump’s words, “rats?”

What we have, in reality here, is confirmation for those of us who’ve been calling Trump a mob boss for the past several years. I mean, if you’ve taken the time to read about Trump’s life prior to walking down the escalator, in 2015, to label Mexicans as “rapists,” none of this is surprising. What has been surprising to me has been the length of time it’s taken to make these charges, keeping in mind it will be another year until these cases have gone to trial. And, true to Trump’s history, he will be attempting to manipulate witnesses and jurors all along the way until, as I’ve said, a judge decides to put a stop to it by revoking his BAIL.

As I watched this INDICTMENT – the FOURTH one – play out last night I was struck by an observation which was trying to put me in Trump’s head. We had BOTH a group of WOMEN involved in the details involved in getting the indictment from the Grand Jury to the judge unsealing it, to Fani Willis’ press conference. Not only a bunch of WOMEN but many of these WOMEN are/were BLACK. Can you just picture Trump’s response to that reality? Will his fuming spill over to his LOSER Social Media platform? Certainly, by now, Trump as a RACIST can’t be a surprise to virtually anyone, can it? (Well, many of the people I know who identify with the white nationalist base of the republican party genuinely don’t “get” they are caught up in a purely racist movement – they’ll say, “Racist, who me?”)

So, I wrote the above a few days ago (I guess I’m getting lazy) but I have to note what I saw in Trump’s (un)Truth Social soon after the Georgia INDICTMENT. First of all Trump referred to those in Georgia who are seeking to put him in jail as those who “rigged” the election for Joe Biden. Now, he made this reference because he just couldn’t help himself from sending a “dog whistle” (with a “bull horn”) at the end of his posting when he referred to the Georgia officials as “RIGGERS.” If you’ve read this far I’m sure you understand fully what his message was. And, as I had predicted above it’s just got to literally drive him mad he’s being held to account by African American public officials in three jurisdictions. (Alvin Bragg in Manhattan, Letitia James the Attorney General of New York (who will likely have the first trial – a Civil Trial which could bankrupt the Trump org.), and, of course Ms. Willis the DA of Fulton County Georgia.

It’s taking me forever to post this, so I’ll do so now without (as usual) re-reading it. My Final Thought has to do with the fact I have refused to stop attending Church services knowing I’m on the “opposite team” from many at the church. I continue to struggle knowing Trump’s “base” is largely a bunch of “Christian conservatives.” I’ve pointed out here the parallels with the Third Reich in 1930’s Germany. It grieves me to realize so many people who claim to believe in Jesus Christ can be so devoted to someone like Trump – in many cases even suggesting he’s some kind of “deity.” To me, if anything, he’s the “anti Christ.” I look forward to the day when the “dam breaks” and these people realize who they’re actually supporting. Most “experts” I’ve read suggest that it will be difficult for MANY of Trump’s supporters to accept they’ve been wrong all this time. And, of course, Fox “news” (and the other right wing propaganda sites) will continue spewing LIES as long as it keeps them profitable. (Apparently, $787,500.000 wasn’t enough to fully get their attention. Go figure!!! Stay tuned…….

What’s so hard for “we the people” to understand? Donald Trump, simply put, acts like a wannabee Mob boss – full stop! Doesn’t use email. Doesn’t write stuff down. Tears up evidence and/or throws it in the fireplace. Even tears up evidence and attempts to flush it down the toilet. (I’ve got some advice for Trump if he ever ends up in the “White House” again. We just replaced a toilet with one which will “flush a dozen golf balls.” He should have those installed despite the fact they aren’t made of gold.) Trump talks almost in “riddles” as he “orders” his sycophants to do bad stuff without himself being held accountable for what they did. (Have you noticed it’s those around him who end up hiring lawyers?) He even is often referenced to have lamented “Where is my Roy Cohn?” – the Mob lawyer who helped Joe McCarthy back in the 50’s intimidate those he viewed as his “enemies.”

Trump has been BULLYING his way through life since his days being mentored by Mr. Cohn. By some accounts he’s been involved in over 3500 court cases. He’s famous for stiffing his lawyers, his workers, banks, and virtually anyone doing business with him – at some point. (Do you wonder why his attorneys are referred to by many as the “B” squad or the “JV’s?”) Trump’s gone through BANKRUPTCY six times – usually coming out on the other side far better than his creditors – only to go back to “business as usual.” He’s been credibly accused of fraud numerous times, he’s been fined for “laundering” Russian (and other foreign interests’) money and, apparently, those fines didn’t stop him from the procedure. Russian’s are famous for “laundering” money via real estate purchases in the U.S. – many times via Trump.

Of course, anyone who’s been paying attention is aware of Trump’s boasting of his sexual exploits of women – most notably on the “Access Hollywood” tape where he boasted he could grab women by their “pussies” – because “when you’re famous they allow you to do it.” (That boast has now cost him $5 MILLION – plus interest until he pays – and, likely the cost is going to go WAY UP after his next court appearance with E. Jean Carroll – with the plaintiff asking for an additional $10 MILLION plus punitive damages for Trump’s continued verbal abuses. And, keep in mind, Ms. Carroll’s complaint against Trump is far from the only one.

So now, with Trump’s base of rabid “conservative Christians” seemingly solidly behind him – despite ALL the heresy listed above (plus much more) – Trump continues to “double down” on his ILLEGAL conduct leading to January 6th, 2021 (conspiring with many members of the republican Congress) claiming he “didn’t do anything wrong.” FIVE people DIED during the insurrection – plus members of the Capitol Police took their own lives in the days following – over 140 members of the Capitol and Metropolitan Police forces were injured – some of them permanently – and Trump continues to complain he is innocent of any wrongdoing. That’s the “Roy Cohn” in him. Never admit you made a mistake.

Well, today is the day Trump’s NEXT indictment may “come down the pike.” It appears Jack Smith is not intimidated by Trump and will not be thrown off course by anything Trump might do. Trump is promising to be the “retribution” for his right wing “sycophants” – presumably he’s talking about all those who’ve been charged and convicted for their actions of January 6th, 2021 plus those who haven’t been tried yet PLUS the many who haven’t even been indicted. Reports are that online “sleuths” have identified a total of 3000 of those who stormed the Capitol of which about 1/2 have been indicted already.

THIS indictment is going to be for a (former) president of the United States attempting to pull off a coup d’etat – an attempt which is continuing as he is, astonishingly, trying for attempt number two. Here’s what voters MUST keep in mind when they go to the polls for the next (MANY) elections: Trump would NOT be still a “thing” except for the cowardly republican members of Congress who KNOW how WRONG Trump is, but don’t have the guts to say so publicly. They had TWO opportunities to end this American NIGHTMARE and FAILED miserably both times. In the first IMPEACHMENT Adam Schiff predicted, accurately, that Trump would “do it again.” Schiff challenged republicans to put the Trump “experiment” to rest by voting to convict him in the Senate and, save for Mitt Romney, the whole bunch of them ended up “shaking in their boots.”

I point this out because it won’t be sufficient for America’s voters to simply vote Trump into the History books (right next to Benedict Arnold), they need to vote a BUNCH of his republican sycophants right next to him in these pages (which, undoubtedly, republicans will want those pages removed to make it all “well.” These History books will be unavailable in places like Florida. Attention: Breaking News:

Well, it has FINALLY happened. Trump has been INDICTED for his attempted coup d’etat of January 6th, 2021. There are FOUR counts in the INDICTMENT and there are six “unindicted co-conspirators” – apparently including Rudolph Giuliani, John Eastman, Jeffrey Clark, Sydney Powell, a couple more who I’m not too familiar with (I think one of them’s last name is Chesebro). It appears Trump has been indicted by himself (presumably to get the case to trial “sooner rather than later”) with the others likely expecting to be indicted at some point down the road. Will this make Trump’s “base” continue to believe he’s “innocent” (even though they know/should know better). I can’t remember where I read this but recently I was reading about the “base” of the Nazi’s back in the 1930’s and the author of the article was talking about “wilfull stupidity.” That appears to be what is happening among “we the people” as Trump continues to act like a Mafioso.

“Conservatives” have embedded themselves in the mis/disinformation of right wing media – at this point, much more than simple “you watch Fox ‘news’ don’t you?” This all falls into the category of willful stupidity. Republicans have traditionally based their “schtick” on “law and order” and strong national defense. Trump has turned that MO upside down. Now, I’ve been suggesting a streak of racism amonst republicans since the days of Richard Nixon (especially Ronald Reagan) with Trump taking the “Tea Party” which was founded in reaction to “we the people” voting in an African American as our president to full out white nationalism. They’ve been saying “we want our country back” since the day Obama was elected. (I always say, “back from what?”)

From the days following the attempted coup d’etat of January 6th, 2021 I’ve been saying the TRUTH will come out “drip by drip.” Well, the drips have turned into a stream of the TRUTH of what happened in the days following Joe Biden’s win in the 2020 presidential election. (By over 7 MILLION votes) Actually, Trump was setting the “stage” for the coup months before the actual election. He had a plan to declare victory well before the votes had been counted because his advisors told him (accurately) the election day votes would be counted first and they were likely to skew in his favor in early returns. The “Stop the Steal” scam was planned well before the actual election. (In reality, the idea for “Stop the Steal” was devised back in 2016 by Roger Stone – who, by the way, along with Steve Bannon should be sleeping a bit uneasy these days because this CONSPIRACY went well beyond the six listed co-conspirators. (See the “Willard War room”) Trust me, Jack Smith will assure us all, “The investigation is continuing.”

Right wing politicians are going to be claiming there’s a “two tiered” justice system. And, I’m going to totally AGREE with them. For example, Trump will be arraigned on August 3, 2023 where he will likely enter a plea of “not guilty” on all charges. By rights he’ll be fingerprinted (again) with nary a “mug shot” – which hasn’t happened yet (do you think you’d get that “perk?” He’s being charged with FOUR counts (felonies) that range in potential punishment ranging from 5 years to 20 years in the sentencing “guidelines.” He’ll likely be allowed to walk out of court on his own recognizance. Who else would get that perk? Many of his suckers er minions who stormed the Capitol on January 6th, 2021 were held without bail because of the danger they posed to “we the people.” Now, seriously, do you believe they caused a greater danger than Trump? Who else can be facing around 80 FELONY charges and still be walking around free – shouldn’t Trump (at least) have to wear an ankle bracelet? Shouldn’t he have to turn in his passport? Shouldn’t there be an appropriate BAIL for the CRIMES alleged? (Remember, he’s got his own jet and it would be easy for him to “split” seeking asylum in, like, Russia – OK, I can hope, can’t I?)

