I spent the last third of my working life teaching sixth graders in a Middle School which was filled with a wonderfully diverse group of students, with so many of them leaving a lasting impression on what’s left of my memory – along with their loving parents. By the time I retired a significant proportion of the students in my classroom were of Latino ancestry and I’ve always wondered how many of them are now “Dreamers.” During my lifetime I’ve learned what beautiful people those “immigrating” to America from Mexico, Central America, and South America are. (Actually, I had WONDERFUL students from MANY places around the world, but thanks to our so-called president, tonight, my thoughts are with those whose ancestry is Hispanic.) This is why, almost every day – because I can’t help paying attention to our government and its actions – my heart feels pierced because, unfortunately, many of my former students are impacted by individual 1’s RACIST actions.

If you watch Fox “news” you might believe the MURDERS in El Paso last week had no connection to individual 1 – virtually EVERYONE else KNOWS the “manifesto” published just minutes before the murder by the KILLER – a document that COULD have come from the mouth of our so-called president – would indicate otherwise. And, yesterday, individual 1 proved that he not only would take no responsibility for the MURDERS but that he also had absolutely, in the words of one of the people in the hospital he visited, “no empathy.” (Today, it was reported the KILLER told authorities he was trying to KILL Mexicans! That should erase the doubts of even the Fox viewers)

Well, individual 1’s surrogates were smart enough to block the so-called “liberal media” from following him into the hospital, but they failed to understand even my former sixth graders have “smart phones” with incredible video capacity. So, while our so-called president was bloviating to hospital staff – because NOT ONE of the living victims of the shooting agreed to allow him to visit them – NOT ONE – he was caught on a private video recording BRAGGING (LYING – what else is new) about the size of his audience in the rally he held in El Paso several months ago AND LYING about the size of Beto O’Rourke’s crowd in a competing rally on the same night. Saying O’Rourke’s crowd numbered around 400 (When, at the time, it was estimated to be between 10,000 and 15,000) while saying his own crowd was “huge” (My term).

My point is, individual 1 wasn’t thanking the hospital workers who’ve likely been working incredibly extended hours for the past week, he wasn’t asking them if there was anything they needed, he wasn’t making it clear that his mind was on the victims and the workers – but, as usual he PROVED the only thing on his mind, as ALWAYS, is him. No matter the circumstances. Worst yet, while he was BRAGGING about the crowd (that didn’t resemble what he suggested it was) in a hospital committed to SERVING the Latino community his ICE surrogates were committing heinous RAIDS in food processing plants in Mississippi, hauling 680 hard working Latino’s, many who are “documented” (not that that would make any difference to me – it’s unbelievable this happened, especially at this point in time – but, you have to give individual 1 credit, he’s got an “all time” mean streak) into holding cells causing them to face the possibility of deportation. (Not ONE of the employers was arrested)

A quick aside: Anyone who’s been paying attention to what has been going on since individual 1 LIED while taking the oath of office KNOWS he’s been employing UNDOCUMENTED workers for many, many years – some have said they’ve been working for him for at least 15 – 20 years. Maybe this is why NONE of the employers faced any arrest – just the HARD WORKING workers – and, if you’ve been around Hispanic workers you know it’s hard to find anyone who works as hard and is as loyal to their employer as them. Just sayin…………………..

Thank God for the “fifth estate.” Many of us, including me, forget that not ALL people who live in the South support the inhumane policies of individual 1 and reporters in Mississippi not only put the cameras on many of those adults incarcerated by ICE but, also, they put the cameras on their children who were left to wonder why their parents weren’t picking them up from the first day of school. And, I can tell you, MANY of the BEST students in those schools are certainly the Hispanic children who were sitting on the school’s steps in tears wondering if they were going to go home to parents last night. This all is making me sick to my stomach thinking about it – and, make no mistake – it’s a reflection on ALL Americans!

Furthermore, I can tell you some of the most wonderful parents I ever dealt with in my career as a teacher were the HARD WORKING parents of many of the Latino students. One of the most memorable days of each school year was the day the Latino Moms would provide true “Mexican” food for each teacher to enjoy during their prep time. I’m saying all this because I’m just getting to the point where I can’t stand what is being done to this nation by individual 1. The RACISM has always “been there” – but, at least in my memory, never even close to this OVERT. and the push to PUBLICLY arrest and deport – good, hard working Latino’s – apparently as a way to spread FEAR in the Latino community (over 300 of those detained yesterday were released today – apparently because they were “documented”) and to cause others considering fleeing the violence and poverty in their own countries from coming to America.

Individual 1 is writing what will be one of the DARKEST periods in American history and it’s up to “we the people” to make sure this “chapter” lasts for only 4 years. One thing he’s doing is educating Americans as to what type of personality makes up a despot. As I’m watching him, it’s apparent he’s learned many lessons from people like Vladimir Putin, Rodrigo Roa Duterte of the Philippines, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey – three of the worst dictators around the globe and Kim Jong un – maybe the worst. Individual 1 has managed to commandeer the Justice Department and soon, it appears, he’ll have a sycophant in charge of the intelligence community. Plus he’s labeled the “media” the “enemy of the people” – right in line with the aforementioned thugs – although in their instance they simply have unfriendly reporters “disappeared” – or, in Putin’s case POISONED or “mysteriously” falling out windows of Russian skyscrapers. I forgot to mention MBS (Mohammad bin Salmon) who has unfriendly reporters cut up into pieces with his personal BONE SAW! Yikes!!!

Individual 1 wants the “liberal media” to cow-tow to everything he does – otherwise the attacks calling the media “The enemy of the people” will continue endlessly. To me, that’s not a huge issue NOW, but if “we the people” fail to “impeach” him at the ballot box in 2020 it becomes a HUGE problem. Personally, I feel the “liberal media” has helped to “normalize” our so-called president because they are stuck in the “both sides” way of looking at virtually every issue. To me, there’s NOT “both sides” to RACISM. There’s NOT “both sides” to siding with Putin. Call it what it is! There’s NOT “both sides” to the issue of “White supremacy” – it’s simply an unacceptable philosophy – unless you want to live in a fascist state that resembles the apartheid government of South Africa before Nelson Mandela.

Pathological LYING is NOT a “both sides” issue. It needs to be called out for what it is – every day. When you have a so-called president who’s a PATHOLOGICAL LIAR, that’s a serious issue and it needs to be explained as LYING every time it happens. Individual 1 is the greatest threat to this nation in my lifetime. Sadly, the republican party has become the party of individual 1 and, hopefully, those who’ve “gone along to get along” will face the wrath of the voters in 2020. It’s true there’s a swath of America which supports this deplorable man but it’s up to the “rest of – we the people” to vote out as many as possible in the next election. Winning the Senate is, in my view, as important as voting individual 1 out of office. Mitch McConnell has referred to himself as “The grim reaper.” OMG! This will be a critical election. The DARK chapter in our history I referred to above could get extremely DARK if individual 1 is re-elected. It’s “all hands on deck” to end this national nightmare!

When I think about what must be going through the minds of my former students who are “Dreamers,” or maybe more significantly those who are “undocumented,” I actually start getting angry. How could this be happening in this nation I’ve grown to love over my 72 years living here? Over the years I’ve learned to be thankful to live in a nation which is defined as the “melting pot.” I grew up learning that “Bring your tired, your hungry” was like a mission statement for our nation. It’s almost like the people who support individual 1 don’t consider themselves immigrants.

The reality is we’re ALL immigrants. The FACT that my ancestors – on my father’s side – immigrated in the 1600’s, to me, doesn’t make me more of an American than the “Dreamers” or other students who came through my classroom who were/are part of families who recently immigrated to this nation. In fact, it appeared to me, many of those who immigrated recently (and, this includes kids from Russia and other Eastern European countries) have MORE of an appreciation for being here than those students (and adults) with nothing to FEAR from individual 1. Just sayin………………..

Up until individual 1 took office it was really easy to just take for granted many of the issues I mentioned above – thinking they’re “etched in stone.” The idea of a “White Nationalist” in the “White House” just didn’t seem possible to me. But, when I look back, I can clearly see the propaganda machine that’s been at work since the days of Reagan. And, ironically, that “machine” in now working in concert with the cyber criminals operating out of Russia. Make no mistake (and Mueller confirmed this) the Russians are at it “as we speak” and fully intend to interfere in the upcoming election. And, you’d have to be – well – STUPID – to fail to understand their motives.

Just in case – a quick explanation: They, first and foremost want to see DIVISION among “we the people.” One way of doing that is “ginning” up the RACIST sentiments of individual 1’s supporters – and, trust me, he’ll do whatever it takes to get support from anyone he can. Their second goal is to keep individual 1 in office – simply because he makes it easy for them to accomplish goal number one. On top of that – there’s got to be some kind of symbiotic relationship between Putin and our so-called president because individual 1 clearly is doing Putin’s “bidding” as he helps to undermine NATO – one of Putin’s main world wide objectives.

I’m presently reading “Putin’s World” by Angela Stent, a professor of government and foreign service at Georgetown University and an expert on Eurasian, Russian, and Eastern European studies – it’s NOT a political book – it’s informative. The book confirms my suspicions – which I’ve shared here many times – that Putin is attempting to recreate the “former Soviet Union.” To accomplish that he needs the help of someone like individual 1. Whether individual 1 is a “witting or unwitting” agent of the Russians, to me, is irrelevant. He’s doing their bidding. And, in the process he’s attempting to push the White Nationalist agenda in America. And, make no mistake, Putin shares that philosophy and is pushing it as far into Europe as he can. If “we the people” don’t realize what is happening, and SOON, our government will be unrecognizable!

Final Thought: The “battle lines” in what is a WAR for the heart and soul of America should be the FIGHT to defend the “Dreamers” and the other people who want to immigrate to this nation to afford their families opportunity – what our country has been built on. For heaven’s sake, individual 1 is married to an immigrant (for that matter, he’s a second generation immigrant) and he brought his wife’s parents here using the same “chain migration” he purports to end. He employs undocumented workers on the one hand and is ordering his surrogates to round them up on the other. And, all of this CRAP is tearing this nation apart at the seems – exactly what Vladimir Putin wanted when he ordered his forces in 2015 to focus their “active measures” in a way to either get individual 1 elected or to undermine Hillary Clinton. Individual 1’s complicity toward Putin, I’m sure, has him “laughing all the way to the bank.” And, you have to believe he does view individual 1 as nothing more than a “useful idiot.”

Most of us (Americans) have resolved ourselves to the fact individual 1 is going to be bloviating from the “White House” for nearly another two (miserable and painful) years – from a political perspective. We’re all (well, those of us who don’t want this nation to be defined by racism) looking at individual 1 as the motivator of a swelling number of White Nationalists who are attempting to “cleanse” this nation of people who don’t have a historical connection to Western Europe – meaning “white.” And, individual 1 deserves credit for motivating the KILLER of the 20 people in El Paso this past weekend, although he’ll likely just blame the gun and deny culpability. However, I’m certainly NOT surprised by the resounding SILENCE coming from the republicans in Congress. The republicans who’ve enabled the divisive language of individual 1, republicans who’ve been BLOCKING sensible gun control legislation for as long as I can remember, and I could (and will) provide a much more extensive list of things the republicans have been BLOCKING for – in some instances – generations!

“We the people” are almost numbed by all the SCANDALS which, at any other time, would by themselves (I almost said “individually”) be enough for our Congress to say, “Enough.” I’ve said this before, but imagine had President Obama ginned up a group of Blacks to commit mass shootings in venues filled with “White” conservatives. Hell, imagine had Obama paid off a couple women, including a “porn star” to keep silent, right before an election, so that “we the people” would be voting without knowing the truth? What if Obama had conspired with the Russians to get elected??? I can certainly remember when republicans tried to convince “we the people” they were the party which would stand up to Vladimir Putin. Oh, those were the days, weren’t they.

I could go on and on – just this past weekend while the gunman who left a right wing manifesto on the internet which virtually mimicked a “tweet” coming from individual 1 himself, our so-called president was playing golf at his Bedminster New Jersey resort and “we the people” were putting untold amounts of money directly into his pockets as the taxpayers were ponying up for the security detail and the media who are forced to stay at his facilities virtually every weekend. This is a VIOLATION of our CONSTITUTION which has been tolerated since individual 1 took the oath of office – thumbing his nose at the emoluments clause in our founding document and republicans saying, “So What?”

But, the bottom line here is that the republican party’s right wing “slide” has been an issue for, at least to people who think like me, since the 1970’s. (Keep in mind, the democrats of the 1960’s became the republicans in the 1970’s and beyond because of Lyndon Johnson’s support of the Civil Rights movement and the Nixon “Southern Strategy”) There was the near impeachment of Richard Nixon, he resigned, of course, because otherwise he was going to be removed from office by Congress. It took one term of Jimmy Carter, one of the most honest presidents to work in the Oval Office, for the republicans to put together the Reagan scam – which, by the way, started in Philadelphia, Mississippi, with a speech introducing the Reagan campaign which was laced with racist tropes. Reagan’s two terms were full of lies and he managed to leave office as, to republicans, some godlike figure. (He should have been prosecuted for the Iran/Contra fiasco – which began the trend of republican presidents ignoring the constitution and democrats enabling them)

Recently audio of a conversation between Reagan and Nixon simply confirmed what those of us who read books and pay attention already knew (well, I have the advantage that I was there for both of their administrations), both Nixon and Reagan were racists. Not as overt as individual 1, but we could have a lengthy discussion of which is worst. Many are saying individual 1 is simply the manifestation of what has been festering in republican “circles” for years. It simply took the democrats (and, “we the people”) to nominate an African American who was brilliant enough to put together two campaigns which ended up with him gaining a significant MAJORITY of the vote in two elections. Ever since President Obama’s first election victory we’ve been listening to these right wing extremists – including the White Nationalists but also a depressing number of so-called “mainstream” republicans – shouting, “We want OUR country back.”

The inference, of course, is that America is a country for “White” people. (Tell that to the Native Americans) And, while MOST of our “liberal media” don’t want to talk like this, the administration of individual 1 is dangerously similar to the Third Reich. From the “Make America Great Again” (Hitler’s mantra was “Make Germany Great Again” – and, by the way, Putin is in the middle of a scheme to “Make Russia Great Again”) moniker on hats and signs, the adoption of Germany’s propaganda scheme, and things like – in the campaign – individual 1 having his audience giving him the “heil” salute. Since taking the “oath” of office, there have been disturbing instances of our so-called president requiring, one by one, the members of his cabinet to give thanks for the privilege they have/had of serving HIM. (Not the country, of course) I could go on and on, but I hope you get the idea.

One thing we can be certain of is the republicans in Congress continuing their issue with “lockjaw.” Another thing we can COUNT on is that individual 1 will accept no responsibility for the “climate” he’s created with all his DIVISIVE speeches throwing out RACIST tropes as if he’s once again tossing paper towels to the people of Puerto Rico. So, NOTHING will change, UNLESS “we the people” MAKE it change. We not only are CHALLENGED to vote individual 1 out of office in a MASSIVE wave election – we MUST remove as many republicans from the Senate as possible – making sure that if “Moscow Mitch” is still in the Senate, he’s in the minority.

