Most people I’ve talked to in the past few years, no matter their political affiliation, are aware of the incredible CORRUPTION in the politicians who are our “leaders” in Washington D.C.  This has been an issue for as long as I can remember, and it was put on “steroids” with the Supreme Court decision in the “Citizens United” case.  “Citizens United,” essentially, put the flood of money flowing into D.C. politicians (and Governors, and others as well) into the “fast lane.”  I don’t know many Americans who are not “fed up” with what’s going on.  Trump was “elected” (of course, with the help of the Russians, James Comey, and the voter suppression laws passed in republican controlled legislatures around the country) to supposedly “drain the swamp.”  Well, surprise, surprise, the “swamp” is getting more crowded – and, Trump, himself, is at the head of the “crowd.”

We’re watching a classic “white collar” investigation unfold right before our eyes.  Trump is liable to be giving away secrets we would never have known even via his tax returns had he not decided to work in concert with Vladimir Putin and the Russians in his attempt to win the presidency as all of these investigations unfold.  Trump, of course, has been publicly fawning over Putin for years.  In fact, now that he’s our so-called president, I believe Trump is more jealous of Putin than ever.  Putin can have people who are “dissidents” simply removed from the scene.  They can mysteriously end up poisoned (that seems to be a favorite method for Putin), they can mysteriously slip and fall out of high rise windows, they can disappear, they can be “gassed,” or they can simply be jailed – which is what Trump is now lamenting in regard to his power in dealing with  “opponents,” like Hillary Clinton, James Comey, Andrew McCabe, Barack Obama, and many journalists – that he simply can’t have them “jailed.”  You remember, I’m sure, the chants of “lock her up” during Trump’s campaign rallies in regard to Mrs. Clinton?

Well, it appears “the hens are coming home to roost.”  As Trump was claiming Mrs. Clinton was the most corrupt candidate in American history he must have had a sense of confidence that “we the people” would never know the truth about his own misdeeds – which, it now appears, have been going on for maybe decades (and makes the Clinton’s look like raw amateurs).  Trump has proven to be a pathological LIAR, so with the exception of his faithful, brainwashed, supporters, he has absolutely no credibility.  I have friends who are “a political” who say he makes their stomachs crawl.  Personally, as someone who often watches/listens to MSNBC, I have to turn it off the MANY times they broadcast his speeches or press conferences or whatever.  I’m embarrassed he’s our so-called president when I hear his words.  I’ve always been one to want the president to succeed, even presidents I don’t support politically, but this man – what I can only call a “so-called” president, I look forward to the day he’s out of office.  It can’t come soon enough for me.  This going after political opponents is third world stuff.

Now, if you’ve been on this site before, you know that I believed (and still believe) that President Obama’s biggest mistake in office was to “look forward instead of back” when it came to the illegal actions of the Bush/Cheney administration – which included WAR CRIMES.  There are likely MILLIONS of people DEAD (at least hundreds of thousands) as the result of Bush/Cheney decisions regarding the invasion of Iraq – which was clearly ILLEGAL.  Who knows when, or if, Iraq will recover from the destruction caused by the Bush/Cheney decision to instigate “regime change” and make a play for Iraq’s oil.  I believe, to this day, that was the worst action EVER taken by an American administration and Cheney left the groundwork for Trump – as the “unitary” executive.”  President Obama could have allowed the investigations to uncover ALL that was done and the “rule of law” would have prevailed.  I said, at the time, in any criminal proceeding the authorities MUST “look back.”  I believe this is why Trump and the republicans are “shocked” he’s being investigated.

Now, we have a president who feels he’s above the law and a republican House that is actually attempting to “short circuit” the special counsel’s investigation into what happened during the 2016 election by targeting Rod Rosenstein and then Robert Mueller.  Republicans have been led to believe there’s no accountability for their actions which are contrary to that constitution they all carry in their lapel pockets – a constitution they swore an oath to defend.  Trump is pushing the “unitary executive” philosophy beyond even Cheney.  But, as I predicted at the time, that’s how it works.  For “we the people,” it’s much easier to give up rights than to get them back.  And, the next president will be reluctant to “roll” anything back.  We saw that with President Obama.  Allowing accountability for Bush/Cheney would have seriously “crimped” his available “tools” as he contemplated continuing Bush’s “war on terror” – whatever that is.  At some point, our “leaders” will discover the more we “entangle” our troops around the world to “keep us safe,” the less safe we are and the less safe the rest of the world is.

To me, as I’ve said before, these members of the House, Trey Gowdy, Devin Nunes, Jim Jordan, and other right wing republicans are attempting to enable Trump’s fascist tendencies by going after the investigation into the Russian “interference” in our election.  Well, I’m reading “Russian Roulette” by David Corn and Michael Isikoff right now and it’s a real “eye opener.”  This Russian ATTACK on our nation is serious and it’s real and we’d all better wake up and realize what’s going on.  And, the “leaders” in Washington DC who are enabling it – to defend an AWFUL man who has clear fascist tendencies (and many followers who are clearly, at a minimum, neo-Nazi’s), is an incompetent leader, and who is un-repentently ENRICHING himself while in office – clearly violating our Constitution and “thumbing his nose” at “the rule of law,” should, themselves, be considered to be “obstructing justice.”  The Mueller investigation SHOULD be allowed to finish UNIMPEDED! Period! End of story!

As time goes by, Trump will become more and more desperate in his actions – not just because of the investigations he’s yelling at his TV about.  The policies he is “pushing” on “we the people” will have consequences no matter what.  In Trump’s first year in office, as he was bragging about how strong the economy was and taking credit for it, I CORRECTLY pointed out he was taking credit for what President Obama left to him.  It is in the second year and beyond that you judge the decisions of any administration, that’s when their budgetary decisions take affect.  Well, the second year is here and it should be clear to just about anyone things are getting a bit “dicey.”  Yes, employment remains at “full employment” – which, obviously, is a good thing.  It would take someone who doesn’t pay attention to economic trends to fail to understand the “trend” has been “steady” for, now, over the past 8 years.  It started under President Obama and it was still gaining “steam” when Trump took office.

It’s true the stock market took a “jump” upon Trump’s “election” due to Wall Street anticipating the tax scam that WILL funnel over a TRILLION dollars to the Americans – and multi-national corporations – which were already flush with cash.  The most egregious result of that tax scam is looming on the horizon – and, that is a boost to inflation which will put the brakes on the economic recovery.  Whether it leads us into recession is still a question – but, I can certainly see a rise in interest rates sufficient to put a lot of people in the home building industry in trouble.  With home prices, where I live, averaging close to $300,000 for the average home, a one percent rise in rates will be very consequential.

Trump is doing lots of “damage,” as I call it, while we’re all “sleeping.”  Recently, I read reports his EPA head was removing the auto efficiency standards put in place by the Obama administration.  I remember Reagan doing the same – and, encouraging people to buy gas guzzling vehicles – and, Detroit’s automakers went along.  Ultimately, it almost destroyed the American auto industry and I hope we’re not looking at a repeat.  But, Trump is bragging about “bringing back coal” and he’s clearly been absent in the “climate change” debate.  When oil prices get to the $80 per barrel OPEC is targeting inflation will be even more of an issue.  Combining that with the problem of stimulating an economy when it was unnecessary (the tax scam) could create a situation that republicans didn’t consider when enacting their scam.  Obviously, at least to me, the tax scam was simply a payout to their “donor class.”  Yikes!

I agree with those who say republicans are good at winning elections (they believe in “the end justifies the means” theory) but, they have no idea how to govern.  This is becoming even more apparent as we watch the Trump fiasco play itself out.  Our so-called president is at the forefront of republicans feeding off the public “trough.”  Watching Trump “advertise” his property as he’s charging “we the people” exorbitant prices for him and his entourage virtually every week – as he visits one of his golf courses each weekend – is sickening.  This past week he had “7 hours” of “relaxed” conversation with the leader of Japan at the “Florida White House”  which included, of course, a round of golf.  Well, a round of golf takes about 5 hours, so you can see why the conversations were so “relaxed.”  I forced myself to listen to most of the press conference after these “relaxed” conversations – and, once again, I saw that foreign leaders have figured out how to “play” Trump.  Just flatter him!  In fact, Japan’s prime minister, ShinzA Abe, referred to Trump as “Donald.”  While “we the people” were funding a “wonderful” couple of days for Mr. Abe, Trump was going “chaching, chaching!”  This happens every week via the man who was going to “drain the swamp.”

The only question which remains in my mind, regarding Trump, is how bad will things get before “we the people” come to our senses.  It’s apparent that in the 2018 election there will be lots of energy among those who feel as I do regarding wanting to change the make-up of the Congress.  There appears to be little chance that democrats will gain control of the Senate – in fact, I believe they could lose a few seats based on how the “election map” is constituted.  However, there’s a good chance the House will no longer be the embarrassment it’s been under republican control for the past few cycles.  I don’t believe even the republican gerrymandering of 2010 will save them this time.  Remember, the past two elections, democratic candidates for the House, nation wide, have received more than a MILLION more votes than republicans, but continue to be in a significant minority.  The “wave” that is coming very well may be strong enough to overcome that disadvantage.

People need to understand that democrats regaining control of the House will not “drain the swamp.”  It will NOT result in Trump’s impeachment – unless Mueller’s probe or the Cohen investigation in the Southern District of New York uncovers criminal activity by Trump which republicans can’t simply ignore – republicans will have enough “power” no matter what happens in 2018’s election to keep Trump in office if that’s what they choose.  They may be ill-advised in doing so, but that’s what appears to be the case.  Mitch McConnell, in the Senate, is really good at one thing – and, that’s OBSTRUCTING!  He will block anything he chooses to BLOCK while he’s still the majority leader in the Senate and, there’s no way democrats will have enough power to actually impeach Trump.  I’ve said, from day one, it’s up to the republicans to end the Trump nightmare.  It would really be naive to believe republicans actually would “drain the swamp.”  They’ve been funneling money from America’s middle class essentially to themselves since the days of Reagan – HUGE amounts of money.  They will not stop until “we the people” vote them into the history books!  Period!  (and, if you’re watching Fox “news” you’ve been BRAINWASHED and you should look elsewhere for your information.  Fox  is part of the swamp)

Talk about “the pot calling the kettle black.”  This past week I’ve watched (and listened) as Trump and his associate LIAR, Sarah Sanders, have gone out of their way to describe James Comey as a “liar,” a “slime dog,” and more.  The “tweets” are coming fast and furious.  I don’t do “Twitter” (or Facebook, or any of that Social media stuff) but, you’d have to have your head in the sand to avoid hearing Trump’s blasting of Mr. Comey – in a TOTALLY predictable, based on Trump’s history, reaction by our so-called president to the publishing of Comey’s book in the coming week.  Comey has already started the obligatory public appearances where he will defend his own honor while our “president” will be name calling like the sixth grader bullies I used to teach.  Just as there would be consequences for the sixth grade bullies, I have to think Trump is getting closer and closer to the point where he’ll be facing the consequences of his own actions – some we know of and, well, some we’re all speculating about.

The bottom line is that only the hard line Trump supporters will approve of his childish actions, and that’s likely because they’ll all be watching people like Sean Hannity BRAINWASH them (which has been ongoing) to believe Trump is the victim here.  Hannity and the others in the right wing message machine seem to have lost sight of the FACT the Russians attacked America during the 2016 election and they’re STILL HERE!  And, Trump’s pitiful attempt to show the world he’s a “tough guy” in Syria this weekend will not change a thing.  He’s still a serial LIAR (pathological), his press secretary willingly LIES for him (evidently, that’s a requirement of the job – remember Sean Spicer), and he’s shown no respect for the rule of law in America – likely, because he’s spent a lifetime skirting the law – and, up to this point, getting away with it.

I’ve repeated this a lot lately, but I’m guessing Trump is seriously regretting his choice to make President Obama look bad by running for president.  I don’t think he had any idea of the magnitude of the “microscope.”  He should have looked no further than his antagonist, Hillary Clinton, to watch what she’s had to endure for the past 25+ years.  What could have possibly got him thinking that the “microscope” that’s been “aimed” at Mrs. Clinton would somehow fail to notice Trump’s maladies once he was in office.  (Of course, there’s been many reports that Trump did not believe he had any chance to win [or, any “maladies” for that matter] – his run for president was aimed at putting himself in position to make MORE money.)  It appears the US Attorney’s office for the “Southern District of New York” is going to be Trump’s MAJOR problem – after the search warrants were executed on Michael Cohen’s office, home, and apartment last week.  Cohen, commonly referred to as Trump’s “fixer” (in the tradition of a Mafia family), appears to be in dire legal “straights” and Trump is likely right there with him.

