I don’t think it would surprise anyone who’s been around this site before that I DIDN’T watch Trump LYING his way through over 60 minutes in a sorry excuse for a “town hall” on CNN last night. (May 10, 2023) However, I’ve watched enough clips to be able to say Trump did exactly what I anticipated he would do. Many “liberals” have been incensed that CNN would give him the platform and, I have to admit, I was leaning in that direction. However, Trump came through as I thought he would – and, again, I watched only a few “clips” of the debacle, but he did a lot of “admitting.” Here’s a few examples of why I think this “FAKE town hall” might prove to be valuable.

First, the fact I wasn’t watching doesn’t mean there wasn’t an interested audience. I can guarantee you Jack Smith was either watching or had his DVR working to record EVERY word Trump spoke. And, there were some “doozies.” Again, I wasn’t surprised to watch Trump, for example, ADMIT he STOLE several THOUSAND documents from the “White House” once again claiming it was OK because he “declassified” them all – apparently, with the “mind meld” he has suggested in the past was his way of declassification. He claimed the “Presidential Records Act” gave him the authority to take the documents when the TRUTH is absolutely the opposite. But, he admitted he TOOK the documents – that it wasn’t some foopah by some unsuspecting underling. He said, over and over, “I had a right to do it.”

But, as usual, there’s always more. He was asked if he shared those documents with anyone else? Well, as he was obfuscating the question he, in essence, admitted that yes he did. OK, he didn’t come right out and say so, but when Trump uses his Mafioso language he’s just trying to circle around the question without giving a direct answer, but,, in this instance, I was left with no doubt (and, I didn’t have any doubt anyway) that he was sharing those documents – the only real question is – with who? (The CORRECT answer would have been “no”) Again, as he does, he said, “I absolutely had the right to.” Just like he said he “absolutely had the right to take them” in the first place. My understanding of the basics of our legal system is “ignorance of the law is no excuse.” In this case, just plain ignorance. Especially, if your job is to make sure the “laws be faithfully and fairly enforced.” (my characterization)

And, when he was asked about why he didn’t turn over all of the documents in response to the subpoena – which ultimately led to the FBI exercising a search warrant approved by a judge based on the “probable cause” a crime had been committed – he responded by saying “we were negotiating.” Well, of course, he wasn’t “negotiating” he was OBSTRUCTING – like everything else coming from his lips during this debacle, that was untrue (OK, a LIE). The Justice Department had surveillance footage of the documents – over 1,000 of them – which Trump’s lawyers had certified weren’t there – and which were being moved by ???? and, when they did the search they found TOP SECRET documents in Trump’s DESK! In essence, Trump admitted his guilt in this “town hall” last night – as the audience applauded and laughed in response to his LIES.

Again, yes – there’s – as always – more. He once again admitted the INSURRECTION of January 6, 2021 was something he planned (indirectly) and, as he was refusing to apologize to his former Vice President he once again said, he was wrong – that Pence SHOULD have “sent the votes back, and we would have had a different result.” Of course, that’s complete nonsense. The Electoral College had certified the results on December 14, 2020 – stopping the ceremonial “rubber stamping” of the Electoral College’s vote would have simply created even MORE violence than what we saw on January 6th – where FIVE PEOPLE lost their lives. Surely, Jack Smith was recording EVERY word Trump said. (And, trust me, those words can be used against him) He’s actually planning to finish the job which, to him, failed on January 6th, 2021.

Trump even doubled down on his DEFAMATION of E. Jean Carroll who had just WON almost $5 MILLION in a civil case against him the day before. He clearly DEFAMED her once again – much to the delight of the right wing audience CNN crammed into what was a very small venue. Will she sue him once more? Probably not, because I doubt she wants to go through the whole process once again (although, I believe, she still has a lawsuit which is “pending”) Trump is the classic defendant I’m guessing all lawyers hope to never have to defend. (And, that’s aside from him having a long history of not PAYING them)

Trump suggested he would “pardon” the January 6th defendants soon after taking office should “we the people” be STUPID enough to put him back in the “White House.” (I honestly believe he thinks that would be his “get out of jail free card” – although, I’m not sure why he thinks that – other than believing Merrick Garland doesn’t have the spine to take him on. (Which may be true)

Worst still, he encouraged the House republicans to take our economy over the cliff by forcing a default on the debt. Political operatives likely have already begun making the campaign commercials with that nonsense statement. It was pointed out to Trump he, when he was “in office” said the debt ceiling could NOT be breached (or words to that effect) but, the difference, in response to the question of why he would not say that now was “I’m no longer in office” much to the delight of his group of (sorry) STUPID republicans in the audience. I mean, they laughed about him assaulting Ms. Carroll as well as encouraging republicans to “tank” our economy. As I’ve said many times – it’s all about the POWER and “winning at all costs” – the republicans’ “MO” has long been “the end justifies the means.”

Well, apparently, like the House stooges who are part of his CULT following, he believes the American people will blame Joe Biden if the debt ceiling is breached. Honestly, if that would be the case, I would put the blame on the lack of ability at messaging on the democrats. In my mind, they should be making commercials while planning them to be aired around the nation RIGHT NOW with his absurd comments – making it clear it’s the responsibility of Congress to make sure we don’t default – an “experiment” that would be ten times worse in a time of war. A U.S. default would be like a “wet dream” for Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, and other dictators around the world who want the “West” to fail in its defense of Ukraine – among a plethora of other reasons. (China would like nothing better than for the dollar to tank)

CNN believes (or so they say) they provided a public service by giving Trump the opportunity to LIE with impunity on their airwaves for over 60 minutes to a “staged” audience of Trump loving MAGA republicans. While I would disagree, at the same time, they may end up having a point. When it comes time for Jack Smith and the Justice Department to prosecute Trump for the INSURRECTION and for his STEALING of the documents (where he admitted, in essence, to OBSTRUCTING the investigation) which may or may not have been shared with foreign adversaries (for example, the Saudi’s have provided a lot of MONEY to Trump and his son-in-law since he left office) which would violate the ESPIONAGE Act – segments of this “town hall” may end up being replayed to a jury. Just as Trump admitted his own guilt in the deposition in the E. Jean Carroll civil case, he just can’t help himself when it is time to keep his mouth SHUT. Trump may have admitted to committing several Felonies in the CNN Town Hall!!! Stay tuned……………

Final Thought: I’ve been lobbying for “we the people” to rid this nation of what I’ve called “today’s” republican party since the day Bush/Cheney LIED “we the people” into Iraq – themselves committing WAR CRIMES by authorizing TORTURE of Iraqi’s and Afghani’s – based on nothing more than someone seeking the $5000 “reward” for turning someone in – with no evidence. Just as Trump is walking free along with his numerous co-conspirators (which I doubt the Justice Department has the “stones” to prosecute – the entire bunch of them) – while over a THOUSAND of the 1/6 “suckers” are either behind bars or have pleaded guilty to felonies and have served their time in jail – now with a criminal record – the ONLY people who paid the price for America’s TORTURE policy in the Iraq/Afghanistan “fiascos” were a bunch of Army “grunts” who thought they were following orders at Abu Ghraib. America seems to have a history of the “little people” paying the price for the transgressions of those at the top! No wonder people like Ron DeSantis and Greg Abbott are pushing for the banning of books!

If you get the chance, I recommend you read “Caste” by Isabel Wilkerson. That book has left a lasting mark on my brain beyond virtually any of the other books I’ve read recently – including the January 6th Select Committee’s report – which was also very profound.

By the way, one of those who was laughing and applauding the most heinous stuff in that audience reportedly was Woody Johnson, the owner of the New York Jets. They (the audience) even laughed about Trump referring to a Black Police Officer as a “thug” – because, after warning several times he shot Ashli Babbit who was breaking into the House Chamber – with the mob right behind her – while there were still several members of the House in the chamber. Of course, the crowed, and presumably Mr. Johnson, applauded to show their approval of Trump’s insinuation the cop was not charged because he’s Black. “If that had been the other way around……………..” More “dog whistle racism” from our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called Two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president who’s been indicted for 34 alleged FELONIES and who has been found to have sexually assaulted and defamed a woman (who he defamed once again during the Town Hall) and who is under investigation for NUMEROUS other crimes. It probably won’t happen, but the African American members of the Jets – if they were paying attention – SHOULD be very unhappy. Probably unlikely, because Johnson is a known financial supporter of Trump, but, I can hope!

Kerry Eleveld for Daily Kos Daily Kos Staff

(One of the outlets I support is the Daily Kos and I thought I would share this article. If you like what you see, check out their site and maybe do what I do and donate a few $’s each month to help keep them going. Hopefully all the links will work – for my brother-in-law in Pittsburgh, something POSITIVE!

The Federal Reserve just can’t keep the Biden economy down. Another strong jobs report Friday showed employers added another 253,000 jobs in April, and unemployment ticked down to 3.4%—the lowest rate in over half a century.

It marked the 28th straight month of U.S. jobs gains and yet, as Forbes contributor Eli Amdur noted, many outlets framed it as a “surprising” report “beating expectations.”

“Why, for God’s sake?” wondered Amdur. “After 28 straight months of this performance, why are analysts and reporters either surprised or maintaining misplaced low expectations?”

To be fair, the Federal Reserve Bank has been consistently raising interest rates for the past year with the express intention of tamping down economic growth to ease inflation. It did so again Wednesday, reaching a 16-year high of more than 5%.

But regardless of the Fed’s efforts, the U.S. economy continues to be stronger and more resilient post-pandemic than any other economy in the world.

Here are five facts every Democrat should know about President Joe Biden’s record growth over the past two years:

1. Under Biden’s stewardship, the U.S. economy has generated 12.7 million jobs over 27 months, according to the “mighty” jobs thread of Democratic strategist Simon Rosenberg.

2. The Biden economy is creating opportunities for all, not just the few: The Black unemployment rate was 4.7% in April 2023, the lowest ever recorded and an incredible comeback from 16.8% in May 2020, according to The Washington Post’s Heather Long.

3. Since 1989, the U.S. economy has netted 49 million jobs. Ninety-six percent of those jobs have been created while Democrats controlled the White House.

4. In the first quarter of 2022, the national uninsured rate reached an all-time low of 8%, with about 5.2 million people – including 4.1 million adults ages 18-64 and 1 million children ages 0-17 – gaining health coverage since 2020.

5. New business applications have soared during the first two years of Biden’s administration, with 5.4 million new business applications filed in 2021, the highest of any year on record, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Donald Trump was campaigning in New Hampshire today and came into contact with a “J sixer” as the crowd called her – a woman who had to be physically removed from the Capitol during the INSURRECTION of January 6th, 2021 by SIX police officers – and was able to get Trump to sign “the backpack I was wearing during the INSURRECTION,” (OK, I included the word “insurrection”) and he took a “selfie” with her, gave her the pen he used to sign her backpack, and said, “you’re going to be all right.” She was found GUILTY of a felony and sentenced to 180 days in jail (and served 161 of those days). What she’s been saying is typical republican projection – but, just the same very interesting and ironic.

In a recent interview with a reporter from MSNBC/NBC she said the members of Congress (along with Mike Pence) were “traitors” and she was going to prove it in her trial – which, evidently, she was unable to do. When asked “what do you think the punishment should be for these members of Congress who voted to certify Joe Biden’s VICTORY?” (My emphasis) Her response was “execution” – she then added, it’s in the constitution that “traitors” should be “executed.” (Keep in mind she was carrying a QAnon Flag when arrested) I couldn’t help but think – “be careful what you wish for.”

The reality is the “TRAITORS” were the people who stormed the Capitol AND the members of Trump’s team (including Trump, of course) who instigated their assault on our republic. Apparently, the Justice Department is going “easy” on all the OVER one THOUSAND people charged in the INSURRECTION – soon to be a bunch more as soon as Jack Smith finishes his investigation into the “J 6th” coup d’etat. Otherwise, we’d have seen a bunch of executions by now! Of course, including this wacked out woman. (Actually, several “Proud Boys” are in the final stages of their “Seditious Conspiracy” trial – with the jury on their 7th day of deliberations – speaking of TRAITORS – ALERT! Four of the “Proud Boys” who “stood back and stood by” were found GUILTY of Sedition)

I’ve long ago pointed out Trump, John Eastman, Rudy Giuliani, Jim Jordan, Andy Biggs, Paul Gosar, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Scott Perry, Jeffrey Clark, Matt Gaetz, Mo Brooks, Ginni Thomas, and a whole bunch more were co-conspirators in an attempt to overthrow our elected government – ie, once again, TRAITORS. So, if we follow this lady’s view of the “constitution” – well, I think you get my drift. I honestly don’t believe Trump and his sycophants will face “execution” for their SEDITIOUS conduct, but they COULD be facing a few years behind bars. (And, Trump will likely get the “penthouse” cell should he be CONVICTED.) If Trump ends up being convicted for INSTIGATING the INSURRECTION, I hope he loses his government pension and his Secret Service protection – along with the rest of his family.