Speaking of “Moscow Mitch,” yesterday, as I was deleting massive amounts of emails, I found myself depleting my bank account (which is anything but full) with donations to various requests for some of my funds – with a few dollars going to Amy McGrath (A former Marine fighter pilot) who is running against “Moscow Mitch” in the upcoming Senate election in Kentucky. Please, if you’re from Kentucky, work to make sure “Moscow Mitch” does NOT return to the Senate after 2020! By the way, in a book I read during the past year, the author suggested “Moscow Mitch” had received $800,000 from a Russian source. Along with his money which comes from the NRA, the fossil fuel industry, etc. he will NOT be lacking in funds for the 2020 election. (I truly hope my $10 makes a difference for Ms. McGrath!) But I digress……………..

Just to accentuate my final point regarding the republican party’s willingness to associate themselves with the RACIST element of our nation – apparently, instead of trying to be a “big tent” party – I have to remind you of the “Tea Party” which burst onto the scene shortly after President Obama’s first victory. The “Tea Party” wing of the republican party has pretty much become the republican party. If you watched Mueller’s testimony you saw another embarrassing example of “Tea Party” republicans dominating their side of the investigation and focused on virtually anything but the FACTS. People like Jim Jordan of Ohio, Matt Gaetz of Florida, Devin Nunez of California, and, possibly the most embarrassing of all, Louis Gohmert of Texas leave on wondering “what on earth were they yelling about” when they finish their turn of questioning? If you don’t remember the signs at the “Tea Party” rallies, shortly after Obama’s first election, go back and check it out. The signs were not only RACIST but disgusting. Our “liberal media” was complicit in normalizing what eventually brought us individual 1, because they failed to call it out for what it was at the time. And, the media continues the failure of connecting the “dots” between these “Tea Party” republicans and the RACISM espoused by individual 1.

I recently wrote that individual 1 would create a “crisis” to get our minds off the arrest of Jeffrey Epstein and Epstein’s “connection” to our so-called president – both men ALLEGEDLY abusers of women. (I wrote ALLEGEDLY in case someone reads this :o) So, since I wrote that, a couple weeks ago, individual 1 has attacked the so-called “squad” – four freshmen (women) members of Congress who happen to be “non-white” – in a clearly RACIST attack (The “classic,” go back to where you came from” – despite the FACT they’re all Americans) aimed at changing the media’s focus from Epstein. But, the Epstein issue is big, so individual 1 doubled down by attacking Elijah Cummings and his home-town of Baltimore. Those two actions – and a rally where individual 1 stood back and absorbed his audience shouting “Send her back” in reference to Ilhan Omar – was individual 1 at his RACIST best – making sure “We the people” have no question about his personal beliefs. (Do you remember the saying, “Kill two birds with one stone?”)

Well, then, over this past weekend, more than 30 people were MURDERED in two mass shootings – one in El Paso and one in Dayton, Ohio. The shooter in El Paso, as I referenced above, posted a “White Nationalists” manifesto just minutes before he started KILLING innocent people who were shopping for “back to school” supplies on a “no tax” day which drew THOUSANDS of people into the Wal-Mart where the MURDERS took place. Again, the shooter’s manifesto mirrored remarks which have been spewed out by our so-called president – who blamed “video games” and mental illness for these murders.

And, remember, just a week prior to this, there was a mass MURDER at a Garlic Festival in Gilroy, California by someone ALSO being “connected” to “White Nationalists.” There are cells of these people – ALL armed to the “hilt” – all over America. These recent shooters are young, malleable, (White) Americans – who are susceptible to radicalization coming from many “angles.” I’m not suggesting anything in regard to individual 1 other than, from my point of view, his rhetoric is being interpreted by a hoard of White Nationalists all across the country and, in many instances, he’s going to be actually causing people to believe they are “patriots” as they, in their deranged minds, “cleanse” this nation from “invaders.” Clearly, individual 1’s words did not pull the triggers in these horrific MURDERS – but, we’re NOT (and likely not going to be) talking about Epstein. (And, there will be a “bevy” of new scandals to talk about)

It’s almost impossible to keep up with the SCANDALS and the daily examples that America has an incompetent THUG in the “White House.” People like me (and, more numbering in the MILLIONS) have been encouraging the democratic led House of Representatives to, at a minimum, authorize an IMPEACHMENT inquiry. Lay out ALL the FACTS in regard to the “scandal a day” administration we’re enduring and decide what really are “high crimes and misdemeanors.” If individual 1 has not passed that thresh-hold it may NEVER be passed. I’m struggling to think America would elect another so-called president as incompetent as individual 1. I guess we’ll find the answer to that one in November 2020. I have friends who have assured me individual 1 will win the 2020 election in a landslide. I truly hope they’re wrong.

I could go on and on, OK, if you’re still reading I know what you’re thinking :o), but I want to end this “rant” by suggesting what I think might come of all this. I just have a feeling the shooting in El Paso is going to take the campaign of Beto O’Rourke to new heights. I believe his direct approach to dealing with and verbalizing issues like this is going to appeal to progressive voters. I may be wrong, but look for O’Rourke to gain in the polls as democrats are attempting to sort out who best can take on individual 1 in the 2020 election. I’m in the “whoever” they choose is who I’ll vote for camp, but my sense is O’Rourke’s campaign may be re-ignited.

Final Thought: After these most recent mass shootings – keep in mind that, in America, there is an average of more than ONE mass shooting per day. A “mass shooting” is defined, as I understand it, where four or more people are victims of an individual assault – the calls for “gun control” have emerged maybe louder than ever. And, of course, “We the people,” by and large, expect NOTHING coming from our national legislature because not only is “Moscow Mitch” blocking legislation aimed at protecting our next election, he’s (along with virtually EVERY other republican and a few democrats) been blocking “gun control” legislation for YEARS. For example, even “universal background check” legislation has been blocked because the NRA doesn’t like it – or ANYTHING which might slow the SALE of guns in America.

And, let me emphasize, this OBSTRUCTION is simply to make sure America is the place where anyone can buy ANY kind of gun you can imagine. The shooter in Gilroy was 19 years old and used an AK47 which was purchased “legally.” The shooter in El Paso had some kind of automatic weapon with magazines holding 100 rounds in each. And, the shooter in Dayton was dead within 30 SECONDS of him firing his first shot, and, yet, NINE people were dead (including his sister???? That makes me wonder) and something like another dozen injured. In 30 SECONDS! Praise God the Police were there that quickly, but what kind of insanity is it that allows this type of fire power to be purchased “LEGALLY” by virtually anyone who wants a gun.

And, I’ll (try to) leave with this. I’ve heard NRA spokespeople, on many occasions, suggest “The way to stop a bad person with a gun is a ‘good’ person with a gun.” Just think about that. For example, the gunman in El Paso entered the Wal Mart while there were supposedly at least 1000 shoppers inside. Picture in your mind if a bunch of “good” people inside the store were “packing” and decided to “save the day” by pulling out their fire arm and firing in the direction they THOUGHT the shooting was coming from. Picture if, maybe, a half dozen to a dozen “good people” were in the Wal Mart and, suddenly, there were bullets coming from all directions. Aside from all the EXTRA “collateral damage” this would cause, picture yourself as the Police Officers coming on the scene trying to identify who the “bad guy” is. I’m just sayin…………

(I was a Middle School Teacher and I’ve often thought of how I would have felt had many of my cohorts been bringing weapons to school to protect us from an “invader” – after individual 1’s suggestion that arming teachers would solve the problem of school shootings. Here’s a thought: BAN assault weapons, initiate a buy back program as an attempt to “put the toothpaste back in the tube,” and prosecute people who hoard weapons and ammunition to the point where “hunting” or “self protection” can no longer be considered a rational explanation for their gun ownership. I’ve said this for years, the NRA has “twisted” the meaning of the 2nd amendment – to where people I know who can’t even tell me what the second amendment says – claim their “second amendment rights” are in danger – and our Congress has enabled this misinformation in return for MILLIONS in “donations” from the “Gun Lobby” ie the NRA)

For starters, I just heard of the latest poll which, again pointed out that 54% of Americans say they DEFINITELY will NOT vote for individual 1 in the 2020 election. So, how does individual 1 go about trying to change that “narrative?” He doubles down on RACIST tropes apparently designed to gin up his so-called “base.” Most pundits claim individual 1 is appealing to the White, older Americans who, he believes, long for the days of Jim Crow and before. Well, I’m White and I’m old (almost 72) and, without a DOUBT, I”m part of the 54% of American who will DEFINITELY NOT vote for individual 1 in 2020. In fact, the DAMAGE is so complete, at this point, I believe there are WAY MORE of the 12% who claim they “might” vote for individual 1 who will change their minds than of the 54% who are DEFINITELY no’s.

As an aside: I started this post a few days ago and the mass shootings just go on and on. I will have more on that at the end of this post, but suffice it to say, individual 1 has “ginned up” the White Nationalists in America and they are, essentially, on the attack. And, we’re left to depend on Bill Barr to lead the Justice Department. These days are getting “darker and darker.” Clearly it’s not just us “old White men” who individual 1 is counting on as his base, but the younger white “soldiers” who are willing to carry out the job of “cleansing” our nation of “immigrants.” (More later)

So, how does individual 1 deal with this reality? He picks another fight! In this instance his attacks are aimed at one of the most respected members of the House of Representatives, Elijah Cummings – the chair of the House Oversight Committee – and his district in Baltimore – which individual 1 referred to as “rat infested” – as he assured his White Nationalist base he’s not going to even slow down on these RACIST tropes – apparently the key to his re-election bid for 2020. And, the members of the republican party who live in FEAR of a “tweet” from individual 1, are ushering in the eventual demise of the republican party – whether it picks up “steam” in 2020 or if we have to wait, God forbid, for another DESTRUCTIVE 4 years. Oh, by the way, if your head’s been in the “sand” Elijah Cummings is African American – that’s the apparent requirement. of late, in individual 1’s attacks – they’re aimed at people of “color.”

I’ve said this for over three years now – and, this has been aimed at people I know who support individual 1 (and, I have to add, in fairness, they strongly disagree) – you can’t support individual 1 without willingly being an enabler of this RACISM. His RACISM, misogyny, xenophobic, narcissistic, pathological LYING character is undeniable. Yet, republicans act as if they all have “lock jaw.” Or, if you’re like Senator Kennedy from Louisiana you just give a pathetic rationalization which will be stored on the video archives of the media outlets for future “times.” Maybe Senator Kennedy has no fear of being associated with a RACISTS because he comes from Louisiana – and, honestly, I really WISH I didn’t feel as if our Southern States are still dominated by Racists. But, I have to believe MOST of the country is getting more and more tired of what individual 1 represents.

Sadly, much of what individual 1 has failed to address SHOULD be a reason for many of his so-called “base” to re-think their loyalty. The reality of his administration is, other than a tax scam that was aimed at the “top 1%,” that NONE of the basic issues facing rural America have been met under this so-called president. (Well, besides a bunch of right wing judges) Additionally, the economy he brags about is nothing more than a continuation of what he inherited. As of this writing he hasn’t done to this inheritance what he did over and over again to the inheritance he got from his father. In this instance, if the economy “tanks,” I don’t believe he has any idea as to what to do (other than blame Obama) and his republican sycophants certainly have never shown an ability to deal with an economic crisis. The last time they faced one, the first thing they did was to create a BAILOUT for the very people who caused the crisis in the first place.

Do you, as I, find it beyond ironic that individual 1’s tariffs have caused a devastating loss of business for farmers in the Midwest (and, by the way, they may NEVER get their business with China back – as China is finding new sources of, for example, soy beans) and then, turning around and showing what great “free market” republicans do – they “bail out” the very businesses they’ve, essentially, destroyed. And, by the way, I believe their bailouts to the farmers (with most of the money going to the big agra businesses), may be in violation of international monetary rules. (I’m just guessing – going on my diminishing memory) This is no problem for our “free market” republicans – they’ll just keep borrowing more and more money – adding it to the exploding deficit and national debt! (This has happened, in some form, EVERY time there’s been a republican in the “White House” in my lifetime – excepting Eisenhower.)

In fact, one of the issues on the horizon will be the so-called “debt ceiling” which is going to be teetering on the “brink” around the time Congress returns from their present August recess. The tax scam, as I pointed out at the time, was the “trigger” for ANOTHER jump in the annual deficit – which is heading NORTH of a TRILLION dollars per year THIS YEAR with no end in sight. Individual 1 is already, another “norm” busted, berating the “Fed” to drop interest rates while the economy is supposedly “booming.” (Theoretically, I believe that’s a bad idea – the Fed is supposed to be independent, isn’t it? Dropping interest rates now could put inflation on the horizon?) I’m sure what individual 1 is seeing is what higher interest rates will do to the national debt. A very significant part of the annual deficit is the interest on the total debt. A serious downturn which is spurred on by inflation could put individual 1 (and, sadly, “we the people” – and also, maybe, the world) in a “corner” as far as the economy is concerned. It won’t take much to push the deficit above TWO TRILLION per year.

President Obama labored with a recalcitrant republican controlled Congress for much of his presidency and still he got the deficit down from the $1.5 TRILLION per year, which he inherited, to about $400 BILLION – a DROP of around 70% in the annual deficit. Of course, EVERY year of his administration, all we heard from republicans was complaints about how the deficit was the result of Obama’s “liberal” policies. Bush/Cheney weren’t even out of Washington DC before republicans began BLAMING then President elect Obama for all their (Bush/Cheney’s) failures. We’re seeing the same absurdities playing out again – although, on top of that we have the above referenced RACISM, SEXISM, NARCISSISM, and pathological LYING coming from the mouth of our so-called president. Yikes!!!

So, I have to question, why are all these “White working class” (does that mean “uneducated?”) Americans, many who I consider to be hard working honorable Americans, still supporting him? Are the right wing judges enough? Is the abortion issue enough to get these people to support someone who has clear autocratic neo-Nazi tendencies? Are they unaware of the consequences of this RACIST so-called president or do they not care? If the latter is true, then these people can no longer claim “innocence” when it’s pointed out their support of individual 1 is an indictment of their own beliefs. Many are suggesting individual 1 believes there are enough RACISTS in America to get him re-elected as he gins up the “race card” over and over again. If you’re supporting him, well, …………………………………..

I have to believe individual 1, himself, believes with his 40+% “base,” along with the Russians (who are already busy), he can pull off another “victory” with, by some accounts I’ve heard recently, 5 MILLION fewer votes than his “liberal” opponent – whoever that may end up being. He believes he’s got a “grip” on the Electoral College – although, I don’t believe the democrats will ignore the “rust belt” this time and I hope the third party candidates take a break. Just yesterday he was questioned about Mueller’s testimony where he (Mueller) pointed out the Russian’s attacks are “ongoing” and “will be part of the next campaign.” Individual 1 responded to the reporter who asked the question: “You don’t really believe that, do you?” It’s as if our nation has been under ATTACK for the past 3+ years and, with an awareness provided by our intelligence agencies since 2016, the SHOCKING reality our so-called president is “missing in action” in defending our nation. It’s beyond frustrating! (It’s as if he – individual 1 – was able to breath a sigh of relief when Mueller couldn’t PROVE a conspiracy – although the “colluding” was clearly documented in Mueller’s report – so, he feels emboldened to essentially laugh off “the Russia thing”)

With reports swirling around that the Russians are still on the attack, how was individual 1 planning to deal with it? He fired Dan Coats as the Director of National Intelligence, who was arguably doing a good job of being as non-partisan as you can in today’s “climate” – but, was not “cow-towing” to our so-called president and, individual 1 then chose to nominate a devoted partisan to take Coats place based on, well, who knows what? Clearly, individual 1 was attempting to put a devotee, similar to William Barr, in charge of our intelligence community. Seriously, this, again, is right out of dictatorship 101. Individual 1’s choice, John Radcliffe, was recklessly chosen to this important post – nothing new in this administration – where the holder of a very important position is nothing more than another sycophant of the so-called president. Fortunately, in the days since I first started writing, Radcliffe was forced to withdraw because his “credentials” bordered on the absurd when comparing them to the requirements of the job.

