Two Notorious Right-Wing Operatives Face $5.1 Million Fine

When it comes to political scumbags, Jacob Wohl (right) and Jack Burkman (left) are poster boys for the radical right.

Both have a long history of fraudulent activities that would make any wacko drool. When it comes to conspiracy theories they're the canaries in the asylum.

I'm pleased to report that the Federal Communications Commission has proposed a $5.1 million fine against the duo for improperly making robocalls to cellphones without getting people's consent.

There's still a hoop or two for the FEC to jump through, but the chances of getting the largest proposed fine the FEC has ever asked for in this specific violation appear to be good.

This same conservative pair of swamp creatures were charged with four felonies in Michigan last year for allegedly intimidating voters with robocalls that spread inaccurate messages about voting by mail.

As soon as I get a date when the Michigan felony trial will be held, I'll share it.

Robocalls were one of the sources of disinformation leading up to the 2020 election, with characters like Jacob and Jack in the forefront.

Of the two creeps, Jacob has the most crazy creds as an American far-right conspiracy theorist, fraudster, internet troll, and conservative lobbyist.

Jack's crazy creds are there, he's also a conspiracy nut, and a conservative lobbyist, that's teamed up with Jacob in multiple scams.

Here's hoping the Beavis and Butthead of the right-wing operative community spend many years behind bars - along with getting slapped with that fat $5.1 million fine the FEC proposed.  

Proof of 2020 Voter Fraud in Florida: GOP Vote-Siphoning Scheme Exposed

                             How about that?

The only verifiable voter fraud in the 2020 election was committed by Republicans. 

Today we're going to hear about a no-party candidate who ran a successful ghost campaign in a South Florida state senate election.

Alexis Rodriguez is expected to enter a guilty plea before a Miami-Dade Circuit Judge and admit that he accepted $45,000 from former GOP state Sen. Frank Artiles to run for office.

Rodriguez ran as an non-party affiliated (NPA) candidate in November's Senate District 37.

The Democrat running in the district had the same surname as Alexis Rodriquez; Sen. Jose Javier Rodriguez.

The name on the ballot was "Alex Rodriquez," the same as that of the baseball Hall-of-Famer and Miami celebrity. 

The result?

Alex Rodriguez received 6,300 out of 215,000 ballots cast in the SD 37 runoff which was won by just 32 votes by Republican Sen. Ileana Garcia, who unseated the incumbent Sen. Jose Javier Rodriguez.

Yesterday the judge granted Artiles' attorney's request for more time to interview witnesses and review evidence, granting a 60-day continuance and setting a check-in hearing for Oct. 19.

Republican campaign organizers are nervously watching the case that has launched a broadening voter corruption probe into two other Florida counties; SD 39 and SD 9.

The bottom line is there was voter fraud in 2020, and it was committed by Republicans. I hope that settles the controversy about which party was cheating.

Oregon School Superintendent Instructs Students Parents To Lie

As an Oregonian watching the state struggle with a COVID surge worse than last year, I'm disgusted and disappointed at what I'm seeing.

I live in Medford, currently the worse county in the state for COVID infections.  Watching the numbers of victims rise daily is the sad reality here.

Why is Oregon doing so bad with this latest surge?

Last year at this time we had the numbers of infections under control, and ranked among the top states with the least amount of outbreaks.

One of the reasons is burn-out. People are tired of complying with the new masking rules and just want to return to "normal."

Unfortunately that's not possible. And to make matters worse Oregonians are ignoring the science and fighting face masks in schools and other public places.

For example, the superintendent of the rural Alsea School District told parents they can sidestep the governor's mask requirement by applying for an accommodation for their children under federal disabilities law.

According to superintendent Marc Thielman, "The majority of my parents are skeptical and no longer believing what they're told," as if that was a legitimate excuse.

School starts tomorrow.

Governor Kate Brown was shocked that Thielman was undermining her policies {the science} by "Instructing students to lie about having a disability."

