As the republicans continue their assault on the TRUTH when will the so-called “Mainstream Media” (MSM) begin to REGULARY point out this “strategy” is the “strategy” which catapulted Adolf Hitler to POWER back in the 1920’s. Yes, I understand I’m not supposed to say that name or mention words like “Nazi” or “Fascist” but, well, “it is what it is.” As far as I’m concerned it’s HIGHT TIME for the MSM to educate the American public they’re receiving an organized ASSAULT on the TRUTH using the playbook of Hitler’s chief of propaganda Joseph Goebbels.

I keep hearing members of the so-called “liberal media” in conversation where they are showing disgust at the number of LIES coming from this republican and that republican and how these LIES seem to be coordinated – into “alternative facts.” The LYING causes a measure of DISGUST, but my disgust comes from the refusal of commentators on TV and democratic politicians to “tell it like it is” almost as much as the LIES themselves. Or, is it possible they don’t really understand what is happening? They MUST have enough of a grasp on history to understand the TRUTH about what is behind all these LIES! Or do they? Or are they afraid to tell it like it is because we’re not supposed to understand or believe the SAME “strategies” used by Hitler could EVER be used here?

Well, to that, I say “wake up!” For years I’ve been lamenting the lack of “spine” coming from the democratic party. I’m heartened by many of the younger members of the party, people like “AOC” and many others who seem to have the GUTS to FIGHT for this country in the face of the right wing ASSAULT which SHOULD be undeniable. I “get” there are MILLIONS of good honest Americans who simply have too much going on in their lives for “politics” – although, I don’t accept that as OK. When the American republic is under ASSAULT, to me, there’s no excuse for shirking one’s public responsibility. I certainly don’t want to get to a place where I say, “I wish I had………………..” (fill in the blank)

One of the sayings I’ll never forget is, “Those who choose to ignore history are bound to repeat it.” My father was part of the Army during WW II and, for whatever reason, he was NEVER able to talk about it with, at least me – I don’t know about my siblings. It was NEVER part of the discussion in our family. I say that because I’ve said this before, “individual 1 came closer to turning America into a fascist state than Hitler.” And, of course, our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president is still “at it.” And, his white nationalist supporters are still “at it” as well.

For heaven’s sake, the Fox “news” “mouthpiece” to the white nationalists in America, Tucker Carlson is, as I’m writing this, broadcasting his nightly propaganda shpiel from Budapest, Hungary where he’s been “kissing up” to Viktor Orban, the right wing Prime Minister of Hungary who is considered the individual 1 (I can’t bring myself to write the name) of Europe with actual political skill. He’s managed to turn Hungary’s fledgling democracy into an autocratic state – and Carlson is, apparently, hell bent on glorifying him. (Orban actually got his wall built)

The right wing in America has long believed “the end justifies the means.” Their purpose is having control of the “levers of power.” They are supported by a “gaggle” of right wing Billionaires who are very smart – largely the so-called “Koch network” of puppeteers. They have been at this for as many years as I can remember. In 1980 David Koch managed to get about 1% of the electorate to vote for what he believed as the VP nominee of the Libertarian party – ie way out on the fringe. However, with an unending supply of SURPLUS money, he along with his brother Charles Koch started the process of turning state after state into right wing republican strongholds where they had control of the mechanisms which MOST of us don’t think about at all.

Things like control of local legislation from the city to the state level which evolves to the national level. Controlling the local levels of government has led to the “gerrymandering” of the legislative districts in state after state which has required democrats to gain tens of MILLIONS more votes than republicans, nationally, to gain control of the House of Representatives. And, supporting the right wing media outlets has led to republican control of rural areas all across this nation where “information” coming from TV and radio have been controlled by outlets like Fox “news” on the Cable TV, Sinclair Broadcasting on local TV, and the radio controlled for years by people like the late Rush Limbaugh. This has been BRAINWASHING, pure and simple, and, for some reason, it’s a rare person I see on the MSM even coming close to pointing this out.

Tens of MILLIONS of Americans have been “influenced” by the constant LYING coming from the republican party. I started writing this “blog” (actually, to me, my diary in cyberspace – how you found it, who knows?) after Bush/Cheney LIED America into the Iraq FIASCO. After Bush/Cheney bungled their invasion of Afghanistan into a 20 year FIASCO. To me, a person of the Viet Nam era, it was “deja vu all over again.” Since then, it’s only gotten worse. And, on that, I put much of the BLAME on democrats – sadly, Barack Obama. I’ve written numerous posts about my lamenting the “looking forward instead of back” comment (and policy) of the Obama administration. Individual 1 was the logical result of that decision. It’s caused republicans to act like they saw a “green light” in regard to the apprehension of democrats to have the GUTS to hold them accountable for ILLEGAL behavior.

Unless you’re part of the individual 1 cult it’s IMPOSSIBLE not to see the ILLEGAL behavior of “the former guy” who, by MOST accounts I’ve seen from actual historians, was leading the most CORRUPT administration in this nation’s history. His attempt to OVERTHROW the 2020 election by what is becoming apparent via “any means necessary” was far beyond the CORRUPTION of even Richard Nixon. The use of Hitler’s propaganda scheme SHOULD be enough to turn off enough Americans to cause this version of the republican party to be voted into the History books – but, we’re all also seeing an attempt at voter suppression which is WORSE than anything we’ve seen since Reconstruction and Jim Crow. It’s all part of an organized plot.

This gets to my final point about the sophistication of the right wing ASSAULT on our nation which has been fueled by the Koch network and the “by any means possible” strategy of the republican party. And, of course, I’m talking (OK writing) about our Courts. The Koch network is squarely behind the push to FLOOD our Court system with right wing judges and, naturally, that’s likely to be the one lasting “success” of individual 1’s time in office. To be sure, that “plan” was in effect prior to individual 1’s “win” in 2016 with the Bush nominees Roberts and Alito being key to the GUTTING of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 ALONG with the so-called “Citizens United” decision which has allowed those BILLIONAIRES to covertly buy off members of Congress.

This all has become “the way it is,” but the reality of how the republicans have gone about their attempt at the “goal” of a “permanent republican ‘majority'” SHOULD be common knowledge among “we the people.” And, that will not happen without the so-called MSM over and over again pointing out the LIES which are repeated “over and over again” are the result of the republican party adopting the propaganda scheme of the Third Reich. Maybe they can put it that way because we’re not, in America, to compare anyone or anything to Hitler or the Nazi’s of the 1930’s. Sorry, but that’s how I see it!

(And, oh, by the way, these people are hell bent on bringing individual 1, or someone with his lack of shame but with more brains, back into power. The way the people at Fox want to “expand their base” is by supporting an administration capable of closing down their “opposition.” Let’s us all hope I’m wrong – and, by the way, make sure you VOTE!)

Final Thought: While all this is going on, we’re now up to over 120,000 NEW cases of Covid-19, via the “Delta Variant,” EACH day and RISING. The daily DEATH toll has now increased to OVER 600 DEATHS per day – and, this is with numerous states not even recording – either NEW cases of Covid or DEATHS or BOTH. Missouri, for example, is experiencing 3000 to 4000 NEW cases per day, but according to “Worldometer.info,” no one is DYING in Missouri from the virus. Of course, anyone who does a little investigating online KNOWS that’s impossible. Their hospitals are so FULL of Covid patients they’re turning Emergencies away. Then, of course, there’s South Dakota which pretty much is NOT reporting anything regarding the virus. I seriously doubt NO one in South Dakota is affected by the virus – especially with the most RECKLESS governor in the nation – Kristi Noem – who visions herself as the 2024 republican presidential nominee.

Thanks to republicans America is crumbling at the seems but the focus of those on the “right” is to continue the so-called “Big Lie” until they are able to achieve what Karl Rove called the “permanent republican ‘majority.'” Individual 1 has been called a “moron” by many of those who were part of his administration, but it’s clear he was simply an EVIL narcissist who had a plan to turn America into a right wing autocracy. And, he’s still at it and if the democrats DON’T point out the TRUTH about what has happened, and if the Justice Department fails to hold him accountable for his ILLEGAL attempt to overthrow our recent election, we are destined to LOSE our republic to a fascist overthrow – from within. The DISASTERS facing our nation right now continue to be on multiple fronts. Covid, failing and obsolete infrastructure, a recovering economy – all of this possibly causing “we the people” to take our focus off the right wing attempt to turn our nation into a right wing autocracy. Stay tuned!!!

I’m old, it takes me a few days to finish my thoughts. So, today the Covid “totals” of NEW infections in America was OVER 130,000 – one day after what I just said above – and the DEATHS were over 750 – and, that’s with SEVERAL states controlled by republicans NOT reporting actual numbers. One of those states is South Dakota where the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is happening once again, this year with over 700.000 visitors. Guess what is going to happen next!? God help us!

I’ll admit it, I subscribe to the Washington Post and regularly read as much of it as I have time. Today, there was an article – you can access it HERE if you like, where a “Pastor” in a small town close to Nashville, Tennessee told his congregants if they enter his church wearing a mask he will ask them to leave and he was urging NONE of them to get vaccinated for Covid-19, was calling the coronavirus a “democrat hoax” (from the pulpit, no less), calling Joe Biden a “demon possessed sex offender,” (along with other QAnon “theories”), and was refusing to honor ANY public health “suggestions” in a state which, today, had OVER 2200 NEW infections of Covid-19 reported as their hospitals approach their capacities.

This is the kind of stuff which is happening all across the parts of the country where people have made the classic “deal with the devil” – and that, of course, is their fealty to individual 1. The (world) history of the Christian community giving their complete loyalty to a political demagogue is one which, hopefully, won’t be repeated in the U.S. And, I’m talking, of course, about the Third Reich in Germany back in the late 1920’s and through their defeat in WW II. If you’re confused about what I’m referring, please read the biography of Deidrick Bonhoeffer. That’s one of my favorite books of the past five years as I’ve struggled with why “conservative Christians” would align themselves with someone as CORRUPT as individual 1.

Today, according to Worldometer.info (where data about the pandemic – along with other issues is collected), in the U.S. there were almost 62,000 NEW cases of Covid-19 reported – up by OVER three times in just the past few weeks. And, that is without Florida (where the WORST outbreak of the “Delta Variant” is occurring) Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Alaska reporting. I’ll give you three guesses (and, of course, the first two don’t count) on which political party controls EACH of those states. Florida, alone, likely had around 15,000 NEW cases in the past 24 hours, so the national “tally” is likely around 80,000, where it was close to 10,000 (and falling) just about a month ago.

As the rate of vaccinations slowed I listened to one scientist and/or doctor warning after another about the “Delta Variant” for the past couple of months and, well, now it’s here – and multiple states – mostly in the South, but, also mostly “governed” by republicans – are experiencing HUGE spikes in the number of cases, the number of people in their hospitals, and the number of people DYING of this terrible disease. And, it’s a terrible way to “go” – with no one able to be with you and with a tube crammed down your throat – as burned out doctors and nurses do whatever they can to save your life – doctors and nurses who have the RIGHT to be disgusted with you for not getting the vaccine which is FREE and widely AVAILABLE.

According to “Worldometer.info” the number of people in “serious/critical” condition is just under 9000 as of today where just last week it was around 6000 and last month is was down to below 4000. These are the numbers of people likely to DIE from Covid. The numbers are increasing by SEVERAL hundred per day and people like the Pastor in Tennessee referenced above will make things WORSE in the coming days and weeks.

If you have the slightest bit of curiosity you can find out the TRUTH about the reality “we the people” are facing as this virus hits another “spike” – and, this time with a “variant” which is more transmissible and more DEADLY than the original “version,” by a lot! Here’s the real rub: By MILLIONS of Americans CHOOSING not to get vaccinated, despite the availability of the vaccines and the FACT they are FREE, “we the people” are facing the real possibility that NEW strains will emerge due to our FAILURE to get enough Americans vaccinated to stop the spread of the disease. Once “strains” emerge which are resistant to the present vaccines we could be facing what scientists call and “endemic” – meaning, this virus could be around for, well, forever. Endemic is defined as “persisting in a population or region, generally having settled to a relatively constant rate of occurrence: The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 may never disappear, but could become endemic like HIV.“

Should that happen “we the people” will be able to “thank” people like the Pastor referred to above, politicians like Ron DeSantis (Florida has about 20% of the cases right now), Greg Abbot of Texas (today, Texas had almost 8,000 NEW cases reported) and republican governors in numerous other states where CDC guidelines are NOT followed and where the virus is SURGING out of control. I often hear people referring to the “two Americas” and the issue with Covid-19 bears that out as much as any other. (Although the White nationalists cause me even more angst – although, I believe the two issues are virtually interchangeable)

America is being torn apart by misinformation/disinformation which spreads across “social media” like wildfires. It’s coming from some of the “kookiest” of conspiracy theorists (Q ???), from right wing personalities on the TV and the right wing radio “talkers,” and, don’t forget, the Russians are CONTINUING to fuel the division in America with their “active measures” – which is another way of saying they’re also spewing “fake news” on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, etc. There’s virtually too much “stuff” coming at the average American who is working for a living and has little to no interest in politics to keep up with. I was a teacher until I retired in 2014 (although I worked part time for almost three more years) and I asked MANY teachers if they knew what “Citizens United” was – and, I don’t remember ONE who could tell me what it was/is.

Of course, if you’re reading this post you likely KNOW it was the Supreme Court decision which declared, as Mitt Romney put it, “Corporations are people, my friend.” Citizens United was the catalos for the BILLIONS in “secret, Dark money” which has POLLUTED our political “scene” since the day it was decided. It opened the door for foreign “investors” to, in essence, through their lobbyists, buy off members of our Congress. That decision overturned about 75 years of attempts to control the flow of MONEY into political campaign “coffers.” I say that because, the people I questioned about “Citizens United” were all “educated” with at least a Master’s Degree and were teaching Middle School students – yet, were ill informed on one of the more critical Supreme Court decisions in generations. So, why would we expect others in our society to be aware of critical issues like this if it’s not part of the focus of our national media?

I’m not sure what the answer to that question is, (maybe Senate Bill one) but there are so many other “realities” I discover in my obsession with reading books which almost no one I know is aware that I really worry for our country. Of course, there are MANY Americans aware of the dire situation going on as I’m writing this, all across the country, with voter SUPPRESSION legislation being passed in many states. That’s the republican solution to not having a platform – other than fealty to individual 1 – make it harder for people who might vote for democrats to actually exercise their franchise. The “fewer people who vote, the better our chances” – words I’ve heard from more than one republican “leader.”

