Do you remember individual 1 predicting we’d all get “sick of all the winning?” Do you remember the prediction he was going to “drain the swamp?” Were you paying attention the other day when he claimed he’s the “most honest person you’ve ever known” – or words to that effect? Did you miss the reporting in the Washington Post of the certifiable 30,000+ “falsehoods or misleading claims?” (ie LIES) It was reported he was committing an average of 21 LIES per day over the final few months of his administration – just sayin…….. Have you forgotten all of individual 1’s administration who were FORCED to resign in the midst of one SCANDAL after another? I could go on.

By the way, speaking of our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president “draining the swamp,” have you paid attention to the “swamp creatures” he brought along with him to Washington DC? Including, but not limited to, his son-in-law Jared Kushner? Well, remember, it was Kushner who was communicating with Mohammed Bin Salmon (MBS) via “What’s Ap” – Facebook’s answer to people who need their conversations to be HIDDEN from authorities. (In this case, Kushner was, technically, one of the “authorities”) Remember, it was MBS who was, by all accounts, accused of ORDERING the MURDER of Jamal Khashoggi with the MURDERERS dsimembering him with a bone saw. NONE of that seemed to matter to either individual 1 or Mr. Kushner – because, well, “it’s all about the MONEY.” (Isn’t it?)

So, individual 1 and his family seem to be the “gift” which just keeps on giving. While there seems to be AMPLE evidence to indict our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president – who, by the way, continues his incredible GRIFT of his (stupid) supporters – his son-in-law seems determined to carry on the “family name.” This past weekend it was reported Mr. Kushner managed to pull a “COUPLE BILLION” from the Saudi’s Sovereign Wealth Fund – albeit at extrememly FAVORABLE terms – despite having no experience succeeding in the very business plan he proposed. Apparently, MBS overruled the overseeers of the fund because, well, him and Kushner are “best buds” who go way back.

So, the CORRUPTION just marches on (and on and on and on………..) And, the ARROGANCE coming from individual 1, who laments all the INVESTIGATIONS into his alleged CRIMINAL behavior – “and, they’ve found NOTHING” – who CLEARLY understands his potential CRIMINAL liability – has resulted in the ONLY way he knows of defending himself – and, that is via pathological LYING. Is the Justice Department investigating individual 1’s attempted coup de’etat? Sadly, I can’t be sure! Of course, even I would agree that coup d’etat is much more egregious than Kushner squeezing $2 BILLION from the Saudi’s – apparently, just in case “we the people” really are STUPID enough to vote individual 1 back into office in 2024 – are you paying attention Merrick Garland? That would ALL be “on you.” This Kushner/MBS “bromance” seems a bit “fishy” to me – but, then, CORRUPTION is pretty much BIPARTISAN in Washington DC, isn’t it?

Of course, it wasn’t just Kushner “hitting up” the Saudi’s after individual 1 was run out of town back in January of 2021. The ink was hardly dry on the expulsion notice hanging on the doors of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue back in January of 2021 as individual 1 was leaving town when Steve Mnuchin was grovelling at the feet of the Saudi’s running their Sovereign investment fund – but, ONLY for $1 BILLION. Do you really think the connection to America’s government didn’t help either Mnuchin or Kushner garner this money? Do you really believe they weren’t laying the “groundwork” for this SERIOUS grifting prior to leaving our government? If you do believe that, well, I’ve got a bridge…………………… (Also, do you really believe the Saudi’s won’t find a way to help individual 1 financially in 2024?)

OMG – individual 1 continues to hold rallies where he pushes the so-called “Big Lie” (To me, just another of his LIES) “the election was stolen” and, now, he’s bringing up all the investigations despite his claim, “I’ve done nothing wrong.” His grifting – you know, someone who claims to be a multi BILLIONAIRE shamelessly begging his downtrodden followers for their hard earned money – would make even Charles Ponzi blush. And, sadly, all his (stupid, sorry, just calling it as I see it) followers seem to be ablidging him – by mutiples of tens of MILLIONS of dollars. Just what every “billionaire” needs, correct?

And, of course, individual 1 has no monopoly on SHAMELESSNESS when it comes to the republican party. Have you paid attention to people like Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley, Ron Johnson, Mike Lee, Rand Paul, Matt Gaetz, MTGreene, Paul Gosar, Andy Biggs, Mo Brooks, Jim Jordan, and on and on, lately? Cruz, Hawley, and Marsha Blackburn, in the hearings I watched for Ketanji Brown Jackson, were some real “doozies.” Cruz brought out children’s books to suggest – I actually am not sure what he was suggesting/ Was he wondering if Ms. Jackson is a racist? Or does he just find children’s books written about Black children offensive? And, Hawley, suggesting she’s a proponent of child pornography? Because she has sentenced people to similar sentences as MANY other judges – many confirmed without question when nominated by individual 1. And, ALL following the sentencing guidelines set forth by, you guessed it, the SENATE! (Which would require the approval of republicans on the Judiciary Committee!)

Is that what we call the “height of hypocrisy?” And, Blackburn asking Ms. Jackson to define a “woman?” Are you kidding me? (Actually, NO!) Oh, lest I forget, good ole Lindsey Graham (roll over in your grave once again, Mr. McCain) asking her to define her “religion.” Keep in mind, confirmation hearings are akin to “job interviews” and asking someone to define their religion in a job interview is, well, UNCONSTITUTIONAL! But this was, after all, the Senate Judiciary Committee so why wouild anyone think republicans would have ANY concern with the CONSTITUTION when interviewing candidates? Or, are they actually familiar with it?

And, I mentioned Matt Gaetz, speaking of CORRUPTION! This is the guy credibly accused of “child sex trafficking” (Maybe AG Garland is afraid of this prosecution as well – we’ll see) who is at the forefront of the white nationalists running amok in the republican party. To him, everything is “wokeism” (I wrote about that in a previous posts, but suffice it to say, it’s a term which implies racism by the one using it – in many instances, that would be Mr. Gaetz. For example, just recently, he verbally assaulted Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, our FIRST African American Defense Secretary, with his “wokeism” nonsense, in regard to our Defense Department and Gaetz claims he’s “embarrassed” by Austin’s “woke” leadership. it’s just MORE disgusting “dog whistling” coming from republicans – who find LYING more convenient than attempting to put together a platform which appeals to the majority of Americans.

Does their LYING work? Well, we’ve been witnessing for the previous 40+ years that it does. The American people are proving, by and large, that “WE” are not the most sophisticated population on the planet. Personally, I’m really discouraged by my own generation – baby boomers – because, it seems to me, too many of my generation who’ve been benefiting from America’s wealth for decades are too self indulged to understand the DAMAGE being done to this nation for our children and grandchildren – by many of US. Too many have become blindly affiliated with the republican party – to the point where republicans don’t need a platform – just feed them a gaggle of LIES and “it’s all good.” Yikes!

Who are the rising “stars” in the republican party? Well, sadly, I have to admit Marjorie Taylor Greene, a truly DEPLORABLE person, seems to be in that category. The FACT she gave the keynote speech at a recent white nationalist convention where the audience was chanting “Putin, Putin, Putin,” as she was introduced pretty much says it all. Yep, she’s a rising star in republican circles (QAnon believer and all). And, if you’d ask Gaetz, he’d suggest he is as well – or ask Ted Cruz, or Josh Hawley, or Rand Paul, or a plethora of others (Kristi Noem, Ron DeSantis, Greg Abbott, etc.) and you’ll get the who’s who of who will be attempting to be the next individual 1 in 2024. Will Americans “buy it?” Who knows, we’ll have to wait and see for that one. (Do republicans prefer, for example, Vladimir Putin to democrats?)

Republicans have been setting “we the people” up for the barrage of LYING which is to take place this election year and in the 2024 election with all this “wokeism” and “Critical Race Theory” (CRT) nonsense – and, you can see why they do it – because our so-called “liberal media” allows them to get away with it. “Hook, line, and sinker.” Both terms, “wokeism” and “CRT” are dog whistles to their white nationalist base – and, as I just said, our “liberal media” is SILENT on this reality. Would the American people care if it was pointed out what these terms actually MEAN each time they were used? Who knows, but, it’d be nice to find out.

Do the American people care that individual 1 has likely committed a PLETHORA of CRIMES since taking the oath to defend our CONSTITUTION from all enemies, foreign and domestic? Clearly, millions don’t! Do they care his son-in-law is grifting at the meet of MBS – an authoritarian despot who has OIL and little else? (OK, he’s got a LOT of MONEY) it’s debatable. And, does Merrick Garland care about the “alleged” CRIMES of individual 1? This too is debatable. How much MONEY does individual 1 and his FAMILY have to poach from “we the people” via their government connections before we say enough already? Apparently, we’re not at the magic number just yet.

Will individual 1’s supporters FINALLY realize the man who warned us about “all the winning” is one INCREDIBLE loser? Two elections, HUNDREDS of lawsuits – including 60 regarding the so-called “stolen election” – all LOSSES – that’s a LOT of LOSING, by the way, just saying (again). Will they EVER recognize the incredible amount of LYING he’s done – in many instances, right to their faces? If they haven’t by now, probably not. Will they EVER equate all individual 1’s cabinet members resigning in DISGRACE and his own CORRUPTION with the so-called “swamp?” Again, probably not. What he’s managed to do with these people really reminds me of what Vladimir Putin has done with the Russian people.

You hear stories all the time about Ukrainians with relatives in Russia who connect with them via phone and tell them about the atrocities being committed by Putin and their Russian relatives don’t believe them. My wife and I know a three quarter Ukrainian one quarter Russian lady – who was the Russian interpreter at our school when I was still teaching – we’ve stayed in touch over the past several years – who gets/got her “news” from “Russian TV” (RT TV). Apparently, that’s not an option now, but recently my wife talked to her and she believes Putin despite the FACT most of her relatives are from Ukraine. She believes Ukraine has been overcome by “Nazi’s” and Putin is clearing them out. And, she believes the claims coming from Bucha are doctored images and the bodies in the streets were “actors.” Yikes!

I’ve said many times individual 1 was attempting to “be like Putin” and he envisioned himself in a similar “president for life” role in the United States – prior to LOSING to Joe Biden (by over 7 MILLION votes – the largest SLAUGHTER ever in an American presidential election – based on the ‘popular vote.” Yet, he appears to be planning a “THIRD popular vote thrashing.” Certainly, one reason republicans are frantically passing the voter suppression bills is to make it possible for the coup d’etat to succeed the next time he LOSES by MILLIONS of votes. Just today, republicans announced they will no longer participate in presidential debates, for example, because, apparently, the debates aren’t the best place to spew their LIES – especially, with a moderator from “the enemy of the people” (ie, the “media”).

Final Thought: If you’re watching the “war” in Ukraine closely and you paid any attention to what individual 1 was doing/saying during the previous 6 years you MUST see how he was attempting to emulate Mr. Putin. There are so many “connections” to Russia via our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president it can’t be considered a coincidence Putin’s disdain for dissidents seems so similar to individual 1’s. The difference, of course, is how Putin can deal with his enemies (poison, murder, prison on, excuse the pun, “trumped up charges”) while individual 1 could only create his “enemies list” in an apparent attempt to be like Nixon.

I’ve put a plethora of rhetorical questions in this rant because, at the age of 74, I continue to struggle with what has happened to America. How can “we the people” continue to support the republican party? (I’ve been lamenting this for 20 years now) Republicans have shown over and over again they believe the laws have been/were written for others – like Black people, Latinas, young “liberals,” etc. etc. and they believe democrats DON’T have the stomach to prosecute them for their lawbreaking – and, so far, they’ve been proven correct in this respect. I posed these questions in case someone might happen on this site to stimulate thinking. Sadly, I know people who frequent right wing media (Fox “news,” “Newsmax,” etc.) and actually believe things like “individual 1 doesn’t LIE” – and, they’re almost impossible to communicate with. Stay tuned……………

On Final Thing: While the “world” is investigating Russian War Crimes which would be prosecuted at the “International Criminal Court” (ICC) at the “Hague” in the Netherlands it’s important to point out two countries who haven’t “signed on” to the ICC would be Russia and, you guessed it, the United States. While President Biden has referred to Putin, correctly in my view, as a “war criminal” I have to believe the reason the United States hasn’t aligned herself with the ICC is to protect those Americans who, in my view, committed WAR CRIMES during the U.S. invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan. As much as I believe Putin and those under his command committing CLEAR WAR CRIMES it’s hard to argue against the (typical) U.S. hypocrisy on this matter. I’ve written extensively about the FACT George W Bush, Dick Cheney, and Don Rumsfeld ADMITTED on national TV to authorizing TORTURE – and, additionally, saying they’d “do it again” means, in my view, the U.S. will have to leave it to the rest of the world to determine the culpibility of Putin and his thugs.

If you’re young and are reading this and you’re paying attention to all the signs of the Climate Crisis – I hope you’ll encourage everyone you know to vote AGAINST republicans in the 2022 Mid Terms – the reason democrats can’t pass their legislation has been pretty much layed at the “feet” of Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema (justifiably) – but, keep in mind there are 50 republicans in the Senate who believe Climate Change is a “hoax,” they support fossil fuel corporate interests, and they believe OBSTRUCTION is a strategy which will cause Americans to turn against democrats – when the reaction to that “plan” should be the opposite. The opportunity to vote enough democrats into the Senate to get rid of the filibuster is right in front of “we the people” – but, it appears our “liberal media” is more interested in their bottom lines than in reporting the TRUTH about what our nation is facing going forward. Yikes!!!!

I’ve been lamenting the reality, over the past many years, that our so-called “liberal media” has FAILED miserably in defining the use of the Nazi propaganda “strategy” of the “Big Lie Theory.” It was “invented” by Hitler, himself, when he wrote Mein Kampf and it was proliferated by his head of propaganda Joseph Goebbels – why? – because it works. The “theory” goes, “if you repeat a (Big) LIE over and over people will eventually believe the LIE is “true.” I originally noticed republicans had adopted this “theory” about 20 years ago and, with a bit more thought, I’ve come to believe they (purposefully) began their use of this “theory” during the reign of Ronald Reagan. It was during the years of Reagan that Rush Limbaugh began his ASSAULT on the “truth,” and it’s been proliferating ever since. To me, this is why individual 1 has become the “leader” of the republican party – simply because he’s an unapologetic pathological LIAR.

I’ve pointed out on this site I’m a Christian and I refuse to allow the right wing “Christians” who’ve become the “base” of the republican party (and all the “Big Lies”) to cause me to give up my belief in the “Teachings of Jesus.” Whether you can identify with that connundrum or not, I bring it up because my initial recollections of how serious this problem has become in our society began with “stuff” I began hearing in church back around the time of Bush/Cheney LYING “we the people” into the disastrous debacle in Iraq – circa 2003. I really started noticing how the “Christians” at the church I was attending were using the word “liberal” as a derogatory word. It made me feel very uncomfortable – to the point where I decided to go to a different church.