For the record, Thielman is planning to run for governor next year. It appears he's building up his crazy creds to attract right-wing voters.

Not everyone has decided to board the "mask skeptic train," however. 

Oregon resident Jenny Jonak, who has an 11-year-old daughter with autism and health problems that make her more susceptible to the current Delta variant, said wearing masks is a "very small inconvenience" to protect vulnerable."

The key to reversing this surge is vaccination and taking proper safety precautions. 

Having students lie about face masks is not the solution. It's the problem. As long as skeptical school officials and lawmakers push back against the science, the pandemic will never end in Oregon.

Trump's The Main Feature: A Super Spreader Rally Set During a A COVID State of Emergency

It's Deja vu time.

Are you nostalgic for those 2020 super spreader Trump rallies?

Do you miss being shoulder-to-shoulder with anti-vaxxers and QAnon followers?

Do you want to hear how the 2020 election was stolen and how Trump is still president?

Well, it's your lucky day my friend.

Trump is attending an Alabama GOP rally today as the state struggles with a new surge of COVID infections.

The timing couldn't be worse.

Cullman, the city where the rally is, has declared a COVID-19 related state of emergency.

The chief operating officer of Cullman Regional Medical Center, requested additional resources because of the rally. This while the center is overcrowded amid a spike in coronavirus-related hospitalizations.

Alabama saw 3,890 new cases on Wednesday and is averaging 3,000 infections daily since then.

Even worse, The Alabama Hospital Association also reported that the state has run out of intensive care unit beds, citing a 29-bed deficit.

It's in this backdrop that an estimated 20,000 people are going to gather to listen to Trump's alternate version of the universe, where he still continues to be The Chosen One among hard right-wing wackaloons.

Why Hasn't Rep. Mo Brooks Been Locked Up Yet?

Rep. Mo Brooks is a seditionist, far-right extremist, and liar. 

He's proved it multiple times starting with his fiery speech on Jan. 6 where he encouraged Trump supporters to "start taking down names and kicking ass."

Mo Brooks knew there was going to be violence at the Capitol on Jan.6, but he didn't share that knowledge with the Justice Department.

In a recent interview with Salon, Brooks admitted, "I was warned there might be risks associated with the next few days. As a consequence of those warnings. I did not go to my condo. Instead, I slept on the floor of my office. And when I gave my speech {on Jan. 6}, I was wearing body armor."

It was a damning admission but no one has done anything about it. 

A Washington-based watchdog group Campaign For Accountability has filed a complaint with the Office of Congressional Ethics demanding an investigation into whether Brooks violated federal law, House rules and the Constitution by inciting a riot and seditious conspiracy.

As of this post no action has been taken.

Brooks has also served with a lawsuit filed by Rep. Eric Swalwell, seeking to hold him partially accountable for the Jan 6 insurrection.

The DOJ declined a request by Brooks to intervene for him in the Swalwell lawsuit noting that he wasn't within the scope of his duties of his office when he spoke before a pro-Trump rally.

As of this post no action has been taken.

Steeped in litigation over his role in the coup attempt, Brooks expressed sympathy yesterday for a man who threatened to bomb the Library of Congress.

After the would-be bomber, Floyd Roy Roseberry was arrested, Brooks came out and said, "I understand citizenry directed at dictatorial Socialism and its threat to liberty, freedom and the very fabric of American society."

The backlash from members of Congress from both parties was immediate in condemning his words.

As of this post no action has been taken.

The threat of corrupt lawmakers like Mo Brooks, Ron Johnson, Paul Gosar, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert, Matt Gaetz, Jim Jordan, etc, present a very real threat to our democracy.

The sooner Trump Republican seditionists are brought to justice the better. Our freedoms depend on it.

New Reality Game Show: Pick Your Crisis

             Welcome ladies and gentlemen!

Today is the pilot for a new reality show featuring dire national and international news. Let's get right on it with our two contestants, Jack and Jane.

