I wrote the other day about in my youth I was raised by a father who was overtly racist causing me to begin my college basketball career (short as it was) by befriended by a Black basketball player of whom I was in fear the first time I realized I was on the same team as a person of “color.”  I grew up in a “lilly white” neighborhood, went to a “lilly white” school, and, quite naturally, had a group of friends who were all white.  This great friend was the beginning of myself learning about my own racist upbringing, my own racist beliefs, and the reality is this was an area in my life where I was completely ignorant.

I won’t go over all I wrote, but over the course of my life – to this point – I’ve evolved due to the many persons of “color” who’ve had a significant influence on my life AND, I’m happy to say, my father evolved to a much better place before he went “home.”  The reality I have to face is that, despite being in a much better place than I was as I graduated from high school (in 1965) – my level of ignorance is still much greater than it should be.  My curiosity about the history of America and the history of those places in the world recently referred to by our so-called president as s#@thole countries is clearly lacking.

Today I spent time listening to Joy Reid, a MSNBC host of a program called “AM Joy” and, in my view, she is one of the most intelligent commentators on the cable news networks.  She had a couple segments with three distinguished Black guests.  Unfortunately, I can’t remember the name of two of them, the one whose name I knew, Mark Thompson, is a man who has a radio talk show on XM radio and, in the past, I’ve listened many times to his show (the time slot changed and I no longer am able to get it)  What I was reminded as I listened to these three guests of Ms. Reid was that I’ve failed, in all my reading, to educate myself more about the history of Black Americans and the areas in the world Trump referred to – which have sent us so many great Americans – and from which Trump is not only trying to block more immigrants while encouraging immigrants from places like “Norway,” but wanting to “send people back.”

One of the three guests, who was a journalist working for the “New Yorker,” caused me to realize a place like Haiti has a much more significant place in America’s history than I was aware and “we the people” over the years have allowed our leaders to, essentially, plunder that nation – taking much more than we’ve given back – and, now Trump is planning to return thousands of Haitians who’ve immigrated to the U.S. because of the terrible earthquake in (I think) 2010 and a disaster they have not totally recovered from by canceling their “temporary protected status.”  (again, I should know more)  Haiti is not a s@#thole country and it has an important place in American history.  Haitians should not be returned to Haiti because they’re Black – which is what myself, and many others, are inferring is Trump’s intention regarding his unilateral action.  From what I can tell, he’s insinuating Haitians lack “merit.”  Yikes!  (people from many other of Trump’s so-called “s@#thole countries are affected by Trump’s action as well)

Several years ago I read the biography of W.E.B. Du Bois, which I remember as being a very challenging book for me to read because it was packed with information I, as a white person, was challenged to comprehend.  (what helped me the most, as far as helping me to better understand his biography, were the REAL stories my Black friends shared with me over the years about what they endured)  Du Bois is clearly one of the Great Americans who’s been largely “hidden” from the history books. This was about the same time I connected on the XM radio in my car with Mr. Thompson and began listening to his program “Make it Plain.”  Mr. Thompson caused me to learn more about the view of persons of “color” in America and how I was so naive in my thinking about the level of racism in America.  I suppose I was thinking that as my beliefs had evolved over the years, so would have the bulk of Americans’ beliefs as well.

Well, enough Americans had evolved in 2008 to elect our first Black president – whose father came from one of Trump’s s@#thole countries – but his eight years in office somewhat opened my eyes. (I have to say, I was proud of my country the day President Obama was elected.  I can’t remember any other day in my lifetime I felt so proud of this great nation).  Soon after President Obama took the oath of office, the now infamous “Koch brothers” funded the so-called “tea party.”  It was clearly a response to Obama’s election.  I saw the “Tea Party” for what it was right from the start – I will never forget all the disgusting signs at their rallies depicting President Obama in such overtly racist manners. All their “coded” language during Obama’s two terms in office sickened me.  But, I continued to delude myself into thinking it was a “fringe minority.”

I guess, as I try to be honest with myself, I kind of brushed off the “birther” movement, which was part of the “tea party” backlash to Obama’s election, as fringe nonsense.  I kind of knew Trump was leading it, but I didn’t really know who Donald Trump was.  I saw him as someone constantly seeking to draw attention to himself.  It was beyond my imagination he could be a viable presidential candidate – but, the republican field of candidates was often referred to as the “clown car.”  One thing common to almost all of them was a racist disrespect for President Obama.  As he was attempting to bring America out of the “Great Recession” which many said could have become another “Great Depression” (and, to many Americans it probably  seemed it was) these republicans were attempting to cause him to FAIL.  Ask yourself, why?

When the republican “field” was reduced to Trump or Cruz, I realized the issue of racism was much more significant in this country than I had allowed myself to comprehend.  Despite the fact the evidence was right in front of me every day.  Republicans, from the first day President Obama was elected, were putting their hate ahead of their country as they committed themselves to causing Obama’s failure.  (They failed at that, didn’t they)

I was not so naive as failing to understand the “dog whistle” behind Trump’s “Make America Great” again.  This was the slogan of Hitler in the 30’s “Make Germany Great Again” and it was the slogan of Ronald Reagan as he started his successful campaign for president in Philadelphia Mississippi (this was his first speech after securing the nomination) with a racially coded message assuring “white nationalists” he was on their side.  In the case of both Trump and Reagan, “Make America Great Again,” should read “Make America White Again.”  (This is why, in my posts since Trump moved into the “White House” I use quotation marks – if you hadn’t already figured that one out)

Of course, one reason people like Paul Ryan are urging Americans (by inference, “white Americans”) to have more babies is because soon America will be a majority minority country.  Recently, I read an article which said a majority of children who are 5 years old are of “minority” decent – meaning “non-white” in their answers to census type questionnaires. I guess this is why Trump is trying to block immigration from what he refers to as s@#thole countries and encouraging more immigration from Norway.  (My first thought when I heard what he said was how many Norwegians would even want to come here with Trump as president?)

As I listen to all this stuff – and, Trump seems to purposely create a controversy every day – (I’m guessing this hides much of what he’s really DOING) I keep trying to put myself in the place of Black Americans.  One of my best friends ever is a Black Pastor who now lives thousands of miles from me and I almost don’t want to broach the subject of Trump’s racist remarks with him.  This is what he and so many others have had to endure for their entire lifetimes,  There was a pastor on Joy Reid’s show – as I mentioned above – who said “we the people” should “repent” for so many things (he called them “S” words – like “slavery” for one).  I can’t remember exactly what he said, but it was such a passionate and coherent response to Trump’s disparaging words I felt, as I kind of said above, a sense of guilt for my own lack of knowledge about so much American history.  And, for so much of what America’s Black community has had to endure.

Clearly, the history books I was brought through school with and the ones I taught with as a middle school teacher did not clearly report true American history as it relates to Black history or that of other important minority groups.  The reality is almost all Americans are immigrants to some degree.  The white Europeans have been the majority since the days of the revolution  and those of us who are white have been “blessed” with “white privilege” – most of us with no comprehension of what that actually is.  Mr. Thompson helped me to better understand this as I listened to his radio show, and this morning, I was reminded of his “lessons” as I listened to his commentary regarding Trump’s offensive comments on Ms Reid’s show.  (My friend, who I mentioned above, was my teaching partner for many years and he helped me supplement material into our history lessons that was not in the text books.  I’m 70 now and, obviously, still have a lot to learn.)

It’s Martin Luther King “weekend” and, hopefully, many Americans will be looking back at Dr. King’s “message.”  Years ago, I was wanting to write about Dr. King and, after reading his “letter from a Birmingham Jail,” I simply published that letter – because there was nothing I could add at the time.  (I need to go back and read it again)  Today, I listened to Trump reading prepared remarks about Dr. King and it almost seemed offensive.  He was simply reading prepared remarks with not an “ounce” of emotion.  It came across to me as, especially after his words of last week, as another Trump example of the “height of hypocrisy.”  I’ve made it no secret on the site that I have a difficult time “stomaching” Donald Trump.  He’s the (so-called) president and I have never wanted a president to “fail.”  I want America to succeed – it’s just, to me, that won’t happen via Trump’s racist agenda.  To me, Trump is “Making America worse.”

As with the three guests on Joy Reid’s show, I was not surprised at Trump’s racist words – other than to think he should be smart enough to say them with a different audience. (it’s been reported that Lindsey Graham actually called him out on his language – I hope that’s true and I hope Mr. Graham is rethinking his recent lack of rectitude when it comes to his remarks about Trump)  I’ve pointed out Trump is OBVIOUSLY racist since long before he was elected.  I believe it’s the REASON he was elected.  Comments from those carrying the Tiki Torches at Charlottesville confirm THEY believe they’re the reason Trump was elected.  The “white nationalist” movement came out from “under the rocks” to back Trump in huge numbers.  As the saying goes, it is what it is.

What I was reminded this morning is the importance of the “resistance” continuing and the importance of encouraging the MILLIONS of young Americans who, mostly, see through Trump’s racism to get to the polls in 2018.  We need to show the world this is NOT who we are as a nation.  America was GREAT before Trump ever thought about running for president, and precisely because of immigrants from s@#thole countries and virtually every place around the globe.  We DON’T need to “make America white again,” what we need to do is follow the ideals of Martin Luther King, show pride in being the world’s “melting pot,” work harder to “Make America ‘just’,” and work to regain our status as the “land of opportunity.”

Final Thought:  click HERE if you’d like to read the “letter from Birmingham jail.”  I re-read his letter today, “Martin Luther King Day” and, it remains one of the most powerful documents I’ve ever read.  He was truly a brilliant great American.  He brought us a long way, but Trump is constantly reminding us all, we’ve got a long way to go.  I hope, if you’ve made it this far, you’ll read his letter.  However, I thought I’d put his final remark here: Let us all hope that the dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away and the deep fog of misunderstanding will be lifted from our fear drenched communities, and in some not too distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty. 

Somehow, I can envision a march, similar to the “women’s march” with White and Black Americans marching as brothers and sisters in opposition to the words of Donald Trump and the white nationalist movement he represents, and, instead in support of the ideals of love and peace taught by Jesus Christ and preached by Martin Luther King.

I really didn’t want to write another post today, but I haven’t been able to stop thinking of all my dear friends from “s*%thole” countries and what they must be thinking today.  Repeatedly, on this site, I’ve lamented the “damage” Trump might do before he’s finally removed from office – either this year by the republicans, or next year after the mid-term elections.  He’s making it more likely every day that democrats will have lots to “talk about” prior to the election.  I have to believe those who are offended, embarrassed. discouraged, angered, and I could go on – regarding the man who occupies the “White House,” far outnumber Trump’s “base” which the “White House” claims would be “energized” by Trump’s recent “s*%thole” remarks which have “reverberated” around the globe.

A little personal history:  I grew up in a totally white neighborhood in a city that was almost totally white back in the 1950’s and 1960’s.  I didn’t understand it when I was young, but my father was an overt racist.  I don’t remember how many times I heard the “N” word growing up because I didn’t really attach any meaning to it.  I wasn’t a great basketball player but I was good enough to play a couple years at our local community college.  The most significant thing I remember is my first encounter with a Black person.  In a word, I was scared.  I had been taught to be scared – and, I didn’t realize that until I experienced it.  Soon, I discovered one of my best friends on the team was an African American.  To this day – and, I have no idea where he went after that season – one of the nicest, most gracious, wonderful people I’ve met in my life.  (He was much more talented than myself, but he befriended me and helped me improve my “game” so that the next year, after he was gone, I experienced considerably more success)

I discovered I’d been raised to be a racist and within a couple years I finally “disowned” my father because I told him I couldn’t bear to listen to his racist rhetoric anymore.  (I’m sure I put it in different terms)  Over the years, many of my best friends have been African Americans – some incredibly talented and honorable people.  Also, people who’ve had to endure much of what was inferred in Trump’s despicable “shithole” comments the other day.  I have to say, for those of them who are still with us – I’m absolutely positive NONE of them were surprised by the words coming from Trump’s mouth.   I was not surprised.  NO ONE should have been surprised!  Trump’s said these words in other forms OVER and OVER again for as long as I’ve known he existed.