Quite honestly, I didn’t realize I was a “liberal” until – well, maybe during the Bush/Cheney years when I found myself questioning my representative in Congress why democrats were unwilling to hold IMPEACHMENT hearings on members of the George W Bush administration for the authorization and carrying out of TORTURE. To my naive mind TORTURE was/is unthinkable, although I knew/know it happens in many places around the globe – to me, it just shouldn’t be something “we the people” will tolerate from our own represenatatives in government. My questions in that town hall made it to the local TV “news” and, members of my church who saw it then referred to me as a “radical liberal.”

I had always considered myself to be a “conservative socialist.” That is, I supported the concept of the government reducing the national debt and “living within its means” while governing from the “bottom up.” I studied politics when in college and fully understood/stand there are times when it makes sense for the government to “spend” in response to crises – like, for example, the pandemic we’ve all been experiencing for the previous two plus years. A response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine requires, in my view, whatever help “we the people” can provide for the Ukrainians without worrying about how that assistance affects the deficit. But, to me, taxing the “billionaires” to pay for legislation positively affecting the lower and middle class is a no brainer. Especially, after 40 years of “trickle down” (I call it “trickle up”) economics.

On the other hand, we’ve recently seen an example of how “politics” seem to always get in the way of “government” responsibly dealing with the critical issues of the time. The example which readily comes to mind is the so-called “Build Back Better” economic agenda of President Biden supported by 98% of democrats in Congress along with somewhere in the neighborhood of 60-70% of Americans across the nation – legislation aimed at issues like CLIMATE CHANGE, Child care, early childhood education, etc. etc. – needed help for those struggling to stay “afloat” in America and legislation designed to help fight inflation AND legislation which was FULLY “paid for.” (Of course, if you’re young, CLIMATE CHANGE is likely a TOP priority – or, at least, I would hope so)

Most Americans are aware that Joe Manchin “torpedoed” this legislation and many understand his CORRUPT “connections” to the fossil fuel industry which vehemently OPPOSED the bill. Of course, Kyrsten Sinema was also opposed to “Build Back Better” for reasons fully explained when you check out her list of “donors.” She received around $1 MILLION from corporate interests (it’s easy to identify them via “Google”) such as the Chamber of Commerce, the Business Roundtable, various investment funds, etc. – groups who were “donating” to BLOCK the bill’s plan to raise taxes on the “wealthy” in order to fully pay for it. With a “majority” of, essentially, ONE in a “50/50” Senate, republicans quickly realized they only needed one vote from democrats to BLOCK President Biden’s agenda – and, they’ve been “courting” Manchin and Sinema from day one of this legislative cycle. They got “two for the price of one.”

I point all this out in my own feeble attempt to identify why I realize I must be a “liberal” despite my “old fashioned” mentality (I’m almost 75 years old and BTW I’m white) and appreciation of American traditions. That being said, I’m also attempting to “educate” myself every day – meaning I’m trying to be a “lifelong learner.” As the saying goes, “the more I learn, the more I realize I don’t know.” My appreciations of many American “traditions” along with my feeling of being an ACTUAL “fiscal conservative” is why I, for years, thought of myself as the aforementioned “conservative socialist.” (American traditions like, say, Social Security, Medicare, etc.)

I believe strongly in the words of Jesus when He said “What you do for the least of these (meaning people) you do for Me” and then He adds “What you do TO the least of these, you do to Me.” It’s my belief in His teachings which has led me to believe that government should function “from the bottom up.” I believe in the idea of a “WE” society as opposed to a “ME” society – which I’ve always felt is where “we the people” have evolved since the election of Reagan back in 1980. And, I believe the driving force behind the “Christian” community’s embrace of the republican party can be summed up in two words – RACISM and ABORTION.

And, quickly I’ll point out – the RACISM coming from “Christians” has been an ongoing issue for – well, – how old is this country? By my recent readings, certainly from the Civil War times up through today. The Southern Baptist Convention was integral in much of the racial horror which permeated the South, for example, from Reconstruction up to – again, today. And, I’ve written about ABORTION. I’ll simply say, getting rid of Roe v Wade will NOT end ABORTIONS. True to our “form” the way we resolve problems often times only makes them worse. (If you’re interested in my views on this subject, check the archives. Succinctly put: If you don’t believe in ABORTION, don’t have one – a truly LIBERTARIAN concept)

Our “liberal media” has, in my view, allowed society to accept the notion republicans are “conservative” and democrats are “liberal.” It was back during the initial part of the Iraq invasion that it dawned on me the media had allowed the word “liberal” to mean “democrat” and have allowed the word liberal to be “denigrated” for years – resulting in a large segment of our population simply accepting this, what to me is, a “Big LIE.” The disconnect, for example, of “The teachings of Jesus” with the actions of “conservatives” who operate by claiming the basis of their beliefs come from jesus is, to me, preposterous. For example, I thought I was going to throw up when watching videos of people assaulting our Capitol on January 6th, 2021 “In the name of Jesus.”

My point here is our so-called “liberal media” is too busy “chasing its tail” to realize how “they’ve” been co-opted by republican strategists to help BRAINWASH large segments of the American public into routinely voting AGAINST their own self interests. For example, I’ve heard little in the “liberal media” (I RARELY frequent Fox “news”) pointing out the CORRUPTION behind the “stand” of Senator Sinema to protect the BILLIONAIRES who’ve been growing their WEALTH at an astronomical pace since the beginning of the pandemic and who do EVERYTHING they can to avoid paying taxes. Again, in my mind, this all started with the election of Reagan – paving the way for the “infection” of our society by people like the “Koch Brothers,” the DeVoss family, and other wealthy Americans who WORK to “rig” the system in their favor. And, trust me, I understand Kyrsten Sinema isn’t the only politician in Washington DC who’s been CORRUPTED by corporate money – i’m just pointing out how easy it was for republicans to target one democratic Senator to block Biden’s agenda. (Of course, they managed to get Manchin as well)

Here’s what triggered all these thoughts I’m ranting about today – and, that’s the use of the word “woke” by the republican “Big Lie” machine. I’ve heard that term used over and over by one republican after another as they’ve been “firing up” their “Big Lie” machine ahead of the 2022 Mid Term elections. Their purpose is to cause “we the people” to believe the solution to our problems – you know “Critical Race Theory” (CRT) and “woke” democrats is to vote republicans back into control of Congress – virtually ensuring NOTHING gets done for the next two years. The biggest problem I had with all this is I didn’t know what “CRT” meant or what “woke” meant. I only knew both must be bad because, well, people like Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley, Ron DeSantis, and virtually every other republican with a public “platform” said so.

The problem I had with “CRT,” once I reallized it had to do with education, is that I taught sixth graders for the last 23 years of my working life (well, on occasion, seventh graders) and I didn’t know what Critical Race Theory actually was/is. I can make assumptions based on the moniker, but it appears to me, the “assault” on “CRT” is reminiscent of the period after reconstruction where the “lost cause” was birthed. My assumption is there are people who don’t want the TRUTH about American history to be taught in our public schools. I don’t believe “CRT” is actually taught, at least I had no idea what it was when I was teaching – but, that’s not the point. To me, the point is to stir up controvesy amongst the white subrubanites who republicans desperately need in order to “win” future elections. It seemed to have worked in Virginia with the election of Glenn Youngkin so, ………….. what the hell?

And, what about “woke” or “wokeness” or ???? I didn’t know what that term means either – but, our “liberal meda” has certainly allowed republicans to leave people to believe it’s BAD and it’s associated with those other really bad terms like “liberal” or “CRT.” I mean with all that really BAD stuff coming from “liberals” – who we’ve allowed to be synonymous with “democrats” who are “socialists” – which we’ve allowed to be stigmitzed as BAD – well, the only reasonable thing for people to think is we need republicans – in the mold of individual 1 and Ron DeSantis – to gain control of our government. Obviously, they’ll protect “we the people” from “woke” democrats. (Ask anyone you know what “woke” means and where the term came from)

So, what does “woke” really mean and where did this term come from? OK, a little research tells me I shouldn’t be surprised at today’s republicans “assassinating” that term and applying it to “liberals” because it’s a slang term which has evolved from the African American community. Based on what I found, it was first used by the Blues musician “Ledbelly” back in the 1930’s in one of his songs and it has evolved to mean people who are aware of the experiences of Black people in the United States. Apparently, this is the republicans way of sending “dog whistles” to their white nationalist base that people like Cruz, Hawley, DeSantis, and on and on oppose the “Black Lives Matter” movement. Or, are the saying they simply oppose Black people? The best I can figure out is if I support the idea of equal rights for all Americans – that makes me “woke.” There you have it Josh Hawley and Ted Cruz – I’m “woke!”

What this all means, at least to me, is that our “liberal media,” in effect, is in cahoots with republicans in allowing RACIST terms to be used with impunity without even the thought of maybe, for example, every time Ron DeSantis, or Cruz, or Hawley, or any of them call someone “woke” or complain about “CRT” that it should be made clear what they mean. What they are ACTUALLY talking about. Of course, their white nationalist base knows EXACTLY what they’re saying, but those white suburbanites who’ve been programmed to fear “liberals” but who oppose RACISM and are largely what would be termed our “independent” voters shouldn’t be left to speculate what is being said. I don’t know, maybe our “liberal media” longs for the return of individual 1 because he was making them BAGS of money!

And, the fact “woke” or “wokeness” or “CRT” is said OVER and OVER again, should cause someone in the “liberal media” to at least have some curiosity as to why they keep repeating this stuff – with NO ONE even questioning “what do they REALLY mean?” I believe I’ve only read one instance of where someone who would be considered part of the national media made a passing reference to the origin of the “Big Lie Theory” – despite the fact individual 1’s constant drumbeat about the “stolen election” is referred to as the “Big Lie” – educating “we the people” that we’re being inundated with LIES based on a theory “invented” by Adolf Hitler. Apparently, that’s too sensitive a subject for our “liberal media” to “tackle.” Yikes!!! If watching individual 1’s “mentor” Vladimir Putin for the previous 40+ days hasn’t given you “pause,” then there’s nothing I can do to help you. I really hope “we the people” don’t want that back!

Final Thought: I’m reading a book titled “Race and Reunion” by David Blight in my attempt to continue as a “lifelong learner.” The book focuses on the 50 years following the Civil War and it’s a very dense, for me challenging, read – likely aimed for students in the upper levels of their university studies. I believe Mr. Blight is a professor at Yale University (I’m going by memory – which mine is receding :o) and I’m trying to “digest” as much of the book as I can – if I was still a student I’d be taking a lot of notes. The last section I’ve read focused on the “Lost Cause” – which, in essence was the time period when people in the South – to a large extent women – chose to create a “mountain” of LIES about the Civil War. Lots of pamphlets were being published and “Daughters of the Confederacy” wanted to create their own “reality.” As I was reading it I was seeing a lot of parallels with what is going on in the republican party today.

Back then, books were being banned if they didn’t give the perspective of those who concocted the notion of the “Lost Cause.” Public speakers were spreading the LIES in an organized manner designed to BRAINWASH the White children who were part of their public schools. It’s almost as if we’re experiencing a “deja vu all over again” cycle in the South today. Make no mistake, RACISM is a problem in all parts of our nation, but – as we’ve seen from the wave of voter suppression legislation spreading across America – the focal point has been in the South. Georgia, Texas, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Arizona, etc. etc. The “dog whistles” are becoming less subtle all the time.

I truly believe America is at an inflection point and if “we the people” actually put people like Kevin McCarthy in charge of the House of Represenatatives and don’t realize the solution to problems in the Senate is not putting Moscow Mitch back in charge but is voting in MORE democrats we are in “big trouble” for the forseeable future. President Biden’s “bottom up middle out” approach to governing is, to me, something I’ve hoped for over the past many years. I’ve always been an “independent” voter – but, since the days of Bush/Cheney I’ve found myself voting AGAINST republicans. Biden’s agenda is the first legislation I can remember aimed at the lower and middle class going back to LBJ’s “Great Society.”

I have to add: Maybe the best way I can make my point about the problem caused by our “liberal media” would be pointing out how CBS “news” recently hired Mick Mulvaney – one of the master LIARS in individual 1’s administration. Mulvaney was directly involved in the EXTORTION of Volodymyr Zelenskyy leading to IMPEACHMENT number one of our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president. Numerous employees of CBS were angered, embarrassed, fill in the blank over Mulvaney being hired as a “political consultant.” The explanation from whoever is in charge there was something along the lines of “The republicans are going to regain power in the Mid Terms and we want someone on the ‘in’ with that segment of the population.” Those aren’t the exact words, but what I can tell you is I shouldn’t have been so surprised when I read what she said. It is just another example of how our “liberal media” has allowed itself to be INFECTED by politicians as opposed to actual journalists. I realize I’m “painting with a broad brush” – but, if you’ve read this far, I hope it’s stimulated a bit of thought. My hope is, come November, LIBERALS will be voting in record numbers, once again! Mulvaney at CBS will be “unnecessary.”

For days I’ve wanted to sit down and make a comparison between individual 1 and, arguably his mentor, Vladimir Putin – which, hopefully, I will. However, there are other things happening these days aside from Putin’s CRIMINAL assault on Ukraine. The one which immediately comes to mind is the Senate confirmation proceeding for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, President Biden’s first appointment to the Supreme Court. Before I get into the INCREDIBLE (for lack of a better word) questioning coming from republicans like Josh Hawley, Ted Cruz, Mike Lee, and Tom Cotton (among others) I couldn’t help but make the “connection” with the Brett Kavanaugh hearings which these republicans keep bringing up OVER and OVER.

Here’s my original thought – which was “confirmed” (pun intended) by a conversation I heard on MSNBC with Joy Reid and Chris Hayes. Just try to picture this, “what if” Judge Jackson responded to questioning as Kavanaugh did when he appeared to have a TOTAL meltdown – exactly the type which appealed to our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president? Can you picture the response by all these republicans? They keep asking her about decisions she’s made regarding “child pornography.” I wonder why they’re not asking about “child sex trafficking?” (Do you think Matt Gaetz is wondering this?) Or how about, how does Judge Jackson feel about college wrestling coaches who don’t report sexual abuse of their student athletes? (Maybe they should ask Jim jordan how he feels about such “deplorable” people?) Is there anyone beside me (I’m white) who finds it interesting to observe a bunch of white nationalist supporting Senators trying to “get” judge Jackson on questions regarding “Critical Race Theory” or (in Cruz’s case) children’s books depicting the issue of race?