While reporters were asking individual 1 to respond to Radcliffe’s pulling out of this nomination he actually suggested he uses the media – which he, earlier in the day, referred to it as the “Lamestream media” – to “vet” his nominees. My first thought was, you’ve got to be kidding me – but, as you look back on his 2+ years in office that’s not as unbelievable as you’d expect it to be. The list of totally UNQUALIFIED people he’s put forward for important government posts is almost unimaginable. It’s like, the top executive of the country should be able to put in place a plan to recruit top talent for these prestigious positions. However, with individual 1 at the helm, it has become apparent working in the administration is no longer a prestigious position. Rick Wilson, a republican operative (who, by the way, in his book, gives his “conservative” bona fides way too much credit), wrote a book titled “Everything Trump touches dies.” Qualified people are getting as far away from this administration as they can.

So, while individual 1 and his RACIST, narcissistic, pathological LYING, xenophobic, anti immigrant, and divisive beyond (at least mine) comprehension is basing his re-election campaign on lIES, and, well, RACISM, this should surprise NO ONE. If you’re like me and don’t want America to build a useless “wall” on our Southern border, don’t want a RACIST sitting in the “White House,” and desperately want someone to lead this nation in a direction which actually helps MOST of individual 1’s supporters (at least those who are suffering economically in the so-called “rust belt) as well as those of us who believe in the “bottom up” philosophy of governing, then, I believe, it’s VOTE for whoever the democrats nominate for president. And, depending on where you live, VOTE these republicans out of the Senate and as many more from the House as possible. Pray that “Moscow Mitch” is voted out of office in 2020!

Final Thought: While I was driving to and from a place which required me to be in the car almost all day, I forced myself to listen to the reporting of the most recent MASS shooting. I heard about the shooting shortly after it took place and my immediate thought was “this is another “White Nationalist” – ginned up by individual 1 – trying to kill as many “immigrants” (ie people of “color”) as he could. I kept telling myself “You are jumping to conclusions – wait to hear the motive.” Sadly, my initial thought was proved accurate and, by the time I was on my way home, the authorities were talking about a “White Nationalist” manifesto published by the shooter only minutes before he KILLED 20 people and WOUNDED another 26 – with an AK47 ASSAULT weapon – that SHOULD be illegal to own.

I was listening to MSNBC and they were “dancing around” the reality that we have a so-called president who is spewing out RACIST tropes by the bunches and these shootings are directly connected to his “Go back from where you came” rallies. We all know there are cells of heavily armed “White Supremacist” hate groups all over the country just “itching” to “purify” our nation. I heard, on one occasion, individual 1 suggesting if he’s impeached these (he referred to them as “his”) people will be in the streets. (These are NOT “very fine people”) During my trip, today, I saw another (I’ve seen many) individual 1 supporter driving in his truck with individual 1’s name (Trump, I hate to even say the word) painted on the truck, a HUGE American flag flying in the truck bed and some kind of weapon hanging across the back window of the truck (it was an older Ford pickup). I’ve seen numerous vehicles with the same setup over the past couple of years. And, interestingly, these people – at least the ones I’ve either listened to or I’ve read their “stuff” – usually refer to themselves as “patriots.”

Here’s the reality “we the people” are facing. The next two years are going to be toxic – as one of the WORST chapters of American history is being written. “We the people” have the power and the NUMBERS to vote individual 1 and the republicans who support him into the history books. In fact, should we do the “right thing” and massively VOTE our so-called president and his sycophants out of office, individual 1 will likely be facing serious charges from several investigations – including Mueller’s. Mueller clearly said “Yes” when asked if individual 1 could be charged with OBSTRUCTION of Justice after he’s out of office. I’m certain, based on his arrogant disdain for the law, individual 1 will have more legal issues in 2021 than those which exist today.

However, there are two realities. Should “we the people” fail to VOTE individual 1 out of office, this dark period in our history could conceivably push this nation irreversibly toward becoming a fascist state. (Technically, we are closer than most people understand as I’m writing this) We have an unapologetic THUG as our so-called president whose ties to Vladimir Putin will likely be unknown for a long time after he’s out of office. In fact, there are serious rumors that he won’t leave office should he be VOTED out in November of 2020. He’s become even more brazen since he managed to get William Barr as his “Roy Cohn.”

Just prepare yourself that instances like today’s mass shooting – and the one which happened in California last week at the Garlic Festival – will be more frequent as long as our nation is led by someone telling people of “color” to “go back from where you came.” Individual 1 will find a way to “cloak” his outrage in double speak as he makes sure his “base” knows he’s with them. I’m expecting more attacks on places frequented by people of color (Today’s attack was on a Walmart filled with MOSTLY Latino’s) AND on our so-called “liberal media” which, as everyone knows, individual 1 has labeled as “The enemy of the people.” In a “tweet” I saw yesterday he referred to the “LameStream” media.

Of course, individual 1 and his sycophants in Washington DC will DEFLECT blame – as they do with virtually everything – in regard to the mass shootings by their supporters – “individual 1 didn’t pull the trigger.” When a journalist gets killed, they’ll DEFLECT blame – “They (individual 1 and his sycophants) didn’t pull the trigger.” And, in listening to MSNBC, at least today, the commentators were being careful NOT to connect the shooter’s manifesto to individual 1’s outrageous comments (when the connection was OBVIOUS) – comments either at rallies or via his “tweets.” There are a lot of “patriots” out there ready to do their part in “purifying” America. I’ve been saying this since day one, individual 1’s goal is to “Make America White Again!” And, when I realized the reality of Bill Barr as Attorney General my confidence the Justice Department will be actively and aggressively “weeding” these groups out is now what you’d call – high. I truly hope I’m wrong!

This morning I was listening to democrats who are rationalizing why they have not started into an impeachment “inquiry” regarding individual 1’s “clear” criminal activity both while in the “White House” and prior to him becoming our so-called president. Of the members of the House, Barbara Boxer, speaking on MSNBC, said, “They are in a search for the truth and they are in a search for proof.” Well, I’ve read Robert Mueller’s report twice and I watched his testimony – both of which we’ve heard over and over “We need to wait for Mueller’s report” and then “We need to hear Mueller’s testimony.” Now it’s a “search for the truth and a search for proof.”

That last sentence, to me, says democrats don’t believe Mueller’s report – because, if they haven’t found “the truth” and “proof,” then, what were we waiting for? Mueller, basically, gave democrats (and, we the people) a plethora of evidence – both in the report – and, in his testimony, which was confined to “the four corners of the report.” If this wasn’t so serious I’d say all this democratic procrastination has become laughable. Not only was there many PROVABLE instances of OBSTRUCTION in Mueller’s report but individual 1 has ordered consistent OBSTRUCTION of Congress as he’s ORDERED virtually EVERY “fact witness” to defy the subpoenas issued by House committees.

This is all really serious and, as I’ve pointed out numerous times on this site, “we the people” have no alternative but to depend on democrats to carry on the FIGHT against this brazen ATTACK on the fundamental institutions of our nation – which would be our “free and fair elections” and our Justice Department at the core – but other institutions as well. Individual 1 has found his “Roy Cohn” in William Barr and the faith of the American people in our Justice Department is heading toward a “cliff” that will be hard to survive if Barr pushes us over it. When too many of our citizens lose faith in the Justice Department as being (at least somewhat) fair then our republic is in serious danger. Additionally, as Mueller said in his testimony, (and, as I’ve been pointing out here – sorry for “patting myself on the back”) “the Russians are here right now and they plan to be involved in our 2020 election.”

Essentially, if the democrats can’t find the “evidence” and “proof” they need from what is in Mueller’s redacted report (they’re FINALLY going to court to get access to the Grand Jury information) they simply need to publicly state they are relying on the voters to decide whether or not individual 1 should continue to be president. Those who have been paying attention KNOW the “evidence” supporting impeachment is overwhelming. It was obvious to me as I read through Mueller’s report – both times – Mueller compiled the evidence FOR CONGRESS on at least 10 instances of OBSTRUCTION of Justice – providing it for them because he was prevented from charging our so-called president with a crime because of the now infamous OLC memo.

However, when, in the report, Mueller stated – “If we had confidence after a thorough investigation of the facts that the president clearly did not commit obstruction of justice, we would so state. Based on the facts and the applicable legal standards, however, we are unable to reach that judgment. The evidence we obtained about the president’s actions and intent presents difficult issues that prevent us from conclusively determining that no criminal conduct occurred. Accordingly, while this report does not conclude the president committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him.” – the inference is undeniable. But for the OLC memo individual 1 would have been indicted for OBSTRUCTION of Justice – at least five times (those last words are my conclusion) This would indicate democrats don’t want an impeachment inquiry, but also know how pissed off their “base” will be when they actually say that out loud. So, they just “slow walk” all this “evidence” to a point when it will be too late for said inquiry. (It’s close to too late as I’m writing this)

Apparently, democrats were seeking something they SHOULD have known was impossible when they subpoenaed Mueller to testify – meaning some kind of explosive interview – and, what they got was confirmation of all the reasons they SHOULD have opened the impeachment inquiry months ago – they HAD the EVIDENCE and the PROOF the day Mueller’s report was made public. (Actually, from my standpoint – I’ve been paying attention all along – I wasn’t surprised by much in Mueller’s report – they COULD have started impeachment hearings long ago) I’ve been pointing out since before Mueller’s report was publicized that Nancy Pelosi would continue to BLOCK an impeachment inquiry – because, that’s what she’s done before.

While I respect Ms. Pelosi, I think she’s blocking IMPEACHMENT inquiries for POLITICAL reasons – exactly what she has said SHOULDN’T happen. Every member of our government, obviously including members of Congress, take an oath to defend the Constitution – which, to my mind, would include holding the president accountable for “high crimes and misdemeanors” by members of Congress. What democrats are apparently saying is that committing OBSTRUCTIVE acts – something Mueller said “We concluded the obstruction of justice statutes can validly prohibit a president’s corrupt efforts to use his official powers to curtail, end, or interfere with and investigation.” – aren’t “high crimes and misdemeanors.” And, worse yet, to me, is when you read the OBSTRUCTION statutes, which Mueller explains in painstaking detail, individual 1 is also OBSTRUCTING Congress as they are “investigating” whether he OBSTRUCTED the Mueller investigation. It’s really “tipping” on the absurd. It’s OBSTRUCTION of OBSTRUCTION! Yikes!!!

One more thing about OBSTRUCTION. Mueller points out OBSTRUCTION is an extremely serious legal offense – a serious FELONY. Preventing people from interfering in investigations is fundamental to preserving the integrity of the Justice system. That’s why EACH obstruction offense, if found guilty, carries the punishment of a substantial fine and up to TWENTY years in prison – that’s for each offense. Individual 1 allegedly has committed MULTIPLE “obstructive acts.” And, Mueller was quite clear, if Congress fails to act, the evidence was “memorialized” so that “at a later date” – like, after individual 1 leaves office, he can be indicted for these heinous acts!

Those who support individual 1 are saying “so what?” The acquaintance I know who is an individual 1 supporter referred to Mueller as making a “fool” of himself in the testimony. That, while people I know who watched the testimony and support impeachment have said to me the republicans, like Jim Jordan, Matt Gaetz, and Louis Gohmert were the ones who made fools of themselves. I, personally, tried to focus on the details of what was said (again, I had read the report twice prior to Mueller’s testimony) and, there were only a few things which surprised me. (I fully expected the republicans, like Jordan and the others, to focus on attacking either the process or Mueller himself, instead of the findings of the report – which is exactly what they did)

As I stated in my previous post, one of the “surprises” came from a republican from Colorado – his name again slips my forgetful mind – elicited from Mueller that individual 1 can be indicted once he’s out of office. I would have expected that bit of information to be “honed” out by a democrat – evidently, they didn’t think it was important – but, essentially the two “yes” answers to the question “Can the (so-called) president be indicted after he leaves office?” gave them (democrats) the answer to the question they were probing during the entirety of the morning session. Surprisingly, it took a republican to elicit if from Mueller.

When Mueller said individual 1 can be indicted after leaving office it was the same as saying “If we could have indicted the president, save for the OLC memo, we would have.” He couldn’t, and if you had read the report you would have known he wouldn’t, answer that question due to the constraints he put on himself and also were confirmed by the Justice department prior to the testimony. Mueller, clearly, intended from the start to leave it to Congress to “finish the job” he – and his team – started. I’m not a “stable genius” – like our so-called president – but, I’m smart enough to connect the dots Mueller provided – so, to me, the democrats continuing to slow walk this process as if they’re “looking for proof” or “looking for evidence” is disingenuous at best, and shameful, at worst.

Remember, while the attention of America is focused on the ARGUMENT as to what degree our so-called president is a CRIMINAL, there are thousands of immigrants fleeing unimaginably horrific homelands trying to protect their children finding themselves, first of all, separated from their children, and secondly packed into cages like “sardines” so that they can’t even lie down to rest. And, I’ve read that they are also subjected to 24 hours a day of light – which, in both instances, is TORTURE. I truly hope I’m wrong, but I have no doubt our so-called president would lose not one “wink” of sleep over ordering this inhumane policy – in his mind – as a deterrent for others who might be seeking asylum in America.

I was hoping to make my point a bit more succinctly – believe me, I understand my tendency to get carried away with too many words – but, to me, it’s time for the democrats to “s@#t or get off the pot!” This “slow walk” they’ve been on for the past several months, apparently with no “appetite” for IMPEACHMENT right from the start is continuing to make them look “weak.” If there’s no impeachment “at the end of the tunnel” they should simply say so. They could still seek testimony “for the record” but simply make it clear to “we the people” that it’s up to us to determine if individual 1 deserves to continue as our so-called president. Yes, I know that the Senate will not “convict” if individual 1 is impeached, but, to me – just as it was back in 2007 – that is irrelevant. The House has its role and the Senate its role.

I believe what the democrats in the House of Representatives are confirming in this “crisis” is that they are spineless. Maybe that’s the result of the diversity of their caucus, but the bottom line in this instance still is “If this doesn’t fall into the category of High Crimes and Misdemeanors” – regarding ALL the illegal acts of individual 1 – then what would it take? In the run up to the 2016 election he famously said, “I could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue in New York and my supporters would still support me.” Well, if he did that, I have to wonder, “Would the democrats impeach him” for that?

Nancy Pelosi has now “etched in stone” that authorizing TORTURE is NOT a “High Crime or Misdemeanor” (as per Bush/Cheney and TORTURE) and now she is setting the precedent that committing MULTIPLE acts of OBSTRUCTION of Justice, committing campaign finance (essentially bribes) payoffs to hide illicit affairs just prior to an election, willingly taking the help of a foreign “adversary” to get elected, separating children from their parents and then deporting the parents without their child, putting people in CAGES under 24 hour lighting without room to lie down, LYING to investigators AND to the American people, committing NUMEROUS emoluments violations, and, generally, believing the (so-called) president can do whatever he wants – none of these acts are “High Crimes and Misdemeanors.”