Trump understands the “hammer” is coming shortly – which is why his republican minions – including his dense sons – are referring to every group of Americans protesting some of the egregious legislation republicans are attempting to ram through state Houses as “insurrectionists.” Of course, the one thing missing from these protests are the assaults on the police officers there to protect the people on the floor of the various legislatures. I’m not surprised Don Jr. can’t tell the difference from a public protest in a House gallery by peaceful protestors and the MOB that attacked America’s Capitol – when the building was closed to the public – injuring OVER 140 members of the Capitol and Metropolitan Police Departments – some of them being permanently disabled on January 6th, 2021, but the rumors are he’s not all that bright. Additionally, that assault was intended to overturn a PRESIDENTIAL election and, as the INSURRECTIONISTS chanted, they wanted to “hang Mike Pence.” Am I missing something here?

The INSURRECTIONISTS were armed with everything from the sharpened ends of the flag poles they used on the police officers, to tazors, to hand guns – and, the “OATHKEEPERS” who’ve been convicted of “Seditious Conspiracy” having a weapons “stash” nearby Washington DC setting up a “quick reaction force” where the weapons could be brought to the INSURRECTION quickly. I suppose they were hoping the Capitol Police would open fire on the crowd which would have “triggered” their “quick reaction force.” Who knows, but a group of the OATHKEEPERS will be spending the next (possibly) 20 years behind bars. I have a former student who is serving 15 years in the Washington State Pennitentary for far less than what these people did. (Although, I’m not making excuses for him – someone who grew up in a gang family – my wife and I – we both had him in Middle School classrooms – correspond with him periodically)

Despite everything going on with “teflon Don” I’m still somewhat befuddled that the so-called “family value” republicans seem more enamored with him the more trouble he faces. Usually, the 34 FELONY counts for which he’s been indicted in a Manhattan, N.Y. courthouse would be enough for MOST politicians to be “done.” Yet, according to polling since that time, his “numbers” have gone up since. Being credibly accused of RAPING someone over 25 years ago and facing the charge in a civil lawsuit would doom MOST politicians (the democrats, in essence, banned Al Franken for patting a few ladies on their “behinds” at the Minnesota State Fair – seemingly because female Senators couldn’t “stomach” such behavior). It remains to be seen should Trump be found guilty in the civil case vs. E. Jean Carroll – whether or not his numbers will go up.

And, that’s just the “tip of the iceberg.” The “real” charges, in my view will be coming from Jack Smith in the January 6th investigation where Trump could face up to FIVE felony indictments with several subject to prison sentences of 20 years – including, to me, the obvious one – SEDITION. (I remind you of his sycophant mentioned above suggesting what the “constitution calls for the punichment of TRAITORS) Plus, we have no idea what Trump was doing with the approximately 300+ Classified documents – many of the highest level of TOP SECRET – with rumors being he was showing them to “guests” (or ????) at Mar a Lago – while, it appears, he was OBSTRUCTING investigators who were trying to get the documents returned to the National Archives. If you believe ALL the documents have been returned, well, you’re a lot smarter than me. I just wonder where the rest of them are “hiding.”

Obstruction of Justice carries a sentence of 5 to 20 years depending on the circumstances. (Once again, I remind you – Trump “got away with” arguably 10 instances of OBSTRUCTION in the Mueller report – thanks to William Barr’s LYING coverup AND Merrick Garland’s lack of will. (Mueller, in his report, stated he “memorialized” the evidence of the OBSTRUCTION for when Trump was no longer “covered” by the OLC memo stating “a sitting president may not be indicted.” After Trump left office it appears AG Garland wasn’t interested! As Mueller pointed out, OBSTRUCTION is a fundamentatlly serious offense. If Trump faces charges for the STOLEN documents found at Mar a Lago I’m certain it will be OBSTRUCTION of justice.

During the last year of Trump’s time in office as the Covid-19 pandemic was spreding across America (and, Trump was BUMBLING his way “through” it) I mentioned on several occasions that between Trump and Mitch McConnell – their “success” was impeded by their STUPIDITY. I still believe, had they chose to listen to Nancy Pelosi when she got the democratic controlled House to pass the “HEROES” Act, Trump would have, likely, won re-election. Makes me shudder to even think this once again. The “HEROES” Act was designed, in the words of Pelosi, to “crush the virus.” Trump’s incompetent response to the “virus” was, in my mind, what “did him in.” And, of course, McConnell played his part in it because republicans controlled the Senate at that time. By the time January 6th, 2021 rolled around I believe many republicans had “had enough” of Trump and they, again, were given the opportunity by Ms. Pelosi to end the Trump “nightmare” once and for all.

Pelosi led IMPEACHMENT number TWO giving the republicans in the Senate the chance to vote to convict Trump and end his reign on their party for good. Had they voted to convict Trump he would have no longer been eligible to hold ANY office in the federal government EVER again! That’s all they had to do – but, NO, McConnell couldn’t make himself do it – despite, after voting to “aquit” giving a speech which made me, at least, wonder what was going on in his head – essentially, saying Trump was guilty. (Which, anyone paying attention KNEW already) Another example of republican STUPIDITY. And, McConnell is right in the middle of all of the STUPID despite being recognized as a superb tactitian by most observers of the Senate. Go figure!

So, as of the time I’m writing this, Trump has been the catalyst for three successive failed election cycles from the perspective of republicans and, it appears to me, if republicans actually nominate Trump once again in 2024 it will be a fourth successive failed election for republicans (although the way the Senate is “lining” up for 2024 the likelihood of republicans gaining control, I believe, is very high. Democrats will be defending over twice as many seats as republicans – although, my hope is young Americans from 18 – 35 will vote in record numbers and vote AGAINST republicans. Virtually EVERY issue which resonates with young Americans; Health insurance, guns, Climate Change, housing, education, student loan forgiveness, child care, abortion and more are issues where republicans are on the wrong side.

And, the issue of the Courts – if democrats message it correctly, will be a DRIVING issue for the next generation – because voting for a republican for president is risking an even MORE extreme Supreme Court – not to mention the lower courts. We’ve seen with the incredibly “creative” thinking of the Judge in Texas – appointed by Trump (and, another alleged CORRUPT judge via the confirmation process) – who banned “mifeprestone” the so-called “abortion pill” after over two decades of safe useage since the FDA approved it – opening up a potential “can of worms” for other FDA approved drugs – that judicial overreach is becoming almost commonplace. “Trump judges” are “legislating from the bench” (well, I should say republican appointed judges because Sam Alito and Clarence Thomas weren’t appointed by Trump) on “freedoms” many Americans had long ago taken for granted – the most obvious being, of course, Roe v Wade and abortion.

Leaders around the world (less Trump’s dictator friends) are cringing at the thought “we the people” might put him or someone like him back into the “White House.” Joe Biden has been instrumental in supporting Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s ASSAULT on their sovereignty which, to me, is enough for him to be re-elected – not to mention ALL the progressive legislation he signed in the first two years of his first term. But, the judiciary – which many Americans I know of well enough to know whether or not they’re paying attention to it – is (or should be) a CRITICAL issue on the minds of voters. It likely is with WOMEN who, in many states now, are putting their lives in danger be becoming pregnant. America’s infant mortality rate is somewhere near the BOTTOM of advanced nations in the world – and, with the Court’s decision on Roe will only get worse.

I’m not one who would be supportive of an “abortion,” or so I thought, until I gained a bit of education. (Which, in reality, I knew, but hadn’t thought about it for about 50 years) In my first marriage, the FIRST pregnancy of my (ex) wife – a pregnancy which we were celebrating – until, she began to miscarry. I rushed her to the Hospital (bleeding) and the procedure she received was, in essence, an abortion. Now, when I listen to women who are being FORCED to risk their own lives to become pregnant in places like Texas, Ohio, Mississippi, Florida, and right next door to the state I live in, Idaho – where, had we lived there with today’s laws back in the 1970’s – my wife’s life very well would have been in danger as the emergency medical care she needed would have been denied until she reached a stage of sepsis. Women who survive sepsis, with a decaying fetus in their bodies, not only are CRITICAL medically, but, if they survive, the likelihood of ever bearing children afterward, is seriously compromised.

These are just TWO reasons even thinking of another Trump presidency makes people around the globe (and across America) shudder. Trump is promising the INSURRECTIONISTS he will “pardon” them, while THREATENING retribution on his perceived “enemies list.” (Which, likely, is very long – reminds me of a Nixon “deja vu all over again” moment) Trump, with the help of Moscow Mitch, Leonard Leo, and others – put THREE members on the Supreme Court who, along with existing justices Alito, Roberts, and Thomas, are determined to “turn back the clock” on America to the 70’s or 80’s – or even before that. This is why “we the people” MUST consider EVERY election for the next 20 – 30 years “the most important of my lifetime.” And, in the words of a true conservative – Liz Cheney – Trump can NEVER get even close to the White House EVER AGAIN!

Final Thought: Of course, there are many other issues why Trump can NEVER get close to the “White House” EVER again. I’ll just list a few: His promise to go after members of the media is “un American,” (if republican voters even care about that) His denial of the Climate Crisis (along with republicans across the nation) threatens the future of our children and grandchildren’s (reminder I’m 75) ability to survive on this planet. His threats to undo the federal bureaucracy and replace it with people willing to sign a loyalty pledge just makes me shudder to even think that could be an issue in a presidential election. His fawning of the world’s worst dictators and the assurance if re-elected Ukraine aid would be discontinued and our foreign policy would be Russia oriented makes me shudder even more. There’s a plethora of issues such as these which makes it seem IMPOSSIBLE this nightmare could continue, but, as I’ve stated, each time he faces another indictment it’s likely his support will strengthen among republicans. That said, it’s up to independent voters, disaffected republicans, and democrats to make sure Trump, as said by Ms. Cheney, “never gets close to the White House EVER again.” Stay tuned……………

The U.S. Supreme Court is a mess as I’m writing this. At the head of the class of Justice’s who have issues with their ethical standards, of course, is Clarence Thomas who’s been in the news over and over again over the previous couple of months. I’ve written about Justice Thomas’ wife, who I believe, SHOULD be part of the January 6th investigation of Jack Smith due to her participation in the attempt by Trump to STEAL the 2020 election (as he was pushing the so-called “Stop the Steal” fiasco) in both CLEARLY being part of the CONSPIRACY – based on the publicly released text messages during the Select Committee’s hearings – AND, based on her part in recruiting republicans in the “FAKE ELECTOR” scheme put forth by Trump et al.

Justice Thomas, it has been revealed in public reporting he hasn’t denied, has been accepting “hospitality” in the nature of private jet transportation, exotic vacations, trips on exotic yachts, and “friendship” from a Texas Billionaire named Harlan Crow who is a collector of Hitler and Nazi “memorabilia” (go figure!) and has poured likely MILLIONS into the ledger of The Thomases. Was Clarence Thomas, for example, going to pay for private jet Travel to places around the globe with no obligation to pay for anything once he got there? I don’t think so! (I guess that makes my question rhetorical, doesn’t it?) By the way, how Crow and Donald Trump are similar is they both inherited their wealth via Real Estate “empires.”

Not only is Mr. Crow paying for the Thomases to trapse around the globe on his dime, but he’s also funneled (at least) hundreds of thousands of dollars directly into the pocketbook of Mrs. Thomas – none of which was reported on Justice Thomas’ disclosure forms – just further affirming the belief by many into the right wing’s CORRUPTION on the court. These judges – and, I’ve closely watched the confirmation process of virtually all of them – including Thomas back when he was (allegedly) LYING about his harassment of Anita Hill – all of these republican appointed judges have proven themselves to have been unhinged from the TRUTH – for example, as America’s women now clearly know, regarding their belief in “stare decisis” the principle of following judicial precedent – most specifically regarding the Roe precedent. They ALL claimed “allegiance” to this judicial principal. LIARS?????