Was anyone paying attention to the so-called “birther” movement?  That was Trump’s entrance onto the political stage in America and drew the rousing support of that part of America that continues to believe this is a “white” nation.  Despite the FACT America is the “melting pot” of the world – “we the people” have come from virtually EVERYWHERE – Trump’s referring to the predominantly nations of “color” as “s*%thole” countries just made Trump’s reality a little more out in the open for those who haven’t been paying attention.  For eight years I waited and waited for democrats to come to President Obama’s defense in a more OUTWARD manner.  It couldn’t be Obama doing it – he would simply have been accused of “playing the race card.”  Democrats were way too silent.  So, in reality, Trump “got away with it” as he showed he was a total racist.  It was no secret!

Clearly, the “tea party” was right there with Trump.  I have good friends who aligned with the “tea party” and seemed to find it difficult to realize they were associating themselves with racists – and, I’m sure, they do to this day.  Republicans are likely to complain about the “blow-back” Trump is getting since he took office – but there’s a difference between resistance based on the FACT Trump may have colluded with Russia to get elected, the FACT he’s a racist, the FACT he’s admitted to being a sexual predator (and there’s something like 20 women who verify what he admitted to – plus, a number of beauty pageant contestants who verify his bragging about essentially “stalking” them while they were undressed in their dressing room), and the FACT he’s said OVER 2000 LIES in his first year in office.  Not to mention his embarrassing level of narcissism and his alarming lack of acuity in his public remarks.

President Obama faced an unprecedented resistance because, well, his father came from one of those “s*%thole” countries Trump was referring to.  Of course, Obama was our first president who was not “white.”  To this day, people who are republicans that may be “fleeing” the party due to Trump – at least the ones I listen to – continue to have an issue with giving Obama credit for anything.  If you remember, the republican mantra for Obama’s presidency was to make sure he “failed.”  Rush Limbaugh was clear:  “Our number one priority is that Obama would fail.”  I can’t stand to listen to Limbaugh, but over President Obama’s eight years in office, I heard many RACIST comments coming from Limbaugh’s mouth with virtually NO republican “blow-back.” (and too little coming from democrats)  Mitch McConnell clearly said: our number one priority is to make Obama a one term president.”  (well, obviously, McConnell and the republicans failed at that – and, can you imagine how many Americans would love to have President Obama back?)  In essence, they openly were putting their contempt that America would elect a Black president ahead of what was good for the country.

There were republicans in the room when Trump made his “s*%thole” remarks – I say that in plural, because I believe he said it repeatedly – and, they seem to have some kind of memory loss – they can’t remember him saying it.  However, there was one democrat in the room, Dick Durbin of Illinois along with at least one staff member, and they apparently have better memories than the republicans in the room.  (Personally, I believe many republicans – and, apparently those in that room – speak [and think] in the same manner)  So, Trump’s “s*%thole” remarks are now reverberating all over the world.  The “damage” is mounting!  And, FAST!

We all know (at least those paying attention) that it will take republicans to remove this “s*%thead” from the “White House.”  If you’ve been curious as to why they’ve been drawing closer to Trump, why they seem to be attempting to smear Robert Mueller who’s investigating the “Russia thing,” and why they seem to be OK with the “shithole” comments?  Well, I believe there are a couple reasons – and it goes back to what those who are “resisting” are so concerned about.  The obvious first answer is, as I just said, the “s*%thole” remarks don’t bother them.  They likely say (or think) the same thing.  The second answer is the most scary and the one that tells me the “damage” will continue to mount until republicans are “kicked out” of Congress – or, at least kicked out in numbers where Trump (and Pense) can be impeached.

While “we the people” are worried about Trump’s mental state, I believe that is exactly why republicans are drawing along side Trump and attempting to undercut the Russia investigation.  Just as republicans were willing to put the needs of the American people aside as they attempted to BLOCK everything President Obama was proposing – ie, his failure was more important than OUR success – they are like a “kid in a candy store” with Trump.  Many have surmised that Trump agrees to anything said by “the last person he’s talked to.”  They’re now busy making sure they’re the “last person(s) he hears.”

In addition, if you want to manipulate Trump all you have to do is heap unending praise on him.  Well, that’s what I believe is behind all these republicans who are proclaiming Trump to be the “greatest president ever” – as Orrin Hatch did (soiling forever his own legacy).  What “we the people” don’t know is what’s going on “behind closed doors.”  Clearly Trump is obliterating virtually every thing Obama accomplished via the executive order.  I believe republicans have a new strategy for what used to be called “earmarks” – where sweetheart deals were embedded in legislation that congressional members could “run on back home.” I have to wonder, what executive orders are republicans getting him to sign in return for their blustering?  Will it be enough to save their jobs as they face angry voters?  And, are America’s voters going fall for this scam or will they overwhelmingly reject this racist president and his supporters?

It will be some time until “we the people” know what’s actually being done to us – but, what we do know is the environment, food safety, occupational safety, water safety, air safety, and the list is long and already at risk.  (unless you’re an oil company executive, a Wall Street banker, etc.)  It will be years until we know the full impact on “Main Street” of the “tax scam” which surely has loophole after loophole to funnel more tax dollars to the top “1%.”   For example, we KNOW the “tax scam” turned Bob Corker of Tennessee from a critic of Trump into a “BFF.” In the end we’ll all know what was done by our “s*%thead” president with the help of the republican party – now, the party of Trump.  And, hopefully, the American people will soundly reject all of them.  I believe there are “very fine” people all across America that understand and believe in what made this country great and I hope many of them choose to run for office in opposition to this group of republicans – no matter what “color” their state or what color their skin.

So, this “deplorable” man who is disparaging people of color around the world is – I want to say embarrassing, but that’s not the right word – and, angering doesn’t feel like the right word – PISSING OFF more people than any one person on the planet – that feels more like the right words.  That’s our so-called president.  Our so-called president who got 3 MILLION less votes than the first woman to run for the office.  Our so-called president who likely needed the Russians to intervene on his behalf to energize the racists in America and turn off voters who might have voted for Mrs. Clinton.  Our so-called president republicans are attempting to shield from what appears likely to be CRIMINAL charges, at a minimum of OBSTRUCTION of justice.  The list could go on.  I just hope the American people have better memories than the  republicans in the room with our “shithole” president!

Final thought:  The situation with my father ended well.  Earlier in my life I had a “season” where I was training race horses.  (like my basketball years, I wasn’t that great)  I befriended a group of elderly Black men who loved to bet on the horses.  My father loved to bet on the horses.  A few years after I “disowned” my father, I was driving along a country road and felt the overriding need to forgive him – which I did.  (and, by the way, that took a huge “weight” off my shoulders)  Soon after, my father got cancer and we reconnected and he started coming to the track with me.  To make a long story a bit shorter, he ended up hanging (with me) and these (really cool) old Black guys (who had amazing stories to tell – they’d lived very tough lives) that had become my good friends.  The experience changed my fathers heart in regard to his racist beliefs.  He had been raised just like myself – and, so many other Americans as a racist. I was by my fathers side the day he died.

I’d like to think Trump could change – but, it appears his beliefs are deeply embedded.  However, in this instance, I believe irreparable “DAMAGE” has been done –  The only possible “repair” will likely have to wait until the 2018 election!  (I, however – I’m sure naively – continue to have hope republicans will “come to their senses”)

Full Disclosure:  My brother-in-law has a higher moral clarity than, apparently, myself.  He shamed me into modifying certain parts of this post – parts that should be obvious.  I was uncomfortable with writing those words – the words of our so-called president – and, he convinced me “two wrongs don’t make a right.”  I should have known that as a retired 6th grade teacher.

Recently I’ve made several posts lamenting the FACT the republican party is aligning themselves with Trump in an apparent attempt to either BLOCK the investigation of Robert Mueller or convince the viewers of Fox “news,” and the listeners of the right wing propaganda talkers on the radio waves that Mueller’s findings will be biased.  It’s as if they’re working in Tandem with Trump and the “White House” to OBSTRUCT Mueller’s work.  One of the things that has set me off was last week when Chuck Grassley and Lindsey Graham essentially publicly showed themselves to be “turncoats” as they sent a letter to the Justice Department recommending a “criminal referral” on Christopher Steele – the former British Intelligence officer who did the investigation leading to the so-called “dossier.”  This was the person who brought his concerns he was witnessing a crime to the FBI prior to the 2016 election.  A lot of people were very angry with Grassley and Graham for this puzzling behavior.

Grassley is the head of the Senate Judiciary Committee and early last year he was very supportive of the Mueller investigation which, apparently, he’s now trying to undermine.  He, along with Graham, released the aforementioned letter without consulting with anyone else on the committee, obviously including the democrats.  Well, it was just yesterday where I was showing my concern on whether or not the democrats would be up to the challenge “we the people” are facing by the Trump scam.  Well, Diane Feinstein was not happy with Grassley and Graham.  So, Feinstein did something incredible – considering she’s in her 80’s and seems to be the epitome of a Senator who follows protocol.  She released the testimony (over 300 pages) of the owners of “Fusion GPS” before the Senate Judiciary Committee which Grassley was attempting to block.

Like most republicans, Grassley was wanting this “both ways.”  He wanted to smear Christopher Steele – who SHOULD be regarded as a national hero – and wanted to block the release of the transcripts which shows the public that Grassley and Graham were essentially, and I know this will surprise few republican “watchers,” LYING.  Steele reported his findings to the FBI due to his concerns with what he was finding in his investigation.  As Feinstein, herself, said, NOTHING in the so-called “dossier” has been proven inaccurate.  The “dossier” makes it clear to anyone willing to read it that we have a president who’s likely in office because of the Russian ATTACK on our voting process.

“We the people” NEED to know EXACTLY what happened because if our most fundamental process, the right to vote, is undermined, our nation will be ruined as we’ve always known it.  That’s exactly what Vladimir Putin wants to do.  The only way he can bring down America is through fomenting internal division.  Not only does our entire intelligence community KNOW what the Russians were doing, it’s LIKELY they are still doing it.  As I’ve pointed out here many times, there’s NO evidence the Trump administration is doing anything to block the Russians from intruding surreptitiously into America’s cyber networks.

Many of the warnings I’ve received over the years regarding the use of my own computer and of using the internet have to do with “trolls,” many supposedly coming from Russia, trying to “hack” into my own cyberspace.  Obviously, there were some democrats who were careless and opened files that allowed the Russians to STEAL email messages from the Democratic campaign committee and John Podesta. This THEFT led to much of what the Russians were “outed” for during the election campaign.  Obviously, the STOLEN files were released at strategic times to DEFLECT “we the people’s” attention from, for example, the Access Hollywood tape.  But, there was much more.

This is a serious problem and one EVERYONE – republican or democrat – should be on the highest level of concern.  Apparently, the republicans in Congress don’ t feel that way – it’s more important to them to shield Trump in case it’s PROVEN he has broken a law or LAWS.  But, more than the STOLEN files, the Russians were also attacking Hillary Clinton and propping up Trump through ACTUAL fake news via their use of vessels such as Facebook and Twitter.  Full disclosure – I don’t participate in any of the “Social media” outlets so all I know is what has been reported – but, let me put it this way, I personally don’t view Mark Zuckerberg as a “patriot.”  I don’t trust him to be consciously working to prevent his company’s product from being “weaponized” by the Russians.  And, keep this in mind, the Russians have taught Trump, Fox “news,” and the others the true “art” of “fake news.”

So, we’ve finally got a democrat who has stepped up and done “we the people” a great service.  Now, we can read for ourselves what’s in the testimony of the people who created the “dossier” and decide if it’s true or not.  Interestingly, Trump’s lawyer, today, was reported to have filed a lawsuit against “Buzzfeed” the publication that originally published the “dossier” AND “Fusion GPS” the firm that compiled it.  Keep in mind, this is “opposition research” that goes on all the time.  Apparently, Trump hasn’t learned from previous frivolous lawsuits he’s filed about the process of depositions.  I can’t imagine Trump will be able to avoid being deposed should this lawsuit proceed.  That SHOULD be interesting!

