I’ve written before that I don’t consider Robert Mueller the “hero” so many others have suggested – most at the time he was chosen to be the “special counsel” to investigate the Russian intervention into our 2016 election and the connection of the Russians to the individual 1 campaign. “We the people” waited on the edge of our seats for almost two years as Mueller went through over 500 interviews where he indicted the Russians who hacked the DNC computers – identifying them to the actual computers they were using with the help of our allied intelligence services – but, indicting individual 1 was NEVER an option and Mueller failed to “follow the money” in the investigation and refused to subpoena individual 1 because he didn’t want to go through the time it would take to fight it out in the courts. And, then individual 1 LIED in his interview questions with no consequences. Mueller “memorialized” all the evidence – which was considerable – so some future prosecutor could follow through on it. But, in my view, his investigation was a bit “timid.”

Then along came William Barr. He totally undermined Mueller’s work in one three page “‘summary” where, along with spineless Rob Rosenstein, he claimed the TEN instances of OBSTRUCTION of Justice Mueller “memorialized” – which hundreds of present and former US Attorneys put their names on an op-ed saying they would prosecute this evidence – without hesitation as, well, “obstruction.” This was a “gut punch” to the investigators on Mueller’s team and Mueller tried to point out to anyone who was listening that Barr had misled the findings of their report. Of course, in Mueller’s testimony he showed his age and that was what was focused on more than what he said – he had forewarned he would say nothing more than what was in his report prior to his testimony – but, only 1% of Americans read it (I, personally, read it TWICE) – although, he did give some important information which MOST people didn’t notice. Mueller pointed out the Russians were still “at it” (at the time of his testimony) and would be doing this again in the 2020 election! And, of course they are!

Now we’re learning individual 1’s campaign is using the Russians again in a desperate attempt to swing what appears to be a hopeless election prospect through the latest Russian “useful idiot” Rudy Giuliani. I would love to hear Joe Biden say once he’s been inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States he will hold the Russians or any other foreign nation intervening in our election to account. And, I would love to hear someone claim there is some kind of plan to unearth publications who are spewing misinformation purposefully. Meaning projecting PROPAGANDA knowing what they’re spewing is false. I’m talking about publications like the “Enquirer,” the NY Post, Fox “news,” etc. I realize it’s paramount we protect EVERYONE’S, including those I disagree with, first amendment rights. But, I believe there are limits to this. Where I struggle is with the organized propaganda coming from the GOP. (This goes for “the other side” as well – the question is; If you have a national “stage” is purposeful LYING OK?

This is a problem well beyond the election, although it’s easy to see how important each election is. Not only do we have an IMPEACHED so-called president who is, essentially, incompetent at just about everything except LYING – we now have a government full of sycophants willing to do his bidding. So, for example, the coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19 is getting progressively worse, just as the scientists have told us it would – based on the FACT there’s no organized NATIONAL plan to, as Speaker Pelosi always says, “crush the virus.” Without getting Covid-19 under control the economy will continue to be “hanging by a thread.” And, the issues are much deeper and getting worse by the day. I’ve talked repeatedly here about what I call the DAMAGE being done to our fundamental institutions during individual 1’s administration and that DAMAGE is accelerating as his electoral demise seems more certain.

Those are just a couple of the issues which are causing America to be teetering on the brink of a national disaster which could make the Great Depression appear to be a “cake walk.” First, in regard to Ms. Pelosi and her attempts to pass legislation which would “crush the virus,” and, at the same time throw a “lifeline” to our economy, the republicans have been ignoring it for over four months now. It appears individual 1 has finally realized Ms. Pelosi was trying to help him save his presidency – indirectly – because she values the health of America and her people more than who wins this next election, or so it has appeared. It seems impossible for him to agree to anything with “the other side” which might make them look good.

Had the republicans come to an agreement with Ms. Pelosi and the democrats on some version of the “HEROES Act” we wouldn’t be looking at the edge of the economical “cliff” right now. I’m no economist and it doesn’t take an economist to “get” what the $600 per week to those Americans collecting unemployment INSURANCE payments had done for the economy in the first few months of the pandemic. For heaven’s sake, the stock market went up and almost regained it’s early losses during the first month or two of the pandemic because these workers were still able to pay their bills. This is with TENS of MILLIONS unemployed. Now, of course, that’s a terrible issue for the MILLIONS of these workers whose employment opportunities look bleak. I don’t own stocks but I developed a habit years ago to check in on the market each morning and, it appears to me, the market is preparing to head “south” if there’s no “stimulus” package coming out of the Congress.

From where I sit it’s looking as if the GOP led Senate is beginning to “inch” away from individual 1 because their outlook is no brighter than our IMPEACHED so-called president as we approach the November election – so, they appear to be willing to block any kind of stimulus bill from being passed before the election – and, should Biden prevail, it just won’t happen. In fact, they’ll be blaming Biden for the deficit – as I’ve said numerous times before, prior to him taking the oath of office and they’ll do everything they can to OBSTRUCT any progressive legislation going forward. When you see the brazenous of the LYING which is coming from the republicans and their DEPLORABLE backers in the media, it shouldn’t surprise anyone to see that continue unabated going forward once Biden is president. Should Biden “lose”……………OMG!

Keep in mind, there will be another part of Biden’s administration which will be getting a constant “diet” of right wing disgusting propaganda and attacks democrats MUST be ready for and be willing to push back right from the start. Kamala Harris will be Vice President and, because Joe Biden will be 78 years old on January 20th of 2021, republicans will start tearing down Harris immediately as she will likely be the front runner for the democrats in 2024 – and, there’s two things republicans really dislike about her – we’re already seeing it coming from various sources. First, she’s a girl – I know you knew that, but they really hate the idea of a girl being president. And, of course, the worst part for them is she’s African American AND Indian – talk about your “stimulus” for their DEPLORABLE racist tropes – they’ll be coming “fast and furious.” I guess there is some “stimulus” they believe in!

As we approach the election it feels as it has for many months now; Can things get any worse? Well, the answer is, yes they can get much worse and, as usual, individual 1 is likely to be right in the middle of the coming catastrophe. Other than our IMPEACHED so-called president and his maskless sycophants, MOST Americans realize the major issue is the Covid-19 pandemic and the reality our federal government is FAILING to respond to the crisis. In fact, individual 1 is likely making matters SO much worse – we likely won’t know for sure until after the election the gravity of what is happening right before our eyes – he’s holding rallies with thousands crammed together, most without masks, in a series of “super spreader” events which will likely compete with the Sturgis motorcycle fiasco in South Dakota a month or so ago for the prize regarding – who infected the most Americans?

Sturgis has left South Dakota and the states surrounding it awash in THOUSANDS of people who have contracted Covid-19 and, of course, they, in turn, are spreading it to others, and those others are spreading it to – OK, I think you “get it.” Today, North Dakota, which is a state with a total population of less than 800,000 (and, yes, they get two Senators – their state has less people than the city across the river from where I live – Portland, Oregon which is considered a “small city”) reported OVER 1000 NEW confirmed cases of Covid-19 TODAY and their hospitals are already being overrun by people sick with the virus. I listened to a doctor in one of the larger (if not the largest) hospitals in North Dakota point out 6% of those cases (60) will end up in the hospital and these numbers or numbers close to them have been happening every day for a couple of weeks. This all started happening a week or two after Sturgis, the hospital workers are exhausted and, some of them, are in tears explaining what they’re dealing with.

South Dakota is getting large numbers EVERY day as well, Montana the same, Nebraska the same, and on it goes. Reports are the “bikers” who dispersed from Sturgis spread all across the nation, many taking the virus with them – it’s impossible to know how much DAMAGE they’ve caused, but just look at the Covid statistics since the rally – it’s really BAD. The governor of South Dakota has been one of the most disparaging politicians in regard to Covid and, I’m sure, feels no sympathy for all the hospital workers who are becoming overwhelmed by all the Covid cases coming from that gathering. And, now, individual 1 is traipsing around the country holding one super spreader event after another, sometimes a couple in each state in one day, with no regard to how many people at the event – or those who come into contact with them “down the road” – are exposed to this, in some instances, deadly virus. The death count is now over 220,00 and likely to be around 400,000 at the time of the inauguration – hopefully of a president Biden.

Individual 1 is now pushing the “herd immunity” approach to the virus – apparently, the FACT that means he doesn’t have to do ANYTHING appeal to him – it kind of goes along with his record as our IMPEACHED so-called president so far, with the exception of stuff which directly benefits him, of course. Should he succeed in this strategy America will be facing the loss of something in the range of TWO to SIX MILLION “souls” and will likely still be dealing with the virus – unless an effective vaccine is produced. Even with a vaccine we’re looking at losing at least a half MILLION Americans due to the incompetence and negligence of this IMPEACHED so-called president. Sad! Disastrous! Disgusting!!

Individual 1 has been throwing one scandal after another at “we the people” since the day he LIED about the oath of office and the size of his crowd on inauguration day (ironically, he’s now complaining about Joe Biden’s “lying” at the next “debate” where his microphone will be turned off while Biden is speaking – personally, I don’t believe that will stop his interruptions, but we’ll see) – our IMPEACHED so-called president has committed over 25,000 documented LIES since he moved into the “White House” and he, and his family, have been pilfering MILLIONS of taxpayer dollars into their bank accounts while they have acted as if there are no laws which apply to them. Individual 1 has violated “norms” to the point where “norms” no longer seem to exist. This is what Joe Biden seems to be pointing toward “fixing.” (I really hope they deal with the issue of nepotism – even Laura Trump is listed as a “presidential adviser.” Yikes!)

Biden is NOT the choice I would have made during the primaries but I always “got” why he ended up being the choice of the party. The democrats understood long ago the first and foremost objective of the 2020 election is and has been defeating individual 1. Should Biden win a LOT of credit MUST go to James Clyburn of South Carolina for “resurrecting’s” Biden’s campaign when most thought it was “lost.” Clyburn clearly understood Biden is someone who, like the president he was the VP for, will attempt to bridge the “gap” which has caused America to be headed toward third world status – the “gap” between democrats and republicans. Clyburn is a wise statesman and someone who will be extremely important in helping Biden accomplish the goal of healing this country. The process MUST work from “the bottom up” and, I believe, both Clyburn AND Biden fully understand that.

The republican party has progressively moved toward that “cliff” I mentioned above which we are now “teetering” over. All republicans, however, aren’t like individual 1 and we’re seeing more and more of them who are peeling off the “individual 1 train” and Biden realizes their importance if we are to “heal” this nation once he’s in office. (I say “we” because it will take a collective effort) Individual 1 has been encouraging his supporters to violate laws in ways which have, in some instances, ended up in terrible tragedies or near tragedies. Just a week, or so, ago a group of his supporters were arrested for a plot to kidnap and MURDER the governor of Michigan (naturally, a woman) and his rhetoric was directly tied to the Murders last year in El Paso – among other tragedies. It’s ugly. The result of individual 1’s actions have led to groups like the “Lincoln project” – republicans dedicated to help defeat our IMPEACHED so-called president (full disclosure – the Lincoln Project has been the group I’ve donated the most money to during this election cycle) and there are other groups of disaffected republicans supporting Biden in the election. Sadly, none of the Congressional republicans are willing to speak out.

The real hope I have is the Senate gets “flipped” to democratic control including Jaimie Harrison being the new “junior” Senator from South Carolina. Of course, that would mean the most discouraging republican of ALL, in my view, Lindsey Graham would be gone. To me, no one has “soiled” themselves more than Mr. Graham. He’s proven his “loyalty” to his “friend” John McCain, was no “loyalty” at all. He’s the best example of a politician following the “wind” in his attempt to remain in the limelight. His support of individual 1 has been mind boggling, although, at this point, he’s turned himself into such a pathetic example of a leader that no matter how the election turns out I believe Graham has become nothing more than a pitiful afterthought.

Once the Senate is controlled by democrats there becomes the possibility our government could then become focused on “fixing” the problems which have grown to the critical level as we move on from this nightmare. Some of the “promises” Biden has made might actually be able to come to fruition without Moscow Mitch in control of the Senate. (Oh yes, I pray the people of Kentucky could somehow choose to rid us of McConnell – “wouldn’t that be lovely”) Count on the republicans to do everything they can to prevent Biden from doing what he’s said he wants to accomplish. “We the people” need to remain vigilant AND we need to include some of the republicans who have supported Biden in the process of putting this needed legislation into law. I look forward to the day when democrats and republicans can work together to solve those problems which we all can agree are undeniable.

As Speaker Pelosi says, first and foremost “crush the virus,” and then health care for every American, infrastructure, Climate Change, police reform, justice reform, education reform, racial reform, and on and on. These are issues which ALL of us SHOULD be able to understand need to be addressed. The list is long, but if “we the people” are not arguing aimlessly among ourselves we can accomplish incredible things. And, somehow, “we the people” need to figure out a way to deal with those in individual 1’s cult who are “salvageable” – meaning letting them know they are important and “we’re all Americans.” However, it should be clear the racism and hate is not something which is “welcome” in this nation and if they continue supporting this it’s back to the “fringes.” Read “Rising out of Hatred” by Eli Saslow, the story of how Derek Black “freed” himself from the KKK to get an idea on the White Supremacist movement in America and their connection to individual 1. They won’t go away quietly!

As I wrote above, Robert Mueller’s report was undermined by individual 1’s “Roy Cohn,” William Barr, and shortly thereafter individual 1 was IMPEACHED for CHEATING again, shortly after he felt he had “dodged the bullet” of the Mueller report. After the republican Senate said it’s OK to EXTORT our allies, individual 1 became even more unhinged (which included going after his “enemies” including people like Alexander Vinman). The coronavirus followed his “win” in the Senate “trial” and the incompetence and narcissism many of us had been talking about since the day he took office became obvious to anyone willing to look objectively. This year MILLIONS of Americans became unemployed and are desperate, at this point in time, to pay their rent and put food on their tables. (I can’t remember an administration with a “net loss” in job creation – and, then claiming they’re best for the economy) It’s all a terrible tragedy and individual 1 and the Senate are acting as if these people don’t matter.

Additionally, individual 1 even said us “old people” don’t matter – we’re the ones most affected by Covid-19 – so let’s all have a “herd mentality.” Let’s hope it all ends on November 3rd. (For God’s sake – we’re not Russia are we? As our IMPEACHED so-called president is suggesting his opponent should be in jail. Is the poisoning next?) I’m really struggling to understand how his supporters can continue in the cult. The list of scandalous, illegal behavior seems never ending. I haven’t even referred to the kids separated from their parents at the border who will never see those parents again – this is a tragic mark on America’s history which is what should result in people, like individual 1 being one of those in jail. There’s so many abuses which should NEVER happen again – the question becomes: how do we prevent them from happening again? It’s a sad state of affairs!

Think of this: People I know who support individual 1, when asked why, say it’s the “policies.” So let’s quickly go over the policies which apparently are the selling point he would provide to say he deserves four more years. The deficit is at record levels – over $3 TRILLION just this year, between 11 and 15 MILLION Americans are unemployed – depression era levels – almost 10%, over 222,000 Americans are DEAD from the virus with close to double that expected by the end of January, we’ve lost our standing in the world – we’re LOSING to China, Russia, etc., We’re potentially going to lose the ACA and with it protection for “pre-existing conditions,” individual 1 has promised to abolish Social Security and Medicare in his next term by repealing the payroll tax, many state and local governments are facing major layoffs because of the pandemic – police, firefighters, health care workers, teachers, etc., hate groups are on the rise and being enabled by individual 1’s rhetoric, the Justice Department is in “tatters,” and the intelligence community is being undermined as well.

Traditional American institutions are being bludgeoned from the inside out and individual 1 and his sycophants are acting as if the laws don’t apply to them. They mock anyone who points out all the MANY violations of the “Hatch Act,” for example, saying “no one cares.” The CHEATING to get elected? They think “no one cares.” The hundreds of kids at the border who will likely NEVER see their parents again? No one cares. Of course, that’s not true, but that’s what they say and that’s what individual 1 is “selling” as his campaign “promises.” The really sad part is the number of Americans who are “buying it.”

