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……………………..

For the past 40+ years the republican party has been treating “we the people” as if we’re, well, STUPID. Apparently, this has been a long range plan which was predicated on snagging one unsuspecting, uneducated, American after another – people susceptible to believing headlines and sound bites with little to NO “crosschecking.” I still remember Ronald Reagan claiming he was going to “cut your taxes and balance the budget.” Complete NONSENSE! Yet, it’s been working for them ever since. (All the way up to Donald Trump who famously said, “I love America’s uneducated voters” after losing to Ted Cruz in the Iowa caucuses back in 2016) Reagan pushed across the first deficit which added a TRILLION to the national debt. But, of course, more was to come.

Bill Clinton managed to lead an administration which passed on a $250 BILLION annual budget surplus to his successors (GW Bush/Dick Cheney) who turned it into another TRILLION dollar deficit in less than two years – with VP Cheney even saying: “Reagan proved deficits don’t matter.” Bush/Cheney, by the time they left town had increased the deficit by about $7 TRILLION (which, did not include TRILLIONS of the expense incurred from the Iraq and Afghanistan fiascos which they paid for “off the books. ” Interested? click HERE. Obama put the cost back on the books making his record look worse if you don’t dig a bit deeper – but, the reality is that deficits have occurred during every administration since, I believe, Calvin Coolidge. Yes, Clinton left an annual surplus, but he had inherited the HUGE deficits of HW Bush, so, overall, during his 8 years the national debt increased)

The reason I’m bringing this up is because, once again, republicans are using the increase of the debt ceiling as the “hostage” to – well, at this point in time, I’m not sure what. I don’t think they will actually say “cut Social Security and Medicare” out loud, but that appears to be the target. (I can assure you, they won’t succeed at that without creating a ruckus which will make the overturning of roe look like “child’s play.”) Remember, Social Security has NEVER caused an increase of ONE CENT toward the national debt. It has been funded by the Social Security payroll tax and, of course, the trust fund was “spent” (BORROWED) by Congress long ago – a “trust fund” which, if repayed would amount to close to $3 TRILLION. Does this fund need to be modified? (ie increase the threshold of the payroll tax), yes – and, it won’t take much of a difference to make the fund solvent indefinitely.

Republicans are so out of touch with the MAJORITY of Americans that they’ll likely make some kind of STUPID attempt to go after what they refer to as “entitlement” programs (programs which are funded via payroll taxes and are EARNED benefits – NOT entitlements. I, for example, started paying into Medicare at its inception – Reagan predicted it would destroy our country – the reality is Medicare has prevented MILLIONS of elder Americans from living in poverty). Social Security and Medicare are the two most popular government programs in American History – by most accounts – and, it’s not close. For those of you a bit older, GW Bush made a sureptitious attempt at “privatizing” Social Security which landed with a HUGE “thud” back in the early part of this century. (Sadly, he did succeed in “privatizing Medicare” with the “Medicare Advantage” program) As usual, republicans never take NO for an answer – they just keep coming back like a bad dream. Just like the other attempts, this one should be interesting, but…………………….

Will they really take the economy off the “cliff” in their attempt to go after Social Security and Medicare? Joe Biden has assured “we the people” not on his “watch.” However, it’s true if the House republicans refuse to raise the debt limit – this means paying for “stuff” that’s already been allocated PLUS the interest on the debt which, you guessed it, will push the debt MUCH higher. Republicans voted to increase the limit THREE times during Trump’s miserable four years in the “white House” – the last time they pulled this “stunt” was during Obama’s presidency back in, I believe, 2011. That led to the austerity program which slowed the growth of our economy and, despite the FACT the annual deficit was reduced SIGNIFICANTLY each year during Obama’s term in office, I believe a more robust recovery – without the restrictions agreed to in order to get a debt ceiling increase would have reduced it even more.

Republicans are complaining about the “Biden economy” despite record job gains and record low unemployment plus a reduction in the annual deficit by something over a TRILLION dollars in his first two years in office. The complain reflexively, without having a rational reason to do so. Remember, just like Obama in 2009, Biden inherited an economy which was, simply put, a MESS. The job gains from Trump’s first two years were completely wiped out by the time he left town, like Bush/Cheney, “with his tail between his legs.” And, Trump would be “ancient history” by now (other than his CRIMINAL woes – more on that later) had the republicans simply voted to convict him during his SECOND impeachment trial. Based on the 14th amendment to the Constitution Trump SHOULD be ineligible to hold ANY office in the government due to his attempted coup d’etat – ie, insurrection.

The man continues to express more loyalty to Vladimir Putin and Russia than to our own government – in fact, I’ve had this thought over and over again during this past year – that Trump will head for Russia in his 747 before he’ll ever stand trial for the CRIMES he committed while in office. Heck, he’s looking at serious CRIMINAL exposure for the “alleged” CRIMES he committed before he ran for office. Several years ago – about after his first year as our (so-called) president (prior to the TWO IMPEACHMENTS) I predicted Trump would “rue the day” he decided to run for president – him thinking he would never win but also thinking it would radically increase his “brand” – and, that day appears to be near. (In fact, it may have long ago passed – he’s not living in Florida because that was his first choice – he’s a living porriah in New York state)

I’ve read just about every book which has documented the final year of Trump’s term in office, leading up to the INSURRECTION. In addition I read Meuller’s report on the “Russia thing” TWICE and am still frustrated that Merrick Garland chose to ignore the evidence which Robert Mueller said was “memorialized” until after Trump left office regarding the MULTIPLE cases of OBSTRUCTION of justice as he impeded the investigation from the start. My latest “read” has been the report of the House Select Committee on the January 6th, 2021 attack on our Capitol complex – a similar “dry” read to Mueller’s report. I just finished the “Executive Summary” which is about 130 pages and includes about 60 pages of endnotes which I’ll leave for others to read.

The committee – if you watched their hearings you won’t be surprised – lays out a detailed step by step examination of the evidence they gathered from HUNDREDS of witnesses – almost ALL of them either republicans or, in a few instances, apolitical. The evidence that Trump committed SEVERAL CRIMES is overwhelming. As I was reading the evidence of each CRIME they were referring him to the Justice Department (which, they admitted will be able to gather much more testimony than they could) I tried to remember what I “heard” during their FINAL public session and there was a bit more, it seemed to me, in the Executive Summary. The last part of that section of the report suggested the Committee believed they had sufficient evidence to believe Trump commtted SEDITION – which would only be fitting as several of his most ardurous supporters have been found GUILTY of Sedition and a group of “Proud Boys” are facing that charge as I’m writing this.

It’s as clear as a bell to me that Trump committed SEDITION and he did so in a CONSPIRACY which involced some “people in high places.” Which causes me to think AG Garland just doesn’t have the stomach to “throw the book” at those who attempted to overthrow our government with Trump. I mean Garland chose NOT to pursue the allegations of sex-trafficking of a minor against Matt Gaetz so, is he going to include people like Gaetz in the conspiracy that Trump was the head of? Gaetz, Jim Jordan, Scott Perry, Andy Biggs, Mo Brooks, Louie Gohmert, Paul Gosar, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Ginni Thomas, Rudy Giuliani, Steve Bannon, Jeffrey Clark, Roger Stone, Mark Meadows, Peter Navarro, Sydney Powell, Michael Flynn – these are the names which come off the top of my head – there’s many more when you consider there were about 100 FAKE electors who ALL signed FRAUDULENT documents which were submitted to the Archives and the Senate plus that my memory is very OLD. Does Garland have the GUTS to take all of this on? I’m certainly not convinced!

Here’s the deal – if he doesn’t – then he’s simply given them the “green light” to do this again, only the next time with an even better plan. About half of the republican party still believes Trump’s “Big Lie” (OMG – how many “big lies” has he foisted on his “base?”) I have no idea how Garland feels about the position he finds himself in – he’s going to be a SIGNIFICANT part of American history – one way or the other. He SHOULD put Trump and the rest of these arrogant people who believe the laws don’t apply to them right where THEY belong in the history books, right next to Benedict Arnold – but, I’m obviously less than confident he has the stomach to do so. It makes me feel bad thinking about where Garland will end up in those history books should he choose to “look the other way” from some horrendous LAWBREAKING.

And, I find it a bit ridiculous he may leave the “dirty work” in holding Trump accountable to Fani Willis, the DA in Fulton County Georgia. I believe virtually EVERYTHING she’s investigating would be a FEDERAL CRIME and Mr. Garland could take a lot of the danger Ms. Willis will face should she be the one to initially indict Trump and his co-conspirators (in this instance, it appears we may have another member of Congress on the “hot seat” and that would be Lindsey Graham) I’ve heard it suggested Ms Willis may present a RICO charge against Trump and his band of arrogant lawbreakers. If you’ve listened to Trump’s infamous phone call with Brad Raffensperger – the Sec. of State in Georgia – it was like classic Mob boss speak coming out of Trump’s mouth. It was a shining example of Trump’s belief the laws don’t apply to him.

