Today is the day Stewart Rhodes, leader of the racist, white nationalist, anti-government group “The Oathkeepers,” was charged along with, apparently, ten others with “Seditious Conspiracy.” That is SERIOUS if you’re not aware of what “Sedition” is. A little help: A revolt or an incitement to revolt against established authority, usually in the form of Treason or Defamation against government. Sedition is the crime of revolting or inciting revolt against government. However, because of the broad protection of free speech under the First Amendment, prosecutions for sedition are rare.

OK, prosecutions for sedition are “rare” – in fact, this is the first time in my lifetime I’m aware of someone being charged with sedition – although, I’m sure it’s happened before. That being said, I’ve been very critical of Merrick Garland for “inaction” in the Justice Department, but these charges of “Seditious Conspiracy” are so serious that you have to believe the Justice Department has meticulous details before bringing them. My first thought: “They’re working their way ‘up the ladder.'”

I believe there are a few members of Congress who should be sitting on the edge of their seats right now – like Paul Gosar, Andy Biggs, Mo Brooks, Jim Jordan, Scott Perry, and maybe others. The reports of House members leading “tours” of the Capitol when it was “closed to visitors” right before the INSURRECTION is going to come out – who were they? Who were they leading around the building and showing where the different offices are located? It appears to me the charges against Rhodes and the others won’t be the end.

Here’s how you determine something is a conspiracy: “a secret plan made by two or more people to do something that is harmful or illegal.” The conspirators don’t even have to succeed in the conspiracy, but if only ONE of them does an “overt act,” the entire group is liable. Now, think about this rationally – do you really believe the “Oathkeepers” (makes you wonder who their “oath” was to?) were the ONLY ones involved in this conspiracy? There is so much in the public domain which would suggest otherwise – I think the nervousness probably is working its way all the way to “Mar a Lago.”

For example, individual 1 was “grooming” his CULT about a “rigged election” for months prior to the actual election day. He was encouraging his CULT to NOT vote by mail but to show up and vote on election day (despite the pandemic) – votes which are the FIRST to be counted. He had planned to “declare victory” despite KNOWING he was LIKELY to LOSE prior to the FINAL votes being counted and KNOWING “his” votes would be the first ones counted. In other words, the scheme to claim “The election was stolen” was planned out well in advance of November 3rd. In fact, the phrase “Stope the Steal” was “coined” by Roger Stone back in 2016.

In fact, Mr. Stone has been reported to have been “protected” by members of the “Oathkeepers” and was reportedly in communication with them prior to the INSURRECTION. Do you think Stone KNEW what was planned? I believe there can be reasonable assumptions this communication went far up the “chain of command.” We KNOW individual 1 was pushing for EXACTLY what the “Oathkeepers” were attempting to accomplish. We also KNOW – from multiple sources – individual 1 watched the INSURRECTION on TV and was “enjoying it.” According to people with first hand information, the TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president was “Tvoing” (recording) segments of the INSURRECTION and then replaying them, and enjoying what he was seeing.

As all of this is going through my mind I have to point out another word for “sedition” is TREASON. I was suggesting for AT LEAST the final two years of the reign of individual 1 that his place in history will be right next to Benedict Arnold. And, there will be a significant number of his sycophants on the same line of History. The members of Congress who were mentioned above (did I include Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Green?), Steve Bannon, Mark Meadows, Roger Stone, and many others are cementing there place in the darkest corner of America’s history books. I’m always reminded of the book I read early in individual 1’s assault on our nation which said, “Everything individual 1 (his surname was used, I can’t bring myself to write it) touches ‘dies.'”

While those remaining in the republican party continue to believe ALL the lies coming from individual 1 and they remain a devoted CULT – a significant MAJORITY of Americans see our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president for what he is – a narcissistic pathological LIAR who should NEVER again get anywhere near an office of honor in this United States of America. These republicans along with Vladimir Putin and, likely, others continue their attempts to fracture the rest of America – because the ONLY chance they (republicans) have to regain POWER – which is their ultimate goal – is by causing disaffected democrats to lose heart and refuse to vote in November. That is, by CHEATING!

Today I was watching Rachel Maddow on MSNBC where she, for the second time I’ve seen, SHOWED the actual FORGED copies of documents claiming to be the “ELECTORS” from (at least) 5 states. There were groups of PHONY “electors” – republicans, surprise, surprise – from Michigan, Wisconsin, Nevada, Arizona, and Pennsylvania (and, I believe, two more) which were actually sent to the Senate and the National Archivist claiming to be the “actual” electors from those states and, of course, claiming individual 1 and Mike Pense “won” the electors in their states. Of course, those who signed those documents are facing SERIOUS charges – there seems to be a plethora of charging options (all SERIOUS felonies) – and, it also appears the Justice Department has the documents as they piece together the “Seditious Conspiracy.”

How many people were involved in this conspiracy? Might all of those who chose to call themselves an “elector” for individual 1 in states where he LOST be subject to this charge? Remember, the penalty for Sedition (Treason) is 20 years with NO possibility for parole. I will be surprised if a bunch of these “elector forgerers” don’t start “singing” to the Feds. We can only hope the Justice Department is spending its days “connecting the dots.”

When you think about the significance of states sending FORGED electors to the Senate prior to January 6th and you consider how intently individual 1 and his minions were working to PRESSURE VP Pence to throw out the ELECTORS from the various states which had sent in these FORGED documents – apparently with a plan to accept the FORGED electors to replace the actual ones. I’ve heard some indication Mark Meadows was part of this scheme. Can anyone say the word Sedition? Oh yes, I’ve already been there done that! And, if Meadows was “connected” to these FORGED electors do you really believe individual 1 had no idea what was going on?

Reading as much as I’ve been able to regarding the “Seditious Conspiracy” charges against Stewart Rhodes and the others, it will be surprising to me if he wasn’t in “communication” with people inside the “White House.” Putting two and two together it all appears to add up – the CONSPIRACY went all the way to the top. It’s true, individual 1 has been able to bully his way out of legal trouble for, well, his entire adult life. However, if there are enough people facing 20 years with no parole, I believe there will be some people “flipping.” (individual 1, in true organized crime form, calls it “ratting.”) Between the Justice Department, the January 6th Committee, the Fulton County DA, and the Manhattan DA, individual 1 should be bracing for some serious court time.

I can’t help it, but my focus is on wanting to live long enough to see individual 1 in court answering for an attempt to overthrow our elected government. There can be no doubt that was his objective. What is likely more serious is how close they came to succeeding and, what about the next “go round.” So far, I believe there are at least two “battleground states” where the legislature has given itself the “power” to do officially what these FORGED electors were attempting to do after individual 1 LOST the 2020 election. So, the white nationalist base of the republican party may have to find another “mob boss” – but, they appear OK with doing that and the list of republicans applying for the job appears to be a long one.

Final Thought: I’ve pointed out here that I believe I (a non- lawyer) could bring a case against individual 1 of OBSTRUCTING an official act of Congress simply based on the available public evidence. It appears ALL of those investigating our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president are making sure they have all “their ducks in order” so he will be unable to squirm away. The January 6th Committee has interviewed OVER 400 witnesses – including William Barr (more on that shortly) – Merrick Garland seems to be building the most serious case, the Manhattan DA could have an indictment by summer, the Fulton Co. Georgia DA has paneled a “Special Grand Jury” (and, she’s got the phone call to Brad Raffensperger among other incriminating pieces of evidence supporting multiple state crimes – and Oh, by the way, I believe the Raffensperger phone call is (should be) a federal crime – irony: election fraud), the New York AG is virtually threatening the existence of the individual 1 organization, and, I believe, individual 1 could/should be indicted for inciting the INSURRECTION along with SEDITION.

I’ve heard numerous legal “minds” suggest individual 1 will attempt to escape accountability by claiming he “didn’t know any better.” He’ll say in Georgia “I believed the election was stolen.” He’ll say in the Manhattan DA’s investigation, “Everyone does it.” (CHEATING on taxes, defrauding banks and insurance companies, etc.), he’ll say to the New York DA “F you,” he’ll refuse to be questioned by the 1/6 Committee and the Justice Department. So, here’s the deal, I believe William Barr’s testimony will be critical in all of this because of individual 1’s KNOWN penchant for LYING (ie, the “final nail in the coffin”). Within a couple of weeks after the election Barr was telling individual 1 the election WASN’T stolen – that he LOST. On December 1st he publicly announced the Justice Department found no evidence of significant fraud which could alter the outcome of the election. Individual 1 KNEW he lost prior to all the court cases, which simply confirmed it.

Barr’s public announcement made individual 1 FURIOUS – by multiple accounts in books I’ve read – books based on interviews with the “White House” insiders who were there. So, this would be one account of individual 1 KNOWING he LOST and, of course, it’s what led to Barr resigning a few weeks later. He made an agreement with our TWICE IMPEACHED (only impeached once at that point in time) so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president to give a “kind” (my choice of word) resignation letter dated a few weeks later so that their private disagreement didn’t become public. But, the reality is Barr made it clear to individual 1 in late November there was NO fraud in the election and he had LOST, period, full stop. Individual 1 chose to ignore Barr’s advice (information) and proceed on the path which I believe was originally concocted by some of the members of the so-called “Freedom Caucus” in the House (Jordan, Gosar, Biggs, Brooks, etc.) and furthered by a series of others in their CONSPIRACY to overthrow a “free and fair election” and keep individual 1 in POWER.

That is the definition of SEDITION (ie TREASON) and whether there were two SEDITIOUS Conspiracies or just the one remains to be seen. Lawyers often refer to INTENT as the most difficult piece to PROVE in the kind of organized crime like actions of these republicans leading up to January 6th, 2021 – but I believe that is becoming clearer by the day. We know individual 1 KNEW he lost and we KNOW he watched the INSURRECTION on TV and enjoyed it. I believe those are the main ingredients of INTENT! We also KNOW the republicans involved are going to LIE about everything – when their lips are moving they’re LYING – so it makes sense the investigators are collecting OVERWHELMING evidence of the CRIMINAL activity. To me, when you’ve taken an oath to “defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic” you should get a LONGER sentence when you choose to participate in a CONSPIRACY which makes you a “domestic enemy” of that Constitution! Stay tuned……………………

I began my teaching career in my mid 40’s after what I often refer to as “my previous 5 lives.” One thing which was always apparent to me was how many of my teaching peers had spent their entire “lives” in school. In other words, they graduated high school, went to college, and got their first teaching assignment right out of college. One vivid memory I have from my 23 years in the classroom was a large conference I attended shortly after I began this last phase of my working life. The topic of the conference was the importance of integrating “real life” into our teaching plans – something I was a strong proponent of.

Well, as I listened to all the commentary during this conference it became apparent to me virtually NONE of those doing the speaking actually HAD “real life experience.” I was fairly new to the profession so I resisted the urge to speak out and suggest the expertise for this “plan” maybe should come from experts outside the classroom being invited into the classroom to share their experiences. For a few years I managed to actually invite some “experts” into my sixth grade classroom to share their experience with my students. I worked in a highly “at risk” school – meaning a large segment of our student population were “at risk” of not completing high school. The poverty level was above 90% the year I retired.

Often times it was a challenge to keep my students motivated to learn, but NEVER when one of these outside experts shared their valuable time with them – they were ALWAYS attentive and respectful and curious and these episodes led to some very interesting class discussions. I point this out because I’m a very “consistent” reader, observer, listener of “news” reports along with having a voracious apatite for reading non fiction books. Mostly, I read books written by “legitimate” sources – ie investigative journalists, academic experts, and sometimes simply books written by people who are providing information of interest to me. The books I DON’T read – I’ve tried – are the books ghost written by right wing operatives who place the names of, for example, Fox “news” personalities on the covers in order to FOOL people to actually buy and read them. Like I said, I’ve tried and it doesn’t take long to realize I’m reading pure propaganda. No thanks!

That all being said, last night as I was listening to someone (I can’t remember who) who was speaking on MSNBC – the supposed “liberal alternative to Fox” – it just galled me, as is often the case, that nonsense was spewed out without ANY pushback. It’s almost as if many in our so-called “mainstream media” got sucked in to what many call both sidesism – the result of the infamous Fox “fair and balanced” LIE they propagated years ago (not sure if they still do because I can’t stomach watching their channel anymore) Even on MSNBC you have pundits predicting individual 1 will be the nominee for the republicans in 2024 – as if, he’s a legitimate politicians as opposed to an alleged CRIMINAL.

