As I’m watching the debate over the next round of relief due to the coronavirus pandemic I find it interesting how the republicans are arguing amongst themselves about how draconian they want this bill to ultimately end up. The democrats passed the so-called HEROES act about two months ago which included money for State and Local governments, money so “we the people” – including republicans – can vote from home, money for saving the Postal Service, AND an extension of the $600 bonus to unemployed workers (another 1.4 MILLION filing claims this week) until next January. Well, the republicans don’t want ANY money for States and Local governments (meaning a lot of layoffs soon), they don’t want people to be able to vote from home AND they want the Postal Service to be privatized. Republicans are proposing a “whopping” $100 bonus to people’s unemployment benefits instead of the $600. I have to say, I’m wondering why ANY American would vote for a republican!? It’s as if they HATE working Americans who are at the bottom of the “food chain” and at the heart of this nation!

And, as bad as all of this is, our IMPEACHED so-called president is going way beyond what he’s done before as he’s deploying American troops across America against Americans in order to DEFLECT the attention of Americans from his DEPLORABLE failings in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic! Failings which include the destruction of our economy – which, by the way, would be much more apparent without that $600 per week each of the 30 – 40 MILLION Americans who are receiving unemployment benefits are spending. That money, unlike the $2 TRILLION republicans gave their donors in the most recent “tax cut for the rich,” is going directly back into the economy. I’ve pointed this out several times – that “bonus” for people out of work is used for things like RENT, car payments, FOOD, utility bills, etc.

Here’s the sad reality: republicans will likely need to see direct evidence that having 30 – 40 MILLION of our people without jobs AND, therefore, without money will negatively impact the overall economy. I’m no economist, but this seems glaringly OBVIOUS to me. If you take approximately twenty BILLION or so dollars out of the economy each week, the overblown stock market – which, to republicans, is the economy – will likely tank within a few weeks. And, by the time the republicans allow that to “sink” in (pun intended) and then they try to do something about it, well, we could be in the middle of an actual DEPRESSION. Providing money to these low wage workers is anathema to republicans – these are people who don’t donate to their campaigns.

Individual 1 is simply the “mechanism” which has exposed this republican party to more and more Americans. Republicans have been pilfering America’s taxpayers since the days of Ronald Reagan and they will continue to do so if they can somehow manage to find another way to BLAME democrats for the DAMAGE they’re causing to our way of life. For heaven’s sake, our IMPEACHED so-called president is allowing his FASCIST tendencies to take over and, still, the sounds coming from the republican caucus is “crickets.” (ie NOTHING) History will point out they had the opportunity to say NO to individual 1 in the IMPEACHMENT trial and, save for Mitt Romney, not one of them had the courage of their convictions. They ALL knew individual 1 was GUILTY of extortion, yet they chose to enable an act which was a clear “High Crime.” Our constitution, which is where their oath was aimed when they were first elected, gave them the means to fix this problem and they chose, instead, to ENABLE! A sad day (and time) in our history!

We have an IMPEACHED so-called president who clearly believes in CHEATING, who is a pathological LIAR, and is morally bankrupt so it’s incumbent on those of us who reject fascism – and, I’m not talking about that word which people have loosely thrown the around for years, I’m talking about real fascism – to UNITE in an effort to purge our government of any remnants of individual 1’s assault on our fundamental values. And, if you consider my suggesting he’s a fascist is hyperbole, I would suggest you read up on what that means and now “democracies” have descended into fascism around the world. Turkey is a great example, and Russia, with Vladimir Putin another example – although, Russia was an “infant” in the terms of democracy when Putin took control. Obviously, individual 1 has not tried to hide his admiration of these dictators around the world and he hasn’t given up on turning America into another example of Turkey or Russia. (There are many more examples around the world – have you ever wondered why individual 1 and William Barr are so concerned with “Antifa?”)

Individual 1 and William Barr, have turned the Justice Department into a “weapon,” he’s clearly been working overtime to fill the courts with lackeys, now we see the head of “Homeland Security” – set up to protect “we the people” from another “9/11” – deploying American “troops” to attack American protesters in American cities. Think about that! Then think about all the organized propaganda attacks on the so-called “liberal media” – while using Fox “news” as the propaganda arm of the government (along with another group of lackeys who will lie for money, like Rush Limbaugh, etc.). This is the culmination of the republican attempt to gain their “permanent republican majority” which keeps running into the problem of “we the people’s” right to vote. Of course, you can be assured, republicans are doing EVERYTHING they can to suppress that vote in places where people would tend to vote for, well, democrats! At this point, republicans are in desperate mode – and, they’ll do whatever it takes to “win.”

This is why it is SO important for Americans across the political spectrum to turn out this November and REJECT individual 1. I’ve recently been donating what I can to the “Lincoln Project” – which is a group of republicans who I disagree with on many issues but a group I’d love to sit down with in a casual setting (like breakfast) and have a dialogue. I often listen to Rick Wilson, Steve Schmidt, and Bill Crystal and find them interesting. It would be fun to debate them on the issues of the day – I believe it could be done civilly – but, fundamentally, despite me being an independent, I’ve disagreed with them politically for years. However, their commitment to helping defeat individual 1 has been an encouragement to me. I’ve been saying since day one of his administration, “we the people” will be relying on republicans to get him out of office. I really didn’t think it would take this long, but…………….. (You should check out the ads coming from the “Lincoln Project” – democrats could learn a lot from this group)

When it comes to CHEATING there aren’t very many republicans I trust to believe CHEATING is wrong. I’ve pointed out here numerous times, for example, I believe there are many republican governors CHEATING in regard to the severity of Covid-19 in order to make themselves and our IMPEACHED so-called president look better. Obviously, they feel this is necessary because of the BOTCHED attempt (or lack of an attempt) by our federal government to stop the spread of this deadly virus. We’ve actually listened to our IMPEACHED so-called president, on multiple occasions, suggest “If we tested less we’d have less cases.” That is such an absurd comment I just hope people in other countries missed it (of course, they didn’t). If you’re a supporter of individual 1 and you’re not that bright, let me help you – if we tested less we’d KNOW about even fewer cases therefore allowing the virus to spread even faster!

I’m guessing, due to the incompetence of individual 1, “we the people” are at or nearly at the point where the spread of the virus can’t be mitigated. In places like Texas as many as one in three people tested are positive – suggesting the virus is REALLY bad in Texas – worst than the statistics available to people like me would suggest – which is REALLY bad! All across the South and Southwest hospitals are beyond their capacity – they’re creating beds in HALLWAYS – and, they’re bringing in the refrigerated truck trailers to act as temporary morgues – the morgues are full! They’re being forced to decide who gets care and who doesn’t – they’re out of beds! These are the realities you can’t LIE about. It’s like this in Texas, Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and several other states – likely to keep spreading across the nation because the virus knows NO borders and individual 1 has chosen being AWOL as his “strategy.” That is, he doesn’t want to be bothered about the virus!

In regard to the CHEATING I’ve been talking about I’ve speculated various republican governors have been finding other “causes” for the death certificates of Covid-19 victims, especially, the older ones. I suggested a while back, after hearing a couple examples, that when someone dies from Covid-19, often times, it’s because it got into their lungs and they couldn’t breathe. Of course, I don’t know all the details of why someone who’s been intubated ultimately passes away, but my guess was, for example, that to someone like Ron DeSantis or Kristi Noem, you could report it as death via pneumonia. So, I did a little checking – and, I’m obviously no investigative “reporter,” but here’s one thing I found: nationwide, in the last week of March and the first two weeks of April approximately 22,300 Americans died of pneumonia when the average expected mortality of pneumonia for those same weeks based on previous statistics would have been 11, 300 Americans would die from that disease. I’ll let you try to “put two plus two together.”

The bottom line to me right now, July of 2020, is individual 1 can’t LIE or CHEAT his way out of the reality he’s incapable of leading this nation in a crisis and the Covid-19 crisis will be part of the MESS he leaves for Joe Biden and the democrats to attempt to “fix” come January of 2021. Most Americans felt the MESS Bush/Cheney left for the Barack Obama administration (Obama/Biden) was overwhelming – Obama/Biden turned what could have been another “Great Depression” after the financial collapse under Bush/Cheney into the Great Recession which Obama/Biden morphed into the slow steady improving economy they handed off to individual 1 in January of 2017. I, among many, predicted individual 1 would do with this inheritance what he’s done with his previous inheritances and destroy it. Well, here we are……………..

When you consider the Covid-19 crisis, the economic crisis, and the crisis in the streets of America it’s plain that, as of now, individual 1’s “MESS” will include three crises the next administration will “inherit.” Here’s the bottom line for “we the people” – the VOTERS – it is incumbent on us to continue paying attention and demanding the changes which are required to move this nation into the 21st century – as something other than the “world’s policeman.” It should be obvious to MOST Americans we spend way too much on the military and not nearly enough on the investments necessary to make our nation healthy once more. Investments in our people – from the bottom up (that’s an entire topic for another day) – investments in our infrastructure, investment in our education system, and, of course, turning health care into a “right” in America instead of a “privilege.” A large “MESS” means there is a HUGE opportunity!

Final thought: I’ve pointed out, in the past, my willingness to give our IMPEACHED so-called president advice and, well, I’ve got some NEW advice for him. First, I have to give a bit of context. I’m soon to be 73 years old and I’ve been dealing with early onset arthritis for about 45 years. Between 2004 and 2014 I had 14 different surgeries – until, I decided “enough” – and, decided to keep taking the pills so I could stay out of the hospital. Every year I take a physical exam and, over the past few years my doctor has given me a test to see if I’m still “all here.” Actually, it’s a test to see if I’m heading toward dementia. I haven’t shared that information with too many people because I didn’t feel it necessary to BRAG that I’m still not totally “losing it.” Well, as things these days would have it, this is the same test given to individual 1.

Things like “can you count backwards from 10?” “Can you name a certain number of four legged animals.” OMG – I can’t remember how many you have to remember! (It’s been almost a year since the last time I took it :o) I was listening to individual 1 BRAGGING to someone on Fox “news” tonight that he “passed” the test and I almost fell on the floor laughing. I can’t believe our IMPEACHED so-called president did anything which caused me to laugh – but, I’m admitting it. However, I laughed because his BRAGGING was unbelievably PATHETIC! Honestly, I had to wonder, “what could cause him to think this is some kind of challenging test?” Does he not remember 6th grade? There wasn’t ONE test I EVER gave my sixth grade students which was not significantly MORE intellectually challenging than this test (I don’t know what they call it). In fact, I’m guessing my second grade granddaughter is challenged well beyond what our IMPEACHED so-called president is BRAGGING about! His advisers keep telling him to SHUT UP! He, really should listen to them!

Individual 1 continues to find new ways to EMBARRASS “we the people.” In this instance the EMBARRASSMENT is NOT as devastating – which is good. But, the coronavirus incompetence is also EMBARRASSING but it’s devastating to those who are suffering because of the incompetence – which is going to be more and more of us every day as the infection spreads. The FACT people around the world are laughing AT America is EMBARRASSING itself and, until, November there’s nothing “we the people” can do about it. I just hope he’ll quit making such a FOOL of himself between now and then and will stop sending military troops into our cities to attack WOMEN trying to shield their children who are exercising their first amendment rights!

I have to add: While we’re talking about republicans ATTACKING women, well, it seems they simply are incapable of learning. Last night I watched video of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on the floor of the House “dress down” Representative Ted Yoho of Florida for calling her a “f@#king bitch” on the steps of the Capitol building in front of reporters. It was as if this is just what republicans do – and, after it was reported in the press, Mr. Yoho gave the typical non-apology apology and Ms Ocasio-Cortez would have none of it. I’ve been saying for almost two years now, these “new” democratic lawmakers in the democratic party – including Ms Ocasio-Cortez – are giving me hope. They are spry, they are bright, and they are fighters. There’s a large group of them and I’m doing the best I can to support them ($5 – $20 at a time) and, maybe, people like Mr. Yoho (along with Jim Jordan, Matt Gaetz, Devin Nunez, and the goofy guy from Texas who I can’t remember his name) will not get re-elected.

When you stop to think about this, it’s not that surprising. If you don’t understand what I mean take a look (again) to the “Access Hollywood” tape where individual 1 BRAGGED about grabbing women by their “pussies” – “Because, when you’re famous they’ll just let you.” Well, shortly after that video was released about 20 women came forward and let us all know they weren’t “just letting him grope them.” In fact, they were incredulous – they just felt there was nothing they could do about him slipping his hand up their dress and, well, you know the rest! Kudos to Ms. Ocasio-Cortez!!!

I’m old. My hands are bad. I want to quit writing so much. But, at the same time I don’t believe I’ll be able to stop until individual 1 has been voted out of office. And, make no mistake, I’m of the “bent” “we the people” need a massive run on the polls to hold our IMPEACHED so-called president accountable and all the republicans in Congress who’ve been his lackey’s. Of course, I know we’re NOT going to vote them all out of office, but, based on the reality of the day, I believe it’s possible to vote MANY of them into the history books. And, that would include Moscow Mitch and Leningrad Lindsay – although, admittedly, they will be difficult to defeat. They are so entrenched in Kentucky and South Carolina it will take a massive run on the polls by democrats (and, disenchanted republicans) to get them out of there.

Things keep getting worse. Today, I read where individual 1 “doesn’t want to be bothered with the pandemic anymore.” OK, that’s really bad! He’s the one who’s supposed to put together a national plan to mitigate the DAMAGE of this virus, but, by now, we all know, he’s INCAPABLE of doing so. But, to be disinterested? To not want to be bothered? While Americans are dying by the thousands? And, today, it was reported the “White House” is lobbying to REMOVE every stinking bit of money in the next “Covid-19” bill intended for “testing, tracing, and treating.” Likely, because that is the want of the democrats – Nancy Pelosi in particular.