So, we suffered through the four years of Trump in the “White House” and, somehow, with Joe Biden demonstrating what governing looks like, republicans gained a narrow majority in the House – and, here we go again. They’re once again threatening to lead America off the economic “cliff” by refusing to increase the debt ceiling – they’re, as they are want to do, complaining about the deficits when it was Trump who “lorded” over about 25% of the national debt as it stands right now (in just four years) and Biden has already brought the annual deficit down significantly, but the debt continues to rise – there’s no alternative short of destroying our present economy. Honestly, makes me wonder if republicans know the difference between the annual deficit and the debt. Biden will attempt to make this work and I have to believe there are at least five republicans who don’t want to face their voters if they choose to crash the economy – so, hopefully, this is just more drama. However, stay tuned………………….

Final Thought: Well, I’m almost finished with the report of the Select Committee on the January 6th INSURRECTION and it does include some information I was not aware of – although there have been few surprises. I think my surprises have been disappointments. For example, I was reading well before the INSURRECTION itself about Jim Jordan participating in “strategy sessions” with Trump and the others as they tried to figure out how to do what they claimed the democrats had done, and that would be to STEAL the election. There (so far) has been very little regarding Jordan’s participation in what I’ve read. Additionally, so far, there hasn’t been one reference to Ginni Thomas as the Committee is referring to those who “may have committed a crime.

On several occasions on this site I’ve explained what it takes to be part of a CONSPIRACY and, to me, there can be NO DOUBT that Ginni Thomas participated in the CONSPIRACY to overturn the 2020 presidential election – especially regarding the “FAKE elector” scheme which happened in severn separate states. My hope has always been Ms. Thomas’ participation in the coup d’etat would be the pathway to getting Clarence Thomas off the Supreme Court. And, trust me, EVERY time Ms. Thomas claims she doesn’t share her political activism with her husband (only her “best friend”) – if you believe her, I’ve got a bridge………………….. (You know the rest) Oh yes, I’ve got to add one more thing here as you’re trying to figure out whether or not the wife of one of our Supreme Court Justices would LIE in public – remember this – she has mentioned several times (while forgetting other things she’s said – that’s how LIARS are exposed) – her husband is her “best friend.” I’ll let you put two plus two together.

I keep, periodically during one day or the other, get ideas of what I should write my next post on – and, then, I watch/listen to one of the “leading” republicans speak and, well, I get all confused and have to write about whatever it is that annoys me on the latest day. I’ve been writing for YEARS about the projectionism coming from republicans, and it NEVER seems to end. Today, it was Mike Pense – he of the chant coming from Trump’s base “Hand Mike Pense” – trying to make his case as to why republicans should consider him as the future of the republican party. (Apparently, instead of “hanging” him) He used the catch words, “the left,” “woke,” accusations about LGBTQ+ stuff appealing to homophobes, suggesting republicans are being forced to tolerate “the left’s obsession with race and sex and gender” as he was joining the list of right wing “book banners” on the horizon.

Kind of reminds me of all the republican “anti-gay/anti drug” politician/religious leaders of previous years who were secretly meeting with their gay “lovers” and doing cocaine with them during their………………… (You can fill in your own blank). Pense, along with DeSantis and, now, Nikki Haley are all recommending purging BOOKS from our schools which might actually teach, for example, ACTUAL history – or books with any reference about – ugh! – sex, or you name the latest thing “liberals are forcing” on conservatives and their children. (Have these people not heard of the internet – I’m old, but I’ve heard students could very well access “porn” on the internet while they’re trying to figure out what the “fuss” is all about!

These people think “liberals” are forcing – who knows what – upon them and their children and they apparently fail to understand their BOOK burning is forcing their “anti woke” (ie racist) agenda upon everyone else. For example, let’s look at the word “woke.” I was a 6th grade teacher for almost 25 years at the end of my working life – and, I didn’t know what “woke” meant. So, having learned how to use a search engine in my later years, I “Googled” it. And, sure enough, now I have, at least, an idea. According to Miriam Webster: “aware of and actively attentive to important societal facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice).”

The term “woke” was first used in the late 1930’s, supposedly by the Black musician Huddie Leadbetter, ie “Leadbelly,” when he warned Black people “Best stay woke, keep their eyes open” as they progressed through Alabama – the reasons SHOULD be obvious to you. Then, the term re-emerged during the George Floyd protests in 2020 as a word of “action” where activists were encouraged to “stay woke.” I hope you get my drift – the use of this term by DeSantis, Pense, Haley, and who knows how many other “conservatives” (ie Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley, etc., etc.) is outrageously RACIST. What these people are attempting to do, as they lead the “charge” to BAN BOOKS our students in K-8 schools might actually read – is to prevent their children from learning about America’s RACIST history.

Again, as if their children don’t know about the internet. My wife is still teaching and she teaches FIRST graders – and, these kids are likely more proficient using the internet than I am – and, if not, they soon will be. Here was one of my favorite “tricks” when I was still teaching sixth graders: On the white board to the students left as they took their seats I would write the directions for the day – and, if I really wanted them to ALL read them, on the white board in the front of the room I would write: “Whatever you do, DON’T look at the other white board! 100% of the time, EVERY student would look to their left and carefully read what I told them NOT to read. Do you get my drift???

I like to read about History – actually, ALL of it – to the level my 75 year old mind can consume and one of the books I read a year or two ago was about the American History following the Civil War. We’re talking about “reconstruction” and, thanks to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln our 17th president was Andrew Johnson. I’m going to share my memory off the top of my head, so I’ll do my best, but my point was Johnson was, in essence a “traitor” to the cause of reconstruction leading to the brevity of that period of time. What ensued was the period called “The Lost Cause” – where those in the South led a push to “sweep under the rug” the TRUTH about the Civil War leading to extreme repression of the new “freemen.”

During the “Lost Cause” there was a push which dangerously resembles what is happening in several states around our nation. The best example which comes to my mind is what Ron DeSantis is doing in Florida as he pushes for BOOKS to be banned, teaching to be “white washed,” and other parts of his “anit woke” agenda. That is his RACIST agenda – sadly, an agenda which is not being clearly identified by oiur so-called “liberal media.”

While these republican “leaders” are PROJECTING their own insecurities/failures on the rest of us their all, also, attempting to convince us they’re worthy to be our leaders – in the case of DeSantis, Pense, and Haley – they would have us believe it’s them who should win the republican nomination for president come 2024. Now, I TRULY hope “we the people” don’t forget the “stakes” in this next election and ALL the elections for the immediate future, but each one of DeSantis, Pense, Haley, (and, likely Cruz, Hawley, and a bunch more) will say whatever they think will convince us otherwise. I’ve been pointing this out for YEARS – if it’s a republican speaking to their suppporters these days, they’re LYING. Count on it!

I’m going to write, today, about Pense, because he was making some outrageous LIES today while attempting to convince his audience he’s standing up for the constitution as he’s attempting to avoid testifying in the DOJ investigation into January 6th, 2021. What on earth could he possibly be HIDING? Where in the constitution is it written politicians should refuse to tell the TRUTH about CRIMINAL behavior? For some reason, it appears republicans don’t want to tell the TRUTH about what led up to and what happened on January 6th. What the……………? Why would someone think they were qualified to be president if they’re afraid to tell the TRUTH about an attempt to overthrow our – brace yoursel – constitution? I have no idea why Pense thinks “we the people” will find his COWARDICE to be anything but? No wonder he’s sitting at less than 1% in the latest polling.

I’ve got to end this “rant” by referencing something I read today while updating myself on what’s going on in Ukraine. As I was browsing through a long list of the various battles going on TODAY I ran across one caption titled: INTELLIGENCE UPDATE. Well, of course, the first thing I thought of was Donald Trump. He REALLY needs an “intelligence update.” I’ll explain (OK, the latest reason) : Today parts of the report from the “Special Grand Jury” in Fulton County, Georgia, were made public. Essentially, the first part (page) of a nine page report and the last part (page) were made public – with any personal identifying parts redacted.

There were two things of general interest in what was published. First, the Grand Jury concluded (via a “majority opinion”) that “one or more people LIED while giving their testimony.” Well, there were 75 people who testified and most were republicans – does that surprise ANYONE there was “alleged” LYING? Secondly, a Grand Jury (23 citizens) unanimously agreed there was no FRAUD in the 2020 presidential election in Georgia which could have changed the result of the election. Now, here’s where the words “intelligence update” struck me regarding the meaning of all of this – Trump actually wrote on his failing Twitter knock off this “completely exonerated” him. Yikes! He needs an “intelligence update.”