My point, to a degree, as I relate this back to my experience as a teacher, is I have to wonder what actual “real life” experience many of those who are reporters on the so-called “news” channels actually have. I get that reporters are supposed to ask “real” questions when investigating public policy, but they SHOULD have some experience beyond going directly from school into their journalistic careers.

Please don’t get me wrong – I don’t consider the “media” as the “enemy of the people” – in fact, I’m one who is thankful for those investigative journalists who are constantly digging into the reality of what is happening with our government. Here’s the deal though, in our present political climate, if you’re a supporter of Joe Biden’s “Build Back Better” initiative – while it’s fair to acknowledge two democrats have undermined the president (which is the difference between the republicans and democrats, the democrats have a “big tent” party, the republicans are part of individual 1’s CULT) – it’s also FAIR to constantly point out with a 50/50 split in the Senate it’s extremely difficult to “get (any) things done” – you need EVERY democrat – period, full stop! The fact two initiatives have been blocked by Manchin and Sinema is just reality. So far, in essence, not a single republican vote on anything other than the “infrastructure” bill.

That, by a long shot, doesn’t mean the CHANGE from the TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president isn’t significant. Joe Biden was nominated because “we the people” felt he had the BEST chance of ending the reign of the so-called “former guy.” On top of that, his administration got an historic pandemic relief bill passed in the first couple of months along with the so-called “bipartisan infrastructure” bill which will further expand our economy in the next few years making NECESSARY changes to our infrastructure going forward. Sadly, Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema have dug in their “heels” stopping the voting rights legislation AND the “Build Back Better” plan of Biden – further historic (proposed) legislation.

The reason all this is significant is because things aren’t nearly as “dark” as our “mainstream media” is making it – although, I must admit, some of the voter suppression stuff is, well, ALARMING. The reality is there are “more of us (progressives and sympathetic independents along with disaffected republicans) than there are of them.” There’s NO reason, in my view, to simply concede the 2022 midterms to the republicans, as many on MSNBC have seemed to do. The challenge for those of us who DON’T want individual 1 or his white nationalist “flock” anywhere near control of our government is simply to get a HUGE number of voters to show up this November.

And, here’s what I believe about all of that. While it’s easy to look at everything as if the “glass is half empty” I’m choosing the viewpoint of the “glass is half full.” As I’ve said here many times I’m 74 years old which makes me a “Baby Boomer” and I’m pretty much disgusted in all my peers who’ve taken all they can from this nation over the previous six decades and are choosing to support authoritarianism for our children because they don’t like that African Americans, Latinos, Asians, Native Americans, and other marginalized groups are GROWING in power. As opposed to all of them who identify as republicans, it seems the idea of engaging in the battle of ideas is something for democrats only. Their solution to their THIRST for POWER is finding ways to PREVENT democratically inclined Americans from voting.

Well, there’s a group of Americans who I don’t believe are buying into this strategy and that’s ALL the YOUNG people who are becoming politically active. For heaven’s sake, put yourself in their shoes and consider just one of the parts of the “Build Back Better” legislation – “Climate Change” – which republicans oppose 100%. Funding for education, which was affordable for ALL of us “Baby Boomers” is prohibitive for MILLIONS of young Americans, Child care expenses, early pre-K, affordable housing, affordable health insurance, etc. etc. are things America’s young adults MUST be wondering “What the hell is wrong in Washington D.C.?” Of course, for those who are paying close attention they understand the answer in one word: republicans!

The focus of democrats and those who support the FIGHT to stop individual 1 must now turn to fighting to elect democrats in the 2022 midterms. As I said above, if democrats (and their sympathizers) show up en masse they can turn the democratic majority in the Senate to at least 52 seats (there are a couple democratic Senators who might be victims of the voter suppression tactics, but there are twice as many republican seats up in 2022 than democratic. Occasionally, (like in the 2020 presidential election) the American people come through. Of course, they also would need to help democrats hold their majority in the House. (Can you imagine Kevin McCarthy as the Speaker? Yuck! He might be more disgusting than individual 1) Full disclosure: I’m an (apparently liberal) independent!

“We the people” can control, to a degree, how the legislative and executive branches are constituted, but, sadly, the Supreme Court is going to be a problem well past what I envision as my remaining lifetime – whatever that might be. This entire century – up to this point in time – has been disproportionately affected by decisions coming from the court beginning with Bush V. Gore – where the court, in essence laid the groundwork for the invasion of Iraq and the 20 years of futility in Afghanistan. I’ll go to my grave believing, had the court allowed the recount in Florida back then (2000) Al Gore would have been president and things would be MUCH different today.

Of course, as I always say, “there’s more.” In around 2010 (I’m going on memory) the Supreme Court showed their full “legislating from the bench” in the “Citizens’ United” decisions which launched the floodgates of “dark” money – coming from “who knows where” – into the political process – overturning “100 years of attempts to control the effect of MONEY in politics.” That was bad – if you remember – it led to Mitt Romney’s famous quote – “Corporations are people my friends.” But, there’s still more. (And, oh, by the way, you can be assured much of this “dark money” is coming from foreign sources)

In 2013 (again, going by memory – too lazy to “Google” it) the Court took their attack on working class people one more egregious step. Led, once again, by chief justice John Roberts, section five of the Voting Rights Act was “gutted” and, subsequently, they undermined Section two of the Act. The practical end result is what we’ve seen over and over again this year – all the voter SUPPRESSION bills being pushed through one state after another – targeting “persons of color,” young people. students, poor people, and, in essence, people who tend to vote democratic. Worse, state legislators are giving themselves the power to overturn outcomes they don’t like – along with installing partisan hacks as “overseers” of their election process. (Check out the FALSE “electors” which were submitted in the 2020 election)

Right now, MILLIONS of Americans are directing their “ire” at Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, and rightfully so, but, in essence the PROBLEM started with the Court and, keep in mind, as has become the American custom, not a SINGLE republican chooses to stand up for voting rights. Many of these state laws (seemingly unconstitutional) will end up in court, but, once again, “we the people” will be depending on a more EXTREME Supreme Court to defend the rights of “minorities” than the one which originated the PROBLEM. Yikes!!!

So, the practical solution to all this will happen at the ballot box in November, but, as I’ve stated above, I don’t trust the “mainstream media” to lose their constant refrain democrats will lose both houses of Congress in November, as if they want “we the people” to be falling into the hands of individual 1 once again. I’ve said over the past two elections I viewed them as the most important elections in my lifetime and now, once again, I’m suggesting the same for 2022. Of course, had Americans not put democrats in charge of the House in 2018 individual 1 likely would have won in 2020. Had he won in 2020 we’d already be in “deep doo doo.” It will be incumbent on President Biden and his surrogates to get the message to the American people. That makes it up to “us” to go to the polls and, once again, make it clear we don’t support individual 1 and we DON’T want a “white nationalist” led government.

Tonight I listened to a reporter from the New York Times who reminded me of why I canceled my subscription. His name: Peter Baker!

Final Thought: Today President Biden gave the longest presidential news conference in history and did a good job of being upbeat about what’s been accomplished in his first year in office (unless you’re one of the reporters asking questions). I believe Biden will be going around the country campaigning on the necessity of giving him at least 52 democratic senators along with control of the House. There’s not much Biden can do about the reality of Manchin and Sinema – who can’t even agree on what’s in the so-called “Build Back Better” bill, so the solution is for “we the people” to get to the polls, once again, in record numbers. Neither Manchin or Sinema are up for re-election in 2022 and, I believe, there’s outside motivation for each of them in their votes opposing the president.

To me, it’s just a matter of time, for example, that the source of campaign funds collected by Ms. Sinema become public. I, personally, believe republicans – as soon as it became apparent there would be a 50/50 split in the Senate immediately targeted the Senator they felt was most susceptible to their manipulation – and, of course, that would be Kyrsten Sinema. Along with a flood of money coming from republican donors – I’m speculating – likely is what has caused her to make decisions 180 degrees from what she stated prior to her election. Maybe someone like the abovementioned Baker could do some research. I’ve seen numerous photos of Ms. Sinema surrounded by republicans, including right after she voted against the rule change which would have allowed the voting rights bill to pass! – go figure.

As far as Manchin is concerned his excuse of being from West Virginia bears no weight to me. I was conceived in Wheeling West Virginia and I’ve still got family who live there. West Virginia is one of the poorest states in the union and it would benefit disproportionately (for the better) from the “Build Back Better” agenda. The sad bottom line is Manchin has interests outside of his “day job” which, it appears, are tending to help him feel comfortable in “torpedoing” the agenda of his own president. This is not the first time we’ve seen something like this – ie John McCain prevented the destruction of “Obamacare” – (which, by the way, republicans were attempting to do with only 51 votes) I would agree “bipartisanship” should be the goal, but when republicans refuse to even participate in the process, the filibuster becomes like a HUGE
“weight” on the ability of our Congress to function.

I’ll say it once more – before “we the people” start blaming President Biden lets keep the focus on his obstacles in the Senate, all the issues he’s dealing with, and of course, what has been accomplished. For example, the issue with COVID would be exponentially worse had he not been elected and over 200 MILLION Americans been fully vaccinated. The economy has expanded in record fashion and, for the first time I can remember. workers in America are receiving an increase in their wages. The damage caused by our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president was DEEP and “fixing” it will take many years.

Here’s the good news from my perspective: As I’ve been saying, I believe individual 1 is destined to be defending himself from CRIMINAL charges when most pundits are suggesting he’ll be campaigning for president in the 2024 election cycle. It appears to me there’s plenty in the “hands” of the Select January 6th Committee for a CRIMINAL referral, or should I say referrals?, the DA in Fulton County Georgia has impaneled a “Special Grand Jury” in her investigation into individual 1’s election FRAUD (OK, attempted FRAUD), the Manhattan DA has a Special Grand Jury in the CRIMINAL investigation of individual 1 and his children, and, it appears, Merrick Garland is working his way to the “White House” as he “connects the dots” of all the people involved in the “Seditious Conspiracy.” (Not sure why the Justice Department isn’t following through on Mueller’s evidence of OBSTRUCTION of Justice or why they aren’t prosecuting individual 1 for the ILLEGAL payments to the two women in 2016 where he was referred to as “individual 1?”)

Individual 1 is a CORRUPT organized CRIMINAL from every thing I’ve been able to read and he just wasn’t able to avoid the temptation once in the “White House” to become “presidential.” I know people who got sucked into the CULT and it’s impossible to even talk to them. I had a friend who I would meet for breakfast periodically and we’d talk “politics” – he claims to be a “conservative” and believes me to be a “flaming liberal.” (He may be correct on that one) But, when he started spewing the conspiracy crap from the deepest part of the internet – including stuff coming out of the white nationalist community – that was a “bridge too far” for me. As time passed during individual 1’s reign he said stuff I didn’t understand the significance of until after our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president had been thoroughly defeated in the election. I started putting two and two together and realized I couldn’t associate myself with someone who was aligning himself with white nationalists. Individual 1’s “Christian” base has made the classic “deal with the devil!” It will be interesting to see the reaction of those people once individual 1 has been indicted (which, I believe, will either happen more than once or charges will be combined). You read it here!

I’ve been wandering through the stocks I follow on “Yahoo Finance” – I don’t own stocks and don’t intend to own stocks (although, I’m tempted to by Ford stock, just sayin) but there’s a lot to learn by following the news regarding corporate interests via websites like the one mentioned above. So, today, I decided to “get into the weeds” of some of the more “robust” stocks – Microsoft and Tesla, for example (also a quick look at Amazon) and the results make a great case in support of Elizabeth Warren’s “wealth tax.” I have to wonder how much time – or money spent to others – does the corporate “bigwigs” spend trying to avoid taxes? When you look at their compensation, it’s really a bit, well, sad – for lack of a better word.

Take for example the CEO of Microsoft: in the past week he’s “unloaded” half his stock holdings which has raised him a quarter BILLION dollars in the space of two days. What on earth do you think may have motivated such a significant sale – when you consider he’s already received something in the neighborhood of $200 MILLION this year? Could it be the impending Capital Gains tax set to begin on January 1 in the state of Washington? (Both Microsoft and Amazon are based in Seattle) Or maybe the threat of the new tax laws regarding Joe Biden’s domestic agenda? Of course, Jeff Bezos did him one better – or, maybe well more than one. He unloaded $3.3 BILLION worth of his stock in the past week or two.

