How Long Will Johnson Shut Down the House to Avoid Releasing the Epstein Files?

As millions of Americans face a massive increase in healthcare, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson took his members to lunch at the "Rose Garden" - a concrete slab in the back of the White House - to hear a pep talk from dear leader who wants to make sure they are still backing the shutdown.

What we know for sure is there will be no vote today to fund the government. After Monday's 11th vote failed, the shutdown has now reached 21 days and tied the 1995-1996 standoff during the Bill Clinton presidency as the second longest in U.S, history.

About 750,000 federal workers were placed on furlough and the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a warning that there will not be enough funding to pay the entirety of Supplemental Nutrition (SNAP) benefits for November if the shutdown doesn't end, according to officials, impacting over 42 million individuals across the country who rely upon it.

Even worse, there is no end in sight. We have no idea how long it will last.

Only Trump knows that. This whole gambit of shutting down the government is clumsy but necessary in Trump's lizard brain to avoid releasing the Epstein Files in the House until he can come up with another major diversion. 

I'm not really big on polls, but I saw one today that 50% of Americans blame Republicans for the shutdown and 43% blame the Democrats.

Because Republicans have the House and the Senate in their pockets along with the presidency, it stands to reason they can end the shutdown whenever they feel like it. They're just waiting for their marching orders from daddy who will probably issue new ones at today's luncheon.

Speaker Johnson's motivation to keep the House shut down partly springs from worrying about his flock interacting with Senate democrats and possibly rebelling against Trump's demands.

As one Senate Republican, who requested anonymity to speak candidly (as reported by MSNBC) on the topic, said the strategy of keeping the House members out is two-fold: "It helps keep the party's message intact, and it prevents "squishier" lawmakers from breaking ranks."

As it Stands, someday I'm going to write a book about how a pedophile froze Congress. Until then I'll keep documenting Trump and his outrageous regime that's staffed with criminals.

Why Trump Isn't Afraid of the 25th Amendment

There's no way the 25th Amendment will ever be used against Trump. 

And he knows it.

In Section 4 of the key provisions of the 25th Amendment it states that there is a process for the Vice President and a majority of the Cabinet to declare the President unable to serve, making the Vice President the acting President. If the President disputes the declaration Congress must decide by a two-thirds vote of both chambers.

The bar is so high that no president has ever been forced to step down permanently using the 25th Amendment.

In Trump's case he's inserted his cult followers in every position of power in the government and Congress. They are all so afraid of the orange-faced lunatic that they wouldn't even consider such a move... no matter what crime he committed.

I sure can't see the couch-loving baby-faced JD Vance making a move against his master. He's content with being a lapdog with no spine. When you look at the Maga morons in both houses it's immediately apparent that they would crawl through broken glass for dear leader.

There are four key provisions in the 25th Amendment clarifying who assumes power when a president dies or is temporarily unable to perform his duties.

The current situation with a demented narcissist acting out all of his fantasy agendas against Democrats and anyone he doesn't like, is a living hell for the majority of Americans. We have a man who would be a monarch befouling The White House and rejecting all laws he doesn't approve of.

Maybe in an alternate reality the possibility of successfully invoking the 25th Amendment would work. But not in the polarized society we live in today.

Let's stop talking about the 25th Amendment like it's a possible cure for stopping Trump's hostile takeover of the country. It's a fantasy that will never be reality.

We can resist the Trump regime by holding massive protests - like No Kings Day - calling out his corruption until it comes time to vote in the midterms next year.

I hope by that time next November Americans who have never voted before register to vote for Democrats to regain the House and the Senate. If that happens Trump will be up against a Congress that can't be bullied into his crazy agenda.

As it Stands, as Teodore Roosevelt once said, "Knowing what's right doesn't mean much unless you do what's right."

It Was That Close to Becoming a Disaster: Gov. Newsome Was Right About the Danger

Trump's tantrums about the national "No Kings Day" protests are getting more dangerous all the time. This time shrapnel from 155mm artillery round in a live fire exercise struck a California Highway Patrol motorcycle and Patrol car (a 2-inch piece of shrapnel) that were part of JD Vance's motorcade.

According to the Marine Corps official report one of its artillery shells prematurely detonated over I-5 and pieces fell to the ground hitting a vehicle and motorcycle.

In a statement, CHP Border Division Chief Tony Coronado called the incident an "unusual and concerning situation" and "It is highly uncommon for any live-fire or explosive training over an active freeway."

It's so uncommon it's never happened before. I think the chief was being discrete to avoid getting caught up in the stupid decision.

