home  |   archived 'issues & thoughts" 2016 thru 2020  | photos

Negativity - The Hallmark Of GOP & Conservatives

Shameful Behavior Not New - Descriptive"Doomerism" Term Is New

On-air personalities at Fox News like to infer that the majority of Americans have Trump derangement syndrome.  Huh?  Trump derangement syndrome is a pejorative term, usually for criticism or negative reactions to former United States president Donald Trump.  Not familiar with the term?  Just watch Jesse Waters, the fellow who began his Fox-n-Friends career doing "man on the street interviews" ... you know the kind of "news clip" by a camera crew and angry white male reporter armed with a microphone seeking to find a minority citizen somewhere in an urban setting, perhaps interviewing an angry Black woman spouting off about wanting another Obama-phone!  (Seriously.  Forget the reality that the program Fox News keeps digging up began when Ronald Reagan was in the White House.)

So with that back-drop it's interesting to read in USA Today, today (April 22, 2024), the application of a new descriptive term: Doomerism.  "The same voices that have been denying climate change for decades now have added what’s known as doomerism to their toolbox – saying it’s too late and there’s no hope."  That's perfect - just in time for the upcoming election. [Link to article in USA Today]

posted 04.22.24 

Trump's former cabinet universally say: NO ... do not re-elect the creep

Even those die-hard supporters of Donald J. Trump have to be second guessing their choice for the next President of the US of A.  The people who worked closest with the Donald during his 1st term are speaking out against Trump and actively advocating that voters opt to re-elect Joe Biden instead.  Consider what these Republicans have said:

◄  U.S. Marine Corps General John F. Kelly - former White House chief of staff.  (Before serving as chief of staff Kelly was Secretary of Homeland Security.)  The combat veteran says Trump is "... a person that has no idea what America stands for and has no idea what America is all about."  Kelly was critical that Trump had no respect or appreciation for the military personnel who lost their lives protecting America, like when DJT said Senator John McCain was “not a war hero. He was a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured.”

►  Gen. Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said recently: "We don’t take an oath to a king or a queen or to a tyrant or a dictator. And we don’t take an oath to a wannabe dictator ... we take an oath to the Constitution."

◄  General James Mattis - Secretary of Defense ... Describes Trump as a threat to the Constitution [The Atlantic magazine link].  "Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people; does not even pretend to try. Instead he tries to divide us." [Full text of Mattis' 2020 statement.]

►  William Barr, former Attorney General: "Donald Trump knew well he lost the election.”  Barr has repeatedly criticized Trump and does not support him for the 2024 GOP nomination.  “I’m worried that his style of governance, his continuing to pander to anger and frustration versus a constructive approach to solving our problems, is going to be chaotic and not accomplish very much,” he added. [News link]

◄  Sarah Matthews deputy press secretary warned the public that Donald Trump's rhetoric has recently become “more unhinged,” and called on voters to listen closely to his language. “I mean, he’s trying to prey on people’s worst instincts and get them angry and riled up and that’s something he tends to do, but it’s just the rhetoric that he’s using is really concerning to me now,” Matthews said.

►  Elaine Chao former Secretary of Labor (GW Bush Admin.) & Transportation Secretary (team Trump) in testimony to the House Select Committee on January 6th insurrection: "the events on Jan. 6 were shocking.  And it was something that I could not put aside," she said."

◄  Mark Esper - Former Secretary of Defense says Donald Trump is ‘unfit for office.’  “He puts himself before country,” Esper says, adding, “To me that’s shortcoming number one, and then I believe he has integrity and character issues as well.”

► John Bolton  former national security adviser: "Trump is unfit to be president," Bolton said about the 17 months he spent in Trump's first administration. "... his first four years were bad, and a second term will be worse."

posted 03.28.24 - the people who saw 1st hand how incompetent the Donald is - and can not be allowed to hold public office again, ever.

Simply Saying Trump Is Unfit Won't Keep Him Out Of Office ... Spoilers Will Benefit Trump

Voting For A 3rd Party Candidate Is Like Voting For Trump!

David Jolly, former GOP Congressman from Florida, says Pence needs to say: voter for Joe!

A few days ago former Veep, Mike Pence suspended his campaign for the Presidency, but he says he can't endorse Trump and emphasized the obvious fact that Trump is unfit for office.  Well great.  The majority of us have said that for nearly 8-yrs. 

I am assuming by making that announcement Pence is urging Trump's MAGA base to bail on the guy, too.  Makes perfect sense - provided their vote is not wasted on a 3rd party candidate.  Shades of 2016 when Gary Johnson, Evan McMullin and Jill Stein combined secured 4.88% of the vote.  Clinton won the popular vote but as long as we still have the cumbersome, antiquated Electoral College deciding the presidential election, a handful of votes in a key "swing district" could screw the outcome, just as we experienced in 2016. 

Be a Biden Republican.  Former Republican Congressman David Jolly said the other day that defectors like Pence need to not just say they don't support Trump ... these folks need to say that they are voting for Joe Biden.  Don't waste the vote.  Cast your vote for the only candidate who can beat Trump in both the electoral college and popular vote.  Just as the Reagan Democrats tipped the election for the Gipper in 1980, the Biden Republicans could do the same for Biden in 2024.

03.30.24

Sounds like that lender JG Wentworth: "Need Cash Now?"

We interrupt our regularly scheduled update to extend our best wishes to all those celebrating St. Patrick's Day this weekend.  With Donald Trump losing all of his legal cases adjudicated thus far, he owes nearly a half a billion dollars in fines ... which mean he's back on the campaign trail grifting like the con-artist he is.  Here are the legal cases Trump has lost (and the cash it's costing him) since his 2016 electoral college victory:

♥  2018  $25 million settlement for 'victims of Donald Trump's fraudulent university'  [Link to news story]
♥  2019  $2 Million Trump has to pay to 8 Charities for Misuse of Foundation [Link to news story]
♥  2023  $5 million ... A jury found Donald Trump liable for sexually abusing advice columnist E. Jean Carroll in 1996. [Link to news story]
♥  2024  fined another $83.3 million, Trump is found guilty AGAIN of defamation of E. Jean Carroll.  He just can't keep his mouth shut!  [Link]
♥  2024  fined $454.2 million ... Trump and his organization loses New York state civil fraud case. (This time he's got company: Allen Weisselberg, CFO Trump organization and DJT's 3 adult children.)  Oh, BTW, did you catch the news last week?  "Allen Weisselberg pleads guilty to perjury".  The Associated Press says that's: "his 2nd stint behind bars after serving 100 days last year for dodging taxes on company perks.")

Add 'em up.  It comes to $569.5 million.  That's over a half of a billion dollars, and so far Trump still has several cases pending.  There's the "Documents Are Mine!" case - boxes upon boxes of documents he is not entitled to have in his possession.  Then there's the Stormy Daniels election fraud case, and the January 6th Insurrection case. And finally, the Georgia racketeering case we'll call: "I just need 11,780 votes" case (the number of votes Trump lost by in GA).  Financial experts familiar with Trump's business and the legal quandary he's in say that Trump likely doesn't have that kind of cash ... he'll have to liquidate many, many assets and may still be facing jail time if/when these cases go to trial.  Trump has already started raising cash with a host of confusing new "endorsements" like his flip-flop on social media giant TikTok. ABC News reports that Trump met with billionaire Jeff Yass at a donor retreat for Club for Growth, a conservative advocacy group.  Yass’s investment company, Susquehanna International Group, bought a large stake in ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, in 2012.  Money talks.

But Trump's a great businessman, a few of his supporters still assert.  Oh really?  Consider his track-record:  in the past 34-yrs the Donald has filed for bankruptcy 6 times.  Six times.   [Link to news article.]

1. Trump’s Taj Mahal opened in April 1990 in Atlantic City In July 1991 filed for bankruptcy.
2. & 3. Trump could not keep up with debts on two other Atlantic City casinos, and those two properties declared bankruptcy in 1992.
4. Plaza Hotel in New York, declared bankruptcy in 1992 after amassing debt.
5. Trump Hotels and Casinos Resorts filed for bankruptcy again in 2004, after accruing about $1.8 billion in debt.
6. Trump Entertainment Resorts also declared bankruptcy in 2009.

Great business-people do not consistently drive their business operations into the ground. 
posted 03.14.24

Actually Things Are Really, REALLY Swell ... Numbers Back It Up

A couple months ago I wrote here about the amazing national economic data that has been growing, positively, during the Biden Administration.  MSNBC's Chris Hayes featured the news on his TV program - which you can see online.  I've "archived" the January 19th, article because Hayes provided an update this week on his program: All In.  [You smart little devil, you! Of course I'll give you a link to the March 12, 2024 show so that you can see for yourself - and have good news that you can share with friends and neighbors!] 

All-In with Chris Hayes [link: https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/must-see-trump-v-biden-in-21-charts-206399045696]

• Gross Domestic Product (GDP): up. "The US economy expanded an annualized 3.2% in Q4 2023," say the folks at Trading Economics. Which country has the highest GDP? Based on the most recent data available from the World Bank, the leading global economy is ours!  United States: $25.44 trillion China: $17.96 trillion, Japan $4.25 trillion... [Link]
• Consumer Price Index: after inflation reached 9% it has been steadily declining. Currently: 3.15%.
• Stock Market: since Joe Biden was inaugurated the Dow Jones Industrial Average is up 25.369%.  Just last month the market set a new all-time high (39,282-points on 02.23.24). [Link]
• Employment:  “When President Biden took office, the unemployment rate was 6.3%. Today, it is just 3.4%. That’s the lowest in 54 years,” says Commerce Sec't Secretary Gina Raimondo.  The Commerce Dept's website also notes: "In addition ... near record low unemployment among the Black population (5.4%) and Hispanic population (4.5%). Job growth was widespread, led by gains in leisure and hospitality, professional and business services, and health care."
• Energy: while the radical right continues to whine about Keystone XL Pipeline, with serious, hard-working people in-charge ... get this, Peter freaking Navarro:  the US of A is producing more oil today than any other country in history.  That's crude oil and petroleum liquids.  Read the news for yourself: direct from right-leaning Oil & Gas Journal.  [Link]
• Violet crime: down.  Data from over 200 cities shows a decline of more than 12%.  Here's an encouraging article for those who can use some good news: "Violent crime is dropping fast in the U.S. — even if Americans don't believe it" - NPR [yep, another handy link.]

Hayes highlighted over 20 data points on his MSNBC show March 12th (Link - watch it)! 
posted 03.14.24

Biden Challenges MAGA Disinformation

 President demonstrates his mental acuity & sharpness during State of the Union

Some quotes really stood out during last week's State of the Union address ...

Highlight: Insurrectionists must pay.   Even members of Congress who supported the rioters (before, during & after the attack) should be held to account for their efforts to destroy democracy.

“Here’s the simple truth: you can’t love your country only when you win,” Biden said.

Highlight: Supreme Court over-reach.   constitutional scholars say it was settled law; women had the right for nearly 50-yrs to make medical decisions with their doctor - not the government.

"With all due respect, justices, women are not without electoral or political power,” Biden said. "You’re about to realize just how much.” 

Highlight: abortion.  The majority of Americans support a woman's right to determine her own reproductive health.

“Clearly those bragging about overturning Roe v. Wade have no clue about the power of women in America,”  Biden said.

Highlight: no nationwide abortion ban.  Specifically regarding the right-wing desire to implement a national abortion ban, President Biden asks, rhetorically: 

“My god, what other freedoms would you take away?”

Posted 03.11.24 - "So many highlights from the speech - it's hard to drill down to just a couple of fav's," says Mike. "But it was interesting to watch Speaker Mike Johnson struggling to find clues when it was or was not appropriate for Trump's Congressional delegation to applaud, stand or make grimacing faces whenever he perceived that he was s'posed to disagree with the President."

A Few Reactions While Reading "Sedition Hunters"

 ... it's a worthy read for all Americans.

Normally I wait 'til I'm finished reading a book before offering a few comments.  But while I'm thoroughly engrossed reading journalist Ryan Reilly's book: Sedition Hunters, I'm eager to share a few thoughts ... like the quote used in the graphic I created below.  (Yes, most all art and graphics on this webpage have been compiled or assembled by yours truly).  Some books warrant use of a highlighter ... this would be one such book, rich in details of the January 6th Insurrection - leading up to the event as well as the aftermath ... including the record number of those charged with crimes "pleading guilty"!  It's rather difficult to call something a hoax when a ton of the participants confess to their crimes. 

I do acknowledge that initially those prosecuted were the low level grunts who battled their way into the US Capitol, and not the ring leaders.  But several of the leaders have since been charged, found guilty, and sentenced to significant prison time.  Examples:

► Henry "Enrique" Tarrio, former leader of the Proud Boys, was sentenced to 22-years. 
► Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the far-right militia group Oath Keepers: 18-years.
► Ethan Nordean, U.S. military veteran, also sentenced to 18-years in prison.  
► Joseph Biggs, Proud Boys leader, sentenced to 17-years.
► Zachary Rehl, president of the Proud Boys' Philadelphia chapter, sentenced 15-years.
► Peter Schwartz - 14-yrs ... guilty assaulting a police officer.
► Kelly Meggs was sentenced to 12-years.
 

I wish there was a simple way to download information like this directly into the minds of Trump's MAGA followers ... because likely there are a few "believers" who simply are misinformed.  The election deniers in Congress (147 Congressmen who voted to overturn the election results just hours AFTER the riot at the Capitol) oughta' be prosecuted too.  The charge?  Oh, Jiminy Creepers, I'm no lawyer ... but I would think lying to one's constituents must have some consequence.  But what if the base of voters are part of that 1st group of fools who actually believe this BS?  What if that election denier is related to you?   America can only overcome this challenge if the majority of people know the facts and make sound decisions ... decisions like" when to drop Uncle Harry or Aunt Karen from the guest list for the next family function.

Sedition Hunters by Ryan Reilly is proving to be a good place to start one's self-education.
posted with a smile: 03/10/24  (Mike's smiling 'cuz his master-bathroom shower renovation is nearly complete!)
PS: the quote in the bubble above can be found on pg. 194 of Ryan's excellent, informative book.

Difficult Communicating With People When They've Buried Their Heads In Sand

 ... or, perhaps buried it in something a bit nastier.

Since the data in this segment has been revised (March 12, 2024) the original post from January 19, 2024 has been archived.  [Link]

Election Deniers & Truth Deniers Threaten Future Of USA

 MAGA Disinformation Has Gone Mainstream

Published in today's Sunday Detroit Free Press are two articles that I think every American voter should want to read.  But first, before explaining why I think the news items are essential info for all voters, let me explain what prompted me to post this article today.  Likely I would have just nodded in general agreement with the content of the 2 stories and then moved on with my day.  But minutes later I stumble upon a piece written by Detroit News Editorial scribe, Nolan Finley, almost made me puke ... and I hadn't even had breakfast yet!   Finley, displaying his best Andrea Mitchell-style middle-of-the-road bullshit, proceeded to whine about the 2024 presidential options & candidates.  A week ago Finley acknowledged that the GOP was in the midst of destroying itself.  Today, he's back on the fence acting as if a Trump for '24 candidacy has merit or value.  Trump has no value - and Finley can't even muster the courage to admit the truth that all of this crap in American politics today is a result of Trump's BIG LIE CAMPAIGN.

Finley writes today: "President Joe Biden went to Valley Forge, a symbol of the American Revolution, to rail against “MAGA extremists” and invoke the memory of Jan. 6, 2021, when Trump-infused rioters stormed the Capitol in an attempt to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power. His message: If former president Donald Trump is returned to power, democracy will fall. This from a man whose supporters are trying to keep his opponents from both parties off the ballot." [Link to actual news article if you wish to fact-check.]  Actually, Nolan, that is not true.  The legal challenges are based on the Constitution, 14th Amendment, section 3.  [Link to text of Constitution and Mike's previous article written months ago].  The legal challenges in Colorado and Maine to keep Trump's name off the primary ballots ...  have been advanced by persons unrelated to the Biden administration, Nolan - nice try but once again you are wrong.

It's obvious that far too many "conservatives" have drunk Donald's Kool-Aid (or accepted) the Trump lies ... but that has not always been the case.  On the day of the January 6th 2021 Insurrection most all GOP leaders were critical of Trump.  Then Speaker Kevin McCarthy said: "The president bears responsibility for Wednesday’s attack on Congress by mob rioters"; Senate Minority Leader McConnell said on 2/13/21: "There's no question, none, that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day."  The majority of our Senators said Trump was guilty 57-43, but fell 10 votes short of banning Trump from holding office ever again.  After 3-yrs of daily repeating the Election Denial Lies ... literally hundreds of times daily on Fox News and other right-wing media ... it appears many Republican voters have adopted and believe the bullshit.  They've been brainwashed or otherwise bought into the lie.  This isn't a topic with 2 differing points of view that both have merit - it's a topic where one side is following truth and history and is right ... while the other side, the MAGA Republicans, have embraced the lie and are working to not only destroy their political party and future, but also jeopardizing America's future.  Pathetic - and it's everyone's job to say it and reject Trump, reject those who repeat his lies, and stand up for what is right, good and decent.

So - enough preaching to the choir ... 'cuz I realize my crazed MAGA loving relatives and former acquaintances are unable or unwilling to face the truth ... it's hard for some folks to admit when they are wrong ... here are the links to the two stories that I think every American voter needs to read and understand:

• Associated Press: "Once-critical Republicans back Trump Some who fled for their lives during Jan. 6 riot endorse former president"  [Link to text; Link to AP website.]
• USA Today: "Arrests from Jan. 6 insurrection continue FBI executes warrants at Florida ranch Saturday" [Link to text of article.]

While still enraged Mike is posting these thoughts on 01.07.24.  [whew]

Last Minute Holiday Shopping Tip For That MAGA Voter In Your Life

 Liz Cheney's "Oath and Honor" Counters MAGA Disinformation

Sick of searching for the ideal gift for that hard to shop for person on your holiday gift list?  Fear not, I have the ideal gift selection for you:  Liz Cheney's new book, Oath and Honor.

I just finished reading it - an early holiday gift from my best buddy.  Since I watched all of the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol, and read most of their final report which was issued nearly a year ago, I was fairly familiar with most all of Ms. Cheney's comments, but there were a few things I learned.  The comment has been made many times on assorted news programs: the majority of the testimony the committee gleaned came from Republicans including members of team-Trump.  The investigation and subsequent charges by multiple courts is not some Left-Wing Witch Hunt, and Biden's DOJ running wild ... it's the Donald's home team that have been un-peeling the onion.  Ms. Cheney's book provides the evidence that Trump lied and the entire mess is a result of people either being hood-winked (brainwashed) or fearful of Trump's retribution.

Such fears are not unfounded.  Examples of violence and dirty tricks and arm bending and fact-twisting has become the norm thanks to Donald J. Trump.  Throughout the book Cheney points out Trump's evil deeds, and that of his sycophants.   “The President of the United States summoned this mob, assembled the mob and lit the flame of this attack. Everything that followed was his doing. None of this would have happened without the President. The President could have immediately and forcefully intervened to stop the violence. He did not. There has never been a greater betrayal by a President of the United States of his office and his oath to the Constitution," says Cheney.

As if she were face-to-face with anyone who has been buffaloed or brainwashed into supporting Trump, Cheney says: "History is watching.”  All insurrectionists oughta' be voted OUT of office ... from Donald Trump to the 147 Congressmen who voted to overturn the election results just hours AFTER the riot at the Capitol.  They are a disgrace, as are the voters who re-elect them.  

By the way, if you've not read the report but had every intention to do so ... just hadn't gotten Around Tuit yet ... there is still hope - and your copy is available now for free. [Link]

posted 12.23.23

"They Quietly Did Their Jobs"

 The truth about Biden’s economic recovery

On Thursday of this week I particularly enjoyed the opening segment of Chris Hayes' All-In (MSNBC - link to 15-minute segment) which was subtitled: "The truth and spin of the American recovery".  For those citizens who have paid close attention to the news, the segment will provide a handy, concise summary of the transition from Trump's reign of terror to the calm, competent solutions and direction the Biden administration since 2021. 

For the MAGA loving folks who support and defend a cast of insurrectionists, the MSNBC summary will sound very foreign and not at all like the news they've been fed, daily on Fox News, or OneAmerica, or NewsMax. 

Brainwashed would be a better description of the nonsense the radical right wing extremists broadcast to their viewing audience.  Non-stop, daily doses of misinformation and biased, slanted bull-pucky.  I realize its nearly impossible to communicate with the MAGA crowd - they pay little attention to the truth or facts, and have no problem supporting a former president who twice lost the popular vote (yes, in 2016 Hillary did capture nearly 3-million more votes than DJT ... and Biden did receive OVER 7-million more votes in 2020). The fact that Trump faces 4 criminal indictments, and several civic cases does not seem to deter his base of supporters, as Trump appears to be heading toward securing the 2024 GOP nomination.

Which is totally insane for those of us who keep track of actual facts.  It is crazy that so many America voters tell pollsters they support the Donald ... {pause here for major sigh}.  But, if just a couple percent of Trump voters took 15-minutes and seriously watched and paid attention I'm certain many would become converts.  I am assuming the skeptical MAGA viewer would want to fact-check Chris Hayes presentation - which is fine ... and encouraged.  The summary is 100% factual which any researcher can attest.  The same can not be said of Fox News or other conservative media.  So, MAGA loving Trump supporters - are you up for the challenge?  Start by watching the 15-minute segment ... and be ready for a mind-blowing experience.  Virtually everything that you thought was true the past several years ... likely isn't.

posted 12.08.23   I dare you to share this link with the MAGA booster in your family.

Polls Not Capturing Voter Sentiments Accurately

 Or, Are Pundits Misinterpreting Data?

It's really not an "either / or" sort of question.  I contend that both notions can be true ... a) the polls regarding an election that is a year away are likely worthless.  And b) the political pundits, newscasters, analysts, and commentators always put more emphasis on negative news ... "if it bleeds, it reads" ... or so the saying goes.  In trying to find attribution to that quote the Google says:  "Old newspaper folks used to say, "if it bleeds, it reads," meaning in an effort to attract/retain readers the news headlines must include death, violence, or conflict."   Yeah, give us more cowbell ... 'er, conflict! 

Since I'm approaching the age some may identify as "old" and one of my first jobs while in college was working for a small newspaper chain, I guess I could rank as one of these "old newspaper folks".  And I say the media contributes greatly to the disinformation divide which can confuse voters. 

Tune-in to just about any news source today: print or electronic and likely you'll stumble upon a story (or possibly many stories) talking about how voters are not happy with the direction of the country. "Largely dissatisfied" the pundits report, hoping the negative news lures more viewers/listeners/readers.  Just this past Sunday ABC News advanced this concept with the following headline: "Heading into 2024, most Americans believe country headed in the wrong direction."   Like much of the mainstream media, including FOX News and One America, the reports conclude voters are dissatisfied with the current administration.

I'm certain many voters are.  But I'm also certain that many of us who aren't thrilled with our country's direction are not necessarily attacking the current administration.  Case in point: I'm displeased with the conservative disinformation campaign which has contributed to Trump spreading his Big Lie ... I'm displeased so many voters are hood-winked into supporting Trump's Grift & his revenue generating campaign of hate.  I'm displeased with the rise of white supremacy and the evil they spread ... I'm dissatisfied with the book bans, the anti-vax campaigns, the attacks on LGBTQ+ members of our society.  I can't support politicians who are attacking election workers or conspiring to gerrymander voting districts.  And no, I'm not pleased with the path Republicans have taken to pack the Supreme Court - and my beef here is not with Donald Trump exclusively ... before he was even elected in 2016 Mitch McConnell blocked Barack Obama's nomination to replace Antonin Scalia when he died in mid-February 2016.  "We're too close to the next election - let voters decide," McConnell reasoned.  Too freaking close???  The election was nearly 9-months away.  So flash forward to 2020 when Donald Trump nominated Amy Coney Barrett on October 17th ... 7-freaking days before the 2020 election.  I'm sick of crap like that ... and yes, I would tell pollsters that a nation that allows one of its political parties to wreck havoc upon the country is heading in the wrong freaking direction! 

Yes, I'm voting for Joe Biden - though I would prefer it if Kamala Harris opted to step down from the ticket.  I don't think she's been effective in her current role.  How about a draft movement to advance someone like Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT)?

posted 11.10.23

GOP Stymies Federal Gov't - States Increasingly Becoming The Deciders

Republicans pack the Supreme Court so they can cram their religious guided views upon the rest of the country (who do not subscribe to the idea the gov't should determine the reproductive health of all women in America).  Republicans in Congress are too busy defending Donald Trump and embattled as they try to nominate & elect a Speaker of the House - they can't be bothered with supporting the will of the people concerning abortion rights and many other issues.  (Though many Republicans including the new Speaker advocate a "national ban" against all abortions - zero exceptions ... another great reason to stop voting for these people.)  Gun safety laws?  Nope - Republicans are delighted to accept NRA contributions and prefer their strategy: "our hearts and minds are with X."  X, being the latest community devastated by gun violence and excessive proliferation of assault-style weapons.

So citizens seeking solutions, rather than accepting conservative grid-lock, have been taking action increasingly at the state level.  Last night was the latest "case-in-point" as Ohio voters not only approved legalizing the Buckeyes' marijuana stash ... but also is kicking the government out of voter's bedrooms.  57% of Ohio voters have approved possession and sale of cannabis products - no need to dash across the Michigan-Ohio state line to secure pot ... Ohio's the 24th state to approve the use of recreational marijuana as the legalization push expands to some more traditionally conservative places.

Ohio voters also approved changes to their state constitution by a similar wide margin: 56.6% voters opted to make darned-sure that their right to an abortion is protected by the State Constitution ... the 12th state to do so since Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.  Voters in the Commonwealth of Virginia flipped their legislature - the new Democratic majority will likely not favor the abortion restrictions the Governor Youngkin advocates - following the election the Gov admitted 'I'm a little disappointed' with the election results but vows to find compromises with the new Democratic majority.

It's how we're getting stuff accomplished, today.  

posted 11.08.23

Love Retro ... Just Not A Fan Of Lions Grey Uniforms

Monday Night Football (MNF) has always been a special event for many of us.  And for Lions fans its also a rarity.  For those who have not watched the game, that includes this household, I'll not play the spoiler role this morning.  I just wanted to hit a few "pre-game" highlights and reactions.  (The game ran past my bedtime ... but thankfully we captured the game on DVR to view today, or whenever.)

Besides being happy the team is doing well this season, I thought I'd check into some of the MNF fun-factoids.  The Lions appearance on MNF may be rare but they are teams who've been on the show even less often.

total MNF games (since 1970): 718 ... this is the 54th season
most wins: Steelers 56 (+ one tie, 88 appearances)
most losses: NY Giants 49 losing games out of 78 appearances
most appearances: Cowboys 51 wins vs. 38 loses
Detroit's record: 43 appearance, 19 wins, 23 loses, 1 tie.
posted on Halloween! 10.31.23 (Retro logo shown above was worn on Monday in the Lions game against the Raiders.)

Insurrectionists Should Be Disqualified For Office By 14th Amendment ...

All of 'em ... not just Trump.

I've not written much this fall because I am so utterly disgusted with the American voters ... particularly the 40 or 50% of Republican voters who still support Donald Trump, and the ripple effect it has on our universe. If the Donald does or does not like a policy - say, funding for Ukraine defense, or who should or shouldn't be nominated by the GOP for Speaker of the House ... the mindless mass of Republican voters support just about everything the Donald does or wants.  It's insane to me, that a failed businessman, twice impeached president, reality TV show personality would have such a tight grip on anything.  It is just bonkers to me that a.) he was ever elected in the 1st place, and b.) that after all the destructive things Trump's done ever since his glide down the golden escalators at Trump Tower announcing his bid for the White House ... voters are still interested in Donald J. Trump ... even as he's facing four criminal probes and over 90 indictments. 

Republicans in the Senate missed their golden opportunity to rid themselves and the world of this creepy guy (2nd impeachment trial in Feb. 2021).  A majority of senators voted to convict Trump — 57 to 43, including seven Republicans.  But two-thirds, or 67 votes, was needed for conviction.  The world needed 10 more patriotic Senators to stand tall.  Instead, they caved, crumbled like the spineless scumbags that they are.

And to make matters worse, 147 members of Congress voted to NOT certify the 2020 election results ... and that vote was taken within HOURS of the riot at the Capitol.  Eight of the 147 were U.S. Senators, 139 were members of the House of Representatives.  [Read more, or see if YOUR representatives in Congress are among these slime balls.]

All of these folks: Trump and our legislators who voted to not certify the election results are insurrectionists in my book ...  and all of 'em should be banned from ever holding public office again ... forever.  No ... "ignorance is not bliss" and I could care less if voters claim they "vote for the best candidate" regardless of party.  Oh?  Kinda' like a bad habit, huh?  If your county clerk for example shares the opinion that there was fraud in the 2020 election, you need to examine the facts ... there is no one on planet Earth who has produced ANY evidence of voter fraud that would have changed the final vote tally .. in any race, in any state.  So if that clerk you've always voted for claims there was voter fraud or any of this Trumpian crap - vote 'em out of office.

The basis for this grand conclusion:  our Constitution says so.  Section three of the 14th Amendment defines the criteria for disqualifying someone from holding public office.  Read it for yourself - the Constitution says: “No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.”  The courts need to rule on this immediately before we get too far into this next election cycle.

While my initial focus is on the White House & Congress, I do think the law should be applied to literally EVERY elected official.  If they support Trump and support the BIG LIE, they too should be removed from office.  From Dog Catcher to your local school board members, to state legislatures. All of 'em who have taken some official action that undermines the 2020 election and will of the people ... prosecute ALL of 'em. 

Don't believe me?  Still think it's all a "witch hunt"?  OK, blockhead, tell me why so many of Trump's co-conspirators are pleading GUILTY to pending charges against them?  Just last month 3 Trump lawyers admitted their guilt:  Sidney Powell, Kenneth Chesebro, and Jenna Ellis have all pleaded guilty and accepted plea deals in the sweeping Georgia election interference case.  Some 1,100 people have been charged in the January 6th case ... according to Axios "632 people have pleaded guilty to federal charges" and another 110 defendants have been found to be guilty following trial by jury. (Link to news source)

Handy reference library so you too can read more:

• transcripts of all sessions of the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol (Link).

• other voices that feel as I do, that all insurrectionists should be removed from public office: https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4190625-what-is-14th-amendment-section-3-trump/

posted October 30, 2023 updated 11.02.23

It's Official: Donald Trump Is The First American President To Get Mug Shot

Last evening Lawrence O'Donnell, former staff director for the Senate Finance Committee turned political TV host on MSNBC mentioned on his show that Trump left office without sitting for an official portrait, but now thanks to the Fulton County Jail in Georgia, he has one.  And Trump has a new number.  Inmate  #P01135809.

More GOP Voters Say The Darndest Things

The other day I listed 3 silly comments Trump voters often point to when asked: "why in the heck did you ever support the guy in the first place?" (examples: "I vote for the best candidate", "Excessive Prosecution", and "The Donald did nothing wrong!" ... Link.)   Here are a few more:

• "I don't like the way Biden lied and pulled out of Afghanistan leaving equipment and personnel behind."  You'll get a partial agreement from me on that one ... but let's not forget who "negotiated" the US withdrawal (#45).  And besides, since Republicans have made it a daily ritual to recite their moronic "what-about-isms" (what about Hunter Biden's laptop or Hillary's emails?') I'm going to toss a few "progressive what-about-isms" back at 'em.  Speaking of war and yanking troops from the battlefield without proper planning, consider Trump's orders in 2019 to withdraw US troops in Syria abandoning our Kurdish allies [news link for those who forgot or never knew]. What about Syria, Republicans?
• "Trump won."  Prove it.  For 3-yrs Trump's legion of lawyers lost over 60 court cases contesting various aspects of the 2020 election ... The House Insurrection Investigation along with more digging by the Department of Justice has produced evidence that even Trump himself did not/does not believe he won.  “I didn’t win the election,” Trump said. [News link]  HE'S ADMITTED IT BUT DECIDED TO CONTINUE THE RUSE & "STOP THE STEAL" CONTINUES TO BE SHOUTED AT TRUMP '24 RALLIES - IT MAY BE THE ONLY WAY FOR MR. TRUMP TO STAY OUT OF JAIL.  Even leaders of the Republican Party tried to convince the Donald that his "stop the steal" campaign was destroying two & a half centuries of history and the nation's general respect for the rule of law and confidence in our Department of Justice, FBI, and law enforcement. [Link]  So much for being the law-n-order party.

Maybe We Should Strike A Deal ... Trump Likes Deals!

Two reasons I am suggesting that DOJ oughta' at least try to "settle" with Trump:   1) I really don't think it looks good for the country to toss a former President in prison.  And, 2) Trump's base is already threatening violence, maybe even their version of a "civil war" ... that threat alone should send a ton of voters to become former Republicans (like Mike). 