Maybe Bezos was simply planning to buy another gazillion foot Yacht. Paying taxes, of course, seems to be something he really doesn’t like despite the FACT his holdings are around $200 BILLION the last time I looked. These people really are a bit disgusting. Then there’s Elon Musk, another “jewel” when it comes to tax avoidance – but, well, for whatever reason he’s unloaded $10.2 BILLION in Tesla shares recently. Apparently, he’s said he’s going to sell HALF his “stake” in Tesla – do you think it might be because of the impending tax hikes?

Here’s a bit of the little I know about Musk and Bezos. They routinely have “squeezed” local governments in order to put their businesses in “tax friendly environments” – and, Tesla managed to “get off the ground” thanks to the generous $7500 tax credits they received from the federal government – OK, purchasers of their cars got the tax credits, but it works out the same. (Full disclosure: I’ve received federal tax credits to buy electric cars and to install solar panels on my home – in my case, it couldn’t have happened otherwise and, I’m sure, many people who’ve purchased Tesla’s wouldn’t have done so without the credit.)

And, here’s the deal regarding Tesla: the new Biden agenda includes a reintroduction of those tax breaks for Tesla and GM for which they have expired. These people want it on both ends. And, in the case of Bezos, he’s famously paid ZERO taxes in multiple years despite being the richest man in the world (I believe that “honor” may now fall to Musk – not including Putin in this, of course – we don’t put amateurs in the same category as professionals) yet, for Amazon to agree to build distribution centers, they first need a “pound of flesh” from the local taxpayers. They expect communities to PAY THEM to open a center in a particular place. It was so bad in New York, the community (Queens?) rejected their offer to place “HQ 2” there.

Here’s what happens when companies like Amazon and Microsoft move into your “neighborhood.” The long term residents slowly get pushed out. Seattle is a great example of what I’m suggesting. The price of housing in Seattle is outrageous – my niece lives in a home built in the 1920’s, remodeled in the 40’s, and, to me, ready for another “face lift.” It’s present value is somewhere between $1.2 MILLION and $1.5 MILLION. There is a HUGE homeless crisis in Seattle and, apparently, leaders are struggling with how to deal with it. It doesn’t take much of a “jolt” to a families income to put them out on the street – and, “getting back on your feet” when it requires a couple minimum wage jobs (in Seattle, the minimum wage is $15 per hour, just to afford an apartment.

Of course, that is a scenario being repeated all across America which is why progressive democrats are so desperate to pass President Biden’s “Build Back Better” agenda. They call it the “bottom up and middle out” approach to the economy. Heck, where I live, across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon things seem to be headed in the same direction. There are apartments “popping” up virtually everywhere you look, but young people and those working for the minimum wage can’t afford to rent them.

I started this a month ago: It seems my brain runs faster than my ability to type our my thoughts. Since then, just as progressives in the House feared, Joe Biden turned on their “pet” agenda, the “Build Back Better” plan of Joe Biden’s which is designed to provide those Americans who are struggling to improve their “place” and is now either “on hold” or, well…………… I don’t want to consider the alternative. Ironically, Joe Manchin comes from the state with possibly the HIGHEST need which would come from this legislation, but it appears his connection to the fossil fuel industry is just too great for him to support anything with the “Climate Crisis” parts of Biden’s plan. Manchin has been reported to believe families receiving the Child Tax Credit will be spending the money on drugs. How disgusting can one man who lives on a Yacht while in D.C. and drives a Maserati to work be? To me, the worst part is the going back on his word to see the “Build Back Better” plan to completion. He broke a promise!

I have to add, I have no problem with Manchin playing a moderating role in formulating this legislation, but he already had extracted a “pound of flesh” trimming the bill from $350 BILLION per year, less than HALF the Defense Departments’ budget, to around $180 BILLION per year – over the next 10 years. This is money which is aimed at the “least of these,” in the words of Jesus Christ, and, to me, our “rich” society has a moral obligation to those who are suffering and struggling. For some reason “conservatives” don’t believe in helping those at the bottom.

Remember, there are 50 Republicans in the Senate as well and not a SINGLE one of them is showing any willingness to help formulate legislative policy – they did help get the “infrastructure” bill – meaning physical infrastructure – through as the so-called “bi-partisan infrastructure bill” – but, apparently, they don’t believe in “human infrastructure.” I was reading an article today about the reality there are an untold number of women who want to be in the workforce but can’t be due to the issue of child care – which is a key component of the “Build Back Better” plan being blocked by Manchin (and, also, maybe Kyrsten Sinema) in the Senate. Are there not a couple republicans who believe in “bottom up” government?

I was born right after WW II and I’ve seen the contrast between “bottom up” government (ie the “New Deal” and the “Great Society”) and it has proven to be the best thing the “Middle Class” in America has ever known. The “New Deal” was preceded by the “Gilded Age” – where there was a HUGE disparity in income inequality, kind of like, well, you can guess where I’m going with this can’t you? Ronald Reagan’s “Trickle Down” economy has led to a 40+ year SCAM where the wealthy in America have been pilfering tax dollars to the point where we’re in another “Gilded Age” – or teetering there. I’ve always called Reagan’s “plan” “Trickle Up” economics and I believe the FACTUAL data would support that contention.

Joe Biden’s “Covid Rescue Plan” has led to the fastest job growth, wage growth, and growth of our economy in GDP (which I don’t fully understand) in something like 50 years – that is back to the days of the “Great Society” fueled growth from LBJ’s “war on poverty.” Republicans HATE the thought of this type of economic policy because it threatens to put them into the History Books OR cause them to actually participate in the process. Right now, republicans will be taking credit for the policy which has fueled this GROWTH while forgetting to point out NOT a SINGLE one of them voted for the policy. (The same thing happened back at the beginning of Bill Clinton’s administration)

I’m not one to base by belief in the economy via the ups or downs of the Stock Market – but, it is a reality and it does reflect, to a degree, the health of the economy. (Obviously, we’ve seen a lot of days where the stock market is up and Main Street is down) However, if you’ve forgotten, let me remind you – individual 1 predicted if Joe Biden won the election the stock market would “tank,” “your 401-K’s would tank,” and “Biden’s policies will cause a depression.” Does anyone ever hold these republicans (and QAnon wack jobs and other conspiracy theorists) to account when their predictions are PROVED to be, well, for lack of a better word, HUEY? I mean when is JFK REALLY going to “return?” I’ve reluctantly used this word for republican “rank and file,” STUPID – and, I hate that word, but, well, what other term describes this nonsense? If you’re a republican – the ELECTION wasn’t “stolen” (individual 1 continues his attempt to STEAL it) and neither JFK or his son are coming back! So get your heads our of your…………. (fill in the blank)

Final Thought: What I wanted to talk about today – before I decided I needed to finish this post, was the so-called “Omicron” variant of the coronavirus. I’ve read numerous articles suggesting “Omicron” isn’t as “deadly” as the “Delta” variant although it’s much more transmissible. The second part of that statement is easy for me to believe as I know of MANY people who’ve contracted COVID in the past month or so. And, fortunately, MOST of the people I know are vaccinated and BOOSTED so, with one exception, they’re getting very mild symptoms.

However, when you watch the statistics on Worldometer.info you can see the numbers of “Serious/Critical” patients in America are going up rapidly. As of Yesterday there were almost 24,000 people in that category across the nation. As a comparison, prior to the “Delta” variant that number was around 6,000 and going down – prior to “Omicron” it was around 16,000 and has spiked up about 50% in just this past week or so – and, likely going higher from the statistics I’m seeing – which suggests to me, if you’re unvaccinated, it’s as “deadly” as the original version of this terrible virus. Experts have always said, deaths will follow the “spike in cases” by about two to three weeks. It appears that is what is happening, and again, the great majority of those who perish will be unvaccinated.

I don’t believe there’s much more can be said to encourage those who have refused the vaccinations so, in essence, our country faces, likely, at least a couple more years of this pandemic until it subsides to where it can be referred to as “endemic.” Hopefully, at that point, the “spikes” will be fewer and less severe. My daughter is a RN and my niece works in a COVID ICU at one of the University of Washington Hospitals in Seattle – and, they’re tired of dealing with this – especially when so many severe cases could have been avoided. I daily pray for those who are working in our Health Care Industry because so many are being pushed to the “brink.” Even the “Primary Care Physicians” are being “stretched” and, as an old person who holds his PCP dear – it worries me. What happens when ENOUGH of these people say “ENOUGH?” To me, that is the “nightmare scenario.”

I’ll finish with my thoughts about all the “anti-vaxx” conspiracy theories I’ve read about, all the articles I’ve read and videos I’ve seen of right wing wack jobs harassing Health Care professionals, those who make malleable decisions based on the changing circumstances of the pandemic. along with the disturbing reality around 50 – 60 MILLION Americans who refuse to get the FREE vaccination – while in many cases participating in the aforementioned GARBAGE – and REFUSE to “mask up” while in public. Where’s the FIRST place they go after they’re having trouble BREATHING once they’ve contracted the virus? Of course it is! The local Hospital!

And, I know this from first hand reports – some of them, even while in the Hospital – continue in their HARASSING ways – toward the people attempting to, in many cases, save their lives. And, there continue to be Nurses and other Health Care professionals who want to keep their jobs but don’t want to take the “jab.” My daughter works as a “Hospice” Nurse and has shared with me virtually every one of her patients (this would be in nursing homes) who has contracted the virus got it from one of the caretakers who refused to get vaccinated. I can totally understand why our governor (Washington State) imposed a Vaccine mandate on health care professionals. The curious part to me is, why was that necessary? Stay tuned……………..

Today is the one year anniversary of the INSURRECTION which occurred at our nation’s Capitol Building on January 6th, 2021. It’s true many of those who breached the Capitol Building that day actually believed they were acting as “patriots” answering the “call” from individual 1 who they were unable to force themselves to believe/understand he is a PATHOLOGICAL LIAR who’d been LYING to their faces for the previous 5 years. However, the reality is there was a strong presence at the Capitol that day by organized groups of RACISTS (White Nationalists) who were taking advantage of individual 1’s willingness to give them a platform in America’s “mainstream” of politics.

These are the people who were marching at Charlottesville chanting “Jews will not replace us,” people associated with the KKK like David Duke and Don Black and groups like the so-called “Proud Boys,” the so-called “Oathkeepers,” the “3 percenters,” etc. etc. and a wide swath of the “evangelical Christian” community which either doesn’t understand history or, if they do, well, that’s even worse. It was a similar group of “Christians” who formed the “base” of the Third Reich. Just sayin……….

Today, there wasn’t a single republican, save for Liz Cheney and her father Dick, standing in the chamber of the House of Representatives when they recited a prayer and gave a moment of silence for the Capitol Police members who, many, are still suffering the after effects of the siege of the Capitol that infamous day. So much for the party of “law and order.” (Sadly, I believe MANY of the members of the police across this nation are sympathetic to individual 1 and the INSURRECTIONISTS!)

I’m a Christian and I can barely stand to broach the subject with any of those who attend my church – or people I have considered friends previously. The bottom line is those who invaded the Capitol with the intention of stopping the lawful certification of the Electoral College vote (simply a formality) were committing SEDITION. There is no doubt the “low hanging fruit” will not face any kind of charges of that magnitude – but some of the conspiratorial ringleaders? That SHOULD be another story altogether.

And, what about individual 1 and those who worked with him to stop the counting of the votes that day, January 6th, 2021? The evidence of CRIMINAL activity by our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president is MOUNTING by the day. Trust me, Liz Cheney and Bennie Thompson, the co-chairs of the January 6th Select Committee would NOT be citing words that mirror federal statutes if they didn’t have the “goods” on individual 1 ALREADY. I believe he’s going to receive a CRIMINAL referral for AT LEAST obstruction of Congress and likely other charges. (Sedition???)

That would suggest people like Rudy Giuliani, Jeffrey Clark, John Eastman, Steve Bannon, Scott Peters, Jim Jordan, Matt Gaetz, Louie Gohmert, Paul Gosar, Andy Biggs, and, presumably, others, need to be checking in with their lawyers. Will the select Committee subpoena members of Congress? I certainly hope so, if they refuse to testify voluntarily. Sean Hannity may well get a subpoena if he chooses to “blow off” the committee’s request for voluntary testimony – not as a journalist, but as a “fact witness.” They’ve even requested the testimony of Mike Pense – which I assumed would happen eventually – and, I hope he won’t force them to subpoena him – but……… (Will they subpoena individual 1???)