How has it come to this?

The first time the "No Kings Day" protest was held in June Trump staged a bigly military parade in Washington DC to counter the event. Five million Americans from every state in the union still showed up to protest and his parade was a humiliating failure that he blamed on HIS generals.

Trump knew even more Americans were going to show up in the second "No Kings Day" protest - he was right there were seven million this time - and he needed a spectacular event to get attention. Having a live fire exercise near the protestors was his way of intimidating people who he knew hated him and his corrupt regime.

 After denying that there would be live rounds going over the I-5 the Trump regime quickly turned around and admitted there would be live fire after all at the last minute.

After a prior warning that it was a dangerous stunt, California Gov. Newsome had to scramble to shut down the I-5 freeway, which carries 80,000 travelers and $94 million in freight daily between San Diego and Orange counties. He also had to cancel the afternoon rail service for the line running parallel to the interstate.

The Marine Corps said it had not requested any closure but appreciated it while conducting "realistic training." Either the commanders involved were stupid or they were blindly following Trump's orders in spite of the risk.

Gov. Newsome wrote on X, "Donald Trump and JD Vance put lives at risk to put on a show." A show indeed. A show of how Trump controls the military and how he uses the armed forces for partisan and personal politics.

What if the shell had exploded a little closer to the ground and caused mass causalities? It's conceivable. It's scary. The Marines say they canceled additional live fire over the freeway inadvertently admitting it was dangerous.

We have a president who posted AI images of himself in a fighter jet dropping shit on the protestors. One thing is for sure Trump is becoming more transparent in his crusade against Democrats and anyone else in the country who opposes him.

As it Stands, Americans must continue holding truth to power and showing their unity against Trump's tyranny.

'Pardon Me!' Trump's Transactional Pardons to Criminals Continues

On the first day of his second term America's First Felon freed over 1500 capitol rioters convicted of staging a coup on Jan.6, 2001. He also commuted the sentences of a dozen other people, including leaders of the Oath Keepers and The Proud Boys, moments after taking office.

That was just for starters. As the days turned into months Trump has continued to grant pardons for convicted criminals. The one thing they all have in common is that they are Trump supporters. Apparently, that's the only criteria the regime requires.

Why?

Because the orange Cheeto is amplifying his narrative of persecution and it casts doubts on the legitimacy of the justice system that he has since purged of perceived political enemies.

Last week Trump commuted the sentence of former GOP Representative George Santos of New York, who was jailed for multiple counts of wire fraud, aggravated identify theft, campaign finance violations, and other financial crimes. 

The First Felon has also commuted the sentences of many political allies, some who were convicted of assisting in preparing fraudulent tax returns, conspiracy to commit extortion and money laundering. So far Trump has pardoned nine GOP lawmakers.

Santos' release from federal prison has reignited a national debate about handing out pardons for political gain and personal gain. Trump's abuse of the system is historic. With a little over three years left in his term we can count on him to continue to abuse the system to serve his purposes.

Trump's disregard of the system flaunts rules, and costs victims and the public more than $1 billion, according to an article by Joseph Neff, of The Marshall Project, that appeared in the Louisiana Illuminator.

Legal experts say no president has started a term with so many pardons that violate long-standing policies and norms.

In serious crimes - violence or expensive white-collar crime, for example - the Justice Manual recommends that a suitable length of time should elapse before a pardon is even considered to avoid denigrating the seriousness of the offense.

George Santos only completed 3 months of his 87-month conviction. Also, according to the Justice Manual on pardons the person must accept responsibility and be remorseful: "A petitioner should be genuinely desirous of forgiveness rather than vindication."

Santos is not, and has not, shown any signs of remorse for his actions. As a matter of fact, he said that he isn't going to pay back any of the money he stole unless forced too.

Here's a frightening statistic: Trump has pardoned more than 1,600 people and at least two organizations in his first six months in office. We know there's been more in the last three months with Santos being the latest.

Liz Oyer, who served as a Pardon Attorney for three years has set up a "pardon tracker" on her website that tallies the price of Trump's pardons of people and companies that owed restitution and fines. 

As of July 15, the cost to taxpayers and crime victims is more than $1.3 billion. Oyer's tracker shows a growing backlog of pardon applications from ordinary Americans. The queue was just under 5,000 when Trump slung into office. Since then, the list has more than doubled to 11,664.

As it Stands, it's obvious that the First Felon has a soft spot for criminals, as long as they support him, and pay bribes.