I looked up the “net worth” of the justices and I don’t think many would be surprised to “learn” that the top members of the court according to their wealth would be the republicans – led by Chief Justice Roberts, Justice Gorsuch, Sam Alito, and Amy Coney Barrett all close to or exceeding net worths of $10 MILLION. (i belief Justice Barrett is likely a bit under that amount) These right wing Justices are hanging around “institutes” that (allegedly) have business before the court and, I believe, it’s a rare occasion when one of them recuses themselves from a case. The optics of this court are TERRIBLE and are only going to get worse.

Virtually everyone of the right wing judges on this court could be accused of (allegedly) LYING in their confirmation hearings. For heaven’s sake, Judge Kavanaugh was, in my view, embarrassing in his response to the (alleged) sexual assault charges which came out against him during the process. Since, we’ve learned he (allegedly) LIED outright in this process and also that Trump called off the FBI’s investigation into additional accusations against Kavanaugh which still haven’t been heard. This is REALLY bad, but, it’s taken Justice Thomas to convince more and more Americans the Supreme Court is nothing more than a Kangaroo Court.

And, that doesn’t even get into the “work” of Ginni Thomas, Justice Thomas’ wife. I can’t help but thinking back to the days of Justice Abe Fortas, who resigned from the court – supposedly, to save his wife from some kind of political issue. Nothing regarding her was referred to in his resignation letter, but I think it paid a large part in him agreeing to resign. (He had accepted $20,000 from a foundation which was having problems and to whom he returned the money – compare that to the Thomases) To me, Ginni Thomas was right in the middle of those encouraging Donald Trump and Mark Meadows to do whatever they could to overturn the 2020 election. What were her personal beliefs on the election? Personally, I don’t think that matters. If she bought in on the “big lie” that’s a her problem – it doesn’t excuse participating in a CONSPIRACY to commit several FELONIES.

I really don’t understand why Mrs. Thomas’ political activities are not MORE of the issue with the CORRUPTION of Justice Thomas. She has said she doesn’t talk to her husband about politics (if you believe that I’ve got a bridge………………) but, only to her “best friend.” There’s a way LIARS are always exposed and she’s no exception. She later referred to her “best friend” as her husband. Can you connect the dots?

And, as always with republicans/conservatives there’s always more. Now the TRUTH about the Texas judge who made the (rather obscene from a legal perspective) ruling on the so-called “abortion pill” is coming out regarding his confirmation process. He (allegedly) hid a controversial article he had written prior to his nomination by Trump to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas – a district SMALL enough that “judge shoppers” can be assured to get their issue in front of HIM – because, well, he’s the only option in that district – his name is Matthew Kasmaryk and he (allegedly) took his name off the article which should have been part of his confirmation process right before the hearings so that he wouldn’t have to include the article in the required writings sent to the Senate before the confirmation process.

This court is a REAL part of the scheme by republicans to RULE America via minority rule – republicans continue to publicly show their disdain for democracy. And, the court is right in the middle of it all. Of course, for me, it started when the Court chose Bush/Cheney as the “winners” of the 2000 presidential election. Much of America’s modern day “woes” emanate from that egregious decision. (Think the Middle East) but, as I’ve said over and over, there’s always more. The Court responded to the election of Barack Obama into the “White House” with the Citizens United Decision which was referred to by Jimmy Carter as “legalized bribery.” Close to $5 BILLION in “dark money” has flowed into our elections since this decision came down. The Court has also eviscerated the Voting Rights Act of 1965 so we’re seeing state after state (with republican governors and legislatures) enacting laws that are designed to suppress voting. Republicans in Wisconsin, for example, bragged they had “blocked” upwards of 100.000 voters in Detroit from voting (ie democrats) in the 2022 election – where Ron Johnson was “re-elected” to his seat in the Senate by less than 50,000 votes over his African American opponent. Do you see how this is working?

Here’s what bothers me most about all of this. I’m 75 years old and I understand my children and grandchildren have to live with this right wing court long after I’m “pushing up daisies.” If Americans – and, I’m talking about, mostly, young Americans – don’t get firmly involved in the process of being “responsible adults” – by VOTING – if another republican is voted into the “White House” in the next 30 years or so, this could get much worse. Justice Alito, in his unhinged decision overturning Roe v Wade, pointed out that those who don’t agree with their decision have the power to change it via Congress by “voting.” Does that strike you as disingenuous as it does me? Saying the solution is voting as you’re making it easier to BLOCK people from voting pretty much says it all, regarding republicans, as far as I’m concerned.

While “we the people” have been focused on Donald Trump the Supreme Court of the United States has been busy undermining progress which has happened in America over the past 50+ years. Women’s rights are under attack, students’ rights are under attack, LGBTQ rights are under attack, voting rights are under attack, and our democratic republic’s fundamentals are under attack by the right wing courts in this land. The most recent issue is the overturning of an FDA ruling (which has been “there” for over 20 years) potentially opening a “can of worms” regarding medications in America the likes of which we’ve NEVER seen. It just keeps getting worse, and the fact Clarence Thomas can violate laws and norms with impunity says it all! Our court system is BROKEN!

Final Thought: The encouraging part in all of this, to me, is I keep seeing signs America’s young people have “had enough.” They’re watching republicans block legislation aimed at fighting the plague of gun violence, watching republicans block legislation aimed at the Climate crisis, watching republicans attack the rights of women who want to have children (and, make no mistake, these anti-abortion laws will cause MANY women in America to die), they see republicans doing whatever they can to make the income inequality issue worse – making housing a stretch for many of them, republicans are attacking LGBTQ Americans, banning books, and treating immigrants inhumanely. I think it will be America’s young people – and, I’m talking those from the early thirties to those just eligilble to vote in the next election who are going to turn this nation back toward it’s roots.

And, by its “roots” I’m not talking about America’s racist roots – in fact, as we saw in Tennessee just recently, republicans are determined to make national leaders out of young Black Americans with the courage to stand up against their tyrannical nonsense. When you listen to the “stuff” Donald Trump is “promising” should he be re-elected it makes me think I hope he’s actually the republican nominee. That should cause the republican party to be voted to where I’ve been lobbying for at least 15 years – and, that’s into the History books. I’m not even suggesting THOSE books be banned – I think American’s youth need to read about ALL of America’s History – the good and the bad. These republicans will find themselves right next to Benedict Arnold in the History books – in a chapter right next to the one telling the TRUTH about America’s TORTURE and MURDER of African Americans for roughly three fourths of our history. I keep thinking these RACIST “conservatives” in the South and the Rust belt are direct descendants of people who were involved in the LYNCHINGS which took place in the early 20th century. Stay tuned………………..

Back to Reality, I’m just jotting down a few thoughts which might motivate another post on another day – I don’t feel like writing too much today. From the lips of Zoe Lofgren, D. of California, regarding the interview of Cy Vance on Sunday’s “Meet the Press.”Something doesn’t smell right.” She was referring to the FACT Mr. Vance, who was the District Attorney in New York prior to Alvin Bragg, said he was asked to “stand down” regarding the investigation which has culminated in the present charges against Donald Trump. What the???? Who in the SDNY (Southern District of New York) asked Vance to “stand down.”

Of course, then the SDNY also STOOD down. Michael Cohen was allowed to serve a 3 year prison term for the same offense. That was the case which caused me to refer to Trump as “individual 1” for over two years – until it became apparent, after Trump lost in a LANDSLIDE to Joe Biden in 2020 – that Merrick Garland didn’t have the “will” to follow through on an investigation which had been initiated – and likely closed by Bill Barr’s Justice Department. As I look back on this, it’s apparent Cohen was targeted for prison by Trump’s “lacky’s.” It was until they realized he had the “goods” on Trump until Barr attempted to “overturn his conviction.” I’ve been pointing out how republicans have become LOWER and LOWER lowlifes for the past several decades. (Going all the way back to Nixon)

Once again, republicans don’t take long to prove they can always go LOWER. Now, as I’m writing this the state legislature in Tennessee is in the process of EXPELLING three members of the democratic party in Tennessee for, get this, protesting the gun lobby after three CHILDREN and three adults in a Christian private school where a former student shot her way with several high capacity military style (AK-47) firearms into the school and MURDERED those children and the adults there to take care of them with something like 150 shots being fired before the police could intervene and shoot the “shooter.” Two of the three being EXPELLED are the youngest African American members of their body.

This reminds me of what I’ve been reading, “Caste” by Isabel Wilkerson, and I’ve come to the conclusion EVERY high school student in America should have this book as required reading. The legislature of Tennessee is PROVING the darkest history of America is still a major problem in our nation. Wilkerson pulls no punches as she points out the 250 years in America where African Americans were treated in a near equal manner to the Jews who faced the MURDEROUS Nazi’s for 12 years in Germany from the early 30’s until the Third Reich was defeated by the “allied” troops back in 1945. That’s right, 250 years of white people murdering and torturing selected “Negroes” in order to put the fear of God in the other members of their SLAVES.

And, of course, it didn’t get much better after the Civil War and “Reconstruction” which lasted only a very short number of years and was followed by the “Jim Crow” years. Jim Crow was a pejorative term in the South which is how the laws insured African Americans would face segragation in all forms of their lives. And, the torture and MURDER of Black Americans continued well into the 20th century. Until the 1960’s Black Americans were prohibited from attending the “White public” schools and it was in the sixties when the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were passed and turned virtually every elected official in the South away from the democratic party.

I was in High School back then and I remember (vaguely) watching Black Americans getting bludgeoned on the Edmund PettUs bridge as they were starting the March to Montgomery in Alabama. This has been referred to as “Bloody Sunday” when African Americans protesting the murder of Jimmy Lee Jackson who had been MURDERED a short while previous, for participating in a peaceful protest at the bridge. The bridge is named after a Confederate General who was a “Grand Dragon” of the Alabama Ku Klux Klan. “Bloody Sunday” was what led to the passing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 – thanks to it being shown on national TV.

Many white people in America, like myself, even if we’ve been supportive of the Civil Rights movement in America which, obviously, continues, have little to no knowledge of what African Americans have REALLY endured over the 400 plus years since white Europeans “discovered” this nation and, at first, began the genocide of the Native Americans who had been here for thousands of years while bringing the African SLAVES here and auctioning them off in the most disgusting manner of inhumanity – a process which started in the early 1600’s and lasted until the Civil War nearly 250 years later – to do their labor. All of this is coming to mind as I’m watching these two African Americans (along with a White former teacher who had experienced a school shooting as a teacher) being expelled simply for voicing their support for gun legislation after the recent school shooting in Nashville.

Our Supreme Court participated in what led to the March across the bridge when in the 1890’s (I believe) it decided the so-called “separate but equal” decision in the case referred to as “Plessy v Ferguson” which cemented the Jim Crow “Laws” in the American South. The continued suffering inflicted on the African American communities in America continued unabated up to the 1960’s and the peaceful protesting led by Martin Luther King. Things are better now, but it appears to me the so-called “MAGA” movement is trying to relive this dark History in our nation. I can’t help but think of some of the “stuff” coming out of Florida, via Ron DeSanctimoniouis and the Florida legislature, where they’re banning books just as the supporters of the so-called “Lost Cause” back in the aftermath of Reconstruction were doing.

The bottom line here is that republicans can’t be trusted in ANY circumstance. Much of the stuff they’re doing is no longer “under the rocks” but out in the open – as if they actually believe they are in the majority. In places like Tennessee the gerrymandered districts allow them to act as full blown authoritarians. Just the other day, a “liberal” was elected to the Wisconsin State Supreme Court, another state which is shamefully gerrymandered, giving the “liberals” a 4 – 3 majority on the Court much to the chagrin of republicans. It didn’t take but a few hours after the election. where the “liberal” candidate won by OVER 10% – a landslide in Wisconsin, for the republicans in the state legislature to begin talking about IMPEACHING her. Of course, in Wisconsin – a state with a nearly identical number of democrats to republicans – the state legislature has a “super majority” of republicans – thanks to partisan gerrymandering – enough to actually impeach this judge. This “garbage” is happening all across our nation – fueled by republicans who live in fear of losing their grip on POWER.