I’ve harped on this one regularly here and, so far, I’ve not heard one public commentator mention anything more than individual 1’s claims he actually “won” the 2020 election is the “Big Lie.” What they fail to say to America via their platform of TV, print media, or ????, is that “The Big Lie theory” was the work of none other than Adolf Hitler. Yes, I get, in America we’re NOT supposed to even bring up his name. But, the TRUTH is the theory behind the republicans LYING over and over about things people like me understand are not true comes from Hitler and his head of propaganda, Joseph Goebbels. “Tell a LIE over and over until people believe it must be ‘true.'” That’s what the republicans are doing regarding the 2020 election – individual 1 began “grooming” his faithful followers MONTHS before the election about how it was going to be “rigged” – republicans are saying the “Big Lie” over and over again, and it’s “working” with their “base.”

Something like 30% of republicans actually believe individual 1 is going to be re-instated as our president – albeit, a TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING one – come August – which is just a few days away. (In fact, it’s possible I don’t manage to post this rant until early August) In fact, the Pastor I referred to above has seen the “numbers” in his church increase during the Covid pandemic as he’s been defiant in refusing to follow any recommended guidelines designed to protect his “flock” from Covid-19. Hopefully, none of those in his church will contract the “Delta Variant,” but considering he’s in Tennessee my guess is that’s unlikely. What will they all say if/when an outbreak occurs among the members of his church? What will they say when individual 1 is not re-installed as president come August 13? (I predict they’ll simply latch on to another STUPID conspiracy theory – my bigger question is what will they say/do when he gets INDICTED? Should be interesting.)

Final Thought: It’s now August 3rd and I’m FINALLY finishing this post. Today’s total on Worldometer.info regarding the numbers of NEW Covid infections in the U.S. is over 104,000 (Yep, that’s just today) with OVER 500 MORE Americans DEAD from this pandemic. And, you guessed it, those states I mentioned above (last week) are STILL leading the way. Florida with almost 18,000 NEW cases, just in the past 24 hours, Texas with OVER 14,000, Louisiana with almost 5,000, Missouri almost 3,000 NEW cases, Tennessee almost 3,000 new cases and on and on. This Delta Variant, by my observation, first got “going” in Florida and NOW it’s spread ALL across America. It makes me a bit angry thinking about what all those who refused the vaccines are causing for the rest of us. This DIDN’T have to happen. And, sure as “shootin” republicans will nominate one of these “deplorable” governors to run for president in 2024 (Because, there’s a good chance individual 1 will be a convicted felon by then)

I live in a state (Washington) where the goal of 70% vaccinated has finally been reached, but the problem is the “Delta variant” has “invaded” our state and there are significant pockets of citizens who’ve refused to be vaccinated and, so, there are places where the “numbers” are going up and the hospitals are FILLING up. I’m guessing there will be another “mask mandate” (something else for the right wingers to complain about) on the horizon. The county I live in is predominantly republican and, sure enough, the numbers here are going up. The “Delta Varian” is over 5 times as transmissible, from what I’ve read and, as I said above, much more deadly. I reported above about the numbers in America of people in “serious/critical” condition as per “Worldometer.info” and it’s NOW over 12,000. About four times what it was in June. Yikes! Stay tuned!!!

I’ve been saying for some time the TRUTH about individual 1 and the weak willed sycophants who didn’t have the COURAGE to stand up against him will be coming “out” drip by drip, and, of course, it’s happening. In fact, it’s well under way. I’m presently reading a book about suggesting our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president purposely allowed the Covid-19 virus to get out of control and, essentially (I’m still reading it) had ZERO empathy for the HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS of Americans who’ve DIED from this pandemic while his focus was on CHEATING his way into a second term in office.

Which is where some of the other books I’ve now put next to my bedside exposing much of the other CORRUPTION happening in plain sight, but “we the people” just couldn’t keep up with it all. And, of course, the republican party, as it’s presently constituted, has gone “all in” on individual 1’s CORRUPTION because they view it as the best course of action for them as their THIRST for POWER exceeds their willingness to honor the OATH they ALL took to the CONSTITUTION when they began their terms in public office. It really is SHAMEFUL, but, sadly, the republicans have no ability to feel SHAME – as I just said, it’s all about the POWER. It’s about getting re-elected.

At some point in time the real HEROES of the republican party will be people like Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger who, in essence, volunteered to make the House SELECT Committee investigating January 6th, 2021 actually bipartisan. Kevin McCarthy, who continues to volunteer for a “deplorable” place in American History as a total wimp, attempted to place republican members on the Committee who would have turned the proceeding into some kind of SHAM where they would attempt to DEFLECT from the TRUTH by making the FALSE “equivalency” of the January 6th, 2021 INSURRECTION to the Black Lives Matter (George Floyd) protests.

But, as I’ve continually said (OK, I just said it above) the TRUTH is going to come out. And, true to form, I’m betting republicans will attempt to stall as they’re called to testify before this Committee, pushing its work right up and maybe into the Mid Term elections. Smart! About as “smart” as individual 1 and Moscow Mitch refusing to consider the “HEROES Act” back in the previous Congress – a decision which likely was the key to individual 1 LOSING the 2020 election in a LANDSLIDE – by his own formula – and, I’m not even talking about the FACT he LOST the “popular vote” by around 8 MILLION votes – a record!

There are multiple reports individual 1’s election FRAUD, after he had been SOUNDLY beaten by 78 year old Joe Biden, went well beyond his multiple phone calls to people like Brad Raffensperger and other officials in Georgia, officials in Michigan, and likely officials in places like Arizona and Pennsylvania. It appears he was trying to get the Justice Department to intervene on his behalf in another of his attempts to overturn the “will of the people.” I’m sure Vladimir Putin was proud of his effort in a LOSING cause. Of course, both individual 1 AND Putin continue to feed REAL “fake news” to the MILLIONS of unsuspecting users of Facebook (full disclosure: I don’t use Facebook or ANY of the Social Media outlets) who believe what they read/hear about from those spewing the “Big Lie Theory” and don’t fact check it.

I’ve tried many times to listen/watch outlets like Fox “news” and “Newsmax” but I don’t last more than a minute or so – at best. The LYING is always OBVIOUS and seems to be like a steady stream of toxic propaganda that it’s both disgusting and embarrassing. Embarrassing because I know lots of people who get their “news” from those sources and, when you have a conversation with them, it’s just, well …………… embarrassing. Grown adults who simply don’t have the will to do what I used to teach sixth graders. Fact check the information you absorb and DON’T allow your “sources” to LIE to you.

Yes, I “get” that we all have our biases and our biases influence our opinions. However, FACTS are FACTS. There is NO such thing as “alternative facts” – the “brainchild” of one of individual 1’s “advisers,” Kellyanne Conway. Her own husband was, obviously, the FACT “checker” in their family – and, he wasn’t shy about calling individual 1 and those around him for the LYING. If fact, Conway’s daughter made it clear she was EMBARRASSED by the LYING coming from the mouth of her mother along with the other willing LYERS working for our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president.

I watch MSNBC, when I watch any thing at all, and, to me, when people I know suggest they are just as bad as Fox, only on the “liberal side,” it actually makes my blood boil a bit. That’s the work of the “Big Lie Theory” in full view. It’s a TOTAL false equivalency, pure and simple, Yes, several of the “hosts” on the programs on MSNBC clearly have a “liberal bias,” when you look at the “facts,” in most cases, what they’re saying is correct. In fact, I often end up yelling at my TV because, in many instances, right wing nonsense goes without challenge on their programs.

And, keep in mind, several of their “hosts” are – or were – republicans. I don’t tend to get up early enough to watch “Morning Joe” but it’s not a fair criticism to call him a “liberal.” To me, from what I’ve heard from him, he’s a true republican who isn’t/hasn’t been afraid to call out individual 1 for the LYING and CHEATING. Nicole Wallace was the Communications Director for Bush/Cheney and, I believe, is driven by her realization individual 1 has, in essence, for actual “conservatives” ruined the republican party. I find hosts biased against individual 1, but, at the same time, realizing the importance of a functioning republican party.

What many of the republicans I listen to when they’re interviewed on MSNBC seem to be suggesting – which, I happen to agree with – (and this comes in many different “nuances”) is the ONLY way to salvage the party is by individual 1 and those sycophants without the COURAGE to honor their OATHS to the constitution being VOTED out of office. (Yes, that’s already the case for our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called ….. you get the rest) Most of them are not “all in” on Joe Biden and the democrats agenda (full disclosure, I’m all in) but they’re realizing what DAMAGE the republican party has done to this great nation in the past 20 (or more – my inference) years and some of the issues progressives are FIGHTING for – as I’m writing this – are becoming CLEAR to many of these republicans who recognize the DANGER individual 1 CONTINUES to pose for America are vital to the future of our country.

My point is, there’s a HUGE difference between MSNBC (as a source of information) and outlets like Fox “news,” “Newsmax,” and many of the other right wing propagators of the “Big Lie Theory.” I choose to read as many books as I can – books which have been edited by professionals who demand multiple sources for controversial information. Individual 1, as I’ve been saying for over three years now, comes across as a wannabee mob boss. The level of “alleged” criminality facing our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president would suggest where I might be wrong is with the adjective “wannabee.”

It was reported today that FINALLY the House Ways and Means Committee is going to get his tax returns, which he went to EXTREME ends to block. Why do you think he doesn’t want his tax returns to be checked by those with OVERSIGHT responsibility in our system of “checks and balances.” My guess is there’s going to be MORE potential CRIMINAL activity uncovered – possibly involving his relationship with foreign governments and the money he used to, for example, buy a bunch of golf courses when no banks, other than Deutche Bank, would “touch him.” He’s got a very BAD record of paying back his debts – and, apparently, there are a lot of debts. In addition, he bragged in the debates with Hillary Clinton that the FACT he hasn’t paid taxes for years, makes him “smart.” Well, now we’re going to find out how “smart” he really is.

And, keep in mind, the Manhattan DA’s office has had his tax returns for several months now and, already, his CFO has been indicted and his organization has been INDICTED – for tax fraud – 15 counts each – surprise, surprise. And, the investigation is “ongoing” according to the two offices involved. Here’s another thing I’ve suggested – his organization could be looking at a RICO charge – which would put the “icing on the cake” for those of us suggesting individual 1 comes across as a CRIME boss. And, of course, a RICO charge (which is how prosecutors go after organized Crime – RICO stands for “Racketeer Influence and Corrupt Organization Act”) would directly bring individual 1’s children into the picture.

If you believe individual 1’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) was the only “executive” in the “tightly held” organization of our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president CHEATING on his/her taxes, well, “I’ve got a bridge………………..” OK, you know the rest. There are already multiple reports which would indicate Ivanka Kushner is in serious trouble and I’m guessing the same issues “flow” through individual 1’s two sons who were “supposedly” running the business while “daddy” was sitting in the Oval Office.

I keep thinking back to the days of Richard Nixon and, at that time, our Justice Department had the “stones” to go after as many of the CRIMINALS involved in Nixon’s shenanigans as they could, with many, including Nixon’s Attorney General going to JAIL. Does Merrick Garland have a good memory – mine’s not that great, but I can’t help but remember back to those days. What was Bill Barr up to? And, his close associates? There’s a LOT to still come out and I don’t believe it’s going to look good for individual 1 and those who went along with his CRIMINAL activity. If America TRULY is a “nation of laws and not men” then Attorney General Garland will make that clear to all of us – and, politically, that message SHOULD permeate the entire political spectrum – democrat, republican, independent. There will be accountability for those who break the law. (I have to add – to me, the CORRUPTION in individual 1’s administration was far worse than what we saw during Watergate)

If you’ve been around this site at all you know my BIGGEST gripe with Barack Obama occurred shortly after he took the oath of office – an oath which says ”  I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” Well, one of President Obama’s first actions after taking that oath was to say, in regard to the ILLEGAL activity of the Bush/Cheney regime, “we’re going to look forward instead of back.” I knew at the time that meant there would be NO accountability for the TORTURE authorized by Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld and others in their administration and carried out by members of out CIA, among others.

I said at the time President Obama’s (terrible) decision would simply lead to, at some point in the future, MORE illegal activity by upper level members of our government. In fact, I believe some of the illegal “snooping” done by Bush/Cheney was carried forward into Obama’s administration. It’s as if they don’t want to hold their predecessor accountable with the fear it will come back upon them. Yikes! Now I’m worried the OBVIOUS criminal activity of our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president will go unheeded. There seems to be a good chance he could get indicted by the Manhattan DA, but there’s been NOTHING coming from the Fulton County DA’s office on the investigation into individual 1’s attempted voter FRAUD down there – which we all heard on his phone call with Georgia’s Sec. of State Brad Raffensperger – with several OTHER witnesses listening in on the call – “Just ‘find’ me 11,780 votes – one more than we need” – without question that was an ILLEGAL request!

And, the INSURRECTION at the Capitol Building on January 6th, 2021 – is it not PERFECTLY clear who INCITED that crowd? Who groomed the crowd? Who brought the crowd there and said, “It’s going to be wild.” So far, the FBI and Justice Department have ARRESTED and INDICTED over 550 of the INSURRECTIONISTS – suspecting there could be another 300 arrests as they continue to study the videos and identify the most egregious of the perpetrators of that “deplorable” day. But, what about individual 1? Will all his “stooges” end up being the only “culprits” held to account for that day? What about Mo Brooks? He CLEARLY encouraged the crowd to “Kick Ass” at the Capitol that day. And, individual 1 Jr.? Rudy Giuliani? and others who chose to get up on the dais at the ellipse that day and encourage the crowd to attempt what amounted to an overthrow of our government. Merrick Garland, are you listening? (OK, reading?)

Of course, I read Robert Mueller’s report TWICE – from cover to cover – and, I have to admit, it was tedious reading – which may explain why reading that report is the ONLY way in my lifetime I have become part of the “1%.” Here’s the deal, from my perspective. It’s undeniable that during the 2016 campaign there was “collusion” between individual 1’s campaign and the Russians. Read it if you don’t believe me! Mueller’s report had two sections and the second one laid out about 10 instances of OBSTRUCTION of Justice by our now TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex president. I’ve heard some people suggest there were “only” six examples – and, me, not being a lawyer, I have to suggest ONE example SHOULD be too much. But, hardly anyone even talks about that report and Mueller made it clear, once individual 1 was out of office the EVIDENCE had been “memorialized.” And, he then could be PROSECUTED!