Here's what I'd recommend to settle this thing and put the issue to bed:  1) Trump has to admit he has been wrong, beg for mercy & plead guilty in exchange for multiple suspended sentences.  The judge would put Trump on probation for the next several decades - any violation of the agreement means the former president loses the ability of staying out of jail.  2) Trump agrees to never run for political office ever again and to never endorse any candidates for any office local, state or Federal ... in this agreement Trump can not so much as hint who he supports - no political fund raisers, no talk shows, no rallies, cancel the Truth Social operation, no Twitter of other form of social media, no podcasts, no TV or radio deals.  Any income earned from writing another book should go into the fund discussed in item #3 ...  Yes the 3rd stipulation - besides admitting guilt, Trump also has to agree to pay the long list of contractors and service providers who Trump still owes money for say, the past 20-yrs.   To fund these long over-due payments Trump has to convert all the money donors have contributed to his 2024 campaign and if there's not enough money from that bucket to pay all of his debts then Mr. Trump will be forced to liquidate properties & assets.  Sell the airplane, sell Trump Tower, sell Bedminster home and golf course, and sell Mar-A-Lago and all other properties until Trump makes good on what he owes people.  

How's that for a deal, Mr. Trump?  It sure would beat wearing that orange jumpsuit for the rest of your life!

posted with joy in my heart on 08.25.23

The News Fox Viewers Probably Missed

A Very Stable Genius by Phil Rucker and Carol Leonnig.  Louise received the book in 2020 as a gift and I always had planned on reading it but didn't until just this week.  I recently completed reading Leonnig's book chronicling our Secret Service:  Zero Fail ... liked it and figured: "what the heck?"  

It occurred to me that so much has transpired in politics since Stable Genius came out - I was slightly concerned that the book would sound ancient and feeble maybe even tame compared to the blockbuster news these days with Trump getting indicted in 4 courts for assorted criminal activity.  Turns out, my concerns were invalid ... reading Stable Genius has provided a great fresher on the multitude of mistakes, errors, egregious behavior by Trump and his early administration ... in short, a great chronological capsule on the first 3-years of the 45th president.  Immediately I was struck by the shear volume of negative news and mistakes Trump & team made right out of the gate.

It also occurred to me that the radical right-wing extremists (Trump's base) likely were unfamiliar with many of the events that took place during his first three years in office. the Washington Post journalists had documented.  Sad.  I am convinced that the nation would be in far less of a mess if voters paid better attention to what-the-heck was going on when the reality TV star moved into the White House.

posted 08.21.23

MAGA Republicans Say The Darndest Things...

The argument that America's political landscape has become polarized is misleading and a cop-out.  It is an oversimplification of the issue, in my humble opinion.  Calling our nation's ideological differences between Republicans and Democrats as "polarized" tends to give credibility to both sides much like Donald Trump did in August 2017 after the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia ... “I think there is blame on both sides. You had some very bad people in that group but you also had people that were very fine people, on both sides," Trump said. 

Yeah, right.  And the conservative media actually embraced the comment as if it accurately reflected reality.  The correct response should have been something like: "We decided this issue over one-hundred fifty years ago in the American Civil War which claimed the lives of some 618,222 soldiers."  And 58% of the fatalities, the majority, were Northern Union soldiers who were simply trying to preserve the country and our Constitution.

To be more blunt: there is right and there is wrong.  The Confederates - advocating secession or separation - were some of our earliest white separatists, and they were wrong ... and it took physical confrontation to settle the issue.  The Union won, the Confederates separatists lost.  So no, Donald, these are not were not patriots protesting at the "Unite The Right" rally where participants chanted anti-Semitic remarks (“You will not replace us”), sporting their Nazi emblazoned symbols.  The conservatives planned and carried out the rally to recruit more citizens to their cause and build wedges to divide the country.  Pure evil, and rather than calling the event and acts to be just that, Trump and Fox News and One America and NewsMax embraced negativity glorifying white nationalists ... because this, folks, is their base.   

So I decided today to dwell a bit on some additional BS phrases and positions which may sound reasonable on the surface but are equally dangerous (and wrong) in the long run.

• "I tend to vote Republican, but I try to vote for the most qualified individual running for the position."  The truth is, I used vote mostly for Republicans ... but things change over time.  Back in 1964 after LBJ signed the Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act a slew of Southern Democratic defectors, known as “Dixiecrats,” started a switch to the Republican party ... flash forward a few decades and you have a really racist GOP ... and plenty of us felt as if the Republican Party left us.  Anyway, if that Republican candidate for whatever office is one of those folks that you think is among "the most qualified", I ask you: have they denounced the whole "stop the steal" madness?  If they are saying things like: "I don't agree with his values, but I like his politics or what Trump's done for the country" ... if that's your position, then I say you have not done your homework.  After the January 6th Insurrection 148 members of Congress (7 Senators, 139 members of the House) voted to not certify the election ... and this was just hours after thousands of protestors had attacked the Capitol.  Of that group, some 124 of 'em ran for re-election, and voters re-elected 118 insurrectionists. 
  WTF is wrong with voters?????  "Most qualified"?  Hardly.  Stop voting for these evil people!
• "91 Indictments is excessive," they're saying on Fox News ever since the Fulton County indictments were released this week. Oh really?  So the folks at Fox News would support the legal action if there were just one or two, maybe three indictments?  JONATHAN TURLEY: "It's excessive and I think it's also dangerous. It essentially criminalizes challenges to elections."  There once was a time when Turley's family could be proud of their bright young aspiring conservative Constitutional lawyer ... especially when all of the nation's news sources sought his comments on assorted newsy topics related to elections over the years.  But then he drank the Kool-Aid and became a full-time Fox-n-Friends contributor ... and all rational thought went out the window.  Jonathan needs to shut his freaking pie-hole and re-read the indictment which clearly is not about "criminalizing challenges to elections".  There were over 60 LEGAL court challenges following the 2020 election ... none resulted in any changes in the final vote totals.  There were recounts in GA (actually one audit and 2 recounts),  WI, AZ (remember the Cyber Ninjas?).  Recounts in MI and PA, too. Don't forget NC & NV!  [Link to the Stanford-MIT "Healthy Elections" project summary]
• "it's politically motivated; Trump's done NOTHING WRONG!" Well, comments from voters of that sort indicate to me that either the person lives on another planet, or, they watch way too much Fox News and are not even familiar with the facts (since Fox tends to not even broadcast what is actually happening).  Nothing wrong?  Listen to the recording of Trumps "find 11,780 votes" high-pressure phone call attempting to get the GA S.O.S. Raffensperger to ignore the will of the voters in Georgia.

Read the indictment for yourself: https://www.fultonclerk.org/DocumentCenter/View/2077/CRIMINAL-INDICTMENT

Sidebar: The 1950's variety TV program House Party hosted by Art Linkletter launched a feature, interviewing kids (not actors) about simple, common topics proved to be enormously popular.  Through the years several revival hosts like Bill Cosby and Tiffany Haddish have carried on with the humorous perspectives on the various topics.
posted 08.18.23

For over 3-years, as I turn-on our TV to fetch the Evening News I rhetorically ask:  "has he been arrested, YET?"  And over time the last word (YET) has been vocalized with more prominence. Well, just as Blossom Dearie sang in her infamous lounge-lizard recording from Paris Now At Last ... the nation is making progress bringing charges against our 45th President of these once United States for his efforts to cling to power.  Now it's your turn to act: read the freaking indictment!  Yep, all 45 pages ... trust me, it's not only a quick read, it's also informative.  United States of America vs. Donald J. Trump.  [Link to actual .pdf file.]   And the "free bookmark"?  Piece-of-cake!  Just print this page, grab a pair of scissors and clip-out the famous red necktie shown below.

Note to Fox News Viewers:  You're not hearing the truth

Curiosity.  How are the various popular media covering the story?  MSNBC reported how the majority of the grand jury testimony that lead to the indictment was from Republicans.  Just as the House Select Committee found, the people within the administration were the best sources testifying against the actions (and inaction) of one Donald J. Trump.  CNN replayed several of their "Special Reports" previously aired ... like Anderson Cooper's broadcast (07.30.23): "What Happened in Georgia?"  Central to that story is the infamous recording of the phone call Trump and his chief of staff Mark Meadows made to Brad Raffensperger, GA Sec't of State ... a republican.  Earlier last evening CNN also rebroadcast " CNN Special Report The American Coup: The January 6th Investigation" [Link] ... again, most source material courtesy of republicans and former Trump associates & staff.

Fox News?  Sorry - viewers will likely get little accurate information - more likely Fox wing nuts will be promoting the often debunked Biden Crime Family stories.  I suppose Fox and GOP leadership are banking on a Trump victory in 2024 so that he can pardon himself and over 1,000 of the January 6th Insurrections ... who have largely plead guilty (much like Lt. General Mike Flynn, who Trump pardoned for his lies).  Disgusting. 

posted with pride ('cuz Mike's supporting the truth and the winning side of this political debate) on 08.06.23

And ... at least 2 More Cases Pending: Georgia & the January 6th Insurrection

The vast majority of Americans support the Department of Justice investigations of former President Donald J. Trump.  "Happy" that he's now charged with 31 counts of illegal activity is not exactly my reaction here.  I'd much rather not have seen the world go through the hell Trump has caused - he never should have been elected in the first place.  I do support prosecuting him for several apparent crimes including this documents case as well as the Georgia state action for election interference ("I just want to find 11,078 votes"), as well as holding him accountable for causing the January 6th insurrection and attack on our Capitol.

A minority of registered voters continue to support Trump and most of 'em are sadly uninformed or misinformed.  Those who follow Fox News most likely are unaware of the facts of these cases as well as being misinformed on a variety of conspiracy theories which clouds their judgment on all things Trump.

And even though Fox News lost their defamation case with Dominion and had to cough-up $787 million dollars for the lies they spread about the 2020 election ... Fox continues to spew misinformation and serve as the GOP's unofficial propaganda outlet. The other day I thought I'd check to see how Fox was covering the news that charges against Trump were "imminent" and tuned-into Sean Hannity's prime time TV program majority of senators voted to convict Trump — 57 to 43, including seven Republicans. But two-thirds, or 67 votes, was needed to convict.  But two-thirds, or 67 votes, was needed to convict. "There's one set of rules for Democrats, another set of rules for Donald Trump and conservatives," Hannity says to his faithful right-wing audience, as he embarks on a series of often-repeated "what about-isms."  You've heard 'em all thousands of times - the never-ending rants involving President Biden, Hunter Biden & his laptop, Hillary Clinton and her infamous email "scandal" that Fox has hyped inaccurately for 7-freaking years.  "Apparently, mishandling top secret documents is OK if you're a Biden or a Clinton or I guess a Democrat, for that matter," Hannity reasons. 

Residents on Earth One know Hannity's attacks are often false, often untrue.  Those of us paying attention to the news know Hannity and others on Fox who repeat this BS multiple times every day for the past 7-yrs: the State Department found no ‘systemic’ classified violation in Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server [news link for those who question the accuracy of that statement.]

Hannity continues, with more fact-challenge commentary: "He is now facing multiple charges because of a few documents from his own presidency stored in a secure room at Mar-a-Lago with a padlock on the door. By the way, I'll say about this room, a room that the FBI previously had access to, unfettered access and, as a matter of fact, had the opportunity to remove items if they wanted to. The only thing they requested was to put a second lock on the door, a padlock, that was complied with by the Trump people down in Mar-a-Lago.".  A few?  Try over 300, Sean.   Stored in a "secure room"?  Um, no, not exactly, Sean ... the indictment includes photographs - not pictures the FBI captured, but rather images secured from Trump employees and staff who were interviewed by the Miami grand jury ... photos which show boxes stacked all over Trump's Mar-a-Lago compound including piles of boxes that fill a bathroom (including the bathtub), stacks of boxes on a ballroom stage, and other places - some locked, some not.  And what's this nonsense about "unfettered access"?  Trump did all he could to avoid returning documents that belong in the National Archives ... the case would not exist if Trump had promptly responded, as Veep Pence and President Biden did when documents were found in their homes.

Hannity then proceeded to rattle off a litany of tired, often repeated lies: "And let's not forget about the 2016 allegations of bribery against Joe Biden ... "  Oh?  " ... according to FoxNews.com, the source detailed conversations with a Burisma executive to the FBI. This executive reportedly referred to Hunter as dumb, but, had to pay the Bidens because Ukrainian prosecutor Viktor Shokin was investigating Burisma."  Hmmm ... very little of that is true, Sean, and you know it.  Biden was Vice-President at the time and was working with the Ukraine gov't to remove corrupt officials like Shokin.  [Verified, factual] 

Virtually every sentence that spewed from Hannity's lips is either false, or inaccurate.  His mission, and the mission of most Republicans, is to deflect the bad news surrounding Trump and cast doubt among American voters. In many cases, Hannity succeeds.  Just look at your maniac Uncle Harry or argumentative Aunt Karen ... crazy as loons, most folks say ... but Fox is happy to attract a 25-30% market share ... even when they are proven to be wrong, they attract a lot of attention, viewers, and money.  It's disgusting, evil, and un-American.   Just glad we're finally taking action to put it to an end. 

posted 06.10.23
update 06.14.23 (see below - time saving links to vital information for all voters)

 EXCUSE ME. CAN YOU TELL ME WHO LIED ABOUT THE RAIN?

The quote above attributed to Sally Claire has been circulating on Facebook for a while.  I opted to copy the sanitized version to share here.  The not-so-subtle jab at Fox News and voters who's only real information source, Fox, has been lying to their viewers for years.  So the obvious inference is: only a propaganda machine like Fox lies about the weather ... and politics ... and just about everything related to Donald J. Trump with the rare exception that, yes, their news headline: TRUMP INDICTED ON 31 COUNTS ... which is true.

If you really want to impress your kids & neighbors, you too can read the 49-page, fact-based indictment of Donald J. Trump by the Department of Justice ... here's the link: https://apnews.com/article/trump-indictment-documents-922839660373

And if your nutty Aunt Karen is telling you that Trump's being railroaded, or that the DOJ is on a witch hunt because Trump says presidents have an "absolute right" to keep any and all documents they want ... Aunt Karen, as usual, would be wrong.  Take a gander at the Presidential Records Act: https://www.archives.gov/about/laws/presidential-records.html#2201  
Gleefully posted 06.14.23

GUILTY ... Get Used To Hearing That

So far, the Donald has LOST virtually every legal fight ... every legal challenge ... and the good news is more defeats are ahead for Trump & the MAGA Republicans & Insurrection Party

 ►   Trump Organization found guilty on all counts of criminal tax fraud
  ►   Trump indicted - pleads not guilty to 34 felony charges (Stormy Daniels case pending)
 ►   Indictments "imminent" in Georgia ("just find me 11,780 votes" Trump told GA Sec't of State) - and if you doubt the accuracy of that quote, listen to the call, convince yourself that Trump is guilty of election fraud [Link].
 ►  Proud Boys guilty of seditious conspiracy ... hopefully charges from DOJ happen sooner rather than later.  Even the Proud Boys said they were just following Trump's directives. [Don't be a fool - claiming Trump is being railroaded or that its all just a freaking witch hunt - read the damn Link.]
 ►  Former Attorney General Bill Barr says that the federal investigation into White House material kept at Mar-a-Lago is the “most threatening” for Trump.  [Link to right-leaning news source.]  Most legal scholars predict another conviction.

posted 05.10.23

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”

The quote above came from Liz Cheney the other day when she was asked to comment on Trump's sickening support of a convicted January 6th insurrectionist.  Besides the thousands of rioters themselves, we have 118 insurrectionists - current members of Congress - who were actually re-elected to their positions even after they voted to not certify the 2020 election results. 

Republican voters ignored the facts and actually sent these same creepy people back to Washington.  And, my hunch is, these same voters would have a difficult time passing a simple civics exam.  Republicans today are pathetic.

My message to anyone who still supports Donald Trump ... your ignorance is largely what is destroying our country ... and most of us who are not MAGA Republicans have to stand up, speak out, and be counted.  It's long past time for the majority to overrule the minority.  The majority of Americans agree on issues like: abortion rights, debt ceiling, gun safety regulations, LGBTQ rights, election reform (like ending gerrymandering).  

Today's reading tip?  From a group known as "Accountable.us" check our their editorial titled: "Cost Of MAGA Default: “Summer travel ‘havoc’ if GOP cuts pass”." [Link]  It can't happen.  As a nation we pay our bills - if the GOP wants to change spending habits, they should be looking forward - not backward.  The $$$ they are trying to cut has already been spent.  And while we're at it, tell me when the GOP suddenly became "anti-IRS" ... I just don't get why it's ok with the former "law-n-order" party to advocate termination of the 80,000+ agents who were just hired - the same folks who helped the IRS instantly improve their service to the country, eliminating the backlog of taxpayer questions, appeals, and audits.  They are doing what all government service employees should be doing: fairly applying existing laws & regulations.

posted 05.09.23  

Finally...

All the men come in these places, and the men are all the same

You don't look at their faces
And you don't ask their names
You don't think of them as human
You don't think of them at all
You keep your mind on the money
Keeping your eyes on the wall
I'm your private dancer, a dancer for money

Even Plenty Of Republicans Knew It Was Not A Good Idea

Radical right-wing members of the US House of Representatives threatened to get revenge for all of the assorted investigations into the lawless acts compiled during the four terrorizing years Trump was in the White House.  Even though the majority of Senators found the Donald to be guilty, the vote was short of the 2/3rds required to convict.

So now, as Republicans missed out on their best opportunity to neutralize Trump through the 2nd impeachment trial ... so now, the GOP wants to punish Democrats ... as if any of this nonsense is not totally the fault of Republicans who are too weak to take corrective action.  No, Republicans want to blame Democrats. 

The fault, says GOP-right wingnuts, clearly rests with Nancy Pelosi because she, after all, is responsible for Capitol Security.  Excuse me, but that's a bit like blaming the ushers at Ford Theatre for Lincoln's assassination. 

The House Select Committee also took great care to ensure any released video footage did not compromise ongoing security at the US Capitol.  Capitol Security determined which portions of the video was not appropriate for general release.  Did Speaker McCarthy make similar arrangements with Capitol Security?   Nope.  McCarthy just tossed the entire batch to Tucker Carlson at Fox "news" and said: "have at it, Big Guy."  What could possibly go wrong?  Well, this past week America found out - but the reaction was split based on what news source you tend to watch.  On Earth One, normal folks were appalled and angry and protested the way Republicans were handling the security material.  On Earth Two ... Fox "news" viewers were thrilled to find out all sorts of red-meat accusations - trouble is: most of Tucker's reports are not true or accurate. Most critical observers say Tucker is trying to rewrite history of the insurrection by the right wing’s favorite news commentator, who has circulated conspiracy theories about the attack.  Some of Carlson's most outrageous claims?

• Tucker says the bipartisan House Select Committee's 2-yr investigation is "a massive hoax." 
• Tucker repeated the myth that the 2020 election was stolen from Mr. Trump ...  even though just days earlier the Dominion defamation lawsuit revealed that Carlson & Fox executives knows it's all a Big Lie.  (Details below.)
• Tucker says the insurrectionists brought no guns (false).
• Tucker also says Officer Brian Sicknick was not killed by the rioters. Tucker repeated the medical examiner's death certificate states the injuries sustained at the insurrection were a contributing cause of death, “... all that transpired played a role in his condition.” 
• Tucker says democrats in congress, assisted by Adam Kinzinger and Liz Cheney, lied about what happened that day. "They are liars.  That is conclusive, and that fact should prevent them from ever being taken seriously again,” Carlson said. His brief review of the video, Tucker says he found demonstrators nonviolently milling about the capitol.  

Meanwhile the right-wing disinformation campaign launched into full-gear with opinion pieces appearing in radical right wing media like the NY Post and The Western Journal, which is a favorite source for disinformation campaigns launched by conservatives landing on Facebook and other "social media" sites. One example: "Left-Wing Journalist Pens Apology Letter After Major Jan. 6 Revelation - 'I Am So Sorry'"  The trouble is Naomi Wolf, the so-called "leftist" in the Western Journal story ... is not a liberal - and she has a terrible track-record for her factually challenged writing.  New York magazine recently reported: "Why Was Naomi Wolf’s Book Release Canceled in the U.S.?"  Because it was largely bullshit. 

Since Tucker's first broadcast reviewing Capitol security video footage the Western Journal, conservative sensationalist news source, has published twelve stories like Naomi Wolf's attack piece ... and more are likely coming.  It's all about spinning the truth, creating doubt, feeding the right with more BS fake news.

posted in total disgust 03.15.23

Actually Believes Election Fraud Negatively Impacted 2020 Election

Damaging news continued to flow this week from the Dominion Voting Systems defamation lawsuit against Fox News including internal memos, emails & text messages from several of the hosts of the most popular, most heavily watched Fox programs: Sean Hannity, Tucker Carlson, and Laura Ingraham.  This new material reveals that most folks within the inner circle didn’t really believe the Big Lie ... but they continued to peddle it to Fox viewers because the story was what their base of viewers wanted to hear ... and it was good for business.  Crazy stuff. 

But to me, what's even wackier, at least one of the leading Fox hosts, Maria Bartiromo actually continues to believe it - or at least she did up until just recently.  That may have changed as she reads some of the things her colleagues were saying privately among themselves, including memos from Fox founder Rupert Murdoch

Media Matters article: "A recent filing in the Dominion Voting Systems lawsuit against Fox News reveals that after the 2020 presidential election, former Trump lawyer Sidney Powell sent Fox anchor Maria Bartiromo “far-fetched claims” based on “an email entitled ‘Election Fraud Info’ Powell had received from a 'source' which the author herself describes as ‘pretty wackadoodle’.”  Yet Bartiromo “gave them credibility” on her show.

The bombshell news is largely coming from a Dominion court filing and it shows the extent to which the network knew it was pushing false claims to its viewers in the aftermath of the 2020 election by suggesting that Dominion’s machines were involved in voter fraud. The Dominion legal team has presented a seemingly endless list of evidence showing “literally dozens of people with editorial responsibility” — from producers to on-air personalities to executives to Fox Corp Chairman Rupert Murdoch himself — acted with, in Dominion’s view, “actual malice," which is the legal standard for defamation.

[pictured above: screen prints of some of the books Bartiromo has written: The Cost co-written with James Freeman from the Wall Street Journal published by Simon & Schuster in November 2020.  Use The News - described the book as "packed with sage advice from the most influential people on Wall Street." Co-written by Catherine Fredman, published by Harper Business in 2002.]  Bartiromo is a graduate of New York University, and lives in NYC with her hubby, Jonathan Steinberg, founder and CEO of the Individual Investor Group.

posted 03.09.23

Dominion case could be the demise of Fox News 

I hope Dominion Voting Systems wins their $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox News.   If Fox is able to survive, I think they should be required to broadcast an apology every day that they sustained the Big Lie ... which began in August 2020.

That's 2-yrs & 8-mo so far, and perhaps a portion of the judgment against Fox could require 'em to change all screen crawlers (aka: chyron) which blankets your TV screen, daily, to admit the lies they told .... even after Fox "knew" they were spreading lies.  Documents reveal Fox clearly knew that the Big Lie was just telling their audience what viewers wanted to hear, which is sad.  Even more sad is that Fox viewers WANT to hear this nonsense about Trump (voter fraud, Obama birther claims, etc.), and about Covid (vaccines, mask mandates) and the so-called "deep state". 

Instead of plastering those annoying "NEWS ALERT" banners rolling along the bottom of the screen, non-stop, 24/7 ... they should read:   "Fox News Lied ... about election fraud, Ivermectin, Hydroxychloroquine, anti-vax, anti-mask mandate and other mitigation policies advocated by CDC & FDA. Fox News Lied ... Fox News Lied" ... etc.   

And, Fox News should also be required to research and broadcast a story every day about people they injured while peddling their lies ... stories should feature the impact, direct or indirect, they may have had contributing to the injury or harm to some innocent victim: a viewer, a volunteer election worker, a nurse & doctor who treated covid patients with particular emphasis on the covid deniers - folks who refused to get vaccinated (and unnecessarily exposed others). DAILY for the next 2-yrs & 8-months. 

Why so harsh?  Well, the lying is still going on.  Just yesterday the GOP nutcase Marjorie Taylor Green (R-GA) said in a House panel on election integrity that former President Donald Trump won the Georgia state in the 2020 election, among other claims.   Gabriel Sterling, a Republican in the office of Georgia Secretary of State took aim at Rep. Greene for spreading “disproven conspiracies.”  [Link to Sterling's Twitter account & reply to Rep. Greene]  There must be consequences to the destruction these lunatics are causing.

posted 03.02.23

Proof in Dominion Voting System discovery in defamation lawsuit with Fox News

 (Discovery?   Those who watched Perry Mason on TV know 'discovery' is: the compulsory disclosure of relevant documents sought in legal proceedings.)

We have proof:  Fox News lies.  Regular viewers of Fox News have been lied to for years.  Most all major news sources had a similar report this past week, like this item in the NY Times February 16th: "Fox Stars Privately Expressed Disbelief About Election Fraud Claims. ‘Crazy Stuff.’  The comments, by Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity and others, were released as part of a defamation suit against Fox News by Dominion Voter Systems."   Yep ... the talking heads at Fox like former MSNBC political attack-dog, Tucker Carlson ... Sean Hannity ... Laura Ingraham ... Lou Dobbs ... Maria Bartiromo essentially ALL of Fox News has been telling viewers a bunch of false information - that even THEY don't believe.  Fox executives like Rupert Murdoch, too.

Doubt me?  Read the emails, text messages and other findings that have been made public thanks to the pending Dominion Voting Systems defamation law suits.  Need examples?  “Sidney Powell is lying by the way. I caught her. It’s insane,” Mr. Carlson wrote to Ms. Ingraham on Nov. 18, 2020. Ms. Ingraham responded: “Sidney is a complete nut. No one will work with her. Ditto with Rudy.”  And there's A LOT more ... highlighted in the 192-page legal filing on Thursday in the $1.6 billion lawsuit brought by Dominion Voting Systems against the Fox network.  Dominion has also sued Trump attorneys who regularly peddled the voter fraud nonsense: Sidney Powell, Rudy Giuliani and more. 

Think about it: Trump began lying about fraud in the 2020 election as soon as his internal polling numbers showed he was going to lose to Joe Biden ... the Big Lie became the unofficial GOP party platform, and conservative media embraced it because it drove positive ratings - and after all, the media is a business & business people seem to like profits, and job security.  But when a news story is not based on truth, things tend to unravel - as we've all seen.  Thanks to the Big Lie and Fox News promoting it, we've seen the integrity of our election process unjustly attacked ... little old ladies at polling stations receiving death threats.  Daily attacks on institutions like the FBI and Justice Department ... all prompted by the Big Lie and promoted by Fox News.

Dominion's summary report quotes Fox anchor Sean Hannity confessing during a legal deposition (page 15): "That whole narrative that Sidney was pushing, I did not believe it for one second.”  Yet Hannity on the air as well as other Fox News anchors and reporters publicly perpetuated and supported Trump's position that the election was stolen.  Testimony was by Fox management like Justin Wells, executive producer for Carlson, who said of Sidney Powell: "She is crazy." 

Think about it - without the Big Lie promoted by Fox News the world would be far less crazy

Had there been no Big Lie, spread daily by Fox News there would never have been an insurrection on our Capitol as we saw on live television January 6th, 2021.  Nearly a thousand protestors wouldn't have their lives ruined because without the Big Lie there is no attack on the Capitol, and no protests during the normal transfer of power in our government.  Without Fox News literally hyping the Big Lie there would be far fewer investigations to report on every day as we have seen for several years ... night after night after night ... likely support for Ukraine would not be questioned ... and there would not be this obsessive desire to score political points by mentioning Hunter Biden's laptop a few hundred times a day - all day & night, 7 days/wk, 365 days/year.  Fox News lies and crazy people believe it.   Normal people have worked hard seeking the truth.  (Why wouldn't you want to be a little more "normal"?)

posted 02.19.23

Notes - read more ...
Articles all Americans oughta' read, especially those who still consider themselves to be a Republican.  (Many of us no longer do largely because the party has been over taken by the deplorables that Hillary Clinton identified.)

• Fox News hosts thought Trump’s election fraud claims were ‘total BS’, court filings show https://www.theguardian.com/media/2023/feb/17/fox-news-hosts-dominion-lawsuit-trump-election-fraud-tucker-carlson-sean-hannity-laura-ingraham
• Where Dominion And Smartmatic’s Defamation Suits Stand Now https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2023/02/15/court-lets-lawsuit-against-fox-news-move-forward-heres-where-dominion-and-smartmatics-defamation-suits-stand-now/?sh=3fc242992364
• DEBUNKING VIRAL CLAIMS Baseless Conspiracy Theory Targets Another Election Technology Company https://www.factcheck.org/2020/11/baseless-conspiracy-theory-targets-another-election-technology-company/

Let's be clear: "woke" is not a real word - it's slang ...
and it's been hijacked by the right-wing

Republicans and radical right-wing extremists regularly hijack ideas and concepts that they want the public to think they own.  Examples: use of the word patriotic ... the American flag (and all things red, white & blue).  They insist that support of our military and "law and order" are Republican ideas.  Same goes with use of slang: 'woke'.

The other day I heard former US Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) comment on Alex Wagner's show regarding Nikki Haley's announcement to run for President in 2024.  Specifically, Claire says Ambassador Haley's previous positions on her actions while Governor of the great state of S. Carolina such as removing the Confederate flag from the SC state house could be problematic. Nikki will launch her campaign by implying: "I've never seen the 'woke mob' but they say it's out there,"  McCaskill says that makes Nikki way too "woke" among other Republicans.  That may be, Senator, but I am writing today to urge normal folks to wake-up when it comes to the origins, meaning & use of 'woke'.  Think of the Pottery Barn rule of thumb: "you break it, you own it."  Everyone needs to ensure that Republicans and 'woke' are forever more linked.   

Today the slang word 'woke' is most commonly used to describe another manufactured GOP "news item".  The Republicans and conservative media have adopted the word as their own as their 'culture wars' become the GOP party platform - but few of the people who use the word understand it's origins or real meaning.  They have no specific policy recommendations or proposals - they just want to accuse Democrats and "leftists" of  the rise of “cancel culture” or decrying the “woke agenda”. 

Historical use of 'woke' dates back nearly a century ... it once meant: "To be ‘woke’ is to be awake; literally, not asleep."  First known reference dates back to 1923 thru the works and writings of Jamaican philosopher Marcus Garvey.  1938 jazz artist Huddie William "Lead Belly" Ledbetter uses the phrase "stay woke, keep your eyes open" in his song Scottsboro Boys.  In the 1940's negro mine workers on strike in W. Virginia used 'woke' when protesting discriminatory compensation practices: "...we were asleep...but from now on we shall stay woke."  In the early 1960's an essay in the NY Times by William M. Kelley was titled "If You're Woke, You Dig It."  By the early 2000's movements such as Black Lives Matter spread the concepts of "stay woke - stay awake" in assorted protests across the country, which also was the period of time that Republicans and right-wing activists effectively intentionally hijacked 'woke' to intentionally cause confusion among the American public.

So I say: let 'em have it.  The only time a normal person says 'woke' is when they want to communicate the latest efforts of the radical-right-wing extremists.  Shame them - make Republicans own it.  And then get busy and vote 'em out of office.  BTW: there is not a single public school in America that has CRT (critical race theory) on their curriculum.  Regardless of what Fox News may say, not one school in America is teaching it.  It's total baloney ... manufactured crap.  Think I'm wrong?  Prove it.  Find the school ... give us facts ... dates, name of course, location (school name, city, state) and provide substantiating evidence.  You've been dared.  Put up or shut up, Sean Hannity.

posted 02.15.23   For those who care to double check the accuracy of my summary of 'woke' historically speaking, take a gander at an article published by LDF (Legal Defense Fund) titled: How WOKE Went From "Black" To "Bad"

The insurrection of January 6, 2021 will continue to be with us

I am still trying to understand why Republicans have control of the House of Representatives in Washington D.C.  And yes, I admit I've been in a bit of a funk since the 2022 mid-term elections.  Sure I am glad Republicans did not gain control of the US Senate ... and it pleases me to know several states, like Michigan, have flipped state legislative control - making the Republicans the minority party they are.  There is no good reason why the GOP ever had control of state legislatures in places like Michigan and Wisconsin ... but extreme gerrymandering kept the minority party in control.  We fixed that in Michigan with an independent commission ... Wisconsin and other states need to do the same thing - and it takes a while to accomplish (so, as my Grandmother used to say: "time to get cracking").

