A Toxic Virus Has Infected America: The Cure Isn't Going To Be Easy

                                            Good Day World!

As much as I'd like to pin the polarization of America on that orange anus in the White House, I have to admit it began before he slunk into office.

There was a actually a time when our political tribes were able to compromise enough to keep the government rolling along somehow.

Those days are over. The tribes have become one big toxic virus threatening democracy with daily assaults on truth, and the Constitution. 

Republicans and Democrats are complicit in this deadly infection that's rotting America at it's core.

The Republicans, with a larger political megaphone under Trump, are leading the way to spreading the virus for the last three years.

Related: The Ten Causes of America's Polarization

Trump, the core of the current infection, has led a war on truth by attacking journalists that tell the truth about his activities. By calling our mainstream media Fake News he's inspired dictator's across the planet to copy him.

What concerns me the most is even if we get rid of Trump in 2020, the damage he's done will continue into the foreseeable future. 

Like the Hydra in Greek mythology, you cut off one head (Trump) and there's still others to contend with.

We can't realistically count on a sudden reformation of our values, morals, and ethics with a new president in office. To the contrary, the tribes will still resist compromise because everything today has become a zero sum game.

They either win or lose. The American public is the loser as the political game becomes more intense daily with new technologies.

Related: The Constitution is Threatened by Tribalism

So what can be done to reverse this infection?

Here's a TED Talk that offers some answers:

How To Turn The Political Conversation Around

Time for me to walk on down the road...

In Case You Missed Them: News Stories Not About Hurricanes or Mass Shootings

Good Day World!

By the time you read this post, I suspect you're tired of hearing about Hurricane Dorian and the latest mass shooting in Odessa, Texas. 

Yes, they are both huge stories. But there's been other news events going on too.

When we last heard that Trump was not going to Poland because meteorologists told him Mar-A-Lago may be hit by Dorian, he sent his sycophant Pence to meet with Polish leaders.

I'm happy to report Pence didn't embarrass our country once, and actually signed a joint argument on 5G Technology.

It was one of the few times the Trump Administration actually signed a deal with a foreign government (without bullying it).
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In case you hadn't heard the annual Labor Day parade in South Plainfield, New Jersey, was canceled after homemade explosives were found in a wooded area along the parade route. 

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and his wife Tammy were scheduled to participate in the 62nd annual parade. Another mass killing event avoided? It looks that way.
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If you're wondering how the so-called peace talks are going between the Trump Administration and the Taliban It can be summed up very simply:

Alternate Reality; The Trump camp is claiming the U.S. had good negotiations with the terrorist group and they're on the verge of a deal to end the war in Afghanistan.

Reality: Taliban forces launched a major attack on the Afghan city of Kunduz two days ago. 

Summary: Trump camp is getting chumped by the Taliban who have no intention of letting the current democratic government survive.
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Three quick news observations...

Playing Through

Yesterday Trump played golf at his course in New Jersey while over a million people on the eastern seaborn hunkered down as Hurricane Dorian hit.

Where's the outrage? If Obama would have done that Republicans would have tried to lynch him!

Chopper Talk

There are no longer press meetings inside the White House. Instead, the orange anus has taken to his favorite spot to control interviews...next to his presidential helicopter.

It's poised to take off any moment and the rushing noise the chopper makes forces reporters to shout their questions. The general chaos it causes pleases Trump.

                               Give Biden a Break

Political pundits have been pummeling Joe Biden about his habit of conflating some events that happened 20 or 30 years ago. Note that he wasn't accused of lying, just getting times, dates, and other details mixed up.

Now look at what Trump does on nearly a daily basis:

While supposedly informing Americans about the oncoming dangers of Hurricane Dorian he couldn't even get the state right. 

Instead of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, or North Carolina, the moron warned residents of Alabama to prepare for a landfall! (Hello! Where did that come from?)

Trump lies on a daily basis. They've become so common that many political pundits don't even comment on them anymore.

Trump minions who are attacking Biden's memory and supposed signs of dementia, completely ignore their master's mental deteriotation which has been on display since 2016.

Time for me to walk on down the road...

Mass Shootings Going Unchecked: Trump, McConnell, NRA Holding Americans Hostage

Good Day World!