At some point democrats will realize republicans will not cooperate with ANYTHING they want to accomplish. (this has been reality for YEARS) They’ve been given the responsibility to provide ACCOUNTABILITY for all the misdeeds of the republicans via their overwhelming election victory in 2018. There is no reason for democrats to be acting as if they FEAR individual 1 OR his base. At some point, the issue becomes what is “right” vs. what is “wrong.” Trust me, “we the people” know the difference and the expectation is for democrats to act aggressively to COMBAT the ILLEGAL activity of individual 1 and his sycophants. This “activity” goes well beyond what I’ve pointed out here – they are eviscerating our institutions systematically on a daily basis. “We the people” appear to be “chasing our tails” trying to keep up with all the SCANDALS. It’s up to democrats in Congress to “reel” this republican ASSAULT on our basic principles in, and that action starts with IMPEACHMENT.

However, as I said above, the democrats need to act (almost immediately) or publicly state they are focusing their attention to legislation – which Mitch McConnell will BLOCK at every turn – and the 2020 election. It’s coming across as if the democrats want endless “investigations” in order to keep all of individual 1’s misdeeds right on the “front page.” I believe that could turn off way more voters than it energizes. Here’s what I believe would “energize” the democratic base, as never before – “Nancy Pelosi cancels the House summer break and orders the beginning of an IMPEACHMENT inquiry of our so-called president.” Now, that would get some people’s attention! (including individual 1)

I got up this morning, somehow, (I live out West and it was early for me) and decided to check in on the Mueller testimony. My first thought was the statement we’ve heard over and over of late, “In this ‘battle’ between the republicans and democrats over the misdeeds of individual 1it’s as if the democrats are bringing a knife to a gun fight. My disappointment, as I listened, was not only with the democrats, but also with Mueller. Democrats were trying to find a way to get Mueller to say, outright, that individual 1 committed “OBSTRUCTION of Justice, and Mueller was just as determined NOT to say anything beyond what was “in the report.” (Although, for those of us who have read the report, we KNOW the answer to that “question.”

It was one democrat after another asking leading questions, read directly from the report, and Mueller giving “yes or no” answers. In fact, Mueller was evasive during the entire part of the testimony I listened to (the first part with the Judiciary Committee). So, the democrats FAILED to get him to say that: “could he have charged individual 1 with OBSTRUCTION he would have done so.” And, one after one, they continued attempting to “break through.” During all this time, one republican after another attempted to get Mueller to admit the investigation was started by the Steele “dossier.” Some of the republicans, as I anticipated, were obnoxious thugs as they went through their questions (Jim Jordan, Matt Gaetz, Louis Gomert, are you here?).

However, there was ONE republican who gained the MOST information and maybe the least attention. I don’t know his name, only to say he’s got silver hair and he started his 5 minutes by complimenting Mueller on his previous service, to include his service in the Marines and various terms as U.S. Attorneys and as the director of the FBI. This republican was confused by the reality that Mueller, essentially, made a declination in regard to individual 1’s part in any conspiracy with the Russians yet made no declination in regard to the OBSTRUCTION statutes which Mueller outlined in detail. He then asked the question which, in my view, should have been “pounced on” by the democrats when he said, “Could the president by charged with OBSTRUCTION once he’s out of office?” Mueller succinctly responded, “Yes.”

I was simply a sixth grade teacher for the latter third of my working life and have pointed out on this site several times I’ve never been accused of being smart, which is why I’m so confused as to why the democrats on the committee were unable to pick up on the answer to the question I referred to above. When Mueller responded to the question about whether individual 1 can be charged with OBSTRUCTION after he leaves office by simply saying “yes” he was indirectly answering the question of whether Mueller would have charged individual 1 with OBSTRUCTION “had he not been our (so-called) president.” In fact, Mueller points out in the report, that the accumulation of the evidence was for the purpose of “memorializing” the evidence should it be used in the future.

This all being said, another thing that stood out to me, which was NOT surprising is that the republicans, not one of them while I was watching, attempted to challenge the actual evidence about the OBSTRUCTION in the report. There was one republican who challenged Mueller’s interpretation of the OBSTRUCTION statute – but, if you’ve read the report, you KNOW that Mueller went to great detail to explain the statute and leaving the reader to make the interpretation as to its “connection” to the evidence. They, along with me, and likely almost everyone who took the time to read the report could easily see that the EVIDENCE causes one to see the direct connection to individual 1’s behavior and the OBSTRUCTION statute.

Therefore, with the one exception (I just learned it was representative Buck, republican of Colorado) I wrote about above, the republicans spent their time attacking Mueller and attempting to connect the origin of the report to the so-called “Steele Dossier.” And, true to form, our so-called “liberal media” appears to have seen exactly what the republican sycophants wanted them to see. The democrats wanted Mueller to simply say, “If this evidence would be applied to anyone beside the president he would have been indicted.” They wanted him to say it outright. Well, in subtle ways that is exactly what Mueller said – but, even the so-called experts on the media are not/will not be picking up on this.

The republicans are masters at manipulating the media and individual 1 is the master of the masters of media manipulation. The democrats backed themselves into the corner where they find themselves by their FEAR of actually AGGRESSIVELY bringing individual 1’s misdeeds to life via an impeachment INQUIRY. As I’ve said endlessly on this site, I consider Fox “news” a right wing propaganda arm of the republican party and, today, clearly the republicans in the House Judiciary Committee were making “talking points” which can be used by Fox to further their propaganda scheme designed to create what Karl Rove once referred to as the “permanent republican ‘majority.'”

Republicans continue to suggest that any “collusion” involved in this matter was between the Russians and the, get this, the democrats. That, despite the HUNDREDS of examples of meetings between Russians directly connected to the Kremlin and Vladimir Putin AND, members of individual 1’s campaign plus their repeated instances of LYING about those meetings. The suggestions by republicans that somehow the Clinton campaign must have surmised early on they were going to LOSE the election – in early 2016 – and so they “colluded” with the Russians to find “dirt” on individual 1 in order to cause the investigations which have dominated the previous two years of our political discourse defies rationality. However, I know people who believe that – because “Sean (Hannity) says so.”

What ended up being very interesting, and likely because of the cerebral head of the House Intelligence Committee, Adam Schiff, the afternoon session was almost completely different from the morning session. Plus, there was no Jim Jordan, Matt Gaetz, or Louis Gomert, in the afternoon session. There was actually, in the afternoon, at least one republican who attempted to elicit information from Mueller about how best to address the attack by the Russians on our Election of 2016 – I didn’t get his name, but he was a republican. My wife and I (she being a “conservative”) looked at each other in surprise that this particular republican seemed to be interested in the actual issue – the Russian ATTACK on America in 2016!

When it got to the end of the interview of Mueller, Devin Nunes, who I won’t go into detail on my opinion of him – other than to say it’s not good – he chose to pass on his opportunity to badger Mueller for an additional 5 minutes. Nunes had been leading the attempt to connect the Clinton campaign with “Russian Collusion” due to their taking over the Fusion GPS investigation and their hiring Christopher Steele who ultimately produced the now infamous “Steele Dossier.” Nunes and others made clearly inaccurate (LIES) comments about that “dossier” and how it became public (not to mention the veracity of much of what was in it).

A little history lesson: The “oppo research” which led to the “dossier” was initially funded by a republican entity. The democrats took over paying for it after individual 1 became the “presumptive” nominee of the republicans. Steele, a former MI6 “spy” (in Britain), was, according to David Corn, alarmed by all the “stuff” he was “hearing” about individual 1 and his “ties” to Russia, to the point where he decided he had to inform the FBI of what he was finding – acknowledging his information was not corroborated at that point in time – although much of it ultimately proved to be accurate. It was also given to the FBI, at one point, by John McCain. And, it MUST be made clear that the “dossier” DIDN’T start the “Russia investigation.”

According to Mueller’s report and reporting we had heard well before Mueller concluded his report the beginnings of the “Russia investigation” came from an FBI contact who is an official from Australia who happened to be drinking beer with George Papadopoulus in London during May of 2016 when Papadopoulus bragged about the campaign having access to help from the Russians who claimed – via Joseph Mifsud – they had the “Clinton Emails.” Republicans actually focused much of their “attack” on Mueller’s credibility in session 2 on why Mifsud wasn’t charged. This foolish “attack” by the republicans caused the afternoon session to be much more damaging to individual 1 than the morning session.

Of course, as strong as the afternoon session was, the morning session was a plethora of sound bites for those Americans who get their “news” from Fox and the other right wing propaganda sites on the internet. This is why I don’t believe there will be much difference in the “polling” which Nancy Pelosi seems fixated on in regard to whether or not there will be IMPEACHMENT hearings. Of course, as I predicted before the Mueller report became public, Pelosi was NOT going to have the “appetite” for impeachment. She blocked an impeachment inquiry – despite GW Bush/Dick Cheney/Don Rumsfeld all authorizing TORTURE which claimed an untold number of lives and TARNISHED America’s image in the world – an image which individual 1 seems to want to make even worse – back in 2007 just as she’s blocking democrats from an impeachment inquiry RIGHT NOW!

The democrats’ refusal to hold the republicans who authorized TORTURE to account back in 2007 has led to this behavior from individual 1 and the brazenous of the republicans who act as if the Russian ATTACK in 2016 was immaterial – their only interest is protecting a so-called president who has ALLEGEDLY committed MULTIPLE felonies. Republicans view the democrats as “liberal wimps.” Democrats must understand this, but you’d have to wonder as you watch this why they continue to portray this image. The abuses of power coming from the present “White House” should be ALARMING and democrats waiting for republicans to “get onboard” with stopping it appears to many beside myself as pathetic. If individual 1 is to be stopped it’s up to democrats along with “we the people.”

The way the House Committees are set up, there was no way to prevent the republicans (like Jordan, Gaetz, and Gomert) from having a “Fox ‘news’ soundbite moment” – but maybe at some point our “liberal media” will connect the dots between the republican communication strategy and the “Big Lie Theory” of Joseph Goebbels. Maybe that would be enough to get democrats to move forward on an impeachment “inquiry” – because, as Mueller said, (and, as I’ve been saying since day 1 of the Russia investigation) the Russian attack is going on “right now and will continue into the next election.” In my mind, patriotic Americans MUST demand that democrats aggressively stand up for our republic – up to this point in time, clearly, Vladimir Putin is getting exactly what he wants!

I find it sadly ironic that it’s the republicans who are willing to allow the Russians a “free hand” as Putin is attempting to recreate the “former Soviet Union” by undermining the “Western democracies” and the NATO alliance which has held America and her closest allies together since WW II. Wasn’t it Ronald Reagan who republicans treat as a demigod and claim he brought down the Soviet Union? Are republicans oblivious to what Putin is “up to,” or do they just not care? Or worse yet, are they “on board?”

Unfortunately, there are many Americans who are far removed from “the Greatest Generation” – meaning the peers of my parents and grandparents – those who led us out of the Great Depression and fought against Hitler in WW II. Those of us with ties to that generation of Americans are repulsed when we see the neo-Nazi’s walking in places like Charlottesville wearing Nazi armbands and chanting “Jews will not replace us.” To us, NONE of them are “very fine people.” Sorry! And, when we hear about Soviet dissidents being poisoned in Great Britain or the reality of Jamal Khashoggi being cut to pieces by Mohammad bin Salmon’s “bone saw,” and watch as our so-called president wants to look the other way, it’s – well – a bit depressing. Yet over 40% of Americans support individual 1!

It clearly is Vladimir Putin who is pushing this resurgence of the fascism of 1930’s Germany and it’s still to be determined the extent of individual 1’s actual connection to this right wing “wave” spreading across the Western World. If “we the people,” in reality, don’t want to be a part of this fascist movement, we have a stark choice to make in 2020. And, democrats have a stark choice to make in 2019, AND SOON! Mueller was very evasive in the early session when the topic was “OBSTRUCTION” – and, if you’ve read the report, you know Mueller wrote Volume II with the expectation the House would make the determination as to whether the EVIDENCE which was produced rises to the level of OBSTRUCTION of Justice. (It clearly does, as per the letter signed by OVER 1000 former prosecutors) Right now, as I’ve said above (and many other times) Nancy Pelosi doesn’t have the stomach for an impeachment inquiry.

It was obvious that Mueller has a whole different outlook in regard to Volume 1 of his report – the section focused on the “collusion” issue. While “collusion” was NEVER the focus of that part of the investigation, they (Mueller’s team) attempted to make a provable case of conspiracy between members of individual 1’s campaign and the Russians. While they failed to make that connection, you could see from Mueller’s animation (well, he’s really not what you’d call an “animated” person) he was alarmed by the number of meetings between the campaign officials and people connected to the Kremlin, the LYING that took place to HIDE the meetings, the evidence which was destroyed, and, in general, the lack of PATRIOTISM displayed by individual 1, his family, and members of his campaign. Mueller said, “Every American should be concerned about this.” Well, MILLIONS of us are, and we’re wondering if the democrats are missing something here? As the saying goes, “times a wasting.”

Final Thoughts: Those of us who grew up during and were part of the Civil Rights movement and cherished American ideals like what is written on the Statue of Liberty (Bring your tired and…………) were aghast, but not surprised, when individual 1 referred to countries in Africa and places like Haiti as “shithole countries” – because we’ve KNOWN all along our so-called president is a RACIST – but, it still grieves our hearts when we see people crammed into cages at our Southern border to the point where they can’t lay down and, additionally, young CHILDREN being pulled from their parents and also crammed into cages which, to MILLIONS of Americans like me, is making the dark side of this nation grow. It’s sad and it’s a DEPLORABLE way to discourage people in dire situations seeking asylum – fleeing hunger and violence – and from attempting to gain this asylum in America. Our country has been BUILT on immigration and valuing immigrants – in fact, we’re ALL immigrants to varying degrees – including the “Native Americans” who immigrated to North America over 10,000 years ago from Asia.

Issues like what’s going on at the border, the Russia “stuff,” individual 1’s connection to Jeffrey Epstein, the Emoluments abuses, and on and on all seem to get “washed under the rug” simply by the enormity of trying to keep up with all the scandalous behavior emanating from those connected to the “White House.” It’s numbing, which appears to me to be part of the strategy. Just brazen out in the open CORRUPTION which becomes more and more difficult to “harness” by the very fact so much of it has transpired, it’s no secret, we see it happening in real time, and there’s NO appreciable accountability. I predicted this when President Obama said, “We’re going to look forward instead of back” in regard to ALL the illegal activity of the Bush/Cheney administration. That was, to the republicans intent on continuing their scandalous pilfering of America’s taxpayers like sitting in front of a green light! This will ONLY stop when democrats MAKE it stop by standing up for our CONSTITUTION and saying “no mas” – “we’re going to put a stop to this CORRUPTION no matter what republicans do.”

I have a friend, who is a supporter of individual 1, and who texted me this morning predicting this will be the end of the democratic party – “this” meaning the “Russia investigation” and its aftermath. Of course, he’s getting his information from right wing websites – but, that’s how individual 1’s supporters think and, if democrats believe they’re going to “sway” people’s thinking like this person, they are sadly deluding themselves. I’ve said this for years, there is a war going on for the heart and soul of this nation – and, the republican party has been, for years, leaning closer and closer to fascism and, they fight dirty. It’s the VOTERS of the country who will determine how far we continue to go in allowing this attack on our traditional values and institutions and, if democrats continue to FEAR the voters getting “mad” at them for defending the CONSTITUTION, they will be continuing to ENABLE this right wing scourge. My hope lies in the young people of America who, I believe, will vote for the LIBERAL values which made America the “leader of the free world” (Yes, despite many “hiccups”) and will repudiate what individual 1 stands for. If we fail to do so, God help us!

