Off the top of my head I can think of numerous issues in America which have the support of MOST Americans that NEVER seem to get addressed. And, in almost EVERY instance the PROBLEM with getting something done in Washington DC is because of, yep, you guessed it, republicans. I’m going to list some of these issues which, with my faulty (old person’s) memory, come off the top of my head. Naturally, one day after 19 (or more) elementary school children perished in West Texas to a miltary style weapon (in the hands of a high school student) is where I feel I MUST start.

I’m 74 years old and as far back as I can remember republicans (and, yes, some democrats) have been in the “pocket” of the so-called “gun lobbly.” What we’re talking about is the NRA and the gun manufacturers who pay the NRA to pay politicians to work to twist the “second amendment” into knotts. Most people I know (reflexively) support the “2nd amendment” as if they’ve even read the second amendment. There can be much debate about what the 2nd amendment “guarantees” to Americans, but I can say things like AR 15’s isn’t one of them. The ability to fire deadly bullets at a dizzying speed isn’t something guaranteed by the 2nd amendment (unless you’re making these things). The second amendment wasn’t written to protect Americans from their own government, but from (at the time) what was considered the possible threat of foreign invaders.

Something like 90% of Americans support, at a minimum, some kind of universal background check system designed to keep guns out of the hands of people who might do something as horrific as what happened in Texas yesterday. That would be a start – but, for some reason there are 50 republicans in the Senate who will BLOCK any attempt at ANY reform to the gun laws in America. There are people taking “legal” weapons and turning them into weapons which are capable of mass shootings and the “stuff” used to do so seems to be readily available. For heaven’s sake, I see NO reason for someone to own a gun capable of MASS murder for the purpose of “defending yourself” of “hunting.” Give me a damn break! Addressing this stuff SHOULD not be so hard.

I listened to a line of republican Senators this morning blaming democrats for “politicizing” the issue of guns – saying, gun legislation won’t stop people like this from committing this type of MASS murder. The past TWO mass shootings which have made it to the national news media (trust me, many don’t) were BOTH committed by 18 year old “children.” This SHOULDN’T be this hard, but when you listen to these republican Senators – EVERY one of them taking HUGE amounts of money from the NRA and gun manufacturers – it seems as if the ONLY hope for ANY progress lies in the American public doing what I’ve been lobbying for over the past 20+ years and that is to VOTE these republicans into the history books. That won’t, of course, solve the problem immediately, because logic tells us it’s going to take YEARS to turn the issue of gun violence around in America. There are over ONE MILLION guns in private hands in this country – and, likely a bunch more “on the way” as every time something like this MASSACRE happens, right wingers go out and buy MORE guns – just in case the Congress comes to its senses.

I’m not someone who would have supported an abortion in my lifetime when it could have been an issue – except in extreme circumstances. For example, when I was producing children the first pregnancy of my life (of course, I wasn’t the one pregnant) ended in a miscarriage – which was resolved (after the fetus had died) via what amounted to an “abortion” – I believe they called it a “D and C.” In some states now days that would expose myself and my wife at the time to potential criminal liability. Then there’s the cases of rape and incest and I can’t imagine a young girl (or any girl/woman) suffering from either of those terrible crimes being forced to take a resultant pregnancy to term. To me, even suggesting that is the crime. I’m a Christian (who actually believes in the “teachings of Jesus”) and possibly the greatest thing I appreciate about it is that I’ve (and all of us) have been blessed with “free will.” My theory about abortion (I’ve written an entire post which is in the archives if you want to argue with me) is if you don’t believe in it don’t have one.

Something in the neighborhood of 65 – 70% of the American public believe somewhat the same thing – they don’t want Roe v Wade to be overturned by the right wing Supreme Court – which is continuing their ASSAULT on the rights of the American people. I pointed this out long ago – a “right” is much easier to lose than to regain. And, when it comes to this court, keep in mind they’re going to be “there” for the next generation. This all started (in my memory) when the Court installed Bush/Cheney into the “White House” back in 2000. (As I look back on that, Al Gore’s “gentlemanly” acceptance of that decision looks like pure weakness to these republicans. Can you imagine individual 1 if he’d lost by a decision of the Court?) The Court has participated in this “slow motion” coup d’etat in our nation since that Bush v Gore decision.

There have been numerous decisions of the right wing Supreme Court which are either very “unpopular” or are “flying under the radar.” This has led to the Court experiencing likely the LOWEST “popularity” in my lifetime – NOT simply based on the Roe reversal which is upcoming. The “Citizen’s United” decision – with those I know who even know what it was – is very unpopular (MOST have no idea what it was – or did) because MOST Americans don’t want corporations (and foreign nationals) having an untoward influence on our elections. This Court, prior to individual 1’s appointees, gutted the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (and, we’re seeing the result of that across much of the nation this year) and they’ve gone so far as to, in essence, “approve” partisan gerrymandering. That is an issue which only seems popular with the political party who gets away with it in their own state. (Usually republicans) Yikes!!!

We’re going to see an “uproar” which will be possibly the most significant number of protests since the “women’s march” right after individual 1’s inauguration once the court’s decision to overrule Roe v Wade becomes final. Of course, Congress made a futile attempt to “codify” Roe once it became apparent what the Court’s decision would be – after the “leaking” of Sam Alito’s (weird) opinion reversing Roe – but, as usual, there were 50 republicans voting to BLOCK the attempt. (Including, the socalled “pro choice” republicans) Again, I wouldn’t choose to support an abortion in my own circumstances (you’re correct, as a male …………… well, you figure out the rest of what I’m thinking) but a WIDE majority of Americans support a WOMAN having the right to make that choice for herself. And, the list of factors going into that choice is a LONG one!

The curious thing to me, as I pay attention to the “mood” of the American people these days, is, by all accounts, it appears the republicans have the “inside track” to retake control of Congress in the next election. It is this logic which has caused me to use the term “stupid” on this site for the past several months. I “get” that gas prices are high, inflation is an issue, but it saddens me to think the American people are unable to look beyond that “today” issue and see things based on the “big picture.” This is exactly what republicans have been (masterfully) planning for years. Whether it’s the culture “wedge” issues or the “issues of the day” we’ve been programmed to look for who to BLAME in virtually EVERY instance. Who’s fault are the high gas prices? (can’t figure it out, blame the president) Who’s fault is inflation? (Must be Biden) Biden isn’t getting his “promises” through Congress – it’s his fault. This is the catch-22 we’ve found ourselves in over the past many years. In some instances, the fault is obvious, but in others, not so much.

For example, Vladimir Putin has invaded Ukraine and I don’t believe there are many Americans who can even picture what WW III would be like. Clearly President Biden doesn’t want anyone to have to experience that for themselves. To me, paying more at the gas pump is a small price to pay for attempting to STOP Putin in Ukraine. (I’ve been saying for YEARS he wants to reconstitute the “former Soviet Union.”) In fact, to me, I’ve become a strong supporter of President Biden even though I wasn’t during the democratic primary season. Seeing the NATO alliance being UNITED, to me, is a big deal. My 32 year old son doesn’t believe Biden had much to do with that – he gets much of his news off “social media” (Reddit) – the ONLY “social media” I experience is occasional videos (usually regarding my attempting to learn more music in my old age) on Youtube. I believe Biden is making decisions based on what he believes is the “right thing to do” regardless of the political consequences – and, it seems to be costing him “popularity.” (To me, a refreshing sight!)

I have to add here, I’m not much of a “fan” of our so-called “liberal media” although I’m very grateful we have a “free press.” To me, outlets like Fox “news” and other right wing sites are nothing more than propaganda arms of the republican party – but, I understand, those who hang out there think the same thing (in reverse) of what I watch (when I watch anything) which is MSNBC. I usually watch a show led by one of Bush’s communication people, Niclole Wallace, on MSNBC. For some reason, I “connect” better with former republicans who, in my view, have come to their senses than with someone who’s maybe a bit farther “left.” That being said, I voted for Bernie Sanders in the democratic primary in my state back in the 2020 primary season. (I’m personally very THANKFUL the voters were much smarter than me and chose President Biden to navigate through these “treacherous” times.)

Today, as I was driving around – listening to MSNBC – I, as usual, got a bit frustrated listening to journalists commenting on the “gun issue” which is first and foremost in MANY people’s minds as I’m typing this. One of the journalists was sharing the results of her unofficial “polling” while she was in Minnesota when these NINETEEN children (and two teachers – I’m a retired teacher and my wife is still teaching) were MURDERED. She said the people were blaming politicians in Congress and suggested “both” republicans and democrats share in the blame – why? Because they can’t seem to get any legislation done regarding this issue. I wanted to slug my radio (I’ve become calmer in my old age, thankfully) – yes, there’s are TWO democrats who are HELPING to BLOCK Joe Biden’s agenda (and the democratic agenda) – Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema – by now virtually EVERYONE paying attention knows their names. But, for HEAVEN’S sake, there are FIFTY republicans in the Senate who ALL vote against VIRTUALLY EVERYTHING – the “BLAME” is not equal. Clearly, the solution is to elect MORE democrats to the Senate and keep democrats in control of the House. There are two AWESOME democrats running for the Senate in Ohio and Pennsylvania – and, with everyone else on the ballot re-elected the democrats would have enough cooperating members to get rid of the FILIBUSTER! That’s a solution to the problem!

As stated above, the list of issues with the support of HUGE majorities of the public which NEVER even get voted on in Congress seems endless to me – and, in almost EVERY instance it’s republicans BLOCKING the votes. I’ll go into one other that I can list off the top of my head – and, one of the most frustrating from my vantage point. When President Obama was working to pass the “Affordable Health Care” bill, there was a provision for a “public option” which had the support of something over 70% of the American public. It would have caused insurance companies to COMPETE with an entity that didn’t have close to 30% of it’s income going to management overhead – items like these companies put in place to prevent customers from being able to access their insurance benefits (I recently experienced this with Blue Cross). This has led to what appears to me to be a very CORRUPT health care system as I’m writing this.

When President Obama was attempting to get his bill through Congress two things happened which ended up preventing even a vote on the “public option.” First, and sadly, Ted Kennedy died and was replaced (in Massachusettes) by a republican who was going to vote against the public option (with ALL other republicans – who voted against ALL of the Affordable Care Act – at the time there were [almost] 60 democrats until Kennedy’s death (Al Franken was still waiting the official end of his WINNING campaign). The other issue was the former VP candidate with Al Gore in 2000, Joe Lieberman – who’s wife was an executive with a large insurance company. OK, you know the rest – no public option – not even a vote. (As I was writing that I couldn’t help but think of Ginni and Clarence Thomas – I don’t know why? What’s the old saying? “The more things change the more they stay the same”)

Final Thought: I could go on (and on and on and ………..) but that’s enough for this particular rant. I cried when I first heard the news of the little children being MURDERED in Texas. I cried when I first heard of the “shoppers” MURDERED in Buffalo NY. I’ve cried several times as I FORCE myself to continue paying attention to the TRAJEDY unfolding in Ukraine – more human SLAUGHTER every day – instigated by a MADMAN. Before I became a teacher I worked for several years in a sawmill. It’s HARD physical work and youi’re working with, what was in my mind, the epitome of “blue collar” workers. People get maimed and KILLED working in sawmills and the logging industry which supports the mills. I always thought, as a sawmill worker, I was incapable of CRYING. Obviously, time has changed that thought. I even CRIED a time or two in my 20+ years in the classroom working with underprivileged children – but, lately, there seems to be a lot to CRY about.

Here’s the good news to me: “We the people” have a decent, honest, compassionate President which we, hopefully, will learn to appreciate. I go to bed many nights thinking of what it would be like if our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president would have allowed Nancy Pelosi to help him combat SARS-Cov-2 (OK, the COVID 19 pandemic) She, and the House democrats TRIED to help with the so-called “HEROES ACT” and Moscow Mitch declared it “dead on arrival” in the Senate with individual 1’s approval. In a long line of STUPID coming from the previous administration that one could “take the cake.” However, that pathological LYING “former guy” is OUT and I shudder to think of what would be happening in this world if he still had the reins of POWER. We DO have the possibility of voting them OUT!

But, as has been happening for the past 40+ years, republicans are busy attempting to LIE themselves back into what’s important to them, and that’s POWER! That’s their agenda, POWER! I used to listen to Thom Hartman (and, still do occasionally) and, today, I read a posting as “Daily Kos” by Mr. Hartman which encapsulates my issue with republicans much better and more succinctly than I can. If you’re interested, click HERE – It’s a great, and in my mind, IMPORTANT read! Stay tuned…………….

So, Eric Holder just confirmed what I’ve speculated about for the past 12+ years and that has to do with his “institutional” pholosophy which FULLY explains to me why those who authorized TORTURE in the Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld administration were NEVER prosecuted. These three men – and others – admitted to authorizing TORTURE and both George W Bush and Dick Cheney admitted this on prime time TV and said they’d do it AGAIN! I’ve lamented many times listening to Barack Obama say “we’re looking forward instead of back” as he (and AG Holder) blocked ALL the investigations into the lawbreaking of the Bush/Cheney administration soon after President Obama took the oath of office.

Holder mentioned his “institutional” beliefs as what has caused him to refrain from suggesting, despite OVERWHELMING evidence suggesting GUILT, that individual 1 and his co-CONSPIRATORS should face indictment. What apparently changed his mind is the FACT the evidence of ILLEGAL behavior has become so overwhelming he’s, to my mind, coming to his senses. Mr. Holder said the same thing I’ve felt is holding back Merrick Garland from prosecuting individual 1 and those who participated in the coup d’etat with him and that is Garland’s worry about the “divisiveness” of indicting our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president.