As I’ve said, it’s taken an 84 year old woman to step up to the “plate” for the democrats.  Hopefully, this is just the beginning.  While democrats have been honoring decorum in the Congress, republicans have been busy turning tradition on its ear as they appear to be participating in a cover up of Trump’s actions during the campaign and since.  I also believe they are concerned that Mueller’s “wide latitude” in the parameters of his assignment are leading him to some of Trump’s devious behavior prior to the election and they really don’t want that to become public.  Likely the same reason Trump has refused to release his tax returns.  I believe “we the people” are going to see a direct connection between Trump and, at the very minimum, Russian financial interests.  Here’s what’s on many people’s minds: Money laundering?

As this entire episode plays out, I have a feeling that an 84 year old woman has placed herself into an important place in American history.  And, when you observe Ms. Feinstein and listen to her, you get the impression she’s the last person in world wanting to put herself into such a significant place.  Apparently, she’s got a “long fuse” and Grassley and Graham managed to set her off.  I can only hope other democrats are watching.

I listened to the top democrat on the House Intelligence Committee Adam Schiff talk about how he was appreciative of what Ms Feinstein did, but how the “rules” on his Intelligence Committee are much more stringent keeping him from taking a similar action.  Here’s a word I’d like all democrats to think about – COURAGE!  As I’ve said, this is a WAR for the heart and soul of this nation.  Republicans are making up their own rules as they go.  Democrats should not stand idly by and simply complain.  I hope Feinstein’s actions are simply the FIRST step.  Regarding Mr. Schiff, the head of his committee is doing some TERRIBLE “stuff.”  There’s an old saying, “fight fire with fire.”  Democrats need to show the Millions of people who are resisting Trump they have the GUTS to lead the FIGHT.

I realize there’s more at stake in D.C. than just the “Russia thing” and democrats need to be strategic in their actions.  For example, there’s 9 MILLION children that are about to be without health insurance, some in life threatening conditions, who need democrats to figure out a way to FORCE republicans to fund the CHIP program.  Additionally, the DACA issue MUST be resolved by March or there’s 800,000 young Americans who are in danger of either being deported or heading back into the “shadows.”  In fact, there’s 11 MILLION “illegal aliens” in America that deserve a chance to earn citizenship.  These are important issues that can’t wait for the 2018 election.  In reality, Trump would be wise to work with democrats on these issues because HUGE majorities of Americans want them resolved favorably for the children/young people involved.

I was privileged to spend the last 23 years of my working life in a Middle School classroom in a high poverty school teaching sixth graders.  I know that many of my former students are likely part of the DACA program.  I also know that many of my students in my last years of teaching were dependent on the CHIP program for their health needs – and, for many of them being able to go to the doctor made the difference between success in school and likely failure.  So, my point is there’s more at stake right now than whether or not Trump has covered up any crimes – but, the reality is, kicking Russia out of our elections and protecting our allies from their intrusions as they attempt to undermine the Western “democracies” is of paramount importance.  I’ll say it again, there is a WAR for the heart and soul of America right now and republicans appear to be siding with the Russians!  We need more Diane Feinsteins in our Congress to lead the fight as we await the opportunity to “check” Trump’s agenda in the 2018 election.

Watching republicans soiling themselves at Camp David in their effusive praise of Trump is embarrassing – thinking about the FACT “the world is watching.”  Mitch McConnell who was severely belittled by Trump during the summer is now allowing himself to come across as a Trump lapdog.  Then there’s Paul Ryan who disassociated himself from Trump after the Access Hollywood tapes were made public, as if he had some kind of moral compass, showing he’s willing to do whatever he has to do to kiss up to Trump because he’ll (Trump) sign anything Congress can put on his desk.  These Congressional “leaders” are showing they’ve learned from the leaders of China and Saudi Arabia – heap praise on him and you get whatever you want!  It’s embarrassing and disgusting!

Trump, himself, after proclaiming himself a “stable genius” and after being asked if he’ll agree to an interview with Robert Mueller, said this investigation is “making America look foolish” – and, as long as I’m president America’s not going to look foolish.  (There’s so much I want to say right now) Well, as I just said, the republicans soiling themselves as they seek to put themselves in a position to manipulate Trump for their agenda are doing just what Trump said won’t happen while he’s president – America is looking – well, WORSE than foolish.  We’re looking STUPID!  And, people around the world have to be wondering about Trump’s “base” and how they can be so STUPID to not “see” the reality of Trump in the “White House.”

Apparently, republicans in Congress think Americans aren’t watching as they “circle the wagons” around a president 2 out of every 3 Americans believe is an incompetent pathological LIAR.  At some point the other third of Americans will come to understand what Trump is doing is EXACTLY the kind of stuff that pissed them off in the first place.  Trump’s “populism” is the populism of Wall Street.  Wall Street continues to flourish at the expense of “Main Street.”  The recent “tax scam,” over the next couple of years, will just exacerbate the inequality between the “haves” and the “have nots.”  At some point, even Trump’s “base” will “get it.”

I’ve recently been trying to stomach as much of the right wing propaganda “machine” as I can.  And, with no surprise, Fox “news” turns me off within seconds – the LYING is nauseating.  I’ve tried to listen to Rush Limbaugh again, but I can’t even make it as long as I do with Fox.  Every time I listen to him I have to wonder about his audience that willingly accepts the moniker of “ditto heads.”  Trump openly courted the “uneducated voters” who make up Limbaugh’s audience, saying he “loves them.”  Does anyone wonder why?  Then there are people like Michael Savage and Alex Jones that I’ve only seen snippets of – OMG, there’s a reason people refer to what’s happening in the republican party as “the right wing fringe.”  Right now, as I said, America’s not looking “foolish” in the words of Trump, she’s looking STUPID.

The only way for Americans to resurrect her image in the eyes of the world is to resoundingly REJECT Trump and those who are choosing to enable him.  I’ve said this many times, the 2018 elections can’t come soon enough for me.  I’ve not been a “fan” of the democratic party over the past few years, but “we the people” don’t have another reasonable alternative to the republicans, so I’m truly hoping the democrats come to their senses and recruit NUMEROUS young qualified PROGRESSIVE (liberal) candidates who will actually FIGHT for those on “Main Street” and BACK them!  This is a “WAR” for the heart and soul of this country and I’m not convinced democrats have the necessary FIGHT in them.  We’ll see!

Wall Street was FLUSH with capital before the recent tax scam that is going to funnel another nearly TRILLION and a half taxpayer dollars into the coffers of Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, Chase, Apple, Google, Facebook, and I could go on and on – as if they were all struggling.  At some point, as recent history SHOULD have taught us, the BUBBLE will burst – and, I’m feeling the next time it happens “we the people” will be in the most serious situation since the Great Depression. And, I for one, have ZERO confidence Trump (or the republicans) would have any idea how to get us out of a serious downturn in the economy.  In the meantime, many Americans will be fooled into thinking “all is well” due to the infusion of BORROWED money into the economy AND the numerous executive orders REPEALING regulations that keep “we the people” safe from predatory behavior on the part of greedy corporate interests.  Yes, the corporate interests LOVE Trump and his republican enablers.

The last time a “downturn” happened, Hank Paulsen, with the blessing of all the so-called “free market” people in the GW Bush administration BAILED out the people who caused the crisis “because they were so valuable” and then high tailed it out of Washington DC.  Of course, the republican party then, true to their post Gingrich history, started blaming President Obama for the bailout before he even took the oath of office.  They spent the next 8 years BLAMING Obama for the deficit – which was at $1.5 TRILLION  per year as Bush/Cheney left town.  Of course, Bush/Cheney had inherited a $250 BILLION per year SURPLUS when they took office.  It didn’t take them long to turn it into a HUGE deficit.  If you’re a “ditto head” I hope you see how this all works with republicans.

President Obama got the deficit down to around $400 BILLION per year by the time he left office, despite CONSTANT obstruction from the GOP, but republicans continued to blame him for the increased national debt with never a word as to where the problem came from in the first place.  It’s as if Bush/Cheney never existed.  And, of course, soon after taking office Trump was claiming credit for the booming economy he inherited from President Obama.  The question in my mind is “how long will it take for Trump to ruin what Obama left him?”  I’m hoping it won’t be as soon as what Bush/Cheney did to what they inherited, but – well, it’s a work in progress.  We’ve already seen a replay of Cheney’s famous quote: “Reagan proved deficits don’t matter.”  Job growth has already slowed compared to the Obama years.

Republicans complain about deficits only when there’s a democrat in the White House.  And, this isn’t just an “us” problem.  People around the world really are watching.  Foreign investment in America is still “going strong.”  Despite all our issues, I’ve heard several reports that foreign nations still consider America the safest place for their money.  So, I guess it’s fairly safe to say, the recent “tax scam” won’t be “giving the American people their money back” as Paul Ryan – now a Trump sycophant – famously said while grinning from ear to ear – but, the reality is the tax scam will be “giving Wall Street more Chinese money” that our children and grandchildren will be responsible to repay.  Do you think there’s a republican on the face of the earth that actually thinks in terms of repaying the national debt?

These republicans appear to me to be attempting to hitch themselves to whatever “wagon” is the most self aggrandizing at the time.  Right now, they’re just pathetically slobbering all over themselves as they heap phony praise on the so-called president.  Several of them appear to be helping to create a “firewall” between Trump and the impending probability that he’s likely a criminal.  I’m getting the feeling that Mueller is looking into Trump’s “past” and he’s finding stuff that you’d find in an organized crime family. People “in the know,” for example, say Vladimir Putin’s government is run like an organized crime operation and clearly Trump admires Putin and is trying to “make America like Russia.”  I’m just sayin……..

That likely doesn’t look “foolish” – again, using Trump’s words – to Russia, but to the rest of the world – speaking of our traditional allies, it probably looks downright dangerous and scary.  It appears Trump has little to no knowledge of American or world history and he shows no interest in furthering relationships with our traditional allies.  Much of the executive orders he’s signing can be “fixed” in the upcoming elections when “we the people” have the opportunity to put the ultimate “check” on Trump’s outlandish behavior.  However, the “damage” (as I often refer to it) being done with the British, the French, the Germans, and other European allies could be difficult to repair.  For them, 2020 is a long time from now and they could have “chartered” an entirely new “course” by then.  Americans need to act DECISIVELY in 2018.  I’ve said this many times:  “The world is watching.”

I’ll end this by saying the most absurd, to me, thing happening in the past week – and, it seems EVERY week, in America, is full of ABSURD “stuff” – but, this is “right up there” – it’s where the Senate Judiciary Committee finally made a “criminal referral” from their investigation into Russia’s ATTACK on America.  It was done by Chuck Grassley and Lindsey Graham – apparently in tandem – and, UNBELIEVABLY they are accusing Christopher Steele, the former British Intelligence “spy” – who informed the FBI about the Russians ATTACKING our election process with the participation of Trump’s campaign – of some kind of crime.  Talk about making America look “foolish.”  This one, to me, was the unbelievable in a year of unbelievable, ridiculous “stuff” coming from Trump and the republicans.

This is their strategy to protect Trump from whatever he’s trying to HIDE from the American people – with the help of the republican party.  Blame the messenger and deflect from the message.  I’ve seen this over and over again in America.  We encourage people to be “whistle-blowers” and then attack them for exposing an uncomfortable TRUTH.  In this case, obviously Grassley and Graham are “uncomfortable” with whatever Trump did and they’re trying to prevent “we the people” from knowing about it.  This is the same Committee in Congress which is BLOCKING the testimony of “Fusion GPS” – the company that hired Steele – from being publicly released.  What are Grassley and Graham trying to hide?  Are they working in concert with Trump?  (that would be really bad!)

I’ve said this many times on this site – I feel like Trump – I keep repeating myself, but in this instance it’s not subconsciously, if members of Congress are attempting to BLOCK the investigation into Trump and the “Russia thing” (as Trump referred to it in his STUPID interview with Lester Holt – where he essentially admitted to Obstruction of Justice in the firing of James Comey) they SHOULD be held accountable for OBSTRUCTION as well.  As both Grassley and Graham – when Mueller was first appointed – both said, this investigation SHOULD be allowed to proceed without interference until it reaches its natural conclusion. (or words to that affect)  Something strange has happened to them and many other republicans.  I don’t know if Trump has “stuff” over them (like Russia very likely has on Trump) but, the bottom line here is that Russia has interfered  (and IS interfering) in our most fundamental institution and, we need to stop them from doing so in the future, and hold accountable any American who treasonously worked with them in the 2016 election.