When Mueller testified before Congress and was asked, “Could a prosecutor go after individual 1 on these OBSTRUCTION (potential) charges” (or words to that effect) and he gave a one word answer: “Yes.” The Congressman asked the question again to clarify and Mueller simply answered, “Yes.” In the report Mueller went out of his way to point out the seriousness of OBSTRUCTION as a foundational (my characterization) CRIME in our system of justice. OBSTRUCTION simply means someone is attempting to interfere and a legal investigation which, in this case, likely prevented the investigation to be as thorough as it should have been. In other words, the OBSTRUCTION of individual 1 and the complicity in it of William Barr likely prevented the “Russia Investigation” from uncovering the true CRIMINAL activity of individual 1’s 2016 campaign. It’s as if individual 1 believed he was “above the law” – and, unless Merrick Garland wants to allow this STAIN on the Justice Department to endure, this evidence of OBSTRUCTION of Justice should NOT go without consequences!

OMG, keeping up with ALL the SCANDALS which seemed to be happening on a daily basis during individual 1’s reign was dizzying and, as you can see by the words written above, keeping up with all the INFORMATION coming out and the opportunities for our Justice Department to put an end to this – what now seems like a “reign of terror” – will require a full commitment from Attorney General Garland – AND, Joe Biden staying out of whatever lies ahead. Biden needs to, in my opinion, keep pushing his agenda through Congress and pay no attention to all this legal mumbo jumbo.

Final Thought: I’m a bit concerned republicans will find a way to stop this HUGE infrastructure INVESTMENT in the foundation or our nation – which includes an investment in the working class of Americans. Creating an environment where those who want to work hard to “get ahead” have a pathway to achieve their dreams. I LOVE the idea of two years of FREE Community College and would prefer that all state Colleges would be tuition free. It’s worth it to the rest of us to invest in our PEOPLE, along with fixing and MODERNIZING our roads, bridges, schools, etc. etc.

I’m constantly feeling the need to ADMIT I didn’t support Joe Biden in the democratic primary in my state, but I now realize the American people made the absolute best choice in who should come in and attempt to “clean up” the MESS left behind by individual 1. First Mr. Biden came in with Barack Obama as they were challenged to clean up after Bush/Cheney et. al., and now this! This MESS, in my view, is far greater and, therefore, a far greater CHALLENGE than the MESS Obama/Biden inherited back in 2009. Yes, that was serious, but, at least to me, it “pales” compared to what individual 1 left behind. Wouldn’t it be great if, all of a sudden, republicans began working with democrats to solve more problems than “just” the infrastructure bill?

I have to add: I’m beginning to feel a bit better about Joe Manchin – in fact, I believe he has the opportunity to come out of all the rancor he’s had to endure from people like, well, ME, making us all look a bit anxious and kind of like “rookies.” In this instance, I hope I’m correct. As I’ve been listening to Mr. Manchin, I believe the “Voting Rights” legislation may make it through with his help – he simply wants to narrow the focus of the bill (not that the things he won’t support aren’t important – but maybe a challenge for another day). If democrats manage to restore the VOTING RIGHTS ACT of 1965 with the “preclearance” section applying to EVERY state in the union – something like that would be cause for celebration if they can get it passed. They would just need to make sure it would apply to all the state legislators who’ve been busy passing voter suppression bills this year – so that future elections would be determined via a debate on ideas with all who wish to vote having the opportunity to do so without obstacles targeted at various groups. I’m actually wising for Manchin to succeed in his endeavors in this area! Stay tuned….

The more I hear about the stuff republicans, and now I’m talking about the “rank and file” republicans, believe I keep thinking of that word I hate; STUPID. The last report I read says 29% of registered republicans still believe, come August, individual 1 will be “reinstated as president.” Brainwashed? or just plain STUPID? I’ll let you decide, but it doesn’t take someone much time to “fact check” the GARBAGE which is being foisted by those on the “right” with the “megaphone” with which they continue to spout what is still called the “Big Lie.” And, before I get into more details of my thoughts today (and likely, the days to come) I MUST remind you the “Big Lie Theory” was the “brainchild” of Adolph Hitler. Just sayin…………..

Why do they use a strategy which was devised by Hitler and used by his “head of propaganda” Joseph Goebbels to turn the German republic into the fascist state which attempted to overrun Europe, Russia, and likely the U.S. during WW II? Well, obviously, it works! As I just pointed out, 29% of registered republicans in America believe their “fuhrer” will be reinstated come August! What will be the next SCAM propagated on them once August has come and gone and individual 1 remains nothing more than the TARGET of numerous CRIMINAL investigations. That’s right, the republican party has allowed itself to become a cult following of someone who is CORRUPT up to his eyeballs – and, while he’s been able to get away with bullying law enforcement for years – the days of ACCOUNTABILITY could well be on the near horizon.

Here’s the biggest rub for me, the republican party stands for NOTHING – that’s right, other than tax cuts for the “rich” there’s NOTHING else – so, what is their purpose? You guessed it, NOTHING! but attempting to prevent the democrats from doing ANYTHING. Recently, there was a big announcement of a “bipartisan infrastructure deal.” I listened to Joe Biden say “They gave me their word and I gave them mine. In my day your word was your bond.” (or words to that effect) Newsflash!

He was standing next to something like 10 republicans who had “given him their word.” What do you think the odds of them following through on that “word?” I’d say MUCH closer to zero than one hundred percent. Will democrats be able to incorporate that “agreement” into their proposed reconciliation plan for the rest of Biden’s infrastructure proposal? Will Joe Manchin, who is reveling in being the most “visible” Senator after a career in invisibility, “let” the democrats plan go forward?

Here’s the deal, the republicans feel they MUST continue the so-called “Big Lie” out of necessity because the democrats are doing stuff which affects, not only their constituents, but, also, the constituents of those republicans who ALL voted against their legislation and who, LIKELY, will ALL vote against the next democratic proposal, the infrastructure proposal. The FIRST of the Biden “agenda” legislation, the “Covid Recovery Bill,” is now putting $$$ in the pockets of families with children all across America. That’s probably noticeable, even to republicans.

So, that’s why I believe the republican party will NOT provide the 10 votes necessary to get the so-called “bipartisan infrastructure bill” over the “finish line” in the face of Moscow Mitch’s “filibuster” (which, in today’s senate, aren’t even filibusters – just a convenient way to block the majority’s agenda) – the ONLY thing you can count on coming from the republican party. I just don’t see where McConnell will be unable to change at least some of the “minds” of the 10 republicans who gave Joe Biden their “word.” Does anyone actually believe with republicans “their word is their bond?” (I actually hope I’m wrong, but my level of cynicism is quite high)

So, what are republicans doing – i.e., what is their “agenda?” It appears to me, there are two fronts. One is getting their “donors” to keep the heat on democrats like Manchin and Krysten Sinema in order to prevent them from agreeing to do anything to the filibuster (remember, McConnell and the republicans voted in a “carve out” allowing them to put three right wing judges on the Supreme Court with 51 votes) which would allow, for example, a bill nationalizing voting suppression, gerrymandering, and “dark money” restrictions. Democrats could also, then, restore the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The OTHER objective of republicans is to continue the “Big Lie” keeping their constituents in individual 1’s cult – because that’s the ONLY way they see as their way to return to POWER.

But, with republicans, there’s ALWAYS more! For starters, they’ve been leading an “anti-vax” campaign which appears to be leading to a lot of their “base” coming down with Covid-19, or, worse yet, the children of their “base” getting the disease caused by the virus. Sadly, many of these young people are getting what is called the “long haul” version of Covid, or DYING, and the “numbers” of Americans infected by the disease is going up, almost exponentially – mainly in the so-called “red states.”

I did some checking yesterday in regard to the issue with hospital capacity around the country and it was a bit startling. I kept finding hospitals with ZERO capacity in their ICU units – with listings of how many Covid patients they had – and, there were large numbers of Covid patients in hospital mainly all across the South. Missouri was REALLY bad, as was Florida, Georgia, Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi – are you getting the idea here? According to the CDC approximately 99.5% of those DYING from Covid-19 are people who are unvaccinated. What that tells me, is 0.5% of those dying with Covid HAVE been vaccinated. Do I need to put on my mask again?

There are MANY examples of people who’ve been vaccinated contracting Covid, but the reality is ALMOST all of them DON’T die from it. It’s true “only” around 2% of those who contract Covid actually DIE from it (And, by the way, it’s a brutal way to “go”) but, as I just said, 99% of those who DIE haven’t chosen to get the vaccine. Today, despite 7 states which haven’t recorded their results, there are around 40,000 NEW cases of Americans infected with, in MOST cases, the so-called “Delta” variant which is much more serious than previous “variants.” Republicans who are urging their supporters to refuse the vaccine are, in effect, causing their followers to get sick and, in many cases, DIE! What’s that word I hate? Yep, STUPID! Sorry, but that’s how I see it.

I’ve been wondering for over four years why anyone would listen to a common CRIMINAL like individual 1. Before they voted for him they new he was a serial sexual predator – he admitted as much on the now infamous Access Hollywood tape. It didn’t take much reading for me to get a “view” of his FAILURES as a businessman and his cruelty to anyone outside his “circle” – including the children of his older (deceased) brother – which he CHEATED out of their inheritance. (He also CHEATS at golf!) The “stories” of his CORRUPTION, both before he got to the “White House” and while he was there are too many to keep up with.

However, as I’ve said here MANY times, the TRUTH will come out, drip by drip. Individual 1 is facing possible CRIMINAL charges in at least two different investigations – his “organization” has already been INDICTED by the Manhattan DA – both from the investigation in New York which has, so far, resulted in the INDICTMENT of his “Chief Financial Officer,” AND from the investigation in Atlanta resulting from his calls to Georgia political executives while trying to get them to “find 11,780 votes, one more than we need.” That’s election FRAUD in plain site. Will the Fulton County DA have the guts to INDICT our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president which will further stir up his CULT – in Georgia, no less.

Again, there’s more! Is the Southern District of NY going to follow up on the case where individual 1 got his name (for me, anyway). The case where his former “fixer” was INDICTED for the ILLEGAL payments to two women who “allegedly” had affairs with individual 1 – payments made at the “direction of” and “for the benefit of” individual 1. Cohen went to prison over that FELONY (along with other charges he plead ‘guilty’ to) and, don’t you think our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (EX) president should answer for that same FELONY which he was the “unindicted co-conspirator?” (he was, then, protected by the so-called OLC memo, but NOT now!)

And, what about January 6th, 2021? If you were paying attention, not only to what happened on that date, but also all the “schooling” which took place leading up to that date and causing individual 1’s sycophants to believe he actually had won the election. Along with a few others on that now infamous date, there can be NO doubt he INCITED his supporters to go to the Capitol Building and “Fight like hell, or you won’t have a country anymore.” Over 500 of them are now facing serious CRIMINAL charges and, of course, in true American tradition, individual 1 is still going around the nation saying he “won in a landslide.” It was all planned and he’s doing exactly what he would have done four years earlier, except that the Electoral College, gave him a “win.” Does anyone actually believe he had no responsibility for what happened on January 6th, 2021? Plllllease!

I can guarantee you, there’s even more! We’re going to see all of it as time goes by. Today, another member of individual 1’s inner circle, Tom Barrack, was indicted on a plethora of alleged FELONIES emanating from him working as a foreign lobbyist for the UAE and the Saudi’s without registering. The list of individual 1’s associates who’ve been INDICTED on serious FELONIES (naturally, he pardoned many of them on the “way out the door”) is a long one, and it’s likely to get longer – including him. As I’ve said, it will all keep coming out. We’re going to find out if our nation really is a “nation of laws and not men.” Merrick Garland “are you listening!”

Here’s why it’s likely to get really “sticky.” From what I’ve read, it appears individual 1’s three adult children who are “executives” of his “organization” are on shaky legal ground in the New York case – in the same “vein” as his CFO Allen Weisselberg. And, his daughter Ivanka’s husband, Jared Kushner, very well could have been up to his ears in some of the CORRUPTION which seemed to be the “daily routine” of the previous administration – not the least of which was how he went about securing the financing for his property at, get this, 666 Fifth Avenue. (OK, if you don’t know, 666 is, Biblically, the mark of the devil) I believe Kushner qualifies for the saying “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” – even though he’s “only” individual 1’s son-in-law. With individual 1 CORRUPTION seems to be never ending!

Final Thought: I mentioned above individual 1 would have unleashed the same “scheme” after LOSING had it happened in 2016. What most people don’t know is that the phrase “Stop the Steal” is the work of, none other than, Roger Stone, and he came up with it prior to the 2016 election. Obviously, it wasn’t “needed” back then, but Stone and individual 1 stored it away for “later” if the “need” might arise. YOU need to understand, out TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president KNEW he was bound to LOSE the 2020 election well before November 3rd, 2020. The attempt to OVERTHROW the “will of the people” was put in motion for the immediate months leading up to his LOSS as the American people rejected him in RECORD numbers. (That is EXACTLY why Americans are facing voter suppression legislation in states all across America. Republicans want LESS people to be eligible to vote.)

I wrote this over a week ago – I’m publishing it late because, well, those were my thoughts then – and, maybe even more today. Today was the first day of the “Select Committee’s” hearings regarding the assault on our Capitol Building on January 6th, 2021.

Progressive: Here’s the definition

• Moving forward; advancing.
• Proceeding in steps; continuing steadily by increments.
• Open to or favoring new ideas, policies, or methods.

As the Northeast part of America is suffering from the SMOKE generated from the wild fires in the West, maybe more republicans will begin to realize the so-called “Green New Deal” is “past due” instead of “dead on arrival” in Moscow Mitch’s U.S. Senate. McConnell rules the Senate even when he’s in the minority – it’s been this way since the day he committed to “making Barack Obama a one term president.” (Of course, on that he failed – but, in damaging this nation he succeeded) Now, he’s committed to doing everything he can to prevent the progressive agenda of the democrats and Joe Biden. Here’s the question I have for republicans: “How bad does it have to get before the reality of the circumstances sinks in to you?”