I just find it interesting listening to Trump’s “tweets” and the (disgusting) comments coming from his press secretary Ms. Sanders as they BOTH soil the image of our president across this nation and around the world.  I’ve written ad nauseam since Trump’s “election” about the “damage” he’s doing to this nation – and, it’s in our relationships with countries around the world which may be the toughest to overcome once the republicans in Congress finally end this nightmare.  And, make no mistake, when history is judging this era, it’s the republicans in Congress who will be held in contempt almost as much as Trump.  It’s their job to be a “check” on the president.  Of course, during the Obama administration they OBSTRUCTED virtually EVERYTHING he attempted to accomplish and they’re still busy trying to repeal Obama policies that “we the people,” to this day, favor.  In fact, it’s been the republican assault on the Affordable Care Act, for example, which has caused it to be “approved” by more than 50% of Americans after Obama was more than a year out of office.  People actually like having health insurance.

Then there’s the TPP – the Trans Pacific Partnership which was designed to keep China “in check” with our trading partners in the “Pacific rim.”  (from Japan to Southeast Asia)  One of Trump’s first acts in office was to pull America out of that “trade agreement” – which Obama pushed – despite opposition from both parties.  Now, upon understanding he simply gave China a free run in that region, Trump is “trying to put the toothpaste back in the tube.”  Of course, he’ll do this in a way where he tries to make himself look good in the process – but, thinking Americans won’t be fooled – if he manages to succeed.  There’s also the Paris Climate Accords – Trump may end up coddling “clean coal” (whatever that is) until he’s no longer in office – but, the message to the rest of the world was to cede American leadership to the Chinese and Europeans in the clean energy field – which is the technology of the future.  There is NO future for coal – but, you’d never convince Trump of that.

Regarding James Comey, I have purchased his book and I’m looking forward to reading it.  At the same time, I tend to agree with those who would suggest he might have been better off bringing it out a bit later – but, keep in mind, he KNOWS way more than any of us.  Maybe he wanted to get this out before the inevitable happens with Trump so that it doesn’t sound to be “piling on.”  Part of me says, bring it on Mr. Comey – you’ve taken quite enough from the president who has no moral compass and his underlings who will say anything to keep their job.  And, the republicans in Congress, OMG!  While (and, this is based on parts I’ve heard prior to getting my copy of the book) I could care less about the size of Trump’s hands, I do respect Comey’s right to defend his honor.  Trump has DEPLORABLY gone after Comey and others in the FBI – most significantly, from my perspective, Andrew McCabe.  What Trump did to McCabe just showed what a small minded thug we have as our so-called president.  (I wanted to contribute to McCabe’s defense fund, but by the time I heard about it, it was no longer accepting donations – there was over $500 THOUSAND already donated.

I’m not one to say that James Comey is my hero.  I didn’t like what he chose to do 11 days prior to the election and I’ve heard him say he’d do it again had he even known that Trump would win the election.  He made egregious errors as head of the FBI and, had Trump fired him the day he took office, no one would have blinked an eye.  However, in True Trump fashion, he wanted assurances from Comey of his willingness to pledge his loyalty, and when that didn’t work, he wanted assurances he wasn’t being investigated.  Comey’s answers weren’t, obviously, to his (Trump’s) liking – but, what I believe set him over the edge was when Comey, while testifying before Congress, said that the thought his actions may have swung the election to Trump made him feel “mildly nauseous.”  A couple days later he was fired.  Of course, Trump, who claims to be “smart,” then went on national TV (with Lester Holt) and admitted he fired Comey because of the “Russia thing.”  (which he affirmed a day or so later with the Russian foreign minster and the Russian Ambassador in the oval office – we had to find that out from Russian reporters)

As I’ve said before, when I look back on the election, I’m almost glad Trump ended up the “winner.”  (of course, he didn’t “win” – he just carried the Electoral College by the slimmest of margins – likely due to Comey’s ill-timed announcement and Russian “fake news” on Facebook – probably targeted with the help of Cambridge Analytica (ie Steve Bannon and Jared Kushner) – thereby confirming COLLUSION.  Another word for collusion is TREASON)  I really can’t imagine what would be happening right now if Hillary Clinton had won the election (of course, she really did with almost 3 MILLION more votes than Trump, but I’m “just sayin…”)

I watch people like Jim Jordan, Devin Nunes, and Trey Gowdy (and many others) in the House of Representatives and when I get over my embarrassment that people like this actually get elected to office in America I shudder at what they’d  be doing to destroy a Clinton presidency.  For heaven’s sake, they kept the Benghazi scam going for over three years – had Mrs. Clinton won, I can almost assure you  it would still be ongoing.  And, of course, the Russian ATTACK would likely still be “under the radar” and they’d (the Russians) STILL be attempting to create as much division for Mrs. Clinton as they could with their targeted FAKE NEWS.  (the real FAKE NEWS – evidently, Mrs. Clinton was “tougher” on Russia than the bully in the Oval Office)

Maybe Trump’s greatest achievement will end up being that he motivates untold MILLIONS of young Americans to participate in the voting process.  Maybe we’ll finally see a willingness from our voters to support candidates who are NOT part of the Koch brothers “network.”  Maybe we’ll start seeing voters who actually demand actual information before they decide who to support as their representative in Congress.  Maybe things like health care, education, job training, the environment, diplomacy, and I could go on and on – essentially returning to the values born of the New Deal of FDR and furthered during the Great Society of LBJ (with support in between on all quarters – except the McCarthyites) will take hold once more in America.  Remember, when it comes to the basic values of the New Deal which republicans have targeted for repeal since the 1970’s (actually, since they were enacted) – there’s “more of us (progressive minded people) than there are of them.” (In regard to the right wing members of the Koch network)

Since I started this post it’s become public knowledge that Sean Hannity has been a secret client of Trump’s “fixer” Michael Cohen – with Hannity lamenting the FBI’s search warrant into Cohen’s office, home, and apartment WITHOUT informing his audience he’s “connected” to Cohen.  Of course, it doesn’t take someone with a brain to realize Hannity is nothing more than a sycophant for Trump and republicans – calling him a “journalist” sullies the profession.  Sadly, I know people who watch (and believe) Hannity, and they are almost impossible to talk to.  They believe they are “informed,” they believe Trump is a “conservative,” and virtually each one has told me they voted for Trump for “moral reasons.”  I’m not kidding – and, if you’re reading this and you feel a bit edgy because you fall in that category, I’m sorry – but, you’re NOT informed – instead, you’ve been BRAINWASHED.  You likely listen to Rush Limbaugh (or one of the other right wing whack jobs on the radio – I “get” that’s “judging” – but, I’ve read lots of books with actual information and these right wing “talkers” are such LIARS that it’s hard to stomach listening to them for more than a few seconds.  I’ve pointed out many times they’ve adopted “The Big Lie Theory” of the Third Reich and they do it in unison with like “key words” or “talking points” which is all targeted PROPAGANDA!

Trump is getting boxed in by a porn actress and her attorney and a very skilled former FBI director who is way ahead of Trump’s seemingly amateurist legal team.  I believe Trump’s attempt to prevent “Stormy Daniels” from speaking publicly about their sexual affair (while Trump’s present wife was delivering him his final son – presumably) has now got Trump very nervous.  Reports are that Trump yelling at his TV’s now that the FBI has piles of documents from Cohen – including several electronic devices.  The FBI even raided Cohen’s safe deposit box.  Trump knows what’s in that pile of papers and he can’t fire the attorney’s at the Southern District of New York.  I believe this was a masterful move by Robert Mueller.  This puts Trump in a position where, if he goes after Mueller – even if somehow he managed to get the FBI investigation shut down – it appears as if there’s some really bad news coming from Manhattan!  Many are saying Trump faces more danger from the investigation now in the hands of the attorneys at the Southern District of New York than Mueller’s investigation.

When I heard James Comey say that Trump came across to him, in their conversations, similarly to the Mob bosses Comey prosecuted when he was in the US Attorney’s office of the Southern District of New York – well, it reminded me of what I’ve been saying for some time here.  I believe Trump is connected to the “mob” in ways we’re going to discover at some point down the road.  Maybe this is why Vladimir Putin appeals to Trump in such a curious manner.  People know the Russian government, under Putin, is run like a New York crime family.  In fact, much of the MONEY LAUNDERING the Russians have been accused of (and convicted of – in some instances) has happened in New York.  So, the bottom line here is that time will tell who the LIAR is – Trump or Comey.  Of course, we all already know the answer to that question – I mean Trump made over 2000 DOCUMENTED LIES in just his first year of office – according to a “fact checker” with the Washington Post.  That amounted to an AVERAGE of six LIES per day – document-able!  So who you gonna believe is the LIAR?  Trump or Comey?  (I suppose Trump’s six LIES per day in his first year in office SHOULD factor in your decision!)

What’s going on at Fox “news” is, in the ill advised words of Hillary Clinton (in her campaign), “deplorable.”  Last night, in coordination with Trump, Sean Hannity created some charts that would suggest Robert Mueller to be part of a “Crime family.”  I’ve mentioned on numerous occasions over the years how “conservatives” use projection to confuse their “audience.”  This is a great example – accusing Mueller, a Viet Nam war hero, someone at the forefront of our defense against the terrorist attacks of 9/11, and a man who’s served this nation for something like 30 years as the “head of a crime family.”  Hannity is defending a person, Trump,  who very well could be getting “uncovered” as the head of an actual “crime family.”

Trump knows what he’s done – and, he’s fighting back against the investigation which is apparently heading where he doesn’t want it to go.  Trump is NOT acting like a person who is innocent.  As one of his supporters, Trey Gowdy, said, “If you’re innocent, act like it!”  Well, Trump is not acting as if he’s “innocent,” instead he’s lining up people who are willing to sully themselves in a futile effort to stop the “Russia investigation” before it’s completed.  It’s disgraceful and these people are disgraceful.  I’ve said this before, Trump, Hannity, Nunes, Gingrich, and a bunch more of the minions who are willing to ignore the Russian attack on our nation in an attempt to protect their own political power will end up in the wrong section of the history books.  Conservatives, as I’m writing this, are attempting to rewrite the present day history books and that plan will be as futile as their attempts to protect Trump.

If Mueller finishes his investigation and Trump is exonerated then all is well.  Apparently, these people (Trump, Hannity, Nunes, etc.) don’t believe Trump is innocent or they would be encouraging the investigation to reach its conclusion.  I guess the 19 indictments (including several guilty pleas and cooperation agreements) are making them nervous – although, if they believe they’re innocent and believe in the “rule of law” in America – well, you wouldn’t be seeing these paranoid attacks on Mueller.  Of course, it doesn’t take a “Perry Mason” expert to figure out that Jared Kushner is in legal jeopardy (I’m sure Trump doesn’t like that reality) and that Trump, whether he “colluded” or not, has LIKELY obstructed justice (numerous times).  So, instead of meeting with Mueller and attempting to explain his actions, Trump is choosing the full throated head on FIGHT.  That’s exactly how a Mafia boss would react! (ie, the real head of a “crime family”)

The next few days should get even more interesting as James Comey’s book and the obligatory “book tour” that goes along with it is due to begin next week.  I’ve already ordered the book, but I would gladly buy another copy if I could attend a book signing.  Full disclosure:  I’m not one who gave Comey a “pass” on his ill advised remarks 11 days prior to the 2016 election which clearly swung the election to Trump.  Even Trump’s own internal polls pointed this out – as reported in the book “Devil’s Bargain Steve Bannon, Donald Trump, and the storming of the presidency” written by Joshua Green who I felt seemed like someone sympathetic to Bannon and Trump as I read the book – certainly not antagonistic.  Mrs. Clinton’s polling showed this, Five Thirty Eight dot com’s polling showed this (probably the most respected polling site) and, I remember watching the polling prior to the election and it was clear to me Comey is the reason Trump is president.

That being said, I also remember James Comey from the GW Bush/Dick Cheney years when Comey was the acting Attorney General and he blocked Bush/Cheney from continuing their ILLEGAL wiretapping of American citizens when he discovered what was happening during the Iraq fiasco.  In fact, Robert Mueller – then the head of the FBI – stood side by side with Comey as they, along with others in the Justice Department – including Christopher Wray – threatened to resign if Bush continued the illegal unconstitutional program.  Despite my disagreement with the way Comey handled the Clinton email “scandal” (clearly neither Comey nor Andrew McCabe seemed to be supporters of Mrs. Clinton – which, to me, is a real irony here) I’ve never doubted his veracity.  I’ve always felt Comey was an honorable, dedicated public servant who’s serving in an extraordinarily difficult time.  Same for McCabe.  Same for Mueller, and, for that matter, Wray.  And, I believe they’re all republicans (with the possible exception of McCabe).