Final Thought: I had closed out my thoughts here after the first few paragraphs (to be continued) when I heard republican Senator Ben Sasse’s words in a “phone town hall” somewhere in Nebraska. He was lamenting all the reasons why he couldn’t support individual 1 and, actually, made perfect sense. EXCEPT, that he won’t do this in any real public setting and he hasn’t had the GUTS to stand up to our IMPEACHED so-called president at ANY time over the previous four LONG years. He’s like so many republican Senators – I’m certain he’s not the only one – no GUTS! They want it both ways. In a private setting Sasse comes across as a thoughtful intelligent person who clearly sees what a DEPLORABLE person sits in the “White House,” but when it’s time to show some COURAGE for, say, the vote on IMPEACHMENT – no GUTS!

There’s a bunch of them and they don’t deserve the opportunity to sit in those chairs in the Senate. I couldn’t help but think about what has caused this TERRIBLE political “climate” in America and I believe there’s a “focal point” to how this all came about. I can remember times when what is going on today was UNTHINKABLE. Individual 1 stands for the OPPOSITE of what I remember republicans SUPPOSEDLY standing for years ago. It all started “tilting” to the “right” when Reagan became president and it’s gotten progressively worse since. The Koch brothers have spent BILLIONS creating the political “climate” we have in America these days and I hope, at some point, along with individual 1 and his sycophants, they get the true credit they deserve in our history books! When historians are trying to understand how this all happened, they’ll look at the Koch network of donors and their sophisticated strategy to create a political POWER structure designed to protect corporate polluters and the WHITE power structure.

I often wonder who’s “pulling the strings” (ie “puppet masters”) causing these republicans – in BOTH the House and Senate – to lose track of any decency they may have possessed prior to becoming part of the republican caucus in Congress. Those paying close attention, for example, remember the tax (scam) cut of 2017 was in response to demands from the republican “donors” who, according to – I believe it was Lindsey Graham who I heard say it – were demanding a “return on their investment.” That Congress could get NOTHING else passed, but they managed a couple TRILLION dollars for Americans who, at the time, didn’t need it. That tax scam financed a lot of stock buy backs! Right now the hypocrisy of republicans in pushing through the nomination of Amy Barrett is “front and center,” but their hypocrisy never ends and they seem to have not an ounce of SHAME in all of it – just “par for the course.” God help us!

I’ve pointed out here I’m a Christian – liberal – because I do believe in the “teachings of Jesus.” To me, they’re hard to argue against, but I “get” everyone sees these things in their own way. However, I’m also becoming clearer in my witnessing people who claim to be Christians who make me rethink my own beliefs because, in no way, do I want to be associated with them. Last night I heard someone, I can’t remember who – someone in individual 1’s employ – was lamenting Joe Biden’s “plan” for a “public option” as being “Socialized medicine.” Since the end of WW II republicans have been fighting to prevent America from having a national health care system. The idea of basic health being a “right” for American citizens just doesn’t register with these republicans. I don’t understand how they can “square” that thinking with “the teachings of Jesus.” (And, of course, they all claim to be “Christians”)

My granddaughters are in Christian schools and the oldest one, who knew virtually nothing about what is in the Bible when she started the school as a freshman, was talking the other day about her “favorite verse.” I forget the exact verse, but it had to do with how “everyone” is loved by God. Well, that reminded me of one of my favorite verses which is in Matthew – “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” Just as “What you do FOR the least of these you do FOR me.” Almost every day I’m reminded of republicans who don’t believe in this basic human decency – whether you’re not a Christian or if you are a “Christian?” you SHOULD support health care for all of us. It’s the “right” thing to do. If not out of empathy and compassion, then because it saves money for those who are already insured. Sadly, not only are republicans opposed to health care for “the least of these,” just yesterday individual 1 blocked any more negotiation for stimulus with MILLIONS of Americans on the verge of economic disaster. (It didn’t take even him long to realize how STUPID that decision was)

Calling a “public option” “socialized medicine” is beyond absurd to me, let alone thinking about how it relates to the MO of republicans in general. Joe Biden putting forth a “public option” will require the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to survive the Supreme Court challenge. My thought is, if they succeed in overturning “Obamacare” (ACA), then maybe Bernie Sanders becomes “front and center.” Doing the “Medicare for All” solution to the issue of health care in the middle of this pandemic very well may be the reasonable way to go if the ACA has been overturned. And, again, suggesting the “public option” is “socialized medicine” is absurd on its face. What they’re saying (ADMITTING) is the private health insurers with their BLOATED executive salaries, can’t compete with a “Medicare like” option.

By all accounts, individual 1 is looking at a LANDSLIDE “whoopin” come early November – he’ll try to prevent any of the ballots COUNTED after November 3rd from “counting” – which is why Americans are VOTING EARLY in numbers never seen before – and, our IMPEACHED so-called president is counting on soon to be Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett to be the deciding vote to help him overturn – once again – the WILL of the people (Remember: “Bush v Gore”). This year, individual 1 is standing to LOSE the “popular vote” by OVER 10,000,000 votes. That’s TEN MILLION for anyone who struggles with math. And, it could be as many as 15 MILLION votes! Just imagine what it would do to this nation if he could somehow completely overturn Biden’s LEGITIMATE victory on November 3rd!

And, if, as it appears to me it will, even the Electoral College is clear on the outcome, there are few who believe individual 1 will go away quietly. By many accounts Biden could win over (or close to) 400 Electoral College votes with only 270 needed, but individual 1 believes (“future”) Judge Barrett will be what is necessary for him to overturn all those “ballots” he doesn’t like “we the people” submitting to our polling places. From what I’ve heard, as of today – 20 days before the “election” – there have been 15 MILLION Americans voting early ALREADY. And, based on reports I’ve read/heard something like two out of every three, so far, have gone for democrats. Other than finding ways to CHEAT in order to win, what our IMPEACHED so-called president is doing is turning away MORE and MORE Americans who might be thinking of voting for him.

Take us old people, for example. He’s basically suggesting we get “written off,” kind of like how people like him depreciate their property so they can CHEAT on their taxes. Do you think that’s a good idea to turn things around in Florida where he’s already, according to Five Thirty Eight (the best polling place on the internet in my view), trailing Biden by almost four points? I believe it’s possible he’ll LOSE Florida by even more – except for one thing – Ron DeSantis. Do you really believe DeSantis won’t CHEAT in order to help individual 1 “win?” PPPPPPLeeeeease! In 2000 Florida’s governor was Jeb Bush – I’m sure you remember – and, along with his republican Secretary of State AND the Supreme Court they managed to STEAL the 2000 election – resulting in, among other travesties, the Iraq Fiasco. Stay tuned…………

And, how about Texas? Governor Abbott is doing everything he can to BLOCK as many Texans as possible from voting – and, it’s not necessarily working. In Harris County, today, over another 100,000 voters voted on the second day of early voting – after almost 130,000 voted yesterday. After two days of early voting, just in this one county, close to 15% of all registered voters have voted and when you look at the lines, it would be a reach to think too many of them were standing there for 6 – 8 hours to vote for individual 1. It’s happening all over Texas in the urban areas and, yes, Abbott is trying to “slow the spread” (of voters) by going to court and finding ways to SUPPRESS the vote, but it appears Biden has a real shot in Texas – and, maybe the young lady who’s trying to unseat John Cornyn – who is not what I would consider anything close to a “progressive” – which is what young people are looking for. Not too many people, early on, thought Biden had any chance in Texas. But, what about, say, Georgia?

Well, in Georgia on the first day of early voting, which preceded that of Texas by a day or two, the lines were LONGER and it took longer for people to vote – but, they stood there and waited – in some instances – TEN HOURS! These are people I consider American heroes. If you remember Wisconsin back during the primary campaign, there were long lines of voters who stood in the rain for HOURS so they could vote – in the early stages of the pandemic. They voted down a judge who the republicans believed they could get elected by making it harder for democratic leaning voters to vote – and, it backfired. The voters overcame the republican legislature of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court – all who said the voters had to risk their lives to vote in a pandemic. And, what did they do? They risked their lives to vote and, sure enough, that republican judge LOST!

We’re going to see the same thing with individual 1 except he’s not going quietly. He very well may need to be dragged from the “White House.” I have to admit, I’m a bit anxious about the “transition period” – from the end of the election and inauguration day – this man is as VINDICTIVE as anyone I’ve every witnessed. I keep saying he’s a “mafia boss” and his actions are those of someone you’d expect who was in that “line of work.” I believe he’s going to discover Joe Biden will be a “law and order” president and the first example will be “dragging” him from 1600 Pennsylvania, Avenue. Following that will be all the investigations into the ILLEGAL activity which is/has been going on while he’s serving as our (IMPEACHED so-called) president. I believe individual 1, several of his offspring – including Jared Kushner, William Barr, possibly Devin Nunes and Jim Jordan, and who knows how many of them – will be facing legal liability for their transgressions. Yup – “law and order” – I totally agree! DRAINING THE SWAMP!

Getting back to the election individual 1 is planning to CHEAT in order to “win,” there’s early voting in several other states besides the two I mentioned above. As of tonight – with twenty days to go until “election day,” as I said above, there have been over 15 MILLION votes cast – ALREADY! That’s MORE than 10% of the total votes cast in the 2016 election and, based on what I’ve seen, individual 1’s total very well could be substantially less than he received back then – and, early indications are that Biden is on track to exceed the totals of Barack Obama! I’m thinking of a musical I saw when I was a kid and one of the songs went like this: “And, wouldn’t it be lovely!?” I’m expecting to receive my ballot by next Monday and I will have it on it’s way to the polling office by Tuesday – guaranteed! I’m guessing HALF of all votes COULD be cast prior to the actual election date of November 3rd.

You might wonder, “why are so many people voting early?” Well, even though republicans are doing everything they can to prevent people from voting, there’s your answer. The FACT republicans are openly trying to SUPPRESS the vote is what is MOTIVATING millions of Americans to plan ahead and VOTE early. Individual 1’s threats to shut off the voting count on November 3rd, even though MILLIONS of votes will arrive after that date because they come from places like Afghanistan – where our troops get to vote – as long as votes, in almost ALL jurisdictions, are postmarked by November 3rd they WILL be COUNTED. Of course, that’s what individual 1 is going to try to prevent – the counting of the ballots which arrive after the 3rd. But, he won’t be legally allowed to in almost every state – even with Amy Barrett on the Supreme Court.

Speaking of Judge Barrett. No one is lost on why republicans are violating their own “norms” they set back in the last year of Obama’s term when they refused to even vote on Merrick Garland – as they try to “cram” her nomination through, they see “red” in their opportunity to turn the court into a 6 – 3 “majority.” Not only does individual 1 think Ms. Barrett is going to save his presidency, but republicans are counting on her to be the key vote in overturning the Affordable Care Act – as mentioned above – along with overturning Roe v Wade (along with a bunch of other stuff). I, personally, believe the only part of that scenario which concerns individual 1 is the first part – that she can help him CHEAT to stay in office (and out of court).

Honestly, I want to give John Roberts the benefit of the doubt and, I believe, he’s in a very precarious position at this point in time. The nomination of Barrett at this point in time – instead of waiting for “we the people” to “speak” is taking whatever mask (pun intended) off the exterior of the Court which may have existed – largely thanks to a couple votes by Roberts which suggested an endless number of right wing 5 – 4 decisions were on the horizon leaving some of us optimists to hope we would have a “fair” court. The nomination of Barrett and the process which republicans are going through has taken any semblance of that “mask” away. The court will now be simply considered another highly partisan part of our political process – anyone suggesting otherwise is more naïve than me. (Most were already “there” – meaning seeing the partisanship of the judiciary – especially after the work of Moscow Mitch over the previous 4 years)

Individual 1 has put the very basic foundation of our republic in jeopardy – an attempt to turn our nation into a fascist corporatocracy/dictatorship “from within” (Mussolini style) – and, the good news is, it appears that MOST of us are willing to FIGHT to preserve our traditional nation where “we the people” choose our leaders and where we “frown” on people like Vladimir Putin sticking his/their noses into our “business.” When the “smoke clears” and individual 1 has been “run out of town” the partisan courts are going to be left “standing.” In our nation, when the people get to a point where they don’t trust the Judiciary we are in serious trouble, and that’s where William Barr is leading “we the people.” There are going to be some right wing challenges to the legitimacy of Biden’s administration via actions similar to what we saw recently in Michigan. My own governor has received similar threats to those received by governor Whitmer of Michigan and I have to wonder if Barr’s Justice Department will/would respond. We KNOW the groups who are fulminating the threats.

Everytime I start writing the thoughts just pile up and I struggle to keep up with them and keep myself coherent, but the bottom line here is for those at the “bottom of the hierarchy” this is a really dark time in America. And, for those of us a bit more fortunate, watching how those who are the sycophantic supporters of individual 1 are willing to accept as being “our country” is gut wrenching. When I talk about the “least of these” the first picture I get in my mind are the CAGES full of children who have been separated from their parents – in many instances NEVER to see them again and facing the likelihood of being sent back to their home country and dropped off at some airport and – good luck ‘ it breaks my heart every time I think of this.

And, the list goes on and on – and, now what I’ve been suggesting for two months is individual 1’s acceptance of the “herd mentality” (I pointed out when he said that he meant “immunity”) approach to the Covid-19 pandemic – which means his plan is to do NOTHING (works well for him) – is further evidence of his disdain for “the least of these.” By now, MOST Americans understand that is who take the “brunt” of the damage of this virus. The elderly, “Black and Brown” Americans who are disproportionately represented on the “front lines” of the fight against this pandemic, the poor (in many tangential ways affected by the virus), and people with disabilities of various natures are the ones who would be the bulk of the 2 – 6 MILLION Americans who would have to die to reach “herd immunity” – if that’s even possible.

This is why I’m so saddened every time I think about “Christians” being the “base” of this DEPLORABLE person and why I’m lost in understanding how they can find themselves in what appears to be almost a death cult. The next three weeks are going to be determinative of where this country is headed. Joe Biden is correct, this election is for the heart and soul of this nation! The FACT a significant majority of American oppose individual 1 has been no secret – that has been consistent since the WOMEN’S MARCH just a day after the inauguration of our IMPEACHED so-called president. Clearly, individual 1 is planning on different ways to CHEAT to achieve his “end.” That’s what he’s been doing for his entire life – so, it should surprise no one. It’s time for him to enter the history books after LOSING to “Sleepy Joe Biden.” “Wouldn’t that be lovely?”

Final Thought: When I made my “kitchen sink” prediction a couple months back I was not able to think creatively enough to keep up with the republicans. This is one you may have problems believing, but I can assure you it’s true. Republicans are placing FAKE ballot drop off boxes all around the state of California. What do you think their plan is with all the ballots which might get inadvertently put in there? When I heard this one, it was “are you kidding me?” But, sure enough, it’s true. Apparently, GOP operatives were caught and a judge has interceded but it shouldn’t take too many brain cells to realize what they’d do with all the ballots they’d collect. Of course, doing this is a FELONY, but, these days, our “law and order” republicans don’t feel they are encumbered by the laws. Stay tuned……………….

I started this “blog” as, basically, my own little space in the cyber world to vent my frustrations with America’s politics after Bush/Cheney LIED America into the Iraq FIASCO which continues to cause the world to be destabilized to this day – bringing back memories of Viet Nam to me – and it accelerated with the “election” (with the help of the Russians, James Comey, and the Electoral College) of individual 1 who continues to make ALL of my earlier predictions come true and is making his AUTHORITARIAN nature more public by the day. Honestly, I’m getting tired of doing this, but it’s likely I’ll continue at least until November 3rd, where I hope our IMPEACHED so-called president will be voted into the history books – as I’ve said many times, right next to Benedict Arnold. He’ll have lots of company; William Barr, Devin Nunez, Jim Jordan, Moscow Mitch, Leningrad Lindsey, and Sean Hannity off the top of my head.

When individual 1 contracted Covid-19 I wrote that my prayers for him were that he wouldn’t succumb to the virus but that he would get sick enough to stop pushing for his “herd mentality” (OK, that was a HUGE “gaffe” by our IMPEACHED so-called president for anyone looking for Biden’s “gaffe’s) and actually show some compassion for the MILLIONS of Americans who have been affected by this virus – maybe even get him to back off his attempt to destroy the ACA. So far, although I believe he’s got a good dose of Covid he’s trying to come across as some invincible knothead who’s “conquered the disease.” All I could think of when I heard what he was tweeting was “tell that to the families of the 215,000+ Americans who’ve died or the MILLIONS who now have a “pre-existing” condition to deal with for the rest of their lives. (While he’s in court trying to end their protection for “pre-existing” conditions)

What I had hoped wouldn’t happen is what appears to be in our IMPEACHED president’s “crosshairs” and that is him getting the virus and then suggesting to the American people – well, the 30-40% who believe what he says – that it’s just another case of the flu. Of course, if you’ve been paying attention, you know there’s still a very good possibility he’s far from through with this disease – so, I continue to hope he’ll need to go back into the hospital to be treated – not because I despise him (I do – I DON’T hate him) – but, because I’d like to see our nation FINALLY have an organized plan to mitigate this virus – so our economy could ACTUALLY re-open safely. I believe it will require some kind of court decision before we actually know how sick he’s been with this virus. The statistics suggest from 5-12% of Americans in individual 1’s category (74 years old and obese with high cholesterol) die from this disease. Quite possibly, he’s not “out of the woods” just yet. (I wrote that yesterday and he’s planning a rally today) Of course, he gets treatments the rest of us are not “privy to.”