While there were NO indictments (YET) in Fani Willis’ investigation – virtually EVERY legal espert I listened to today suggested what was published today suggests Trump is going to be indicted – and, likely, soon. For what? Well, that’s not as clear – but, based on what I listened to today, there are a plethora of options for Ms. Willis. One interesting fact regarding Georgia law – if a person LIES while speaking to elected Georgia officials – for example, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger – that COULD be considered perjury. Now, if you’re reading this post and you’ve gotten this far you NO DOUBT have heard Trump’s infamous phone call to Raffensperger where he “just wants Raffensperger to ‘find’ 11,780 votes” – which would give Trump “one more” than Joe Biden. In this phone call Trump LIED over and over – plus, there were OTHER phone calls to other officials (which were recorded).

I’ve been pointing out for several years now Trump’s STUPID decision making prowess which caused him to get slaughtered in the 2020 election (by “Sleepy Joe Biden”) – most notably his absolutely (what should be) CRIMINAL handling of the Covid pandemic – not to mention 30 THOUSAND plus vefifiable LIES in just four years, the Russia “hoax” and on and on. Topping it all off by, today, claiming this Grand Jury report “completely exonerated” him. Seriously, he needs an “intelligence update.”

Final Thought: The reticence of Merrick Garland regarding Trump’s OBVIOUS involvement in the INSURRECTION of January 6th, 2021 is becoming more and more of an issue as the investigation into Trump and his co-conspirators while the key witnesses like Pense and Mark Meadows, to name two of them, attempt to use the courts to drag things out until, obviously, the 2024 election is into high “swing.” Will Mr. Garland, then, suggest Trump can’t be indicted during the middle of a presidential election? OMG – if that happens, it will be Garland, instead of Trump, in the very depths of the American History books. I wrote close to a year ago that I believed, from public knowledge, I could have gotten a conviction of Trump for defrauding the American people and obstructing an official proceeding as a retired 6th grade teacher. Yes, he’s likely guilty of SEDITION, but I’d be happy for him to have to spend even 5 years in prison.

And, why is it that Fani Willis, in Fulton County Georgia, appears to be the FIRST who’s going to indict Trump? Why is Mr. Garland leaving it to a DA in a small county in Georgia to do his “dirty work?’ (Letting her face the violent MOB both Trump and Lindsey Graham have predicted should he be indicted) I listened, today, to Mike Pense, refer to the “Democrat Justice Department” and, aside from my frustration with Mr. Garland, it just shows how disingenuous virtually EVERY republican is – so, what does Garland have to gain by acting as if he fears taking on Trump? I don’t know. Today, Matt Gaetz, who prosecutors allegedly had the RECEIPTS of his participating in a “sex-trafficking” ring in Florida – I mean the investigation started under Bill Barr 3 years ago – got the news he would NOT face prosecution. What???? Yes, all these types of prosecutions would have to get Mr. Garland’s OK and, well, is this a sign of what’s to come? OMG!!! Stay tuned………………

Once again, my apologies for publishing this withoug re-reading and editing it. It’s late and I’m feeling a bit lazy. Just sayin……………….

I’m getting really old and really tired. I keep thinking I’ll stop writing and, then, I allow the realization of republicans to sink in and, of course, the fact I have 3 children and grandchildren and my fingers start to twitch. I’ve been paying fairly close attention to politics since the mid 1960’s. The first campaign I got somewhat involved in (fringely) was that of Robert Kennedy, only to watch him get MURDERED while celebrating a major primary victory in California. His brother was MURDERED (by the CIA ?) when I was a junior in High School – we were all sent home from school, most of us with tears in our eyes. And, of course, Martin Luther King Jr. was MURDERED during this same time period.

I went to college (the first time) from 1965 to 1969. During this period I went from someone who attempted to join the Marines to someone who participated in PROTESTS against the Viet Nam “war.” I joined the Marines after quitting the basketball team my Junior year in college because I didn’t want to get drafted into the Army. Despite being a basketball player in College for three years, the Marines gave me an honorable discharge based on a knee which was injured in High School and was “already full of arthritis” (I was 20 at the time) During my last two years in College my awareness of the LIES “we the people” had been subjected to since my early childhood became clearer and clearer – LIES ultimately getting the U.S. mired in Viet Nam for more than a decade.

I was raised in a household by a racist father and I went to High School in a school with nary a single African American student. One of the most significant memories I have from those college years was the first year i joined a college basketball team. OMG – there were Black members on the team. When I initially realized my first reaction was FEAR it quickly became apparent the brainwashing began in my own household and I felt a rush of embarrassment. Thankfully, a couple of the older players on the team, both Black, became mentors to me. This was my introduction to realizing how serious the issue of racism was/is in America. I’ve been learning more and more ever since – usually ending up disappointed with the direction of our country every step of the way.

During that junior year in College when I volunteered to join the Marines I remember being introduced to the “Black Panther party.” Essentially, the first group of African Americans I was exposed to who were demanding a “place at the table” when It came to politics. I had watched the battle over the Civil Rights movement while in High School and, ultimately, the passing of the Voting Rights Act. The brutal beating of Black Activists on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, including John Lewis, was shown on the evening news. For a 17 year old High School student who was more interested in sports than school, that was hard to process – until much later.

During my years as a Middle School teacher I spent 10 of those years with a teaching partner who was African American and had been raised in Youngstown, Ohio – close to where my father was raised. He was the best friend I ever had and I will go to my grave remembering his response to the election of Barack Obama as our 44th President. We both thought we wouldn’t live long enough to witness such a thing, but he was quick to caution me about what would be the likely backlash. And, sure enough, almost before Obama took the oath of office the Koch brothers, Fox “news” personalities, and, well – you know who I’m talking about (TFG) – had created the so-called “Tea Party.” You didn’t have to be very bright to understand the crux of their messages – they were clearly depicted on the signs at the rallies. Pure RACISM!

Conveniently for the “Tea Party” along came Trump, until MAYBE George Santos, the most prolific LIAR to “hit” politics in American history (certainly modern American History – Santos probably won’t be around long enough to challenge Trump’s record), and we got 5 years of “Birtherism” – followed by Trump ushering in the white nationalists who’d been somewhat in “hiding” since the 60’s – at least overtly – I’m talking about people like David Duke, Don Black, etc. – to the “mainstream” of American politics. Of course, it helps to have people like Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham, and others at Fox falling all over themselves to push things like “the great replacement theory” – a bunch of bunk! But it took Trump to make it “politically correct” (on the “right”) to express RACIST views.

Now we’ve got republicans from various places trying to “out Trump Trump” as they set their sights on the 2024 election. Of course, Trump sees the 2024 nomination as his “road” to overcoming all of the CORRUPTION issues he’s facing from one legal investigation after another – seeking the protection of the OLC “memo” which says a sitting president can’t be indicted (while in office). With Merrick Garland as our Attorney General Trump very well may not need that “memo” to keep him out of jail – because, Mr. Garland has shown himself to be someone who’s a bit lacking when it comes to political courage.

OK, I know politics isn’t supposed to be a “thing” at the Justice Department, but that’s the ONLY explanation as to why Trump is still walking the streets of Florida a “free man.” The list of his ILLEGAL conduct is long enough to win a “long drive contest” in the game of golf. I said, OVER a year ago, i believed myself, a non- lawyer – could get a conviction on Trump’s role in the INSURRECTION with publicly available information – and, this was BEFORE the January 6th Select Committee published their reports (I FINALLY got the book today – it’s going to be a LOT of reading). Mr. Garland is going to wait so long that he’ll be able to claim Trump can’t be indicted because the 2024 campaign is underway – obviously, Trump’s plan.

Trump is already blasting the “Special Counsel” with public comments, once again, suggesting obstructive behavior. I mean, he’s gotten away with it so many times, why would he think Garland’s going to FINALLY say “enough already.” Garland’s “timid” behavior runs much deeper than just with Trump. For starters, it’s been reported the Justice Department is declining to prosecute Matt Gaetz – he who pleaded for a pardon – in the child sex trafficking case – a case where the witnesses might be a bit questionable – but, apparently, the prosecutors have the receipts! We’re talking about the receipts for the payments to the girl/s.

Then there’s Jim Jordan – he was scheming with Trump, reportedly, beginning shortly after the election was called for Biden, there’s Scott Perry who’s right in the middle of the “Fake elector” scheme, Rudy Giuliani, Steve Bannon, Andy Biggs, Paul Gosar, Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley, Ginni Thomas, Sydney Powell, Jeffrey Clarke, Mark Meadows, Mo Brooks, Roger Stone, Genna Ellis, etc. etc. (about 100 FAKE electors in various states).

While Mr. Garland is actling as if he’s afraid to take on this cabal, here’s the undeniable reality. Let these people off the hook and this behavior will just keep getting worse. I’ve been saying this since Reagan and HW Bush escaped accountability for Iran/Contra. Sadly, to me, that means the next time these election denying thugs will succeed. Just try to imagine who Trump would have at his side the next time around. The first time it took him 2 – 3 years to figure out how to get “his people” in the key government positions guaranteeing him his “wet dream” of overturning out constitutional form of government. Hell, I’m convinced Trump knows as much about our constitution as he knows about “two corinthians.” To him, the constitution is nothing more than an inconvenience which, the next time, he’ll be able to “brush away.”