Another reason the GOP won a slim majority in the House is because voters re-elected a slew of insurrectionists.  Seriously.  Of the 147 members of Congress who voted AGAINST certifying the 2020 Presidential Election on January 6th, 2021 ... eight were US Senators - and as sickening as it may seem, all 8 are still in the Senate ... 139 were members of the House of Representatives ... and of that group 124 of 'em ran for re-election.  One-hundred eighteen insurrectionists were re-elected.  The folks who wittingly or unwittingly bought into the Big Lie ... the folks who have called the attack on our Capitol a “normal tourist visit” (so says Andrew Clyde, R-GA) or a ‘legitimate political discourse’ as the national Republican Party declared weeks after the riot ... these are the people who are such a threat to our democracy.  They do not deserve a second chance until they come clean and confess and acknowledge Joe Biden won the 2020 election - fair & square.  But, ultimately the blame for the mess we're in has to be attributed to the voters - we are where we are because people voted to re-elect a bunch of insurrectionists who tried to over-throw the US government.  Yet, these are the same folks who will plead for Federal Disaster Assistance when tornados, or floods, or forest fires blow through their districts.  Wing-nuts.
[posted with pride on 02.07.23]

Investigation Has Taken Longer Than It Should Have ... Though They Faced Typical GOP Obstruction & Resistance Since The US Capitol Attack

In a few days my "inbox" of must read material will receive a new dump ... some 1,000+ pages.  For now, I'll be plenty busy reading the 154-page "executive summary" released yesterday afternoon.  And I'll admit, I'm not a speedy reader, though I do tend to retain most of what I do read, and have found a series of great references/sources for fair and balanced analysis when I'm confused or just not grasping some legal points.  So I feel as if my opinions on most of this are well supported by the truth which is based on facts and common sense ... I'm entitled to my opinion because I have put in the time to grasp the multiple issues facing our nation.  How about you?  Did you ever get around to reading the Mueller Report?  I didn't think so.

If you're among the handful of radical right-wing MAGA Republicans who are bitching about the prospect of Donald J. Trump actually being prosecuted for any one or more crimes (you pick: insurrection, confidential document theft found in the Donald's seaside Mar-a-Lago estate, income tax evasion, Georgia vote tampering) I have a simple reply: that's just too bad - or as I said as a kid: "tough".  You have no basis to complain unless you can prove that you did watch, listen, absorb the ten public hearings of the House Select Committee and have read the Executive Summary.  No, you can't plead ignorance - the information and material is freely available: https://january6th.house.gov/  You'll find video files of past hearings, and access to your own copy of the Executive Summary.  If you haven't already: read it ... then we'll talk.  Otherwise, you are likely just spewing uninformed arguments - and I'll bet most of your BS retort is based on mindless babble that flows freely from Trump's lips, or, equally sickening, straight from someone you heard on Fox News, or OneAmerica, or NewsMax.  Or, something you read on Facebook.  (Seriously?  People actually get their news from Facebook?  Sad.)

Regardless, I've gotta' dash and finish reading this preliminary summary.

encouraged on 12.20.22  
P.S.  Yes, I also just finished reading Robert Draper's excellent book mentioned below (Weapons of Mass Delusion - When The Republican Party Lost Its Mind).  Highly recommend it for those searching for fact-based counter arguments for those upcoming gatherings with peoples of varied political views.  Happy Holidays

The vast majority of polls have gotten it wrong the past several elections
     Makes you wonder: why does the media continue to place such emphasis on faulty numbers?

Political polling has gotten it wrong 4 of the past 5 elections ... by a significant margin.  It didn't used to be this way.  Dating back to the 1940's final results for our national elections were generally settled within the projected "margin of error" for most major polls.  In '40 & '44 Franklin Roosevelt actually got over 2% more votes than predicted.  Same with Truman in '48 (Harry beat expectations by over 4% ... same with Eisenhower in '52). 

The next several elections ('56, '60, and '64) the winning margin was back in the 1-2% range of what was expected.  Though you have to keep in mind some elections, like '64, one candidate had a massive projected "lead" ... Lyndon Johnson towered over Barry Goldwater 77% to 18% coming out of the conventions, and ended with LBJ beating most polls by over 22%.   Polls were again within the margin for error compared to the final actual election count in '68, '72, '76.  In '80 the actual final voting tally for actor Ron Reagan beat the polls by 3.75% ... and then things began to become less predictable - polls were well off the mark for Ronnie's 2nd term, and GHW Bush under-performed in '88. (Pollsters said GHWB received 2.63% fewer votes than anticipated before the election.)

In '92 polls were off by almost 6% when Billy Clinton beat senior Bush, and off by almost 3% when Clinton beat Bob Dole & Ross Perot, who nearly became a 3rd party "spoiler".  In 2000 George W. Bush received fewer votes when he squeaked-out an electoral college win over Al Gore, even though Gore won the popular vote by a large margin (543,895 votes). George W. Bush never should have been president, but that's a different argument for another day.  In '04 the actual margin of Bush's 2nd term was 1.7% over the final projections; similar results in 2008 (Obama v. McCain). In 2012 Barack Obama received 2% more votes (in his race with Mitt Romney) than the final polls estimated.

2016 showed the power potential of alternate parties as Gary Johnson & Jill Stein combined got more votes than the final margin; Trump beat the odds most pollsters placed on the race & won the electoral college over Hillary - while she overwhelmingly won the popular votes by 2.8 million!  In 2020 Joe Biden was projected to win big and he did - trouncing the Donald in both the electoral college and the popular vote ... which is why the conspiracy theories about "election fraud" are so lame - so wrong ... and voters demonstrated that they're sick of the negativity Republicans bring to the party.

So given these recent results I was skeptical of the polling info that analysts and TV talking heads wrongly repeated over, and over:

1. the party that controls the White House tends to lose Congressional seats in the Mid-Term elections.  Some folks predicted the Republicans would not only win back control of the Senate, but likely take 50-60 seats away from Democrats in the House. Wrong-o!
2. Joe Biden is/was significantly "unpopular" through the 1st twenty-two months of his presidency ... with favorable/unfavorable ratings of 42%/53% in July of 2020.  News headlines typically sounded extremely dire for Sleepy Joe: "53% of Americans disapprove of the president".  Total BS - screw the limited sample, highly flawed polling processes ... just pay attention to Biden's many accomplishments. 

I say both of those notions were wrong.  After 4+ years of Trump's BS the American voter craved "normalcy" - but the media was so loving the controversies 'cuz they profit from negativity and angst ("when it bleeds it reads").  The predictors also did not properly factor the national outrage over the Supreme Court decision to nuke Roe v. Wade ... over 70% of Americans think women can decide the matter better, on their own, thank you.  "Stay the [bleep] out-of-my-bedroom!" 

It almost seems like the media was insisting Biden was unpopular, because, well, the party holding the WH always loses a boat-load of seats in the mid-terms.  Any Washington Insider knows that!  It's been this way since Walter Cronkite was signing off the air:  "And that's the way it is ...[insert date]."   Besides, voter's #1 issue is inflation, pollsters repeated over and over and over and over and over ...  as prices for gasoline and most every product known to mankind were spiking in the summer of 2021.  "Too bad for Joe," the TV talking heads kept saying ... as if voters can only keep track of one important issue at a time. I can be concerned about inflation at the same time, laser focused on woman's right to determine her own reproductive health while also maintaining the position that no non-military person should be allowed to own and walk around town sport an AK-47. Add to those opinions, it's obvious why Fox News dwells on immigration topics dozens of times every single day including weekends!  They focus on it because they know the issue is complex and also know their viewers will rarely bother to check into the facts.

The reality is with all of the accomplishments Democrats and Joe Biden enjoyed in the 1st 22-months of clearing Trump's swamp and total mess (terribly managed pandemic response - combined with a global economy that was on the ropes) ... specifically, Biden’s success at getting legislation passed to make sure large corporations pay their share of taxes, empower Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices, enact the most significant gun reform in 30 years and push the biggest investment in infrastructure since the 1950s.  Americans are glad Biden and the Democrats are getting things done.  Jobs - 6 million created; unemployment dropped from 6.2% to 3.9% and unemployment claims reached the lowest level since 1969, which - for those old enough to recall 1969 for more than just celebrating Woodstock Music & Art Fair - was after Richard Nixon barely squeaked by Hubert Humphrey to win his 1st term of office.  Throughout 2020-21 there has been more good stuff happening: climate change investments (finally), additional COVID relief measures, and landmark spending on infrastructure.   Trump talked about it - Biden did more than talk - he accomplished what several previous administrations did not do. 

No, I don't buy the polling that is passed along as "fact" these days.  I don't think the majority of Americans have an unfavorable view of Biden and for those who cling to their Fox & Friends view of the world: they have been proven to be wrong - especially lately.

posted 11.20.23

Lock 'em up 'til they agree to testify

It's amazing how many of the folks who worked for Trump in Washington DC have written books bragging about their experiences ... I don't claim this is a complete list - just a screen-shot of the 41 books I easily found on-line.  There are likely more of 'em.   Sean Spicer, formerly a staffer in Trump's communications department has penned 3 books about his year and a half stint at the White House, so it must pay off nicely - even if they had to hire a ghost writer.  So, who reads this stuff?  Good question - earlier this summer NPD BookScan, a research firm that tracks books sales for the publishing industry, reported that advisor Kellyanne Conway's book, which had been out about a year, had sold 42,273 copies ... Attorney General Bill Barr's book had done a bit better: 64,103 sales. [more data]

What launched my search and satisfy my curious mind was former Vice President Mike Pence making the rounds on all the political and news talk shows this past week ... not because he had details to share with the American public about Trump's Insurrection.  Pence is actually resisting the House Committee's request that he appear before the committee and share what he knows.  But, the Veep would rather make a buck and sock it away in his retirement account.  As CNN's Jake Tapper tossed softball questions at Pence two things became clear:  a) Pence was there to promote his book, mentioning it once or twice every minute ... and 2) ...er, I mean b) Pence's eyes are "dead" - he's a beaten man after kowtowing to Trump for 4-yrs & being targeted for insurrectionists to hang at the Capitol on January 6th, 2021.  Public lynchings have a way of doing that to a guy. 
still disgusted while posting 11.18.22

Typical.  Polls Were Wrong & Misleading ... No "Red Wave" &  Plenty Of Crushing Defeats For GOP

The so-called "common wisdom" that the party holding the White House loses seats in Congress was debunked this past week.  The prediction had been repeated so many times I was beginning to think our media was intentionally trying to brainwash the public.  Those who repeated the "common wisdom" were wrong as were most all polls - especially those predicting the "Red Wave".  It just did not make sense to me that voters would continue to vote for Republicans after 6-yrs of Trump bull-pucky, and the Supreme Court obliterating precedent that has been the law of the land for 50-yrs giving women the right, largely, to determine her own reproductive health.  It's hard for me to appreciate how or why nearly half of America voted for a election deniers and those who want to take away women's rights.  And, it's difficult for me to believe that over a dozen races across the country are still unresolved ... so we don't have a "final tally" but it appears the Republicans will have a slim majority in the House, and the Senate remains Democratic, which is huge because it will allow the Biden administration to continue nominate candidates to fill administrative and judicial vacancies.  [Wiki: "As of November 1, 2022, the United States Senate has confirmed ... One Associate Justice to the Supreme Court, 25 judges for the United States courts of appeals and 58 judges for the United States district courts."]

Meanwhile the GOP will likely turn the House into their personal playpen for righting the wrongs they perceive Democrats have committed ... like investigating the January 6th 2021 insurrection ... which Kevin McCarthy initially supported until meeting the Donald late January 2021. (See below.) 

And in Michigan, we did see huge victories in most Democratic races.  On my ballot personally only two of the folks I voted for did not win - more importantly, the majority of 'em DID WIN.  All week long the talking heads on TV and radio have tried to make some sense of a race they did not accurately predict ... thank goodness.  So was the outcome exactly as I hoped?  Nope ... voters cast too many votes for wingnuts like Ron Johnson (R-WI) and JD Vance (R-OH) ... I seriously believe Republicans do not deserve any victories given all of the crap the GOP has been involved in ... but we are where we are - and in Michigan things are looking much brighter today than a week ago!   Now, how about Congress getting a slew of things passed during this "lame duck" session ... extend the debt ceiling now for a 2 or 3-yr stretch so the Republicans can't shut down the government in an effort to wrangle some piece of legislation that the majority of Americans do not want or agree with.  Like changing or eliminating Social Security or Medicare, which they have threatened to do.

posted 11.15.22 ... relieved

Just a thought to keep in mind...only cowards support violence.

Tuesday November 8th 2022 is the day American voters will decide what direction the nation will follow, going forward: will our democracy still stand, or are we heading toward an autocratic government? Many Americans have already voted; congratulations! It's difficult imagining how anyone could be "undecided" at this phase of the mid-term elections. Record dollars have been spent on advertising - online, radio, and non-stop on TV. Thankfully, we watch very little commercial TV in our household and when we do, it's pre-recorded on DVR so we can zip thru commercials. Seriously. Even the evening news is recorded and we watch it about 1/2 hour after the broadcast - so yes, I'll admit, I can be a tiny-bit out of touch.  But I did see our President speak last night - one of the more memorable thoughts he shared, for me: "American democracy is under attack because the defeated former president of the United States refused to accept the results of the 2020 election," President Biden said.  You can read the entire transcript if you missed the speech ... and avoid the media filters.

Will the candidate accept the outcome of the election? 

The President also suggested one principle to keep in mind as you place your vote: "I hope you’ll ask a simple question of each candidate you might vote for. Will that person accept the legitimate will of the American people and the people voting in his district or her district?  Will that person accept the outcome of the election, win or lose?  The answer to that question is vital. And, in my opinion, it should be decisive."  If not, the President suggests (and I support): "vote for someone else."

posted 11.03.22

GOP plans are no secret if they ever regain majority in Congress

Much like the insurrection on January 6th, 2021 ... Republicans who are hell-bent on getting revenge for what they perceive have been a series of "slights" against their disgraced, twice impeached President & their support of the Big Lie, are making their threats to America in plain view.  Should Republicans win in the upcoming Mid-Term Elections they have big plans that will affect all Americans ... plans that I doubt seriously the voters who historically aligned with GOP have paid much attention to.  And before going any further, tell me: why would anyone in their right mind still vote for Republicans? Common reply:  "...because my Grand Pappy did, and his Pappy before that..." etc.  The question is: when will you come to your senses?  And, are traditional Republican voters really listening? 

I ask, because it sure seems like a huge segment of Republican voters still cling to the GOP's historical persona ... "champions of limited gov't and low taxes".  Well, we've got some news for you: they aren't and haven't been for years; and fortunately we have recorded footage - their words, not mine.  Tell me, is this the sort of America you envision?

Eliminate or Radically Cut Social Security and Medicare

The Washington Post reports this week: "House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) said that if Republicans win control of the House the GOP will use raising the debt limit as leverage to force spending cuts — which could include cuts to Medicare and Social Security — and limit additional funding to Ukraine."  Take a moment and allow that last sentence reverberate in your head.  If other adults are nearby as you read this ... try gauging their reaction by reading McCarthy's astonishing quote out loud.  Republicans plan on shutting down the Federal government if they don't get spending cuts they desire.  Forget the fact that the Biden administration has actually reduced the deficit by $1.4 trillion just this year.  The last time we saw a reduction in the Federal Deficit was during the Obama administration.  The time before that?  [wait for it] The Clinton administration.  Our recent history has shown that no, Republicans are not really the party that cuts government spending.  Under Bush & Trump the Federal spending skyrocketed with massive increases in defense spending combined with massive tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy donors of the GOP.  Doubt my facts?  Read it for yourself: news link.

Other potential spending cuts involve plenty of government programs that have always been popular with the majority of Americans, but Senator Rick Scott (R-FL.) has proposed to “sunset” all federal programs after five years, meaning they would expire unless renewed. “If a law is worth keeping, Congress can pass it again,” Scott says in his proposal. [news link]

Revenge for January 6th Committee

North Carolina Representative Dan Bishop offered a warning for the Democratic majority: those who voted in favor of investigating the January 6th Insurrection would come to regret their decision down the road. “The Democrats are setting a new bar,” Bishop said on the House floor. “Even while the handwriting is on the wall, may you enjoy the fruits. Let the contempt resolutions and criminal referrals flow [as] freely and quickly as a river.  Merrick Garland.  Ron Klain.  Hunter Biden. Chuck Dolan.  Marc Elias.  Andrew Weissmann.  Alejandro Mayorkas.  Let them come.  This is the choice that is being made by the Democrats.”  [news link]   Much like the Trumpian Rally Cry: "Lock Her Up!" these people seriously want to imprison their political opponents.  Another reason this argument is total BULL: Republicans actually negotiated the idea of having a commission investigate the insurrection.  NPR report: "McCarthy tasked the top-ranking Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee, Rep. John Katko of New York, to broker a deal on the commission."  And Katko did a great job - came out of negotiations gaining agreement on all points the Republicans sought.  Then McCarthy reneged on the deal and thru Katko under the bus by "opposing the deal he’d charged Katko to negotiate".  [News link for disgusting details.]

Democrats will get to feel what it's like to be investigated

That seems to be the intent: 'turn the tables on these damn progressives'.   Right.  They forget: we've seen this movie before. Remember those Benghazi, Benghazi hearings and "investigations" that went on for 4-nauseating-years (with no charges filed)? Still, Republicans are claiming a mandate they'll have after this year’s midterm elections.  Matt Gaetz (R-FL) says the GOP has no plans "to go hold hands in the warm spring rain with the Democrats, it is to investigate them, hold them accountable and we can do that without the Senate, without the White House,” said Gaetz.  Yes, that silly threat comes for the same Matt Gaetz who still under investigation for assorted sleazy acts.  Sleazy acts?  Like what?  Well, allegedly Gaetz broke federal law recruiting women online for paid sex, including a teenager.  Naturally he has denied any wrongdoing and has not (yet) been charged with a crime ... but Joel Greenberg former Seminole County tax collector pleaded guilty to six Federal crimes as part of the same investigation.  Read more if you doubt me - National Public Radio reports: "House GOP unveils its legislative roadmap if they win back the House in November."

posted 10.29.22

 GOP No Longer Stands For Anything Good Or Decent. 
They Will Do Anything It Takes To "Win" Including Lie & Cheat

[What is Mike reading about now?]  It's happened right before our eyes - and yet - a third of American voters continue to support the BIG LIE.  I'll never understand how things could flip up-side-down so quickly ... how completely polarized America has become as Republicans have embraced the fact-less, criminal element in our society.  So I sought some point of reference to help explain how and why things have become so royally f_cked-up and found Robert Draper's new stunning review and analysis of When The Republican Party Lost Its Mind.  I'm only halfway through the book, but have already read enough to appreciate Draper's title for the book: Weapons Of Mass Delusion.  We are where we are because members of the Grand Old Party have opted to suck-up to stay "in-power" rather than confronting and eliminating evil when they had a chance.  And they've had plenty of chances.  (More so than two failed attempts to remove Trump through impeachment.)

In 2016 Senator Lindsey Graham tweeted: “If we nominate Trump, we will get destroyed … and we will deserve it.”  The Republican Senator was only partially correct in that assessment.  Trump did lose in his bid for a second term - badly - but so many of Trump's detractors, like Graham ... and Ted Cruz, and Marco Rubio ... and hundreds more caved.  Their opposition to Trump faded as they tried to remain relevant.  Just as Liz Cheney and Paul Ryan, former Speaker of the House, learned: if one were to oppose Trump they'd soon find themselves alone ... as if they were on a deserted beach - and the beach was covered in toxic waste.

As you will recall, Senator Graham had a change of heart and became one of Trump’s most voracious cheerleaders and closest golfing buddies.  Graham even played a role in Trump's BIG LIE following his humiliating defeat in 2020 and now is in the crosshairs of Justice after losing his appeal to avoid testifying in Georgia over Trump's attempt to find 11,780 votes.  It's called ELECTION FRAUD.  'I just want 11,780 votes' Trump pressed Georgia to overturn Biden victory [link to story].

One week after the January 6th Insurrection - when MAGA Republicans stormed the US Capitol, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said: "“The president bears responsibility for Wednesday’s attack on Congress by mob rioters,” McCarthy said on the House floor. “He should have immediately denounced the mob when he saw what was unfolding. " [Link to video - listen to him for yourself if you doubt me.]  Fifteen days later McCarthy was sucking up to President Trump at the opulent Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.  “Today, President Trump committed to helping elect Republicans in the House and Senate in 2022,” McCarthy said. “A Republican majority will listen to our fellow Americans and solve the challenges facing our nation. Democrats, on the other hand, have only put forward an agenda that divides us — such as impeaching a President who is now a private citizen and destroying blue-collar energy jobs. For the sake of our country, the radical Democrat agenda must be stopped.”  [news link]   Oh, right.  While Democrats worked to contain COVID and get the country back on track, and fixing the damn roads.  Republicans?  They offered nothing in the way of policy, instead, they have spent the past 2-years engaged in assorted culture wars.  

The November 8th Mid-Term Election could be our last chance to put an end to this madness.  We need to vote every Republican out of office who participated in the Big Lie.  My 2nd litmus test: does the candidate support a woman's right to determine her own reproductive health? 

posted 10.27.22 - 13 days until the potential end of Democracy as we've known it.

 "...a lot of Republicans did not sign up for this insanity..."

Update 10.21.22 - Detroit Free Press - reporting on statewide races often called "down ballot" appears to be favoring Democrats for the first time in decades after Michigan's first redistricting project not run by the state legislature.   Voters approved the commission in a constitutional amendment ballot proposal in 2018 designed to eliminate GOP gerrymandering.  Specifically, the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission drew new, more competitive districts up and down the ballot.

“What used to be the Republican Party is bifurcated. There are people out there who are election deniers and conspiracy theory embracers, and I'm not going to get their support,” said Rep. David LaGrand, D-Grand Rapids.  "But there are a lot of Republicans who did not sign up for this insanity, and they are more than receptive to a conversation with a person like me, with a law enforcement background and a serious business background."

• Election deniers?  Those who support Trump's "big lie".
• Conspiracy theory embracers?  It's quite a long list: White-nationalists, vaccine deniers, voter fraud, QAnon followers, Replacement theories, Critical Race Theory (even though it is NOT part of curricula in any Michigan Public School), book bans, Insurrectionists, Birtherism, Ukrainian funding to combat Russian aggression, all-things-Hunter Biden, all-things-Hillary, ANTIFA.

The choice is clear for normal Republicans who do not endorse or support the above conspiracies and realize this mid-term election is going to define what sort of America we'll be living in starting in 2023 ... normal Republicans will support those Democratic candidates who better align with American values and opinions (see "what Americans Support" below). 

Additional Proof That Counters Trump's Big Lie

CA Judge reveals Eastman emails proves Trump knew the BIG LIE was false [link]

Trump planted the seeds for the coup well before the 2020 Presidential election.  National Public Radio, and most all major news sources, began reporting the Donald's claims of voter fraud nearly 8-months BEFORE THE ELECTION.  NPR Apr. 7, 2020: "Attacking the election Trump made one of his first false claims about the security of mail-in ballots."

"Mail ballots are a very dangerous thing for this country, because they're cheaters," Trump said. "They go and collect them. They're fraudulent in many cases."       In reality, mail-in ballots had been used safely by several states for years, with insignificant instances of fraud.  The president himself had voted by mail in previous elections.  April 7 was a momentous day: the date of Wisconsin's presidential primary.  Voters were standing in long lines despite the risk of coronavirus.  The state Supreme Court had rejected an effort to extend absentee balloting in the pandemic.  Other states were debating vote-by-mail measures for the fall election."  [Link to NPR news account.]

The Big Lie has grown over the next 2-yrs and now, as we approach the 2022 mid-term elections it is vital that voters are aware of mounting pile of evidence that proves Trump has been lying all along - and that "stop the steal" is BS, to quote Trump's former Attorney General Bill Barr. And the attempted deception is not new.   UPI reports: "The emails show that President Trump knew that the specific numbers of voter fraud were wrong but continued to tout those numbers, both in court and to the public," U.S. District Judge David Carter said. "The Court finds that these emails are sufficiently related to and in furtherance of a conspiracy to defraud the United States." Judge Carter has already released many of Eastman's emails but there is still a dispute over 562 additional documents Eastman's Chapman University email account.  [Link to United Press International news story]  Eastman, a former attorney for President Donald Trump, has resisted the House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack at the U.S. Capitol.

NY Times: "The emails in question, which were dated between Nov. 3, 2020, and Jan. 20, 2021, came from Mr. Eastman’s account at Chapman University, where he once served as a law school dean. Judge Carter wrote on Wednesday that the crime-fraud exception applied to a number of the emails related to Mr. Trump and Mr. Eastman’s “efforts to delay or disrupt the Jan. 6 vote” and “their knowing misrepresentation of voter fraud numbers in Georgia when seeking to overturn the election results in federal court.”

"Judge Carter found four emails that “demonstrate an effort by President Trump and his attorneys to press false claims in federal court for the purpose of delaying the Jan. 6 vote.”

posted 10.21.22 in hopes that more voters seek facts - and vote accordingly

Lee Chatfield's Crash & Burn Saga Continues

Detroit News breaks story about former Speaker of Michigan's House of Representatives suspected to have engaged in a "criminal enterprise" [link]

He's young (34), aggressive, conservative - and it turns out, perhaps a criminal.  The state attorney general's office is investigating charges of embezzlement, bribery, campaign finance violations and controlled substances, according to documents obtained by The Detroit News. Ouch. Talk about some career ending criminal activity!

In 2005 Chatfield challenged incumbent Republican Frank Foster, a moderate. Do you recall the rabid, red-meat topics of the day that launched his assent to power in Lansing at such a young age?  Medicaid expansion and the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in housing and employment.  Foster supported both ... as did many Republicans at that time, but conservatives like Chatfield challenged the status quo and won.  Lee Chatfield rapidly rose to his powerful position as Speaker of the House in 2019.  By the end of 2020 Chatfield was term limited and just as quickly as he left office, the flood gates of multiple controversies erupted. 

The Detroit News reported in January of 2022 that the Michigan State Police were investigating Chatfield over allegations that he sexually abused a girl who would later become his sister-in-law.  The alleged abused took place for 12-years.  Yep.  Twelve years.  His alleged victim, Rebekah Chatfield, claims Lee Chatfield manipulated and sexually assaulted her when she was the teenage girlfriend of his younger brother while she was a student at the Christian academy where he taught ... a school his father founded. And get this: the abuse reportedly began in 2009 when she was just 14-yrs old and it continued until 2021. Independent news organizations have reported:  'He Destroyed Me,' says Rebekah Chatfield.  [Link to news reports of this disgusting charge that has lead to fall from grace.]  But wait, there's more (as if that wasn't trouble enough) ...

Chatfield's fall-back job fell-through.  Just days after starting his position as CEO of a Michigan based non-profit Southwest Michigan First  Mr. Chatfield was forced to resign.  Why?  Supposedly it relates to Chatfield's position on the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act.  The American Conservative (magazine) reported last year in an article "Cancelling Lee Chatfield" that the former lawmaker "does not believe anyone should be discriminated against, but said he believed the proposed change would have infringed on religious beliefs." [News link.] 

Thankfully Chatfield is not on the ballot for these mid-term elections - but his story illustrates the problems conservative voters have in making sound decisions electing our representatives in state and federal government.  Republicans have become the "anti" party ... against stuff they disagree with, but offering little in the way of alternative policy other than vague, non-specific "platforms" like the wacky one-page "Commitment to America" from minority leader Kevin McCarthy, who will do and say just about anything that he thinks will help him win the Speaker's position. McCarthy's Commitment to America reads curiously similar to Newt Gingrich's "Contract with America" from 1994.  [News link.]    Folks, after 5+ yrs of MAGA Republican nonsense, these GOP candidates have done nothing to justify your support. 

posted on 10.19.22 with hopes that voters see through this charade - and vote these creepy people out of office before they totally destroy our democracy.

Even More Pathetic: 61% of Republicans deny reality

A sad article in USA Today (09.23.22) caught my attention while I was consuming the morning's first cup-o-coffee.  Nearly two-thirds of voters who identify themselves as Republican had their heads buried so deeply in the sand - they no longer maintain the ability to think rationally.  Roughly one-third of American voters actually believe that Trump did not have classified documents at his home in Florida.  "How did this happen?" you may be asking yourself, instinctively.  Much of it stems from the daily brainwashing orchestrated by Fox News, NewsMax, OneAmerica and other more obscure conservative venues of questionable repute.  Wednesday evening Hannity flew to Florida for an hour-long rambling interview that dredged through typical rants about Hillary Clinton, Hunter Biden, building the wall along Southern border (he didn't).  But as the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Trump's lawyer's arguments and reversed U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon’s decision that was favorable to the Donald.  Republican voters eat this stuff up, and sadly, the majority of 'em actually believe Trump's BS ... that's the sad part.  Even with the evidence clearly showing the truth, Republican voters believe Trump's lies, and this misdirection / deflection programming on Fox.

It's sad because the appellate court (packed with Trump judicial nominees) ruled it mattered not if the documents were "classified" or "top secret".  Nope, the stuff team Trump packed-up and shipped to Mar-a-Lago is largely all the property of the US Government.  Oh, but wait, claimed Trump and his lawyers, "I de-classified everything."  Doesn't matter, Sir.  Every hunk of paper you ever touched during your god-awful presidency is property of the US of A.  Post-It© notes, scribbles on bar napkins, doodles on legal pads ... all of it.  Not yours Sir, and yes, you were informed of that ... repeatedly during your reign of terror, and even afterwards.  You knew it, which is why you'll also be charged with obstruction, resisting efforts to retrieve the materials for 18-months.

"But I was negotiating with the National Archives," whined the defeated, corrupt, former president, during an interview with Sean Hannity Wednesday evening on Fox. One year after Trump's hasty exit from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue team Trump coughed-up 15 boxes of documents ... but National Archives and Records Administration chief counsel Gary Stern said there was more material in Trump's possession. A subpoena issued mid-summer didn't convince Trump - his lawyers sent an affidavit claiming there were no more documents at Mar-a-Lago ... so the FBI search was required, and low and behold, agents recovered 11 sets of classified documents, including some materials marked as "top secret/SCI" -- one of the highest levels of classification.  Many government agents believe there is a good chance additional documents may still be in the disgraced former president's possession - perhaps at some of his other properties.  [News link for those who really do care & want to know truth, not Trump fiction.]

posted once again in total disgust with the conservative faction of America; 09.23.22

the world has enough problems without making a mess of everything he touches

No need to summarize the reign of terror Trump has brought to the world - the comments and details and facts from previous articles below and in our archive can handle the historical retrospective.  Nope, the thoughts now for all American voters oughta' be focused on the future ... and addressing/solving genuine problems.  Floods, droughts, food shortages, pollution - including chemical contamination, savage-fighting-warring peoples, attacks on our election officials & volunteers, attacks on our school boards & educators, aggression against our allies (think Russian attacks on Ukraine).

Time to end or greatly reduce the daily obsession over manufactured nonsense brought to the world by the depraved mind of Donald Trump.  Just like the reality TV show he once hosted, very little that Trump dwells on is real.  It's manufactured.  Made up.  Contrived.  One or more of the many investigations underway against the Donald will hopefully be successful putting him in just the sort of place he threatened his political opponents the past 8-yrs: jail. Lock-him-up!  But the real concern going forward ... attempting to regain some degree of "normalcy" whatever that is.

My hunch: it's all been made-up because Trump really never had any interest in serving the country or the world - never had any interest in solving problems.  His presidency was one big ego trip and stood for nothing, other than giving conservatives the guy who would provide the cover to get their judicial nominees confirmed.  Need some proof? Look how he botched, totally, the opportunities he was given while in office to be a leader.  How'd he do when it came to containing nuclear threats and aggression displayed by Russia, North Korea, and Iran?  Not so good, you're right.  And, how about our nation's response to COVID-19? Climate change?  Global migration and immigration into the US of A? 

Nope, the Trump era has not been about solving problems.  For the nation the bigger issue has been the collective inaction by the Republican party, and the escape from reality by 30% of American voters ... folks who just checked out - stopped caring about truth, fact, and decency while remaining focused on just one thing: winning.  The rabid MAGA Republican voter cares only about staying in office, retaining power ... even if it means lying, cheating, and contributing to the moral decay of our nation.

The GOP missed several opportunities to solve the problems - the majority of Congress sought twice to remove him from office through Impeachment.  I'll repeat that because I suspect the average MAGA Republican does not realize that more members of Congress voted to oust DJT.  On January 13, 2021, the House of Representatives voted to impeach Trump by a vote of 232-197 for incitement of insurrection. Fifty-seven senators voted to convict and 43 voted to acquit. Combined: that's 289 to 240 ... a huge majority.  But conviction requires a two-thirds vote of senators present - ten votes short of saving the world from this manufactured madness.  (And the cabinet missed their opportunity to remove Trump through the 25th amendment.) 

I know I'm not alone.  American Conservative magazine suggested this month that Republicans probably should read: "Tired Of The Trump Drama?"  They continue with the essence of their argument: "even if there's a reasonable explanation for the Mar-A-Lago document stash, why would the ex-president do this?"   Because, in the past, we let him. 

posted 08.29.22

voters have a duty to stay informed and cast votes for candidates who are worthy

Researchers at CNN, the news network Republicans love to ridicule and trash, have found that once again Republicans are out campaigning for their re-election to Congress while bragging on the stump about the benefits of recently passed legislation.  Naturally they don't mention the truth - they don't tell voters that, actually - they opposed the legislation when it came time to vote.  Freaking hypocrites.  Sad, but what's even more pathetic is the reality that a voters mindlessly re-elect these creepy people.  Huh?