The bottom line is it’s obvious there was an attempt to OBSTRUCT a lawful function of the Congress and anyone who participated may be liable for a serious FELONY. It’s true members of Congress have “leeway” in their “speech” – but, I don’t believe that includes the commission of a CRIME. It appears there was a group of sycophants to our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president who were willing to participate in his attempt to prevent Joe Biden’s lawful ascent to the presidency. To me, that would be TREASON (ie SEDITION) which is among the MOST serious of all crimes according to our constitution.

I’ve stated here for the past MANY months there will be NO “healing” in this nation without ACCOUNTABILITY for those who would tear our government apart for their own ends. It’s as if they believe the only election which they would agree with the outcome would be one where their candidate happened to be the winner. And, they apparently don’t believe in the idea of getting the most votes via the result of a “battle” of ideas but via partisan election officials, voter suppression tactics, partisan gerrymandering and the ability to overturn results legislatures don’t like. I’ve been pointing out for a few years now – individual 1 is a fascist – as a mob boss along the lines of his idol Vladimir Putin – and republicans are “all in.” It’s win at all cost – including the cost of our constitution.

Can you just imagine how the right wing militia’s are going to respond when individual 1 is indicted? And, keep in mind, there are several options for the first indictment. There’s the Manhattan DA, there’s the Fulton County Georgia DA, and there’s the Justice Department. I’ve stated my concern regarding the latter, led by Merrick Garland, on several previous posts. Yesterday he gave a speech at the Justice Department and I, for one, was not overly “mollified.” My FEAR doesn’t come from individual 1’s “base,” my FEAR is that AG Garland FEAR’S individual 1’s base. We’ll get a better idea on where he’s coming from when we find out if he’s going to INDICT Mark Meadows for CONTEMPT of Congress.

To me, the indictment of Mr. Meadows will mean there will be fewer potential witnesses to individual 1’s OBSTRUCTION of Congress on January 6th, 2021 choosing to ignore Congressional subpoenas. To me, it’s a requirement EVERYONE understands – refusing to answer a subpoena of Congress (or a Court) is a “non starter.” For example, should Jim Jordan and Scott Perry choose to refuse to answer a subpoena their careers would be on the line. Contempt of Congress is a FELONY. Can you imagine Sean Hannity refusing to answer a subpoena?

No matter how all these people respond – and, I’m sure, some of them are prepared to use their fifth amendment rights, due to the FACT CRIMINAL charges are beginning to come into focus, in their testimony – I believe the Select Committee KNOWS enough to recommend CHARGES already – they’re (the committee) “dotting the ‘i’s’ and crossing the ‘t’s'” at this point in the investigation. I believe they already know the answers to the questions they want to ask strategic insiders of individual 1’s scheme. The question (hopefully) will become, do you want to answer our questions or face CRIMINAL contempt charges – again, a FELONY?

Today, for example, Stephanie Grisham – former communications director for individual 1 said she gave her testimony to the Committee yesterday and it appears it was VERY damning. On CNN she shared she witnessed individual 1 “gleefully” watching the INSURRECTION on TV – constantly rewinding and replaying segments of the breaching of the Capitol. Emphasis on the word “gleefully” – should anyone (are you paying attention Mr. Garland?) have any misunderstanding about the INTENT of our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president. This testimony very well could be the final “nail” in individual 1’s “coffin.”

Of course, there were others in the White House that day who witnessed what individual 1 was doing – and, MORE importantly, NOT doing – so, I believe there would be several others who would confirm what Ms. Grisham testified. In addition, there were many people calling him that day and, I believe, once he FINALLY loses in his attempt to block Congress from getting his papers from the National Archive – those phone calls will be exposed (are you listening Jim Jordan? Did you LIE to Congress?)

I pointed out right from the start after individual 1 stared fomenting the so-called “Big Lie” the “truth will come out – bit by bit.” Well, that’s exactly what is happening and, I believe, the ultimate CRIMINAL prosecutions from what happened on January 6th, 2021 will make Watergate PALE in contrast. If you remember, virtually everyone around Richard Nixon who participated in his ASSAULT on our republic ended up in JAIL. (Well, if you’re not as old as me, you might not “remember”) I can see the same result here, despite the lack of WILL coming from the republican party in helping to uncover the TRUTH. Stay tuned………….

Final Thought: My previous post gave my thoughts on Facebook after reading “An Ugly Truth” Inside Facebook’s Battle for Domination by Sheera Frenkel and Cecilia Kang. As I’ve followed the day today, one year after the ASSAULT on our Capitol INCITED by individual 1, it’s just crystal clear in my mind Mark Zuckerberg owns MUCH of the responsibility for what happened that day and for the reality so many Americans continue to believe individual 1’s LIE “the election was stolen.”

I’ve suggested numerous times here republicans who allow themselves to believe the so-called “Big Lie” – and, for that matter virtually anything individual 1 claims (if his mouth is moving, he’s LYING) – are, sadly, STUPID. It’s true they watch outlets like Fox “news,” “Newsmax,” “OANN,” and other right wing propaganda websites – but the evidence of their use of FACEBOOK is overwhelming. Absurd “conspiracy theories” are shared and they go viral.

Here’s how bad it is in the republican party. Today, in Washington DC, the spokespeople for the republicans were Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Green (Both alleged by some to have been part of the January 6th plot) and, well, to no one’s surprise (no one rational that is) they were once again blaming the INSURRECTION on the FBI – calling it an “inside job.” Yikes! Yet republicans all over the country are falling for this absurd nonsense – and, much of it is because they read it on Facebook, see it on Fox (especially via Tucker Carlson) or the other outlets – or even more extreme places on the internet.

Here’s the part which bugs me – and, now I’m referring to the so-called “mainstream media.” The republicans, long ago, adopted the “Big Lie” theory of the Nazi’s – “coined” by Hitler himself in “Mein Kampf,” and perpetrated by the head of Nazi propaganda, Joseph Goebbels. The theory goes like this: “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.”

Virtually every person involved in the “mainstream media” refers to individual 1’s claims the “election was stolen,” as the “big lie.” However, I’ve yet to hear ONE of them give the historical significance of the “theory” behind the “big Lie.” This is EXACTLY why I believe individual 1 has become dominant in the republican party – he’s a PATHOLOGICAL LIAR so he fits perfectly as the leader. Most republican insiders (Mitch McConnell, Lindsey Graham, Marco Rubio, yes, even Ted Cruz) fully understand their fuhrer is a LIAR – but, they also believe they can manipulate him to get what they want when is “power” and they believe he’s the “ticket” to their return to the majority. I just wish our media would expose the “root” of the big LIES to the American public – and that democrats would expose it to people who have been sucked in via adds, public events, whatever. Oh yes, they have adopted “The Big Lie Theory” because it works! Yikes!!!

(Disclaimer: I’ve NEVER signed up for ANY of the so-called “social media” apps, like Facebook, Twitter, etc. etc. – unless this is “social media”) I’m presently almost finished reading “An Ugly Truth” Inside Facebook’s Battle for Domination by Sheera Frendel and Cecilia Kang. For years, based on what I’d “heard” I’ve been suggesting Mark Zuckerberg is “evil,” Facebook is “evil,” Twitter is “evil” and I’ve not mentioned the others because I don’t know what they’re doing (although both “Instagram” and “What’s App” are part of Facebook).

When I was still teaching, about something like 10 to 12 years ago I was asked to attend a district technology meeting. The focus of the meeting was an introduction to “Twitter” and it didn’t come across to me as something positive despite the enthusiasm from the (young) members of our district’s technology department. Back then we were just beginning to get computers into classrooms. Most students had access to computers in the computer labs. “Twitter” didn’t come across to me as a responsible way to teach students to “write.” I went back to our administration and suggested they choose someone else for this “project” and that was the closest I’ve come to becoming part of “social media.”

That all being said, everything I ever thought about Zuckerberg has been reinforced and then some reading this book. I’ve written in the past it appears to me the downward spiral which is engulfing America found a mechanism to replicate itself with the advent of Facebook. Zuckerberg, despite his supposed “liberal” leanings, has absorbed the advice of “libertarian” members of his board who seem to support his apparent goal to “rule the world” – at least that’s how it’s coming across to me. Zuckerberg seems to have no concern about the DAMAGE his platform is fueling around the world due to his FOCUS on sucking in users to spend as much time on the platform as possible – sucking them in with algorithms which glorify “sensational” conspiracy theories which are “planted” on their platform by people using Facebook’s system to attack the fundamentals of one democracy after another across the globe.

To me, this is far more SERIOUS than even I had imagined – prior to my reading this book. Zuckerberg’s goal is to have 5 BILLION users! He is determined to “steamroll” anything which appears to be reasonable competition. He paid $19 BILLION for “What’s App” because it was outperforming Facebook “messenger.” I understand neither – although I’ve read where “What’s App” is a way to send encrypted messages so that you leave no trace in case you’re doing something – well, wrong. This was the “app” which, I believe, Jared Kushner was using to communicate with MBS of Saudi Arabia. (Just another example of a member of individual 1’s administration using communications devices which were unauthorized – see the ASSAULTS on Hillary Clinton for using a private email server, even though she turned over relevant communications to the State Department, leading to individual 1 and his minions leading chants of “lock her up.”)

As an aside – both individual 1 AND Mark Meadows, his final chief of staff, were using their personal cell phones during the reign of our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president. Just one more reason I’m wondering “where is Merrick Garland?” If you remember the FBI spending MONTHS investigating Ms. Clinton’s use of a private email server and the FBI’s director, James Comey in essence putting the final “nail” in the “coffin” of Ms. Clinton’s campaign for president? I was watching the polls after Comey “re-opened” the “investigation” of the Clinton emails and it became clear, at least to me, that Comey’s announcement was as much a reason as the Russian interference or the Cambridge Analytica use of Facebook’s “data” in determining the outcome of the 2016 election. (And, keep in mind, individual 1 was planning to contest that election too had, as most suspected, he would lose. Roger Stone had already “coined” the phrase “Stop the Steal”)

So, back to Facebook, and I might as well get right into the data breach which was the result of Cambridge Analytica gathering the “data” of around 90 MILLION American Facebook users. First I’ve got to add Cambridge Analytica was funded by Robert Mercer (and other right wingers) and, at the time, attracting Steve Bannon as a client – two of the original “alt right” Americans – at least they seemed to have “coined” that term. Cambridge “stole” data from MILLIONS of Americans back in 2014 via Facebook’s “open” platform which, essentially, encouraged it via their “openness.” They weaponized this data for use during the 2016 campaign for the benefit of individual 1. (They also played a role in the “Brexit” campaign – pushing for “Brexit.”)

It was actually a professor at Cambridge University named Aleksandr Kogan who discovered the way to collect massive amounts of data from Facebook without the consent of the Facebook users and this “discovery” managed to become the focal point of Cambridge Analytica, a business in Great Britain, which was seemingly focused on being able to “swing” elections one way or the other. who gained the data from professor Kogan. Mr. Kogan used a scheme which took advantage of Facebook’s “Open Graph” program which was set up to, like pretty much everything Facebook does/did, increase the number of users on Facebook and the amount of time they spent on the platform.

I believe it’s credible to believe Cambridge Analytica did swing the Brexit election AND the American election of 2016. Eventually, Cambridge was exposed and shut down, but, I believe, despite their servers being compounded by British authorities, the data collected on Americans using Facebook remained in the possession of sycophants of individual 1 – meaning it may have been weaponized once again in 2020. Regardless, individual 1’s sycophants KNOW how to use Facebook to spread whatever misinformation they wish to spread – with, in essence, Facebook’s blessing!

That being said, Bannon worked with Cambridge Analytica to put the data into “neighborhoods” (or something of the like) – it’s been a couple years since I read “Mind F*cked” by Christopher Wylie who was integral in the dissemination of the Facebook data for Cambridge Analytica (CA). If I remember correctly, he was a student of professor Kogan and ended up working for CA – “Mind F*cked” was his “memoir.” Anyway, the the people whose data was stolen were put into “groups” which were like minded and whose “likes and dislikes” were such they could be “fed” disinformation and, presumably, “falling for it.” What’s more, with the way Facebook was set up to spread information it was estimated the results of Cambridge’s data theft affected around 157 MILLION American households. (That’s a lot) It’s reasonable to surmise CA may have swung not only the American election of 2016 but also the Brexit vote which also took place in the same year.