Here’s the deal, if they would choose to do this, the people in Wisconsin will simply vote the “liberal” justice (I can’t remember her name) back into her position as a Supreme Court justice in their state. The gerryrigging of so many states in America is just consistent with the History of this nation people like Ron DeSanctimonious, in Florida, don’t want “we the people” to understand. It’s shameful! I hope the two young Black Tennessee legislators are voted right back into this body and the people of Tennessee rise up against this POWER grab.

Final Thought: Just about everyone in America understands our History – at least to the point where we know how African American parents have to teach their children how to act if/when they’re pulled over by a state trooper for a traffic issue. Often time, the issue is driving while Black. Most of us witnessed the modern day version of a “Lynching” as George Floyd died under the KNEE of a racist Mineapolis cop! That led to massive protests all across this nation – with young Americans of all “stripes” marching in protest of police brutality toward Black Americans. That has led to ANOTHER backlash by White Americans led by Trump and the so-called “freedom caucus” in the House of Representatives – those who call the INSURRECTION of January 6th, 2021 a “peaceful” visit to the Capitol. I taught Middle School until I retired in 2014 and I have confidence the young people I taught will be a part of the movement in this nation which will overturn this push to White Supremacy from the MAGA movement! Stay tuned……….

I received an email from Pittsburgh today showing a red “MAGA” hat with the encription reading under the capital letters “MAGA” with “my ass got arrested.” At first, I couldn’t help myself from laughing – and, then, I turned on the TV to watch two young – and IMPRESSIVE – Black legislatures in Tennessee as they got expelled from the legislature as detailed above. Numerous thoughts are filling my head and it will take a day, or so, (likely) for me to understand what I need to write next. God help this nation!!!

I’ve been writing about attempting to write a posting which is “positive” over the past couple of months. My brother-in-law who lives in Pittsburgh (a long way from Washington state) is, in essence, tired of all the negativity. In reality, so am I. I fully understand Trump is someone who craves attention, good or bad, and I, like many others, have been “sucked in.” I’m always questioning my Christian bona fides because it feels like I despise Trump and I’ve referred to republicans many times as “STUPID.” However, I’m going to attempt going “elsewhere.”

The reality, for me, is I’ve been “blessed” with a passion for politics. So, on the positive side, I’m going to write about my views of Joe Biden and what the democrats were able to accomplish in his first two years in office – which, to me, considering all the roadblocks, was historic. I’ve been fortunate because I was a teacher and have a teacher’s retirement which comes every month a couple weeks prior to my Social Security benefit. I have access to Medicare insurance and can afford a supplement which covers much of the medical bills someone like me – 75 years old – just naturally accrues. However, I’m very cognizant we are still coming out of a “once in a Century” pandemic (as of today, well over 1 MILLION have died from it) and many Americans are not as fortunate as me.

That’s why I believed the Covid Rescue legislation Biden and the democrats enacted shortly after taking office was the most significant legislation, aimed at working Americans, I had seen in my lifetime. (Well, with the exception of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 – which took place during my High School years.) For example, I know a family of five who go to our church who ALL contracted Covid – before the vaccines were available. I made a food run to Costco for them because they couldn’t leave their apartment and, the Dad was off work and they didn’t have the money to buy food. The money they received from that legislation prevented them from becoming homeless. First it was the $1400 for the Mom and Dad and then, for several months, they received $250 for each of their three girls every month. That was desperately needed income for them, and, I’m sure millions of other American families – no matter whether they were in a “red state” or “blue state” benefited similarly as well!

That was followed by legislation which benefited America’s Veterans who had risked their lives in places like Afghanistan and Iraq and were suffering from diseases caused by the water they were forced to drink after being housed next to “burn pits” which were spewing toxic fumes. There’s much more that “we the people” SHOULD do for the veterans who have served – with MANY part of the HOMELESS problem in our nation and, also, not receiving the medical or mental health care they deserve. There are democrats to this day attempting to get legislation through republican roadblocks in Congress to further help our veterans – but, at least, we know there ARE elected members of Congress who care.

Another thing the Biden “team” had done – and, I’m going off the top of my head for all of this, is pass a bill which is aiming to bring the Semi-conductor manufacturing business back to the states. It really was foolish for “we the people” to stand for our politicians sending so many “jobs” to China – so we could buy our stuff for cheaper prices. I’m looking forward to the day when “we the people” can say more and more “parts” to the things we use are “made in America.” It appears we’re closer to that day.

The Biden administration has been agressively supporting the push for MORE “EV” automobiles. (Full disclosure, I’ve been driving a Chevy Volt since 2015 – I’m on my second one and I love it. I’ve bought an average of 10 gallons of gas for it each year. Also, my wife drives a fully Electric Nissan Leaf, which is one of the nicest cars I’ve ever been in – she gets approximately 250 miles per full charge) Trust me, the $7500 tax credit is a welcome addition to the process of buying them – or should I say subtraction. That tax credit brought the cost of my Volt down to $22,000 when it was new. Due to the increase in gas prices, my Volt is worth, according to the Kelly “Blue Book” almost as much as when it was new. (In my view, it’s a shame Chevrolet stopped making the Volts)

The Biden administration is also very focused on supporting the renewable energy potential of solar and wind power – along with geothermal and ????? Again, full disclosure, I used my savings when I retired to put 32 Solar panels on our property (two outbuildings with roofs facing due South). Along with government incentives I’ve fully recouped the original investment and every kilowatt we produce is worth the equivalent of what our local PUD charges for electricity – which right now equates to 8,.6 cents per kilowatt. I put the solar panels up in 2015 and, so far, we’ve produced over 81,500 kilowatts. Our system produces about 10,500 kilowatts per year. And, solar panels are FAR less expensive and more efficient today than they were 8 years ago and there are good incentives to help pay for them. I have a friend who put them up and, who has a more energy efficient home than us, and he pays virtually NOTHING for his electricity.

All of this is part and parcel to an administration which is FINALLY doing something which is aimed at reducing the global warming which is threatening this planet and, especially, the lives of my children and grandchildren. To me, it’s about time we see movement from Washington DC to address this issue. Is it enough? For heaven’s sake, NO! But, it’s a start. In reality, it’s up to “we the people” to elect MORE democrats – and, to make sure they’re not “corporate democrats” and, they’re not going to end up like Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema. Both Manchin and Sinema are up for re-election in 2024 and, I’m assuming the democrats who are pushing these progressive issues will support Manchin, because he’s probably the ONLY democrat who has a chance to be elected from West Virginia. (Full disclosure, I was conceived in Wheeling West Virginia right before my parents moved to Portland, Oregaon, where I was born back in 1947). I don’t believe Sinema has a chance for re-election in Arizona and, all I can do is hope that Reuben Gallego gets enough support to win what appears will be a three person election. (My guess is the republican candidate will be Cari Lake – yikes!! – I’m trying to keep this positive, please excuse me :o)

There’s a LOT more I see as positive from Joe Biden being president – and, of course, as I’ve said before, I didn’t support him in the Washington State primary election. Now, I think he was the perfect candidate to SAVE this nation from what very well could have been a second Trump term – which, it scares me to think of what that would have entailed. Speaking of Trump, it is true the Covid Vaccines were emergency approved during the last month or so of his administration. However, it became painfully clear, Trump had no plan for distributing them. That’s ANOTHER positive accomplishment of the Biden administration. I’ve had my two doses of the Pfizer version of the vaccine plus a booster and a booster of the booster. Fortunately, I haven’t been affected by the virus despite the fact my wife and my son, both were infected with it. They both had been vaccinated and were only sick for a few days – and, NOT dangerously sick. I’m very thankful for how Biden’s team figured out how to get those shots to so many places. The clinic where I got my shots is a rural clinic and, yet, everytime I went there when I was “due” they had the shot available. When you think of the size of this country, that was amazing.

Yes, there’s lots of people who, apparently for political reasons, chose not to take the vaccine. I have a friend in that “camp” who became infected (that’s how my wife got it) and she is an “anti- vaxxer.” She got really sick, although she didn’t get hospitalized – the pills which are available seemed to work for her. I won’t go into the details, but her experience with the virus and her unwillingness to be vaccinated and some of the “treatments” she tried let me know she was hanging out in the right wing portion of the internet. I used to be a farmer and I had cattle, goats, and horses – along with some other animals. Ivermectin is what we used to worm the goats and the horses. My friend actually believed that would counter the virus – and, I believe she tried it with TERRIBLE results. Americans SHOULD be thankful the government provided these shots FOR FREE. To me that’s a real positive of the Biden administration.

I haven’t mentioned Ukraine. That very possibly will go down in history as Biden’t greatest achievement. Trump had come close to destroying NATO, which is Vladimir Putin’s greatest dream. Biden not only pulled NATO together, now both Finland and Sweden are joining because their leaders understand why NATO was formed in the first place. Biden has made it clear that Putin’s war mongering had better not go past Ukraine and he’s led the coalition in supporting Ukraine’s FIGHT for it’s own sovereignty. The war in Ukraine is NOT something I would consider as “positive,” but the leadership of Zelensky (Who Trump tried to extort) is historic and the way Biden has pulled the NATO alliance together is historic. The FIGHT of the Ukrainians is, to me, a positive – despite the reality of war and that they are LOSING a large number of troops in the battle. (Far less than the Russians, I believe)

Putin reminds me of Hitler back in the years right before I was born. Recklessly attacking his neighbor because he doesn’t approve of their desire to create a “democracy” where they govern themselves. And, I believe they’ll achieve that. It will take YEARS to rebuild Ukraine once this is all over, but I have no doubt the countries who’ve been supporting their military needs and their other needs during this assault by the Russians will help to rebuild their nation, once Putin has been pushed out. Will Putin use nukes? Personally, I believe there are more sensible people in Russia’s military who know how that would end. My hope is that Putin is “taken out” by his own people and the Russians go back to their own country – a country with the natural resorces to be a very important “cog” in the world economy, without being what amounts to a military dictatorship. There’s more, but, at least for tonight, I’ll leave it there. My point? I’m very thankful Joe Biden is America’s president and, to me, that’s a positive.

Final Thought: Another thing I believe is a positive with a “spin” away from politics. Baseball. Supposedly, America’s pastime – at least that is what it was called as I grew up – and, I’ve been a fan since my earliest days. In fact, in my household, we were always fans of the Pittsburgh Pirates. One of my idols was Roberto Clemente, a great hall of fame right fielder, who died way too young giving aid to the Nicaraguans. (He was from Puerto Rico and, in essence, the first in a line of GREAT major league baseball players from the Caribbean.) I will never forget getting in trouble in Jr. High school when I snuck a portable radio with an ear piece into class and couldn’t cotain myself when Bill Mazeroski hit the “Home run heard around the world.” (back in, 1960)

If you watched any of the “World Basebal Classic” recently, you saw an example of a sport which pulls people of all “stripes” together. The “Classic” was won by a team from Japan (and, arguably, the best player in the world is from Japan – potentially, the greatest player ever if he plays enough years – Shohei Ohtani.) and the attention to the games was incredible, The teams came from all over the world and it was really “positive” in my view to see all the comraderie. That tells us what is possible in other areas of our lives.

I believe it is incumbent on “we the people” in America to be leaders in attempting to bring people together in this world and not allow the “haters” and “fearmongers” and the people who believe in using their guns to control the rest of us to succeed. To me, as I watched all these baseball players from around the globe participating in such an exciting event with virtually NO examples of poor sportsmanship in the entire process I couldn’t help but think of what might be possible. I played sports “back in the day” and, apparently, that’s where I got the belief that everyone on the “team” is valuable. In the U.S. we have a terrible History to overcome – and people are doing their level best to make sure we’re not aware of it. I belive our History is, to an extent, “repeating itself” and I’m thankful, at this critical point of time, Joe Biden is the president. The next few elections in America will determine whether or not “we the people” will decide to take the “high road” and present a POSITIVE example for the rest of the world. I have no idea if my brother-in-law and myself will live to see the outcome (we’re both in the elderly category) but, to me, Joe Biden is doing everything he can to set an example that is positive.