I spent the last third of my working life as a sixth grade teacher (a great privilege), and I don’t consider myself all that smart. That’s why as I was driving around today listening to a lot of MSNBC I tried as best I could to NOT find myself YELLING at the car radio. When I admit to not being that smart I do have to say my expectation would be that those with a platform in our “liberal media” SHOULD be smarter, and certainly, our “leaders” in Washington D.C. SHOULD be smarter. I guess that’s why it seems so frustrating when I feel both the democrats and the “liberal media” can’t seem to help themselves from being “played” by individual 1.

So, in the past few days I pointed out goal number one for individual 1 is to get “we the people’s” attention as far away from Jeffrey Epstein as he could possibly cause to happen. Just this past weekend I pointed out he was going to do something “brash” (I can’t remember my exact words) so that the headlines would go in a different direction. Individual 1’s goal was that no one would be talking about Epstein and, most certainly, the investigative reporters would get their attention focused in a different direction. How was he going to do this? Well, how about ANOTHER disgusting RACIST “tweet.” It works every time and it’s working today, as I’m writing this.

Of course, this is a no risk move by the so-called president, even though many think he’s doing the democrats a favor by giving them a reason to “pull together.” There’s no risk for individual 1 because his supporters both already KNOW he’s a disgusting RACIST and they DON’T care. Today, when he spoke on the “White House” lawn I could hear on my radio the crowd cheering as he doubled down on his RACIST trope suggesting the four House “women of color” could return to their countries of origin if they don’t like it here. (Of course, this is the country of “origin” for three of the women involved)

Ironically, individual 1 who’s been complaining about virtually EVERYTHING you can imagine about our government and those who have committed their lives to public service for as long as I can remember. Keep in mind, I never watched the “Apprentice” and the only thing I knew about individual 1 before he made his xenophobic entrance into the 2016 primaries was he led the “birther movement,” he exposed himself as a RACIST during the episode with the “Central Park Five (doubling down on that one with the birther movement), and he had multiple BANKRUPTCIES in his background. Oh yes, I was aware of his womanizing and his marriage infidelity. Other than that I knew nothing of him.

Ironically, his main rationale for suggesting these four women should return to their “countries of origin” (again, I have to point out that in three instances that’s AMERICA!) is because “They’re complaining about everything.” Well, of course, like virtually EVERYTHING which comes from individual 1’s mouth, that isn’t remotely true. Yes, they’re complaining about his DEPLORABLE strategy at our Southern border which, in essence when you see men CAGED in areas where they can’t even lie down because they are crowded in so tight – I believe meets the international definition of TORTURE is criticism well deserved. Of course, as I said above, the real reason behind these disgusting words from individual 1 is all about Jeffrey Epstein!

True to form, it’s working. For two days now our “liberal media” has been focused on the “SHOCKING” reality our so-called president is a RACIST! Obviously, anyone who questioned that before this past weekend has been watching too much Fox “news.” On my way home tonight I actually heard someone who is in his cabinet suggest you can’t call individual 1 a RACIST because he has a member of his cabinet who is Asian. That’s like saying “I’m not a racist because I know someone who has a Black friend.” I’m constantly amazed at how STUPID individual 1 assumes “we the people” are, and, sadly, how many Americans actually fall for his shtick. Of course, the reality is that there is a larger segment of America falling into the “White Nationalist” camp than most would like to admit. They were referred to as “deplorables” in the 2016 election by someone who had a poor campaign and STILL got 3 MILLION more votes than individual 1. That person predicted pretty much MOST of what has transpired over the past almost three (miserable) years.

So, is the Jeffrey Epstein connection to individual 1 going to be “old news.” Well, I often wonder how much “coordination” is there between the “liberal media” and those behind his campaign. If you remember, back in 2016 he received a couple BILLION dollars worth of FREE advertising by outlets like, sadly, MSNBC. You would think Fox “news” doesn’t need the help, but MSNBC is so fixated on individual 1 they are like “sitting ducks” for his media manipulation. And, people like Chris Matthews and Chuck Todd view themselves as the experts and, I believe, have no idea how they’re being played. It worked so well in 2016 it shouldn’t be surprising to see individual 1 following the same strategy again as he sets his sights on 2020.

Combined with the ability of the democrats to “pull defeat from the jaws of victory,” (I know I’ve used that a bit much lately, but I believe it’s true – and, it’s a bit scary considering the stakes), the FACT the Russians are still involved and they’ve taught individual 1 “how to do active measures,” AND the willingness of outlets like Facebook and Twitter to allow themselves to be the “engine” for the real “fake news,” it’s a bit sobering feeling as if MSNBC is, “wittingly or unwittingly,” working on individual 1’s behalf. Yikes!

Moving on: Well, as usual it’s taking me a few days to finish this posting. So, just to confirm what I wrote a few days ago, the beginning of this week – at least on MSNBC (and, I checked for a few moments CNN) – the focus of the DISGUST on our so-called president for the past few days has been, just as I’m sure he KNEW, has been his RACIST tropes against the so-called “squad.” MSNBC doesn’t even take the effort to explain whatever words the four congresswomen supposedly made causing individual 1 to interpret them as “hating America.” The way they portray individual 1’s RACIST comments aimed at the “squad” would almost suggest they (the squad) did something wrong. Of course, anyone who’s been paying attention knows if individual 1’s lips are moving he’s LYING! Sadly, he knows how to MANIPULATE the so-called “liberal media” – and, at least, MSNBC unknowingly (I hope) fall for it.

Now, today (it’s already Tuesday – well past any talk of individual 1’s connection to Epstein and tomorrow Robert Mueller will be testifying about his report to the House. Seemingly, democrats are just hoping they can get the reality we have a president who commits “high crimes and misdemeanors” on a weekly basis, yet he has a “base” which could care less. Everyone knows individual 1 is a LIAR, everyone knows he’s a RACIST, everyone knows he gained his office with the help of the Russians (well, unless you watch Fox “news”), most Americans saw individual 1 cower next to Vladimir Putin in Helsinki and say “I believe him” (instead of our intelligence community), everyone knows individual 1 has been OBSTRUCTING justice in the Mueller investigation along with OBSTRUCTING Congress as they investigate Mueller’s findings, and everyone knows he believes TORTURING people fleeing violence and poverty in Central America is the way to stop people legitimately seeking asylum in America from coming here. And, there’s MORE……………..

This is all disgusting but I believe individual 1 knows that if “we the people” find out the truth about what was going on behind the closed doors of the parties he and Epstein were part of back “in the day” – before Epstein was first charged with sex trafficking – even some of his steadfast “Christian” supporters might abandon him. The accusations of sexual misconduct which ranges up to and including rape that have accumulated over the past three years aimed at our so-called president haven’t been enough to get the attention of all the so-called family value “Christians” who make up much of individual 1’s base. Once I looked closely at the Epstein indictment and Epstein’s relationship with individual 1 I predicted our so-called president would cause the focus of the media’s attention to change. I’ll say it again, individual 1 is playing our so-called “liberal media” as if they were a cheap musical instrument.

Final Thought: The “attention” in America is changing to Robert Mueller’s testimony before the House Judiciary and Intelligence committees tomorrow. I’ve read Mueller’s report twice now and, to me, there’s NO question that individual 1 has committed MULTIPLE offenses of OBSTRUCTION of Justice. Mueller explains the OBSTRUCTION laws in detail at the end of Volume II and, if you’ve closely read his “evidence” in the report, it’s clear our so-called president is more of a CRIMINAL than “just” the campaign finance FELONIES he’s an unindicted co-conspirator according to the Southern District of New York’s US Attorney’s office – crimes Michael Cohen is now sitting in jail resulting from his part in the conspiracy to HIDE two of individual 1’s affairs from voters just prior to the 2016 election. There’s likely MUCH more for individual 1 to account for after he leaves office due to the 12 or so other ongoing investigations into his business activities. He still comes across to me as a mafia boss.

There’s just so much to be concerned about, but every day “we the people” are sitting in our homes and having plenty to eat, there’s a few thousand people at our Southern border stuffed into cages like sardines – in ways that, as I said, are TORTURE. (When people can’t even lie down because of a lack of space – to me, that is TORTURE) This is another area individual 1 is attempting to change the focus of the media in another direction – as if we don’t see the pictures of the people in the cages in the news, then it’s not happening. This all breaks my heart and causes me to believe this is a very dark part of America’s emerging history books. If you’re reading this, try to get as many people as you can to VOTE against this abomination in 2020 because I believe the democrats don’t have the GUTS to impeach this sad excuse for a president!

Today, as I was wandering through our local Costco, killing a bit of time before I had to go to an appointment, I checked out their collection of books to sell – I read everything I can which provides actual information about our government – past and present. It’s true I don’t buy and read books from those who are associated with Fox “news,” because when I’ve tried in the past I just find pages FULL of LIES, but today I saw a book written by Mark Levin titled “Unfreedom of the Press.” I decided, while I had a bit of time, to read as much of it as I could in order to see if it was worth 16 of my dollars. It wasn’t!

As usual, it brought up another OMG moment. This Levin person is educated, but – I guess LYING is a requirement of people on Fox – the book (and I only read maybe 20 pages) was FULL of LIES! As I said above, when I talk to someone who supports individual 1 almost EVERY time they are a Fox viewer. Many are sensitive to me suggesting that and they LIE about it, as if they know what’s being funneled into their brains – but, it only takes a few moments for them to “give up the ghost.” (For example, when someone refers to “Sean” in supporting their opinions it becomes crystal clear why they believe what they believe,)

In reading Levin’s book, in the section regarding the Mueller report, he was essentially regurgitating the LIES of William Barr. It’s no wonder the Fox viewers are so ignorant – they get a sophisticated barrage of calculated LYING as a “steady diet.” Levin’s book is premised on the accusation the “liberal media” is affiliated with a political party (democrats) and he spent MOST of the time, on the pages I was reading, lamenting on how dangerous that is to our “democracy” (actually, it’s a republic – the “checks and balances” of the constitution are designed to prevent America from becoming a true “democracy” – and, the “free press” is a key part of the “checks”) with nary a word about Fox. It really reminded me of the projection of individual 1 – where when he’s accusing democrats of something, you can be sure that’s exactly what he, himself, is doing. As I read through Levin’s book, I was thinking he needs to look in the mirror.

In fact, it was Levin’s main premise that caused me to decide to take a good look at his book to see if I could justify buying it – to get the perspective of “the other side.” (It grieves me to write that because in so many ways I consider myself a “conservative.” The present day “conservatives” likely make Edmond Burke “roll in his grave” on a daily basis.) I agree that when a major media outlet becomes totally affiliated with one political party it is a danger to our republic. What was missing was his analysis of Fox “news.” His focus, in the pages I read was the New York Times. Well, as I said, even the Fox viewers know they are receiving partisan propaganda that is the platform of the republican party. Sorry Mr. Levin, but I’m not buying your book!

I believe Fox will end up right next to individual 1 in the dregs of American history books when all is said, done, and written about this era of America and it has finally come to an end. Sadly, I don’t think that will be an excuse for all the “Christians” who are supporting a political party, which has been commandeered by individual 1 and doesn’t remotely resemble the fundamental values they claim to believe in. Most of these same people were the ones criticizing me for questioning their blind loyalty to Bush/Cheney as the STUPID invasion of Iraq was happening. Now, they (mostly) have come to understand the folly of that “war.” Time will cause them to realize the folly of their support for individual 1 although when you question it, at this point in time, they (the ones I know) start yelling.

I’m on my second time reading Mueller’s “report” and, as I read what was in Levin’s book I felt certain Levin has NOT read the report – he was simply regurgitating Barr’s LIES – evidently, because it’s what he wanted to hear, when Barr made them, and, maybe, he’s too lazy to do the reading. It says on the inside book cover that Levin has a law degree so if he had read Mueller’s report he wouldn’t be writing “no collusion” – for one thing – because Mueller was as clear as he could be that “collusion” was NOT what they investigated. If FACT, you can’t read that report without seeing a lot of “collusion.” What Mueller couldn’t do, partly because of the LYING by witnesses and the destruction of evidence, which caused “The Office” to determine charging anyone with “conspiracy” (which is what they investigated – NOT “collusion”) could not be proved “beyond a reasonable doubt,” was to charge people like individual 1 Jr. or Jared Kushner with conspiracy – Mueller even suggested the “Office” would not likely get a conviction because the boys didn’t know any better. Yikes! OK, not being able to prove “conspiracy,” even though it was a close call, was Mueller’s conclusion in Volume I.

Of course, Levin also said “on obstruction.” Again, he’s got a law degree, so I have to conclude he DIDN’T read the report – because, I don’t see how ANYONE could read that report (Volume II) and come away saying “no obstruction.” I’ve heard several former US Attorneys say their conclusion was 10 or 11 PROVABLE cases of “Obstruction of Justice” charges could realistically be given to individual 1 based on the evidence in Volume II. I was a school teacher in my working life (the last part of it), so clearly I’m no lawyer (although I studied constitutional law in college back in the 60’s), but in my reading of Mueller’s report (the first time) I felt there were about FIVE obvious cases of “Obstruction of Justice” which individual 1 SHOULD be charged with. Mueller goes into great detail to explain the law, how the laws work, and why OBSTRUCTION of JUSTICE is such a serious CRIME.

When you read the report, it becomes really clear that Mueller “has a point” when he explains how serious OBSTRUCTION is to the legal system. Essentially, OBSTRUCTION is what people who want to damage the legal system – essentially CRIMINALS – do on a routine basis. It’s a SERIOUS felony! We’re talking about things like encouraging witnesses in an investigation to LIE, intimidating witnesses to a crime, essentially doing anything that would OBSTRUCT (Impede) the government’s ability to investigate criminal activity. Trey Gowdy gave individual 1 the best advice I heard in the past 3 years when he said, “If you’re innocent, act like it.” Well, individual 1 SHOULD have taken that advice, but calling witnesses “rats” and threatening their families is NOT “acting like it,” firing those investigating you is NOT “acting like it,” asking associates to OBSTRUCT and then trying to get them to LIE about it is NOT “acting like it,” and I could go on – but, read the report! (My advice, also, to Mr. Levin – and countless members of Congress – especially republicans – who clearly have NOT taken the time to read the report is READ THE REPORT!)

The reality “we the people” are facing is that we have what amounts to an organized crime boss as our so-called president who’s an unabashedly racist, xenophobic, misogynistic, narcissistic, and, to top it all off, is a pathological LIAR not to mention an admitted sexual predator. (If you’re not familiar with pathological LIARS, it means he believes his own LIES are truthful as they are continuously rolling off his tongue) And, he demonstrates all this on almost a daily basis – I think he can’t help himself. All through the Mueller report there’s evidence given by his surrogates about how they counseled him (individual 1) to just ignore the Russia investigation and do his job. As Gowdy advised, “act like you’re innocent.” He couldn’t force himself to do it. The morning “tweet storms” have become normal now in America. But, apparently, what individual 1 didn’t understand was EVERY one of those “tweets” was “evidence” in regard to the OBSTRUCTION investigation.