Well, I’m guessing we can expect the (STUPID) “tweeting” to begin over night tonight as Trump will find it difficult to resist commenting on all the pundits sharing Comey’s thoughts in his book.  Obviously, Comey is exacting his revenge on Trump for the way Trump summarily dismissed him after attempting to co-op his “loyalty” along with other “stuff” a president should NEVER do or say around members of the Justice Department – which is supposed to be totally INDEPENDENT.  Clearly, Trump didn’t envision the Justice Department in this light – he viewed Jeff Sessions as his “Michael Cohen” in the Justice Department – his “fixer.”  Trump actually believes NONE of this would ever have happened had Sessions not recused himself.

Well, I’m no fan of Jeff Sessions either, but I have to say Trump’s view presupposes that Sessions would have willingly looked the other way regarding the “Russia thing” – even had he not recused himself, which would have meant he would have been privy to all the allegations which spurred on the FBI investigation.  I have to say, I’m not so sure Sessions would have done that.  As much as I don’t like the guy, I’ve come to believe he’s actually attempting to do the “right thing” as he sees it while he has that post.  I could be very naive in thinking this, but Sessions has shown a bit of spine on at least one occasion since Trump started belittling him – apparently in an attempt to cause him to resign.  And, of course, even if Sessions had not recused himself, there still would have been an FBI investigation ongoing into the Trump campaign – an investigation which began well before Trump had won the nomination.  (Thanks to George Papadopoulus)

Here’s my biggest concern regarding the Trump/Fox “news” conspiracy to BRAINWASH as many of their unsuspecting followers as possible – it’s right out of the “playbook” of the “Crime family boss” or the “Despot” (according to the “Despot’s Apprentice” by Brian Klaas) and, that’s attack the messenger (if you can’t defeat the “message”).  Trump, Hannity, et al are attempting to convince MILLIONS of Americans that Mueller is conflicted and is biased to “get” Trump.  They’re suggesting there is “no collusion” – evidently because Trump has repeatedly said so (and, of course, so has Sarah Sanders).  These people have NO moral compass!  Let me add here for the I don’t know how manyeth (I made that word up) time; when Don Jr., Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort met with several RUSSIANS to get “incriminating evidence” on Mrs. Clinton from “The Russian Government” THAT WAS COLLUSION!  It doesn’t matter what they got, that was COLLUSION.

And, of course, I believe Mueller has other examples of collusion.  Let me just give one example that falls in the I can add two plus two category.  We KNOW the Russians hacked the emails of the DNC and John Podesta.  We KNOW that both George Papadopoulus AND Roger Stone were aware of this AND, it just seems like too much of a coincidence, to me, that the Podesta emails were published less than one hour after release of the Access Hollywood tape.  We also KNOW that Cambridge Analytica was working with Trump’s campaign (via Jared Kushner), we KNOW that Steve Bannon was/is (?) the president of Cambridge Analytica, and we KNOW Cambridge Analytica STOLE data from 87 MILLION Facebook users which allowed them to TARGET their political advertising.  Do you think maybe they shared this data with the Russians who were busy publishing untold numbers of FAKE “news” ads on Facebook – adds that were curiously expertly TARGETED??  Do you get my drift?

This is all coming to a “head” in the next short period of time, it appears to me – and, I’m guessing there will be people in the streets no matter how it turns out.  70 -80% of Americans want to see Mueller’s investigation completed.  That means a large MAJORITY (including many who voted for Trump) believe in the rule of law, don’t believe our FBI and Justice Department are corrupted and are like a “Crime family,” and they want to know what happened in the 2016 election.  Most Americans believe NO ONE in America, including the president, is above the law.  “We the people” demonstrated that back in the days of Richard Nixon when he attempted to prove otherwise.  Here’s the problem:  Trump, Hannity, the others at Fox, and the right wingers in the House (like Devin “the traitor” Nunes), understand that faction of Trump supporters who were marching at Charlottesville last year chanting, “Jews will not replace us.”

Trump called them “very fine people” and, one of those “very fine people,” David Duke – the former Grand Wizard of the Klu Klux Klan – let Trump know how much all those “very fine people” appreciated Trump for his “fair” words.  Trump and the others attempting to pin a “Crime family” label on Mueller know exactly how these “very fine people” are going to react if Trump is accused of a crime – or if Congress begins impeachment proceedings.  Things could get ugly and quick.  And, of course, then we’re going to find out the real reality of Jeff Sessions because he’ll still (likely) be the head of the Justice Department.   One way or another, there are going to be protests – I just hope they are peaceful no matter the outcome of the investigation.

Of course, Steve Bannon is climbing out from under the “rock” he disappeared under after the “Fire and Fury” book got him excommunicated from the “White House” and he’s encouraging Trump to take an aggressive and defiant strategy with the Mueller investigation.  This reminds me of Bannon stating the real purpose of the Trump administration is to “deconstruct the administrative state.”  I understand that to mean our traditional government institutions that Trump is defunding, refusing to populate with appointees, and has administrators committed to the destroying the institution they are in charge of.  Bannon’s “wet dream.”

I wouldn’t be surprised if Bannon encouraging Trump to be defiant now isn’t because he might be coming back into Mueller’s “cross-hairs” himself after the Cambridge Analytica revelations.  Bannon may be way more vulnerable than he let on before that information became public. The real “COLLUSION” may end up being tied to the Cambridge Analytica data breach of Facebook.  It’s been reported that Cambridge Analytica was involved in the “fake news” which influenced people in Great Britain to vote for the Brexit issue which took Great Britain out of the European Union – something Bannon supported.  The same kind of “white nationalism” he’s pushing in America.  Yikes!!!

I told my son tonight, watch everything that’s going on because these are historic times.  Hopefully, this country won’t face a crisis like this – if not ever again – certainly for many many years.  I have to believe that Justice will ultimately prevail and Trump’s days as president are numbered.  He should NEVER have been president and it’s time he’s no longer president.  I have to believe those in the FBI see the irony that it was Comey responsible for getting Trump elected and it will, indirectly, be Comey who sees that Trump is removed from office.

In the process a couple interesting things are going to happen.  First, and this is along the lines of the times I’ve predicted Trump would come to the point (if he already is not there) where he loathes the day he decided to run for president.  I believe there will be MANY issues Trump will have to face that would likely NEVER have been uncovered had he not put himself under the “microscope” that comes with being president.  It’s very possible that he is the head of a “crime family.”  Secondly, and this relates to all the DAMAGE I’ve referred to being done to America since Trump took office – and that is, once Trump is removed from office “we the people” can start the process of “making America great again.”

Yesterday officials from the U.S. Attorney’s office in the Southern District of New York (SDNY) enacted a search warrant for the office, home, and hotel room of Trump’s “fixer” Michael Cohen for what seems obvious to me would be documents about the payments made by Mr. Cohen to Stormy Daniels and maybe others.  With all the public knowledge about Trump’s lawyer paying off Ms. Daniels to keep her quiet weeks ahead of the 2016 election it would be MORE surprising to me if there was no action taken regarding what was CLEARLY an illegal action – possibly on many fronts.  Cohen, himself, admitted to making the payment and Trump has publicly denied knowing anything about it.  Trump said, when asked about the payment, “You’ll have to talk to Michael Cohen.”  Talk about someone being “thrown under the bus.”

Trump referred to this action as “an attack on our country.”  This would suggest he believes he’s above the law.  This coming from the man who doesn’t consider the Russian interference in our election (and more) to be an “attack on this country.”  He’s tweeted “attorney client privilege is dead” and “total witch hunt!” regarding the raid on Cohen’s office.  Trump believes Jeff Sessions “made a terrible decision for our country” when he recused himself from the Russia investigation (and, investigations of the Trump and Clinton campaigns).  Of course, Sessions did exactly what he was honor bound to do once he took the oath of office to head the Department of Justice.  Had he chosen to look upon himself as the president’s “fixer” from his position as Attorney General – that would have been a terrible decision for our country.  I’ve written this before, but I’ll say it again, Trump is acting as if he’s a MAFIA BOSS!  He’s got to go and it appears it’s just a matter of time until Mueller makes his report that is going to take the veil off of all of Trump’s misdeeds – which likely go well back prior to his choice to run for president.

Trump suggested this is a partisan attack coming from either “democrats or republicans who’ve worked for democrats.”  (I’m assuming he was meaning Mueller because he’s worked for presidents of both parties as FBI director)  The reality is that it takes many layers of the Justice Department to get a warrant to search the office of ANY attorney, let alone the president’s.  And, the people who authorized this warrant were actually REPUBLICANS who were appointed by Trump, himself.  The acting US Attorney for the SDNY was appointed by Trump, The FBI director was appointed by Trump (republican), and the Assistant Attorney General (Rod Rosenstein) is a republican appointed by Trump.  Of course, Robert Mueller is a long time republican who is the special counsel because of Trump’s (STUPID) decision to fire James Comey – and then, shortly thereafter, admit on NATIONAL TV that he did so because of the “Russia thing.”  (Additionally, a day or two later, Trump [STUPIDLY] met in the Oval Office with two Russian officials telling them “I got rid of Comey to take the pressure off the Russia investigation”)

Trump continues to call this investigation a “disgrace.”  I can tell you, as with most of the words that come out of his mouth, the TRUTH is essentially the OPPOSITE.  Trump continues to be the disgrace and he’s contemplating now to make matters even worse by FIRING the special counsel.  Trump, in his rambling spur of the moment press conference – while he was faced with a decision about the Syria problem (which he may have indirectly created) tried to pin Comey’s firing back on Rod Rosenstein.  If you remember, he originally requested a letter from Rosenstein about Comey to justify firing him – which Mike Pense and other minions used the next day to justify the firing – only to have Trump BACK STAB them with his interview with Lester Holt where he admitted that “I was going to fire him no matter what, ………….it was about the Russia thing.”  Trump is scrambling now to continue his attempt to keep his misbehavior secret.

I don’t believe it’s going to work and I think Trump is becoming aware that he’s not above the law which he’s apparently felt during his years in New York when his actions have tied him together with some really suspicious characters.  I think we may discover we’ve got a “white collar criminal” in the “White House.”  Of course, the “base” (mainly of the “white nationalists” in America) won’t care.  They’ve been brainwashed to believe Trump is being attacked by a partisan “witch hunt.”  Trump is encouraging the divisiveness that has brought this country to the point where we’re losing our standing in the world.  The ONLY way to regain it is to get RID of this nightmare which is Trump as our so-called president.  And, as I’ve said many times, it’s up to the republicans in Congress to “grow a pair” and take their oath to the constitution above their allegiance to their party.  In fact, I believe the ONLY way for republicans to give themselves a chance to minimize the so-called “blue wave” coming in 2018, is to rid the country of the Trump problem.

The constitution calls for impeachment of the president for “high crimes and misdemeanors.”  Well, that’s a very vague phrase that gives members of Congress much leeway – but, I (and, many others) believe Trump has already met the criteria for “high crimes and misdemeanors.”  The Constitution prohibits the president from receiving “emoluments” from both foreign forces and domestic forces.  Clearly, Trump by not getting rid of his business interests – for example, a Hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue has become the place where foreign dignitaries pay well above standard rates to stay in Trump’s Hotel (I believe it’s in the Old US Post Office building) ostensibly to gain Trump’s “favor.”  Every time Trump takes money from these people it’s a violation of the emoluments clause.  And, there are many other examples of this same phenomenon.

Then there’s ALL of Trump’s adventures to his golf resorts where he takes his associates, the Secret Service, and others to his personal properties where they all pay (including Trump himself) premium rates for rooms and other “emoluments.”  All of this is in violation of the Constitution of the United States – a copy of which most republicans in Congress carry in their lapel pockets – that members of Congress (republicans) refuse to even debate in the House – where any impeachment proceedings would begin.  I guess it’s going to take something catastrophic for republican members of Congress to act.  That’s exactly what causes me the  most “pause.”

Originally when I was writing about Trump, I suggested republican members of Congress would act against Trump once their own jobs were in jeopardy.  What we’re seeing instead is a bunch of republicans who see “the writing on the wall” leaving – “retiring from” Congress as they realize getting re-elected is getting to the almost impossible stage.  I guess the idea of showing courage and standing up to Trump – as “the right thing to do” – is not something they consider.  Paul Ryan got his tax scam through – which, contrary to his pronouncements, will increase our national debt, over the next 10 years, by OVER two TRILLION dollars.  So much for the great republican “budget genius.”  Ryan is leaving Washington “with his tail between his legs!”