Hopefully, the American public understands the gravity of the situation so that Trump will be unable to actually prevail in another election – with the same going for DeSantis (a sorry attempt at out “Trumping” Trump) or any of the other right wing wannabees lining up for the republican nomination in 2024. Of course, the simplest way to resolve the Trump issue is for the Justice Department to do its job – sooner rather than later. And, OBTW, me thinks both DeSantis and Texas governor Abbott SHOULD be facing their own legal challenges for the way they’ve been carting unsuspecting immigrants around the country – but, based on what we’ve seen from Merrick Garland so far, don’t hold your breath! Stay tuned…………………..

Final Thought: Well, how can I not write a bit about George Santos (if that’s actually his name). The republicans have finally discovered someone who’s a bigger LIAR than our disgraced former TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSER (ex) president and that has caused me to really “think.” Honestly, I have to wonder whether maybe Mr. Santos could become the “front runner” for the republican nomination for president in 2024. This guy LIES about EVERYTHING. He LIES about the LIES. He could potentially break Trump’s record of telling over 30,000 LIES in one term in the “White House.” There’s such a “storm” over Santos’ stream of LIES in our “liberal media” so why was there nothing more than a “whimper” in regard to Trump’s LYING. Go figure!!!

OK, take a look at the republican response to Mr. Santos sitting in their midst. They could care less. Of course, he’s LIED about his education, he’s LIED about his financial accumen, he’s LIED about his family, he’s LIED about his relationships, he’s LIED about being Jewish, he’s LIED about his participation in drag shows, he’s LIED about everything – kind of like, well, “you know who” – so, why would anyone expect the republicans to act to restrict anything he wants to do in D.C. – This is “par for the course” with republicans. Here’s another similarity, he’s likely to be facing legal issues and he doesn’t have an OLC “memo” to protect him. Apparently, there’s enough of a “ruckus” about his LYING that the Justice Department just might act.

Speaker Kevin (I have no more clothes to give) McCarthy, today, explained his rationale for kicking Adam Schiff and Eric Swallwell off the intelligence committee while putting Mr. Santos on two committees that, to him, “integrity matters.” For heaven’s sake, I actually know republicans who will fall for this – which is why I’ve been using the word “stupid” on this site to describe these republican voters – who, otherwise, are fine people. This reminds me of Jesus’ words as he was being crucified: “Forgive them Father for they know not what they are doing.” Yikes!!!

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Not sure why that phrase came to mind as I’m contemplating another rant. Of course, anyone paying close attention to American politics in the past week or two has to be aware of the fiasco in the House this past week when Kevin (I have no clothes left to give) McCarthy made a series of SECRET agreements with the right wing members of the republican caucus in the House of Representatives allowing him to achieve his fever dream of becoming the Speaker of the House. He’ll likely be the WEAKEST speaker in American History and the next two years should be – I’ll say it – interesting. Personally, I believe – OK, I should say “I hope” – the next two years will be enough for the American public (ie voters) to say “enough” and FINALLY, get these thugs out of our government.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve spent MANY years being one who questions our government – although, I’ve NEVER believed the solution lies anywhere than the ballot box – but, these right wing thugs – in and out of government – show all the classic signs of the authoritarian. Undermine the “free” press, investigate the intelligence services and the – in America – FBI. And, again, I’m in no way opposed to investigating the FBI or the intelligence services – but, not in a way designed to tear them down no matter the results of the investigation. In other words, when the “investigation” has alterior motives, then, well, count me out. (disclosure, I grew up in the days of J. Edgar Hoover – if you know anything about American History, that should give you a better idea of what I’m try ing to say here.)

Here’s where I have a problem with the FIRST announcement of an investigation in the new House – it appears both Jim Jordan and Scott Perry will be part of the committee charged with investigating the Justice Department’s INVESTIGATION of the January 6th, 2021 INSURRECTION. Both Jordan and Perry were integral in Trump’s plan to OVERTHROW the results of a “free and fair” election. (NO evidence was EVER produced suggesting it wasn’t a FREE and FAIR election) From my standpoint, both Jordan and Perry are very likely targets of the Justice Department’s investigation of the CONSPIRACY involved up to and including that fateful day. Both were advising Trump on the scheme to use FAKE electors to STEAL the election from Joe Biden.

This new House is threatening to cut off funding for any government institution which they think may be less than friendly to their ridiculous claims pushing their agenda of grievance. These people continue to push the LIE to their STUPID (sorry, as I’ve said, I hate that word, but can’t think of something more appropriate) constituents who believe the MOUNTAIN of LIES coming from their LYING lips. A good example of how these people work is George Santos, the newly elected GOP member from New York who LIED about, well, just about EVERYTHING regarding who he is, how he got where he is, where his money came from, etc. etc. – EVERYTHING. As Kevin McCarthy was announcing that Ilhan Ohmar, Adam Schiff, and Eric Swallwell would be removed from committee assignments – in retribution for democrats (and SOME republicans) voting to remove Marjorie Taylor Greene (MTG) and Paul Gosar from committees due to violent THREATS against members “across the isle” – again, why? RETRIBUTION. And, only retribution!

Not only are MTG and Gosar being re-instated to the committees of their choosing, but Mr. Santos, who had no idea what committee he wanted to be on – will be placed on a committee assignment which is more important than it should be. To me, none of these three SHOULD be in Congress, but MTG and Gosar did “win” elections (surprisingly, Gosar unopposed in Arizona), but Santos SHOULDN’T be in Congress regardless. They’re all LIARS, but Santos is in a world of his own. Think about it, though, McCarthy absolutely NEEDED Santos vote for Speaker to “win” the gavel. He “won” without a vote to spare. Many have suggested what “we the people” are facing over the next two years would be a “sh#t show.” It is unlikely any legislating will happen until, at least, 2025 coming from the House. Then the American voters will once again face the choice of having a government which works from the bottom up or a government focused on more tax breaks for the rich.

McCarthy can only afford to lose 4 votes in order to pass ANYTHING, or, for that matter, to remain in the Speaker’s chair – because ANY member of the House can cause a vote of no-confidence at ANY time. There are 18 members of the House who were voted in from districts which voted for Biden for president and any five of them can turn this entire scenario upside down for, shall I suggest, ANY reason. Do you actually believe these 18 members want to endure two years of Matt Gaetz controlling the House’s agenda? Do you believe these 18 members want to go to their districts and support a vote to impeach Biden? Nothing republicans do surprises me anymore, but, as I’ve said, the next two years should be “interesting.”

What do you think Matt Gaetz will do when 5 of these republicans decide maybe they’d like to get re-elected in 2024? When House republicans decide to “work across the isle” what is Kevin McCarthy going to do? Will he be able to stop them? Personally, I don’t think he can. Will Gaetz resort to turning the House back upside down by calling for a vote of no-confidence on McCarthy? Clearly, McCarthy is putting up with Santos – tonight I saw him being interviewed in the “Halls of Congress” where he was asked if he was going to ask Santos to resign. His response was not surprising – he used the word “due process” to deflect from the actual issue and, then, astonishingly asked the reporters “what has he done wrong?” Not a good journalism look considering NONE of the journalists could muster a response. That brought me to my question of the day: Who will be ousted from the 118th Congress first, George Santos or Speaker Kevin McCarthy?

Final Thought: As I’ve pointed out here, ad nauseum, Trump and the republicans one consistency is they are all about PROJECTION. I’ve been pointing this out for YEARS. If you don’t understand what PROJECTION is – think of it this way: If Trump, or virtually anyone in the republican party are accusing someone of some nefarious act, you can rest ASSURED they, themselves, are GUILTY of that “act.” I say this because today it was reported Trump accused Biden of sharing the documents found in an office he used as Vice President which SHOULD have been in the possession of the National Archives – classified at some level – with the Chinese. Of course, Trump, as usual, found a backhanded way of making this accusation only to suggest “I would never do that.” I’m sure you know where I’m going with this – we now have a good idea what Trump did with the HIGHLY sensitive documents found at Mar a Lago. Stay tuned………………….

I just haven’t seemed to be able to muster the motivation to write lately. Tonight won’t be much different although I wanted to get a thought or two down as possibly the “slimiest” politician I’ve ever witnessed (and, trust me, in my lifetime there have been MANY from BOTH political parties) FINALLY gained the job he’s sacrificed his soul for – I call him Kevin (with no clothes left to give) McCarthy – who won the job of Speaker of the House of Representatives on the FIFTEENTH ballot. Somehow he managed to convince the FINAL six – what had been termed “renegades” – to vote “present” on the FIFTEENTH ballot allowing him to “win” with a total of 216 votes. Now, don’t get me wrong, that’s the same number Nancy Pelosi got two years ago with the exact same “thin” majority, it’s just that she managed to do it on the FIRST ballot.