Well, thankfully the media actually can serve a role - and try to keep voters informed.  CNN's Jake Tapper highlighted Ashley Hinson (R-IA), Gary Palmer (R-AL), Michelle Steel & Ken Calvert (both are R-CA), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Garret Graves, Clay Higgins and Steve Scalise (all 3 are lying, despicable Republicans from Louisiana), Andy Harris (R-MD), Pete Stauber (R-MN), Yvette Herrell (R-NM), Kay Granger (R-TX), and Rob Wittman (R-VA).  [Link to Tapper's news story.]

Seems to me we were taught "right from wrong" at an early age ... and it's a darn shame these members of the GOP place "winning at all costs" above everything else.  But as voters, if we knowingly cast our votes for lying cheats like these despicable conservative members of Congress, we're not being responsible.  The operative word in the previous sentence: "knowingly".  And now that you are aware and have a better appreciation for the evil these creepy people are responsible for.  Especially if this includes your representative ... you have a duty to vote 'em out

[Note: Jake's story on CNN in the above link goes on to list even more examples of GOP members of the House and Senate taking credit for other pieces of legislation they opposed ... THIS YEAR.  Dozens more, but I'll let you have the pleasure of discovery ... tune-in, listen, pay some freaking attention!  These people do not deserve the honor of holding elected office.]  posted, once again in total disgust on trash-day here in Grand Blanc: 08.24.22

Fox News Counters With Mindless (and often mistaken) "Whataboutism"

Researchers can trace the origins of many of the wackiest arguments posed by GOP - particularly the MAGA Republicans.  Take the case of the recent search at Trump's Mar-A-Lago resort, office complex, home, and former Southern White House document archive storage facility. Over 300 documents, property of the US of A (not Trump's personal property) have been recovered; additional details likely forthcoming if/when the Department of Justice takes legal action.  Instead of simply fessing-up and returning the documents team-Trump launches a series of defensive tactics - and his followers, including GOP media: Fox News, NewsMax, and One America all hop on-board, repeating the Donald's denials, often leveling several favorite "what about?" memes.

"Why didn't they [FBI] raid Hillary Clinton? Under investigation, she bleached her private server, deleted 33,000 emails and destroyed over 100 cell phones?" Fox News likes to repeat this argument just about anytime one of the countless Trump investigations runs into security questions about the former President.   Besides the obvious hypocrisy* associating Hillary and her email with the Donald's latest legal problems, the facts associated by the MAGA crowd are false ... not true, Sean Hannity ... wrong-o, Laura Ingraham.  Doubters are urged to read: Washington Post  "BleachBit typifies how Trump’s false claims enter GOP rhetoric unchecked".   [* ok, the hypocrisy referenced here relates to the Trump administration's careless use of private email and mobile phones - all against government regulation and amazingly stupid given the Clinton/Benghazi-Benghazi saga.]

For those Republicans who actually claim they are not die-hard Trump fans - those who do not want to sound like a blubbering idiot - here's a brief historical summary of Hillary's email story ... it's sort of like Paul Harvey's "the rest of the story" which you really oughta' read and understand before repeating the Trump-sponsored whataboutism concerning Hillary and mindless comments like: "Why didn't they [FBI] raid Hillary Clinton?"  Which, as I said, makes you sound like an idiot ... not a good thing.  Need still more fact-checking?   Washington Post - a fact-checker article: "Fact check: Trump’s claim Clinton destroyed emails after getting a subpoena from Congress."   For those who really need to dig even deeper, try the ultimate data tracking site: factba.se which has chronicled 85 occasions (speeches, rallies, interviews) where Trump referenced creative uses for bleach.

Yeah, but ...  "Trump met with the DOJ in June and was cooperating with them. What they did was unnecessary and unprecedented."    Unnecessary???  G'me a break.  Trump was defeated in his re-election bid and his chaotic move out of the White House on January 20th, 2021 in a huff - a move complicated because he was still claiming falsely that he won the 2020 election by a landslide ... even though he and his lawyers never produced any evidence.  It was nearly a year later when the National Archives picked-up 15 cartons of documents in Florida that did not belong to Trump.  Over the next several months it was discovered there was still more US government property in Mar-A-Lago - out of respect to the former president, they "negotiated" even after a team-Trump lawyer wrote to National Archives that there were no more documents in Trump's possession.  Only then did the DOJ, with a judge signing off on the warrant, instruct the FBI to conduct the legal search ...  not a "raid".  Unprecedented?  Likely all legal matters with the twice impeached former president who received over 7 million fewer votes than Joe Biden can be categorized as unprecedented.   

Meanwhile, Joe Biden and the Democrats have focused on policy and repairing damage caused by the pandemic and Donald J. Trump ... passing historic legislation (see below).

posted with pride 08.23.22  (Go ahead and share a copy with your crazy Aunt Marge.)

OK, I admit - it feels like it's a good time for a little escapism.  Time to calm the nerves.  After a week watching the despicable GOP leadership attacking the FBI (with freaking bobble-head hypocrites repeating the disgusting chant: "defund the FBI").  After watching in total disbelief how elected officials can justify their attacks on the Department of Justice and Merrick Garland personally, while disparaging President Joe Biden ... who has been busy this summer actually getting things accomplished (see below) all because the Donald is pissed that he got caught stealing documents when he fled the White House in January 2021 after his massive election defeat (over 7 million Americans voted for sanity, safety, and security in Joe Biden).  The former President steals documents - and battles with Washington for 8-months ... 1st returning some 15 shipping cartons of materials, then claiming "that's it - got no more" ... only to find Trump is lying once again. His team ignored the archivist's subpoena, forcing the Justice Department to take unprecedented action against the defeated, disgraced, twice impeached former president: they conducted a LEGAL SEARCH of Trump's Florida residence (sorry Fox News, it was not a "raid").

So the past two-days I've given my brain a break - watching humans engaged in joyful, pleasant, spontaneous acts of fun ... Flash Mob Dancing at public venues like town squares, airports, train stations, parks. 

• Freedom Flash Mob - boardwalk at Santa Cruz, CA

• Mamma Mia - Flash Mob Dance with ABBA

08.20.22 posted gleefully ... ah, g'won - have some fun!  And make plans to convince your neighbors to vote all MAGA Republicans out of office this fall ... before it's too late.

PS:  Just wanted to mention that musical Flash Mobs can be moving and appeal to all sorts of musical tastes.  Opera?  Sure.  Classical?  You betcha'.  Explore more and watch Fox News less!

Though she likely didn't mean a view of a Biden poster ("Biden Won - Get Over it").
posted 08.09.22

Dems Get Stuff Accomplished While GOP Wrestles With Culture Wars
And Fund Raising - Trump & GOP Waste No Time Tapping Into Wallets

Biden Administration Major Achievements (in just 18-months) 2021-2022

• CHIPS Legislation -  US of A semiconductor chip making - cutting-edge research & manufacturing ... here at home!
• Inflation Reduction Act - major tax, health care and climate change legislation
• Biden authorizes drone strike, kills al-Qaida #1: Ayman al-Zawahiri in Kabul
• July Jobs Report: +528,000 new jobs - double what analysts predicted
• Infrastructure Investment Act - finally: roads, bridges & electric grid!
• Gasoline prices dropping - Joe Biden takes swift action to flight inflation
• American Recovery Act
• Covid-19 Vaccines, Boosters, anti-viral medications

“He’s quietly amassing a record of historic wins on infrastructure, guns, manufacturing—& now maybe Rx pricing, climate & energy,” says David Axelrod, former senior advisor to Barack Obama ... when asked about the string of successes the Biden administration has pulled-off recently. “Not a new Deal but pretty damned impressive in a 50/50 Congress.”

Naturally Fox News has a fact-challenged negative spin for each bullet point above ... like the "Inflation Reduction Act" providing funding to fill vacancies in IRS that has plagued the department for more than a decade ... Fox News says YOU will be audited and all of these new hires will be going after middle income tax-payers.  Of course that doesn't pass the smell test but millions of Fox viewers will nod their heads in unison.  As one observer in the Washington Post commented that Americans should refine their communication messages: "to portray Biden as the quiet, steady, experienced man, and point out the blatant lies and misrepresentations the Republicans have been bloviating about the bill."
◊ posted with pride and optimism 08.09.22

update 08.13.22  þ  I neglected to include ...

• gun safety legislation
• PACT Act - Democrats helped to pass the legislation which Republicans had blocked giving veterans exposed to toxic burn pits while serving their country the medical coverage they deserve.  Voters need to focus on this item - specifically: which political party BLOCKED veterans from receiving the care they need?  Republicans.
• Gasoline prices - down 7 straight weeks following a number of short-term fixes Biden initiated.
• Inflation in USA peaked and declined slightly this past month.
• Biden Executive Orders supporting women seeking out of state abortions.

Kansas Republicans tried to make the state-wide abortion referendum as confusing as possible with convoluted language and the timing of the vote: primary season when GOP expected light voter turnout for liberal, progressive, independent & normal voters.  But just as the vast majority of the country favors a woman's right to determine her own reproductive health, the good folks in Kansas also turned out in record numbers and voted to ensure that it will continue to be LEGAL for women to have an abortion with modest restrictions in the corn-dodger state. 

We're talking Kansas.  You know, like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz: "Auntie Em, there's no place like home!"  Hopefully the trend continues and the progressive minded voters nationwide turnout to not only preserve abortion rights, but also election rights ... and reject those who perpetuate Trump's Big Lie. 
[news article; read more at the ... The New Republic]

Kansas Voters Just Rewrote

the Script for the Midterm Elections

"The overwhelming rejection in deep-red Kansas of an anti-abortion referendum suggests that there may be a hidden army of voters out there who are furious about the Dobbs decision." - the New Republic

Good will prevail over evil.

posted 08.03.22

Today's "Must Read" >

The New Republic • Lindsay Beyerstein • August 2, 2022

When did we depart from the concept of "majority rule"?  Seems to me it's about the period of time when Republicans became the minority party ... likely after a double whammy of Nixon / Watergate followed a few years later by that actor fellow: Reagan / Iran-Contra scandal.  Republicans have learned to pivot from policy - like the good old days when they respected "law-n-order" and a limited government - now days all they care about is clinging to office by finding ways to win - even if it involves lying, cheating and ignoring governing norms. 

The majority of Americans have specific opinions on the leading issues of the day - protecting our freedoms, ending the insane number of mass-shootings, and dismantling our democracy.  We have the ability to identify people who are not genuine, and lie, or just make stuff up.  But increasingly the conservative public seems to pay less attention to the facts and reality, and are getting influenced by folks who really do not share the view & position of the majority of Americans.

I tend to agree that most of the country, but not all, seems to be nicely settled on the concept and support of same sex-marriages.  But in many circles, conservatives continue to fan the flames a bit just after Trump's Supreme Court tosses Roe v. Wade even though most legal scholars considered it "settled law" - or,  like Senators Cruz & Rubio objecting to the idea that debating the issue in the Senate is a "waste of time."  Newsweek reported: "Texas Senator Ted Cruz has sparked fury from Democrats for saying the Supreme Court was "clearly wrong" to legalize same-sex marriage."  Which is why Chuck Moran's Op / Ed in USA Today seems so whacky to me.  I question the sincerity of one tiny faction of the GOP while advocating Senate support for the Respect for Marriage Act ... as a piece of their consulting business that also promotes alternative energy solution and incorporating cryptocurrency in the mainstream norms. 

Americans who want to change need to stop electing Republicans to local, state & federal positions of power - they have a track record of abusing their oath of office and not tending to the things the public supports.  The primaries taking place in many regions of the country right now, and the mid-term elections in November will be the ideal time to make so many wrongs, right.

Fine-print ... or rather, links to back-up these points made here:

• 70% say same-sex marriage settled law [source]
• 62% say abortion should be legal [source]
• 79% favor background checks ... and,
• 72% favor raising age for owning guns to 21, [source]
• 51% favor a ban on semiautomatic weapons [source]
• 62% favor strengthening voter election law [source]
• 63% support the Freedom to Vote / John R. Lewis Act [source]

Solutions?  Make it a Blue Wave this autumn! (posted 07.29.22)

stop electing Republican hypocrites to local, state & federal offices

Are the majority of Republicans OK with gay marriage?

Not the conservatives I know.  They'd be conflating the issue with their nouveau-conservative pals viewing Fox & Friends - in the past these folks avoided political dialogue as they made little effort to be informed ... too much work [they reasoned].  That's partially why I found it curious last week when I read an Op/Ed in USA Today written by a gay GOP activist who advocates for the Senate to pass the "Respect for Marriage Act" that recently cleared the House with 47 Republican votes.   Charles T. Moran, president Log Cabin Republicans, says the overwhelming public acceptance of same-sex marriage justifies codifying the right for same sex couples to marry  through this legislation.   "As of last year, while a record-high 70% of Americans support marriage equality, a majority 55% of Republicans agree that "same-sex marriages should be recognized by the law as valid."    According to USA Today public opinion experienced a 15-point jump over the past 6-yrs and it’s trending higher [07.27.22 USA TODAY OpEd].  Interesting observation since Moran began working for the Trump campaign around the same period to serve as the national LGBTQ surrogate in Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. 

The wing-nut above is upset to learn Trump lied ... and not really President.  "But that $100 I gave you came from my retirement fund!"

Sorry, I don't believe Chuck Moran when he says the Senate oughta' pass the Respect for Marriage Act.  Log Cabin Republicans claim to be the nation's largest Republican organization dedicated to representing LGBT conservatives, according to the Cornerstone Group - a boutique consultancy founded by Moran and energy policy advocate Sarah Hunt.  No matter what shade of lipstick he's wearing - at the end of the day he is still a lobbyist ... lobbying for a firm that has an interesting, if not unlikely, mix of clients: gay rights + energy ... along with cryptocurrency, a specialty of Chet Love, the third founding partner at Cornerstone.  Love's website says he "advises members of congress, state legislators as well as federal and state agencies on block-chain (cryptocurrency) policy".   LGBTQ & solar power & bitcoin ... not exactly the topics your Grandfather's GOP focused upon.
posted 07.29.22

Here's the premise: you are probably clueless about the 2020 election if FOX [NEWS] is your primary info source

Rabid viewers of Fox News don't see the world like normal people do.  They have their own "alternate facts" and may not even realize how clueless they really are.  And, perhaps they are so badly misinformed because they tend to associate only with other Fox viewers ... it "runs in the family" in many cases.  In public settings (restaurants, medical offices, social media, etc.) these folks are insolated from reality because Fox is the primary, sometimes the only, source for information for many of these folks.  And sorry, Fox viewers, but their broadcasts are rarely "news".

Several years ago these would have been difficult conversations to have with some friends and even a few members of my family - but not so much these days because it's gotten to the point where we just don't have much contact.  About the only positive aspect of this situation, for me anyway, is that fortunately the wing-nuts are still the minority - but goodness, it does seem like there are a lot of them.  Tell tale signs: the subject may still have a Trump bumper sticker or lawn sign on display ... and many have updated their signs to include the date of our next general election: 2024 ... often displayed in brilliant red print like this:  "Make America Great Again - Trump - 2024".  Yeah, as if he did such a great job in his 1st term ... (not).  My archived articles back to 2016 will give you a clue why the majority of Americans feel this way.  

For the enlightenment of the rest of Trump's declining base the good folks at Australian Public Broadcasting have made their award winning documentary series available free on YouTube.  I watched parts one & two while walking on my treadmill, and I'll be working on part three during my stroll today.  Privately, I hope the impending multi-billion dollar lawsuits succeed against Fox, One America, Newsmax, and slime ball lawyer Sidney Powell ... the likely unfavorable judgments could bankrupt them all.      

• Capitol Riot: How January 6 and Donald Trump changed America forever | Four Corners | episode three
• Fox and the Big Lie: Trump returns to campaign trail amid 'stolen election' lawsuits | Four Corners | episode two
• How Murdoch’s Fox News allowed Trump's propaganda to destabilize democracy | Four Corners | episode one

This public service for addicted Fox News viewers was posted today: 07.26.22  (You're welcome)

Members of Congress who voted to overturn the '20 election results even AFTER the Jan 6th attack on our capitol ...

Last night's installment of The House Select Committee Investigating the Jan. 6 Insurrection focused on the events of the day of Trump's attempted coup.  Specifically, what transpired during the 3-4 hours when rioters rampaged through the Capitol.  Several videos were shown, not previously seen by the public ... such as seditious Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) sprinting down a corridor ... fleeing the madness that he helped incite.  Many in the audience at the hearing laughed at Hawley's hypocrisy [link] ... but the sad reality is that Hawley's "approval rating" among his base of Missouri voters has actually increased in the past year.  Hawley's not up for re-election until 2024, anyway, but the public needs to be reminded, constantly, of the despicable actions by members of this Congress ... they do not deserve retaining their seats in Congress. A target of sorts must remain affixed to the backs of those who proceeded to vote to decertify the election and negate Biden's victory.  

Hawley is just one example of the bad apples in Washington.  The 147 members of Congress who, like Hawley, voted on January 6th 2021 against certifying Joe Biden’s 2020 victory over Donald Trump, need to be voted out of office.

We like to think our representatives in Congress are honest, patriotic folks - good people who are s'posed to be bright ... and yet, 147 of 'em bought into the Big Lie ... knowing full-well that it was total BS.  Of that group of deplorables at least 33 are lawyers ... 9 doctors, 2 dentists, 2 pharmacists, a CPA, 3 engineers, and three more have their Ph.D. The balance have diverse backgrounds: 45 had private business backgrounds.  Seven of the 147 Insurrectionists are used to getting their hands dirty on the farm (agriculture backgrounds).  The Insurrection Class also includes at least one educator, 2 ministers, two firefighters, 2 former pro athletes, three media execs.  At least 16 appear to be career public service folks.  Educated folks.  People with advanced degrees and vast life-experiences which one would think would help them identify truth from fiction ... facts & reality oughta' prevail in these cases.

Unlike Trump's advisor Kellyanne Conway who famously advocated her concept of ALTERNATIVE FACTS, there is but one stark reality:  Trump lost and refused to accept a peaceful transition of power.  FACTS: Trump lost the popular vote by over 7 MILLION votes ... he lost the Electoral College by 74 (Biden 306 - Trump 232).  After the election his supporters made 65 court challenges, which is his right.  But 64 of the cases team Trump LOST, the states proceeded to certify the election. 

Meanwhile the cast of characters within Trump's circle of crazy advisors forced additional recounts in a handful of key states - but none of 'em resulted in more votes for Donald.  Some states actually recounted the votes 3 times.  Republicans who bought into Trump's BIG LIE hired "specialists" to conduct "audits" in several states - and they actually found a few more votes for Joe Biden - not loser Trump.  Time and again team Trump lost ... Trump even tried to strong -arm the state of Georgia: "I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have. Because we won the state” ... just enough votes to put 'em over the top ... but it may come back to bite 'em.  The Georgia criminal investigation is moving quicker that the larger Federal probes underway.      

So what can the public do?  What's our recourse?  One: embrace circulate the truth.  Two: mobilize voters to unseat all of the original cast of 147 deplorable individuals who may seek re-election (or some other public office).  They need to be stopped.  Two of 'em have since died (one from COVID), several others have already lost primary elections ... some have decided to not run again - likely a wise move.  At this point in time - the bottom-line - 125 of the slime-balls have the audacity to say: vote for me again!  And since they obviously have no shame - I think it's time we cast a ton of it upon them.  These people deserve to be ridiculed, humiliated, and SOUNDLY DEFEATED.  All of them.  "Strap in" says former Trump advisor Steve Bannon.  Remember, this is the guy who warned the day before the riot: "all Hell is going to break loose January 6th" ... so, try not laughing when Bannon is prosecuted & jailed for ignoring a subpoena to testify before the House.  It's a fate many of these people have earned. 

posted 07.22.22 

The 147 Republicans Who Voted to Overturn Election Results

OK, You're Right ... Those Still Supporting Trump For 2024 Are Even Bigger Losers

So after watching seven House January 6th Insurrection Hearings ... after 2 Impeachments ... after learning how to ignore over 13,000 lies Trump spewed while in office (yes, documented) ... after nearly 7-years of crazy Donald you are still a Trumpian?  Seriously?  It's difficult for me to determine who is more pathetic right now ... the voters still supporting the guy, or Trump himself who created the Big Lie and has bilked his supporters out of hundreds of millions of dollars while nearly ruining our democracy.

Trump's support even on Fox News is becoming a bit tenuous with every new revelation of Trump's attempted but failed coup.  Trump Lost.  The majority of those who have testified at the J-6 Hearings have been Republicans ... oh, that's right - it's a "witch hunt" and you're not paying attention to "that crap."  Or, at least that's what your brothers at the VFW Hall say.

NewsFlash:  Trump Lost.  Don't believe me or the vast majority of Americans?  "Lost, Not Stolen: The Conservative Case Trump Lost and Biden Won the 2020 Presidential Election" ... that's the title of a report recently published by some of the most prominent conservatives in the Republican party.   I'll repeat that for those of you who lost your mind somewhere down the line and became brainwashed into believing in Kellyanne's "alternate facts" ... TRUMP LOST.  Fair & square. 

The authors of the 72-page report include retired federal appeals court judges Thomas B. Griffith, J. Michael Luttig and Michael W. McConnell, former Solicitor General Theodore (just call me Ted) Olson, Senators John Danforth and Gordon H. Smith, veteran Republican congressional chief of staff David Hoppe, and longtime Republican election lawyer Benjamin L. Ginsberg.  If you're not familiar with Ginsberg - he's the reason we had W in the White House for 2 terms, and soldiers in Afghanistan for 20+ yrs.  Ben's a Republican and likely the most influential election lawyer in the land.  The authors have all worked in Republican politics ... appointed by Republicans ... several have worked as Republican poll workers or assisted in election day operations monitoring voting. None has shifted to the Democratic Party. 

Read the report.  They review EVERY objection Team Trump raised before, during and after the 2020 election, and concluded there is ZERO BASIS or TRUTH IN THE BIG LIE.  Trump lost ... and his actions since the election should disqualify him from ever holding public office in the future.  Personally I think he belongs in jail - but I'll settle for simply keeping him out of office, provided he confesses to his crimes.  The 147 members of Congress who voted on January 6th to not certify the 2020 election results, even AFTER the Capitol was assaulted?  They need to be voted out.  Oh, and how about the GOP leaders in Idaho (and before them, in Texas) who are about to vote to reject the 2020 election results?  Well, hopefully voters in those states now know, clearly who should not be holding public office.  It's become another "litmus test" for me ... along with those would want to strip women of their choice on reproductive health.   

posted in disgust 07.15.22

FROM C-SPAN COVERAGE OF HOUSE JANUARY 6TH COMMITTEE INVESTIGATION ON JULY 12, 2022:

Jamie Raskin D-MD., delivered his closing statement where he referenced Donald Trump’s inaugural address, which the former president referred to “American carnage.” Raskin said the phrase turned out to be an “excellent prophecy of what his rage would come to visit on our people.” He added, “the Watergate break-in was like a Cub Scout meeting compared to this assault on our people and institutions.”   American Carnage.   It is Trump's legacy ... the total mess he has made of everything he touches. 

Witness testimony thus far in the House J-6 Committee hearings has connected the dots - Donald Trump lead a coup against the United States government in an effort to over turn the will of the people so he could remain "in power".  Never mind Trump never really knew during the previous 4-years how to actually BE the President of the United States ... he just got addicted to the role and the adulation and attention that came his way. Far better than the attention he commanded as a reality show TV host.  And likely, at his age, the Donald probably doesn't really wanna' run again in 2024 - he just wants to milk the role ... the role he loves to play, as President - all the while collecting hundreds of millions of dollars from his brainwashed fans and donors. 

The mission for Congress over the next month or so is to totally discredit Trump and his enabler Republicans in Congress to ensure Trump can never hold public office of any sort, and to begin prosecution of all who are guilty.  Jim Jordan, Scott Perry, Lindsey Graham, Louis Gohmert and the rest of the GOP slime who participated in the insurrection, tied to far-right extremist groups. 

Voters who supported the Donald should be ashamed of themselves - especially those who supported his re-election or bought into the big lie. The J-6 Investigation - combined with recent right-wing Supreme Court decisions on abortion & gun safety surely will prompt a massive Blue Wave this fall.
posted 07.13.22

And stop, please, with your lame argument the House Investigation is 'illegitimate'

The other day I heard the clearest argument against the GOP who claim the J6 Hearings have no Republican nominated representatives on the committee.  They've proceeded to delegitimized the Insurrection Hearings because "the 5 nominees GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy submitted were rejected by Speaker Pelosi".  Actually, no.  Nancy Pelosi only blocked 2 of 5 of Kev's picks because they are material witnesses to the crimes on January 6, 2021: Reps. Jim Jordan (R-OH) and election denier Congressman Jim Banks of Indiana.  McCarthy pulled the other 3 and said in effect he was taking his ball and bat and going home to sulk. 

There is so much crap going on in our nation's politics on a daily basis I realize it's difficult for many folks, especially those who rely on Fox News or One America for their "news".  But that's why folks like me are here ... to keep the story straight.  Immediately after the January 6th insurrection and attempted coup, all leaders in Congress were clamoring for investigations ... McCarthy: “We cannot just sweep this under the rug. We need to know why it happened, who did it and people need to be held accountable for it,” he said. “And I’m committed to make sure that happens.”  A few days later he met with Trump in Florida and flip-flopped [news link - read it for yourself if you doubt me].  McCarthy and Jordan have since been served subpoenas to testify but they won't - they are ignoring it.  Yeah, great Americans those two (not). 

Anyway, All In host  Chris Hayes (MSNBC) asked Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and member of the J6 Committee if he thought, in hind-sight if Pelosi's action was wise given the blow-back we're now seeing ever since the J6 Committee began revealing some very damaging evidence implicating Trump and his Tea-Bagger Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and other Trump administration officials.  " I do think it's worth taking a step back to remember that the speaker's decision not to seat those two members was pretty bold, was pretty outside precedent. Do you think it's paid off? asked Hayes. 

Raskin's reply was something I was thrilled to find in MSNBC's transcripts because he nailed it - for those with short memories:

"Well, let's take two steps back first, Chris. There was originally a proposal by the Republicans, which we agreed to, to have an independent 9/11 style commission made up of five Republican appointees, five Democratic appointees, equal numbers of staff and equal subpoena power. And Bennie Thompson, who's now of course, the chair of our select committee, he agreed to that as the emissary from the Speaker. The emissary from McCarthy, John Katko from New York, he agreed to it.

They took it back. We were about to sign the deal. And then as we understand it, Donald Trump vetoed it, the fourth branch of government, or at least somebody vetoed it, because suddenly, McCarthy turned on his own proposal, blew the whole thing up. That's why Speaker Pelosi said, look, we're not waiting around any longer. This is a matter of national importance and urgency. I'm going to create a select committee within the House of Representatives since the Republicans now both in the House, not all of them, but almost all of them and in the Senate have declared themselves opposed to any investigation of any kind at all.

That's when she began to play hardball on behalf of constitutional democracy. And it was absolutely the right thing to do. And we have a bipartisan committee that is laser-focused on getting it just the truth, just the facts to deliver to the American people, to the Congress, to any prosecutors who are interested in it so that we can get to the bottom of what happened and we can set about the business of fortifying democratic institutions."  [Link to transcript]

Hopefully those with half a brain (or more) that is still functioning will either nod and say "I remember that" or, will re-read the 3 paragraphs above, over-and-over until it sinks in.  There are no Republican nominated members of the J6 Committee because McCarthy backed out from a deal  ... a deal that he and John Katko (R-NY) had made regarding the investigation plans Republicans had already agreed to.  Plain and simple.  "No GOP nominated members of commission."  And they whine about it daily on Fox News because they are assuming their viewers will either not recall what had transpired, or just simply not care about the truth.  Just one more of thousands of valid reasons why Republicans should be voted out of office at all levels.

posted 07.03.22

Not My Party: What I Stand For by Tim Miller (former Republican, former communications director for Jeb Bush, and now political director for Republican Voters Against Trump). 
The Bulwark 
(Founded in 2018 by Sarah Longwell, Charlie Sykes & Bill Kristol, The Bulwark focuses on political analysis and reporting without partisan loyalties or tribal prejudices.)

Abortion Decision Oughta' Drive Majority To Act

Today's Supreme Court decision was anticipated by most folks who pay attention to such things ... a draft of the decision was leaked a few months ago which helped light a fire under several causes to take action - like Michigan's Governor Whitmer requesting the Michigan Supreme Court to rule on the question "whether Michigan’s state constitution protects the right to abortion.”  [Link to news article] In addition to the Governor's action, a state-wide petition initiative was launched to put the question on the ballot for voters to decide - not sleazy religious or political leaders.  A positive vote by citizens will amend our state Constitution to preserve this right for all Michiganders in our state, no matter what happens in Washington, D.C.  "Together, Michigan voters can protect reproductive freedom – for ourselves, our families, and our future," says the proactive folks at Reproductive Freedom For All (https://mireproductivefreedom.org/).  The organization has events going on, and volunteers circulating the petition, at dozens of locations statewide RIGHT NOW ... example:  here in Grand Blanc - today at 5 pm at the Food Truck Festival ... or tomorrow in farmers markets in Flint & Fenton [details]. Clarkston,  Orion Twp., Troy, Farmington, Clawson, Huntington Woods, Sterling Hts., Royal Oak, Plymouth, Ferndale, Warren, Ann Arbor, Dexter, Charlevoix, Kalamazoo ... ok, you get the idea.  In virtually every community, statewide ... this weekend.

Ever since '73 I have remained "Pro-Life" ... but not exactly the way radical right-wing religious wing-nuts assumed ownership of the "pro-life" label.  My pro-life stance is pro-women's life ... women, not politicians, should decide their own reproductive health.  I am pro-life for women and think the abortion decision is a choice.  A choice women get to make - because it is after all, their body - perhaps the decision can be made in conjunction with their partner, and/or doctor ... but today it is a right that the court thinks it can take away.  What's next?  Banning same-sex marriage? 

The radical right-wing extremists are the minority - and it's well past time for the majority to take action on this issue, along with voting rights, immigration reform, and gun safety issues.  Six out of 10 Americans say they support women's abortion rights [see PBS article if you doubt me].  Actually it's over 61% - some polls like NPR says it's more like 64% support CHOICE.  But the conservative, wing-nut radical extremists on the right have cheated, lied and fought relentlessly for 50-yrs to take away a woman's right to decide.  They need to be stopped - and this weekend you have a chance to do just that.  Sign the petition to get this item on the ballot ... which will pass ... and will change our state Constitution blocking the minority.  I have no problem with people who are opposed to abortion - I just do not think they should have the right to dictate to the rest of us who do not share their personal view. 

So if you agree, you need to act ... find a petition & sign it before July 1st.  [events slated all over the state]

posted 06.24.22

'nuther reason why these people need to be voted out of office

Long before the 2020 vote was complete, the Donald was preparing his MAGA Nation for his next disgusting trick: claiming election fraud ... falsely.  Eight months before the 2020 election Trump was laying the foundation for his "Stop The Steal" strategy.  NPR reported that Trump began his evil plan to instill doubt in our election results as early as April 7, 2020.  "Mail ballots are a very dangerous thing for this country, because they're cheaters," he said. "They go and collect them. They're fraudulent in many cases." In reality, mail-in ballots had been used safely by several states for years, with insignificant instances of fraud.  NPR points out Trump himself had voted by mail ... just as plenty of elderly Republican voters - for years in Michigan the majority of "absentee voters" were elderly conservatives. 

Flash forward 2-yrs and we find a slew of GOP candidates in states across the country saying VOTER FRAUD IS ONLY REAL WHEN WE LOSE TO DEMOCRATS.  [link]  For those preparing for family reunions after 2-years of pandemic related isolation, and you're worried how to deal with your crazy, card-carrying-Trumpian Aunt or Uncle, the Brennan Center for Justice provides a fact-based 4 page summary: Debunking the Voter Fraud Myth ... might be wise to print it out now rather than struggling at that family reunion to find it on your Bat-phone in one hand while clutching a beer in the other and your crazy relative spewing falsehoods. 