Lot’s of women, people of color, and people of all “stripes” make up his administration. His Vice President is a WOMAN of “color” and is doing a great job in the limited capacity of a Vice President. Biden nominated the FIRST woman of color to the Supreme Court – and, to me, as I’ve listened to her I’ve been totally impressed. His Transportation Secretary is an openly Gay man who, with his husband, has adopted twins. Biden is NOT intimidated by what I referred to above as the “haters” and the “fearmongers.” Yes, we’re seeing a strong right wing backlash to Biden’s progressive administration (as we saw with Obama’s administration) but we’re also seeing MANY younger Americans approving the direction Biden is “pushing” “we the people.”

I hope all of this comes across as positive. (Well, most of it) As I look in the mirror, I believe I see someone who’s been, at times, foolishly optimistic. Obama’s election was historic – but, my best friend who was African American – we were Middle School teaching partners for ten years – he grew up in Youngstown, Ohio – predicted the backlash which occurred. That backlash consisted of the core group of which nationalists who are presently controlling our House of Representatives. I have to believe “we the people” are reaching our limits of tolerance of their attempt to turn this nation back 100 years or so.

As I said, I believe it will take a few elections, but more and more people are understanding the importance of participating in our elections with the goal of stopping this present day version of the republican party. Again, I hope this comes across as a positive, because I believe, in the end, “good will prevail over evil.” It’s an historic time and, to me, Joe Biden is the perfect person to be our leader. Like the rest of us, he’s far from perfect. But, to me, he represents what’s best of America – and, his policy of working “from the bottom up and middle out” is a positive.

I’ve been suggesting for YEARS that back in 1980, when Ronald Reagan was running for president against Jimmy Carter, while (I believe the total was) 59 Americans were being held hostage in Tehran, members of Reagans campaign had somehow managed to make a deal with the Iranians to hold the hostages until Reagan was inaugurated. It always seemed obvious to me – they were released, essentially, at the same time Reagan took the oath of office. What was my proof? I had none, other than my ability to make inferences. The coincidence just didn’t add up. (And, of course, I was no fan of Reagan – who was the master at racist dog whistles)

Well, now – while Jimmy Carter has entered Hospice care meaning his life will be ending some time soon, more than likely, Ben Barnes, who was moving up the “ladder” in Texas politics back in 1980, travelled to several Middle East countries with former Texas governor John Connelly on the “mission” to convince the Iranians they “would get a better deal” if they held the hostages until Reagan was officially the president. Mr. Barnes, who is now 84 apparently can’t live with the “secret” any longer and wanted to go public. Does he want Carter to know before he dies? I suppose that’s his motive – but, I suspect President Carter knew all along – just as I have suspected. (And, give Carter credit because we’ve never heard a “peep” from him in this regard)

There are plane records of Connelly and Barnes traveling to Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Israel in July of 1980 (In the middle of the campaign) on “private business.” According to Barnes they passed the “request” along on each stop to people with connections to Iran not to release the hostages (“Reagan would give Iran a better deal”). There had been an investigation into this possibility, but it centered on former CIA director William Casey, who at the time was Reagan’s campaign chair. Barnes apparently shared some of the details with others who have corroborated he, at the time, told them what he an Connelly had done. So, now, I don’t have to point this out “without evidence.” For me, it will be a sad day when Jimmy Carter passes away, but he’s had a LONG and fruitful life. In my eyes, Carter is the one true Christian man who’s held that office in my lifetime (well, i feel that way about Obama as well).

With the exception of Dwight Eisenhower, in my lifetime, I’ve known only republicans who’ve made it to the “White House” to be LIARS and cheaters. Of course, Nixon was really bad, but Reagan set this nation on the course we’re dealing with today with the so-called “debt crisis,” HW Bush was up to his eyeballs along with Reagan in the Iran/Contra scheme and, of course, it was the Right wing Supreme Court who chose GW Bush/Dick Cheney in 2000 and they managed to alter HISTORY negatively in more than one way. (Iraq, Afghanistan, and the financial disaster of 2008) Of course, it just keeps getting worse with republicans and Trump, I thought, would be the epitome – but, who knows Ron DeSantis is lying in the weeds with his fascist eyes focused on the Oval Office. Could he be even worse???

In the case of each of these presidents starting with Nixon they’ve ALL managed to avoid accountability for their ILLEGAL conduct. And, now Trump is facing almost CERTAIN indictment – maybe “times four” – and, his followers are threatening a response which, in the eyes of one I read about the other day, “makes January 6th look llke child’s play.” I say, “bring it on.” We might have to build more jails to handle all these people who claim to believe in law and order but can’t handle the reality their white nationalist views are in the minority and they can’t violate those laws with impunity – that the laws are meant just for people like myself. Additionally, it’s going to be getting worse for them the more they spew their HATE.

OK, I started this post a couple days ago – and, what do you know? Today, Trump was FINALLY indicted – FOR THE FIRST TIME. I’ve pointed out here several times there are two items on my bucket list (I’m 75) – the first, I’d like to shoot my age in golf. I came within about 3 shots a couple years ago, but my deteriorating body will likely make that “wish” unatainable. The other “wish” was to live long enough to see Trump going to jail for (at least) one of the MANY “alleged” CRIMES he’s committed – what appears to me, with impunity. He’s been DARING the Justice system to indict him since well before the day he came down the escalator in New York claiming alarm at Mexicans. As the Justice system has zeroed in on him his racist “dog whistles” have simply intensified. Most notably to me, the anti semitic charges that Alvin Bragg is a “Soros backed……….” along with accusing Bragg (who is Black) of being a “racist.” Interesting accusation coming from the mouth of the TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) – now indicted – president who referred to countries in Africa as “shit hole” countries.

The “law and order” members of the republican party will come to his support with, also, a torrent of racist “dog whistles.” Ron DeSanctimonious has already started the flow of dangerous rhetoric, in his feeble attempt to be Trump’s successor, claiming “Florida will not be a part of any extradiction of this ‘Soros backed’ indictment” – trying to have it both ways, as usual. To me, Trump is disgusting and DeSanctimonious is sleazy. They both are counting on what Trump has called his “uneducated voters” to continue to be “uneducated.”

Here’s the reality, from my point of view. I’ve still got a couple of years to live if I’m going to witness Trump going to jail. I also anticipate he’ll be defending himself from at least THREE different indictments. Two more likely coming from Jack Smith in FEDERAL charges – possibly covering as many as 4 – 6 different charges (I read the Jan. 6th report and they referred him for AT LEAST four different FELONY indictments). Depending on what has been discovered regarding what he was doing with all the TOP SECRET documents he was hoarding at Mar a Lago there could be another 2 – 3 charges. It seems apparent, OBSTRUCTION of Justice is obvious and, if you remember, the original warrant for the search included evidence the Espionage Act may have been violated. Depending on where that last one ends up, it COULD be the most significant of all the potential charges. (TREASON???)

Here’s what we’re going to see as the next couple years unfold – not to mention having a candidate for president under indictment – making us kind of like Israel. We’re going to witness how RICH people are able to manipulate our justice system evern MORE than what has taken place over the past 7 years. There will be an untold number of delays due to Trump’s legal team stretching this out as far as possible. I’m sure Trump’s number one hope is that he might somehow regain the “Oval Office” in order to stop all these prosecutions. Personally, I don’t believe that would stop anything – although, I can’t bring myself to believe there are enough Americans (including his “uneducated voters”) to vote him back in office. The way the primaries work, I can see him regaining the republican nomination – which would cement in history another of the examples of republicans being STUPID, which I’ve documented since his first day after LYING about his “oath.” (Trump’s ONLY oath is to himself)

If you’ve been around this site for the past few years you know that for at least a couple of years I referred to Trump as “individual 1.” It never made sense to me that Michael Cohen would be prosecuted and go to jail for a crime he committed “At the direction of and for the benefit of” inividual 1. I stopped referring to him with that “name” after it became apparent the Justice Department did not have the stomach to charge Trump once he was out of office and no longer benefited by the Justice Department “memo” saying a “sitting president can’t be indicted.” This reality was, when it became apparent to me, when I first began to question the courage of Merrick Garland – who, I believe, doesn’t have the “stones” for indicting a former president. We’ll see when Jack Smith comes to a decision whether or not Garland goes along with it if Smith wants an indictment – on, either of the potential charges.

When it gets right down to it, Trump’s “hush money” payments to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal very likely allowed him to (NARROWLY) “win” the 2016 election. As I’ve pointed out for years, this would make him a true modern day republican – win at all costs. Cheating and breaking the law be damned – “the end justifies the means.” This is nothing new in republican circles, but, Trump couldn’t stop there. If you read the Mueller report (I read it twice) you know the Trump campaign DID “collude” with the Russians and Mueller pointed out there’s no law against “collusion” – although, he also pointed out the only reason Trump Jr. and Jared Kushner weren’t charged for their meeting with the Russians to “get dirt” on Hillary Clinton is because they were too STUPID (my characterization of his words) to understand they were breaking the law by having the meeting.

Of course, as it always is with republicans, there’s more. Trump’s attampt to BRIBE Volodymyr Zelensky led to his first IMPEACHMENT and, likely, was also a violation of law when he held up duly authorized aid to Ukraine by Congress. He felt he was “exonerated” because Bill Barr LIED to the American people about the Mueller report which “memorialized” about TEN examples of OBSTRUCTION of Justice – which Mueller made a point to explain how serious OBSTRUCTION is. Naturally, that wasn’t enough either, so Trump had to attempt to OVERTHROW a “free and fair election” on January 6th, 2021 – which he will LIKELY also face INDICTMENT for. And, his republican minions will continue to spew their illogical and dangerous rhetoric as they attempt to defend the indefensible. It’s really time the Justice Department PROVE we are “a nation of laws and not men.”

We’re already hearing people suggest Trump could run for president, and be president, from jail – should he be convicted. I have to argue with at least some of that. If Jack Smith follows the recommendation of the January 6th Select Committee and charges Trump with INSURRECTION and, should he be found guilty, then via the 14th amendment to the constitution he would become ineligible to hold any office – I forget the exact words and I’m too lazy to look it up – in our government – most surely, that of being president. I can’t seem to get off the edge of my seat! Stay tuned………….

Final Thought: Many “progressive” lawyers seem to be giving the rest of us sage advice: In America all defendents are PRESUMED to be innocent until proven guilty and, of course, that’s true in Trump’s case. Reports are that DA Bragg will have a challenging job on his hands proving his case “beyond a reasonable doubt.” At this point, to me, the outcome of this case is irrelevant – Trump’s actions in the Stormy Daniels case very well could have changed the course of History – and, at the minimum – since Michael Cohen was sent to PRISON for doing the “dirty deed” (in Cohen’s words) for Trump, it’s only fair Trump “face the music” in this case. If his lawyers can prove he’s innocent so be it. But, next Tuesday in Manhattan Trump will be getting finger printed, DNA tested, and getting a “mug shot” in the same building where the “Central Park 5” did the same thing in 1989. They were falsely accused and Trump spent something like $85,000 on full paid adds suggesting they should face the death penalty. Isn’t karma a b@#ch?

I’m looking forward to the culmination of the investigation in Fulton County Georgia along with the two investigation by Jack Smith. Naturally, in Georgia, the white hierarchy is busy in the background. Georgia’s legislature just gave themselves the power to remove any County DA they disapprove of. Do you really think that wasn’t because of Fani Willis and the Fulton Co. DA’s investigation, where the “Special Grand Jury” members have already suggested they approved indictments of 12 people (which would likely include members of the legislature which passed the egregiously racist law along with Trump and some of his associates.) Seriously, this kind of stuff has been going on in the South since the inception of this country. You don’t have to do a lot of reading about American history to understand today’s white establishment in the South are the offspring of parents who very well could have been directly involved in the LYNCHINGS of the early 20th century. (Of course, the white people elsewhere in America were, in large numbers, just as racist – seems to be a theme in America, doesn’t it?)

It appears a significant portion of Georgia wants to move on from that terrible racist past, but, in reality, those who have the “controls” could care less what people like me think of their actions. Once again, “the end justifies the means.” Read “Caste” by Isabel Wilderson and you’ll get a sobering view of American history. I told my son today, the more I learn, the more I realize I don’t know. For example, I’ve studied the early period of Germany as Hitler was coming to power. (Read the biography of Diedrick Bonhoeffer) But, I never understood the Nazi’s studied how the Americans were keeping the African American population “under control” as they devised their “strategy” of “Aryan purity.” It really is sobering the more I read about our actual history. And, keep in mind, today’s students who are being shielded from the TRUTH of American History are no different from those of us “Baby Boomers” who had textbooks full of LIES back in the 50’s and 60’s.