What’s wrong with these people? The DIVISIVENESS of NOT holding individual 1 and those who CONSPIRED with him to overturn a “free and fair” election will be MUCH greater than “doing the right thing.” If “no one is above the law” then that SHOULD mean that individual 1, Mark Meadows, Jim Jordan, Scott Perry, Paul Gosar, Andy Biggs, Ted Cruz, John Eastman, Gini Thomas, Rudy Giuliani, Mo Brooks, and ALL those who signed FORGED fake elector documents which were submitted to the Senate and the National Archives, and who knows how many more?

I “get” that the Justice Department is ALREADY prosecuting over 800 of the “thugs” who stormed the Capitol on January 6th, 2021 and that’s a “daunting” task. (There’s several hundred more the FBI is attempting to identify) However, that’s no excuse for allowing the “ringleaders” to go unpunished. Individual 1 has been getting away with violating laws for so long he simply assumes he’s “untouchable.” In fact, this “looking the other way” has gone on since the days following Watergate. Ronald Reagan and George HW Bush BOTH escaped prosecution for their roles in the Iran/Contra CRIME back in the latter days of Reagan’s term in office. I mentioned above how Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld got away with authorizing TORTURE, and, “the beat goes on.”

In fact, the parallel to the Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld CRIMES to the CRIMES of individual 1 and his co-CONSPIRATORS is eye opening. Regarding the TORTURE which took place during the days of the Iraq and Afghanistan fiascos the ONLY people held accountable were the Army “grunts” who felt they were simply following orders at Abu Ghraib as they committed TORTURE day after day. Regarding January 6th, 2021 it looks more and more possible the ONLY ones who will be held accountable will be the SUCKERS who read those “tweets” “inviting” them to the Capitol on January 6th, “it will be wild.” Will individual 1 escape accountability once more? Stay tuned…………..

Well, what individual 1 has done over the past 5 years (and, actually, he was allegedly committing several versions of FRAUD in the years preceeding his move into the “White House”) makes the ILLEGAL activity of the republicans (GW Bush, Reagan, et al) who came before him look like “child’s play.” Our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president has “experience” at evading our system of laws as a pseudo MOB BOSS while running this business empire out of New York City. (He’ll soon regret having his business located in New York) It appears he’s learned how to intimidate prosecutors throughout his life and it’s worked for him. Yikes! (I’ve been saying, since Reagan was “let off the hook,” the misbehavior will only continue getting worse until SOMEONE is held accountable – as if “no one (really) is above the law.”

I keep hearing the so-called “experts” suggesting individual 1 is the “likely” presidential candidate of the republicans in 2024. Honestly, that puzzles me – but, then, I don’t think like Eric Holder and Barack Obama – despite the FACT I admire both of them – to me, it’s a “no brainer” that individual 1 and his co-CONSPIRATORS deserve to be facing SERIOUS charges of attempting to overturn a free and fair election in the United States of America. If these people are not STOPPED our nation’s FUTURE hangs in the balance. I’ve mentioned here many times a (former) friend of mine who became part of individual 1’s CULT and I clearly remember on several occasions him saying he doesn’t believe in “democracy.” That’s become part of the republican “mantra.”

Sadly, that opinion has become pervasive in the republican party due to the BRAINWASHING which has been ongoing for YEARS – far longer than individual 1’s emergence on the scene. Yep, the ROT in the republican party goes much deeper than just our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president. He serves a purpose for those white nationalists who felt he was their way to gain a stronghold in America’s “mainstream” of politics. I’m talking about people like David Duke, Don Black, and other extreme white nationalists who are connected in some kind of way to Tucker Carlson who keeps them on the edge of their seats every night on Fox “news” during his broadcast. Black’s son, Derek (read “Rising out of Hatred”) pointed out his father (former KKK Grand Wizard Don Black along with his god-father David Duke) records Carlson’s show each night so they can play it back over and over. Yikes!

So, worrying about more “division” by Merrick Garland is, in my view, a fool’s errand. Garland will go down on the wrong side of history should he not follow through on what is OBVIOUS; individual 1 is a serial LAWBREAKER. For heaven’s sake, Garland is NOT prosecuting the SEVERAL examples of OBSTRUCTION of Justice “memorialized” by Robert Mueller in his report following the “Russia Investigation.” (And, if you believe there was no COLLUSION, you didn’t read the report – I read it TWICE) He’s not prosecuting individual 1 for the case where he got the moniker “individual 1” in my writing. His former lawyer spent time in prison for paying off two women in violation of Campaign finance LAWS at his DIRECTION – he was listed as a “co-conspirator” – so why isn’t he being held accountable now? At the time it was the “OLC memo” preventing his indictment, but now, apparently, it’s “we don’t indict former presidents.” Fooey!

There wasn’t much concern for “divisiveness” in Holder’s time as AG when it came to whether or not Hillary Clinton should be investigated over using a private email server to do her email while Secretary of State – just as Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice – an investigation even those who were involved thought was ill advised (ie it was political theater). It led to all the “lock her up” chants at the rallies for individual 1 as he “egged” his followers on – suggesting Ms. Clinton was some kind of serial criminal. Talk about your “projection!” Or, how about the “height of hypocrisy?” Well, if Secretary Clinton could be investigated while being a candidate for president, why wouldn’t an ex president, who clearly has committed CRIMES, (OK, the judge in California who’s decision re: John Eastman’s EMAILS – suggested individual 1 “likely” committed FELONIES) be worth a similar investigation?

I still remember the investigation into the “Clinton emails” being totally PUBLIC. It appears Mr. Garland will Keep the “lid” on any investigation of individual 1. Remember, the “Russia investigation” started three months before the election of November 2016 and the FBI kept that investigation completely “under wraps.” Am I the only person who finds it interesting that the Clinton investigation was public and NO one knew about the Russia “collusion” until well after individual 1 had taken (and lied about) his “oath” of office? In my view, politics in America plays out this way for two reasons, the most important being democrats allow it to happen. Of course, the other reason is because republicans follow “the end justifies the means” philosophy which allows them to condone this “deplorable” behavior – as long as they can get away with it.

Final Thought: IF the Justice Department is actually going to follow through on Merrick Garland’s promise to “follow the facts wherever they lead” regarding the INSURRECTION of January 6th, 2021 they likely are working their way from the bottom up. But, I want to look at this from the opposite direction to give an idea of what may lie ahead – should Mr. Garland actually decide to hold our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president accountable for attempting to OVERTHROW our elected government – for heaven’s sake, he said it publicly that “Mike Pense could have overthrown the election.”

So, working from individual 1 DOWNWARD you have to first consider ANYONE who communicates about ANY part of the plan is then part of a CONSPIRACY if anyone attempts to put the plan into effect. (My description) We KNOW individual 1 was “orchestrating” the scheme so here are some things I can remember just off the top of my head. First, this scheme was concocted well before the election of November 2020 and the “Stop the Steal” moniker was devised in 2016 by Roger Stone – possibly a starting point. I’ve read that Jim Jordan was communicating the “scheme” with individual 1 as early as November 10, 2020. We KNOW Ginni Thomas was encouraging the “scheme” from November all the way up to January 6th, 2021 and she was there at the INSURRECTION. Steve Bannon seemed to be lobbying for a pardon by supporting the impending INSURRECTION almost right from the start – maybe he’s got bigger worries than the charge against him of “Contempt of Congress.”

We KNOW Scott Perry (R Pa) was involved with the “scheme” as it was presented to the Justice Department when he introduced individual 1 to Jeffrey Clarke (or vice versa) back when individual 1 told the acting AG Rosen “Just say the election was corrupt and leave the rest to me and the R. Congressmen.” (Even, I suppose, you, if you’re a republican, can figure that one out) To me, that put’s Clarke and Perry right in the middle of all this. Of course, Mark Meadows is there for all of it, as well, and whoever the “R. Congressmen” (Jordan, Perry, and ???) are. Newsflash: Today, a Congressman from Georgia was identified by the 1/6 Committee as being one of the members of Congress giving “tours” on January 5th, 2021. Very interesting!!!

There’s Rudi Giuliani and the band of clownish “lawyers” (If they’re still lawyers) who were pushing the scheme and were involved in putting together the slates of FRAUDULENT “electors” from about six states – a key part of the scheme. (There were close to 100 of these FAKE “electors” who ALL signed FRAUDULENT docurments which were actually submitted to the National Archives) Of course, there was John Eastman who has been given credit for concocting the scheme individual 1 was pressuring Mike Pense to go along with – and, who’s been “accused” by a judge in his fight to prevent the 1/6 Committee from getting a bunch of his emails – along with individual 1 – of “likely committing” at least a couple FELONIES.

There were people like Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley along with over an ADDITIONAL 140+ members of Congress willing to OBJECT to elections they KNEW were free, fair, secure, and won by Joe Biden. I mentioned Ginni Thomas above, well, what did Clarence Thomas know, because he was a lone “NO” vote in the Supreme Court’s case regarding the Select Committee’s request for documents from the National Archives which very likely included something from his wife? As time goes by Mr. Thomas continues to expose himself as a partisan right wing hack – someone who clearly should NOT be sitting on the Supreme Court. (Along with two or three other Justices)

Will Mr. Garland actually follow through on his promise? Will he actually PROVE that “no one is above the law” – including a president or former president? I’ve pointed out here on numerous occasions that individual 1’s LAWBREAKING was so rampant that it’s almost as if prosecutors don’t know where to start. Robert Mueller “memorialized” 10 instances of “OBSTRUCTION of Justice” in his report regarding the Russian collusion investigation. The Southern District of New York listed individual 1 as “individual 1″ – a co-conspirator” with Michael Cohen in the Campaign Finance charges sending Mr. Cohen to prison. The DA in Fulton County Georgia is investigating individual 1’s attempt at election FRAUD (among other charges – possibly a RICO charge) in our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president’s attempt to overturn the results of Georgia’s election in 2020. You’ve probably listened to the 1+ hour tape of individual 1 attempting to BULLY Georgia’s Sec. of State to “find the missing 11,780………..”)

And, of course, apparently the NEW DA in Manhattan, based on reports from lead prosecutors he “inherited” from Cy Vance, has gotten “cold feet” in prosecuting individual 1 regarding what the two prosecutors who resigned called “obvious felonies.” And, none of this even mentions the New York Attorney General who very well may hold the “keys” to the future of individual 1’s business “organization” based on alleged FRAUD in multiple “venues” (ie tax fraud, insurance fraud, etc.) As I’ve said many times, I believe individual 1 to be a small time mob boss who managed to get “popular” by landing a TV “gig” with NBC years ago (I never watched it, but I’ve heard it was somewhat popular – Is that how we’re going to choose our presidents now?).

Well, again, where do the prosecutors start? If they do the right thing and make sure the INSURRECTION leads to accountability for those who CONSPIRED to actually overturn a “free and fair election” then you can see the number of people caught up in the CONSPIRACY (much more than I can list off the top of my head) could be in the hundreds. Prosecutors will work to find what individual 1 will call “rats” – people who will testify to the TRUTH in order to reduce their own CRIMINAL liability – but, I believe, our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president needs to face indictment for his CRIMINAL behavior as a way to send a signal to other politicians we are truly a “nation of laws and not men.” Stay tuned…….

Not sure how long it will take me to finish this rant, but with all the “hoopla” around the “leaked” draft of Samuel Alito’s “draft” opinion overturning Roe v Wade, I’ve got a thought I wanted to get into writing before it passes through my brain. First, I’ve found it somewhat interesting that John Roberts is more concerned with the “leak” of the opinion than what is in the opinion – suggesting a “liberal” law clerk MUST have been the “leaker” which, to Roberts is where his focus will apparently lie as opposed to focusing on what is in that draft which has created a STORM of protests all around the country (including the right wing county in which I reside).

Let me argue with the idea it was a “liberal clerk” who leaked this opinion – that makes no sense to me. What makes MORE sense to me is that one of the clerks of the five justices who are agreeing to overturn this “settled law” – which they ALL said they would honor in their confirmation hearings – would be where you’d find the “leaker.” I believe the thinking would be they want to get the “firestorm” over by the time the opinion has become official. That will take place in June and, whether you want to believe this or not, these justices are EXTREMELY political. They (likely) want to get all the blowback over “sooner rather than later” to minimize the effect of this decision on the mid term elections.

Make no mistake, it’s no secret “we the people” have a history of an extremely SHORT “attention plan” and, I believe, they want to get the blowback over with so when the actual opinion becomes “law” most of the protests will have already happened. I mean, for example, our “short attention span” has been a concern even of Volodymyr Zelensky – he worries about whether the American people will “stay the course” as his countrymen are FIGHTING and DYING in the WAR with Russia as they’re fighting to save a fledgling democracy. Sadly, and I believe he’s correct, most Americans are more worried about how much their gas is costing them than whether Vladimir Putin is STOPPED before he takes his BRUTAL war into other surrounding countries (like Muldova, etc.) – and, ultimately, into Poland and other former USSR countries ACTUALLY starting WW III.

This is a sad commentary on “we the people,” but, to me, it’s totally justified. We’re soon to be fully informed as to who was integrally involved in the coup d’etat on the Capitol January 6th, 2021. There are mulitiple opportunities for “we the people” to vote republicans out of office this coming November, but most “pundits” are predicting republicans will win the mid-terms. Additionally, MOST Americans aren’t paying attention to the “down ballot” races for governors, Secretaries of State, Attorney Generals in the various states around the country, including the state legislatures which have been doing some egregious voter suppression “stuff” as they push individual 1’s “Big Lie” in one state after another. I call this the covert slow motion INSURRECTION. And, if “progressives” (ie liberals) continue showing apothy to the process, well, we deserve what we get.