Herman Cain, who died from Covid about three weeks after attending individual 1’s “kick-off” rally in Tulsa last June, thought he had “beat” the disease a couple times before it “reared it’s ugly head” and took him out. Of course, he likely didn’t have the medical treatment available to our IMPEACHED so-called president – which makes individual 1’s cavalier attitude even that much more disgusting. He’s encouraging his supporters to, seemingly, not worry about protecting themselves from the disease and just go about life as if it isn’t there. Those people aren’t going to be getting experimental “cocktails” of anti-bodies and things like Remdesivir or dexamethasone unless they are desperately ill – which, naturally, raises more questions than have been answered about individual 1’s illness.

For example, why was he administered Remdesivir in the White House within 24 hours of his diagnosis. Was the diagnosis actually well before it was reported? (That would suggest individual 1 KNEW he was positive when he went to the fundraiser in Bedminster and, possibly, at the first debate) It’s been reported many times Remdesivir is an experimental drug requiring special approval and is given in the hospital as an attempt to keep patients off respirators. And, dexamethasone has been used for patients who are on respirators which causes even more questions about individual 1’s being administered this drug – which can actually weaken your immune system. It’s as if the doctors are infusing individual 1 with everything on the shelf. I can only assume they wouldn’t be administering all these EXPERIMENTAL treatments – especially at the same time – unless there was serious cause for concern.

So, again, I do NOT wish for individual 1 to become one of the victims of this disease, but based on his “tweets” I’ve only heard about (I don’t participate in “Social media”) I’m hoping he’ll take a turn for the worse. That appears to be the ONLY way to get him to respect how serious this pandemic is and get him off the “herd mentality.” If, as he appears to be suggesting, we simply allow this virus to take it’s course with the idea of reaching “herd immunity” somewhere between two and six MILLION Americans would die. And, of course, all those “pro life” republicans seem to be going along with this thinking. Their concern is Wall Street and NOT Main Street. (And, Pro life?????)

Just to give you a quick glimpse at how stupid that thinking is – today, individual 1 announced there would be no more negotiating for a coronavirus relief package in Congress. Of course, Democrats have had the so-called “Heroes Act” on Moscow Mitch’s desk for OVER three months – a bill which would help the people out of work, it would help the state and local governments, and it would help a whole bunch of others affected by this disease. (Like, for example, the airline industry) Republicans would rather focus on one more judge – a judge which will mark the Supreme Court as a political body for, maybe, a generation. The Court, itself – by the way – should be enough to get MILLIONS of people to the polls to support democrats. If Amy Barrett is confirmed the court will be tilted toward republican appointed judges 6-3. With another four years it could get a lot worse. Individual 1 Is GOING to lose the votes of women by an historic margin – just a guess on my part.

By announcing the end of any attempt to come up with a stimulus bill, individual 1 caused Wall Street to drop about one percentage point (300 points) in a matter of minutes. I checked the “futures” and the last time I checked the DOW was predicted to start the day tomorrow down about 2%. That changes by the hour, but, as I’ve been suggesting, this market is like a house built on sand – it’s foundation is murky at best. Most people don’t understand the amount of money Jerome Powell has infused into Wall Street to keep it propped up while we have near depression era levels of unemployment in America. The original “Cares Act” protected “we the people” from going into a “real” depression by supporting unemployed workers. That support ended on August 1 and the number of people who are desperate for money is growing by the minute. Walking away from more support for those affected by this virus is, well, republican. I’m happy Nancy Pelosi didn’t allow them to BULLY her into a stupid agreement which further would have put money in the hands of those who don’t need it!

I can guarantee you individual 1 will do everything he can to provide MONEY for people in a way to, in his mind, get them to vote for him – ie BUYING votes. He’s also unleashing the Justice Department on the voting system as he continues to LIE about the “ballots” – suggesting voting by mail is completely fraudulent. I pointed this out months ago; individual 1 IS throwing “everything, INCLUDING, ‘the kitchen sink’,” at this election. When he loses he’s going to be claiming the “ballots” were fraudulent and, who knows to what extent he’ll try to remain in the “White House?” He’s got William Barr using the Justice Department as a “battering ram,” and, I’m sure, much to the chagrin of our IMPEACHED so-called president, he’s got an FBI director who is telling the TRUTH – of course, that is unacceptable in individual 1’s administration – and pointing out there is NO evidence of “voter fraud” – AT ALL! – means Chris Wray is going to be fired!

People are voting in record numbers and they’re MOSTLY NOT voting for individual 1 – they’re LINING up in LONG lines in the early voting states and, the MORE individual 1 shows his authoritarian streak, the worst things get for him. He’s not only making things worse for himself, he’s making it worse for those “down the ballot.” Personally, I’m OK with that because I’ve been lobbying for “we the people” to send today’s republican party into the history books. I’ve been an independent for over 50 years but “today’s republicans” consider the republicans I’ve voted for over the years as “RINO’s.” The republican party, in my view, has been headed for the “cliff” on the “right” for years and it looks as if individual 1 is what will take them over the edge. Hopefully, they’ll be facing the proverbial “blue wave.”

We saw this after Bush/Cheney and, therefore, democrats MUST be preparing themselves for what is next. Democrats have a habit (of late) where they take a deep breath after blocking the republican push for their “permanent republican ‘majority'” and, then, they forget to keep PUSHING to put their fundamental values into law. President Obama was a pragmatic left of center president who knew his limitations as the FIRST Black president – he needed the rest of us to stand much taller against the RACIST attacks he endured for his entire eight years in office. The force behind individual 1 isn’t simply going to go away – the FIGHT will have just begun when we get individual 1 out of office. Obviously, individual 1 is NOT going to go away quietly. And, when the legal system puts its crosshairs on him his supporters will consider him a martyr.

Neither individual 1 nor VP Pense were willing to agree to a “peaceful transfer of power” in the two debates as of the time of my writing this. Individual 1 actually gave the “proud boys” words for their logo as he encouraged them to “stand by.” I certainly wasn’t surprised when our IMPEACHED so-called president was unable to draw the words to condemn “White Supremacists” (Because, of course, they’re a significant part of his “base” and, well, he’s one of them) – he’s been pointing out they’re “very fine people” since the march on Charlottesville a couple years ago – which, once the “smoke cleared” David Duke was thanking individual 1 “for his kind words.” He can complement White Supremacists, he just is unable to criticize them – he needs the votes! (Today, as I was driving toward town a pickup truck passed me by with, in the window right behind the driver was a (individual 1)/Biden bumper sticker and in the other window was a sticker which said simply “Stand by.” It doesn’t take long for individual 1’s foment to spread.

As more information comes out about what has transpired during individual 1’s administration my thoughts are evolving. We’re watching a wannabee Vladimir Putin in action, every day. It’s disgusting – unless, I guess, you’re Vladimir Putin. I believe individual 1 dreams of being the next “Putin” as he’s, in his own right, attempting to funnel as much American taxpayer money into his own accounts as possible before he’s “run out of town.” However, he also sees all the potential legal hurdles he’s going to face once out of office and no longer protected by the OLC memo which has, on several occasions, prevented him from indictment since he took the “oath of office.” Maybe that is why he’s calling all the whacko right wing terrorist groups, like the Proud Boys, to “action” as “poll watchers” – apparently thinking that will cause enough people from refusing to vote to “flip” the election in his favor.

I’m guessing this is the main reason he’s been clamoring about “voting by mail” for months now. He knew Joe Biden was likely to beat him in the election last year when he tried to extort the Ukrainians to help him in this election – of course, leading to his IMPEACHMENT. And, the republicans who soiled themselves in the IMPEACHMENT “trial” are soon looking straight at their spot in the history books which will NOT look good to their ancestors. But, as usual, there’s always more; Not only is individual 1 refusing to SAY he opposes White Supremacists, he is encouraging the White Supremacist GANGS (terrorist organizations) in their attempt to undermine our government. Trust me, the days after the election – once it’s clear individual 1 is FINISHED – are going to be interesting. I’m not sure I’ve EVER witnessed ANYONE as VINDICTIVE as individual 1 and I believe the DAMAGE he’s done to this nation will be increased in ways I’m unable to imagine at this point. It’s the “you take me down, I’ll take you down with me” syndrome. Just imagine what he’ll do if he believes he’s headed for a jail cell.

America is teetering on the brink of an historic economic downturn and individual 1 seems oblivious to the possibilities and republicans simply don’t know how to actually govern in a way which would prevent a disaster prior to it actually happening – and, personally, I don’t believe they know how to deal with disasters when in the middle of one. This is why I’ve been pointing out since democrats passed the ‘HEROES” Act several months ago that republicans don’t see a “gift horse” even when it’s right in front of their faces. Suddenly, individual 1 is realizing the “HEROES Act” was designed to save this economy from the ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic. Apparently, because it was put together by democrats meant, to Moscow Mitch and individual 1, that it was “dead on arrival” in the Senate. In fact, republican senators don’t believe in helping anyone other than their wealthy donors – so, providing an extra “bonus” to people collecting unemployment insurance (that’s INSURANACE) is not in their DNA. Helping the people on the front lines FIGHTING against this virus – not something which appeals to republicans. And, I could go on and on. (The Post Office – no, State and local govt.’s – no, etc.)

Final Thought: Individual 1 is now throwing around accusations against President Obama and Vice President Biden along with Hillary Clinton (OK, AGAIN) urging William Barr to prosecute them before the election. Apparently that’s how he expects to “win” on November 3rd – by having Barr indict Biden! I keep asking myself: “Is our IMPEACHED so-called president really this stupid?” Can you imagine Barr indicting Biden before this election while he’s about 15 points ahead in most of the polls. I guess individua 1 really does believe he’s turned America into “Russia lite.” Like me, virtually everyone I listen to is urging Americans to VOTE as the way to end this nightmare. So, I’ll say it again, VOTE!!!

And, my God, these sycophants! I’m not sure who repulses me the most – our IMPEACHED so-called president, or the sycophants like – the one coming to mind right now is Mike Pompeo. Remember, this guy was first in his class at West Point – where there’s an HONOR code! OK, we’ve seen several West Point alums proving their “honor code” is worth about the cost of the paper it’s written on. The other day I heard individual 1 expressing his disappointment in Pompeo for not finding the “missing 33,000 emails.” That’s right, he’s still looking for them – apparently the FACT the Russians couldn’t find them has our IMPEACHED so-called president pressuring the Secretary of State to find them. Sure enough, today, I saw an interview with Pompeo – who was grinning as if his fuhrer would now be happy with him as he said, “we’ve found them, we’ll have them out before the election.” (Is individual 1 running against Ms. Clinton again?)

Let me just say, individual 1 is saying it’s OK to attempt to have your political opponents JAILED. Any one who has been paying attention knows our IMPEACHED so-called president is going to SELF-PARDON before he allows himself to be dragged from the “White House” while he encourages the Proud boys and the “Boogaloo’s” to foment as much violence as possible in protest to “we the people” voting their fuhrer out of office. And, if you believe I’m being hyperbolic in the use of the term “fuhrer” you HAVEN’T been paying attention. They are neo-Nazi’s and they’ve made the Nazi salute part of their routine. And, some of them refer to individual 1 as a “god.” Brace yourself for the transition period because individual 1 will be calling out his “boogaloo bois” who are focused on disrupting our government and starting a race war. The group which was responsible for the plan to kidnap and MURDER Michigan’s female governor is par of that “network” as are the “Proud Boys.” I’ve pointed out several times it was that “network” which was responsible for much of the violence and damage in the protests which followed the LYNCHING of George Floyd. It’s “ugly” right now, but it’s going to get uglier! Individual 1 is NOT a “good loser,” although, by all metrics, he’s a LOSER!

As I watch what is transpiring in Louisville, Kentucky – today, the only Black member of their legislature was arrested and charged with “felony rioting” for being in a group of protesters WALKING to a church right before the curfew “kicked in,” why would it be surprising? Moscow Mitch is the senior Senator for the “commonwealth” (State) of Kentucky and, likely, will be re-elected again on November 3rd. There’s a very competent opponent for McConnell, but she’s a democrat and it appears the people of this “commonwealth” approve of the “deplorable” behavior of their senior Senator. Sad!

And, when you think of individual 1’s unwillingness (AGAIN) to “condemn” White Supremacist groups you have to keep in mind McConnell is one of the leading enablers of our IMPEACHED so-called president – in fact, it was McConnell who made it clear in the IMPEACHMENT trial there would be no, well, trial. And, sadly, I feel the people in McConnell’s “commonwealth” won’t lift a finger to pull him from Congress where he led the RACIST attacks on Barack Obama. It was McConnell who famously (infamously – ultimately) claimed his “number one goal” was that the president would FAIL. Of course, if the president fails the country fails – which we’re seeing in glaring lights with individual 1 as we watch a president who is FAILING and can’t seem to help himself. It’s a terrible time for our country and my hope is “we the people” will hold as many republicans as we can accountable along with this DEPLORABLE IMPEACHED so-called president.

I said from the start – individual 1 would last as long as the republicans would allow his racist, duplicitous, un-American behavior to continue and, sadly, almost NONE of them have been able to draw the courage to fight against this ugly part of our history. When individual 1 suggests he’s unaware of the “Proud Boys” that is such a BLATANT lie – they’ve already plastered his words “stand back, stand by” on their logo and they’re selling “proud boy” shirts with individual 1’s words on them. They’re celebrating individual 1’s words just as David Duke celebrated his “very find people on both sides” comment after Charlottesville – the same David Duke individual 1, just as he did with the Proud Boys, said, “I don’t know who that is.” He can LIE with impunity and, sadly, his base either doesn’t care or they believe him. Of course, that one of his top Latino supporters in Florida is one of the leaders of the Proud Boys means, well, you know!

This post was one of three I had going a couple days ago due to my seeming inability to keep up with all the scandalous behavior of our IMPEACHED so-called president and, last night, the inevitable happened and was reported. Individual 1, his wife, and who knows how many others in his “orbit” have tested positive for Covid-19 – the disease individual 1, earlier in the day, sent a recorded message to the “Al Smith” dinner claiming the end of this virus is near – again, almost ignoring the words of the top scientists in this country. It’s the next day from his positive test and, surprise, surprise what we’re hearing from the White House is, putting it in the best light I can, information to be skeptical of. Individual 1 is going to Walter Reed Medical Center and the viewpoints of America’s citizens will likely vary greatly.

The list of those close to individual 1 who have been infected with the virus continues to grow. Two republican Senators who were at the ceremony for the introduction of Amy Barrett, Kelleyanne Conway, the president of Notre Dame University, several staff members, at least three members of the press corps, numerous Secret Service personnel along with who knows how many of the hundreds of support persons who work in the “White House,” and, still, people inside the “people’s” House were refusing to wear masks. At the debate – which likely followed the “super spreader” event on Saturday in the Rose Garden (the intro of Ms. Barrett) ALL the members of individual 1’s family and entourage REFUSED to wear masks – even after a doctor from the Cleveland Clinic – which hosted the debate – personally asked them to do so. Masks were REQUIRED and they were the ONLY people NOT wearing one. ARROGANCE?