Let’s hope Fani Willis finishes her investigation without interference and that Trump is forced to defend himself in each one of the pending investigations in addition to the one already charged. I really hope Jack Smith is close to charging decisions because, to me, it’s already too late. Over 1000 of the “minions” have faced charges or are in jail for following the encouragement of Trump on January 6th 2021, yet Trump still walks free along with his co-conspirators and further, his brainwashing of his CULT following continues, unabated. I believe Merrick Garland was FORCED to investigate Trump’s conspiarcy (which COULD include up to 100 people from where I sit – although, that’s unlikely) because of the January 6th Select Committee’s public hearings. The evidence of CRIMINAL conduct by Trump and MANY of his close associates is OVERWHELMING. Let’s get on with it!

I have been planning to write something “positive” in response to a request from my brother-in-law who lives in Pittsburgh and is, understandably, sick of all the negative news. Well, as I sit on the edge of my seat waiting for all the “shoes” to drop regarding the pending CRIMINAL indictments of Donald Trump – with the first one, apparently, happening in Manhattan, New York soon – and, after listening to Trump’s act of desperation sending another “clown” attorney (they seem to congregate in Trump’s circles) into the Grand Jury sitting in Manhattan and, again apparently, close to making a “charging” decision I’ve got to “follow my heart.” (Sorry Tony, but coming soon! There are some actual things to be thankful for “out there”)

This attorney was there to impune the testimony of Michael Cohen, Trump’s former “fixer” (isn’t that a mob term?), and seemed to potentially set himself up to possible CRIMINAL charges. I listened to Cohen’s response to this lawyer’s “claims” and the bottom line is “someone’s LYING.” I believe Trump’s lawyer thinks no one would believe it’s him (my memory tells me his last name is Costello) because Cohen was convicted of LYING to Congress – according to him at the behest of Trump (like the hush money payments) – although Cohen says there are “receipts” for everything he said and that Costello (?) was “making things up.” (OK, I checked, it’s Costello)

All of this tells me about the level of CORRUPTION we have in this nation totally due to the American people allowing themselves – in sufficient numbers – to believe a pathalogical LIAR (in the words of Ted Cruz) putting him into the “White House.” And, since the day this “kook” (in the words of Lindsey Graham) LIED about his “oath” of office republicans across America have cowed in fear that he will say something “nasty” about them and it will cost them their political careers with the republican’s White Nationalist base – a base which has proven to believe the laws are meant for others – especially, if the “other” happens to be a “person of color.”

For example, the Attorney General of the state of Texas has been re-elected TWICE while under indictment for securities fraud in Texas and, apparently, the people of Texas could care less. Now, members of Congress are threatening to call the DA of Manhattan – where they have no authority whatsoever (and, of course, they refer to him as the “Soros backed DA” – an anti-semitic dog whistle) – to testify should he have the temerity of indicting a “former president and present candidate for that office.” This threat, of course, is coming from Jim Jordan, he of the alleged refusal to honor his student athletes at Ohio State University’s complaints of sexual assault while he was the assistant coach – AND, he who may well have been part of Trump’s CONSPIRACY to overthrow the 2020 presidential election.) The “GOP” has always claimed to be “the party of law and order.” Well, you’d have to be – STUPID – to believe that today! (Jordan has shown his loud mouth cowardice on more than one occasion)

Trump clearly is desperate to do what he’s always done – and, that is to avoid the “law” catching up with his CRIMINAL conduct. Not far behind the Manhattan DA seems to be the Fulton County, Georgia DA, Fani Willis, who could be filing charges against Trump at any point in time. Today, Trump’s lawyers filed motions to get rid of the “Special Purpose Grand Jury’s report” along with both Ms. Willis AND the judge who is in charge of the case. Ridiculous, you might say – and, I would tend to agree. But, get this, in Georgia the state legislature has passed a bill (on its way to the Governor’s office) giving ITSELF the power to remove District Attorneys who THEY don’t agree with (especially if they’re Black). Are they planning to stop the “imminent” prosecutions in Georgia? (Keeping in mind one of the TARGETS of the investigation is a KEY member of Georgia’s legislature – due to the “fake elector” scheme in the 2020 election. (Republican CORRUPTION runs deep!)

I believe, if Trump is “saved” by this legislation, the potential charges very well ALL might become FEDERAL charges as I thought they should have been in the first place. In fact, I’ve complained here several times I’ve never understood why Merrick Garland left all this up to a DA in Fulton Co. when virtually EVERYONE who’s been paying attention has heard the infamous phone call from Trump to Brad Raffensperger, Georgia’s Secretary of State, DEMANDING Raffensperger “find 11,780 votes” which would have given Trump “one more” than he “needed.” (apparently, to win the state – YIKES!!!) Trump even went so far as to threaten Raffensperger and his assistants with CRIMINAL violations if they chose to ignore his pleas. (Who knows what would have happened had he actually “won” the election by STEALING it – with all the “Stop the Steal” demonstrations out there) Trump’s threats to Raffensperger were certainly FEDERAL crimes!

Which gets me back to the FEDERAL charges which SHOULD have come down LONG AGO regarding Trump’s INSTIGATING the INSURRECTION of January 6th, 2021 (In case you’ve forgotten the date) Maybe a year ago I started suggesting someone like myself could get a conviction of Trump for instigating the INSURRECTION simply with the public information which had “drip, drip, dripped” into a huge “puddle” of incriminating publicly available evidence. I still believe had the January 6th Committee not done such a great job Mr. Garland would have simply tried to let things “rest” because he was not up to indicting “a former president” – despite all his claims “no one is above the law” and they were following the evidence “wherever it leads.” By many accounts Jack Smith is making up for lost time as best he can, but anything he decides has to go through Mr. Garland and I don’t feel certain he’ll OK prosecutions during the campaign. (What that means is Smith is close to out of time. Depressing thoughts I have to say.

I’ve finished reading the 700 page report of the Select January 6th Committee and it goes to great lengths to provide evidence Trump committed up to 5 MAJOR felonies – including a suggestion at the end one of them would be SEDITION. The one thing I would tend to agree with those in the Committee who believed Liz Cheney was too targeted on Trump when there were many others involved in the CONSPIRACY. I was really disappointed that there wasn’t MORE of the evidence they collected suggesting, for example, that Jim Jordan was right in the middle of this CONSPIRACY along with several of his right wing Congressional peers – like Paul Gosar, Andy Biggs, Mo Brooks, Scott Perry, Louie Gohmert, Matt Gaetz, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and several others along with Senators Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley. I was real disappointed they didn’t zero in on Ginni Thomas because she appears to have been right in the middle of the CONSPIRACY and her potential CRIMINAL conduct might very well be the way to get Clarence Thomas off the Supreme Court.

The more I watch all of this (and, I’m watching it as close as I can from 3000 miles away) it’s confirming to me that back when I started referring to Trump as a “lowlevel mob boss” (making that reference in various forms) I was exactly correct. During his reign in the “White House” I still remember an interview he gave (to someone I can’t remember who) where he referred to someone who would tell the truth about what was happening inside his administration as a “rat” it reminded me of watching the “Untouchables” on TV back when I was MUCH younger. Eliot Ness going after the mob and that was, I believe, where I first heard the word rat (dirty rat) used similarly to how Trump used it.

The using low level lawyers, the attempts to influence how witnesses are giving their testimony, the threats to anyone not going along with their “plan” (like in the case of Brad Raffensperger), the surrogates who use military style weapons to intimidate people, the “dog whistles” embedded in their speeches assuring the “base” they’re “staying strong,” and on and on – seems like the stuff of organized CRIMINALS. And, yet, here’s the republican party cowardly continuing to go along. I can assure you Liz Cheney was correct when she pointed out the republican members of Congress were going to be facing a really bad place in the history books for their cowardice in the face of all this LAWBREAKING. Now, most of them, say – well – nothing. And, that’s supposed to separate them from the “crazies” (as the MTG wing of the republican party is being referred to in “respectable” circles) and, I say, “No way!”

Today, I was driving around listening to MSNBC on my XM radio (which may soon be no more in my car) and one of MSNBC’s new “contributors,” John Kasich, came on for the discussion about Trump and the way the republicans are (foolishly) attacking the Manhattan DA and Kasich acknowledged the House is being run by a group of fringe right wing republicans who were “very loud” (or words to that affect) but, he then pivoted to members of the Senate, like Moscow Mitch, Mitt Romney, and John Thune and said something like “you’re not hearing anything from them.” My first instinct (although that wasn’t the host’s) was, yep, that’s the problem – we’re not hearing ANYTHING from any moderate republicans if there are any out there anymore. It seems to me, the bulk of the republican party are AFRAID to say anything in public about Trump – they’re just wishing he’ll go away.

And, if that happens, then what? The ONLY republicans I’ve seen who exhibit COURAGE are Ms. Cheney (and, keep in mind, I agree with little she says) and Adam Kinsinger. Based on what I saw during the January 6th Committee meetings I got the feeling I could at least TALK to Ms. Cheney and Mr. Kinsinger in an attempt to find agreeable solutions to problems. Of course, if they’re stuck on “no NEW taxes for the rich in America” our discussions would go nowhere. Of course, I’ll never be talking to any of these people. And, the reality is, anyone who has told the TRUTH about Trump has virtually NO chance, at this point in time, to gain leadership in the republican party. If Trump ends up in JAIL (:o) it appears Ron DeSantis, a real sleaze bag, is laying in the weeds to “out Trump Trump.”

Final Thought: I’m presently reading the book titled “Caste” (and, boy do I recommend this book – very HIGHLY). I’m only about a third of the way through the book, but the author, Isabel Wilkerson, gives a brutally truthful look back at the REAL American History from the time in 1619 when the first SLAVES were sold in Virginia. As I’m reading this book all I could think about was Ron DeSantis speaking with the “woke” dog whistle which simply makes him, in my mind, a rabid racist. Trump brought the white nationalists in America – in the words of former KKK Grand Wizards David Duke and Don Black who claimed Trump brought their “cause” into the political “mainstream.” (If you read the book “Rising out of Hatred” by Eli Saslow you’ll get a clear picture of these racists “hitching their wagon” to Trump.

And, it’s clear DeSantis is attempting to take over the “mantel” as “fuhrer” to a party which has allowed itself to be overrun by a bunch of white nationalist thugs. As I’m reading “Caste” it’s becoming clear I SHOULDN’T be surprised about what is happening with this right wing movement. The African Americans in America have been the bottom “layer” of the hierarchy in America – and, populist leaders have throughout our history managed to keep “low educated voters” (in the words of Trump) in FEAR of the “other.” And, of course, the “other” would be African Americans whose ancestry, in many instances, dates back into the 1600’s. (And, of course, Trump – who uses “immigration” as a “tool” in directing his “uneducated voters” – his words – to FEAR the possibility African Americans might be their “equal,” is a second generation “American.” (Married to an immigrant) In the words of DeSantis – anit “woke” this and “woke” that are what we should FEAR. (Woke is a term which originated as slang in the African American community.) That is why some of the best books in America’s libraries are being banned on one “red state” after another. Sad!!!

I’ve been saying for several years now that I believe Donald Trump, AKA “individual 1,” will end up in America’s history books right next to Benedict Arnold. I’ve also been lamenting for close to two years now “What’s up with our Justice Department? Why is Trump still free spewing his venom as it’s almost time for the next election, which will simply give Merrick Garland one more opportunity to prevent what OBVIOUSLY should happen if America is truly a ‘nation of laws and not men.'” Trump repeatedly gives us examples of why he’s the modern day Benedict Arnold, but, just today, I was reading an opinion piece in a publication I subscribed to called “Raw Story” where John Stoer quoted Trump as saying “The greatest threat to western civilization today is not Russia,” Trump said and he continued. “It’s probably, more than anything else, ourselves, and some of the horrible USA-hating people that represent us.” (I later discovered this was a Trump rant on his “(un)Truth Social” – Trump’s Twitter copy)

Of course, this should surprise no one because Trump has been praising Vladimir Putin (who was indicted by the International Criminal Court of War Crimes just today) over America’s leaders for years. In 2013 he repeatedly SHAMED himself at his “Miss World Beauty Pageant” held in Moscow, Russia by continuing to attempt getting himself in the presence of Putin (unsuccessfully) allowing Russia to “archive” “Kompromat” on Trump to be used at a later date – the “Kompromat” allegedly being the so-called “pee-tape.” When Putin started his ill advised ILLEGAL invasion of Ukraine Trump referred to Putin as a “genius.” Clearly, the “stars are aligning” for Putin’s plan to get either Trump or Ron DeSantis (a sleazy Trump wannabee) back into the White House in order to fracture the Western Alliance (NATO) allowing Russia to wipe Ukraine literally off the map.