I wrote the other day it would not surprise me to see individual 1, in vindictiveness, turn on the American people as a way to get even for the nasty polls he’s looking at. Instead of attempting to formulate an actual “plan” to “turn things around,” he can’t do that – why? – well, we all know why – he would have to admit to a mistake. He’s absolutely incapable of that. And, worse, he will continue to soil himself and cause “we the people” to be sickened as he proclaims what a great job he’s doing. He’ll keep trying to tell us his blocking fights from China (he really didn’t do that, but he thinks he did – and, regardless, it solved NOTHING) saved “2 to 3 MILLION people from dying.” Yikes!!! The guy’s a NUT JOB!!!

So, let me give you a hint of context. When this all started, the original predictions from scientists said if we did NOTHING (which, apparently, is individual 1’s plan) there could be 2.2 MILLION Americans losing their lives before we reached “herd immunity.” Of course, that was before scientists understood it’s possible we won’t be able to reach “herd immunity” because they don’t understand how long immunity lasts once you get the virus – already, there are reports of people getting it AGAIN! That being said, it’s already been determined individual 1’s LACK of action in the first “70 days” of the virus hitting our shores has resulted in the loss of, by now, deaths totally 100,000 – and counting. Of course, the FACT our IMPEACHED so-called president has, essentially, walked away from the crisis just makes this worse.

When you look at virtually every other country in the world (except Brazil) it becomes obvious how BAD “we the people” are doing. And, in places like Washington State, where I live, we had brought the “numbers” way down – but, they’re going back up again. I pointed out, early on, what was going to happen if the (republican) governors in the South, Southwest, and Rust Belt continued to “pooh pooh” the virus it was going to get out of control in their states and, sadly, it would then spread back to those states who actually tried to “stop the spread” early on. Now the United States is averaging somewhere around 70,000 new cases per day and, based on all the reports I’m seeing from the governors responsible for the massive outbreaks, it’s going to get MUCH worse. According to Dr. Fauci we’re looking at 100,000 NEW cases per day SOON!

This will turn our Health Care system into a national disaster and our doctors and nurses will be tested beyond reason – with many of them becoming martyrs to a totally DEPLORABLE (so-called) president and a bunch of his lackeys – headed by Ron DeSantis, Brian Kemp, Greg Abbott, and Doug Ducey the governors of Florida, Georgia, Texas, and Arizona in order. There are others, but these are the worst ones – at least some of the others are beginning to put up a fight if that’s just mandating masks in public places. It’s very discouraging to see the number of Americans who’ve been brainwashed into thinking wearing a mask is some kind of abridgment of their liberty. In fact, their liberty does NOT allow them to abridge mine! It really is similar to preventing people from smoking in public places – you don’t get to put YOUR smoke in MY lungs!

I spent the last 22 years of my working life in a 6th grade classroom and I TOTALLY believe the best place for our children come September is back in their classrooms. But, not at the expense of the risk to their health and that of the adults in the buildings. Based on what I’ve been seeing coming from the “White House,” There seems to be a lack of concern for both. Which, of course, means our IMPEACHED so-called president’s “plan” amounts to NOTHING! Individual 1 is simply demanding schools reopen, but he’s willing to do NOTHING to help mitigate the risks EVERYONE in the buildings will be facing. As I pointed out above, he’s even pushing to pull ALL funds aimed toward increased testing in the next relief bill out of the bill! That is utter NONSENSE – but, that’s what “we the people” are facing. The schools need much more than simply the ability to test those involved – and, don’t tell me kids can’t get this virus and that it doesn’t hurt them.

Of course they can and of course it can! In fact, we don’t understand all the ways it can affect children, but one thing we do know is that some of the issues can be either life threatening or cause lifetime issues or both. I don’t think that’s a GAMBLE very many parents want to take with their children. Imagine sending your student back to school in Florida where there are between 10,000 and 16,000 NEW cases EVERY day – likely to get worse – and, knowing there’s a shortage of testing facilities. What does that mean? That means the situation is MUCH worse. Personally, I wouldn’t expect parents to send their kids to school under those circumstances.

And, get this, there’s groups of people around the country complaining their kids would have to wear a mask if they reopen the schools this fall as if it would violate their “liberty.” My first thought when I saw that was “Are you kidding me?” Then I thought, is it possible these mothers (and, from the photo I saw of the demonstration, it was WHITE mothers protesting) don’t care if their children get the virus? Have they been watching too much Fox news? It’s true only a small percentage of children who contract Covid-19 get critically ill, but do you really want to be the one?

Sadly, in most instances, it will be the kids from the low socio-economic status homes who will be almost forced to go back to school – there are a plethora of reasons why it’s really important for them, not the least of which is food. I taught in a school which had a poverty rate of over 90% and I would have gladly gone into the classroom, but my guess is there will be a lot of kids getting “home-schooled” this year if the federal government can’t come up with a “plan” to slow down the spread of this virus. And, based on what we’re seeing from our IMPEACHED so-called president, “Don’t hold your breath.”

Honestly, there’s far more individual 1 can do out of spite the closer he gets to election day and the worst the polls look for him. He CAN’T get out and hold his rallies because of his ineptitude in dealing with the virus. As I keep observing his actions I’m seeing one irony after another. He wants to campaign, he can’t because he refuses to deal with the pandemic. He wants schools to open but, again, by refusing to deal with the pandemic more and more will be going “virtual.” He wants to be viewed as a “war time president,” but – you guessed it, he’s AWOL from the battle – not a good look. And, now he wants to be considered a “law and order” president but he keeps giving one example after another of his disdain for our laws and our constitution.

He comes across to me, as I’ve said many times here, as a wannabe mafia boss – he’s trying to be like Vladimir Putin. It’s really rather pathetic. Not only has he, on multiple occasions, shown his utter disdain for our system of laws with his repeated OBSTRUCTIONS – he obstructed Mueller, by many accounts, at least 10 times and his OBSTRUCTION of Congress was one of the Articles of Impeachment. If the election wasn’t a couple months away I have no doubt Congress would IMPEACH him again. He’s now putting troops in the streets of American cities unilaterally with not even a hint of explanation or justification. And, I can tell you, I certainly hope graffiti on the walls of a building isn’t sufficient cause to call in the military to KIDNAP American citizens without cause! This is fascism, pure and simple!

I live across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon and what is going on there would make Vladimir Putin semi proud. Of course, Putin knows the limitations individual 1 is operating under, but he’s got to be thrilled he managed to get an American (so-called) president elected who’s “trampling” on the constitution in a way making elected officials wonder “what the hell can we do to stop this?” I kicked in some money the other day for a group of people who have created a “street medic” force for those getting brutalized by the forces individual 1 has put on the streets of Portland. They purchased a “decommissioned” ambulance which they are getting “up to speed” so they can help those being injured by the thugs our IMPEACHED so-called president has put on the streets of Portland.

I watched film the other day of a Navy veteran who wanted to question those members of the ILLEGAL force individual 1 has on our streets (Portland) and he was met by a couple UNIDENTIFIED members of ???? (we have no idea what “force” they belong to) by “billy clubs” and then a third member of this force sprayed pepper spray directly into his face. This was a big, burly, former member of the Navy and he simply turned and walked away – no violence (on his part)! It turned out these federal THUGS broke his hand in several places. Really, is this what we want in America? These THUGS are wandering the streets of Portland and KIDNAPPING protesters with NO probable cause, not identifying themselves, and, in most cases, simply intimidating them and then releasing them. The COURT CASES are coming, but it will take time for them to get resolved and, likely, individual 1 will be GONE by that time. Hopefully, there will be accountability down the road.

What should this accountability look like? Well, let’s start with individual 1’s authority to send these THUGS in the first place. Yes, it appears they are able to prevent protesters from putting graffiti on the Federal Building – but, wandering the streets and KIDNAPPING people randomly? I’m not sure where the authority for doing that comes from? Using tear gas on the streets of Portland when it’s been specifically banned? Can ANY president order Federal troops to override local laws and ordinances at will? I’d say to “conservatives,” be careful what you wish for! And, there was a COMPLETELY peaceful protester in Portland who was SHOT between the eyes by a “non-lethal” bullet – putting this person in the operating room attempting to save his life after his skull being fractured. I believe there will be legal consequences for that action – whoever shot that projectile should be checking the phone book for an ATTORNEY. (And, I can guarantee you, individual 1 won’t be paying the bill)

Individual 1 is out of control and, sadly, republicans still continue their operating in FEAR of the “nasty tweet” which means, via their silence, they are complicit in ALL of this. If “we the people” don’t like Federal troops on our streets, if we don’t like a (so-called) president being AWOL during a “once in a century” global pandemic, If “we the people” don’t want a (so-called) president making RACIST comments as if he’s using a “bull horn” instead of what’s been, up until now, a “dog whistle,” if we don’t want a (so-called) president undermining virtually EVERY traditional institution in our country, if “we the people” don’t want a (so-called) president destroying our credibility with our international allies, and, if “we the people” don’t want a (so-called) president doing to our economy what he’s done to his business (bankruptcy) in the past (five times), then we need to follow the advice of the republicans making up the “Lincoln Project” and vote for Joe Biden!

Final Thought: I stopped reading John Bolton’s book about half way through because I just got Mary Trump’s book which I will finish reading first. Both Mr. Bolton and Ms. Trump confirm what I’ve read in countless other books – including “Anonymous” which comes from someone else on the “inside” – and, that is our IMPEACHED so-called president SHOULD have been convicted of “High Crimes and Misdemeanors” by the republican Senate when they had the opportunity to “free” “we the people” from this nightmare. Maybe these Senators don’t read, but the evidence we have a mafia boss as our (now) IMPEACHED so-called president is overwhelming. He’s trying to “be like Putin” – who operates the world’s largest organized crime syndicate – even though he comes across as a wannabee.

Of course, if he can convince Americans to give him a second term, well, all bets would be off. That seems highly unlikely at this point in time – but, I will be encouraging anyone and everyone who I talk to to vote in November. Yes, some will vote for individual 1, but, at this point in time, his DISAPPROVAL rating is hovering around 60%. He’s the least popular (so-called) president in my lifetime – and, I can guarantee you, he’ll get less popular after he’s been voted out of office. Many Americans will be claiming “I didn’t vote for him.” He’s like the bad version of George Wallace and, hopefully, the accountability for his illegal behavior will be pursued once he’s no longer protected by the OLC memo. When you read Mary Trump’s book it helps you understand what is happening and he comes across as a pathetic example of a person raised in an abusive environment. Pathetic or not, “we the people” MUST vote him out of office along with his republican enablers – who didn’t have the courage of their own convictions!

I get the uneasy feeling individual 1 will be attempting to “burn down” more and more of our institutions as we get nearer to November and his poll numbers continue to “tank.” I just don’t have any confidence he’s capable of admitting to all the mistakes he’s made so he’ll be “doubling down” on them and enacting his revenge on all us “liberals” who are going to vote against him in the election. I’m guessing that’s part of his “strategy” (if he’s capable of a “strategy”) with the troops in American cities run by democrats!

In America there always has been or is going to be a “divide” between the two parties except for critical times when it is/was incumbent on “we the people” to “come together.” In my lifetime, those moments when we have managed to do this have been the result of leadership coming from whoever, at that time, is the president. For example, after the attack of “9/11” George W Bush’s approval rating went into the 90’s – until he began the LYING which got “we the people” encumbered in the Iraq fiasco. Well, now is a time when there WAS an opportunity to pull “we the people” together and we are seeing the opposite behavior. Individual 1 is becoming more and more obnoxious by the day. His approval rating shows it!

Yesterday, in a rambling “press briefing” – which was NOT a press briefing – instead a rambling monologue which lasted over an hour of rhetorical “ping pong,” individual 1 was “bouncing” from one grievance to another. Aside from the reality giving a campaign oration in the Rose Garden is a violation of tradition (Of course, it is – he could care less about “tradition”), individual 1 is setting a standard for LYING which, likely will never be challenged from the place of honor (in his case, dishonor) he now holds. I just purchased the book written by his niece and she was finally granted permission to speak in public (that’s a story for another day) and she was asked yesterday what advice she would giver her uncle at this point in time – after all that has happened since he took office and her advice was RESIGN!

I couldn’t agree more – only because I’m concerned about the scope of the DAMAGE he might inflict on “we the people” out of revenge for getting thrown out of office. And, if you think that’s hyperbole, check back with me post election. It’s going to get really interesting. We’re watching a mafioso boss “leading” our country in real time. It does appear some of his CULT is beginning to “peel off” because individual 1’s behavior is so bizarre, but the reality is there is a curious group of Americans who, somehow, still support him. And, many of them claim to be Christians! Let that sink in. When I’m trying to explain to someone why I believe in Jesus I often have to make sure I point out I DON’T support individual 1 and I don’t understand how any “Christian” could possibly do so.

I mentioned above I purchased Mary Trump’s book (more on that later) which is on the top of my PILE of books I’ve purchased – but, I’m certain her book will just be “the cherry on top” of all the other books I’ve read by authors attempting to provide “we the people” the evidence we need to understand we MUST vote individual 1 and as many of his sycophants (ie republican Senators and republicans in the House) as we possibly can come November 3rd out of office. There’s a growing list of people who are “in the know” pointing out our country can NOT survive another four years with this IMPEACHED so-called president in the “White House.” Personally, I’m worried about the DAMAGE he can inflict on “we the people” before January 20th of next year!

As I listened to Mary Trump in an interview it reminded me of what I read in “Anonymous A Warning” written by, well, we don’t know. It was written by someone on the inside of individual 1’s administration – I kept feeling its author is Kellyanne Conway as I read through it – but, regardless, this was someone on the inside suggesting we MUST vote individual 1 out of office come November. Clearly, a republican who simply sees the danger in him remaining in power. Other republicans, like Rick Wilson (now part of the “Lincoln Project” – to which I’ve donated money), Conway’s husband George (also part of the Lincoln Project), John Bolton (I’m in the middle of his book), Mitt Romney (who will be the leader of the republican party and considered a hero when this is all said and done – that’s my prediction), Steve Schmidt (also of the “Lincoln project” along with Bill Crystal). and, the list goes on – republicans who now realize the DANGER of this (so-called) president.