What the country needs are laws to protect our election integrity - which Republicans in the Senate will surely block.  But just as we face with Gun Safety, Immigration Reform, Women's Reproductive Health Rights, eliminating or revising the Electoral College - and so much more - the filibuster stands in our way of progress.   As with most BIG issues, the Republican MINORITY is in charge, which makes no sense to the majority of Americans.  Detroit Free Press columnist Brian Dickerson nailed it recently when he wrote that only in America do we provide "determined political minorities with powerful tools to frustrate the will of the majority, even when the need for government action is urgent." [Link]

If you know someone who is not watching the Insurrection Hearings ... please give them a kind reminder that it's our responsibility to know these details to ensure our democracy doesn't completely crumble & vanish. 

posted 06.14.22

The problem goes well beyond just Fox News (though they contribute daily)

Tucker Carlson has talked about the Great Replacement Theory almost daily on his despicable Fox News nightly rant filled program ... and has for years.  I agree with those who want to resist common wisdom that the minority party benefits during mid-term elections.  The next two elections will likely dictate our fate as a country.  Democrats need to be more aggressive countering the assorted disgusting GOP disinformation campaigns ... so when I heard comments on Nicolle Wallace's Deadline Whitehouse the other day (05.17.22), I just felt compelled to capture the essence of a discussion about what normal voters (Independents, Democrats and those Republicans who are not bat-bleep crazy like the MAGA faction of GOP) need to do this fall.  Folks say: "well, it's a polarized world out there."  My response: "yep, more than half - likely 65-70% of Americans understand what is happening and stay current on what is going on - while 30-35% have bought into and believe the big lie and assorted Trump/MAGA World conspiracy theories.  It's FACT vs. evil-fantasy.  Besides making sure the majority gets out and votes, I think we need to be more assertive in rooting out the lies and disinformation.

Wallace Question: "...and you have Kevin McCarthy on tape in his own voice worrying about violence that could be created by the kind of things his own members were saying. How do you not take Republicans worried about violence being created by their own, and take that to the country, and say "if you don't believe me - believe them?"

Deutsch Answer: "...what the Democrats need to do, and its so obvious at this point, is brand them with it. Is basically take this replacement theory and now make it the Republican Racist Replacement Theory ... make every Republican answer: "do you believe in it or not?" Brand every Republican..........this is the party of the replacement theory. Take what is a sliver or a real minority and make it the entire raison d etre of the Republican Party - do the same thing with violence - it's the RV Party ... it's the Republican Violence Party. Brand them ... this is judo. The very, very heinous things they stand for or are hiding behind: brand them on it. Take a branding iron, put it on them so that any mainstream Republican has to wear that badge. And go: "Are you voting Republican? Do you understand you are voting for replacement theory? Do you believe in that? Is that what you stand for? Do you believe that immigrants are coming over to replace white people and it's part of a Jewish cabal playing this whole thing and through interracial marriage? Because that's the Republican platform. So make the Republicans own it." [timestamp 17:18]

Deutsch said something similar in 2019 on The Morning Joe, recommending that Democrats brand the GOP as "The Party of Assault Weapons."  How did that work out?  Not well - no way Republicans would support any legislation connected with immigration, or gun control [link - timestamp: 01:38].

posted 05.19.22

why these people need to be neutralized (your vote matters)

Supreme Court - We don't directly select members to our Federal Courts, but we have had experience with Republicans packing the court - the folks we elect to select our judges.  Today's conservative Supreme Court has one too many Republicans ever since Mitch McConnell refused to allow hearings for Barack Obama's nominee: Merrick Garland. On the very day Associate Justice Antonin Scalia died, 02.13.16 creating a vacancy on the court, McConnell said they would not consider any nominee put forth by Obama, leaving the decision to the next President.  Huh?  It matters not that the 2016 election was over 280 days away.  Republicans somehow prevailed and the vacancy remained open until Trump was elected.  Shameful.  Over the past several decades all court nominees have faced questions about abortion during their confirmation hearings - and all of the Republican nominated candidates stated in various degrees that the decisions of Roe v. Wade and Casey v Planned Parenthood were essentially settled law.  "Stare decisis" they said.  They lied just to get confirmed.

Flash forward to 2020 ... on October 26, 2020 NINE DAYS BEFORE THE 2020 ELECTION ... McConnell allows the Senate to vote and confirm Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court, filling Ruth Bader Ginsburg's vacancy ... highlighting the GOP hypocrisy. Nine days before the general election: the shortest period of time in history between a SCOTUS nomination and a presidential election.  In Barrett's confirmation hearings, she said "Roe is not a super-precedent because calls for its overruling have never ceased. But that doesn't mean that Roe should be overruled. It just means that it doesn't fall in the small handful of cases like Marbury v. Madison and Brown v. Board that no one questions anymore," she added. Plenty of legal scholars disagree - and think Roe was/is every bit as significant.  [text/article link]

Samuel Alito during his Supreme Court confirmation hearing in January 2006: "Roe v. Wade is an important precedent of the Supreme Court. It was decided in 1973, so it has been on the books for a long time," he said. "It is a precedent that has now been on the books for several decades. It has been challenged. It has been reaffirmed. But it is an issue that is involved in litigation now at all levels."  [video link; text/article link]

Much was made of a private meeting between Crying Brett Kavanaugh and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, during his confirmation process in 2018. Reportedly Crying Brett had told the Senator, a critical "swing vote" that he had to secure, that he considered Roe to be "settled law."  [link to text and video]  Kavanaugh lied about so much during his testimony, a case can be made that he never should have been confirmed to the court for not being truthful about much more than his fondness for beer.

Neil Gorsuch lied too when he was confirmed to the court in 2017.   As reported by NPR:  "I would tell you that Roe v. Wade, decided in 1973, is a precedent of the United States Supreme Court.   It has been reaffirmed," he said. "A good judge will consider it as precedent of the U.S. Supreme Court worthy as treatment of precedent like any other."  One telling exchange came with Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., who asked about a book Gorsuch wrote in 2006 advocating against legalizing assisted suicide.  Gorsuch acknowledged that the Supreme Court had held that a fetus is not a person for the purposes of the 14th Amendment's due process clause, a legal underpinning of Roe v. Wade. "Do you accept that?" asked Durbin. "That is the law of the land.  I accept the law of the land, senator, yes," Gorsuch replied.  [Unbelievable hypocrisy; read it for yourself: text link].

To his credit, Justice Clarence Thomas refused to respond to questions regarding Roe v. Wade, but Chief Justice John Roberts had no qualms saying during his Senate confirmation hearing in 2005 that Roe is "settled as a precedent of the court."  While I am not sure how we resolve the imbalance created by the Republican Party - it needs to be solved before the Mid-Term elections.  And when Republicans filibuster any vote where the Democrats hold a majority, the filibuster needs to be nuked - don't wait for the draft opinion to become final (restricting a woman's right to determine her own reproductive health).  Other changes in law that are required due to GOP gridlock in Congress: 1.) a woman's right to an abortion should be "codified" (written into law rather than relying on court interpretation) and written into law in such a manner that will take decades for the GOP to reverse or change it.  2.) get rid of the arcane electoral college - it's time for the majority rule, and, 3.) voting restrictions passed by states over the past 2-yrs should be reversed and gerrymandered voting districts eliminated.  But these are not the only issues that highlight Republicans lying ...  

More Liars In Congress Regarding Insurrection

Congress - Let's focus on the insurrections.  Who said: "The President bears responsibility for Wednesday’s attack on Congress by mob rioters. He should have immediately denounced the mob when he saw what was unfolding. These facts require immediate action by President Trump, accept his share of responsibility, quell the brewing unrest and ensure President elect Biden is able to successfully begin his term. The President’s immediate action also deserves congressional action, which is why I think a fact finding commission and a censure resolution would be prudent."  Hint, he wants to be Speaker of the House someday.  Answer: yep, none other than Kevin McCarthy, minority leader, who needs to be un-elected in November.

Sticking with the same topic - the GOP Coup ... which Senator was over-heard saying to White House counsel Pat Cipollone on Jan. 6, while the angry mob was occupying the Capitol, that lawmakers would invoke the 25th Amendment to remove then-President Trump from office if he did not do more to condemn the rioters at the Capitol.  Need a hint?  He's a Republican from S. Carolina who once served in the US Air Force as Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG Corps).  “This Will Not Pass,” says the spineless Senator Lindsey Graham.   “We’ll be asking you for the 25th Amendment if Trump does not do more to condemn the rioters."  Yep, Lindsey Graham is the answer to this 2nd question.  It can be fun learning new things, can't it?  You may actually find yourself watching the news more once you understand it.  Graham, McCarthy & McConnell all blamed Trump for the riot on the Capitol - then flip-flopped.  They are weak, spineless weasels.  Sad thing is Graham & McConnell were just re-elected in 2020 & both have 4-more-years.

{Future updates will feature others who need to be highlighted, ridiculed, and exposed ... the Mid-term elections may well determine the fate of the nation - this is too important to risk letting the Marjorie Taylor Greene's of the world control Congress.}  05.04.22, updated 05.05.22   

Ok, I get it - historically mid-term elections favor the party not in power - fickle voters apparently want change when the party in control of White House & Congress doesn't deliver miracles.  Let's see, we're recovering from the most serious global health crisis in a century after the previous liar-in-chief totally botched our nation's response (as well as screwing up in countless other ways including lying to the American people - documented over 30,570 times in the past 4-yrs. [Fact-check link for your crazy Uncle Harry.]   But repeating it daily for the next 6-months will only make it that much harder to end the trend - and do what's right for the country.  Voters must wake-up and realize today's GOP is not your Grandfather's conservative Republican Party.  Those who are paying attention are trying to warn you - and give you the info you may need to do a little fact-checking yourself!

An editorial that printed the other day by Jill Lawrence attempts to do just that:  “Democrats don’t yell loud enough about their own accomplishments and we don’t yell loud enough when Republicans break the law,” Lawrence says.  "It's astonishing to watch Republicans throwing public education, free speech, LGBTQ rights, parental rights, abortion rights and corporations like Disney under the bus," Lawrence explains.  "... along with fair elections, voting equity, telling the truth and obeying the law. Imagine all of America subjected to the casual cruelty and hypocrisy of a Ron DeSantis or a Greg Abbott."

If you're one of those occasional voters who struggles to name your own representatives in Congress, you may be wondering: "who's Greg Abbott?"  I sure do hope that's not the case today but far too many adults say they avoid politics and find their primary news source is Facebook.  It may seem strange to hear an agnostic like myself say: 'heaven help us' ... I just know as more people pay attention to facts the better off the entire world will be. 

Lawrence continues: "Making the government work is not an easy sell when former President Donald Trump and a half-dozen 2024 wannabes are generating one outrageous headline after another in their competition to discredit the 2020 election and roll back the whole 21st century. How many people know that under President Joe Biden, job growth is setting records, unemployment claims are at a 53-year low? ... and the federal deficit plummeted from $1.7 billion for October 2020 to March 2021 to less than half that – $667 million – in the past six months?  Conservatives used to care about things like that, but many of them don’t anymore."   You owe it to yourself, your family, your neighbors to read the rest of Lawrence's article [link] and show the world you do care and that you'll scream along with me when Lester Holt repeats for the ten millionth time "Republicans are poised to take back the House!"

posted 05.04.22

The Beat Goes On:  More Reasons Why
Voters Must Stop Electing Republicans

NPR: "DeSantis wanted to punish Disney. Repealing its tax status may hurt taxpayers instead" [Link to article]  It's obvious that Florida's autocratic Governor Ron DeSantis has set his political sights on the White House as he signs legislation that he demanded.  DeSantis has embraced "culture wars" that fulfill his brand of sound byte politics stripping Disney & several other theme parks of its "independent special district" status.  The sad part of the action is the Governor's desire to punish the Disney company for its stances on social and education issues ... sounds a bit like Russia's Putin, doesn't it? 

Washington Post:  "... attacks on Disney are all about teaching it “the lesson” that “they should stay out of politics.” The goal is to wield state power to dissuade corporations from empowering the enemy known as social liberalism."  [Link]

It seems to matter not that thousands of jobs will be affected, and likely property taxes within the region will increase by some 20% as costs for services like fire patrol, ambulance service, trash pick-up will all fall back on local citizens.  Several of these reports have indicated the effective date for this despicable, vengeful legislation is not until mid-2023 ... so reasonable people can rise up, challenge and reverse this aggressive act.

More Reasons Why Voters Must Stop Electing Republicans ...

They Lie

Did you hear the audio recording of House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy saying that Trump oughta' resign?  McCarthy also says in the blockbuster recording from January 2021 ... that Trump was responsible for much of the January 6th 2021 Insurrection.  That was before he flip-flopped and resumed sucking up to the former president.  Regular readers here know that I like to provide links to prove and document such facts ... you and your crazy Uncle Harry can listen with your own ears:   https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/21/us/politics/trump-mitch-mcconnell-kevin-mccarthy.html

Having trouble reading the text from the screen-grab shown above?  It reads in part:  "Again, the only discussion I would have with him is that I think this [impeachment resolution] will pass, and it would be my recommendation you should resign. I mean, that would be my take. But I don't think he would take it. But I don't know."   Audio link:  Even conservative, wing-nut leaning NY Post reported: "Thursday evening, newly released audio confirmed New York Times reporting that claimed McCarthy told fellow members of the Republican party on a call of his frustrations with Trump following the deadly riot and intended to tell the then-president to resign."  McCarthy was also recorded saying, "Now this is one personal fear I have. I do not want to get in any conversation about [Vice President] Pence pardoning."

The mid-term elections in November will give Americans the opportunity to impose term limits and vote for someone who cares more about the future of this country (vs. protecting their own self-interests to remain in office - even if that means lying thru their teeth at virtually every turn).  Trumpians who question the accuracy of any of this news oughta' put a sock-in-it until they take the time to learn something: read and review all the info found at the following Axios article, "Tape shows McCarthy said he would urge Trump to resign." 

posted 04.22.22

That's the headline on Sunday's Detroit Free Press editorial written by Brian Dickerson (04.10.22 - link to article) ... as he comments on the decisions handed down last week in the case against the wing-nuts who plotted to kidnap and murder Michigan's Governor, Gretchen Whitmer.  If you haven't followed the bizarre case 6 radical right deplorable-wing extremists who were so pissed about being told they oughta' wear masks during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic that they conspired to get even and kill Whitmer. 

Trouble is the FBI was listening & watching the plan develop.  So far 2 of the fellows admitted their guilt, while 2 others were acquitted by the jury, which was "hung" in their decision about the other 2 co-defendants.  The evidence is too damning - hopefully they'll be re-tried.  But amazingly there are those on the right who complain the case against Whitmer's conspirators was "entrapment" and that the jurors obviously share the opinion that government was at fault, and that the plot was little more than a group of guys getting stoned & blowing off steam.  Yeah, right.   

In my mind I have to admit I connect this anti-government argument with the Russian invasion into Ukraine and lack of outrage by the Russian citizens.  How is this any different from the January 6th (2021) insurrection at the US Capitol?  As news has spread globally with graphic images of the indiscriminant bombing and murder of civilians, most people are baffled and dismayed over news reports that the vast majority of Russian citizens do not believe Russia is the aggressor in the conflict.  China won't condemn Putin, nor will India, and multiple countries in the Middle East and Africa will continue doing business with Russia as if nothing bad has transpired.  Heck, even the RussianFox TV network here in America supports Putin and regularly trashes President Biden, implying that his son, Hunter Biden, contributed to or caused the conflict.  Even first hand reports of Russian soldiers raping Ukraine women seems to have no affect; Putin's popularity in Russia is actually growing - right now. They just do not believe the truth because all independent journalism has been banned.  Putin's administration has brainwashed Russian citizens.

Well folks, I got news for you ... the radical right-wing extremists right here in America are behaving much the same way.  Republicans have been following the same playbook utilizing disinformation campaigns and effectively brainwashed a third of American voters into believing "the Big Lie" that Donald Trump has spewed for nearly two years.  Sad.  We used to just laugh at these wing-nuts and write it off as fringe behavior by a bunch of lunatics.  The thing is, slowly these lunatics are being elected to Congress (i.e., Josh Hawley, Ted Cruz, Tom Cotton) ... and some 147 members of Congress ... the Sedition Caucus ... voted to overturn the election results [link for detail & names].

The basket of deplorables that Hillary warned us about has grown.  America: it's long past time that we grow a spine and reject those who embrace such lunatic positions. 

posted 04.12.22 

Tip for Republican Voters: more reasons to keep wingnuts out of public office

They just can't be trusted.  Some Republican candidates for public office appear to be assuming the base of Republicans are as ignorant as the average Russian comrade (citizen) ... which may be true. 

"Mike:  I recently went to Mar-a-Lago where I met with President Trump. He spoke about the importance of securing our elections and Republicans winning in Michigan in 2022.  Following our meeting I have been assisting the Secure MI Vote effort to get the signatures required to get mandatory photo ID on the ballot."  -    Perry Johnson.

Seriously?  Aspiring candidates are still kissing the Donald's Godfather-like ring?  So I find myself putting on my former newspaper editor's cap; I want to pencil in some corrections, like adding "former" to the reference to "President Trump".  I'd also like to point out to Perry that IDs have long been required to vote in Michigan. According to our Secretary of State's office: "By law, every Michigan voter must present picture identification at the polls, or sign an affidavit attesting that he or she is not in possession of picture identification."  In 2020 roughly fewer than 12,000 such affidavits were used ... and President Biden's margin of victory in the state was more than 150,000 votes.  So you do the math ... the Donald lost in Michigan.  More positively, Joe Biden won. [To all the sketchy people who question the facts, including some of my whack-doodle relatives, here's a link to the facts.] 

posted 03.25.22

Update 06.01.22: Johnson is removed from primary ballot - due to fraudulent signatures on his nominating petition - thousands of them.   The Michigan Bureau of Electors ruled the Bloomfield Hills businessman was not eligible in his bid to become our state's Governor; Johnson appealed and lost.  The court said "evidence that paid circulators “signed Johnson’s nominating petitions with names other than their own and that they signed his nominating petitions with multiple names.”" [Link to hard news story for more details.]

We Are Where We Are Thanks In Large Part To Trump

It began before the 2016 election.  We may not learn details in our lifetime about what, exactly, Putin has on Trump - but likely it's something pretty nasty causing the Donald to completely capitulate to Putin.  In spite of what they say on Fox News the Steele Dossier has never been disputed with genuine facts.  Observers report the former conservative media outlet will soon be renamed: RussianFox which clarifies to most observers why the past 6-years have been so crazy and every issue so contentious.

Team Trump worked tirelessly to remove sanctions imposed by previous administrations on Russia and cave in virtually every way possible to Putin.  Trump's even got the Fox News team, to this day, promoting the Russian argument that their invasion of Ukraine is justified. 

We're on the brink of World War 3 thanks largely to Trump.  The majority of Senators thought DJT was guilty in his 2nd impeachment trial, as do the majority of American voters ... but the Constitution requires two-thirds of the Senate to convict, not a simply majority.  It seems like that was a lifetime ago, doesn't it?  And do you recall the specifics about one of the central charges in Trump's second impeachment trial?   Here's a tiny hint:  Ukraine.   In a phone conversation with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine, Trump sought manufactured lies about Joe Biden and his son Hunter.  "I would like you to do us a favor though because our country has been through a lot and Ukraine knows a lot about it."  
[Transcript of actual call for those who think I'm making this up.] 

03.18.22

If she was not the wife of an Associate Supreme Court Justice, Ginni Thomas wouldn't likely have been asked about attending the January 6th (2021) rally outside the White House.  But the fact is the conservative activist is wed to Clarence Thomas - so the fact Virginia is a Trump-booster is noteworthy.  No matter how she tries to spin the facts - Virginia Thomas participated in the rally that became the launching point for the insurrection and riot at the U.S. Capitol.

"There are stories in the press suggesting I paid or arranged for buses. I did not," Virginia Thomas says.  OK.

She did attend the rally, but Ginni Thomas says: "It was cold; I left early."

And any involvement with the event, in her view, has no bearing on Justice Thomas.  "We have our own separate careers, and our own ideas and opinions too.  Clarence (Thomas) doesn't discuss his work with me, and I don't involve him in my work," says Virginia Thomas ... who earns hundreds of thousands of dollars annually from speaking engagements.  Virginia does have a law degree and earned over $680,000 over five years while working at the Heritage Foundation.

Almost lost in this shell-game as Ginni Thomas tries to manipulate facts and shift the dialogue about attending Trumps January 6th insurrection rally ... is the reality that on January 6, 2021 she woke up, got dressed, and attended a rally focused on Trump's Big Lie - in an attempt to overturn the 2020 election.  January 6th was not some generic conservative political rally ... and whether she was or wasn't an "organizer" Ms. Thomas admits she was there.  And it was her choice to participate in this event - the opening act of the 1|6 insurrection and deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol.
[link to news articles with more info]
posted 03.18.21

update - 03.24.22:  the media was in hyper-mode yesterday with reports that I'd classify as "bombshell status" ... but I thought the same in 2016 when the Donald said: "Grab 'em by the puss_” before the 2016 election - yet mindless Republican voters cast their ballots for him anyway.  (go figure)   Every major news venue had the story, which I first heard on CNN ... Virginia Thomas urged White House chief to pursue unrelenting efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

The Two Bobs (Woodward & Costa) went on to say: "texts show In messages to Chief of Staff Mark Meadows in the days & weeks after Election Day [Virginia Thomas] the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas called Biden’s victory “the greatest Heist of our History” and told him that President Donald Trump should not concede."  Not a huge surprise - there likely are dozens of similar examples of wing-nuts who wittingly or unwittingly contributed to the effort to ruin our Democracy.  Doubt me?  Read the rest of the freaking article in today's Washington Post or virtually any major venue, including the RussianFox (formerly Fox News).   The case continues to mount for virtually every Republican voter to concede that they were wrong ... come 2022 midterms & 2024 general election, there should be only a dinky base of supporters still voting Republican.  There should not be a single Republican elected or re-elected in any of our upcoming elections - the party needs to be purged of the liars & cheaters that began taking over the GOP in 2010 when the Tea Baggers emerged from the darkness.

"If it bleeds - it reads" ... or so thinks today's media.  Some call it the "attention economy" - the news folks have a habit keeping viewers/readers/listeners "captivated" and not overly bogged-down with annoying details which may require folks to actually think (vs. simply experiencing emotional reactions).  News today gets dumbed-down to 15-second sound bites.   Similar to clicking the "like" button on Facebook.  Louise knows that I call it the Andrea Mitchell affect ... often making a big deal about anything that may appear to be controversial, titillating ... knowing that viewers pay more attention to negative news.  So it stands to reason during this past week of horrific news as Putin's army blasts/kills innocents in hospitals & schools with an endless barrage of missiles.  Putin's war is not going well.  the New York Times reports that at least 7,000 Russian troops have been killed, with another 14,000 to 21,000 injured in less than a month. The fear of nuclear was is on the table because Putin is pissed that the break-up of the Soviet Union created a dozen independent republics OVER 33-YEARS AGO ... meanwhile with Russia's land force literally stuck in the mud air strikes & missiles are destroying Ukraine.  For many, WW3 began a month ago.  

February Jobs Report: So you think reading government reports is "boring" huh?  I relish reading the source documents for information - like the other day when the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says America gained +678,000 jobs in February.  Also, BLS revised previous two months: Dec + 78K, Jan +14K ... combined, another 92,000 jobs!  Wages were up fractionally, as were working hours.  (Doubt me?  You too can read the report for yourself:  www.bls.gov)   Meanwhile mindless folks complain about spending a few bucks more per gallon at the pump ... when they oughta' be grateful to have a job, and a vehicle, and reasons to need transportation ... and actually have fuel on hand to sell to you.  And, even though most all auto makers announced plans for electric vehicle production, the right-wing pundits act as if the increasing gas prices are a plot by "the liberal left climate change zealots" to intentionally push EVs at the expense of internal combustion vehicles.  Not many political candidates can make these assertions with a straight face.  That is, unless you're the former leader of the free world who's busy milking fellow Republicans for cash to pay his personal, corporate legal bills.  Oh, but wait, it gets better ...

Trump Charged with possible crimes!  Which is a big deal but there is even more bad news for the Donald.  "The House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol," says the Associated Press. [Doubt me?  Read for yourself:  Link.]

All around me are familiar faces Worn out places
Worn out faces;
Bright and early for the daily races
Going nowhere, going nowhere;
The tears are filling up their glasses
No expression, no expression;
Hide my head, I wanna drown my sorrow
No tomorrow, no tomorrow;
And I find it kind of funny
I find it kind of sad
The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had;
I find it hard to tell you;
I find hard to take;
When people running circles its a very, very - mad world, mad world;
Children waiting for the day they feel good;
Happy birthday, happy birthday;
And I feel the way that every child should
Sit and listen, sit and listen;
Went to school and I was very nervous;
No one knew me, no one knew me;
Hello teacher tell me what's my lesson
He looked right through me, 'looked right through me;
And I find it kind of funny
I find it kind of sad
The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had;
I find it hard to tell you;
I find hard to take;
When people running' circles its a very, very - mad world, Mad world;
Enlarge on your world;

Mad world...

Songwriter: Roland Orzabal
Mad World lyrics , Tears For Fears, 1982
animation by Steve Cutts from video: Are You Lost In The World Like Me
© BMG Rights Management

Trump & Putin.  Two pathetic individuals who do not deserve to enjoy freedom.  Instead of incarcerating people who simply want to vote (see story below) the former US President and current president of Russia: Donald Trump & Vladimir Putin oughta' be jailed and subjected to daily water-boarding.  Trump demonstrated throughout his 4-yr reign of terror in our White House, has tried to remain in Putin's good graces since Russia did all they could to help Trump by spreading their historic disinformation campaign and meddling in our elections.  In 2018 after meeting face-to-face in Helsinki, a totally defeated, glum Donald Trump appeared next to a jovial, upbeat, victorious Russian President.

Putin has felt he was free to resume reconstructing the former Soviet Union with his invasion of Ukraine, which Trump has called "a stroke of “genius.”"

Trump reportedly said at another of his regular income generating fund-raisers at his Mar-a-Lago resort: “I mean, he’s taking over a country for $2 worth of sanctions,” Trump said. “I’d say that’s pretty smart. He’s taking over a country — literally a vast, vast location, a great piece of land with a lot of people, and just walking right in.” The former president went on to insist that he knew Putin very well and that the crisis would not have happened if he were in office. In response, White House deputy press secretary Andy Bates expanded on his thoughts mentioned in the headline above: "Two nauseating, fearful pigs who hate what America stands for and whose every action is driven by their own weakness and insecurity, rubbing their snouts together and celebrating as innocent people lose their lives."

The rest of the world, with the exception of a handful of despicable Fox News Trumpian shills, have all thrown support behind the citizens of a free, democratic Ukraine.  Normal, decent people all over the world ... including Russian citizens ... have called for removing Putin from office and repairing the damage done to Ukraine!  The unlawful aggressive invasion has been dictated by one guy, supported by a handful of Trumpians (who deserve to be imprisoned for a host of illegal business deals, and seditious political activity).  One evil dude should not have such power.  The world needs to take him out.  Today. 

posted in total disgust 02.26.22

Prosecutor drops all charges against Pamela Moses

Moses, convicted last year, was granted new trial in February

[Update & original voter suppression article below.]    Memphis Commercial Appeal: "The Shelby County District Attorney's office has dropped its case against Pamela Moses, the Memphis woman who was sentenced to six years in prison on charges of illegal voting."   [Link]   The Guardian published a similar account - case dropped.  Hopefully Pam Moses will be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses she incurred in defending herself as well as other financial implications (lost wages) plus interest.
posted: 04.23.22

Update:

Judge orders new trial for Pam Moses

woman sentenced to prison for six years simply for trying to register to vote ... shameful

See stories above & below.

This is a good news / bad news update.  The good news is a Federal Judge has ordered a new trial for Ms. Moses ... the bad news is she must defend herself in court for attempting to register to vote.  Yep - if you are not familiar with the case, the facts are as insane as that sentence makes this appear: being jailed for ATTEMPTING TO REGISTER TO VOTE. 

Link to more info on this crazy, pathetic story - another example of despicable acts of evil by Republicans, see: the Guardian.
posted 02.25.22 

Meanwhile, White Dudes Guilty Actual Voter Fraud Get Probation

We first heard about this story on the Rachel Maddow Show late last year when a woman in Tennessee was charged for illegally ATTEMPTING to register to vote.  I was outraged then - but now that the court has actually found her to be GUILTY and sentenced to 6-years in jail I am flipping out.  Right now my "hot-button" topics are overflowing with rage when it comes to:  women's reproductive rights, voter suppression, anti-vaxers and their disinformation campaigns, as well as the January 6th insurrection and all things Trump.  [See Maddow's interview with Janai Nelson of NAACP's Legal Defense Fund].

I've written about the above BS but after hearing the story about Pamela Moses, I need to add a bullet-point to my list of issues.  Moses is now serving a 6-year prison sentence "election fraud" that she shouldn't be facing.

Here's the thumb-nail sketch of the story ... Moses admitted her guilt to a several non-violent crimes (changed price on a retail product, and then was charged with stalking when she attempted to negotiate a settlement).  Having served time for her mistakes, and completing probation, Moses sought to confirm that she was eligible to vote in future elections and asked the Election Commission in Shelby County, TN for proof.  They gave her a "Certificate" showing that her voting rights had been restored. But a day later after Moses submitted her application to register to vote, along with the "certificate" verifying that her probation was complete the board reversed itself and notified Moses in writing that the certificate was issued in "error" and explained she was not eligible vote.  Local prosecutors brought action against Moses for submitting the certificate and for "falsifying election registration documents".  So Moses gets convicted of something that the county election board actually created. [Sources: Washington Post; and The Daily Kos]

Moses is hardly the only American imprisoned on trumped-up charges and voting rights problems are not exclusively impacting women ... there are plenty of injustices taking place right now.  I'm too pissed to write clearly on the topic at the moment - but I will provide links to those who seek more info on similar cases:

• Crystal Mason (Crystal La Von Mason-Hobbs) - Texas
• Hervis Rogers - Texas

More info:
https://twitter.com/NAACP_LDF
https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-criminal-appeals/opinions/2020/07/20/state-tennessee-v-pamela-moses

posted 02.05.22

Playlist for this sad story:
For What It's Worth Buffalo Springfield

There's something happening here
But what it is ain't exactly clear
There's a man with a gun over there
Telling me I got to beware
I think it's time we stop
Children, what's that sound?
Everybody look, what's going down?

147 GOP lawmakers who voted against certifying Biden's election

Initially large corporate donors expressed outrage with Republicans; several leading defense contractors including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, General Dynamics have pledged not to donate to any Republican election objectors in 2022.  Similarly, Microsoft, American Express, United Parcel Service, and Airbnb also pledged to stop contributing to the Republican Sedition Caucus.  [source: Business-Insider report] 

For voters who want to vote these creepy political hypocrites out of office, please refer to this list of the 147 GOP lawmakers shown below.    While financial support may have paused, temporarily, MSNBC reported 01/06/22 that many of these corporate contributions have since resumed - likely assuming you and I wouldn't notice the flip-flop: "Large corporations issued statements condemning the Jan. 6 attack on democracy. Then they kept giving heaps of money to some of the attackers." 

You may be asking yourself: how large is a "heap of money"?  [Cue David Byrne and the Talking Heads: Once In A Lifetime] Good question.  House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy is the top recipient of corporate funding since January 6, 2021, receiving $333,500 from the Fortune 500 companies and trade associations according to Business Inside magazine.  Collectively some $10 million corporate dollars has flowed to the Sedition Caucus over the past year, which identifies 2 problems that are fixable. 1. corporations making these contributions should lose their ability to write-off these expenses, and 2. voters need to stop re-electing these creepy people.

More info: https://theseditioncaucus.org/

posted in disgust 01.15.22

3 times more COVID deaths in 'Trump counties' - maybe that is actually a good thing?

Perhaps this was how it was meant to be - the natural order of things.  A year ago the vaccine roll-out was so highly anticipated ... Americans were hopeful & optimistic - even eager & anxious to get scheduled for their shot.  We received 1st dose in early March, 2nd dose on April Fool's Day which is also the birthday of a beloved uncle.  Our Boosters were administered in mid-October.  But early in the year I recall reading stories about a few selfish, wealthy people who were flying to various locations in the country where they thought they'd get their vax sooner rather than later.  Flash forward a year and we still have some 30 to 40% of Americans who have not gotten their shot and a huge number of those actually plan on NOT getting vaccinated (see article below).

NPR reports: "Pro-Trump counties now have far higher COVID death rates. Misinformation is to blame".  Yep.  Currently the majority of people dying are Republicans .  [Link to data & article]

It's one way to reduce the number of wing-nuts in this country.  The unvaccinated are dying at a rate 10 times greater than those who were vaccinated ... largely because they act as if the pandemic is a hoax by insisting on attending these Super-Spreader Events like packed football stadiums & concerts.  The wing-nuts bank-on intentional disinformation campaigns concerning alternative treatments that have been proven to be ineffective and even dangerous ... like: ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine.  There's a very funny opinion column published in USA Today by Connie Schultz who writes about whacky right-wing alternative treatments involving ivermectin which is meant to treat horses: "I’ll say it again: You are not Seabiscuit. Get vaccinated."