And, by the way, getting back to my original thought, the right wing wack jobs in America are referring to the “leak” of Alito’s draft “the real insurrection.” I’m not kidding. One right wing pundit called this leak “one MILLION times more dangerous” than the people “walking through the Capitol” on January 6th, 2021. Kind of tells you where their interest will be lying (and by “lying” I mean LYING) once the Select Committee presents their public report which will likely conclude individual 1 is a CRIMINAL. To which, I will respond, “dah!” And, tell me something that’s not OBVIOUS. But, equating this “leak” to the ACTUAL INSURRECTION of January 6th, 2021 just tells you how STUPID these right wing pundits believe their “base” to be. Like, who would believe udder NONSENSE like that? Well, apparently MILLIONS of (stupid) Americans. (I really do hate that word, but…………… if the shoe fits……….)

The American people have the opportunity to REJECT individual 1’s CULT come November, but as you watch the Russian people and realize how BRAINWASHED they are – actually believing Putin’s claim of a “special operation” to “de-Nazify” Ukraine – you can easily see the parallel here, in the United States by simply looking at the audience of Fox “news,” “Newsmax” and other right wing propaganda outlets who follow the “Big Lie Theory” of the Nazi’s of the 1930’s in Germany to a “tee.” Why do they do it? Because, obviously, it works! Just try to have a conversation with a Fox “news” viewer. And, in my experience, those who get their “news” from “Newsmax” or “Facebook,” or _________ (fill in the blank with a right wing propaganda outlet) are even worse. When you confront their LIES with factual information they, well, again in my experience, start throwing things!

I hope we find out who the “leaker” was – and, personally, one way (side?) or the other, I could care less. But, I can guarantee you, if it was a clerk from the so-called “liberals” on the Court you won’t hear the end of it – and, likely, the so-called “liberal media,” as usual, will get sucked in on all the noise. If I’m correct and it’s someone associated with the right wing judges on the Court you’ll hear – well, “crickets.” Suddenly, it will be a non-issue. And, of course, in all of this the “conservatives” will be doing everything they can to take attention away from the ruling itself and what it suggests as the future of this court going forward. This right wing court is the “wet dream” of the so-called “conservative Christians” in America. God help us!

Final Thought: As I’ve said many times here, I believe republicans will do whatever necessary to “win” elections and maintain POWER. If I’m correct on my “premise” above, they’re attempting to mitigate the “damage” this decision will cause to the voting in November. Put another way, they hope “leaking” this document will, in the end, cause fewer “liberals” to vote in November. Focusing on the “leak” is creating another “shiny object” which is designed to take the focus off the real issue. Will “we the people” allow them to get away with this? Stay tuned…………..

Drip, drip, drip! The TRUTH about January 6th, 2021 continues to “drip” out – often times it feels like an open faucet – and, as I continue watching it I’m reminded of the YEARS I’ve been “lobbying” for the American people to vote “the present day republican party” into the history books. I keep thinking, “what is taking “we the people” so long to come to our collective senses. Of course, as I think those thoughts, I’m reminded of one particular person, a supporter of individual 1 (who claims to be a “Christian” and “conservative”), who I spent many mornings at a breakfast table attempting to talk sense to him and I can’t help but believe he’d be one of the 70% of republicans who still believe the ABSURD LIE “the 2020 election was stolen.”

Tonight, I watched excerpts of the gubernatorial debate in Georgia between David Perdue (individual 1’s lackey) and Brian Kemp (no friend of progressives) and, sure enough, as would be his “rite of passage” Mr. Perdue started out the “debate” claiming the “2020 election was rigged and stolen” and he suggested Georgia’s Governor Kemp was responsible because he didn’t facilitate individual 1 when our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSER (ex) president said, “All I want is to find 11,780 votes which is one more than we have” in his now infamous call with Brad Raffensperger – a call, by the way, which could (SHOULD) be ONE of the ways he finds himself defending his actions in court. Sycophants like Mr. Perdue continue to “soil” themselves as they unabashedly LIE to keep their standing with individual 1 and his “republican” base. There seems to be no end of people willing to do the same sorry stuff as Perdue in the quest for POWER.

And, as I’ve been pointing out for YEARS the most basic requirement for being a republican is LYING. In the case of the republicans in Congress – mainly the House – we’re talking about what seems to me like PATHOLOGICAL LYING. This is the fundamental reason I question the “bonafides” of people like my former acquaintance who support this stuff, when they’re intellectually capable of recognizing the TRUTH, and then claiming to be “conservative” and “Christian.” Personally, I find being “honest” one of the main tenets of Christianity, but, I guess, that’s just me. I fully understand I’m not supposed to be judgemental (“Judge not lest you be judged”) but I have to tell it as I see it.

Let’s just be clear: The election was NOT stolen. I find it interesting where all the members of Congress who WON while individual 1 LOST in their state in the same election actually voted against their own states “electors” on January 6th. Apparenetly, the results of THEIR election wasn’t due to “fraud,” or they won’t claim they STOLE their election – I don’t know any other way to say it.

I’ve said this for years: The republican party long ago adopted the “Big Lie Theory” of the Nazi’s back in the 1930’s until they were defeated in WW II and is the basis of Vladimir Putin’s CONTROL of the Russian people as he’s threatening to start WW III. I continue to be puzzled as to why our so-called “liberal media” doesn’t point out this reality that the republican party is ACTUALLY a fascist operation. We’re seeing MORE evidence all across the so-called “red states” of this reality. The party which, when I was younger, claimed to stand for ACTUAL “conservative” values which included “less government” and more “liberty” is now unrecognizable.

As a prime example of what is happening along these lines just take a quick look at the governor of Florida where Ron DeSantis is pushing through one policy after another attempting to undermine the rights of “certain” citizens in “HIS” state. They are pushing book bans, threatening teachers who “make white children uncomfortable,” passing voter suppression aimed at “persons of color,” passing a law which severely restricts abortion, and, on top of all this, they actually passed a bill which directly ATTACKS the Disney Corporation – removing a provision allowing Disney to control the area where it’s located – simply because Disney opposed one of DeSantis bills – the so-called “don’t say gay” bill.

Honestly, I have no interest in figuring out what is actually in that bill, I’ve simply read some of the potential fallout from DeSantis going after a corporation which has donated LARGE amounts to him and his republican co-horts for not being “sufficiently loyal.” This is classic authoritarianism. (ie fascism) What’s interesting is the “long term” result of this power play by DeSantis which is likely to be LARGE increases in taxes Floridians will end up paying to take over the resonsibility of this large area which has been a community completely “run” by Disney for over 50 years. For example, they have their own fire department, police department, etc. They also have about a $1 BILLION bond debt which the Florida government will be required to assume should their takeover pass “muster” in the courts. Should be interesting. Stay tuned………..

The first thought which comes to my mind is “will the Florida people actually vote this thug into another term in November’s election – where he’ll be standing for re-election?” Sadly, the answer which comes to my mind is they very likely will. DeSantis is attempting to be a more radical “individual 1′ and he’s OBVIOUSLY attempting to set himself up as the republican nominee for president in 2024. This is just one example of many I could list here, but the reality is the coup d’etat which was attempted on January 6th, 2021 is continuing – kind of in “slow motion.”

So, what is the answer to dealing with all this? Unfortunately, this is a MAJOR political BATTLE and “we the people” are “stuck” with relying on DEMOCRATS to stop this – and, with the exception of the Select Committee on January 6th – I don’t see a comparable response to what the republicans are doing coming from the democrats. I fully understand both Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema are going to find themselve in a very dark part of American history should the democrats get “slaughtered” in November as many are predicting. They continue siding with republicans to BLOCK President Biden’s signature legislation.

As I watch the Ukrainian people FIGHTING to protect their own “democracy” – a much NEWER “experiment” in self rule than that “we the people” seem to take for granted – I really STRUGGLE to understand why there isn’t a more OUTWARD response coming from PROGRESSIVES to all the right wing, authoritarian legislation passing in one “red” state after another. The reality is we’re going to find out if our democratic republic is worth FIGHTING for in the next FEW elections. If “we the people” continue falling for republican LIES I guess we deserve the consequences.

It’s clear at this point individual 1 continues to push the so-called “Big Lie” (virtually everything he says is a LIE) and those who were part of his CONSPIRACY to overthrow our constitutional form of government continue pushing the attempt to turn our nation into an actual fascist state. I have a hard time believing “we the people” will ALLOW this to happen, but as I just said “we the people” are depending on democrats to motivate voters to vote these republicans into the HISTORY books. Additionally, the Justice Department is either looking the other way from a clear CRIMINAL conspiracy or it’s dragging its feet in investigating what is OBVIOUSLY a CRIMINAL conspiracy to overthrow our government. Individual 1 confirmed this publicly in one of his rants aimed at Mike Pense – actually saying “he should have overthrown the election.” Yikes!!! What are you waiting for, Merrick Garland?

Right now the Justice Department is “sitting” on THREE criminal referrals regarding refusals to answer to subpoenas by Mark Meadows (who also committed election FRAUD in the election by his vote in North Carolina) and two other members of individual 1’s inner circle – one who ADMITTED on national TV to participating in a CONSPIRACY to overturn the results of the 2020 election via the so-called “Green Bay Sweep.” This plan was devised by Peter Navarro along with Steve Bannon and it was at the “root” of the attack on the Capitol. Navarro is one of those who received a CRIMINAL referral for refusing to appear via a subpoena and Bannon has already been indicted. These people are refusing to cooperate because they’re part of the CRIMINAL conspiracy which was fomented via the coup d’etat of January 6th, 2021!

On several occasions I’ve pointed out the STUPIDITY of republicans when they’ve been “saddled” with the responsibility of governing. They have no idea what that requires. Looking back, when Moscow Mitch declared the so-called “HEROES” Act, passed through the House “dead on arrival” with the support of individual 1, our now TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president’s re-election was doomed – it’s as if they “shot themselves in the foot.” I still remember Nancy Pelosi pointing out the bill was designed to “crush the virus.” I firmly believe, had McConnell and individual 1 embraced that legislation individual 1 would still be (tragically) in office. “Deep sixing” that legislation simply because it was passed by democrats was REALLY stupid!

But, with republicans, STUPID seems to be the “word of the day.” Obviously, individual 1 is the WORST LOSER ever and he chose to head a conspiracy to overthrow our constitutional form of government. At the time, and this is being confirmed every day as more evidence of the private conversations of leading republicans comes out, and I’m talking “post 1/6,” they had had enough of individual 1’s CRIMINAL behavior (which apparently he assumed was protected by a curious OLC memo of years gone by – post Watergate). However, KNOWING they could prevent individual 1 from being a political force in the future, the Senate chose NOT to convict him in his SECOND IMEACHMENT “trial.” Their COWARDLY action has led to much of the DIVISION gripping our nation to this day. More STUPIDITY!

But, as always, there’s MORE: republicans chose to BLOCK the proposed “9/11 style bipartisan commission” to study the January 6th, 2021 INSURRECTION. That (STUPID) decision resulted in the House’s “Select January 6th, 2021 Committee” which is due to give their public report during a couple weeks in June – about the time of primaries all across the nation for the mid-term elections. The committee has interviewed, as of this point in time, something like 935 witnesses and they have over 100,000 documents to sort through as they prepare to EDUCATE “we the people” regarding the ATTACK on our Capitol, who was involved in causing it, who funded it, and what was the “plan” and who participated in formulating the “plan.” There are, by my count, for example, over 100 people from various states who FRAUDULENTLY signed FORGED documents claiming to be the “real” electors from states Joe Biden clearly won.

When you think of it the number of people potentially caught up in individual 1’s CONSPIRACY to OVERTHROW our government. The Justice Department is already prosecuting around 800 – 900 of the actual INSURRECTIONISTS – but, of course, as I’ve said here often in the last year – where is the INVESTIGATION of individual 1 and those close to him who’ve publicly admitted to attempting to coerce Mike Pense into participating in their CONSPIRACY to overthrow our government. The Select Committee’s results will be very interesting, but you can count on Fox “news,” “Newsmax,” etc. etc. to be LYING about the results if they even cover the public hearings. Of course, several of the nighttime hosts on Fox are going to be exposed as saying one thing in their text messages to the “White House” and something entirely different on air. They’re all a bunch of LIARS!

Final Thought: I wrote most of this rant prior to the leaking of the Samuel Alito’s opinion re: overturning Roe v Wade. This, of course, will delight many republicans – including the acquaintance I’ve referenced who is a “conservative Christian” – according to him. Of course, overturning Roe will NOT stop women from having abortions – except for those who live in “red” states and can’t afford to travel hundreds of miles to find a clinic which performs abortions. I have to say (and I’ve written a post on “abortion”) that I’m NOT “pro abortion.” I just don’t picture myself as the one who will be the decision maker in such a difficult situation.

Here’s the reality of our “Supreme Court.” There are several judges appointed by republican presidents who, unsurprisingly, are a bunch of LIARS themselves. I’ve watched the confirmation hearings as far back as I can remember. I still remember the hearings for Clarence Thomas so I’m not surprised to see him violating what SHOULD be court ethics in regards to sitting on cases involving his wife (who, very likely is part of the CONSPIRACY to overthrow the government after the 2020 election). Samuel Alito implied he believed in honoring precedent in his hearings, as did Brett Kavanaugh, and, well, all of them. But, we know, from our recent history, their confirmation hearings are simply a “means to an end” – as is virtually anything regarding republicans.

