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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

My hands are tired, good night!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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