For starters, that would be the difference between Ms. Pelosi and Mr. McCarthy – she never brought something to a vote unless she knew she had “the votes.” The next challenge for McCarthy was going to be getting the “rules” passed – rules which apparently took a severe “beating” as he negotiated his way down from (who knows how) many of his caucus. We know the arm twisting started at least two months ago and there were about 20 holdouts on the first few ballots. What did he have to give up, beside his dignity, to get 14 of that twenty to vote FOR him and the other SIX to vote “present?” (Apparently, it’s a secret) That combination allowed the last six to “give in” without voting for McCarthy and McCarthy to “win” with 216 instead of 218.

This had to end at some point and McCarthy clearly outlasted his detractors, BUT it appears his detractors took much of his “hide” in the process and the next two years look like they may be very interesting – if not productive. I lasted till McCarthy had spoken for about two minutes and it became clear, he has no shame. Maybe that’s a plus in politics – we’ll see. However, the part of the “ending” of all this, to me, was when Hakeem Jeffries handed over the Speaker’s gavel to Mr. McCarthy. He gave a “concession” speech which had the democratic side of the chamber, I’m sure, a bit surprised – well, I can say I was surprised. It was a rousing speech and a challenge to McCarthy to lead his conference to ACCOMPLISH things which actually benefit working class Americans. Jeffries wasn’t shy about listing the accomplishments of the 117th Congress, which, by the way, were historic. He finished by respectully handing McCarthy the gavel and like I said above, I managed to listen to McCarthy for about 2 or 3 minutes and then it was “time for bed.”

Being an optimist at heart, my hope is McCarthy will lead the House to do great things, that he’ll attempt to “work across the isle” in order to “get things done.” My hope is the fears of many that the republicans in the House are going to threaten to DEFAULT on our nation’s economy over the debt ceiling, that their threat to cut Social Security and Medicare (instead of strengthening them) are nothing more than threats and, in general, the idea that many in McCarthy’s conference want to “deconstruct the American state” (in the words of convicted Felon Steve Bannon) are idle words.

Here’s the reality, as I see it: The next couple of years could be anywhere from bad to devastating regarding the American economy – although, enough historic legislation made it through the previous Congress to keep things going in a positive direction until these republicans in the House who believe in “hostage taking” go after the foundation of our government. Causing a shutdown will be bad, if it happens, but defaulting on the national debt could fall into the devastating category. I’m not an economist, but listening to those who ARE causes me to have great concern should these republicans manage to cause our nation to default. (Trust me, that will make Vladimir Putin celebrate)

Will that also cause the American people to finally say they’ve had “enough” of these republicans and begin the process of purging them from our politics in 2024? Obviously, people like Matt Gaetz (alleged child sex trafficker) along with Marjorie Taylor Greene, Scott Perry, Paul Gosar, Andy Biggs, Louie Gohmert, Jim Jordan (and maybe others under investigation for their role in the INSURRECTION) I don’t think so. It appears they view their job to be “tearing the “House” down,” and we’ll find out in 2024 if voters agree with them. They, along with several others, caused McCarthy to squirm – he even appeared to almost be “begging” Gaetz to change his vote after the FOURTEENTH ballot – as if he had no concern for the “optics.” Gaetz eventually conceded, but it remains to be seen: Who will REALLY be “in charge.”

Oh, by the way, it’s been reported that one of the concessions McCarthy agreed to was the creation of a sub-committee (remember Ben Ghazi?) to investigate the “investigators.” Get this, Scott Perry, who is reportedly under investigation in the January 6th investigation will be on the committee – investigating those who are investigating him. Who else, on that committee? Of course, as anyone paying attention would expect – Jim Jordan. If he’s NOT being investigated by the January 6th investigators at the Justice Department, he SHOULD be. Reports are he was involved in “hatching” the scheme using FAKE “electors” right from the “get go.” Why on earth would both Jordan and Perry (along with Gaetz) have been seeking PARDONS from Trump prior to January 20, 2021? Seems obvious, doesn’t it?

Somehow I’m getting the feeling that with Kevin (I’ve got no clothes left to give) McCarthy running the House, as the Speaker, my motivation to write may be coming back. In addition, it appears several of the legal issues facing Trump are “coming to a head.” Today was the last day for the “Special Grand Jury” in Fulton County Georgia and a “charging decision” should be coming in the next month or so. Also, One has to believe Jack Smith is nearing a decision on whether or not to charge Trump for the THEFT of documents from the “White House” upon leaving in 2021. (If you’ve heard about the classified documents found in Joe Biden’s former office (somewhere) by his lawyers when they were moving things from his former office (when he was VP) and you’re a “Trump supporter” don’t get your “jollies” up – because Biden’s representatives handled the situation EXACTLY as it should be handled – so these situations are NOT the same). And, furthermore, it’s CLEAR Trump SHOULD be CHARGED in the January 6th fiasco, it’s just a MUCH more complicated case because of the conspiracy with so MANY leading members of the republican establishment: ie Perry, Jordan, Gohmert, Biggs, Gosar, Ginni Thomas, Giuliani, Sydney Powell, Jenna Ellis, about 100 “FAKE electors” in several states, etc. etc. That will be a HUGE challenge for the Justice Department – probably prosecuted in various groupings.

Final Thought: Why am I not surprised? Yesterday in Brazil there was a Brazilian “rerun” of January 6th, 2021 – with the exception that Brazilian police didn’t allow the INSURRECTIONIISTS to walk away only to be hunted down by the video evidence. No, they ARRESTED around 1200 of the INSURRECTIONISTS right on the spot. There were BUSLOADS of those who violated the Capitol building headed to “detention” and other Brazilian authorities quickly intervened to facilitate the arrests of others who continued the “protests” the next day. Where was former Brazilian president Bolsonaro? You guessed it – after visiting Mar a Lago he took his family to “Disneyland.” Stay tuned…………… This could get real interesting!!! (I don’t think he was watching it on TV, just sayin………..)

According to Nick Fuentes: “You gotta recognize the fact that this is a godless country…I hate it. It’s immoral. It’s wrong. It’s heinous. It’s evil. But this is an evil country, and this country will surprise you with how evil it is. And that’s why you’ve got to get this out of your head that there is some silent majority cavalry that’s going to come out of the woods and save us at the last minute. It’s not.” And, then this neo-NAZI added: “When you look at these things like abortion, it’s popular …And you can thank the Jewish media for that. Abortion is popular, sodomy is popular, being gay is popular, being a feminist is popular, sex out of wedlock is popular, contraceptives-it’s all popular at all. That’s not to say it’s good. That’s not to say I like that. Popular means that people support it, which they do. It sucks, and it is what it is, but that’s why we need a dictatorship. That’s unironically why we need to get rid of all that. We need to take control of the media or take control of the government and force the people to believe what we believe or force them to play by our rules and reshape the society.”

Here’s why neo-FASCISTS like Fuentes HATE people like me and why they refer to liberals – showing their IGNORANCE – as being the “fascists.” I will not indulge you farther other than to say I’ve posted the DEFINITION of Fascism here numerous times and FINALLY some of the people in the so-called liberal media are recognizing that is where the GOP has “gone.” I listened to a member of the “liberal press” the other day suggesting people SHOULD vote out republicans because this “rot” has infected the republican party and has spread to where it’s beyond fixable. Not to pat myself on the back – OK, that’s exactly what I’m doing – I’ve been saying the republican party needs to “go” for over 10 years on this site. (Maybe closer to 15 years) It’s as if those who run the 24/7 Cable “news” outlets need to have irrefutable evidence before they can see the “writing on the wall.”

Why would I be bringing up Nick Fuentes? Well, if you read my previous post you know I wrote about Fuentes and “Ye” (AKA Konye West) having dinner with Donald Trump at Mara Lago last week causing a “stir” among – well, democrats and disenchanted republicans. Why that surprised anyone is beyond me, but here’s the next chapter in that fiasco. First off, Trump claimed he had no idea who Furentes was (although there were reports he was interested in some of what he said) and, then, just a couple days ago, guess what? Yep, there was Trump posting on his social web disaster (I can’t remember the name) that the CONSTITUTION should be “terminated” so that he could be re-instated as president. I’m not kidding!!

Trump was apparently complaining about how Twitter failed to publish photos of a “naked” Hunter Biden prior to the 2020 presidential election. In his mind, that was so egregious that our consitution should be terminated suggesting it cost him the election. Publishing these photos would have violated Twitter’s rules, at the time, but, Trump is now suggesting (since Elon Musk took over Twitter?) these photos SHOULD have been published. (Honestly, had the photos been published, I believe I, for one, would STILL have voted for Biden – of course, I wouldn’t have viewed the photos) Well, as I tried to process this STUPIDITY it dawned on me – then, shouldn’t the naked photos of Stormy Daniels along with the photos of Trump snuggled up next to her along with the suggestion he had an affair with her while Melania was pregnant with Barron been published? Have you ever wondered why Trump paid $130,000 to keep those photos private?