Just keep in mind, the Supreme Court “annointed” George W Bush president back in 2000 when a full recount of the Florida votes (GW’s brother was governor of Florida at the time) would likely have given the “victory” to Al Gore. It was the right wing Supreme Court which decided the “Citizen’s United” case allowing BILLIONS of “unmarked” dollars into our election process, including who knows how much coming from foreign governments.

It was the right wing Supreme Court which has GUTTED the Voting Rights Act of 1965 allowing the FLOOD of right wing anti-democratic legislation (ie voter suppression bills) to be passed in a plethora of states. The court has virtually given its “blessing” to partisan gerrymandering and the list of egregious decisions goes on and on. If you’re a right wing “Christian” the overturning of Roe makes it all worth it – and, of course, there’s more on the horizon. With republicans, there’s always more – and, I’m not talking about progressive change – I’m talking about “turning back the clock.”

Will the Court’s decision to overturn Roe v Wade – apparently one step further than deciding the case before it coming from Mississippi – be enough to cause “progressives” to go to the polls and VOTE in November? Will it be enough for voters to understand the reason president Biden is unable to get his agenda through Congress is because he doesn’t have enough democrats in the Senate? There are several seats in the November Senate elections which will likely decide the future of this nation (at least in the short term) – although, gaining control in the Senate and losing it in the House would lead to the same thing – OBSTRUCTION! Time will tell, but, from my vantage point, if the combination of the Court’s actions and what we’re going to learn from the Select Committee on January 6th isn’t enough for the majority of Americans to realize it’s TIME to vote republicans into the history books – en masse – then we deserve what we get.

Republicans understand there are more “progressives” in America than “conservatives” – so, they have to find creative ways to “win” elections when the MAJORITY of voters oppose their “agenda.” This court is “stacked” in the favor of republcans and it will be for the next generation – my guess is at least 30 years. And, they are showing themselves to be willing to “soil themselves” in order to push what amounts to a political agenda. Remember, with republicans, “the end justifies the means.”

Look, I don’t do “Twitter” or any other social media platform, but I do see reporting on what shows up there. I’ve written extensively about my perception of Mark Zuckerberg as one of the “Worst people in the world” – in the words of Keith Olberman (years ago on MSNBC). I have also pointed out how I see the wedge being driven between the “right” and the “left” in America running a parallel “course” to the growth of these social media “empires.” That being said, yesterday I saw a “Tweet” from Rob Reiner which was simple and straight to the point AND, from my viewpoint, right on.

“It couldn’t be more simple. A vote for Republicans is a vote against Democracy.” A very succinct way of saying what I’ve been trying to say for the past 15+ years. Another of his “Tweets” says: “Democracy will not survive unless Donald Trump (individual 1 – in my words) is punished for trying to destroy it.” I remember watching Reiner on a TV sitcom many years ago, but the more I hear from him the more I admire his thinking! People with a “platform” need to continue speaking out. I was listening to MSNBC as I was driving around today and the democrats losing control of Congress was considered a foregone conclusion with the moderators. I keep wondering if people’s actions drive the news or if the “news” is what is driving people’s actions (and opinions). I don’t understand why ANYONE would vote for a republican under present day circumstances!

I say that because it’s just hard to believe, for me, that the American people are STUPID enough to vote for the very republicans who are attempting to undermine our democratic republic. The bottom line requirement for republicans in legislatures from our national legislature on down to the state legislatures around the country which are passing voter supression legislation is LYING. And, “we the people” seem to be unable to parse the LIES. Our “liberal media” continues to fail to report this LYING is part of a strategic “plan” based on the “Big Lie Theory” of the Nazi’s in 1930’s Germany. We’re seeing it in “spades” as we watch Vladimir Putin as Russians continues their ILLEGAL assault on the republic of Ukraine. And, as an aside, does anyone actually believe he’s planning to stop there? I’ve been pointing out he’s wanted to recreate the “Soviet Union” since he took the “reins” of power in Russia over 20 years ago.

Russia’s “active measures” campaign against the democratic nations of the “West” began several years prior to Russia’s “interference” in America’s 2016 election culminating in the success of helping individual 1 “win” the election. (with over 3 MILLION fewer votes than Hillary Clinton). Russia was also integral in “encouraging” the “Brits” to vote in favor of “Brexit” which passed with the help, also, from Steve Bannon and, you guessed it, individual 1. All these same “actors” were also attempting to encourage the French to vote Marie La Pen as French President four years ago and likely are still doing so today as we prepare for the next French presidential election. La Pen, of course, is – like individual 1 – focused on undermining the NATO alliance in an ACCORD with Putin and Russia and, is a right wing hack. (And, Putin et al are doing the same things to the Germans, and the …………… fill in the blank)

It somewhat “blows my mind” that the American people – and, I’m talking about “liberals,” “moderates,” and “independents” along with many “conservatives” don’t understand the importance of “we the people” fighting to defend our democratic republic. Why on earth would people want to return to a party controlled by individual 1. The republican leaders have been SHAMEFULLY cowardly in the face of what they KNOW is ultimately a “dead end” for their party. They are trying to prevent people of color and young people from voting – but, the reality is, it’s simply a matter of time until this republican party will be sent to the “ash bins” of history. Now is the time for this to happen.

The Biden administration has passed two historic bills – the first aimed via their “bottom up middle out” philosophy which SHOULD appeal to MOST Americans. The second will be responsible for the NEEDED repairs and upgrading to America’s infrastructure over the next few years – you know, the “infrastructure bill” individual 1 COULDN’T get passed over FOUR years of “infrastructure weeks” which accomplished NOTHING. We’re watching the Ukrainians “fighting like hell” (in the words of individual 1) – “or they won’t have a country anymore” for their democracy. Is that willingness to FIGHT for their democracy registering with “we the people?” And, do you really think Americans will be unable to see the difference between President Biden and his predecessor due to a “bout” with inflation which was totally predictable coming out of a monumental shock to our economy?

President Biden has pulled the NATO Alliance together beyond most people’s imagination as NATO countries are coming to the aid of Ukraine and imposing crippling SANCTIONS on the Russians – who are using their BRUTALITY against Ukraine’s civilian population as a weapon of “terror” against Ukraine because they are failing to defeat Ukraine’s military. Plus, Putin is “fear mongering” with his threats of using nuclear weapons. I don’t question whether Vladimir Putin SHOULD finally be declared a WAR CRIMINAL, I just believe it’s encumbent on those in NATO to be prepared to stop him – one way or another. (And, keep in mind, I believe GW Bush, Dick Cheney, Don Rumsfeld and other Americans were guilty of WAR CRIMES in their ILLEGAL invasion of Iraq back in 2003 – 2009 – by authorizing and committing TORTURE)

Can you imagine individual 1 dealing with the many issues facing President Biden? With our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president in office the Russians likely would have succeeded in their plan to “topple Kiev in a matter of days.” Do you really believe individual 1 would be sending BILLIONS in military aid to the Ukrainians to help them stop Putin’s ILLEGAL invasion of Ukraine? Hell, individual 1 was planning to pull “we the people” out of NATO had he “won” another term in office.

Obviously, I’m unable to find a succinct way of saying the same thing as what Mr. Reiner “Tweeted:” “A vote for republicans is a vote AGAINST democracy.” And, we’re not just talking about the U.S. There are neo-Nazi white nationalist groups all across Western Europe pushing for the same outcome as individual 1 is pushing in the U.S. – and now – with TOTAL obedience from the republican party.

Kevin McCarthy, Moscow Mitch, Jim Jordan, Andy Biggs, Paul Gosar, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley, Mike Lee, Ron DeSantis, Greg Abbott, Kristi Noem, and on and on are all SHAMEFUL sycophants of individual 1 and ALL have indicated a willingness to violate their OATH’S to the Constitution. Here’s how they view elections going forward, “Heads I win Tails you lose.” They actually support legislation giving state legislatures the ability to overrule the “will of the people.” In 2024 it’s possible the FRAUDULENT Electors which were part of individual 1’s scheme (conspiracy) to overturn his election LOSS – will be considered “legit.”

So, Mr. Reiner is correct! Under the circumstances we face today in America: “A Vote for Republicans is a vote AGAINST (my emphasis) Democracy!” If democrats don’t show up this year in the “mid term” election “we the people” deserve what we get. Stay tuned………….

Final Thought: Democrats actually have the opportunity to gain seats in the Senate with a strong turnout. it will take a major push to do so, but I can see a scenario (OK, I’m an optimist) where the democrats gain anywhere from 3 – 5 seats in the Senate. Should they manage to do so and keep control of the House, the “filibuster” will no longer be an impediment to legislation to fight Climate Change, to support our middle class families with children, young Americans in poor families with support for “early education, restore the Voting Rights bill, and many different benefits in the “Build Back Better” agenda of President Biden which was “torpedoed” by Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, two recalcitrant Senate democrats.

Progressives (ie liberals) need to understand the reason President Bident didn’t get his signature legislation through. It was due to Moscow Mitch’s commitment to OBSTRUCT any democratic proposal AlONG WITH Manchin and Sinema’s help. Clear and simple, the democrats need at least two MORE members in the Senate to go along with control in the House. The only thing certain in the Senate is there will be 50 republican votes AGAINST almost any democratic legislation.

What is necessary for Biden’s domestic legislative agenda – the most progressive in my lifetime going back to LBJ’s “Great Society” – is continued control of the House and at least 52 Senate democrats. (Neither Manchin nor Sinema are up for re-election until 2024) Not only is Biden’s agenda “progressive” (Simply put, as I said, he needs at least two more Democratic Senators to get it passed) but, additionally, his leadership in the “West’s” support of Ukraine is TOTALLY laudable. To me, Biden’s low “favorability” ratings demonstrate the weakness of our “liberal media.” I’m still struggling to understand, despite my disgust with the republican party since, well, Reagan – how did they fall into the “grip” of an “alleged” ORGANIZED CRIMINAL?”

I still believe individual 1 will face (possibly multiple) indictment(s) prior to the end of this year – whether from Manhattan’s DA, Fulton County’s DA, or the DOJ – and, possibly “all of the above” and, it should be interesting watching the response coming from his “base.” It doesn’t take much of a LIE to get them worked up. Here’s what may be working in the democrat’s favor: Republicans blocked the “non-partisan January 6th 9/11 style Commission” and, therefore, got the “Select House January 6th Committee” which will be reporting out, likely, this coming June. That will be explosive – despite all the attention on Ukraine. I believe either the Committee will send a CRIMINAL referral on individual 1 to DOJ – or – we’ll KNOW he’s a TARGET of an ongoing DOJ investigation by then. That will get a LOT of people’s attention, but possibly getting more attention will the the Supreme Court, in essence, overturning Roe v Wade among other examples of “legislating” from the bench. Something like Two Thirds of Americans support a woman’s right to control her own body – meaning “the right to choose” in regard to abortion care. Will this cause MORE women to vote? I’m guessing it will.

I keep thinking I’m finding a MOUNTAIN of words to say what Rob Reiner said in nine! “A vote for Republicans is a vote AGAINST Democracy!” Yikes!!! If you’re a progressive, please make sure you’re registered to vote and, of course, VOTE!

I can’t leave without saying: I’ve been lamenting the BILLIONAIRES who have been increasing their wealth exponentially since the beginning of the pandemic and, yet, do EVERYTHING they can to avoid paying taxes for YEARS! I used my retirement savings account to put 32 solar panels on our home (we’ve produced 73,000 Kilowats since 2015) and my wife and I both have been driving electric cars since then. I must admit I’ve supported Tesla for years – UNTIL I finally got my fill of Elon Musk. The “straw that broke the camel’s back” was when, recently, he made a “play” for “Twitter.” Twitter’s board is attempting to fight off his bid, but now another one of the RICH tech wiz kids, Larry Ellison, appears to be willing to take a “break” from his PRIVATE Hawaiian Island – yep, you read that correctly, wanting to pair up with Musk in his “bid” for “Twitter.” These people have BILLIONS of dollars they’ll never need – allowing for the possibility they can purchase virtually anything they want – including, in their minds, established social media companies like “Twitter” so THEY can define “free speech.” It’s well past time for a wealth tax and, it seems to me, it’s time for regulations on platforms like “Twitter,” “Facebook,” etc. My suggestion would be causing THEM to be legally responsible for the veracity of what is published on their platforms. Just a thought…………………. Stay tuned…………….

Do you remember individual 1 predicting we’d all get “sick of all the winning?” Do you remember the prediction he was going to “drain the swamp?” Were you paying attention the other day when he claimed he’s the “most honest person you’ve ever known” – or words to that effect? Did you miss the reporting in the Washington Post of the certifiable 30,000+ “falsehoods or misleading claims?” (ie LIES) It was reported he was committing an average of 21 LIES per day over the final few months of his administration – just sayin…….. Have you forgotten all of individual 1’s administration who were FORCED to resign in the midst of one SCANDAL after another? I could go on.

By the way, speaking of our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president “draining the swamp,” have you paid attention to the “swamp creatures” he brought along with him to Washington DC? Including, but not limited to, his son-in-law Jared Kushner? Well, remember, it was Kushner who was communicating with Mohammed Bin Salmon (MBS) via “What’s Ap” – Facebook’s answer to people who need their conversations to be HIDDEN from authorities. (In this case, Kushner was, technically, one of the “authorities”) Remember, it was MBS who was, by all accounts, accused of ORDERING the MURDER of Jamal Khashoggi with the MURDERERS dsimembering him with a bone saw. NONE of that seemed to matter to either individual 1 or Mr. Kushner – because, well, “it’s all about the MONEY.” (Isn’t it?)