On the news this morning NBC reporter Sam Brock was discussing the new case record-breaking day set yesterday in Florida ... actually Brock said nearly 47,000 new cases SHATTERED the old single day tally which is causing hospitals to be filled to the brink with unvaccinated people.  "...a small fraction of hospital patients are boosted, vaccinated NORMAL people," Brock reported.  Given these realities I have to wonder why Fox News and One America would want to promote the Big Lie and related disinformation that is literally killing their base.  I've given up trying to understand these lunatics ... they are far from "normal". 

posted 12.30.21

straight into COVID hotspot @ Granny's place?

That's assuming Grandma & Grandpa continue to cling to their red-state roots.  USA Today reported yesterday: "just over 60% of the population is fully vaccinated, according to the CDC. Republicans make up an increasingly disproportionate share of those who remain unvaccinated, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonpartisan health research organization that has been tracking vaccinations. Political partisanship trumps age, race, education level or insurance status as a predictor of whether someone is vaccinated."

National Public Radio had a similar story 2-weeks ago: "Pro-Trump counties now have far higher COVID death rates. Misinformation is to blame" [link].  

Right-leaning The Hill reported last month: "Unvaccinated adults more than three times as likely to lean Republican" [link]. See also an article in The Hill from August 12, 2021 "Nearly a third of Trump voters don't plan to get vaccinated" [link]

Heck, even non-political WebMD points out the obvious inconvenient truth: "Nearly 8 in 10 U.S. adults either believe or aren't sure about at least one of eight false statements about the COVID-19 pandemic or the COVID-19 vaccines, according to a new Kaiser Family Foundation survey. Unvaccinated adults and Republicans are among those most likely to hold these misconceptions, the nationally representative poll shows. Overall, 78% (of Republicans) believed at least one piece of misinformation." [link]

Conservative political commentator SE Cupp reacts, negatively - as all Americans should, during a recent CNN interview about former President Donald Trump's announcement that he will hold a press conference at Mar-a-Lago on the first anniversary of the attack on the US Capitol.  "That makes me physically ill," Cupp struggled to say.  [Link to video.]

So for those who exclaim how "tired" they are of this pandemic & life today navigating through proven & effective mitigation measures (social distance, masking, vaccinated with all 3 doses) ... to all those folks who just had to cram into football stadiums coast-to-coast - along with 100,000+ screaming, hollering, COVID spreading, college football loving fans ... to all those who just gotta' get together with family this holiday ... enjoy the memories as you lay there on a hospital gurney in a long line in the hallway outside of a hospital emergency room hoping to get treatment as you're gasping for air.  Good luck & ho-ho-ho ... happy holidays.

posted 12.22.21 (... trying to figure out why the media keeps talking about Republicans winning back control of Congress in 2022 ... and, why the [bleep] would anyone with half-a-brain vote Republican this next autumn???)

Fact vs. Fiction - caught on video, these creepy people can not hide from the truth

Steadily through the year more and more Republican voters are saying the 2020 election was either a fraud, or Joe Biden stole the election from Trump, and even more crazy stuff - that HAS NEVER BEEN PROVEN.  In the spring this year polls showed some 53% of voters viewed Trump as the legitimate President.  By September those who share that flawed opinion grew to nearly 60%.  Today?  NPR conducted a poll in November which shows 68% of Republican voters say the 2020 election was rigged and believe there are cases of fraud that changed the results of the election.  Evidence?  None, but what difference does that make??? ... they heard it, after all, on Fox-n-Friends! [National Public Radio link.]

Clearly, Republican voters are misinformed, or have been duped, perhaps some even brainwashed.  Because there are no facts supporting these Republicans or their whack-a-doodle opinions.  How is that possible?  Well, I really don't know for certain but I suspect there are multiple causes:

1. A steady diet of conservative media - Fox News, One America, Sinclair Broadcasting, Breitbart Media. Over time if viewers are not getting the facts, it's understandable they'd be misinformed.

2. Republican lawmakers fear a full investigation of what transpired on January 6th will reveal the connections some members of Congress and their staff may have with the insurrection organizers.

3. Polling - GOP members of Congress are finding that the conservative base actually supports Trump - so darn-it, they had better step in line too!

How else can you explain the huge flip-flop by the Senate and House Minority Leaders who admitted the January 6th Insurrection was caused by then President Donald J. Trump.  Voters need to refresh memories before the next election to ensure that no Republican who embraces Trump's BIG LIE is re-elected to any office: local, state and federal.  Doubt my assessment?  Tell you what ... start paying attention to the January 6th Insurrection Investigation Committee ... perhaps as the drip, drip, drip of documented news revelations are released you'll begin to see how brainwashed you have been the past year (or more).

Listen to McConnell: link to copy of YouTube video that Mike captured - or, listen direct from YouTube site.

Listen to McCarthy: link to copy of YouTube video that Mike captured - or, listen direct from YouTube site.

posted in disgust 12.17.21

Fact vs. Fiction

How can voters be so opposed to something that really doesn't exist?  Good question.  In just the past year conservatives have created a rallying cry for upcoming elections called Critical Race Theory or CRT for short.  Conservative media and Republican think tanks (like the Heritage Foundation) have created an argument to oppose the teaching of critical race theory in public schools.   Trouble is: no where in America is any school K-12 teaching students about critical race theory.  None. 

The list of folks who occupy Hillary's Basket of Deplorables continues to grow/expand.  “Republicans are really good at taking a term that people don’t understand or don’t have a good definition for, defining it for them, and then telling them they’re against it,” said Amanda Litman, political strategist.

The backlash against CRT is part of a manufactured backlash by conservatives against the 1619 Project - an ongoing initiative from the NY Times exploring the nation's history and consequences of slavery in America, and the tug-of-war over national demographic changes as the population of white America shrinks compared to those citizens of color.  “CRT really and deeply reinforces white American fear about the browning of this country,” says Stephen Graves, Univ. of Missouri political science professor.  Yes, that link above leads to the NYT series.  The 1619 Project is not new topic ... heck, they even talk about it on Fox-n-Friends, Good Morning America, Today, and other mindless get-up-and-at-it pseudo news programs on TV for people who like to think they are informed, but would really rather be entertained.

So, back to my initial observation: no American public school, kindergarten thru 12th grade, teaches CRT.  The argument is all bull-pucky, manufactured by the Republican Party who would rather focus on culture wars than on actually governmental policy.  Same is true with the disinformation campaigns against mask-wearing, and the anti-vax nonsense that is prolonging the COVID pandemic.  Same thing with The Big Lie - there has never been any evidence of wide spread voter-fraud ... it's all largely Republican crap & voters need to freaking wake-up.  The only solution, and I know this is hard for some people to accept, is to STOP VOTING FOR REPUBLICANS.  Period.  The GOP is not your grandfather's party ... not the Republican Party of Reagan or any of the Bush clan.  It's become truly the collection of radical right wing nuts who used to be on the fringe  like the emergence of the Tea Party in 2010 (who just could not stand having a black man in the White House).

posted in total disgust 11.16.21

Not my words but I agree largely with the sentiment.  The quote and angry character in the picture came from an article in this morning's USA Today about the growing threats various public servants face these days.  It seems everyone is under attack - from our township clerk & election poll workers, to the school board members, and assorted elected officials.  Death threats have become common place over mask mandates from public health officials who seek to save lives and mitigate the affects of the spreading virus.

Many of these threats to our safety and our democracy stems from "the Big Lie" perpetuated by Trumpian Republicans.  The election was not stolen, virtually all members of Congress know this, but only a handful of Republicans are willing to call out those who seek to destroy confidence in our democracy and erode the integrity of our elections (without a shred of evidence).  Over 7-months ago I wrote about the hypocrisy of Mitch McConnell when the Senate minority leader said on the Senate floor with TV cameras rolling that Donald Trump was “practically and morally responsible for provoking” the 6 January insurrection at the Capitol minutes earlier leading Republicans in acquitting him of inciting it in his second impeachment trial. (See video clip from 2/13/21 if you doubt me.)  Most all Republicans said something similar after the January 6th insurrection.  Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said "Count me out. Enough is enough" [link to video, again, if you doubt me]. 

Today?  Barely a dozen Republicans are brave enough to say such a thing now.  It's as if they have amnesia, but facts are coming out thanks to the revelations now being uncovered by the House investigation and details about the Republican's role in the riot provides voters with plenty of reasons to stop voting for the party of "no".

Ignoring the wingnuts isn't working ... so when the Wall Street Journal gives former president Trump the pretense of credibility and a global forum to publish his lies in a "letter to the editor" on Sunday Oct 24th, those of us with half a brain tend to howl.  In response to the careless decision by Rupert Murdock's partisan editorial board at his newspaper, the general public is outraged - many calling for a ban on the WSJ and it's parent company Fox News.  We need to do all we can to stomp out and refute this sickness designed to destroy America.

posted 11.01.21

Radical right-wing conservatives can't bitch and moan about the new nickname ("the squad") for 3 members of our House of Representatives ... 'cuz it's the handy work of Matt Gaetz (R-FL).  Yes, that Matt Gaetz who is alleged to have had a sexual relationship with an underage girl ... the creep who wore a gas mask on the House floor as his silly way of protesting a mask mandate that has proven to save lives.  There was a time when doing and saying stupid stuff had negative consequences for our elected leaders - but these days extremists like Gaetz goes out of his way to attract the 32% of American voters who are equally weird. 

Congress-persons Lauren Boebert (R-CO) and Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-FL) are two of the handful of Republicans who have been said to have participated in the January 6th insurrection and riot at the U.S. Capitol.  These are the people who the media seemingly loves to say are posed to "win back the House" in 2022.  Sorry, but I'll never understand why these wingnuts have any broad appeal.  The Squad deserves to be ridiculed and voted out of office.

The Daily Beast reports: "In a new statement that he would have posted on Twitter himself if his account was not permanently suspended for inciting violence, former President Donald Trump urged his supporters not to vote in the two upcoming elections if the Republican Party does not “solve” the supposed voter fraud that he has falsely claimed precipitated his loss to President Joe Biden.

“If we don’t solve the Presidential Election Fraud of 2020 which we have thoroughly and conclusively documented, Republicans will not be voting in ’22 or ’24,” Trump declared. [Actually, Sir, that's nonsense ... you know it, as do GOP members of Congress, and over 70% of the American public.]

“It is the single most important thing for Republicans to do.” After prominent Trump supporters similarly told Georgia Republicans to sit out the two runoffs in that state late last year, calling it “another rigged election,” voters ended up giving Democrats control of the Senate."  [link to story]   posted gleefully 10.14.21

The radical right-wing-nuts are so immersed in all of the BIG LIES ... they can no longer see straight.  And even though most all Fox News bobble-heads have been vaccinated, you'd never know it listening to Ingraham, Carlson, Watters, even Hannity.  It didn't have to be this bad.  Talk of reaching "herd immunity" is vanishing as is the hope of finding a "path to normality".

So when news broke over the weekend that Texas GOP candidate for Governor, Allen West was hospitalized as he's suffering from the virus ... I viewed it as good news.  You see, West has been an avid, outspoken anti-vaxxer.  But now that he and his wife are seriously sick they quickly changed their tune and are now getting the same monoclonal antibody treatments that Donald Trump received this past December.  Freaking hypocrite. 

Yes, we're talking about the one-term Congressman & champion of the Tea-Party movement, and former US Army Lt. Col. who was found guilty and relieved of his command for assaulting an Iraqi detainee during an ill-fated interrogation in 2003.  West, who has a long history of pushing smears, lies, and toxic rhetoric.  Some of his harshest unsubstantiated attacks have been directed against Muslims, “Barack Hussein Obama is an Islamist” West wrote in 2014.  For nearly 20-yrs West has been a lightening rod for the minority party - he moved from FL to TX as he attempted to re-brand himself as true conservative political commentator ... and eventually became chairman of the Texas Republican Party.  

So, with that summary perhaps you'll understand why I have no plans to send West a "get-well-soon" Hallmark Greeting Card.
Posted 10.12.21         

Crisis Standards of Care (CSC) is when health care systems are so overwhelmed by a pervasive or catastrophic public health event it is impossible for them to provide the normal, or standard level of care to all patients.  When a community has more sickness and people requiring hospital services than they have the capacity to handle - some decisions need to be made. Like: who gets treatment and who does not?  Or, more directly: who lives, who dies?  Until just recently the concepts defined by Crisis Standards of Care were largely theoretical and developed over the past decade to provide guidance to local public health officials responsible for delivering health care during disaster situations "both naturally occurring and man-made-under conditions of scarce resources". 

Thanks to the 30% of Americans who refuse to get vaccinated Crisis Standards of Care issues are no longer theoretical, they are being applied NOW in many states and regions of the country that are seeing their health care system totally overwhelmed by people with the virus.  The entire states of Idaho and Alaska ... are now operating under CSC framework.  Large portions of Arizona, Nebraska, South Carolina, Mississippi, Arkansas and Florida ... can not handle the patient load they are confronted with.  Not enough medical staff and/or beds to accommodate demand.     

Back when the Affordable Care Act (which now provides health insurance coverage for some 31 million Americans) ... back when the radical right-wing extremists attacked any and all things the Obama administration was advocating, Alaska's young unqualified, gun-packing Governor Sarah Palin warned of "death panels" should "obamacare" be implemented.  Well, Sarah, your radical right-wing extremists have helped deliver the scenario you warned against.

Many of us who have worked hard the past 19-months to keep ourselves and our families and our communities safe and informed think that one large standard that oughta' be at the top of the CSC list is whether or not a person is vaccinated.  Sure, there are rare medical conditions which make vaccination impossible, and we still have children not yet eligible to get a shot ... but all the rest of the selfish, misinformed, arrogant people who simply refuse the vaccine: these are the people who hospitals oughta' be denying medical services.  A second criteria might also be: "did the patient religiously wear a mask when in public?"  No?   Send 'em to the end of the line.

If you happen to live under a rock, or get the majority of your "news" from Fox News, NewsMax, One America, or Facebook, you likely have no idea what I'm talking about.  Here's a video that may help explain and legitimize my comments: [link].

posted: 09.26.21
update: spotted this awesome editorial in today's Detroit Free Press by Leonard Pitts: "Memo to vaccine resisters: We're through with you" [link] ... worth reading and sharing ... also worth subscribing, too!  Even as a lowly paid college student I've subscribed to the Freep since 1972 (and my parents subscribed throughout my childhood). Stop relying on social media to keep you informed - subscribe to your local newspaper, today!

Yep.  The wild and bizarre Fox News conservative flamethrowers ... obviously not trying to appeal to Americans with an ounce of intelligence or accurate information ... actively, repeatedly (and wrongly) promote alternative treatments for COVID-19.  Why?  Because Fox News viewers are not interested in truth, or accurate information.  They are all about disruption, confusion, and causing others to distrust government - especially gov't run by Democrats and progressives.  Those folks with at least 1/2 a brain take a scientifically studied, tested & proven vaccine ... one that is safe and over 90% effective.  Normal news outlets like all of the network TV news organizations (ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS) provide coverage for their viewers that are based on science.  Same with respectable cable news outfits like CNN, CNBC & MSNBC.  But as CNN reports: "Top conservative media personalities — including Fox News hosts Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity, and Laura Ingraham — have mentioned ivermectin as a drug that could possibly be used to treat Covid-19." [link]

Earlier this week Rachel Maddow had a well-documented, well-researched segment focused on the strange behavior, mainly in the Southern Red states, of people who have accidently poisoned themselves as they follow the junk-science they learned from right-wing media lunatics.  Folks like Laura Ingraham, Tucker Carlson, & Sean Hannity.  [Link to 4-min YouTube video clip]

posted 08.28.21

I'm concerned about the tone of assorted nightly news broadcasts over the past couple of weeks regarding Afghanistan.  This morning's USA Today confirms my worry:  “Today, President Biden’s overall approval has taken a turn for the worse due to his awful job performance rating on Afghanistan,” as USA Today quotes David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk Political Research Center.   Huh?  Let's see ... who was it that launched 'shock-n-awe'??  (For those historically challenged readers, the answer is GW Bush).  And who was it that came up with this 'settlement' to end US occupation and bring troops home by May 1st?  (Again, hard news challenged readers, the answer is another Republican: the Donald.)  So why the [bleep] is Biden being blamed?

I begin tossing shoes at the TV when I hear the talking heads say stupid stuff about "the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan."  OK, I'll concede that the Biden administration should have made revisions to U.S. immigration policy and rules for swiftly processing visa applications from those Afghani citizens who aided the battle against terrorists the past 20-yrs.  Fine.  Other than that, over 58,000 people have been evacuated by the Biden administration in just the past 2-weeks ... that's over 4,000 people daily while they're munching on U.S. 'meals-ready-to-eat' under the collective protection of the US Armed Forces. 

Another fun-fact that rarely is mentioned on Fox News it was the Trump Administration who orchestrated the withdrawal agreement ... Secretary of State Mike Pompeo secured the release in 2018 of Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar from a prison in Pakistan ... flash forward three years and we see that Baradar is one of the Taliban leaders occupying Kabul today.  Doubt me?  Here's a news link  to the (photo above left). 

So Americans have known for months that they needed to find a way back home or at least, out of Afghanistan ... it's not like this was a huge surprise.  The speed in which Afghani forces caved to the Taliban was not expected ... but that's a problem mainly for Afghanistan.  And those uninformed, or politically inspired conservative news commentators who are bitching about all the American military equipment "left behind":  the stuff was left by the US of A to aid the Afghani forces!!!  They're the folks who mishandled the tools provided to help protect their country.  Comparisons with our nations 1970's era departure from Viet Nam is ridiculous and politically motivated ... Republicans are, after all, seeking to win big in 2022 and 2024 - why are voters even bothering to listen to this crap?  If anything, Biden's popularity oughta' get a boost from this, just as he should be getting support for his leadership on COVID and our nation's economic recovery.

posted 08.25.21

Prohibiting Mask Mandate As Delta Variant Surges

It has to be among the most evil acts ever employed against Americans: banning the rights of a community  attempting to protect itself from the Anti-Vax Gang of hesitant and defiant lunatics ... the people who refuse to get vaccinated.  That's what these folks pictured to the right are advocating.  Florida leads the nation with new Coronavirus cases ... more people will die because of it and it is nearly 100% avoidable as virtually all new cases are infecting the unvaccinated population.  If the anti-vax gang were not jeopardizing the health and safety of the majority of Americans, I'd say: "fine!  Let 'em commit suicide ... let 'em risk death or serious illness."   But unfortunately these selfish individuals crying about "civil liberties" are making it possible for the virus to mutate into a strain which our current vaccines will no longer protect the public against. 

[News Video Link - For the benefit of our news -challenged citizens who have no idea who these four evil people are ... L-to-R: Sen. Ron Johnson, R-WI, Gov. Ron DeSantis R-FL; Sen. Rick Scott R-FL; Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene R-FL.  Reminder to normal Americans: let's vote these creepy people out of office!] 
Posted 08.11.21

Our Anti-American Right

The headline of a Vox News article caught my attention - but it was the complete story that I feel compelled to share because so many folks in this up-side-down world have yet to see what is painfully obvious to the majority of Americans: the Republican Party of 2021 is nothing like your grand-daddy's GOP.  (Yes, careful readers, I said Vox - not Fox. Here's a LINK to the story so you can see for yourself and share with others.)

"Rooting against Olympians, scoffing at Capitol police, broaching civil war — meet today’s conservative movement," says Vox reporter Zack Beauchamp. 

" ... the Olympics are typically a boom time for jingoism: patriotic fervor heightening among Americans of all stripes with each gold medal for Team USA. But this year, we’ve seen an unlikely faction of Americans rooting against our athletes: conservatives."

"During a late July rally, (former) President Donald Trump claimed that “Americans were happy” about the women’s soccer team losing to Sweden — a loss that he blamed on “wokeism” turning the squad “demented.” Tomi Lahren called Team USA “the largest group of whiny social justice activists the Olympics has seen in decades,” accusing them in a Tuesday Fox News segment of engaging in “typical leftist so-called activism.” And after the men’s basketball team lost to France, Newsmax host Grant Stinchfield said he “took pleasure” in their defeat. “The team is filled with anthem kneelers — and I find it ironic that they’re willing to put USA on their chest when, in the not so distant past, they would kneel for the anthem. Somebody ought to go up there and just rip USA off their chest,” said Stinchfield, who briefly went off the air earlier this year after insinuating that Jewish Americans are foreigners during a monologue."  [Sickening, isn't it?  Ah, g'won and read the rest of the Vox piece.]

As the super-spreader MMXXI Olympiad in Tokyo comes to an end we are finding that such reporting is not limited to Vox News ... last week Vanity Fair offered a similar assessment: "The Right Is Now Rooting AGAINST America's Olympic Athletes."

No longer the political party supporting police, law & order.  No longer supporting Veterans, or baseball & apple pie.  No longer support science or vaccines?  Nope.  Now days it's only about winning, even if it takes advancing the Big Lie & cheating to accomplish their goal: to make voters distrust our elections and cast doubt of all democratic processes.

posted in total disgust 08.10.21 (building new cabinets for our laundry room keeps me sane) 

And the gold medal for disrespecting law enforcement goes to ...

Hands down, the winner for disrespecting police, disrespecting law-n-order, disrespecting the will of the people:  Laura Ingraham of Fox News.  Sure, Tucker Carlson put up a good fight but it was Ingraham's flourish and sincere delivery that captivated judges (the viewing public as Fox News ratings plummet).  So without any filter, let's hear Laura's coverage the other day of the House Select Committee's first hearing on the radical right-wing insurrection at our nation's Capitol: 

• INGRAHAM: Pelosi's January 6 Committee held its first hearing today.  And because of her actions leading up to today, the whole thing turned into the eyes of many nothing more than performance art.   Now, as this show has reiterated time, and again, all criminal activity at the Capitol that day, should be prosecuted and punished.  There was certainly a lot of violence that day, but it was not a terrorist attack. It wasn't a 9/11 it wasn't the worst thing that ever happened to America.  It wasn't an insurrection.  There is also something else happening a transparent attempt by Democrats to drag this all out ahead of 2022 ... they're casting their political opponents as the enemies of the state. So the theatrical were intended to produce an emotional reaction, logic and facts are damned. It is with that knowledge that we will unveil the "angle awards" for today's best performances.  [so named 'cuz Laura's show is called the Ingraham Angle ... get it?  Yeah, it's pretty sickening.]

• INGRAHAM: God save us from this third rate theatrics. Now the award for best use of an exaggeration in a supporting role, the winner is Aquilino Gonell who thinks the pen is literally mightier than the sword?

• INGRAHAM: The award for blatant use of partisan politics when facts fail, the angle award goes to Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn.

• INGRAHAM: We have Warren Hammond a moment, but it's not about politics at all.  [Keep in mind, Laura's s'posed a bright woman, a lawyer for goodness sake - but can she craft a complete sentence that makes any sense?]  And for best performance in an action role the winner is Michael Fanone.

The quotes are courtesy of Fox News website.  Doubt me?  Read it for yourself ... but don't say I didn't warn you ... it's disgusting:  https://www.foxnews.com/transcript/ingraham-angle-on-jan-6-riot-hearing-cdcs-updated-mask-guidance

posted 08.06.21

Election Rules & Voting Rights ...

Among the many changes Republicans are ramming through state legislatures the restrictions & rule modifications I find most egregious are those which allow the minority party to flip the vote and apply changes after-the-fact that will alter the will of the people and deliver the outcome they desire.  The press seems to focus most on restrictive measures that could impact minority voters by restricting access in a variety of ways (limited hours, reduced polling locations, mail-in ballot rule changes, etc.) which is appropriate.  It's obviously a backlash by Republican controlled legislatures inspired by Trump's "big lie" focused on solving a problem that doesn't exist ... or resolving issues & charges that Republicans have not been able to prove.  Not once have Republicans substantiated ANY of their election fraud charges with evidence that would affect the outcome of the 2020 election. 

My larger concern over these rule changes are the affect Republicans seek to impose on election results that the GOP simply doesn't like by undermining our nation's voting process ... thereby undermining our democracy.  I realize these provisions aren't real sexy and tend to be a bit complex - not easily translated into simple sound bites for Andrea Mitchell to fain alarm or concern ... so they don't receive the news coverage they deserve.  Here are a few examples of what ticks me off the most:

• expanded powers of poll watchers - several states (GA SB 202, IA SF 413, MT SB 93) seek methods for challenging eligibility of individuals right at the polling locations which surely invites opportunity of intimidation and voter harassment, not to mention delays & disruption. Some provisions even make it a criminal offense for election officials who seek to "challenge the challengers".  I can envision voters waiting in long lines (yes, I have hundreds of examples from the past two national elections where voters had to wait in lines for inexcusable periods of time ... some as long as 8-hours). 

• expanded power of state election commissioners - allowing state boards to impose fines, even charge local officials with criminal penalties, and/or decertify local election officials for a variety of reasons which could allow the minority party officials to suspend local official's authority.   Sound familiar?  You're hopefully not forgetting what Trump's Insurrectionists were attempting to achieve on January 6th when they stormed the US Capitol.  "The 147 Republicans Who Voted to Overturn Election Results".

• cancel the will of the people - assorted rules that give state legislatures the power to over turn election results (FL SB 90, GA SB 202, KS HB 2332, KY HB 574, MT HB 429).

Every voter needs to read more about this and insist their representatives (state & Federal) stop these un-American acts before more damage is done to our country ... before it's too late.  Read: https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/voting-laws-roundup-may-2021

Trump Legacy: the swampiest people on Earth ...

Just the other day I wrote about DOJ's investigation of Wilber Ross, former Commerce Sec't, the sixth member of Trump's cabinet to have been referred to the Justice Department for prosecution ... and now Trump's inauguration chairman Thomas Barrack has been arrested says the NY Times for: "failing to register as a lobbyist for the United Arab Emirates, obstruction of justice and lying to investigators ... In the three years after Mr. Trump became the Republican Party’s nominee for president in July 2016, Colony Capital received about $1.5 billion from those two Persian Gulf countries."  Ouch.  We're obviously not talking about some minor, technical deviation of the rules ... we're talking about more than one-and-a-half billion dollars (yep, with a B ... 'tis not a typo). 

posted 07.25.21

GOP Votes Again To Block Something ...

That's about all Republicans do these days: they vote to block stuff.  They vote to block debates, they vote to block legislation.  What they are "for" is difficult to say these days.  The GOP used to be the law-n-order party, defenders of all things red, white, blue including record military spending, always espousing fiscal conservative notions (even though since Reagan was in office, all GOP administrations have increased our national debt far more than Democrats).  Republicans more recently have voted to block debate on infrastructure spending [news link]. They blocked debate on voting rights, and also blocked a bipartisan bill to create a commission to investigate the January 6th insurrection.  Even though Republicans are in the minority they skillfully manipulate the legislative process while advancing "the big lie" to placate their base of wing-nuts.  Thankfully, that base reflects less than a third of adult American voters.  The extreme right-wing also opposes mask-wearing to contain a pandemic, just as most anti-vax lunatics tend to align with Republicans. 

So it was refreshing to see some good news about some of the dastardly characters that make up the "party of no".  Headline that caught my attention: "The Matt Gaetz-Marjorie Taylor Greene Fundraising Tour Is Actually a Cash Fire" [news link].  Yep, two of the most despicable human beings on planet Earth are actually losing money in their effort to fleece the public for cash.  A few snippets from the story to capture your attention: "Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene have teamed up and formed a joint fundraising committee. Unfortunately for them, they’re losing money," writes journalist Roger Sollenberger at the Daily Beast.  Roger offers yet more detail that puts a smile on my face:  "Since Gaetz and Greene kicked off their joint fundraising committee with a May 7 event at The Villages in central Florida, their campaigns and joint fundraising committee have posted a combined loss of $342,000. And according to recent filings with the Federal Election Commission, that joint fundraising effort, “Put America First,” reported only $59,345.54 in contributions. That sort of meager haul would be fine for a dinner or one-time event, but Gaetz and Greene have repeatedly held high-profile events and spent a whopping $287,036.19 to hold them—meaning they’re in the hole by more than $225,000."

posted with delight 07.22.21

Speaking of the Justice Department ...

In April I asked: "why didn't the DOJ prosecute 5 members of Trump's administration?"  Well, we now can add Trump's Commerce Secretary, Wilber Ross to the list.  Yesterday it was reported that Ross was investigated over his testimony about the census citizenship question he and Trump wanted added to the survey.  [link to news report]   And, as rich as it may seem, Ross was also in the news this week with reports of massive personal investment gains he received with serving his country on Trump's Cabinet (like profits ranging from $53 to $127 million).  [Another story, another link to facts]

The Trump administration has gone down as the most corrupt administration in US history ... the quick answer for those of us who've paid attention is that Trump's administration was "swampier" than any administration in history, and the only logical conclusion is overt political interference stopped any further action against these creepy people. 

First, we had scandal-plagued Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke who the Public Integrity Section of the Department of Justice wanted to bring charges amid corruption allegations.  Then, there's Scott Pruitt, Environmental Protection Agency administrator, who left team Trump due to major ethics scandals. Robert Wilkie, head of our Veterans Administration was referred to DOJ prosecutors by an Inspector General who charged Wilkie for covering-up a sexual assault at a VA hospital.

Alex Acosta, Labor Secretary, had issues dating back to his days as a prosecutor regarding the Jeffery Epstein case. William Barr's DOJ declined to prosecute. And then there's Elaine Chao, Mitch McConnell's spouse.  Before the 2020 election there were rumors surrounding both McConnell and Chao for multiple initiatives that have connections with illegal acts and criminal influence.

In all five cases career DOJ officials and/or an Inspector General had investigated and brought charges against Trump's appointees - only to see Jeff Sessions and William Barr scuttle prosecution for political reasons.  For more information, should you have the stomach for it: Pruitt, Acosta, Chao, Zinke, Wilkie.

initially posted 04.09.21 & added more 04.11.21, and even more added 07.21.21

Regular viewers of Fox likely missed it - but two former senior Fox News dudes are now confessing that much of the news coverage on their former network is not true.  The other day former Fox political editor Chris Stirewalt commented that he's not surprised to hear Trump's outrage about the Associated Press story that the faux audit in AZ has found just 182 questionable ballots.   Stirewalt admits he was fired from Fox, and many observers say that is likely because Fox was among the first news organizations to announce Joe Biden had won the state of Arizona in the 2020 election.  As Fox ratings have since tanked (MSNBC & CNN both have higher ratings than the former "most watched cable news network).  Apparently conservative viewers, roughly 1/3 of the adult American audience, have split their allegiance with NewsMax and One America Network (OAN).  Doubt me?  [link to audio clip]

Former Fox News reporter Carl Cameron torched the network for pushing anti-vaccine “propaganda” in an appearance on CNN Monday. “It’s about ratings,” Cameron said. “And ratings ultimately become revenue. And that’s the name of the game. Whoever gets the most clicks on social media gets the most money, gets the most fame, gets the most attention. And that type of activity is not journalism. It’s not news. It’s gaslighting. It’s propaganda.”  [link to audio clip]

While it's not news to the majority of Americans - it's still nice to hear their confessions.  The drip-drip-drip of truth now that the Donald is out of office continues.   Oh, did you happen to notice Carol Leonnig and Philip Rucker's new book "I Alone Can Fix It" is due to be released today?  Hang on to your MAGA hats, folks ... you're about to be swept up with more inconvenient truths, facts and rationale about Trump's defeat & Joe Biden's victory.

posted 07.20.21

• Tucker Carlson who calls a 4-star general "... a pig" and "stupid".   Seriously, Fox News watchers in particular, oughta' be screaming at their TV sets and calling the local Fox affiliate station, and contacting Fox News senior mgmt.  Gen. Mark A. Milley is our nation's Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.  If you missed Carlson's angry, misinformed incoherent rants: here's clip: YouTube video where the so-called conservative Trump booster embarrasses himself, his family and his "network" on a regular basis.  "He's not just a pig, he's stupid," says Tucker Carlson.  When Republicans hold the White House Tucker and his peers at Fox don't say stupid stuff like this.  For decades the GOP has branded itself as the law & order party - except now when the US Capitol is attacked by radical right-wing extremists.  Republicans have proven they will do or say whatever it can in their attempt to diminish the positive news coming out of our government now that Joe Biden is President.  
• Laura Ingraham also attacked General Milley after he testified in Congress last week. "Somehow I don't think General Milley would ever speak in this dismissive tone that he took today to his Chinese counterparts. Not the way he spoke to Congressman Waltz. I have a question for the General: Why would anyone risk his or her life for a country that's systemically racist? One that brutalizes minorities. Why would any country respect us or follow our lead if that's who we are? Those are some of the questions he should probably think about before he touts the value of teaching far left Marxist, racist ideology to our troops."  [The Fox News anchor's comments are an exact quote ...  listen for yourself.]

posted 07.06.21  [how was your Independence Day?  Fox-free, I hope.]

The Biden administration has done such a great job bringing "normal" back to Washington DC and the entire world witnessed has the transformation these past six months.  We're back from the brink of insanity after 4 disastrous years of Trump's "reality TV show" presidency.  But viewers of Fox News probably remain clueless & believe the conspiracy theories they pass along as a steady diet of "news" (likely same with OAN and NewsMax, though I personally did not bother to watch their news coverage of our president's trip to Europe).  What Fox News broadcasts, folks, is anything but news.