The reality is Trump is the poster child for how we have a two tiered justice system. He’s being prosecuted with “kid gloves..” I know people who’ve been stopped for a DUI who’ve faced tougher responses from the “government” than what Trump has faced – to this date. Maybe the judge in Washington D.C, will make an attempt to hold Trump to account as if he’s being treated like any other citizen. To me, the fact he’s running for president once again is irrelevent. His CRIMINAL conduct shouldn’t be excused because he’s trying to regain the “White House.” I do have to add, if “we the people” are “wilfully STUPID” enough to put Trump – or, for that matter, another republican in the “White House” well, we deserve what we get – which, likely will be the end of our democratic republic as it’s evolved over the previous 240+ years.

Final Thought: If it’s not HOT enough for you this summer (the HOTTEST July on record) to get your attention regarding the NECESSITY to act regarding the Climate Crisis I don’t know if there’s hope for you. For people like me (soon to be 76) and Trump and Biden – it’s potentially not at the critical stage – depending on where you live (I hope it’s not Florida or along the Gulf of Mexico Coast or the Atlantic Coast or the Midwest Tornado zone or………… OK, I hope you get the idea) – it’s what we’re leaving for our children and grandchildren which causes me grief. If it wasn’t for republicans (and democrats like Manchin and Sinema) we’d be much farther along in an attempt to mitigate the effects of fossil fuels on the atmosphere.

If you’re a woman, well, why would you vote for a republican? Unless of course you believe it’s your role to tell OTHER women how to control their own bodies. I was talking to my granddaugher today and some of these issues came up. I told her I was never in favor of abortions, but in the first pregnancy of her grandma (my first wife) when she sufffered a miscarriage, at the time, I had no idea the procedure the doctors used to treat her as she was bleeding profusely as her body was attempting to pass the fetus was, in effect, an abortion. Had this happened today, in Texas, her life would clearly be in danger – with doctors refusing to act until such time as her life “on the line.” Not only would that be STUPID, but it would also likely (in our case) have made the ensuing pregnancies which resulted in my two daughters unlikely. Over the years I’ve come to the conclusion that if you don’t believe in abortion, don’t have one. It’s not your business regarding other women.

All circumstances are different. To me, these two issues – Climate Crisis and abortion SHOULD be enough to guarantee republicans don’t win an election again until the (CORRUPT) Supreme Court becomes “balanced” – it’s been a right wing court for at least the past 25 years and it’s going to be, likely, worse for the next 25 years. Vote in another right wing republican and it will likely get worse – Ron DEESantis has already said he’ll put in more extreme judges than Trump. And, we’re talking about many more judges than just the NINE on the SCOTUS.

Yes, as always with republicans, there’s a lot more. There are issues with VOTING Rights, Civil Rights, Gun violence, Public Education, Higher Education, Environmental issues, challenges with rebuilding the infrastructure of America – our infrastructure needing at least twice as much “rebuilding” as we’ll get from the “bipartisan infrastructure Act,” and much more. The issues with income inequality are real and serious and it will take resolve for our politicians to actually vote to increast taxes on the BILLIONAIRE class. It will take resolve for our Congress to actually place restrictions on our social media “apps” – like “TWITTER,” and “Facebook,” “Instagram,” “What’s App,” etc. etc.

The bottom line is if America’s young people (35 and younger) choose to vote, there is only one way for people like Trump to “win” – and, that is to….. OK, you’re one step ahead of me, to CHEAT! I can hear my granddaughter as I’m writing those words – “uh dough” – (try to picture Homer Simpson as you read those words). As sure as the sun rises in the East and sets in the West Trump is busy planning how to best CHEAT as he’s facing the THIRD criminal indictment relating to his lawbreaking with IMPUNITY – obviously believing he’s “above the law.” His followers who claim there’s a two tiered justice system actually believe Trump should get SPECIAL treatment because he’s running for president once again. Apparently, they haven’t endured enough LOSING as of yet – but, the reality is they think there SHOULD be a two tiered justice system and Trump’s “tier” should be one step ABOVE the rest of us. We will soon know if America really is a “nation of laws and not men.” Stay tuned………………

I’ll publish this rant a couple days after Trump’s LATEST indictment – hopefully, by the time of his arraignment – but, I’m going to actually re-read this one and try to fix as many of my mistakes as possible. I’m sure my brother-in-law in Pittsburgh will double check me. (And, by the way, Pittsburgh is one of my favorite places in the U.S.A. – I hope to visit there sooner rather than later. I met so many awesome people a few years back when I spent a couple months in Pittsburgh – and, I’m talking Pennsylvania) and Pennsylvanians will likely be KEY in making sure Trump never gets near the “White House” ever again.

Today it was announced Trump has received a “target letter” from Jack Smith regarding the INSURRECTION of January 6th, 2021 giving him four days to choose whether to go before the Grand Jury and defend himself – which EVERYONE knows he’ll NEVER do. What this means is it’s very likely Trump’s NEXT indictment will happen at some point next week. (The week of July 21st through July 26th.) It will be interesting to see how detailed Mr. Smith will be – by all accounts he’s purported to be very detailed and thorough – and, how many of Trump’s co-conspirators will get caught up in the indictment.

It could be in the HUNDREDS – although I’m not convinced Smith will go that far although the CONSPIRACY seemed to cover numerous states across this nation. (Just this day the Attorney General of Michigan has charged 16 FAKE electors for their participation in Trump’s scheme with a series of FELONIES.) It could/should include several members of the House of Representatives (and, maybe, Ted Cruz?) including Jim Jordan, Scott Perry, Andy Biggs, Paul Gosar, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Mo Brooks, Louie Ghomert, and many others – including the crazy lawyers (Giuliani, Eastman, Clark, and others) Mark Meadows, Steve Bannon, Roger Stone, Michael Flynn, plus Ginni Thomas (read some of her texts which are public knowledge) all the FAKE electors and those who recruited them and, possibly, Jared Kushner (if Smith charges the frudulent campaign fundraising of about a quarter BILLION dollars which was never used for the purpose stated in the solicitations.)

I’m writing this prior to the anticipated indictment to remind myself to spend some time speculating on where Smith may be going with this (alleged) indictment. The way I see it, there could be more than one way to decide what is the best course of action. And, one of them, quite possibly, would be what they’ll face in the courtroom of Aileen Cannon in Florida during the lead up to the trial in Trump’s Classified Documents case. I don’t believe the government prosecutors trust Ms. Cannon to cause the trial to fall into the “Speedy Trial” which the constitution “requires.” Therefore, does Smith want to have ANOTHER case which could get pushed up against the 2024 election? Obviously, that will be Trump’s plan – assuming republicans are STUPID enough to nominate him once again for the presidency.

If the charges are limited I believe it will be due to the expediency Mr. Smith wants in regard to this investigation which is about ONE year past due – based on where it should have happened. I’ve been part of the resounding chorus of Americans who’ve questioned the bona fides of Merrick Garland and there seems to be evidence, as many worried, it took the January 6th Select Committee’s report to get the Justice Department off their collective asses – instead of keeping their focus on the sycophants who Trump DUPED into doing his dirty work on January 6th, 2021 – even Trump, at the time, said “remember this date forever.” I’m just trying to help him do just that!

Reports have emerged there will be THREE categories in the indictment. I won’t speculate other than to say it appears Smith doesn’t feel charging Trump with SEDITIOUS conspiracy – along with the “R’s in Congress” who he was scheming with – not to mention the lawyers and those pushing the “fake elector” scheme – make no mistake, Trump and his minions were attempting to OVERTHROW our government and truth be told, he’s continuing his plan to turn America into a FACIST state – despite his (projection) words suggesting Biden is the “facist.” Remember, these republicans – and Trump especially – operate in a fact free world. They feel not the slightest need to back up their outrageous comments with anything even resembling facts.

I’m hearing/reading warnings about what will happen should Trump somehow get re-elected – but, keep in mind, he’s “written” the “playbook” and, I believe any republican will attempt the same authoritarian takeover of our government should Trump not be the republican nominee. Trump is running out in self preservation mode because I can imagine he FEARS jail more than anything else – and, he believes he can avoid his legal troubles by getting re-elected – just as he avoided them during his 4 year reign on “we the people.” Question: Are the American people STUPID enough to want another four years of this thug? Lord help us!

Here’s the deal – many hard right “Christians” are totally OK with a facist dictatorship – I actually know some of them. They profess to be “conservatives” – BUT they support Trump and if you ask them “what is a conservative?” They get mad at you for being inquisitive. Some will simply say anyone who opposes abortion. Most progressives like me aren’t “pro abortion” – they’re pro letting a woman have autonomy over her own body. It’s appearing more and more as if “conservatives” want to turn back the clock to the days when “a woman’s place is in the home.”

I’ve read several articles of late warning “we the people” of the grave challenges of the 2024 election – which, to an extent, I would totally agree. But, what I’m not hearing/reading is the imperative people (democrats, independents, and disaffected republicans) show up in MASSIVE numbers and vote AGAINST republicans – not only in 2024, but for the foreseeable future as these republicans – who are the “offspring” of America’s “oligarch” society (and, of course, they call people like me an “elitist”) – have not/will not be deturred by political defeat. They just keep coming back like a “bad dream.” (Their access to money is unlimited and their desire for what Karl Rove refered to as a “permanent republican majority” requires serious CHEATING – the perfect scenario for Trump)

That’s one issue I have with progressives. They win an election and think all is well. That’s what republicans count on and what happened with Obama’s election leading to the reign of Trump. Hopefully, it won’t happen with Biden’s election – even if Biden wins a second term. These republicans (white nationaists, ie “deplorables”) will just attempt to raise even more hell. They include more “deplorable” people than just Trump.

Have you paid attention to Elon Musk lately? He has so much money he was able to buy a platform where he could spew his right wing HATE for $44 BILLION – and, in essence, run it into the ground while giving neo-Nazi’s a spigot for their HATE once again. And, the other major social media networks (Facebook and Youtube) have relaxed their “rules” allowing the right wing HATERS to have more avenues for spreading their “garbage.” Social media outlets have been the perfect sounding board for mis/disinformation.