So, individual 1 and his family seem to be the “gift” which just keeps on giving. While there seems to be AMPLE evidence to indict our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president – who, by the way, continues his incredible GRIFT of his (stupid) supporters – his son-in-law seems determined to carry on the “family name.” This past weekend it was reported Mr. Kushner managed to pull a “COUPLE BILLION” from the Saudi’s Sovereign Wealth Fund – albeit at extrememly FAVORABLE terms – despite having no experience succeeding in the very business plan he proposed. Apparently, MBS overruled the overseeers of the fund because, well, him and Kushner are “best buds” who go way back.

So, the CORRUPTION just marches on (and on and on and on………..) And, the ARROGANCE coming from individual 1, who laments all the INVESTIGATIONS into his alleged CRIMINAL behavior – “and, they’ve found NOTHING” – who CLEARLY understands his potential CRIMINAL liability – has resulted in the ONLY way he knows of defending himself – and, that is via pathological LYING. Is the Justice Department investigating individual 1’s attempted coup de’etat? Sadly, I can’t be sure! Of course, even I would agree that coup d’etat is much more egregious than Kushner squeezing $2 BILLION from the Saudi’s – apparently, just in case “we the people” really are STUPID enough to vote individual 1 back into office in 2024 – are you paying attention Merrick Garland? That would ALL be “on you.” This Kushner/MBS “bromance” seems a bit “fishy” to me – but, then, CORRUPTION is pretty much BIPARTISAN in Washington DC, isn’t it?

Of course, it wasn’t just Kushner “hitting up” the Saudi’s after individual 1 was run out of town back in January of 2021. The ink was hardly dry on the expulsion notice hanging on the doors of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue back in January of 2021 as individual 1 was leaving town when Steve Mnuchin was grovelling at the feet of the Saudi’s running their Sovereign investment fund – but, ONLY for $1 BILLION. Do you really think the connection to America’s government didn’t help either Mnuchin or Kushner garner this money? Do you really believe they weren’t laying the “groundwork” for this SERIOUS grifting prior to leaving our government? If you do believe that, well, I’ve got a bridge…………………… (Also, do you really believe the Saudi’s won’t find a way to help individual 1 financially in 2024?)

OMG – individual 1 continues to hold rallies where he pushes the so-called “Big Lie” (To me, just another of his LIES) “the election was stolen” and, now, he’s bringing up all the investigations despite his claim, “I’ve done nothing wrong.” His grifting – you know, someone who claims to be a multi BILLIONAIRE shamelessly begging his downtrodden followers for their hard earned money – would make even Charles Ponzi blush. And, sadly, all his (stupid, sorry, just calling it as I see it) followers seem to be ablidging him – by mutiples of tens of MILLIONS of dollars. Just what every “billionaire” needs, correct?

And, of course, individual 1 has no monopoly on SHAMELESSNESS when it comes to the republican party. Have you paid attention to people like Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley, Ron Johnson, Mike Lee, Rand Paul, Matt Gaetz, MTGreene, Paul Gosar, Andy Biggs, Mo Brooks, Jim Jordan, and on and on, lately? Cruz, Hawley, and Marsha Blackburn, in the hearings I watched for Ketanji Brown Jackson, were some real “doozies.” Cruz brought out children’s books to suggest – I actually am not sure what he was suggesting/ Was he wondering if Ms. Jackson is a racist? Or does he just find children’s books written about Black children offensive? And, Hawley, suggesting she’s a proponent of child pornography? Because she has sentenced people to similar sentences as MANY other judges – many confirmed without question when nominated by individual 1. And, ALL following the sentencing guidelines set forth by, you guessed it, the SENATE! (Which would require the approval of republicans on the Judiciary Committee!)

Is that what we call the “height of hypocrisy?” And, Blackburn asking Ms. Jackson to define a “woman?” Are you kidding me? (Actually, NO!) Oh, lest I forget, good ole Lindsey Graham (roll over in your grave once again, Mr. McCain) asking her to define her “religion.” Keep in mind, confirmation hearings are akin to “job interviews” and asking someone to define their religion in a job interview is, well, UNCONSTITUTIONAL! But this was, after all, the Senate Judiciary Committee so why wouild anyone think republicans would have ANY concern with the CONSTITUTION when interviewing candidates? Or, are they actually familiar with it?

And, I mentioned Matt Gaetz, speaking of CORRUPTION! This is the guy credibly accused of “child sex trafficking” (Maybe AG Garland is afraid of this prosecution as well – we’ll see) who is at the forefront of the white nationalists running amok in the republican party. To him, everything is “wokeism” (I wrote about that in a previous posts, but suffice it to say, it’s a term which implies racism by the one using it – in many instances, that would be Mr. Gaetz. For example, just recently, he verbally assaulted Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, our FIRST African American Defense Secretary, with his “wokeism” nonsense, in regard to our Defense Department and Gaetz claims he’s “embarrassed” by Austin’s “woke” leadership. it’s just MORE disgusting “dog whistling” coming from republicans – who find LYING more convenient than attempting to put together a platform which appeals to the majority of Americans.

Does their LYING work? Well, we’ve been witnessing for the previous 40+ years that it does. The American people are proving, by and large, that “WE” are not the most sophisticated population on the planet. Personally, I’m really discouraged by my own generation – baby boomers – because, it seems to me, too many of my generation who’ve been benefiting from America’s wealth for decades are too self indulged to understand the DAMAGE being done to this nation for our children and grandchildren – by many of US. Too many have become blindly affiliated with the republican party – to the point where republicans don’t need a platform – just feed them a gaggle of LIES and “it’s all good.” Yikes!

Who are the rising “stars” in the republican party? Well, sadly, I have to admit Marjorie Taylor Greene, a truly DEPLORABLE person, seems to be in that category. The FACT she gave the keynote speech at a recent white nationalist convention where the audience was chanting “Putin, Putin, Putin,” as she was introduced pretty much says it all. Yep, she’s a rising star in republican circles (QAnon believer and all). And, if you’d ask Gaetz, he’d suggest he is as well – or ask Ted Cruz, or Josh Hawley, or Rand Paul, or a plethora of others (Kristi Noem, Ron DeSantis, Greg Abbott, etc.) and you’ll get the who’s who of who will be attempting to be the next individual 1 in 2024. Will Americans “buy it?” Who knows, we’ll have to wait and see for that one. (Do republicans prefer, for example, Vladimir Putin to democrats?)

Republicans have been setting “we the people” up for the barrage of LYING which is to take place this election year and in the 2024 election with all this “wokeism” and “Critical Race Theory” (CRT) nonsense – and, you can see why they do it – because our so-called “liberal media” allows them to get away with it. “Hook, line, and sinker.” Both terms, “wokeism” and “CRT” are dog whistles to their white nationalist base – and, as I just said, our “liberal media” is SILENT on this reality. Would the American people care if it was pointed out what these terms actually MEAN each time they were used? Who knows, but, it’d be nice to find out.

Do the American people care that individual 1 has likely committed a PLETHORA of CRIMES since taking the oath to defend our CONSTITUTION from all enemies, foreign and domestic? Clearly, millions don’t! Do they care his son-in-law is grifting at the meet of MBS – an authoritarian despot who has OIL and little else? (OK, he’s got a LOT of MONEY) it’s debatable. And, does Merrick Garland care about the “alleged” CRIMES of individual 1? This too is debatable. How much MONEY does individual 1 and his FAMILY have to poach from “we the people” via their government connections before we say enough already? Apparently, we’re not at the magic number just yet.

Will individual 1’s supporters FINALLY realize the man who warned us about “all the winning” is one INCREDIBLE loser? Two elections, HUNDREDS of lawsuits – including 60 regarding the so-called “stolen election” – all LOSSES – that’s a LOT of LOSING, by the way, just saying (again). Will they EVER recognize the incredible amount of LYING he’s done – in many instances, right to their faces? If they haven’t by now, probably not. Will they EVER equate all individual 1’s cabinet members resigning in DISGRACE and his own CORRUPTION with the so-called “swamp?” Again, probably not. What he’s managed to do with these people really reminds me of what Vladimir Putin has done with the Russian people.

You hear stories all the time about Ukrainians with relatives in Russia who connect with them via phone and tell them about the atrocities being committed by Putin and their Russian relatives don’t believe them. My wife and I know a three quarter Ukrainian one quarter Russian lady – who was the Russian interpreter at our school when I was still teaching – we’ve stayed in touch over the past several years – who gets/got her “news” from “Russian TV” (RT TV). Apparently, that’s not an option now, but recently my wife talked to her and she believes Putin despite the FACT most of her relatives are from Ukraine. She believes Ukraine has been overcome by “Nazi’s” and Putin is clearing them out. And, she believes the claims coming from Bucha are doctored images and the bodies in the streets were “actors.” Yikes!

I’ve said many times individual 1 was attempting to “be like Putin” and he envisioned himself in a similar “president for life” role in the United States – prior to LOSING to Joe Biden (by over 7 MILLION votes – the largest SLAUGHTER ever in an American presidential election – based on the ‘popular vote.” Yet, he appears to be planning a “THIRD popular vote thrashing.” Certainly, one reason republicans are frantically passing the voter suppression bills is to make it possible for the coup d’etat to succeed the next time he LOSES by MILLIONS of votes. Just today, republicans announced they will no longer participate in presidential debates, for example, because, apparently, the debates aren’t the best place to spew their LIES – especially, with a moderator from “the enemy of the people” (ie, the “media”).

Final Thought: If you’re watching the “war” in Ukraine closely and you paid any attention to what individual 1 was doing/saying during the previous 6 years you MUST see how he was attempting to emulate Mr. Putin. There are so many “connections” to Russia via our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president it can’t be considered a coincidence Putin’s disdain for dissidents seems so similar to individual 1’s. The difference, of course, is how Putin can deal with his enemies (poison, murder, prison on, excuse the pun, “trumped up charges”) while individual 1 could only create his “enemies list” in an apparent attempt to be like Nixon.

I’ve put a plethora of rhetorical questions in this rant because, at the age of 74, I continue to struggle with what has happened to America. How can “we the people” continue to support the republican party? (I’ve been lamenting this for 20 years now) Republicans have shown over and over again they believe the laws have been/were written for others – like Black people, Latinas, young “liberals,” etc. etc. and they believe democrats DON’T have the stomach to prosecute them for their lawbreaking – and, so far, they’ve been proven correct in this respect. I posed these questions in case someone might happen on this site to stimulate thinking. Sadly, I know people who frequent right wing media (Fox “news,” “Newsmax,” etc.) and actually believe things like “individual 1 doesn’t LIE” – and, they’re almost impossible to communicate with. Stay tuned……………

On Final Thing: While the “world” is investigating Russian War Crimes which would be prosecuted at the “International Criminal Court” (ICC) at the “Hague” in the Netherlands it’s important to point out two countries who haven’t “signed on” to the ICC would be Russia and, you guessed it, the United States. While President Biden has referred to Putin, correctly in my view, as a “war criminal” I have to believe the reason the United States hasn’t aligned herself with the ICC is to protect those Americans who, in my view, committed WAR CRIMES during the U.S. invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan. As much as I believe Putin and those under his command committing CLEAR WAR CRIMES it’s hard to argue against the (typical) U.S. hypocrisy on this matter. I’ve written extensively about the FACT George W Bush, Dick Cheney, and Don Rumsfeld ADMITTED on national TV to authorizing TORTURE – and, additionally, saying they’d “do it again” means, in my view, the U.S. will have to leave it to the rest of the world to determine the culpibility of Putin and his thugs.

If you’re young and are reading this and you’re paying attention to all the signs of the Climate Crisis – I hope you’ll encourage everyone you know to vote AGAINST republicans in the 2022 Mid Terms – the reason democrats can’t pass their legislation has been pretty much layed at the “feet” of Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema (justifiably) – but, keep in mind there are 50 republicans in the Senate who believe Climate Change is a “hoax,” they support fossil fuel corporate interests, and they believe OBSTRUCTION is a strategy which will cause Americans to turn against democrats – when the reaction to that “plan” should be the opposite. The opportunity to vote enough democrats into the Senate to get rid of the filibuster is right in front of “we the people” – but, it appears our “liberal media” is more interested in their bottom lines than in reporting the TRUTH about what our nation is facing going forward. Yikes!!!!

I’ve been lamenting the reality, over the past many years, that our so-called “liberal media” has FAILED miserably in defining the use of the Nazi propaganda “strategy” of the “Big Lie Theory.” It was “invented” by Hitler, himself, when he wrote Mein Kampf and it was proliferated by his head of propaganda Joseph Goebbels – why? – because it works. The “theory” goes, “if you repeat a (Big) LIE over and over people will eventually believe the LIE is “true.” I originally noticed republicans had adopted this “theory” about 20 years ago and, with a bit more thought, I’ve come to believe they (purposefully) began their use of this “theory” during the reign of Ronald Reagan. It was during the years of Reagan that Rush Limbaugh began his ASSAULT on the “truth,” and it’s been proliferating ever since. To me, this is why individual 1 has become the “leader” of the republican party – simply because he’s an unapologetic pathological LIAR.

I’ve pointed out on this site I’m a Christian and I refuse to allow the right wing “Christians” who’ve become the “base” of the republican party (and all the “Big Lies”) to cause me to give up my belief in the “Teachings of Jesus.” Whether you can identify with that connundrum or not, I bring it up because my initial recollections of how serious this problem has become in our society began with “stuff” I began hearing in church back around the time of Bush/Cheney LYING “we the people” into the disastrous debacle in Iraq – circa 2003. I really started noticing how the “Christians” at the church I was attending were using the word “liberal” as a derogatory word. It made me feel very uncomfortable – to the point where I decided to go to a different church.