It doesn't matter if we have a mass shooting once a month, or every two weeks; both are unacceptable losses of lives due to extremists with AR Style rifles.

Fact. The majority of Americans have been calling for more gun safety laws for years, but their pleas have been ignored by the president and the senate.

Democratic leadership has been calling on Trump and Moscow Mitch to take up gun control legislation all year. In spite of the most recent mass shooting - two days ago - in Odessa, Texas, Republican leadership has stubbornly ignored any gun safety proposals.

Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer have been urging Mitch to take up a House background check bill once Congress returns. It's already been passed in the House. The ball is in Mitch's court.

Being the number one recipient of NRA bribe money in the Senate and House, Mitch's loyalty is not to the American people. His blatant disregard for public safety is shocking and disgusting.

As for waffle boy Trump, he changes his mind daily (sometimes two or three times a day) and you can't believe or count on anything he says.

There's been several mass shootings where he promised to take up "meaningful legislation" and did absolutely nothing. Zero. Squat. Just hot air. 

The NRA owns his orange ass and proves it every time there's been a shooting by calling him up and warning him against taking any gun safety measures. He meekly complies because a good part of his base are 2nd Amendment extremists.

Why does it have to be this way? Politics are now so toxic that we can no longer pass laws to protect all Americans from gun violence.

When other countries, like Japan, issue travel warnings to it's tourists about coming to the United States because it's a "gun culture," you know things are out of control.

It's becoming increasingly hard to go anywhere without wondering if your going to be a victim of a mass shooter. Churches, schools, shopping malls, and the highways are no longer safe havens.

I'm afraid the only hope for enacting gun legislation lies in the Democrats winning the presidency, the Senate and the House. Nothing less than a sweep will do. 

If Mitch retains control of the Senate there's no hope. He's a greedy, shameless little traitor that could care less about most Americans.

The Republican Party's response has been predictable and infuriating... no changes to gun laws because it would be violating their "God-Given" rights to carry an assault weapon of mass destruction.

How many times have we heard this?

Related: Texas State Lawmaker Calls for 'Praying for Protection' Instead of Gun Reform in Wake of Mass Shooting

Time for me to walk on down the road...

2020 Election May Come Down To How Tired Voters Are of Trump's Non-Reality Show

Good Day World!

After nearly three years of constant chaos in the White House, the 2020 election may well be decided by how tired Americans are of seeing, or hearing, Trump's daily antics.

Related: How Trump 'News Fatigue' May Affect 2020 Voters

His loyal base, a tiny island in the overall population of voters, isn't enough to get him re-elected.

Americans are getting burned-out with the 24-hours news cycle centered on Trump's tweets and actions. It's nearly impossible to turn TV news outlets on without Trump being the headliner.

This fatigue factor will probably be a big reason why Trump won't get re-elected. It's not the only thing the Trump campaign should be worried about however.

Polls have been another warning of bad days ahead for the orange ape.

Related: Trump Trails Democrats By a Historically Large Margin

Another factor also going against Trump; his constant lies, despite being fact-checked and repudiated, are getting crazier by the day.

Related: Six Weeks, 328 False Claims. Breaking Down Trump's Dishonesty

The idea of having a "normal" President is very alluring for many Americans.

The thought of four more years of Trump makes me want to vomit. I don't think I'm the only one who feels that way either.

Time for me to walk on down the road...

Trump's Art of the 'No-Deal' is Devastating Our Economy

Good Day World!

The trade war with China is personal to Trump. 

Despite constant warnings from nearly every economist and corporate CEO in the nation that his tariffs are hurting American consumers, Trump's plowing foreword in the belief it will get him re-elected.

Not in the belief that it'll really be good for all Americans.

The narcissist-in-charge has had one mission since he was sworn into office: to get re-elected, regardless of the cost to the average American.

We're seeing this play out in dramatic fashion with 14 more months left before the elections. 

In his recent unraveling before the media and on Twitter, Trump waffled back and forth on issues, made 180 turns in the same day, and spewed easily recognizable lies without fear of being called out by "his team" in the Senate, led by Moscow Mitch.

Despite the diversions Trump has come up with this week in a new display of cruelty for immigrant children after hearing about declining support in the polls, he's faced with a growing reality; the good economy that he inherited off of the Obama Administration is showing signs of stress.