So, why would this growing number of republicans be “pulling the alarm” on the reality of what “we the people” are dealing with under the “guidance” of a mafia boss in the “White House.” Of course, the issues are numerous and I’ll pick a few off the top of my head. Naturally, I’m concerned with the Covid-19 crisis because, it appears to me, it is at the root of what is holding our economy down – well more than has been publicly reported. Yesterday in America there were over 73,000 confirmed cases in America while ALL of Europe had something over 17,000 cases. Today, even more NEW cases! Dr. Fauci’s prediction of 100,000 new cases per day seems to be just around the corner. And, worst of all, individual 1 is doing NOTHING to mitigate the spread of the virus, almost as if this is one of his “presents” to “we the people” for threatening to vote him out of office.

I live across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon. Well, over this past week our IMPEACHED so-called president has ordered his “brown shirts” into Portland – actually, they are unidentified federal thugs wearing cammo and dressed with riot gear, including automatic weapons and tear gas – clear violations of local regulations – and they are actually simply KIDNAPPING peaceful demonstrators, throwing them into unmarked rented vans and hauling them off to who knows where. One of the demonstrators – you’ve probably seen video of this outrage – was SHOT in the head by one of the “intruders” and is now fighting for his life in a Portland hospital. What is the stated reason from the Department of Homeland Security? (? really?) There’s graffiti on the walls of the federal building. Yikes!!!

If I were the governor of Oregon I would be ordering these people to be arrested every time they put a hand on a local resident, every time they fired their weapons at demonstrators, and, especially, EVERY time they KIDNAPPED one of the protesters. Let’s find out if individual 1 has had enough effect on the courts to allow for outright fascism – which is exactly what this amounts to. Individual 1 is attempting to convince Americans he’s the “Law and Order” (so-called) president – apparently, believing “we the people” haven’t noticed he’s OBSTRUCTED Justice on multiple occasions, has CHEATED in order to “win” the election and is doing it again, and has a history of financial “hanky panky” dating back to the 1970’s. He clearly believes “we the people” are STUPID. And, evidently, to a degree he’s correct!

The bottom line here, though, is there actually are republicans who believe in traditional conservative “Burkian” (I may have made up a word) philosophy. George Will comes to mind and he’s rebuked individual 1 as strongly as just about any “conservative.” I would agree Mr. Will is a “conservative” based on my understanding of the actual meaning of the word. Individual 1, Moscow Mitch, Lindsay Graham, Jim Jordan, Matt Gaetz, Devin Nunez, and I could go on and on – not so much. To me, they are more like right wing thugs!

I’ve been pointing out individual 1 is a fascist for over three years now. I’m sure that was considered hyperbole by many who read the words, but I now “rest my case.” The part of the interview with Mary Trump and Rachel Maddow which really caught my attention was when she said “If “Donald” wins another term in the ‘White House’ it will be the end of the American experiment.” I’ve always felt the only way for America to become a fascist state would be from within and I always have felt “we the people” would never let that happen. Well, I’ll find out this November. It’s incumbent on “we the people” to end this nightmare. Joe Biden is correct when he says November’s election is for the soul of this nation!

I’ll end by pointing out over the previous several days the average number of NEW Covid-19 cases reported EACH day have exceeded 70,000. And, “we the people” desperately need our federal government to institute a “plan” to mitigate the virus – but, individual 1 is AWOL. Of course, he’s been AWOL for much of the time we’ve been dealing with this pandemic – the FIRST 70 days and, now, the previous 70 (or so) days. America has become an embarrassment to the rest of the world and we’re stuck with this reality until next January. How bad can it get?? Stay tuned!!!

Final Thought: I was one of the one MILLION Americans who purchased Mary Trump’s book on its first day (actually, I purchased it a few weeks prior to its release) and, tonight. I listened to an interview with Ms Trump and Rachel Maddow on MSNBC. To say the least, the interview was interesting. I haven’t read the book yet (just got it today and I’m in the middle of John Bolton’s book AND I have Jacob Soberoff’s book, “Separated,” which I really want to read) but what may be the most salacious part of tonight’s interview was Mary Trump “matter of factly” saying she’s heard her uncle, individual 1, routinely use the “N word” and “anti-Semitic slurs.”

Ms Trump clearly agrees with people like me when she says should her uncle be re-elected it would be “the end of the American experiment.” She adds William Barr has “gutted the Justice Department” and Mike Pompeo has “gutted the State Department” and this is not hyperbole it’s just the way it is. So, the reality is NOTHING which came from Mary Trump’s mouth tonight surprised me including his use of racial slurs. Of course he does! Do you think someone who led the “Birther movement” and referred to countries in Africa as “shithole” countries is not a racist? Do you really believe someone who blocked African Americans from renting from him to the point where he paid fines to the government is NOT a racist? PLLLLEASE!

I’m looking forward to reading this book and I’ll be giving a “book report” as soon as I’m finished.

This past week individual 1 commuted the sentence of Roger Stone who “had the goods” on our IMPEACHED so-called president and, clearly, was suggesting the first day he spent behind bars would be the day he would consider the old saying “lets make a deal.” And, of course, individual 1 chose a commutation as opposed to a pardon ostensibly because that’s what Stone was lobbying for – so he could “clear his name.” ????? That makes no sense to me. Stone says he wants another trial – of course he does, so he can be found GUILTY on seven counts AGAIN! If you believe these people I’ve got a bridge……………… (OK, you know where that goes) So, why the commutation instead of a pardon? Well, I believe the answer is quite simple.

Had individual 1 pardoned Stone he (Stone) could be called as a witness in a future proceeding and he would have lost his 5th amendment rights. In other words, the next Attorney General, who I’m going to assume will not be part of the same organized crime syndicate as William Barr, could decide to dig deeper into the “Russia thing” and call Stone as a witness. He would then have two choices (well, actually three). He could “rat out” individual 1 by telling the TRUTH about what REALLY happened in the 2016 campaign with the Russians or he could refuse to “rat out” ‘the boss’ and, without 5th amendment protection, go to jail for contempt of court. And, of course, the third option is what he usually does and that is to LIE! Of course, in this instance, LYING is perjury and, I would suppose, any good prosecutor could catch him in the act and, well, there he is back in prison.

I’m not sure what protections getting a commuted sentence brings him, but I’m guessing it precludes him having the opportunity to have to LIE for individual 1 once again. Actually, I hope I’m wrong, but I don’t think so. Truth be told, I’m hoping he was actually telling the truth when he said he wants a new trial. I really hope that’s granted and I would look forward to seeing the results. Keep in mind, should that happen, Bill Barr will likely be long gone (maybe he’ll be defending himself in the next door courtroom – we can hope) so there will be no one to mitigate his sentence the next go round. Of course, Stone was LYING when he suggested he wants a “new trial.” He might be dumb, but he’s not stupid! (OK, I’m guessing on that one)

When you get beyond the CORRUPTION the Stone case – from the moment Barr interceded to the time individual 1 commuted the sentence Barr got reduced – you get a clear picture of why there were HUGE groups of Americans in the streets after the LYNCHING of George Floyd. There are a plethora of issues, none of which look good for “we the people.” (And, picture Barr right now – he further soiled himself in stepping on the “plank” and getting Stone’s sentence, essentially, cut in half – and, then individual 1 pushed him off the end of the plank by commuting that REDUCED sentence. But, there’s a whole lot more.

For starters: Picture if you had agreed to be a part of the jury which took a month or more out of their lives to do their “duty” only to have their work over ridden by our IMPEACHED so-called president in maybe the MOST brazen act of corruption in my lifetime. (I’ve been paying attention to all this stuff since the days for Eisenhower.) That’s got to be frustrating to sit on a jury for that length of time only to find out it was a waste of your time. Is it any wonder people don’t want to do their jury “duty?”

Of course, the real frustration lies elsewhere. Picture ALL the people (mostly Black and Brown) who are languishing in various prisons around the country for “crimes” like possession of marijuana or other non-violent crimes involving drug abuse. These are crimes far less serious than Stone’s and yet he is “freed” without spending a single day in jail. Robert Mueller made it clear in his report how serious the CRIME of “obstruction of justice” is to the fundamental ability of prosecutors to carry out “equal justice under the law.” Mueller made it clear “obstruction” is a very serious CRIME. Of course, individual 1 “OBSTRUCTS” justice routinely, so it’s not too surprising he would disregard the seriousness of his actions as he commuted Stone’s sentence. However, that doesn’t make it any less egregious!

Our IMPEACHED so-called president tried to “sneak” this action in while “we the people’s” focus was rightly aimed at his ignoring our troops being targeted by rebels in Afghanistan who were being “paid” by Vladimir Putin. Further evidence Putin has “something” on individual 1 – lately, I keep thinking there MUST actually be a “pee tape” – or maybe worse. And, of course, the ineptitude in dealing with Covid-19 makes it hard to pay attention to almost anything else. As of the previous week I’m guessing the “7 day average” number of NEW daily confirmed cases nationally exceeds 60,000! Dr. Fauci claimed “unless we change our strategy we will soon be experiencing 100,000 new confirmed cases per day.”

Well, individual 1 didn’t seem to like hearing that (plus a lot more coming from Dr. Fauci) so, naturally, his solution was to ATTACK Fauci in ANOTHER desperate attempt to DEFLECT blame from his TERRIBLE lack of leadership regarding the virus which is throttling this nation – getting worse EVERY day just like Dr. Fauci predicted. (I would understand if you thought I meant his “leadership” was getting worse every day – but, actually, I was referring to the virus. Although, you have a point!) We are witnessing the WORST president in American history in REAL time!

Final Thought: Numerous times on this site I’ve speculated there are republican governors all around the country who are CHEATING on the “causes of death” for people succumbing to Covid-19 because it makes their TERRIBLE decisions to “open” their economies way too soon look a bit better. That’s if you can make yourself look better when your hospitals are at 100+% capacity and the refrigerated truck trailers are lining up outside these hospitals to hold the bodies because the morgues are full. Well, that’s exactly what’s happening in places like Texas, Florida, Arizona among others – and, it’s getting worse – because their “leader,” individual 1 continues insisting on doing NOTHING to mitigate this virus.

So, here’s my suggestion. Check the statistics on people who’ve died from pneumonia in these places over the previous four or five months and compare it to the months prior to the virus hitting us and to previous years. I saw one example somewhere, I don’t remember where, and, I think, it was referencing Texas (or Florida) and the numbers of people dying from pneumonia and it showed exactly what I’ve been talking about. The difference in anticipated deaths from pneumonia and those reported since this pandemic started was something like 4000 deaths. That would make more sense based on the number of people who have the virus in that state (again, I believe it was either Florida or Texas – but, it could have been Georgia, Arizona, Iowa, or any number of states with republican governors. They have NO shame!)

So, you think I’m full of “you know what?” Well, now this “strategy” of LYING about the statistics is going national. It was reported today the “White House” is now “ordering” hospitals and health departments around the nation to report their “statistics” to a “private” data base instead of sending the info through the CDC. OK, I know YOU aren’t STUPID enough to miss the point here, right? This is just another way for individual 1 to FOOL his supporters into thinking things are better than they really are. Kind of like him saying “If we didn’t test there wouldn’t be any cases!” And, incredibly, there are MILLIONS of Americans who believe him. Every time I hear him say that I can’t help but wonder if his “base” really is that STUPID to believe him?

Apparently, if they (the “White House”) can manage to HIDE the actual statistics on the numbers of people getting infected with Covid-19 and those DYING from it, well, it will no longer be an issue. I’m guessing the “plan” is that by hiding the reality we can then open our schools and, by the November election, there won’t be too many teachers and other support personnel in the schools DEAD so that he can manage to get himself re-elected so we can continue this MISERY for another four years! OMG!

OK, I have to add: As I’ve pointed out here I’ve been a life long “independent” politically, although, of late, I simply vote AGAINST republicans. However, the other day I visited the website of the “Lincoln Project” – which is the work of a group of republicans (and former republicans) who oppose individual 1. They are making some of the BEST anti- individual 1 ads you’ll see anywhere so I chose to make a donation. If you’re wanting our IMPEACHED so-called president defeated, I would suggest you consider making a donation to these people. I know who some of them are: George Conway (husband of KellyAnne), Steve Schmidt, Rick Wilson, and several others.

I’ve pointed out here many times I usually check the stock market each morning despite the fact I have no direct interest in any stocks. When I’m “there,” meaning on the site of “yahoo.com” not much surprises me. So, this morning when I read an article focused on how Joe Biden’s economic plans would “take 25%” off the market valuations I was able to just take another example of Americans who care more about Wall Street than Main Street in stride. I can’t give exact examples from the article because I went back to the site as I started writing, which was about 2 hours after I read the article, and, apparently, they’ve pulled it down. Basically, the argument was by increasing taxes on corporations and increasing the minimum wage to $15 the corporate bottom lines would be negatively affected. I can’t remember the details, but the article just reaffirmed the reasons why I almost detest the people investing on Wall Street.

It’s as if they have no idea the seriousness of the pandemic which is, essentially, engulfing America due to the ineptness of the person they, via inference, would prefer making the economic decisions from the “White House.” Whoever wrote that article was concerned with an increase in regulations which, supposedly, would affect their ability to make money investing in corporations which have little to no interest in workers and community. I’ve been writing about this very issue for years – that the focus on shareholders at the expense of workers has been what is turning America closer and closer to third world status.