I’ve been pointing out for years that republicans won’t react to emergencies until it’s usually too late. Meaning “reactive” instead of “proactive.” Well, the climate crisis is HERE and, still, republicans (and democrats like Joe Manchin) continue to take MILLIONS from the fossil fuel industry and continue to vote against the PROGRESSIVE legislation PROGRESSIVES have been pushing for years now. Here’s the deal: For those of us who have children (and, in my case, grandchildren) this is the existential CRISIS of our times.

Then there’s the coronavirus! During the term of individual 1 the crisis was, for all intents and purposes, with the exception of a month or so, our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president was MIA from his duties to “protect the American people – i.e. keep them safe” – better put, it was a dereliction of duty from individual 1which exceeds anything which has ever occurred in America by a president. I listened to an interview when individual 1 referred to the “herd mentality” he was “pushing” – which, of course, in his tortured use of the English language really meant he had “adopted” the “strategy” pushed by NON epidemiologist Scott Atlas. That “plan,” which called for our solution to be NO solution at all was convenient for individual 1 because he could IGNORE the pandemic. After all, who was doing MOST of the DYING from the disease caused by the virus?

OK, I know that was a dumb question! It was MOSTLY African Americans, members of the Latinx community, Native Americans, older Americans and poor Americans. That “plan” would have accepted a death toll of as high as 6 MILLION of our people as “worth it” in order to “save” Wall Street. I actually listened to the Lieutenant Governor of Texas pointing out it would be “worth it” for us OLD people and the others sacrificing out lives for the good of the economy. Talk about your typical republican short sightedness. Well, that should be obvious as I just mentioned the republican BLOCKADE of an attempt to mitigate the climate crisis.

I just (once again) checked the website “Worldometer.info” where every reported case of Covid-19 (I’m reading a book which refers to it as SARS-Cov-2) is recorded. The number of reported DEATHS are being reported, and the data is broken down into state by state categories. As we all (SHOULD) know, the problem of the recent spike in infections is coming, largely, in the areas where people have refused to get vaccinated. Many talk in terms of “red states” v “blue states” – but, I believe it should be referred to as vaccinated v unvaccinated.

For example, I live in a “blue state” (Washington) but there are increasing numbers of infections here, despite the FACT our state reached the 70% threshold of people who’ve been vaccinated. I live in a “red county in a blue state” and the numbers are going UP – regarding people who are testing positive with Covid. By and large, the increases are caused by those who REFUSE to get vaccinated – because the vaccines are WIDELY available – and FREE. However, the real issue is with the actual “red” states, where the issues are SEVERE. Today, Florida reported OVER 12,000 NEW infections (and, keep in mind, Florida’s governor prevents the FULL story from coming out of that state), Missouri reported 3346 new cases, Louisiana 2834 new cases, Georgia 2144 new cases, Arkansas 1860 new cases, Arizona 1174 new cases, Texas almost 5000 new cases, Mississippi 1199 new cases, North Carolina 1800 new cases, Oklahoma 1581 new cases, Utah 815 new cases, Tennessee 1412 new cases, and on and on. Do you get the idea? These are ALL “red” states OR governed by republicans!

Many of these states have less than half the population of the state I live in, so that makes the numbers even more startling/worrying. The national numbers which just a few weeks ago were down to close to 10,000 new cases per day are now more than 50,000 – in just about a three week period. Scientists have been warning us about the so-called “Delta variant” for months now and, of course, it’s now here – in full force. The reports I heard earlier today said 83% of ALL the new cases across America are of that “variant.” I personally know several “anti vaccers” who either have Covid as I’m typing this, or who have recently recovered from it. I know these people from my affiliation with my Christian beliefs. (And, I have to add, I refuse to allow other Christians who are, in my view, acting in ways which very well could be called heresy when it comes to “politics” to cause me to give up my beliefs – but, I digress)

One example of one of my Christian acquaintances who contracted Covid – both he and his wife are “leaders” in our church – which causes the “hair on my back to stand on end,” I’ll elaborate. I had heard the husband had the disease one week and the next week I was at a local hardware store where the sign on the entrance was “If you’re fully vaccinated you may enter our store without a mask” – the honor system – and, there he was WITHOUT a mask. I KNOW he’s NOT vaccinated, what I didn’t know at the time was how long it had been since he was diagnosed with the disease. I could tell by the look on his face when he saw my wife and me he was uncomfortable because he KNEW we KNEW he SHOULD have been “masked up.” He hurried out the door. This is the kind of dishonesty coming from Christians which makes my – well, I just said it above.

Republicans have been virtually encouraging their “sheep” to refuse to get vaccinated, they’ve been arguing against wearing masks for the past year, and now we’re seeing more and more of them in the hospitals – with doctors and nurses who had actually thought the worst was over and NOW they’re back “in the trenches.” Many of them complaining about “burnout” and wanting to be “done with all of this.” The reality is they’re dealing with serious Covid patients who DIDN’T have to be in the hospital – simply by getting the “shots in their arms.” And, these doctors and nurses are STILL doing everything they can to save as many lives as they can! Some leading republicans are now actually recommending people get vaccinated. Why? Well, it appears a large segment of those going into the hospital these days are part of the republican base.

Kind of encompassing “all of the above” in “how do we deal with all of this,” is the democratic proposal for the so-called “infrastructure” plan – around $4+ BILLION in INVESTMENT into the critical infrastructure of our nation both structural and investment in our people – an investment which is far overdue. We KNOW republicans will BLOCK this badly needed INVESTMENT into our nation and our nation’s people for as long as they can get away with it and, as the climate crisis intensifies, their obstinance will be making it more dire for the rest of us. And, they’ll respond to its passage just as they did after attempting to BLOCK the “Covid Relief Bill” and, then, taking credit for its passage after the fact. These people are DEPLORABLE! (And, there’s too many of them to fit into a “basket.”

PROGRESSIVES have been pushing for various INVESTMENTS into the American people for as long as I can remember – more often than not to be BLOCKED by republicans. (OK, when I was young, it was the democrats – they’ve, essentially, changed sides since the Voting Rights Act of 1965 – speaking of which, republicans on the Supreme Court have succeeded in “gutting”) Harry Truman was pushing the idea of a national health care bill, which has seen various other iterations since, and, ALWAYS, it’s the republicans/”conservatives” who BLOCK the proposal. We’ve got the Affordable Care Act but that’s still a far cry from “national health care,” and, yet, republicans have been attempting to repeal it since the day it was passed.

Republicans attempted to stop Clinton’s budget proposal which led to one of the greatest economic expansions in American history without a single republican vote, they voted en masse to Block Barack Obama’s attempt to turn around the Financial Crisis of 2008 which could have resulted in another “Great Depression,” making the recovery far slower than need be. And, now they’re voting in “lock step” to BLOCK virtually EVERYTHING which is proposed via Joe Biden and the democrats in Congress – despite the FACT most of their proposals are supported by OVER 70% of the American public.

Republicans are willing to sacrifice the fundamental values of this nation in a BRAZEN attempt to regain POWER without giving the MAJORITY of America’s voters a reason to support their agenda. As it stands, there is NO agenda and republicans are SHAMELESS in their willingness to find a way to gain POWER without creating any kind of agenda. This is why their actual agenda (OK, I know I just said they don’t have one, but…..) is simply to BLOCK enough voters from being able or willing to cast a ballot (for a democrat) in order to create an even greater threat of minority rule than what currently exists. (I’m talking about things like the Senate and the Electoral College which are two things which allow for republicans to “win” with less than a majority) The reason republicans spend so much energy to castigate “liberals” is because they have no defense against a “progressive agenda.” (Other than “what about abortion” – which is the issue republicans have LIED about (and dodged a true dialogue seeking a solution) since the early 80’s – again, a story for another day).

Final Thought: Next week the beginning of the House Select Committee investigating January 6th, 2021 will start with a group of Capitol and Metropolitan Police Officers who were BEATEN and injured as individual 1’s MOB, with their Confederate flags as weapons (Other flags as well) attacked our nation’s Capitol building. I’ve listed an endless barrage of republican “stupid” over the past 18 months or so and Kevin McCarthy’s attempt to pollute the committee with the likes of Jim Jordan and Jim Burns was pure stupidity. Did he really believe Nancy Pelosi would allow him to get away with this? Or, was he planning this to be the way he could boycott the committee – AFTER, he torpedoed his own plan for a BIPARTISAN “9/11 type” Commission?

Who knows, but, in both instances, we’re talking more republican “stupid.” Kind of like individual 1 and Moscow Mitch refusing the democrats “offer” to help our now TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president gain a victory last November. I’ll go to my grave believing if republicans in the Senate had passed the so-called “HEROES Act” – which was sent to the Senate in May of 2020 individual 1 would have won re-election. That bill had MOST of what was in Biden’s “Covid Relief Bill” supported by OVER 70% of Americans. So, now, McCarthy has given the democrats a free run – as they will be getting HUGE audiences as they “investigate” what we all saw with our own eyes – and those of us paying attention saw clearly in the days leading up to January 6th, 2021 as individual 1 was GROOMING his foolish cult members to believe they could actually overturn the results of the election by telling them “Fight like hell or you won’t have a country anymore.” This all is going to be “front and center,” likely right up until the 2022 midterms – democrats reminding America’s voters what’s at stake as they replay all those videos which are becoming more prevalent. (Also, this will remind progressives that Merrick Garland SHOULD be doing his own – well the Justice Department, that is – into the January 6th INSURRECTION)

I have to add: I pointed out above; yesterday Florida had OVER 12,000 NEW cases of people INFECTED with the “Delta variant” of Covid-19 – the MOST contagious and dangerous variant of the disease, by far, in just that ONE day! Well, what do you know? Suddenly, Ron DeSantis, one of the WORST governors in the nation when it’s come to addressing the pandemic, was front and center espousing the “virtues” of the Covid vaccines. The only news I had heard about DeSantis and the vaccines, earlier, was him getting his own, early on, and giving preference to his political supporters for the “shots” when they weren’t readily available. This recent SURGE stands to not only make DeSantis look incredibly bad (or should I say, “worse than he already looked”) but is also threatening the rest of America because Florida is like the American “petri dish” of the Delta variant. I had surmised this before the data became public. (In fact, Florida and several other “red states” don’t submit their data on many days – apparently, another attempt at hiding the TRUTH.)

Today, as of 9:00 PM Eastern time none of Alabama, Iowa, Kansas, Idaho, South Dakota, and Alaska had reported. Do you see the parallels here?

Here’s one of the definitions of “pollution:” “defilement; uncleanness; impurity.” This is EXACTLY what individual 1 has done to the republican party. His so-called “big lie” has spurred republicans all across the nation to attempt passing voter SUPPRESSION laws aimed at SUPRRESSING the votes of “persons of color” among others. (also, young people and poor people – ie, people who might vote for democrats) It’s the SLEAZIEST time in American politics in my lifetime and, sadly, the “Christian right” is right at the forefront of this heresy. And, they’re (republicans) doing this with MORE than their voter SUPPRESSION tactics in the various legislatures. They have no SHAME and they’re doing it wherever there seems to be a possibility to cause “people of color” to stay away from the voting booth.

Here’s the latest example: There’s an African American in Texas, Hervis Rogers, who was registered to vote, but was about two months from the end of his parole on charges of over a decade ago. This guy was working TWO jobs, got to the polling place right BEFORE the polls closed, stood in line for OVER six hours to cast his vote in the Texas PRIMARY in 2020, and IMMEDIATELY had to return to one of those TWO jobs after casting his vote. As it turns out, you CAN’T vote in Texas if you’ve been convicted of a felony until after your parole period ends. We’re talking two months away from OVER ten years of parole. Mr. Rogers, who now has a family and has been a model citizen for years, becomes a “pawn” in the Texas “push” to encourage people of color in that state to NOT vote. Their Attorney General would be Keith Olberman’s “worst person in the world” if he was still on the airwaves! (The “dude’s” – AG Paxton – been under indictment for securities FRAUD for OVER six years!)

So, Mr. Roger’s vote (in the PRIMARY) was about one year ago and fast forward to the “Special Session” of the Texas legislature where republicans are attempting to make the most difficult state in America in which to vote even more difficult with another “Georgia like” voter SUPPRESSION bill – which Texas democrats are fighting “tooth and nail,” and, sure enough the Texas authorities ARRESTED this HARD WORKING man – who had no idea he was ineligible to vote – he was registered – they’re holding him in jail for a $100,000 bond – I kid you not, AND they’re threatening him with ANOTHER 20 years in prison – for what? To SCARE other “people of color” away from the polls in their state?

This is the POLLUTION which now almost completely PERMEATES the republican party as a result of their fealty to our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president. The LYING and the CHEATING have become the NORMAL for “today’s” republican party (OK, it’s been going on for years – and, I know what you’re thinking! What about the democrats? That’s a TOTALLY false dichotomy! The democrats are FAR from perfect – as are we all – but they don’t hold a candle to republicans when it comes to LYING, CHEATING, and SHAMELESSNESS! The republican party has become almost pure EVIL!) This makes me want to start the “Go Fund me” page for this Mr. Parker! (Although, someone helped him post bail and he’s out of jail for now) It’s no wonder African Americans in America are so angry! Simply put, this AINT Justice! (There’s another example of almost the identical situation in Texas with an African American woman – facing “only” five years – for not even actually voting – people who’ve “done their time” trying to do their “civic duty” and not understanding the law in that “deplorable” state) SHAME on Texas!

And, of course, MORE SHAME on individual 1! This guy is a career CRIMINAL – fraternizing with various members of the MOB for years and, because he’s a white nationalist the republican party has embraced him “hook, line, and sinker.” He’s willing to do what previous republican presidents wouldn’t do – OK, I’m actually talking about GW Bush – and that is pathological LYING in order to “feed” the white nationalist base what it wants to hear. And, for those of you republicans who react to that “charge” by saying, “I’m not a white nationalist” I say, you can’t have it both ways – either you’re “with them or against them” – republicans have been putting it in those words for years – “either you’re with us or against us.” Well, obviously, I’m against them!

Today I read an opinion column in the Washington Post regarding the words “Nazi” and “Fascism.” The author of the article was suggesting “both sides” throw these terms around “loosely.” And, to a degree, I “get” where he’s coming from. Certainly, while I disagreed strongly with much of the Bush/Cheney regime’s decisions I don’t believe I ever equated them with “Nazi’s.” I may have equated the republican party with neo-fascism due to my belief they were embedded with corporate America at the expense of “Main Street” America and, using the Mussolini definition of fascism, I may have felt Bush/Cheney were leading America toward becoming a fascist state. After all, it WAS Karl Rove who introduced (at least by what I heard) the “concept” of the “permanent republican ‘majority'” – in essence an attempt at minority rule which has metastasized since the “election” of individual 1.