Here’s a brief explanation of why I, and I’m sure most, consider Fuentes – and, of course, Trump, such wack jobs: First, I’ve written a complete post about the abortion issue and it’s way more complicated than our “liberal media” would have people believe – but, to keep it simple, if you don’t believe in abortion, DON’T have one. (Of course, if you’re like I was 45 years ago when my wife, pregnant with our first child, began having a miscarriage you’d probably do the same thing I did – which was rush her to the hospital as she was bleeding profusely where she had what amounted to an abortion – although the fetus was already dead). If you don’t believe in sodomy, don’t participate in it. etc. etc. The idea of Fuentes’ “dictatorship” (or Trump’s suspending the constitution) tells you all you need to know about the right wingers in the republican party. And, trust me, it goes much deeper than Fuentes and Trump.

I just purchased the January 6th Select Committee’s report which is supposed to be published this next week (just prior to Christmas) and, after reading that I should have much more detail about how deep the ROT actually goes. For example, it came out last week on Congressperson sent texts to Mark Meadows suggesting Trump invoke “Marshall Law” in order to prevent Joe Biden from taking the oath of office. (The dude’s in Congress and couldn’t spell “Martial” correct – although I misspell my fair share of words, I’m just not a member of Congress) I believe republicans in Congress like Jim Jordan, Scott Perry, Mo Brooks (former as of January 1), Andy Biggs, Paul Gosar, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Louie Gohmert – and maybe others – very well could be part of the CONSPIRACY to overthrow our government. Will the Committee refer those who refused to answer subpoenas to the Justice Department? I doubt it, although I believe it’s totally appropriate. Will this mean members of Congress, in the future, won’t have to testify if they don’t want to? Yikes!

Personally, I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for the hammer of Justice to fall on Mr. Trump – and, potentially, on members of his family based on the lawbreaking which apparently was routine in the “Trump Organization.” I’ve been lamenting (with MILLIONS of other Americans) on the Justice Department allowing Trump to continue his illegal conduct when the EVIDENCE of his lawbreaking has been public for several months now. I keep thinking Merrick Garland fears to response of the right wing militia movement in America – AKA white nationalists – in the event Trump is indicted. And, Trump, sensing that FEAR, actually, in an interview with Hugh Hewitt, suggested that his supporters would react violently to him being arrested. And, I’ve said, all along: “Bring it on!” Let’s get this overwith – because the DAMAGE to America will be far greater if Trump is NOT indicted than what possibly might happen if he is. And, I have to admit, when AG Garland announced a “special counsel” (Jack Smith) to investigate Trump I thought: “Here we go” – more delays which will end up with NOTHING happening. Well………………………………..

I was wrong about Jack Smith. It appears he is AGGRESSIVIVELY pursuing the investigation into Trump’s participation in the INSURRECTION along with MANY of those who allegedly COULD be part of a charge of SEDITIOUS CONSPIRACY. On this site I’ve, on several occasions, pointed out what it takes to be part of a CONSPIRACY (not much) and it’s obvious to me there are a plethora of high level republicans who should be doing two things right now – one: shaking in their boots and two: getting good defense LAWYERS. I’ve also, on several occasions, listed – off the top of my head – the obvious co-conspirators with Trump in the attempted coup d’etat: Mark Meadows, Rudy Giuliani, Jim Jordan, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Scott Perry, Paul Gosar, Andy Biggs, Mo Brooks, Jenna Ellis, Jeff Clarke, John Eastman, Sidney Powell, Steve Bannon, Peter Navarro, and Ginni Thomas – Oh yes, can’t forget Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley, and Jody Hice – plus all those involved with the fraudulent elector scheme and, I’m sure many others. Will Jack Smith charge this many people – especially with so many members of Congress involved? I doubt it – but, I, for one, would welcome it. Maybe prosecute in “waves” as they’re doing with the “Oathkeepers.” (Everytime I write that I have to wonder, “what oath?”)

I was a sixth grade teacher for the final 23 years of my working life (occasionally 7th graders) and I continue to struggle understanding how the so-called “mainstream media” seems to always be playing “catch up.” When “little old” peop;le like me figure stuff out way before hand. It seems it should ALWAYS be the other way around. For example I’ve written extensively how the White Nationalists/supremacists – AKA “KKK” members of our society who were pretty much pushed “under the rocks” until Obama was elected, openly claimed Trump to be their “vehicle into the mainstream of American politics.” (Many consider Trump their “fuhrer”) I read that exact claim coming from David Duke and Don Black – both former “Grand Wizards” of the KKK after doing a little research following reading the book “Rising out of Hatred” about Don Black’s son Dereck. The information has been there since Trump started calling Mexicans “rapists.”

Making the connection to Trump’s “policies” and his “base” to the neo-Nazi movement in America should not have been that hard. You’re starting to see those references routinely on some of the “non” mainstream sources of information, but still the corporate media is very timidly refusing to go there – from what I can muster. As I’ve stated here, when I watch television, if it’s not sports related, it’s usually MSNBC. My daughters watch CNN claiming MSNBC is “too liberal” and all I can think of is they’re both corporate news outlets and they seem more concerned with the possiblity of lawsuits caused by “going to far” than in actually reporting the TRUTH about what is driving this wedge deeply into our country. And, to me, I’ve come to believe it’s more on the media than on the democrats to rescue “we the people” from what is more and more becoming a direct attack on our constitution.

Another thing which has been obvious to me – but I rarely hear mention of in the “news” is the reality the right wing assault on America will not slow down one bit based on one – or two – or however many lost elections they endure. They work from the “bottom up,” they have unlimited funding for their covert operation, and the ONLY way to stop them is to vote republicans into the history books (I know I’ve said that ad nauseum) and EXPOSE their surreptitious funders into the “sunlight.” We know about the Koch “brothers” (now “brother”) and much of their network of WEALTHY “old” American money which emerged from the John Birch Society and is re-imerging using Trump as their “mechanism” – what MOST people have no idea about would be – one example – groups like the “American Legislative Exchange Council” – usually referred to as “ALEC” – working at the state legislative level to pervert our political process in a way which could ultimately make the next coup d’etat successful. As many pundits HAVE said, they think January 6th was simply a “trial run.”

Final Thought: This is a “rant” over the course of several days – a rant here and a rant there – but, one last thing I’d like to reaffirm is how Trump is NOT the entire problem (although, I hope to live long enough to see him convicted of at least SOME of his criminal conduct) just the mechanism for those in America who don’t believe our system of government – a democratic republic – works for them. These are people who have (finally) begun to be labled as “neo-fascists,” “autocrats,” or some other anti democratic characterization. That is, because they DON’T believe in “democracy,” and THEY believe progressives to be the “fascists” because there are more of us than there are of them – thereby justifying (in their minds) the extreme anti-democratic behvior which has become the norm on the “right.” The last thing they would consider, would be actually trying to expand their “base” by working to meet the needs of “we the people.” Of course, that would really aggravate the white nationalists who comprise the majority of the republican “base” – so, they’d have to make a choice. At this point, who knows if it’s even possible? Fuentes just came out and said what many of the others won’t say in public – “We need to take control of the media or take control of the government and force the people to believe what we believe or force them to play by our rules” – That’s the bottom line that has been driving all the voter suppression stuff and other parts of the right wing agenda which progressives MUST continually be AWARE of.

The best example of this is coming into public view as text messages received by the January 6th Committee are becoming public – messages sent to Mark Meadows from various members of Congress. Honestly, as I read through some of them – and, again, I’m JUST a retired 6th grade school teacher – I couldn’t help but laugh – at which point I would remind myself I’m reading text’s from MEMBERS of Congress and their ABSURD premises are actually DANGEROUS simply because of their position in government. These messages are full of grammatical mistakes I wouldn’t have accepted from my 6th graders and the logic was even worse. We have numerous members of Congress getting sucked into some of the most wild conspiracy theories you can imagine – and, they were passing this garbage along to Trump, who apparently is susceptible to this nonsense as well. The bottom line: The CONSPIRACY to foment the INSURRECTION on January 6th, 2021 included, as I’ve stated many times (including above) many members of Congress and the EVIDENCE of this is becoming public drip by drip. And, they’re not finished!

A reminder of a few things I’ve predicted since January 20, 2017: First, there would come a day when Trump would regret his walk down the escalator at Trump Tower announing his candidacy for president – if that day hasn’t happened by now – it appears it soon will – due to the impending CRIMINAL investigations gaining “steam.” Second: I said, early on, Trump would last as president until the republican members of Congress had had enough. Well, I certainly didn’t think it would take this long – but, I believe that day is fast approaching as more and more republicans realize they can’t “win” with him. (Enter, Ron DeSantis – who’s cleverly been positioning himself for this “day” over the past four years – a man much more conniving than Trump) Third: the EVIDENCE of what really happened on January 6th, 2021 would come out, “drip by drip” and Trump’s CRIMINAL conduct would be fully exposed. I would suggest that last one reminds me of going to the Movie Theater and seeing the sign regarding the next movie – reading: “Coming Soon!”