If you remember, shortly after assuming the “White House,” individual 1 began complaining about “fake news” – which, of course, that means he was promoting “fake news.” Actually, “fake news” was originally the work of the Russians in the “active measures” campaign – of Vladimir Putin – to undermine “Western democracies.” It seemed to me, at the time, that’s where individual 1 got the term, but, in reality, his campaign was weaponizing “fake news” via the CA data throughout the 2016 election cycle. But, as I always say, there’s more:

It was no surprise to me when, as I read “Mind F*cked” (that’s the actual title of the book), that the Russians ended up at the “door” of CA. Sure enough, they got their hands on the same data individual 1’s campaign was using to TARGET groups of American voters and, apparently, the Russians used the same data for their “active measures” campaign against “we the people.” And, of course, it all worked. Combined with Ms. Clinton’s poorly planned out campaign, Comey’s late announcement about Clinton’s emails, the use of CA’s data by both individual 1’s campaign and the Russians it proved enough to make the impossible possible – and, thus the four LONG years of individual 1 laying waste to American “norms” from the “White House.”

At various times Facebook has been “called on the carpet” for the consequences of their “profit over country” approach to business and over and over again the response of Zuckerberg – and his “number two” Sheryl Sandberg – “sorry, we’ll try to do better.” And, of course, they NEVER seem to do “better” and often times it appears to me, as I read the above mentioned book, they don’t really even try to do “better.” Zuckerberg seems to have a singular focus on causing BILLIONS of users to spend more time on the platform so he can monetize their use – by, in essence, doing what CA did in the recent elections – targeting users with advertisements in a plan devised by Ms. Sandberg.

When Zuckerberg is “called on the carpet” and forced to testify before Congress he uses right wing supporters to help him come up with a set of “talking points” which fail to address ANY of the issues Congressional leaders want to address. Facebook executives rely on the reality our Congress is made up with a bunch of “senior citizens” who have no idea of even the questions to ask – and, for questions submitted by their staffs, they have no idea what these question are referencing – allowing Zuckerberg (or, at times, Sandberg) to “spin” his/her way right off of Capitol hill. Employees of Facebook watch the hearings on TV and cheer everytime Zuckerberg or Sandberg “pull the wool over the eyes” of those asking the questions. And, when they can’t reasonably spin their way out of “trouble,” it’s “sorry, we’ll try to do better.”

Zuckerberg and Facebook executives remind me of the republican party I’ve been lamenting about for the past 20+ years. (Prior to that I was CHOOSING to “look the other way”) While reasonable people continue pointing out the THREAT they are to democracies around the world they forge ahead with their plan to, eventually, have 5 BILLION users around the world. There continue to be credible reports Facebook is being used by autocrats to, in some instances, to exterminate their “enemies” aside from the DAMAGE it’s doing to America – where their “algorithms” simply encourage the spreading of mis/disinformation. Conspiracy theorists openly have used Facebook to spread outright LIES and Zuckerberg simply states that’s “freedom of speech.” Even Alex Jones was allowed to spew the LIES about Sandy Hook without consequence for years. To me, it’s sickening!

And, the more you read about Zuckerberg the worse it gets. He’s the epitome of the “geek” who sees the world through the tunnel vision of his platform which was developed while he was in college at Harvard. He’s the classic example of “privilege” who seems to be unable to comprehend the DAMAGE he’s doing to MILLIONS around the world because of his obsession with his “vision.” It reminds me of the movie (I can’t remember the name) where the evil antagonist proclaims “I want to rule the world.” Yikes!!! There seem to me ONLY a few solutions to this problem – and, they come from our Congress which has trouble acting for just about ANYTHING! And, it’s “republicans” who are spreading the bulk of the mis/disinformation so do you actually think Moscow Mitch will allow Congress to act?

There are laws in place which seem to protect these social media apps from liability for the DAMAGE caused by the spread of this GARBAGE on their platforms. Personally, I believe the Facebook problem could be solved by allowing lawsuits when their inaction results in ILLEGAL activity, slander, or defamation! And, when politicians commit offenses – AKA Marjorie Taylor Greene, etc. – they should be able to be held accountable – LEGALLY, as well! As the old saying goes “Freedom isn’t free” – and “free speech” does not allow one person to defame another or cause another to be injured or libeled. If Facebook (and other social media platforms) aren’t “reeled” in, America’s demise will continue!

Final Thought: The reason my focus here is Facebook doesn’t mean I don’t think the other social media platforms are innocent. For Heaven’s sake, Facebook buys out their competition which is why Instagram and What’s App are part of their plethora of smaller “businesses.” And, of course, they get the same Zuckerberg “treatment” – which, in essence says, you can post just about anything you like and it’s considered “free speech.” There are exceptions – I’m thinking of Matt Gaetz – if you get my drift.

Twitter certainly doesn’t get a “pass” from me. From the little I know about “Twitter” there’s a lot of GARBAGE spread around that platform as well. It was good individual 1 was BANNED and recently Taylor Greene’s (personal) account was permanently shut down. However, she still has her official “.gov” account and, I suspect, the same kind of GARBAGE will be sent out to her 400,000 “followers.” It’s been reported republicans have become the masters at “grifting” off of these Facebook and Twitter accounts so Ms. Greene probably will use Twitter’s action against her personal account to cause her to raise a boatload of $$$ from her government account. Stay tuned……………….

I recently told a good friend I’m ready for a break from all the writing – which, in essence, is like writing in a diary because I have NO idea who might happen across these words. Today, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about how many times here I’ve said, “The truth will come out, drip by drip” regarding the CORRUPTION of individual 1, his closest enablers, and his “army” of sycophants who make up the top section of his CULT. As individual 1’s own niece said on national TV the other night, he wouldn’t give the “time of day” to the “peons” (my characterization) who make up the bulk of his CULT. He simply depends on them to support him no matter what “drips” come out about his CORRUPT behavior. (And, of course, send him their hard earned MONEY)

So, today I’m watching “Deadline Whitehouse” on MSNBC hosted by former republican Nicole Wallace where the information which has come out in the past few days indicating individual 1 and the above mentioned “enablers and sycophants” – including, at this point in time, six SITTING republican members of Congress along with Mark Meadows the chief of staff for our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president – very well may have committed CRIMES as they attempted to INCITE a mob to interfere with “the peaceful transfer of power” in a way to allow individual 1 to remain in office.

Was it a conspiracy to commit SEDITION? (I’d say, “yep”) Was it a conspiracy to OBSTRUCT a lawful function of the Congress? (“yep,” once again) These are SERIOUS charges should they come about. They would make individual 1’s CRIMINAL exposure in the investigation of the Manhattan DA look like “small potatoes.” Both of the potential violations of our system of LAWS about SEDITION and OBSTRUCTION call for serious penalties which include PRISON terms up to 20 years (each). The discussion on MSNBC had to do with how would that affect our country? As if these violations of LAW should maybe be ignored because of what I’ve speculated prior to now – Merrick Garland’s FEAR of individual 1’s base.

To me, the question of whether or not individual 1 BROKE the LAW simply based on what has already been public knowledge is a “no brainer.” I’ve read “I alone can fix it” by Philip Rucker and Carol Loennig, I’ve read “Peril” by Bob Costa and Bob Woodward, I’ve read “Landslide” by Michael Wolff, and I recently finished “Betrayal” by Jon Karl – all of these books are the results of numerous interviews (HUNDREDS) with those involved in the final days of individual 1’s reign. When you read them and follow the other information coming out – “drip by drip” – it’s hard to believe their wasn’t violations of the LAW!

I’ve written previously I believe, as a non lawyer, I could convince a jury individual 1 was responsible for what happened on January 6th, 2021 at our nation’s Capitol. It would be harder for me to argue the OBSTRUCTION charges which COULD have been taken up by AG Garland, stemming from Mueller’s report, allegations Mr. Garland obviously is shying away from. However, I believe Liz Cheney will be FORCING the issue as time goes by and the 1/6 Committee continues their investigation. Will they be subpoenaing the likes of Rudy Giuliani, Jim Jordan, Andy Biggs, Mo Brooks, Louie Gohmert, Paul Gosar, Matt Gaetz, and one other Congressman ( Scott Perry?) who I can’t remember his name along with our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president? Can you imagine individual 1 sitting for a deposition? (The CHARGES could grow like chia seeds combined with a bit of water!)

I started this a couple weeks ago: I’m going to try to “finish the thought.” I’ve said several times here I believe I could get a guilty verdict (disclaimer: I’m no lawyer – but I did take a constitutional law class in college back in the sixties :o) regarding individual 1’s INCITING the INSURRECTION along with his CLEAR OBSTRUCTION of the duties of the Congress – based on publicly reported data. I mean, it’s a “no brainer” – unless you frequent right wing media. Really, attempting to OVERTHROW a function of our government, in the past, would have received “bipartisan” rebukes from America’s elected officials. We NOW have a situation where “conservatives” FEAR individual 1’s backlash for a single word which might seem negative to him. Therefore, fascism = OK.

Check out the emails, phone messages, texts, etc. public servants who refuse to “kiss the ring” of our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president receive from the “god fearing” right wing FASCISTS which make up a significant portion of his base. (Does ring stand for ASS?) The THREATS now go toward not only “liberal politicians” but, also, school board members, teachers, doctors, nurses, and other public servants. Here’s the phone messages we NEED to hear about – those coming from individual 1’s sycophants on January 6th, 2021 and the days preceding all the way back to the election along with HIS phone records. Trust me, all these people wouldn’t be fighting subpoenas if they were INNOCENT. (Otherwise, wouldn’t they want to give out the information to clear themselves?)

There’s no way, at this point, for even individual 1’s sycophants to salvage his “legacy” because anything any of them would defend during his reign (there wasn’t much unless you like right wing judges – and that was the work of Don McGahn and Moscow Mitch) is, well, now indefensible – he attempted to OVERTHROW our elected government via a MOB he told to “Go to the the Capitol and fight like hell or you won’t have a country anymore.” Well, we still have a country, don’t we? It appears republicans are busy passing voter suppression laws across the nation so that we don’t have a republic anymore. Projection personified!

I believe Liz Cheney is betting the January 6th Select Committee is going to be able to do what it appears Merrick Garland is unwilling to do and that is gather the “goods” on individual 1 making his CRIMINAL conduct undeniable. We’ll see how Mr. Garland will respond should the committee send criminal referrals to the Justice Department. Here’s a couple “red flags” for me – Matt Gaetz has been rumored to be in the “sights” of the Justice Department for “child sex trafficking” for over a year now – is there a good reason he’s not been indicted? Is the reason AG Garland’s temerity? – the second “red flag” for me is the CRIMINAL referral for Mark Meadows which was handed out at least a couple weeks ago. Will the Justice Department take this referral to a Grand Jury asking for an indictment?

The Select Committee is acting as if they’re going to pursue prosecution for anyone who refuses to honor a subpoena. Of course, the Congress cannot INDICT anyone – they are depending on the Justice Department to carry out the prosecution of the CRIMINAL referrals they send their way. I still remember Nixon’s gang of thieves – virtually ALL of them ended up in PRISON and had democrats not been timid since then we wouldn’t be facing this problem today. Reagan and HW Bush were “let off the hook” for Iran/Contra, GW Bush and Dick Cheney were let off the hook for authorizing TORTURE, and that caused republicans to believe democrats don’t have the “stones” to prosecute high level CRIMINAL activity.

Talk about the epitome of PROJECTION – do you remember republicans – individual 1, Mike Flynn, and others leading chants of “Lock her up” over Hillary Clinton’s emails? (Of course, we now KNOW Mark Meadows AND individual 1 – likely among others – were using their private cell phones to be doing government business – far WORSE than anything Clinton may have done. In fact, Meadows and Jared Kushner were using an encrypted app [Signal?] right out of the “White House”) Throughout his time in office individual 1 was attempting to get his various Attorney Generals to “lock up” anyone from Mrs. Clinton to Barack Obama – with about every perceived “enemy” (remember Nixon?) in between.

I, personally, believe the future of America rests in individual 1 facing INDICTMENTS for his role in the attack on our Capitol. Just as I said back when Obama took office: “It was a grave mistake to block investigations into the WAR CRIMES of Bush/Cheney.” It was obvious to me the “next time” would be far worse. Well the same thinking is still appropriate. STOPPING the republican lawlessness will either get stopped or we will cease to be a “nation of laws and not men.” The “next time” their actions will be progressively worse – and, I don’t believe I’m the only American who believes our republic is too close to the “breaking point” to allow that to happen.