Keep in mind, there’s only been ONE election in the past 30 years where a republican has “garnered” a majority of the votes in a presidential election – and, it could be MANY years before that happens again based on where the party has gone under the “leadership” of our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president. This is EXACTLY why republican state legislatures are busy all across the land attempting to “FIX” the voting system so FEWER people (democratic leaning) will participate – plus, in some states, they’ve even adopted provisions where if they don’t like the results (meaning the legislature) they can simply overrule the “will of the people.” If that’s not neo-fascism it’s dangerously close.

And Mitch Daniels, the author of the above referenced article SHOULD read “Alt America” by David Neiwert to get a better idea of what makes up a significant portion of the republican “base.” We’re talking about the “Oathkeepers,” the “Three Percenters,” the “Proud Boys,” the people at White Nationalist portal “Stormfront,” sites like the “Daily Stormer,” and many other White Nationalist/Supremacist websites along with “deplorables” like Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity on “right wing” TV – and, from what I’ve seen it gets worse on the more radical TV stations like “Newsmax,” and “OANN.” These are places where you find MANY people with Nazi tattoos, Nazi paraphernalia, confederate flags, and people who consider individual 1 their “fuhrer.” I’ve said it before, individual 1 is a greater threat to America’s republic than was Hitler back in the days of WW II.

This is where we’ll discover if this is a “nation of laws and not men.” “We the people” age going to find out what Merrick Garland is “made of.” We all saw January 6th, 2021 on National TV – LIVE! and, as we’re witnessing republicans attempt to do their latest History “whitewash” – individual 1 called it somewhat of a “love-fest.” He actually said, “There was so much love there” and he said, “The doors (To the Capitol Building) were open” – apparently, he missed watching the bashing in of the doors and windows with their individual 1 flag poles – although, by several reports, our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president was watching the ENTIRE thing unfold on his “White House” TV’s and was enjoying it. Reportedly telling Kevin McCarthy (OMG a sad soul) when McCarthy was begging individual 1 to call off the INSURRECTIONISTS: “Well, Kevin, apparently they’re more upset about the election than you are.” (I’m not kidding!)

Clearly, as individual 1 is spreading his most RECENT LYING about January 6th, 2021 he’s laying the “groundwork” for his defense SHOULD Mr. Garland do what is “called for” and INDICT our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president for, you guessed it, INCITING the January 6th, 2021 INSURRECTION! When talking about all the “LOVE” present with the INSURRECTIONISTS who put over 140 Capitol/Metro Police Officers in the hospital with three of them dead within days of the INSURRECTION, individual 1 goes out of his way to suggest he said NOTHING to motivate them all to be there – breaking the windows and doors, doing $1.5 MILLION in damages to the building, defecating in the hallways and SMEARING IT (yuck!) on the Walls, urinating on the Walls and some of the historical treasures, trashing various offices, chanting “Hang Mike Pense,” and looking for Nancy Pelosi with “twist ties.”

If these people came with “LOVE” on their minds and if individual 1 telling them to “fight like hell or you won’t have a country anymore” is NOT something which should be in the “crosshairs” of the Justice Department, then why should we continue to FOOL ourselves that “In America no one is above the law?” We saw this with Bush/Cheney and the WAR CRIMES committed and people like me said if you “look forward instead of back” it will simply be worse the next time. Well, we’re at the critical stage at this point because if it gets worse than what was done by individual 1 then we “won’t have a country anymore.” (I’ve, for years, pointed out when his mouth is moving he’s LYING and he’s all about “projection” – if he accuses YOU “of it” that means he’s GUILTY “of it.”

Individual 1 claimed he was going to “drain the swamp,” but what he’s done is further POLLUTED it. The saddest part to me is the number of Americans who’ve fallen for his shtick. Not only was he attempting to encourage his “rabid” followers to, in essence, overthrow our government and the “peaceful transition of power” but, he, in all his incredible INCOMPETENCE and dangerous narcissism, he will be responsible, in our history books, for the DEATHS of, by all accounts, 400,000 Americans (maybe much more) because of his (lazy) refusal to do ANYTHING to mitigate the effects of the pandemic. NOW, despite the FACT he got vaccinated, he’s overseeing his cult followers refusing the vaccines apparently for political reasons. We hear him regurgitating ridiculous “conspiracy theories” coming from QAnon and other whacked out sourcing – because all those “LOVERS” buy into them without a second thought and it, apparently, makes him feel “LOVED.”

I know my focus here seems to always be on republicans, and, justifiably so – but, here’s the rub: If democrats don’t realize this is a WAR for the “heart and soul of this nation” (I’ve been saying that for over 10 years) these “deplorable” republicans will prevail. I’ve pointed out they won’t “go away” until “we the people” have voted them into the history books – and, trust me, they seem to understand this more than the democrats. Which is why republicans are busy attempting to do “Jim Crow 2.0” all across the nation while, at the same time, “grooming” democrats like Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin so that democrats can’t get Senate Bill-1 and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act passed through the Senate.

All I can say here is I hope the democrats succeed in passing their “TWO” infrastructure bills through Congress, but if they don’t get the Voting Rights bills passed the consequences could be devastating, unless you’d be OK with people like David Duke representing you in Congress, or your local government. This is NOT hyperbole! We’ve got a large number of people who appear to be devoid of the ability to think critically (No, I’m not talking about the infamous “critical race theory”) and, it’s showing up in many ways – more than just the fealty to individual 1. Take for example, the “red states'” refusals to encourage their people to get vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Today, I looked on “Worldometer.info” (Where every case of Covid-19 is documented) and the results for the new cases of Covid-19 in America today – and, keep in mind we’re talking about the so-called “Delta variant” which is reportedly TWICE as dangerous as the original “variant” – the numbers are startling. There were over 35,000 new cases reported today AND neither Michigan nor Alabama were reporting – and, some of the states aren’t reporting daily deaths – these are “red states.” However, Florida, which hasn’t been reporting ANYTHING Covid related of late, there were almost 7000 new cases just today. The other states with startling high numbers of new cases were Missouri, Louisiana, Texas, Georgia, Arizona, North Carolina, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Nevada, Kansas, and Mississippi – are you getting the idea. And, keep in mind, in many of these states you can’t trust their health departments to be telling the truth. Here’s where you find the “truth” – in the hospitals where an increasing number of YOUNG Americans are finding themselves on ventilators. These republicans would rather die or have their family members die than participate in a vaccination program which they think would make Joe Biden look good.

In Tennessee the legislature has BLOCKED any encouragement for ANYONE to get a vaccine – and, not of just the Covid-19 vaccine, but ANY vaccine. They’ve even canceled the flu vaccine program planned for schools in the fall and discouraging vaccinations of young children – you know, like for measles etc. They FIRED a top doctor who simply shared the state’s law regarding the vaccinations of young Tennesseans. People, many of them younger, are going to die or be “saddled” with “long haul” Covid because of these right wing politicians in Tennessee. This is NUTS! (About as NUTS as believing individual 1 will be re-instated as our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president in August.)

Final Thought: As you can see the POLLUTION which has permeated the republican party is dense and deep. If you’re a member of the party and you are unwilling to demonstrate absolute fealty to one of the two or three WORST presidents in American history (via a poll by America’s leading historians) you become an instant outsider and it’s time for a deluge of death threats from all those “LOVING” people who ransacked the Capitol Building on January 6th, 2021. (Remember that date!) If it wasn’t for the “big LIE” regarding the election, well, then calling the insurgents “LOVING” would be considered the “Big Lie.” Remember, as I’ve said here many times, the “Big Lie theory” was the “brainchild” of none other than Adolf Hitler and was the main work of his chief of propaganda Joseph Goebbels. Remind you of anyone? Maybe Tucker Carlson? Sean Hannity? Sean Spicer? (Mitch Daniels, referenced above, should think about that before he criticizes people like me for using terms like “Nazi” and “Fascism” when referencing individual 1 and his sycophants)

I used to focus on Rush Limbaugh (he’s gone but not forgotten) and the other right wing talkers (which include the aforementioned Carlson, Hannity, and Sean Spicer) who are willing to LIE to their listeners/viewers for MONEY. Well, it’s become an organized propaganda brainwashing of the “republican base” over the past four years. Individual 1 took the LYING to new levels which may be why he’s dear leader of the republican party. To me, all of this is the very definition of POLLUTION! God help us if “we the people” don’t get busy on our job of voting these “deplorables” into the history books right next to Benedict Arnold! Stay tuned…………..

One More Thing: I just wanted to add that the “Stop the Steal” meme started prior to the 2016 election as individual 1 was planning on LOSING, not after individual 1 LOST to Joe Biden. It was Roger Stone who came up with the “idea” as our now TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president had refused to promise he would accept the results of even THAT election. I’m just pointing out individual 1 has been an incredibly POOR LOSER for, in essence, his entire life and he never cared about this country right from the start – he cares about his own brand – which, of course, he’s now ruined by his DISASTROUS four years in office, so he’s willing to “burn the entire house down” as retribution to the American people for voting him out of office. And, by the way, he’s willing to destroy the republican party in the process. The republican party began embracing “white grievance” after the election of Barack Obama and the emergence of the “Tea Party” to a degree which had been missing for years – at least from my vantage point. The “white nationalists” were at the fringes of our politics. Individual 1 was the perfect “stooge” for those who believe in white nationalism – not hyperbole, there’s a plethora of factual information if you’re willing to do a bit of READING! I read where Don Black, the owner of the “Stormfront” web portal said, “Individual 1 is out ticket into the mainstream of politics.” (Which is why they refer to him as their “fuhrer.”)

In my last post I wrote that my brother-in-law, who lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has “challenged” (I used this word because it’s going to be a real “challenge”) me to write a post which is “optimistic” i.e., positive. Well, I’m going to give it my best shot, although I feel like “Flo” on the Progressive Insurance commercials when they try to get her to go a certain (short) amount of time without talking about insurance – me, not writing about politics. I’ve given this a lot of thought and I think I can be “optimistic” and still not TOTALLY ignore politics. Well, here goes!

My first thought when I want to be “optimistic” is to think of my wife who is still teaching (1st graders). And, of course, I STILL know many teachers even though I’ve been retired for about 6 years. TEACHERS are a group of people who SHOULD be honored and when you think of what they’ve been doing the past year and a half SHOULD make people feel OPTIMISTIC knowing there are so many Americans willing to commit their lives to teaching our youth. And, when you look at the young Americans who are the recent results of our PUBLIC education system – MANY of these young adults are simply BRILLIANT. I have confidence these young people are smart enough to make decisions which will benefit all of us as the “clock keeps ticking.”

My niece is an Occupational Therapist in one of the University of Washington hospitals in Seattle, Washington and she, and the people she works with, to me, are among the heroes of America. She got put into the Covid-19 ICU “team” out of necessity and did so willingly – as so many other people in our public health system have done since the beginning of the pandemic. My niece ended up getting a “healthy” dose of Covid, as did almost every one of her co-workers, and, yet, EACH one of them was right back on the job once they were cleared of the virus. These people have put in an incredible amount of INTENSE hours as they’ve been trying to save as many lives as they can from those who contract the disease caused by Covid-19 and need the ICU in an attempt to save their life. Happily, many of those lives have been saved. There are people all over this nation who’ve been helping to combat Covid-19 for the past year and a half and everytime I think of them, I feel positive.

My youngest daughter is a hospice nurse for the Kaiser health system in the greater Portland, Oregon area. She works with people who are near the end of their lives and she is committed to making each patient as comfortable and positive as she possibly can. They are “short staffed” because, based on my inference, not too many nurses want to work in this area. Before becoming a hospice nurse, my daughter was an oncology (cancer) nurse and she has “body bagged” people who have died and, honestly, I can’t believe my “little girl” is doing such things. However, I feel the rest of us should be very thankful for NURSES (and doctors, and, well, all the other people providing us our health care) – they certainly make me feel “optimistic.”

Another thing I’m really thankful for is the FACT I was able to get a vaccination for the Covid-19 virus – and, it’s working. I live in a rural setting, but the reality is I don’t have to wear my mask in almost every place I go. Life seems to be returning to “normal.” I know there are many people refusing to get the vaccines available to them for FREE – but, I prefer to think “positive” and I’m really thankful I was able to get the Pfizer set of two shots in my arm. My twelve year old grandson got his “shot” right on his 12th birthday – the first day he was “eligible.” That people this young are eligible for the shots makes me feel very optimistic.

Speaking of my grandson, for the past couple of weeks I’ve been able to watch his Little League team and, eventually, the “All Star” team to which he was selected. They just finished (won) the district tournament and it was great to see a bunch of energetic 10 to 12 year olds (one girl I’m aware of) having a great time playing baseball and exhibiting incredible sportsmanship. I watched several very competitive games and not one player showed any kind of “unsportsmanlike” behavior. For me, who played Little League back in the day when the parents were the main problem, when it came to sportsmanship, I didn’t see one adult doing anything “untoward.” In fact, the adults close to where I was sitting applauded the good plays of the players on the OTHER team. I found that very positive!

My oldest daughter has done much better than “dear old dad” and has become very financially secure. (I think she’s “rich,” but I don’t talk to her about money) She not only was volunteering to help in a plethora of ways with the Little League program – more than just my grandson’s team, but she volunteers in numerous other ways. One way I know of for sure is she’s on the “board” of one of the “homeless shelters” in our community and does more than I understand to help out there. (I’m guessing time and financial) You’d never know she’s “rich” when around her – although it’s obvious she’s a successful woman. When I think of all the ways she’s “giving back” I feel very proud of her and, with her and her sister, it’s a lot of my motivation for writing. They are the next generation and they’re far more progressive than – sadly – my generation. However, it’s these young people who are the reason I feel such optimism!

I said at the beginning of this post I think I can reference “politics” in a way that is “optimistic” and let me start by talking about Joe Biden’s “Covid Relief Bill.” By now most of us have already SPENT the $1400 which was part of that “Bill.” There were many aspects of that legislation which SHOULD give us a sense of optimism, aside from the $1400 which many of us could have done without. However, I know many people whose economic security was actually SAVED by that “Bill.” Furthermore, now these people are getting $300 per month for each child and it’s helping several I know to “get back on their feet.” I’ve told anyone who would listen that this bill was the FIRST time in my lifetime I witnessed such an INVESTMENT in the future of our people. To me, that helps makes me feel optimistic.