When Trump refers to the Mueller probe as “an attack on our country” he’s just showing his IGNORANCE once again.  The reality is that Trump’s actions are “an attack on our country.”  The Russian “intrusion” is an “attack on our country.”  And, the republicans, who for years have claimed to be the ‘stalwarts’ of a “strong national defense” are, once again, showing themselves to be frauds.  This has happened over and over again since the days of Ronald Reagan.  Here’s what has to be puzzling our allies around the world – when are “we the people” going to figure this out?  Are the American voters really this STUPID?  People who call themselves “conservatives” and then support what Trump – and Ryan – are doing are fooling themselves.  To me, brazen thoughtless actions on the world stage and constantly raising the national debt in order to placate their “donors” is not “conservative.”  Let’s call it what it is.

I’ve said this would all be comical if it wasn’t so serious.  Right now we the people are at the mercy of the thought process of a completely unstable person who could be, potentially, leading us into another world war.  Syria is a serious problem because the Russians are aligned with Assad and may very well by supplying the nerve gas Assad is using on his own people.  Trump’s bloviating, along with whatever response he gives in his attempt to show the world he’s a real “tough guy,” is not likely to be very effective.  It could be catastrophic!  And, keep in mind, Trump has to be considering the kompromat the Russians very likely are holding over him as he prepares his “response” the the Syrian “gassing.”

As all this is going on I can’t get Trump’s words out of my head where he said the Justice Department’s search of Michael Cohen is “an attack on our country.”  I’ll say it again, the attack on our country came (and is coming) from the Russians via their cyber warfare.  Not only should Mr. Cohen by searched, but I now feel Steve Bannon should be searched.   Bannon was/is the head of Cambridge Analytica which stole the data of over 80 MILLION Facebook users in order to spread the REAL fake news during the 2016 campaign.  I believe they worked with the Russians to target this “fake news” toward key constituencies they knew were susceptible to their PROPAGANDA.  That’s where the attack on this country is coming from and I’m thankful that Mueller is going to figure it all out and explain to “we the people” how we’ve been “had.”  But, I’ll say it once more:  Earth to Trump, the attack on our country is coming from Russia NOT from our Justice Department!  Let’s hope the Justice Department demonstrates to “we the people” AND those watching around the world that we really are a “nation of laws and not men”  and that “no one is above the law.”  Especially, Donald Trump!

I’ve been attempting to take a break from Trump’s scandal a day presidency and what it’s doing to the country I love, but the STUPID just keeps coming.  Yesterday, Bashar al-Assad apparently “gassed” some of his own people (“rebels”) AGAIN and, of course, Trump felt the necessity to stick his chest out as much as he’s capable.  He even seemed to say something negative about Vladimir Putin, but he couldn’t leave it at that.  As per usual, Trump had to attempt to stick the BLAME for Assad gassing his own people on Barack Obama.  Is there anything he doesn’t attempt to BLAME on Obama?

As the “story” unfolds as Trump’s SCANDAL ridden EPA “chief” Scott Pruitt continues to be in the headlines, just today, I was thinking Trump’s defense of Pruitt – and, very likely his presidency – may very well rest on a “roasting” Trump absorbed a few years ago at a correspondents dinner he attended where Obama totally embarrassed him.  And, as we’ve all learned, Trump doesn’t like that – it’s questionable whether he even has a sense of humor.  I’ve always wondered if his running for president was based on his desire to “get even” with Obama.  (Could Obama have the last laugh?) Of course, Trump EARNED the “roasting” via his leading of the RACIST “birther movement” which has caused many Americans, to this day, to believe Obama was born in Kenya.  That was the movement that reminded me that racism is STILL a MAJOR issue in this country – and, Trump is right at the front of issue.

How does this relate to Pruitt?  Well, despite all the CORRUPT things Pruitt is doing as EPA chief – similarly to what he did prior to becoming EPA chief – the thing he’s doing that I’m sure makes him “dear” to Trump’s “heart” (if he actually has one) is the repealing of one Obama environmental success after another.  The FACT it’s doing HUGE damage to the United States of America seems secondary – since day one it’s been clear – if Obama was/is “for it,” Trump and company are “against it.”  Clear and simple.  Pulling us out of the Paris Climate Accords will have LASTING damage for years to come – if Trump actually makes it through his four years (and, of course, if he doesn’t, we’ll still be “saddled” with either Pense or Ryan – depending on if Mueller includes Pense in the obstruction investigation by virtue of his willingness to LIE for Trump – especially when Comey was fired – environment wise, it doesn’t look good) countries like China and Germany will have a HUGE advantage in the “green” energy market that could be devastating to America’s economy, long term.

Additionally, Pruitt is repealing all kinds of Obama era policy that protects consumers from unscrupulous corporate interests that have to do with air quality, water quality, and many different issues related to both.  For example, he’s reported to be removing the auto emissions guidelines instituted by the Obama administration aimed at requiring cars to be more and more fuel efficient over time.  Clearly, Trump AND Pruitt have been compromised by the fossil fuel industries – ie the oil industry and, worse, the coal industry.  They even repealed an Obama executive order requiring coal companies to repair the damage they cause when they surface mine for coal and, essentially, clip off the top of a mountain.  They’ve decided to leave the “clean-up” to “we the people.”

But, the STUPID just keeps coming – and, it seems, faster and faster.  Today, Trump’s “fixer” (does that remind you of the godfather?), Michael Cohen, who PAID the $130,000 to adult film star “Stormy Daniels” (Stephanie Clifford) designed to keep her quiet just prior to the 2016 election regarding an alleged affair with Trump (shortly after his last son was born) had his office, his apartment, and his home “visited” by agents of the Southern District of New York’s US attorney’s office.  Reportedly, they were acting on Trump’s directive of just a few days ago when, in response to a question about whether or not he knew about the payment to Ms. Clifford, he denied knowledge of it and responded to a question about the payment, “you’ll have to ask Michael Cohen.”  Well, apparently, that’s what the US Attorney’s office is planning to do – and, they don’t trust Mr. Cohen – requiring them to get a (very difficult to obtain) search warrant allowing them to confiscate many documents that may be what’s making Trump so nervous.  By all reports, the investigators would need near irrefutable evidence of a crime or crimes to obtain a search warrant for an attorney’s office.  Trump should be nervous.

Today, Trump gave an impromptu “news conference” as his “war team” was contemplating what irrational response to make to the Syrians who apparently gassed another group of their people yesterday, possibly in response to Trump’s announcement that he’s bringing our troops home.  Initially, the concern was Trump was leaving the Kurds, who’ve done the bulk of the fighting to repel ISIL, “high and dry” – as they (the Kurds) were getting attacked by the Turks.  The entire situation may be too complex for Trump to comprehend – but, there are many beside myself, concerned that, with the special counsel apparently zeroing in, Trump’s going to do something even MORE STUPID than usual.  In his “news conference” today he again called the Russian investigation a “witch hunt” and reiterated, “there was no collusion.  They’ve found no collusion after over a year.”  (Well, I hate to take issue with the president of the United States, but his own son’s meeting with the Russians in June of 2016, with his son-in-law and his campaign manager (at the time) seeking incriminating information on Hillary Clinton was, clear and simple, COLLUSION!  Steve Bannon referred to it as TREASON.

Trump called the investigation “disgraceful,” along with the word “witch hunt,” and he implied he might attempt to fire the special counsel.  He suggested this “witch hunt” had been going on pretty much since he won the nomination (which is correct, the FBI began investigating the Russian collusion issue after Trump “advisor” George Papadopoulos was spewing his mouth to an ambassador from Australia about the emails the Russians stole from the DNC.  The Ambassador relayed the information to the FBI about the Trump campaign/Russia connection which is what started the investigation.  This is the same investigation Trump and his surrogates have LIED about over 30 times and the same investigation that keeps turning up more and more evidence connecting Trump surrogates to the conspiracy – a conspiracy AGAINST the United States of America.  So, every time Trump spouts off as he did today, it just gets MORE STUPID.  He just can’t shut his mouth about all this.

And, of course, theoretically, today’s actions by the US Attorney’s office in the SDNY (Southern District of New York) has nothing to do with the “Russia investigation.”  Apparently, it was all about Michael Cohen and his payment – of which he’s admitted making – to Ms. Clifford.  There are campaign finance issues with the payment, bank fraud issues with the payment, wire fraud issues with the payment, and Mr. Cohen’s law license is on the line because Trump, himself, admitted he didn’t know anything about the payment.  Well, that will get your lawyer disbarred – because, lawyers can’t enter into agreements their clients know nothing about.  Essentially, last week Trump “threw Mr. Cohen ‘under the bus.'”  It wouldn’t surprise me if Cohen “flipped” in order to save himself from losing his law license and, conceivably, going to jail.  He’s been quoted as saying he’d “take a bullet for Trump” – well, we’ll likely see if he’ll take a “rap” for Trump.  But, all in all, it’s pretty STUPID of Trump to think the authorities weren’t going to act on this payment – which EVERYBODY in the world knows about (sadly, including Melania, who’s got to be getting a bit peeved, wouldn’t you think?) – especially, after he told the world he knew nothing about the payment and said, “You’ll have to ask Micheal about that.”  Well, as I said above, that appears to be what’s happening – Mr. Cohen is going to be asked about this, and he’d better tell the truth, or things will get a lot worse for him.

I said a long time ago that Trump will learn to loathe the day he decided to run for president.  It appears to me he’s got connections to underworld characters – including the Russians (who’s government under Putin has been equated with a large crime syndicate) – and, it also appears to me Trump has participated in some fishy financial “dealings” in the past which likely are going to be interpreted as money laundering.  There was a good reason he was the first president since Nixon to refuse to show his tax returns (do you see the parallel?).  What’s really still really bugging me and the thing I find most despicable about all this is that Trump’s “base” is the so-called “Conservative Christians.”  They appear to be willing to accept almost anything to get judges they believe will overturn Roe v Wade (apparently believing that would end abortions).  The list of reasons why myself as a (I guess, LIBERAL) Christian can’t support Trump is too long to include here – but, I have to say, the LYING, the RACISM, the arrogant sexual impropriety and the LYING about it, the misogynist behavior,  the divisiveness, the cheating on his taxes, (yes, I’m making an assumption here, but he LIED about what the “tax scam” would do for his own bottom line, so I’m putting two plus two together) along with the reality he’s UNQUALIFIED for the job and he’s attacking our environment ALL to our detriment (long term) will have to do for starters.

My advice to Trump would be to resign sooner rather than later.  I believe if he chose that “route” there’s a good chance people would have pity on him and the investigations would end.  Of course, that would leave us with Mike Pense as president and, like I’ve said, it’s my contention he’s participated in the obstruction of justice on at least one occasion. (the firing of James Comey)  Based on how this all has unfolded, I’m pretty skeptical that Mueller would be including Pense in his pervue.  I wouldn’t say the same thing for Jared Kushner – in my mind, Mueller is going to “hit” him at the same time he gives the “report” on Trump to Congress – that way, Trump can’t immediately pardon him.  I also believe Don Jr. May have criminal liability – and, who knows how far the liability goes into the family once they get deep into Trump’s financial records.  They (the Trumps) remind me of the Cosa Nostra.  (Yes, I know that would make them Italian, but, I said “remind” – I could have just said “mafia”)

I guess the thing that’s making ME nervous tonight is the FACT we have a STUPID so-called president, there’s a legitimate crisis in Syria that can’t really be blamed on President Obama, and republican presidents have a history of covering up their STUPIDITY by starting wars.  If Trump decides to get rambunctious in Syria he’s going to be going head to head with his idol Vladimir Putin.  Here’s a couple possibilities from that.  Putin could release the kompromat many people believe the Russians have on Trump – the reason for Trump’s “bromance” with Putin.  Like, if it exists, the video of the salacious part of the so-called “dossier.”  The other possibility could be a military confrontation with the Russians – which, personally (as you might suspect due to my referring to Trump as STUPID) I have NO confidence in Trump’s ability to handle.

I’ve said, on occasion, this would all be funny if it weren’t so serious.  Well, it could be getting real serious and our nation is presently in the hands of someone many refer to as mentally unfit to be in the position he holds.  Trump, in the “White House,” is the result of years of the republican party allowing itself, for expedience sake, to be pushed farther and farther to the “right.”  The MONEY has been coming from people like the Koch brothers, the DeVoss family, the Mercers, Wall Street, America’s greedy corporate interests (like Facebook, for example) and characters like Steve Bannon – who was the “brains” behind Cambridge Analytica – which is very likely the vehicle the Trump campaign used to collude with the Russians.  In 2010 the republicans aligned themselves, willingly, with the so-called “Tea Party” – which was a racist reaction to the administration of our first black president.  Now, we may ALL be going to pay the price for these people willing to put their personal interest ahead of our nation’s – depending on how STUPID Trump actually gets.  The Tea Party has given us Trump, Sarah Palin, and Michelle Bauchman – that should tell it all.