Quite honestly, I didn’t realize I was a “liberal” until – well, maybe during the Bush/Cheney years when I found myself questioning my representative in Congress why democrats were unwilling to hold IMPEACHMENT hearings on members of the George W Bush administration for the authorization and carrying out of TORTURE. To my naive mind TORTURE was/is unthinkable, although I knew/know it happens in many places around the globe – to me, it just shouldn’t be something “we the people” will tolerate from our own represenatatives in government. My questions in that town hall made it to the local TV “news” and, members of my church who saw it then referred to me as a “radical liberal.”

I had always considered myself to be a “conservative socialist.” That is, I supported the concept of the government reducing the national debt and “living within its means” while governing from the “bottom up.” I studied politics when in college and fully understood/stand there are times when it makes sense for the government to “spend” in response to crises – like, for example, the pandemic we’ve all been experiencing for the previous two plus years. A response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine requires, in my view, whatever help “we the people” can provide for the Ukrainians without worrying about how that assistance affects the deficit. But, to me, taxing the “billionaires” to pay for legislation positively affecting the lower and middle class is a no brainer. Especially, after 40 years of “trickle down” (I call it “trickle up”) economics.

On the other hand, we’ve recently seen an example of how “politics” seem to always get in the way of “government” responsibly dealing with the critical issues of the time. The example which readily comes to mind is the so-called “Build Back Better” economic agenda of President Biden supported by 98% of democrats in Congress along with somewhere in the neighborhood of 60-70% of Americans across the nation – legislation aimed at issues like CLIMATE CHANGE, Child care, early childhood education, etc. etc. – needed help for those struggling to stay “afloat” in America and legislation designed to help fight inflation AND legislation which was FULLY “paid for.” (Of course, if you’re young, CLIMATE CHANGE is likely a TOP priority – or, at least, I would hope so)

Most Americans are aware that Joe Manchin “torpedoed” this legislation and many understand his CORRUPT “connections” to the fossil fuel industry which vehemently OPPOSED the bill. Of course, Kyrsten Sinema was also opposed to “Build Back Better” for reasons fully explained when you check out her list of “donors.” She received around $1 MILLION from corporate interests (it’s easy to identify them via “Google”) such as the Chamber of Commerce, the Business Roundtable, various investment funds, etc. – groups who were “donating” to BLOCK the bill’s plan to raise taxes on the “wealthy” in order to fully pay for it. With a “majority” of, essentially, ONE in a “50/50” Senate, republicans quickly realized they only needed one vote from democrats to BLOCK President Biden’s agenda – and, they’ve been “courting” Manchin and Sinema from day one of this legislative cycle. They got “two for the price of one.”

I point all this out in my own feeble attempt to identify why I realize I must be a “liberal” despite my “old fashioned” mentality (I’m almost 75 years old and BTW I’m white) and appreciation of American traditions. That being said, I’m also attempting to “educate” myself every day – meaning I’m trying to be a “lifelong learner.” As the saying goes, “the more I learn, the more I realize I don’t know.” My appreciations of many American “traditions” along with my feeling of being an ACTUAL “fiscal conservative” is why I, for years, thought of myself as the aforementioned “conservative socialist.” (American traditions like, say, Social Security, Medicare, etc.)

I believe strongly in the words of Jesus when He said “What you do for the least of these (meaning people) you do for Me” and then He adds “What you do TO the least of these, you do to Me.” It’s my belief in His teachings which has led me to believe that government should function “from the bottom up.” I believe in the idea of a “WE” society as opposed to a “ME” society – which I’ve always felt is where “we the people” have evolved since the election of Reagan back in 1980. And, I believe the driving force behind the “Christian” community’s embrace of the republican party can be summed up in two words – RACISM and ABORTION.

And, quickly I’ll point out – the RACISM coming from “Christians” has been an ongoing issue for – well, – how old is this country? By my recent readings, certainly from the Civil War times up through today. The Southern Baptist Convention was integral in much of the racial horror which permeated the South, for example, from Reconstruction up to – again, today. And, I’ve written about ABORTION. I’ll simply say, getting rid of Roe v Wade will NOT end ABORTIONS. True to our “form” the way we resolve problems often times only makes them worse. (If you’re interested in my views on this subject, check the archives. Succinctly put: If you don’t believe in ABORTION, don’t have one – a truly LIBERTARIAN concept)

Our “liberal media” has, in my view, allowed society to accept the notion republicans are “conservative” and democrats are “liberal.” It was back during the initial part of the Iraq invasion that it dawned on me the media had allowed the word “liberal” to mean “democrat” and have allowed the word liberal to be “denigrated” for years – resulting in a large segment of our population simply accepting this, what to me is, a “Big LIE.” The disconnect, for example, of “The teachings of Jesus” with the actions of “conservatives” who operate by claiming the basis of their beliefs come from jesus is, to me, preposterous. For example, I thought I was going to throw up when watching videos of people assaulting our Capitol on January 6th, 2021 “In the name of Jesus.”

My point here is our so-called “liberal media” is too busy “chasing its tail” to realize how “they’ve” been co-opted by republican strategists to help BRAINWASH large segments of the American public into routinely voting AGAINST their own self interests. For example, I’ve heard little in the “liberal media” (I RARELY frequent Fox “news”) pointing out the CORRUPTION behind the “stand” of Senator Sinema to protect the BILLIONAIRES who’ve been growing their WEALTH at an astronomical pace since the beginning of the pandemic and who do EVERYTHING they can to avoid paying taxes. Again, in my mind, this all started with the election of Reagan – paving the way for the “infection” of our society by people like the “Koch Brothers,” the DeVoss family, and other wealthy Americans who WORK to “rig” the system in their favor. And, trust me, I understand Kyrsten Sinema isn’t the only politician in Washington DC who’s been CORRUPTED by corporate money – i’m just pointing out how easy it was for republicans to target one democratic Senator to block Biden’s agenda. (Of course, they managed to get Manchin as well)

Here’s what triggered all these thoughts I’m ranting about today – and, that’s the use of the word “woke” by the republican “Big Lie” machine. I’ve heard that term used over and over by one republican after another as they’ve been “firing up” their “Big Lie” machine ahead of the 2022 Mid Term elections. Their purpose is to cause “we the people” to believe the solution to our problems – you know “Critical Race Theory” (CRT) and “woke” democrats is to vote republicans back into control of Congress – virtually ensuring NOTHING gets done for the next two years. The biggest problem I had with all this is I didn’t know what “CRT” meant or what “woke” meant. I only knew both must be bad because, well, people like Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley, Ron DeSantis, and virtually every other republican with a public “platform” said so.

The problem I had with “CRT,” once I reallized it had to do with education, is that I taught sixth graders for the last 23 years of my working life (well, on occasion, seventh graders) and I didn’t know what Critical Race Theory actually was/is. I can make assumptions based on the moniker, but it appears to me, the “assault” on “CRT” is reminiscent of the period after reconstruction where the “lost cause” was birthed. My assumption is there are people who don’t want the TRUTH about American history to be taught in our public schools. I don’t believe “CRT” is actually taught, at least I had no idea what it was when I was teaching – but, that’s not the point. To me, the point is to stir up controvesy amongst the white subrubanites who republicans desperately need in order to “win” future elections. It seemed to have worked in Virginia with the election of Glenn Youngkin so, ………….. what the hell?

And, what about “woke” or “wokeness” or ???? I didn’t know what that term means either – but, our “liberal meda” has certainly allowed republicans to leave people to believe it’s BAD and it’s associated with those other really bad terms like “liberal” or “CRT.” I mean with all that really BAD stuff coming from “liberals” – who we’ve allowed to be synonymous with “democrats” who are “socialists” – which we’ve allowed to be stigmitzed as BAD – well, the only reasonable thing for people to think is we need republicans – in the mold of individual 1 and Ron DeSantis – to gain control of our government. Obviously, they’ll protect “we the people” from “woke” democrats. (Ask anyone you know what “woke” means and where the term came from)

So, what does “woke” really mean and where did this term come from? OK, a little research tells me I shouldn’t be surprised at today’s republicans “assassinating” that term and applying it to “liberals” because it’s a slang term which has evolved from the African American community. Based on what I found, it was first used by the Blues musician “Ledbelly” back in the 1930’s in one of his songs and it has evolved to mean people who are aware of the experiences of Black people in the United States. Apparently, this is the republicans way of sending “dog whistles” to their white nationalist base that people like Cruz, Hawley, DeSantis, and on and on oppose the “Black Lives Matter” movement. Or, are the saying they simply oppose Black people? The best I can figure out is if I support the idea of equal rights for all Americans – that makes me “woke.” There you have it Josh Hawley and Ted Cruz – I’m “woke!”

What this all means, at least to me, is that our “liberal media,” in effect, is in cahoots with republicans in allowing RACIST terms to be used with impunity without even the thought of maybe, for example, every time Ron DeSantis, or Cruz, or Hawley, or any of them call someone “woke” or complain about “CRT” that it should be made clear what they mean. What they are ACTUALLY talking about. Of course, their white nationalist base knows EXACTLY what they’re saying, but those white suburbanites who’ve been programmed to fear “liberals” but who oppose RACISM and are largely what would be termed our “independent” voters shouldn’t be left to speculate what is being said. I don’t know, maybe our “liberal media” longs for the return of individual 1 because he was making them BAGS of money!

And, the fact “woke” or “wokeness” or “CRT” is said OVER and OVER again, should cause someone in the “liberal media” to at least have some curiosity as to why they keep repeating this stuff – with NO ONE even questioning “what do they REALLY mean?” I believe I’ve only read one instance of where someone who would be considered part of the national media made a passing reference to the origin of the “Big Lie Theory” – despite the fact individual 1’s constant drumbeat about the “stolen election” is referred to as the “Big Lie” – educating “we the people” that we’re being inundated with LIES based on a theory “invented” by Adolf Hitler. Apparently, that’s too sensitive a subject for our “liberal media” to “tackle.” Yikes!!! If watching individual 1’s “mentor” Vladimir Putin for the previous 40+ days hasn’t given you “pause,” then there’s nothing I can do to help you. I really hope “we the people” don’t want that back!

Final Thought: I’m reading a book titled “Race and Reunion” by David Blight in my attempt to continue as a “lifelong learner.” The book focuses on the 50 years following the Civil War and it’s a very dense, for me challenging, read – likely aimed for students in the upper levels of their university studies. I believe Mr. Blight is a professor at Yale University (I’m going by memory – which mine is receding :o) and I’m trying to “digest” as much of the book as I can – if I was still a student I’d be taking a lot of notes. The last section I’ve read focused on the “Lost Cause” – which, in essence was the time period when people in the South – to a large extent women – chose to create a “mountain” of LIES about the Civil War. Lots of pamphlets were being published and “Daughters of the Confederacy” wanted to create their own “reality.” As I was reading it I was seeing a lot of parallels with what is going on in the republican party today.

Back then, books were being banned if they didn’t give the perspective of those who concocted the notion of the “Lost Cause.” Public speakers were spreading the LIES in an organized manner designed to BRAINWASH the White children who were part of their public schools. It’s almost as if we’re experiencing a “deja vu all over again” cycle in the South today. Make no mistake, RACISM is a problem in all parts of our nation, but – as we’ve seen from the wave of voter suppression legislation spreading across America – the focal point has been in the South. Georgia, Texas, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Arizona, etc. etc. The “dog whistles” are becoming less subtle all the time.

I truly believe America is at an inflection point and if “we the people” actually put people like Kevin McCarthy in charge of the House of Represenatatives and don’t realize the solution to problems in the Senate is not putting Moscow Mitch back in charge but is voting in MORE democrats we are in “big trouble” for the forseeable future. President Biden’s “bottom up middle out” approach to governing is, to me, something I’ve hoped for over the past many years. I’ve always been an “independent” voter – but, since the days of Bush/Cheney I’ve found myself voting AGAINST republicans. Biden’s agenda is the first legislation I can remember aimed at the lower and middle class going back to LBJ’s “Great Society.”

I have to add: Maybe the best way I can make my point about the problem caused by our “liberal media” would be pointing out how CBS “news” recently hired Mick Mulvaney – one of the master LIARS in individual 1’s administration. Mulvaney was directly involved in the EXTORTION of Volodymyr Zelenskyy leading to IMPEACHMENT number one of our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president. Numerous employees of CBS were angered, embarrassed, fill in the blank over Mulvaney being hired as a “political consultant.” The explanation from whoever is in charge there was something along the lines of “The republicans are going to regain power in the Mid Terms and we want someone on the ‘in’ with that segment of the population.” Those aren’t the exact words, but what I can tell you is I shouldn’t have been so surprised when I read what she said. It is just another example of how our “liberal media” has allowed itself to be INFECTED by politicians as opposed to actual journalists. I realize I’m “painting with a broad brush” – but, if you’ve read this far, I hope it’s stimulated a bit of thought. My hope is, come November, LIBERALS will be voting in record numbers, once again! Mulvaney at CBS will be “unnecessary.”

For days I’ve wanted to sit down and make a comparison between individual 1 and, arguably his mentor, Vladimir Putin – which, hopefully, I will. However, there are other things happening these days aside from Putin’s CRIMINAL assault on Ukraine. The one which immediately comes to mind is the Senate confirmation proceeding for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, President Biden’s first appointment to the Supreme Court. Before I get into the INCREDIBLE (for lack of a better word) questioning coming from republicans like Josh Hawley, Ted Cruz, Mike Lee, and Tom Cotton (among others) I couldn’t help but make the “connection” with the Brett Kavanaugh hearings which these republicans keep bringing up OVER and OVER.