And, speaking of Joe Biden, he makes me feel OPTIMISTIC! I wasn’t one of his supporters and didn’t vote for him in the Washington primary. However, I’ve come to feel he’s the perfect person for the CHALLENGE he inherited. One reason there are so many people like my brother-in-law who are depressed by the ongoing partisan divide in this great nation is because of the previous four years of individual 1’s reign in Washington DC. Biden is just a likeable “fellow” and he truly does believe he’s going to bring back “bipartisanship” to our nation’s Capital. I’m a bit skeptical (I’ve already begun another post about republicans) but I’m very thankful Biden is our PRESIDENT and I believe he’s trying to do what’s right for “we the people.” I won’t get into the “roadblocks” because my focus here is on optimism – and Joe Biden “reeks” of “optimism.”

I could go on – those examples are thoughts off the top of my head – but I’ll leave it at that. I believe feeling a sense of optimism is merely a question of seeing the “glass half full” instead of “half empty.” In other words, it’s a choice. I “get” it’s much more difficult for some people to see things from an optimistic perspective and I have to add that, despite my posts which mostly are “aimed” at my disagreement with the republican party as it exists presently in America, the reality is that I really am an optimistic person. I suppose that could change, but I’m thankful, despite what I consider the “deplorable” republicans, to have spent my life living in this great nation.

Nothing’s guaranteed in life and I fully understand our nation is facing an assault on her fundamental institutions she hasn’t faced since WW II. I’m OPTIMISTIC “we the people” – enough of us – will FIGHT to save our republic from what “ails” us – and, ultimately, the young progressives among us will prevail. The right leader has always come along at the right time in our nation’s history and I believe we may be witnessing another example of that in Mr. Biden. And, as this all shakes out, I’m CHOOSING to be optimistic!

Final Thought: As usual, I’m too lazy to re-read this before posting it, so I apologize for the “foopahs.” The bottom line is I’m thankful to still be breathing, let alone writing – so, hopefully, I’ll get around to doing what I always insisted my 6th graders do before ever turning in their writing. The good news for me, I’m not doing this for a grade! ☺

I’ve been writing for well over 10 years about the necessity of “we the people” voting the, as I’ve called it, “present day republican party” into the “history books.” Well, it hasn’t quite happened yet, but the necessity is getting more serious. Over the years of this “blog” (to me, it’s my “diary” in cyberspace – where I vent my frustration with American politics) the republican party has become more extreme, it has LURCHED to the “right,” and the underpinnings of its RACIST foundation has become more overt – seemingly, by the day. And, of course, you can lay much of the BLAME for this at the feet of individual 1 (“co-conspirator 1”?), but the reality is our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president is simply a symptom of the problem. The republican party was filled with the likes of Mitch McConnell, Lindsey Graham, Marco Rubio, Paul Gosar, Devin Nunes, Kevin McCarthy, Louie Gohmert, Andy Biggs, Jim Jordan, etc. etc. well before individual 1 ever set foot in the “White House.” It was individual 1 who “invited in” the likes of the KKK and other white supremacists who now make up a large “block” of the republican “base.” Yikes!!!

I’ve used the analogy of an INFECTION – which if it’s allowed to go untreated – simply spreads and gets more serious over the course of time – until it leads to death. Well, while I’m not “wishing” death on any individual, including “individual 1,” but, I’m so looking forward to the day when this version of the republican party is situated next to Benedict Arnold in the history books. I’m getting very old – it can’t happen fast enough for me. It’s up to “we the people” to make this happen, NO matter how difficult republicans manage to make voting.

Not only have these republicans been OBSTRUCTING any kind of “progressive” legislation for as long as I can remember – certainly back to the days of Gingrich – it’s as if they relish the idea of preventing America from becoming a “more perfect union” because that would mean inclusion for all the groups republicans appear to HATE – which, of course, would include “liberals” to which I take personal offense. The “cost” of their actions (actually, inaction) is mounting fast and, I have to wonder, what would cause them to change? The answer which continues to crop up in my head is for the VOTERS to take charge of this problem.

However, as usual, the republicans are trying to stay one step ahead of people like me, and, as I’m writing this, they’re busy making sure the voters CAN’T put them into the history books because, in accordance with their “leader” individual 1, they are busy “cooking the books” – OK, that was maybe the wrong idiom – but, the reality is republicans are busy in almost EVERY state attempting to make it more difficult for as many democratic leaning voting blocks to participate in our elections as possible, therefore allowing “minority rule.” Will they succeed? Time (and, the willingness of democrats to realize this really is a WAR for the heart and soul of America) will tell.

Personally, I’m counting on the young Americans to do whatever it takes to register to vote and to send ANOTHER resounding “message” to republicans in 2022. Is it likely? Well, according to most experts, the answer is no. But, call me an optimist! I just hope enough people are actually paying attention to what a “deplorable” mess the republican party has become and I have to hope Americans by the tens of MILLIONS say NO to what they’re offering.

Think about it: republicans want FEWER Americans to be able to participate in our elections. They ALL voted against the Covid Relief Bill passed by a pure party line vote in the early days of Joe Biden’s presidency – but, hopefully, even republicans are looking at the “numbers” of Americans contracting “Sars-Cov-2” and can see the HUGE difference from what was happening during individual 1’s time in office. The day of the inauguration (a bit over 6 months ago, 3000 Americans DIED of Covid – that DAY! It was happening at that rate EACH day! And, still, individual 1 was only concerned with his so-called “Big LIE.” Today, the number of Americans who died from the disease caused by the virus was just over 300. Still too many, but, as the saying goes, “Come on man!” Reports suggest at least 400,000 of the DEATHS (and, likely more) resulting from Covid-19 are clearly the result of individual 1’s incompetence (ie: inaction). And, yet, despite constant reminders of what a “LOSER” he was/is – the republicans continue to support him.

I understand this with the hard core white nationalists/supremacists because without individual 1 they will have to crawl right back under the “rocks” where they were hiding until Barack Obama was elected president and the Koch Brothers, in concert with Fox “news,” orchestrated the “Tea Party” movement. But, when it comes to policy, republicans have virtually NONE – and, that’s NOT hyperbole. Their “policy” is to be AGAINST anything democrats are for – in lock (freaking) step! Of course, after the passage of the Covid Relief bill with nary a republican vote of support, many of them were taking credit in their communities for the benefits of the bill – typical republican hypocrisy! – for example, the Covid bill FUNDS police all across America, republicans ALL voted against it – they’re the ones who want to “defund” the police!

So, now, republicans are against any kind of investment in the American people – which is a large part of the democratic plans to get this nation successfully into the 21st century in a way where we can compete with the likes of the Europeans and the Chinese going forward. Here’s the real “rub” for me – because I have children and grandchildren who actually “get it” in regard to what lies ahead for them if this OBSTRUCTION continues – and, of course, I’m talking about the “Climate Crisis” and republican efforts IN UNISON to block the democratic proposal – which is (sadly) much less than the so-called “Green New Deal” – legislation BADLY needed. Just today I read about the community of Lytton, British Columbia which was “consumed” by a wildfire after three record breaking days of HEAT – with the “pinnacle” being a day where they endured temperatures of 121 degrees Fahrenheit! The entire town is gone! in British Columbia no less! When will republicans stop calling the “climate crisis” a “democrat hoax?”

I live about 400 miles South of Lytton (OK, what was “once” Lytton) near Portland, Oregon and we had three days of intense HEAT with the “peak” being a day where the high temperature was 118 degrees. It was REALLY hot! A record for where I live and, God willing, the small community where I live will avoid the fires – but, the danger is HUGE – in fact, not only are the Fourth of July celebrations – with the fireworks show – canceled, it’s not even legal to sell ANY fireworks in the county where I live – at least that’s what the road signs I’ve seen say. And, the “pop up” tents where the fireworks sellers were planning to do their business are empty. My point is, the Climate Crisis is REAL, it’s a HUGE danger to those coming behind us old people, and it’s our patriotic DUTY to do something about it! Of course, that last sentence will fall on deaf ears to virtually ALL republicans!

It wasn’t that long ago when John McCain was the republican nominee for president. I never thought I would view him in such “lights” – but, to me, with all his “warts” he’s the kind of republican I thought would stand up against individual 1 and cause the republican party to reject our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president – voting to convict him after what SHOULD have been his FIRST impeachment following ALL of the allegations of OBSTRUCTION of Justice in the Mueller report. Of course, despite being in a fight against Cancer, McCain managed to be the object of individual 1’s ire even before he saved the Affordable Care Act with the now infamous “thumbs down.” The reality of the republican party can be shown no clearer than a quick look at McCain’s “buddy” Lindsey Graham – who went from calling individual 1 a “kook” (and more) to kissing up to him on the golf course. To me, there’s not much which could be viewed as more PATHETIC!

And, by the way, in volume one of Mueller’s report there was PLENTY of evidence of “collusion” – Mueller made it clear they weren’t investigating that “charge” because there’s no law on the books against “collusion.” Mueller said they didn’t believe they could support a charge of “conspiracy” connecting individual 1’s campaign and the Russians “beyond a reasonable doubt.” (In essence, Mueller said individual 1 Jr. and Jared Kushner were too dumb to know the June 2016 meeting with a group of Russians promising “dirt” on Hillary Clinton was an ILLEGAL act. It wasn’t even a month after William Barr finished LYING to “we the people” about Mueller’s report, causing individual 1 to claim “full exoneration,” (NOTHING could be further from the TRUTH) that individual 1 was seeking “foreign aid” for his next campaign causing IMPEACHMENT number one. At that point I understood the republicans in the Senate would NEVER get rid of our (now) TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president. They live in FEAR of him.

My point is republicans had ample opportunity to rid themselves of the “plague of individual 1” TWICE and they chose FEAR of losing their jobs over the PATRIOTISM called for, over and over, as individual 1 trampled on the “norms” of American politics. During IMPEACHMENT #2 republicans had their best opportunity to put individual 1 and his rabid white nationalist base to “bed” for good by simply voting to CONVICT him of what was OBVIOUS – his INCITEMENT of the INSURRECTION. He’d be nothing more than an afterthought at this point with the exception of the most fervent of America’s racist’s and they could be participating in an INVESTIGATION of January 6th, 2021 instead of OBSTRUCTING it. Individual 1 would be barred from even the thought of holding office again, and republicans could be concentrating on “resurrecting” their party from the MESS he (would have) left it in. Instead, they all still are putting up with his volatile “wrath” and many are going to get “primaried” anyway – their biggest FEAR.

I suppose I’ll feel the necessity to keep writing about the need for “we the people” to give Benedict Arnold the company he deserves (as mentioned above) for a few more years – if I last that long. I simply hope, for the sake of my children and grandchildren and yours that “we the people” come to our senses and do our duty to our country and this world. I can think of a whole bunch of things democrats want to accomplish in the face of this republican OBSTRUCTION, but, to me, none of it compares to the determination of the republican party as they attempt to force us to IGNORE the Climate issue because of their intransigence.

And, make no mistake, there are a few democrats in the Senate who conceivably could be right there in the history books next to the republicans if they continue to follow the same “playbook.” Republicans have pushed these issues to the “brink” – Voting rights, human infrastructure, and, of course the Climate Crisis – they’re BLOCKING progress in each of those areas and MORE. I’ve always called democrats spineless, but republicans are giving new meaning to that derogatory claim – let’s hope, finally, ALL the democrats will grow a spine and FIGHT for Biden’s progressive agenda! Don’t lose sight of the republican agenda: CHEATING (in virtually everything if it accomplishes the goal), LYING, and using the tools of the Third Reich to BRAINWASH their base into believing their LIES!

It’s been a couple days since I wrote the above and since then the individual 1 organization has been indicted on 15 counts of fraud and, of course, CHEATING (on taxes). Do you remember individual 1 claiming the fact he didn’t pay taxes made in “smart” in one of his debates with Hillary Clinton? (the one, I think, where he was stalking her) And, a quick reminder I’ve been referring to our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president as a “wannabe mob boss” for the past three years. Well just the other day, I was proven correct – as his “enterprise” along with his “Chief Financial Officer” were indicted on “A 15 year tax fraud scheme.” I’ve also predicted individual 1 and his children will be caught up in a “RICO” charge which will expose their “organization” as a totally CRIMINAL entity. I’m not sure who I would like to see held to account more, individual 1 or individual 1 Jr.?

Which reminds me, it is up to Merrick Garland to follow through on his promise to fully investigated the January 6th, 2021 INSURRECTION – including the events leading up to the storming of the Capitol Building – which would include the role of individual 1, Rudy Giuliani, individual 1 Jr., and Mo Brooks (and, maybe, others) in instigating the rioters who invaded the Capitol, injured upwards of 150 police officers, ransacked to Capitol Building to the “tune” of a couple MILLION dollars – including some really DEPLORABLE Acts – and came dangerously close to achieving their goal of disrupting “the peaceful transfer of power.” Republicans were really bad 10 years ago, when I started writing about the need to vote them into the history books, but they are a WHOLE lot worse today – and, apparently, determined to get even more worse by the day.

Final Thought; Individual 1 is beginning to sound like Paul Gosar as he’s gone into full “deflection” mode regarding the indictment of his business. That might work on his CULT following, but not on the rest of us. He has now joined the right wing chorus attempting to use Ashli Babbit and the INSURRECTIONISTS arrested by the FBI as his deflection “tools” as he’s trying to cause the rest of us to forget what we saw on January 6th, 2021. His latest grievance is that the INSURRECTIONISTS are getting arrested but not the protesters in the BLM movement. Even suggesting the two are the same is so absurd I have to, once again, say that anyone who believes a word coming from individual 1’s mouth is ……………. STUPID! (sorry, I don’t like that word either – but, well, “it is what it is”)

My brother-in-law lives in Pittsburgh and he would like me to write a posting which is positive. Well, I’m going to attempt to write on focusing on things which are positive with limited references to pure politics. Stay tuned……………………

Ever since individual 1 lost in a LANDSLIDE (by his own definition) we’ve been listening to republicans SHOUTING “Stop the Steal” regarding their fantasy our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president actually was “robbed” of his rightful place as America’s fuhrer. Well, I’ve talked about republican “projection” ad nauseum and this is just another prime example of just that. Talk about attempting to “steal” elections? What was individual 1 doing when he called Brad Raffensperger? Also, take a look at some of the VOTER SUPPRESSION bills running through republican led legislatures all across this great land. If this “Grand Theft” is not stopped by our nation’s Congress we very well could see much worse than people being arrested on felony charges for giving someone standing for hours in the HOT sun in Georgia waiting to vote a drink of water. Say enough of those voters endure that sun and actually vote for an outcome which doesn’t satisfy that state’s legislature, well, the members of the legislature can simply overturn the “will of the people.”