It is the use of these social media networks that people integrated into the White Nationaist movement with the militia movements and other right wing “movements” using these platforms to “recruit” their radicalized minions (Just as foreign radicals like ISIS uses social media for recruiting). Trump’s intention is to bring right wing radicals “on board” to, once again, do his “dirty work” using social media. Consequently, the sheer number of Americans who are willing to throw our consitution to the wayside continues to grow as Trump, and other republicans, attack “we the people” using “culture wars” because that’s what energizes their base.

Hopefully, young people, women, African Americans, Latina’s, LGBTQ Americans, and old white “liberal” Americans like me are getting the message. I may not be around for the 2028 election, but I can guarantee you these white nationalists lining up behind Trump will be – whether Trump goes to jail or not. Trump has given them the “playbook,” they’ll find another “fuhrer” if that becomes necessary. The fact Trump’s base is largely composed of “conservative Christians” is eerily similar to Hitler’s base back in the 1930’s. Reminds me of the saying, “Those who ignore history are bound to repeat it.”

The way I see it, “we the people” MUST vote against republicans for at least a generation – or, until the “FREEDOM Caucus,” Keving McCarthy, Mitch McConnell and MOST of the rest of “present day republicans” (who have NO guts when it comes to challenging Trump) are voted into the HISTORY books. The courts are stacked against progressives – which is by design. State governments are passing voter suppression laws in alarming numbers (thanks to the Roberts SCOTUS) and, it’s imperative to fight (via the courts) against these laws. The SCOTUS is likely going to be made up of this “conservative” majority for a couple decades. Voting in another republican to the “White House” simply makes that reality much WORSE.

Here’s what republicans understand: There’s more of us (meaning progressives) than there are of them – so, to WIN they have to CHEAT. This didn’t start with Trump. Republicans CHEATED back in 2000 when the presidency was “stolen” from Al Gore via an earlier version of the Supreme Court. (A decision resulting in the Iraq (illegal) war – er, FIASCO. The history of the republican M.O. – “The end justifies the means” is what has led to their willingness to CHEAT – which they find creative ways to accomplish their goal – win at all cost!

And, beware, republicans have a history of supporting “third party” candidates in order to siphon off votes from the democratic candidate – a “sheme” which has not been well reported by our “liberal media.” When Reagan beat Carter republicans supported a “liberal republican” – John Anderson – who took votes from dsiaffected democrats – keeping them from voting for Carter. When GW Bush was granted the presidency by the Court, it wouildn’t have been even close save for Ralph Nader running on the “Green Party” ticket and, of course, Trump benefited from the impossible candidacy of Jill Stein – not only helped by republican money but Ms Stein was even a guest of Vladimir Putin prior to the election. I’ll let you put two plus two together. Go figure!

The bottom line here is “we the people” MUST be participants in the upcoming elections (for the next 20 – 30 years) with the goal of voting AGAINST republicans. The future for our children and grandchildren (if you’re old like me) depends on it. If this summer hasn’t convinced you the Climate Crisis is real – well, brace yourself for this fall when the HURRICANE season hits full force. (And, the wildfire crisis is already upon us) And, it’s hard for me to understand why any woman would vote for a republican because their goal is to make abortion illegal with no exceptions – nationwide.

Remembering when my (first) wife was having a miscarriage I couldn’t help but think had we lived in today’s Texas her life would have been in danger (without seeking medical help outside the state – but, the situation was an emergency which would have threatened her life had doctor’s been reluctant to, in essence, perform an abortion allowing her to bear children at a later date. What that means is there are now states in America where a woman getting pregnant potentially puts her life in danger. Yikes!!!

The gun crisis, the education crisis – and, I could go on and on – there are so many issues where the “will” of “we the people” is not addressed because of a one word answer: republicans! I spent the last 23 years of my working life teaching 6th graders in Middle School. To this day I remember when GW Bush instituted the “No Child left behind” legislation shortly after taking office in 2001. It was cleat to me, at the time, republicans were turning up the “heat” on their desire to undermine public education. Well, it’s now at the “boiling” point. And, progressives need to “fight back” at the ballot box in order to save/strengthen our public education system.

These are just some of the reasons why it’s IMPERATIVE for America’s voters to reject republicans at the polls for the next couple of decades – or, until these radicals who’ve taken over the republican party are voted, as I’ve often said here, into the History books – books that should NOT be removed from the shelves in the libraries. Along with the importance of VOTING for “we the people” it’s also IMPERATIVE the Justice Department prove that “no one is above the law” by prosecuting those who CONSPIRED with Trump to overturn the 2020 presidential election. The sooner Trump is in a Court of Law being forced to defend his actions the better.

Prosecuting Trump and voting out republicans will be an important first step in preserving our Constitutional democratic republic which has endured over 240 years with lots of “hiccups” (OK, bad stuff) but has proven the Constitution is a “living document” which is why “we the people” continue to push our nation toward the “ideal” that “all men (and women) are created equal.” Striving for MORE inclusion instead of attempting to “turn back the clock” reversing hard fought gains in Civil (and human) Rights over the past 60 years. I’ll end this by saying, once again, Trump has come closer to turning America into a fascist nation than Hitler ever did! It’s up to “we the people” (and the Justice Department) to ensure he NEVER accomplishes his goal!

Final Thought: I mentioned above Elon Musk and his takeover of “Twitter.” He has shown his true self since that point in time – at least to me (a non social media user). I WAS a strong supporter of Tesla because it’s obvious to me “we the people” MUST find an alternative to fossil fuels “sooner rather than later.” To me, that means Musk deserves credit for supercharging the push for electric cars (although Chevrolet was farther along regarding electic vehicles than most people understand – but, Musk was the “instigator” of the EV “revolution” in my mind.)

That being said, at this point, there is little to NO chance I would ever purchase a Tesla. I see Musk as one of the “American Oligarchs” who are willing to use their money to, in essence, “burn the house down” – with the “house” being America’s “democracy.” He’s in the “good ole boys club” of Peter Thiel, Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Ellison, and others who are pouring their money into politics behind some really “Trumpian” candidates. Naturally, there’s a whole lot more “Oligarchs” in America who have, in essence, bought many (if not MOST) of America’s political “leaders.” Musk is just “advertising” his right wing “bona fides” on his new toy, Twitter – and it just almost makes me sick to my stomach. Reminds me of the proverb (once again) that “money is the root of all evil.” Stay tuned……

How could America have evolved to the point where today’s republicans, in both the House and the Senate (not to mention the presidential candidates), could possibly be so “effing” (to use a phrase from the January 6th Committee’s report) STUPID. And, yes, I’m talking about you, Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley, Mike Lee, Tommy Tuberville, Jim Jordan, Matt Gaetz, Louie Ghomert, Scott Perry, Andy Biggs, Paul Gosar, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert, and, sadly, a bunch more. And, then there’s the HUGE segment of republican COWARDS who know what their party is doing is WRONG, but don’t have the guts to SPEAK OUT! It really is shameful.

In this present Congress republicans are accomplishing NOTHING. They can’t even pass the 2023 Defense Appropriations bill without creating a public “stink.” And, of course, the Defense Department can’t promote ANY officers because Tommy Tuberville, who says “White Nationalists are simply Americans.” (Well, he’s somewhat correct – in that many of them are – plus they’re , by definition, RACISTS. Truth be told, there’s White Nationalists in many other countries around the world) Tuberville continues to broadcast he’s an “effing” IDIOT. (How do people like this get voted into Congress?)

So, the latest item republicans are wrapping their minds around in their 24/7 attempt to keep Joe Biden’s “poll numbers” down involves, naturally, more STUPID (and dangerous) “stuff.” Joe Biden put 3000 American reservists on notice they may be shipped off to Europe to give a break to troops already stationed there (about 100,000 are there as I write this). Oh my god, the republicans are seemingly pooping all over themselves. The aforementioned Cruz and Lee (along with assorted right wing “pundits”) are suggesting Biden is attempting to start WW III. Yikes! The absurdity never seems to end.

However, when you take a sober look at what Biden has been doing for the last 18 months, it’s exactly the opposite. I would like our “liberal media” to put the moniker “Neville Chamberlain” on these republican IDIOTS. For anyone who hasn’t been paying attention or hasn’t read anything about American and World History, Chamberlain was the British Prime Minister who took Adolf Hitler at his word in order to avoid a war – well, we all know how that turned out. (It’s more complicated than that – but, suffice it to say, Putin’s goal was NOT simply Ukraine) Biden has done a MASTERFUL job in unifying (and expanding) NATO in the face of Putin’s naked aggession and, now, the only issue is how is Putin/Russia going to “save face” as they are LOSING badly. (Their hope is to hang on long enough for Trump to retake the “White House” – that’s the ONLY way they succeed in Ukraine).

Honestly, it’s really tiring watching all the BS coming from the “right” in our country. The so-called “conservatives” want to “defund the DOJ and the FBI” – which, of course, would allow Trump to violate even MORE of our laws – in fact, when you think about it, the laws would only apply to “liberals” (like me, apparently) and “Black and Brown” people. Trump didn’t get much done in his four years of chaos, but he’d be able to be a full time “president” should he “win” once more – because he’s got a lot of REVENGE to conduct. And, how could he win you might ask with 60% (or more) of Americans viewing him unfavorably? Of course, by CHEATING!

And, CHEATING is now being “baked in” to the republican party beyond what even I could have imagined. I’ve been lamenting for over 15 years (here) that “we the people” MUST vote these THUGS into the History books – Trump’s place will be right next to Benedict Arnold and there are a plethora of republicans who apparently want to be in that same section of the book. Trump tried to overthrow our government. To me, that makes him a traitor! (Don’t believe me? I heard him with my own ears on national TV say: Mike Pense had the power to overthrow the election – you can read for yourself HERE) Not only a TRAITOR, but DELUSIONAL!

Here’s the main reason why republicans are going to be searching the “bottom of the barrel” for smears on Biden. The economy continues to “chug” along, spitting out jobs at an hisoric rate, inflation is coming down, infrastructure jobs are “happening” and ramping up all across the country, soon America will be producing her own Semi-conductor chips – manufacturing is up, and, actually, people’s attitudes about the economy are going “up” as well. We KNOW there’s about 35% of America who will never be satisfied – and, there’s a lot of democrats who want a younger candidate than Biden – but, when push comes to shove, I believe defeating TRUMP once more will be priority one in the 2024 election.