The “stuff” is never ending coming from Trump and the “Russia thing.”  Originally, virtually every American – republican, democrat, and independent – stood together in wanting to know what really happened during the 2016 election.  At the time this information was originally publicized, people wanted to know if Russia could have actually had a material affect on our election.  Over the course of the next twelve months many republicans have changed their “tune.”  It appears they are willing to destroy the FBI, the CIA, the Justice Department, and, in the process, the confidence of Americans in our traditional institutions to protect a man who is, in so many ways, destroying this nation.

I’ve talked about what I’ve referred to as the “damage” Trump might do before republicans in Congress come to their senses and IMPEACH him.  I believed, once they realized their own jobs were in jeopardy, they would “do the right thing.”  Evidently, those “puppet masters” (like Charles and David Koch) who are funding the republican party and are the beneficiaries of the recent tax scam, are the ones with all the power.  They like what Trump is providing for them and they’ll keep this attack on our fundamental institutions going as long as they can.  As Trump recently explained to the Koch’s and their allies, “you all just got a lot richer.”  Evidently, there’s never enough for these people.  (Each of the Koch’s are worth upwards of $50 BILLION – apparently, not enough)  I’m sure they’re telling republicans they have enough money to thwart the “wave of resistance” that’s coming in November.

Not only is Trump “Making America worse” he’s having an impact around the globe.  For example, by pulling out of the Paris Climate Accord and the TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership) he might as well have given China the “gift of gifts” on a “silver platter.”  China, for example, after Trump pulled the U.S. out of the Paris agreement – likely because it was the work of Barack Obama – one of the main targets of our so-called president – is taking the lead in the technology of alternative energy – like solar and wind power.  By the time “we the people” are able to correct the Trump (and republican) problem affecting our government, China will have, most likely, an insurmountable lead in this technology.  I guess that just means more stuff coming from China.  “We the people” can rest knowing we’ll be bathing in coal and oil thanks to the “genius” Trump.

Then there’s the TPP.  This was also negotiated by President Obama, with the idea of protecting America from China’s future domination of the economies of countries in South East Asia.  Well, Trump served up this part of the world to the Chinese – again, on a “silver platter.”  While Trump is “crowing” about how smart he is and what a great negotiator he is, the Chinese are “laughing all the way to the bank.”  Reports are the Chinese already have their own trade agreement in the works that will supersede the TPP and guarantee their dominance in this part of the world where a HUGE percentage of the world’s economy is going to be centered in the near future.  This is what can only be described as lasting “damage.”  Damage that very well may not be recoverable from in any form close to what President Obama was trying to insulate us from. Sad!

Leaders around the world have figured out how to “play” Trump – and, he will likely never understand what “hit him.”  While it reinforces his self image as a “genius,” unfortunately, “we the people” are going to be the real losers going forward.  While Trump is strutting around pointing out his “genius” they are laughing to themselves and finding new ways to turn America into a “paper tiger.”  Roll out the red carpet and tell Trump how wonderful he is and you’ll get whatever you want.  In the case of the Chinese, it may be years before we fully understand to what level they are benefiting from Trump’s narcissism.

I mentioned the issues with the TPP and the Paris Climate Agreement, but what about the recent tax scam where Trump successfully pilfered $1.5 TRILLION tax dollars from “we the people” funneling it to himself and the “puppet masters” mentioned above.  Well, where is that money coming from.  If you listen to Trump and his now buddy Paul Ryan they’ll say, “we’re giving the American people their money back.”  More than once, I’ve explained the fallacy of that claim – but, I’ll briefly do so again.  If it was “our” money, it wouldn’t need to be BORROWED.  However, the addition to the national debt will likely exceed the amount of the tax cut so, in effect it’s ALL borrowed money.  Do you really believe they’re borrowing it from “we the people?”  Most likely, at least in the short term it will come from the Chinese, the Saudi’s, some other adversary, or they’ll just have it printed.

The only way you could possibly say they’re giving us our money back would be because, ultimately, you’d think it has to be repaid and we’ll get it then.  Maybe the more accurate way to express the TRUTH about what they did is to say, “we’re taking a huge haul from your children and grandchildren and they can give you your money back if you live long enough.”  So, I guess you could say our children and grandchildren might be “giving us our money back.”  But, there’s another “hitch” to that as well.  “We the people” aren’t getting the money – well, by that I mean 83% of the money’s going to the “top 1%” which really isn’t “we the people.”  So, in TRUTH what they did is ROB $1.5 TRILLION from our children and grandchildren.  And, apparently, our “conservative” right wing Christians are willing to let them get away with this.

That gets me back to China.  Apparently, the United States economy is still considered the safest place for people around the world to invest their excess money.  Like in America’s treasury bonds.  (Well, unless you’re one of the “top 1%” who needed that tax cut in order to bring the TRILLIONS stashed in the Cayman Islands and other places where they can avoid paying taxes – that’s right, our “top 1%” essentially bribe our “leaders” into cutting their taxes so they’ll bring their profits home – “you can’t make this stuff up”)  There was a time in recent American history when people who espoused the present day republican philosophy of making sure the “rich get richer” would have been considered unpatriotic.  For me, that time is still now!

Let me go over this again.  Well, some of what I’m going to go over comes from my most recent posts.  While Trump is enabling the Chinese (and other nations around the world) he is also destroying the fundamental fabric of America.  The conspiracy to attack the FBI, CIA, Justice Department, and other traditional American institutions is threatening to turn the U.S. into third world status.  Now, I “get” it will take much more than what’s happened to this point – but, Trump is attacking his political opponents by directing the Justice Department to investigate them as a way to block the investigations into his own wrongdoing – classic authoritarian policy.  If he somehow succeeds, it could be the end of America as we know it.

I trust there will be enough people in the streets before “we the people” let him get away with it to make the “Women’s march” look tame.  But, keep in mind, the Justice Department is run by Jeff Sessions who has already soiled his reputation (what there was of it) as he’s allowed himself to become a “lapdog” of the president.  So, now “we the people” are depending on the “rank and file” of the FBI and the Justice Department to honor their oaths to the constitution – and, either refuse or resign when asked to carry out illegal activities.  Right now, it appears Sessions has relinquished to Trump’s demand to open an investigation into the so-called “Uranium 1” transaction that took place in 2010.

That entire transaction has been the part of partisan “investigations” already with the reality being it was an inconsequential transaction that had no connection to those Trump wants to attack.  But, his plan to do character assassination via innuendo through “Fox and Friends” will have the “ditto heads” who follow this stuff and actually believe it in an uproar.  Trump’s plan is to DEFLECT attention from whatever is coming from Mueller, which he apparently is aware.  I learned a long time ago – when someone CONTINUALLY proclaims their innocence – when nothing’s been alleged – well, they’re likely GUILTY.  I remain willing to allow Robert Mueller the “last word” on this, but the intensity of the “blow-back” coming from Trump and his minions suggests there’s something “there.” (here’s my guess, when “Uranium 1” proves another waste of taxpayer dollars “investigating” Mrs. Clinton, republicans will re-open Benghazi)

What’s the most discouraging about all this to me, is the silence coming from the republican party – or, worse yet, the republicans who’ve chosen to participate in the OBSTRUCTION of Mueller’s investigation coming from the “White House.”  I’ve mentioned this lately, I believe there’s members of Congress who could be opening themselves up to charges of OBSTRUCTION of justice in their poorly concealed attempts to undermine Mueller’s probe.  To me, if the president can’t OBSTRUCT justice, neither can the members of Congress.  Trump’s frantic attempts to find a way to “get away” with whatever it is he so fears is further dividing America.  There’s going to be a HUGE response to this investigation one way or the other.

Most Americans just want to know if Trump and his campaign were working in concert with the Russians during the campaign.  The more Trump attacks the “messenger” the more likely, it seems, the “message” will be unfavorable for him.  But, he’s making sure to “gin up” his “base” by attacking Mueller, calling anything coming from the media (with the exception of Fox “news”) “fake news” (and, remember, that term comes right out of the Russian “playbook”) so that his supporters will not believe any charges that might be brought against him.  He’s perfectly willing to see MILLIONS of Americans in the streets instead of trusting the American Justice system to be “fair and balanced” to steal a phrase from Fox.  This is unpatriotic and that will be Trump’s place in the history books – no matter how this all plays out.

Which gets me back to my main point.  Instead of “leading” America to a better place, Trump is taking this nation into, quite possibly, the darkest place it’s been since the removal of slavery regarding our nation’s “black marks.”  Yes, there’s been a lot of challenges over the years, a lot of fights among various groups for their rights – including people of color, women, and many others, but for an America president to purposely encourage DIVISION is, to me, unthinkable.  Until Trump, every American president in my lifetime – and, those I’ve read about – have always put the nation before themselves (my mind is causing me to pause as I think about Dick Cheney, but his was only thought to be “kind of” the president during the term of GW Bush) but, Trump is clearly all about Trump.  And, without a second thought, I believe he would ruin this country to save himself.  He’s relied on a slogan that was first espoused in the 1930’s (Make Germany Great Again) by Adolf Hitler, but, I believe, in reality you could claim that what Trump is really doing is “Making China Great Again.”  And, there’s not much “we the people” can do about it unless the republican party finds their moral compass – if any of those presently in power ever had one!  (I’m giving John McCain a “pass” – he must be deteriorating fast.  I can’t imagine him participating in what Trump is doing – “we the people” need some LOUD voices coming from the “right”)

I’m not sure who’s most disgusting, Trump, or the republicans who are leading the backlash to the “Russia thing” – apparently willing to allow the Russians to ATTACK this nation and, in various ways to “change the subject,” turn the focus of gullible Americans back to Hillary Clinton, the FBI, the Justice Department, and more.  What SHOULD be obvious is if there’s no “there, there” why all the attacks?  If Trump has nothing to hide, why is the right wing Congress attempting to turn America into a total autocracy?  Are republicans afraid of Robert Mueller because they understand he’s a reliable investigator?  Do they believe Trump is guilty of something and the only way to protect him is to undermine our FBI and Justice Department?

I can tell you the long term damage if republicans actually attempt to PURGE the Justice Department and fill it with cronies who will give loyalty oaths to Trump aint gonna work!  If you were around in the 60’s and remember those protests the response to any attempt to turn our Justice Department into a “Trump tower” will make the protests of the 60’s look tame.  The American public – minus those who watch Fox “news’ (AKA GOP TV) – are on the edge of their seats waiting to find out who was involved with the Russians that attacked – and, as I’ve said many time here – are likely still attacking – the fundamental premise of our republic.  Maybe having Russians influence the outcome of an election is OK with “Fox and Friends,” but it’s a HUGE red line for MOST of America.

As the investigation gets closer to Trump, who appears to be mentally unstable, republicans in Congress seem to be “circling the wagons.”  Are they failing to read the “tea leaves?”  If they want to have any chance of staying in power, they SHOULD be allowing the investigation to proceed and hoping it’s finished sooner rather than later.  If Trump is to be accused of criminal wrongdoing, republicans SHOULD be planning for whether his crimes amount to impeachable offenses and they SHOULD follow through accordingly.  This strategy of attacking the messenger to stop the message is faulty at its core – and, will require “we the people” get rid of any member of Congress that is OBSTRUCTING the Russian investigation.

If the president can’t OBSTRUCT an investigation, I have to assume members of Congress are not able to do so as well.  It was reported last night that the Senate Judiciary Committee sent a letter to the Justice Department recommending criminal charges against Christopher Steele, the well respected former British Intelligence officer who compile the so-called “dossier” and reported the Russian ATTACK on America to the FBI.  That report is going to tell people in Europe that the American justice system has “lost its mind.”  Of course, the net result of this action will make it so Mr. Steele will not come to America to testify about his findings.  Obviously, that appears to be the republicans on the Judiciary Committee’s intent.

Republicans are pulling out all the stops to protect Trump from the “Russia thing.”  Trump fired James Comey thinking that would protect him from the Russia thing.  He sent multiple persons to the Justice Department to prevent Jeff Sessions (unsuccessfully) from recusing himself from the “Russia thing” – expecting Sessions to protect him from the “Russia thing.”  Trump asked several members of Congress to block the investigations to protect him from the “Russia thing.”  Trump dictated a letter regarding Donald Jr.’s collusion with the Russians (along with Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort) in order to protect himself (and his son) from the “Russia thing.”  Trump has called out all the “troops” – Fox (and “friends”) plus others on the right wing media circus to attack Mueller’s and the FBI’s credibility to protect him from the “Russia thing.”