Massive Turnout: The Nation Protests Trump -Medford Residents Show their Colors

Here in Medford, Oregon we had a large No Kings Day protest which my wife Shirley and I went to. It was fantastic to see all of the smiling, laughing, and singing people lining both sides of the streets downtown.

(Photo: Shirley and I joined a crowd of roughly 2,000 people who filled East McAndrews Road in east Medford yesterday.)

The energy was positive, and we met fellow Americans that love this country and want the corrupt Trump regime to disappear. All ages turned out. It was inspiring seeing elderly people who once protested against the Vietnam war standing alongside youths who want freedom from the autocracy that Trump brought to this country.

The event took place with no arrests or any major incidents. It was well organized and respectful.

Every state in the nation has risen up in protest with thousands of Americans of every race and religious beliefs coming together in what will turn out to be the biggest protest in American history. The last No Kings Day in June saw five million gleeful participants. Estimates of today's turnout are north of seven million according to several news sources.

Americans in Seattle, Spokane, Phoenix, Atlanta, Washington DC, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, Medford, Boulder City, Boston, New York, and over 2,500 cities stretched across our great nation turned out with a big message, "We intend to defend Democracy."

As the government shutdown approaches its third week, millions of demonstrators joined protests in more than 2,500 cities and towns in all fifty states, with global cities joining in, to stand up to what the organizers called Trump's "authoritarian power grabs."

"There is no greater threat to an authoritarian regime than patriotic people power," Ezra Levin, a co-founder of Indivisible, one of the protest organizers, said.

As it Stands, it was an uplifting experience and a declaration that we want a free nation.

Live Fire Military Event on 'No Kings Day' is a Show of Power: Missiles over I-5 Freeway!

 

Republicans are melting down in desperation over today's "No Kings Day" national protest against Trump and his corrupt regime.

After seeing about 5 million Americans turn out for the first "No Kings Day" in June to protest, Trump and his henchmen are doing their best to interfere with the second one. 

Top GOP leaders in Congress are trying to flip the script by calling the peaceful protest a "Day of Hate," and spreading lies about who is responsible for planning the massive protest.

The Trump regime is trying to intimidate peaceful protestors with a LIVE-FIRE DISPLAY involving sending armed missiles from war ships over the I-5 freeway today (for 17 miles) towards Camp Pendleton training grounds under the auspices of the Navy and Marines 250th Anniversary. The firing starts when the protest begins at 11 a.m. to 1:00. The intent is pretty obvious. 

The US has NEVER fired missiles into the homeland before. 

The demonstration of power is going to showcase integrated Navy and Marine Corps operations and is expected to be attended by VP couch-hugger Vance and Pistol Pete Hegseth, Secretary of War Defense.

Trump has shut down the government. Now he's trying to shut down an imaginary group called Antifa which he claims are domestic terrorists. The GOP cowards have been ramping up the chaos in the country and now it looks like there's nothing they won't do to ruin the "No Kings Day" protest."

California Gov. Gavin Newsom criticized the naked display of power as an unnecessary "spectacle," with no coordination from California officials.

One of my biggest concerns is that ICE agents will be trying to make arrests with an eye towards causing a riot. They're hoping to call the military in and make mass arrests. The fact that White House Production Department (a new propaganda outlet) is recording the demonstration for a TV broadcast makes me wonder if they're really there to film an expected riot.

Right wing media has been doing their part in sharing lies and misinformation about "No Kings Day." The reason why Maga politicians are panicking is because they see Americans uniting against their tyranny in greater numbers every day.

Watching the protest, which is expected to have more participants than last time, will be a stark reminder that Americans are fighting back against an authoritarian regime that's trying to take away their First Amendment rights. 

Trump's "Vanity Parade" timing is suspicious, if not downright obvious. 

As it Stands, as a Vietnam veteran I'm disgusted with the way Trump abuses our military to make political statements.

War Clouds Gathering: Trump Sends 10,000 Troops to Caribbean

Our First Felon is looking for a war. 

Any war abroad or at home will do. 

In the middle of waging a war against Democrats and all Americans, Trump shifted his focus onto the Caribbean today and sent 10,000 troops including America's most elite special operations unit the "Night Stalkers" that are nuclear-capable bombers - to the waters off Venezuela.

The illegal operations being carried out by US Navy warships - there's eight of them and a nuclear submarine - are tasked with sinking suspected drug traffickers' boats off the shore of Venezuela.

This military buildup is the largest in the Caribbean since the 1980s - and follows at least six deadly strikes on boats off the Venezuelan coast, which Washington claims were carrying illegal drugs.