Young people, women, African Americans, Latinos, and supposed “liberals” like me – actually, old people who care about preserving our nation’s heritage (wart’s and all) for our Children and grandchildren will need to VOTE in record numbers to overcome the potential for CHEATING republicans have “baked in” to several of the state legislatures around the country. The most blatant example, to me, came in Texas, where the state legislature gave itself the authority to intervene in “Harris County” – because, you know, voter fraud! (Which doesn’t exist except for peoplle voting twice for Trump) What does exist in Harris County is a bunch of “liberals” who vote for democrats. This kind of BS is happening because of decisions by the Supreme Court which gutted the Voting Rights Act of 1965 – suggesting “voter suppression is no longer an issue in today’s America.” (Apparently, you can graduate from Harvard Law School and still be STUPID)

It is the Court, in fact, which gives “liberals” and especially WOMEN the motivation to VOTE in record numbers. And, I’m not just talking about voting Biden into a second term, but give him a Senate majority large enough to overcome the “Blue Dog” democrats (and, turncoat Kyrsten Sinema) – plus, of course, get these wacked out republicans out of control of the House. If you haven’t been paying attention, the only thing the House republicans have accomplished is – well, NOTHING! We will soon be experiencing the latest in the (getting) long line of republican led government SHUTDOWNS – and, trust me, the right wing republicans (the freedom [?] caucus) in the House will be slobbering all over themselves as if they’ve finally accomplished something. Of course, they’ll blame Biden, and MILLIONS of their sycophants will believe them!

They (the House republicans) are attempting to cut off all aid to Ukraine – apparently, to stop the embarrassment Vladimir Putin (and them?) are feeling about the Russian failure to do a “blitzkrieg” right into Kyiv back in Feb. 2022. Honestly, listening to Marjorie Taylor Greene makes my stomach curdle but she’s been put into a position of POWER in the House so I have to listen. Do the people of Georgia understand what they’ve stent to Congress? Or, does she actually represent the mental capacity of the people of her district? Gives you a good idea why republicans want to ban books in public school libraries – and, why they don’t want our children being allowed to feel “uncomfortable” in school (unless they are Black, Latina, LGBTQ, or ????) by hearing/reading of the TRUTH about our nation.

I used to have breakfast with a “conservative” who eventually got sucked into the Trump CULT to a point I was unable to comprehend. At first, I started noticing some of the things coming from his mouth which were outright “conspiracy theories” that made no sense. This man raised three African American children whom he adopted (and, who called him “Dad”) which was one of the main reasons I felt comforable having a dialogue with him – though we came from polar opposite political viewpoints. What really got to me (as he was making antagonistic comments via email during the pandemic) was when I put two and two together with some of his words which were – simply, no other way to look at it – racist. I was a bit shocked. I won’t go into detail anymore than to say he said he didn’t belive in “democracy” and certainly didn’t feel inner city Black people should have the right to vote. (including his children) He said other stuff, but that pretty much left our conversations with no place to go. (He was also predicting the “Civil War” you hear when you’re tuned into far right wack job websites – as if he was a “believer” AND, of course, he believed the “election was stolen” – why? Because Trump said so!)

Like so many other “conservatives” my friend claimed to be a “conservative Christian.” I continue to struggle with how any “Christian” could “square” the actions and words coming from Trump with the “teachings of Jesus.” I have to force myself to believe they must be indulging in the “Old Testament” in ways to justify the ILLEGAL conduct carried on by MANY of their republican “leaders” – not to mention the “organized CRIME” level of conduct coming from Trump on a regular basis. Yes, we are ALL flawed humans, but somehow I have to force myself to continue my belief in Jesus while “Christians” all across America are acting as if the Bible doesn’t exist – even knowing “twisting” the meaning of scripture is difficult to avoid – using my own case as an example – I can’t avoid my preconceived notions each time I read/listen to it.

I’ve said this before many times here, Trump is violationg laws with IMPUNITY to the point where people have become numb to what he’s doing – forcing themselves to accept that it’s OK. But, if a democrat were doing what Trump has done? OMG!! When Trump was in office hardly a day went by when Trump didn’t push the boundaries of what is acceptable in America. One institution after another was challenged as he proved again and again he had little to no idea what is actually in our constitution. Steve Bannon was purged from his administration in the first two years but he laid out the goal of Trump’s administration in one succinct phrase: “Deconstruct the administrative state.” That will be the “new” plan on “steroids” should “we the people” be STUPID enough to grant his wish to obliterate our democratic republic. Trump is actually “saying the quiet part out loud” in this respect as his “campaign” is heating up. It will be all about REVENGE – with House republicans are attempting to initiate his REVENGE during the remaining two years of their “rule” in the House.

House republicans have attempted to IMPEACH Joe Biden with “trumped up” (pun intended) conspiracy theories they, like their CULT leader, are unable to support with actual evidence. They spout they want to IMPEACH Merrick Garland, Christopher Wray, and, anyone else who they believe is acting in the best interests of this nation. The bottom line for these republicans is that POWER is more important than our constitutional democratic republic. They are unwilling to attempt to cause a majority of American voters to actually vote for them based on the issues. I recently read a book by Kurt Andersen titled “Fantasyland” and he documents the willfulness of Americans to fall/have fallen for “BS” (my characterization) from the earliest days of our republic right up to what is happening now. Based on Andersen’s “thesis” it should be no surprise a CON artist like Trump could DUPE a large section of our public.

Final Thought: It was reported today that Trump has received a “Target Letter” from Jack Smith regarding his attempt to overthrow our 2020 election. Apparently he was given four days to report to the Grand Jury in order to give his “side” of the issue. Do you believe Trump will show up to testify on his own behalf? Of course not – he can’t complete three sentences without spewing at least one outright LIE. This will be the THIRD indictment of Trump – he’s already facing 74 FELONY counts – and, for me, this is the most important investigation. (Although, what he was doing with all the CLASSIFIED documents could be almost as dangerous to this nation – we’ll probably never know the full extent of who he shared that material with or whether he managed to monetize the documents???)

I pointed out soon after the January 6th, 2021 INSURRECTION and following the U.S. Senate refusing to CONVICT Trump of what they ALL knew he was guilty that “the TRUTH will come out” drip, drip, drip. I also questioned Merrick Garland’s “stomach” for indicting a former president – which likely wouldn’t have happened except for the January 6th Select Committee’s report and had Garland not FINALLY decided to turn the investigation over to Jack Smith. It has taken MUCH too long to get to this point, but, if the DOJ had decided against holding Trump (and, hopefully the “R’s” he mentioned when attempting to get the head of the Justice Department to “Just say the election was corrupt and leave the rest to me and the R’s.”) accountable that would have entrenched there is no “rule of law” in America if you’re rich and powerful.

I believe the main reason Trump is running for a second term is because he’s trying to head off these prosecutions which actually threaten his liberty. (So far, not working too well) His “base” is sticking with him because the rest of our political system is/has been fighting to help this nation evolve from her – what I called above – warts (specifically racism) – what Ron DeSantis refers to as “wokeism.” I’m not the only person suggesting when you see the republicans using the term “woke” (which they likely don’t understand what it actually means according to the “slang” where it originated) you can substitute the word “Black.” It’s imperative the young people of America vote in HUGE numbers.

I realize young and more progressive voters are frustrated we have an 80 year old president, but I would suggest to them he’s accomplished MORE than ANY president since, likely, LBJ. And, there’s more he can accomplish if VOTERS give him MORE democrats in the Senate and democratic control of the House – instead of these wackjobs who are “running” things there as I’m writing this. And, the issues are PARAMOUNT: Climate Crisis, Guns, Voting Rights, Women’s rights, the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, Education (including forgiving student loan debt and making university education affordable), and, of course, the preservation of our “democracy.” The stakes couldn’t be higher and my hope is voters finally listen to me – vote AGAINST republicans. Once we PURGE these right wing despots out of office it will be time to get back to debating the differences between progressive and conservative policy. (If you want an example of an ACTUAL conservative – check out Liz Cheney – who I have little in common with except that I RESPECT her courage and honesty)

There are too many CRITICAL issues facing “we the people” to put up with the republican REVENGE “tour” any longer. VOTE!!!

If you’ve been around here you KNOW I’m no fan of Donald Trump and I look forward to the government figuring out how to put someone in jail along with a Secret Service delegation. Personally, I believe the solution to that problem would be solved by charging Trump with the same SEDITIOUS CONSPIRACY the “Oathkeepers” (that is a misnomer if there ever was one) and “Proud Boys” who are facing decades in prison for their role in the January 6th, 2021 INSURRECTION at the Capitol in Washington D.C. Should Trump be convicted of Sedition I believe his “pension and Secret Service detail” would go away – based on Section 3 of the 14th Amerndment.

Section 3 of the 14th Amendment says: “No Person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and VicePresident, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.”

My thoughts may be a reach, but I DO NOT believe Trump should be able to stay out of PRISON should he be found GUILTY by a jury of his peers, full STOP! That all being said, my thoughts today are going in a different direction. I suppose what I’m about to do is what is normal coming from Trump and his sycophants – and, that is deflection. I keep hearing OVER and OVER republicans attempting to SMEAR Hunter Biden – who has reached an agreement with the Justice Department regarding his tax issues and issues around his former drug addiction. So, today I want to talk about Jared Kushner. How he’s managed to stay out of TROUBLE is beyond me, but there’s lots of public evidence suggesting he SHOULD be investigated for some of what he did while serving in Trump’s “White House.”