I watched post "summit" statements delivered by both presidents and heard with my own ears the positive dialogue and comments ... so it was disheartening to hear the talking heads on Fox, including Laura Ingraham and Sean Hannity, trashing Biden and claiming that Putin "won".   It's like George Castanza's "opposite world" (reference & link to Seinfeld episode) watching Fox coverage as they try so very hard to put an intentional negative spin on every political story and conflate their coverage, twisting reality to fit their nasty, un-American big lie bull-pucky.  Hannity based much of his show last night on "Biden's 'disastrous' first trip abroad".  He lead-off with a more generic attack: "Tonight, a wave of violence in America's cities. It is now a cancer on the country. Over the weekend, four mass shootings, four. The mob, the media, they don't seem to care because they can't politicize it."   And then pivoted to actual news: "But, first, we begin tonight, Joe Biden's disastrous first trip abroad now entering week two and Europe's leaders, they are elated. Under Biden, there's no tough love. There's no America first. There's no accountability. There are no difficult conversations, no negotiations -- America last policies."  [Link to transcript for those who doubt my accuracy.]

This morning on Fox & Friends, America's most sickening morning fake-news program ... popular among only America's most feeble minded early morning brainwashed TV viewers ... here's a quick 90-second outline of their news coverage this morning:

• rehash of Biden's past references to his friendship with Chinese President Xi Jinping.  I wondered: "Why a story on China during news coverage of the G-7 conference and Biden's meeting with Russian President Putin?" Well, it's because Fox is obsessed with confirming their suspicion about the origins the Corona Virus (weaponized substance from research lab) ... ignoring that fact that Donald Trump initially down-playing that possibility in late January - early February 2020 when the pandemic first began to spread because Trump wanted to get a partial agreement on a trade deal with China completed before he too began to attack the communist political party.
• border wall news: Governor Abbott (R-TX) announces Texas to spend $250 million to complete more of Trump's border wall ... says Trump built 450 miles of wall and now Biden is paying to store all the wall parts Trump had secured.  Of course that is false ... the actual truth is that only about 20 miles of fresh new border wall was built ... most of work team-Trump completed was repair and re-construction of existing border wall (link to previous border wall story).
• Segue to a titillating, spicy story with photos to appeal to the horny old men in the Fox audience:  Victoria Secrets News - "attempting to redefine 'sexy'" says F&F Host Brian Kilmeade.

There oughta' be a law against abusing the public air waves as Fox News does on a daily basis.  If Fox is your primary source for information, my suggestion to you is: don't embarrass yourself entering a TV game show like Jeopardy!  Chances are all the crap that's crammed into your head as "facts" is really just laughable garbage.

posted 06.17.21  (BTW: the aviator-style sunglasses like those shown above were a gift President Biden gave to Putin ... much like the Ray Ban brand shades Mike wore in college.)

Former Reality TV Star and part-time US President Donald Trump’s relentless and false claims that he lost a “rigged” vote it causing negative affects throughout the nation.  Trump's supporters have sparked a campaign to terrorize election officials nationwide – from senior administrators to low-level volunteers - that continues months after the 2020 vote.  Hundreds of restrictive voting laws are being passed in state legislatures to solve a problem that exists only in the weakened minds of conservative Republicans.  Elections officials from both major parties stated clearly after the Nov. 2020 elections: NO WIDE SPREAD VOTER FRAUD.  The courts agreed, in some 60+ decisions ... even Trump's Attorney General William Barr said: "no fraud" before quickly resigning from office and exiting, stage right.

Reuters News Agency reports: "Election officials and their families are living with threats of hanging, firing squads, torture and bomb blasts, interviews and documents reveal. The campaign of fear, sparked by Trump's voter-fraud falsehoods, threatens the U.S. electoral system." [link]  "Late on the night of April 24, the wife of Georgia’s top election official got a chilling text message: “You and your family will be killed very slowly.” A week earlier, Tricia Raffensperger, wife of Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, had received another anonymous text: “We plan for the death of you and your family every day.”"  Pathetic. 

The Sham-Audit taking place in Arizona right now is illegal, and should have been halted weeks ago ... and news detailing the charges against 500+ people suspected of crimes in the January 6th Insurrection at the US Capitol needs to be highlighted daily on the evening news.  These criminals need to be exposed in the same manner as the 9|11 terrorists.  There is no legitimate reason anyone should be voting for any Republican candidate for any office: local, state or federal.  

posted 06.14.21

So says Jane Marczewski, who goes by the stage name Nightbirde.  Louise posts a lot of great stuff on her Facebook page: awe-inspiring nature photos, updates on her crafts and hobbies and great messages to family & friends.  She even gives Mike a shout-out every once in a while for articles posted here, or projects we complete around our home.  So now it's my turn to reciprocate.  We spotted a news story the other day that touched both of us.  We are not regular viewers of TV programs like America's Got Talent but one recent episode caught our attention.  Here are LINKS back to Louise's page and related news stories:

Louise's Facebook Page

news item: "contestant battling cancer moves judges to tears"

06.10.21

The news these days must be really difficult for conscientious conservatives to stomach ... even when filtered by Fox News, NewsMax & One America.  And for the mindless masses who prefer to muddle thru life without paying attention to what is going on: your apathy and laziness is a big part of the reason much of this BS is happening in the first place.  The past week or two we've learned more truth about several of the lies Trump and his supporters have been spewing (in some cases, lies that span several years).  Item #1: Trump lied about his orders to fire Bob Mueller and blocked Don McGahn from testifying before any Congressional committee.  McGahn refused Trump's order - but he did meet with the Mueller team during their investigation.  Item #2: We've learned why the world may not be rid of Covid anytime soon, regardless of its origins.  Item #3 - Sidney Powell's being sued for billions over her remarks about voter fraud and defective voting equipment and tabulating software ... but she's still spewing the "big lie".  Item #4 - former GOP Congresswoman Comstock calls out to Republican leadership - but will they listen?  Doubtful.  Below are quick summaries of these 4 items and links to news reports for those seeking more info.   Read 'em and presto, you too will know more than Tucker Carlson or any of the Fox bimbos on parade: 

• Item #1 - Former White House lawyer Don McGahn admitted he felt pressure from Trump during the probe into the 2016 election and potential meddling by Russia.  McGahn specifically described Trump's directive to fire Mueller before the investigation was complete.  McGahn testified at long last before the House Judiciary Committee to answer some 8-hrs of questions regarding multiple events outlined in the Mueller Report that occurred during Trump's reign of terror.  [This item is part of Mike's on-going summary of "post Trump truth telling" where facts seem to finally trickle out, proving there was collusion and Trump was guilty of obstruction ... and the Senate should have found Trump guilty & he should have been removed from office.]  See the news story at NPR (National Public Radio).
• Item #2 - Ironic, is it not, that some of the folks who are most reluctant to get their Covid vaccine are Trump supporters?  Vaccine "hesitancy" in US of A is highest among Republicans, especially those living in a cluster of Southern & Western states. Today, news stories report that it's largely Trump voters who are reluctant to get the vaccine, and are therefore endangering everyone else.  Even Mitch McConnell, Senate leader of the GOP minority, says: “I think there was some confusion because of the election year.”  A poll conducted in early March by NPR/PBS News and Marist University found:  "Republican men and Trump 2020 voters as being the least interested in getting vaccinated, with 49% and 47%, respectively, saying they did not plan on getting the shot when it becomes available to them."  [Read more.]   More than half of adults in America have been vaccinated; but the leading anti-vax'er tends to be Republican, under age 45, and low income, with large clusters of unvaccinated folks residing in Alabama, Mississippi, & Arkansas.  The leading excuse?  "Don't trust a vaccine that was developed too fast" ... ignoring the truth that actually the leading Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine actually underwent extensive, exhaustive research over a span of 15-yrs. [see "fifteen years in the making" below]
• Item #3 - American voters got to hear more nonsense from former Trump lawyer Sidney Powell reinforcing the truth that Trump's "big lie" is likely going to cost her millions, and she'll likely lose her law license.  Read the Daily Beast report: "Sidney Powell Just ‘Eviscerated’ Her Own Legal Defense, Experts Say."
• Item #4 - The shame cast upon the Senate GOP for blocking the legislation to form a Commission to investigate the Jan 6th US Capitol Insurrection was highlighted this week by the release of a Senate report warning that history has a way of repeating itself if facts are not exposed and the guilty parties fully prosecuted.  [see CNN News for more info, and an editorial written by former Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA) titled "My Fellow Republicans, Stop Fearing This Dangerous and Diminished Man".] 

posted 06.11.21

Recent Spineless GOP Vote In Congress ... Nothing New

Twelve years ago, on the eve of Barack Obama's first term in office Republican leaders met and conspired to not approve any legislation that would be considered a victory for the young, new president.  They wanted him to fail and become a one-term fluke, regardless what their intransigence meant to the country.  GOP efforts were only partially successful as health care reform was finally passed (the Affordable Care Act) and Mr. Obama was overwhelming re-elected to a second term, but Republican obstruction became the hallmark of Obama's 8-yr occupation of the White House.  Think Merrick Garland.  When Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia died unexpectedly Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced, within hours of Scalia's death, that the Senate wouldn't consider a replacement until after the 2016 election ... 269 days away.  (Yet the hypocrites had no problem explaining why, 4-yrs later, it was acceptable for them to confirm Amy Coney Barrett  9-days before the 2020 election that Biden won, and Trump lost ... badly.)

Obstruction is what Republicans do these days - forget about their legacy policy positions (law-n-order, fiscal conservatives, patriotic boosters of strong military, low taxes).  The "low tax" policy is a myth and has been for decades.  Forget about all of that these days among members of Congress and state legislatures - the only focus is winning elections.  So when Republicans in Congress refused this week to approve a commission to investigate the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol it was of little surprise to political observers.  Forget the fact that virtually all of the GOP leadership had voiced support for the commission just hours after the insurrection had taken place ... waiting over 4-months to put a plan into motion allowed Republicans the time needed to reverse themselves.  The GOP calculated that the composite of MAGA-clad white supremacist rioters on January 6th was not the best optics to be on display when the commission produces its report on the eve of the 2022 mid-term elections.  Got some bad news for you, Mitch ... the Trump inspired MAGA Insurrectionists will be front and center between now and the 2024 election!  Over 400 conservative MAGA rioters have been arrested so far and perhaps another hundred more are facing serious criminal charges.  Two of the conservatives charged with criminal acts have already plead guilty and reportedly are flipping others who were involved in planning phases ... wouldn't it be something if a few members of Congress (or their legislative staff) are implicated ... which may explain why McConnell & McCarthy both went from supporting investigation to now opposing it ... they must be concerned about what may be revealed, concerned about who is complicit. 

The official senate vote count on January 6th commission was 54 votes in favor, 35 opposed ... which means once again the majority did not win.  Eleven Senators didn't even vote ... 9 republicans, 2 democrats.  Blackburn (R-TN), Blunt (R-MO), Braun (R-IN), Burr (R-NC), Inhofe (R-OK), Rounds (R-SD), Risch (R-ID), Shelby (R-AL), Toomey (R-PA), Sinema (D-AZ), and Murray (D-WA).  It is sickening that the Democrats, with a majority of votes (54-35), once again does not prevail ... and Republicans figured out another way to win even though they are the minority.  Same thing happened with the votes to impeach Donald Trump.  Same thing happened when Democrats sought to pass common sense gun legislation ... election reform ... and immigration reform.  How about the GOP opposition to the legislation honoring the Capitol Police who defended the Capitol?  So much for being the party for "law and order".  The list of legislative action that Republicans have blocked is nearly as long as the history of this 'blog'.  For too long now the minority Republican party has skillfully used Senate rules to block the will of the people.  Specifically Republicans use the filibuster rules to the block action on the most pressing matters of the day and it needs to change.  Now.  And if Joe Manchin (D-WV) threatens to block efforts to change the Senate rules on filibusters, fine.  The nation can find a way to deal with it; but to not take the obvious step simply because of a fear or threat of Manchin's position is ridiculous.  Let him officially be the roadblock and see how long he's able to find enough donors and political support going forward.  What really needs to happen is to see a few former Republican Senators switch party designation* to Independent (Murkowski, AK; Collins, ME; Romney, UT; Portman, OH) ... and caucus with Democrats on these vital issues so we can move forward ... ending the gridlock that appears to be in place in Washington DC but not among the citizens of this country.  Democrats: you're in the majority - act like it.

posted 05.28.21
update: 05.30.21 - switching party affiliation is not at all rare.  Three US Senators have done it over the past 20-yrs: Jim Jeffords of VT flipped from Republican to Independent in 2001.  Joe Lieberman of CT went from being a Democrat to Independent in 2006.  Arlen Specter (R-PA) became a Democrat in 2009. In the 20th century 13 Senators flipped parties ... in the 19th century it happened 10 times.  Representatives in the House have flipped parties 7 times in the past 10-yrs.

Recent Attacks On Asian Americans ... Nothing New

Fringe conservatives love to point out WW2 internment camps were created by a Democrat! Franklin Roosevelt, but that's just their normal attempt to deflect & confuse issues, building more distrust and angry division among Americans over issues that shouldn't be partisan.  Like wearing masks, and getting vaccinated.  I had foolishly hoped that Barack Obama's election in 2008, especially being re-elected by a wide margin in 2012, was a sign that perhaps racism in America had finally turned the corner and that healing had begun.

Today's attacks on Asian Americans, Hispanics and Black Americans proves how wrong I was, and also proves how bigoted and small minded people in this country still are ... and while they represent a minority, there are unfortunately, a ton of racist people out there.  As Louise often says: "we've always had racists - what is different today is how embolden they've become."  Out of the shadows, in plain sight.  

And it appears the bulk of 'em are also part of the new breed of Republicans thanks in part to Donald Trump's Big Lie campaign, launched several months before Joe Biden's landslide victory in the November 2020 election.  [Link]  Republicans today do not focus on policy differences, but rather have set out to destroy voter confidence in our elections and democracy itself.  In early 2020 Trump's internal polling revealed that his reelection was unlikely, jeopardized in large part to his administration's multiple failures handling the pandemic and numerous issues resulting from over 10,000 lies he had spread over the previous 4-yrs.  Besides losing by more than 7 million votes in 2020, Trump continues to establish multiple shameful records:  no US President has been impeached twice ... no former US President has ever been charged with a crime ... and no losing candidate for the highest office in the land has ever not acknowledge defeat and concede the election.  We also have evidence today that Trump's campaign DID collude with Russia in 2016 to help him get elected.  [Link]

Republicans have largely embraced the Big Lie because they see their base of voters have fallen for it, and members of the GOP are interested in staying in power more than anything, so they are opting to leverage the negativity and division that has permeated the once Grand Old Party.  Even though most Republican leaders had previously conceded the election they have largely doubled back on the theory that Trump's still the guy they must please and placate.  Flip-flop.  Some 60+ court challenges failed, and while Trump's Attorney General Bill Barr conceded there was no evidence of wide-spread voter fraud, while Trump's base - lead by conservative media Fox News, One America Network, NewsMax - have pounded the Stop The Steal message dozens of times a day for over 6-months, and as a result some 50% of Republican voters believe Trump "rightfully won" and the election was stolen from him.  Strangely, Republican media has also helped politicize issues surrounding the pandemic, jeopardizing our national health by declaring that mask wearing infringes on their first amendment rights and refusing to accept the vaccine as our best hope in defeating the virus.  It has been proven that Trump's poor response to the virus and Republican resistance to good public health practices has caused hundreds of thousand of deaths of Americans that should have never happened.

Virtually every American who viewed news reports of the insurrection and riot at our nation's capitol on January 6th saw what happened.  We all saw and heard President Trump encouraging his base of faithful protestors to proceed to the capitol to "take back our country" ... we all saw thousand of MAGA-clad rioters battle police, causing injury and death as they broke-into the building just as Congress was voting to confirm the election results.  Since then, it seems Republican voters have developed amnesia claiming "just a bunch of tourists" visited the capitol on Jan 6th, and Republicans now refuse to approve a 911-style commission to investigate the insurrection.  The disagreement over the commission is not an isolated issue ... newly elected President Biden finds himself wrestling over literally every piece of legislation as GOP refuses to pass the "For The People Act" and hundreds of state laws designed to restrict the vote are now being debated.  Forty-seven states have either passed or have legislation pending designed to restrict the vote in future elections.  It's time for the majority of Americans stand, and refuse to allow the minority to dictate our laws and our progress as a nation. 

posted in disgust 05.28.21

McCarthy said on January 13th, 2021: “Let’s be clear: Joe Biden will be sworn in as POTUS in one week, because he won the election."

Days later the GOP House minority leader was back to kissing DJT's ring and sucking up to the self-proclaimed leader of the Republican Party.  After our national election, you-know-the-one ... the election Joe Biden won by a wide margin of more than 7 million votes (unless you're a regular Fox News viewer, in which case you likely have been brainwashed along with over a quarter of Americans) Vanity Fair published an awesome news commentary essay titled "Fox News is at war with itself over 2020 election results." [link]  Over 6-months after Trump's defeat the Republican Party is still in a tizzy. 

The former 3rd ranking House Republican official, Liz Cheney (R-WY) said on Fox the other day: "We all have an obligation and I would say Fox News especially, especially Fox News, has a particular obligation to make sure people know the election wasn’t stolen."  Bret Baier (Fox evening anchor): "We have said that numerous times."   Ah, there's a bit of journalistic spine: numerous times Fox has been accurate vs. thousands of times Fox personnel and guests have stated the opposite - without challenge or correction, so many times it's a joke.  Only One America Network (OAN) is close to being as biased as Fox.  There is no good reason why any voter would cast a ballot in any election in the near future for a Republican.

posted: 05.14.21

Anti-Vax Crowd Are A Threat To Society 

"At some point, only the willfully ignorant and destructive will remain unvaccinated," says opinion editors for the Washington Post,  and I tend to agree.  Rather than coddling up to the anti-vaxer population ... which is filled with misinformed persons, far too many influenced by some weird political narrative advanced by Republicans on a topic that should NOT be political.  I suggest the nation needs to consider applying firm structure to deal with resistance - those without legit medical rationale for not getting vaccinated should be provided with all the facts, one-more-time, and if they continue to resist they oughta' be removed from any and all the social programs & benefits they may previously have received.  If these people don't protect themselves and reduce the risk that variants of the virus making our current vaccine formulations ineffective, then they should lose their "rights" for such things as:

• Federal employment - it should be mandatory for all federal employees and vendors providing contract services to the federal gov't ... including all military services, & postal employees.  Give 'em a 7-day notice - terminate anyone on day 8 who has not complied ... no exceptions, no appeal.
• Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, food stamps, extended unemployment & housing relief benefits ... immediately cut-off the funding until the wing-nuts come to their senses.  Also, the rules should clearly state any funds lost due to the citizen's bad decisions are permanently gone & just applied to our national debt ... same 7-day notice as Federal employees - no appeals, no retroactive repayments. 
• Same goes with undocumented immigrants: no vaccine?  Well, instead of getting cut-off from some benefit, ICE should deport violators (and their immediate dependents) immediately ... one hearing with a magistrate, guilty parties to be flown, bused out of country same day.

OK, I know it sounds harsh and maybe sounds a bit like Trump's insane immigration Czar: Stephen Miller.  But I am sick of those folks who whine about pandemic fatigue ... they are jeopardizing global health, and it's not right.

posted 04.25.21     

No Collusion?  Think Again.  Trump & Barr Concealed The Facts

The Mueller Report couldn't find the smoking gun so Team Trump claimed "no collusion, no collusion".  False.  Last week the Treasury Department issued sanctions against Russia and revealed: "during the 2016 U.S. presidential election campaign, Kilimnik (Konstantin Kilimnik, a Russian intelligence operative) provided the Russian Intelligence Services with sensitive information on polling and campaign strategy,” the Treasury Department said in a news release ... intelligence given to him by Trump's campaign staff and Paul Manafort.  “Additionally, Kilimnik sought to promote the narrative that Ukraine, not Russia, had interfered in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.”  [link to NY Times article]

Trump and the radical right-wing extremists, including Fox News, OneAmerica Network, NewsMax, etc., have spent the past 4-yrs lying to the American public about their actions in the 2016 election, and slowly the evidence is coming out.  As with the January 6th Conservative Attack on our Capitol, the nation needs a 911-style commission to investigate and report: "what the heck happened the past 4-years???"

Former Special Council; Robert Mueller explained the situation when his report was issued, but Trump and William Barr cut off Mueller's explanation: "We did not address ‘collusion,’ which is not a legal term,” Mueller added. “Rather, we focused on whether the evidence was sufficient to charge any member of the campaign with taking part in a criminal conspiracy. It was not.”.  Why did Trump's BS stick, over shadowing the truth?  I'll never understand it.  Note to Sean Hannity: the Treasury Department sanctions against Russia prove that Manafort's actions, sharing polling data and more with Kilimnik, just happens to be the definition of the word: COLLUSION. 

GOP Faces Rapid Decline

Voters overwhelmingly like what Democrats have done in managing vaccine rollout and the COVID Relief Bill.  As reported in The Hill: "the American Rescue Plan, which enjoys nearly 70 percent support nationally" [link to article].  Voters also like what they are hearing about infrastructure plans, including the plan to pay for these big expenses thru tax increases for corporations and the mega-wealthy Americans (like one-tenth of the top 1%). "A recent Morning Consult-Politico poll found that while 60 percent of voters favor the plan, support for individual items is even higher such as for refurbishing Veterans Affairs hospitals (80 percent), modernizing highways and roads (77 percent) and improving care-giving (76 percent). " says Washington Post's Jen Rubin.  [Link to Morning Consult-Politico polling report]. 

And Gallup is showing only 25% of American voters align themselves with the Republican Party ... which is down 5% since the November 2020 election.  [Link to 03.15.21 news article & polling results.] 

Republican plans to boycott businesses who are critical of Republican efforts to suppress voting rights has backfired.  Good luck with that.  CNN reports: "Inside the GOP's tense fallout with the big business lobby" [link].   As the GOP becomes less popular among voters, Republicans seek to change the trend thru legislation ... like applying more restrictive voting laws and restrictive ordinances to stomp on the necks of protestors - specifically those aimed at Black Lives Matter marches and peaceful gatherings.  There can be no legitimate justification for violence or property damage.

Jordan's 'Lost Liberty' Rant Defies Logic

The rapid-fire annoying questions Congressman Jim Jordan (R-OH) asked of Dr. Fauci during a hearing of the House Coronavirus Crisis Subcommittee last week revealed more about the whack-a-doodle politicalization of the pandemic by Republicans.  “When do Americans get their freedom back?” Jordan asked.

Jordan later claimed Americans' 1st Amendment rights have been "trampled" throughout the past year, because of public health restrictions like mask orders, curfews and capacity limits on businesses.   Congressman:  I know you're anxious to get some headlines to drowned-out the bad press generated when the former Ohio State wrestler testified that YOU had called him, asking that he not confirm his brother's account of sexual abuse by an OSU doctor.  [link to a disgusting story of one overly aggressive conservative Republican's political power gone mad.]

But surely you picked a fight Mr. Jordan, with the wrong person in Dr. Fauci, America's top infectious disease doctor, who proceeded to discuss the 580,000+ deaths and efforts to reduce the infection rate that is once again surging because Americans, particularly Republicans, refuse to wear masks and follow proven mitigation efforts to bring this crisis to an end.  Mr. Jordan you owe America an apology.

["GOP faces massive realignment as it sheds college-educated voters," reports NBC News.  This link will guide you to polling articles mentioned above highlighting voter realignment today in America ... in a nut-shell: less educated, less informed, less successful voters are attracted to the GOP while the majority of Americans are not.]

posted 04.19.21

Politifact - read it.

Perhaps Part Of The Trouble Is To Assume All Shooting Incidents Are The Same

The tragic shooting and death of Daunte Wright – another young, black American victim shot by local police is quite disturbing. As are the subsequent events, looting and aggressive protests in Brooklyn Center, MN. But it seems to be a different sort of case compared to the George Floyd murder which is now being tried in Hennepin County District Court, just a few miles away.

Kim Potter is the officer with 26-years of service and experience who shot Wright, says she grabbed her pistol instead of a Taser. Multiple body cameras worn by police captured video and audio recordings of the incident and seem to confirm Potter’s intent as she announced: “Taser, Taser…” but rather, accidentally “discharged her weapon” … firing a hand gun when she meant to subdue the young man with a Taser during a routine traffic stop for expired vehicle registration. Some critics prefer to label the police action as “negligent discharge” and immediately began calling for some form of justice: “The officer who shot this young man should be removed from the force as she is a danger to the public and herself as well.”

It was determined the suspect had an outstanding warrant for his arrest – a truth that surely Mr. Wright was aware of and should have moderated his response. Had he not resisted the police there likely wouldn’t have been a reason to withdraw weapons. While the video did not clearly define to me what transpired between the moment Wright stood outside his car and police attempted secure their suspect in handcuffs, I doubt many of the protestors know either. The facts in this case seem to indicate a mistake or accident on the part of the police, but had Mr. Wright cooperated, or had there not been a warrant for his arrest, perhaps the traffic stop would have resulted in a simple, friendly warning and a positive, safe, respectful conclusion. Citizens themselves have responsibilities too to follow laws society has created for harmony and safety of the community. Ignoring prior legal issues can indeed have a compounding impact.

Instead it appears the local residents are not satisfied with the police explanation – though I don’t quite understand why that is the case. My hunch is there are citizens taking on the role as agitators, inciting the crowd. Looting and destruction of businesses has too often become the standard response from these angry crowds and it is counterproductive for the community.

For several hours each day we hear cable news taking heads reacting to the day’s news events; experts, former prosecutors, psychologists, weapons experts … all discussing what transpired and trying to make sense of the shooting and the impact on the local community along with the rest of the country. What may be more helpful would be to have community intervention personnel involved immediately to integrate with the crowd to begin the process of bringing calm and safety to the scene. Citizens have a right to protest – they don’t have a right to trash the community, looting local businesses, fighting, and causing injury and mayhem.

It’s possible the live media news coverage adds to the wild scene with lights blaring and video cameras adding one more element of chaos. Policing tactics and preventative measures need to be formulated and a new layer of mitigators need to be deployed to keep the peace.

posted 04.12.21
update: 04.14.21  Mike: "Ok, so after reviewing cable news discussions on this issue it appears my view is not shared by the majority of talking heads.  I still say, the Wright case is largely different from other police shootings - it could have been - and should have been, avoided had Mr. Wright made better choices."

Trump Receives The Equivalent Of A "Participation Award"   

Indulgent parents with children who are starved for attention - lacking any real skill that would justify legitimate recognition - are often guilty of partaking in such silliness as this. But it's really unsightly for a US Senator, especially a criminal like Rick Scott to actually take the time to give Donald Trump a meaningless, manufactured "award" from the National Republican Senatorial Committee: Champion for Freedom Award.   The engraved bowl reads in-part: "This award is presented to conservative leaders who have worked tirelessly to create good jobs, protect the values that make our country great, and stop the Democrats' socialist agenda."  The award, like the rationale given to justify this recognition is totally laughable.  A) Trump failed in stopping the Democrats & the majority of Americans not only voted for President Biden - they support what has been accomplished and the direction the country is headed. American's overwhelmingly support the COVID relief bill, and support the infrastructure plans being discussed.  B) Trump hasn't worked at anything, tirelessly, in his life.

The Donald clearly went all-out for the ceremony - dressed in his favorite rumpled golf attire with his resplendent MAGA cap and one has to wonder why the award wasn't given to Trump on Saturday when the former president spoke to a group of GOP donors at an RNC meeting at Trump's Mar-a-Lago Resort.  Some folks suggest the "award" from Scott was a last-minute attempt to make peace with the Donald after he attacked Senate Minority Leaders McConnell, calling him "a dumb son of a bitch".

posted with glee 04.12.21  [sidebar: is the Donald losing weight?]

We're Keeping Track: Post-Trump Era ... The Truth Keeps Trickling Out   

Thru four years of lies, deceit, and total incompetence Trump's base of supporters paid no attention to the facts or truth, so I seriously do not expect many of his supporters to care.  But the majority of Americans care about the future of this country and are gratified with each news report and piece of evidence that surfaces that confirms what the majority of us were saying all along.  This piece will be updated with each revelation, such as:

Trump is responsible for over 425,000 COVID deaths in USA.

Dr. Deborah Birx said on CNN: ""I look at it this way," Birx told CNN  "the first time, we have an excuse. There were about 100,000 deaths that came from that original surge. All of the rest of them, in my mind, could have been mitigated or decreased substantially."  (March 28, 2021) Link to supporting national news.

Trump lawyers discredited including Giuliani's claim "antifa activists" responsible for Jan 6th Capitol riot & advancing "voter fraud" stories that have proven to be false

Besides the comments from Sidney Powell's legal defense team mentioned below ... ('Reasonable people' don't believe her election fraud claims) crazy Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani claimed (falsely) that antifa activists had been involved. [link]  Giuliani also claimed an over-vote in Michigan's Wayne County (Detroit).  He said more votes were tabulated than there are registered voters ... which is also false.  [link]  Now, some 70-days after the Biden's moved into the White House, Georgia's Republican Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, says Giuliani's false fraud claims helped lead to restrictive voting laws passed last week. [link]  And as if that's not enough legal trouble for the former New York City Mayor and former prosecutor, now the state of Georgia is investigating whether Giuliani and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) violated GA state law in the course of Trump’s attempt to overturn the election results in the pecan state following the 2020 presidential election, according to Vox News (no relation to FOX News). [link]  Trump himself is being investigated by the state for his phone call to Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger's office, which was recorded.  Repeatedly Trump demanded that Raffensperger find the 11,780 votes needed to swing GA back to Trump himself ... the illegal act naturally was refused ... but we have the president on tape.  [link to ABC News]

CDC Director Dr. Redfield admits the White House pressured altering reports and fudging data ... costing Americans lives lost (they did not have to die)

Former Trump HHS Secretary Alex Azar pressured Redfield to revise Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) summarizing America's COVID-19 status, says CDC Director, Dr. Redfield.  "The one time that was the most egregious was not only was I pressured by the secretary and his office and his lawyers, but as I was driving home, his lawyer and his chief of staff called and pressured me again for at least another hour," Redfield told CNN. "Even to the point of, like, accusing me of failing to make this change that would cost, you know, thousands of lives," he said. [link]

Justice Department investigating potential presidential pardon bribery scheme

And this news broke even before the Biden inauguration! The case is the latest legal twist in the waning days of President Donald Trump's administration after several of his top advisers have been convicted of federal criminal charges and as the possibility rises of Trump giving pardons to those who've been loyal to him. [link to CNN report]

The "Big Lie" Crumbling - But Are Wing-Nuts Paying Attention?   

Pew Research Finds 73% of Republicans Still Think Trump Was A Good Or Great President

The "Big Lie" really is comprised of a series of falsehoods and baloney initiated by Donald Trump months before the 2020 election ... and continues to this day as a host of co-conspirators and enablers attempt to destroy democracy.  But slowly the truth is coming out causing a steady erosion of support for the GOP:

▀   Sidney Powell's legal defense: 'Reasonable people' wouldn't believe her election fraud claims ... lawyers for the Trump ally claim she was just sharing an opinion when she said the election was stolen.  Oh, goodness, how laughable is that defense of her billion-dollar defamation lawsuit from Dominion Voting Systems?  She and Rudy Giuliani alleged for months that there was proof of a coordinated conspiracy altering & flipping votes cast for Trump which gave Biden his victory.  It was total bull-pucky, and her own lawyers have now admitted it. 

▀   Former CDC Director Dr. Redfield admits he was instructed to water-down reports in 2020 ... and did so.  [read more if you wish]

▀   Dr. Birx, also a member of Trump's virus task-force, now says "Deaths Could Have Been Decreased Substantially" - well, why the hell didn't she have the courage to confront Trump at the time?  Many scientists have said for months that the nation did not have to lose so many people ... "it did not have to be this devastating" ... but tries now to cleanse her soul by coming clean on CNN.  Won't work Doc ... you're nearly as guilty as Trump & oughta' be prosecuted for incompetence and lacking a spine.  Whaddya' mean incompetence by itself is not a crime?  Hundreds of thousands of people died who didn't have to perish.

posted 03.30.21

Voters Oughta' Be Fleeing GOP On The Issue Of Voting Rights   

• state legislatures seek to pass laws to resolve a 'problem' that doesn't exist

• Republicans ignore facts while advancing disinformation campaign, doubling-down on the "Big Lie"

Republicans have apparently figured out they've become a minority party.  It's obvious conservatives don't think their ideas regarding policy and government will be embraced by the voting public, and the only way they can win elections is by attempting to suppress the Democrats' ability to vote.  Across the country we have seen Republicans aggressively pressing their disinformation campaign that the presidential election was not legitimate.  Here in Michigan some 39 bills are being discussed in Lansing, all designed place "unnecessary barriers between Michiganders and the ballot box," says the Detroit Free Press editorial board.