So, as I’ve said, there are other issues going on “out there” despite the (warranted) focus on Putin’s CRIMINAL invasion of Ukraine. And, oh, by the way, I don’t see Putin as anything resembling a “genius.” (Maybe that’s why I see him and individual 1 from such a similar vantage point) Take for example, the January 6th Select Committee is still gathering information and working toward a public report coming sometime around May or June. We know, from a recent court filing, the Committee has determined they have “evidence” individual 1 and members of his campaign “committed CRIMINAL acts.” I kind of am missing the daily reports on the Commttee’s progress. Just sayin……… I trust they’re still busy! (I’m also wondering if the reason the Justice Department hasn’t acted on the CRIMINAL referral of Mark Meadows for obstructing Congress is because he’s a TARGET of a much more serious OFFENSE? – And, I’m not talking about VOTER FRAUD – although, it appears he committed an egregious act of VOTER FRAUD in the 2020 election)

There’s also the issue of President Biden’s actions regarding Putin’s CRIMINAL invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent WAR CRIMES being committed on a daily basis by Russia’s troops. Biden has miraculously pulled together the NATO Alliance – the very Alliance individual 1 was attempting to undermine – in furtherance of Putin’s wishes. The Alliance has enforced CRIPLING sanctions against Russia which have created a suffocating crashing of Russia’s economy and there have been rippling affects around the globe – like an increase in the prices of many commodities – most prominently, oil prices and the price of items like wheat. Of course, the American public will give Biden low “marks” in the polling, because, well, there’s nothing worse in America than “high” oil prices. (“We the people” should check on oil prices elsewhere at some point) I continue to thank “the Lord” President Biden is guiding the ship of state as opposed to the alternative. Picture the result of Russia’s invasion had individual 1 managed to successfully undermine NATO. Yikes!!!

I started this post about a week or two ago and just haven’t been motivated to write. I want to keep up with Russia’s ILLEGAL invasion of Ukraine, but it brings me to tears everytime I do so. For example, today I saw a group of Classical musicians playing music in one of the underground train depots where people have been “hiding” for the past three (or more) weeks in Kharkiv – where eventually all those hiding from the bombs there were singing the Ukrainian national anthem. Once again, I found myself crying like a baby. It breaks my heart to watch what’s going on there and, to a degree, it pisses me off (sorry, couldn’t find a better phrase) when I hear the polling saying the American public care more about the price of gas than the results of the “war” (Russian invasion) in Ukraine. That’s just me!

I said above I’ve given a lot of thought to comparing individual 1 and Putin – I consider Putin individual 1’s “mentor” – but, it may have to wait. In the time since I started this post two significant things have happened regarding January 6th, 2021 and the “Select Committee.” First, a couple days ago the Washington Post got ahold of something like 29 text messages sent from Clarence Thomas’ wife (yep, the Supreme Court Clarence Thomas) imploring Mark Meadows to do whatever he could to overturn the election (even going so far as suggesting Joe Biden and his “co-conspirators” will be sent off the Coast of “GITMO” in a barge to be tried for “seditious conspiracy.” Do you get the irony here?

First, keep in mind, to be part of a “conspiracy” it’s only required that you converse with co-conspirators about the “plan” – in this case, overturning an American election and preventing the “peaceful transfer of power” for the first time in America’s 240 or so years as a democratic republic. So, to make this short and sweet, if individual 1, Mark Meadows, John Eastman, Sidney Powell, Rudy Giuliani, likely several members of Congress, and a bunch more (including close to 100 republicans around the country who FORGED fake Electoral Count documents) CONSPIRED to commit CRIMINAL offenses regarding the functioning of Congress and the “peaceful transfer of power” then LIKELY Ginni Thomas, Clarence’s wife, is part of that CONSPIRACY.

Just to make this “saga” a bit more “juicy” just today a Federal District Judge in California ruled John Eastman MUST turn over text’s/emails regarding January 6th and in his ruling suggested it’s LIKELY both Mr. Eastman AND our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president committed MULTIPLE felonies. Do you see where I’m going with this? If you’ve been around this site for the past, say – number of years – you KNOW I’ve been calling for individual 1 (Google where he got that “name”) to be PROSECUTED for his ILLEGAL activities with, well, so far, no success. Is that going to be changing? OK, you know my answer to that question! YES!!!

My concern since President Biden took office is that Merrick Garland doesn’t have the stomach to follow through on seeking to indict our former (CORRUPT) president. I even heard he was “reluctant” because he didn’t want to exacerbate the divisions in the country. I’ve said this numerous times, SO WHAT! It’s getting to the point where I think it will divide the country even MORE if Garland refuses to act! For example, virtually everyone paying attention has heard individual 1’s phone call with Georgia’s Secretary of State where he “just wanted them to ‘find’ 11,780 votes” in order to OVERTURN Georgia’s election – along with several other phone calls along with calls from others like Lindsay Graham. Why is the DA in Fulton County, Georgia investigating this CLEAR act of PURE corruption? INSTEAD of the Justice Department? None of this looks good for Mr. Garland – who will have a disgraced legacy if he refuses to act – mark those words!

So, getting back to Ginni Thomas – who, by the way, it’s being reported is being asked to testify “under oath” to the January 6th Select Committee – is SHE going to refuse and have to be subpoenaed? Will her husband be asked to rule on that case? None of this looks good for the Thomas’s. OK, none of this looks good for the whole bunch of them who CONSPIRED to overthrow a “free and fair election.” In the court ruling today, the judge went to great lengths to point out individual 1 MUST have known the “election wasn’t stolen.” He listed all the reasons which would make arguing otherwise in court “LIKELY” futile. I believe the whole bunch of them SHOULD eventually be part of the same CONSPIRACY (Seditious – again, do you see the irony from Ms. Thomas’s Qanon conspiracy “charge” regarding President Biden) as the OATHKEEPERS (I always have to add – who was their “oath” to?) and, soon to include, the “Proud Boys.” Stay tuned…………..

Final Thought: Regarding my thoughts about the similarities between individual 1 and Vladimir Putin – I’m reminded of the saying, “Birds of a feather, flock together.” Both of these men are PATHOLOGICAL LIARS. They would have to have a “cage match” to determine who’s the most NARCISSISTIC and, to me, they’re both enabled “mob bosses.” Of course, compared to Putin, in the “mob boss” category, individual 1 is “small potatoes.” It’s true there’s much to suggest his “organization” has been committing various examples of FRAUD over the years, but Putin and his so-called “oligarchs” have been pilfering “Mother Russia” of much of her Natural Wealth since, well, since he gained control of the country. Clearly, individual 1 was attempting to emulate him, and it seemed, had come to the conclusion he had the right to use his office in order to further his personal WEALTH. By most accounts, prior to the invasion of Ukraine, Putin was the WEALTHIEST person in the world. Do you think this is why individual 1 emulates him?

Shortly after the INSURRECTION on January 6th, 2021 I predicted “the truth will come out, drip by drip.” Of course, at that time I had no idea republicans in Congress would refuse to authorize a “9/11 Style Committee” designed to “get to the bottom of what happened on January 6th” leading to the Select Committee. (What’s that word I don’t like? Stupid? Yep!) The 9/11 Style Committee would have been “totally bipartisan” with members outside of Congress chosen by Congress AND it’s term would have alread expired. Now republicans are going to get the results of the Select Committee’s work (over 750 interviews, to date – with more to come). hearings right in the middle of the Mid Term election cycle (likely with the Supreme Court’s ruling on Roe V Wade happening about the same time).

On top of that, it now appears LIKELY the Select Committee will send CRIMINAL referrals to the Justice Department including the above mentioned co-CONSPIRATORS – which would NEVER have happened had the Senate agreed to the 9/11 style Committee – and, additionally, a plethora of TRIALS of the January 6th INSRURRECTIONISTS will be happening during the course of the next many months. I’ll say it again, the republicans have an incredible ability to be STUPID. OK, I know what you’re thinking, what does that say about “we the people” with all predictions suggesting republicans are favored to take back control of Congress at the end of this year? Yikes!!!

With the help of Fox “news,” “Newsmax,” and other right wing media outlets republicans will continue to believe the same GARBAGE Ginni Thomas allowed herself to “believe” – although, it’s hard for me to think she really believed it. Oh yes, do you think Clarence Thomase should be interviewed? Are you really going to try convincing me he had no idea what his WIFE was doing? If you believe that, “I’ve got a bridge…………………….”

One more thing: As long as I’m a bit concerned about Merrick Garland’s willingness to “tackle” controversial cases involving republicans I can share my further concern in two words. Matt Gaetz! The case AGAINST him was started during individual 1’s reign – so, what’s the holdup? Again, I’m getting more concerned about AG Garland, by the day!

Please forgive me for publishing this rant without re-reading it and fixing the “foo pahs.” It’s late and I’m feeling a bit lazy.

It appears Vladimir Putin will not be satisfied until Ukraine is a huge pile of rubble and the Ukrainian people are either ALL dead or looking for a place to live after they’ve reached a refugee site. What the hell is Putin attempting to accomplish? The Ukrainians are as close to being Russian as can be. Is Putin that afraid of people actually choosing their own leaders? He’s been “in charge” for over 20 years in Russia and he’s 69 years old, what on earth is his plan? He’s put himself, already, in the History books right next to Adolf Hitler – and is it going to get worse?

It’s clear to me the Russian army is not that threatening when you talk about the idea if the Russian troops decide to advance into Poland, Hungary, or one of the other NATO countries which border Ukraine. Of course, Russia has, like the United States, a nuclear arsenal capable of destroying the planet. Would he actually start a nuclear war? Russia could achieve a “dead heat” with the U.S. but, of course, this would be “the end.”

Right now the Russians are attacking CIVILIANS who are attempting to flee to the refugee camps. They’re fleeing by the THOUSANDS upon THOUSANDS and there’s a plethora of videos showing them being indiscriminately attacked via missiles coming in from Russians outside the city from where they’re fleeing. The road to Lviv is fraught with danger. And, the Russians appear to be willing to go after CIVILIANS as well as military targets. This is “we the people” watching WAR CRIMES unfolding in real time. My God, Putin is EVIL personified! Does he remind you of anyone?

I can’t help thinking about how DISGUSTING our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president calling Putin “a genius,” “very smart,” and more incredulously STUPID remarks – obviously, he’s been gushing over Putin since well before Putin helped him “win” the 2016 presidential election. Individual 1, Mike Pompeo, Tucker Carlson, and maybe others have been “useful idiots” of the Russians due to their STUPID public comments – used by Putin to help him keep the Russian people in the dark about his attack on, in many cases, the relatives of the Russian people.

I pray the American people will realize the importance of somehow coming together in disgust toward Putin – although, I understand the segment of our nation who identify as white nationalists will never be moved to a rational place where they rejoin reality. If you don’t understand my point here, you need to find some of the film which came out of a recent AFPAC conference – held in unison with the so-called “CPAC” conference, “CPAC,” of course, stands for “Conservative Political Action Conference” while “AFPAC” stands for “America First PAC” – essentially the heart of individual 1’s “base.” The real wingnuts!

AFPAC is lead by Nick Fuentes who is an unabashed Neo-Nazi who, during this conference, ADMIRINGLY compared Putin to Adolf Hitler. (I suppose, I’m making the same comparison, but it’s NOT “admiringly”) Just prior to announcing the keynote speaker, Marjorie Taylor Greene, (yep, a House republican who is very close to individual 1) Fuentes – after making a white nationalist remark cheered by the audience – lauded Putin and Russia and the audience responded with “Putin, Putin, Putin.” Ms. Greene seemed to take that with a “grain of salt” before giving her keynote address. Yikes!!

I have to wonder whether or not Putin’s WAR CRIMES in Ukraine will be enough to cause MORE Americans to realize it’s time to remove republicans from Congress – en masse, or whether republicans will make the connection between Putin and individual 1. Of course, it’s going to be hard to get attention away from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. They (the Russians) seem hell bent on a genocide – MURDERING Ukraine civilians by the THOUSANDS. In some cities there are dead bodies lying in streets because the remaining people are unable to get to them so they can be buried. In several cities the Ukrainians are being forced to dig MASS burial sites. And, I have to wonder what are the Russians doing with the THOUSANDS of Russian troops who are being KILLED during this war? Some of THEM are simply lying on the frozen ground? Maybe Putin doesn’t want their mammas to know what happened to her boys!?

The more I watch Putin during this seige of Ukraine the more the similarities between him and individual 1 become obvious. Both narcissistic, pathalogical LIARS – among other “strengths!” Of course, we witnessed four years of individual 1 attempting to act according to Putin’s “playbook.” We all know our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president is incapable of doing ANYTHING creative, so he simply copies. It’s even been reported he’s plagarized his motto along with the code used on his FAILING social media site.

One thing I’ve done over the years on this site is “make predictions.” Apparently, this is the result of being a reading teacher during my teaching career. Here’s the latest one: The Ukrainian casualties are mounting fast and, surprisingly, Americans are unusually in agreement on our repulsion to “Putin’s war.” Of course, there’s the usual right wing wack jobs expressing their admiration of Putin and, in the case of Madison Cawthorn – a republican congressman from North Carolina (shame on you, North Carolina) who is referring to Volodomyr Zelensky as a “thug” – I believe republicans will begin to “peel” away from President Biden and demand “we the people” enter the war on the side of the Ukrainians.

Of course, we already ARE in this, on the side of Ukrainians – we’re sending massive amounts of weapons and humanitarian supplies, Biden has brought the NATO alliance together like we haven’t seen for years – despite individual 1’s attempts to undermine it – and, based on what I’ve heard from one former General after another, Biden’s strategy has been “spot on.” We have to assume Putin will stop at Ukraine – otherwise, well, it’s WW III. President Biden is in no hurray for that to happen – no matter what America’s republicans will say. Keep in mind, they’ll say ANYTHING they believe will bring them back into power.

Can you just imagine if individual 1 was president right now? None of the options are appealing. For starters, there’s no way NATO would have coalesced as they have, and, to me, there’s no way individual 1 would have the slightest idea what to do. I’ve heard multiple reports, despite his EXTORTION of Zelensky leading to the FIRST impeachment, individual 1 would have been unable to locate Ukraine on a map. Yikes!

Here’s another thing you can count on: The Russians will continue flooding America’s social media platforms with mis/disinformation. (ie “fake news”) And, they’ll have support from the far right of America’s pathological LYING republican party. Actually, this LYING in these “circles” has been going on for generations. You can trace it all the way back to the end of “reconstruction” following the Civil War where the so-called “lost cause” was “born.” Members of the “United Daughters of the Confederacy” (UDC) were writing a “pack of LIES” from the mid 1870’s all the way up to the first World War.