Critics call the killings extrajudicial executions that the US is operating outside international law. Leave it to Trump to overlook laws in pursuit of his goals. In another moment of stupidity, the Orange Clown confirmed he had authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations inside Venezuela. Duh! They're not so secret now Donny.

Facing overwhelming US firepower, Venezuelan tyrant Maduro is mobilizing troops, militias and Russian-made fighter jets in a show of defiance. State TV pumps out propaganda portraying the United States as a Nazi-like aggressor bent on stealing Venezuela's oil. They may not be that far off in their assessment when talking about Trump and his misuse of power.

The sudden resignation of Admiral Alvin Holsey, the four-star commander of US Southern Command, has added to the intrigue. He knows what's happening is illegal and decided not to be involved in baiting Venezuela into a war that they can't win while the world looks on in shock. 

Senator Jack Reed warned: "At a moment when US forces are building up across the Caribbean and tensions with Venezuela are at a boiling point, the departure of our top military commander in the region sends an alarming signal of instability." What's happening is not right or normal. Anyone with a brain can see that.

Trump loves being a bully. He's really nothing more than a chickenhawk with bone spurs who enjoys being the "Boss" and firing anyone who stands in his way. It's his "Apprentice schtick" that never went away.

As it Stands, America will be standing up to the bully during the national "No Kings Day" protests on Saturday Oct. 18th. See you there.

Live Fire Military Event on 'No Kings Day' is a Show of Power: Missiles over I-5 Freeway!

Republicans are melting down in desperation over this Saturday's "No Kings Day" national protest against Trump and his corrupt regime.

After seeing about 5 million Americans turn out for the first "No Kings Day" in June to protest, Trump and his henchmen are doing their best to interfere with the second one. 

Top GOP leaders in Congress are trying to flip the script by calling the peaceful protest a "Day of Hate," and spreading lies about who is responsible for planning the massive protest.

The Trump regime is trying to intimidate peaceful protestors with a LIVE-FIRE DISPLAY involving sending armed missiles from war ships over the I-5 freeway today (for 17 miles) towards Camp Pendleton training grounds under the auspices of the Navy and Marines 250th Anniversary. 

The US has NEVER fired missiles into the homeland before. 

The demonstration of power is going to showcase integrated Navy and Marine Corps operations and is expected to be attended by VP couch-hugger Vance and Pistol Pete Hegseth, Secretary of War Defense.

Trump has shut down the government. Now he's trying to shut down an imaginary group called Antifa which he claims are domestic terrorists. The GOP cowards have been ramping up the chaos in the country and now it looks like there's nothing they won't do to ruin the "No Kings Day" protest."

California Gov. Gavin Newsom criticized the naked display of power as an unnecessary "spectacle," with no coordination from California officials.

One of my biggest concerns is that ICE agents will be trying to make arrests with an eye towards causing a riot. They're hoping to call the military in and make mass arrests. The fact that White House Production Department (a new propaganda outlet) is recording the demonstration for a TV broadcast makes me wonder if they're really there to film an expected riot.

Right wing media has been doing their part in sharing lies and misinformation about "No Kings Day." The reason why Maga politicians are panicking is because they see Americans uniting against their tyranny in greater numbers every day.

Watching the protest, which is expected to have more participants than last time, will be a stark reminder that Americans are fighting back against an authoritarian regime that's trying to take away their First Amendment rights. 

Trump's "Vanity Parade" timing is suspicious, if not downright obvious. 

As it Stands, as a Vietnam veteran I'm disgusted with the way Trump abuses our military to make political statements.

Trump isn't the Only One Carrying Out a Purge of his Enemies: Meet Pete Hegseth

Here's why weird things are happening in the Department of War Defense.

Pete Hegseth (ex-Fox News host and infamous drunk) barely got nominated as Defense Secretary nine months ago. He was so hurt by the bad press revealing his sordid past (a sexual assault case while he was in the military) that he embarked on a revenge tour remarkably like Trump's.

It's been Hegseth versus the mainstream media and military Judge Advocate Generals who reprimanded him on the use of rocket-propelled grenades, since he slid into a position to exact revenge on his perceived enemies. (Sound familiar?) His latest attack against the press involves sweeping restrictions on journalists' ability to report at the Pentagon.

The 21-page policy requires credentialed reporters who sign the document to acknowledge they understand Hegseth's view that by requesting any information - including unclassified material that has not been preapproved for release by the Pentagon, they are "soliciting or encouraging government employees to break the law."