I listened to Biden lay out his “Build Back Better” plan (I think that’s what he called it) and it was hard to argue with his objectives. Of course, those on Wall Street can’t “see the forest for the trees” so it should be no surprise they would see an investment in America’s infrastructure, her people, and the health care industry, to name a few of the topics of his plan, as money not spent for their direct interest. What they fail to see is, in my view, the value of the long term health of the nation. They don’t seem to understand that, without the $7 TRILLION the Fed has pumped into Wall Street to keep the market “propped up” during this pandemic the recent upswing would NOT have happened. As I’ve said before, while adding I’m no economist, it appears to me there are many corporations in America which are surviving off government “largess.” (They’ll all be complaining about the deficit once Biden is in office – guaranteed!)

The reality, it seems, is we would be in an economic depression without all the money being funneled in various directions by the government. And, as I’ve said, I don’t think the republicans understand what the democrats have done for them. For example, from my standpoint, all that money the Fed has used to buy “toxic securities” keeping corporations “afloat” would be far less valuable without the PPP program pushed by democrats and, more importantly, the increased unemployment benefits for the OVER 40,000,000 Americans who’ve applied for unemployment benefits in the previous 3+ months.

The $600 per week going to those on unemployment is going right back into the economy in a myriad number of ways. For example, people are paying rents (good for them AND their landlords), people are paying the car payments, people can buy food for their families, they can pay their other monthly obligations whereas, without that money this country WOULD likely be in an economic depression. Of course, that money runs out at the end of July and republicans claim it won’t be renewed, despite the HEROES Act passed by the House which would continue to help the economy avoid total disaster. The republicans in the Senate decided this isn’t that important and they went on vacation at the beginning of July until almost the end of July. Yikes!

It’s almost as if they can’t act unless we’re in a disaster. Well, we’re IN a disaster, it’s just not as noticeable due to what I just pointed out. Of course, I certainly have not seen the statistics on how this coronavirus has affected hospitals and our health care system in general – but, keep in mind, before the virus hit, there were about 30 MILLION Americans without health insurance, MILLIONS more with insufficient health insurance, and even MORE MILLIONS who’ve lost their health insurance because, well, they’ve lost their jobs. And, to top it off, republicans are in the courts trying to end “Obamacare” which would add another 20 – 30 MILLION more Americans to the uninsured list. And, Covid-19 doesn’t check to see if you’re insured before it hits you!

Some who get the virus are in the hospital on ventilators for weeks if not months. How do you think an average working American will pay for that? A few years ago I had a surgery on one of my feet which was in a surgery center (not a hospital) and I was in and out of the facility in about four or five hours. The bill my insurance company got was approaching $30,000. Of course, the insurance companies have contracts with their “preferred providers” and they pay only a percentage of that amount, but for those without insurance, well, sorry! You’re screwed! And, picture a few weeks being intubated with round the clock service by three or four nurses and a couple doctors. I have to wonder, who’s paying for all these people in ICU’s around the nation? Kind of makes Bernie Sanders look like a prophet, doesn’t it?

And, I could go on and on about the issues created by individual 1, the present occupant of the “White House,” but, to me, his being AWOL when it comes to Covid-19 is cause by itself to reject him come November. In fact, when you combine that FACT with another FACT – that the Russians have put “bounties” on the heads of American troops in Afghanistan, and he’s doing NOTHING about it, to me that is grounds for IMPEACHMENT number two. Give the republicans in the Senate a “do-over” on whether or not to remove individual 1 from office. How many times does our “commander in chief” have to make decisions to the benefit of Vladimir Putin and the Russians before reality sinks in to “we the people?” There’s something “there there” and, hopefully, at some point we’ll find out. (Pee tape?)

The Covid-19 crisis is going to continue getting worse due to the lack of a national plan to stop it and, it may be too late at this point. I’ve been listening to the scientists and they’ve been correct! Surprise, surprise! While New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut were fighting the focal point of the initial outbreak there were republican “leaders” around the country kind of “poo pooing” the virus and suggesting it’s just another “flu.” (Of course, they’re not the ones in the hospitals fighting to save people’s lives) Many of these governors are in the South and the Rust belt. I remember saying, they were going to be eating a bunch of their words – which, I now believe, may be impossible.

Take Ron DeSantis, for example. I’m not sure if his issue is STUPIDITY or he’s just so “connected” to individual 1 that his decision making is focused on avoiding the mean “tweet” coming from our IMPEACHED so-called president. So, Florida is up to MORE than 10,000 NEW cases of Covid-19 every day and DeSantis is doing nothing, essentially, to stop the spread in his state. I’ve pointed out he’s one of my leading candidates for governors who are LYING about the statistics of how many people in his state are DYING from the virus, but it’s getting so bad I don’t think he’ll be able to continue avoiding the reality. What do I mean?

Well, Florida is the home of MILLIONS of older, retired Americans who are traditionally strong right wing republicans. Many live in retirement centers and, I believe, it’s easy to “tweak” the statistics of why people are dying by, for example, saying a patient died of pneumonia instead of Covid-19. Therefore a STUPID policy doesn’t look so bad. Today, DeSantis was proclaiming schools would be open in the fall because, “if we can do Walmart and Home Depot we can do schools.” These republicans are going to give STUPID a new name! Which means, I guess, I’m suggesting DeSantis is too STUPID to even remember the words he should be “eating” right now! And, naturally, there’s the governors of Georgia, Texas, and Arizona at the top of this list of a group of republican governors who are going to have “blood on their hands” when this is all over.

Of course, when it comes to getting kids back into classrooms, I spent the last 22 years of my career as a Middle School teacher and I’m at the front of the line of those claiming it’s imperative to get students back there. I’ve read the statistics of the number of High School students who simply chose nothing as opposed to digitally learning this past spring and it was alarming. These kids are our future. They NEED to be in the classroom. But, simply saying so isn’t a plan. This is something which SHOULD be important to every American and it’s an issue which requires creative thinking and a significant investment. The kids need to be safe and so do all the adults in the buildings. And, simply comparing this to Walmart and Home Depot being open is, well, (I wanted to say STUPID again, but I’ll say instead) LUDICROUS!

The CDC put out guidelines which individual 1 rejected and suggested and then said he would make the guidelines for them. Well, finally, I saw an “inkling” of backbone yesterday when the director of the CDC said they weren’t changing their guidelines. VP Pense suggested the CDC guidelines would be too expensive. What’s the old saying, “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.” Individual 1, Pense, Betsy DeVoss, and many more associated with this administration are, seemingly, CLUELESS when it comes to solving serious problems. It appears their answer to these problems is to IGNORE them! To me, that’s a bad plan! This virus MUST be mitigated before it’s safe to reopen the schools, clear and simple! (Which means another “stay at home order” followed by a real targeted “re-opening”)

It’s barely past noon out West today, July 10, and, according to “Worldometer.info” there have ALREADY been over 52,000 NEW cases of Covid-19 reported just today. The previous two days the number has surpassed 60,000 EACH day and today appears headed for even worse (12 states haven’t reported including a couple “biggies.” Almost EVERY state in the Union is experiencing an increase in cases and many are experiencing what is called a “spike” in cases where the graph is going up exponentially. Those who believe this is just another “flu” get their information from places like Fox “news,” Facebook, Breitbart, or other right wing outlets.

I believe the INACTION of our IMPEACHED so-called president will make it impossible for the schools to open in the fall in MOST states safely because this virus will continue to intensify and, if their plan is “herd immunity” it will take a year or two to reach that point. I hate to inform our IMPEACHED so-called president that “this virus is NOT going to magically disappear.” (And, drinking bleach is NOT a solution!) After writing the above I left for a few hours and when I returned the total NEW Covid-19 confirmed cases for today was OVER 71,000! Clearly, this is all going in the wrong direction.

As Anthony Fauci said a couple weeks ago, “If we don’t deal with this virus we’ll be at 100,000 cases a day before too long.” Well, I’m guessing, at the rate we’re going, that point in time will be in early August, right when individual 1, DeSantis, DeVoss, and the others in their cult will be pushing to get our kids back into school. I have three grandchildren and I don’t believe any of them will be going to school under these circumstances – if our leaders want the kids back in school then they’re going to have to make the hard decisions necessary to make that possible! I believe my governor might, but the effect of those governors who are going to simply try to wish this virus away is a problem for ALL of us! I don’t do social media, but if I did I’d be pushing for something like #Stay at Home AGAIN! I don’t believe there’s any other solution! (And, it may be too late for that)

Final Thought: Aside from the number of Covid-19 cases I saw when I returned the most recent deflection from the reality our IMPEACHED so-called president is AWOL from the “war” he proclaimed on this virus was his COMMUTING the sentence of Roger Stone – before he served a single day! Of course, if we really haven’t devolved to 3rd world status commuting Stone’s sentence SHOULD lead to IMPEACHMENT #2! We all know this won’t be happening because, once again, we’re hearing NOTHING coming from the republicans on this egregious act of judicial malfeasance! Just try to picture in your mind had President Obama done this to someone who was BRAGGING he had the “goods” on the one issuing the commutation. And, Stone, essentially, said, publicly, that was the situation. He could have “ratted” on our IMPEACHED so-called president to “get a better deal,” but he stayed loyal. (How many times do you think he reminded individual 1 of what he COULD say to the authorities on his first day in jail?)

I’ve been suggesting for at least a couple years now individual 1 appears to me to be a mafia boss. Well, if his actions in using this pardon power – a powerful “toy” in his hands – to keep someone who wouldn’t look out of place in a movie on organized crime out of jail – doesn’t get that point across to you then, well, you’re likely part of the cult! Individual 1 and William Barr are turning our Justice Department into a political weapon and, if they succeed, that will be the end of America as we’ve all known it. (I’m talking mainly about us old people, but also our children who simply believe turning this nation into a fascist regime is just not possible – we’re seeing how it IS possible in “real time.”)

The American people STILL have the right to vote – as of this writing – and, it is incumbent on “we the people” to correct this abomination come November 3rd, PERIOD, full stop! We MUST band together to remove individual 1 and his sycophants – and, they MUST be identified so that they don’t reappear down the road without consequence for their sycophancy – and that means as MANY Senate and House republicans as possible MUST be voted out in November – to a retirement of SHAME. They’re saying NOTHING as all of this is transpiring – which is the SAME as condoning it! (Just as they did during the IMPEACHMENT trial) Again, picture what they’d be doing had Obama done anything like this! Right now it should be clear we’re ALL fighting for “equal justice under the law.” And, that, of course, would include individual 1 and all these cronies! More simply put, we’re FIGHTING for our system of Justice which is the foundation of this nation – that’s where a TYRANT would to to undermine EVERYTHING we’ve stood for! Yikes!

I’ve written about how I believe some of the republican governors are CHEATING with the Covid-19 statistics in order to “mitigate” the outrage caused by the opening of their economies too soon and too fast. Here’s one example: On MSNBC’s “Dateline White House” show hosted by former republican Nicole Wallace she ends with a segment about “lives well lived” – saluting victims of the coronavirus. The other day she gave an online obituary of a man who “died of pneumonia while suffering from Covid-19.” That’s how they do it. Of course, pneumonia symptoms are one of the main ways Covid-19 kills you. So, in places like Florida or Texas with republican governors who aren’t looking too good right now, one way to make it look better for themselves is to LIE about the cause of death – especially in older people or people with “comorbidities.” Just call it diabetes, or whatever.

I’ve always listened to people suggesting all politicians are LIARS, but in the age of individual 1 things have gotten way out of hand – just like this virus has gotten out of hand. Clearly, individual 1 tapped into a section of America which was subject to his “grievance politics” in order to “win” the 2016 election. (With 3 MILLION fewer votes than his opponent) Our IMPEACHED so-called president is the master of the BLAME game and projection. NOTHING is EVER his fault. So, it should surprise no one he not only is regularly deflecting BLAME for his incredibly incompetent (lack of) leadership in the face of this deadly virus, but that he also feels no SHAME as he actually has the nerve to BRAG that he’s doing a “great job.” I know he’s a real estate salesman but, to me, he seems more like a carnival barker. Full of meaningless words! Plus, everytime he accuses someone of “something” you can be assured it’s him projecting his own faults. Sad!

So, that was yesterday, and, now, it’s today. And, of course, individual 1 continues to do everything he can to get people’s attention off his INCREDIBLE incompetence in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. “We the people’ are STUCK with this IMPEACHED so-called president and the embarrassment (and, worse) that America is BY FAR the worst country in the WORLD in dealing with the virus. (OK, Brazil is now giving us a “run for our money”) Apparently, his “strategy” now is telling “we the people” to “just get used to it.” I really don’t want to “just get used to it,” but with individual 1 as our (IMPEACHED so-called) president, what choice is there? And, to make matters worse, there are numerous republican governors who are also refusing to do what’s necessary to mitigate the virus and, sadly, this allows the virus to spread across the nation. Yikes!!!

So, how is individual 1 trying to get our attention off his incompetence today? Well, it should surprise no one, he’s doing it with MORE incompetence. However, this incompetence is shrouded in full blown RACISM! First, he chose to attack Bubba Wallace, the only African American driver on the NASCAR racing circuit – claiming the noose hanging in his stall recently at one of the races was a “hoax.” Of course it was, to individual 1 everything he doesn’t like is a “hoax.” And, why wouldn’t he like this? Well, Bubba Wallace was the key person in getting the RACIST confederate flags removed from NASCAR’s venues. Individual 1 = Overt RACISM!

But, that’s not all. Of course not, because, with individual 1 it’s NEVER just one thing when he’s trying to divert “we the people’s” attention from something which is helping to plummet his “numbers.” In the land of “stupid, his “strategy” causes the numbers to drop even more. So, after going after Wallace our IMPEACHED so-called president then chose the Washington DC football team and the Cleveland baseball team for his “nasty tweets.” He seems apoplectic these teams would have the audacity to change their RACIST nicknames – FINALLY! To individual 1 this is being “politically correct.” To people like me it’s FINALLY having these professional sports franchises join with those who want America to deal with her “original sin.” Individual 1 would struggle with this, naturally, because he just can’t hide his RACISM – despite the lofty position he somehow managed to gain. (Of course, with the help of the Russians and James Comey) What does this say about his evangelical Christian base?