Personally, I wouldn’t be surprised if Trump started the process of the so-called “Saturday Night Massacre” reminiscent of the Nixon era in the next day or so – in regard to the special counsel.  Today, he again reiterated his ANGER at Jeff Sessions for doing – what he was honor bound to do when he recused himself from anything involving Russia or the Trump campaign OR the Clinton campaign – Trump can’t seem to get it through his head that the Attorney General of the United States is NOT the president’s “fixer.”  (Makes me wonder how many more agreements Cohen entered into without Trump’s knowledge – he expects “protection” – and, that’s what he expected from Sessions)  If he goes after Sessions in the next few days or Rod Rosenstein (the man who would be responsible for “firing” Mueller) these SPINELESS republican members of Congress will really be up against it.  If they continue to enable Trump’s behavior, this country could erupt in protests that have never been seen before.  And, if they act, as they should, and IMPEACH Trump if he goes after Mueller; well, Trump has been “ginning” up all those “very fine people” who carried the tiki torches and chanted “Jews will not replace us” while wearing Nazi armbands and carrying Nazi flags at Charlottesville to come to his aid.  How will Sessions deal with that?

The next few weeks could be the most significant two weeks in the history of this nation.  we’re likely to find out who believes we’re a “nation of laws and not men,” who believes the “president is not above the law,” and whether or not our Congress took their oath to the constitution seriously.  The actions of the republicans in Congress, so far, don’t give me a lot of confidence they have the courage to stand up to all those “very fine people.”  They haven’t convinced me they have the courage to stand up to Trump.  We’re, quite possibly, going to see where “the rubber meets the road.”  Republicans have been attacking our system of government for years – they refer to the government as if it’s the “enemy” – despite the FACT “we the people” are the government.  I’ve had to stomach two of the past three presidents being elected with fewer votes than their opponent – in the case of Bush, the Supreme Court (which saddled us with the Citizens United decision opening the floodgates of foreign money into our elections – not to mention BILLIONS of domestic dollars).  I’ve watched as republicans have attacked the Voting Rights Act and, shortly after the Supreme Court obliterated section five of that Act, republicans began a concerted voter suppression program.  And, what they’ve given us is Trump.  That should be enough for “we the people” to, in November, vote them into the history books.  I doubt that will happen, despite all that Trump is doing, because, so many republican voters, just like their president, seem to be willingly STUPID when it comes to our government.  As Trump, himself, said in the campaign of 2016, “I love the uneducated voters.”

I’ve been writing for years about how the right wing “puppet masters” in America have been using the “Big Lie Theory” of Joseph Goebbels to brainwash unsuspecting people too busy (or lazy) to “fact check” what’s going on.  (Goebbels was the propaganda chief of the Third Reich in Nazi Germany) Well, my son sent this video to me and I decided to post it here and hope that people see it.  If it gets your attention as it got mine, pass it on to someone else who maybe doesn’t “get it” regarding what’s “going on” in America right now.  Here’s the theory, “If you repeat a LIE over and over people will start believing it’s true.” This theory, of course, won’t work unless those who control the media adopt it.  That brings us to the Sinclair Media corporation – so-called “conservative media.”  They’re consciously doing this and it needs to be called out.  And, it’s surreptitious plus most people don’t even know Sinclair exists!  I knew this was going on, but had no idea to what degree.

Think about it.  We’ve all been subject to brainwashing since the days of Reagan – and, it’s gotten worse lately.  Now, we have Trump and his “alternative facts.”  This is getting serious people, and it’s time we said ENOUGH!  I don’t care what your political affiliation is, you should be alarmed by what’s going on in America right now.  It’s called FASCISM – and, it’s eating away at our fundamental values from the inside out.

And, Oh, by the way, if you haven’t figured this out, the Russians are helping – and, people like Steve Bannon (Cambridge Analytica) could care less about American tradition (New Deal Tradition).  Bannon is still out there pushing “white nationalism.”  (If you want to better understand Bannon read “Devil’s Bargain” by Joshua Green)  Watch this video and you’ll get an idea of how he plans to “deconstruct the administrative state.”

One more thing, TRUST ME – Trump, either “wittingly or unwittingly” is a tool of those who would turn America into an autocratic dictatorship.  And, if you think that’s not possible – watch the video and THINK again!  And, if you’re a “conservative Christian” you’re getting “played.”  Sadly, the Christian “leaders” are a huge part of the problem.

Oh yes, Sinclair Broadcasting (the conglomerate which owns all these stations – and, more) ALREADY owns nearly 40% of America’s media outlets – and they’re in the process of attempting to purchase Tribune Media which will put them in control of about 75% of America’s media outlets.  Rest assured, this republican Congress will find a way to make this happen despite the LAW which caps the percentage any one company can own at around 39% “to prevent monopolies.”  They will then control OVER 200 TV outlets across America and when you watch this video to see what they’re doing with their “platform” it SHOULD get your attention.  If this doesn’t do it, I don’t know what will.

And, this video has not been “Photoshopped.”  They have a “plan” and it’s working!  (Their goal is what I’ve referred to [along with the likes of “Karl Rove and the Koch Brothers”] as the “permanent republican ‘majority.'”  The republicans believe “the end justifies the means” and this is a prime example of what they’re willing to “stoop to” in order to BRAINWASH “we the people.”

Show this to your friends!

This is what happens when one company owns dozens of local news stations
byu/patientbearr invideos

Sinclair actually owns something like 170 local news stations across America and Tribune Media will push that well over 200!

If you listen to the “right wing talkers” on the radio airwaves, you HEAR the same theory.  Different people saying the SAME thing with the SAME key words OVER and OVER until the unsuspecting listener believes “it must be true!”  Yikes – it’s time we all WAKE UP!

Addendum:  Since I posted this I learned (on MSNBC) that this video was produced by a website titled “Deadspin.”  I haven’t checked them out, but I should. (and will – actually, if you click on the name you’ll be taken to their site)  One more thought:  When I listened to MSNBC comment on the video they continue to FAIL to give the “bottom line” of what this means.  They don’t want to comment on anything that refers to the Nazi’s – I guess it’s a taboo.  But this is the best example I’ve seen of how they use the very philosophy of the Nazi propagandists in manipulating how Americans think.  It’s like they didn’t see the Nazi armbands and flags carried by – what Trump called – the very fine people marching in Charlottesville – a “deplorable” scene that was in the “news” for maybe a week or two.

One more thing:  Agit Pai, the head of the FCC, is who is making all this possible – he’s “tweaking” the “rules” in order to allow the merger mentioned above to happen.  He’s also the person responsible for the attack on “net neutrality.”  EVERY American should know who he is and what he’s doing.  It’s these people who are “under the radar” who are the most dangerous to our republic.  And, as you can see by watching that video, there’s no shortage of Americans willing to forfeit their moral clarity in order to maintain their jobs.  At some point the “reporters” who are willing to soil themselves must realize that ultimately they will be exposed and history is going to look on them very unkindly.  As a teacher I often told my students “doing the right thing is ALWAYS harder than the alternative.”  It really is time for “we the people” to say “ENOUGH ALREADY!”

I used to point out how democrats came across as “lacking a spine.”  Well, in the “world of Trump” the republicans in Congress are making the democrats look like Genghis Khan.  “We the people are now STUCK in a world where our so-called president is AFRAID of Vladimir Putin and the Russians and our republican Congress is AFRAID of our so-called president who’s AFRAID of Vladimir Putin and the Russians.  Whoa!  I feel as if I’m going around in circles!

Since the “election” of Trump back in November of 2016 I’ve been lamenting about the “damage” he’ll manage to do before the republicans in Congress come to their senses and remove him from office.  While I believe I underestimated the DAMAGE, what I’m really surprised about is my underestimating the LACK OF COURAGE of the republican Congress.  I was certain that, if for no other reason, when their jobs were “on the line” they would step up and end this national NIGHTMARE.  I could NEVER have guessed the level of timidity in the republican ranks and the STUPIDITY among the so-called “base.”  So, now we have a situation that’s getting very very serious.  Potentially, a situation where the “DAMAGE” quite possibly could be catastrophic.

There’s no shortage of “experts” who’ve commented on the mental capacity of Mr. Trump in ways that would have us wonder if he’s “all there.”  Clearly, he’s narcissistic beyond measure, he’s a pathological LIAR, and he’s virtually IGNORANT in the ways of our government – AND our history.  He doesn’t understand the legal system – I’m presuming he’s been able to BULLY his way through life while his lawyers have been very busy keeping him out of serious legal jeopardy.  Clearly, Trump is in legal jeopardy NOW “way over his head.”  It appears that, instinctively, his reaction to this dilemma is to LASH OUT at those he envisions are threatening him – which would include – MAINLY – Robert Mueller, the FBI. the so-called “liberal media,” and the intelligence community.  He’s not going down “without a fight.”

Of course, based on a couple decisions he made today, he’s perfectly willing to take “we the people” down with him.  The sooner Trump’s “base” realizes he could care less about them, the better for all of us.  Republican tradition is to START A WAR when your administration is in danger (and, blame it on democrats).  Of course, Nixon didn’t start a war, he just prolonged it during the Watergate years.  Reagan took the “brave” action of invading Granada during a particularly “low” period in his administration.  And, of course, in response to being “hit” on his watch – ie “9/11” – GW Bush chose to invade Iraq – the FIRST time in American history “we the people” invaded another country without being provoked (well, except Granada).  Do you get the picture here?  Trump is very likely getting a “bug” up his “sleeve” thinking he can change the narrative of the Mueller investigation by getting “we the people” mired into a “war of choice.”

And, where better to do this than in Iran?  And, who better for Trump to have close to his side at this strategic time in our history but John Bolton?  He’s the man who wanted to “bomb, bomb, bomb Iran (OK, along with John McCain) back in the Bush/Cheney days.  He’s the man who couldn’t get confirmed to be the ambassador to the United Nations during the Bush/Cheney administration through a republican Senate (because he “makes things up”) so they had to use a “recess appointment” to get him “in.” What did he do as UN Ambassador?  He made enemies for the United States – mainly.  He’s a warmonger!  He not only wants to “bomb Iran” but he also wants to bomb North Korea.  To call Bolton a “hawk” is an understatement.  In addition, Bolton – apparently, a critical “plus” for Trump, is friendly with Russia and Putin.  Trump is replacing his National Security Advisor, HR McMaster (one of the few members of his administration with wide respect) with Bolton.

What did HR McMaster do to draw Trump’s “ire” enough to get fired?  Well, apparently, last week when McMaster lambasted Russia and Putin for the gassing, on British soil, of a former Russian spy – AND his daughter – with a nerve agent that ONLY the Russians possess AND that is globally considered ILLEGAL – that was just too much for Trump.  Just as he FIRED Rex Tillerson for blasting the Russians – in less than 24 hours after Tillerson’s remarks condemning Russia, Trump FIRED McMaster just days after his remarks.  In both cases, the last official remarks of both Tillerson and McMaster were their blistering denouncement of the Russians – which doesn’t go over well in Trump’s “White House.”  Here’s a thought I keep having:  “Mueller needs to speed up his probe” – because, without it, republicans in Congress will look the other way for anything Trump does.  Republicans in Congress are either silent or “retiring” of both.  Either way, “we the people” can have NO confidence they will uphold their duty as sworn to the constitution.

Trump’s “DAMAGE” is getting more and more DANGEROUS.  Here’s the likely scenario which will unfold in the next few weeks.  And, oh, by the way, did I mention Trump fired his lead counsel in the Mueller investigation and replaced him with a TV lawyer from Fox “news.”  I’m not kidding, you can’t make this stuff up.  I’ve digressed……..  OK, here we go:  First, the “Iran deal” which is WORKING and is designed to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear “power” is likely to be a victim of Trump’s STUPIDITY and Bolton’s hawkishness.  Trump will pull America from the agreement.  Now, there’s 6 countries, besides Iran, in the agreement – the United States, Russia, Great Britain, France, China, and Germany.  However, it was the Obama administration which “brokered” the deal (John Kerry was Secretary of State at the time) and even the Soviet foreign minister Sergey Lavrov viewed the deal as critical to Middle East peace.  I believe that because Obama was “for it” is why Trump is “against it.”  Pulling out of this deal is likely the MOST dangerous thing Trump will have done, at that point in time, and it will likely create even more negativity toward the U.S. with her traditional allies.  Whether this would cause the deal to “break up” remains to be seen.  It will certainly further marginalize the United States.