Along those lines, virtually everyone of the social media outlets who banned Trump following his failed coup d’etat attempt on January 6th, 2021 have now cleared the way for his return to their platforms. More significantly, to me, is how “we the people” always seem to let our guards down when the right wing “schemers” in America are “playing” the “long game.” They’ve managed to actually brain wash a significant portion of Americans who now consider themselves the “Real America” while those of us who are progressives are the “enemy.” (As per Trump’s comments above) Their goal is America as a theocracy – similar, I suppose to Iran (or possibly soon Israel if Netanyahu should his right wing “government” manage to gain complete control of Israel’s judiciary). These “Real Americans” can often be seen wearing shirts labeled “I’d rather be Russian than a democrat.” (By the way, Russia will welcome 7 MILLION of them as immigrants if they’re serious)

They are at the heart of the hate groups which have been growing in size for several years. When I was still teaching (I retired in 2014) I subscribed to the Southern Poverty Law Center which follows and “outs” America’s “hate groups” which continue to be “nurtured” by, for example, the Russian “active measures” campaign which started well before Russia went “all in” to help Trump in the 2016 election. Their propaganda campaign has continued and will continue with many Americans unkowingly being guided by their (actual) “fake news.” They are experts in using platforms like “Facebook,” “Twitter,” (more so on Twitter since Elon Musk pruchased it), and the other social networks which permeate the planet and are run by people like Musk and Mark Zuckerberg who are focused on making more MONEY than whether what is “infecting” their platforms harms our nation. (Of course, in our “global economy” there are many who people like myself would consider “bad actors” believing the exact opposite of what I think. These platforms are the perfect way for them to spread their “message.” The fact it goes “both ways is EXACTLY what Putin strives to “encourage” – for lack of a better word)

In fact, in my view, the social media platforms found all over the internet have seen their success rise with the division which is destablizing much of the Western world. Full disclosure, I don’t participate in most of the social media “stuff” although, as an old man who likes to play classical guitar – not all that well – I frequent YouTube because it’s there you’ll find some of the great musicians of our time – so, I have to say YouTube provides me something I can’t get anywhere else – and, of course, there are wonderful classical guitarists from Russia. So, I want to be perfectly clear I appreciate the “people” who come from anywhere in the world if they’re – well, I’ll use the word republicans are using as a perforative: “woke.”

While I believe the term “woke” is used by politicians like DeSantis (and republicans in general) as a racist “dog whistle” – the word originated in the African American community back in the 1970’s (I believe – going from memory when I first wondered what the term actually meant) as slang for “aware of and actively attentive to important societal facts and issues [especially issues of racial and social justice].”)

An example of how the term has been used in the African American community is a quote from Congresswoman Barbara Lee, “We will only succeed if we reject the growing pressure to retreat into cynicism and hopelessness. … We have a moral obligation to “stay woke,” take a stand and be active; challenging injustices and racism in our communities and fighting hatred and discrimination wherever it rises.” The inference people like DeSantis are making when they use the term “woke” as a perjorative is that white people should reject those who believe in equal rights and justice for all members of our “melting pot” society. Yikes!! The man thinks he should be president – I question if he even understands the term “melting pot,” – that would be MAGA on steroids.

Apparently, I’m one of the “woke” people DeSantis is constantly going after. I actually attempt to “dialogue” with people who are Trump supporters and it always seems to end up as a “fools” errand. They believe nonsense and they – in almost EVERY instance – get angry when you call “bulls@#t to their “alternative facts.” (I try to do it with Facts and do it politely) And, when you dig a bit deeper with anyone (of the ones I’ve met) who continues to speak to you – I’ve learned to, in almost every instance, just listen because I don’t want to cause someone to start yelling or ????, as they actually believe and/or hope for, America to become a theocracy – to be ruled “under God.” I always wonder, whose version of “God” are they referring to – although the conversations never get that far.

I used to meet with a “conservative” (who I met in a church “small group”) for breakfast about twice a month and we’d badger back and forth about politics – him thinking I’m a “liberal wack job” and me feeling the opposite about him. It was all good natured and friendly, UNTIL Trump came along. My friend acknowledged Trump wasn’t someone who a “Christian” should be supporting – certainly through the time of the Access Hollywood “confession” Trump made about himself as a sexual predator – but, it all changed when Trump won the republican nomination. Clearly, my friend was all in for WHOEVER won the nomination – despite KNOWING the truth about Trump. Willing to commit to the “devil’s bargain” for the sake of the party.

Our meetings lasted up until the little restaurant we met at was closed due to the pandemic. We had made a bet on the 2016 election – which, obviously, I LOST, and we went double or nothing on the 2020 election. (I would have bought him the steak dinner I owed him, but he apparently wanted two steak dinners) For about three years I did everything I could to show actual FACTS to my friend in opposition to the stuff he was being fed by Fox “news” and, I now believe, outlets even far more right wing than Fox. Nothing worked and, after the Mueller report came out I, after I had read it the first time, offered the book to him to read – and, he just pushed it away and wasn’t interested. That’s just one example of how I tried to get through to him. He didn’t believe ANYTHING about the Russian “intervention” in the 2016 election and he made other comments which, at the time, didn’t quite resonate with me.

I tried to show him how Trump is clearly a racist and he couldn’t see it (he adopted three African American children and raised them – from which much of my admiration of him came from) he even didn’t believe Trump to be a LIAR. (Despite the fact checkers at the Washington Post DOCUMENTING over 30,000 LIES Trump spewed in his four years in office) I tried hard to understand where he was “coming from” and, after the pandemic stopped our meetings together we continued to communicate both here (on this site) and via email. His communications became more and more “radical” (in my mind) and he even shared a thought about one of the Black children he raised which really set me aback. She was receiving public assistance – including a place to stay – which I thought was great (he told me she had a “low IQ” and had failed in school and was unemployable) but, he said he’d rather see her on the “street’ than receiving public housing.

I believe he said that in our final person to person meeting. Once the restaurant was closed he was continually regurgitating the nonsense Trump was spewing, often times making comments here. For example, Covid-19 was “just another flu.” I tried to point out to him when you see the term “novel” in front of a virus that means “we the people” don’t have the anti-bodies to fight the disease which makes it much more dangerous than “the flu.” The conversations continued on and off until after the 2020 election. He had predicted Trump would win in a landslide and “liberals” would be rioting in the streets after the election. I had told him the opposite was likely to happen.

Well, the opposite did happen and, at the time, I didn’t understand he was all in on “the election was stolen.” He challenged me here, under a Germanesque “surname,” to show him how/why Biden actually won the election. (Saying something like “how can you prove Biden won?”) I explained all the steps from the legal challenges (60 of them thrown out of court) to the vote in the Electoral “College,” which PROVED Biden to be the president-elect and I even mentioned the process all the way up to Congress “certifying” the Electoral College vote on January 6th – a hundreds old ceremonial tradition in our country. He accused me of “bullying him” because, I now realize, he had “bought the coolaid” about the “stolen election.” And, after January 6th I had to point out I was right when I said the “opposite is likely” well before the actual election (probably about two years before the election regarding his prediction – he was showing me the “odds” back then of certain gambling places who were predicting Trump to win re-election). Essentially, that was the end of the relationship. Apparently, he couldn’t handle what happened and, now, I’m sure he likely still believes the “election was stolen.”

The last thing I saw from him was him reminding me he would just focus on being “conservative and Christian.” That “story” is the reason I try to “listen” when I’m around “conservative Christians.” As I’ve re-thought conversations I had with my (ex) friend I’ve come to the conclusion he was hanging out in the fringes of the internet and adopting some really right wing “conspiracies.” At one time he told me he thought 9/11 was a “set up” or words to that affect. He would say, “there were never any pictures of the plane that supposedly struck the Pentagon.” Of course, I had never looked for those pictures, (And, haven’t since, now that I think about it) but I did see (with my own eyes in “real time”) the ” Twin World Trade Towers” actually being hit be planes and crumbling to the ground. He also, on several occasions told me he didn’t believe in “democracy.” And, he attended at least one “protest” at a state Capitol – in Idaho – where the crowd was full of neo-Nazi militia members.

As it all sunk in I felt as if the internet conpspiracy websites had, in essence, destroyed our relationship. I actually miss the breakfasts with him – where we could banter back and forth – he never yelled at me like some of the other right wing fanatics I’ve tried to have conversation with – but he just kept sliding more and more to the “right” (using that term as a perjorative) until he decided to stop communicating. Periodically, since Biden became president, I’ve sent him emails, but he doesn’t respond. Likely because I’ve pointed out to him I don’t understand how a “conservative” and a “Christian” could possibly support Trump – let alone come across as a cult member. And, trust me, he’s got a lot of peers. I live in a “republican zone” of my community and the number of right wing zealots, to me, is a bit unnerving. (Although, as long as I don’t talk about politics with neighbors we can have superficial relationships – these are people, other than the FACT most hang out with Tucker Carlson of Fox at night on their “boob tubes,” who I consider good people – just like my former friend.

However, when I sense a racist “tint” to their beliefs and that they believe a violent overthrow of our government is OK – that they’re predicting (and in support of) a “civil war” (as my former friend I wrote about above) I’m no longer interested in being around you. I’ve tried many times to permeate what I call “the Fox brainwashing” and, I have to admit, the people at Fox do a thorough job. One guy I grew up with who goes to the same church as me in one conversation said, “You can’t change my mind” (emphatically) after I asked him a question. I said, “I’m not trying to change your mind, I just want to understand where you’re getting your information,.” That’s when he started yelling and telling me “Trump is the only chance conservatives have in this country.” I said, “you’re watching too much Fox,” and he replied “I don’t watch Fox.” Apparently a pre-planned answer. The only problem was when later in our conversation (we were on a 3 hour car drive) he referred to Sean Hannity as “Sean” and Tucker Carlson as “Tucker” as if they were friends.

I point all this out because it appears the legal woes of Trump – resulting from his repeated CRIMINAL conduct and thinking himself to be “above the law” – are closing in around him – from all sides. I can guarantee you people like the ones I’ve mentioned above are going to be very angry when Trump is indicted – which, it appears could happen as many as FOUR times in the next few months (the first time possibly next week) – not to mention the Attorney General of the state of New York could very well take down the “Trump Organization” via a civil suit – plus one of the many women he admitted to sexually assaulting has brought a civil suit nearing the trial stage AND several civil suits have been brought by members of the Capitol Police and/or members ofCongress regarding his INSTIGATING the attempted coup d’etat of January 6th, 2021 which could be going to trial by this time next year. It appears these legal proceedings are all moving SLOWLY toward Mr. Trump and his rabid followers are going to be unhappy when “the chickens come home to roost.”

To me, if Trump is indicted and convicted of his CRIMINAL behavior, the “winners” will be “we the people,” and NATO and the people of Ukraine. If, as Trump, himself, has predicted, his indictment gives hime even more “power” with the white supremacists who consider him their “fuhrer,” and that props him up politically, the “winner” will be Vladimir Putin and the other right wing dictators in the world who Trump admires. Trust me, Putin, Viktor Orban, Recept Erdogan, Kim Jung un, etc. would like nothing better than for Trump to be president once again. That would likely lead to the end of the 240 (or so) year experiment in America’s democratic republic – the longest lasting example of “self rule” in world history. At first I though that point of view was hyperbole, but now I understand the underlying goal of those who support Trump and the reality is they don’t believe in America as the world’s “melting pot.” Their language is way too close to that of those in Germany’s Third Reich back in the 1930’s for my liking.

Trump’s 2024 campaign is already grounded in retribution. Trump is promising to go after those who haven’t been “loyal” to him. He, just in the past day or so, promised should he be re-elected he will purge the Justice Department, the intelligence agencies, he’ll go after the “free press” – he, of course, refers to any press which criticizes him as “the enemy of the people, and he’s promised he’ll pardon anyone who’s been caught up in the accountability for his FAILED coup d’etat of January 6th, 2021. You know, the people he called “very special” as he told them to go home after they had failed to “hang Mike Pense.”