First of all, I’ll leave you with a link that does a better job than I’m about to do regarding Kushner’s shenanigans while in Trump’s administration. Before I go any farther you can click HERE if you care to read a timeline of what I believe makes Hunter Biden’s issues pale in comparrison. While Hunter Biden allegedly failed to pay income taxes for a couple years (he ultimately repaid his tax obligation) and purchased a hand gun while using drugs, Kushner was busy in his role in the “White House” apparently attempting to coerce the Qatari’s (their sovereign wealth fund) to bail him out of a (stupid) investment in a property located at 666 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, N.Y. Keep in mind, we’re talking about around $1.5 BILLION. (666 is the number of the Devil, just sayin…)

Kushner’s behavior was WRONG in more “avenues” than his entreaties to pressure the Qatari’s to bail out his disaster at 666 Fifth Avenue. He was KNOWN to be having SECRET converstations with the Saudi’s leader, commonly referred to as MBS (Mohammed bin Salmon) using the Facebook ap “What’s Ap” where he could communicate without anyone else knowing what was said – like the government records which are required for all government business while you’re officially part of the official government. Kushner wasn’t the only “White House” official doing business “behind closed doors” (Trump, himself, had several “off the record” conversations with Vladimir Putin and most in has admin. were using private cell phones while on governemtn business). But, Kusher was actually meeting in person with the Saudi Leader (and apparently others) secretly and pressuring for a blockade on Qatar. But, republicans are focused on Huner Biden! Yikes!!

As they say, “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” Not only was Kushner pressuring the Qatari’s while in the “White House,” but after checking out from the government, almost within a month, he was groveling from the Saudi’s for a couple BILLION dollars for the purpose of starting an investment firm – which he was not qualified for and from which he (supposedly) will give himself $25 MILLION as a yearly salary. Nice work if you can get it.

Keep in mind, Trump – who has been accused of brandishing Classified documents after leaving the “White House” (actually, while he was there, also) has been doing his own deals with the Saudi’s and the (disgusting) LIV golf league which has been sending Trump boatloads of money for the use of a couple of his golf resorts. Every time I hear about the next (the result of a MAJOR “grift”) tournament I can’t help but think of the empty folders marked “Classified” at Mar a Lago – with no document to fill the folder with – and wonder where they went? Do you really believe Trump took EMPTY folders out of the “White House” and just left them on the floor of his office (or in his desk)? Pllleease!

Let’s face it, Trump committed so many CRIMES right out in daylight that people have virtually become numb to his CRIMINAL conduct. So, it should be no surprise that, when Jared Kushner was repeatedly walking over the “line” in his communications with MBS only to squeeze a couple BILLION out of the Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund soon after January 20th, 2021, the federal authorities didn’t have the “stomach” for even an investigation. Do you really believe that TWO BILLION had anything to do with his “grifting?” (Attention House republicans) Kushner’s (alleged) abuses make Hunter Biden look like a first grader. I can virtually guarantee you there will NEVER be an investigation of Mr. Kushner’s grift. (For one thing, the DOJ only has so many investigators – and Trump’s keeping them busy)

Final Thought: I can’t end this rant without talking about republicans in general. I realize most American voters are busy trying to make “ends meet,” and they’re trying to educate themselves on issues by trusting news outlets and politicians to be telling the TRUTH. Here’s the problem with that, and I’ve been pointing this out for well over ten years. The republican party and the “news” outlets who blindly support them long ago adopted the “Big Lie Theory” of the Nazi’s from back in Hitler’s time. In FACT it was Hitler himself who “devised” the “theory” and it was Joseph Goebbels who put into practice. The theory is simple: If you repeat a LIE over and over, eventually your “audience” will believe it’s true.

I noticed this back in the early days of the Rush Limbaugh years on “talk radio.” It became obvious the “talking points” (ie LIES) were coordinated through some venue I had no idea what it was – I just noticed republicans and their pundits all using the EXACT same “key” terms as they were LYING to “we the people.” I also noticed that, for some reason, our “liberal media” wasn’t/isn’t picking up on this. Those with the megaphone on, for example, cabel TV “news” (ie MSNBC – which is what I watch when I watch anything) seem bewildered by the absurdity of many of the republican LIES (and LIARS). But, they don’t seem to “connect the dots.”

This is exactly why Trump is so valuable to republicans/white nationalsists. He was/is willing to PATHOLOGICALLY lie to his minions faces and he’s proved that it works. In reality, the “Big Lie Theory” and the other key to Nazi propaganda back in the 1930’s: projection means to accuse your adversary of doing exactly what you’re doing and vilify them for it. Moreover, when you watch/read about the republicans in the House you have to wonder “how STUPID” have American “conservatives” become? It really is astonishing to listen to/read about some of the stuff coming out of the mouths or republicans in the House. (Not to mention their voters) Clearly, they are hell bent on doing whatever destruction is required to our American institutions allowing themselves to be guaranteed they regain/remain (in) power.

There’s too much STUPIDITY for me to list it all here, but if you’re still reading this posting it would be wise for you to get ahold of the transcript of, for example, a recent hearing where the object of republican “ire” was Christopher Wray – a lifelong conservative republican appointed by Trump to be the head of the FBI. Republicans have convinced themselves that January 6th, 2021 was simply “legitimate political discourse.” Apparently, the injuries to over 140 members of the Capitol Police and the D.C. Metropolitan Police was all “self inflicted.” ???

And, when some of these (crackpot republican members of the House) get going on the Covid-19 pandemic it makes me wonder if there really are “Jewish Space Lazers?” Seriously, you should make sure you understand what some of these people – apparently in the so-called “Freedom Caucus” are saying. And, when you listen to them and connect them to their own constituency it begins to make it clear why the so-called “blue states” are continually needed to bail out the economies of the “red states.” And, buckle up, because some of the “red states” are going to be needing even larger “bailouts” during the upcoming Hurricane season – more on that below,.

One More Thing: Tonight I got a bit sick to my stomach as I watched exerpts of John Kerry testifying to a House Committee which was, in essence, claiming there’s no “climate crisis.” They accused Kerry and those (of us) who believe as he does as – wait, this will surprise you (OK, that’s my 6th grade sarcasm) – being “grifters.” I know, coming from republicans like Scott Perry (who was right in the middle of the CONSPIRACY to overthrow our government on January 6th, 2021) this would be a “shocker” (Yep, more sarcasm – what else can I do?). The next thing you’ll see will be Perry accusing Joe Biden of being a “grifter” while suggesting Trump’s fundraising schemes are all “above board.” (I’ll let Jack Smith convince me of that)

Here’s the deal. Republicans in the House from Florida were attempting to BLAME Joe Biden and democrats for the FACT the Farmer’s Insurance Company has become the FOURTH Insurance company to abandon Florida in the past few years. The cost of Homeowner’s Insurance in Florida is, according to the info I saw tonight, is 42% higher than the average people elsewhere around the country are paying. (Possibly with the exception of Texas and California, places also being inundated by the weather events of Climate Crisis.) If you don’t understand the reality of what is taking place, the water off the coast of Florida (I believe by the everglades) was, today, 98.1 DEGREES. We are soon to be facing the Hurricane season and, apparently, it will be up to the American taxpayers to pay for the damage which is likely to happen this year to Florida, Louisiana, Mississippie, and Texas (among others).

It’s not just Florida. Texas and Louisiana (and, other Southern states) are vulnerable to ever more powerful Hurricanes. California will soon be in the wildfire season – in fact, the state of Washington, where I live, is likely to have a significant wildfire season this year. I live close to the Columbia River at a reasonably high elevation (from the fear of flooding) but, I believe it has rained here ONCE (other than a drizzle the other day) since, I believe. the latter part of April. That’s something like 75 straight days of sunshine. Enjoyable by old guys like me, except that I know the reality facing my children and grandchildren.

I put solar panels on our property back in 2015 and my wife and I drive electric cars (mine is mostly electric – a Chevy Volt in which I have put about 10 gallons of gas into the generator each year since I purchased it in late 2016). The last documents I’ve seen suggest solar and wind power will surpass fossil fuel production by around 2030. Let me remind you, the water temperature off Florida’s coast today was 98.1 degrees Farenheit. If that was a human’s temperature, not to worry. However, it’s clear our planet has a “fever.” A serious “fever.” (One expert pointed out the Coral Reef’s off Florida’s coast are DYING – that is really BAD – and, it’s happening around the world) Stay tuned………

OK, I have to add this: The “bipartisan infrastructure” bill has now spawned over 3000 projects across America – in “blue” and “red” states. To me, the most interesting part of all this, other than to really upgrade America’s infrastructure to a point where we are competitve with other countries around the world would require double the investment, is all the republicans who voted AGAINST the bill showing up at the “ribbon cutting” ceremonies claiming CREDIT for whatever that project was designed to fix. Really, today’s republicans have NO shame!

Republican Trump “sycophants” are often referring to the “left” in terms such as “communists,” “socialists,” and even “fascists.” Fascism as defined: “Fascism is a far-right, authoritarian, ultranationalist political ideology and movement, characterized by a dictatorial leader, centralized autocracy, militarism, forcible suppression of opposition, belief in a natural social hierarchy, subordination of individual interests for the perceived good of the nation and race, and strong regimentation of society and the economy.” If you’re still reading, I’ll let you look up communists and socialists. My point is you always find projection out of the mouths of republican politicians and, therefore, their “minions.”

On multiple occasions I’ve pointed out republicans appear to be fully invested in the propaganda arm of the Nazi’s of the 1930’s and 40’s. It was Joseph Goebbels, the head of Nazi propaganda, who put the so-called “Big Lie” theory of Adolph Hitler – that if you repeat a LIE over and over, those hearing it will eventually believe it’s true. (Progressives, ie “liberals,” often point out Trump’s “Big Lie” without connecting it to the original source of this “strategy” – Nazi propaganda) Goebbels also said to accuse your adversaries of the very things you’re doing which are illegal or wrong. Hence, you often hear republicans referring to “liberals” (ie democrats) as being fascist. Read the definition above and think clearly about “Trumpism.” Remember, Trump is one generation removed from Germany and his father was involved with the KKK many years ago. Just sayin….

I’ve been refering to Trump as a “wannabe fascist” and/or “wannabe Mob boss” for years. If you learn about the “total picture” with Trump, going back to his childhood, what you see is someone completely removed from any religious affiliation or moral compass and he comes across as the prime example of a “spoiled brat.” He is also the classic example of a narcissist. “Narcissism is a self-centered personality style characterized as having an excessive preoccupation with oneself and one’s own needs, often at the expense of others. Narcissism exists on a continuum that ranges from normal to abnormal personality expression.” In my view, Trump falls in the “abnormal” category.