So, who was the most responsible for what could be HUNDREDS of people becoming infected with Covid-19? Well, much to many people’s surprise, including me – if you were watching “The Last Word” on MSNBC when Lawrence O’Donnell interviewed one of the top experts on these infectious diseases, Laurie Garrett, she pointed out that despite the fact Amy Barrett had already experienced Covid-19 she very well could still have been “shedding” the virus while at the White House gathering. There’s likely no way to know for sure – because individual 1 has been “thumbing his nose” at the reality of this virus so it’s likely he was the cause of all these people becoming infected. But???? Keep in mind, Vice President Pense was situated right in the middle of the people who ended up infected at that ceremony. Stay tuned……. If he was infected it could be a couple weeks until we know. Should the VP “debate” go forward??? One thing you can count on – Pense will IGNORE the CDC guidelines suggesting he should be quarantined for at least 14 days. (That would cause the VP “debate” to be canceled)

Certainly, those who end up with the virus in New Jersey who attended the fundraiser at individual 1’s Bedminster Golf Course – supposedly between 100 and 200 supporters of our IMPEACHED so-called president – where individual 1 chose to attend AFTER KNOWING one of his close associates (Hope Hicks) had tested positive. These are people who were donating large amounts of money for the person who was threatening their health – KNOWINGLY! I have to wonder how they feel today? (Aside from maybe feeling a bit sick) Individual 1 is demonstrating how infectious this virus really is.

The coronavirus has CLEARLY demonstrated to “we the people” how incompetent our IMPEACHED so-called president is, how incompetent the people he’s surrounded himself with are, and how dangerous this time is for the United States of America. Who knows what the Russians, Chinese, and other adversaries around the world are doing right now to take advantage of the reality the American “ship of state” is “rudderless.” Things can’t get better until individual 1 is sitting in the history books next to Benedict Arnold. Our IMPEACHED so-called president, last week, was identified as the top purveyor of misinformation (LIES) about the virus in the WORLD! Something like 38% of the LIES – after experts inspected 38 MILLION examples around the world of people commenting on Covid-19 – can be traced back to individual 1.

We are all going to get a break from his vendetta of LIES for at least a week or two while the virus is either spreading in his body or his body is winning the battle against Covid-19. Based on the FACT the doctors are giving him experimental treatments and he’s already been administered Remdesiver would suggest there’s a concern he could get very sick from this virus. Personally, I certainly hope it doesn’t kill him, I’d just like to see him get very sick and not be able to campaign again until election day. I heard two experts, yesterday, explain people in his category – 74 years old and obese – 5% to 12% end up dying. Not “odds” I’d be that happy with. What that means is he’s likely to recover – but, you hear of people still struggling after two to three months of battling the disease – Covid-19. I’d be OK if he fell into that category. I’d love for him to be able to face all the allegations mounting as he gets toward January 20, 2021.

By the way, BOTH of the republican Senators who came down with the virus at the ceremony for Amy Barrett are members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. That means it would take only one more republican to vote against this egregiously hypocritical process to put an end to it, at least until after the election. As of right now – while I’m writing this – the “make-up” of the Judiciary Committee is 10 – 10. I’m not sure if a tie gets the nomination to the floor. Who knows how many more Senators are going to come down with this virus in the coming days. There are a number of republicans who REFUSE to wear a mask and, personally, I hope a bunch of them end up like their leader trying to overcome what they are ignoring.

Do you find this interesting? Individual 1 is presently in what is considered one of the BEST hospitals in the world and it is a GOVERNMENT run hospital – the NAVAL hospital at Bethesda called the Walter Reed Medical Center. He’s getting this care for FREE while he’s trying to take health care coverage from untold MILLIONS of Americans in an act which would impact many more than those who are benefiting from the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Not only would the repeal of the ACA have a negative impact on Medicare, individual 1 is threatening both Medicare and Social Security with his reckless claim he’s going to repeal the payroll tax. Should he succeed the TRILLIONS in the Social Security “trust fund” would be gone in a matter of a few short years – robbing America’s Seniors of their “firewall” from poverty. Individual 1, along with his sycophants like McConnell, Graham, Jordan, etc., is/are the epitome of hypocrisy! OK, I know, “surprise, surprise.”

Joe Biden claims he’s going to be the “president of all Americans, not just “blue” Americans” and, personally, I hope he can bring a sense of some kind of common spirit back to this country – of course, that would require the rejection of groups like the Proud Boys and other “gangs” or “militias” – groups of extreme right wing “wing nuts” who have become heavily armed and are pushing toward a race war in this nation. Many of these groups are connected with the moniker “boogaloo” in some kind of fashion and many of them should be held accountable for their actions. I, personally, believe much of the violence and damage caused during the protests which followed the LYNCHING of George Floyd, was caused by the right wing groups as they infiltrated the protests and then spurred on the looting and damage to small businesses. As I’ve previously predicted, I believe the BLATANT racist, misogynists’ attacks on Kamala Harris will begin PRIOR to her taking the oath of office should her and Biden prevail on November 3rd.

Of course, individual 1 is encouraging this racism and violence – I listened with a sense of horror as he attempted to rationalize away the MURDERS committed by Kyle Rittenhouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He said to someone at a press briefing, “You saw the same video I did” – suggesting Rittenhouse was acting in self defense as he shot a couple people after tripping and falling to the ground while people chased him because he had just MURDERED someone. They were chasing him because the police – there were several military styled vehicles sitting and watching – simply did NOT respond to Rittenhouse KILLING two people right in front of their faces! (By the way, to me, that’s NOT “law and order”) They actually threw him bottled water and thanked him – right before he went on his KILLING spree. The police watched him KILL two people and then ALLOWED him to walk right out of town! I’ve said this before, what if he’d been Black? You KNOW the answer!

Final Thought: As I drive around doing errands or spend a little time at home just reflecting on what is happening to America I keep coming back to wondering how so many Americans can be fooled into voting for someone who willingly stands in front of their faces and spews one LIE after another and they simply “suck it up.” Of course, he relentlessly LIES to ALL of us – “we the people” – the “pile” of LIES now surpassing 25,000 – yes, that’s correct TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND LIES since the day he took an oath to protect and defend the United States of America from all threats both foreign and domestic. OK, I get it – he’s the DOMESTIC threat to this nation and, at this point in time, it appears that’s the more dangerous THREAT – although, the case can certainly be “broached” he may be in cahoots with a foreign THREAT – ie Vladimir Putin.

Here’s what people are voting for beyond the LYING – which, in my view, SHOULD be disqualifying in itself. (EVERY one of his supporters I know have justified the LYING with “we all lie, or everyone lies. Yikes!) Of course, we all exaggerate, spin to our own beliefs, etc. but out and out purposeful LYING – 25,000+ TIMES – Yikes again! His LYING about the coronavirus has created consequences which are almost unthinkable – instead of leading the world’s FIGHT against this pandemic, he’s been AW0L and accepting of the loss of, at this point in time, OVER 210,000 Americans DEAD and what will soon be TENS OF MILLIONS with a “pre-existing condition” (including himself) – for the ones lucky enough to survive the disease. Why would I bring that up? Because, just as I mentioned above, he’s going after American’s access to health care – any kind of government supported health care – including MEDICARE! Why, you might ask? Who knows, he LIES about EVERYTHING including health care!

Well, he’s also a KNOWN tax cheat! The NY Times FINALLY got ahold of 20 years of his tax returns including his first two years in office and they reported there was a TEN YEAR period where he paid NO taxes and, in his first two years of the presidency he paid $750 each year. That’s correct $750! I’m a retired school teacher (the last 23 years of my working life) and my wife is a part time school teacher and we paid over $10,000 in income taxes. (Of course, we paid about another $10,000 in other taxes like property taxes, sales taxes, etc.) I don’t complain about paying taxes and I’m thankful I’m able to do so – I feel it’s my civic duty. Just as I felt it was my duty to volunteer for the Marines back in 1967 when I had been brainwashed into believing fighting in Viet Nam would protect our nation from “communism.” (Full disclosure, I was ultimately medically discharged about six months after taking my oath because of a knee injury, so I didn’t end up in Viet Nam)

Of course, individual 1 considers people like me stupid and, thanks to his rich daddy, he was able to find a doctor to LIE about his mysterious “bone spurs” – the ones which didn’t bother him during his time participating in athletics – so he could receive one of his FIVE deferments from his, what was at the time, mandatory military service. When there became a “lottery” for the draft, apparently, he got “lucky” and got a high number which was never called. The bottom line: he NEVER served and, as our IMPEACHED so-called president, has referred to those who have as suckers and losers. That’s especially grating to someone like me who survived that period when many of my high school classmates didn’t as he refers to those in the graves in France and other military cemeteries as losers. Most of us would say “heroes.”

Do you need more? I’m an evangelical Christian (liberal, apparently) who is constantly grappling with the FACT a large segment of individual 1’s base is the “Christian” community. I just recently read the book “White too Long” by Robert P Jones, which researches the history of the White Supremacist movement’s connection to the Christian church and it’s undeniable. I’ve known this for years, I just haven’t wanted to associate it with me and I’ve always looked at the issue via my “whiteness.” This is the issue which causes me the MOST struggle with the “church” as I attempt to feel connected to the people in my church who look offended when I bring up the issue of racism and their connection to individual 1. They believe they’re NOT racists – but, that requires a public rejection of them giving their support to a known RACIST and I just don’t accept any of them who say “I’m not a racist” when they associate themselves with individual 1. You just can’t have it both ways! He can’t even bring himself to say the words “White Nationalist” or “White Supremacist” as he’s encouraging groups like the Proud Boys to “Stand by” – a “dog whistle” which is now part of their logo.

There are RACIST cells of different militia type groups spread all across our nation which emerged after the election of our first “president of color,” and with individual 1 and William Barr at the “helm” NOTHING is being done about it. Just as our “leaders” refuse to fight back against the Russian attack on our nation – which, don’t kid yourself, it’s going in “high gear” as I’m writing this – the evidence is mounting the COLLUSION which CLEARLY happened in 2016 is ongoing, Individual 1, Barr, and others are encouraging the right wing militia movement as opposed to putting an end to it. Our IMPEACHED so-called president believes he’s above the law, he believes he’s going to be able to stay in power – in fact, there are numerous reports he sees himself as staying in power for 3 – 4 terms – just like his idol Putin – and, there are MILLIONS of American’s who remain willingly IGNORANT to this sad reality OR they are Ok with it. Either option, to me, is disgraceful.

I could go on and on. For example, to me, the abject destruction of our traditional institutions is not OK and the idea “judges” are more important than the foundation of the “experiment” which has lasted for around 240 years prior to this DEPLORABLE so-called president makes me want to gag. Clearly, there’s a significant portion of America who understand their views are in the minority and they are willing to resort to tearing the nation apart to get their “will.” They believe the rest of us don’t care enough to fight back and I truly hope they’re wrong. This upcoming election is a “watershed” moment in American history. There’s no doubt a strong majority of Americans want individual 1 out of office and he’s willing to do ANYTHING to stay in office. I hope they’re determined to vote – more determined than he is to prevent them from voting!

One of the most offensive moments in individual 1’s time in office, to me, was when the protesters in Lafayette Square were tear gassed and faced rubber bullets from police on horseback to clear the square so individual 1 could march across the street and stand in front of “The President’s Church” (where, apparently, he’s not too welcome) holding someone else’s Bible UPSIDE DOWN for a photo op which he could use in his fake campaign ads aimed at his “Christian” base. I remember at the time thinking, “I’ll bet he can’t even paraphrase one verse from that Bible.” I tried to find evidence of him attending ANY church service and could find none – although, in his niece’s book I believe she said occasionally he would attend with his family on Christmas and Easter when he was a child – occasionally. He’s a total fraud and his base sucks it up! Sad!

Here’s a thought for those of you who struggle with the idea there is a spiritual realm aside from the physical realm. You can’t believe in anything you can’t see or touch. I get it. But, the thought crossed my mind today as I was driving around: “Individual 1 is in the hospital fighting the very disease he’s been mocking others for worrying about.” I have to wonder if God is involved? (As a Christian I believe “God is in Control”) He may be fighting for his life. I have to admit, my prayers for him are, well, they’re prayers but mainly that he survives. I can’t say for sure if it’s prayer or hope – but, I’d like to see him, as I’ve stated elsewhere, to get a really good dose of this Covid thing – so, he’ll quit acting like it’s the “flu” and he’ll start doing what is necessary to save as many lives as possible. Even if he loses in November, his actions could save, from what I’ve read, HUNDREDS of thousands of lives if he’d put forth a national action plan which follows the advice of the scientists! I’ll keep praying!

Sorry, can’t help myself – I’ve got to add: I did some checking today of groups of individual 1’s supporters in an attempt to gauge their thoughts with their fuhrer in the hospital fighting the disease he’s told them will “just go away.” The disease he referred to with the term “herd mentality” – which, I’m pretty sure he’s not so much a fan of right now if he meant “herd immunity.” The range of comments weren’t that surprising because I’ve come to the conclusion his supporters live in a “fact free” world. Many of them, for example, don’t believe he’s in the hospital because they’re convinced the virus is a “hoax.” Most think he’ll be out and about in a week or so as if he’s got a common cold. (Do they administer Remdesiver or Dexamethasone for the common cold?) I think a better characterization of what I read would be “ignorant” instead of “stupid,” but, sadly, his supporters don’t come across as very thoughtful. And, his sycophants in Congress and the “White House” seem content to continue “feeding” their flock misinfor……………… OK, let’s call it what it is ….. LIES – just as he does. It seems to be a requirement of the MAGA movement!

As anyone who has been following the “proceedings” since the coronavirus struck America and our IMPEACHED so-called president chose to LIE about the severity of the incoming pandemic as a STUPID and FUTILE way to save his treasured “stock market” which he viewed as his pathway to “four more years” knows, the crisis caused by the disease emanating from the coronavirus, referred to as Covid-19, is now responsible for the DEATHS of OVER 200,000 Americans (almost 210,000 as I’m writing this and predicted to double by the end of the year based on the lack of a “plan” coming from the federal government). The “battle” to fight this disease, sadly and thanks to individual 1, has become political. And, to me, maybe the worst part of all this is the sycophancy of the republicans in Congress.

Republicans deciding to “sink” with individual 1 is my major miscalculation as I’ve been following closely the administration of our IMPEACHED so-called president and his response to this once in a century (hopefully) pandemic, Covid-19. One of the really STUPID, in my view, ways individual 1 has politicized the pandemic is his refusal to wear a mask or to encourage others to wear masks – when virtually ALL the REPUTABLE scientists are pointing out if everyone was wearing masks in public TENS of thousands, maybe HUNDREDS of thousands of lives would be saved and getting back to something resembling “normal” would be accelerated – by a LOT! There have been some examples of what the scientists are talking about which are the result of the inability of our IMPEACHED so-called president to formulate ANY plan to combat the virus – even something as easy as encouraging people to wear masks in public.

The first example was the “rally” individual 1 held in Tulsa, Oklahoma a few months ago (June 20th – I remember the date because the rally was conspicuously planned for “Juneteenth” until individual 1’s advisers convinced him that bit of racism was too overt – even for him). Herman Cain was sitting right in the middle of a small group of “Blacks for individual 1” (They, of course, used his surname, which I’m unable to make my fingers type) at the rally with no mask on, surrounded by people with no masks on, and three weeks later he was DEAD – from, you guessed it, Covid-19. Did he get the virus there? Or, did he have it and take it there with him – transmitting it to who knows how many others? We’ll likely never know – what we do know is he looked healthy in the photos of him at the rally and three weeks later he was DEAD from the virus. I’ll let you figure that one out.

Of course, as there always is with individual 1, there’s more. At the time of the rally the reported cases of Covid-19 in Oklahoma were, from what I remember, hovering around 200 (or less) each day. Today, Oklahoma reported 1083 NEW cases and, from what I’ve been able to tell since the rally, that’s about normal. Oklahoma has approximately half the population of the state I live in, Washington state, and, of course, we were the original “hot spot” for the virus. Someone returned from China to the Seattle area and soon Seattle was the most infected place in America – until being “passed up” by New York and the states surrounding New York. Our governor, Jay Inslee, who’s been denigrated by individual 1 (is that a badge of honor for a democrat?), has fought the virus aggressively according to the scientists and, soon, Oklahoma (with, as I said, half our population) will pass Washington in the total number of cases reported.

I point this out because there are several states (including Oklahoma) with republican governors who just can’t seem to bring themselves to believe the scientists – even with something as simple as ordering people to wear face coverings in public. In our state it’s required and today, as I’m writing this, Washington state has reported 148 cases today – with double the population of Oklahoma. But, let’s take a quick look at South Dakota and her surrounding states. South Dakota has a population which is just above one tenth of Washington state’s population and, today, reported 463 newly reported cases of Covid-19, North Dakota reported 470 (ND has 1/10 Washington’s population), Montana 330, and Nebraska almost 500 yesterday and hadn’t reported by the time I’m writing today. These statistics are standard since the “biker” rally in South Dakota which drew in a quarter of a MILLION bikers who weren’t wearing masks at the encouragement of South Dakota’s (strange) governor. Those bikers spread all over America once this rally was over and we don’t know the extent of how they’ve spread the virus – but, this is the epitome of a “super spreader” event.