I can’t imagine Trump will ever get close to the “White House” again, but I couldn’t imagine him ever being president in the first place. I know a lot of republicans who will vote for the republican nominee no matter who it is – they have little to no interest in politics but have been republicans all their lives – keeping in mind my peer group consists mainly of “baby boomers.” My biggest concern has been the reticence of Merrick Garland to pursue justice – in more than his public comments – regarding those who planned, financed, instigated the failed INSURRECTION. Garland comes across to me as being in the camp who would rather not be the one to take on a former president on CRIMINAL grounds. And, as I’ve said here many times, I believe if he actually prosecutes the CONSPIRACY which resulted in January 6th he will be taking on SEVERAL republican members of Congress (who participated in the planning), several republican lawyers, and, also, the wife of a Supreme Court Justice – not to mention the 100, or so, republicans in various states who signed FRAUDULENT (fake) elector documents.

The next two or three months will be critical times as America’s history continues to unfold. AG Garland is going to be a key part of that history – one way or the other – whether he likes it or not. I “get” that he’s feeling an enourmous amount of pressure, but if he’s true to his word that “no one’s above the law,” then it’s time to get on with the prosecutions. Trump is going to have enormous legal bills if all of these alleged CRIMINAL behaviors turn into indictments and, I have to wonder, will the RNC (Republican National Committee) continue to pay his legal bills. When will the republican party say “enough all ready?” Stay tuned…………….

Final Thought: The sad reality for republicans is they’ve backed themselves into a corner with their “blind” support of Trump. The next best possibility for the 2024 election is Ron “DeSanctimonious” (in Trump language) and, it appears, he’s going to be a terrible candidate – beyond his fascist record in Florida – should he be the nominee. Reports are surfacing to his lack of personality and ability to “think on his feet” – apparently, his “handlers” make sure everything he does is scripted. I don’t pay more than superficial attention to him – enough to say he comes across to me as a “thug” – where he’s trying to “out Trump, Trump.”

Most of today’s republican leaders have left a “trail” of hypocrisy and cowardice since Trump won the republican nomination back in 2016. And, of course, all of it is on video – available to anyone taking the time to do simple searches – but certainly to election vetters. (Although, the FACT George Santos made it all the way to a seat in Congress suggests maybe the democrats have some “holes” in their vetting procedures. I believe eventually Liz Cheney will be the standard bearer of the republican party because she showed the courage the rest of them lack as she willingly lost her seat in Congress instead of adopting the “Big Lie.” I agree with those who say we need two viable political parties to provide a choice for “we the people” that is geared toward making us a “more perfect union.” (Yes, we’ve got a long way to go, but, I believe we were much closer until Trump came along. But, trust me, I’m not going to suggest democrats – or a party which could replace today’s republicans – use the motto “make America greate again.”)

My hands are tired, good night!

For years I’ve been writing about the slow drift toward authoritarianism which has become emblemantic in the republican party. Donald Trump, our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president wasn’t shy about voicing his admiration of Vladimir Putin, Kim Jung un, Viktor Orban, and others (especially Putin). On several occasions I’ve pointed out the TRUTH that my father fought in WW II against FASCISM and, thanks to Trump, it’s a greater threat to America today than it was back then. Trump showed how to overthrow our government from the standpoint of a violent INSURRECTION and, NOW, we have Ron DeSantis showing America – as if Florida was in a “test tube” – how to turn his state (and, presumably, laying the groundwork for a national push) into an example of how you SLOWLY create (what I’m going to call) “creeping fascism.”

DeSantis makes me wonder, do the people of Florida actually support his absurd takeover of every aspect of that state? He’s going after journalists, he’s going after corporations who even make a “squeak” in opposition to him (ie Disney) and, to make sure we know his plan is “long term” he’s attacking public education. Regarding his attacks on education (public, of course) he started with the so-called “Don’t say Gay” bill aimed at K-3 classes. He’s now pushing his anti public education agenda all the way up through the State Universities.

Short term, he’s got a lot of people, likely, scared. Teachers, who are focused on teaching their students to THINK, are being targeted for that very issue. DeSantis’ justification for all of this is a classical example of projection. He claims his agenda (burning books, defining the curriculum by banning – well, he works in generalities – anything which might make a student uncomfortable. Rest assured, he’s talking about WHITE students – because, when you look at the topics which are prohibited, it quickly becomes clear there’s no concern with a “Black or Brown” student feeling uncomfortable. Of course, along with other racist right wing governors around the country DeSantis is BANNING the teaching of CRT.

What is CRT? Well, I taught for 23 years in a high poverty Middle School, and I had no idea what “CRT” was when I first read about politicians making a big deal about it. I had been retired for several years by that point in time. When I checked it out I discovered “CRT” was ONLY taught at the university level and, as made sense by the acronym (stands for Critical Race Theory), it’s essentially republicans attempting to BLOCK the teaching of AMERICAN HISTORY. Every time I think of this I’m reminded of the old saying, “Those who ignore History are bound to repeat it.” The “freedoms” many Americans take for granted, in almost every instance, are the result of progressives, over the years, fighting for America evolving closer to her ideals.

The people like DeSantis and a whole lot of other republicans who are attacking – more and more overtly – these ideals, make no mistake, are hell bent on turning America back to the days of the “Robber Barons” with a touch (OK, more than a “touch”) of authoritarianism. And, keeping in mind that DeSantis is simply an outside “danger” to Donald Trump’s “grip” on the republican party. Almost as if “what’s it gonna be, DeSantis or Trump?” That’s like the difference between Hitler and Putin. OK, you can’t “tweet” me for that last comment because I’m not part of Twitter – hee hee, but give it a bit of thought. These guys BOTH exhibit the tendencies you see in modern day authoritarians. Maybe I should have said Orban (of Hungary) or Erdogan (of Turkey). Either way, it’s a nightmare for my children and grandchildren.

Without a doubt, Trump laid the foundation for this (impending) “takeover” of our constitution – despite the FACT his INSURRECTION of January 6th, 2021 FAILED. DeSantis is simply a hangeron hoping to get lucky via ALL the CRIMINAL investigations seeming to be targeted on Trump and closing in around him. Trump says he’s going to continue his campaign even after being indicted – which leaves an interesting look at the heart of the republican party – people who likely will continue supporting him and, then, how will DeSantis attempt to use Trump’s CRIMINAL exposure to his advantage. This is despite republican’s KNOWING it was coming for much of the past two years and not a whimper.

Oh yes, DeSantis has already left his markers down that he believes he’s above the law. Chartering an airplane, sending it to Texas to “find” some “illegal (NOT) aliens” – actually, a group of immigrants LEGALLY applying for admittance to America – rounding them up, sending that plane to Martha’s Vineyard, and dropping them off – period. Trust me, that act was a violation of some law I know not about and DeSantis was guessing no one would have the “stones” to challenge him on it. (As of this writing, I have no idea if anyone has legally challenged DeSantis’ move – likely not – this is the way these thugs work – and, sadly, they seem to “get away with it” over and over.

I’ll not bore you with all of my predictions regarding Trump back in the days when Barack Obama said, “We’re going to look forward instead of back” – in regard to the LAWBREAKING which was somewhat routine during the GW Bush/Cheney administration. In fact, it’s the FACT Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld and others faced not even a serious investigation into their authorizations of TORTURE during the ILLEGAL U.S. invasion of Iraq and the ridiculous WAR in Afghanistan that makes it a bit awkward for Americans to be urging WAR CRIMES against Vladimir Putin. Just sayin………

The connection between Obama’s giving what amount’s to a (unofficial) pardon to the GW Bush crew and my prediction back then was obvious (at least it was to me). This stuff always gets WORSE the next time. I don’t know why that’s so hard for people like Merrick Garland to understand. Now, it’s been OVER two years since Trump’s most egregious CRIME and, so far, nothing coming from the Justice Department. And, I’m sorry, but I’m putting that on AG Garland. I have not the shadow of doubt in my mind that without the Select January 6th Committee’s public report the Justice Department would have looked “forward instead of back” regarding the CRIMINAL behavior of Trump, Giuliani, Eastman, Clark, Perry, Powell, etc. etc.

Now, you have Tucker Carlson, who was inexplicably given over 40,000 hours of “tape” from the INSURRECTION on January 6th, 2021, by Kevin McCarthy giving Carlson a chance to “whitewash” the ASSAULT on our Capitol to the delight of “MAGA” republicans, doing what was expected – “whitewashing.” I mean, really, would you expect Carlson to EVER say anything which resembles the TRUTH? if you question me on this, check out Carlson’s part of the defamation lawsuit pending against Carlson’s employer, Fox “news,” which has become public recently – and there is “more to come” in that regard. As the saying goes “if someone’s comfortable LYING about small things, why would you expect anything different on the big ones?” (OK, I may have made that “saying” up, I can’t remember – I’m 75 1/2 years old – I probably heard it somewhere :o)

So, the foundation is set – from the standpoint of republicans. Trump is running for the republican nomination, once again – and, it may be too late for the DOJ to stop him – if Garland has what it takes to attempt to do so in any event – plus option 1A is waiting in the “wings” for his opportunity to sleeze his way in – showing he’s proven his authoritarian bonifides in Florida over the past couple of years AND, importantly, the republicans have a government run “news” network, Fox – dutifully, regurgitating the necessary LIES to keep the MAGA Americans happy. A classic “play” coming from the handbook on how do you turn a democracy into an authoritarian state. (Many republicans have shown their admiration of Viktor Orban of Hungary – Carlson has actually done his show from there)

I’ve been referring to Fox as a “news” agency for as long as I can remember (you can check my posts in the archives) and it seems, like the presidential CRIMINAL activity, it just continues to get WORSE the longer they get away with their DISHONEST broadcasting. In the Dominion case, it’s apparent – behind the scenes – those facing the cameras are routinely either expressing “FALSEHOODS” privately and/or putting “guests” on the air spewing KNOWING LIES without a scintilla of a challenge to the LYING. If it’s not obvious, the reason I’ve always put the word news between quotes is because in all my attempts to tune in to Fox I ALWAYS came away saying to myself “that’s anything but news.”

I’ll end this by pointing out I keep saying the next election is the most important election in my lifetime, and, each time I point this out, it’s true. Of course, that means the next election will be the most important in my lifetime. (Although, I shudder to think what America would be like today had democrats not retaken control of the House back in 2018.) Take women’s rights for example. Do the women of this country really want to be considered 2nd class citizens going forward? Do they want to have to be near death, for example, to abort a fetus which has already died or is clearly not feasible to live once out of the womb? Do young people want to have their ability to vote challenged every four years? Do young people want their leaders to be Climate denialists? Do old people like me want to see Social Security and Medicare bludgeoned to a slow death via their threats over the debt ceiling? Do Americans care about whether or not journalists with a public presence constantly tell LIES? Are they OK with their leaders basing their political persona on incontrovertible LIES? (Not to mention their political leaders)

Final Thought: Sadly, determining who’s doing the LYING in today’s America has been turned upside down. I was talking to a young lady today (a Trump supporter) who cleans our home (what an awesome – and hard working – young lady) about politics. She does a lot of “research” regarding, for example, the origins of the Coronavirus – Covid-19. I said, where did you get that information? Her first answer was “Doctor Navarro.” I said, “Peter Navarro?” and she said, “Yes.” I won’t go into the rest of the discussion (she frequents “Telegram” and another outlet I’ve never heard of so it’s hard to comment on them because I’ve never been there) but, I have to say that, to me, anyone considering Mr. Navarro as their source for information is, well, off base.

The good news: I said, “Do you read books?” and she said “absolutely.” I proposed a book club. I said, “If you’ll read the book I give you I’ll read a book you give me.” We have a deal. I gave her “Peril” by Bob Costa and Bob Woodward and she’s going to give me a book about Dr. Fauci – who she obviously doesn’t believe. (In fact, she made it clear it’s CERTAIN the Covid virus was the result of the Wuhan Lab. I said, “You may be correct, but, most people I read about say we’ll NEVER know for sure.” So, I’ll soon be reading a book about Dr. Fauci. I’m just finishing the report by the January 6th Committee so I’ll have another book to read next week. Should be interesting! Stay tuned……………………..