Kanye. Elon. Trump. OK, Buckle up, the next two years of republicans holding a (very slim) majority in the House of Representatives is – as I’m sitting down to write this – a month from becoming reality. Maybe the only thing surprising about that “tweet” (Yep, it was a tweet from Jim Jordan who stands to become the chair of the House Judiciary Committee) is that it didn’t include Nick Fuentes and, maybe, for good measure David Duke. Kanye West – AKA “Ye” – seems to be working his way to the bottom of the “gutter” with, yesterday, his public praising of Adolf Hitler to “tweeting” an image of a swastika embedded in an image of the “Star of David.” Apparently, that was too much for “Elon’s” “absolute free speech.” And, for good measure, check out some of Fuentes public remarks to see why I might suggest he should have been included in Jordan’s “tweet.” (Fuentes is not shy about his desire for a neo-Nazi takeover of America’s government so he could FORCE people to believe his “stuff”)

Elon. What should be interesting is how “low” Mr. Musk is willing to take his “brand” as he fully exposes his political inclinations. I mean, why do you think Jordan had “Elon” on that “tweet” for the 55 days it was “up” only to be unceremoniously deleted yesterday? Not because of Elon’s allowing a HUGE increase in RACIST messaging on his “toy” Twitter, but, instead, due to Kanye (“Ye?”) spewing incredibly ignorant anti-Semitic garbage on – hold on – Alex Jone’s “infowars” which is, apparently, too much for even Jordan and the so-called “Freedom Caucus.” (Oh, by the way, this on the same day Jones declared bankruptcy in his attempt to avoid paying the $1.5 BILLION he owes the families of children MURDERED at the Sandy Hook Elementary School slaughter) “Elon” appears to be an “uncloseted” republican now that he has purchased Twitter. He made a last second “push” to get Americans to vote “republican” in the midterms and he’s opened the “floodgates” to right wing mis/disinformation. No Tesla for me. Just sayin……….. (Oh yes, I have to add, he’s a fan of “DeSanctimonious”)

And, the other guy on their list. Donald Trump. We know that Jordan, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Matt Gaetz, Paul Gosar, Andy Biggs, Louie Gohmert, and other far right members of the House are – and likely will be – diehard Trump sycophants. Why? Well, I’ve got six years of posts in the Archives which will somehow explain that – but, really, now that the LOSING has reached unprecedented levels, why still? Apparently, Trump’s incredible pathalogical LYING continues to be, in their minds, their best course to gaining MORE power. Or is it? The latest reports I’ve seen show Trump trailing Ron “DeSactimonious” badly in the polling and, as Trump continues to demonstrate how FEARFUL he is of being INDICTED – which is LIKELY to happen within the next couple of months they’re, apparently “rethinking” their “Tweet.” Trump is imminently facing a criminal conviction of his “organization,” he’s facing a civil action against his “organization” which COULD destroy it, he’s facing at least TWO significant civil lawsuits, he’s a target in at least THREE CRIMINAL investigations, and very possibly a fourth, and ALL of this could put him in various courtrooms for the next several years. When he was first elected I said he would last ONLY until the republicans turned on him – which, admittedly, I thought would happen several years ago – but, it’s hard to picture him as a WOUNDED political figure who is likely headed toward JAIL remaining the “head of the party.”

And, the House republicans have plans to muck up the entire process over the next couple of years because, well, “that’s what they do.” However, just as a “thought,” consider Kevin McCarthy does NOT necessarily have a CLEAR path to the Speaker’s gavel – despite that being his life’s OBSESSION. To be clear, it takes 218 votes for someone to become the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Everything I’ve seen suggests republicans will have 222 members in the new Congress. That means, if McCarthy loses FIVE votes in the vote for Speaker, well, you can figure out what would happen. OK, maybe not, but consider this; there are FIVE members of the House affiliated with Matt Gaetz (alleged child sex trafficker) who claim under no circumstances will they vote for McCarthy – which, if true, means his “dream” will not come true.

In the genre of “positive thinking, add to that last thought there just might be some practical members of the House in the republican party who aren’t looking forward to republicans making fools of themselves for the next couple of years – maybe a bit tired of the “Freedom Caucus” (Greene, Gaetz, Gosar, Biggs, Perry, etc. etc.) and also tired of McCarthy showing himself to be one of the MOST spineless politicians in recent American history – who might not be OK with two years of McCarthy as speaker and Marjorie Taylor Greene “calling the shots.” They, in reality, if they exist, actually have MORE power than ANY of the “kooks” who get all the publicity in republican political circles. Do they exist? Well, I have no idea, but let me give you a possible scenario.

Say there’s a group of moderate republican members of the House who are willing to work with democratic members of the House in an attempt to actually “get stuff done” and not allow the House to become a “three ring circus.” Brace yourself – this group of republicans could CONCEIVABLY pick one of their own to become the Speaker with the help of democrats. Actually, it would ONLY take FIVE of them – but, I’m suggesting if there was a group of maybe 40 or 50 members who are tired of the Trump stuff and believe their job is actually to create legislation – in this case, legislation which would represent compromise with the democrats. This group COULD choose the next Speaker by making an agreement with democrats to vote for their choice as Speaker. Does this group exist? As I said above, I have no idea, but it would certainly be well received by a large segment of America in my view.

You’re completely correct (I know what you’re thinking) – it would really “piss off” the likes of the right wing wack jobs in the party, but, over the course of the two years – assuming this coalition actually “got stuff done” – it could totally change the narrative in our politics. What we’ve been witnessing over the past several years is the growing power of this hard core right wing group of republicans which have turned America’s republican party into a cesspool of racism, anti-semitism, xenophobic rhetoric, etc. etc. It appears to me, this is the scenario which could prevent someone like Marjorie Taylor Greene from becoming one of the most powerful members of the House – simply because McCarthy’s AMBITION won’t allow him to demonstrate even a modicum of principal.

I wrote the preceeding words yesterday, and after a night to think about this, I’ve got another “doozy” to propose. How about Liz Cheney as the next speaker of the House? The Speaker doesn’t have to be a member of the House and, as of the first week in January Ms. Cheney will no longer be a member simply because she had the GUTS to “tell the truth” in regard to Trump. Now, the only part of that scenario which gives me pause is that Cheney sits on the “opposite side of” virtually everything I believe – with the exception of the telling the TRUTH and all that kind of “stuff.” I mean, who would you rather see as the Speaker – McCarthy or Cheney? Based on my proposition Ms. Cheney and the republicans who would vote her into the Speaker’s chair (along with the democrats in the House) would be FORCED to work out compromises with the democrats in order to get anything done. Could Ms. Cheney block the DAMAGE the “Freedom Caucus” wants to inflict on “We the people” I believe the answer is YES to most of it. However, an interesting proposal, don’t you think? And, I can guarantee you, it’s POSSIBLE!

Final Thought: My brother-in-law has repeatedly requested I write something positive. Well, I’m doing the best I can and usually my 75 year old mind comes up “empty.” However, I believe my suggestion of Liz Cheney for the Speaker of the House is a POSITIVE suggestion – The more I think about it, the better I like it. Wouldn’t it be nice if republicans and democrats HAD TO WORK TOGETHER? Well, in this scenario, I believe that would be the result. The big question then, are there enough republicans willing to work something like this out with the democratic caucus. To me, it would be a major POSITIVE for both political parties and subsequently for “We the People.” I’m not holding my breath, but………………….

OMG!! Just as I’ve feared for the past TWO years, Merrick Garland doesn’t have the “stones” to handle the job he’s been given and his place in history will be a critical one, but not one which Mr. Garland would want. Today Mr. Garland named a special counsel to investigate ALL the potential charges against Donald Trump. No idea what this special counsel, Jack Smith, will ultimately determine, but one thing is certain – this will drag out the timeline of a decision to prosecute/not prosecute our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president. Just as I feared – as I said above – Garland wants to put something that is OBVIOUS onto someone else’s “plate.”

Trump is the MASTER at projection. When you listen to him play the role of a “victim” you can hear his supporters TOTALLY sucking his LIES in. Trump puts his corruption onto whatever convenient place which might allow him to continue his CORRUPTION without consequence. Let’s be clear – Trump should have ALREADY been indicted for INSTIGATING the INSURRECTION at the Capitol on January 6th, 2021 PLUS the reality he attempted to STEAL several THOUSAND documents from the National Archives which included HUNDREDS of classified documents some of which were of the HIGHEST sensitivity deserves indictment. In fact, there were something like 40+ folders labled “classified” that were EMPTY which likely makes all this even WORSE!