American “conservatives” took it from there. Over the 150 years since then we’ve seen school text books written by people with a similar agenda to those today who are attempting to control what our children might read. OMG, what if a white student became uncomfortable? What is a white student discovered the TRUTH about SLAVERY? What if a white student discovered the TRUTH about LYNCHINGS? How many students know about “Juneteenth?” How many Americans knew about it until individual 1 scheduled a rally on that date? How many Americans know about the slaughter in Tulsa shortly after WW 1? I could go on – hell, today’s republicans don’t even want their children to know the truth about Martin Luther King Jr.!

Banned books and book burnings have been going on ever since the Civil War – when are “we the people” going to learn? I keep bringing this up – those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it. When are we going to learn? People like Ron DeSantis in Florida and Greg Abbott in Texas fight right into the “deplorable” mold. I’m happy that Abbott is being challenged by Beto O’Rorke in Texas and pray the people of Texas will rise up against the radical “garbage” coming out of that state in the past year.

There are opportunities all over the political landscape for real CHANGE to happen in this country – but, the sad reality is, it won’t happen until republicans are routinely voted ouf of office. Whether that calls for a “third party” or not – these COWARDLY right wing LIARS need to be voted into the history books. Maybe Liz Cheney can reclaim the republican party, who knows? And, trust me, I disagree with just about everything she votes for, but it’s hard NOT to respect her integrity in the face of HUGE right wing backlash. I actually believe SHE will be the key to bringing individual 1 to JUSTICE. I believe he FEARS her more than anyone on the planet!

So, while America’s justice system “chugs” along at a snails pace, “we the people” will be focused on the war in Ukraine. Putin is GOING to be the recipient of WAR CRIME allegations once this is all over – should the planet survive his threats of a nuclear holocost – and, hopefully, his actions will once and for all show Americans how fortunate they are Putin couldn’t get individual 1 elected a second time. Will that end up being Putin’s biggest failing? Move over Adolf Hitler, you’ve got company on the end of the “bench” in the darkest places of World History! Stay tuned…………….

Final Thought: If you’re reading this and you’re not sure who “individual 1” is, just do a little research and check our who told Michael Cohen to pay two women, one a “porn star” who goes by the same “Stormy Daniels” (her actual name is Stephanie Clifford) , to keep quiet right before the 2016 American presidential election. With people already “abuzz” about the so-called “Access Hollywood tape” (where he admitted to sexually assaulting women) being made public, these two women coming forward publicly claiming they had affairs with “individual 1” (while his wife was pregnant with his last son) very well would have cost him any chance of the election. He paid them each around $150,000 if memory serves me correct. I can’t bring myself to write his surname until he’s had the opportunity to “clear himself” before the Southern District of New York’s U.S. Attorney’s office. Curiously, Mr, Cohen was given a three year jail sentence for his part in this scheme (plus a few other issues – common to both he and individual 1 – you know, FRAUD) and, apparently, the SDNY U. S. Attorney’s office is declining to follow through on the charges for individual 1. It’s as if our Justice Department FEARS him as much as the republican party!

I’ve written about Mark Zuckerberg and how I see Facebook as a large part of the division existing in America (and elsewhere) due to algorithms designed to suck people onto their site no matter the consequences. Clearly, there’s mis/disinformation being spread by Facebook’s algorithms simply because it causes more people to spend more time on their platform. It’s really bad, but, as usual, there’s always more.

Over the past few months I’ve noticed some “subtle” advertising showing up on my screen (I don’t do Facebook or any of the other Social Media sites like “Twitter” etc.) attempting to convince me that “Meta” is, in essence (my characterization), good for all of us. Allowing us to communicate with each other.

Of course, it says nothing about the DATA it’s collecting and using to provide us with “information” their algorithm thinks will cause us to spend more time on their platform. Some groups are able to remain somewhat secret and create “communities” which have agendas which SHOULDN’T be private. This is where many of the INSURRECTIONISTS “gathered” online as they planned the ATTACK on our Capitol on January 6th, 2021. I took these ads to be necessary for Facebook (er “Meta”) to further manipulate the people who frequent their site.

Well, now, I’m seeing ads for “What’s Ap” – the messaging ap owned by, yep, you guessed it, Facebook (er “Meta”). This is the ap Jared Kushner was using in his communications with MBS of Saudi Arabia – communications which likely violated the presidential preservation act (do you remember Hillary Clinton’s emails?). Why would Kushner use “What’s Ap?” You know the answer to that, don’t you? The communication is encrypted. That is, no one can find out what you were saying. When is that something most of us should be worried about?

Well, obviously, Kushner was worried about what he was saying – despite the fact all communications by top government officials MUST be documented for “posterity.” (And, Kushner was a “senior advisor” to individual 1, therefore all communication was “official”) The CONSPIRATORS who attacked the Capitol on January 6th, 2021 were using encrypted devices. Here’s how “Meta” advertises their ap: They show “Postal Workers” delivering mail that’s been opened and suggesting “don’t worry, no one has read it.” To me, this is just one more example of how disgusting Zuckerberg and everything he “touches” is. If you’re doing “naughty” stuff, just use “What’s ap” and no one will have any idea “what’s up.”

There’s also “Instagram” – another “ap” which Facebook “gobbled up” – in their attempt to “dominate” Social media aps, where they purchase their competitors. You’re correct, this appears to be a MONOPOLY, but our Congress is so divided I don’t see any way “Meta” will end up getting broken up – or, even facing regulation which prevents them from being the foundation for mis/disinformation worldwide. So, the reports of what is happening on “Instagram” are not all that encouraging either.

From reports I’ve read there are numerous (really) young people using Instagram and the “algorithms” which are designed to do the same thing they do on Facebook and are resulting in more use by (really) young people along with some disturbing evidence the mis/disinformation is leading to mental issues with many of those who are sucked in by this “ap.” Obviously, I’m speaking based on third party information and reports, but not much of it sounds good.

I read “An Ugly Truth” – “Inside Facebook’s Battle for Domination” by Sheera Frenkel and Cecilia Kang and it, essentially, documents Zuckerberg’s “tunnel vision” of dominating the Social media “space” on the internet. He wants, eventually to have 5 BILLION users and he wants them hooked to their screens for increasing amounts of time each day. The consequences of all this? To Zuckerberg it appears he’s oblivious to the consequences. Those who attacked our Capitol on January 6th, 2021 did much of their “planning” on Facebook. Some were even (stupidly) livestreaming on Facebook as they breached the Capitol itself.

I’ve said this before, but I see a direct correlation between the rise of Facebook and the rise of division in America and people being bombarded by The Big Lie theory of the Nazi’s resulting in Americans believing almost unbelievable nonsense. It appears the QAnon conspiracy phenomenon festered into a serious danger to our society thanks to Facebook. When you put all this together with “Meta” so unscrupulously advertising “What’s ap” encouraging people to use encrypting devices for their communication. To this day I wonder what it was Kushner felt required him to hide his communications with the leader of the Saudi’s – where he’s now attempting to gather financing for his ambitions. Something smells “fishy” to me.

It should be obvious I’ve got a plethora of thoughts going through my head and this “stuff” coming from “Meta,” to me, has gone a long way in leading to the DISASTER which is unfolding in Ukraine as I’m writing this. I’m trying to tear myself away from watching the reporting coming out of Ukraine as much as I can, but, on the other hand, I feel an obligation to pay as close attention as I can. The reality is Vladimir Putin can NOT “win” this “war” he started for some absurd reason – likely a FEAR of a country on his border which is a fledgling democracy and which is flourishing. Putin is going to end up with a nation whose infrastructure has been destroyed, Millions will have fled, and Putin will be considered a WAR CRIMINAL who will be stuck in Russia.

Here’s the big question I have – will the Russian people revolt to the point where Putin is finally put out of power? What is his ultimate goal? Do we have people in our intelligence community who believe Putin would actually start a nuclear war? I certainly have questions about whether he’ll stop at Ukraine, although it appears the Russian army isn’t as fierce as Putin would lead us to believe. Yes, they’ve got the ability to launch missiles, but they certainly look vulnerable from where I’m sitting. Is there a way out for Putin? Remember, he’s got similar characteristics to individual 1 – that is, NEVER admit you’re wrong or that you’ve made a mistake.

This mistake of Putin’s is, in my view, clearly WAR CRIMES. Now, keep in mind, I felt similarly to what was authorized back in the U.S. invasion of Iraq and the aftermath for GW Bush, Dick Cheney, Don Rumsfeld, and some of the other Americans who authorized TORTURE of the so-called “enemy combatants” during the Iraq and Afghanistan fiascos. Investigations into those CRIMES were blocked by President Obama so what will happen now with Putin? The entire world is watching him order the destruction of Ukraine – apparently to get even with the Ukrainians for defending their country.

In the end, Putin CAN’T “win” this war. I don’t even believe he will be able to occupy the rubble he’s creating – he’s even ordered his troops to attack the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. Is he going to push beyond Ukraine and, it has to be asked, does he really have the “stones” to launch nuclear weapons? Could this be the end of the world as we know it? Putin has secured a place in the history books right next to Adolf Hitler.

Here’s my final thought: I’m really thankful individual 1 is NOT our president right now. I’m hopeful “we the people” will find something else to do with our time besides Facebook and I certainly hope our government, at some point, does an investigation of “What’s ap.” What is the audience “Meta” is seeking via their advertising – which is a bit phony to say the least. Finally, I hope and pray somehow Putin will be STOPPED and I pray for all the Ukrainians whose lives have been upended by the world’s WORST tyrant. The damage from this invasion will be lasting beyond the rest of my lifetime. Yikes!

And, I also hope Facebook will find a way to BLOCK all the misinformation (fake news) coming from the Russians via their platform. At some point there has to be something more important than MONEY!

I have to add: Should we all still be here come November (Putin is threatening a nuclear war), the American people MUST remember who was calling Putin a “genius” and who was making comments in support of Putin which got them on Russian TV as part of Russian propaganda – as the Russians call them, “useful idiots.” It was individual 1, Mike Pompeo, and Tucker Carlson – (and, maybe others) apparently, Carlson is the “darling” of Russian TV in their push to control the media there. These are the leaders of the republicans siding with the madman Putin! We can’t allow them to have ANY control in Washington D.C.

“Liberals” who are blaming President Biden for the obstruction in Congress preventing his POPULAR agenda from being passed need to look at the reality. It was made clear to me as I watched the State of the Union Address. There was Joe Manchin sitting among his GOP brethren and in a 50/50 Senate it only takes one to “rock the boat.” In our present circumstance there are two, Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema. Instead of being disappointed to the point of staying home in November, the appropriate response is to work hard to elect MORE democrats. I’m not officially a “democrat” although I regularly, of late, have voted that way because I’m usually voting against republicans. There are multiple opportunities to win Senate seats in November and, additionally, it’s imperative democrats remain in control of the House – for the sake of this nation! Can you imagine Kevin McCarthy as Speaker right now?

It’s going to be extremely difficult because many of the contested seats are in states which have enacted voter suppression bills designed to make it more difficult for those who traditionally vote for democrats to cast ballots – although, in many of those cases it could backfire. However, the idea states are putting in place laws which allow their legislature to overturn election results they don’t like is, well, a bit unnerving. Again, the reason for this isn’t Joe Biden, it’s Manchin and Sinema – pure and simple. The democrats MUST gain at least two progressive seats in the Senate in order to overcome the obstacles created by those two obstinate democrats. I believe it will require at least 10 MILLION more democrats than republicans voting in November to accomplish this. Stay tuned…………….

When I see the images (and words) of individual 1, Mike Pompeo, and Tucker Carlson on Russian TV fawning over Vladimir Putin I have to wonder what it’s going to take to cause the republican party to STOP acting as if they have an obligation to OBSTRUCT our government at every level until or if they manage to LIE themselves back into POWER. I’ll say it once more: “What is it going to take?” for republicans to tear themselves away from the “spell” of our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president who can’t handle he LOST the 2020 election by over 7 MILLION votes? Is it Joe Biden’s fault the sun goes down every day?

Individual 1 has been showing his TRAITOROUS self for several years now. He was siding with the Russians from well before they helped him “win” the 2016 election. His “fawning” over Putin has been embarrassing since he moved into the “White House” and his decision to side with Putin as the Russian DICTATOR orders a tragedy of potentially catastrophic human proportions simply shows what a disgusting morally bankrupt human being he is. Volodymyr Zelensky is proving to be a more than worthy opponent of Putin and, should the Russians succeed in MURDERING him, I believe he’s established himself as a true LEADER and, likely, a legend! Zelensky has refused offers to evacuate him from Kyiv and, based on videos he’s posting, it almost looks as if he’s participating in the street fights himself which are going to be a classic struggle for the Russians.

Back when individual 1 “owned” the “Miss Universe” pageant (2013) and it was held in Moscow, our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president stumbled all over himself in a futile attempt to get a meeting with Putin at the time when the most disgusting alleged kompromat likely was collected via the so-called “golden showers” episode – this is when the video was allegedly created. Apparently, this is when the Russians (ie Putin) put the plan in place to help individual 1 “win” the 2016 election. The Russians are masters at grooming their “useful idiots” and individual 1 has proved to be VERY useful, in the eyes of the Russians, as a VERY “useful…..” I’ll let you finish the sentence. In fact, he continues to provide them “benefits” of this idiocy to this day. It SHOULD disgust EVERY American watching individual 1’s words being used by Russian propagandists (ie media outlets like RT) in their attempt to justify the attack on Ukraine.

Just tonight, at the “CPAC” convention, individual 1 outdid himself in his one expertise – PROJECTION! While America sits on the verge of WAR he’s busy making absurd, baseless accusations against his “enemies” – starting with what he called the “Biden Crime Family.” Do you get the point, or are you an idiot? This simply confirms individual 1 KNOWS the authorities are on his and his children’s doorstep and his “Roy Cohn” – organized crime – response is to accuse his perceived “enemies” of his OWN crimes! In this case, he’s confirming his FAMILY is involved in his plethora of CRIMINAL activity which began MANY years ago. This narcissistic, deranged, sick man will be doing whatever he can to avoid being targeted by Merrick Garland – who, very well may be falling for this “Roy Cohn” ish trick. (I really hope not)

As individual 1 reaffirms he’s a TRAITOR virtually every time he speaks, well, of course, he did it again tonight, but when you “read between the lines” you can see he’s trembling in his boots about what he very well COULD face coming from the Justice Department. You’ll be hearing a lot of attacks coming from our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president aimed at Liz Cheney because all you have to do is look into her eyes and it’s obvious she will be undeterred in exposing the CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY individual 1 was “allegedly” in the center of and which 11 “Oathkeepers” have already been charged with, in essence, SEDITION! Do you seriously believe individual 1’s administration wasn’t in contact with the “Oathkeepers?” Do you really believe the “Proud Boys” weren’t part of the conspiracy?