It should be obvious to anyone who can think at a sixth grade level, Trump is hiding something and it’s serious.  He’s willing to destroy the foundation of America to protect himself from the “Russia thing.”  For Trump, it’s all about Trump.  What’s really curious to me is why so many republicans can’t see this?  Are they so desperate for someone who’ll sign any piece of legislation they can put on his desk that they’re willing to destroy our nation?  Do they believe the Justice Department and the FBI should be filled with political loyalists?  If that’s the case, let me remind them that the 2018 elections are right around the corner.  Every time republicans pull another stunt designed to undermine Mueller the chances of democrats retaking control of the Congress goes up.  As the saying goes, “two can play this game.”

Rumor has it that Trump is planning to fire Jeff Sessions – the first republican to endorse him – so that he can appoint an Attorney General who “will defend him from the Russia thing.”  Just as Trump’s recent legal attacks on the book “Fire and Fury,” demanding the publisher not publish it, (as an aside: I’ve already ordered my copy – Barnes and Noble has them at 30% off) caused the publisher to move up the release date, I believe Trump’s (and the republicans) actions are pushing Mueller to take the next “step” sooner rather than later.  Do republicans think they can undo all the investigation that has taken place?  Do they realize what this will do to America if they succeed in thwarting Mueller and destroying public confidence in our Justice Department?

I’ve talked many times on this site about the “damage” Trump might do before he is ousted as our so-called president.  Well, what he’s conspiring to do with the help of republicans in Congress is like a plan to turn America into a third world nation.  I believe “we the people” understand the hypocrisy of the tax scam.  As Trump said to his rich friends: “you all just got a lot richer.”  I think most Americans who are paying attention (and, not watching Fox) realize whatever pittance they might get from this scam, the $1.5 TRILLION (probably double that if history is any guide) addition to the national debt is not worth it.  More and more people are starting to realize, in America, the Middle Class has been getting “jobbed” by the “top 1%” for years, and the Trump/Ryan tax scam is just one more example of their reverse Robin Hood tactics.  But, that is nothing compared to what republicans are attempting to do to our FBI and Justice Department!

It was reported yesterday that several members of the FBI and Justice department have been called before Congress for what appears to be extensive “grilling.”  These are dedicated servants to America, but someone – most likely Rob Rosenstein and Christopher Wray – have succumbed to the pressure coming from the likes of Devin Nunes, Lindsay Graham, and other republicans who are coming off to people like me as “turncoats.”  The republicans in Congress are still pushing for investigations into Hillary Clinton designed to take attention off the “Russia thing.”

America’s political dysfunction is leading us down a very dangerous path.  First and foremost, it’s as if the republicans are willing to pretend the Russian attack never happened.  I’m guessing, the Russians are still involved in the brainwashing tactics these republicans are using to keep their base of about 30% of America “in line.”  I don’t use Facebook, but from what I’ve heard and read, they’re likely still a mechanism allowing disinformation to spread to targeted areas of America.  Trump’s supporters believe it’s a political vendetta out to get him – but, they’re unwilling to allow the investigation to clear him.  Do you, as I, wonder why?  I think most people think the answer to that question is that Trump is guilty of something!

I’ve written about the direction of the republican party since I started venting my frustration about American politics 10 years ago.  I’ve argued, as a Christian, I don’t understand how people who believe in Jesus Christ can associate with today’s republican party.  I know, for most, it’s about abortion – but, to me that’s not a justification for every thing else that comes with these republicans.  Now, we’re talking about the very foundation of America, and for some reason republicans are circling around an admitted sexual predator, a pathological LIAR, a racist, a misogynist, a narcissist of unbelievable proportions, and someone who knows almost nothing about American history and presidential protocol.  Somehow, Trump’s claim to be reading “2” Corinthians hasn’t convinced me he’s got “Christian values.”

People who supported Trump believed he would “drain the swamp,” but he’s just filled the swamp with more Goldman Sachs refugees who are continuing to funnel more of America’s Middle Class tax dollars to themselves.  Yes, he picked a right wing judge for the Supreme Court but is that worth destroying our nation via undermining the Justice Department?  I’ve written that the good people of Central California need to fix the problem of Devin Nunes in the 2018 election, but in the meantime the rest of us need to be watching his every move.  I believe he’s the “leader of the pack” trying to undermine the “Russia thing.”  When this is all said and done, I hope Nunes has to face accountability for his actions.  And Grassley and Graham?   Something happened to these two guys.

When Mueller was appointed both Grassley and Graham were heaping their praises on him and his integrity.  Grassley, I remember when it was reported that Trump might fire Sessions as a way to get rid of the “Mueller thing” said any new appointment for Attorney General had to go through the Judicial Committee and there would be no hearings “that year.”  Graham said, “If Trump messes with Mueller all hell would break loose.”  Somehow Trump has managed to turn both of these formerly respectable republicans into his minions.  It’s both sad and disgusting.  I truly hope the people in their states are watching and don’t want Russians ATTACKING America surreptitiously via internet trolls.

If this attack on the FBI and Justice department ends up with more investigations of Hillary Clinton and succeeds in blocking Mueller’s investigation America will truly be at a crossroads.  Honestly, it’s hard for me to even imagine there’s enough turncoats in the republican party to turn the Russia investigation into an investigation of the FBI and another of Mrs. Clinton. How long will republicans be able to HIDE their illegal behavior behind investigations of Hillary Clinton?  To me, any republican in Congress who conspires to protect Trump from accountability regarding the Mueller investigation becomes part of the issue.  If Trump did commit TREASON by working with the Russians to win the election he should face the consequences.  Evidently, there’s republicans who believe that’s OK.  They should face the same consequences!

Final thought:  I believe Fox “news” should also face the consequences of conspiring with Trump to undermine an ongoing criminal investigation.  All these people, evidently, believe Trump will be accused of criminal activity.  Instead of allowing the “system” to run its course, they are attempting to manipulate the system.  I’m struggling as to why this is OK with anyone.  If Fox is spewing LIES why is that’s OK? (and, when I use the term “if” I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt – personally, I have no doubt, it’s why I can’t watch them for more than a few seconds – as I hear the LYING my stomach crawls and I have to click the remote)  My brother in law suggested this morning Trump is “Making China Great Again.”  He’s right on, I’m thinking that’s the thought behind my next post!

The “damage” I keep talking about with Trump is building fast.  There’s a lot going on behind the scenes that is “deconstructing the administrative state” as Steve Bannon put it, AND is “making America less great.”  Trump is busy repealing regulations that “make America safer” so that people like the Koch brothers can “make Americans poorer and dirtier.”  It really is disgusting, but much of this is being done “behind closed doors.”  From my standpoint, I’m feeling as if Trump is going to take us all over a steep cliff and there’s a MAJOR economic disaster in the offing among other impending DISASTERS.

Worse than that, to me, is the message Trump is sending around the globe as to America’s values and what our traditional allies can expect going forward.  He’s kissing up to people like Putin, Erdogan, Duterte, and other dictators around the world and pissing off the Brits, the French, the Germans, and other traditional allies.  The way I see it, “we the people” MUST take action in 2018 to SHOW the world this is NOT the real America.  We’ve got to vote republicans from office en masse, and end the Trump administration if the republicans don’t do so once Mueller’s investigation is complete.  It doesn’t take a brain surgeon (with apologies to Dr. Carson) to figure out Mike Flynn would not have gotten such a “sweet heart” deal had he not had information to implicate Trump.

Of course, as I’ve written in the past, “we the people” have to rely on republicans to “do the right thing” in regard to Mueller’s findings, and there’s too many republicans, for my liking, acting as if the problem is Mueller and not the FACT we were ATTACKED by the Russians and they are likely STILL here helping Trump.  “We the people” have an obligation to prove to the world that we can govern ourselves and we won’t stand for anyone being “above the law” – which, apparently, is where some republicans want to put Trump.  His own actions continue to suggest his level of GUILT is going to go way beyond the “Russia thing.”

America used to act to at least protest against nations who’s leaders would act against their political opponents by throwing them in jail, and now we have a (so-called) president who’s attempting to BULLY “his” Justice Department into doing just that.  Trump started the new year with a “tweet” suggesting not just (the ordinary) Hillary Clinton should be jailed, but a list of others including James Comey.  This is really getting out of control.  Trump apparently spends his time reading posts on the most disgusting right wing web sites that are the home of the white nationalists and he gloms onto their conspiracy theories willingly.  Whether he actually believes them, or not, they at least foster ideas in his head on how to fight back against the so-called “deep state.”

I’ve talked about projection a lot on this site – but, the “deep state” references made by Trump and his right wing supporters, to me, is a way to block anyone from understanding how there’s a bunch of rich people in America calling the “shots” for the republican party – the “donors” who were the beneficiaries of the recent tax scam.  If there’s a deep state, that’s where it lies.  People like Charles and David Koch – who are willing to spend as much as needed to reduce our government to a level where they can pollute or anything else they may desire without the government “watching.”  They’ve long since bought the republican party – and, they are calling the “shots” from behind the “curtain” (picture the wizard of Oz)  To me, that’s the “deep state.”

It was reported over the Christmas break that David Koch held a gathering of rich Trump supporters in Flagler, Florida – close to Trumps Mar a Lago – where Trump BRAGGED to those attending, regarding the tax scam:  “You all just got a lot richer.”  This coming from the mouth of the “rust belt’s” so-called “populist” president who was going to “drain the swamp.”  The next year will determine just how STUPID those people are.  Will they recognize the scam they’ve bought into.  Trump’s betting that $50 a month will be enough for his “base” to continue with the “love.”  The truth is, “We the people” just watched Trump and the republicans pour $1.5 TRILLION of our tax dollars into the swamp. (and, added it to our national debt) The world is watching!

The last thing these people (meaning Trump and those in the Koch “world”)  want, for example, is a Justice Department that would hold them accountable for breaking any laws.  Apparently, this explains why Trump is on the attack against the FBI, CIA, the Justice Department, and Robert Mueller.  The American people MUST make it clear this investigation must be completed AND those who conspired against our nation AND/or broke the law should be held accountable.  Trust me, if Trump is working with the Russians and we let him get away with it, we’ll all bemoan the day that happened.  (Recently, Trump claimed he has the right to  COMPLETE control of the Justice Department. – Just like Putin in Russia)

People like Devin Nunes in the House need to face accountability in the 2018 election. Nunes appear to me to be a traitor.   I believe there’s two people running against Nunes and they both seem to be viable alternatives.  Hopefully, the people in Central California are watching his embarrassing actions in D.C.  These actions are likely why he refuses to hold Town halls in his district. Nunes support of Trump and REFUSAL to lead a reputable investigation into the Russian ATTACK on our nation during the election is DEPLORABLE.  He SHOULD be removed from office by his constituents – although, his own republicans could remove him from his position in the Intelligence Committee if they, themselves, were concerned about this Russian ATTACK.  This attack is no secret.  Why are republicans acting as if it never happened?

In my mind, democrats SHOULD be attempting to get viable candidates in EVERY district across this nation.  There are good Americans in every district that are not happy with what’s going on in Washington DC.  Exposing the connection republicans have with the Russians should just be part of their message.  People want health care, they want a balanced budget, but they don’t want the budget balanced on the backs of working people.  They don’t want endless wars and the list could go on.  The election of Doug Jones in Alabama should have shown them there’s progressive minded people everywhere.  The other thing democrats need to do, as I’ve stated before, is welcome single issue abortion voters into their party.  Inform them of the “other” they’re voting for when they vote in republicans and then have the dialogue about abortion.