I mean, where do you think the documents which WERE in those empty folders went? I almost hate to speculate. Do you really think the documents found in Trumps office weren’t viewed by others? Keep in mind, these documents in the possession of any OTHER person would havve quickly resulted in an indictment. So, when “we the people” say “no one is above the law” what we really seem to mean is “unless it’s a high level republican politician who will raise holy hell.” Remember, Matt Gaetz has been credibly ACCUSED of “child sex trafficking” by his “buddy” who’s in jail in Florida and has provided all the EVIDENCE which would be needed to indict virtually anyone – yet. Mr. Garland apparently didn’t have the guts to prosecute Gaetz either.

I’m part of a “chorus” of MILLIONS who’ve been fearing the WORST when it comes to Merrick Garland – and, now our worst fears have been realized. Garland is suggesting he’s appointing this special counsel because Trump has – earlier than ANYONE in American history – announced his candidacy for the office of president. I hate to tell him this – obviously Mr. Garland is much smarter than me – the more time which passes until a “charging decision” is made the WORST this will become. If they choose NOT to prosecute that will be as DISASTROUS a decision as could possibly be made. And, the closer we get to the actual campaign of 2024 the more likely Garland will find a way to “chicken out” of charging Trump. Again, DISASTROUS.

If Mr. Garland thinks this gets him off the hook or makes it seem this is “apolitical” it’s Mr. Garland who is delusional. Trump’s “putting his hat in the ring” should NOT have been a surprise. He’s been violating our legal system for MANY years – well before he ever put he decided to run back in 2015 and this decision by Mr. Garland is perfect for what Trump was wanting to gain from becoming a “candidate” once again. Trump was losing his “grip” on the republican party after the mid terms which had, at best, a “pink wave.” If there is anything which might allow Trump to win the nomination next year, this will be it. Ron DeSantis is probably as frustrated as I am. And, ultimately Garland is still in charge and will be responsible for any charging decision, so what on earth does he think he’s gaining here?

For example, the evidence which is already public regarding the CLASSIFIED documents being STOLEN from the National Archives – the Presidential Records Act required ALL documents regarding the president’s activities to be recorded for “posterity” – would suggest Trump SHOULD be indicted “forthwith.” And, is there any question whether or not Trump INSTIGATED the assault on our nation’s CAPITOL on January 6th? If you question that, I question your ability to rationally interpret facts!

Obviously, having a “special counsel” will cause this process to be delayed, at best, from my perspective, and, at worst, will give Garland the opportunity to hide behind someone else in a failure to hold Trump accountable. Keep in mind, when we’re talking about the CONSPIRACY to overthrow our government – leading to the ATTACK on the CAPITOL – there’s a bunch of others involved in the CONSPIRACY, including several members of Congress AND the wife of a Supreme Court Justice. Does Garland need a “second opinion” when gathering the courage to INDICT people like Jim Jordan, Scott Perry, Rudy Giuliani, Louie Gohmert, Matt Gaetz, Mark Meadows, other members of the House “Freedom Caucus,” Sidney Powell, Geffrey Clark, John Eastman, Mike Flynn, Steve Bannon, and Ginni Thomas? The evidence of their involvement in the SCHEME to overthrow our government – the exact words used by Trump when he said “Mike Pense had the authority to overthrow the government” – is all part of the public domain. Why does Garland need another lawyer to find the guts to prosecute these people?

Here’s the bottom line of how I look at this. And, I’m going to use the words of Mike Flynn when he was speaking for Trump during the 2016 campaign at, I believe, the convention – “if I did ONE TENTH of what these people have done I would be in jail” – stealing a term from myself – FORTHWITH! Not only is Mr. Garland’s reticence to prosecute Trump resulting in “we the people” being subjected to another couple of years listening to his pathalogical LYING, but it’s energizing his “base.” The “scuttlebut” regarding Garland was he feared the backlash from all the violent members of Trump’s base and, now, he’s just pouring gas on that “fire” by putting all this off. Another six months or year (hopefully not longer than that) won’t make Trump any less GUILTY.

As I’ve (and millions of other Americans) said many times here, “NOT charging Trump will create MORE damage to this republic than whatever his supporters might attempt to do if he’s prosecuted. What are they going to do? Will they attempt to break him out of jail if that’s where he ends up? I don’t think so, but if that would be the plan my response would be “good luck.” If Trump is NOT charged – that could be as much a threat to the future of our republic as we just faced in the mid term elections. The reality there’s a large segment of our nation who are willing to accept a fascist regime – not only in federal office, but also in the state governments where the ultimate decisions on our voting takes place.

The FACT a group of “election deniers” failed to win a select group of governorships and offices of Secretaries of State was a reprieve to those of us who want the American “experiment” to continue – but, make no mistake, these people are not going away until the American voters VOTE them into the history books. That means this version of the republican party needs to be DEFEATED. And, despite all the celebrating by American pragmatists that the “far right” failed in their bid for a “red wave” understand they will keep coming back like a bad dream. Republicans gained control of the House and, despite the reality it was by a razor thin margin, their disruptive ANTICS are going to happen.

Thankfully, between Biden’s veto pen and the fact Democrats continue to have the majority in the Senate – again, by a razor thin margin – we’ve put off the impending DISASTER, but maybe not for long. The 2024 election will give republicans the opportunity to retake the Senate and, of course, they’ll be going all in to regain the “White House.” It will be the FOURTH straight election which will be the “most important election in my lifetime, And, as in the previous 3 elections Donald Trump will be right in the middle of it – whether he wins the nomination or not. When you look at how easily he gets republicans to fall under his spell you can be certain that a large part of his plan via the earliest announcement of a campaign for president in American History is his usual strategy of “delay, delay, delay.”

Just think about the possibility Trump fails to win the nomination and, say, someone like Ron DeSantis does, and should DeSantis prevail in the 2024 election (God forbit!) you can bet that Trump will EXPECT DeSantis or ……………….. (fill in the blank) to PARDON him. Should Trump somehow convince enough Americans to put him back in the “White House” do you think he’s NOT going to pardon himself? Trump has been DARING the American Justice system to hold him accountable for his misbehavior for YEARS – well, before he ran for office – and, he’s not going to stop until he’s sitting in a cell someplace – and, “don’t hold your breath.”

Final Thought: It’s now Monday and I wrote the previous posting last Friday after hearing about Garland’s appointment of Jack Smith as a “special prosecutor” in the two cases trudging along toward, hopefully, INDICTMENTS of Donald Trump. That’s exactly how the news caused me to feel – and, I’m simply hoping the day will come SOON when Trump fails to BULLY his way out of facing accountability for his CRIMINAL conduct. Since last Friday I’ve listened to several “experts” in the law who I have great respect for and, to a man (I think they were all men) they suggested Garland had done “the right thing.” Several suggested that, despite appearances this appointment would SLOW down the process, they believe it will actually speed it up. I remain open to being proven WRONG and, in fact, I’m HOPING I’m proven wrong. From my point of view Trump can’t be INDICTED soon enough. It REALLY is time “we the people” prove that “no one is above the law” in America. All of us who’ve been paying attention to politics over the past 50 year know that “hope” is/has been a “pipe dream.” Let’s just say, “no time like the present to start.”

This will simply be one more reason why it will be imperative for democrats to win elections for the foreseeable future – for example, to prevent a republican president from pardoning Trump once he’s FINALLY convicted. We are about to witness the REAL reason why this is an imperative as we watch what republicans are going to do with a margin of 3 votes in their majority and it’s going to be disastrous. Mark it down! NOTHING useful will get done and MUCH which is destructive very well might “get done.” For example, will republicans succeed in “kneecapping” Social Security and Medicare? Will they actually cause America to DEFAULT on her debts? We know they’re going to be focused on REVENGE because Keving McCarthy will be depending on Marjorie Taylor Greene for the speakership. Put that in your Space Lasers and “smoke it.” Stay tuned………………….

I’ve waited over a week now to publish this, and, by all accounts (again, of the legal experts I respect) the appointment of Jack Smith as the “special counsel” is a positive step. (despite my feelings otherwise) I’ll say this, the Justice Department had NOT admitted there was an investigation of Trump re: January 6th, 2021, and we now KNOW for sure there is one and it’s fairly far along. While I’m waiting to see the results of the “Special Counsel” I continue to believe Trump SHOULD have been indicted long ago. Today, a couple “Oathkeepers” were CONVICTED of “Setitious Conspiracy” – the SAME charge I believe Trump and the MANY who participated in his part of the CONSPIRACY to overthrow a free and fair election SHOULD face. Now, Stuart Rhodes and Kelly Megs are facing 20+ years in prison for their FOOLISH attempt to overthrow our government. And, there’s two or three MORE groups – including some “Proud Boys” (of “Stand back and stand by” fame) facing the same charges. Do you think today’s verdict is going to cause a rush of defendants to the “bargaining table?” Maybe guilty pleas with an agreement of cooperation? Time will tell……….