Individual 1 continues to “hitch his wagon” to Vladimir Putin’s – once again confirming he believes Putin is really smart. You can count on our DISGUSTING disgraced (ex) president to say whatever he feels keeps him connected to the CULT – despite the absurdity of the words coming from his mouth. Just a little perspective, though. Smart? Putin has become an even larger “pariah” than individual 1 himself – definitely etching a spot at the Hague as a WAR CRIMINAL when all is said and done. Smart? The bulk of the rest of the world has cut Putin and his cronies off from much of their wealth, the Russian economy is cratering, and Russians are swarming to the streets in protest, despite the threats coming from Putin’s hard right government of extreme consequences against protesting. Yep, in individual 1’s mind, this is “smart.” Of course, as I’ve said above, individual 1 is Putin’s “useful idiot.” Despite Putin’s “posturing,” things aren’t going all that well for the Russians in the battle.

Based on reports coming from the Ukrainians, there have been OVER 3000 Russian soldiers KILLED in the first three days of FIGHTING. (How will these body bags be seen at “home?” – update: the estimate after 5 days is 4500 Russian troops KILLED) I pointed out before this started, the Ukrainian Army consisted of over 250,000 Soldiers and, it appears, they were well prepared to take on the Russians as Putin’s troops were meeting much more resistance than was expected. Will the Germans and Americans be able to get additional weapons to Ukraine’s Army? Anti Tank weapons and “stingers” which will down helicopters and low flying aircraft are on their way – it’s just questionable how the weapons will make their way into the hands of the Ukrainian troops – who’ve seemed to show they know how to use them.

How will the Russian population respond to losing their sons and daughters who have been sent to Ukraine in order to MURDER, in many cases, their “cousins.” if the “civilized world” remains unified in their OPPOSITION to Putin and his Oligarchs the Russian DICTATOR very well could be “toppled” from within. What’s going to happen once the Russians succeed in MURDERING Zelensky, should they do so? I believe he’s become a symbol of the FIGHT for freedom which is going on around the world in many circles – so, this unprovoked invasion and GENOCIDE could be the beginning of the end for Putin – who’s coming across as more deranged than even individual 1 – if that’s possible.

Of late I can’t stop wondering how so many Americans can continue supporting this republican party. The book I’m presently reading is “Race and Reunion” by David Blight, a professor at Yale University. The subtitle is “The Civil War in American Memory.” The book focuses on the fifty years following the Civil War and how the horror of that war was glossed over by many of those writing about it. The “Lost Cause” movement in the South is mirroring, to me, how the bulk of individual 1’s CULT is attempting to, already, rewrite the History of January 6th, 2021. That becomes almost painfully obvious when the Republican National Committee calls the VIOLENT INSURRECTION at our Capitol “legitimate political discourse.” Southerners got away with the “Lost Cause” because people in the North didn’t want to “make waves.” (My characterization)

Here’s the deal, information in Blight’s book is confirming thoughts in my mind from books I’ve read previously, generations of people in the South (ie “confederacy”) have purposely rewritten “History” as they would like it to have happened. The “Lost Cause” is a great example, which, I believe, is the LYING which continues to this day about the Civil War and the ACTUAL treatment in the South of “Negros.” There is the continued contempt by (many) Southerners for those who refuse to allow them to “white wash” (pun intended) history. To me, this is where the contrived controversy over so-called “Critical Race Theory” being taught in public schools pushes the “absurd button.” Well, I was a public school teacher for over 20 years and I’m still not certain, beyond making inferences, what the hell they’re talking about. I presume, based on legislation proposed in Florida, under Ron DeSantis, this means republicans don’t want white people being made “uncomfortable” when it comes to OUR history of RACISM in America. This glossing over of America’s RACIST past is nothing new – it’s just become more overt! It’s an issue with republicans, because – well, of course it is!

It’s the very people who are leading the “fight” against “CRT” who are also calling Vladimir Putin a “genius” or “very smart” or whatever. This past weekend, right before Marjorie Taylor Greene gave a speech at a white nationalist conference – the host, I believe his name is Nick Fuentes a neo-Nazi, made a disgusting Pro-Russia comment (right after pointing out the “importance of young white men”) which led to the audience chanting “Putin, Putin, Putin.” You get the idea. That is what directly preceded Marjorie Taylor Greene’s speech which was followed by one from Paul Gosar – both republican members of Congress who would be EXPELLED at any other time in my lifetime. What on earth more does the republican party need to see to understand individual 1 and his rabid followers have taken the party way “off the rails.”

Final Thought: Every passing day you can see the parallels of Vladimir Putin to individual 1. They are BOTH pathological LIARS, they are both NARCISSISTIC beyond comprehension – to the point of making them incredibly DANGEROUS – deranged, and they are both, in essence, organized crime bosses. It’s apparent Putin has been individual 1’s idol for many years and both have gained wealth by questionable means (well, Putin has been robbing Russians blind for over 20 years – individual 1 was “only” able to do so for four years), but it will be interesting to see how Putin responds to being cut off from much of his WEALTH by the sanctions of Western governments – led by Joe Biden. The “West” is “putting the screws” to Putin. And, maybe, individual 1?

Individual 1’s saga is happening on a much smaller scale. While it appears Merrick Garland doesn’t have the stomach to take him on, it also appears Tish James, the New York AG, has him directly in her sights. A Civil suit brought against individual 1’s organization could do to it what Biden (and other Western leaders) have done to Putin – and, that is, take the entire organization down. There are Russian Oligarchs all around the globe looking at the confiscation of their “ill gotten gains” like yachts, fancy apartments, expensive cars, etc. who are on the edge of their seats. Rumor has it, they don’t like the idea of giving up their lavish lifestyle. And, I believe, individual 1’s entire family could be looking at the same outcome. As I’ve said, drip, drip, drip! It’s ALL going to come out. (I believe this is why Jared Kushner has been in the Middle East since the 2020 election trying to get the Saudi’s or other Middle East “wealth funds” to finance his operation.)

When America comes to her senses, people like Pompeo, Carlson, Josh Hawley, MTG, Gosar, Matt Gaetz, and a bunch of others (including individual 1) will become in this country what Putin has become in the eyes of the world – and, that is pariahs. Their willingness to give up their MORAL “compass” in exchange for their “deal with the devil” (ie individual 1) will, I believe, eventually come back to haunt them. I hope Volodymyr Zelensky doesn’t end up being a HERO everywhere but the United States and Russia (and, I hope he survives). He’s showing everyone the importance of fighting for the right to self determination via the ballot box. And, of course, that means “win or lose” you accept the results. In America, for my entire lifetime, the ONLY president to refuse to accept defeat at the polls is individual 1 and, additionally, in the case of war or foreign challenges to our way of life, Americans have always pulled together in one line. Obviously, with today’s republican party – which stands for NOTHING other than OBSTRUCTION – that is no longer the case. Stay tuned…………..

I have to add: Individual 1’s original “CEO” of his 2016 campaign, Steve Bannon, has been busy since being “excommunicated” from the “White House” in 2018, in a world wide “white nationalist, neo-Nazi” movement and, according to everything I’ve read, the “head” of the pyramid for him and his neo-Nazi followers IS Vladimir Putin. We KNOW the Russians have been busy with their “active measures” in America for the past decade – designed to create division – and, of course, they’ve been wildly successful – and, we also KNOW they’ve been doing the same JUNK in Western Europe where the neo-Nazi movement is spreading and we ALSO know there’s been American “collusion.” Will Putin’s miscalculation in Ukraine cause this movement to be exposed? Will those who have been taking our democratic ideals for granted be inspired by Zelensky? Bannon, along with our disgraced former president appears to have been part of the SEDITIOUS CONSPIRACY of January 6th, 2021. Let’s hold our breath as we wait to see if AG Garland decides if our republic is worth fighting for!?

I have to fight the urge to get burned out following what amounts to a radical right wing (fascist) attempt at taking over our government. I have no problem with actual “conservatives” making their case to the voters and living with the outcome one way or the other. But, when you have a group willing to CHEAT in order to “win” it’s more than problematic and calling the ATTACK on our Capitol Building on January 6th, 2021 “legitimate political discourse” borders on the absurd.

That was the basis of the report by the Republican National Committee where two actual conservatives (who, by the way, I believe I’d disagree with almost 100% of the time, other than their commitment to speaking truth to power – although, both supported individual 1 for four long years virtually ALL the time), Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger were “censured.” Kinzinger was already “gerrymandered” out of his seat and Cheney has been “censured” by Wyoming republicans although she IS running for re-election. (Despite Kevin McCarthy’s suggestion otherwise)

As, so far, a close observer of the so-called “Select January 6th Committee” (1/6) it becomes clearer and clearer to me the “seditious conspiracy” very well could consume a large number of participants, including our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president at the focal point. Based on the information in the several books I’ve read, “I Alone Can Fix It” by Carol Loennig and Philip Rucker, “Peril” by Bob Woodward and Robert Costa, “Betrayal” by Jonathan Karl and a couple others that don’t come to mind right now plus the information becoming public daily coming from investigative journalists who are closely following the 1/6 Committee and exposing the evidence of wrongdoing by individual 1 and his sycophants it would SUGGEST the Justice Department be more involved in all of this. For example, I don’t believe Fani Willis in Fulton County Georgia should be “leading the way” in the CRIMINAL investigation of individual 1 and his cohorts in (alleged) CRIME.

Long before the forming of the January 6th, 2021 Select Committee was formed I was predicting there would, ultimately, be the “drip, drip, drip” of the TRUTH about individual 1 and those who “hitched their wagons” to him. At this point in time it appears the “drip, drip, drip” has become like a “faucet” which is wide open and there seems to be something significant “coming out” virtually every day. Will the “TRUTH” make any difference when it’s finally known? I’m guessing NOT with right wing persons I personally happen to know. With many of them I’ll be surprised if they even watch the hearings once the January 6th Committee becomes public.

Democrats are worried that “time will run out on the Committee” because the predictions say republicans are likely to take back the majority in the House in November. Here’s the problem I have with that – if the Justice Department isn’t knee deep in this investigation by then, well, our country is in deep “doo doo.” The CONSPIRACY involves about 100 people around the country who SIGNED forged documents suggesting they were the “electors” from about 7 states – people who could be facing CHARGES in their various states plus individual 1 and all the characters around him suggesting Mike Pense had the “power” to “overturn the election.” They ALL appear to be part of the CONSPIRACY aimed at overthrowing our government.

Maybe the FAKE electors just got “sucked in?” Well, I “get” that republicans have come to the conclusion the laws only apply to democrats and Black people. But here’s the deal: Judges in D.C. who are hearing the cases which are presently being resolved are complaining the Justice Department is going too “soft” on the “enemy combatants” (My term “borrowed” from Bush/Cheney et al) who stormed the Capitol on January 6th, 2021. They’re also suggesting it appears the Department isn’t holding the INSTIGATORS to account. I’ll say this again, I worry Merrick Garland FEARS individual 1’s “base” enough to “look the other way” from treasonous behavior. (TREASON is another word for SEDITION)

I wrote all that a few days ago and have been on a bit of a vacation from venting my frustration at the apparent lack of will coming from the Justice Department. I’ll admit, the SEDITIOUS Conspiracy charges against 11 “Oathkeepers” (I continue wondering to who or what did they take an “oath?”) came out of “nowhere” – so, I still hope Mr. Garland is going to surprise me and there’s some kind of investigation going on behind “closed doors.” However, I have a hard time believing the investigation wouldn’t have “leaked” out if people were being called before a Grand Jury. I’m still hopeful, but it bothers me to think the 1/6 Committee and The DA in Fulton County Georgia are the ones doing this investigation.

That all being said, I FINALLY opened up “Race and Reunion” by David Blight, a professor at Yale University which is a study of the aftermath of the Civil War. I decided it was time for me to refresh my memory of this critical time in our history. Years ago I read several books on Lincoln AND the Civil War, I read the Biography of James Polk who came before Lincoln and Ulysses S Grant who came after Andrew Johnson, Lincoln’s VP and successor. I’m only about 100 pages into this book – it’s a challenging read – but it’s given me considerable “food for thought.”

The first thing which came to mind, for me, is remembering the saying “Those who choose to ignore HISTORY are bound to REPEAT it.” And, the first part of this book has left my mind “swirling” in thought about the relevance of American History post Civil War and what is happening in our nation today. For example, the effort of those in the South, post war, to both “forget” what really happened in the war, but to also attempt to rewrite History in a way to exonerate them from the reality of the war. Additionally, many in the North were way too accommodating, which led to an early end to “reconstruction” in around 1875 and the spreading of the “Lost Cause” among those in Southern States.

This all really reminded me of the attempt by republicans today to “rewrite” the “History” of what happened on January 6th, 2021 – and, there’s all too many of them willing to participate in this and too many willing to simply believe the LIES. January 6th, 2021 was NOT perpetrated by “a normal tourist visit” as in the words of Georgia republican Andrew Clyde – who was seen barricading the House Chamber doors as INSURRECTIONISTS were attempting to break it down. Representative Clyde said, “Calling January 6th an INSURRECTION is a bold faced lie.” Yikes, how do you respond to such STUPIDITY? January 6th WAS in INSURRECTION!

Of course, as I mentioned above, the Republican National Committee (RNC) called January 6th, 2021 “legitimate political discourse.” And, of course, they are doing everything they can to undermine the January 6th Select Committee of Congress which is the entity uncovering a MOUNTAIN of evidence showing January 6th, 2021 was, in essence, an attempt at a coup d’etat. And, the participation, as I stated above in the CONSPIRACY, encompassed allegedly (potentially) HUNDREDS of republicans. Can you picture when the Committee makes their findings PUBLIC, which they’ve promised to do? Just think about how this will make our Justice Department look if it’s not taking LEGAL action against the TRAITORS!

Keep in mind, after the Civil War, the Southerners promoting the “Lost Cause” and in cahoots with the KKK became democrats as they were “melded” (my term) back into the mainstream of politics – this was during the time of President Grant – which, so far, hasn’t been part of the book “Race and Reunion.” Southern politicians were democrats all the way up until the Civil Rights era when Lyndon Johnson correctly predicted him supporting the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 would be the end of democrats dominating the South. Soon, Richard Nixon would implement the so-called “Southern Strategy” in 1968 and the South has been dominated by the republican party ever since.