I’ve stated this many times here – prior to Roe v Wade I knew of several people who had abortions when I was in college back in the 60’s.  It will continue to happen after Roe v Wade is reversed if that happens.  It’s true Trump is packing the courts with right wing judges – this is damage that will last well beyond whatever term he has in office – and the abortion activists love this.  What they won’t love is the corporate tilted decisions coming from those courts for years to come.  Decisions that favor the wealthy over the working people.  Regarding abortion, my personal hope is that somehow we can reduce the “demand” for abortions.  It’s such a complex subject, it shouldn’t be looked at as a “black and white” issue in my mind.  Like other so-called “wedge issues” we’d all be better off if there was a dialogue between diverse opinions and we quit arguing with each other.  There will always be the “fringe,” but most of “we the people” are somewhere in the middle and we need to, this year, stand up and show the rest of the world we’re not putting up with Trump and the Russians are not welcome in our politics.

I’ve said for years it’s the present form of the republican party that needs to be voted into the history books.  People like the Koch brothers have pushed republicans so far to the right that they’ve gone over the “cliff.”  And, Trump and the “tea party” are the results.  They are ruining this nation and doing it while MOST Americans have no idea what’s going on.  I’m trusting that much of what Trump is doing stealthily with his executive orders can be easily “fixed” in 2020 if Americans vote a progressive as the next president – but, 2018 is the year that may be the most important election since FDR became president in 1932.  “We the people” MUST make it clear we want the Russians out of our country’s politics.  PERIOD, end of story!  (or as one republican I admire, Steve Schmidt would say, “full stop.”)

One thing the Trump’s so-called presidency has accomplished is to identify some republicans with high character and I put Steve Schmidt right at the top of the list.  MSNBC has had many republicans on their shows and I’ve been pleasantly surprised by some.  I’m sure, they think much differently than myself, but I would love to sit down and have a conversation with them.  Besides Schmidt, I’ve been impressed by David Jolly, a former representative from Florida, David Frum who worked for GW Bush, and others.  Joe Scarborough and Nicolle Wallace are either republicans or former republicans (thanks to Trump) and I enjoy listening to them, although, again, I’m sure I think differently.  My point is, there used to be a lot of people of high character in BOTH political parties and, in today’s “climate” the republican party appears devoid of people of character.  The “signing ceremony” after the tax scam was embarrassing.  I’ll say it again, the 2018 election can’t come soon enough for me – and, I hope the “resistance” continues to mount until then!  It’s a fight for the heart and soul of America.

The republicans, in concert with Vladimir Putin, are attempting to turn one American against another.  “We the people” need to be aware of this and start talking to each other.  We are a diverse country – the so-called “melting pot” – and, like anything else we’re stronger together than divided.  That doesn’t mean we agree on everything, it means we talk to each other and we come to solutions via compromise – a word republicans consider a “four letter word.”  Young Americans don’t remember the days when the U.S. Senate operated with “regular order” as in the words of John McCain.  It was a much better time – although, as I’ve said – there were, and there always will be, disagreements.  What we’ve evolved to, thanks to the republicans (led by Gingrich) in concert with the media outlets who’ve sold their souls to the “Big Lie Theory” is a corporatocracy (the foundation of fascism) and a so-called president who’s a pathological LIAR, an almost unbelievable NARCISSIST, and wants to turn America into autocratic dictatorship.

America’s election in 2018 will be the most watched election in many years, and it will be watched around the world.  If republicans succeed in turning off enough voters that the turnout is low – as historical mid terms would suggest – America could be in deep trouble.  People in the nation’s who’ve been our traditional allies will be on the edge of their seats waiting to see if “we the people” have “had enough” or if we’re willing to allow Trump to continue destroying our traditional values.  I’ve talked a lot here about the “damage” Trump is doing – well, we’ve GOT the POWER to stop it in November of 2018.  I believe “we the people” will speak loud and clear!

Final thought:  I believe Trump is in Mueller’s “headlights,” but, before he gets to Trump, I believe there’s a good chance Mike Pense will face accountability for “conspiring” to obstruct justice.  Pense has come across almost like a “puppy dog” following Trump around and being obedient to every command – including NUMEROUS LIES, intended to cover up what happened during the campaign AND in the “White House” since Trump’s inauguration.  Sadly, that puts Paul Ryan in line to “take over” if republicans impeach both Trump and Pense.  (I believe Pense can actually be charged with crimes)  Honestly, I can picture NONE of these as a competent president of the United States.  Yikes!  (If democrats retake the House, then it would be the Speaker who’d be “third in line.”  That might cause them to choose someone other than Nancy Pelosi.  Just a thought!

When Donald Trump says “there was no collusion, even my worst enemies agree,”  well, I suppose I’d have to be in the “worst enemies” list (although I’m probably not much of a threat to Trump) and I’ve been saying “COLLUSION” has clearly been proven.  When it became public knowledge that Trump Jr., Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort (at the time, Trump’s campaign manager) met with a group of Russians promising “dirt” on Hillary Clinton – well, that was collusion – which is, really, TREASON.  Of course to Trump Jr. and the others it was YEAH!, bring it on – we “love” it.  To them, evidently, it was “opposition research,” although, instead of hiring an outside source to find the “dirt” they went right to the source.

I’m sure their argument that this was OK was premised in the FACT they had no idea what they were doing.  It’s the “ignorance of the law” excuse – which, from what I’ve learned over the years, is no excuse at all.  I suppose it’s possible Trump Jr. has no idea you can’t take ANY contribution from foreigners in an election.  Considering the Supreme Court pretty much opened the doors to foreign money filtering in unchecked via the Citizens United decision, Trump Jr. (and, Trump himself, who at the time claimed the following Monday – after the meeting took place – they were going to have a “major speech” about Hillary Clinton) and the others may very well have thought this meeting was simply “opposition research” and was OK.  Although, Trump’s campaign (and Clinton’s) had been warned against any “dealings” with the Russians.  The “cat had been let out of the bag” regarding the Trump campaign/Russia connection by George Papadopoulus in a drunken conversation in a London bar.  (with an Australian diplomat – or someone from Australia who contacted the FBI – starting the investigation into the Russian “meddling” into the election).  My point; Trump Jr. and the others should have known better and Trump Sr. as well.  No mater what they got, this was “collusion.”

Now, until Michael Flynn copted to a “plea arrangement” and agreed to “spill” whatever “beans” he has – remember, his lawyers at one point said: “General Flynn has a story to tell” back when he was attempting to get immunity from prosecution, the blow-back on Mueller was minimal.  I said this at the time and I believe it is prescient – when it became apparent Flynn’s son was in almost as deep as Flynn Sr., everything changed.  Say what you want about Flynn, there was no way he was going to allow his son to face serious charges if he could prevent it – these people (the Flynn’s) were operating in the “danger zone,”  Flynn was able to plead guilty to one charge (when he was facing MANY) and, apparently, Flynn Jr. is “off the hook” provided Flynn is honest with the Mueller team.  That (Flynn’s plea deal) was the moment everything changed in the “White House,” in the Nunez (phony) House Intelligence “probe,” and with everyone on “Trump TV” – Fox, Limbaugh, Savage, Jones, etc.

All these people I just mentioned FEAR the “message” Mueller may bring, so their instincts clicked into high gear and they’re going after the “messenger.”  Suddenly, people who boasted about Mueller’s integrity at the start of the investigation are now attempting to SMEAR one of the most trustworthy American public servants of the past 35+ years.  Before he was in the FBI Mueller was a decorated Marine.  He’s served this nation honorably for MOST of his life, but that’s of no matter to the Trump people who are clearly worried Trump is in trouble. The actions of Trump and his surrogates going after Mueller is disgusting!

The bottom line here is that Russia has intruded into our nation and is using the openness of our society in an attempt to bring us down.  This SHOULDN’T be about what Trump did or didn’t do – he should face the consequences of his actions if he violated the law – we’ll know soon enough.  This is about protecting “we the people” from a foreign attack on our country.  If that’s not the role of the government, then I don’t know what is. I believe, the Russians are still “here” and Trump and our Justice Department SHOULD be fighting back.  They’re NOT!  That FACT, along with all the information that’s public, causes me to believe there is, as they say, a “there, there.”

At the bare minimum we should be aware of what the Russians are up to and we should be able to TRUST our government to be fighting back.  President Obama put some sanctions against the Russians which led to Flynn’s attempt to mitigate them – and, to MOST of his legal trouble.  But, since Trump took the oath of office, I’ve seen nothing to suggest his administration is fighting  back.  (In fact Congress approved additional sanctions and Trump has refused to implement them – with little attention to that FACT from our “liberal media”) And, the Russians may very well be attempting to help Trump against anything Mueller might bring, right now – which, just makes all this worse.  I really do hope I’m wrong about that, but I get the feeling Trump will do anything to save his ass.  If he’s “innocent” as he claims, why is he attempting to SMEAR Mueller?  I believe Trump knows that Flynn has enough “knowledge” to destroy him – unless, he can persuade the right wing republican Congress to “look the other way” should Mueller bring impeachable charges.

There are many, like myself, who believe there’s nothing more needed regarding “impeachable charges,” than what has already happened.  As I’m writing this, it’s New Years day 2018 and Trump’s been in office about 340 days.  And, today is maybe the 90th day he’s spent GOLFING at one of his own resorts.  From what I’ve read, he charges astronomical rates – to “we the people” as he stays in his own property – making huge sums of money, outside the office, as our president.  (he’s “putting up” an entire entourage at taxpayer’s expense)  That just gives me an awful feeling in my gut – it’s right out in front of everyone – and, apparently, his base (the “uneducated voters” he claimed he loves during the campaign) doesn’t care.  These are the same people who complained about President Obama playing golf – I believe in eight years Obama played less than Trump has done in less than his first year.  It’s that Trump is profiting off his golfing outings that is the most bothersome to me.  I believe the constitution is set up to prevent presidents from profiting from their office – although, it’s true the “emoluments clause” in the constitution refers to profiting from foreigners – which is also happening on a regular basis with Trump.  (And, I’m not even talking about what Trump gains from his tax scam)

Aside from all the “stuff” Trump is doing out in the open, it’s what is happening “behind closed doors” that is likely what will make or break whether or not Trump makes it through his first term as president.  The attacks on Mueller, coming from at least three directions – Trump, the right wingers in the House, and the right wing media “fringe,” would suggest they know something “we the people” don’t.  If Trump is accused of, for the sake of speculation, let’s say obstruction of justice (which appears likely to more than just me), money laundering and other financial crimes (which also appears likely to me), AND working in concert with the Russians to influence voters in the election (along with his son-in-law and his son, among others) then there should be impeachment proceedings in the House of Representatives.

From what I can tell, any impeachment proceeding would have to originate in the House Judiciary Committee and that’s where some of the most vocal “anti-Mueller” sentiment seems to be coming from.  I suppose it’s possible Mueller could bring charges and that committee could refuse to “hear” them.  I don’t know the guy’s name, but I watched a segment of their committee hearings when, I believe, the head of the FBI was being questioned – this is the FBI guy Trump picked to replace James Comey and was easily confirmed in the Senate just recently.  He’s a republican, Mueller’s a republican, Comey’s a republican, and Rosenstein is a republican (he’s the acting Attorney General and he was appointed by Trump and confirmed by the republican led Senate as well).  I find it interesting how the right wingers in the House are attempting to turn on their own.  These people, apparently, would be OK with Trump as an autocrat!  Maybe Trump could appoint Jared Kushner as his heir apparent – so, the republicans could attempt to block any charges there as well – and, of course, Donald Jr. may also need an “intervention,” to keep him in the “line.”  Who knows, it would save a lot of people a lot of money if we could dispense with elections all together.  Supposedly, Trump’s youngest son is quite bright, he could be next in line after Jared if Donald Jr. proves not up to the task.

It’s as if our country is being run by a mafia crime family.  That is, of course, how it works in Russia with Putin and Trump has spared no shame in giving his admiration of Putin.  I think Trump put it this way, “If he says nice things about me, I’m going to say nice things about him.”  Trump has given world leaders the play book on how to succeed with “the great deal maker.”  Just roll out the red carpet and he’ll give you whatever you want.  Unfortunately, things haven’t been so easy for him at home.  Are there no “red carpets” in America?  Or, are there just a bunch of people like me who are upset that Russia is intruding into our republic (technically, it’s not a pure democracy – that’s why the founders put in the “checks and balances”)?  The ultimate “check” is “we the people.”  So, if the right wing House (I believe the guy’s last name who almost made me puke when I was watching the Judiciary committee is Jordan – but, I’m not sure – I’ve got the memory of a 70 year old person) doesn’t act if Mueller brings charges against Trump, then the 2018 election becomes an historic one.