Related: Dow On Track For Second-Worst Month of the Year  

Related: Tariffs Are Hurting The Company That Makes Smith and Wesson Firearms

Related: Trump is Taking Us Back to Depression-Era Policy

Trump's base is cracking. Barely. But as the months pass how long can they support someone whose policies are crushing their livelihood?  

In particular the farmers that he always publicly praises as patriots for not complaining about the undo hardship his tariffs have cost them, are finding Trump's art-of-the-no-deal unpalatable.

Related: 'Your EPA Went Too Far': Farmers Hit Hard By Trump EPA's New Ethanol Rules Are Fuming  

Videos of Farmers Hurt By Trump Tariffs tell their story firsthand...

Time for me to walk on down the road...

Top Trump Minion Pursuing Phony Allegations - Wants Obama Under Oath

                                         Good Day World!

One of Trump's top enablers, Lindsey Graham, plans on opening an investigation into unproven ties between the 2016 Trump campaign and Russia.

One of his targets to interview is President Obama. 

Graham is also preparing to interview former Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, former FBI Director James Comey, former CIA Director John Brenna, and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper.

Like a good partisan toady, Graham claims there was a plot against Trump. His stated goal is to find out who told (and when and where) President Obama about the counterintelligence investigation into then-candidate Trump?

Graham needs to stop redefining actual history in order to protect the orange ape.

Here's Graham's answer on all three counts:

Moscow Mitch McConnell, along with other lawmakers, were briefed by the FBI on Russia's interference in the campaign in July of 2016, right in the thick of the election.

Graham can start his investigation with Moscow Mitch.

McConnell's response to the report was to warn the FBI not to release any of the information to the public. And yes, President Obama was aware of the report given to a selected group of lawmakers.

Those facts are being brushed aside by Graham to pursue a witch hunt to gin up Trump's extreme base. Not only is it wrong, it's treasonous.

Graham is not interested in pursuing the truth for the American people. This investigation is nothing more than a partisan attempt to get revenge, and to help re-elect Trump's fat, lying ass.

It's just a matter of time before Graham follows through with his threat.

I wonder how voters in South Carolina (Graham's state) are going to respond to this overt attempt at revenge? 

He's up for re-election in November 2020. 

We'll find out then.

Time for me to walk on down the road....

Trump Turns on His Propaganda Outlet: 'Fox Should Go All the Way LEFT'

                                        Good Day World!

How badly have things gone for Trump lately?

Bad enough that he's attacking the TV station - Fox News - that has promoted his presidency since Day One. 

Frankly, I never thought I'd see the day. So what happened? Why is Donny dissing his biggest support network?

Trump's criticism of Fox News has been growing in the last few months. His ire at seeing Democrats given the chance to speak out started out as a camp fire and has since ignited into a wildfire of accusations.

Yesterday, Trump went off the rails again over a segment with Democratic National communications director Xochitl Hinojosa. 

"Just watched @FoxNews heavily promoting the Democrats though their DNC Communications Director, spewing out whatever she wanted with zero push back by anchor, @SandraSmithFox."

Trump has stepped up his attacks against Fox News personalities Donna Brazile, Juan Williams, and Shep Smith.

Trump's disappointment with his favorite propaganda outlet has been palpable: 

"The New @FoxNews is letting million of GREAT people down! We have to start looking for a new News Outlet, because Fox News isn't working for us anymore."

There's been a swinging door between the White House and Fox News since Trump was elected. What we've witnessed is Former WH Trump minions going to Fox News, and Fox employees going to the WH.

That seems to be changing, as Trump is increasingly going to the dark side as his critics and the courts close in on his corruption and high crimes.

I'm not saying Fox News has suddenly repented and is trying to be more balanced. The network's goal is to increase their audience by whatever means possible.

If that means interviewing Democrats, so be it. Fox still loves Trump however. Even when he attacks the network and it's stars. It was a deal bartered in hell and isn't easily broken.

Trump's anger with Fox is based upon what he sees as disloyalty. As Congress continues it's investigation into Trump's illegal activities - before and after the election - he's becoming increasingly unhinged.

His tweets made explicit Trump's long-held belief that Fox belongs to him and his supporters. Despite daily cheerleading from "Fox and Friends" in the morning all the way until "The Ingraham Angle" at night, he doesn't think that's a sufficient display of loyalty.