Prior to the biker rally these states had extremely low numbers of new cases each day and it will be interesting as we go forward because South Dakota’s governor is adamant in refusing to follow science. Each day the number of infections seems to go up. And, this is happening in many other states where the governors are republicans. In Missouri, not only is the governor and his wife infected – a governor who’s balked at taking action against this virus – but Missouri is not one of the “hot spots” in America. Today, over 2500 Missouri residents were reported with Covid-19. The list of these states which seem to be simply letting the virus run its course is growing – and, unfortunately, because people in the country travel from place to place, this affects all of us.

I started this post several days ago and got somewhat sidetracked trying to keep up with the “scandal a day” IMPEACHED so-called president who, just a couple days ago, was mocking Joe Biden, at the (what was supposed to be a) debate where individual 1 was spewing his bile all over the stage – toward both Joe Biden and the moderator Chris Wallace – while potentially being infected by the coronavirus. It was ANNOUNCED tonight that both individual 1 and his wife Melania are now INFECTED with the virus he had, earlier in the evening in a recorded message for the so-called “Al Smith” dinner, suggested the virus was nearing an end. I MUST add, he had better hope that statement is not true – because the rest of us will be dealing with this virus for the next couple of years – at least.

He was doing appearances today after KNOWING his close aid Hope Hicks was infected with the virus at least one day prior to visiting a couple small rallies. When you think about the confined spaces on aircraft and helicopters which is how the presidential “inner circle” travels, you have to wonder how many others have been exposed. I certainly don’t wish for individual 1 to be one of the people who get infected with this virus and end up intubated, but I think we’ll all be better off if he has to go through some serious flu like symptoms. Just so he doesn’t come out on the other side of this and claim “this was nothing.” He’s 74 years old, he’s obese, and it appears he’s got other issues which make him vulnerable to the serious side of this virus. Maybe a small dose of that “vulnerable” possibility will benefit us all.

Individual 1 has continued to hold rallies in violation of state regulations in one state after another as if he was immune from this disease – in my mind, showing a lack of concern for his own supporters – we don’t know how many of them have DIED because they attended one of his rallies – other than Herman Cain as I mentioned above – where he DIED within three weeks of attending one of individual 1’s rallies. (Oklahoma continues to have totals in excess of 1000 new cases PER DAY since our IMPEACHED so-called president’s rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Right now, I’m wondering if he’s, right now, thinking of Mr. Cain. Three weeks????

It will be interesting to find out how many of the president’s sycophants have been infected with this virus – we’re about to see how “contact tracing” actually works. Just as us “normal people” are unable to get tested unless we are experiencing symptoms there doesn’t appear to be enough money budgeted for contact tracers in most places around the nation. People close to our IMPEACHED so-called president will be on the edge of their seats if they’ve been close to individual 1, his wife, Hope Hicks, and others who have been close to those infected. I have to wonder how close he got to the people at his rallies and MORE important – how close did he get to Joe Biden. What if he infected Biden? Yikes!!!

Maybe we’ll all be spared from another one of individual 1’s debate fiascos!

One more thing I have to add: I really get tired of listening to reporters giving individual 1’s talking points for him which are, to me, absurd. Tonight I was listening to Jonathon Lamier of the AP – who I, basically, like – repeating individual 1’s claim “I grew the economy once and I can do it again” as if the claim was true. I really wish, for example, every time individual 1 makes claims about how he “grew” the economy the reporters would put up a graph SHOWING the GROWTH of the economy from the time President Obama took office and any way it changed once he took office. I believe, if they would do that, you’d see a graph which, basically, continued in the same trajectory once he was in office. To me, that means he was able to keep from destroying what he “inherited” until he tried to ignore the virus he’s now dealing with! In other words, don’t give credit where it is unwarranted!

Final Thought: (Now I have to add I wrote this “final thought” yesterday) I always have to wonder about why do Americans continue to support individual 1 as his true motives become more public. Just yesterday he said the only way he would support a “peaceful transition of power” after the elections was, well, basically if he “wins.” He said, and I’m not kidding, “Get rid of the ballots and then I’ll support a peaceful trans – there won’t be a transition it will be a continuation.” Get rid of the ballots? Is he really suggesting we actually become like Russia? We know he admires Vladimir Putin – are there really MILLIONS of Americans who want to “go there?” Sadly, I believe there are :o(

I know some of them and they’ll say “judges” when I question how can you support this. They will tell you they’re “pro life” as they support a person who’s willing to lose MILLIONS of our citizens to the coronavirus because, well, most of them had something else wrong anyway – as if that means it doesn’t count. In fact, I believe that’s exactly how some of the republican governors are CHEATING with the death counts of Covid-19, as bad as they are. They order their health departments, for example, to place the “cause of death” as “pneumonia” despite the reality the pneumonia resulted from Covid-19. Still, the death count is 200,00 after 8 months and projected to double in the next four months.

I’m 73 and had my annual physical today and my doctor reminded me I’m in the “vulnerable category” to this disease because I have a compromised immune system. I only point that out because individual 1 isn’t the only republican I’ve heard suggest people like me SHOULD be willing to sacrifice ourselves for the stock market – as if the market being “up” at the time of the election is more important than all the lives lost to get it there. Thankfully, from my perspective anyway, I have a good chance to witness the results of what I consider the MOST important election of my lifetime and I don’t believe for a moment Biden has it in the “bag,” despite the polls suggesting that. Everyone remembers 2016 when this nightmare began but there’s still MANY Americans who don’t understand the CHEATING which played into that outcome.

And the CHEATING continues and very likely much worse – because individual 1 now has the “power” of the federal government behind his CHEATING – thanks to the republicans in Congress who have been totally OK with enabling it. It appears to me they are almost in awe of someone willing to BRAZENLY LIE as our IMPEACHED so-called president is so willing to do – right to the faces of HIS own supporters – and, they suck it up. I think back to how he treated people like Ted Cruz, Marko Rubio, Mitch McConnell and others and his disparagement simply caused them to “fall in line” – and, form the foundation of the firewall which is protecting his fascist attack on our democracy. (Actually, it’s a democratic republic – with the “checks and balances” individual 1 would like to get rid of)

This is all why we can’t even find four republicans who have the gravitas to BLOCK what will be considered ANOTHER illegitimate Supreme Court Justice. And, of course, potential judge Barrett could care less about the circumstances under which she has been nominated. Both her AND the republican enablers of individual 1 are headed for the ugly place reserved in our history books for individual 1.

I have felt for a long time that Robert Mueller was NO “hero” in his handling of the Special Counsel’s office during the so-called “Russia thing” (in the words of individual 1). I just ordered the book coming out by Andrew Weisman, who was one of the lead prosecutors during Mueller’s probe, and I believe it is going to FINALLY become public why individual 1 was NOT subpoenaed to testify face to face regarding his connections to the Russians. We’re going to learn why the Mueller investigation allowed themselves to be intimidated from “following the money” – which any investigator I’ve ever listened to has said that’s the key to any “white collar” investigation.

I believe as time goes by “we the people” are going to learn our IMPEACHED so-called president is much “DIRTIER” than even those people like me have suggested – I’m not what you’d call a “never (individual 1er)” – sorry, I just can’t force myself to write the name – because, as an independent, I long ago started voting AGAINST (almost every) republican(s). Ronald Reagan, to me, was a racist who. because he came across as “grandfatherly” became popular for a period of time AND, during that time, democrats came across as a bunch of – well, cowards. People unwilling to fight for their own basic beliefs. It was during this time, in my view, when democrats LOST their connection to blue collar workers. Of course, as we’re learning with individual 1, there’s a significant “swath” of America willing to accept this “white supremist” shtick. I still remember Reagan starting his campaign in 1980 in Philadelphia, Mississippi!

Of course, Bush/Cheney ignored the warnings about 9/11, for some reason, and then LIED “we the people” into the invasion of Iraq which is still a MAJOR negative issue – not only with America, but, essentially, the entire world. America’s “thirst” for oil has led to an ongoing level of corruption which, hopefully some day, will become part of our understood history. I’ve witnessed republicans working to “white wash” even more of our history as they look back on Bush/Cheney and don’t like what they see. I can guarantee you, ultimately when they look back on individual 1’s time in office, their attempts to hide reality will go even further. He’s on the verge of turning America into a faux Russia. Vladimir Putin is his idol and he’s doing everything he can to duplicate what Putin has done in Russia to “we the people.”

I listened to the second half of the so-called “debate” number one where our IMPEACHED so-called president further soiled this nation in the eyes of our “allies” around the world. Individual 1 put a new “look” on how a desperate politician responds to a situation which is getting more impossible every day. I’ve been saying for months now we can expect “the kitchen sink” coming at us from this IMPEACHED so-called president and, during the final moments of this debate, we saw/heard maybe the WORST words coming from the mouth of an American president in our HISTORY. He called his “white nationalist/supremacist” to “arms” at the end of this “debate.”

The RUDE attempts at intimidation during what I heard in the “debate” was shameful and embarrassing. Our IMPEACHED so-called president barely allowed Joe Biden to get a word in “sideways.” And, Chris Wallace, sadly lost control because of individual 1’s “antics” and he couldn’t “reel” it in. Clearly, individual 1 is (and will be) doing EVERYTHING he can to prevent an actual debate because he has no answers to an actual focused discussion of the issues which matter to “we the people.” And, had Wallace been able to control the situation, individual 1 laid the groundwork for Biden to provide the reason why Americans should not only vote this disgusting pseudo mob boss out of the “White House” but, in addition, why the republicans in the Senate need to “go.”

At one point individual 1 brought up the issue of all the judges. He “mocked” that there were 128 open judicial seats when he took office. Had Biden been able to get a word in “edgewise” he could have brought up the OBSTRUCTION of Moscow Mitch – the number of filibusters enacted by McConnell went well beyond anything EVER seen in America prior to President Obama’s becoming president and these “white nationalists” at the heart of the republican party claiming their number one goal was that Obama would “fail.” The success of our nation hasn’t been their purpose for as long as I can remember.

Republicans have been pilfering taxpayer dollars since the days of Reagan and his “trickle down (up)” economic disaster – which has turned America into a nation of “haves” and “have nots” and turned our national debt into something all Americans SHOULD be concerned about. Individual 1’s “tax scam” added a couple more TRILLIONS to the the national debt and when the “smoke” clears on individual 1’s DISASTROUS response to the Covid-19 crisis he will be handing off a debt issue which makes the DISASTER Bush/Cheney turned over to Obama/Biden look like a lemonade stand. And, as I’ve been predicting for some time now, I GUARANTEE you the republicans will be BLAMING Biden/Harris for the debt before they take the oath of office.

And, Biden/Harris ARE going to win decisively when the “smoke” clears from this election – but, now even the “main stream” pundits and commentators on the cable “news” outlets – like on MSNBC and CNN – are realizing how a mafia boss responds to LOSING an election. Individual 1 is NOT capable of accepting that Joe Biden is going to give him a THRASHING! MOST of the American people can’t stomach our IMPEACHED so-called president and if he thinks his actions in this “debate” drew ANY “undecided” voters into his “camp” he’s more delusional than certainly I thought. And, while Biden was TRYING to speak directly to the American people about issues like HEALTH CARE Individual 1 was trying to prevent it. He doesn’t want “we the people” to know, for example, he’s not only trying to repeal the Affordable Care Act but, additionally, he’s going after Social Security and Medicare. (I don’t believe Biden, or other democrats, are pointing out the attack on the two most popular American “institutions” – Social Security and Medicare as they should.)

Individual 1’s FAILURE in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic SHOULD be enough to cause him to be facing his legal issues without the OLC “memo” protecting him from indictment as it did during Mueller’s investigation. The reality he’s trying to destroy the Affordable Care Act will cement his position next to Benedict Arnold in the History books – especially if he succeeds. I do have to say, should the Affordable Care Act be repealed it will create a national disaster which will require swift action by democrats in Congress – again, this is why people should vote AGAINST EVERY republican on the ballot. Send a message to these COWARDS who continue to hide in the shadows despite their leader calling “white nationalists” to the polls to intimidate voters in front of MILLIONS of people in the first debate. They need to go so “we the people” can attempt to create a situation where EVERY American has health insurance – no matter their financial situation.

Getting back to Mueller and my understanding he “chickened out” during the Russia Investigation I’m really looking forward to reading Weisman’s book – which should clarify whether my instincts are correct. Based on the couple of interviews I’ve seen with Weisman since I learned about the book it came across to me Weisman was suggesting the Mueller “team” failed miserably to follow the evidence which was leading toward Russia because of individual 1’s threat to fire them. As I listened to Weisman talk about how Mueller took the “easy way out” as the investigation proceeded – I believe “we the people” will require a “second chance” to figure out the truth about why individual 1 acts subserviently to Putin. We MUST find the answer to that!

Keep in mind, many EXPERTS who know what they’re talking about keep reminding us the Russians are STILL involved in our “affairs” and we have NO idea how much “interference” they could cause in this upcoming election because individual 1 and his traitorous sycophants are suppressing as much information as they can. For example, it’s been reported the Russians have successfully “inserted” malware into two counties elections bureau’s with the ability to wipe out as many as 10 per cent of those who are registered to vote – another REASON why it’s important to VOTE EARLY just in case you’re one of the many who MAY be purged from the voter rolls by this Russian malware. And, who knows how many election bureau’s they’ve managed to penetrate. One thing we know – there won’t be any federal response as long as individual 1 is in the “White House.” (And, picture in your mind how often the Russians celebrate they were able to get individual 1 into the “White House” to begin with) One of the many things our IMPEACHED so-called president has in common with Putin is being a White Supremacist – which individual 1 just can’t bring himself to hide.

As individual 1 makes his connection to the Proud Boys public (his words are now on their logo) and refuses to condemn “White Supremacists,” I continue to lose patience with people I know who continue to support him – usually because of a one word answer when I ask them, why? – judges. He’s now claiming he doesn’t know who the Proud Boys are – which is simply ANOTHER lie to add to the pile of LIES which is over 25,000 as I’m writing this. Of course he knows who the Proud Boys are – they have been in the middle of the violence in the protests in Portland, Oregon – where individual 1 sent in his unidentifiable “thugs” who were pulling citizens off the street with no “probable cause,” taking them to “secret places” (with bags over their heads) and attempting to intimidate them to do, who knows what – then releasing them. Individual 1 suggesting he doesn’t know who the Proud Boys are reminds me of him suggesting he doesn’t know who David Duke is. He is sending his “dog whistle” messages to these groups – who view him as their “fuhrer” – since he took the oath of office.

Final Thought: When someone tells you who they are, believe them. In the first “presidential” debate individual 1 was challenged to condemn white supremacy. As he’s done numerous times before, including his phony denial that he didn’t know who David Duke is, he “hemmed and hawed” around the question and couldn’t bring himself to do it. When he was pressed he asked “What is it exactly you want me to condemn” as if he didn’t understand the very straight forward question. Joe Biden said, “Go ahead and do it.” Of course, individual 1 was unable to do so because the white nationalists make up a significant portion of his “base.” So, Joe Biden said, “Proud Boys” as individual 1 was pretending he didn’t know what Chris Wallace, the moderator was suggesting, and he then said of the Proud Boys – a violent White Nationalist group of thugs – “Stand back and stand by.” He COULDN’T do it – to actually CONDEMN any White Supremacist movement or group. Yikes!

Here’s the truth about this – and the “dog whistles” individual 1 has been spewing through what Kamala Harris called a “bull horn” – within an hour of the debate’s end the Proud Boys had either altered their logo with the terms “Stand By” and Stand Back” OR that was the logo prior to the debate and individual 1 was simply repeating it. To me, both options are really BAD, but “option 2” is by far the worst. How much is he in cahoots with these thugs. And, when he talks about “my people” being present at the polling places to make sure of I don’t know what – maybe that people of color don’t vote??? – it makes you wonder doesn’t it? Or, is “wonder” necessary?

When individual 1 denies knowing the “Proud Boys,” if you believe that I have a ……….OK, you know the rest!