Host: For 10 points, what is the worst crisis facing humanity today?

Jane: It has to be the exodus from Afghanistan where thousands of people at Kabul airport are waiting for a flight out of the country after the Taliban's stunning victory.

Jack: No doubt about it; the Delta variant that's surging across America, and other countries in the world.

Bell rings

Host: It looks like Jack has earned the first 10 points in the competition. For 10 points...

Whose most enjoying seeing President Biden under fire for the chaotic evacuation from Afghanistan?

A. Taliban

B. Republican Party

C. Trump

D. Russia

E. China

F. North Korea

Bell rings

Jane: I'm guessing B and C based on their history.

Jack: I think it's Russia because I heard they were gloating that they lasted longer in Afghanistan than the we did.

Host: Nice try Jack, but Jane nailed it. Trump and minions are the enemy within. It looks like we're tied thus far.

Next category: Worst air quality for 15 points...

Where is the worst air quality in the world and the United States today? (2 part)

A. Dubai, United Arab Emirates

B. Salt Lake City, Utah 

C. Redding, California

D. Vancouver, Canada

E. UK

F. Australia

Bell rings

Jane: I'm going to take a guess here; Salt Lake City and Dubai.

Jack: Redding, California and Australia.

Host: Jane's on a roll. Dubai and Salt Lake City are the right answers.

FINAL CATEGORY for 25 points...

What country has the most homeless people?

A. Afghanistan

B. Los Angeles, USA

C. Australia

D. Brazil

E. China

F. Bangladesh, India

Jane: I'm torn between Bangladesh and Afghanistan. I'll go with Bangladesh.

Jack: The answer is Afghanistan.

Host: You pulled the rabbit out of the hat Jack! Afghanistan is the right answer and is also the Secret Country for the Day, meaning double the points. 

Thank you for attending the first episode of PICK YOUR CRISIS. I look forward to the next time we meet. Remember, there's always a crisis somewhere!

The War In Afghanistan Is Over: Now It's Finger Pointing Time

The blame game is underway.

Now that the Taliban have reclaimed Afghanistan, critics of the war and supporters, are blaming each other for the final stunning collapse of the Afghanistan government.

The thing is, we've know for years what would happen if we left the country. The Washington Post published the so-called Afghanistan papers a few years ago, revealing a trove of government documents.

Those documents revealed our military establishment knew our efforts to prop up the Afghanistan government and train its military were failing.

It was obvious that our efforts were doomed to fail because America was essentially trying to change the priorities forcibly of a people whose values were very different than our own.

The chaos created by Afghanistan's complete capitulation in record time has resulted in finger pointing and accusations from all sides of the political spectrum.

Our departure was never going to be pretty. Things like this seldom are. There's always winners, and losers. In this case there's more losers than usual.

The beginning of the end began in February 2020 when the Trump administration brokered an exit plan with the Taliban. 

The blame game of which president should take the heat for the hasty retreat is ongoing.

Suddenly everyone is experts on why we failed to turn the country into a democracy. Cable TV and social media hosts are blasting the airways with disinformation and the Biden administration is busy defending it's actions.

It's hard to say how long the blame game will last. Vestiges of it will probably play a part in the 2021 midterms.

I suspect the coverage on Afghanistan will decrease in the news cycles ahead. We're in the middle of a COVID surge that should have never happened.

And the merry game goes on.

The Final Reckoning: Afghanistan Was Sold Out By Weak-Kneed Afghan Leaders

Kabul has fallen. The Taliban seized the city without a shot yesterday. A new era has begun for war-torn Afghanistan.

After 20 years of training and billions of dollars in American aid it was obviously a wasted effort, trying to bring democracy to a Muslim country that never wanted it. 

Why did the Afghan government collapse in just one week?

The major error Biden and the Pentagon made was in assuming the Afghan government would stay intact after we left. It wasn't on anyone's radar that the government ministers would desert the country the minute the Taliban attacked.