Here’s what I would say to Merrick Garland: “You’ve become Attorney General at a crisis point in American history and it’s time to “s@#t or get off the pot.” If you don’t have what it takes to actually defend our system of laws then maybe the best way forward would be to resign while Biden still has time to get someone else confirmed. Of course, republicans can probably block another candidate – so, the reality is YOU are going to go down in history as VERY important person in this time of CRISIS. Enforce the laws or confirm to those who believe the laws are intended simply for us “little people.” The “ball” is in your court.

Final Thought: It appears the CORRUPTION goes well beyond our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president. There’s a KNOWN list of six or seven members of Congress who appear to be neck deep in the CONSPIRACY to overthrow the election and there’s a few more suspected. (Yes, I’m talking about Marjorie Taylor Green and Lauren Boebert) There’s a group of incompetent lawyers led by Rudy Giuliani, John Eastman, Jeffrey Clark, and Sidney Powell. There’s Senators who may be on “shaky ground” like Lindsey Graham.

All of these people walking around as if they have nothing to fear really reminds me of Abu Ghraib. Several Army “grunts” spent time in the “brig” for, in essence, thinking they were following orders as they TORTURED Iraqi’s – many who were simply gathered up by American troops who were breaking down doors and terrorizing the Iraqi population we “supposedly” were there to help. Well, now we’ve got over 700 “grunts” who are facing prison terms up to 20 years after storming the Capitol thinking they were following the orders of their “commander in chief.” I can tell you, if these are the only people paying the price for the INSURRECTION this country will be “teetering” on the “cliff.” I’m not sure “we the people” will be able to bring her back from the “brink.”

For years I’ve been pointing out the PROJECTION of individual 1 where if he accuses ME of something, that means HE’S doing it. Well, the so-called “Stop the Steal” movement where he was accusing the democrats of massive “fraud” is simply the “mother of all PROJECTIONS.” In truth, it was individual 1 committing the massive FRAUD amid his attempts to ACTUALLY steal the election. Individual 1’s call to Brad Raffensperger, the Secretary of State of Georgia, was worthy of a trip to court to defend himself, and, of course, there’s always more. There were several other phone calls along with a plethora of LIES ginning up his CULT to storm the Capitol on January 6th, 2021.

I, almost every day, listen to people discussing what happened on January 6th, 2021 (as individual 1 himself, remember this date forever) as they’re piecing together ALL the evidence which seems to point ever more clearly toward our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president and his closest enablers as the “STEALERS in chief,” by referring to the “Stop the Steal” almost casually. “Stop the Steal” was part of the “plan” of Roger Stone prior to the 2016 election. However, we were FORCED to endure 4 years of individual 1’s incompetent “governing” prior to understanding what those three words really meant.

Now you have about 25% of Americans actually believing the NONSENSE which was spewed by individual 1 beginning well before the November election. People might be wondering, “How did we get to this point?” Well, I’m getting ready to read a book about Facebook (They’ve had to change their name in an attempt, I guess, to rid themselves of all the negative press – speaking of which, I’m regularly seeing adds on TV paid for by Facebook to brainwash “we the people” they are some kind of “caring” corporation – one, of course, who buys up their competitors! Yikes!!!) and my answer to that question is one word: (OK, technically two) “The INTERNET.” The internet has become a toxic mess of CONSPIRACIES which are so outlandish you have to wonder how they get published.

In fact, individual 1’s attempt to STEAL the 2020 election was pretty much the result of his PROJECTION using the INTERNET. Of course, his main platform was “Twitter” and his campaign was busy spreading MIS/DISINFORMATION (lying) on Facebook and Facebook was choosing to PROFIT off the LYING. So, our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president managed to draw a HUGE crowd to Washington D.C. on January 6th, 2021 and, along with some strategic enablers, INCITED their MOB to attack our Capitol with the expressed purpose to OVERTURN the 2020 election somehow giving individual 1 “another four years.”

I keep thinking back to individual 1’s attacks on Liz Cheney which went well back before the INSURRECTION. Big Mistake! I’m no fan of Ms. Cheney’s politics, but I have to say it’s not a good idea to get on her BAD side. (Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned) I believe she will come out of all this as one of America’s great HEROES (Heroine?) because I have no doubt she’s dead set on connecting the “dots” all the way up to the TOP – and, that would mean our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president along with Mark Meadows, John Eastman, individual 1 Jr., Mo Brooks, MTG, Jim Jordan, etc. had better be prepared for “full exposure” – along with many more. I think the Select Committee is determined, and Ms. Cheney is “deadly” serious.

As far as I’m concerned there’s TWO major things I want to see happen “sooner rather than later.” First, I look forward to individual 1 and his ENABLERS becoming TARGETS of Justice Department investigations. In fact, I believe it’s time for Merrick Garland to appoint a “Special Counsel” to investigate the INSURRECTION – from the TOP down. This time, I don’t believe individual 1 should have an option whether or not to appear for a deposition and STALLING won’t be an option. As we all KNOW, he can’t do anything without LYING – so, I’m guessing, there would be a lot of “I’m invoking my FIFTH amendment rights.” However, there’s no doubt the 1/6 Committee has enough “circumstantial evidence” to CONVICT him of (maybe) SEDITION.

The second major thing I’d like to see happen is for the Senate to carve out a spot on the FILIBUSTER allowing the VOTING RIGHTS legislation to PASS Congress so President Biden can sigh it into LAW. This would be the best way I can see to stop the “slow rolling” attempt at another coup d’etat by individual 1’s white nationalist followers who have been busy (are busy) enacting Voter Suppression Bills all across our great land. Are you listening Mr. Manchin and Ms. Sinema?

The challenge to save America as a functioning democratic republic is daunting. This “challenge” didn’t begin with individual 1, but he’s the ultimate LIAR who is the perfect “vessel” to get the politics of people like Don Black, David Duke, Paul Gosar, Jim Jordan, etc. into the so-called “mainstream.” To republicans, the “mainstream” means RIGGING (OK, more examples of their PROJECTION) the system to ensure MINORITY rule. By that, I mean rule by those pushing “white grievance.” They KNOW they can’t win – without changing their “ways” – unless they succeed in RIGGING the elections. (Which they’re busy attempting to do)

I’ve been saying for (at least) the past year “The Truth will come out – drip by drip.” Well, the “drips” are getting larger and I believe we’re going to see the “Tea Party” wing of the republican party being shown for what they are. As I’ve said before, it was the “Tea Party” “insurrection” of the republican party as a backlash to the election of Barack Obama as our first President “of color” which “spawned” individual 1’s entrance as their “savior.” I pointed out above his proclivity to LIE pathologically was what really endeared him to republicans, many of whom have now adopted this “deplorable” trait.

Well, enter Liz Cheney. For all the things “liberals” disagree with her, my bet, at this point in time, is that her HONESTY is something even most LIBERALS admire. Last night she – and other members of the Select January 6th Committee, began reading some of the email and text messages they’ve received, some of it from other members of Congress – emails/texts which made it clear the ASSAULT on the Capitol was well funded, well planned, and, thankfully, unsuccessful. And, as you listen to Ms. Cheney it becomes clear we’re finally hearing words suggesting there COULD be CRIMINAL referrals coming from the Select Committee – more than the “Contempt” charges sent to the Justice Department today for Mark Meadows.

And, it’s becoming more clear why Mr. Meadows decided not to testify. I believe he was more worried he’d have needed to invoke his Fifth Amendment Right against self incrimination than the “executive privilege” claims – preposterous as they are – which have been in the “news.” For heaven’s sake, Meadows was at the forefront of members of Congress going after Hillary Clinton for her use of a personal email server (just as Colin Powel and Condoleezza Rice had done before her) while he was using his personal phone along with encrypted messaging devices to HIDE his communications from the required government record keeping of all communications. Wouldn’t you call this HYPOCRASY? Surprise, surprise!

I’ve been part of the CHORUS of Americans demanding our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president be facing charges for January 6th, 2021 (among other CRIMINAL activity). Most of the people I’ve listened to have suggested his CRIMINAL liability for the INSURRECTION rested with a charge of INCITEMENT – an extremely difficult charge to prove. Enter Ms. Cheney: Last night she SUGGESTED individual 1 may have violated the LAW against OBSTRUCTION of Congress (Penalty: 20 yrs.). She spelled it out and my first thought was individual 1 likely responded as he had when he discovered Robert Mueller had been appointed as “Special Counsel,” – “I’m F@#$ed.” I believe there’s a bunch of republicans feeling the same way! Stay Tuned…………….

Final Thought: For years I’ve pointed out, as a “Christian,” I have NEVER understood how “Christians” could make up the bulk of individual 1’s base – many looking at him as if he’s their “savior.” It boggles my mind – I know people with whom I’ve gotten to the point where I can’t even have a discussion with them because their comments are so radical and absurd – they are fully aligned with those who are seeking ways to turn America into a fascist (apartheid) state. I know someone who adopted and raised three African American children (now adults) who’s made comments which made me SHUDDER inside – comments I took to be overtly RACIST!

I’ve never felt comfortable that I was able to fully explain my thoughts regarding this dilemma – until about two nights ago. I’m presently reading “The Cruelty is the Point,” by Adam Serwer – a columnist for “The Atlantic.” The book is a group of essays focused on the “Past, Present, and Future of individual 1’s America and, in it, the first of a series of essays which has to do with the REAL Robert E. Lee – the focus of the “Unite the Right” protest in Charlottesville where, now infamously, individual 1 claimed there were “good people on both sides” (much to the “glee” of David Duke, sorry, couldn’t help it) – in the essay there was a quote from Frederick Douglass which captured my thoughts completely: “Between the Christianity of this land and the Christianity of Christ, I recognize the widest possible difference.” Enough said!

I have to add one more thing: I’ve suggested many times here about the results of republican STUPIDITY on themselves and maybe their blocking the “9/11 Type Commission for 1/6” will end up being the MOST egregious mistake they’ve made (for their own benefit) for years. Let me put it as simply as I can: Liz Cheney, Jamie Raskin, Adam Schiff, and NONE of the other members of the Select Committee would have been part of that “Commission.” It’s a time of year to be THANKFUL – personally, I’m thankful the republicans are often so STUPID! (Check the archives for other examples) I’m thankful for the “Select Committee on January 6th).

I’ve written a seemingly endless number of posts regarding my disdain for our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president and his attempt to put the finishing touches on America’s tilt into FASCISM. Well, of late, I’ve come to the conclusion a “bit player” in individual 1’s emergence as potentially America’s “dictator” is much more dangerous than individual 1 himself. In fact, this THUG was kicked out of the “White House” due to the reality he was getting more media attention than his boss. And, of course, I’m referring to Steve Bannon – who is fighting the January 6th Select Committee’s Contempt charges – not to benefit individual 1, but to benefit himself.

I’m convinced Bannon has, in essence, “volunteered” for this charge of Contempt to put himself into the news as the “martyr” of the “deep state’s” rejection of the “basket of deplorables” in the words of Hillary Clinton. Of course, this “basket” is full of racists, homophobes. xenophobes, misogynists, and right wingers ranging from “neo-Nazi’s” to full blown “heil Hitler” Nazi’s. In my view, Bannon falls closer to the latter (Nazi) to the former. His upcoming trial date (next summer) will allow him to build up his audience on his podcast where he’s busy radicalizing as many unsuspecting suckers as he possibly can – before he gets his one or two year jail term. Of course, Bannon is doing everything he can to make his sentence the “max” because, I believe, he feels that will set him up for “big things” once he’s out and individual 1 is running in 2024.

Here’s the deal, Bannon is MUCH smarter than individual 1 and he has his sights set well beyond the shores of this great nation. Along with the right wing media in this nation who are acting like TRAITORS Bannon is pushing for a true FASCIST authoritarian “government” in the USA and MOST of Western Europe. I don’t watch these right wing media outlets, but, today, I saw the cover of Newsmax’ “magazine” where Vladimir Putin was shown as the new “hero” (my characterization) of “conservatives” absent from individual 1 – who Putin helped put into the “White House” – being still in office.

From the standpoint of Mr. Bannon I suppose you would consider Putin your “hero” because he’s been busy undermining the Western “democracies” for (at least) the previous 10 years and that is right up Bannon’s “alley.” Bannon (and, likewise, Putin) has nothing but disdain for “democracy” – despite benefiting from it in the U.S. for much of his adult working life. Of course, that “benefit” allows him to spend piles of $$$ in order keep himself in the “limelight” as he causes his court case to last as long as possible. (My personal wish would be that Bannon would have a second court case by the time this first one gets to trial – and, of course, that would be an indictment over his role in planning the January 6th, 2021 INSURRECTION)

Now, here’s the deal: I’ve been pointing this out for years now – although MOST people I know look at my funny – but, I believe, over time, it will become clearer – America has been lurching toward “fascism” for, what I believe, is 40 years, but, certainly for the past 10+ with the right wing Supreme Court enabling the corporate takeover of our government to accelerate. I’ve pointed this out, by definition, the “Mussolini” form of FASCISM results from the corporate/government coalition which has been getting more extreme since the days of Ronald Reagan (“Trickle Down” economics) where republicans have succeeded in helping to funnel TRILLIONS of taxpayer dollars to the wealthy corporate executives who’ve increased their “stranglehold” on our economy ever since.