He knows that the world thinks he's a clown, as do the majority of Americans, but Trump doesn't care. His oversized ego overcomes facts. Trump the con man will do anything to promote his image with his base.

Anything.

Time for me to walk on down the road...

Trump's War With Reality: Everyone Can See The Emperor Has No Clothes

                                         Good Day World!

With the exception of his hardened base, everyone in America, and abroad, knows Trump, our wannabe Emperor, is a con man whose being exposed more every day.

The naked truth is he's demented, dangerous, and living in an alternate reality that is challenging the real world, truth, and facts.

Recent example:

From today's headlines - 39 of the Wackiest Lines From Trump's Freewheeling G-7 press conference 

Here's a running tab of Trump's lies since he's been in office from Politifact

It's nearly impossible for me to wrap my mind around the fact that not only do Americans think he's liar, and at least partly deranged, the rest of the world does too.

Watching how world leaders had to pamper Trump during the G-7 conference was instructive. They know his temper tantrums could literally rock economic havoc on their countries.

As far as the GOP majority senate under Moscow Mitch goes, it's been a case of lemmings ready to walk off a cliff for their crazed leader.

They know he has no clothes, but they fear a political backlash should they stand up to his insanity. The GOP senators have made their bed, and history will judge them for enabling the worst president this country has ever had.

Meanwhile, the American people are being held hostage with a moody, infantile con man who senses he's in trouble for the 2020 re-election and is doubling down on crazy in response.

Witnessing the damage he's wrought on our government and democratic values, is extremely hard. 

It's no wonder the number of people diagnosed with depression since Trump slung into office, has gone off the charts.

Here's an excellent article From Psychology Today about Pathocracy, which is about individuals like Trump with personality disorders who occupy positions of power. Find out why Pathocracy is arguably one of the biggest problems in the history of the human race.

The more the public knows about Trump's numerous disorders, the better the chance he'll lose the re-election. There's still plenty of sane people in America who never drank his Kool Aid.

Time for me to walk on down the road...

G-7 Conference: No Tantrums Thanks to Babying Trump

Good Day World!

From the moment our commander-in-thief got out of his heavily armored car to be greeted by French President Macron, everyone walked on eggshells.

It was common knowledge the orange ape didn't even want to go, but his aides somehow convinced him he'd look bad if he didn't.

Yesterday all the heads of state gathered and attended a climate change forum. Except one. Baby Trump, who doesn't believe in it. 

His staff claimed he had another meeting scheduled at the time (a lie), and then Trump pretended to be surprised after he said he was on his way to the forum and a reporter pointed out the meeting was already over.

We can rule out the idea that Trump just had the climate meeting down on his schedule wrong. Why? Because the orange anus has a slew of advisers keeping track of where he is going and when. They never know when they're going to have to change his diaper. 

Baby Trump always has adults hovering in the background like servants, all trying to keep his day moving and trying to prevent him from stepping on his tiny dick too often.

It all boils down to Trump not wanting to be in a room of world leaders who are united on the global warming crisis. His childish rejection of facts and bullshit like China perpetrating a hoax against the world... is infantile.

Prior to the conference, the six world leaders agreed to babysit Donny and avoid provoking him with facts, while still trying to show a unified front. It wasn't easy.

I have to hand it to Macron; having Iran's ambassador a short way from the conference site caught some attention. Was Macron trying to get Trump to meet with him? Perhaps, but it was a good curve ball and sent a message to the rest of the world.

It must have been hard pandering to a 300-pound (his claim of 239 pounds is pure bullshit) clown who is also a dangerous narcissist.

Nothing much came from the meeting. No agreements signed. The only good thing was that Trump didn't start a war, or impose more tariffs on his allies... yet. The possibility always looms with the moron.

Going forward, Trump hinted he wanted to have the next G-7 conference at his golf resort in Miami. I think there's going to be a howl of protest coming from Congress and the Senate.

Trump's still under investigation for numerous violations of the emolument clause. Holding the 2020 G-7 Conference at his personal golf club and resort would be akin to pouring gasoline on the current investigations.

I doubt if Trump would even worry about that. His ego and stupidity knows no bounds. Someone give him a pacifier and maybe he'll go away.

Time for me to walk on down the road...