Individual 1 shows his ignorance in more and more ways as his term has moved closer to the END – hopefully (I’m thinking the election in November). What he seems to struggle to understand is what it’s like for the nurses, doctors, and others working in the hospitals as their beds continue to fill to overflowing. Many of them, understandably are bordering on burnout with the increased hours and increased intensity of those hours – EVERY DAY! Additionally, I heard him today (actually, I believe I heard a snipit of one of his speeches from over the weekend of the Fourth) suggest that “99% of all Covid-19 cases are harmless.” He’s just uninhibited about showing his IGNORANCE in public. It really is embarrassing for “we the people” because people around the world are watching. Not only have (OVER) 130,000 died – and, we don’t know how many more than that, because of all the republican governors CHEATING on the data – I’ve explained in previous posts which you can find in the archives. The reality is we don’t know how bad the after effects of the disease are, but we do KNOW there are many options for permanent damage which are still part of the research.

Keep in mind, also, that while all this is going on individual 1 is in court trying to repeal the Affordable Care Act which would cause MILLIONS of American to experience bankruptcy should they contract this virus without medical insurance. And, with the amounts of deductibles on most insurance plans as it is, the cost being incurred by MILLIONS of Americans who contract this virus is extreme. Maybe someone like individual 1 is just unable to understand how every day Americans can be “wiped out” with one trip to the hospital. “Just getting used to it,” to me, just isn’t a viable option. Sadly, we won’t have much of a chance to stop this virus until next year – when we have someone in the “White House” who knows how to deal with a pandemic. This virus is NOT going to just “disappear.”

It should be obvious individual 1 has another option besides being STUPID in response to the first real crisis of his administration and then compounding the STUPIDITY with the subsequent crises. (OK, I know he blundered his way through Hurricane Maria and there has been STUPIDITY since day one – but this pandemic is historic) He could actually act like a real president and govern. He could have – I suppose still could – instigated a national response to this virus similar to the leaders of the other countries around the world – with the exception of Brazil – who have “flattened the curve.” Americans are being blocked from entry into virtually every country around the world – including MEXICO and CANADA! Yikes!! But, we all know this is impossible. Individual 1 is closer to a mafia boss than a president. Anyone who is able to order little children to be taken from their parents simply because their parents are trying to find them a “better life” is, well, I have a hard time finding the right word. I’m picturing in my mind a large fire with a figure holding something like a pitchfork standing in the middle of the fire. The DEVIL?! Unsurprisingly, individual 1 has referred to himself as “The chosen one.”

OMG, as I look back on the previous 3 1/2 years I’m reminded there have been MANY “crises,” it’s just none of them affected so many people as his INCOMPETENCE dealing with Covid-19 in regard to our IMPEACHED so-called president. I’ve often referred to his administration as a “scandal a day,” and, sometimes, more than one. It’s almost as if individual 1 is trying to just cause “we the people” to be so numbed by his INCOMPETENCE that we all collectively throw up our arms in frustration and drop out from any part of the political landscape. This may be his “road to victory,” counting on MILLIONS of Americans to not vote come November. I have to add one of my prayers is people will vote in record numbers this November – removing individual 1 and, hopefully, sending MANY Senate republicans (and individual 1 sycophants from the House) packing!

If individual 1 wasn’t in such an important job he would be a sad pathetic person who one could almost feel a sense of empathy for. I’ve pointed out many times here he’s the MOST narcissistic person I’ve ever witnessed, he’s a pathological LIAR almost beyond imagination, he’s a racist, a misogynist, and a xenophobe – I’ve included the definitions of each of those “disorders” in previous posts – and, all this makes him the most dangerous (IMPEACHED so-called) president in my lifetime and, maybe, ever. He is as close to turning America into a fascist state as I hope ever happens. It’s always been clear to me if this nation gets destroyed it will be from within – and, sadly, this can’t happen without a large number of people who are willing supporters – I’ve been calling this a CULT for about a year now.

I just pre-ordered a book by individual 1’s niece today and, based on the early reports of the book, she pretty much supports my “amateur” prognosis. Well, maybe I should put it, my “guesses” of his disorders pretty much are confirmed by her diagnosis – she’s a clinical psychologist. I’m looking forward to reading that book – hopefully I’ll have finished Bolton’s book by the time I get it. Part of the reports of the book suggest much of individual 1’s behavior supports my contention he’s part of a criminal network – maybe why he’s so worried about anyone getting a hold of his tax returns. Many of the alleged CRIMES won’t fall outside of the “statute of limitations.” 2021 could be an interesting year – considering individual 1 is the person urging the investigation of his perceived “enemies” – including President Obama. Well, I’m guessing we’ll be thinking of the saying “turnabout is fair play” for much of next year.

I’ll end this by re-confirming I recommend against buying John Bolton’s “memoir” about his time in the “White House.” I’m about a third of the way through it and one thing I can say for sure is Bolton is a serious note taker. He’s almost going through his time in the “White House” day by day. Bolton is critical of, well, just about EVERYONE! He must be really smart! Don’t know? There are no shortages of Bolton confirming he has a very high view of himself in the book. I don’t know enough about him to speculate if he’s a narcissist as well, but I can say it has crossed my mind. I will say, I wouldn’t call him a LIAR just someone who sees things through a special set of lenses. Stay tuned…………..

Final Thought: If Joe Biden was to ask me for a piece of advice, which, of course, he won’t – I’d tell him to remain vigilant right up to election day. Fight for every vote in EVERY state. Don’t take ANYTHING for granted and remember individual 1 is GOING to CHEAT! That’s a given! So, the way to win this election is with a massive voter turnout and, when you pick an African American woman as your choice for VP you’ll motivate all those Tea Party republicans who couldn’t handle Barack Obama as president. Well, just consider what they’ll be thinking when the possibility of an African American WOMAN as president sinks in.

This morning I listened to a MSNBC program titled “AM Joy” after the normal host Joy Reid – who, to me, is a BRILLIANT African American woman had the day off. Today, it was hosted by Tiffany Cross, who I’ve seen before in various segments as a “pundit,” but, today, she was the host and, I have to add, did a GREAT job! The reason I point this out is I’m just continually impressed with the number of African American WOMEN I get to listen to who are BRILLIANT! I say this because Joe Biden has a wide range of options should that be his intent on choosing his “running mate.” I’m encouraged that more and more of these BRILLIANT women will be finding their way into our government because it appears to me they have the wherewithal to initiate the reforms necessary to ACTUALLY fight against systemic racism along with many other issues.

I’ve felt for years the solution to this problem has to be led by those experiencing it. Over the course of my lifetime I’ve had MANY good friends who are/were African Americans. (I’m at that stage in life where you know your days are “numbered”) For many years my teaching partner was an African American who, in my mind, was the epitome of an American hero. He was a retired member of the Air Force, he was the pastor of a small church in our community, and he was an awesome Middle School teacher. Over the years I had MANY heart to heart discussions with him and he shared with me what he was forced to endure in his lifetime – right up until the day he “went home.” I’ve heard the “stories” too many times from others as well! It’s well past time to deal with the issue of racism in America. We still have the opportunity to do this as “brothers and sisters” and I’m praying that will be the focus of the Biden/???? agenda come 2021!

I’ve felt for my entire lifetime government SHOULD work from the “bottom up.” Just like businesses SHOULD work from the “bottom up.” When the people at the “bottom” are “healthy,” the people at the “top” are even healthier. (Than they would be if those at the “bottom” are not doing well) I believe this problem can be on the road to a solution with simple and fundamental changes in beliefs by “we the people.” For example, workers are more important than shareholders. (That, of course, doesn’t mean shareholders aren’t important) A minimum wage which is a “living wage.” ($15 per hour would likely work) Universal health insurance – ie “Medicare for all” would be an incredible boost to our economy. Free (or affordable) College Tuition plus a national emphasis on retraining workers who’ve lost their jobs because of shifts in the “economic winds.” (For example, changes forced by technology) The list goes on, but I hope you get the idea. African Americans aren’t looking for “handouts” they’re looking for equal opportunity and equal JUSTICE under the law.

I’m doing the best I can to keep up with what is happening in the United States of America right now, because, well, I’m a citizen, I vote, and I care. So, when I have to endure one STUPID remark after another from the (IMPEACHED so-called) president AND the vice president it’s hard to handle. Every day I log into “Worldometer.info” which tracks every positive test for Covid-19, every death, every critical hospitalization, etc. and America continues to be the worst country on this earth in dealing with this crisis – yet, over and over, from individual 1 “It’s just going to go away.” A couple days he at least added “I hope” after he said that. And, Mike Pense is almost as bad – to me, he’s like the little boy who requires the approval of his “master.”

Yesterday there were over 55,000 NEW cases of Covid-19 in America surpassing the “record” of the previous day by a couple thousand. This is really BAD. The so-called “curve” is now looking like a line on the graph going straight up. We’ve been dealing with this virus for 6 months and our IMPEACHED so-called president is doing nothing more than wishing it away. I can tell you with certainty “wishing it away” just won’t work. “We the people” are STUCK with this so-called president for another 6 1/2 months and THOUSANDS of Americans are likely to die because individual 1 WON’T be able to “wish” this away.

I love this country and I’m proud “we the people” – with all our shortcomings, some of which it appears we’re FINALLY ready to face – have managed to self govern for well over 200 years. There have been many challenges – but, NEVER has there been an attack on the fundamental structure of this nation like we’re enduring right now. The incompetence and ignorance goes way deeper than this pandemic DISASTER, but, at the same time, as I continue my attempt to understand why individual 1 is so captivated by Vladimir Putin, I’m almost thinking this virus could ultimately be considered a blessing. Is individual 1 attempting to “overthrow” our government from within?

Clearly he appears to be a fascist – for all intents and purposes. I’ve felt all along one of the reasons he’s so envious of Putin is because he wishes he could just have the media people he hates either imprisoned or “outed” (if you know what I mean?). Obviously, he’s got William Barr going after his perceived enemies as I’m writing this – banana republic stuff. How many times has he lamented that Hillary Clinton hasn’t been arrested? (For emails?) And, James Comey, Andy McCabe, John Brennan, and you could likely include sitting members of Congress like Nancy Pelosi and Adam Schiff?

Individual 1 is a bully who has apparently gotten away with it over the course of his life – so, he hates it when people push back, especially women. I find it interesting that Ms. Pelosi knows how to “push his buttons” and does so every chance she gets. And, Schiff simply speaks “truth to power” – which apparently turns individual 1 into a living rage. There are “pockets of resistance” forming in places around the country as more and more people realize what a threat he is to our basic institutions – some which have been DAMAGED to the point where it will take years to repair. Yet, individual 1 continues to BRAG he’s the “greatest president in the history of the country, with the possible exception of Lincoln.” That comment, itself, proves he’s a sick person!

Narcissistic personality disorder is a serious character flaw – and, individual 1 is the MOST “flawed” person I’ve EVER seen, heard, or read about. He meets ALL the traits of the disorder with an exclamation point! Here’s the definition: “Narcissistic personality disorder is a personality disorder characterized by a long-term pattern of exaggerated feelings of self-importance, an excessive need for admiration, and a lack of empathy toward other people. People with NPD often spend much time thinking about achieving power and success, or on their appearance.” When I read the definition all that came to mind was individual 1 refusing to wear a mask during this pandemic because of how it looks. Yikes!!

Add to that being a pathological LIAR and you can see why he is such a danger to our republic. Here’s the definition of a pathological LIAR if you question my assertion: “falsification entirely disproportionate to any discernible end in view, may be extensive and very complicated, and may manifest over a period of years or even a lifetime”. We see evidence supporting this claim virtually EVERY day coming from individual 1. The “fact checkers” have documented OVER 20,000 (TWENTY THOUSAND!) observable LIES since he took the oath of office. That’s BAD!

Of course, it doesn’t end there. Here’s the definition of xenophobe: “Xenophobia is the fear or hatred of that which is perceived to be foreign or strange. It is an expression of perceived conflict between an ingroup and an outgroup and may manifest in suspicion by the one of the other’s activities, a desire to eliminate their presence, and fear of losing national, ethnic or racial identity.” Picture the people seeking asylum in cages at our Southern border when you read that definition. Makes it quite clear. And, when you’re the (so-called) president of a country considered the “melting pot” of the world, that’s a BAD trait!

While I’m at it I might as well provide Webster’s definition of racism: “a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human racial groups determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one’s own race is superior and has the right to dominate others or that a particular racial group is inferior to the others.” I’m simply, straight up, showing who our (so-called) president is – and, if you don’t think he’s a racist, read that definition again and, while you’re doing it, picture him referring to countries in Africa as “shithole” countries and lamenting why we don’t get more immigrants from “Norway.” This is REALLY bad, but there is something which may be worse!

The republicans in Congress don’t seem to consider this bad because they continue to walk in “lockstep” with our IMPEACHED so-called president. During the IMPEACHMENT saga ONLY one republican (now an independent) in the House voted to IMPEACH and only one republican in the Senate voted to CONVICT. In other words, republicans had the opportunity to end this American nightmare and their failure to do so will be the focal point of each one’s legacy. I wrote the other day, for example, about Lamar Alexander who agreed with the House IMPEACHMENT managers on the crime, he just didn’t believe EXTORTION was a “high crime and misdemeanor.” Of course, that left me wondering – “What would be then?”

Our constitution anticipated it was possible for a tyrant such as individual 1 to find his way into the “White House.” I’m sure they didn’t anticipate it would require the help of the Russians and the FBI, but, regardless, they anticipated this – which is why they put IMPEACHMENT into the constitution as the remedy. In fact, once the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC), after “Watergate,” issued their “memo” suggesting a sitting president could not be indicted, the ONLY remedy for a corrupt (so-called) president became IMPEACHMENT. I suppose our founders didn’t anticipate social media and the potential cowardice of Congress during a “time such as this.” Honestly, all I can say at this time to republicans in Congress is “shame on you!”