If you followed all this I’m sure you’re familiar with all the reporting where individual 1’s advisers along with his republican brethren were constantly counseling him to “stop tweeting,” to no avail. Well, all through Volume II of the Mueller report the notes at the bottom of the pages refer back to “tweet” after “tweet.” Here’s the deal, when you’re our (so-called) president (or, for that matter, any other citizen) the fact you’re using “Twitter” to OBSTRUCT an investigation you don’t like is just as if you were doing it in person. The fact MILLIONS of followers could see your “tweets” aimed at intimidating witnesses, harassing Justice Department employees, threatening the Special Counsel, etc. etc. does not exonerate you. In fact, it’s just a public display of STUPIDITY – especially when you find out about all the legal advisers telling individual 1 “don’t do this – it’s ‘OBSTRUCTIVE.'”

Here’s the other frustration for progressive Americans. As certain as we are that individual 1 is going to commit another “High Crime and misdemeanor” almost on a daily basis – certainly actions warranting investigation – we’re almost as certain that Nancy Pelosi is going to BLOCK the IMPEACHMENT inquiry which is so clearly needed. She did this with Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld when it came to the offense (apparently, to her, minor) of authorizing TORTURE and she’s doing it now in regard to having a mafia boss as our so-called president. It remains to be seen as to which republican administration causes the MOST DAMAGE. Of course, the DAMAGE from the ill-conceived invasion of Iraq in 2003 is ongoing. Much of the DAMAGE being caused by individual 1 is “flying under the radar” and what he’s doing to this country will take a generation to “fix” if it’s fixable.

I’ve said this many times: It appears to me individual 1’s red hats with MAGA on them should really say MC/RGA – Make China and Russia great again! I believe China is just “licking its chops” at all the opportunities individual 1 has just handed over to them. The pulling out of the Paris Climate Accords signaled to the Chinese they have a free hand in leading the way in renewable energy technology and the pulling out of the TPP has given China a free hand at dominating the Southeast Asian economy – something President Obama was attempting to “short-circuit” – and, even many democrats couldn’t figure that one out. I believe when all is said and done in regard to the so-called “Tariff war” individual 1 will be exposed for further ignorance – if that’s possible.

There’s two entities making it possible for this nightmare to continue. First, and to me foremost, it’s Fox “news” and the right wing media outlets which have spawned off of them and secondly is a bunch of republican legislators totally lacking in guts (kind of like democrats of the past 30+ years). When legislators are more focused on getting re-elected than on fulfilling their oath of office they should no longer be in office. Sadly, that is the reality “we the people” are facing with MOST legislators in our nation’s capital. There are a few with guts, but I don’t see a long line in that category. (And, it’s only one republican – who I guess had to drop out of the republican party for having guts – and that’s Justin Amash – someone I admire although I disagree with much of what he believes)

This is why, at least so far, I haven’t heard one republican repudiate individual 1 for his disgusting RACIST attack on the group of freshmen (women) democrats in Congress – which I wrote about in my previous post. The following “tweet” was disgusting, but, as usual, individual 1′ is doubling down on his RACISM which is more disgusting and, to me even worse, is the “lockjaw” of republicans in Congress. Here again, is the “tweet:”

So interesting to see “Progressive” Democrat Congresswomen, who originally came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe, the worst, most corrupt and inept anywhere in the world (if they even have a functioning government at all), now loudly and viciously telling the people of the United States, the greatest and most powerful Nation on earth, how our government is to be run. Why don’t they go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came. Then come back and show us how it is done. These places need your help badly, you can’t leave fast enough. I’m sure that Nancy Pelosi would be very happy to quickly work out free travel arrangements!

I wrote extensively about this previously, but as I was looking at it, there was one more thought I wanted to pass on. In my previous comments I forgot to mention three of the four women this “tweet” was aimed at were born in the United States. So when individual 1 says: “So interesting to see “Progressive” Democrat Congresswomen, who originally came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe, the worst, most corrupt and inept anywhere in the world” – he’s apparently talking about America isn’t he? Do you find that disgusting? Is he suggesting the government he’s in charge of is “a complete and total catastrophe, the worst, most corrupt and inept anywhere in the world?” Well, as long as he’s in charge, I guess I would have to agree with him.

Final thought: “We the people” need to be thankful William Barr did not enter the “scene” until the final stages of the Mueller investigation. I have no doubt he would have terminated the investigation early had he been in office sooner and, had he been the original Attorney General for individual 1 there would have been NO investigation. He seems to be as willing to accept the help of the Russians as individual 1 (and his surrogates) as well. The cyber warfare that is ongoing could well be the undoing of the America as most of us has known it. Countries around the world have seen that individual 1’s narcissism has prevented “we the people” from an appropriate response to Russia’s “active measures” almost encouraging other bad actors to “join the fray.” William Barr has soiled his own reputation and is doing untold DAMAGE to the Justice Department – the institution which is the MOST important in America’s hierarchy of institutions to remain “a political” – Barr is attempting to turn the Justice Department into an “arm” of the president. It is critically important he fails. As with individual 1 I don’t understand why republicans don’t understand this could conceivably “boomerang” on them???

When Mueller “finished” his investigation there were 12 sealed investigations “farmed out” to various districts and, from what I’ve heard Barr has already terminated 7 of them. So far there’s been little to no reporting on this. Additionally, Mike Flynn apparently is no longer “cooperating” – whatever that means and the Roger Stone indictment is still pending a trial. It wouldn’t surprise me if everything Mueller had in the “pipeline” gets blocked by Barr. His allegiance is clearly to individual 1 and NOT to his oath to “faithfully defend the constitution and the laws of the land.” Yikes!

OMG! Alan Dershowitz has caused my stomach to curl, often, as he’s been visibly attempting to defend the indefensible when it comes to individual 1 over the previous couple of years. I’m always reminded of the OJ trial and Dershowitz helping Simpson get away with a double murder, and now the Epstein case – we discover it was Dershowitz (and Ken Starr) meeting in a hotel working out the details so that a sex trafficker (of teenage girls) could avoid the prosecution most EXPERTS say he deserved. It’s almost daily that I’m reminded of the hypocrisy (well beyond that of MOST of us “normal” humans) which seems to be attached to our so-called president and the people he associates with.

Of course, Dershowitz will have little trouble rationalizing away his part in defending Jeffrey Epstein who was, allegedly, running a sophisticated “ring” of what amounts to child prostitution. Who all was involved? Well, hopefully “we the people” will find out. To me, the two most notable men attempting to distance themselves from Epstein are individual 1 and Bill Clinton. (OK, for those with their heads in the sand, “individual 1” is the name Donald Trump was given by the prosecutors in the Southern District of New York – yes, the very same prosecutors who are bringing the case against Epstein – for paying off a “porn star” so that she wouldn’t “spill the beans” of his affair – while his third wife was home taking care of his latest child, then a baby – the payoff coming right before the 2016 election. That payoff – and, the other one for another illicit affair which happened at the same time – was a FELONY and Trump became “individual 1” as an “unindicted co-conspirator” with Michael Cohen – who made the payments at the direction of “individual 1” and is now in JAIL partly because of those payments) Time will tell how involved those two men were with the “young girls” Epstein was using.

If you’ve read much history involving individual 1 you can understand why this is making him nervous and why his “Roy Cohn” – William Barr our so-called Attorney General – would “unrecuse” himself in regard to this case (one day after recusing) knowing his CLIENT may need some more “defense” as the Epstein case unfolds. I heard Barr’s reason for the recusal, but not for the “unrecusal.” Clinton, almost immediately, pointed out the number of times he had been on a plane – apparently Epstein’s – all for the “Clinton Foundation.” Epstein was noted as a philanthropist – one thing he doesn’t have in commen with individual 1. Individual 1 seemed, at first, to hardly remember Epstein – until even he realized how ridiculous that was going to “play.” Now it’s “We had a falling out- maybe – 15 years ago.” Well, my best guess is the “fallout” happened when Epstein faced the MINIMAL consequences for getting caught in his lurid “side business.” (Of course, the prosecutor was individual 1’s labor Secretary – remember, he only hangs with the “top people”) I wonder how many people BELIEVE individual 1 when he attempts to put distance from someone he once complemented on Epstein’s “love for beautiful women” including “younger girls.” (If not obvious, NOT me!)

Speaking of sex predators and young girls, if you’ve never read about individual 1’s history with the Miss Teen USA pageant or heard his interviews with Howard Stern regarding “owning” the pageant you probably aren’t aware of all the (young teenage) girls reporting individual 1 walking into their dressing room while some were nude “because I’m the owner.” His boasts about “stalking” (my inference) the teenage girls would leave one to wonder (certainly, I’m wondering) how much individual 1 was involved with Epstein’s “business.” His boasts about walking through the dressing room and “checking out the girls – because I’m the owner” was very similar, to me, with his boasting on the “Access Hollywood” tape. “I can do this because I’m famous, they’ll let you do it.” Individual 1 even boasted “I’d be dating Ivanka if she wasn’t my daughter” euwww!

If anyone believes individual 1 will be telling the truth in regard to Epstein, I can almost guarantee you they’re watching Fox “news.” I have no idea how much, if any, involvement he had with Epstein’s – what amounts to a – child prostitution ring, but I can tell you I don’t believe I’m the only American who is suspicious. My suspicion was escalated when I heard about Barr “unrecusing” in regard to the case. It’s been reported Barr is going to “supervise” the case. Why on earth would that be necessary? Is it because the reports of individual 1 and Epstein in parties with these young girls keep “popping” up?

There’s no doubt Washington D.C. (I have to add the “DC” because I live in the state) was corrupt to the core before individual 1 said he was going to “drain the swamp.” I agreed, the “swamp” needed to be “drained.” However, making the “swamp” “swampier” is no way to drain a “swamp.” Individual 1 has increased the CORRUPTION in our government exponentially. It’s as if he’s trying to be a Putin “wannabee.” I’ve always felt some of admiration of Putin comes not only from Putin’s ability to “take care of his opponents” (in whatever way he chooses) but also his wealth. It’s been reported by many that Putin is actually the wealthiest man in the world – it’s just that Russian wealth is tied up in the Russian Mafiya – which Putin runs. All those “oligarchs” you read about are beholden to Putin for EVERYTHING they own.

It’s also been reported ad nauseam about how individual 1 is using his office to add to his own personal wealth, I’m just a bit skeptical he’ll be able to keep up with his idol Putin. Of course, the emoluments cases in the courts are still “languishing” and they’ve been in the works for the past two years and, it wouldn’t surprise me if we find out it’s Dershowitz advising individual 1 on how to avoid losing those lawsuits. That’s one of the great ironies in all this to me. I’ve written endlessly about my grief in regard to the FACT it’s the so-called “Christian right” which makes up much of individual 1’s “base,” and when I talk to people I know who fall into that category I often hear them complaining about “lawyers.” Yet, “der leader,” seems to be affiliated with the sleaziest of those who practice law. Let me repeat, not only was Dershowitz key in getting Epstein “off” (with an incredibly light sentence regarding what can only be described as a “horrific” crime) but he was key in getting OJ Simpson “off.” And, now he’s working to get individual 1 “off.” (And, by the way, William Barr is well on his way to destroying our Justice Department – while, as usual in these days, republicans sit idly by.

Additionally, these right wing “Christians” seem to have an objection to the lawyers who are defending immigrants who are being abused en masse, pro bono. Speaking of the immigrant “crisis” – which individual 1 is trying to exacerbate, I’m expecting something even more brazen than what has been exposed in the last week or two in order to get the focus of “we the people” off of Epstein. That’s how this works, “we the people” are constantly being manipulated to the point where we can’t keep up with all the CORRUPTION, therefore, there is NO accountability for any of it.

And, of course, democrats play right into the hands of individual 1 and his “handlers” who have absolutely NO moral compass – plus republicans have a bunch of “Christians” who will NEVER believe anything negative about der leader – which is what allows their “strategy” to work. (Imagine where all these “Christians” would be had President Obama say – paid off a porn star to silence her in order to get elected, had worked with the Russians to get elected, had committed OBSTRUCTION of Justice multiple times (by some accounts 10), had sided with Putin over our intelligence community on the world stage (hell, had met with Putin for two hours with no one else present), had committed OVER 5000 provable LIES per year while in office, had claimed he could grab women by the pussy because he was famous, had exchanged “love letters” with Kim Jong un, had enabled MBS after he had a U.S. resident and journalist MURDERED (and dismembered with a BONE SAW!) because he was getting so much MONEY from the Saudi’s, had tripled the annual deficit in just two years, and the list goes on and on. I hope you get my point.) Democrats need to understand what is at stake here and that following traditional political “norms” to fight this is insufficient! I’ve said this many times now in regard to an IMPEACHMENT inquiry, “If not now, when?”

Well then, what is my point tonight? To me, there’s something “fishy” in regard to individual 1’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and, I believe both William Barr and Allen Dershowitz will be doing everything in their power to make sure “we the people” never find out about it. Individual 1’s own words from the early 2000’s in regard to Epstein have to make you wonder, don’t they? He not only commented on how they both (Epstein and himself) love beautiful women but he made a really curious remark about how Epstein loves “young women.” Here’s the exact quote, “I’ve known Jeff for 15 years. Terrific guy,” Individual 1 told New York magazine in 2002. “He’s a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.” Doesn’t that make you curious? I guess my point is, “Democrats, you are enabling disgusting policy because of your FEAR of independent voters while YOUR base KNOWS an IMPEACHMENT inquiry is LONG overdue!”

As usual, it seems to take me days to put together what I feel is a collection of my thoughts worth publishing (I’m sure in the eyes of many NONE of my thoughts are worth publishing) – even though, when I started, I never imagined anyone ever finding my “diary” – the home of my venting which started after GW Bush LIED “we the people” into Iraq – maybe, up to this point in time, the WORST decision by any American president EVER. However, individual 1 and his supporters are motivating me to write even more frequently. I HATE the idea his “base” is made up mostly by “evangelical Christians.” I just can’t understand how they can support him, PERIOD! The abortion issue, in my mind, is not worth the DAMAGE being done to our nation by the most CORRUPT (so-called) president EVER! (Mulligans are for the golf course, period!)

When I make this next comment it won’t be the first time: I fully believe democrats are the experts at pulling “defeat from the jaws of victory.” I want to finish this post by elaborating on that comment in addition to my prediction individual 1 would find an ugly way to get the attention off of Epstein.

Well, this past week we saw a squabble amongst democrats make it out of their caucus as the so-called “squad” – the four freshmen (women) democrats of color, “AOC” – Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, seemingly the leader, along with Rashida Tlaib, Ayanna Pressley, and Ilhan Omar – who aren’t afraid to speak their minds and are only going to take so much of Nancy Pelosi’s “pragmatism,” and their frustration “boiled” over. They clearly are targets of the right wingers and they don’t back down from the attacks. From my stand point, “ya gotta love it!” So a little friction in the democratic caucus “spilled onto the street,” and, of course, der leader couldn’t resist.

Well, before I comment on individual 1’s “new low” (and, in my mind, strategically so) let me just say I hope the democrats can pull together understanding the issue is DEFEATING individual 1 over their policy agenda. All the “ideas” in the world they want to throw around are meaningless unless they can defeat our so-called president ALONG with Mitch McConnell. Almost as critical as getting individual 1 out of the “White House” and into the courtroom would be defeating McConnell and gaining control of the Senate. Back to my “final point.”