Then there’s North Korea – which is expecting a “face to face” with Trump in the near future.  The way this apparent meeting is coming about is bizarre on its face.  The South Korean ambassador broached the subject in the “Oval Office” one day and Trump simply said, “I’ll do it.”  With not a shred of conversation with any advisors or ANYONE period, for that matter.  I guess the FACT that virtually EVERY “undersecretary” position in the State Department is UNFILLED would be Trump’s thinking as to why he would simply “meet” with Kim Jung un.  I’m guessing Trump will do this – if it happens – “off the cuff.”  Meaning, he won’t even have notes and I doubt he’ll have much preparatory work ahead of time.  Of course, if the meeting happens, Trump will have given Kim pretty much what he wants – and, that is a place on the international stage.  Personally, I believe Trump will go into any meeting with Kim that might happen without even someone to take notes.  If it was with Russians, he’d trust their interpreters – but, who knows in this instance?

OK, but there’s more.  I mentioned above about Trump firing his lead counsel dealing with the “Russia thing,” John Dowd.  Now, I’d be the first to suggest Dowd isn’t like you’re “cream of the crop” when it comes to criminal defense lawyers – but, he’s been replaced by Joe diGenova – A TV LAWYER on Fox “news.”  Again, I’m not kidding – really, you couldn’t make something like this up and have normal people believe you.  Maybe Trump is thinking any charges Mueller brings will be litigated in front of “Judge Judy.”  I’m serious when I say I want to laugh, but, in reality, I have three children and three grand children and this is getting very serious.  As I try to make sense of what Trump is doing, it appears to me he’s about to go after Mueller.  The republicans have been SO timid to this point in his term that it appears he fears them NOT.  He’s thinking he can end the Russia “probe” simply by Firing Mueller.  Of course, he’ll have to FIRE Rod Rosenstein first – and, maybe others – if there are still true patriots in our Justice Department at the highest levels.  After the McCabe fiasco, maybe Trump will urge Jeff Sessions to do what he did with McCabe and ignore the FACT he’s recused so he (Sessions) can FIRE Mueller.  (Maybe Sessions “unrecused” himself to “get” McCabe because he found out McCabe had initiated an investigation into his LYING before Congress – on multiple occasions)

I can virtually GUARANTEE you if Mueller is FIRED the demonstrations in the streets will make the “women’s march” look like a Sunday School picnic.  And, if republicans let Trump get away with it, the “blood bath” in November’s election will be intensified.  Here’s what I’m wondering, will republicans allow this to happen and then simply “retire” in huge numbers to avoid getting voted out of office?  This all is getting beyond strange to me.  If there was one thing I always thought you could count on with republicans was they wouldn’t “collude” with the Russians – not even to get elected.  The FACT republican members of the House are willing to turn their backs on what happened in the election is almost unbelievable to me.  I keep asking myself, “what would they be doing had Obama done what Trump apparently did?”  They certainly wouldn’t be “short circuiting” the investigations.

Here’s the deal.  It’s time for republicans to put their “big boy pants” on.  Trump has committed numerous “high crimes and misdemeanors,” he’s a clear and present danger to the security of the United States of America, and it will be on them – the republicans – if my worst fears (and, trust me, I’m not alone) are realized.  Democrats are in the unenviable position of having virtually NO POWER to do anything about this.  It’s ALL on the republicans.  Trump is taking them, he’s taking their base, and, unfortunately, the rest of us, for a “ride.”  Of course, the tax scam that is going to ruin our economy was done with the full approval of all these republicans who are now experiencing “lock jaw” when they should be standing up for our nation.

I’ve spent over a year trying to understand why Trump NEVER says anything negative about Vladimir Putin or the Russians and, just as curiously, I’ve wondered what will it take to get the republican Congress to act in stopping Trumps bludgeoning of our most sacred traditions.  For all those white people in the “rust belt” who believed Trump would bring their jobs back, WAKE UP!  Your jobs were, for the most part, lost to technology.  Trump’s NOT “draining the swamp” he’s FILLING it fuller with MORE refugees from Goldman Sachs and other Wall Street firms.  Trump’s tax scam was money he BORROWED from “we the people” and MOST of it’s going to the top 1%.  Is that what you call “draining the swamp?”  I could go on and on with why those who are Trump’s “base” are getting scammed – but, they’ve been getting scammed by Fox, Limbaugh, Savage, and the other members of the right wing propaganda machine for years.  It’s time to WAKE UP!  This is much more serious than anything that’s happened before – maybe even before today.  The SCANDALS keep piling on top of each other.  “We the people” have to fight cynicism.

I’m not sure what is worse about all this.  If Trump goes after Mueller and the republicans allow him to get away with it – well, at some point in our future “we the people” will be able to recover.  However, if we end up with a war in Iran or a war in North Korea, then we’re possibly talking about anything from MILLIONS of casualties to the possibility of nuclear war – which conceivably could wipe out civilization.  Honestly, I can’t believe I’m even thinking this let alone writing it.  Go figure – that the person crazy enough to create this potential scenario would come from America.  “We the people” need to somehow STOP this madman from going any farther than he has.  He appears to me to be coming “unhinged” and, now we’re talking about more than just the national security of the United States.  Come on republicans, DO YOUR DUTY!

I guess it’s going to take a two by four to the side of the head for some republicans to accept what Trump is doing to their party and, more importantly – from my perspective, to our country.  And, then some of them still won’t “get it.”  I saw Jim Jordan from Texas (republican in the House “freedom caucus”) on TV the other day on MSNBC and he was embarrassing.  The guy is totally defensive for Trump and he has a very poor grasp of the facts.  He’s adopted the “but Hillary” defense of Trump and, I guess, is suggesting that since Mrs. Clinton used a private email server when Secretary of State (exactly as had Condoleeza Rice and Colin Powell) it’s OK to look the other way from Russia ATTACKING our nation!  These people really are what Mrs. Clinton referred to them as during the campaign: deplorables!

The evidence of why Trump NEVER says a bad word about Vladimir Putin continues to mount.  Again, for most republicans, there may not be enough evidence for them to be willing to actually take defense of the basic fundamentals to our democracy seriously.  After all, it is the republican party that Putin and the Russians were helping.  I’ve long said republicans believe the end justifies the means – I just NEVER could have imagined getting help from Russia would be acceptable – even to them.  (Keep in mind, the Koch brothers’ fortune was originally made in Russia during the days of Stalin – so, who knows?)

Now, we find out that Cambridge Analytica, the data collection firm which the Trump campaign used to focus their FAKE news during the campaign, STOLE Facebook profiles from 50 MILLION unsuspecting Americans and used it to guide their internet advertising and propaganda campaign.  This is the company founded by Robert and Rebecca Mercer along with Steve Bannon who was the “brains” behind Trump’s campaign upset victory.  I’m presently reading “Devil’s Bargain” subtitled “Steve Bannon, Donald Trump, and the Storming of the Presidency,” and NOTHING regarding the revelations about Cambridge Analytca surprises me after reading this book.  The Mercer’s are the MONEY behind Trump and, before he was kicked out of Trump’s “orbit” and out of Breitbart “news,” Mr. Bannon was the “brain.”  Bannon is as unscrupulous as they come – and, in addition to orchestrating the Trump disaster on America, this combo of right wing extremists (the Mercer’s and Bannon) played a significant role in the Brexit situation in Great Britain.  Pure and simple, they are “white nationalists.”

Whether Bannon and the Mercer’s are part of the collusion stuff with Trump and Russia remains to be seen.  However, as we learn more and more about what Cambridge Analytica was doing in the campaign for Trump, it’s becoming clearer to me they very likely were involved in helping the Russians TARGET their FAKE NEWS in such a sophisticated manner that people all around the world have been scratching their collective heads.  How were the Russians able to be so precise with the Facebook advertising they did during the campaign for Trump and against Mrs. Clinton?  Keep in mind, Steve Bannon had been targeting Hillary Clinton for several years prior to the election in anticipation she would be the democratic nominee.  In addition, he had employed David Bossie, of the infamous “Citizens United” Supreme Court decision that has allowed republicans to CORRUPT America’s politics beyond many people’s abilities to imagine – certainly mine.  But, do you really think Bannon would turn down help from the Russians?

Almost in parallel, the Russians were sending TARGETED messages to Trump supporters and, TARGETED negative ads toward Clinton supporters in much the same manner the Trump campaign was doing the same.  And, MOST of this “TARGETING” appears to have been based off of the STOLEN Facebook data no one knew about until this past week.  I’ve always felt Steve Bannon was not as innocent as he tried to portray himself while in the “White House” as he was constantly in a “battle” with Jared Kushner and the other Trump “progeny.”  Well, it was Kushner, himself, who apparently “hired” Cambridge Analytica during the campaign, but I can’t bring myself to believe that the Mercer’s and Bannon had nothing to do with that decision.  As I was listening to the details of how Cambridge Analytica collected this STOLEN data, it seemed implausible to me that Bannon wasn’t the driving force behind the “theft.”  As was clear in “Devil’s Bargain” Bannon has NO scruples – possibly rivaled in that trait by only Trump himself.

The Mercer’s have a lot of money (Billions) and Bannon has a lot of money so they will be able to put up a spirited defense of their actions from the campaign, but I’m guessing Robert Mueller is going to want to talk to Bannon again – if not to the Mercer’s as well.  Just as Trump seems to think he’s above the law, I get the same feeling regarding Bannon.  Well, they both could be in for a big surprise.  This revelation today, could add months to the “Russian investigation” because this could be the link that proves the COLLUSION.  For anyone still confused on the “collusion” issue, that “boat sailed” the day we all learned about the June 9, 2016 meeting Don Trump Jr., Kushner, and Paul Manafort had with the Russians offering incriminating evidence on Mrs. Clinton straight from the Kremlin.  Just attending that meeting was COLLUSION – no matter what they got from it!

And, the cover-up of that meeting via the letter composed on Air Force One by Donald Trump Sr. with the help of Stephen Miller, Hope Hicks, and others was “obstruction of justice.”  Of course, there are at least three instances which could be easily interpreted as “obstruction of justice” (that I can tell) since Trump took the “oath” of office,  and maybe more.  In fact, I’m guessing the FIRING OF Andrew McCabe will ultimately fall into the “obstruction” scenario Mueller ultimately comes up with.  But, now, the issue of COLLUSION (TREASON) seems to be right back on the “table” and there are several possible “characters” involved.  Wouldn’t it be interesting if we had a situation where Donald Trump and Steve Bannon were testifying against each other.  Personally, despite his comments to the contrary, I don’t consider Trump to be very smart.  I can see a scenario where Bannon was busy working with the Russians with Trump in the dark.  (of course, that would not excuse the cover-up and the clear OBSTRUCTION of justice by Trump – on multiple fronts)

I was a sixth grade teacher for the last third of my working lifetime (actually, almost half) and, as I’ve said several times on this site, I’ve always thought Trump reminds me of a sixth grade BULLY.  Bullies often have trouble with “telling the truth.”  We used to tell kids who had a propensity to LIE, “tell the truth, there’s less to remember.”  Well, obviously, no one ever got through to Trump with that thought, and he’s getting pushed more and more into a corner.  Like MOST bullies, he’s lashing out at those who he thinks he can intimidate, but many of his present “adversaries” aren’t being intimidated by his idle threats (a common trait of bullies).  So, this COLLUSION thing is about to really engulf Trump’s “orbit.” Could his attempt to fire Mueller be getting near?  Earth to republicans, if that happens, you’re officially “on the spot.”

Will Trump lash out to “protect” his children?  Will he fight even harder to protect the reason he’s so AFRAID of Vladimir Putin????  I’d say Jared Kushner is a likely candidate to have a lot of explaining about his role in the parallels between the Russian Fake news and the Cambridge Analytica Fake news – and, his involvement in both situations.  Just as the emails STOLEN from the Clinton campaign were STOLEN illegally, I have to assume the data STOLEN by Bannon and company was STOLEN illegally.  The “you know what” seems to be headed straight for the fan!

It’s hard to keep up with Trump’s scandals.  This Cambridge Analytica situation, while extremely serious, isn’t the only thing “hitting the fan” for Trump these days.  Now, the women who he’s attempted to BULLY are coming forward and FIGHTING BACK.  That’s the one thing Bullies hate – is when their victims FIGHT BACK!  Well, the adult film actress, Stormy Daniels (aka Stephanie Clifford) is fighting back very aggressively and she’s got an attorney who appears to me to be far more sophisticated than the attorneys Trump is able to get (he’s “stiffed” so many lawyers in the past, many won’t work for him – plus, he’s a terrible client because he won’t follow their advice) and, Ms. Clifford is GOING to have her “day in court” – it just may be in the “court of public opinion.”  I believe what motivated Ms. Clifford to fight back was Trump’s attacks on all the other women since he took office.  And, now, apparently, there are six more women who’ve contacted Ms.Clifford’s lawyer with their own “stories to tell.”  This is going to get more and more interesting.  (Unless you’re Donald Trump)

The bottom line here is that as more and more information becomes public, we see more and more reasons why Trump should NEVER have been president.  This entire disaster is the result of what I’ve been writing about for years – and, that is the steeper and steeper TILT to the right encompassing the republican party.  I can no longer be an independent because I can’t support any candidate that is willing to stand by this president and the people behind the scenes in the republican party.  When Ronald Reagan won the “White House,” for example, David Koch ran on the Libertarian “ticket” for president and got about 1% of the vote.  Of course, David Koch and his brother Charles are the MOST significant financial backers of the republican surge to the “right” – leading to the “tea party” faction which is the base for Trump.  These are the same people who would have been OK with Sarah Palin a few years ago.  And, these are people who, like Bannon, are very sophisticated technologically and willing to “win at all cost.”