Of course, now much of the North is dominated by the democratic party so, in that regard, the only thing which has changed is the party names on their office doors. I mentioned above that D.C. Judges are complaining about the “soft” treatment of many of the INSURRECTIONISTS who, in essence, could be called TRAITORS. I point that out because, as I was reading “Race and Reunion” I couldn’t help but see the parallel regarding how right after the Civil War – and certainly after a few years had gone by – there was a reluctance to call those who fought for the confederacy “TRAITORS.” But, to me, in reality, they were – just as those who attempted the coup d’etat on January 6th, 2021 were, in essence, “traitors.”

In their own minds they were “patriots.” However, how can you be a “patriot” if you’re attempting to overthrow your own government? That makes no sense to me. By definition, attempting to overthrow your own government you’d be a “traitor.” Here’s Webster’s definition of “traitor:” “1: one who betrays another’s trust or is false to an obligation or duty 2: one who commits treason.” Here are some synonyms to “traitor:” “backstabber, betrayer, double-crosser, double-dealer, Judas, quisling, recreant, serpent, snake, turncoat.” These, to me, are words befitting those who were crashing through the windows and doors of the Capitol, those who battered the Capitol Police and Metro Police, injuring over 140 and leading to at least five police officers DYING as a result of the siege, those who defacated inside the Capitol and SMEARED it on the walls, those who ransacked offices and STOLE items from various members of Congress of the building itself, etc. etc.

If you watch Fox “news,” “Newsmax” (arguably worse than Fox), “OANN” or you frequent the right wing sections of the internet it’s been bashed into your brain the INSURRECIONISTS actually are “patriots.” In addition, the right wing (heavily armed) so-called “militias” are also referred to as “patriots.” Tucker Carlson, the Fox “news” connection to the white nationalists in America, actually made a “documentary” suggesting January 6th, 2021 was an “FBI false flag operation” as a phony way to “defend” the so-called “patriot!” Huh??? Carlson, in my view, is a wack job and the people who watch him are truly “suckers” for believing his shtick. (I do know, for a fact, that people like David Duke, Don Black, and others connected to the KKK watch Carlson on a regular basis. This comes from Black’s own son.)

History tells us, very clearly, the issue with large portions of America being infected with “white nationalism” is nothing new. It appears IGNORING the issue is nothing new, either. Which is my point regarding the saying “Those who choose to ignore history are bound to repeat it.” Largely in the South, right now, we’re seeing what many are calling “Jim Crow 2.0” with a massive “swath” of voter suppression bills popping up in state after state. Something like 400 bills with at least one potential bill in virtually every state. Of course, some of them will never make it to being a law because of Governor veto pens (mostly democratic governors) but, some already have made it to becoming law – and, again, our Justice Department seems to be helpless in fighting this – plus our Congress is not interested – there’s too many republicans in the Senate for any meaningful Voting Rights legislation to pass (not to mention Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema).

All these voter suppression laws are being passed due to the Supreme Court “gutting” the two provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 which would prevent states like Georgia, Texas, and Arizona from passing these draconian laws. Honestly, I’m not sure if John Roberts falls into the category of someone who has ignored History or if he’s a republican from the South. The bottom line is the Voting Rights Act no longer has any “teeth” and the Congress which used to renew it almost unanimously every 10 years now has a republican party “missing in action.” Of course, the republicans believe the voter suppression laws will work to their benefit. There’s NOTHING more important to them than POWER. (Many republicans – some I know personally – don’t believe African Americans should be allowed to vote)

I point this out because the INSURRECTION of January 6th, 2021 wasn’t the first attempt for Americans to overthrow our constitutional republic. Who knows what would have been the result had the confederacy prevailed in the 1860’s and, likewise, who knows what would have happened had the INSURRECTIONISTS succeeded on January 6th, 2021. It begs credulity to believe individual 1 wasn’t sitting in the “White House” for those 187 minutes of INACTION hoping the siege would be successful and the certification of the Electoral College votes would have been stopped. Who knows what would have happened?

Here’s the deal. We ignore HISTORY at our peril. Individual 1 is a CHEATER, a pathological LIAR, and, allegedly, an organized CRIMINAL. (I believe BOTH the Fulton County DA and the Manhattan DA are investigating RICO charges – look it up) Our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president has his legal “issues” closing in on him from multiple sides. Is Merrick Garland “sitting this one out?” In my view, the solution to America’s most serious problems lie in the hands of AG Garland! Individual 1 is a known LIAR, a CHEATER, and “alleged” organized CRIMINAL. His being held to account for his many brazen CRIMINAL acts will go a long way in determining the future course of this great nation.

Final Thought: I’ve compared individual 1 and his administration to the Germans back in the 1930’s and I’ve also pointed out his affinity for authoritarian world leaders, most significantly Vladimir Putin. As a country, we ignore these parallels at our peril. Our constitutional republic has existed for almost 250 years – really a “miracle” when you consider how fragile it is under present circumstances where you have a metastasizing attack coming from within along with an attack via platforms like Facebook coming from Putin himself (Facebook is the home of massive amounts of misinformation along with an algorithm designed to SPREAD it! Along with a CEO focused solely on sucking more people in and finding ways to keep them “sucked in” for extended periods of time.) and, you combine that with a Justice Department which is reticent to respond to these attacks “head on” you can see our constitutional republic is fragile and, in danger.

Then there’s those like Tucker Carlson and some members of the republican party who are regurgitating Russian talking points as an invasion by Russia of Ukraine appears to be imminent. I’m picturing in my mind people like Carlson will openly support Russia if this invasion occurs while continuing to act in what, IMHO, represents, once again, TRAITORS. This very well could be the first time in my lifetime where there’s a serious foreign military conflict where Americans choose to side with our ENEMY simply because they will oppose President Biden under all circumstances. I truly hope the members of individual 1’s CULT wake up before the damage to this nation is near irreversible. Sad!!!

I finished this post several days ago – before Putin’s ordering Russian troops to invade Ukraine. This is a very sad point of time in world History as I ponder the terrible tragedy which is happening to the people of Ukraine as I’m writing this. It appears the Russian troops, at the direction of Vladimir Putin, very well could commit the MURDER of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians – not even considering the devastation which will occur because basic staples of life, including FOOD, In essence, this Russian president has ordered the MURDER of people who actually speak Russian, many BORN in Russia, and many with relatives in Russia – people who posed NO threat to Russia. This will put Vladimir Putin into the HISTORY books next to some of the most SAVAGE leaders in the HISTORY of the world!

Putin is deranged and his commentary would suggest he’s gone off the rails. Just imagine if individual 1 still occupied the Oval Office. Putin is threatening to deploy NUCLEAR weapons. He’s simply a CRAZY person who is a danger to the entire world! Individual 1 is one of his biggest “fans” and it’s almost unbelievable to me so many Americans continue to support him. I believe individual 1 is every much as CRAZY as his mentor Vladimir Putin!

As Putin has ordered his troops into Ukraine I’m left to wonder, as I listen to his “rationale” for ordering this invasion, is Vladimir Putin influencing individual 1 or vice versa? It appears to me they are both pathological LIARS and they both are lacking a soul. The worst part, for me, is the large number of members of the so-called “GOP” who have aligned themselves with Putin and in opposition of President Biden. I was born shortly after WW II and, to me, this is traitorous behavior on the part of people like our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president, Mike Pompeo, Senator Ron Johnson, Tucker Carlson, and others who appear to be siding with Putin and Russia in this undeniably TRECHEROUS action on the part of Russian’s DICTATOR.

And, to me, this is totally different from American fiascos in Viet Nam and Iraq. Which, to be clear, were indefensible. in fact, it was the Bush/Cheney LIE pulling American troops and BOMBS into Iraq which brought my frustration with America’s government to start putting those frustrations into writing in this “blog.” I urged GW Bush, Dick Cheney, Don Rumsfeld, and others to face charges as WAR CRIMINALS. Sadly, in my mind, the major failure of President Obama’s years in the Oval Office was the blocking of investigations into the authorization of TORTURE, among other crimes, of the Bush/Cheney regime. We’re seeing in real time the distraction to our politics of investigating a former president as individual 1 is being targeted in multiple investigations during President Biden’s first year plus in office. That all being said, I find Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine to be MUCH more serious.

This “deplorable” invasion is too reminiscent of Poland in 1939 and, make no mistake, this invasion of Ukraine by Russia could very well, ultimately, end up with Russian troops in Poland. Putin, in justifying his actions, had the audacity to refer to the Ukrainian government as “Nazi.” OMG, does that remind you of anything? (Hint, hint, the right wing wack jobs in America accusing American “liberals” – like me – as being “Fascists”) The absurdity of what Putin is doing will likely fall on MILLIONS of “uneducated voters” in America who are too easily manipulated by Fox “news,” or any of the other right wing media outlets as if they have “deaf ears.” Putin is NOW undeniably a WAR CRIMINAL.

“We the people” are about to discover the true evil nature of people in America like Carlson, Steve Bannon, and many other white nationalists across our land – many of whom no longer hide their affinity for Hitler and the Nazi’s of WW II. I’ve pointed out many times here the sobering parallels between individual 1’s rise to power in America and the Third Reich in Nazi Germany back in the early 1930’s. If you think I’m nuts just look to the four years of individual 1’s reign on America. For starters, there was the march on Charlottesville with all the “very fine people” who were carrying Tiki Torches, wearing Nazi armbands, carrying confederate flags embossed with swastikas and chanting “Jews will not replace us” along with other repulsive phrases. These are the people who call American “liberals” “fascists.”

I’ve written several times here with the actual definition of “fascists” and the idea “liberals” in America are the “fascists” would be laughable if all of this wasn’t so serious. I’ve pointed out, also, Mr. Putin is a prime example of a “fascist,” based on the ACTUAL definition of the term. President Biden has predicted Putin’s actions step by step and he’s (Biden) been proved correct on each occasion. The reality is the people of Ukraine are our friends and Putin is our enemy. (The Russian people, by and large, are also our friends – my guess is most of them oppose what Putin is doing) I’ve been praying for the people of Ukraine repeatedly and I hope America’s government will find ways to continue helping those who are resisting.

Putin is going to be pushing up near NATO countries’ borders and we have to hope nothing happens which pushes this absurd conflict over one of the borders of a country protected by Article Five of the NATO alliance. President Biden has made clear the alliance will defend every “INCH” of the territory of our NATO friends. Vladimir Putin is acting like a madman and will be personally responsible for EVERY death resulting from this unprovoked escapade into Ukraine.

I have to wonder if Putin actually believes them putting a “puppet regime” in place in Kyiv will have lasting power? Does Putin actually believe the Ukrainian people will simply “stand” for this? I’ve seen videos of Ukraine grandmothers working to learn how to use an automatic weapon – similar to an AR-15 and claiming she will fight to the death. The economic sanctions imposed by the U.S. and the European allies plus several non-NATO nations is going to cripple Russia’s economy. Virtually every country in the world, save for China and Pakistan, are lining up against Putin’s MURDERING of what is likely to end up being THOUSANDS of Ukrainians along with an untold number of Russian troops. I have to believe Ukraine’s army of over 250,000 troops is planning to put up a ferocious FIGHT against the Russians – despite the Russian’s clear advantage in POWER.

As I’m writing all this I can’t help but think of individual 1 and all of his sycophants who’ve given the Russians lots of propaganda “meat” for their media outlets and, to me, are in the category of TRAITORS. Of course, I’ve been suggesting our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president will end up right next to Benedict Arnold in the History books for several years now. And, of course, it remains to be seen if Merrick Garland chooses to hold individual 1, along with his close co-conspirators accountable for the attempted coup d’etat of January 6th, 2021. Can you picture a scenario where Putin is standing before the CRIMINAL court at the Hague regarding accountability for all the DEATH which will be evidenced by the “blood on his hands” re: Ukraine and, somewhat simultaneously, individual 1 facing indictment in America for his part in the SEDITIOUS conspiracy leading to the January 6th, 2021 INSURRECTION! At least we can hope!

And, of course, in America, as I’ve said many times regarding republicans, “there’s always more.” I keep wondering why Merrick Garland, for example, and the Justice Department hasn’t moved to INDICT Mark Meadows who was CRIMINALLY referred to the department for his CONTEMPT of Congress (months ago) by refusing to honor a subpoena from the 1/6 Committee. If these subpoenas are not “official” – where it shouldn’t be an option whether or not you show up – well, then, Congress is essentially “toothless.” However, I believe Mr. Meadows is potentially into the CONSPIRACY far deeper than originally thought and, just maybe, he’s facing much more serious CHARGES which are still to come. AG Garland is a central figure in all of this, whether he likes it or not.

There’s also the media personalities like Tucker Carlson and Steve Bannon (who HAS been indicted for his refusal to appear before the 1/6 Committee) along with members of the GOP like Josh Hawley, Ron Johnson, Paul Gosar, Rand Paul, Andy Biggs, Mike Pompeo, etc. etc. who have made comments suggesting they support Putin’s “Russia first” policy as opposed to Biden pulling the NATO alliance to the strongest position it’s been in for years. Kind of miraculous after individual 1’s attempt to undermine the alliance for essentially the entire four years he was in office. Some republicans have suggested Biden should follow Putin’s “deplorable” actions in Ukraine at our Southern border! I’m not kidding! They suggest this would make Biden “strong.” Yikes!!! To me, this all just proves Putin doesn’t have a monopoly on derangement syndrome!

Really, just try to imagine what would be happening right now if individual 1 was still in the Oval Office. OMG, just writing that as a possibility makes the hair on my back stand on end. Here’s what SHOULD be happening right now, Americans SHOULD be taking a practical look at what has transpired over the previous 13 months with Joe Biden as our president and give thanks. Inflation will level out and the increased wages of those at the bottom tier of our economy will be lasting. Gas prices have gone up and down many times in my lifetime. We’ve experienced the highest increase in our GDP in Biden’s first year compared to any other year in recent memory (since the early 1980’s). I’ve said here, originally, he wasn’t my choice for the nomination, but, as usual – in times of critical circumstances – the American people get it right and the exact right person comes along.

No president is perfect and, to me, it’s refreshing to have one who doesn’t claim he’s never wrong – he actually owns mistakes. However, he’s not making many mistakes. Even the withdrawal of the 2500 troops who remained in Afghanistan when he took office went as I would have guessed. Based on the AGREEMENT between the Taliban and our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president – which, by the way, essentially “flew under the radar” – President Biden had two choices. He could have “surged” American troops – which, anyone who’s listened to him over the previous 10-15 years KNEW was a non starter OR get the troops out at a date determined. It was always going to be messy.