So, like a shark who senses blood in the water, (I know, a per “Stormy Daniels” individual 1 fears sharks, but hang with me) individual 1 saw this “squabble” and, sure enough, he pictured a way to get “we the people’s” minds off of Jeffrey Epstein and all the stories beginning to surface of them doing the “young girls” scene together. Individual 1 knows exactly how the “liberal media” will respond to his darkest tendencies and he knows his base could care less, so here’s the “tweet” designed to cause us all to forget Epstein:

“So interesting to see ‘Progressive’ Democrat Congresswomen, who originally came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe, the worst, most corrupt and inept anywhere in the world,” Individual 1 wrote on Twitter, “now loudly and viciously telling the people of the United States, the greatest and most powerful Nation on earth, how our government is to be run.” Individual 1 added: “Why don’t they go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came. Then come back and show us how it is done.”

I could go on and on about what a RACIST, NATIVIST, XENOPHOBIC AND DISGUSTING “tweet” that was – one of the WORST – but, that’s individual 1’s intention. In fact, I don’t do “Twitter” but when I was trying to find the “Tweet” I noticed he already had over !69,000 “retweets” with hearts next to them. I’m guessing that’s from his White Nationalist followers. He accomplishes two goals in one tweet – the MOST important is to get people’s minds off his behavior with Epstein AND the “young girls.” (I’ve seen it reported he allegedly raped a 13 year old girl at one of Epstein’s parties – although, I haven’t seen any details supporting the accusation, but…….) and secondly, to assure his “deplorable” supporters he’s still got their backs. The comment was just further confirmation he’s a racist and I’m sure he finds it amusing watching all the “liberal” commentators discussing whether this is the worst comment ever. They’ve almost forgotten Mr. Epstein. We’ll see how it all plays out.

The “High Crimes and Misdemeanors” are coming faster than “we the people” can keep up. And, it’s like the schoolyard bully DARING anyone to stop him. Of course, if it was up to the “squad” we’d be well into the process of IMPEACHMENT – despite the FACT Pelosi is correct that the Senate won’t convict. But, the “squad” is CORRECT that the House shouldn’t make decisions of what’s “right or wrong” based on the Senate. They should make those decisions, well, based on “right and wrong.” End of story! For as long as I can remember Democrats have been considered by MANY Americans (myself included) as “spineless.” Their pandering over IMPEACHMENT isn’t helping that image!

My apologies to anyone who might happen here who supports individual 1, but our so-called president is an IDIOT when it comes to running our government. It almost feels as if the DAMAGE he’s doing to the traditional institutions which have served Americans well for generations are out of spite. It’s like he’s the oppositional BULLY in the sixth grade who says if you (the teacher) tell me not to do something, well, that’s like a “green light.” Today’s “scandal” is related to individual 1’s rogue behavior as he tries to envision himself as the “commander in chief” while putting the world on edge in regard to the situation in Iran.

Apparently, today, individual 1 proved himself to be totally dysfunctional as he keeps people wondering what kind of blunder is he really capable of. Apparently, there was a decision to “bomb, bomb, bomb Iran” (in the words of the late John McCain) which he called off at the last moment – according to him because he was told 150 Iranians would die as a result of the American response to Iran shooting down an American drone – which the Iranians claim was in their air space and, of course, the Americans claim was over international waters. Individual 1, in an interview with one of my least favorite “reporters” (Chuck Todd), claimed the response wouldn’t be proportional. (I actually agree with him – it’s just that, like in every other instance, either he’s LYING or proving, once again, that he’s an IDIOT.

Why would I make such a harsh statement, you might ask? Well, can you imagine what it means that an airstrike was imminent and our so-called “commander in chief” – as final permission was being asked from the military leaders – wanted to know what the level of casualties would be. OK, if you’re still not “getting it” let me explain. It’s unreal that a military action could get to the point where the missiles were ready to “fly” and individual 1 is asking how many people will be killed? Isn’t that maybe one of the first questions which should be dealt with during the planning stage? I have to ask: “Was there a planning stage?” Was individual 1 even involved in the planning and to what degree? I have to tell you that although I’m very happy the air strike was canceled, I have even LESS confidence in individual 1 as the “commander in chief” than before this incident. (Which was already close to ZERO)

I’ve been saying since the start of his “term” it’s just a matter of time until this bumbling so-called president is going to be pushed into a crisis by someone who would love to see America further torn apart. I keep telling myself Osama bin Laden has totally succeeded in his goal to cause America to tear apart from the inside out when he planned the 9/11 attack. And, of course, Vladimir Putin is right there trying to stimulate that result. (Although, even Putin sees the folly – for the world – in the U.S. starting another WAR in the Middle East – in this case with Iran. Won’t it be interesting if, at some point, we learn individual 1 actually called off the attack via Putin’s orders????)

And, keep in mind, this is all the work of individual 1’s attempting to push Iran to the point where they come on their knees asking him to back off on the sanctions he cinched up after “tearing up” the “Iran Nuclear deal” – ostensibly because it was part of President Obama’s legacy. (If that’s not clear to you, tearing down Obama’s “legacy” is a key part of individual 1’s own “legacy” – and, I believe, history will not be kind to this obsession) I have to say if individual 1 actually believes the Iranians are going to come begging for “mercy” he’s as deluded as Don Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney were when they claimed the Iraqi’s would treat Americans as hero’s for toppling the regime of Saddam Hussein. (Actually, some of those same deluded advisers – ie John Bolton – are part of this emerging fiasco)

As usual, I can’t keep up with the scandal a day administration of individual 1 and, I’m sure this is individual 1’s goal. (I started this post a couple weeks ago and just didn’t have the gumption to finish it until I saw the pictures of the immigrants in CAGES to the point where, in some instances, they can’t even lie down) I’m getting numb to all this and having to force myself to keep paying attention. I’m realistic enough to understand it is the younger generation of Americans who will be those who STOP this takeover of our republic by this BULLY who seems to have not only republicans shaking in their boots in fear of a nasty tweet but apparently democrats as well, because talk of IMPEACHMENT has subsided as democrats wait for the testimony of Robert Mueller – which will be followed by more excuses as to why IMPEACHMENT is “off the table.”

Actually, I’ve been wanting to write about my frustration with the democrats – a frustration I’ve been periodically pointing out since the 2007 Congress which failed to act against the TORTURE being authorized by GW Bush/Dick Cheney/Don Rumsfeld – authorizations which essentially made them WAR CRIMINALS. Not only did the democratic controlled House (under Nancy Pelosi’s first term as the Speaker) fail to act to hold Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld accountable – while the world watched in horror – but, then, in 2009, upon taking the oath of the office of President of the United States – an oath which requires the president to “faithfully defend the constitution and the laws of the land” (That’s my poor summary of the oath, but you get the idea) – Barack Obama said, in regard to the illegal acts of Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld, “We’re going to look forward instead of back.” I’ve written endlessly of the folly of that decision – one result being the lawless administration of individual 1 – who, I’m sure, is counting on the same “philosophy” after he’s voted out of office – hopefully, in 2020 if not IMPEACHED sooner!

Individual 1 continues to push the boundaries of what has been traditionally acceptable in this country and the democrats continue to allow him to do so. I’ve said many times that, sadly, “we the people” are depending on the democrats to stop what has been a slow republican assault on the American system of government – beginning with the administration of Ronald Reagan in 1981. Apparently, democrats have accepted that we just have to persevere until 2020 to have the opportunity to remove individual 1 from office. Ms. Pelosi seems to fear the independent voters to the point where she’s BLOCKING the IMPEACHMENT inquiry which SHOULD be well under way as I’m writing this. Individual 1 has a plan to continue dominating the news cycles with “stuff” that would be unacceptable at any other time in my life, most of it “IMPEACHABLE.”

This democratic plan – which comes across to many – most importantly republicans – as WEAK, just seems like “more of the same.” It’s like democrats are coming to a duel with a Frisbee. While Ms. Pelosi is worried about turning off independent voters via an IMPEACHMENT inquiry, the real problem, as I see it, is democrats turning off their progressive base – which will cause many to fail, AGAIN, to vote come November of 2020. Individual 1 continues to push the boundaries of acceptable behavior and democrats continue to be almost invisible. Not only are democrats failing to act aggressively to STOP individual 1 but they are also almost naively losing the MESSAGING battle – while we all know individual 1 is pummeling Facebook with real “Fake news” – AND, likely, with the help of Vladimir Putin and the Russians. Putin is likely laughing at democrats as much as anyone because he really didn’t like how Barack Obama was attempting to block his push to undermine NATO and break up the traditional Western alliances.

So, while individual 1 causes one “scandal” after another – to the point where I’m not the only American becoming numb to the reality he keeps “getting away with lawless behavior” – the democrats are demonstrating they are in “over their heads.” I started pointing out, years ago, this is a WAR for the heart and soul of America and those of us who believe in bottom up government and the ideals of the New Deal have no choice but to depend on democrats to return this nation to sanity. That is a frustrating situation for someone like me. I believe well over 50% of Americans want nothing to do with individual 1, but the democrats MUST figure out how to get them to the polls. And, individual 1 has no limits on what he’ll “stoop” to in order to remain in office past 2020.

For example, the potential fiasco which originally caused me to start writing this post was the potential for a WAR in Iran. Trust me, if individual 1 would believe WAR in Iran was the way to get re-elected, well, you “get” where I’m going with this. Keep in mind, his “advisors” (If anyone can advise him about anything) are Mike Pompeo and John Bolton – two “classic” Iran WAR hawks. And, there are people in the Senate like Lindsey Graham who would be right there encouraging individual 1 (likely on the golf course) not to take any “crap” from the Iranians – who the administration is attempting to push into a corner – with the possibility that someone does something to create an unnecessary (and stupid) “crisis.” Of course, in the last few weeks we’ve heard nothing of the Iran situation and now the “news” is focused on the OUTRAGE at our Southern border – people packed into holding CELLS like “sardines.” (a quick aside: Yesterday I saw a “clip” of Lindsey Graham standing next to Bill Barr as Barr was pointing out individual 1 – with Barr’s help – will find a way to get around the Supreme Court in regard to the “citizenship” question on the census – likely dictatorship 101 – and Graham just looked pathetic. He’s become the iconic image of the pathetic “lapdog.” Sad!)

America has a history of “stains” which began with slavery nearly 400 years ago. It includes the genocide of Native American cultures and, in WW II the herding of Japanese Americans into holding CELLS similar to what is happening on our Southern border right now. We’ve allowed our CIA, over the years, to remove democratically elected leaders from office in countries where our corporate “leaders” were intent on plundering the natural resources of those nations. (In fact, that is how the “issue” with Iran originated – with the overthrow of their leader Mosaddegh, leading to the brutal regime of the “Shah of Iran”) And, of course, the invasion of Iraq in 2003 is another “stain of epic proportions.” Individual 1 is piling more “stain” on what will soon be the next chapter in American history. What is happening at our Southern border will not be soon forgotten around the world – even if the republicans succeed in getting “we the people” to choose to “look the other way.”

Progressives feel as if there is no way we can make a difference, there’s no way we can stop something which seems to be as disgusting as anything in recent memory – watching the pictures of these people who are simply seeking refuge being packed into CELLS inhumanely – pictures which will NEVER go away. Honestly, it breaks my heart to be writing this and, as someone who votes in EVERY election, the feeling of hopelessness is deflating. And, to me as a Christian, the WORST part of this latest “stain” is that individual 1’s “base” is dominated by the so-called “evangelic Christians.” Along with individual 1 we see the leaders of the so-called “Religious Right” encouraging this inhumane policy – actually cheering it on. For those Americans who need a “history lesson” they need to read about Germany in the late 1920’s and early 1930’s. The parallels to individual 1 and his “Christian” base are startling!

Final Thought: If you don’t understand my final point, read the biography of Diedrich Bonhoeffer.

One More Thing: This post has been sitting here for a couple weeks (at least) as I try to force myself to ignore individual 1. While paying attention doesn’t feel good, neither does ignoring – in fact, that feels much worse – because I KNOW what is at stake. Yesterday my brother-in-law sent me an article which you can read by clicking HERE. It expresses my frustration with individual 1’s “base” much better than I could ever hope to do. I feel it’s the “Christians” who scoff at Jesus when he says “What you do to the least of these you do TO ME” who, ultimately, are responsible for individual 1 and his brazen lawlessness. They’re encouraging it!

Stop and think, just for a moment, about people who’ve enjoyed “White privilege” for their entire lives referring to those in the African American and Latino communities along with progressive thinking Americans (like myself) as “liberal elites.” We’re talking about people like Jerry Falwell Jr. and Ralph Reed. What’s the saying? “Come on man!” Enough said. If you’ve gotten this far – read the article which is linked above!

A short while back my brother-in-law sent me a link to an article in Bloomberg (you can check it out HERE) about an economist’s predictions (A French economist named Gabriel Zucman) who has extensively studied how the tax system has been a key enabler of the income inequality which many (less individual 1, apparently), probably MOST, see as one of the great challenges of our time. Zucman (and a peer) have been studying how the wealthy in America accumulated their money, where they keep (hide) it, and how the tax policies allow them to grow it. (That’s my summary – you can read the article itself, it’s quite interesting)

What was maybe the MOST interesting to me was, with me being NO economist, how much what they’ve found has been clear to those like myself who’ve been paying attention to this – what I’ve called – “highway robbery” from “we the people” which started during the Reagan years and continues to this day. For example, the ONE piece of significant legislation passed in individual 1’s first two years in office was another OBSCENE tax scam which will funnel ANOTHER couple TRILLION dollars from the pockets of America’s middle class taxpayers into the coffers of the top “1%” and a bunch of corporations who weren’t paying taxes in the first place (and, had TRILLIONS “stashed” in places like the Cayman Islands.)

Reagan famously said, “I’m going to cut your taxes and balance the budget.” Well, unless you’re one of the idiots (sorry) who watch Fox “news” you know how absurd that was then and progressively more absurd as of this past tax scam. What’s the saying? “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” Well, I haven’t heard the version which points out we’ve been “fooled” FOUR times as of this writing – and, if the House hadn’t been turned “blue” I GUARANTEE you, the republicans would be at it again.

Their promise is that the rich people are going to “trickle down” the HUGE amounts of cash they’re pilfering from the tax rolls (many of them don’t think they should be paying ANY taxes – and, in fact, some of them don’t – especially after this last go round) and we’ve seen OVER and OVER again, what a charade that “promise” is. In this last scam the trickling down went right from their benefactors into the campaign “war chests” of the republicans who passed the bill after being badgered by their donors – who expect a return on their investment. How much did they get? you might ask. Well, for example, Sheldon Adelson – feeling no sense of shame or embarrassment – shelled out $30 MILLION to the republican Senatorial campaign committee as a way to say “thanks” for what was exponentially MORE than that going his way – in just the FIRST year of the scam.

Even individual 1, who stood before adoring crowds – most who will tell you he’s “honest” – while he was LYING straight to their lovely faces as he claimed he would not benefit from the scam and saying “my rich friends are not happy with me” – only, right after signing the bill, retreating to his Florida mansion and telling the patrons (who pay $200,000 for membership) “I just made you all a lot of money” – made MILLIONS on the scam. So much for “honesty,” right? (Of course, anyone without their head in the sand – or their eyes and ears aimed at Fox KNOWS individual 1 is a pathological LIAR.)