As Trump continues his attempt to “try his case (he’s facing 71 FELONY charges as I write) in the public domain” you’re going to often hear the term “gaslighting.” According to Psychology Today here’s the definition: ” Gaslighting is an insidious form of manipulation and psychological control. Victims of gaslighting are deliberately and systematically fed false information that leads them to question what they know to be true…” Gaslighting, in essence, is another term for the use of the “Big Lie Theory” – but, at least when I’m listening, it’s more often used to describe Trump’s LYING. Personally, I believe the connection to the Nazi’s SHOULD be part of the public discussion of why Trump is such a LIAR. (Again, it – LYING – works)

I’ve pointed out here, many times, the MOST important election in the lifetimes of America’s voters who cherish our democratic republic as it has existed for the past 240+ years is the NEXT one. I’ve been saying this since the mid terms of 2018 and it just becomes more clear as time rolls on. (I’ll explain a bit further down below) Just imagine where we’d be today had voters not put the democrats in control of Congress back in 2018. And, of course, the election of Joe Biden was of historic proportions – not only based on what he’s accomplished, but I believe he was the ONE democrat who could defeat Trump. And, the mid terms of 2022 were far from the “Red wave” republicans were predicting, despite the (sad) reality republicans gained a slim majority in the House of Representatives.

I keep it in the front of my mind constantly that these republicans never seem to get the message – they just keep moving forward with the same tired schtick – because they’ve got a large group of very wealthy “puppet masters” pushing them on. The list of these right wing “donors” seems endless, but it’s been clear many of the wealthy American families – like the “Koch brothers” – now just Charles Koch – the DeVoss family, the Coors family, The Walton family, and a bunch of others which don’t come to mind right now, have been pushing the right wing, authoritarian, anti democratic push we’ve been enduring since the day Barack Obama became the 44th president of the United States. I don’t think I need to explicitly point out the issue which makes their (these right wing republicans) “push” seem so critical to them. (OK, racism) but the evidence is clear – they KNOW they’re in the minority and they’re pushing schemes which will give them “minority” rule. (To them, that’s far superior to actually addressing the needs of “we the people.”)

That’s precisely why as soon as the coup d’etat of January 6th, 2021 FAILED, state after state under the control of republican legislatures began passing voter suppression legislation. In some instances legislatures gave themselves the authority to overturn results they don’t agree with. States like Florida, Georgia, and Texas were outright willing to put their RACIST views right up front as they were passing their “anti-woke” legislation. (These people have no idea where the term “woke” came from – suffice it to say, you could substitute the term “Black” for “woke” and you’d get their “drift.”) In Texas, legislatures went so far as to give themselves the authority to overturn the results in ONE county – the largest county in Texas which has, of late, been voting for democrats. Yikes!!!

Here’s the “deal” – virtually all of this anti-democratic (as well as that which is aimed at those who vote for democrats) legislation falls neatly into the definition of FASCISM. That’s a touchy term in America because there are many like me who have Mothers and/or Fathers who were directly involved in America’s fight against Adolf Hitler back in the 1940’s. I’ve often said here Trump has come closer to achieving Hitler’s goals in America than Hitler ever did. And, as I’ve said, he continues to act as if he’s going to have his political success reborn. Multiple CRIMINAL charges be damned. Being credibly accused by a jury in a defamation lawsuit of being a sexual predator (as he admitted on the Access Hollywood tape AND in his court deposition) be damned. His “base” – full of conservative “Christians” doesn’t seem to care about any of this.

I’ll end this by suggesting if you think I’m nuts – do a little reading about Viktor Orban in Hungary or Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey. They give a good example of the “blue print” republicans are attempting to follow. For heaven’s sake, both (the now shamed) Tucker Carlson, with his (canceled) show on Fox and the CPAC “conservative” gathering have done their schtick in Hungary – sucking up to Orban. (CPAC brought Orban to one of their gatherings in the U.S.) That SHOULD give all Americans pause thinking about what these republicans have in mind for America. They’ve already (in the past 40+ years) “pruned” TRILLIONS from America’s taxpayers into the pockets of the “top 1%” and it’s likely to get much worse before/if it gets better unless “we the people” wake up. (All the while they’re doing this “pruning” they complain, when there’s a democrat in the “White House,” about the deficits.)

However, I do believe Trump understands how the propaganda scheme of the Nazi’s works – the Big Lie Theory – plus the use of projection (If he accuses you of doing it that means he’s done or doing it) – and, the republican party has “jumped in” with “both feet.” I’ve been pointing out for years republicans believe “the end justifies the means,” and Trump has convinced them of two things. First, the LYING and CHEATING works. Secondly, they believe their base (and potentially some of the independent voters) are STUPID enough to believe he’s telling them the truth. His CORRUPTION is so deep, and much of it was committed in “broad daylight,” – as if to say “na na na” to the authorities who are investigating him. (While he claims to be “draining the swamp”)

Now that he’s facing SERIOUS criminal charges – from two venues and soon to be from (possibly) two more (who knows how many more – I can see the possibility of FOUR more indictments) – we’re going to see some serious lashing out at the Justice Department and the FBI. Additionally, he’s got some really wacked out members of the House of Representatives who will do everything they can to DEFLECT the charges Trump is facing to both Joe and Hunter Biden. (Take your pick) These House members don’t know how to do governing, so they’re focusing their time on attempting to IMPEACH Biden, Merrick Garland, FBI director Christopher Wray, and just about every member of Biden’s administration. Great job meeting the needs of the American public! If young people don’t vote in 2024 things could (probably will) get much worse.

For example, I’ve been doing some reading about “A.I.” (Artificial Intelligence) – which is the brainchild of some right wing hacks – like Elon Musk, and Peter Thiel (who has a spot already located in New Zealand for when his technology advances make income inequality far more insidious than it is as I’m writing this – and, of course, he’ll be far RICHER and he’ll be far away from the consequences) Musk comes across as a total FASCIST, to me, and Thiel was funneling money to the Trump endorsed candidates in the previous mid term election by the “boatloads” and they could care less what their technology does for humanity. Trust me when I say this, A.I. technology could do TEN times more DAMAGE to the 2024 “elections” than what the Russians accomplished in 2016. As usual, our legislators will be behind the times when they realize the importance of regulating this technology – it might already be too late. Americans are likely to be FLOODED with A.I. generated mis/disinformation STARTING NOW regarding the election of 2024.

Personally, as someone who’s got “living long enough to see Trump behind bars” on his “bucket list” I also realize the so-called “liberal media” spends so much time on Trump that it’s almost as if many Americans might not know who their president is. Certainly, many have no idea who the leaders in their states are. This is why I want to see Trump expunged from the political “arena.” How many Americans know what Joe Biden’s administration has done for them? And, I’m talking about people from all parts of the political spectrum. The infrastructure bill is not providing good paying jobs for just democrats. It’s not providing benefits for just democrats.

There’s not a SINGLE part of the successes under Biden which hasn’t permeated across partisan lines. This is exactly why republicans focus their actions on “culture issues.” There’s a good example of this below where the Supreme Court INVENTED a hypothetical circumstance to further their AGENDA to undermine the issue of anti-discrimination. Where will this stop? Who knows. This court will be “in charge” for a generation. That’s exactly why I’ve been saying VOTERS must vote AGAINST republicans for the next 20 – 30 years – because these extremists have unlimited funding and they “stick around like a bad dream.”

OK, I have to add: I’ve putzed around long enough finishing my thoughts here that the Supreme Court (which I’ve written about most recently) has been busy pissing off those on the “left” with their end of the term decisions. Well, today was another prime example of how the court (mostly put in place by republican presidents – who “garnered” less popular votes than the politician they “defeated” – republicans who’ve historically complained about judges who “legislate from the bench”) has been, you guessed it, legislating from the bench – by overturning a half century of “precedent” when they ruled against “affirmative action” regarding admissions policies by our nation’s top universities. My response: “What is anyone surprised about?”

Now, I’m not a lawyer, I don’t even play one on TV (and, I didn’t stay at a Holiday Inn last night) and, I don’t study Court decisions up close and personal. However, I remember Chief Justice Roberts’ reasoning when he wrote the majority decision GUTTING Section 5 of the Voting Right’s Act of 1965 – saying, in essence, we don’t need protections for “people of color” anymore because (tee hee!) there’s no longer any voter suppression legislation aimed at people of color. (My characterization, although, it’s pretty close). Well, today, he basically used the same reasoning; racism is no longer an issue in America (again, my words). I’d write “tee hee!” once again, but this court is NO laughing matter.

Apparently, Roberts and the rest of the “conservatives” on the court have had their heads up their…… oops! in the sand. Suggesting there’s not enough racism in this nation to justify allowing Colleges and Universities to use affirmative action to create student bodies which represent the make-up of our society is, well, ABSURD! What are these people thinking? Oh yes, if you read my recent post on the Court (providing nothing new news wise) you know the “conservative” members of the court have been participating in “conservative CORRUPTION” just like their “conservative” brethren in the republican party in a way which has created a path toward fascism. And, they may be the KEY part of the strategy!

Yikes!!! This is the time of year when the SCOTUS hands out their “detention slips” to those who are believing in a progressive society and with today came a couple “doozies.” The court ruled against President Biden’s ability to grant “student loan forgiveness” by accepting a challenge from a source in Missouri (I always refer to it as “misery”) with a more than questionable challenge to whether or not it even had “standing.”

And, in a decision agreeing with a “hypothetical” situation which “could” arise in Colorado the court ruled, once again, that discrimination is, well, OK. If you can claim your religious beliefs grant you the right to discriminate against someone for, whatever, the court is on your side. In this HYPOTHETICAL case it involved someone who MIGHT be asked to do web work for a couple seeking “gay marriage.” The court ruled it was OK, in this HYPOTHETICAL case for discrimination.

Let me say this more clearly, the person bringing this case (with a republican “dark money group” doing the bidding and funding) had NEVER been asked to create a “wedding website” for a same sex couple. Apparently, it was part of her imagination. Talk about opening your pandora’s box. (What about, for example, someone who doesn’t believe in interracial marriage? What about an Atheist?) I’m not going to trouble my mind to come up with more HYPOTHETICALS, but you can be sure there are “conservatives” out there who’ll do that “work” for me. Stay tuned…….

OK, I can’t refrain from writing about the rot which has permeated our Supreme Court over the past 25 years. Yes, I’ve written about the Court before, especially the right wing determination of the 2000 presidential election – CHOOSING GW Bush/Dick Cheney over Al Gore – who, graciously stepped aside “for the betterment of our country.” Do you think Donald Trump got a good laugh over that one? That was really bad, but it’s progressively gotten worse since then.