Should that happen I believe the prediction of my acquaintance who suggested “individual 1 would win in a landslide” and subsequent to that there will be MILLIONS of “liberals” in the streets could very well come true. We all know which side is a proponent of this un-American “plan” to “win” elections and, quite possibly, this is going to bring the American “divide” to a head. For example, republicans across the country will not be happy if Joe Manchin gets his version of S-1 passed and they’re spending every waking hour trying to prevent that outcome. Just yesterday I read parts of an Op-Ed by Kyrsten Sinema suggesting she’s more entrenched in defense of the filibuster than even Joe Manchin. I believe the republicans are “working” Ms. Sinema and it wouldn’t surprise me to find out they’re funneling “campaign funds” her way, in order to “keep her in line.” I hope I’m wrong, but……………. (Let’s just say, it wouldn’t surprise me)

Before individual 1 I thought: “Not much surprises me in American politics” – but, now? Well, put that last thought on steroids. I’ve mentioned I’m presently reading “Alt America” by David Neiwert and, it seems, every page is an eye opener. He lays out in detail the rise of the “Alt Right” from the days of its earliest (white supremacist) proponents to, at the point in the book I’m at right now, the present day extremists who have been pushing for another “civil war” in America for the past 10+ years. It should be no surprise to anyone paying attention to American politics that the election of Barack Obama to the “White House” put these people on even more of an “edge” than they’d been prior to that. Of course, as I’ve written here numerous times, I was aware of the former KKK “heads” David Duke and Don Black being strong endorsers of individual 1 and I became aware of some of the websites at the “heart” of the “white supremacist” movement – like “Stormfront” or “The Daily Stormer” and I’d heard of “4Chan” and “8Chan” – although I’ve never logged into ANY of them as of this writing.

Neiwert gives detailed information about all of them and how they’ve been key in “radicalizing” young WHITE Americans – using the SAME techniques as Al Qaeda or ISIL in their recruitment and radicalizing of the young targets for their “causes.” I’ve also learned about a group calling themselves Atomwaffen who are described HERE by the Southern Poverty Law Center. When you read the description of this group it SHOULD get your attention. These are pure Nazi’s and many of the other right wing groups in America, groups intensely supporting individual 1 and referring to him as “fuhrer,” are either overtly or covertly supporting the “ideals” of the Third Reich. Members of the so-called “liberal media” have picked up on the “repeated LIE” strategy of those considered “mainstream republicans” by the “mainstream media” BUT you NEVER hear them pointing out this “strategy” comes STRAIGHT from HITLER and the Third Reich. Many, if not MOST, of these groups are calling for, as one of the more egregious examples of their depravity, the “extermination of all Jews.”

In fact, I’ve read on more than one occasion, the ONE thing about our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president which they HATE is that his daughter married a Jew and has converted to Judaism. Apparently, individual 1 is the ONLY chance for these “deplorables” to further “infect” the “mainstream” of American politics so they make an exception. Isn’t that just how American politics works? Which has led me to another thought.

Have you wondered why an EX (so-called) president who has an EXTENDED streak of LOSING could keep such a “stranglehold” on the republican party? I mean Mitt Romney simply lost one election to the MOST popular politician in America (Unless Joe Biden has surpassed him), Barack Obama, and you saw republicans running away from him as if in a stampede. But with individual 1, who very well will totally DESTROY the republican party, are they “running away?” Of course not, it’s like a bunch of SHEEP who are going to go in whatever direction their delusional leader takes them. And, keep in mind, he’ll likely be spending MORE time in Court over the next three years than on the campaign trail. Who knows how many investigations of his MAFIA like behavior are going on as I’m typing this. We KNOW the Manhattan DA’s investigation is nearing the point of indictments and, as I suggested two years ago, the individual 1 ORGANIZATION should be a candidate for a “RICO” charge. You can read the definition of a RICO charge HERE. (I’m making this easy for you)

Speaking of RICO charges, I have a strong suspicion some of the groups mentioned in Neiwert’s book could very well be facing the same charges as the Justice Department and the FBI get more serious about investigating them. Take the group “Atomwaffen” for example. When you read their “manifesto” on their website there’s no “grey area.” These people are “wacko” and, hopefully, they’ll get STOPPED by our government before they are able to follow through on their stated goals. One of the things which really stood out to me was that there are ACTIVE members of our military in this – and others of these – group(s). These white nationalist/supremacists MUST be purged from our military ranks AND the ranks of our police departments as swiftly as possible.

We’re seeing many members of Police Departments purging themselves as they are quitting because there feelings seem to be hurt by the idea they be held to account for using behavior which is too aggressive and aimed at “persons of color” on an inappropriate level. For heaven’s sake, we saw Derek Chauvin staring into the camera as he MURDERED George Floyd with no apparent concern he would face ANY accountability for what he was doing. Sadly, there have been too many “Derek Chauvin’s” putting their knee on too many George Floyd’s – but, at least, now we have a sense there will be accountability for police brutality.

Disclosure: Today is the day the first indictments of individual 1’s “organization” and the CFO Allen Weisselberg was charged with “Grand Larceny.” More on that in a bit, but in writing about the issue with Police brutality and George Floyd I couldn’t help but think of all the republicans who say they believe in “law and order.” That, of course, would include the “Proud Boys,” the “Oathkeepers,” the “Three Percenters,” and other right wing members of the “militia” movement in America. These people believe in their “image” of what is “law and order.” I almost gag at times when I listen to their interpretation of the “constitution” they’re “defending.” We saw how much they believe in “law and order” on January 6th, 2021. Individual 1 claims to be a “stalwart” of “law and order” and, yet, he’s a small time mafia boss. That is a “small time mafia boss” with a BIG mouth – and MILLIONS of republicans are STUPID enough to fall for his LIES. Many STILL believe the LIE he “won” the 2020 election.

However, the bottom line is the republican strategy to “pack” the courts while individual 1 was turning the rest of our nation into a “hot mess” will be paying dividends to them for years to come – UNLESS the democrats can take advantage of the two years (actually, much less than that because of our system of almost perpetual elections) where they have the opportunity to pass some truly progressive legislation – “we the people” will be facing mounting obstacles to protecting our democratic republic due to the right wing extremism of the Supreme Court. Today the court put the finishing touches on their assault on the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by, now, essentially “gutting” section two after doing the same to sections four and five about 8 or 9 years ago. This is the work of Sam Alito and John Roberts with, now, the concurrence of the appointees of individual 1. Today’s decision by the court (you can look it up) will simply encourage those states who are passing laws intended to diminish the ability of people of color, poorer Americans, young Americans and older Americans to vote. It’s disgraceful, but it will also put the “onus” on the democrats to “fix” the problem with Senate bill one.

I’ll end this by getting back to the CHARGES filed against the company of our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president and I believe not only him, but his children, could end up caught up in this investigation. And, of course, he no longer has the protection of the so-called “OLC memo” which prevented, for example, Robert Mueller from INDICTING him for his OBSTRUCTION of justice during the “Mueller probe.” I wrote early in his term as our (so-called) president he would come to loathe the day he decided to CHEAT his way into the “White House.” I’ll say this again, he’s nothing more than a cheap mob boss, and the republican party has chosen to “hitch their wagon” to his CORRUPTION.

I’ve read many books about individual 1, his connection to the Russians, his connection to various MOB organizations, and about when I learned he actually was willing to CHEAT his brother’s children from their inheritance and, by all accounts, he’s a “serial” CHEATER at GOLF – for heaven’s sake. And, he was willing to CHEAT to win elections – leading to TWO IMPEACHMENTS – but, maybe his greatest strength, is he’s been able to intimidate people into being “loyal” to him. If you remember, back when he was debating Hillary Clinton, when she pointed out he hadn’t paid taxes for over a decade he didn’t deny it he simply said; “That makes me smart.” Therefore, NONE of this SHOULD be a surprise to anyone!

There’s little doubt that the leaders of the republican party will continue to stand by our TWICE IMPEAHCED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president because they know his “base” (Proud boys, Oathkeepers, etc. etc.) won’t abandon him and they fear them. The issue of “White grievance” overrides virtually all rational issues for republicans. My hope and prayer is that those republicans who are republicans because they’ve always been republicans and they aren’t “critical thinkers” – but, are not part of the right wing white supremacists who are INFECTING this nation – would decide to demand their “party” return to it’s principles which seemed to be “normal” prior to the days of Newt Gingrich when there actually was “bipartisanship” and when many of today’s right wing “leaders” were part of the “fringe” of the political spectrum. The FACT republican leaders are afraid of the TRUTH about January 6th, 2021 says it all. Republicans not only operate via FEAR mongering, they seem to live in FEAR of the TRUTH. God help us all if that doesn’t change!

Final Thought: Every day I can’t help but think of those in Florida dealing with the collapse of the building which seems to be where around 150 Americans are buried in a pile of concrete and rubble. My “instincts” suggest to me the rising level of the ocean (this apartment building was right on the coast) very well could have been significant in the cause of this tragedy. As these thoughts go through my mind I keep witnessing where republicans CONTINUE to block attempts by democrats to pass their “Climate” agenda. I live in Washington state and just the other day it was 118 degrees at my home – the third of three days where the temperature was OVER 108 degrees. This caused me to check the weather forecast and I was a bit shocked to see the next rain is predicted around the time of my birthday in September – today is July 1st. While we have less rain during the summer months, this is further evidence of the extreme weather around the globe. The DROUGHT which covers MUCH of the farmland in the Western United States SHOULD be a concern, even to republicans. I have to wonder, how bad will it have to get before they “get it?” Stay tuned………………….

me.)

I’ve been writing for OVER ten years about the republican plan for their “permanent republican majority” – the first time I heard the phrase was back in the Bush/Cheney regime when Karl Rove introduced the “plan.” They’ve NEVER stopped with this “plan” and, every time they lose an election, their willingness to do whatever it takes to accomplish what would, in essence, be rule by the minority (white people), gets more egregious and intense. What we’re witnessing today is an unbelievable attack on the foundation of our democratic republic. If the COURTS, which were filled with right wing (and in many instances totally unqualified) judges, allow this assault on our republic, individual 1 may have succeeded in doing what Adolf Hitler failed to do back in the days of WW II. (And, remember, individual 1 is the “symptom” the “disease” is the republican party and the billionaire benefactors “pulling the strings” in the shadows)

I’ve been writing lately about the importance of Merrick Garland following through on the promises he made in his confirmation hearings to investigate individual 1’s CRIMINAL behavior while in the “White House” – which went well beyond INCITING the INSSURRECTION. General Garland is finding himself in a critical place in what will be American History – one way or the other. Joe Biden KNEW he was running for president to “save the soul” of this nation and he is ALSO in a critical place in what soon will be part of our history. This WAR for the heart and soul of this nation will continue, I believe, likely past my lifetime. This is why I’m encouraging young people to do whatever they MUST to protect America by “jumping through the hoops” republicans are creating in order to keep them from voting.

Here’s the key part of some of these VOTER SUPPRESSION laws – state legislatures are giving themselves the “right” to overturn the elections in their states if they don’t like the results. I’m not kidding with that – it seems IMPOSSIBLE to me that Americans in state legislatures would STOOP to such an incredibly onerous level – but, here we are. So, if the democrats fail to get the “For the People Act” and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act” passed this year, well, “we the people” will have to rely on the courts – and, do you have confidence in the Supreme Court with 6 right wing judges? As I said above, I’ve been writing about this “republican plan” for almost 15 years and, my guess is some of the original instigators are not so on board as it’s gone off the “rails.” (It took me a while to start writing once I realized the severity of the issue)

For example, it was Liz Cheney’s dad who was associated with Rove back at the turn of the 21st Century. Ms. Cheney is kind of “on and island” in standing up against individual 1, but you don’t hear a “squeak” from her condemning all this VOTER SUPPRESSION. However, I believe Dick Cheney’s (sort of) boss GW Bush is likely a bit concerned with what he’s seeing – I really don’t believe he would support this plan to accomplish what they were unable to keep – remember, just as individual 1 had for two years, the Bush/Cheney regime had total control of the government for at least six years. They had their own form of incompetence and, just like individual 1, left an incredible MESS for their successor, but Bush/Cheney left town with their “tails between their legs” and we didn’t hear much from them once President Obama was in office. Individual 1, not so much! (Remember, it was the right wing Supreme Court who put Bush/Cheney in the “White House” in the first place)

Just as I predicted regarding our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president, ALL the TRUTH will “seep” out, drip by drip, and it’s beginning to gain “steam” as we’re seeing, based on reports of the illegal Justice Department “spying” on members of Congress, their associates, their families, and even their children – not to mention individual 1’s own “White House” Counsel Don McGahn. This is simply one more scandal and there were so many during individual 1’s time in office people became numb to it all – which is a bad reaction. This leads individual 1’s sycophants to continue believing he’s facing one “witch hunt” after another – but, the reality is our TWICE IMPEACHED two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president appears to be a serial OFFENDER of our system of laws. He believed (believes) he’s above the law and, as I’ve said, the challenge for Merrick Garland is to prove him wrong.

It’s hard for me to understand how republicans – well, those who DON’T identify with the KKK and other white nationalist/supremacist “circles” – can continue to follow individual 1. But, the reality is the republican party was severely “infected” before individual 1 commandeered them and, of course, the “infection” is just getting worse. Do you remember our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president saying “You’ll get tired of all the winning?” Well, technically, he’s been a LOSER on all fronts. It’s true republicans managed to get their tax “scam” passed in 2017, but that’s about it – and that “scam” is about as popular as, OK you knew this was coming, individual 1 – which aint very popular. So, yesterday was just another in the LONG line of DEFEATS (ie LOSING) associated with individual 1.