This kind of garbage has been going on for over 40 years – it just keeps getting more extreme the longer “we the people” allow it to continue. While rich people have been trying to find creative ways to get RICHER for far longer than the years from Reagan’s “trickle down” nonsense to today, it just keeps getting worse in each new version. Reagan’s “plan” was the original stimulus, in my lifetime, for the out of control deficit spending which has pushed the National Debt past $20 TRILLION. As I said earlier, Reagan promised to balance the budget – which had a deficit – as I remember – somewhere less than $50 BILLION when he took office (I’m thinking it was around $35 BILLION which, true to form, Carter had cut in half after the Nixon/Ford era.)

By the time Reagan left office the ANNUAL deficit was somewhere NORTH of $200 BILLION (which seemed astronomical at the time, at least to me, but today’s republicans make that look like a balanced budget). Of course, Reagan was followed by HW Bush who actually reneged on his promise: “Read my lips, no new taxes” when the deficit ballooned almost to $300 BILLION. That allowed Bill Clinton to become president – to my thinking a conservative democrat – and, surprise, surprise – when he left office there was a SURPLUS of around $250 BILLION per YEAR! Yes, this was around the time of the so-called “dot com crash” and a mild recession (at least compared to the ensuing Bush/Cheney recession President Obama inherited) and I won’t soon forget listening to Dick Cheney say “Ronald Reagan proved deficits don’t matter” as he was putting the first of two tax scams in place. Well, after these TWO tax scams the ANNUAL deficit was around $1.5 TRILLION and the economy was in tatters as Bush/Cheney left town “with their tails between their legs.”

However, true to republican form (and, this thought reminds me of a republican I listened to tonight on the small segment of the “All In” show on MSNBC which I could barely stomach – I’ll try to elaborate later) by the time Barack Obama took the oath of office republicans were BLAMING him, not only for the Bush/Cheney DEFICITS – remember, they were $1.5 TRILLION, jobs were being lost at the rate of 800 THOUSAND per month, and the fear of another DEPRESSION was real – but republicans also were BLAMING Obama for the TARP bailout. And, sadly, our “liberal media allowed them to get away with it.

If you don’t remember, the TARP “bailout,” it was the work of GW Bush and Hank Paulsen, Bush’s Treasury Secretary – and, of course, the former CEO of Goldman Sachs – as they put together a plan to use $700 BILLION middle class tax dollars to allow the Wall Street banks, which created the “Great Recession” via their obscene and dishonest gambling with – and, then LOSING, huge amounts of middle class Americans money. Of course, with the BAILOUT it was the middle class Americans who LOST AGAIN while the Wall Street bankers ARROGANTLY paid out bonuses to the very people who created the problem in the first place – AND, they used TARP money for the bailouts. It was understandable for Americans to be upset, but NOT with Obama. The BAILOUT was totally the work of Paulsen and Bush (and, of course the members of Congress who felt they had no choice but to approve the plan – although, they really did have a choice. But, that’s a story for another day – Actually, President Obama did use TARP money to SAVE General Motors and Chrysler – and the MILLIONS of jobs that support them!)

In fact, it was the BAILOUT which the so-called “Tea Party” used to justify their inception, when in reality, if you were watching their rallies, it was their RACIST reaction to a president who descended from a father from Kenya. (Of course, this led to the “birther movement” which led to individual 1 and here we are today – but, I digress) My point here is the system has been rigged for the rich for as long as I can remember and it was intensified under Reagan and “put on Steroids under Bush/Cheney and then even worse under individual 1. And, of course, now that a republican is in the “White House” deficits, again, “no longer matter.” (except to me and, I believe, my brother-in-law – he lives in Pittsburgh so I’m guessing – I’m in Washington state – yes, it’s on the “left coast”)

The point of all this is to say, this funneling of tax revenue from the middle class to the top “1%” is NOT healthy for the economy in the long run, and individual 1 may be a symptom which proves that point – at least in the eyes of Zucman (and, of course, me – although, again, I’m no economist – although I’m thinking of taking an online class from Paul Krugman) One of Zucman’s fears is this continued (and progressively worse) income inequality will lead to right wing demigods. Well, as my kids would say when in the car “Are we there yet?” Enter individual 1. This group at the top is well funded, it’s much more sophisticated than us “progressives,” it has NO scruples, and it’s fully committed to the philosophy “The end justifies the means.” Those of us paying attention have known this about republicans for years, but it’s gotten to the point where “it’s getting serious.” (I have to wonder when democrats will figure this out???)

There are many wealthy people in America who have studied history and, in particular, Karl Marx. And, while Bernie Sanders is in no way pushing the idea of Marx’ form of Socialism (Sanders believes in “Democratic Socialism – something we’ve had to some degree in America since FDR – it’s just that most democrats are afraid to say so) there are rich people in America who understand what COULD happen if the disparity of wealth in America continues unabated. Marx points out how as the people at the top of his “triangle” (yes, the top “1%”) becomes smaller and those at the bottom (proletariat) becomes larger, well, some kind of revolt becomes inevitable. Right now in America, according to Zucman’s research, less than ONE TENTH of “1%” – meaning 170,000 out of 330,000,000 (330 MILLION) Americans control OVER 20% of the nation’s wealth. The top “1%” controls something like 40% and the BOTTOM 90% controls just over 25% – with a large segment (maybe 30%) at the bottom with virtually NOTHING! As the saying goes, “This is a sad state of affairs.” (But, apparently, NOT to republicans)

To make matters even worse, this group at the top is HIDING something in the neighborhood of $8 TRILLION in off shore accounts which make it even harder for people like Zucman to produce totally accurate data. That’s correct, people like Adelson who can “shovel” several MILLION to their republican stooges to keep this scam afloat just can’t get enough – they have to HIDE BILLIONS in places like the Cayman Islands so they can avoid paying ANY taxes on the money. The tax rate keeps getting chopped down for these people, but it’s NEVER enough. (Doesn’t that make you wonder why the politicians in the republican party keep doing this? I guess the answer is obvious. The question, to me, is why do their voters keep voting for them? Is that STUPID? or what?)

There are democrats who are trying to address this issue, but I have to believe a couple things are likely to happen. (Remember, even the so-called “liberal” media outlets are CONTROLLED by conservative corporations) First, the democrats have a way to “pull defeat from the jaws of victory” so I’m anticipating this scramble of virtually EVERY democrat in the country with any name ID, thinking this is their opportunity to become president, will lead to fighting amongst themselves to be individual 1’s “Twitter target” in 2020 that could become self-defeating. Secondly, I believe it’s likely, as I suggested above, the democrats will get blown away in the messaging “wars” upcoming. (From what I’ve heard, this is already happening on the “digital” front – democrats STILL haven’t figured out “fake news” is real – they need to understand “projection” and soon)

The other day I was listening to MSNBC as I was driving around and the usual “fair and balanced” theme was on full display as I was yelling at my radio because the person who was representing progressives seemed oblivious to the FACTS as stated in the Mueller report and, along with the moderator, was letting the “conservative” – whoever it was – get away with one LIE after another. This happens all the time on MSNBC so I can only imagine what goes on elsewhere. Plus there’s at least a couple of the moderators on MSNBC who I believe may be nearly as narcissistic as our dear leader. Additionally, reports I’ve heard suggest democrats are being outspent on Facebook and other Social Media by 10 to 1. As I stated above, that’s the real haven (along with Fox) for “fake news.” (Or, in the words of Kellyanne Conway, Individual 1’s “alternative facts”)

The first narcissistic moderator who comes to my mind, for me, is Chris Matthews (with Chuck Todd a close second – as you can see, when I tune in the TV – or satellite radio – it’s on MSNBC. And, he apparently sits in the place of royalty at MSNBC – but, to me, he went a long way in legitimizing individual 1 back in the 2016 election cycle – along with MSNBC which gave (and continues to give) individual 1 BILLIONS in free advertising. These TV moderators are part of the top “1%” and I believe it is totally naive to believe they are going to give, for example, some of the more progressive ideas coming from the younger democrats much of a platform – especially when it comes to “taxing the rich.” To me, Matthews is constantly trying to come across as the political expert while he’s exposing himself to moments of pure progressive heresy. No details here, but I’ve written about this in the past if you’re interested – it’s in the archives.

The bottom line here is that Zucman is the brains behind some of the more progressive proposals coming from people like Elizabeth Warren and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez dealing with income inequality and fighting it through the tax code. I’m not sure Ocasio-Cortez’ proposal to increase the marginal tax rate back to 70% on income over $10 MILLION ( per year) was the result of Zucman’s research, but he certainly backed her proposal. When I was in my early working life the top tax rate was 90% and that was put in place during the Republican administration of Dwight Eisenhower. And, by the way, the growth rate in America was stronger before Reagan began the assault on middle class taxpayers – and, Oh by the way, if you’re an individual 1 supporter, middle class income has been stagnant since Reagan took office! Just sayin………………… (And, that won’t change as long as our so-called president – or others of his ilk are in the top office in the land)

I keep waiting for democrats to “step to the plate” and FIGHT BACK! But, as you could tell by going through the archives here, it’s NOT going to happen unless “we the people” MAKE it happen. We MUST show up at the polls in 2020 and make it clear the present level of CORRUPTION is unacceptable. We need to hold BOTH republicans and democrats accountable for a willingness to accept this behavior. As I’ve said, it appears to me the politicians on “both sides of the isle” in Washington DC are operating out of FEAR. The republicans fear being on the end of a mean “tweet” coming from individual 1 – I don’t know why, is there NO honor any more? (hashtag, I like Justin Amash, a republican with guts!) And, the democrats are afraid to do what their obligation to their own oath of office calls for. (IMPEACHMENT hearings)

Their oath (republicans AND democrats) is to defend the constitution. Their oath SHOULD cause them to be in an IMPEACHMENT inquiry NOW. They SHOULD be holding EVERY one of those in individual 1’s realm accountable for their willingness to OBSTRUCT justice by refusing to answer to legally binding subpoenas. People SHOULD be going to jail if they continue to refuse to testify, turn over documents, or whatever the subpoena requires. Our so-called “law and order” so-called president is tearing down our justice system piece by piece. This is how tyrants work and if “we the people” really do want to see this issue of “income inequality” overcome – which is an incredible challenge – to me, like David v Goliath – it will require a democratic party which is not going to live in FEAR of the next election. I’ve been pointing this out for years, the democrats need a “spine” and, based on their lack of will in dealing with the ARROGANCE of individual 1, “we the people” are still waiting.

The bottom line here is if there is ANY chance for “we the people” to see the type of changes one would logically want based on the data Zucman clearly put forth we MUST rely on the members of the democratic party individual 1 will attempt to label as a SOCIALISTS in the next election. And, we will have to rely on people like Matthews NOT giving our so-called president one “inch” of help as he tries to put this label on whatever democrat is facing him in 2020. Is this a “pipe dream?” Probably so, but, as the saying goes, there’s more of us than there are of them – in relation to the middle class v the top “1%.” And, I have to say this again, there are plenty of members of the top “1%” who understand the issue and support fixing this problem – which will require some modification of the tax system to offset years of republicans pilfering middle class tax payers – it’s inevitable. Sooner would be better than later.

To make this happen, individual 1 needs to go – he needs to get his “just rewards” – which means a chance to clear his name in a court of law. I wish him luck. Also, Mitch McConnell and MOST of the republicans in Congress need to go (If there are others, like Amash, that would be awesome) and democrats MUST restart what was once called their 50 state plan. They MUST retake the Senate if ANYTHING progressive is going to get done. And, when I say “progressive” I’m talking about a government which works from the bottom up. A government which honors the reality of what we call the “commons” is/was/will be the work of the blue collar workers of this nation. I’m talking about those who build/built (and should be rebuilding) the infrastructure of the nation which benefits us all.

What republicans have done over the past 40+ years reminds me of what has been done by business people called corporate raiders (like Mitt Romney). People who buy a corporation, come in and put the business in huge debt while selling off its assets, and then leaving the workers as the victims as they declare bankruptcy and move on to their next target. In America, that type of business model has, in many circles, been considered “strategic” and “wise.” The corporate raiders make a lot of money for themselves and their shareholders. The workers are left to “hold the bag.” To me, that’s an appropriate analogy to what has been happening in the “trickle down” world of America since the day Reagan took the oath of office.

Clearly, the “workers” are rebelling and MILLIONS actually believe individual 1 is going to solve this problem. Due to the “alternative facts” they’re being fed on a daily basis by right wing media outlets (and, yes, to some extent by the so-called “liberal media”) many actually still believe individual 1 is working on their behalf. It’s up to the democrats to change that narrative and educate “we the people” as to how to solve this critical problem. To me, the future of America is on the line in the 2020 election. Not only MUST individual 1 be defeated, BUT democrats MUST follow through on the progressive changes, economically, the people like Zucman are demonstrating, with data, are necessary. What’s the saying? “We can’t go on like this.” Well, it’s true, and it’s time for the democratic party to show some guts. (I have to add, I’m not a registered democrat) A few more members of Congress like Justin Amash (republican) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (democrat) would make me much more encouraged about the future of America!

Final Thought: Trust me, I know I have a tendency to ramble. I don’t plan these posts out ahead of time (I know I should – but, essentially, I’m just venting for my own sake – I appreciate that people find and read this) and, the fact you’re still reading, well, thank you. I said, above, I would elaborate on what I heard on the MSNBC “All In” – with Chris Hayes show. (Who, by the way, I consider quite intelligent) As he does, occasionally, Hayes was interviewing a republican (I can’t remember the name, only that he was from Wisconsin) and, as usual, the republican – who was a member of the House – was LYING (over and over again) – I’m sure he would say he was giving us “alternative facts” – as he was rationalizing away the (based on the word of OVER 1000 former prosecutors – both republican and democrat) ILLEGAL behavior of individual 1 in the Mueller Report. It wasn’t clear to me he had actually read the report but the part which really bugged me was that, as usual, the guy was BEYOND rude.

To me, when you agree to come onto someone’s show you are agreeing to answer the questions the moderator puts forth. In this instance this (relatively young) guy simply upped the level of his tone and started spewing the republican talking points – which, by the way, as I just stated, were – if you’ve read Mueller’s report – “alternative facts.” He did NOT allow Mr. Hayes to even ask a question – let alone answer a question. Mr. Hayes was doing everything he could to give the guy an opportunity to actually answer (politely) a question, but he couldn’t because the guy just shouted him down for the entire segment he was on the air. If I knew the guy, I would say it was embarrassing. Not knowing him, it was EXTREMELY rude and disgusting. But, I just have to add here, that’s today’s republican party. LYING (“alternative facts” – if you’re stupid, that means LIES), bullying behavior, and disrespect (rudeness).

If you’re wondering where the “chasm” in American politics came from – well, this was a great example. I believe this type of behavior was initially “instilled” into the republican “game plan” back when Newt Gingrich came up with the idea that the only way for republicans to gain power in the House was through obstruction. They’ve been doing this since the “Contract for (I’ve always said “on”) America back in the early 90’s, Mitch McConnell adopted it in the Senate and used it to OBSTRUCT virtually everything President Obama proposed (700 filibusters then and, now he’s doing it with everything the House proposes as the majority leader of the Senate – come on Kentucky, let’s get rid of this guy), and, with the “election” (with 3 MILLION less votes than his opponent) of individual 1, the OBSTRUCTIVE behavior has evolved to rude BULLYING behavior which has NO connection to facts and has become OBSTRUCTION of Congress and of Justice – IN PLAIN SIGHT! I hope I live long enough to see the day when Americans clearly have rejected this type of behavior and the republican party has either been voted into the history books or reformed into something that would resemble the classic definition of the word conservative as defined by Burke.