I had just finished my previous post and I was moving to close out my computer and I noticed the byline of an article in the Washington Post which lamented “A vote for Biden will be a vote for one party rule in Washington.” Obviously, this opinion piece was “penned” by a republican who was giving us another example of hypocrisy. This all while individual 1 is planning to cram through a replacement for Ruth Bader Ginsburg PRIOR to the election – certainly in the “lame duck” session if Biden wins and our IMPEACHED so-called president is futilely trying to get the courts to somehow overturn the election. That being said, republicans have HAD one party rule several times in the 21st century – in their quest for what they call the ‘permanent republican majority’ – which of course will NEVER be close to a majority – and, every time they manage it, they blow it with illegal, incompetent, DEPLORABLE behavior. First Bush/Cheney and then individual 1/Pense.

Well, we not only need voters to give us a “one party rule” – meaning democrats control the House, the Senate, and the White House – remember, democrats won’t control the courts certainly in my lifetime – but we also need a population which PUSHES the Biden administration to move forward in an aggressive and PROgressive manner. We always hear of the American people supporting issues by LARGE majorities and, then, NOTHING happens. Get rid of the filibuster and start legislating things which are desperately needed. Stop governing out of fear. Stop FEARING the right wing propaganda machine. Republicans had their “majority” for the first two years of individual 1’s reign and the ONLY legislative “accomplishment” they had was providing tax breaks in the amount of $2 TRILLION to the top 1% who didn’t need the money – the stimulus they predicted NEVER happened. Voters REJECTED their “majority” overwhelmingly in the 2018 mid term election.

Now, we’re facing an even MORE important election where individual 1 is, as I predicted long ago, “throwing the kitchen sink” at “we the people” and everyone else involved in this election. He’s got William Barr preparing his “October surprise” which will be something untoward that I can’t predict what it will be at this point – maybe Hillary’s emails again??? We KNOW Vladimir Putin is involved again and individual 1’s “team” is perfectly OK with that – and, essentially, NOTHING is being done to stop the Russians. Americans who are part of individual 1’s “uneducated voters” are the targets of the Russian misinformation (ie Fake news, LIES, however you want to characterize it) along with the coordinated misinformation coming from individual 1’s own campaign. And, I believe we have to worry about something else which is, right now, completely under the radar.

Individual 1 is the master of projection so, as I listen to him suggesting we be on the lookout for all the “liberals” who will be dumping write in ballots in places where they will be filled out and turned in by the “liberals who plan to steal this election.” Individual 1 continues to tell his supporters “The ONLY way I can lose this election is if it’s rigged.” Well, just as in 2016 the ONLY way our IMPEACHED so-called president could possibly “win” this November’s election is if it really is rigged – in his behalf. I’m guessing his “popular vote” loss will be far greater than the 3 MILLION Hillary Clinton had over him in 2016. Obviously, individual 1’s strategy is to carry the Electoral College again – but, that appears less likely every day. States like Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Arizona, North Carolina, and even Florida are trending more and more toward a Biden victory in each state.

Individual 1 is actually in the courts trying to “rig” the election in his favor. Here’s the irony or ironies. In Pennsylvania individual 1’s supporters got the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to agree that “naked ballots” should be discarded. A “naked ballot” is a ballot which comes in NOT in the “secrecy envelope.” If you’d been voting in Washington State like I have, for years, you’d know what a “secrecy envelope” is and you’d just naturally put your ballot in the envelope before you placed it in the envelope which you use to send your ballot in. Well, if you’ve been paying attention, you know individual 1 is claiming they’re “cheating” in Pennsylvania. Apparently 7 ballots filled out for individual 1, coming from military personnel (those “suckers” according to their “commander in chief) were in envelopes a “volunteer” in one of the election offices mistook for envelopes requesting absentee ballots. The envelopes actually held ballots which were NOT in the “secrecy envelope” and, therefore – based on the court “win” individual 1 had in Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court – those ballots SHOULD be discarded.

Obviously, when republicans chose to agree with individual 1’s campaign that “naked ballots” – those, like the seven ballots discarded which were ALL for individual 1 – are now destined for the garbage bin – just like the seven ballots they found. Apparently, individual 1’s campaign meant that ONLY those ballots for Joe Biden which come in NOT in the “secrecy envelope” are the ones which should be discarded. All seven of these ballots were placed back in their envelopes and placed where those ballots waiting to be counted are held. I have to wonder if they were “marked” so “we the people” can see whether or not they are discarded when the votes are counted – just as they SHOULD be based on individual 1’s “win” in the courts. When you hear republicans making a big deal about those votes – remember what I just said! They’re all nuts and CHEATERS! It never ends!

Individual 1 is dispatching the “deplorables” Hillary Clinton referred to in 2016 to the polling places – apparently already – in an attempt to intimidate people from casting their ballots. These white nationalist thugs are usually carrying high powered weapons of war as they “hang out” in these polling places. Additionally, we know William Barr has turned the Justice Department into a weapon to defend our IMPEACHED so-called president and he’ll be doing SOMETHING in a way to affect the actual election from being “fair.” And, we know, even after a humiliating defeat at the polls, individual 1 will NEVER cede the election. There won’t be a “congratulatory phone” to Joe Biden. Just like the above mentioned fiasco with the “discarded ballots” individual 1, Barr, and the rest of them remind me of the “team which couldn’t shoot straight.”

There are even reports individual 1 will refuse to abandon the “White House” after he’s been voted out. He’ll be doing whatever he can to confuse things in the courts and his hope is this judge who will take Ginsburg’s seat on the court will allow him to remain in POWER even after facing the voter’s wrath. Already in the early voting states – where the voting has ALREADY started – the lines of people voting are long. “We the people” are going to show up at the polls this year and, as I’ve said, that’s just the beginning of what is necessary to repair the DAMAGE individual 1 has inflicted on this nation. And, trust me on this, the white nationalist movement (Check out “Stormfront.com”) will not back away quietly. They view individual 1 as their “fuhrer.” I firmly believe when the evidence is finally public, those who’ve instigated violence and destruction, for example, at the Black Lives Matter protests following the LYNCHING of George Floyd are largely affiliated with the right wing militias speckled around the country in “cells” of radicalized people willing to use their weapons to further their deplorable agenda.

For example, the group who wear Hawaiian shirts and identify themselves with the word “Boogaloo” have openly stated their goal is to start a “race war.” I’ve said this before, but right after Floyd was LYNCHED (by four police officers in Minneapolis) for some reason I felt compelled to check out the web and I found a couple sights where members of the “boogaloo” movement were telling their associates to infiltrate the protests around the country with the purpose of instigating destruction and violence. These protests, for these “boogaloo” characters, seemed to be, to them, the perfect opportunity to further their goals. Only time will tell if any of them were arrested by the police and if so, will their motives become part of the public dialogue. It’s not likely “we the people” will know before the November election.

I believe the young man who KILLED two protesters in Kenosha Wisconsin, Kyle Rittenhouse (with an illegal AR 15), was part of this movement – the self directed militia movement – People who believe taking the “law into their own hands” is appropriate – as if they’re “patriots.” Rittenhouse, as most people know, was allowed to walk out of town, right past several police vehicles, only SECONDS after he had MURDERED his second victim and wounded the third. The police, reportedly, even passed him a water bottle. This is just further evidence of the reality there’s a significant number of white Americans who actually believe our country is under attack by people of color. It really reminds me of when I was reading about the Apartheid movement in South Africa many years ago. The danger to our nation is not from outside our borders, it’s from within.

My grandfathers were involved in defending America back in the time of World War One. My father was in the U.S. Army during World War Two defending this nation from outside adversaries. (Whatever my father went through in WW II caused him to NEVER say a word about it to me during his lifetime) Now, with individual 1 at the “helm” we have to worry that our adversary – Russia – is in cahoots with our (IMPEACHED so-called) president. While I grew up thinking “we the people” join the military or other positions designed to protect our people from adversaries outside our borders, what we now have is an “adversary” sitting in the Oval Office with the ability to control a CULT following of MILLIONS of our fellow citizens while in cahoots with Vladimir Putin. He has a history of association with organized crime families from around the world and a history of believing he’s either above the law or able to INTIMIDATE his way out of accountability for his ILLEGAL behavior.

So, he seems to believe he will be able to INTIMIDATE his way back into the Oval Office after he’s received an overwhelming rebuke by the voting populace of this nation. There are multiple reports individual 1 WON’T accept the results of the election after he LOSES and that he’ll show up at the inauguration with Biden. Wouldn’t that be something you’d want to have in a photo? If you don’t understand the historical importance of what is happening in this election you’ve had your head in the sand. I’ve been saying for years, the heart and soul of our nation is at stake – and, it appears we’ve finally gotten to the point where a significant majority of Americans realize the fundamentals of our democratic republic are on the line on November 3rd.

As republicans face the reality they’re very possibly going to lose THEIR “permanent republican majority,” they are going to “peal off as much skin” from the “body politic” as they can before individual 1 becomes a mafia boss again. They are poised to repeal the Affordable Care Act if they can cram another right wing judge onto the Supreme Court before the election with the goal of taking health insurance from over 20 MILLION Americans, and untold number of Americans on Medicaid, not to mention the loss of protection against “pre-existing” conditions AND the damage this would do to Medicare. As far as I can tell, no one seems to be talking about individual 1’s plan to destroy Social Security and Medicare by repealing the payroll tax. You’d think democrats would be HAMMERING this sad reality to Americans who are unaware. I believe this is an issue which COULD “penetrate” individual 1’s CULT. Many of them are recipients of both of these great programs!

Final Thought: This thought is actually not my “final one.” As I was pondering this post the Grand Jury in Louisville, Kentucky did what Black Americans are painfully used to in this nation. Breonna Taylor was MURDERED by three police officers who broke into her home suspecting they were doing a “drug bust.” Only, they were at the wrong apartment, they didn’t identify themselves (including EVERYONE on the “scene”), and they fired 22 shots into Breonna’s apartment AND the apartments surrounding hers. Breonna was MURDERED via EIGHT of the 22 shots entering her body as she was asleep. As if we’re still in the throes of “Jim Crow” NONE of the officers were charged with ANYTHING to do with the EIGHT bullets which entered Breonna’s body ending the LIFE of a young lady who, by all accounts, was a wonderful, compassionate, member of Louisville’s community.

Apparently, those who are in charge of Louisville’s government feels as if the monetary settlement made with Breonna’s family is sufficient to provide them with “justice.” Of course, people around the country who support the “Black Lives Matter” movement don’t see it that way. The ONLY charge coming from the Grand Jury was a charge of “wanton endangerment” for ONE of the THREE officers involved – based on his SHOOTING bullets into the adjoining apartments! In regards to the MURDER of Breonna? NOTHING! Today, an email of one of the officers involved in Breonna’s MURDER was made public and it wasn’t something comforting – if you believe “Black Lives Matter.” In reality, there are too many police officers in America who have the “warrior” mentality (which was the focus of the officer’s email) and believe they will never be held accountable for their “reckless” behavior.

Sadly, this lack of accountability for the officers who MURDERED Breonna Taylor is further evidence of systemic racism in America. Once individual 1 is voted out of office it will FINALLY be time for “we the people” to address this issue. Of course, it will require individual 1 to be addressing his own issues with accountability as he will be greeted with a plethora of illegal allegations the day after he’s no longer protected by the OLC memo which states a sitting president (even an IMPEACHED so-called one) cannot be indicted while in office. It’s almost as if individual 1, once he understood the protection that memo provided him, reacted like a kid (OK, a mob boss) in a candy store by dismissing any semblance of his actions being guided by our system of laws. Obviously, he believes he’s above the law – just like, apparently many of the police officers in this nation. (In Louisville, this may actually be true)

Oh by the way: I’ve been pointing out my belief individual 1 is a fascist dictator at “heart” (if he has one?) for over three years now. People I know who support our IMPEACHED so-called president or those less “fervent” than myself sometimes suggest I’m nuts. I think the closer we get to the election and people outside the CULT hear individual 1 suggest he’ll support the results of the election as long as they “get rid of the ballots” – and, I’m not kidding, will have their hair standing on end. Essentially, he’ll support the result if he wins – he’s trying to RUSH another “justice” on the Supreme Court because he believes that’s his “ticket” to becoming America’s “Putin.” Regardless, if you want to read an article that gives the history of how fascism might become real in America – meaning, somehow individual 1 would prevail in November, click HERE. This reality, to me, is sobering. Even should Biden prevail in November – which could actually cause Marshals to have to physically remove individual 1 from the “White House” – the reality we are that close AND there are MILLIONS of Americans willing to “go there” is a reminder that “we the people” cannot become “lazy” in our responsibility to participate in the “process” because there are TRILLIONS of dollars at stake and many RUTHLESS characters – besides individual 1 – who want to get their GREEDY hands on as much of the taxpayer’s money as they possibly can while they can! Sad!

I was talking to a friend of mine – a “you’re preaching to the choir” kind of friend – and we had a discussion about the significance of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s untimely death – I honestly believe there were MILLIONS of Americans hoping she would “last” until after the first of the year knowing she had pancreatic cancer, one of the most deadly forms of the disease – but, that’s not where our conversation was going. Part of the discussion was “what is the right way to go?” regarding when an associate justice dies during a president’s term in office. Is there a time when that president can’t nominate a replacement? And, despite what happened with Merritt Garland, the reality is there’s no LAW preventing individual 1 from nominating Ginsburg’s replacement. Of course, what republicans are doing is hypocritical beyond belief, but it will require democrats to, in my view, abandon their timid response to most crises in order to stop McConnell/individual 1 from cramming another justice on “we the people.”

Personally, I’m of the opinion this one is worth the democrats to be “pulling out all the stops” to prevent the court from being a 6-3 conservative majority for the rest of my life. (OK, I know McConnell/individual 1 could care less about what I think) McConnell has absolutely NO “scruples” and he was planning for the ugly “truth” here before RGB’s body was in the morgue. Personally, I wish we could spend a week or two celebrating what a monumental American jurist Ginsburg was without FIGHTING over her replacement – which, based on what happened to President Obama’s nominee Merrick Garland, SHOULD take place AFTER January 20 of 2021. If there’s anyone in America who doesn’t understand the CORRUPT nature of republicans this should remove ANY doubt. (They must be certain individual is going to lose at the polls and, somehow, another judge will save him)

There’s a lot hanging in the balance. Let’s start with the Affordable Care Act. About one week after the November election the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments in regard to individual 1’s attempt to OVERTURN the Act which is often called “Obamacare.” We’re talking about health insurance for over 20 MILLION Americans, the removal of preventing discrimination for people with “pre-existing conditions,” no longer would people’s children be able to be on their parents’ policy until the age of 26, and much MORE. My daughter has a business with OVER 100 employees who have insurance covered by the business and she has explained to me repealing the Affordable Care Act will/would create a very bad situation. It took them a long time to understand the full ramifications of the law and it’s now ingrained in the “system” and will be just more CHAOS under the time of our IMPEACHED so-called president if the law is repealed.

Of course, there’s much MORE than the Affordable Care Act. Let’s start with the issue of women’s reproductive rights – ie abortion. Conservative “Christians” have been pushing to repeal Roe v Wade for decades – read “Crazy for God” by Frankie Shaeffer if you want the inside information of how the “pro life” movement got commandeered by the republican party. I’m not going to get into detail on this issue – in my conversation with the friend mentioned above we broached the subject – suffice it to say the issue is COMPLICATED and, personally, I just can’t bring myself to believe it’s my role to tell YOU how to deal with this issue. I’m thankful I’ve NEVER had to address it directly, but I, personally, know women who have and it’s, clearly, a very personal and difficult decision for virtually anyone (essentially women) facing this decision. Of course, I’m a male so any issue I would have been confronted with would have been from the standpoint of someone indirectly involved. As I’ve said here before, at some point I’ll write an entire post regarding the abortion issue but, CLEARLY, it’s an issue of women’s reproductive rights! And, a bunch of MEN are presumptuously determining what WOMEN can or cannot do!

While there are many more reasons why democrats SHOULD be doing everything they can to make sure the NEXT justice on the court is chosen by the winner of this upcoming election, actually making sure Biden wins is what is paramount. We have the MOST corrupt (IMPEACHED so-called) president in history and I have no doubt he wants as many judges appointed by him as possible before he’s voted out of office so the first order of business is to vote him out of office. He’s already lobbying for a third term – that should really get people’s attention – people outside the CULT that is.