I was one of the 1% who read the Mueller report (it was a lot of pages, it was intense writing, and I read it twice, just to make sure I understood it – I might read it again) and, clearly, he was “memorializing” the evidence of MULTIPLE episodes of OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE for the Congress to determine if these egregious violations of basic LAW arose to the level of IMPEACHMENT – and/or for prosecutors once individual 1 leaves office. I believe Justin Amosh, the one republican (now former republican) who I’m certain read the report, came to the conclusion there was no other alternative than IMPEACHMENT after reading it. Sadly, I don’t believe many members of Congress actually took the time to read it – certainly, republicans. In the report, Mueller made it clear they did not consider an INDICTMENT of individual 1 because of that OLC memo.

In fact, that’s exactly why I refer to our IMPEACHED so-called president as “individual 1,” because that is the name he was given by the Southern District of New York as the “unindicted co-conspirator” with Michael Cohen on TWO felony charges regarding the illegal payments to two women individual 1 had affairs with (while his THIRD wife was pregnant with his final child and then while she was raising him early on) which he didn’t want to be made public prior to the 2016 election. I’m guessing his “Christian” base, which was already overlooking a couple dozen women accusing him of sexual assault, wouldn’t have cared, but he apparently didn’t want to “chance it.” We’ve learned, our IMPEACHED so-called president feels he’s “above the law” so what’s another “crime?” (Personally, my hope is he’ll find out after next January 20th.)

I’m certain, if you’re still reading, you’re wondering what is my point? Well, as usual, my point is to emphasize the importance of “we the people” doing what the Congress doesn’t have the guts to do and that is IMPEACH individual 1. Allow him to stand trial for the same crime for which Michael Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison – crimes Cohen did at individual 1’s direction. If we can give individual 1 the opportunity to defend himself in court that would mean “we the people” would have a much better chance of dealing with this pandemic and the crises which are on the horizon – the most significant being, of course, CLIMATE CHANGE. Individual 1 has turned America into the World’s laughing stock and the question will hover over us for some time as to whether or not we can “heal that wound.”

People around the world are just shaking their heads wondering what the hell has happened to America? And, of course, now “we the people” are persona non grata in virtually every country across the globe. Why? Well, very simply put, “we the people” have to depend on our president for leadership in crises like this pandemic and we’re seeing what happens when there is NONE! And, sadly, I mean NONE! Wishing the virus to go away is NOT a “strategy.” It looks to me as if today America could have over 60,000 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 and, clearly, the virus is out of control and spreading across the entire nation. People in other countries which did the “hard work” to “flatten the curve” don’t want Americans bringing the virus back into their countries. I can’t say that I blame them.

The reason I laid out what I consider the character flaws of individual 1 is to show, clearly, what a DANGER he is to our people as this virus looks to be heading to Anthony Fauci’s prediction of 100,000 new cases per day – sooner rather than later. It was clear to many of us early on in this pandemic, as we watched what was happening in New York and the surrounding areas, it was a “fools errand” for those states across the country – mostly with republican governors – who were not taking this virus seriously – as if it couldn’t happen to them. And, they, along with many of their constituents, were getting their “advice” from individual 1 so that it became kind of a “political football” simply whether or not you wore a mask. As preposterous as that seems, that is the “leadership” we got from the “White House.” Sad!

And, in places where the curve was “flattened” – like in my state, Washington – the cases are increasing again because the virus doesn’t know there are borders. People travel back and forth across this country and, it appears to me, the entire country is likely to be “infected” within a month or two. I certainly hope I’m wrong – selfishly, I want to be able to play golf – but, it’s clear at this point in time “shelter in place” orders are on the horizon. For heaven’s sake, Arizona very well may be the most intense Covid-19 “hotspot” in the entire world right now. And, Texas? Their HUGE hospitals are full and they’re talking about decisions on who gets treatment (young) and who doesn’t (old). Yikes! I’d better not travel to Texas, I’m old!

Do you remember Texas’ Lt. Governor suggesting “There’s worst things than living?” Well, I’m still not completely certain what he meant by that – but, I interpreted him to be saying “Wall Street” is more important than “Main Street.” Especially, when you consider the most sick of all the people in Texas are the “essential workers.” In Texas the minimum wage is STILL $7.25 (In Washington State it’s $13.50 – come on Texas!) and, of course, it’s MOSTLY “Black and Brown” people working at that level and being repeatedly exposed to this virus. And, of course, it’s not the Lt. Governor who’s going to DIE from this, it’s the “Black and Brown” people who are forced to work in order to put food on their tables. Do you get the picture here? (Maybe exposing Black and Brown workers to Covid-19 is another “voter suppression” strategy) Do you wonder why there’s a backlash to systemic racism?

My point in all of this is ostensibly individual 1 has NO strategy for fighting this virus, but when you look closely at his character flaws and you consider where his opposition is coming from, well, maybe he does have a strategy. I’m not sure he actually realizes what his “strategy” or “non-strategy” whatever it may be is doing to our hospital system and our health care workers. But, again, maybe I’m the one who doesn’t get it. Because, he along with the Attorney General (AG) of Texas (and other republican AG’s) are presently arguing in the Supreme Court to fully overturn the Affordable Care Act (AKA “Obamacare”) which would accomplish several things.

First, it would take health insurance away from about 23 MILLION Americans, right off the top. Additionally, I’m not certain what it would do to Medicaid, but likely it would reduce those on Medicaid my MANY millions of Americans. Parents would no longer be able to include their children on their policies until their children are 26 and protection against discrimination based on “pre-existing” conditions would be gone – affecting over 100 MILLION Americans – not counting those who contract Covid-19 and survive it. Actually, I find it almost unbelievable there could be a circumstance where I would be writing this and even more unbelievable there would be almost 40% of Americans who could find it in their hearts to support someone like individual 1. For what? Some judges? OMG! America really has lost her way! And, Oh, by the way, this virus is not “just going to go away!”

Thankfully, we STILL have the right to vote and we can “fix” this problem in November – and “fixing” it goes well beyond individual 1. There are over 20 republican Senators on the ballot this November and “we the people” need to remove as many of them as we can. There is a plethora of other elections where voting out people who think along the lines of these republicans is right there. It’s up to “we the people” to “turn this lemon into lemonade!”

Final Thought: Whether there’s an actual “strategy” or not, it’s clear individual 1 and his top “lap dog,” Mike Pense are going to continue trapesing around the country on the taxpayer’s “dime” as their way of creating campaign “rallies.” We’ve already seen the results of individual 1’s first two rallies – Tulsa and Phoenix – and, it’s a significant spike in Covid-19 cases. Arizona is at the breaking point and Oklahoma is likely a week or two away from being there and today, individual 1 is in South Dakota at a rally where there will be “no social distancing” according to their governor Kristi Noem. “Celebrating our Liberty.”

Of course, they’ll be “celebrating their liberty” on the land of the “Great Sioux Nation” without being invited. In fact, I watched an interview last night with Lawrence O’Donnell and the leader of the Sioux Nation where he unequivocally said our IMPEACHED so-called president wasn’t welcome on their land. For one thing, they didn’t want the Covid-19 which follows individual 1 around because they don’t have the means to defend themselves from this virus. Obviously, I’m not educated like I should be about the issues of the Sioux Nation but, it’s easy for me to understand why they wouldn’t want individual 1 holding a rally on their land. This is a cause for more investigation on my part, but I have to hope our IMPEACHED so-called president doesn’t do to the Sioux Nation what he did to those in Arizona and Oklahoma. Stay Tuned!

For several years I’ve periodically donated a small amount of money (that’s because I only have small amounts to donate) to a couple schools for the children of the Sioux nation. This “invasion” by our so-called president has reminded me to make another donating. If you’re inclined, here’s the address St. Joseph’s Indian School PO Box 300 Chamberlain SD 57325-9919

OMG again! – I just listened to another IDIOT in the administration of our IMPEACHED so-called president – Peter Navarro! This guy was attempting to defend the do NOTHING approach to fighting the Covid-19 virus, which of course he had to refer to as the “China Virus,” with utter NONSENSE. It was coming so fast it was hard to keep up with it. The interviewer, Ali Velshi, for some reason allowed the interview to continue in the face of complete NONSENSE, but, well, whatever! As opposed to even talking about what should be done is was just throwing BLAME around in what appeared to be a reckless manner. The “you know what” against the wall strategy. He even suggested it was a weaponized virus coming from China. He even complained he has “64 million doses of hydroxychloroquine” which he can’t use because of all the negative reports on cable TV networks. As if it was the networks which determined the drug was more harmful than helpful. These people are nuts! You would have had to see this interview in its entirety to believe the level of stupidity!

Two days later: Individual 1 held his rally as planned and we saw a bunch of white Americans crammed together in chairs actually tied together to prevent ANY “social distancing” and the projection was coming “hot and heavy.” All be succinct – when you hear individual 1 accusing “liberals” of being fascists and pushing for totalitarianism just take a deep breath and give thanks you have the right to vote. Of course there were a “pile” of racist “dog whistles” during his speech, but I just have to grab my head to stop it from shaking back and forth when I hear individual 1 suggesting democrats are pushing a “fascist” or “totalitarian” agenda. I’ve been pointing out his “authoritarian” tendencies since the day he took (LIED about) the oath of office and all the “trappings” of a would be dictator shone through as he was violating sacred Indian land in “celebration” of an independence he CLEARLY does NOT understand!

William Barr “exonerated” individual 1 from the TRUTH of the Mueller report before “we the people” had the opportunity to actually read it. (I read it twice) In the report, in my mind, there was no doubt there was COLLUSION in the 2016 campaign which brought this disaster upon us. Without the Russian help individual 1 would never have “won” the election (with 3 MILLION less votes than his opponent) and our IMPEACHED so-called president has given “we the people” not a single reason to believe he’s NOT been compromised by the Russians. They have succeeded, at least for the time being, in their goal of causing division among our people. (And, it appears, in gaining “kompromat” on our IMPEACHED so-called president)

Now, we’re finding out American troops were likely KILLED by the Taliban in Afghanistan resulting from BOUNTIES offered for the killing of American troops by Russia. We’re learning individual 1 was briefed on this “plan” of the Russians in February of 2020 (some are saying he was actually briefed when John Bolton was still the National Security adviser which suggests he’s known this since 2019) and, so far, he’s done NOTHING in response. He’s had something like 6 conversations with Vladimir Putin since the February “Presidential Daily Brief” which informed him of this Russian “plan,” and has done nothing – including demanding Putin put a stop to this program.

As I’ve said many times here, individual 1 will be our IMPEACHED so-called president for the next 7 months and the DAMAGE – which I’ve been talking about for over 3 years now – is mounting quickly and could be IMMENSE by January 20, 2021. Another thing I’ve talked about is the response to individual 1 by Congressional republicans. We’ve all known all along the only way to get rid of him short of the next election was relying on republicans to put their country ahead of their party. Well, the verdict seems to be in (there’s still a “sliver” of time), their loyalty is to individual 1 and not to America. The worst example of this would be Barr, who’s supposed to be our Attorney General, but, also, members of Senate Republicans continue to say NOTHING in the face of SCANDALS which would have caused them to be apoplectic had they occurred during the term of any democrat – especially Barack Obama. This is near depressing!

Not only has individual 1 caved to the Russians but he also is AWOL in regard to his responsibility with the response to the coronavirus pandemic – he’s been AWOL, essentially since the day he was briefed the virus was coming. Clearly he’s taking the approach “we’re all going to get it eventually let’s get it over with.” Or, maybe he’s thinking “It’s just another flu.” Well, today Dr. Fauci pointed out we could be having 100,000 cases per day by this fall and, should that happen, our hospitals will be in really bad shape. (Actually, many already are!) This policy (actually lack of policy) is a total disrespect toward our doctors, nurses, and other people who are in the hospitals attempting to save the lives of those who get the bad version of Covid-19. When people notice the doctors and nurses are falling to this dreaded virus maybe, then, those who refuse to at least put on a mask will realize they need to respect this disease.

The last couple of days the number of newly infected Americans from the pandemic has surpassed 50,000 when just a couple weeks ago – when individual 1 was giving his first rally in Tulsa – the number was around 20,000. That means the numbers have more than DOUBLED in just a couple of weeks. People are, for the most part, not stupid and more and more of them are realizing our IMPEACHED so-called president is a “clear and present danger” to this nation. The polling continues to swing toward Joe Biden for the November election and he’s stuck, most of the time, in his basement and hasn’t even yet chosen his running mate. And, I can virtually guarantee you his selection for VP is going to be BIG news around the country.

I, personally, believe he’s going to choose an African American woman as his choice for VP which will stir up all the “Tea partiers” in America, but the “Tea Party” will be part of the “story” when the destruction of the republican party is replayed in the History books. I’ve said here, many times, individual 1 will have a page right next to Benedict Arnold in those books. In fact, once we find out why our IMPEACHED so-called president has been pandering to Vladimir Putin, his “page” may be deeper in the book than Mr. Arnold. William Barr will be right there and many of the republicans in Congress will have their own page – ie Devin Nunez, Jim Jordan, Matt Gaetz, Moscow Mitch, Leningrad Lindsay, and others. It’s a sad state of affairs.

How do “we the people” get out of this mess? Well, obviously, the first step is VOTING individual 1 out of office. And, we know he’ll do whatever he can to “win” the election – that is he doesn’t think twice about CHEATING! He’s already ginning up his base that the election is going to be RIGGED – because democrats want people to be able to vote from home. Of course, this year the reason people SHOULD vote from home is for their own safety – by the time of the election this pandemic very well could be of epic proportions. We STILL need to have the election and voters should NOT need to risk their lives in order to vote. Personally, I’ve been voting from home for years – I live in the state of Washington – and there are NEVER any issues of “voter fraud.” Making it easier to vote SHOULD be our national focus this year.