Anyone who values the traditions of America will be called on to act.  This won’t be a right wing or left wing challenge.  This will be the ultimate challenge for “we the people.”  Are we a nation of laws or a nation of me?  Trump may very well be trying to challenge the core of American government AND American history (which, by the way, he knows little about) but “we the people” can stop him at the ballot box – if our Congress fails to act.  Maybe this is what was needed to wake up the young people in this nation who SHOULD be involved in how it is run.  Since the days of Reagan any mention of the word “government” usually is done with negative connotation – especially, coming from republicans and their propaganda network headed up Rupert Murdoch’s Fox “news,” and coordinated with the right wing talkers on the radio all around the country.  These are people who’ve sold their souls for Money.  If you haven’t been lured in, for example, by Sean Hannity, it’s just hard to watch or listen to him.  He’s a great example of how people who LIE regularly (pathological) at some point start to believe their own LIES are true as they foam from their mouths. They convince themselves they are important.  Fox is working in tandem with the GOP, and people like Rush Limbaugh and other radio “talkers” so that they always have their “key words” (talking points) coordinated.  The end (power) justifies the means.

As I’ve said many times here, this is the “Big Lie theory” of Joseph Goebbels, the head of propaganda for the Third Reich in Nazi Germany back in the 1930’s.  The republicans do this because it works – especially, in our society where so many people are focused on taking care of their families and the “busyness” prevents them from looking beyond the headlines, or in this case the LIES coming from people they trust to be telling the truth.  I know so many people who get angry if you challenge something they’ve heard on Fox or from Limbaugh or the others.  They believe they’re “conservatives” but they can’t tell you what that means – most get angry when you even ask.  So, the challenge of dividing America into factions that mostly can’t even talk to each other has succeeded.  And, apparently, the Russians are now helping to “cement” that divide even further – so that no one who is in the Fox, Limbaugh (and others, like Savage, Jones, etc.), and right wing GOP “sphere” will believe anything coming from Mueller – it will be considered “fake news.”  (Interestingly, Limbaugh’s listeners are referred to as “ditto heads” and they willingly go along with that moniker.  To me, that almost says it all)

Here’s the solution:  we start a national “No Fox” campaign – there’s already a “flush Rush” campaign – and, we encourage dialogue between “conservatives” and “liberals.”  We vote people who believe in America into office – an America that was great way before Trump ever thought about ruining her.  To me, a conservative is someone who believes in traditional American values – and, unless you want to take us back to the days of the Gilded Age, that’s the time FDR turned America’s Middle Class into the envy of the world.  A conservative believes in fiscal responsibility – not these repulsive tax cuts for the wealthy with some phony scam that they’ll send the crumbs down to “we the people.”  A conservative wouldn’t be taking “we the people” into perpetual war.  A conservative wouldn’t be allowing  corporations to hoard money in the Cayman Islands.  Hopefully, you get the point.  These republicans and their enablers are taking “we the people” to the “cleaners.”  In their present form, they’ve got to be stopped.  The starting point to “fixing” what’s gone wrong in America is allowing Robert Mueller to finish his investigation and honoring the results – one way or the other!

Reports are that Trump is preparing to do what Trump does where it involves Michael Flynn, a man Trump has repeatedly said “is a good man” and has been “treated very unfairly” but, is likely actually telling the truth where it involves Robert Mueller.  Michael Flynn recently pleaded guilty to LYING to the FBI regarding his meetings with the Russian Ambassador during the transition period in 2016 following Trump’s surprise victory in the 2016 election.  There’s no doubt to me that both Trump and Mike Pense knew exactly what Flynn was doing – in fact, it was done according to their directions.  He was telling the Russians not to get all worked up over President Obama’s sanctions due to the Russian interference in the 2016 election, they would reverse them once in office.  So, the LIE coming from Trump and Pense regarding what Flynn was accused of and caused him to be fired was that Flynn LIED to the Vice President.  That was absurd back then and is to this day!  Pense has since proven to be the LIAR.  (Flynn HAS be TRUTHFUL to Mueller, or he – and his son – could face enough charges to cause them both to get old in prison – and, I believe Mueller has a “plan B” in case Trump chooses to ABUSE his pardon powers)

Now, it’s reported that Trump and his LYING surrogates are prepared to hit Flynn “with both barrels,” pointing out he is a terrible LIAR.  Despite all the accolades Trump has given Flynn over this past year, evidently to encourage Flynn to “stay strong,” well, things are changing.  I always interpreted that statement (stay strong) as meaning “don’t talk” to Mueller.  Of course, Flynn was always vulnerable – probably before Trump hired him (he should have listened to President Obama who warned him about hiring Flynn), but the turning point, in my view, was when it was reported Flynn’s son was almost as vulnerable.  In my mind, protecting his son caused Flynn to decide he was FINALLY going to tell the TRUTH.  Now, we’re about to see Trump et al accusing Flynn of being a pathological LIAR (like Trump, himself) so that no one should believe anything he tells Mueller.  No one but Mueller knows how much Flynn actually knows about Trump and his connection to the Russians (well, besides Flynn himself), but Flynn knows about the LIES during the transition and the first part of Trump’s administration.  Personally, I believe Flynn will be key to bringing Trump’s administration to a premature end.

This is typical Trump – if someone is saying nice things about him they are wonderful people (Like Vladimir Putin, the expert at “playing people”).  As soon as anyone criticizes him – or in Flynn’s case, tells the TRUTH to Mueller, all hell breaks loose.  According to reports, Trump is preparing tweets that will take Flynn into Trump’s version of Twitter hell.  The attacks will be very nasty and, likely, will be coordinated with Fox “news” and all the minions in the House who are lining up to build a “firewall” between Trump and Mueller.  The sad reality is that these House members have no interest in protecting “we the people” from the Russian attacks on our nation.  To them, it’s more important to protect Trump than to protect us.  Trust me, the Russians are still here and our Justice Department is doing NOTHING to put it to an end.  It even feels to me, the Russians are involved in the attempts to protect Trump from Mueller.  And, now people like Mike Huckabee are comparing Trump to Churchill.  OMG, give me a break!!!

I just finished reading Lawrence O’Donnell’s book “Playing With Fire” which is about the election of 1968 where Richard Nixon showed republicans “the end justifies the means” strategy.  If you want to compare Trump to anyone, it would be more honest to look at some kind of combination of Nixon and George Wallace who were fighting for the right wing votes in the 1968 election.  They were both race baiting, they both were fighting for the right wing fringe vote, and they both were LYING to the white working class people in America that they were all about “law and order.”  Nixon claimed – well, actually a reporter made the claim and Nixon, in a sense, adopted it by not refuting it, that he had a secret strategy to end the war in Viet Nam – which was a LIE.  Nixon undermined LBJ’s attempts to broker a peace deal at the end of his term and the war lasted another 6 years at the expense of over 20,000 American lives, hundreds of thousands of Vietnam lives, and untold numbers of injured.  (I would HIGHLY recommend this book)

Nixon essentially committed Treason by encouraging Thieu, the president of Viet Nam, to back out of the peace talks Johnson was proposing after he had agreed to participate.  Johnson said NOTHING to the press at the encouragement of his advisors who felt it would be too damaging for the public to know about all the secret wiretapping devices they had placed in embassies all over D.C.  His advisors felt Nixon would still win the election, people would think he was just trying to help Hubert Humphrey, the democratic nominee, and then there would be, shortly after the election impeachment hearings – which Johnson’s advisers felt would be too detrimental to the nation.  Sound familiar?

Well, in the case of Trump, it will be interesting if republicans in Congress have the stomach to stand up to him once Mueller’s investigation is complete if he’s accused of criminal activity.  Obviously, all the other stuff Trump is doing – liking PROFITING from his office (and, that’s not including the tax cut which is going to funnel MILLIONS to him and his family) isn’t even raising a single republican eyebrow.  These are the so-called “law and order” people, the “family values” people, and the “balance the budget” people.  What the republicans in Congress are afraid of is Trump’s loyal base.  One thing Trump IS doing is packing the court system with right wing judges which excites all the right wing Christians who want to see Roe v Wade overturned.  They’ve proven over and over again that abortion is the only issue that matters to them – so, they’re perfectly willing to accept all the other stuff – including TREASON – to get their way.  I keep saying I’ll write about the abortion issue at another time – which I will, (and, I have to say, I don’t believe in abortion with the exception of the mothers life) but people were having abortions prior to Roe V Wade and they will be doing so after if it gets overturned.  I’ll leave it at that.  That one issue is not worth turning America into a fascist dictatorship!

Republican presidents have a history of “fraternizing with the enemy” – Nixon did it with the South Viet Nam government (OK, they weren’t the “enemy” – although in this case you could make the argument that technically they were.  They were violating an agreement made with Lyndon Johnson for peace talks with the promise of getting a “better deal” by waiting for Nixon – maybe the “deal” they got says it all as to why Nixon was called “Tricky Dick”) and Ronald Reagan did it (a couple times) with Iran.  There were hostages in Iran for over a year at the end of Jimmy Carter’s term, and Reagan negotiated with the Iranian government to hold them until he was elected – to prevent an “October surprise” – they were released the day Reagan took the oath of office.  At the time, people thought it was a coincidence.  That was technically TREASON.  And, Reagan was up to his eyeballs in the “Iran Contra” affair which sent several of his surrogates to JAIL.  He used a similar excuse to Jeff Sessions “I don’t recall” strategy when questioned about what was an ILLEGAL operation out of the White House to avoid what should have been impeachment.  Despite the republicans holding Reagan up as their “god,” he was very unpopular at the end of his administration.  (George HW Bush was involved in “Iran Contra” as well, and managed to avoid consequences – as a lifetime CIA operative, his specialty was avoiding culpability)

So, it really should surprise no one that now we’re wondering to what level Donald Trump “fraternized with the enemy.”  And, in this case, Russia is clearly our enemy.  They are busy using our open society against us – based on the “wedge issues” that have been clearly dividing Americans over the past 35 plus years. They know how to use entities like Facebook and Twitter (which, I have to admit, I know nothing about – other than just about everyone I know, besides me, uses them) to “sneak” into America and help Trump – they helped him in the campaign and, undoubtedly, they’re still “here.”  If Mueller finds “wrongdoing” by Trump which, come on, you’d have to be living under a rock to think a thorough investigation won’t find something wrong, you can expect the Russians to be attempting to confuse Americans as to how to respond.  They, as I said, have only one purpose: to use the openness of our society to bring our society down.  If you have a short memory, Ronald Reagan did much the same to the Russians back in the eighties – in a different way.  I believe Putin’s number one goal is to resurrect the Soviet Union – starting with Ukraine – which Trump’s “people” attempted to help him during the previous convention with the “plank” regarding Ukraine.  This slimy politics weaponizing the media all started with Nixon and his association with Roger Ailes.

In fact, it was Roger Ailes, who perfected the “art” of using wedge issues to bring success to his candidates.  As I’ve said, the republicans have adopted the “end justifies the means” strategy of political operations since the days of Nixon and it has worked for them.  Ailes also worked as an operative for Reagan and pappy Bush before he was hired by Rupert Murdoch to start up Fox “news,” which was always intended to be the propaganda “arm” of the republican party.  (and, of course, it still is – now under the slimy leadership of Sean Hannity)  Fox has played a major role in DIVIDING Americans against each other in a way that furthers their own (the republicans and Fox) GREEDY ambitions .  Republicans have been FLEECING Americans since the first “trickle down” tax cut, and, obviously, it’s still going on today with the recent tax scam of Trump. (They’ll keep doing this until “we the people” put a stop to it) Fox has successfully got MILLIONS of Americans to believe they’re “conservatives” and to believe the word “liberal” should somehow be considered a “four letter word.” (I have yet to meet one Fox viewer who, when I ask them to define “conservative,” can give a cogent answer – and, I’ve asked MANY times) I’ve said it before on this site, Fox will end up in the history books along side Trump and Benedict Arnold.