The rush to cram through a replacement for Ginsburg, here, would suggest both individual 1 and Moscow Mitch believe Biden is going to win in November. Individual 1 is facing a plethora of allegations coming from a plethora of directions and he’s likely going to be relying on the courts, including the SCOTUS, in what I hope will be a futile attempt to avoid accountability for his lawless behavior. Do I want him locked up? Well, actually, I don’t care – what I want is the accountability in a way which would discourage ANYONE from repeating the attempt to turn America into a pseudo fascist nation in the future. If him being locked up is necessary for that end then, well, that’s what I would like to see happen.

I haven’t even brought up the impending election because I just can’t bring myself to believe our IMPEACHED so-called president will be able to get away with STEALING the election via the courts. In 2018’s mid term election there were TEN MILLION more votes for democrats than for republicans (maybe more). Republicans in the Senate think that election was some kind of “win” for them – of course there were 23 democrats running for re-election with several in states won by individual 1 in 2016 while there were less than 10 republicans running for re-election – about the opposite of what republicans are facing in November. I believe it’s possible for Biden to win in November but for the democrats to still be in the minority in the Senate – that, of course, if it happens, will be a near DISASTER – the only thing worse would be individual 1 gaining another 4 years in the “White House.” I believe he’ll have to somehow find a way to CHEAT in order for that to happen.

There are reports individual 1’s supporters are prepared to contest ballots all across the key “swing states” as their main way of CHEATING. Supposedly, they are planning to put their right wing “goons” at polling places in areas dominated by democratic voters in ways designed to intimidate voters from even casting their ballots. Personally, I believe – just like EVERYTHING else individual 1 has done – all of this will BACKFIRE. He’s providing all the energy Biden’s voters need to get them to the polls – just like I’ve been saying for months, individual 1’s own words are the foundation of all Biden’s advertising for the election. However, democrats may not be able to stop republicans from doing this. “We the people” can turn this all around by voting as many republicans out of office as possible and letting the next batch who’ll be running in 2022 know they’re NEXT!

I know America’s young people are likely “in” for this election like never before (at least in my lifetime) and my fervent hope is they do their FIGHTING at the various ballot boxes around the country. Just because republicans are CORRUPT to the bone, to me, doesn’t justify doing the same thing to defeat them. I believe “progressives” (liberals) can mobilize enough people to change the direction of this nation – sooner rather than later. (That’s because I believe “later” is a really bad option) In fact, I believe November 3rd is a tipping point for America. If “we the people” lose this battle I’m not sure what it will take to turn things around going forward. We’ve seen the degree individual 1 is ABUSING his “power” to this point, but I believe, if he gets another term, “we haven’t seen nothin yet.”

The incompetence of individual 1 in dealing with this “once in a century” pandemic has been near depressing, in my view, but the real issue, to me, is the climate issue. And, I hope, our younger generation looks at that issue and realizes the stakes in their voting. It will take a focused effort over a period of MANY years to slow and, eventually, hopefully stop the earth’s temperature from continuing to rise. And, as the fight progresses you can count on the republicans to be using their new found advantage in the courts in an attempt to BLOCK legislation which would be aimed at saving the planet. (I can’t believe I felt the need to write that!) Individual 1 has been QUIETLY rolling back environmental regulations on a whim for over three years. Using the executive orders republicans were so quick to criticize President Obama from using individual 1 has turned the water a different color and the air harder to breathe. This is the most serious issue facing “we the people” and any chance for success depends on voting our IMPEACHED so-called president and as many of his cowardly enablers into the history books as we can – on November 3rd. The vote needs to be resounding!

No, I didn’t forget the “dreamers.” Their future hangs in the balance as well! We may not be able to save them based on the courts at this point in time, but the democrats can save them legislatively if they repeal the filibuster and take control of the Senate – which is a reminder that, despite all the attention, deservedly so, to whoever is going to replace Ginsburg – the MOST important thing to stay focused on in the next 6 weeks is voting individual 1 into the history books (right next to Benedict Arnold as I’ve said many times here) AND almost as important, voting in a democratic MAJORITY in the Senate. For years I prided myself in my independence as a voter, but since the day the Supreme Court stole the presidency from Al Gore and THEN Bush/Cheney took us into Iraq I’ve been voting AGAINST republicans.

In this election I actually feel I’m voting FOR Joe Biden because I believe he’s the right kind of “politician” to “lower the temperature” in America – if that’s possible – and, I’m excited there’s a “woman of color” on the ballot, Kamala Harris – who’s already got the republican name callers working overtime to denigrate her. And, trust me, should Biden prevail we’ll all be listening to 4 years of ATTACKS on Harris because republicans will be preparing themselves for 2024 with the idea she’ll be the democratic nominee. They’ve already started birtherism 2.0 which, to their voters, seems to be OK. So when we question the level of racism in the republican party, well…………….. I don’t think I need to say any more!

I’ll end this rant by pointing out an issue very important to me (I’m old, as I’ve said many times) AND I believe the democrats SHOULD be hammering this issue virtually EVERYWHERE – but, especially in places like Florida, Arizona, and other places with large populations of older people. Individual 1 is going after Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Not only via his attacks on the Affordable Care Act – which would really damage Medicare should it be repealed – but our IMPEACHED so-called president is directly attacking Social Security and Medicare by pushing for the abolishment of the payroll tax. I believe even many people who are collecting their Social Security benefits don’t understand it’s the payroll tax which funds the program. Should individual 1 succeed in repealing this tax Medicare wouldn’t last more than a year or so and Social Security would be totally insolvent by 2023. That means Social Security and Medicare are on the “line” in November’s election. Why isn’t this a major issue with democrats?

Final Thought: Obviously, there are many reasons for anyone who considers themselves a person with a moral compass to be voting AGAINST individual 1 and republicans in November. If you don’t think you’re a racist, take a good look at what they’re doing, what they’re saying, and what they stand for before you give them a vote. To me, you can’t vote for individual 1 and then disassociate yourself from all his baggage. For me, it doesn’t work for someone to say “I’m voting for a racist, but I’m not a racist” for example. You don’t get to say “I believe people should be able to go to the doctor” and then support voting to take health care from tens of MILLIONS of your fellow citizens. To me, at a minimum, that’s totally lacking compassion.

If you watch Fox “news” I understand why you think some of the things you do, but I don’t excuse you for doing so – for not FACT checking the propaganda coming from the mouths of their commentators. As the saying goes, you can disagree with people like me over the issues but you DON’T get to make up your own “facts.” (Alternative facts, as Kelleyanne Conway suggested) You don’t get to blame the incompetent response to the coronavirus anywhere but where it belongs – right at the resolute desk in the “White House.” As Harry Truman once so presciently said, “The Buck stops here.” STOP enabling YOUR (IMPEACHED so-called) president from placing BLAME everywhere but where it belongs. When he says, “I don’t take responsibility,” stop and think about how you’d have responded had President Obama allowed the Ebola virus to overtake America and then said “I take no responsibility.”

Honestly, if you’re a supporter of individual 1, I’ve lost patience with you. The level of hypocrisy, dishonesty, and immorality has reached such levels that if you don’t “get it” I’m losing my ability to give you the benefit of the doubt – even if you are a “nice person.” To me, just like I would expect you to put this country ahead of your party, I feel it’s my obligation to put my country ahead of our “friendship” – for people I know who continue to support individual 1. I believe his “base” is a CULT and those involved are proving themselves to be unable to think rationally – or, they have no regard for the traditional history of this nation. No matter how this election turns out – I believe we are teetering on the verge of becoming a second rate nation in the world – and, of course, an autocracy.

I have to add: Beyond individual 1 the Senate is the problem in this nation. It is the most UNDEMOCRATIC body we have – by far! For example, the state of California has two Senators with almost a 40 MILLION population. North Dakota has two Senators with about 780 THOUSAND people in their state. South Dakota a few more people than North Dakota but the same number of Senators. You can go down the list, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Vermont, Alaska, Delaware, Nebraska, etc. Several of these states have less people than the District of Columbia which is NOT represented in Congress. My point is the 9 or 10 most populous states in the union have OVER half the population of the country and 18 or 20 votes in the Senate. The 40 least populous states have 80 votes. Republicans have “aimed” their propaganda at the least populous states because it works for them – that’s how they win elections with less than a majority of the vote – ALL THE TIME! The Senate is what is and has been blocking progressive change in America for DECADES! Democrats MUST figure out how to deal with this – because they always seem “one step” behind the republicans – and, they “fight fair.” Stay tuned……….

It finally dawned on me, “herd mentality” is what is necessary for someone to be a supporter of individual 1. When I first heard those words coming from the mouth of our IMPEACHED so-called president I thought; “He means ‘herd immunity’.” And, I wrote a bit about “gaffes” and how individual 1 commits “gaffes” ALL the time and nobody seems to notice – then, if Joe Biden commits ONE “gaffe” our “liberal media” falls all over itself perpetuating the garbage individual 1’s campaign wants us to believe about Biden. Well, after giving it more thought, I came to the conclusion maybe this was a CULT “dog whistle” to his “base” about the mentality necessary to be part of that base. That must be why I’m so OPPOSED to that “base.”

And, the amount of “stuff” I could write about as I’m trying to do my small part to make sure America is liberated from this IMPEACHED so-called president seems never-ending. However, today my thoughts seem to be “tilting” toward the reality we’ve been enduring; an ATTACK on our nation coming from Vladimir Putin for several years now and individual 1’s seeming admiration of Putin as opposed to doing something about it. In fact, and keep in mind I’ve read everything I can get my hands on which would inform me in this regard – including Mueller’s report TWICE, I believe individual 1 and his closest supporters ABSOLUTELY have been “colluding” with the Russians. I read a book by a young man who was a key part of Cambridge Analytica (I loaned the book out and can’t remember the name), with Steve Bannon and Jared Kushner, right in the middle of their “work,” and he exposed the “connection” between individual 1’s campaign and Russia.

Cambridge Analytica “siphoned” data from tens of MILLIONS of Americans and then grouped it into “neighborhoods” so they could target their MISINFORMATION to unsuspecting Facebook users who would believe what they were spewing was true. In addition, I believe they “coached” the Russians – I’m not sure if that’s the correct term – they shared the information with the Russians so the Russian MISINFORMATION could be “professionally” targeted. The purpose of the Russians was to create chaos among America’s voting public, cause as many Americans as possible to be turned off to politics trying to encourage democrats NOT to vote, and to contribute to what I’m now referring to as the “herd mentality” which seems to be a requirement to be part of individual 1’s CULT!

Cambridge Analytica is gone because, apparently, their misdeeds were discovered by authorities in London, but the data which was collected from Facebook went with those involved in individual 1’s campaign AND the Russians. While I don’t know for sure, but I’m speculating the Russian interference this time, 2020, is much more sophisticated than it was in 2016 and their objective is the same – and that is to spew chaos in America (Ideally, of course, by keeping individual 1 as their “useful idiot”). Look at what they’ve gained in the previous four years. Putin has been “laughing all the way to the bank.” And, I mean that literally. While Putin doesn’t appear on Forbes list of the wealthiest people in the world I believe most people in the know consider him #1. In Michael Cohen’s book Mr. Cohen speculated Putin is worth over a TRILLION dollars. He’s the “don” of the largest organized crime network in the world and all the Russian Oligarchs who are spending their ill gotten gains (which they’re acquiring by ripping off the Russian people and THEIR natural resources) in America are paying a percentage of EVERYTHING to Putin.

And, much of what these Oligarchs have spent has been spent purchasing real estate from individual 1’s organization. The Russians have bailed individual 1 out of economic disasters in the past and it’s strange to me it’s not more of a topic with out “liberal media.” In fact, simply the FACT individual 1 has gone BANKRUPT six times and stiffed so many banks and contractors he can’t get financing for projects from American banks should, in my view, by a key part of the dialogue as we approach the November election. He was forced to go to Deutsche Bank to get money and depended on a person inside Deutsche Bank to push through loans despite the bank KNOWING the possibility they were going to get stiffed – which could still happen because by the time individual 1 is out of office his name is going to be “bad news” pretty much everywhere he’s got his name on properties – was extremely high.

And, his legal issues, in my view, very well could be driving the intensity of his campaign. The CHEATING will be beyond the ability of MOST Americans to understand because it’s NEVER been an issue like this in the past. Yes, republicans have a history of CHEATING and they’ve lived by “the end justifies the means” philosophy for as long as I can remember. But, individual 1 is simply “over the top,” which is why you’re now seeing so many “republicans against individual 1” Super PACS putting out damning ads as November draws nearer. I was listening to Michael Steele, an African American republican who was the head of the republican party during the first years of President Obama’s administration and, I might add, a republican who comes across to me as “sensible.” (although, I struggle to understand how any person of color could consider themselves a republican in today’s environment – a story for another day) Something I noticed while Steele was speaking was, on the wall of his office was hanging a framed caption from one of Ronald Reagan’s speeches. My point is, many of the disenchanted republicans have ties that go directly back to Reagan.

Now, don’t get me wrong. To me, Reagan is where ALL this republican disaster began with the so-called “conservative” movement – which, to me, was anything but conservative. I studied political science in college and always considered myself a “conservative socialist” – meaning I have very strong conservative fiscal tendencies along with very liberal social tendencies. I always think back to Edmond Burke who is considered by MOST educators as the “father of conservatism.” (No, it’s NOT William F Buckley!) I, personally, don’t see the connection between Burke’s view of conservatism (and, I have to admit to being very old and having a foggy, at best, memory) and today’s republican party. I was struggling to see the connection prior to individual 1 and since 2016, well, there is no connection. Based on my memory (foggy as it is) demagoguery is antithetical to Burke’s beliefs. He believed in tradition and a gradual change in society – as I remember it. I’m not sure if my belief that controlling the national debt is important comes from him – but, I’ve always considered that “conservative.”

Of course, I’m also a “student” of Paul Krugman regarding economics (literally), and it’s times like we’re going through right now when it’s appropriate for the government to spend beyond its means to fight off a depression – which is exactly what the Fed has been doing in reference to Wall Street and Congress WAS doing with the “CARES Act” in the first couple months of the Covid-19 crisis. Failing to follow through with another stimulus package – the so-called “HEROES Act” or some scaled down version of it – could be a major blunder of the republican led Senate. Should Biden WIN in November and Mitch McConnell remain focused on judges and NOT the American people, individual 1 could be handing off an economy in 2021 which will make what Obama/Biden inherited from Bush/Cheney seem like wonderful times. This is why it is so IMPERATIVE the American people vote out enough republicans from the Senate to give the democrats control. The situation could be exponentially more drastic than it is right now!

As I was reading Cohen’s book (I’ve finally finished it) I couldn’t help but to continue wondering why individual 1’s “base” continues to stick with him while he’s leading the country down such a dark path. That’s when the thought came to mind his base has a “herd mentality.” Just like Rush Limbaugh calls his audience “ditto heads” I couldn’t help but think individual 1’s “base” is made up of “uneducated voters” to a large extent. Yes, I know some “educated voters” who support him, but with the rare one you can actually have a civil conversation with the response, when I ask, “why do you support this guy,” is almost always a one word answer, “judges.”

For example, Ruth Bader Ginsburg died yesterday and, by last night, I was receiving texts from people I know who support individual 1 coming across as if celebrating. And, of course, the expectation is that McConnell’s “rule” which was in place when Antonin Scalia died back in 2016 will be, to McConnell and individual 1’s base, a “forgotten memory.” I’m not sure if McConnell fully understands what it will do to the division in our country if he CRAMS through another Supreme Court Justice while violating his OWN “rule” or whether he gives a damn. Kentuckians will likely vote him back in this year (sadly – I put him at #3 in Keith Olberman’s “The Worst Person in the World” category – right behind individual 1 and, of course, William Barr) but, hopefully, he’ll be the MINORITY leader of the Senate going forward (It would be awesome if Kentuckians would vote him out of office, but that looks remote at this point in time). To me, Biden “knocking off individual 1” is “priority #1,” but democrats taking back control of the Senate is a close second.

I know Biden thinks he can work with republicans to get things done, but I consider that thinking on the same naivete level which always frustrated me with President Obama. It’s true the president is the president of ALL Americans and SHOULD seek bipartisanship, but we’re watching in “real time” how republicans consider “POWER” in these United States and bipartisanship is a foreign word to them. They want ALL the POWER and they have been using their grip on power, since the days of Reagan – when they have it, to funnel America’s wealth UPWARD (“trickle up”) to the point where the income disparity in America has become enormous. When you compare the DATA regarding the Middle Class portion of America’s wealth prior to Reagan with what it is today you can see what republicans have been doing to this country. We’re teetering on a “third world” reality and, sadly, I believe that is the intent of the republican party. When they’re the “haves” screw the “have nots.”