The Taliban cleverly exploited a weakness in the Afghanistan government that our military wasn't aware of, or chose to ignore.

Corruption. 

Top officials no longer represented the people. The military was full of disgruntled soldiers who hadn't been paid in six months. When the Taliban offered them money to hand over their weapons and allegiance they eagerly complied.

Cities like the government-held Jalalabad surrendered to the militants without a shot. Within hours they ringed Kabul and the government forces simply melted away.

Meanwhile the American embassy has been evacuated. The American flag was taken down and the diplomatic core were ferried to Kabul airport where most have already flown out of the country.

Thus far there's been no engagement between the Taliban and retreating American forces and civilians.

Americans, and their Afghan allies, are still waiting for a flight at the airport. Timelines had to be moved up after the Afghan government's spectacular failure to hold it's ground.

Despite having 300,000 soldiers versus 75,000 Taliban insurgents, it was no contest. High and low government officials decided that after the February 2020 Doha agreement between America and the Taliban, they'd been sold out.

The war was essentially over after that.

The writing was on the wall. The Americans were finally going, and it demoralized the Afghan troops who knew their government was on shaky ground.

Simply put, all the Taliban had to do was buy the loyalty of the disgruntled members of the military and the war was over. It took a year, but the results were dramatically effective.

Why American military experts did not see this coming is a mystery to me. It speaks of poor intelligence and planning. It seems we never understood the Afghan people, and what motivated them.

Without exaggeration, it can be said the country was sold out by it's own administration.

The Pandemic Should Nearly Be Over: But Thanks To The Unvaccinated It May Never Go Away

Florida and Louisiana have the highest COVID transmission rate in the world.

Mississippi broke its COVID-19 hospitalization record two days ago, with more than 1,490 patients statewide. Dozens of patients are waiting in emergency rooms for an ICU bed.

In North Carolina, health officials announced the state had seen its largest single-day jump in ICU admissions since the pandemic's start.

In Nashville, Tennessee, the Vanderbilt University Medical Center's adult hospital and emergency department were "completely full."

Dallas County, Texas, Judge Clay Jenkins said Friday that there were "zero ICU beds left for children."

Announcing a mask mandate that went into effect Friday, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown said that COVID-19 hospitalizations were at a "record high" and ICU beds statewide were 90 percent full.

Last week Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said the state was down to just eight ICU beds.

There were about 321 available ICU beds across the entire state of Texas - which has a population of nearly 29 million - last Thursday.

The real pisser is that we didn't have to have this recent surge of COVID-19/ Delta Variant. Effective vaccines are available everywhere.

But thanks to the unvaccinated people who ignore science, the nation is infected with little relief in sight.

Republicans need to get their heads of their collective asses (and Trump's) and get vaccinated. There's no two ways about it.

Assholes Like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis are killing people to make a political statement by fighting against safety measures to combat COVID.

I don't care what the unvaccinated people's excuses are. They're endangering lives with their sick reasoning about "personal liberties."

Meanwhile the country continues an uphill fight to battle the worst pandemic this nation has ever seen.

Racists Recoil After Hearing About The New Census

Somewhere in America there's a racist puking their guts up after hearing the news of the first-ever decline in the white population in the United States.

According to the new census the white population in the country decreased for the first time ever. (Going back to the first one in 1790)

This news has been like pouring gasoline on a smoldering fire of white resentment across the country.

The biggest fear white supremacist's have is being replaced by people of color. The browning of America has brought out the true colors of this country, whether or not it's the anti-Semitic rhetoric, or whether it's the racism or xenophobia.

This new cultural anxiety is going to play a part in race-baiting Trumplican's attempt to take over congress and the presidency.

The new census result will join the Big Lie in motivating right-wingers for the upcoming midterms. They'll claim whites are being canceled, causing enough fear to pack the polling places with extremists.

Sadly, the news of America's growing diversity is going to become a major issue that will further divide this country.