Trump Hit Squad Discrediting Legitmate Journalists deemed 'Hostile' To Him

Good Day World!

The assault on America's mainstream media has entered a scary new phase.

Trump operatives have formed an organization that is devoted to publicizing damaging information about journalists who write anything negative about Trump.

Arthur Schwartz, a combative 47-year old conservative consultant and informal adviser to Trump Jr., is one of the main players in the campaign against Trump's detractors. 

It's the latest step in a long-running effort by Trump and his minions to undercut the influence of legitimate news reporting.

Trump's new hit squad has been busy compiling dossiers of potentially embarrassing social media posts and other public statements by hundreds of people who work at some of the country's most prominent news organizations.

This hit squad of alt-right wackos has already released information about journalists at CNN, The Washington Post and The New York Times.

The one thing the three outlets have in common is they have been publishing articles that the minions believe might harm Trump's re-election prospects.

The game plan is to intimidate journalists so much they're afraid to write news reports on Trump, or doing any commentaries that aren't praising the orange ape.

To that end this is what they've done thus far:

** Minions have closely examined more than a decade's worth of public posts and statements of targeted journalists.

** Thus far the hit squad has only released a fraction of what they claim to have compiled.

** The plan is to disclose more information as the 2020 election heats up.

** Now the really scary part; the minion's research was extended to members of the journalist's family who are active in politics, as well as liberal activists and other politically opponents of Trump.

This cowardly way of intimidating the press' 1st Amendment rights shows how far Trump's minions are willing to go with him.

As a retired journalist, I'm mad as hell about this increased attack on Americans 1st Amendment rights, which includes protecting the press.

Trump has proven no bar is too low for him to go in his quest for a second term. From Day One, he tried to delegitimize the free press with his "fake news" bullshit.

Not only do Americans have to be concerned about Russia, or other bad actors intervening again in our 2020 election, they also are going to have to sort out real news from the distractions created by Trump and his minions.

Footnote: Trump and WH staff claim they knew nothing about the hit squad (until an article on it appeared in the New York Times on 8/25) linking Trump Jr. to it. 

Anyone that believes that group of vipers in the WH must also believe Trump wrote The Art of the Deal.

Time for me to walk on down the road...

Conservative Backlash: Trump's Troubles Just Got Worse

Trump at G-7 Conference-World Leaders Try To keep him from having a temper tantrum.

                                          Good Day World!

Trump is a man on an island, and some conservative vultures sensing his growing weaknesses, are circling overhead... ready to pounce.

True conservatives never liked Trump. Mainstream conservative writers and columnists like George Will, Jonah Goldberg, Mark Steyn, and Michelle Malkin are horrified by the ballooning national debt.

Thus far, disgruntled conservatives have complained but taken no action against the "great divider" in the Oval Office. That's changed.

Enter Joe Walsh, a conservative radio show host and former Tea Party congressman from Illinois. He's decided to challenge Trump for the Republican ticket even though he knows the odds are against him. A formal announcement is expected soon. 
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Update (8/25 9 a.m. PST): It's official - Joe Walsh Announces GOP Primary Challenge

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To make it real juicy, Walsh use to be a supporter of Trump. Unlike Bill Weld, who has already declared he's running against Trump, Walsh has the ammunition to rattle Trump and make his life harder.

Being a media-trained radio-show host has taught Walsh what it takes to get under a person's skin. To prove the point he's recruiting George Conway (husband of Kellyanne Conway and Trump's biggest supporter) to play a senior role in his campaign.

George Conway has become one of Trump's most vocal critics in the last couple of years, after initially supporting him. His attacks, alongside Walsh's, will be coming from a new direction against Trump... from the right.

To recap: Trump now has the world against him because of his tariff war with China, that could trigger a global recession. World leaders at the G-7 today are walking on eggshells trying to not trigger one of Trump's tantrums while attempting to solve global issues like climate warming.

At home, Trump's losing in every campaign poll against Democratic challengers - even in the Fox News polls, which really pisses him off.

Trump is facing a dozen investigations into everything from his finances to obstructing justice. Half of Congress is ready to begin an impeachment inquiry against him. 

This new challenge for Trump coming from a right-wing pundit with a big audience, might drive him over the deep end - after all, we're talking a thinning of his vaunted base.

Time for me to walk on down the road...