"Republicans," says Michigan's Secretary of State, Jocelyn Benson yesterday "are the people who don't believe in democracy."  And Benson's right.  It's the Republicans who voted on January 6th to not certify the 2020 election results even though "more than 250 election audits conducted proved that this election was safe and secure."  Since the November 2020 election the "BIG LIE" has become integrated into the GOP platform, and continues to drive dangerous, seditious acts like the Trumpian's attack & riots at our US Capitol.  Nearly 400 individuals have now been charged ... many hundreds more to follow.

The Republican's "BIG LIE" also extends to the anti-vax crowd putting the nation's ability to stomp out the pandemic at risk.  They've decided any policy linked to science which they don't like, or find inconvenient, gets denied.  Global warming?  No such thing.  Regulate fracking to preserve ground water and reduce Earthquake/seismic activity?  Nope, that's government over-reach. 

The NY Times reports: "... many of the people spreading false claims about voter fraud have switched their messaging to the dangers of vaccines," said Dr. Peter Hotez last night on MSNBC.  Dr. Hotez is the co-director of Texas Children's Center for Vaccine Development, and author of  Preventing the Next Pandemic: Vaccine Diplomacy in a Time of Anti-Science.  As Dr. Hotez explains the anti-vaccine crowd, "started getting money from organizations that traditionally would support the Tea Party and other far-right-wing causes. So they gave money, and power, and strength, and political alliances."  Flash forward 7-8 years and we have a bunch of wing-nuts in political positions of power that do not align with the general public. Pew Research estimates some 57 to 63% of American adults plan on getting vaccinated ... why would some 43 to 37% of the public NOT want to save lives and get the world back to "near normal" with children back in schools, and salvage our economy??  Quick answer: likely the same reason Donald Trump got 74 million votes ... nearly a third of all voters identify with the Republican Party.  And even though millions of vaccinations have been administered globally, with minimal or no adverse health affects or reactions, the wing-nuts represent a large chunk of the US population.  And when a third of the country refuses to wear masks or socially distance themselves it's difficult to develop the "herd immunity" necessary to bring this nightmare to an end.  The vast majority of Americans correctly believe the vaccine may be our only hope in bring the virus under control and support vaccinations. 

Rather than passing laws, as they have done in Georgia, that makes it illegal to give drinking water to voters in excessively long lines, why not figure out solutions to reduce the length of lines - which are just another obvious attempt to discourage people from voting?  Why not, indeed.  If Republican voters consistently faced lines at polling stations that required waiting 4 hour, six hours, or even eight hours which has been the case in Georgia and other states controlled by Republican legislatures ... if white, wealthy suburban voters had to wait even ONE HOUR there would be positive change ... we'd see expanded polling stations to ensure voters could cast ballots and not miss a complete day of work (8 hours @ $7.25/hr = several days worth of groceries for a family of 4).  

Today's lying Republican Party is nothing like your Daddy's GOP.  Hopefully the brainwashed conservatives come to their senses before it's too late.  People need to turn off Fox News, OAN (OneAmerica), and/or NewsMax ... these outfits are not real news venues - they are businesses catering to the conservative gang and they've made the business decision to broadcast programs based on the BIG LIE ... just when people need to think for themselves and seek truth & facts.

posted 03.27.21

More Examples Why The World Is Fortunate Biden & Democrats Are Leading   

• Jared Kushner Says Farewell to U.S. Taxpayers With $24,000 Hotel Tab

• McCarthy’s Claim That Suspected Terrorists Have Been Caught at Mexico Border ... is FALSE (much like nearly everything the guy says).

Both of these newsy items were reported this morning by The Daily Beast (and confirmed by multiple sources) ... so much for the integrity of Republican politicians ... no wonder voters are fleeing from the GOP.  Increasingly today voters are less inclined to state publically that they believe in the conspiracy theories and corruption advanced by the former Trump administration and their enablers.  [Link to article]

The news about Kushner is particularly disturbing given how Trump brainwashed his base to believe he was going to "clean up the swamp" ... right.  The Daily Beast says: "About four weeks before Donald Trump vacated the White House to make way for President Joe Biden, presidential adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner jetted off on his last official trip to Israel—and U.S. taxpayers are on the hook for $24,335 in room and board." 

The lack of honesty displayed by House minority leader McCarthy (R-CA) is hardly the sort of thing that inspires "unity" and working together to solve problems, as he called for since Biden's landslide victory over Trump: "House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) claimed Monday that he’d spoken to border agents in El Paso, Texas, who told him that suspected terrorists have attempted to cross the border into the United States—but, despite multiple requests, he’s provided absolutely no evidence to back it up."

posted 03.16.21

Hannity Attacks Biden Over Vaccine Rollout  

Not a huge surprise - but we have proof Hannity (as he often if) is WRONG!

There was a time when Sean Hannity's radio gig was aired on WJR-AM & a few times a week I'd tune just to get a sense for how conservatives think ... or at least, get some idea what they are saying.  Gradually my blood pressure would rise to dangerous levels and I'd have to change the channel.  One can only take so much contrived, manipulative, inaccurate bull-pucky.  Detroit's 'Great Voice of the Great Lakes' (WJR's longtime slogan) dropped his program in favor of another flame thrower: Michael Savage ... who also didn't last long.  But I still keep track of Hannity from time to time, but his show is aired at same time as Rachel Maddow's #1 rated cable TV program - so guess what channel my TV is tuned into. 

You guessed right: not Hannity.  But this morning's daily scan of news headlines I stumbled upon one headline: "Hannity blasts Biden for taking credit for Trump's vaccine rollout".  Given the facts: 1) I watched Joe Biden's WH address last night; 2) I've followed team Biden's amazing progress cleaning up team Trump's collective messes over the past 51-days; and 3) I have previous experience untangling Hannity's inaccurate statements and out-right lies.  [view video clip here]  Or, you too can read the text of Hannity's show on Fox News website.

Hannity essentially was saying Biden should call Trump and thank him for the vaccines now being deployed all across the USA.  The credit, says Hannity, goes to the Donald's branded " Operation Warp Speed™".   Well Sean, yes, the reality TV star does get credit for approving the name, but no he does not get credit for developing the vaccines.  Nor does Trump get credit for any of the good news re: our nation's recovery from the worst disaster in our history.  Solid arguments have been made that Trump actually caused the pandemic to worsen, not improve, with his administrations actions - or lack thereof.  Some say Trump and his staff oughta' be held liable for many lives lost due to his inaction, which I won't rehash here (but we maintain 4-yrs of news archives & articles that you're welcome to explore and share with others).

Factually accurate:  what the Biden administration inherited ...

• Trump's staff had no coronavirus vaccine distribution plan.  Stockpiles they claimed they had (for 2nd dose applications) did not exist.  Biden's staff said: "There is nothing for us to rework. We are going to have to build everything from scratch ... just further affirmation of complete incompetence," one source said. [CNN report]

• Trump's administration did not order enough vaccine to ensure all Americans would get their "shot", even passed on the opportunity to get more Pfizer vaccine when they had the chance.

• Trump's medical advisors relied too heavily on the states to secure PPE (personal protective equipment), as well as establishing priorities for administering/managing vaccines - no uniform centers and lack of qualified vaccinators.

posted 03.12.21  

How Was The Coronavirus Vaccine Developed So Quickly?  

Record-shattering pace was actually 15-years in the making

The most comprehensive report I've read to-date ... and the story is relevant right now - today is the day you oughta' read this, and/or, share it with someone.  Why today?  Well each day that passes the anti-vax crowd of lunatics on the radical right seems to be growing.  And much of their uneducated, fact-challenged argument is that the vaccines now available were developed too quickly - without proper oversight & testing.  The USA Today article before not only dispels that falsehood, but also gives readers a thorough explanation how the vaccine works.  The world will not end the current pandemic until the majority of Earth's residents come to the party and get their freaking shot.  I'm wondering, here in America ... land of the "free" and home of the brave ... why do we distribute cash to the low-life, radical right-wing extremists who are endangering the future of mankind on this planet?  These people need to be exposed, identified, isolated, shamed, humiliated, and limits placed on their ability to move about as they continue spreading the virus.   Did we, as a society, outlaw stockades to put these despicable life-forms on display in town squares all across this country?  Bound, shackled, dried tomato juice on their cheeks from yesterday's taunting and target for daily scorn until they beg for mercy (and agree to be vaccinated).  Can't do that anymore, huh?  Darn it.  Well, alright ... but read the freaking article:

Read the actual USA Today story online, or ....
you can read Mike's copy/paste text of same.

posted 03.12.21 (re-emphasized 03.16.21)

Voters Need To Punish Republicans For Not Supporting Stimulus Pkg  

60% of Republican Voters + 89% of Democratic Voters Support Stimulus Legislation
Compare:  Trump's Tax Cut Cost  $2.3 Trillion vs. Stimulus Bill Cost, $1.9 Trillion

Voters have to take notice and remember when our next election rolls around: exactly who supports rebuilding America?  Who supports protecting citizens from falling into poverty?  ... instead of granting tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations? Here's a tiny hint: the answer to all of the above Qs ... it's not the GOP. 

The Stimulus Bill (officially known as The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021) was supported by all Democrats except one, and opposed by all Republicans.  Funny, though ... immediately after the bill passed Roger Wicker (R-MS) tweeted approvingly about the “targeted relief” for restaurants.  "His post did not mention that he had voted no," says the NY Times.  Pathetic.  Wicker won't be the only one trying to glob-onto undeserved credit.  These Republicans know when checks begin to arrive and schools are re-opening, and restaurants once again serving their favorite BBQ-honey-coated, artery-clogging excessively spicy chicken-wings that Americans will be pleased.  Happy even.  Just like in 2008-2009 after the Obama Economic Stimulus Pkg was required (after GW Bush drove the economy into the ditch) ... Republicans attempt to take credit for stuff they have no right to take credit for.  In 2010 mid-term elections, what happened?  Yep, the birth of the wing-nut Tea Party, which the nation still suffers from today.  This is why its so important that Democrats take multiple victory laps and ensure voters know who delivered the bacon at the precise moment millions of Americans were about to tank (losing homes, jobs, and lives).

And, the Build Back Better agenda President Biden advocated during the 2020 campaign (which resulted in a thorough trashing of America's most unfit President in history: Donald J. Trump) ... we need to proceed with similar action on immigration, race relations, voting rights, and infrastructure.  Let's keep the peddle to the metal and bury these creepy hypocrites!  (All citizens should be urged to communicate with their elected representatives.)   Gads, it sure feels good to have a professional group of administrators back in office!

posted with joy & pride: 03.11.21
updated: 05.30.21  Republicans are providing more examples of their hypocrisy this spring ... keep in mind not a single Republican voted for the Covid-Relief Bill (aka: American Rescue Plan) ... but that won't stop 'em from bragging about the funding that has flowed into their state & often, into their district.  Why are they doing this?  Because the GOP knows the vast majority of all American voters support the legislation.  Vox News published an awesome opinion piece in March that all voters oughta' read because likely more than a few American voters will be disgusted enough to STOP VOTING FOR REPUBLICANS!  The Vox article [link] offers several examples ... keep in mind these folks VOTED AGAINST THE BILL: 

1. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) patted herself on the back for a decision made by Biden’s Small Business Administration to extend deferment periods for Covid-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL).  Salazar's website says: "I am so proud that my bipartisan legislation has officially become SBA policy". PROUD??? She voted against it!

2. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) lauding the $28.6 billion in aid to restaurants included in the relief bill. “Independent restaurant operators have won $28.6 billion worth of targeted relief,” Wicker tweeted.  Trouble is, Wicker also voted against the bill.

President Joe Biden, this past week, as he attempts to persuade the GOP to embrace bipartisan support for his infrastructure plan, and voting rights reform, said: "Even my Republican friends in Congress, not a single one of them voted for the Rescue Plan. I'm not going to embarrass any one of them [now], but I have here a list of how back in their districts they're bragging about the Rescue Plan," Biden said to laughter, as he pulled out an actual list from his breast pocket. "Some people have no shame."

The "Big Lie" on comeback tour sponsored by Republicans, Karen & Darren 

counter to assertion that "Karen" meme is sexist ... leads to male version: "Darren"
(sad to say: I am related to both Karen & Darren)

It's becoming a common refrain on social media: "Oh Darren go back home and complain to Karen!"  Those angry “white-ladies-with-a-bone-to-pick” are now joined by "angry-irrational white guys" who spew hate and are most likely responsible for many super-spreader events as they rant in public.  Congressional Republicans, most who do know better, continue to repeat their core falsehood that lead to the deadly riots at our nation's capitol January 6th. 

"The election was stolen from Donald Trump," says America's Karens and Darrens who generally embrace state legislative action across the nation designed to restrict voting in future elections.  Heck, if Karen & Darren can not beat Democrats on policy debates they might as well do what they have done for decades: suppress voting rights of the majority of voters in order to win.  Forget the fact that the 2020 election had greater voter participation than any election in history ... forget that record turn-out happened even though we're in the midst of a pandemic! Forget the fact that Republicans were unable to make any case of substantial systematic voter fraud. Zero evidence, zero proof ... totally manufactured even before the November general election because Trump saw that he was losing and had to flip the narrative.  [More info links: origins of Karen ... Darren joins cast]

Trump did virtually nothing to fight the pandemic, did even less to resolve racial injustice ... he spent 4-yrs playing the role he's always played: reality TV star.  His supporters point to "Operation Warp Speed" as if that proves what a visionary the Donald is/was, preparing the nation and the world with vaccines "faster than you've ever seen."  Well, that's actually not true.  a) team Trump did not order enough vaccine to ensure every American would have proper doses, and b) team Trump also did not have complete plan developed for distribution.  In other words, as Barack Obama noted, Trump "has not done the work."   Total incompetence.

But the Karens and Darrens of the country have memorized their rants and their opposition because they too have ignored facts, truth and honesty.  All they care about is complaining about the inconvenience of wearing a mask in public, or the unfairness of job losses and their favorite restaurant being shut-down.  Somehow the pandemic itself became politicized and those who have taken the fight to the virus are, in the conservative Republican view, the cause of our problems.

The Brennan Center for Justice says: "In a backlash to historic voter turnout in the 2020 general election, and grounded in a rash of baseless and racist allegations of voter fraud and election irregularities, legislators have introduced well over four times the number of bills to restrict voting access as compared to roughly this time last year."   Actually, its even worse than that early report.  On Feb 24th the Brennan Center released a comprehensive list, sorted by state, of all the pending legislation: "As of February 19, 2021, state lawmakers have carried over, pre-filed, or introduced 253 bills with provisions that restrict voting access in 43 states, and 704 bills with provisions that expand voting access in a different set of 43 states."  Take a look at the list ... it causes reasonable Americans to feel sick.  And, it's a virtual assault on our Democracy.

Yep, if Karen & Darren can not win an election fairly ... if they can't win elections based on the merits of the cause or the candidate - then Republicans will cheat.  It's been proven that when facing defeat they have no qualm with reversing their own positions & making all sorts of irrational claims.  Next, they resort to assorted acts of hypocrisy and "dirty tricks" in an effort to win.  And since Fox News, NewsMax & OneAmerica (OAN) are all marching to the same playbook, viewers of these conservative mainstream news organizations rarely hear the truth. 

One fun little sidebar: for more than a decade Fox News enjoyed a monopoly and was considered the Republican National Network.  Today, upstarts like OAN & NewsMax have cut into the Fox viewership, effectively splintering the conservative base.  The result?  MSNBC has swept the #1 ranking for cable news organizations.  Rachel Maddow's 9 p.m. daily news summary on MSNBC is now the most watched program on all of cable television.  Not Fox & Friends, not The View or Good Morning America.  Not even reruns of Duck Dynasty or Who Wants to be a Millionaire?  Nope.  Maddow ... #1 for a reason.

posted 03.7.21

Pardon our dust - we're moving

No, not from the Great Lakes ... we're getting a new cyber-address

The folks at GoDaddy, our web-hosting service, decided this would be a good time to increase rates - they wanted to bump fees more than 2½ times what we've paid the past 6-yrs.  Needless to say, Mike found another web-hosting outfit and is in the process of converting.  I will give GoDaddy credit - they did give me 10-days advance notice to scramble and find, hopefully, a host that offers decent service at fair prices.  Stay tuned - hopefully any interruption in service will be minimal.

Republican Voters: much of what they are saying at CPAC is BS

Please fact-check what they are peddling

Claim:  "Democrats" are trying to cram-thru their evil progressive, socialist, Marxist agenda.  "This is not a coronavirus bill," says John Kennedy (R-LA). "This is a left of Lenin, neo-socialist wish list.  I mean it's just ... it is chock full of spending porn."
Fact:  Left of Lenin?  How pathetic for the Louisiana Senator who had the good fortune to graduate from some impressive institutions of higher learning: Vanderbilt, Univ of Virginia School of Law, and attended Oxford.  He knows better (and shouldn't be making stupid statements like "left of Lenin").  Polls show the majority of voters today favor passage of the Covid Relief Bill that was recently passed by the House.  Yep, as many as 75% of all voters want to see the bill get passed ... even when you break down poll responses by party affiliation, 60% of Republicans support the bill.  89% of Democrats support the bill.  And even if you are in the minority, before engaging in silly rants on Facebook or Twitter, please study the terms used in social science.  It is impossible for someone to be a radical Marxist, socialist, progressive, Democrat ... all at the same time  These may be labels of persons or ideologies you don't like, but they are not compatible.  (Consult a freaking dictionary if your MAGA pals think I am wrong.)

Claim:  Several Republicans in Congress have expressed similar opinions without a shred of evidence.  "I just KNOW Trump had the election "stolen" from him & I'm just not going to stand for it," says Josh Hawley (R-MO).
Fact:  actually you are wrong, Senator.  And your clinched fist support of solidarity on January 6th after the Capitol riot squad attacked, confirms that you need to be voted out of office. I don't know how else to address it, Senator.  President Biden defeated Trump by over 7 million votes.  All 50 states have certified the election after several legal challenges were exhausted - no evidence of wide-spread fraud. It's obvious Hawley is just trying to lay claim to the Trump voter base, assuming the Donald is not running in 2024.

Claim:  the topic - proposal to raise the minimum wage ...  "The liberal Left will keep on truckin' with this ridiculous $15/hr min wage hike," said representative Kat Cammack (R-FL) last Friday on NewsMax's Rob Schmitt Show. 
Fact:  Ridiculous?  Let's see ... no change in Federal min/wage rate since 2009 ... how many times in your career did you go 22-yrs without getting a raise?  I'm just asking.  Also, it cracks-me-up that a Florida Congresswoman would say that just as Florida voters approved the ballot initiative this past Nov 3rd ... over 60% of Floridians voting agreed with hike in state law.  Funny: 33 states have done the same thing ... only 17 states do not have labor laws dictating wages higher than $7.25/hr. (In those states a full-time employee would earn barely a thousand more per year than the poverty level: $12,800.)  

Claim:  well, we're still going to take back our country ... and "make America great again"!
Fact:  sounds like a threat.  The people who stormed the Capitol on January 6th should all be arrested ... so far something like 300 participants have been identified and charged.  There should be hundreds if not over a 1,000 more charges leveled against the rioters.  Attempts to destroy our Democracy are acts of sedition.  The MAGA rants have been silly, political theatre and just words that seem to appeal to an audience made up of largely misinformed people.  If that includes you, I take little pleasure saying: 'you have been manipulated & and sold a pack of lies'.  74 million voters bought into the lie, so don't feel like you're alone ... but elected officials should (and do) know better.  Those Republicans in Congress who are clinging to the notion that Trump actually won the 2020 election are dangerous and need to be exposed, ridiculed, and removed from office.

Claim:  Ted Cruz & Mitch McConnell have agreed, the GOP is Donald Trump's party.
Fact:  Which Ted and which Mitch are we talking about?  Because both of 'em have been spewing from both sides of their mouths over the past 4 or 5 yrs.  In 2016 Ted called Trump a pathological liar.  [video proof]   Just a few weeks ago Mitch said: "No question Trump is responsible for provoking riot"  [video proof]   Now, when asked about Trump supporters McConnell says he would "absolutely" support Trump in 2024.  We could easily find dozens of similar inconsistent examples of Republican hypocrisy ... and so can you if you'd just insist on truth & facts, not hyperbole & lies.

Claim:  "Democrats just hate Trump," says Jesse Watters on his Fox News program the other day. that Democrats just hate Trump but Republicans are more concerned with policy matters (like reversing Roe v. Wade, or rallying against Chinese aggression, or not adding more debt dumped on your grandchildren).  Fact:  That's a typical twisted commentary of multiple subjects, filled with simplistic slogans that sprung-up at some Trump rally.  Let's take 'em one at a time.  Debt: do your homework; figure it out for yourself. Do some freaking research & determine when the country incurred debt, and why.  Make a list by administration starting with, say, the Truman administration ... or hell, Bill, go back to Washington if you're dying to get to the bottom of things (but a word of caution: today's republican is not the same as a Lincoln republican (and vice versa ... pay attention too, to regional variances; today's democrats were likely Republicans back in the '60's ... angered by the civil rights legislation that passed while LBJ was president.)  If you're not familiar with Watter's he made a name for himself over at Fox for his "gotcha!" questions and "man-on-the-street" interviews ... trying really hard to make people look stupid.

Fact (continued): Do most Democrats want to see Trump behind bars rather than behind the Resolute Desk in the WH?  Heck yes.  What does that prove?  That's like asking if Republicans think Obama was born in Kenya.   Of course they do.  Roe v. Wade?  Get over it ... it's settled law.  But we can end this madness if Congress were to codify a woman's right to an abortion and take the matter out of the courts.  To accomplish that we'll need reform on the Senate filibuster rules ... long over due. 

Even More Facts (continued): And what about the so-called Chinese aggression?  I suspect the Biden administration will actually accomplish meaningful changes with the Chinese rather than spewing insults about the Chinese Virus, or the Chinese plague, or imposing trade tariffs.  It's almost hilarious how the radical right-wing Trump supporting voter actually buys the Donald's BS about being "tough on China".  The reality is all of Trump's attacks on China are verbal ... he does nothing in the 4-yr span he was in office and now has the audacity to attack Biden for not solving all the problems of the world during Biden's first 80-days in office.  News flash to Trump Voters: the American consumer ends up paying for Trump China trade tariffs - not China. 

But Wait, We Have S'more Facts (continued):  Alright, since your last claim above was actually multiple claims in one, I'll shut up while you complete your homework assignment (forgetting already?  you're s'posed to compile a list of national debt (and reasons why) for each administration as far back as you care to go.  If you're honest you'll see a pattern: Republicans who claim to be fiscal conservatives are actually the people who have caused the debt in the 1st place.  Case in point often cited here (and no one has proven me wrong yet) ... George W. Bush's 2 unfunded tax cuts + 2 unfunded wars + prescription drug benefit also un-funded ... so much of the 8 trillion dollars of GW Bush debt was incurred after leaving office as the Obama administration dug us out of another Republican mess.  So, to give you some help with your homework:  Trump added $7 trillion, George W. added over $6 trillion from 2000 to 2008 + the $8 trillion spent after leaving office.  It almost looks ridiculously small to ponder the $2 trillion Ronald Reagan added to the debt.  I suspect you'll be shocked when you discover the truth:  republicans cause messes and debt; democrats clean up GOP messes.  Disagree?  Bring the facts and prove me wrong.

03.01.21

Republican Voters: Don't Forget What Trump Told Us One Year Ago

And remember: we didn't have to lose as many lives as we have (over 500,000 for those of you with heads buried in sand).

A year ago then President Trump said COVID-19 was like the "regular flu" ... do you remember?  Well, thankfully much of what Trump has said publically (and even much that he's said privately) in the past 5-6 years has been captured - recorded, digitized, and archived for reference.

Brian Williams of MSNBC gave his viewers a nifty video reminder on his program this past Friday ... [video attached 2min:40sec].  I captured the edited video because it succinctly summarizes Trump's actual comments.  These are his words - not progressive spin.  However, for those who do not trust me and/or are not comfortable with "mainstream news" I have also located the unedited CSPAN video footage of the entire WH Press Briefing for 02.26.20 [link].  Knock yourself out.

The reason Trump's comments are important is because: a) it did not have to be this bad one-year later ... over a half-million American lives lost and families disrupted, and b) this press briefing marks the beginning - the birth - of Trump's Big Lie which is (amazingly and pathetically) still being perpetuated daily by the disgraced former President.  Conservative media (like Fox, OneAmerica and NewsMax) and members of Congress who seek the support of Trump's base of supporters ... like so many wingnuts attending this weekend's super-spreader CPAC event in Florida ... which is just about the only state that is allowing these sorts of indoor rallies as the pandemic continues to rage.  Every voter ought to regularly review this recording, as well as current global pandemic news ... the CDC is once again becoming a trusted source for information.

For those not able or not inclined at this time to watch videos, here are the highlights from Trump's White House Press Briefing on February 26th, 2020:

Media Question: are you planning to test more people?
Trump: well we are testing everyone that we need to test ... and we are finding very little problem.  We're going to be pretty soon at only 5 people and we could be at just one or two people over the next short period of time. It's a little like the regular flu that we have flu shots for. And will essentially have a flu shot for this in a fairly quick manner.

Media Question: should Americans be going out getting protective equipment such as masks, and so forth?
Trump:  I don't think we're gonna' ever be anywhere near that.  When you have 15 people ... and the 15 in a couple of days is going to be down to close to zero, ah, that's a pretty good job we've done.

Media Question: what is your response to Speaker Pelosi who said earlier today that you don't know what you are talking about, about the coronavirus?
Trump: I think Speaker Pelosi is incompetent.  She's trying to create a panic, and there's no reason to panic because of all we've done the risk to the American people remains very low.

Yet, careful observers will recall around the same time as the Donald was saying the above, veteran reporter Bob Woodward captured the President on the phone saying "he knew it was far more dangerous than the flu" as reported by virtually every media source including Slate magazine.  Again, those deniers among you oughta' read the article and listen to Woodward's recording (which the WH never disputed its accuracy) before you start calling ME a liar.  Slate goes on to note: "the president was not simply misinformed or being wishful about the virus, but deliberately lying about what he knew. As the country got off to a slow and ineffective response to the virus, Trump would say that the pandemic “came out of nowhere” and that the danger could not have been foreseen. In fact, he was specifically aware of the threat, and chose to misinform the public about it." 

Brian Williams opening remarks on this segment of his show so neatly summarized the bottom-line of where we are at as a nation today: "... if we ever lose sight of why the death toll is so high.  This needs to be said today - needs to be said next week - next year, and in the history books our friends are already writing.  They died because of denialism.  Former President was a virus denier surrounded by enablers who knew better the fight against the pandemic was pathetic.  Mismanagement, malpractice.  Others have forcefully argued that when the President brought in a radiologist he'd seen on Fox News as the White House medical advisor - that decision, and that man - cost lives.   The lesson is: to never forget."

Williams then introduced the video clip transcribed by me, shown & above ..."so this following item is from a year ago today, as fate would have it - it was the day Mike Pence was named to head-up the White House coronavirus task force the day the experts stood there and watched and listened as the President told us it was the flu.")  The Trump administration had no plan - they even disbanded existing teams of scientists who's job was to be on guard for handling just this sort of global pandemic.  The Trump administration forced the CDC to water-down their news briefs and recommendations.  They had no plan for testing or helping states acquired personal protective equipment (PPE).  Team Trump has no national plan for testing...or mitigate...or contract tracing - all the sorts of steps other countries took which proved to be effective in keeping the virus under control.  As Williams pointed out in his summary: "mismanagement, malpractice - never forget."

posted 02.28.21

Ted Cruz might have broken the law

02.24.21  Beth Levin of Vanity Fair writes ...
[hoping to read more?  You'll have to make a choice:  full article - text ...or... Cyber-link to full article]

Mike posted on 02.25.21 with glee as the GOP shows signs of implosion.

Back in the day when young Mike bombed around the state selling stuff ... one radio station I frequently listened to was WJR.  Why?  Well, lots of reasons:  Nostalgia - my father worked there before he got into television - and - their signal strength meant I could likely tune in WJR whether I was in Bad Axe or Alpena.  Another reason was sports; WJR normally had the rights to broadcast the major sports of the day, Tiger, Lions, Wolverines, Spartans.  They also has some pretty good on-air talent, like JP McCarthy and Warren Pierce, among others.  I even enjoyed a tiny bit of culture like Adventures in Good Music, hosted by Karl Haas ... classical stuff that began on 'JR in '59 and continued to delight audiences nationwide in syndication until 2007. 

Plus, 'JR had the rights to an afternoon conservative political commentator: Rush Limbaugh, who almost invented "talk radio".   Back in the 80's I may have agreed with him on occasion ... but over time, less so.  I respected his knowledge and smarts, but always disliked the way he tossed everyone he disagreed with politically into single pot and tried to brainwash his listeners to agree with his assessment.  Rarely are politics as simple as Limbaugh presented them, nor are the contrasts so cleanly defined as he seemed to advocate.  He had a habit of name calling that also ticked me off over time ... “feminazi” was one, which may partially explain why he was married four times.

Smart and highly opinionated, Rush seemed to love taking an aggressive stance on most issues.  But over time I found it was more fun making sales rather than sitting in the parking lot smoking cigarettes and listening to Limbaugh ranting.  I also discovered a network of affiliated public broadcasting stations scattered all over the state ... and soon my push-button radio presets were filled with links to what is now Michigan Public Radio (NPR) ... stations in Flint, Mt. Pleasant, Traverse City, Alpena, and more.  I pretty much skipped Limbaugh from the mid- 90's thru the mid-2000's.  After Barack Obama was elected I returned to the Limbaugh show in an effort to better understand why so many people on the radical right were opposed to Obama and the good work his administration was doing to pull the nation out of the mess left behind by GW Bush. I found I could only stomach the guy in short segments ... though for years I continued to listen to portions of his show.  Limbaugh died Wednesday 2/17/21. 

update:  05/24/21 - The Dan Bongino Show replaced Limbaugh's former time slot on WJR, the former "great voice of the great lakes", and Bongino's first guest?  None other than your lying former president, Donald Trump.  Bongino's delivery was not very smooth and virtually everything that managed to come out of his mouth was mangled, half-baked, or just flat-out wrong.  The former NYPD officer and former Secret Service agent, has some experience as a contributor on radical right wing Fox News, but never has he had the responsibility to fill 15-hours each week, week after week, with content and lacks the depth or breadth of knowledge and communication skill to connect with his audience.  He unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 2012, 2014, 2016 ... so at least he's consistent.  But Bongino is going to learn real fast that Limbaugh is one tough act to follow.  My hunch is when Republicans fall even further in the polls, and perhaps may be the biggest mid-term losers in history, Bongino will review the termination clauses in his contract because Cumulus Media (owners of WJR) will surely replace this loser quickly.  

At last: Louise & I have been scheduled to receive the vaccine in a few weeks. Until the shot is in my arm I'll worry that something could screw up our tentative plans. Could be the weather or maybe a supply issue ... who knows. But for now we are delighted to be heading in a positive direction.

Wish we could say the same for our nation's political climate. We watched about 75-80% of the Senate Impeachment trial ... appreciating the quality case made by House Managers. In particular, Jamie Raskin, Maryland Congressman ... who's logic and explanation was both easily understood and spot-on accurate. The majority of Americans agreed with Raskin, a constitutional law professor and scholar. Doubt me? Well, consider your information sources ... turn off Fox or NewsMax, or worse yet, OneAmericaNetwork and read: The Hill ("Trump should be convicted, barred from federal office") and/or Politico ("Most voters think Trump should be convicted").

The majority of Senators agreed too ... as did the majority in the House who brought charges against former President Trump. The majority of US Senators (fifty-seven) agree: Donald J. Trump is guilty. Unfortunately the bar is high - we needed two thirds of Senators (67) to convict Trump for inciting the riot at the Capitol in Washington D.C. on January 6th.  One would think with this sort of overwhelming majority of people believing that Trump is guilty that something could be done.  We can, but it'll just take a few years. Change must come from voters at the local and state level, at first ... removing the remnants of republicans who have proven themselves to be unfit for public office. So, for now the Donald will keep his Secret Service detail and his pension and office staff & budget as the public awaits potential legal action against Mr. Trump in states of New York & Georgia. Meanwhile, the list for voters of members of Congress who need to be removed from office grows and the GOP continues to fracture.

posted 02.14.21

Consider The Source For Your Information

“the mainstreaming of madness”

(So now the media will have another Twitter account to monitor for the next 8-yrs.)

So refreshing now that professionals and talented folks have taken over.  Now, much like when Biden was elected in 2008 with Barack Obama, cleaning-up the messes caused by Republicans can begin.  (What messes, you ask?  Oh hell, Bill, just read my archive.)   Tell me again why voters select Republicans these days.

“It’s a new day in America”

Thank Goodness.