Here’s my original thought – which was “confirmed” (pun intended) by a conversation I heard on MSNBC with Joy Reid and Chris Hayes. Just try to picture this, “what if” Judge Jackson responded to questioning as Kavanaugh did when he appeared to have a TOTAL meltdown – exactly the type which appealed to our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president? Can you picture the response by all these republicans? They keep asking her about decisions she’s made regarding “child pornography.” I wonder why they’re not asking about “child sex trafficking?” (Do you think Matt Gaetz is wondering this?) Or how about, how does Judge Jackson feel about college wrestling coaches who don’t report sexual abuse of their student athletes? (Maybe they should ask Jim jordan how he feels about such “deplorable” people?) Is there anyone beside me (I’m white) who finds it interesting to observe a bunch of white nationalist supporting Senators trying to “get” judge Jackson on questions regarding “Critical Race Theory” or (in Cruz’s case) children’s books depicting the issue of race?

So, as I’ve said, there are other issues going on “out there” despite the (warranted) focus on Putin’s CRIMINAL invasion of Ukraine. And, oh, by the way, I don’t see Putin as anything resembling a “genius.” (Maybe that’s why I see him and individual 1 from such a similar vantage point) Take for example, the January 6th Select Committee is still gathering information and working toward a public report coming sometime around May or June. We know, from a recent court filing, the Committee has determined they have “evidence” individual 1 and members of his campaign “committed CRIMINAL acts.” I kind of am missing the daily reports on the Commttee’s progress. Just sayin……… I trust they’re still busy! (I’m also wondering if the reason the Justice Department hasn’t acted on the CRIMINAL referral of Mark Meadows for obstructing Congress is because he’s a TARGET of a much more serious OFFENSE? – And, I’m not talking about VOTER FRAUD – although, it appears he committed an egregious act of VOTER FRAUD in the 2020 election)

There’s also the issue of President Biden’s actions regarding Putin’s CRIMINAL invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent WAR CRIMES being committed on a daily basis by Russia’s troops. Biden has miraculously pulled together the NATO Alliance – the very Alliance individual 1 was attempting to undermine – in furtherance of Putin’s wishes. The Alliance has enforced CRIPLING sanctions against Russia which have created a suffocating crashing of Russia’s economy and there have been rippling affects around the globe – like an increase in the prices of many commodities – most prominently, oil prices and the price of items like wheat. Of course, the American public will give Biden low “marks” in the polling, because, well, there’s nothing worse in America than “high” oil prices. (“We the people” should check on oil prices elsewhere at some point) I continue to thank “the Lord” President Biden is guiding the ship of state as opposed to the alternative. Picture the result of Russia’s invasion had individual 1 managed to successfully undermine NATO. Yikes!!!

I started this post about a week or two ago and just haven’t been motivated to write. I want to keep up with Russia’s ILLEGAL invasion of Ukraine, but it brings me to tears everytime I do so. For example, today I saw a group of Classical musicians playing music in one of the underground train depots where people have been “hiding” for the past three (or more) weeks in Kharkiv – where eventually all those hiding from the bombs there were singing the Ukrainian national anthem. Once again, I found myself crying like a baby. It breaks my heart to watch what’s going on there and, to a degree, it pisses me off (sorry, couldn’t find a better phrase) when I hear the polling saying the American public care more about the price of gas than the results of the “war” (Russian invasion) in Ukraine. That’s just me!

I said above I’ve given a lot of thought to comparing individual 1 and Putin – I consider Putin individual 1’s “mentor” – but, it may have to wait. In the time since I started this post two significant things have happened regarding January 6th, 2021 and the “Select Committee.” First, a couple days ago the Washington Post got ahold of something like 29 text messages sent from Clarence Thomas’ wife (yep, the Supreme Court Clarence Thomas) imploring Mark Meadows to do whatever he could to overturn the election (even going so far as suggesting Joe Biden and his “co-conspirators” will be sent off the Coast of “GITMO” in a barge to be tried for “seditious conspiracy.” Do you get the irony here?

First, keep in mind, to be part of a “conspiracy” it’s only required that you converse with co-conspirators about the “plan” – in this case, overturning an American election and preventing the “peaceful transfer of power” for the first time in America’s 240 or so years as a democratic republic. So, to make this short and sweet, if individual 1, Mark Meadows, John Eastman, Sidney Powell, Rudy Giuliani, likely several members of Congress, and a bunch more (including close to 100 republicans around the country who FORGED fake Electoral Count documents) CONSPIRED to commit CRIMINAL offenses regarding the functioning of Congress and the “peaceful transfer of power” then LIKELY Ginni Thomas, Clarence’s wife, is part of that CONSPIRACY.

Just to make this “saga” a bit more “juicy” just today a Federal District Judge in California ruled John Eastman MUST turn over text’s/emails regarding January 6th and in his ruling suggested it’s LIKELY both Mr. Eastman AND our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president committed MULTIPLE felonies. Do you see where I’m going with this? If you’ve been around this site for the past, say – number of years – you KNOW I’ve been calling for individual 1 (Google where he got that “name”) to be PROSECUTED for his ILLEGAL activities with, well, so far, no success. Is that going to be changing? OK, you know my answer to that question! YES!!!

My concern since President Biden took office is that Merrick Garland doesn’t have the stomach to follow through on seeking to indict our former (CORRUPT) president. I even heard he was “reluctant” because he didn’t want to exacerbate the divisions in the country. I’ve said this numerous times, SO WHAT! It’s getting to the point where I think it will divide the country even MORE if Garland refuses to act! For example, virtually everyone paying attention has heard individual 1’s phone call with Georgia’s Secretary of State where he “just wanted them to ‘find’ 11,780 votes” in order to OVERTURN Georgia’s election – along with several other phone calls along with calls from others like Lindsay Graham. Why is the DA in Fulton County, Georgia investigating this CLEAR act of PURE corruption? INSTEAD of the Justice Department? None of this looks good for Mr. Garland – who will have a disgraced legacy if he refuses to act – mark those words!

So, getting back to Ginni Thomas – who, by the way, it’s being reported is being asked to testify “under oath” to the January 6th Select Committee – is SHE going to refuse and have to be subpoenaed? Will her husband be asked to rule on that case? None of this looks good for the Thomas’s. OK, none of this looks good for the whole bunch of them who CONSPIRED to overthrow a “free and fair election.” In the court ruling today, the judge went to great lengths to point out individual 1 MUST have known the “election wasn’t stolen.” He listed all the reasons which would make arguing otherwise in court “LIKELY” futile. I believe the whole bunch of them SHOULD eventually be part of the same CONSPIRACY (Seditious – again, do you see the irony from Ms. Thomas’s Qanon conspiracy “charge” regarding President Biden) as the OATHKEEPERS (I always have to add – who was their “oath” to?) and, soon to include, the “Proud Boys.” Stay tuned…………..

Final Thought: Regarding my thoughts about the similarities between individual 1 and Vladimir Putin – I’m reminded of the saying, “Birds of a feather, flock together.” Both of these men are PATHOLOGICAL LIARS. They would have to have a “cage match” to determine who’s the most NARCISSISTIC and, to me, they’re both enabled “mob bosses.” Of course, compared to Putin, in the “mob boss” category, individual 1 is “small potatoes.” It’s true there’s much to suggest his “organization” has been committing various examples of FRAUD over the years, but Putin and his so-called “oligarchs” have been pilfering “Mother Russia” of much of her Natural Wealth since, well, since he gained control of the country. Clearly, individual 1 was attempting to emulate him, and it seemed, had come to the conclusion he had the right to use his office in order to further his personal WEALTH. By most accounts, prior to the invasion of Ukraine, Putin was the WEALTHIEST person in the world. Do you think this is why individual 1 emulates him?

Shortly after the INSURRECTION on January 6th, 2021 I predicted “the truth will come out, drip by drip.” Of course, at that time I had no idea republicans in Congress would refuse to authorize a “9/11 Style Committee” designed to “get to the bottom of what happened on January 6th” leading to the Select Committee. (What’s that word I don’t like? Stupid? Yep!) The 9/11 Style Committee would have been “totally bipartisan” with members outside of Congress chosen by Congress AND it’s term would have alread expired. Now republicans are going to get the results of the Select Committee’s work (over 750 interviews, to date – with more to come). hearings right in the middle of the Mid Term election cycle (likely with the Supreme Court’s ruling on Roe V Wade happening about the same time).

On top of that, it now appears LIKELY the Select Committee will send CRIMINAL referrals to the Justice Department including the above mentioned co-CONSPIRATORS – which would NEVER have happened had the Senate agreed to the 9/11 style Committee – and, additionally, a plethora of TRIALS of the January 6th INSRURRECTIONISTS will be happening during the course of the next many months. I’ll say it again, the republicans have an incredible ability to be STUPID. OK, I know what you’re thinking, what does that say about “we the people” with all predictions suggesting republicans are favored to take back control of Congress at the end of this year? Yikes!!!

With the help of Fox “news,” “Newsmax,” and other right wing media outlets republicans will continue to believe the same GARBAGE Ginni Thomas allowed herself to “believe” – although, it’s hard for me to think she really believed it. Oh yes, do you think Clarence Thomase should be interviewed? Are you really going to try convincing me he had no idea what his WIFE was doing? If you believe that, “I’ve got a bridge…………………….”

One more thing: As long as I’m a bit concerned about Merrick Garland’s willingness to “tackle” controversial cases involving republicans I can share my further concern in two words. Matt Gaetz! The case AGAINST him was started during individual 1’s reign – so, what’s the holdup? Again, I’m getting more concerned about AG Garland, by the day!

Please forgive me for publishing this rant without re-reading it and fixing the “foo pahs.” It’s late and I’m feeling a bit lazy.

It appears Vladimir Putin will not be satisfied until Ukraine is a huge pile of rubble and the Ukrainian people are either ALL dead or looking for a place to live after they’ve reached a refugee site. What the hell is Putin attempting to accomplish? The Ukrainians are as close to being Russian as can be. Is Putin that afraid of people actually choosing their own leaders? He’s been “in charge” for over 20 years in Russia and he’s 69 years old, what on earth is his plan? He’s put himself, already, in the History books right next to Adolf Hitler – and is it going to get worse?

It’s clear to me the Russian army is not that threatening when you talk about the idea if the Russian troops decide to advance into Poland, Hungary, or one of the other NATO countries which border Ukraine. Of course, Russia has, like the United States, a nuclear arsenal capable of destroying the planet. Would he actually start a nuclear war? Russia could achieve a “dead heat” with the U.S. but, of course, this would be “the end.”

Right now the Russians are attacking CIVILIANS who are attempting to flee to the refugee camps. They’re fleeing by the THOUSANDS upon THOUSANDS and there’s a plethora of videos showing them being indiscriminately attacked via missiles coming in from Russians outside the city from where they’re fleeing. The road to Lviv is fraught with danger. And, the Russians appear to be willing to go after CIVILIANS as well as military targets. This is “we the people” watching WAR CRIMES unfolding in real time. My God, Putin is EVIL personified! Does he remind you of anyone?

I can’t help thinking about how DISGUSTING our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president calling Putin “a genius,” “very smart,” and more incredulously STUPID remarks – obviously, he’s been gushing over Putin since well before Putin helped him “win” the 2016 presidential election. Individual 1, Mike Pompeo, Tucker Carlson, and maybe others have been “useful idiots” of the Russians due to their STUPID public comments – used by Putin to help him keep the Russian people in the dark about his attack on, in many cases, the relatives of the Russian people.

I pray the American people will realize the importance of somehow coming together in disgust toward Putin – although, I understand the segment of our nation who identify as white nationalists will never be moved to a rational place where they rejoin reality. If you don’t understand my point here, you need to find some of the film which came out of a recent AFPAC conference – held in unison with the so-called “CPAC” conference, “CPAC,” of course, stands for “Conservative Political Action Conference” while “AFPAC” stands for “America First PAC” – essentially the heart of individual 1’s “base.” The real wingnuts!

AFPAC is lead by Nick Fuentes who is an unabashed Neo-Nazi who, during this conference, ADMIRINGLY compared Putin to Adolf Hitler. (I suppose, I’m making the same comparison, but it’s NOT “admiringly”) Just prior to announcing the keynote speaker, Marjorie Taylor Greene, (yep, a House republican who is very close to individual 1) Fuentes – after making a white nationalist remark cheered by the audience – lauded Putin and Russia and the audience responded with “Putin, Putin, Putin.” Ms. Greene seemed to take that with a “grain of salt” before giving her keynote address. Yikes!!

I have to wonder whether or not Putin’s WAR CRIMES in Ukraine will be enough to cause MORE Americans to realize it’s time to remove republicans from Congress – en masse, or whether republicans will make the connection between Putin and individual 1. Of course, it’s going to be hard to get attention away from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. They (the Russians) seem hell bent on a genocide – MURDERING Ukraine civilians by the THOUSANDS. In some cities there are dead bodies lying in streets because the remaining people are unable to get to them so they can be buried. In several cities the Ukrainians are being forced to dig MASS burial sites. And, I have to wonder what are the Russians doing with the THOUSANDS of Russian troops who are being KILLED during this war? Some of THEM are simply lying on the frozen ground? Maybe Putin doesn’t want their mammas to know what happened to her boys!?

The more I watch Putin during this seige of Ukraine the more the similarities between him and individual 1 become obvious. Both narcissistic, pathalogical LIARS – among other “strengths!” Of course, we witnessed four years of individual 1 attempting to act according to Putin’s “playbook.” We all know our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president is incapable of doing ANYTHING creative, so he simply copies. It’s even been reported he’s plagarized his motto along with the code used on his FAILING social media site.