It should be undeniable to even the most ardent “conservative” that corporate executives have gained WAY too much POWER over the years, to the point where people like Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, Tim Cook, etc. etc. are not only CONTROLLING too much of our economy, but, also – finding ways to AVOID, in some cases, paying ANYTHING toward the “common good” in the form of taxes. As if they’re doing all us “little people” a favor by CHEATING on their taxes in foreign tax havens, among other ways of CHEATING. (Of course, individual 1 was the classic CHEATER, except, in my view, his jealousy of the REAL billionaires led him to wanting to be like Vlad – who is REALLY the richest person in the world)

Well, individual 1’s unbelievable level of narcissism led him to be “looking for ‘love’ in all the wrong places” – opening the door to leaches like Bannon who, as I said above, is MUCH smarter than our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president. Bannon’s re-emergence back into individual 1’s good graces was fueled by his attempt to get a PARDON by supporting the INSURRECTION and his cunning plan to use individual 1 to further his ultimate goal, which, I believe, is to overturn Western Democracies into Fascist dictatorships.

And, of course, we’re seeing the support he’s getting from other right wing media outlets. Fox “news'” Tucker Carlson spent a fawning week broadcasting his show from Hungary as he was kissing up to Viktor Orban and saying, “What do we have to do to have this type of government in America?” (Or words to that effect) Individual 1 was kissing up to dictators his entire time in office – in fact, he was kissing up to Putin long before he announced his run for office. And, Bannon has been associated with the farthest right portions of Europe’s neo-Nazi/Nazi movements and essentially makes no bones about it. So, should it surprise anyone that Carlson is pushing a white nationalist agenda?

In America there is a growing number of right wing white nationalists – white nationalist sympathizers/racists who get their “information” from places like Fox, Newsmax, OANN, Breitbart, Bannon’s podcast, and some places that make those sites seem tepid. The reality is there is a significant SWATH of America which NEVER hears the actual TRUTH about the 2020 election (by now, they likely wouldn’t believe it if they heard it – have you talked to a Fox viewer of late?), they don’t believe/understand their “white grievance” is cloaked in racism, and without the FCC or some other entity intervening regarding the MISINFORMATION flowing on America’s PUBLIC airwaves – and, make no mistake, ALL these media companies are operating on PUBLIC airways – it appears the ONLY solution to this problem lies with the Justice Department.

I’ve said many times how I’m concerned Merrick Garland doesn’t have the stomach for the job at hand – which is to ENFORCE our laws – and, those who were involved in the planning, paying for, ginning up, etc. of the INSURRECTIONISTS on January 6th, 2021 OBVIOUSLY broke the LAW on that date. Sedition is AGAINST the law – I’m no lawyer and I’ve known that since I was in college taking Constitutional law back in the 1960’s but my eyes are still working – 1/6 was SEDITION. I’m concerned AG Garland fears individual 1’s base as much as Congressional republicans do – and, for that matter, republicans all across this land. The sooner individual 1 is defending himself in Court, from my perspective, the better.

And, regarding all these sycophants of our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president who are refusing to answer lawfully authorized subpoenas from the Select Committee investigating January 6th – I say THROW the book at them. I don’t understand all the options but Congressional “inherent Contempt” seems like the best option to me – although Bannon spending 2 years in jail will, at least, shut him up for a while. I’m sure Mark Meadows knows this, but once you choose to go the “Criminal Contempt” route, there’s no turning back – going back and testifying isn’t then an option – and, the Committee will get your “testimony” from other sources. There’s some really SMART lawyers on that Committee – plus Liz Cheney is there and, well, she’s no fool.

I believe Steve Bannon needs to be recognized as the seditious THUG he is by the Justice Department and, along with the fact he’s being prosecuted for his refusal to answer to the subpoena, keep in mind, he was right in the middle of individual 1’s “war room” and the planning which went into the INSURRECTION. Personally, I believe that’s his greatest legal liability. Heck if both he and individual 1 were prosecuted for SEDITION (20 yrs.?) all we’d have to worry about in 2024 is Ron DeSantis. None of them could succeed without all the CHEATING going on in the different states as republicans attempt to make their state elections “democratic proof” – but, somehow I have enough confidence in the American people to see through this façade and, ultimately, put it to rest.

It will take a combined effort by democrats, independents, disaffected republicans, and a younger generation which sees through the corporatism which has engulfed our nation over the previous 40 years. Joe Biden is making a good first step, but democrats continue balking at the so-called “Build Back Better” legislation which, at this point proposes just under $200 BILLION in new spending PER YEAR – which is PAID for via increased taxes on corporations and the wealthiest Americans – including wealthy tax CHEATERS and faces obstruction from a couple democrats and ALL republicans – while spending $768 BILLION on the defense appropriation bill, THIS YEAR, flies through Congress with “bipartisan support.” Go figure!

Final Thought: I started saying the TRUTH will come out “drip by drip” shortly after the INSURRECTION of January 6th, 2021 AND, over time, I’ve been progressively been being proved correct. Well, it appears the January 6th Select Committee is bordering on some real INCRIMINATING evidence aimed directly at individual 1, and, I believe, we’ll have Liz Cheney to thank for that as much as anyone. As the saying goes, “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” and, I’ve said this numerous times here, I’m not fan of Cheney’s father Dick, but one piece of advice I’d give regarding each one – select your “enemies” carefully. (And, I have to admit I admire Ms. Cheney’s willingness to give up her seat in Congress in order to OUT individual 1’s ILLEGAL behavior)

Today, our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president got a “double whammy.” He was subpoenaed to appear for a deposition in the NY AG’s investigation into various FRAUD allegations on January 7th, 2022. (Couldn’t they have scheduled it one day sooner?) I’ve listened to several legal “experts” explain the ONLY way he’ll be able to dodge this deposition would be to invoke the FIFTH amendment protection “into self incrimination.” Do you remember him famously stating, back in 2016 “The Fifth Amendment is for members of the Mob” – OK, thanks for reminding me – that’s what he’s going to do. (And, by the way, at least a couple of his advisers on 1/6 are doing the same thing – talk about irony)

On top of that GOOD news – well, for many of us that is – individual 1 ALSO LOST his appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals to prevent the national archives from handing over about 700 pages of documents relating to January 6th, 2021 that Joe Biden refused to invoke “executive privilege” over. Of course, individual 1 believes he still has that “privilege” – but BOTH the district Court AND the Court of Appeals have said “executive privilege rests with the executive” – in this case that would be Joe Biden (unless you’re a QAnon wing nut)

As I keep saying, the TRUTH will come out. What’s that sound I’m hearing? Drip, drip, drip! Stay tuned!!!

One more thing: Recently, individual 1 was interviewed on Fox “News'” Mark Levin show where he – grab your seatbelt – came right out and ADMITTED he FIRED James Comey to block Comey’s investigation which, he ADMITTED, would likely have taken him down. (I’m paraphrasing – you have to see this one to believe it) So, why is this significant? He ADMITTED to OBSTRUCTION of Justice – right there on Fox! Will Merrick Garland do anything about this – OK, there’s probably a good chance Garland doesn’t watch Fox – but somebody MUST have informed him. Just another AG Garland headache? Likely. I mean Robert Mueller “memorialized” the evidence of up to TEN instances of OBSTRUCTION which Garland is highly likely NOT to investigate. Sad!

It appears the Supreme Court is bound and determined to make it clear what they’ve been “up to” over the past 21 years as they are helping to turn our nation into a fascist state. Now, the issue at hand, which is abortion, isn’t really the key to my thinking on this, but it will likely make it clear to a large swath of America what the Court has been doing, kind of behind the scenes, but which will be on the front pages once they make their anticipated decision in the Mississippi abortion “ban” case. It appears three or four justices who, in their Senate confirmation hearings, led people to believe “Roe is settled law” will be, well, unsettling it.

So, let’s take a quick spin through the recent History books. In 2000, if you’re as old as me, you saw one of the original right wing MOBS in Florida causing Al Gore’s apparent victory in that state – governed by the BROTHER of GW Bush – to be overturned in Bush’s favor – without allowing for the recount which was happening (and, as far as I know the ACTUAL results have NEVER been published – can you imagine if Gore had the individual 1 precedent?) and INSTALLING GW Bush/Cheney into the “White House.” And, we all know what happened during their reign – well, lest you forget: Iraq, Afghanistan, Huge deficits, TWO tax cuts for the rich, and an economic meltdown as they left office with their “tails between their legs.”

That’s just the start. Shortly after the economic meltdown, which President Obama and VP Biden managed to turn around (while consistently reducing the deficit during their 8 years in office) the Roberts Supreme Court made the “Citizen’s United” decision which overturned 100 years of election finance laws identifying corporations as “people.” The necessary decision for America to move toward being a “Mussolini style fascism” – ie corporate/government partnership. The amount of “dark money” entering our political process since then has been staggering. I will never forget watching Sam Alito shaking his head as if to say “no, no,” as President Obama (correctly) predicted the entrance of FOREIGN money into our politics because of that decision. This caused me to think, these judges have no idea the consequences of their decisions – in this case the classic case of “judicial legislating.”

Oh, but as I always point out, there’s more. Next was John Roberts, in his majority opinion as section five of the 1965 Voting Rights Act was GUTTED – saying we had “outgrown” the need for the requirement for states with a history of voter suppression to get “pre-clearance” from the Justice Department prior to enacting new “voting laws.” Well, we’re seeing the results of that decision over and over in 2021 – some are calling this time “Jim Crow 2.0” as states are attempting to make it more difficult for “certain people” to vote – of course, meaning “Black, Brown, young, and poor people.

If that wasn’t enough, then section two of the Voting Right’s Act was, in essence, made “null” by a decision where Alito gave the majority decision – meaning the Court was affirming the rights of states to discriminate against minorities in drawing up their district boundaries – ie, gerrymandering. I know many “educated” people who have no time for politics and, if I would run any of these abuses inflicted by the Court (with the exception, maybe, of Bush v Gore) by them the likely response would be “huh?” “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” When I was still teaching I asked over 20 teachers, all with Master’s Degrees, what they thought of Citizen’s United. In EVERY instance the response was, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Well, many of these teachers will be paying more attention to the Court after Roe is overturned. Yes, I know of a few teachers who oppose Roe, but MOST of them – whether they opposed abortion or not – felt it was “the woman’s right to choose.” I believe the makings of a HUGE backlash may be “brewing” as America waits for the most watched decision of the Court in the modern era. It will be interesting to see how women respond to the impending Court decision. I believe it’s going to be significant one way or another, but most believe Roe will either be overturned or significantly “gutted.”

As I’ve said here, I know many people who are one item voters and that’s their opposition to abortion. For the ones I’ve been able to talk to, it’s interesting how they respond when I point out to them abortions won’t stop should Roe be overturned. Are they concerned about those girls/women who will end up with “backroom” abortions? Are they worried about the women/girls who would die? Honestly, I’m not sure. And the plethora of issues the Court is likely to end up deciding will go a long way in determining if America will stand as a democratic republic. Citizen’s United, as I said above, introduced to a “slow roll” of Mussolini type fascism to “creep” into our nation and now we have individual 1 hell bent on turning America into a German type (WW II) type of FASCIST state.

Don’t believe me? The supporters and sycophants of individual 1 have been busy since January 6, 2021 – when the INSURRECTION failed – working on INSURRECTION 2.0. I have to admit one area where I’ve been wrong on this site was in calculating the response of the republican party to the “antics” of our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president. And, the issue with abortion is far from the ONLY issue which will end up in the Robert’s Court. There are voter suppression bills “popping up” in states across the nation – states which have republican legislatures – designed to allow these legislatures to guarantee their elections will work out in their favor – one way or the other.