They’ve (the Koch’s, the Mercer’s, Bannon, Trump, and others of the same ilk) been a part of the republican propaganda “machine” that, for years, has modeled it’s strategy on the work of Joseph Goebbels, the head of propaganda of the Third Reich back in Nazi Germany.  Goebbels’ “Big Lie Theory” is based on the reality if you “tell a LIE over and over enough, people will believe it’s the truth.  Fox “news,” the right wing talkers on the radio airwaves, and the “leaders” of the republican party all follow this “philosophy” in concert with each other.  And, they have to nurture those who are on the other end of their propaganda.  There’s a reason Trump called people wearing Nazi arm bands and chanting Nazi slogans at Charlottesville last year “very fine people.”  It’s a FACT that upwards of 60% of Trump’s “base” still believe President Obama was born in Kenya.  They still believe that “liberals” have caused the massive deficits.  And, they still believe that Trump is “draining the swamp.”  I could go on and on, but I hope you get the point.

Whether or not we discover Trump and his campaign “colluded” with Russia, to me is no longer the issue.  Trump is a buffoon and he’s enriching himself as president and he’s destroying America’s traditional (since WW II) standing in the world.  He’s already arguably committed numerous “high crimes and misdemeanors” and, if republicans want to have any chance to save their party, it’s time to get this man out of office.  Personally, I believe Mike Pense is also vulnerable to an “obstruction of justice” charge – based on his willingness to LIE in defense of Trump’s “obstruction” – especially, in the FIRING of James Comey (I’ve noticed, for the past month or two, we’re not hearing much from Pense – he likely sees the “writing on the wall”).  Ideally, for “we the people, Trump wouldn’t be impeached until after the November election when democrats are likely to retake the House of Representatives.  If Pense is caught up in the obstruction, the next in line for the presidency is the Speaker of the House.  The thought of Pense or Paul Ryan doesn’t make my stomach that much less queezy than with Trump at the “helm.”

I’ll end this be repeating a thought that I’ve stated several times on the site and that keeps reappearing in my mind.  When I think about how this era of American history will ultimately find its way into the history books, I see Trump and many around him (for example, Devin Nunes, the aforementioned Jim Jordan, Bannon, Trump Jr., Kushner, and others) are headed for a place in American history alongside Benedict Arnold.  Working in concert with a foreign nation to win an election, I believe, will be considered TREASON by MOST Americans – and, much of what Trump is doing which would indicate he would like the same “power” as Putin is counter to what America stands for and, despite her many blemishes, has stood for in her history.  When the final chapter of the Cambridge Analytica “saga” is written, I believe the “collusion” issue may be much clearer!  And, Trump will be even more an anathema to MOST Americans.  Sad!

I truly hope someone who’s a “Trump supporter” reads this post.  I’m getting impatient with anyone in that “camp” along with the republican “water carriers” in Congress who continue to allow America to suffer under the Trump administration and those who surround Trump himself.  This all while Vladimir Putin is busy in places all around the world as it appears he’s attempting to restore the “former Soviet Union” – with Ukraine the first target.  Additionally, Putin is busy attempting to undermine one Western “democracy” after another – most significantly, the United States of America.  By destabilizing America Putin’s challenge is much less daunting.  Therefore, enter Donald Trump.

Apparently it’s going to take incontrovertible evidence that Trump has been marginalized by Putin and the Russians to get republicans to realize the DAMAGE Trump is doing to this nation.  It appears to me the “stuff” goes way deeper than simply a president who’s been compromised by the Russians – once his financial dealings become public, I believe we’re going to see a man tied to whoever he can use to “make a buck” – including members of organized crime.  And, keep in mind, most observers consider the Russian government, under Putin, an international example of organized crime.  For example, the stories of Russian “oligarchs” laundering money are legend.  (Likely, they’ve done so with Trump’s help – as one former intelligence officer put it, either “wittingly or unwittingly”)  Obviously, we’ve watched for over a year as Trump has refused to make one negative statement about Putin and/or the Russians.  (I believe, this past week, he made a “half hearted” comment regarding the alleged poisoning of a spy in Britain by Russia)

Russian hackers are encroaching on many levels of national infrastructure around the world, including power grids, election systems, and who knows what.  They’re apparently using the cyber world to prepare themselves to undermine various functions of nations such as the United States which, in my view, is the nation that SHOULD be responding in kind plus two – but, with Trump at the helm “we the people” have to wonder if there’s some kind of “something” that Putin has on Trump causing him to act in, to me, unbelievable ways.  For example, take the firing of Rex Tillerson.  Less than 24 hours after Tillerson, in a very pointed speech, laid out the most scathing comments about Russian behavior since Trump took office, he was FIRED!  A day or two later, H.R. McMaster “one upped” Tillerson with a speech that certainly caught my attention that maybe, just maybe, “we the people” were going to see our government respond in an appropriate manner to a nation which can’t seem to get out of our or other nation’s “business.”

For heaven’s sake – the Russians are busy KILLING former members of their hierarchy who’ve fled to Great Britain in very KGB manners.  And, to begin with, the only countries condemning their actions were the Brits. Of course, it’s happening on their soil – and the French and the Germans then joined in with the condemnation, but not the USA.  It took Tillerson and McMaster to get the stain off of America’s silence in the face of incontrovertible evidence the Russians are murdering people on British soil with nerve agents that only they possess.  Well, Tillerson was FIRED, as I said above, in less than 24 hours from his comments (and, via a “tweet” no less – that in itself shows what a disgusting person Trump is at heart [if he’s got one]) and, soon after McMaster’s scathing anti-Russian remarks, the “White House” announced McMaster would be FIRED.  Do you really believe their verbal attacks on Russian and Putin had nothing to do with this?  Well, I’ve got a ………….  Something SMELLS really “fishy” here!

The firing of McMaster was “pulled back” – someone must have explained to Trump how this looks – what people in Washington DC refer to as the “optics.”  Well, Trump has no apparent conception of what “the optics” actually means.  His level of narcissism may not have been seen since the early days of Germany (by that, you’re correct, I mean the 1930’s – you figure it out) and, he can’t see beyond his own nose.  Someone talked Trump into NOT firing McMaster – at least not this past week – I’m sure it will happen soon – but, they failed to talk sense into him regarding his vendetta against Andrew McCabe, who was on leave to be retired this Sunday (possibly the date I post this rant) – his day where he’s eligible for retirement.  Jeff Sessions, a man who’s LIED to Congress repeatedly, FIRED McCabe two days before his retirement day (his birthday).  That’s as underhanded as it gets!  Do you see that Sessions is “kissing up” to his “boss?”

McCabe is a man who’s served honorably for over 20 years in the FBI – but, has been in Trump’s “radar” since the “Russia thing” became public.  Presumably, Trump believes a couple things I think are total “fool’s errands.”  First, I believe he thinks McCabe will just “take it.”  Personally, I’ll be surprised if that happens.  I can’t wait to see Trump’s deposition after McCabe takes this to court.  The other thing I believe Trump has miscalculated is the level of camaraderie that exists in the FBI.  If Trump thinks this BULLYING action will affect others in the FBI, including those in the Mueller investigation, I believe he’s got it “ass backwards.”  This will pull them even closer together as they attempt to figure out the TRUTH as to why Trump (and most of his surrogates from the campaign) have been LYING about the “Russia thing.”

Trump clearly believes he should be able to control the Justice Department – he believed Jeff Sessions number one job was to “protect him.”  Just as he’s gone after the free press, he’s gone after the intelligence community, he’s gone after his political opponents, and he has blatantly and arrogantly used his office to his own material gain.  Any and all of these things SHOULD be impeachable offenses.  But, NOOOOOO, the republican Congress just sits idly by thinking they’ve got a man in the oval office who’ll sign anything they can manage to get to his desk.  That’s all they care about!  Most people understand this FACT;  the members of Congress took an oath to the CONSTITUTION not to Trump.  When the smoke clears from all this, I believe you’re going to see many republicans from Congress “hanging up their spikes” – very likely in SHAME.

The racist underpinning of the republican party has LONG been an issue preventing me, a sworn independent, from even considering voting for one of them.  It’s been several years since I have been able to stomach a republican – even though, for example, I really like my own representative – who’s a republican – as a person, but her voting record just won’t work for me.  And, people like her are REQUIRED to vote the “party line” on issues like the “tax scam” and required to LIE to their constituents about the details in the “scam.”  I know she KNOWS better, but if you want to get the MONEY for your re-election bid, well …………………… but, I digress (I do that a lot if you haven’t read many of my posts).

I believe Trump is in with the Russians “up to his ears.”  Why else would he be failing to defend our nation against their attacks?  Why else would Trump be having a “bromance” with Vladimir Putin?  Why else would Trump be attacking our FBI and our free press?  It certainly appears to me he’s HIDING something that’s serious.  However, in my mind, he committed “high crimes and misdemeanors” long ago.  The republicans in Congress are more interested in “circling the wagons” around Trump than defending our nation against this attack from Russian.  For example, the House Intelligence Committee, who’s “charge” was to find out what happened during the election and make recommendations on how to prevent it from happening again, turned into a partisan fiasco led by Devin Nunes – their “chair” who “recused” himself and then “un-recused” himself – an astonishing example of making himself a disgusting “minion” of the so-called president, and they essentially dodged their entire responsibility.  Nunes has RUINED the credibility of this committee, likely, for years to come!  I’ve stated many times the history books will look at Trump, Nunes, and several other members of the republican party – along with the likes of Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, and others in the right wing “talk a sphere” right along side of Benedict Arnold!  Can you imagine their responses had President Obama exhibited this type of behavior?

Trump’s action against McCabe is a clear attempt, once again, to stifle the Mueller investigation.  According to Jeff Sessions, who FIRED him less than 48 hours before he was eligible for retirement, McCabe was not “truthful” in questioning about an anti-Clinton leak he apparently OK’d to be made during the 2016 election.  (Ironically, the leak helped Trump and hurt Mrs. Clinton and was done according to FBI protocol)  McCabe, of course, disputes that claim, and, apparently, was not allowed to defend his own honor – this was an example of political BULLYING – attempting to make McCabe’s testimony to Mueller less credible.  I believe, as stated above, this will only make Mueller focus MORE on the misdeeds of this so-called president.   Personally, I believe Mueller ALREADY has the “goods” on Trump and is simply making his case “air tight” – because, he’s got to anticipate Trump’s reaction to anything that resembles and indictment and he’s got to be prepared to bring a case to the republican Congress that they can’t – even in what “good conscience” some of them may still have – dispute or ignore.

I believe Trump is going to loathe the day he decided to run for president – which was, by many reports, the day President Obama “roasted” him at a dinner in DC several years ago.  There are reasons Trump HATES President Obama, not the least of them being the color of his skin – which is, in my view, why the “Tea party” republicans have chosen to align themselves with Trump.  After all, it was the so-called “birther movement” pushed by Trump that ignited all the racists in America to align themselves with republicans who were adamant in doing everything they could to make sure President Obama failed.  I mean, take Mitch McConnell, almost 700 “filibusters.”  (OK, I’m digressing again) I believe, when all is said and done, from Mueller’s perspective, Trump will have much more to deal with than just “high crimes and misdemeanors.”  As an aside; a little advice to democrats: as republicans continue criticizing Obama, it’s time democrats stand up for our 44th president.  Show some guts!

The question I keep posing in my head is, “will his ‘base’ give a rip?”  I recently drove my son home to Washington State from the Phoenix, Arizona area and, on the way, I listened to a bit of radio.  In my search for “talk radio” all I could find was someone filling in for Michael Savage one night – this guy was something else.  He was eviscerating “liberals” for one stereotyped piece of nonsense after another and then doing exactly what he was accusing “liberals of to his audience.  And, just like how republican audiences “buy” Trump’s LIES “hook, line, and sinker” that appeared to be the case with Savage’s audience.  The LIES were unending and the apparent level of misunderstanding from the “callers” reminded me of the study which claims Fox “news” viewers are less informed than people who don’t access ANY media information.