If you were around when America left Viet Nam with their tails between their legs you understood you can’t leave a “war” (which NEVER should have happened in the first place) you’ve LOST without it being messy. Getting the locals who’ve helped the Americans over the time frame of the war out of the country is a sure recipe for CHAOS! I’m NEVER surprised by our “liberal media” but, I have to admit, virtually all of them got sucked in to blaming Biden for the chaos. And, to his credit, he didn’t run from the issue – he faced it head on and didn’t waver. I gained a bit more respect for Biden as I watched him stand his ground in the face of massive criticism. At some point, the majority of Americans are going to realize we are VERY fortunate Joe Biden is our president at this perilous time in world history. (Can you imagine where we’d be right now had he “surged” the troops in Afghanistan)

I say SHAME on the right wing Americans who are siding with Vladimir Putin as he makes this blunderous (I might have made up that word) and “adventurist” move into Ukraine. This is nothing less than MASS murder being ordered by Russia’s president. (many dying will be his own troops) And, for individual 1, Josh Hawley, Steve Bannon, Jim Jordan, Paul Gosar, Mike Pompeo, and other republicans suggesting Putin’s behavior would be appropriate at our Southern border is idiocy. Let’s hope the American voters remove a bunch of these wack jobs come November from their posts of public trust where their oaths to the constitution appear to mean NOTHING. As I’ve been saying – please pray for the people of Ukraine. And pray that more and more Americans would come to understand the importance of American unity in the face of these BRAZEN military WAR CRIMES ordered by the murderous DICTATOR (including MURDERING his own people) Vladimir Putin. Stay tuned………..

Final Thought: I mentioned Viet Nam above in reference to America’s exit from Afghanistan and I couldn’t help thinking about individual 1 – who likes to suggest he’s “strong” – and his FIVE deferments from the DRAFT back in the 1960’s by LYING (surprise, surprise) about his “bone spurs.” Apparently, his daddy had enough money to buy off a doctor who was lacking in moral character. I, personally, actually joined the Marine PLC in 1967 only to get medically discharged (“honorable”) at my final physical prior to “boot camp” because of arthritic knees (at the age of 20 I was actually disappointed). Individual 1’s “deplorable” behavior began at an early age – including his disrespect for our military. Only the GOP would find this a positive trait in a Commander in Chief. To me, this, as much as anything, explains their (republicans’) DISGUSTING behavior as the Ukrainians are fighting to preserve their democratic ELECTED government along with their FREEDOM! (And, their lives!) Pray for the Ukrainian people!

OMG, So much going through my head right now. First, I’ve been pointing out for YEARS that Vladimir Putin’s goal, politically, is to recreate the “Soviet Union.” My guess is there’s a good portion of the young people in America who don’t really understand what “Soviet Union” means. As I’m writing this Putin is on the verge of starting a WAR in Ukraine, and, of course, as you would expect from individual 1’s mentor, he will LIE about what is happening – with no concern with people who call out his LIES.

Putin has been “grooming” Americans for the past 9 or 10 years for his “first move” into Ukraine. (OK, it’s his third move) Keep in mind, there’s undoubtedly more “targets” and it’s very possible NATO troops will be put to the test in Poland, Romania, or other former “satellites” as Putin acts like the reincarnation of Adolf Hitler. All while this is happening you can count on Russia’s “Active measures” campaign which “gave” “we the people” four years of individual 1 and exacerbated every “wedge issue” in America they could via Facebook and other “social media” outlets. Not only did they (The Russians) move individual 1 into the mainstream of American politics (along with a plethora of white nationalists believing individual 1 to be their “fuhrer”) but, when you listen to some of the right wing “talkers” in America along with a few members of Congress and others in the republican party, it feels like there’s a lot of TRAITORS with alarming access to the mainstream media.

Just the other day I listened to Josh Hawley of Missouri sounding like someone who would actually support this Russian VIOLATION of Ukraine’s SOVEREIGNTY. I believe he said something along the lines of why should we care about Ukraine – we should be worried about China. Well, to that I would say, it bothers me not if you worry about China, a conceivably legitimate worry, but ignore Putin at yours and everyone else’s PERIL. But, of course, as usual, with republicans there’s always more. Today I read where Mike Pompeo was quoted as saying
“Putin is a very talented statesman, He was a KGB agent, for goodness sakes. He knows how to use power. We should respect that.”

Here’s my take on Pompeo – he SHOULD have been indicted for his corrupt actions as Secretary of State – saved only by individual 1 firing the IG who was investigating his misbehavior and self-dealing. Always more you say? Well, I’m sure you can guess what came out of the mouth of our TWICE IMPEACHED two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president who openly asked the Russians to “find the missing 30,000 emails” – which, of course, they immediately attempted to do. Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity, and all the rest of the propagandists in our right wing media sphere didn’t consider this “collusion” – and, of course, individual 1 “won” the 2016 election with the help of the same Vladimir Putin he affirmed as he “threw under the bus” on worldwide TV our own intelligence service.

Individual 1 referred to Putin’s actions this week as “genius.” This should be no surprise considering the other pro Russian things he did while in office such as attempting to force Russia back into the “Group of Seven” – of which they were expelled after annexing Crimea in 2014, he even echoed Russian propaganda about Crimea while in office, and right after firing James Comey (thinking that would end the Russia investigation) he gave away code word protected secrets to the Russian Ambassador and the Russian Foreign Minister in the Oval Office as he was bragging about the firing of Comey. The people in the orbit of Pompeo and individual 1 are being proven to be TRAITORS – like the 11 “Oathkeepers” facing seditious conspiracy charges for January 6th, 2021 – likely, soon to “wedge” further into individual 1’s “orbit.”

There’s a bunch of others – if you want to watch them “slime” themselves just turn on Fox “news” and look for republican members of Congress to show up on Tucker Carlson’s nightly white nationalist extravaganza. These people are anti-democratic and overtly so – Carlson even took his show to Hungary and openly sucked up to Viktor Orban – just as he likely admires Putin. Yes, the same Putin who came across as deranged as he was giving his justification for violating the Sovereign boundaries of Ukraine to the Russian people yesterday. And, tonight, Carlson spewed off a list of his own grievances in an “did Putin do this?” rant, as a way to give his support to the Russian DICTATOR! Yikes!!! This is treachery, at a minimum – and the Murdoch’s let him get away with it because they “value” his white nationalist base of viewers.

I believe Joe Biden is going to make it as difficult for Putin as possible, and regrettably this is going to cause a lot of aftereffects for the Russian people. (And, “we the people” as well – which President Biden will be further attacked by the Carlson’s et al) From what I can tell, the Ukrainians are going to make it is as difficult as they can for the Russians. based on reports I’ve read, there’s going to be MANY members of the Russian military returning home in body bags. “We the people” SHOULD understand that very well – although, when the selective service “draft,” which was around when I was young, caused more members of our society to directly feel the pain of war (ie Viet Nam) and young people (largely) coming home in body bags – the “volunteer army” has allowed many Americans to feel the “pain” of war only via their TV sets or internet connections.

The FACT America has ventured into her fair share of ill-advised military invasions – Viet Nam and Iraq in particular, although Afghanistan was misguided and incompetently prosecuted, Viet Nam and Iraq were based on pure LIES to the American people as justifications – kind of similar to what we’re seeing from Putin. And, it’s true Joe Biden voted to give George W Bush the authority to go into Iraq, but I have to say, the Russian invasion of Ukraine is going to make these two American fiascos look like child’s play. I say that because I don’t believe for a second that Ukraine is the “end objective of Putin.” And, I have to say, this is one more reason for “we the people” to be thankful we voted Putin’s “puppet,” individual 1, out of office in 2020. (And, by a record number of votes! OVER 7 MILLION)

Biden promised “the mother of all sanctions” if Russia makes a full throated incursion into Ukraine. So far, the invasion is “just” in the Eastern region of the country although Putin (naturally) unilaterally declared the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in the region called the Donbas as “independent entities.” The troops he moved in are being referred to as “peacekeeping forces.” That’s as legit as me saying I’m a fan of Tucker Carlson! So far, Biden has imposed severe sanctions, but the “mother” of them all are still in the quiver for when Putin pushes farther in, likely toward Kyiv. The U. S. is supplying Ukraine with weapons and ammunition and will continue to do so, they’ve supplied a $1 BILLION loan guarantee for Ukraine to use in purchasing more defensive military hardware in addition to what has already been provided. The rest is going to be up to the Ukrainians. Apparently, we’re going to wait until Putin gets to Poland or Lithuania or ???? before WW III begins.

I have to admit, I’m not even close to an “expert” on sanctions – but, what I heard were authorized seemed like a good first step – and based on the response of people involved in NATO countries Biden is, so far, getting good “reviews” for his actions. A couple key Russian banks have been sanctioned along with members of Putin’s “inner circle” and their families. Russia has been cut off from the world’s “sovereign wealth fund.” A “biggie” is the Germans refusing to certify the Nord Stream 2 pipeline – cutting off a key source of Russian natural gas to Western Europe (and funding to Russia) – a difficult action for the Germans to take – give them credit! Here’s a rundown of what sanctions the U.S. CAN impose on Putin if he pushes further into Ukraine (from ABC news):

“SANCTIONS ON INDIVIDUALS, BUSINESSES AND ENTITIES

U.S. officials suggested that the latest sanctions were only a hint of how far it could go in targeting Russian companies and individuals.

Tuesday’s actions included hitting civilian leaders in Russia’s leadership hierarchy and two Russian banks considered especially close to the Kremlin and Russia’s military, with more than $80 billion in combined assets. That includes freezing all of those banks’ assets under U.S. jurisdiction.

But U.S. officials emphasized Washington still could take more of Russia’s banks, including its biggest, offline with a push of a button.

Overall, the U.S. and its allies aim to impose sanctions that compel Putin to change his ways, while hoping to minimize the harshest impacts on ordinary Russians and any collateral economic damage on the U.S. and European allies.

Sanctions are imposed on individuals listed on a Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List through the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.

Also known as SDNs, the list includes individuals and companies owned, controlled by or acting on behalf of a targeted country. Traditionally, their assets will be blocked and the U.S. is almost completely prohibited from dealing with SDNs. Individuals, groups, companies and even aircraft can be given this designation.

Additionally, sectoral sanctions are an option to damage the economy. Sectoral sanctions apply to specific Russian firms — such as energy, finance, technology and defense — to be included on the Sectoral Sanctions Identifications List. Sectoral sanctions will limit some trade but will permit some transactions.

For historical context, Western sanctions issued when Russia invaded and annexed Crimea in 2014 included limits on trade, the blocking of assets under American jurisdiction and limits on access to the U.S. financial system. Those restrictions are maintained to this day on at least 735 individuals, entities and vessels, according to the Office of Foreign Assets Control.

SWIFT

For the U.S. and its European allies, cutting Russia out of the SWIFT financial system, which shuffles money from bank to bank around the globe, would be one of the toughest financial steps they could take, damaging Russia’s economy immediately and in the long term. The move could cut Russia off from most international financial transactions, including international profits from oil and gas production, which in all accounts for more than 40% of the country’s revenue.

Allies on both sides of the Atlantic also considered the SWIFT option in 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea and backed separatist forces in eastern Ukraine. Russia declared then that kicking it out of SWIFT would be equivalent to a declaration of war. The allies — criticized ever after for responding too weakly to Russia’s 2014 aggression — shelved the idea.

Russia since then has tried to develop its own financial transfer system, with limited success.

The U.S. has succeeded before in persuading the SWIFT system to kick out a country — Iran, over its nuclear program. But kicking Russia out of SWIFT would also hurt other economies, including those of the U.S. and key ally Germany.

DOLLAR CLEARING

The United States holds one of the most powerful financial weapons to wield against Putin — blocking Russia from access to the U.S. dollar. Dollars still dominate in financial transactions around the world, with trillions of dollars in play daily.

Transactions in U.S. dollars ultimately are cleared through the Federal Reserve or through U.S. financial institutions. Crucially for Putin, that means foreign banks have to be able to access the U.S. financial system to settle dollar transactions.

The ability to block that access gives the United States the ability to inflict financial pain well beyond its borders. Previously, the U.S. has suspended financial institutions from dollar clearing for allegedly violating sanctions against Iran, Sudan and other countries.

Unlike the SWIFT option and the other financial measures, it’s one the U.S. could do on its own. Many Russians and Russian companies would be stymied in carrying out even the most routine transactions, like making payroll or buying things, because they would have no access to the U.S. banking system.

EXPORT CONTROLS

U.S. export controls could cut off Russia from the high tech that helps warplanes and passenger jets fly and makes smartphones smart, along with other software and advanced electronic gear that make the modern world run.

That could include adding Russia to the most restrictive group of countries for export control purposes, together with Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria, officials said.

That would mean that Russia’s ability to obtain integrated circuits, and products containing integrated circuits, would be severely restricted because of the global dominance of U.S. software, technology and equipment. The impact could extend to aircraft avionics, machine tools, smartphones, game consoles, tablets and televisions.

Such sanctions could also target critical Russian industry, including its defense and civil aviation sectors, which would hit Russia’s high-tech ambitions, whether in artificial intelligence or quantum computing.

Like some of the other penalties under consideration, U.S. export restrictions would risk motivating businesses to look for alternatives in other countries, including China.”

These all being implemented, it appears, would be the ACTUAL “mother of all sanctions.” I don’t believe Putin believes Biden will do it – and, I believe Biden hopes he doesn’t have to do it – but, I have no doubt this all is “on the table” and likely, based on the THREATS spelled out by Putin the other day in his deranged TV address to the Russian people justifying attacking their “brothers and sisters” in Ukraine. Could this be a precursor to WW III or could it be the beginning of the end of Vladimir Putin? Do the Russian people want to see their sons and daughters coming home in body bags from a WAR with Ukraine? The ONLY offense, apparently, committed by the Ukrainian people is a “thirst” for democracy. Will they FIGHT? Keep in mind, Ukraine has an army of 250,000 and MANY Ukrainian civilians are arming themselves for an Iraqi style resistance should Putin manage to put a “puppet” in control of their government. Stay tuned…..

Final Thought: If anyone ever had any second thoughts about my characterization of the republican party, all you had to do is listen to the Carlson’s, Pompeo’s, Hawley’s, etc. etc. (not to mention individual 1) and you could see their authoritarianism in all its “glory.” Carlson’s list of “grievances” – that is, all those things “Putin hasn’t done to America” – like, for one, “liberals” suggesting he be fired because of all his SEDITIOUS and racist commentary (with the backing of the Murdoch’s). Look, republicans have been demonizing “liberals” since back when Bush/Cheney LIED “we the people” into the Iraq WAR, but its surge to the “right” has pushed it “over the cliff.” When republicans’ commentary is being used on Russian TV to help with the brainwashing of the Russian people visa vie Ukraine, we KNOW our nation has devolved to an almost unimaginable place. Let’s hope “we the people” understand what I’ve been saying for years – and, that is to vote republicans into the History books, FINALLY!