In 2008 Barack Obama shocked many in America (including me) by becoming the FIRST African American to be elected to the Presidency. Of course, that set Trump through the roof along with people like David Duke, Don Black, and a host of other white nationalists who’d been hiding in the “weeds” for years – ostensibly since the days of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 – followed on to the scene by the (racist) “Tea Party” – a group who’ve since taken control of the republican caucus in the House – making Kevin McCarthy the “SINO” (Speaker in Name Only). If you’ve been paying even peripheral attention you remember Trump leading the so-called “birther” movement – which emanated out of the “Tea Party.” If you witnessed any of their rallies I don’t have to point out their schtick was based on racism. Obama’s election put their backlash in “high gear” and Trump was the mechanism to get them into the “mainstream.”

This all was followed by the Supreme Court, now with John Roberts as the Chief Justice, taking the extreme position of “legislating from the bench.” ostensibly, a key example being the decision often referred to as “Citizen’s United.” If you’ve been frustrated by the HUGE amounts of SECRET money which has assaulted our political system well, it appears, the “conservative” members of the Court have been focused on “getting theirs.” Not only have they been busy gutting the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and overturning Roe v Wade, but they’ve been busy getting FREE vacations paid for by some of America’s top BILLIONAIRES who seem to get very preferable treatment by the Court – with the judges these BILLIONAIRES are “courting” coming through in their court decisions. It’s a rare occurence when one of these judges recuses him/herself despite the “appearance of impropriety.” And, I believe, what’s known today is only “scratching” the surface of the corruption.

The latest example of this Court CORRUPTION comes from none other than Sam Alito – the judge I’ll always remember shaking his head as if to say “no, no” when Barack Obama lashed out at the Citizen’s United decision pointing out it would undoubtedly lead to foreign money pouring into our elections during one of his early State of the Union speeches. Well, we now KNOW of some Russian money being funneled to Trump in 2016 but we’ll NEVER know the full extent of the AMOUNT of foreign money being introduced into our electoral process because it’s just too easy to hide it, again thanks to Citizen’s United, allowing influence pedaling in American politics surreptitiously – despite Mr. Alito’s head shaking to the contrary.

And, by the time Alito was shaking his head at Obama (I believe it was the 2010 State of the Union address) he had already accepted the (allegedly) ILLEGAL free gift from Paul Singer (BILLIONAIRE) via the organizing skills of Leonard Leo – He who’s the expert at turning BILLIONAIRE money into right wing justices on the various courts who (surprisingly :o) decide cases in favor of these very BILLIONAIRES – who managed to get Justice Alito a FREE trip to Alaska in 2008 on a fishing trip which, by all accounts, SHOULD have cost him about $200 – $250 THOUSAND dollars – you know “chump change” to people like Mr. Singer. (Especially, when you learn Singer eventually – after some dogged perseverance – cashed in to the tune of $2.4 BILLION resulting from a favorable Supreme Court decision – which Alito participated in, just like the many other cases Singer brought before the Court and which Alito failed to recuse himself. Oops!!!

Well, as it turns out, it’s apparently NOT illegal for Supreme Court Justices to lavish themselves with their BILLIONAIRE acquaintances – they just have to report it in their annual financial statements before the Court. Just like Clarence Thomas before him, you guessed it, Justice Alito “forgot” to disclose this nearly quarter of a MILLION “gift.” What makes this a bit more interesting is he says he barely knows Mr. Singer (although that comes across as a bit of a …….. OK, I’ll say it, a [alleged] LIE) – but, I have to ask: “If you didn’t know this man (Singer) why did you accept this trip – did you even wonder why he was willing to lavish you with a couple hundred grand fishing trip to Alaska? (Maybe there’s a bunch more we don’t yet know about)

Free plane rides, free lodging ($1000 and up per night), free food (very expensive food) along with apparently $1000 a bottle wine, free fishing at spots only accessible by plane, and…… I’m guessing you’re starting to get the idea here. Another Supreme Court Justice accepting FREE “hospitality” from a BILLIONAIRE which he’s OBLIGATED to report – and, likely didn’t report because accepting this trip was likely ILLEGAL. (The value of the trip probably rivaled a year’s salary of a SCOTUS Justice) Honestly, I have to wonder if there might be tax questions here. We’ve heard so much about Hunter Biden’s tax problems (he paid the taxes back he owed – anyone other than Biden’s son would never face charges for that) are we going to hear about those of Alito and Thomas and their unreported gifts? I think I have to agree with republicans, there does appear to be a two tiered Justice system.

I know someone who was pulled over for a tail light being out, was on his way home from work, and had ONE drink on an empty stomach, the officer smelled alcohol and away he went into Jail for the night – a precursor of a lot of harsh treatment as he went through the court system and its process. His blood alcohol limit WAS (rounded up to) .08, the legal limit in the State of Washington and he was “put through the ringer” by the local prosecutor and everyone else he came into contact with at the local Court House. It’s true, he wasn’t in possession of classified documents and he wasn’t a former president, but as I’ve watched Trump’s experience, so far, (with a judge who appears to “look up to him”) I can really see the argument about a two tiered legal system. And, Trump and the republicans (like Matt Gaetz and Jim Jordan, for example) should be very thankful for that.

When people like my acquaintance are involved with the Justice System, they’re dealing with local prosecutors and locally elected judges – plus probation officers with way too many cases and, from what I could see, too many years on the job – most of them very cynical. In Trump’s case, he’s dealing with a judge he appointed, the prosecutors are bending over backwards to appear non-partisan and fair, and, despite Trump’s reputation of “stiffing” his lawyers, he still has high priced lawyers (wether or not they’re “good” lawyers is another question), and he’s got Congressional “hacks” attempting (futilely) coming to his defense – despite the appearance he doesn’t have much of a defense. Add to that, most people are saying Trump won’t go to jail even if convicted – why? because of his secret service detail! On that, you’ve got to be kidding!

If Trump is convicted of a felony he SHOULD lose his government pension along with the Secret Service detail he’s suppose to get “for life.” Especially, if he’s convicted of Sedition in the January 6th investigation – the 14th Amendment makes it clear, at least, that anyone who participates in an INSURRECTION (there’s more to it, but…) may not hold any office in the government – ever again – from that day forward – FULL STOP! My point is there really is a two tiered Justice System which is something us “liberals” have been fighting against for as long as I can remember. And, these Supreme Court Justices are right in the middle of it – apparently thinking just like Trump that they are “above the law.” It’s up to “we the people” to assure them they are NOT above the law and the ONLY way to do that – from my vantage point is to VOTE in MASSIVE numbers in the upcoming elections as “far as the eye can see.”

These right wing republicans won’t quit just because they lose an election. That just causes them to “double down.” And, you can see their strategy – Leonard Leo manages to cause numerous right wing judges to be confirmed and then he goes about the “work” of causing those judges to “feel” obligated to his causes and those who he “connects” them to – really, are these judges so STUPID as to not understand what is happening to them? It’s possible, but I digress – and, once they (the judges) have been compromised with their new “friend” these mysterious cases appear before the court and ALWAYS seem to go the way of the BILLIONAIRES.

Now, don’t get me wrong – the “stench” which is permeating the Supreme Court as I’m writing this goes much deeper than Justices Alito and Thomas – although their part in the “stench” is quite significant – Justice Roberts’ wife has brought in a small fortune “herding” potential justices at all levels of our Federal Court system into the “fold,” while Justice Gorsuch does real estate deals with BILLIONAIRES who “he doesn’t know” and, which he doesn’t report. Do you think as I do that if there’s nothing wrong with what these justices are doing why aren’t they reporting all the details – as required BY LAW? Of course, they each get to “police” themselves, so there’s nothing to worry about here, right? Oh, for heaven’s sake…….. as my Mom used to say!

These right wing judges are a key component of the republican fever dream of a “permanent republican majority.” Of course, as things are going, there’s NO chance republicans have majorities almost anywhere beside the deep South and the Rust Belt. In addition to their attempt to assault the court system with right wing judges, they’ve managed to gerrymander voting districts in enough states to have a reasonable chance to control the House with MILLIONS fewer votes than democrats. For example, in a state like Wisconsin, the state is about 50/50 between registered republicans and registered democrats – yet they control THEIR legislature with a near super majority AND, they send six republicans to the House of Representatives as opposed to two democrats – thanks to gerrymandered districts.

One other thing republicans are doing to achieve their “fever dream” is to enact voter suppression laws aimed at areas in the state leaning democratic – like, surprise surprise, areas predominantly areas with Black voters. Their wacky Senator, for example, Ron Johnson “defeated” African American democrat Mandela Barnes by about 50,000 votes. After the election a leading republican claimed they (republicans) had succeeded in stifling the voting by around 100,000 votes in the democratic stronghold of Milwaukie. Just sayin……

When listening to Trump attempting to deflect the very REAL charges he’s facing toward the “democrats – the socialist, communist, fascist” who are giving “we the people” one more “alleged” hoax – as if STEALING highly sensitive TOP SECRET documents when he left the job he “won” with the help of Vladimir Putin in 2016 and then refusing to give them back when the National Archives realized they were missing. The Justice Department bent over backward to give Trump the opportunity to give them back and his response was “Their mine.” Yikes!! And, now republicans are continuing to willfully believe his LIES.

Final Thought: You’d have thought a monetary settlement of $787.5 MILLION would have been enough to get Fox “news” to start telling something resembling the TRUTH. But, of course, believing that was happening would be like believing Peter Pan was actually a real character back in the day when the first movie came out. (no idea why I picked that analogy) The bottom line is Fox continues spewing LIES and pushing “conspiracy theories” as if they’ve never faced backlash from their campaign of misinformation. This past weekend, for example, based on all I could tolerate, saw Maria Bartiromo suggesting the “media” covering the crisis in Russia this past weekend was a democratic plan to take the “heat” away from Hunter Biden.

Boy, do these republicans love to gang up on Hunter Biden. I wonder if he can file a defamation suit against Fox? Just a thought. What Bartiromo, and apparently others on Fox’ airwaves were suggesting was that Prigozen’s forray into Russia this past weekend was a result of some mysterious agreement with the Biden administration to take the “heat” off Hunter. And, sadly, many/most members of the republican party who “religiously” view Fox, will suck it all in – despite the absurdity of what Bartiromo and the others are saying.