One thing I’ve done over the years on this site is “make predictions.” Apparently, this is the result of being a reading teacher during my teaching career. Here’s the latest one: The Ukrainian casualties are mounting fast and, surprisingly, Americans are unusually in agreement on our repulsion to “Putin’s war.” Of course, there’s the usual right wing wack jobs expressing their admiration of Putin and, in the case of Madison Cawthorn – a republican congressman from North Carolina (shame on you, North Carolina) who is referring to Volodomyr Zelensky as a “thug” – I believe republicans will begin to “peel” away from President Biden and demand “we the people” enter the war on the side of the Ukrainians.

Of course, we already ARE in this, on the side of Ukrainians – we’re sending massive amounts of weapons and humanitarian supplies, Biden has brought the NATO alliance together like we haven’t seen for years – despite individual 1’s attempts to undermine it – and, based on what I’ve heard from one former General after another, Biden’s strategy has been “spot on.” We have to assume Putin will stop at Ukraine – otherwise, well, it’s WW III. President Biden is in no hurray for that to happen – no matter what America’s republicans will say. Keep in mind, they’ll say ANYTHING they believe will bring them back into power.

Can you just imagine if individual 1 was president right now? None of the options are appealing. For starters, there’s no way NATO would have coalesced as they have, and, to me, there’s no way individual 1 would have the slightest idea what to do. I’ve heard multiple reports, despite his EXTORTION of Zelensky leading to the FIRST impeachment, individual 1 would have been unable to locate Ukraine on a map. Yikes!

Here’s another thing you can count on: The Russians will continue flooding America’s social media platforms with mis/disinformation. (ie “fake news”) And, they’ll have support from the far right of America’s pathological LYING republican party. Actually, this LYING in these “circles” has been going on for generations. You can trace it all the way back to the end of “reconstruction” following the Civil War where the so-called “lost cause” was “born.” Members of the “United Daughters of the Confederacy” (UDC) were writing a “pack of LIES” from the mid 1870’s all the way up to the first World War.

American “conservatives” took it from there. Over the 150 years since then we’ve seen school text books written by people with a similar agenda to those today who are attempting to control what our children might read. OMG, what if a white student became uncomfortable? What is a white student discovered the TRUTH about SLAVERY? What if a white student discovered the TRUTH about LYNCHINGS? How many students know about “Juneteenth?” How many Americans knew about it until individual 1 scheduled a rally on that date? How many Americans know about the slaughter in Tulsa shortly after WW 1? I could go on – hell, today’s republicans don’t even want their children to know the truth about Martin Luther King Jr.!

Banned books and book burnings have been going on ever since the Civil War – when are “we the people” going to learn? I keep bringing this up – those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it. When are we going to learn? People like Ron DeSantis in Florida and Greg Abbott in Texas fight right into the “deplorable” mold. I’m happy that Abbott is being challenged by Beto O’Rorke in Texas and pray the people of Texas will rise up against the radical “garbage” coming out of that state in the past year.

There are opportunities all over the political landscape for real CHANGE to happen in this country – but, the sad reality is, it won’t happen until republicans are routinely voted ouf of office. Whether that calls for a “third party” or not – these COWARDLY right wing LIARS need to be voted into the history books. Maybe Liz Cheney can reclaim the republican party, who knows? And, trust me, I disagree with just about everything she votes for, but it’s hard NOT to respect her integrity in the face of HUGE right wing backlash. I actually believe SHE will be the key to bringing individual 1 to JUSTICE. I believe he FEARS her more than anyone on the planet!

So, while America’s justice system “chugs” along at a snails pace, “we the people” will be focused on the war in Ukraine. Putin is GOING to be the recipient of WAR CRIME allegations once this is all over – should the planet survive his threats of a nuclear holocost – and, hopefully, his actions will once and for all show Americans how fortunate they are Putin couldn’t get individual 1 elected a second time. Will that end up being Putin’s biggest failing? Move over Adolf Hitler, you’ve got company on the end of the “bench” in the darkest places of World History! Stay tuned…………….

Final Thought: If you’re reading this and you’re not sure who “individual 1” is, just do a little research and check our who told Michael Cohen to pay two women, one a “porn star” who goes by the same “Stormy Daniels” (her actual name is Stephanie Clifford) , to keep quiet right before the 2016 American presidential election. With people already “abuzz” about the so-called “Access Hollywood tape” (where he admitted to sexually assaulting women) being made public, these two women coming forward publicly claiming they had affairs with “individual 1” (while his wife was pregnant with his last son) very well would have cost him any chance of the election. He paid them each around $150,000 if memory serves me correct. I can’t bring myself to write his surname until he’s had the opportunity to “clear himself” before the Southern District of New York’s U.S. Attorney’s office. Curiously, Mr, Cohen was given a three year jail sentence for his part in this scheme (plus a few other issues – common to both he and individual 1 – you know, FRAUD) and, apparently, the SDNY U. S. Attorney’s office is declining to follow through on the charges for individual 1. It’s as if our Justice Department FEARS him as much as the republican party!

I’ve written about Mark Zuckerberg and how I see Facebook as a large part of the division existing in America (and elsewhere) due to algorithms designed to suck people onto their site no matter the consequences. Clearly, there’s mis/disinformation being spread by Facebook’s algorithms simply because it causes more people to spend more time on their platform. It’s really bad, but, as usual, there’s always more.

Over the past few months I’ve noticed some “subtle” advertising showing up on my screen (I don’t do Facebook or any of the other Social Media sites like “Twitter” etc.) attempting to convince me that “Meta” is, in essence (my characterization), good for all of us. Allowing us to communicate with each other.

Of course, it says nothing about the DATA it’s collecting and using to provide us with “information” their algorithm thinks will cause us to spend more time on their platform. Some groups are able to remain somewhat secret and create “communities” which have agendas which SHOULDN’T be private. This is where many of the INSURRECTIONISTS “gathered” online as they planned the ATTACK on our Capitol on January 6th, 2021. I took these ads to be necessary for Facebook (er “Meta”) to further manipulate the people who frequent their site.

Well, now, I’m seeing ads for “What’s Ap” – the messaging ap owned by, yep, you guessed it, Facebook (er “Meta”). This is the ap Jared Kushner was using in his communications with MBS of Saudi Arabia – communications which likely violated the presidential preservation act (do you remember Hillary Clinton’s emails?). Why would Kushner use “What’s Ap?” You know the answer to that, don’t you? The communication is encrypted. That is, no one can find out what you were saying. When is that something most of us should be worried about?

Well, obviously, Kushner was worried about what he was saying – despite the fact all communications by top government officials MUST be documented for “posterity.” (And, Kushner was a “senior advisor” to individual 1, therefore all communication was “official”) The CONSPIRATORS who attacked the Capitol on January 6th, 2021 were using encrypted devices. Here’s how “Meta” advertises their ap: They show “Postal Workers” delivering mail that’s been opened and suggesting “don’t worry, no one has read it.” To me, this is just one more example of how disgusting Zuckerberg and everything he “touches” is. If you’re doing “naughty” stuff, just use “What’s ap” and no one will have any idea “what’s up.”

There’s also “Instagram” – another “ap” which Facebook “gobbled up” – in their attempt to “dominate” Social media aps, where they purchase their competitors. You’re correct, this appears to be a MONOPOLY, but our Congress is so divided I don’t see any way “Meta” will end up getting broken up – or, even facing regulation which prevents them from being the foundation for mis/disinformation worldwide. So, the reports of what is happening on “Instagram” are not all that encouraging either.

From reports I’ve read there are numerous (really) young people using Instagram and the “algorithms” which are designed to do the same thing they do on Facebook and are resulting in more use by (really) young people along with some disturbing evidence the mis/disinformation is leading to mental issues with many of those who are sucked in by this “ap.” Obviously, I’m speaking based on third party information and reports, but not much of it sounds good.

I read “An Ugly Truth” – “Inside Facebook’s Battle for Domination” by Sheera Frenkel and Cecilia Kang and it, essentially, documents Zuckerberg’s “tunnel vision” of dominating the Social media “space” on the internet. He wants, eventually to have 5 BILLION users and he wants them hooked to their screens for increasing amounts of time each day. The consequences of all this? To Zuckerberg it appears he’s oblivious to the consequences. Those who attacked our Capitol on January 6th, 2021 did much of their “planning” on Facebook. Some were even (stupidly) livestreaming on Facebook as they breached the Capitol itself.

I’ve said this before, but I see a direct correlation between the rise of Facebook and the rise of division in America and people being bombarded by The Big Lie theory of the Nazi’s resulting in Americans believing almost unbelievable nonsense. It appears the QAnon conspiracy phenomenon festered into a serious danger to our society thanks to Facebook. When you put all this together with “Meta” so unscrupulously advertising “What’s ap” encouraging people to use encrypting devices for their communication. To this day I wonder what it was Kushner felt required him to hide his communications with the leader of the Saudi’s – where he’s now attempting to gather financing for his ambitions. Something smells “fishy” to me.

It should be obvious I’ve got a plethora of thoughts going through my head and this “stuff” coming from “Meta,” to me, has gone a long way in leading to the DISASTER which is unfolding in Ukraine as I’m writing this. I’m trying to tear myself away from watching the reporting coming out of Ukraine as much as I can, but, on the other hand, I feel an obligation to pay as close attention as I can. The reality is Vladimir Putin can NOT “win” this “war” he started for some absurd reason – likely a FEAR of a country on his border which is a fledgling democracy and which is flourishing. Putin is going to end up with a nation whose infrastructure has been destroyed, Millions will have fled, and Putin will be considered a WAR CRIMINAL who will be stuck in Russia.

Here’s the big question I have – will the Russian people revolt to the point where Putin is finally put out of power? What is his ultimate goal? Do we have people in our intelligence community who believe Putin would actually start a nuclear war? I certainly have questions about whether he’ll stop at Ukraine, although it appears the Russian army isn’t as fierce as Putin would lead us to believe. Yes, they’ve got the ability to launch missiles, but they certainly look vulnerable from where I’m sitting. Is there a way out for Putin? Remember, he’s got similar characteristics to individual 1 – that is, NEVER admit you’re wrong or that you’ve made a mistake.

This mistake of Putin’s is, in my view, clearly WAR CRIMES. Now, keep in mind, I felt similarly to what was authorized back in the U.S. invasion of Iraq and the aftermath for GW Bush, Dick Cheney, Don Rumsfeld, and some of the other Americans who authorized TORTURE of the so-called “enemy combatants” during the Iraq and Afghanistan fiascos. Investigations into those CRIMES were blocked by President Obama so what will happen now with Putin? The entire world is watching him order the destruction of Ukraine – apparently to get even with the Ukrainians for defending their country.

In the end, Putin CAN’T “win” this war. I don’t even believe he will be able to occupy the rubble he’s creating – he’s even ordered his troops to attack the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. Is he going to push beyond Ukraine and, it has to be asked, does he really have the “stones” to launch nuclear weapons? Could this be the end of the world as we know it? Putin has secured a place in the history books right next to Adolf Hitler.

Here’s my final thought: I’m really thankful individual 1 is NOT our president right now. I’m hopeful “we the people” will find something else to do with our time besides Facebook and I certainly hope our government, at some point, does an investigation of “What’s ap.” What is the audience “Meta” is seeking via their advertising – which is a bit phony to say the least. Finally, I hope and pray somehow Putin will be STOPPED and I pray for all the Ukrainians whose lives have been upended by the world’s WORST tyrant. The damage from this invasion will be lasting beyond the rest of my lifetime. Yikes!

And, I also hope Facebook will find a way to BLOCK all the misinformation (fake news) coming from the Russians via their platform. At some point there has to be something more important than MONEY!

I have to add: Should we all still be here come November (Putin is threatening a nuclear war), the American people MUST remember who was calling Putin a “genius” and who was making comments in support of Putin which got them on Russian TV as part of Russian propaganda – as the Russians call them, “useful idiots.” It was individual 1, Mike Pompeo, and Tucker Carlson – (and, maybe others) apparently, Carlson is the “darling” of Russian TV in their push to control the media there. These are the leaders of the republicans siding with the madman Putin! We can’t allow them to have ANY control in Washington D.C.

“Liberals” who are blaming President Biden for the obstruction in Congress preventing his POPULAR agenda from being passed need to look at the reality. It was made clear to me as I watched the State of the Union Address. There was Joe Manchin sitting among his GOP brethren and in a 50/50 Senate it only takes one to “rock the boat.” In our present circumstance there are two, Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema. Instead of being disappointed to the point of staying home in November, the appropriate response is to work hard to elect MORE democrats. I’m not officially a “democrat” although I regularly, of late, have voted that way because I’m usually voting against republicans. There are multiple opportunities to win Senate seats in November and, additionally, it’s imperative democrats remain in control of the House – for the sake of this nation! Can you imagine Kevin McCarthy as Speaker right now?

It’s going to be extremely difficult because many of the contested seats are in states which have enacted voter suppression bills designed to make it more difficult for those who traditionally vote for democrats to cast ballots – although, in many of those cases it could backfire. However, the idea states are putting in place laws which allow their legislature to overturn election results they don’t like is, well, a bit unnerving. Again, the reason for this isn’t Joe Biden, it’s Manchin and Sinema – pure and simple. The democrats MUST gain at least two progressive seats in the Senate in order to overcome the obstacles created by those two obstinate democrats. I believe it will require at least 10 MILLION more democrats than republicans voting in November to accomplish this. Stay tuned…………….