This is where I really miscalculated how republicans would respond to individual 1. I actually thought (and wrote) that individual 1 would last only until republicans tired of his ridiculous “antics” and they would be the ones to put a stop to these “antics.” Of course, I was dead wrong. Republicans didn’t read Mueller’s report, or if they did – like William Barr – they wrote it off as “no big deal.” They refused to convict individual 1 in EITHER impeachment tria – even the 2nd one where they could have ended his participation in America’s politics once and for all. Most republicans in Congress live in FEAR of individual 1 – FEAR of a potential right wing primary opponent.

The Justice Department is bound to be challenging MANY of these voter suppression bills (or, at least they SHOULD) and, now, the reports are filtering out regarding racially motivated “gerrymandering,’ including in Texas where the increase in population via the Census comes from “people of color” and these people have been gerrymandered out of the political process. In North Carolina they have proposed a “map” almost equal to the one which has been blocked legally in the past presumably based on the idea the Court will now support their racist gerrymander. And, this is happening in multiple states.

I honestly believe Merrick Garland accepted a job which, if he had the option again, he would turn down. There are now 700 people INDICTED for the INSURRECTION, yet, as of my writing this, not ONE of the actual INSTIGATORS have been indicted. From my “layman’s” point of view, it’s clear several people, including our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president, deserve to be defending their involvement in the INSURRECTION in a court of law. It’s really hard for me to watch these 700 facing prison – some lengthy prison sentences – while those who drew them to D.C. on that fateful day and ginned them up to ASSAULT our nation’s Capitol building with the clear intent to stop the certification of Joe Biden’s CLEAR election win appear to walking away “scott free.”

Worse than that, for me, is individual 1 continues promoting the so-called “big lie” and we have actual media outlets that are using public airwaves to LIE to their viewers in a way which is promoting the white nationalist movement which is now the BASE of the republican party. I still remember (quite well) the Watergate fiasco back in the 70’s and almost EVERY one of the enablers of Richard Nixon ended up in prison – including Nixon’s Attorney General. To me, what happened – and is happening – regarding individual 1 makes Nixon’s criminality look like “child’s play.” I’m pretty discouraged by the silence coming from the Justice Department regarding the INSTIGATORS of the INSURRECTION. Like I’ve said before, I believe Merrick Garland is NOT investigating the INSTIGATORS because, like individual 1’s sycophants in the republican party, he FEARS the “base” – of which about 8%, according to polls, are willing to take up arms to restore individual 1 to office.

Let me be clear: Until AG Garland gains the COURAGE to hold our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president and his enablers to account – a man whose CORRUPTION is “off the charts,” – things will continue to deteriorate. Here’s the deal: individual 1 should be defending himself in court NOT furthering his racist vendetta against the fundamental values of the American republic. Let’s get this over with! The sooner the better!

Final Thought: I just listened to a report on the so-called “Omicron” variant of the SARS – Cov-2 pandemic (COVID) where Anthony Fauci said, “So far there doesn’t appear to be a great degree of severity to it” which I took to mean it’s not MORE severe than the “Delta” variant. The MSNBC program I was watching had a “flash” which read “Fauci said Omicron looks LESS severe than other variants.” To me, my first thought was “This is likely how he (Fauci) keeps getting all the death threats.” He did NOT say it was “less severe” than other variants, I believe he was attempting to keep people from panicking based on reports it’s more “transmissible” – keeping them from assuming this “wave” was going to be worse than the “Delta” variant.

The truth is – no one knows for sure yet – although it does appear if you’re vaccinated the vaccines are – so far – proving effective in “breakthrough” cases against “Omicron.” And, unless I’m totally mistaken, I believe other variants have not become problematic if they’re “weaker” than the “Delta” variant – which, of course, is still the prevalent cause of the disease associated with SARS-Cov-2 – and is still raging across America, filling hospitals in many sections of the country and, once again, on the increase.

As I’ve said here numerous times, when I watch “news” on TV I choose MSNBC because I believe their “hosts” are at least trying to get things “right.” But, the level of “false equivalency” with the issues of this nation exist there – just at a miniscule level to Fox “news,” “Newsmax,” “OANN,” etc. The above example of their ability to “interpret” comments is discouraging. I listen to the people on MSNBC referring to what President Biden is attempting to accomplish and, at times, you would think he’s accomplished NOTHING – despite ALREADY signing into law TWO extraordinary pieces of legislation – considering republican OBSTRUCTION. (OK, one of the pieces was bipartisan – which is an incredible victory in itself) MSNBC allows “progressives” to focus on what hasn’t passed Congress as opposed to what has during Biden’s first year.

I’ve said for a couple of years I would eventually write a post about my thoughts concerning the subject of abortion. The time has come because, it appears, the Supreme Court will soon be challenged to, in essence, overturn “Roe v Wade.” I grew up prior to Roe and was a very naïve young man when I entered college in 1965. I went to college, mainly, to play basketball and when I was a junior at Western Washington University (back then “State College”) in 1967 I was introduced to the “free love” years – as they were called at the time – and where students who I knew who were sexually active were paying $75 for what amounted to unsafe abortions.

At the time, as I remember it now, I didn’t have a second thought about what was happening other than it seemed wrong to me. In 1973 when Roe was decided by the Supreme Court, again, I didn’t think much about it because it didn’t affect me. However, when the first pregnancy I was involved with ended in a miscarriage and my wife had, in essence, the same procedure as an abortion – the fetus had died – I was thankful she was healthy after the procedure – which by the standard of the recent Texas law could have been deemed to be an abortion.

My thoughts were (and still are) that when a sperm cell and an egg combine, needing only “food and oxygen” to grow you have a living “thing.” To me, this is irrefutable. In total transparency I was not a “fan” of Roe when it was first decided. As I look back, I’m thankful I was never in a position to be part of a decision ending in an abortion (Well, I’m REALLY thankful that miscarriage wasn’t considered an “abortion”). That being said, it should be obvious I WOULDN’T be the one having the procedure. I have, over the years, however, given the subject considerable thoughts. Several things have caused my thoughts to evolve.

One instance which has, for years, affected my thinking: I know a woman who was RAPED at knife point many years ago resulting in a pregnancy. She chose to terminate that pregnancy, as I would have totally supported (had I been asked), and, I have to add, she had considerable misgivings post procedure. I bring this up because it’s clear to me this is an issue which us “men folk” just are incapable of understanding. Even if you take the position of many “Christians” that “Roe” should be overturned, that would do NOTHING to solve the problem of women experiencing unwanted pregnancies – for a PLETHORA of reasons.

As I watch all of this transforming it appears to me it’s, essentially, MEN who are leading the “charge” to take abortions back into the “back alleys” – which affects these MEN hardly at all. As I said above, I’m thankful I haven’t had to be in this position – other than the miscarriage involved in the pregnancy of my first child. Had I lived in Texas and my wife been forced to carry an already deceased child, well, I would have done whatever I could have to protect the health of my wife. (And, I know of several other women who had fetuses die “in utero” and had the same procedure – a couple in “late term”) The Texas law which prevents almost ALL abortion procedures makes NO exceptions – for example, for rape, incest, or for the health of the mother. In a perfect world no woman would be faced with this decision.

Of course, we don’t live in anything close to a perfect world. Over the years my views have evolved to where my present belief is “if you don’t believe in abortion, don’t have one.” One of the more memorable moments of the 2016 campaign for president was when individual 1 was interviewed regarding his views on abortion. He seemed hesitant when he said, seemingly in an obligatory manner, he supported a ban on abortions. (This was an “about face” from previous comments he’d made) He went further by saying “any woman who has an abortion should be PUNISHED.” As is always the case, no reference to the MAN involved in the unwanted pregnancy.

In answering a question regarding the draconian Texas anti-abortion law governor Greg Abbott suggested in Texas they were going to eliminate ALL rapes. Of course, that was one of the more STUPID comments I’ve ever heard coming from any politician, but, sadly, Abbott has not been rebuked as I thought he would over such a STUPID comment. I guess one of my curiosities is who on earth is this decision over a women’s body being determined by; MEN? I know “Christians” who have rationalized their support of individual 1 over the possibility of Roe being overturned – what I call the classic “deal with the Devil.” And, that all doesn’t make me “pro abortion.” I wish NO woman would be forced into this decision. I’ll say it again, “if you don’t believe in abortion don’t have one.”

Curiously, now we’re seeing an interesting irony coming from abortion opponents and those who are fighting to prevent Roe from being overturned. For years women have been saying “My body my choice” in support of “A women’s right to choose.” Now, of course, many of those fighting to control what a woman can do with her body are saying “my body my choice” in justifying their refusal to get a “jab” which might prevent them, and/or those around them, from going to the hospital with Covid-19. Interesting, huh? I’ll add to that, I’ve come to the conclusion over the years to two things: First as a MAN I shouldn’t be the one making this decision for a woman which I have no idea of who she is – leading me to the second “conclusion” – I believe it’s the woman’s right to decide what to do with her body.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t believe virtually any woman takes having an abortion, or not, as a casual decision. As I stated above there could be a PLETHORA of reasons a woman would consider an abortion. I won’t begin listing them, but, in my view, if she chooses the procedure it SHOULD be SAFE! I’m a Christian and one of the things which convinced me to believe in the teachings of Jesus is because of the “free will” necessary to make that decision “real.” I really believe in “free will” and that whatever “consequences” might occur from “a woman’s right to choose” would be between her and her spiritual beliefs. And, of course, it’s not that simple.

Try a little empathy. Consider a woman who becomes pregnant and is unable to raise a healthy child – again, for a PLETHORA of reasons. As a society, over the years since when I was back in those college days, it seems to me we’ve made it more difficult to escape being “poor.” (And, by that I mean financially) What happens to that child AFTER it’s born? Say we’re talking about a single Mom who can’t care for the child financially. I suppose republicans would suggest “have the baby and put it up for adoption.” A little over simplified in my view (It takes, essentially, a year of a woman’s life to bear a child). Let’s take a look at what republicans COULD be doing to reduce the demand for abortions.

They could support universal health care – especially for those in low socio economic situations. They could support things like FOOD STAMPS, housing subsidies, “universal Pre-K,” family medical leave, support for childcare, etc. etc. – I think you get my drift. All those things are part of the “Build Back Better” agenda of Joe Biden which will receive NOT a SINGLE vote from republicans by the time it’s passed. Republicans don’t support the “Child Tax Credit” – which is a “lifesaver” for several families I’m familiar with. So, picture yourself as a woman who becomes pregnant with no means to support the child. Do you want to gamble republicans won’t gain control of Congress and the “White House” while you’re raising that child?

Heck, countries around the world are hesitant to TRUST the United States because of the possibility either individual 1 or someone as VILE might succeed in “winning” a future election (Remember, Putin is still “busy” with his “active measures” trying to use our “freedoms” against us – supporting individual 1 surreptitiously). I wrote a while back, after reading about the “bounties” key to the Texas abortion law, I had an idea on how to reduce the demand for abortions. Fine the MAN who’s responsible for an unwanted pregnancy $10,000 maybe $20,000 and that very well might reduce the demand for abortions. That’s really the thing for me, why are MEN deciding on what women can do with their own bodies? Why do men constantly get away with creating the problem and then “getting out of town?” Stay tuned………

Final Thought: It won’t be long and the Supreme Court will be deciding whether Roe will stand or not. I listened to the confirmation hearings of EVERY one of the members of the Court (with the exception of Breyer). Roberts, Alito, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Barrett all said, in essence, Roe was “settled law” and they believe in “stare decisis.” I look forward to comparing their decision on the upcoming challenges to Roe with their testimony before Congress. Clarence Thomas claimed he had never thought about it during his confirmation hearing and then, a few months later claimed Roe was “wrongly decided.” (Does that mean he LIED to Congress? Seems a bit “fishy” to me.)

As it’s looking Roe will be either overturned or “cut off at the knees” I can’t help but think back to the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh, who was confirmed thanks to votes by republican women, like Susan Collins, saying they got assured Roe would be “safe.” And, keep in mind, NONE of the three individual 1 appointments would have passed save for Moscow Mitch “making a cutout” in the filibuster to get extreme right wing justices passed with ONLY republican votes. Democrats like Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema have to be aware if McConnell ever gains majority status in the Senate the filibuster won’t stand in the way of anything he might want passed.

Kavanaugh was CREDIBLY charged with assaulting women while in High School and College and, in addition, to “drinking beer” to the point where he could use being inebriated as an excuse for his behavior. Additionally, there was NO credible investigation of charges which arose during the confirmation proceeding. Here’s the deal: The Supreme Court is on the verge of labeling themselves as exactly what the claim they don’t want – and that’s a group of “political hacks.” And, of course, they’re lifetime appointments!