Along with the right wing control of the courts and the gerrymandered districts (along with voter suppression tactics) by virtue of the republican “puppet masters” (hiding in the “weeds”), this campaign of mis/disinformation via right wing media outlets fits right into a plan for a fascist takeover of our government. I, personally, know members of Trump’s “cult” who have shared with me they “hate democracy.” They feel our democratic republic is “authoritarian” because, well, they actually LOSE many elections and they see the writing on the wall regarding the large numbers of voters (especially younger ones) determined to vote AGAINST them. This despite Trump’s comments to the contrary. (Trump is full throated “all in” on the propaganda scheme of Joseph Goebbels from the Nazi’s Third Reich back in the 1930’s)

Several years ago I suggested Donald Trump would end up in the History books right next to Benedict Arnold. After reading the 37 count indictment today, coming from the investigation of Special Counsel Jack Smith, I want to say, “I’ll rest my case.” Trump’s reckless abuse of the LAWS against the retention and dissemination of classified documents puts him squarely in the crosshairs of those calling him a TRAITOR. For example, we may never know who he shared that information with, but the reality is just storing the stuff in HIGHLY exposed areas of Mar a Lago and who knows where it was stored when he took some of it to Bedminster means ANY number of his “guests” could have had access to the documents.

Today, I’ve been reading the responses of republicans – you know, the party of “law and order” – to the most recent indictment of Trump and, I have to say, these people are becoming insufferable. Their complaints are likely to just keep getting louder as the future indictments begin to pile up. For heaven’s sake, I just finished reading an opinion piece in the Washington Post – the one “major” newspaper I still subscribe to – by (OK, I can’t remember his name) – which was virtually mind boggling. These “conservatives” will excuse ANY actions by Trump with the most creative ways to suggest we should just let him keep pushing the limits of his lawbreaking – daring the government to FINALLY hold him accountable – because, you know, “it’s just how he is.” (My characterization)

The guy made a point to say we don’t know for sure if any of the government secrets Trump went out of his way to keep from the National Archives was used in a “nefarious” manner – the indictment “only” lists two occasions where Trump showed “stuff” to people without security clearances – to me, not that it makes a hill of beans of difference whether they had a security clearance or not. The reality is the stuff was stored in several places which would have been easily accessed by virtually ANYONE who managed to worm their way onto the grounds at Mar a Lago – and, the only thing we KNOW about when the documents were at Bedminster in New Jersey is that Trump, while being taped for a book interview for Mark Meadows claimed a document he was showing at least two journalists was a classified document relating to plans for a potential military intervention in Iran. Apparently, Trump showed that document to support his badmouthing of General Mark Milley regarding remarks Milley had made about the last days of the Trump administration. You know, after he LOST to Joe Biden by OVER 7 MILLION votes!

What the hell is wrong with these people. They still cower in FEAR of the nastygram Trump will post on his “untruth” social instead of standing firm in what MOST of them KNOW is right. I’ll give a pass on that last comment to people like Marjorie Taylor Greene, Andy Biggs, Paul Gosar, Jim Jordan, Matt Gaetz, and Kevin McCarthy because the group of them together don’t seem to be “playing with a full deck.” That might not include McCarthy who simply comes across as a conniving, cowardly, overly ambitious politician with a complete lack of a spine (is that redundant?). Did any of them read the indictment?

OK, the guy who wrote the opinion piece in the Post clearly had read the indictment but, to him, it was that none of it mattered. His attitude was what I worried was AG Garland’s prior to the Select Committee on January 6th began giving their reports. Why would the DOJ refuse to indict Trump on these charges of threatening the national security of the United States, according to this guy? Well, simply because he was a former president. That is to confirm what democrats have been allowing republicans to spew since the Iran/Contra “affair” during the waning days of the Reagan administration. Prosecute the underlings and let the actual perpetrators go “scott free.”

It was done again after the Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld crew publicly admitted to authorizing TORTURE of the so-called “enemy combatants” in Bush’s absurd (Afghanistan) and ILLEGAL (Iraq) wars of choice. (Don’t remember the details – you can find them in the archives of this site – I still believe President Obama’s biggest blunder was “looking forward instead of back” – which I thought AG Garland was going to conveniently do regarding Trump until, as I said above, he was pressured into investigating the actual ringleaders of the attempted coup d’etat of January 6th, 2021 – this “stolen documents” case arrived about a year later)

Here’s what I have to say to columnists like the one I referenced in today’s Post – stop embarrassing yourself and boring me with your blather. Trump, as with any defendant, is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The trial will be in “Trump country” – ie South Florida – and as “luck” would have it, Trump drew the same judge – who he appointed AND who, in the beginning of this investigation, showed complete fealty for our TWICE IMPEACHED, TWICE INDICTED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president with absurd rulings which were “blasted” by the conservative 11th Circuit’s judges – unanimously – so, the odds are stacked against the DOJ getting a guilty verdict. It will be hard to find a 12 person jury in South Florida without at least one juror who read that Post column and thinks like whoever that nimwit is. (Sorry) If Trump is found guilty under these circumstances, well, that would seem to suggest he’s VERY guilty. Which, when you read the entire 49 pages of the indictment, it’s hard to conclude otherwise – unless, of course, you believe former presidents are “above the law.”

While Trump’s sycophants are complaining about the FACT he’s now a CRIMINAL defendant in BOTH State and Federal Courts (with MORE on the horizon) – suggesting Joe Biden appointed Jack Smith and head’s the “most corrupt” administration in our nation’s history – I’ve pointed out NUMEROUS times here what PROJECTION is and that Trump is the master of PROJECTION – he accuses you of it, that means he DID/IS it – and while he says the charges are “very unfair” and this is a “witch hunt” I’d like republican politicians to explain to me why Jack Teixeira is being held in custody for, in essence, the SAME criminal conduct as Trump while Trump can fly internationally should he choose to do so. (I’ve predicted, prior to Smith’s FIRST indictment Trump may seek asylum before he will risk going to PRISON – supposedly, he’ll simply be subjected to “home confinement” if convicted.

That all said, here’s what the government has said in regard to the case against Mr. Teixeira, “The unauthorized removal, retention, and transmission of classified information jeopardizes our nation’s security. Individuals granted access to classified materials have a fundamental duty to safeguard the information for the safety of the United States, our active service members, its citizens, and its allies,” Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy said in a statement. “We are committed to ensuring that those entrusted with sensitive national security information adhere to the law.” The judge in Trump’s arraignment seems to believe Trump SHOULD get special treatment – therefore, the same for Walt Nauta. But, what about all the OTHERS who’ve been held to account for mishandling classified information? Stay tuned……..

Final Thought: It’s interesting to listen to Trump’s “lackeys” complaining that Trump is the result of a “two tiered” legal system as if Trump is getting unfair treatment for being INDICTED on the 7 charges (37 Counts) for the theft and retention of over 300 documents with CLASSIFIED markings on them – apparently, he’s ONLY being held accountable for the 31 most egregious documents which endanger America’s national security. He had about a year and a half to simply return the documents and the INDICTMENT would never have happened. Keep in mind, there were (something like 30) empty folders labeled “classified” which were EMPTY. Do you, as I do, wonder where all those documents went? Do you believe, as do I, that Trump still has classified documents in his possession? Or, worse yet, do you wonder who might have those documents? It makes no sense that he would STEAL empty folders, does it?

So, if you really believe he’s being treated unfairly, think about Reality Winner – who was the first person convicted of taking a classified document and leaking it to the press (it had to do with the “Russia thing” back in 2016 or 2017). And, I emphasize “document.” She made a copy of ONE document (which had to do with the Russia interference in the 2016 election), leaked it to the press, and was arrested and held without bail – again, for ONE document! She received a sentence of 5 years in prison and is still under supervised release. Trump had NO bail to post, he’s free to go virtually wherever he chooses – including internationally. Yep, there is an unfair legal system – a two tiered system of “justice” ant Trump is the beneficiary of incredibly “liberal” terms during his arraignment. Plus, Trump gets a judge who’s shown in the past to be totally beholden to the FACT Trump appointed her to the bench. Most people know she interfered in this case shortly after the FBI exercised its warrant to search Mar a Lago – actually making comments about her concern with how this investigation might make Trump look. Yowee!

Republicans have no sense of connection to the TRUTH, but, in this instance, they’re correct. There is a two tiered system of justice in America and it’s clearly set up to bend over backward to give Trump deference. What are they going to say when Jack Smith INDICTS Trump for instigating the January 6th, 2021 INSURRECTION? Will Trump’s supporters bring up the same (ridiculous) defense of Trump – that the system is attacking him unfairly? While over 1000 of his sycophants are facing (or have faced) prosecution for answering his call to go to the Capitol and “fight like hell or you’re not going to have a country anymore.” Will his supporters in the House, once again, complain he’s being unfairly treated? (Maybe that’s why the so-called freedom caucus says those who assaulted the Capitol were just peaceful visitors. Or is it because MANY of these House members were part of the CONSPIRACY to overthrow the government?) Yikes!!!

I have to add that everytime I hear Matt Gaetz spewing this “unfair two tiered legal system” my stomach gets queazy. He is still walking free despite the (allegedly) credible evidence accusing him of being a “child sex trafficker” while “ordinary”Americans face legal consequences for FAR LESS. In addition, Gaetz supposedly was sharing photos of some of his “conquests” to other members of the House, ON the House floor during session. I realize I can’t stop myself from being “judgemental” about members of the republican party – I justify my “thoughts and actions” because I’m seriously worried about what lies ahead for my children and grandchildren. I keep telling myself, when it comes down to “it,” the American people will eventually VOTE these republicans into the history books.

However, my “life experience” is telling me the “line” – in numerous ways – lies right in the “headlights.” Regarding preserving our democratic republic – which has to be the number one objective – to voting rights, civil rights, climate change, education, women’s rights, and on and on – these issues are facing “we the people” RIGHT NOW! If you read this and fail to vote – well, if I know who you are or not that would sadden me. It’s time for ALL of us who want America to continue evolving toward her better ideals to, at a minimum, VOTE!

To me, the way to change the topics in today’s news to something at least resembling a “positive” begins with voting these republicans into the HISTORY books! Full Stop!!!