Getting individual 1 out of office, then, will require a massive number of Americans choosing to exercise the PRIVILEGE of voting this NOVEMBER and voting republicans into the history books. I’ve been an independent my entire voting life (leaning democrat, but I vote for who I believe is the best person for the job) but, since Bush/Cheney took “we the people” into TWO unwinnable wars – the “straw that broke the camels back” for me was Iraq – and, then, the “Tea Party” backlash to Barack Obama – I’ve been voting AGAINST republicans. To me, if you can watch what individual 1 is doing and/or can associate yourself with the RACISM of the republican “brand,” I’m not voting for you. And, I believe, more and more Americans are in agreement!

I was born just after WW II and I appreciate many parts of American history. I, also, feel a sense of shame about some of our history – for heavens sake, our “original sin” was buying and selling human beings! At the same time, we have the privilege of “self rule” and the ability to CHANGE things for the better. At this point in time MOST Americans are now realizing what our African American brothers and sisters have been enduring for – well – forever, in this nation. And, we MUST realize our Latinx brothers and sisters are enduring racism. And, what about the Native American population which was given “reservations” in places where people thought nothing could grow for a nation which believes in “living off the land.”

I was a sixth grade teacher for the last third of my working life (I retired when I was 68 and then worked part time for another couple of years), which was an incredible privilege for me. I worked in a “high poverty” school which served children of many different nationalities, children who, often times, were learning to speak English in the classroom. One of the most lasting memories I have of those years was feeling these kids’ willingness to accept and appreciate their “differences.” This is why it was NO surprise to me as I watched the protests after the LYNCHING of George Floyd with crowds seeming to resemble the make-up of my classrooms – it looked to me like the true “melting pot” which actually makes up this nation.

My hope is those who were in the streets and those who witnessed it and have realized we need to address our “original sin” straight up will VOTE in November. At this point we can assume William Barr will attempt to intervene on individual 1’s behalf shortly before the election, but the reality is it’s just as important to get rid of him as our IMPEACHED so-called president, from my view. This country simply can NOT endure another four years of the two of them. But, individual 1 CHEATED in 2016 and was attempting to do so again in the Ukraine fiasco which led to his IMPEACHMENT – so, one thing we know is, as Adam Schiff pointed out in the IMPEACHMENT trial, “he’s going to do this again!”

Sadly, only one republican, Mitt Romney, did what was called for and that was to vote for the removal of individual 1 from office. Lamar Alexander said he didn’t think “witnesses” were necessary because he believed the House Managers but didn’t think what individual 1 did arose to the level of IMPEACHMENT. Yikes! He committed EXTORTION! That means Alexander and the rest of the Senate republicans set the precedent that EXTORTION by our presidents in the future is, well, OK. And, of course, John Bolton refused to testify because apparently he didn’t think the democrats were focused on ENOUGH of what makes individual 1 UNFIT for office.

I’ve shared here I (sadly) purchased Bolton’s book and within reading the first 25, or so, pages I was lamenting I went against my best judgement and bought the book ($32.95). It didn’t take much reading to be reminded of why I have such a low view of Mr. Bolton. He, to me, represents what is so wrong about our republican party. He was part of the push to get America entrenched in Iraq back in 2002 which has resulted in a disaster which is ongoing. Bolton had information which would support the IMPEACHMENT of individual 1 but he chose to save it for the profits of his book. Sadly, from my viewpoint, I helped him with that – but, I will likely be able to force myself to read it in order to better understand the corruption of individual 1. In the meantime I will continue encouraging people to VOTE come November. I believe if there is a massive run on the polls, the republicans will get the repudiation they deserve.

Remember, once we get pas this virus – which will likely take years – the “climate crisis” will be past the point of debate. It’s sitting on the horizon and, when it’s time for the History books, it will be ANOTHER in the long line of failures of individual 1 and his sycophants – a bunch of “climate deniers.” I’ve been lamenting the DAMAGE being caused to this nation by individual 1 since the beginning of his administration. As time has gone by it’s become clear the DAMAGE will be much more significant than, for sure, I had envisioned – and, trust me, I’ve felt the DAMAGE would be severe – taking years to reverse. Just imagine what the DAMAGE will be if we have a “climate denier” in the “White House” This is just one more reason why I believe young people will “flock” to the polls to remove this thug from office.

Then, of course, the challenge will be to pressure a progressive agenda from another old white guy, Joe Biden. I believe Biden’s choice for VP may be the most critical decision of this election year and the four years to follow. Stay tuned……………..

Final Thought: I’ve speculated on various governors around the country (republican) who have been LYING about the statistics in their states to justify their decisions which have led to more people getting sick with Covid-19. One of those governors is Kristi Noem who, I believe, wasn’t candid back when the “meat packing” crisis was breaking out in one of South Dakota’s cities where she is the governor. South Dakota, of course, is the home of Mount Rushmore where individual 1, who apparently is dreaming of his face adorning the cliffs at some point, will hold a rally this week to celebrate the July 4th weekend.

So, true to form, Ms. Noem has publicly pointed out they are expecting “THOUSANDS” for the rally and there will be NO “Social Distancing.” My first thought when I heard her say that was, “what the……..?” (Fill in the blank) Today there were 46,000+ cases of newly confirmed coronavirus tests and the numbers are climbing rapidly. Anthony Fauci suggested today “If we don’t turn this around SOON, we could be seeing over 100,000 per day.” It appears, between individual 1 and governor Noem, they want to get us to that terrible point sooner rather than later. Ms. Noem, apparently out of regard for ??????, “face masks will be optional.” All I can say is if people don’t vote AGAINST republicans this November we deserve what we get!

I started this several days ago – my hands are tiring from all the typing – but, we’ve gone above 50,000 NEW Covid-19 cases each of the previous two days. The “mess” individual 1 is going to leave to the Biden/???? administration will make what the Obama/Biden administration “inherited” from Bush/Cheney look like a picnic.

One final thing: There are states all across America where the number of cases of Covid-19 are raging out of control. There’s something in common with most of the worst cases – their governors are republicans and they’re more worried about “Wall Street” than “Main Street.” I have to wonder how many Americans will have to die before this reality sinks in to these people. This pandemic is going to get incredibly worse because of the combination of these republican governors and individual 1. “We the people” have the power to fix this, but the problem is, by next January when we’ll have the “changing of the guard” it will be way too late to mitigate this virus. In fact, it’s likely already too late!

Individual 1 has a problem with logic and he just keeps making his situation worse with every passing day. A couple months ago I thought I heard him say the key to saving our economy was in controlling the Covid-19 virus. It was maybe the ONLY time this year I heard him say something which made sense. Of course, that sentiment only lasted about one day, just like one day after he came out with the different phases of “re-opening” the economy he was “tweeting” “LIBERATE” in regard to several battleground states which ALL are now heavily favoring Joe Biden. Our IMPEACHED so-called president is not the “brightest light in the room” and, today, he, again, while grubbing for votes in Wisconsin, once again said, “If we didn’t test we wouldn’t have any cases.” Every time I hear him say that my jaw drops. My suggestion is someone should give him a different campaign slogan.

In the past couple of days another poll came out which would suggest if individual 1 doesn’t figure out what is happening in America (over 40,000 KNEW Covid-19 cases again today) we could have a record breaking landslide in November. My friend I mention here often who is part of the individual 1 Cult has been predicting just that, to me, for months – although, he’s predicting it will be our IMPEACHED so-called president on the winning side. He’s also predicting “liberals” will be in the streets after that happens. I suggested to him he was correct, he just has it backwards – and, the polling of late would indicate I may be the one who has it figured out. I’ve long worried about groups like the “Boogaloo bois,” the “Proud boys,” and other white nationalist groups rebelling as their fuhrer is voted out of office.

Individual 1 is already setting the stage for his white nationalist supporters hitting the streets by suggesting the election is going to be rigged! I’ll say it again, ALREADY! He sees all the polls and he’s already so far behind it will take the Russians, William Barr, AND James Comey to get him over the “line.” Not only is individual 1 trailing by almost 10 points in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, but he’s trailing by almost 10 points in Arizona, Florida, and North Carolina. To make matters worse, he’s also trailing in places like Georgia, Iowa, and Texas – just within the “margin of error” in those three states. Bottom line: it looks really BAD for our IMPEACHED so-called president! (And, he keeps making it worse. This past weekend he “retweeted” a “tweet” of one of his supporters shouting “white power” from a golf cart in Florida’s “The Villages” retirement community. Just so there’s no doubt about his racism)

Individual 1 is ruining our country. We are part of a world economy, like it or not. Other places around the world are nearing a point where they will reject Americans from even visiting. Simply attempting to wish this virus away, for example, is a bad strategy and a bad look. The Europeans are looking at America with dismay. (Except for the neo-Nazi’s) There are numerous issues which are turning our traditional allies away – and, we need to fix this in November, or we may never recover from the DAMAGE!

But, the DAMAGE goes way deeper than this virus to what our IMPEACHED so-called president is doing to this nation. Astonishingly, the republican led Senate continues to walk in “lock-step” with individual 1 and THAT is making matters worse. For over a month (since Moscow Mitch declared the HEROES Act “dead on arrival) I’ve been pointing out the republicans don’t even understand what is holding up the economy. Democrats are trying to help, but republicans reflexively say no. Almost like the oppositional defiant students I used to deal with when I was still teaching. When republicans think “stimulus” they immediately turn to Wall Street – apparently, without limits. But Main Street?……………….

Yes, they’ve provided about $7 TRILLION for Jerome Powell’s “tool chest” at the Fed to prop up Wall Street but, it seems to me (again, I’m no economist) what is really helping our economy are the parts of the CARES Act forced through by the democrats. That would include the PPP (Paycheck Protection Plan) plus, to me, more importantly the $600 bonus payments each week to those who are receiving unemployment benefits. This is money which, in most instances, is being put right back into the economy. From my perspective that is what is “propping up” the economy – rents are being paid, bills are being paid, and people are buying food for their families. That “bonus” is due to end in about four or five weeks. And, trust me, the unemployment issue won’t be “over” by then.

My son works in a restaurant and last week he was called back for about 15 hours per week after about two months of unemployment. Even though we live in a state which was doing really well earlier, things are getting worse and it wouldn’t surprise me to see the restaurants getting shut down again. The restaurant, a very popular one, is less than half full so it will be some time until it’s really open again. Still about half of the workers are on furlough and collecting these unemployment benefits. Today, as I always do, I checked the stock market and it was down about a bit over 2% with increased speculation there’s a 20% “dip” on the horizon. The reason? Well, people who own businesses understand what the effect will be once somewhere between 20 and 40 MILLION people are no longer receiving that $600 bonus each week. That’s money which will no longer be going right back into the economy.

Naturally, democrats are pushing to extend this “bonus” until at least January of 2021 while Moscow Mitch, as I said above, has called it “dead on arrival.” The market is picking up on that and realizes the reality of where our economy would be without that stimulus and, therefore, where it’s going if the stimulus is not extended. There are actually MORE Covid-19 cases today than at any other time. According to individual 1 that’s because “we’re testing” and he keeps adding “if we didn’t test we wouldn’t have cases.” Yikes!!! The combination of the SURGE in Covid-19 cases and the intransigence of individual 1 and Senate republicans is a BAD look!

There are also many “conservatives” who want to just “keep on keepin on” who want to simply weather the storm and they keep suggesting the fact the death toll is averaging about 750 per day over the past week or so indicates things aren’t so bad. First, 750 deaths per week are BAD, but, let me add, it’s going to get worse – deaths are a “lagging indicator” – the hospitals are filling up including the ICU’s and the people requiring intubation are increasing as well – at an alarming rate. (It’s been a few days and “deaths” are down a bit more but, as I’ve said they are a “lagging indicator” and it doesn’t look good going forward)

I’ve been “out of commission” a couple days which seems like a lifetime in following individual 1. I keep thinking, “What if Obama…………….?” Fill in the blank. This past weekend’s number one SCANDAL which would topple any other administration is the news about Russia putting a BOUNTY on American troops in Afghanistan via the Taliban – apparently, resulting in the deaths of “a few American troops.” Individual 1 is claiming, “I didn’t know.” Well, which is worse – he didn’t know or he knew and did nothing about it? Both of those scenarios make me even more nervous about the next 7 months. Individual 1 will be our IMPEACHED so-called president until January 20, 2021. Can you imagine if we’d known about this as individual 1 was giving the commencement address at West Point? This administration is like the “house of horrors.”

The level of incompetence coming from this “White House” seems beyond imagination – but, the sad reality is it’s really this bad. The headlines for this week’s scandals center around the continued lack of leadership regarding Covid-19 AND, more significantly, questions about individual 1’s continued “bromance” with Vladimir Putin. He’s said NOTHING about the Russians paying the Taliban to KILL our troops in Afghanistan and, on top of that, he’s doing Putin another favor by pulling 25,000 troops out of Germany. Additionally, he’s been trying to get Putin and Russia into the G-7. Individual 1 is SHAMELESS when it comes to getting on his knees for Vladimir Putin. Sad!

Final Thought: I started this post a few days ago and then the internet connection at our house suffered an outage and I was forced to live like I used to for a couple days – it was interesting, to say the least. So, today, as I’m watching the news there is concern all around the country due to the SURGE in Covid-19 cases which, apparently includes MOSTLY “young” people – people in their mid twenties to late thirties – in Florida, I believe, the governor said the average age of new patients in their hospitals is 36. There is a lot of concern about “community spread” and who those might be following all these “young” people into the hospitals around the country.