Pray for the people of Ukraine!

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“He’s learned his lesson.” Those were the words of Susan Collins and, in a bit of an altered word salad, Lamar Alexander (and, maybe others) used to justify voting to acquit individual 1 after his FIRST IMPEACHMENT. Did he “learn his lesson?” Of course not – just as Adam Schiff predicted in his closing argument. So, we ended up with a completely incompetent response to the COVID pandemic and, of course, an attempted INSURRECTION leading to the deaths of (now) 7 people, injuries (some very serious) to over 140 police officers, and ultimately the SECOND IMPEACHMENT of individual 1. In the SECOND IMPEACHMENT trial republicans had the opportunity to admit Schiff was correct in the FIRST IMPEACHMENT trial and that individual 1 “would not change” so all they had to do was CONVICT him of OBVIOUS “high crimes and misdemeanors.” Seven of them actually voted to acquit, but the rest were COWERING in their boots and, of course, now we have individual 1 attempting to do it all over again.

The republican national committee actually, recently, referred to the ASSAULT on our Capitol where over 140 police officers were injured (one lost an eye, there was at least one with a traumatic brain injury, one was tased with his own taser at least 7 times to where he had a heart attack, and it goes on and on with MOST of the officers ending up with PTSD) as “legitimate political discourse.” I can picture the political ads now – running those words across the screen as video of the INSURRECTION is being played. Even some republican voters who have been sucked into individual 1’s CULT will be able to figure out that WASN’T “legitimate political discourse.” Will they still vote for these thugs? Who knows – we’ll see in November.

I have a (former) friend – who’s head over heals into the CULT – who believes republicans are going to win the midterms in the “biggest landslide ever” – and, of course, I hope he’s wrong. (he predicted individual 1 would win the 2020 election in a landslide – and, oh, by the way, he also predicted “liberals” would riot after the election – he won’t communicate but I suspect he believes the Capitol INSURRECTION was either caused by “antifa” or was an “FBI false flag” or, who knows “legitimate political discourse”) Of late I’ve reluctantly used the word STUPID in referring to republicans in Congress and, sadly, to members of the CULT who I occasionally hear giving their reasoning behind supporting our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president.

I use the term “sadly” in reference to the everyday Americans who actually believe what they’re being “fed” from the right wing media sphere – which includes everything from Fox “news” to the so-called “war room” of alleged (and pardoned – why did he need a pardon?) CRIMINAL Steve Bannon. (OK, I have to add this – it appears Bannon’s CRIMINAL behavior went beyond scamming individual 1’s supporters out of a few MILLION bucks – just sayin) I consider MOST of these Americans flocking toward individual 1 to be hard working honorable people – many are in the category individual 1 referred to as “uneducated voters.” I still remember after he LOST the Iowa Caucuses back in 2016 saying how he loved “uneducated voters.” I suppose he was referring to Rush Limbaugh’s followers who willingly referred to themselves as “ditto heads.”

On top of all the right wing propaganda flowing around the internet we also KNOW the Russian “Active Measures” campaign to spread mis/disinformation across platforms like Facebook is a continuing threat to our republic, Vladimir Putin is a busy man. While he has much of the world focused on Ukraine, he’s busy fomenting discord in one Western “democracy” after another – and it’s working – likely Putin is a big fan, for instance of all the truckers protesting in Canada right now – protests which are spreading to the United States and countries around Europe. Truckers are a hard working bunch, but you don’t need education to drive a truck and they listen to the heirs to Limbaugh’s propaganda all day long as they’re driving from one state (or country) to another. The propaganda works (Just as Hitler predicted when he came up with the “Big Lie” theory). And, by the way, I have to add, I see a parallel to the rise of this disinformation and the rise of Facebook – I don’t do Facebook, but I consider it an “evil” platform – people on the platform have NO idea what Facebook is doing with their “data.” I believe people get “sucked in” to Facebook just as they get “sucked in” to a CULT.

When it comes to “STUPID” regarding members of Congress, the first person who comes to my mind (on a long “waiting list”) is Ted Cruz. He’s been confirming he’s STUPID – despite a Law degree from Harvard – over and over again during his time in the U.S. Senate. I read a few years ago how he was the most “despised” member of the Senate – a bipartisan characterization – (although Josh Hawley is now giving him a “run for his money”) but over the previous year or two Cruz has “cemented” his place in the history of STUPID.

Most people likely remember (I certainly hope Texans do the next time Cruz is up for re-election) Cruz heading off to Cancun last year while Texas was in a severe cold snap and the electrical grid “ERCOT” (which Texas’ leaders knew would not withstand such a “cold snap” but chose to do nothing to protect their residents anyway) had failed – leaving Texans without heat, electricity, and, of course, without water for several days. In the process approximately 700 Texans died and ERCOT raised the wholesale rate for electricity from $25/megawatt to $9000 per megawatt – leaving those who survived the disaster HUGE electric bills along with the broken pipes, etc. And, where did Cruz believe he belonged? Cancun! That was STUPID!

But, as usual with republicans, there’s always more. Recently Cruz had a “brain fart” and actually told the TRUTH in a Senate hearing when he referred to the ASSAULT on the Capitol on January 6th, 2021 as a “violent terrorist attack.” OMG – how did Fox “news” and Tucker Carlson respond to that? Well, Carlson didn’t like that characterization and called out Cruz on his propaganda show. Not surprisingly, Cruz was soon groveling back saying he was “dumb” to say that and almost begging for Carlson’s forgiveness. Talk about more STUPID! Of course, Cruz has his sights set on the “White House” and knows he can’t get there without all the white nationalist support which is funneled through Carlson’s propaganda network/show so he showed once again there’s no level too LOW for him.

Naturally, there’s a bunch of others. I mentioned Hawley – who is now “infamous” for giving a (seemingly Hitler) salute to the INSURRECTIONISTS just prior to individual 1 “sacking” them onto Hawley’s workplace. I’m not going to attempt to list a “string” of STUPID stuff Hawley has said, other than to say he’s also got his eyes on the “White House” and he’s presuming republican voters are STUPID. On that front, the line forms behind individual 1, Ron DeSantis (I’m not going to get into his STUPID because he’s much more calculating), and Cruz (and Kristi Noem, and Greg Abbott, etc. etc.). All these republicans have learned from individual 1 to “love uneducated voters.”

Representative Andrew Clyde of Georgia, who is seen in photos helping to barricade the doors of the House Chamber during the INSURRECTION later referred to it as “a normal tourist visit.” OK, I don’t think I need to point out, that was STUPID. And, the STUPID just continues to flow from members of the House – Kevin McCarthy (videos of him on both sides of individual 1’s “fence”), Paul Gosar and Andy Biggs – both apparent white nationalists from Arizona – they say STUPID stuff all the time – and, somehow, remain in office, and Marjorie Taylor Green OMG, the list is a long one with her – beginning with “space lasers” starting fires in California to benefit Jerry Brown, the power company, and an investment bank run by Jews – yikes!

But, of course, there’s more – with republicans, there’s always more. Here’s some of the STUPID stuff which has come out of MTG’s mouth: An airplane never hit the Pentagon on September 11th – my (former) friend mentioned above believes the same thing – and MTG accused Hillary Clinton of “slicing off a child’s face and wearing it.” No matter the context of where that was said, it was STUPID!

There’s Louie Gohmert of Texas – giving Cruz a “run for his money” as the STUPIDEST member of Congress from Texas. Remember, as far as Texan’s are concerned, everything’s bigger in Texas. When you “visit” Gohmert’s list of STUPID things he’s said you can see he’s really concerned that some people happen to have been born “gay.” Here’s a (short) list: “I’m against gun control because Gay Marriage leads to sex with animals.” (Yikes!) Here’s another one: “If you let “gays” (my quotes) in the military they’ll massage each other and we’ll be too relaxed to win wars.” OMG But, there’s more: “Foreign mothers have babies in the U.S. just to turn them into terrorists.” I guess the good part of that one is he wasn’t referring to “gays.” This dude is incredibly STUPID!

I could go on and on with these people, but I hope you get my point – there are several others who fall in the really STUPID (or believe “we the people are “really stupid”) – but, STUPID permeates republican decisionmaking as well. I’ve pointed this out before, but the reason individual 1 LOST the 2020 election, in my view, comes from his combined STUPID with Moscow Mitch. During the first year of the COVID pandemic – even as individual 1 was claiming the pandemic was a “democrat hoax” (everything he doesn’t like seems to be a “hoax”) – Nancy Pelosi and the democrats attempted to get a bill through Congress which they referred to as the “HEROES Act” – it was designed to “crush the virus.” Both individual 1 and Moscow Mitch said it was “dead on arrival” in the Senate. I believe, had they passed that bill COVID would be less of a problem now – except for the strong possibility individual 1’s reign would be continuing. Calling that bill DOA was STUPID.

And, of course, individual 1, himself, proved his STUPID bonafides over and over again while he was occupying the Oval Office. For example, the hydroxychloroquine fiasco was STUPID. And, injecting Bleach was REALLY STUPID – possibly the STUPIDEST thing our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president said during his reign, but there’s always more. He also suggested finding a way to (I’m uncomfortable even imaging this one, because there’s only one possibility I can think of) put ultraviolet light “inside the body.” That was also REALLY STUPID! He LIED, by all accounts, over 10,000 times while our so-called president which I always considered STUPID, but people I know who are republicans, several of them, have told me they don’t believe he’s a LIAR. Yikes! To me, that’s STUPID!

Here’s my point, individual 1 is MORE dangerous now than he was in the “White House” simply because republicans have allowed him to be so. The January 6th Select Committee is collecting a mammouth amount of information and testimony regarding the ASSAULT on our Capitol which implies the “Seditious Conspiracy” goes all the way up to the “White House.” Yet, our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president goes around “doubling down” on the so-called “Big Lie” (Joseph Goebbels would be proud as I kind of said above) – and his CULT followers keep sucking it up. He even ADMITTED to the crime – when he publicly said, “Mike Pense should be investigated because he COULD have OVERTURNED the election.” STUPID!

America will NOT “heal” until (long after) individual 1 is spending his time behind bars. Keep in mind, investigators in New York and Atlanta have RICO (look it up) experts involved in their investigations – which, in the case of New York would imply individual 1’s children are allegedly up to their eyeballs in the alleged fraud just as their daddy. This is what happens when you put individuals with a history of organized crime activity in places of public honor. And, of course, “honor” is not something in their vocabulary. Once individual 1 is INDICTED, his base is going to revolt, because he’s been the “mechanism” white nationalists have used to, in their words, get into the “mainstream” of American politics. So far, it’s worked for them.

You can see examples of the DAMAGE (I’ve used that word over and over since the day individual 1 took [LIED about] his “oath” to his office) of this confluence of our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president with people like David Duke, Don Black, the “Oathkeepers,” The “Proud Boys” of “Stand back and stand by” fame, the 3 percenters, and other neo-Nazi groups who’ve come out from “under the rocks” because of individual 1’s “win” in 2016 – these are the “deplorables” Hillary Clinton warned us about. (Despite the fact it was TRUE – she didn’t fully explain who she was talking about which rendered THAT statement as STUPID as well)

The result of all this has been the “Jim Crow 2.0” anti-democratic voter suppression bills which have been “popping” up in one state after another where republicans control the legislature. These bills are aimed at making it possible for individual 1, or one of the other LYING republican candidates – whoever grovels enough to Tucker Carlson to get the nomination – to pull off the “coup d’etat” the next time around – where the state legislature can overturn the results in that state should the voters figure a way to still vote despite their (the legislature’s) attempt to suppress them. Just think, though, in 2024 should individual 1 somehow manage to CHEAT and get other republicans to CHEAT as well, it will be Kamala Harris overseeing the certification of the Electoral College results. Would she have the right, in individual 1’s mind, to overturn the results if he somehow managed to CHEAT to “win?” Obviously, the BEST solution to this problem lays in the “hands” of Merrick Garland! Stay tuned……………..

Final Thought: I have to say, “we the people” MUST expunge this nation of MULTIPLE members of republicans in Congress for the “healing” I referred to above in order for it to happen. I listed a group of the ones who’ve been at the forefront of the “STUPID” but it goes well beyond those I pointed out (for example, I said nothing about Ron Johnson, Rand Paul, Elise Stefanik, etc. etc.) – the reality is virtually EVERY member of the republican caucus in Congress is fully aware Joe Biden prevailed in the “most secure election in U.S. history” yet they’re AFRAID to say so. The level of the COWARDICE permeating the present day republican party is nauseating. I usually focus on the CRIMINAL behavior of individual 1 because I believe him being held CRIMINALLY accountable for his actions is paramount in our country being able to move on as a democratic republic. Yet, virtually all republicans in Congress are living in FEAR of our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president – which, to me, makes them all LOSERS! (whether they win their elections or NOT!) For SHAME!

I have to add: I’m a strong believer in the EV movement. My wife drives a Nissan Leaf – which is an amazing car that gets up to 260 miles on a single charge – and I drive a Chevrolet Volt (which I love – other than it’s pretty small) plus I used MOST of my retirement savings to put Solar panels on our property. That being said, I always wondered if someday I could afford to purchase a Tesla. Well, that was before I got my fill up to my eyeballs from listening to/reading about Elon Musk. Personally, I put him in the same stratosphere as Mark Zuckerberg. Their both “genius” in their fields, but NEITHER one of them seems to understand the importance of us regular folk and our best interests. The other day when I heard Musk encouraging the truckers who are blocking the U.S./Canada borders with their “big rigs” because, apparently Musk is an “anti-vaxxer” it became clear to me – I’ll NEVER own a Tesla. (Actually, I believe the Leaf is a worthy substitute – and I can go wherever I want and as far as I want in my Volt) As you can surmise, I don’t have a soft spot for tech “wizkids” who act like students I had in school (6th grade) who were autisitic – they seem to have NO social common sense. Yikes! once again.

A sidenote: I once predicted individual 1 (I was still calling him by his surname at the time) would “rue the day he decided to run for president.” Well, despite the fact he seems to be a willing “sponge” for all the media attention, good AND bad, I think that “day” is on the horizon. Letitia James has her sights set on his “organization” and Liz Cheney and Fani Willis have their sights set on his freedom. (As SHOULD Merrick Garland) Drip, drip, drip!