Putting an Orwellian twist on the attack against the free press journalists were told to leave the building and not to come back until they agreed to Pete's outrageous restrictions.

I have to admit I was surprised to see Fox News, Newsmax, The New York Times, Washington Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal, Axios, The Hill, Reuters, NPR, ABC News, and CBS News rejected the ridiculous demand.

Only one news organization agreed to Hegseth's policy. The cable news network One America News has indicated they plan to sign the policy.

Note. It's unclear on what's going to happen next.

Meanwhile Pistol Pete has been dismantling our military services by firing all of the top leaders in every branch of the US military. He fired three senior political appointees in April, shrinking a small group of senior advisers and putting his trust into infamous mob lawyer Tim Parlatore.

Tim Parlatore's dual status as a mid-ranking military officer and legal fixer for Hegseth has defense officials concerned. His part-time arrangement allowed Parlatore to remain Hegseth's lawyer in a sexual assault case that almost upended his confirmation.

Helping Hegseth on his revenge tour Parlatore played a leading role in the use of polygraph tests to scrutinize officials suspected of disclosing to the news media embarrassing details about the dysfunction among the secretary's senior aides.

The fix is in because Parlatore wormed his way into the Defense Department Office of Inspector General as its investigators conducted a review of how Hegseth and his senior aides handled sensitive information in what has become known as the SignalGate affair. 

Beside Hegseth, Parlatore has taken on a lot of high-profile clients, like accused mobsters, and, for a time, Trump as he faced prosecution by the Justice Department in a case scrutinizing his handling of classified documents.

As it Stands, everything is circular in Trump world. Revenge tours, crooked lawyers, and the distain for the rule of law.

Funding Failing Argentina is Another MAGA Grift

It seems suspicious that Trump shut down our government while giving a 20-billion-dollar bailout to a failing country, Argentina. Why are American taxpayer dollars being poured into a South American money pit desperately trying to avoid complete economic chaos?

How is this benefiting Americans? 

It isn't.

It's just another example of Trump's corrupt dealing with other countries. Treasure Secretary Maga Scott Bessent announced that the U.S. has begun implementing parts of a bailout for Argentina by finalizing a $20 billion currency swap with Argentina's central bank.

For the record Argentina's far-right President Javier Milei is a longtime ally of Trump. Isn't it interesting how many dictator pals Don the Con has? He collects them like other people collect rare and precious objects.

Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren said, "It is inexplicable that President Trump is propping up a foreign government, while he shuts down our own."

Good point. Argentina is at a risk of a financial collapse, and thousands of Americans aren't being paid because Trump cronies shut down the government. More than a million federal workers are being furloughed or working without pay.

You know who is benefiting by bailing out a South American dictator? Wealthy fund managers who are major holders of Argentina debts and assets. It's a major windfall to Rob Citrone, a billionaire hedge fund manager and personal friend of Treasure Secretary Maga Bessent. 

Don't be surprised. This kind of underhanded dealing among the wealthy in the Trump regime is commonplace. Our government is riddled with grifters who are getting richer every day.

As it Stands, how did a felon and convicted sex abuser ever slink in the Oval Office? Ask Elon Musk. He knows.

Call Me Antifa

I stand against fascism, nationalism, far-right ideologies, white supremacy, racism, homophobia, and xenophobia. Call me and over half of America antifa.

I believe in the Constitution. Call me antifa.

I believe all men and women are equal. Call me antifa.

I believe Americans have the right to protest against the far-right assault on our freedoms. Call me antifa.

I believe it's wrong to send federal troops into cities for no reason other than to intimidate the citizens standing up to Trump's tyranny. Call me antifa.

I know that the Trump regime is posing threats to democracy every day. Call me antifa.

When our corrupt government calls protestors "domestic terrorists" I know they are lying out of desperation and fear. Call me antifa.

Because people of color are being kidnapped and sent to other countries I stand against ICE and the evil bastards that are involved in the inhumane purge of innocent people. Call me antifa.

I believe in the truth and will always call out the blatant lies and misinformation coming from the Trump regime. Call me antifa.

I don't believe bullies always win. Call me antifa.

There are no alternate realities in my world. Call me antifa.

I'll never forget that Trump is a felon (34 counts) and a sexual abuser who has to pay millions to a woman he sexually assaulted. Call me antifa.

I will always stand up against injustice. Call me antifa.

I refuse to believe that Americans will surrender and let Trump transform our republic into an autocracy. We aren't built that way. Call me antifa.

As it Stands, color those antifa protestors red-white-and blue. They're fighting for you.