As I was thinking about this, all I could get my mind around was the Covid-19 consequence of the George Floyd protests are still on the horizon, in my view. I just don’t see how you could put all those people, who, quite naturally, I supported, into such close proximity and not have a lot of “spread” of this virus – which is EXTREMELY contagious. Of course, the biggest fear is for those “old people” who are infected by these “young” people. We’ll see how this goes but the reality is this virus is pretty much out of control all across the country and STILL individual 1 is pretending “all is well.” Of course, it is NOT “well,” and the next few weeks could be disastrous.

(So far, the “experts” are saying the protests have not shown up in the statistics on the virus)

Today there were over 40,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19 across America (in ONE day) and the response coming from individual 1 was to announce the federal testing response to the pandemic will be stopped at the end of June. This is almost unbelievable – but, nothing should surprise anymore. Of course, the individual states will continue their own testing programs and, likely, the seriousness of this pandemic will continue to grow – our IMPEACHED so-called president just won’t be able to wish this pandemic away. It should surprise no one that Covid-19 continues to dominate headlines, but that is but one of the serious issues we’re dealing with.

Not only is Covid-19 raging but so are the emotions of those in the African American communities around the country along with those who support them. It’s undeniable there are many people supporting police reform but also there’s a “controversy” (in the eyes of individual 1) over the tearing down of a bunch of confederate statues which were put up during the days of “Jim Crow” – as a way for racists in the South to emphasize their support for a segregated society. It’s encouraging to me thinking maybe we, as a nation, have evolved past the point where we are willing to treat people who were traitors to the United States during the Civil War as some kind of heroes. Periodically I’ve pointed out individual 1 very well could “trigger” some positive, progressive change as people learn to understand what he stands for. MOST people want nothing to do with our IMPEACHED so-called president.

Another issue which is somewhat “connected” to the Covid-19 crisis would be that tomorrow representatives of individual 1’s administration are going to argue in court for the destruction of the Affordable Care Act. Does that seem even more STUPID than usual coming from individual 1 – attempting to take health insurance away from people during a serious pandemic? Again, nothing seems to surprise anymore. Maybe when right wing Americans want to take a trip to Europe and they get denied because of our raging pandemic – which is getting worse by the day – reality will set in. EVERY day governors in “red states” (blue states as well) where actions are not taken to mitigate this virus allows it to become even more embedded. It’s on an exponential rise in several states and many people continue to be acting incredibly selfishly.

Back when New York was getting “hit” hard by the virus I remember governor Cuomo pointing out to governors (and people) around the country “you’re next.” Many thought he was simply blowing off steam, but, well “it’s time” and it seems as if there are places who want to “be like New York.” In Arizona, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi and other places around the country hospitals are filling to near capacity and, still, people continue to congregate in closed quarters without masks. My daughter is an RN and it’s heartbreaking listening to Nurses who are publishing social media posts about what it’s like in their ICU’s – where it’s apparent Nurses and Doctors could be suffering from things like PTSD dealing with this. This pandemic could get beyond recognition SOON because individual 1 has simply “moved on” and is pretending it “aint happenin.” I’m so proud of my daughter for committing to service as a nurse and ANGRY politicians would be so disrespectful of those on the “front lines” of this pandemic.

Many of the places which are facing the surges in cases right now are the states where I earlier suggested I didn’t trust the governors to be providing accurate data on the numbers of people who are dying from this virus. We know in Florida, Georgia, Texas, and Iowa this very well may be true – based on “admissions” from their governors. For example, the governor of Iowa didn’t mince words in suggesting those working in meat packing plants are “them” and people in nursing homes are, well, really old – so, kind of like individual 1, why mess up “the numbers” if you don’t have to. Ron DeSantis was reported to have ordered state employees in Florida to LIE about the cause of death, again, with those pesky old people who die from the virus. The same was reported about Brian Kemp in Georgia. And, the beat goes on!

What they can’t LIE about is the number of people in the ICU’s in their hospitals. The hospitals are filling up all across the states where the virus is verging on being out of control with leaders showing they weren’t paying attention back when Governor Cuomo was having daily briefings and warning them for a couple of devastating months – a time when there were refrigerator truck trailers parked outside of hospitals for all the bodies which the morgues didn’t have the space to accommodate. It’s as if the one thing individual 1 has accomplished is turning the virus into something political – instead of the health crisis it really is.

Today I listened to another of the incredibly STUPID members of individual 1’s “team” publicly showing his ignorance almost as a badge of honor. This was Larry Kudlow who claimed the virus was behind us just a week or so ago and today, I guess this is progress, he admitted there are some “hot spots” around the country. And, of course, in his sense of “loyalty” to the head of the “coronavirus task force,” Mike Pense, who, himself, claimed back in May the virus would be “behind us by Memorial Day,” Kudlow made sure he used the word “positive” as he was trying to LIE about the reality that yesterday there were MORE cases of Covid-19 across the country than any other day. There was a meeting yesterday at the “White House” where Pense was encouraging “White House” staffers to focus on the “positive.” (What????)

Even though we KNOW there are multiple republicans LYING about the true devastation being caused by Covid-19 – which is NOT just another “flu,” we also KNOW this is bad and it’s going to get a lot worse. Of course, if you get it and are one of the lucky ones where it doesn’t get into your lungs or kidneys or cause one of the other debilitating effects, it is still a national disaster on many fronts. And, of course, it didn’t have to be this way. Back in January if we had a president acting in a way which was laid out for him in the pandemic “handbook” passed along by the Obama administration “we the people” could be nearly able to be “back to normal.” He failed to act at the beginning and he’s now completely abdicated any responsibility for the virus so that, apparently, he’s just going to watch the devastation on his TV.

I follow the statistics on “Worldometer.info,” a website which tallies every instance where someone is officially determined to have been infected with the virus and/or having been killed by the virus and, today, the death toll is nearing 130,000 in just about four months. It’s getting uglier by the day and will continue to do so because of who “we the people” have in the “White House.” We’re the ONLY country (maybe Brazil?) without a national strategy to fight this pandemic and, it appears, until individual 1 is no longer in the “White House” there won’t be a strategy. The spokesperson for the largest hospital in the country (maybe world) in Houston today announced 30% of those being tested are testing positive – which is an alarming statistic – suggesting the situation is much worse than we even know, as of today.

As I’ve written before, the economy, in my view, (I’ve also admitted to not being an economist) have been propped up by two things. First, the CARES Act included a $600 per week “bonus” to those who are collecting unemployment benefits – in the past couple of months almost 50 MILLION Americans have applied for benefits – and that money is allowing people who would otherwise be wondering where the next meal is coming from to be paying their bills and buying food for their families. That money is the result of democrats FORCING republicans to agree to this “bonus” in order to get the second thing propping up the economy.

That would be the TRILLIONS of dollars in Jerome Powell’s “toolbox” which Powell has used to prop up Wall Street to the tune of, so far, almost $5 TRILLION. This is money Powell has used to purchase what I understand would be called toxic securities and I’ve heard Powell suggest these are “lending facilities” he’s using, whatever that means – I take it to mean the institutions involved would very possibly not be paying back the “loans.” While republicans are attempting to block the HEROES Act where the democrats want to continue the support of “Main Street” (along with aid to state and local governments, the post office, and money for vote at home) Mr. Powell is indicating his agreement that “Main Street” is going to need additional support.

I’ve pointed out several times that as soon as this $600 per week “bonus” to our unemployed workers ends it will only be a matter of a month or two until the reality of the REAL economy will be exposed. The American people have been conditioned to believe if Wall Street is “up” then the economy is doing well. To me, this is why the republicans are so eager to provide Powell with whatever he needs to prop up Wall Street, the deficit be damned, but that $600 per week to our workers – that brings out the reality of people like Lindsay Graham, Rand Paul, and other republicans who could care less about these workers and who have no idea, apparently, the benefit of every one of the $600 to our economy – by the reports I’ve read, each dollar returns $1.68 to the overall economy. The people who are receiving this benefit are spending almost every dollar. That, as opposed to, for example, the republican tax cuts which have been used by corporations to buy back their own stock – which plummeted in value after the beginning of the virus.

This is maybe what explains the republicans sudden change in thought about the deficit which began with the tax scam and is now on steroids as Mr. Powell is prepared to spend even more TRILLIONS to keep Wall Street “up.” I have no idea how much of the $10 TRILLION appropriated since the beginning of the pandemic will actually show up when they calculate the deficit for this year, but I know it SHOULD be “jaw dropping.” Republicans always complain about the deficit except when THEY are making it grow. It happened with Reagan, Bush, and now individual 1 – MASSIVE increases in the national debt during their terms in office. And, keep in mind, Bush/Cheney were HIDING the money used for their disastrous invasion of Iraq as if it was on a secret “credit card.”

True to form, after tanking the economy, republicans spent 8 years BLAMING Barack Obama for the deficit he INHERITED from Bush/Cheney – which was $1.5 TRILLION per year when he took office and $400 BILLION when he left. It took individual 1 about a year to push it back up over $1 TRILLION and who knows where it is going to be when he leaves office next January (PLLLLEASE!!!). Of course, on the first day Joe Biden has been declared the winner of the November election the republican “deficit hawks” will be howling. I can almost guarantee it. Fox “news” will still be in business and they will still be surviving off of divisive rhetoric.

The point here is it’s hard to understand the logic behind the thinking of republicans if there is any. While the economy is being propped up by all this borrowed (or imaginary) money the pandemic is raging more than ever. Early on it was focused on the Northeast section of the Country, mainly in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts but now it’s raging in something like 29 states. Florida, Texas, Arizona, California, and virtually every state in the South are in danger of becoming the “next New York.” As I’ve pointed out here, once the republicans succeed in ending the benefits of the CARES Act for workers, the reality of what is happening in America will become all too real.

The DAMAGE to America via individual 1 is increasing almost as exponentially as that of the virus! “We the people” just won’t understand the true details until long after he’s gone. Let’s just hope that will be January 20, 2021! Before the economy can be healthy again the virus MUST be either gone or under control. It can’t be “wished away” and the real way to get it under control, according to virtually every scientist I’ve listened to, is “testing, tracing, and treating.” So, the idea of eliminating the federal government’s participation in the testing procedures is simply STUPID. But, all things considered, coming from individual 1 it’s not surprising!

Final Thought: I wrote recently I wasn’t going to purchase John Bolton’s book for at least a couple reasons. First, Bolton pretty much repulse’s me and, more importantly, it really bothered me he chose the profits of his book (more than 500 pages) over his obligation to testify in the trial of this DEPLORABLE person who is our IMPEACHED so-called president. When that (so-called) president, individual 1, started a legal crusade to prevent the publication of the book, that exposed one of my weaknesses and I chose to purchase it. Yesterday I got my copy from Barnes and Noble dot com and, sadly, I shredded the packing slip which included the return label should I want to return it. Oops!

Last night I decided to put Bolton’s book on the top of my pile of books and started reading it. At this point I’m not sure I’ll be able to finish it. In the first 25 pages I was reminded why I have such a low opinion of Bolton. He stands for pretty much EVERYTHING I’m opposed to. Of course, I was familiar with him so it’s my own fault. I will try to continue reading because I really want to understand the details of what he “witnessed” up close and personal with individual 1, but I’m already feeling it was $32,95 (plus tax) poorly spent! The opening of the book reminded me of how the republicans who are turning against individual 1 are still part of the movement which culminated in his “takeover” of the “White House.”

For example, I tried to read “Everything Trump touches dies” by Rick Wilson and I couldn’t get all the way through it – even though I agreed with most of Wilson’s thesis. I believe his claim is proving to be prescient – keep in mind, Wilson wrote this near the beginning of individual 1’s administration. As I read Wilson’s book I was reminded he was instrumental as well, kind of like Bolton, in creating the atmosphere which has led to our IMPEACHED so-called president. In fact, in Wilson’s case, I’ve enjoyed watching him on TV – he’s very funny at times, even though the topic is very serious, PLUS Wilson is a key member of the “Lincoln Project,” a group of republicans who are working for the same goal as myself – ending individual 1’s time in office.

I have to admit I’ve suggested on this site my desire democrats would learn from the tactics of the “Lincoln Project” even though it’s made up of people who I just don’t basically agree with. However, I would love to be able to sit down at a breakfast table and have a dialogue with them to try understanding what they consider to be the “conservative” movement. I studied Edmund Burke in college, the so-called “father of conservatism” and I just don’t see it. Of course, Bolton is part of that “conservative” movement and I’ve always considered him a war hawk and, certainly, no conservative. However, he was interviewed by Nicole Wallace on MSNBC today and she referred to him as “The conservatives conservative.”

Whatever he is, I don’t understand it and I don’t agree with it. To me, Bolton is the type of republican who is the seed of the divisiveness which exists in America today. In the first part of his book he makes his opposition to the Paris Climate Accord and the Iran Nuclear deal clear and it makes no sense to me – the reasoning behind it. I’ll leave all that for another day I’m just going to try to read the book – now that I’m out of the $32.95 (plus tax :o). I made it about 2/3 of the way through Wilson’s book (I haven’t bought the new one – although, I sort of feel a need to support him through the Lincoln Project) before I could stomach no more of his “conservatism.” Hopefully, I’ll get all the way through Bolton’s book, but that remains to be seen.

This morning in his interview with Ms Wallace Bolton explained why he doesn’t feel a bit bad about refusing to testify to the House in the IMPEACHMENT inquiry. I could argue all day against his logic but, the bottom line is, he chose money over honor. Regardless of whether his testimony could have changed the outcome of the IMPEACHMENT trial the American people were focused on it and would have listened to his testimony. He’s saying there was more and democrats SHOULD have worked with republicans in the process to find it. If you watched the process as closely as I did you know the absurdity of that comment. He SHOULD have shared what he knew about “The room where it happened” then, but I heard people predicting the “book” the day he left his job in the “White House.” Today he was SHAMELESSLY defending his SHAMELESS behavior to Ms. Wallace. Sad!