Remember, Fox is part of the empire of Rupert Murdoch, a right wing Australian.  I still remember, when President Obama was giving his first state of the union speech, Samuel Alito, who was sitting in the front row, shaking his head as to say “no” when Obama pointed out the “Citizens United” decision opened the “flood gates” to foreign money coming in to affect our elections.  This, of course, has happened and it’s alarming, at least to me.  Well, having Murdoch’s “empire” so intrusive in our politics is even more alarming.  People don’t seem to understand who’s behind the Fox “empire” – and, I fault, to a degree, our so-called “liberal media.”  Murdoch not only owns Fox, he owns the Wall Street Journal, and, because I’m too lazy to Google it, I’m not sure what else, although it really is a communications empire.  The bottom line is Murdoch has a HUGE influence on American politics and he’s an Australian.  It’s almost as if he’s directing the republicans – like, in the attacks on Mueller, they seem coordinated between Fox, Trump, and the House republicans.  Like they’re all in a coordinated “Big Lie” strategy to protect Trump from his own misdeeds.

Everything about Trump and MOST of the republicans is based on LIES.  Fox “news” is based on LIES.  Occasionally, I try to watch it and can last only a few minutes.  It’s like LYING is just part of their DNA.  I have to wonder, “is Fox working in concert with the Russians?”  America is so different than when I was growing up that it’s almost hard to recognize.  Fortunately, there’s a ground swell of resistance to Trump and the “Russia thing” and, despite my concerns I’ve had over the years about our FBI, I believe Mueller will lead a fair and thorough investigation and won’t be intimidated by Trump.  However, EVERY person I know who watches Fox “news” is almost impossible to talk to about all this stuff.  They’ve been programmed to believe “collusion” is OK and that anything reported elsewhere is “fake news.”  Of course, the Russians are the perpetrators of the original “fake news” and, when I force myself to watch Fox I always come away thinking “that’s the epitome of fake news.”  As Kellyanne Conway once said about all the LYING, “we have our alternative facts.”  (I guess, at least once, she told the truth – a true rarity!)

Trump and his LYING surrogates will be using their “alternative facts” in their upcoming attacks on Mike Flynn.  Thinking they’ll get away with it is based on the republican history of the “end justifies the means” strategy.  It worked for Nixon, it worked for Reagan, and I’m sure Trump is expecting it to work for him.  However, I would remind Trump, it only worked for Nixon until it became clear to the public that he was covering up a crime.  Reagan got away with it because it was at the end of his term and people felt as if he was nearing dementia.  Trump won’t be able to LIE his way out of criminal activity, should Mueller come to that conclusion.  Either the republicans will end this nightmare or in 2018 “we the people” will send representatives to Congress who will solve the problem.

It’s the Christmas season and I’d like to take a few days off from writing :o) but, it’s not happening, I guess, if I keep paying attention to the news.  Let’s take a quick look, for example at something I believe all Americans should be paying attention to: Russia.  In this coming March Vladimir Putin will be “running” for a fourth term as Russia’s “president.”  He’s been in charge since shortly after, maybe, 2000 – but, it took a bit of “creative politics” to figure out how to have a “never ending” term as Russia’s “president.”  He’s now running for 6 year terms, where it was originally 4 years per term and, likely, he’ll figure out a way to get rid of the two term maximum (which shouldn’t be a problem for someone as creative as Putin, either way).

So, you might ask, “why pay attention to Russia and Putin’s impending election?  Well, just in case you see some similarities to what we in America seem to be evolving toward.  Let’s start with political opposition.  In Russia, Putin simply has his opposition thrown in jail so that he can then declare they are not “qualified” to run for office and, therefore, he eliminates his their political future.  As far as the media is concerned, if you’re a reporter and you report critical “stuff” about Putin you either end up in prison or, you “fall” out of a hotel room several stories up, you disappear, or – I think this is a favorite – you mysteriously get POISONED.  So, that takes care of any “oppositional research” if you know what I mean.  And, the intelligence community – like their version of the CIA or the FBI – well, no worries, because Putin is in charge.  NO ONE would be working there without pledging complete loyalty to Putin.  (That’s Trump’s wet dream)

Let’s compare Putin’s Russia with Trump’s America – maybe being able to explain why there are reports of Trump getting  very angry at all the “stuff” he has to put up with that his friend Vladimir is able to avoid.  Well, as far as the political opposition is concerned, Trump seems a bit of a “lightweight” compared to Putin – he has to go after his opponents “after the fact.”  That is, where Putin is “pro-active” and he has his opponents JAILED before any election, Trump is STUCK with America’s system and, at least in the case of Hillary Clinton, he’s being forced to attempt to get her jailed AFTER the election.  It’s not as if Trump didn’t attempt to get Mrs. Clinton “locked up” during the election – I’m sure you remember Mike Flynn leading the now infamous “lock her up” chant at the republican convention – but, Trump failed at the time and is being forced to attempt to “lock her up” post election.  And, of course, Putin could just order this and Trump is still “saddled” with a Justice system that, at least for now, still requires at least some level of due process before you can jail someone.  (Speaking of the convention, that’s another “bother” Putin can dispense with)

OMG – the media!  Sometimes you just have to feel sorry for Donald Trump, don’t you think?  Whereas Putin can imprison, vanquish (Siberia anyone?), or POISON anyone who speaks poorly of him in Russia’s media, just look at what poor Mr. Trump has to put up with.  Now, I don’t watch CNN, but it must be really bad because I hear Trump complaining about them all the time.  I believe he has succeeded in getting one of his flunkies (er, oligarchs?) to block a merger of two large communications companies unless one of them divests itself of CNN.  Poor Donald, that’s how things are in America.  Forced to find subtle ways to punish the enemies.  Putin would just have CNN’s license – if they have licenses in Russia that aren’t TOTALLY controlled by Vlad – I’m presuming that’s what his friends call him – I’m temporarily pretending I’m “the Donald” – Yuck, it’s Vladimir – I feel as if I need a shower –   OK, I’m back (I wish I knew how to write the sound a horse makes when it shakes off a bunch of water)  Obviously, I’ve digressed ……  Donald is STUCK with harassing outlets like CNN and making idle threats to outlets like MSNBC, but, he’s apparently searching for Putin like ways to eliminate them.  I’m guessing he’s going to “tweet storm” them into oblivion – at least with his fervent followers.  (those “uneducated voters” he claimed to love during the campaign)

There’s the media outlets in Russia that Putin would simply close down should they fail to complement him appropriately, but what about the reporters.  Well, in Russia, I’m sure Putin, in his private meetings with Trump, assured him there are NO unfriendly reporters in Russia.  In fact, Russian reporters are not only friendly and complementary to Putin, but also to Trump.  Putin wouldn’t have it any other way.  Poor Trump, what he has to put up with.  He so much appears to want to be like Vlad er Vladimir.   In America, not only are there reporters on TV, almost every day, who are reporting about the “Russia thing” (which, obviously, “is a made up story by the democrats”) and, reporting in a way that would suggest Trump’s COLLUSION with the Russians was somehow illegal (we all know “there’s no law against” COLLUSION) and, who he’d (Trump) likely get criticized for if he had them poisoned, but MILLIONS of uninformed Americans refuse to believe the “real” reporters on Fox and Friends.  I believe Trump is attempting to solve this problem by having the licenses of their employers pulled which is proving difficult.  I know this is much more cumbersome than in Russia, but Trump was over heard the other day saying, “you gotta do what you gotta do.”  (Another way Putin’s “lucky” is that the Russian people believe anything he says, he calls them “ditto heads”)

Then there’s the FBI and the “intelligence” community in America.  Without them, this “Russia thing” would not be a problem.  Yes, they helped get Trump elected when FBI director James Comey under cut Hillary Clinton’s campaign with an ill-advised announcement about some extraneous emails 11 days before the election that literally swung the election Trump’s way – but, that was then, this is now.  This same (pesky) FBI seems to be thinking COLLUDING with the Russians may be illegal.  Trump’s got his legal team at Fox and Friends working overtime to get them to understand this is just politics as usual.  Anyone who’d suggest Trump would do anything illegal is on drugs.  In fact, there are Senators in America, like Orrin Hatch, who believe Trump is arguably the greatest president ever.   He’s like George Washington, he not only wouldn’t COLLUDE he would NEVER LIE!  All those stories in the Washington Post and (failing) New York Times suggesting he’s a (pathological) LIAR are all LIES.  Just like ALL the claims (LIES) by the women he sexually – er, allegedly – assaulted – they’re ALL liars – just like the people in the FBI who are investigating him (unless, of course, they don’t find any wrongdoing – then they will be patriots) and Robert Mueller.

Don’t listen for a minute to ALL the people who have claimed that Mueller is honest and above reproach – like, for example, Newt Gingrich, Chuck Grassley, and Orrin Hatch.  Clearly, Mueller is part of some conspiracy to prove that Trump is no Putin – that he has to somehow be expected to follow the laws of the land.  That’s really the point here – if Putin can make up the laws as he goes why can’t Trump?  Do you know what I mean?  Isn’t it reasonable for anyone who takes a job in the Justice Department or the FBI, or the CIA, or in America’s schools for that matter, or at Costco to take an oath of LOYALTY to Trump?  I realize, in the past, in America people – like Mueller, FBI agents, and CIA agents – have taken an oath to that pesky constitution – but, don’t you see, that’s exactly what’s causing all these problems for Trump and preventing him from being like Vlad.  Sorry, Vladimir.  Put yourself in Trump’s shoes when he talks to Vladimir (I got it right that time) – picture trying to explain being investigated by people you can’t just poison.  It’s like living next to someone driving a Tesla and you’ve got an old Volkswagen.  It’s just not fair.  No one had to take an oath to President Obama because he was born in Kenya.

And, Trump had to hide his gifts to the American oligarchs in the form of a “tax cut.”  Vlad, he – oops!  There I go again, Vladimir – he’s able simply to give his “friends” businesses so they can become BILLIONAIRES and no one in Russia says a thing.  (well, unless you want a vacation in sunny Siberia)  Many Russian Oligarchs have had to launder their money through Trump businesses due to messy divorces – that’s another area where I’m certain Trump feels inferior to the “Russian way.”  (I mean, three marriages.  OK, that’s only two divorces – so, probably not a lot of “laundry” required)  I’m guessing Trump’s tax cut was designed to make sure America’s oligarchs are richer than the Russian ones for publicity purposes.  (Putin doesn’t seem to mind that it’s not public knowledge he’s the wealthiest man in the world – although, I’m guessing knowing that really bothers Trump – America’s got much more wealth than Russia, but too many people are watching Trump’s “laundry mat.”  Trump would likely be richer if he was a Putin oligarch.

There’s hope for Trump.  The republicans in America’s House of Representatives appear to want to be like Russia as well.  And, they’ve got their own TV station with lots of unsuspecting viewers – I’ve heard they want to change the name of the station from Fox “news” to AT.  (RT is already taken so, instead of Republican TV they are stuck with American TV – as I’ve said before, some times you just “got to do what ya gotta do.”  They’re perfecting Goebbels’s “Big Lie Theory” and, even though that’s  a Nazi strategy of propaganda from the thirties, it’s a safe bet the Russians are using it as well.  When you master the art of LYING (which, based on this theory means all those LIES the “failing” New York Times categorized regarding Trump are really not LIES at all – because Trump and his surrogates repeat them often enough to make them true!  In this regard Trump takes a “back seat” to no one.  And, his “White House” staff is proficient as well) you’ve taken yourself one step closer to becoming like Russia.

To fully succeed at being like Putin and making America like Russia, all Trump needs to do is get rid of that pesky Mueller, PURGE the FBI of anyone unwilling to rescind their oath to the constitution in favor of a loyalty oath to Trump, and – oh yes, also purge the CIA of anyone still harboring resentment toward Trump for disrespecting their wall of honor – loyalty oaths there as well, AND anyone in the media MUST give an oath of loyalty to Trump and agree with Orrin Hatch (and Trump himself) that Trump is the greatest president in the United States’ history and, one more thing – six year terms and anyone who wants to run against him goes to jail.  Trust me, if Trump can pull this off there will be very fine people – on both sides – in the streets with signs showing EXACTLY how much they love him!

Final Thought:  I guess the real difference between Vladimir Putin and Trump is the U.S. Constitution and the people who vigorously defend it.