And, how do you get 35% to 40% of the population to be “locked in” supporters of policies which actually go against the self interests of the people supporting the policy? It’s been a very sophisticated BRAINWASHING scheme which began during the Reagan years and has been based on the Nazi propaganda chief’s “Big Lie Theory.” (Joseph Goebbels – look it up – and, technically the scheme started with Hitler himself, ” a big lie (German: Große Lüge) is a propaganda technique. The expression was coined by Adolf Hitler, when he dictated his 1925 book Mein Kampf, about the use of a lie so “colossal” that no one would believe that someone “could have the impudence to distort the truth so infamously.” ) If you repeat the LIE often enough people will believe it’s true.

To me, this all started with Limbaugh in the mid to late 80’s. I actually listened at times back then and once I started “fact checking” stuff Limbaugh was spewing I realized what was actually happening. And, I started noticing ALL the republican pundits were repeating the same LIES and using the SAME key “talking points” – meaning using the same key terms. I also realized, it was working! And, then along came Fox “news” and I actually watched that a bit in the early days when they had “Hannity and Combs” – the so-called “Fair and Balanced” BS! Of course, it was NEVER fair and it was NEVER “balanced.” Fox’s propaganda has been extremely sophisticated and when they are finally FULLY “outed” I believe they’ll find themselves right next to individual 1, William Barr, and Mitch McConnell in the history books’ section previously dominated by Benedict Arnold.

So, we’re about to see a prime example of what I believe I will now refer to as “herd mentality.” That is, the “base” of the republican party are unable to think critically for themselves. In direct opposition to Mitch McConnell BLOCKING even a vote on Merrick Garland (a very moderate judge, by the way) back in 2016 for NINE months he’s going to CRAM through a right wing replacement (likely a female) for RBG in less than 40 days – if he possibly can. And, MOST of the “base” will just go along with it DESPITE the incredible hypocrisy – even by D.C. standards – AND, the likelihood it will increase the DIVIDE in America almost beyond my imagination. I’m actually fearing for this nation over the next few years – because, win or lose in November, the republican base is full of former George Wallace supporters who now feel empowered by individual 1 who they view as their “fuhrer.” (and, I’m NOT being hyperbolic – check back in a year or two and, I believe you’ll understand what I’m saying)

Final Thought: I’ll give an example of the supporters of our IMPEACHED so-called president’s followers and their “herd mentality. I live on a couple acres and recently (in the last week) had to purchase a new garden tractor. It’s too large for my small pickup truck so I asked a friend of mine from church – a person I truly love along with his family – I taught a couple of his kids in Sunday School many years ago – if he could use his trailer to haul it home from Portland, Oregon for me. (And, by the way, the air was good and there were NO protests where we were) He supports individual 1 (calls him by his surname, of course) and we did hardly any “politics” on the trip. We know where each other’s beliefs are and we’re OK with that.

However, I can’t help but ask a question or two every time we’re together and, today, he said he’s not interested in personal characteristics, only policies when he decides who he supports. Of course, the reality is he supports republicans with little to no thought because, well, that’s just where his family is – conservative Christians and, I’m sure, it’s been that way for generations. Of course, he watches Fox “news” – I made him admit to that sin – which just helps him rationalize supporting stuff he KNOWS is wrong. I could list ALL the DAMAGE individual 1 is doing to the nation, but RBG’s passing puts it all in a nutshell. As I said earlier, the idea of having a 6 – 3 majority on the court causes him to believe Roe is now doomed – and, for people like him there’s nothing more important to them than overturning Roe v Wade.

At some point, as I’ve said before, I will write an entire piece on my views of abortion and why I’ve evolved to understanding the importance of supporting a “woman’s right to choose” – even though I would never be able to support an abortion if it was an issue for my family – except in the event of the health of the mother (in this instance my wife, daughter, etc.). When I think about this subject I’m always reminded of someone who once said in my presence if you’re opposed to abortion, don’t get one. Of course, the issue is way more COMPLICATED than that, but to my friend and many other Christians it’s absolutely NOT complicated. Again, I’ll write more on another day, but this “herd mentality” – and if you read “Crazy for God” by Frank Shaeffer, who with his Dad Francis, started the “pro life” movement – you get a better understanding of how republicans hijacked the abortion issue as a way to gain this “base” who are like, well, Limbaugh’s “ditto heads.” ie “herd mentality.”

As I’ve said, I love my friend and his entire family, but I told him today there will become a time where he will be like Peter in the Bible who “denied Christ three times” in regard to individual 1. He doesn’t understand what he’s supporting – ie what the ultimate outcome will be should individual 1 gain a second term via his and millions of other Americans with this “herd mentality.” It grieves my heart that America could have devolved to this place and my prayer is “we the people” rise up and VOTE in 2020 like our lives depend on it – because I believe they do – at least in any form which would be recognizable to those of us “conservatives” who believe in the tradition of America’s institutions. Stay tuned……………

As I often do, my apologies for any foopahs because it’s late and I’m too lazy to re-read this and edit it. Sad :o)

At the beginning of this 2020 campaign for president of the United States much of what I heard, after Joe Biden became the democratic nominee, was the expectation Biden would be committing “gaffes” which would demonstrate his unfitness for the job. Of course, individual 1 has been committing “GAFFES” since the day he LIED his way through the “oath” of office – where he promised to “defend the constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic” – in which he’s FAILED miserably. (Of course, the “domestic enemy” is, well, himself – but, I digress)

So, the other day our IMPEACHED so-called president agreed to do a “town hall” somewhere in Pennsylvania where “undecided voters” were actually allowed to ask questions. And, of course, individual 1 had NO choice but to attempt LYING his way through the entire proceeding – Laura Ingraham of Fox “news” (ie individual 1 TV) said our IMPEACHED so-called president had been “ambushed,” apparently because he was asked FACT based questions and there were some follow up questions after he tried LYING his way out of an ugly reality – but, back to the issue of “gaffes.” When giving an answer to a question about the coronavirus our IMPEACHED so-called president made a comment about “herd mentality.” (And, by the way, he was “fact checked” by the Washington Post on 24 of his LIES. He received a lot of “Pinocchio’s”)

Well, I’m assuming, and actually hoping – for the sake of our country over the next four months – that individual 1 actually meant “herd immunity” – the solution to the coronavirus pandemic of those who are willing to lose a couple MILLION mostly older Americans to the virus. From what I could tell (I was only able to watch excerpts of the “town hall”) he wasn’t pressed on what SHOULD have been an embarrassing “gaffe.” Naturally, the next time Biden says something a bit on the stupid side “we the people” won’t hear the end of it. I felt individual 1 got a “pass” on what SHOULD have been a serious “gaffe” because if he’s thinking in terms of “herd immunity” it should be a focal point of this campaign. I know people who believe in that solution but, my guess is MOST Americans, especially older ones (like me), don’t like it all that much. (Does individual 1 get a “pass” on his “gaffes” because he commits so many of them?)

I still remember the Lt. Governor of Texas saying, “there are worst things than living” (A thought I just had after writing that – that could be true if individual 1 manages to STEAL another election) as he was suggesting us old folks should be willing to sacrifice our “golden years” in order to keep the stock market up. (Of course, since then we’ve seen the Fed can keep the market up with unlimited amounts of funds to funnel in to purchase toxic securities) I’m guessing this may be the reason individual 1 is polling behind Biden with the over 65 “crew” which he won by a large margin against Hillary Clinton. Can you imagine what our “liberal media” would be doing with a “gaffe” like this one – “herd mentality?” had it come from Mr. Biden? Just sayin!!!

With individual 1 there’s always so much to write about which is simply disgusting or worse that it’s hard to keep up. My wife wonders why I keep reading books about someone she thinks I “hate.” The truth is I don’t “hate” anyone – however, I despise individual 1. His personal moral character shortcomings are just too much for me to admire – all the LYING, the willingness to CHEAT under any circumstances, the routine of degrading virtually everyone who comes into contact with him – some, curiously (like Mitch McConnell, Lindsey Graham, etc.) just willingly put up with it, the destruction of our traditional institutions and norms, and I could go on. As I’ve said here many times, the DAMAGE he’s causing to this great nation might take a generation to overcome. People around the world have gotten past wondering what is wrong with America to actually be laughing AT us. Repairing relationships with our traditional allies will be difficult. I find it difficult to actually feel anything but despising all of that.

They (Our allies) know we have elections every four years and “we the people” will need to prove to them we’re not going to repeat this FOLLY again in 2024. Trust me, individual 1 and his “team” will NOT go away quietly. Whatever is left of the republican party after this next election will start their attacks on Biden and Harris BEFORE they take the oath of office – and, it won’t be pretty and it will include unending racist and misogynistic attacks against Kamala Harris – as republicans will be gearing up thinking she’ll be the democratic nominee in 2024. Count on it!

When Barack Obama became our 44th president “we the people” sat back thinking we had defeated racism, by and large, and we just waited for democrats to solve all our problems without understanding WE must remain vigilant and participate in the process – so, this time demanding the changes we believe in is paramount – like health care for ALL, (however they can get there) a coherent NATIONAL Covid-19 policy, an economic plan which addresses the deficit and the debt we’re leaving for our children and grandchildren, addressing the issue of Social Justice HEAD ON, putting sanctions on Russia which will cause them to back off their neo-Nazi push around the world – including here, increasing the minimum wage to $15 and increasing support for workers to be able to collectively bargain in unions, changing the attitude across America so people understand our workers are as or MORE important than shareholders and finding ways to minimize the tax laws which encourage CEO’s and corporate executives to think short term as they find ways to push stock prices higher AND taxing the gains corporate executives make by receiving their salaries in the form of stocks.

Of course, those are the ideas of a retired school teacher, but my point is we all need to accept the responsibility of being an informed citizen. The fact MANY of us are old doesn’t mean we can’t still be readers. There’s so much information in books which give one a great view of who individual 1 actually is that, had more of us been readers, this NIGHTMARE would never have happened. I’m presently reading Michael Cohen’s book titled “Disloyal” and I can tell you I’m learning more from this book than, likely, any of the others I’ve read lately (although Bob Woodward’s book just arrived in the mail today). Cohen makes something clear which I’ve been saying since the 2016 campaign.

Individual 1 has a way of mesmerizing people and he’s used this “trait” to gain MILLIONS of free advertising from the various media outlets. I still remember back in 2016 I felt confident MSNBC, the so-called “liberal” version of Fox “news,” was giving individual 1 HOURS of free air time virtually EVERY day! I’m very happy Chris Matthews is no longer on their airwaves – I felt the one hour “sit down” he had with individual 1 was designed to “normalize” a candidate who wasn’t “normal” during the 2016 campaign. MSNBC focused on individual 1 day in and day out while rarely giving Hillary Clinton more than a moment – maybe a short snapshot of one of her rallies while covering individual 1 rallies from start to finish.

Well, I think they’re doing it again. Of course, now “we the people” are more informed about what individual 1 is doing and what he’s “about,” but he’s still getting the BULK of MSNBC’s airtime – and, to him, even if it’s negative, he likes it, he believes it ultimately works to his favor – this according to Michael Cohen (and, of course, me :o). I have to add, I’m finding Cohen’s book very well written – much to my surprise. It appears much, or most, of the book was written while he was sitting in his prison cell so I’m guessing it was via him putting pen to paper. Impressive from the eyes of a former Middle School teacher. Regardless, so far it’s a great read and I’m about 2/3 through the book. Cohen’s book verifies, for those of us who’ve been viewing individual 1 as a “mafia boss,” that we have been correct.

Both Cohen and individual 1 have extended ties to the mafia. That our IMPEACHED so-called president has made it this far without finding himself indicted for one of the – LIKELY – many offenses he’s “allegedly” committed just shows how his BRAZEN, LYING, and BULLYING wherever he goes has worked for him his entire life. Based on what I’ve read in Cohen’s book, that MANY of us consider him a pathological LIAR and CHEATER, is right on. My hope is the investigations into his “stuff” will continue once he’s out of office. There’s a mountain of evidence suggesting potential issues with money laundering and various forms of fraud. As I’ve watched him for almost four years now it’s apparent he believes the laws were written for someone other than him. The typical “law and order” person – thinking he’s “above the law.”

A really interesting part of Cohen’ book relates to how he (Cohen) managed to get individual 1 to be more successful in a couple of polls. Cohen has a friend who was an assistant to Jerry Falwell Jr. (who Cohen introduced to individual 1) who was able to get individual 1 into the “top ten” of a poll which was celebrating the top business people in the 25 years of the Washington Post (I believe – if my memory serves me right). Individual 1 had to pay $15,000 for this guy to purchase fake id’s which he could then turn into “voters.” It worked until, apparently, the pollsters figured something was awry and they, essentially, disqualified individual 1 from the poll. Again, with one of the early polls when there were still 17 candidates for the republican nomination in 2015 Cohen’s friend (he was a key person at Liberty University) was able to purchase a bunch of “bots” which allowed individual 1 to get about a 25% rating in the poll – a number making him seem viable when most thought his candidacy was a joke. (As a Christian my doubts about Liberty University are mounting!)

So the CHEATING is just NORMAL for individual 1 (Also, apparently, the guy from Liberty U.) and, then, it should surprise no one he’s got something going with the Russians – who are STILL funneling misinformation (the real FAKE news) into Facebook and other “Social Media” platforms on his behalf. Of course, those on the receiving end of their posts have no idea where the “info” is coming from and many believe what they’re getting is legit without cross checking it or verifying it’s veracity. Cohen confirms individual 1’s connections to the Russians and his willingness to accept their help. In addition, just as I have proclaimed here many times, individual 1 was FULLY aware of the ILLEGAL meeting between individual 1 Jr., Jared Kushner, Paul Manafort, and a group of Russians claiming they had “incriminating” material on Ms. Clinton. Why Mueller didn’t go there is beyond me – although Mueller sent off something like 12 cases to be followed up by other jurisdictions which, apparently, were “quashed” by William Barr – “The WORST person in the world” – using my memory of Keith Olberman on MSNBC.

So, individual 1 has “flooded the zone” with so much ILLEGAL and incompetent behavior and decisionmaking that it’s difficult to focus on ANY of it. However, I believe individual 1’s “gaffe” with the term “herd mentality” should be a MAJOR “red flag!” What our IMPEACHED so-called president is suggesting is the way to end this pandemic is the so-called “herd immunity” approach I mentioned above in reference to the Lt. Governor of Texas. Dr, Scott Atlas has become individual 1’s “adviser” on the coronavirus task force and he’s been all over the right wing talk shows spewing the idea of “herd immunity” – which is obvious what individual 1 was referring to with his most recent “gaffe.” And, it appears that is the policy of “these United States.”

I’ve done the math here several times in the past – I believe the first time was after my initial “introduction” to the Texas Lt. Governor – who, by the way, from what I’ve read, has a lot of power in the state of Texas – maybe why their hospitals are so full of Covid-19 patients. So, in a country with 330 MILLION people you’d need somewhere in the neighborhood of 215 MILLION to 250 MILLION Americans, depending on which expert you listen to, to become infected with Covid-19 to reach the 65% to 75% of the population necessary to reach that point. Based on the present percentage of people DYING to those who’ve been infected (almost 3%) there would be somewhere between 6 and 8 MILLION Americans dying from the disease to reach “herd mentality” (ie “herd immunity”). Of course, if it’s true that after about 90 days you can be re-infected, well, all “herd” bets are off – but our IMPEACHED so-called president appears to be operating under “herd mentality!” That was a significant “gaffe.” I hope our “liberal media” picks up on it and what it actually means!

Final Thought: Just the thought of MILLIONS more Americans dying from this virus, mostly old people like me, doesn’t come across to me as being that palatable. But, just for the sake of argument, suggest that us old people should be willing to die for the Stock Market – how are we supposed to go about doing it. Just think about how our hospitals have been almost to the breaking point dealing with the virus up to this point and then figure something like 10 to 30 times as many cases – are we simply supposed to die at home with this disease – just be willing to suffocate without even trying to beat the disease? Is this what they’re proposing? Is that what you’d call “herd mentality?” Honestly, I’m not that patriotic! I’ve always considered myself patriotic, I’ve believed in my country, but honestly, this kind of thinking is giving me pause. As we get closer and closer to November 3rd this election seems more significant than I already thought. And, of course, as I read about the intentions of individual 1, William Barr, and others to CHEAT in order to “win” the hair on my back is standing straight up! Yikes!!!