Then, during the day, I forced myself to listen to Rush Limbaugh for a few minutes and he was also blasting “liberals” – in this instance the students who were apparently walking out of classrooms in protest to the lack of action to prevent school shootings.  Limbaugh was accusing Conor Lamb of attempting to hijack the republican position on the “second amendment” – which is just about as disingenuous as their position on abortion.  Lamb’s victory in the Pennsylvania election has republicans’ attention, but Limbaugh was attempting to “spin” it in his typical DISHONEST manner – Al Franken once wrote a great book about Limbaugh titled “Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat LIAR.”  It’s still true.  (and, before you write something stupid here about Franken and his resigning from the Senate – HE WAS HONEST)  Limbaugh was claiming the district Conor Lamb won was a “democrat district.”  Apparently, despite them voting for Trump by 20%, voting for Romney by near that amount, and voting for McCain by over 10% – plus Lamb will be the FIRST democrat to represent Pennsylvania’s 18th district in over 15 years.  To sum it up, Limbaugh is a “big fat LIAR.”

Then I happened onto Sean Hannity, and it was pretty much the same spiel.  And, the bottom line for all three of the “talkers” I FORCED myself to listen to for at least one segment of their “show” was an attempt to shield Trump from the “Russia thing.”  As with many republican members of Congress, and TOO MANY members of Trump’s “base” – they don’t care if the Russians are attacking our nation.  They’re OBLIVIOUS to what Putin is doing around the world and they are taking NO ACTION to prevent further intrusions from the Russians – which could, for example, be undermining out power grid at an opportune (for them) time.  Clearly, the Russians are attempting to destabilize the American form of government and they’re trying to use our open society against us.  Sadly, they need inside help to do this and it appears they’re getting it from the highest places in our government.  Yikes!  The audience of these right wing talkers have been brainwashed via the “Big Lie Theory” that republican pundits practice in a predatory and organized manner.  The LIES are all strategic and coordinated!  Sad!

So, the bottom line here is that this crap has gone far enough.  It’s time for republicans to stand up and remove Trump from office.  They have an OBLIGATION to the constitution to “do their duty.”  If they continue to procrastinate, then it’s up to “we the people” to REMOVE them from office in record numbers come November – so, that we can take matters into our own “hands.”  Of course, it’s highly unlikely that democrats will retake the Senate until at least 2020, but republicans need to know that more and more Americans are sick of their corrupt obsession with POWER and lack of concern for our nation.  Trump is going to DESTROY the republican party unless they wake up, and soon.  This is getting dangerous.  There’s not a republican in Congress that can justify what was done to Andrew McCabe.  That action showed Trump’s mean spirit and Sessions lack of courage – apparently, he’s going to do whatever he can to regain Trump’s “approval.”  This is all so disgusting I can’t believe it’s happening in our nation.  I’ve come to the conclusion the people who continue to support Trump are willingly STUPID!  And, for my Christian brethren, shame on you.  The abortion issue is not worth sacrificing the fundamentals of our nation.  Wake up!  (If you really don’t understand what’s happening, read the story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer – if you’re able to read, as opposed to getting your “info” from the likes of Hannity and Limbaugh – you’ll discover a true Christian!)

Recently I spent a couple months in Pittsburgh in the district which is having a “special election” for the House of Representatives.  Therefore, I was able to watch – on the few times I watched TV – the flood of political adds from the two candidates : Rick Saccone, the Republican (Trump crony) and Conor Lamb, the democrat (a moderate democrat who’s an ex Marine and former federal prosecutor, although still only 33 years old).  For the most part, the Lamb commercials were about Lamb’s “vision” for the nation and what he would do if elected for his district.  One commercial I remember showed him firing a weapon at a shooting range to make sure people in the district understood he “supports the second amendment.”  (I’m personally not sure many Americans even have a basic understanding of the second amendment, but I digress…..)  Saccone’s commercials were almost 100% DISHONEST attack adds on Lamb attempting to tear him down in the eyes of the voters.  I guess republicans do this because it must work.

Two or three days ago I listened to Trump give a speech in support of Saccone (although, he hardly mentioned Saccone – at one point I thought he forgot his name) where most of the speech was actually (surprise, surprise) about Trump boasting about Trump.  In the process he made racist remarks about Maxine Waters and Elizabeth Warren (I only directly heard the Waters remark – I was driving and heard about 40 minutes of his speech which I learned was almost half of his bloviating.) and called “Sleepy Chuck Todd” a “Son of a bitch.”  There was more, but that’s what I remember about the people he was attacking.  In addition, of course, Trump made one LIE after another with the crowd cheering each one – and, sadly, cheering the racist comments as well.

So, today (I’m out of town again and listening to the XM radio on my car) I had to listen to Mr. Saccone, himself, as he accused Lamb and his supporters of HATING Trump (in  some cases I’m relatively sure that would be correct.  Personally, I don’t HATE Trump, I despise him and what he stands for) HATING America, and HATING God.  Not once did he say anything about what he stands for – with the exception that if it’s OK with Trump it’s OK with Saccone.  Then Trump’s deplorable son, Trump Jr., grabbed the mike and continued the attacks.  Claiming his father is putting “Americans first” and, curiously, calling democrats “obstructionists.” Sadly, those in the small crowd listening to him seemed to get sucked in.  (Honestly, do you really think an ex Marine, and ex federal prosecutor “hates America and hates God?”)

Evidently, Trump Jr. and the republicans in Pennsylvania in his audience have very short memories.  As far as being “obstructionists” the democrats can’t even hold a “candle” to the republicans and what they  did during the eight years of the Obama administration.  Which, despite their obstruction, President Obama was able to lead a turnaround from the “Great Recession” to the point of giving Trump an economic reality that was on a steady seven year climb upward.  The unemployment figures that Trump mocked in the campaign all of a sudden looked pretty good to him once he took office.  Of course, neither Trump Jr. or Mr. Saccone, would mention any of that AND they wouldn’t tell the republican victims of their bloviating that Trump’s “tax scam” gives the Trump family BILLIONS and leaves the bill for those in the audience.

Neither Trump, his son, nor Saccone, in anything I heard, mentioned that the pittance they might save via the portion of the “tax scam” they MIGHT receive (82% goes to the top 1%) will be more than offset by their rising health care costs – if they’re not part of the estimated 13 MILLION Americans due to lose health insurance in the next couple of years because of the “scam.”  Additionally, I’m certain they didn’t mention that the “pittance” aimed at working people – from the “tax scam” – will expire in a few years – AND – it “dwindles between now and then.”  “We the people” will be paying more because of this republican scam.  Ah, but there’s MORE!  The entirety of the “scam” is BORROWED money – from where I’m not sure (China?).

I’ve come to the conclusion that the true “right wingers” in America have NO concern about the deficit – as long as they can be the benefactors of it.  To them, this is just the Fed printing more money and there’s not even a moment of thought about paying it back – we’ll let our children and grandchildren worry about that.  They will complain about the democrat who takes Trump’s place regarding the HUGE deficit they’re likely to pass on and actually BLAME whoever that might be for creating it.  AND, the Fox “news” crowd will believe them.

As I listened to Trump’s speech (and, believe me, it was difficult) I think what bothered me the most was the cheering coming from the audience for the racist comments, the vulgar comments, and all the LYING.  The American voters are showing the rest of the world that we haven’t truly overcome our “darker angels.”  These are the people who still believe that Barack Obama was not born in the United States.  They’ve been sucked into the republican propaganda machine that willingly “took in” the “tea party” faction which resulted from America electing her first person of color as president.  This group has continued to push the republican party farther to the “right” since the 2010 mid terms and the result is Trump, clearly part of the “white nationalist” movement in America.  (Yes, that means racists – the other day Steve Bannon professed to be PROUD to be called a racist)

I don’t, at all, believe all republicans who support Trump fall into that category because I believe Fox, Limbaugh, Breitbart, and other media outlets – who ALL practice the BIG LIE THEORY of the Third Reich – have been busy brainwashing “white America” for the past 30 years.  What is most frightening to them, in my view, is that America will soon become a “majority minority” nation and they’re grasping to save their “white privilege.”  Especially in places like the “rust belt” (Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan, etc.) where good manufacturing jobs have become much more scarce – and, in some places, non-existent – the people are looking for someone to blame.  Trump has tapped into this fear (of no good jobs) and has ginned up HATE for “immigrants.”  (Yes, I know, we’re ALL immigrants – our country is made up of immigrants – targeting “immigrants” is not a new phenomenon in America)

Trump is promising jobs that WON’T come back (In fact, I’ve heard reports the “tax scam” is actually encouraging some corporations to move even MORE jobs “overseas”) – they’ve been lost to technology; robots are replacing workers in many situations.  In fact, many are saying Trump’s recent spur of the moment decision to impose steel and aluminum tariffs will cost way more jobs than it saves.  Trump is not proficient in American history as he’s proven many times.  (for example, Fredrick Douglass is not still with us)  There’s a “truism:” “Those who ignore history are bound to repeat it.”  Just sayin……….. (it takes about 20% of the “manpower” necessary to make a ton of steel compared to even 10 years ago – due to advances in technology)

The reason Trump and Trump Jr. are in Pennsylvania’s 18th district is similar to why Trump, earlier, was in Alabama stumping for Roy Moore (an accused pedophile).  Pennsylvania 18 SHOULD be a SAFE republican House seat.  Trump won this district by 20 points in the 2016 election and many pundits call it “Trump country.”  The FACT the election is likely to be close, just that FACT is making republicans nervous.  If Lamb wins, well……………

While, as Trump claimed, Pennsylvania didn’t put him into the “White House,” it was a key victory for Trump.  And, it was large majorities in places like the 18th district which helped “carry the day.”  This election is being viewed as a referendum on Trump – and democrats, either way, are claiming “victory” because if Lamb loses it’s likely to be by a very small margin. (much less than 20%) If Saccone wins, Trump will take the credit, if he loses, Trump will publicly excoriate him as a terrible candidate and Trump will claim credit for making it close.  You can take that prediction “to the bank.”  (I’m planning to post this prior to the polls closing – probably without editing – so, my apologies in advance – after all, I’m just a retired 6th grade teacher. – Trump reminds me of a 6th grade level spoiled BULLY)

From what I’ve heard from Lamb, I believe he’s the type of candidate democrats need to encourage to run for office in EVERY election in the country.  He’s young, he’s energetic, he’s honorable (ex Marine), he’s bright (he’s also a former prosecuting attorney), and from what I’ve heard from him and seen from his adds, he’s HONEST.  Wouldn’t that be nice if “we the people” started expecting that trait from our leaders????  While I was in Pittsburgh, what I really liked was that MOST of Lamb’s ads were positive and reflected who he is.  My view was the level of negativity coming from Saccone and misrepresenting him forced Lamb to make a few ads attacking Saccone.  I left at the end of January, so I don’t know how the campaign evolved since then – but, my feeling, at the time, was – again – I’d love to see democrats (and, republicans, for that matter) support candidates like Lamb.  “We the people” need NEW, YOUNGER leadership in Congress – in my view.  And, we need members of Congress that will “work across the isle” as Lamb appears to have a willingness to do.

Of course, republicans have shown no sign of a willingness to do the same since Newt Gingrich instilled the OBSTRUCTION “strategy” at the beginning of Bill Clinton’s first term as president.  But Lamb’s campaign is pointing, whether he wins or not, to the FACT that a significant MAJORITY of Americans are opposed to Trump and where the republicans are at this point in time.  Unless something drastic happens, it appears to me the democrats are going to win a lot of House seats next fall.  It looks near impossible for the democrats to take control of the Senate, so without republican help, Trump is likely to be the republican candidate for president in 2020.  For the good of the long term outlook of America, voting in younger, progressive, honorable, pragmatic members of Congress is a great place to start.  When Trump started his campaign in 2015 America was the greatest nation on the face of the earth.  By the time Trump is defeated, it will be time to “make America great again.”  I believe, when all is said and done, Conor Lamb might be considered one of the initial “building blocks” of that process! (whether he wins or “loses” – to me, he’s already “won” because his campaign was mostly positive and it’s got the attention of many in America’s political realm – don’t forget, he’s running as a democrat in “Trump country”)

Final Thought: I don’t really want to “coach” the republican party, but if you want to save your “brand” my suggestion is, when Mueller completes his investigation, honor your oath to the constitution and IMPEACH this president who’s ALREADY committed “high crimes and misdemeanors.”  As you’re watching his DANGEROUS unraveling, think about the security of our nation ahead of your party loyalty.  Think about what you really want to be defined as “standing for.”  Just as Trump is creating long term DAMAGE to America, he’s turning the republican party into the “cesspool” of the alt right.  There’s got to be enough of you who will come to your senses and put this nation first.  The reality is the atmosphere around the “ship of state” is getting way too STORMY!