By now, everyone KNOWS individual 1 LOST over 60 court cases as he challenged what was called the MOST secure election in American history (by his own head of the government overseeing the election – an individual 1 appointee) OVER 60 times and, in every instance, “more LOSING.” Well, as another example of ALL the LOSING, yesterday the Supreme Court may have put the “endless” republican attempt to overturn the Affordable Care Act (AKA “Obamacare”), for another example of LOSING, by ruling against still ANOTHER republican led attempt to overturn the law. Even two of the individual 1 appointed judges ruled against the lawsuit which, of course, was “championed” by none other than individual 1 himself. He always claimed republicans had a “better and cheaper” version simply waiting in the wings which they would enact as soon as “Obamacare” was destroyed. Well, of course they didn’t have ANYTHING “waiting in the wings,” they still don’t and this is simply another example of republicans trying to further their “war” on the poor in America and the Middle Class families which get subsidies from “Obamacare,” and ALL the American families who’ve been able to keep their children on their own policies until they reach the age of 26. (Thanks to individual 1’s non-response to the Covid-19 pandemic there are now over 10 MILLION Americans on Medicaid – which is possible only because of the ACA)

So, how did republicans respond to this (latest) DEFEAT (that’s another word for LOSING which is the opposite of “winning” – just sayin) – they attempted to repeal “Obamacare” OVER 70 times while never lifting a finger in an attempt to make it better? It’s always been tear it down – republicans have been fighting AGAINST the idea of “National health insurance” since before I was born (1947) so democrats have been forced to do the “battle” incrementally. LBJ got Medicare and Medicaid passed the year I graduated from High School (1965) and, even then republicans fought against it. In fact, Ronald Reagan famously said, ” providing government health coverage for the elderly would, if adopted, lead America to  become a socialist hellhole.” (He said this in 1961, four years before Medicare was enacted into law) Republicans throw hyperbole like this around and, seemingly, are NEVER held to account for their inaccuracy. (OK, I’ve digressed! My mind spins out of control when I think of all the reasons Americans SHOULD be voting AGAINST republicans!)

All right, back to what is the next step for republicans regarding the FACT they LOST once more in their attempt to role back health insurance for those Americans who couldn’t afford it otherwise? and, as usual, the answer to the question is NOTHING! (Apparently, they’re hell bent on increasing their LOSING streak) They are incapable of doing anything which might help America’s middle class – apparently, doing NOTHING is what they call letting the “free markets” solve America’s burgeoning list of problems. So, this morning, as I was reading about the court’s ruling essentially ending the republican attempts to repeal “Obamacare” this is the message put out by the House republican leadership – Kevin McCarthy (maybe the MOST spineless politician I’ve ever witnessed), Steve Scalise (a real right wing Hack), and Elise Stefanik (a real “ambitious” “two faced” “back stabbing” politician) ” “Now, Congress must work together to improve American health care.”

I read that and, once again, my head started shaking as if I’ve become a bobblehead at a baseball park. These republicans have spent OVER 10 years, MILLIONS on frivolous LOSING lawsuits, over 60 attempts in Congress to repeal the bill, and FINALLY they’re saying what people like me have been saying since the day the public option was first voted down – “Congress, work to improve the bill!” The easy solution to this problem is to enact the “public option” – which, in essence would allow people to buy into a Medicare like plan – with ONLY 3% administrative costs – and cost controlling “limits” on what hospitals and doctors can charge for basic procedures. But, of course, that would be too easy and republicans would worry that by doing so they would help Joe Biden have a successful first (and, likely, last) term in office. (Oh yes, check out how much they receive from the insurance industry!)

You’ve no doubt already heard Moscow Mitch in what sounded like an “echo” from the days of Barack Obama’s presidency – “Joe Biden will get ZERO support from republicans – from Susan Collins to Ted Cruz republicans are united to make Joe Biden’s term as president ends a failure.” (or words to that effect) This is nothing new, this is the republican playbook since the days of Newt Gingrich in the House – turn Congress into a “hot mess” and blame democrats for the lack of bipartisanship. It’s worked off and on for the past 30 or so years, so why not? POWER is more important than progress for our nation – and, now they’ve got Putin helping them “pound” the “wedge issues” deeper into the fabric of our nation. So, what do you think are the chances republicans will “work to improve American health care?” Yep, that was a bit rhetorical because the obvious answer is “NADA,” “Nothing.” In other words, no one is “holding their breath.”

Obviously, republicans aren’t going to help doing ANYTHING as long as ANY democrat occupies the “White House” and they have the ability to OBSTRUCT in Congress – it’s just the way they work. And, don’t tell me it “goes both ways.” In individual 1’s final two years in office democrats did everything they could to keep him in power. It’s just that he AND Moscow Mitch were just too STUPID to take advantage of what, in particular, Nancy Pelosi was TRYING to “give” them. I’ve written this before, but had individual 1 and McConnell enacted the so-called “HEROES Act” put forth by Pelosi and the democrats, I believe individual 1 would still be in office today and there would have been maybe as many as a couple HUNDRED THOUSAND less deaths from the Covid-19 pandemic. But, of course, the bill was “dead on arrival” in the McConnell controlled Senate where the good of the American people is NEVER considered when it comes to legislation. The American people supported that bill overwhelmingly and, eventually, the Biden “rescue bill” by over 70% and soon a significant part of Biden’s bill will go into effect – the Child Tax Credits – an ACTUAL tax cut for Poor and Middle Class taxpayers who have children – an INVESTMENT into the American people republicans HATE – they’re calling it “Socialism.” Yikes!

This issue has simply made it simpler for republicans to put up a “smoke screen” in their never ending attempt to cause America’s voters to look the other way as a torrent of really BAD factual EVIDENCE regarding the abuses of POWER under individual 1 “drip, drip” out. And, of course, I agree with those who claim there have been so many scandals and NOT ONCE has our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president been legally held to account. Sadly, it appears, as I’ve said, that Merrick Garland is contributing to this problem. I hope I’m wrong – more on that later.

Here’s a good example of what I mean; Had our Justice Department (under AG Garland) chosen to FULLY release the “memo” which Judge Amy Berman Jackson ORDERED released because William Barr, in essence, LIED to the Court and to Congress about his absolving individual 1 of “OBSTRUCTION of Justice, then the next step would be following through on Mueller’s “memorializing” the evidence of the OBSTRUCTION, so that Mr. Garland could proceed with an indictment now that individual 1 is no longer protected by the OLC “memo.” There were TEN instances of OBSTRUCTION laid out in Mueller’s report (I read it TWICE – it was long and tedious reading) The bottom line, as hundreds of prosecutors have stated, if the subject of an investigation can INTERFERE in that investigation, then there’s no reason for Justice Department officials to appoint a “Special Counsel” in the first place. This issue is fundamental to America’s “rule of law.”

Here’s how it looks right now – just a small “snapshot” because the “drip, drip, drip” will continue. There’s a lot more “stuff” which is going to come out. OK, let’s start with why I refer to our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote (and over 60 court challenges to the election) LOSING (ex) president as “individual 1.” Michael Cohen was convicted of “campaign finance violations” for paying off two women who individual 1 had illicit affairs with (during his wife’s pregnancy and, apparently, in one instance, shortly thereafter) just prior to the 2016 election and shortly after the now infamous “Access Hollywood tape” – a crime committed “in cooperation with and at the direction of individual 1.” Cohen got three years in prison for his part and, so far, individual 1 has gotten NOTHING.

Naturally, you knew what would be next, right? On January 6th, 2021 individual 1 urged his MOB to go to the Capitol and “fight like HELL or you’re not going to have a country anymore” and almost 500 of them are now in jail and facing prison sentences of up to 20 – 30 years – which COULD (and should) include the charge of SEDITION (look it up) – and, individual 1 – so far NOTHING. Did he “INCITE” the mob? Of course he did – they did EXACTLY what he “charged” them to do. Did he go there with them as he promised? Of course he DIDN’T (Do you think the “bone spurs” acted up?) – he went to the “White House,” turned on the TV, and, by all accounts enjoyed watching his supporters ransack the Capitol Building while chanting “Hang Mike Pense.” He was quoted, by an eye witness, as saying, “Those people really love me.” (By the way, earlier I said Kevin McCarthy was the “most spineless politician I’ve ever witnessed – but, hey – Mike Pense gives him a good run for his “money” – I mean, shortly after his boss sicked a few thousand angry “mobsters” on him Pense was back a@#kissing individual 1’s – wait, I already said it, Yikes!) Maybe McCarthy and Pense are secretly TWINS!?

Yah, I “get” this is long and rambling – but, whenever I wonder (which is often) how people who otherwise seem to be good productive Americans can align themselves with an (alleged) serial sexual predator, a failed businessman, a TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (along with LOSING over 60 legal challenges to his most recent LOSS) (ex) president, a pathological LIAR, an overt RACIST, a misogynist, and a xenophobe (among other “endearing” features), my mind turns into a blur of recollections – some of which are things republicans used to claim they believed in. Apparently, we’re down to “cut my taxes” (if you’re rich) and give me right wing judges if you’re like MOST of the rest of us.

Every time, well ALMOST every time, I engage in attempting to understand this conundrum with a republican acquaintance I hear, in one form or another, the word “abortion” – as in, they’d rather live in a country run like Russia than have women in this country having control over their own bodies. Of course, no matter what they do there will be women having abortions – just like before Roe – and, as usual, they would say something like what individual 1 said in his first campaign – the women should be “punished.” Of course, the men? Again, NADA – like in the cereal “nothin honey.” (OK, that was a joke) And, I’m guessing you understand, women WOULDN’T need to even consider an abortion without the “help” of a man.

But, what the republicans, including ALL the people who support them are doing is NOT a joke and it threatens the fundamental values this nation was founded on and that is a constitution which is like a “living document.” It has evolved over time, it’s promises are being either realized or demanded by more and more Americans and it’s based on three co-equal branches of government “checking” each other so that those who take the OATH to defend it (the constitution) against all “enemies foreign and DOMESTIC” will do exactly that. There’s no provision in the constitution for “alternative facts,” for threatening violence if “we the people” don’t vote your “way,” or for finding ways to CHEAT to get your way. Republicans all across America are attempting to not only prevent as many “people of color” from voting, but they want to block the teaching of American history – as it has ACTUALLY transpired – in our schools because they’re desperate to prevent this nation’s “melting pot” from “melting” a bit more. They will “do whatever it takes” to preserve their “white privilege.” You see, they DON’T really believe in “free markets” unless they’re the ones setting the rules as to what is “free.” (Many believe teaching ACTUAL American history is “anti white.” Why do you suppose that?)

I’ll end this by saying outlets like Fox “news,” “Newsmax,” and “OANN” are bound and determined to continue “feeding” the white nationalist/supremacists in this country what they want to hear as long as it continues to make their companies and the talking heads in their companies richer and richer. Truth? My republican friends always resort to “Truth is in the Bible” and then they “hitch their wagon” to someone who is totally antithetical to almost everything I’ve read in that “Good Book.” Then they “deflect” individual 1’s reality with the issue of abortion, as if that justifies their “deal with the devil.” Personally, I’d love to see the day when there was no “demand” for abortions – but, the issue is way more complicated than reversing Roe. I’ve said before, that’s an issue for another day, but I certainly don’t believe it’s an issue which will be or should be or can be solved by MEN. And, in the right wing media circus it’s an issue which is used to perpetuate white nationalism/supremacy. Biden is correct, (and, well, in all “modesty” – OK, I’m not all that modest when it comes to these issues – I’ve been saying it for almost 15 years) there is a WAR going on for the heart and soul of America. In my mind, it’s up to “we the people to defend our democratic republic!

Final Thought: Back in 2015 via what are called “Active measures” – where the Russians spew disinformation across the social media networks in America (and other Western nations) routinely accessed by MILLIONS upon MILLIONS of America’s citizens – I believe not even Vladimir Putin, himself, would have guessed the success his ATTACK on our nation would accomplish – via the freedoms we take for granted and that he despises. And, I’m not talking about the election of individual 1 – which was, for sure, instrumental in the Russian success – but, what I’m talking about is Americans divided against each other. The Russians ATTACKED America at her weakest point and that is the racial “divide” which Putin recognized (correctly) and was, for him, the perfect “wedge issue,” Putin fully understands the racial issue has been an undercurrent in America since her inception and he’s exploiting it. He’s even referring to the INSURRECTIONISTS in the same terms as republican members of Congress – ie “patriots,” etc.

Putin succeeded in causing the white nationalist/supremacist faction in America to find a way out from the fringes of our political reality into the “mainstream” via our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president. People like David Duke and Don Black, both former KKK “Grand Wizards,” have openly stated they consider individual 1 their “fuhrer” and they continue to vigorously support him because he’s ‘on board’ with their values. So much for a republican party standing for “family values.” And, of course, “we the people” are listening to “journalists” like Sean Hannity and Tucker Carlson at Fox “news” repeating the Russian “talking points.” Well, I suppose you could say it’s Putin repeating the “talking points” of those at Fox, but, either way, this SHOULD be a “wake up call” to clear thinking republicans. But, it appears the “cult” following of individual 1 continues – and, of course, Putin continues to fuel it!

Sorry, on more thing: Individual 1 set the “ground rules” for CORRUPT republicans on how to “fight” the Justice Department in attempts to stay out of jail – and, of course, for him it’s worked for many many years – not just while he was our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING president – for example, the Manhattan DA probe is reaching back a reporte 8 – 10 years of his financial (miss) dealings and, allegedly, indictments are in the offing – this summer. But look at Matt Gaetz and Rudy Giuliani. While most defense lawyers suggest when you’re the subject of an investigation, shut up. However, that’s NOT the individual 1 “playbook” and we’re seeing the same thing with both Gaetz and Giuliani. It’s as if they don’t believe the Justice Department has the “stones” to take them on. Speaking of “stones” – writing that word reminded me I’ve wondered if Roger Stone is going to be “connected” to the same “sex ring” which seems to be engulfing Mr. Gaetz? OK, back to my point, as I’ve stated above and in prior posts – AG Garland is at a crossroads. Either this CORRUPT republican behavior – and, of course, it’s MOUNTAINOUS – will be held to account, or “we the people” will be on the brink of LOSING our “grip” on the democratic republic I feel such a connection to. I really hope AG Garland comes through and the Biden side wins the “battle” for the “soul” of America. But, as I’ve said, the “war” will continue until “today’s” republicans have been voted into the history books!

Of course, the republican party would be nowhere without those BILLIONAIRES who hide in the shadows and keep funneling MONEY to Moscow Mitch and the other republicans in the Senate, keeping them “toeing the line.” Kind of makes me a bit queezy in the stomach feeling the need to write those words!