Trump Is On The Way To Becoming An International Criminal

Scottish lawmakers are on the road to exposing a money-laundering scheme with Trump's golf resorts.

This new investigation brings the total ongoing criminal and civil investigations into our corrupt former president to 26 cases.

Scottish lawmakers have been given the go-ahead to pursue a so-called McMafia investigation into Trump's golf courses after a judge heard that there were "real and substantial concerns" about the Trump Organization and its finances.

Lawmakers in the Scottish Parliament have been pushing since January for an investigation into how Trump funded the all-cash purchases of his two Scottish golf resorts, Turnberry and Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire.

Because Trump financed large-scale purchases with debt before purchasing both resorts in a $400 million spending spree, lawmakers were suspicious.

Today the Scottish Court of Session in Scotland gave permission for a judicial review to appeal the courts earlier stance not to pursue the investigation.

"I grant permission for the petition to proceed without condition or restriction," Lord Sandison wrote.

He said that the review had "real prospects of success" and that "there was a sensible legal argument to be had on the matters raised by the petition."

From the look of things, Trump is well on his way to becoming an international criminal.

Apocalypse Now: Another Cult Rises In America

The last thing we need is another cult rising to prominence in America.

Unfortunately, that's what's happening now.

A new group of religious extremists in the United States is seeking to promote and defend an ultra-conservative vision of Mormon belief and harass perceived opponents of those beliefs, which are often racist and bigoted or promote violence.

This new cult calls itself "Deseret nationalists" or "DezNats."

Members of DezNats take extreme positions on gender, sexuality, and race. They also intend to create a Mormon-ruled, separatist white ethnostate, located in the Great Basin area briefly claimed by the LDS church in the mid-19th century.

The DezNat Twitter hashtag unites a loose collection of ultra-conservative Mormon activists. The group also seeks common cause with white supremist organizations who also want the white race to assume complete control of America.

According to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spokesman Douglas Anderson, the group "is not affiliated with or endorsed by the church."

What matters most, is that another anti-American group is rearing it's ugly head during this apocalypse now where fascist and hate groups are seeking to destroy our democracy.

Americans have their hands full resisting the Trump death cult that's against vaccines and face masks for safety.

Watching the rise of right-wing trolls is scary because it means the ultimate challenge to our constitution and democracy.

Like Rome, we are doomed to fail from within if we can't overcome these dangerous cults. No conquering armies will parade down our streets - the cults in our society will have already seized our freedoms and democracy.

What A Great Idea! New COVID-19 Variants Named After Republican Governors

I gotta give Jim Acosta his due - his idea about naming new COVID-19 variants after Republican governors is outstanding.

It also makes sense, since GOP governors are responsible for the majority of infections. Their ignorant response to the pandemic is costing lives everyday.

Lives that should never had been lost. It's no coincidence that the top five outbreaks of the Delta variant are in states with GOP governors.

By eliminating mask mandates governors like Florida's Ron DeSantis and Texas' Greg Abbott are killing their constituents in the name of politics.

DeSantis has barred public schools in Florida from enforcing mask mandates. He's also pledged to reverse guidelines from the CDC that restricts cruises as the Delta variant surges.

As if that wasn't bad enough, DeSantis rolled out t-shirts and koozies on his website reading, "Don't Fauci My Florida" while infections are soaring. Florida currently leads the nation in outbreaks of the Delta variant.

Acosta's response was, "DeSantis can sell beer koozies that say 'Don't Fauci My Florida' and use the money to pay for all of the funerals in the days to come."

Scientists are already warning that the Delta variant is capable of mutating again in areas of low vaccinations - like states run by Republican governors who refuse to follow the science.

I'm ready to name the next mutation that comes up "The DeSantis variant." It's only right.

It's about time we put the blame on the sources responsible: Trumpie governors and lawmakers more interested in power than the American people.

What Are Republicans Going To Do Next To Avoid Accounting For Jan. 6 Insurrection?

Today's Republican party is afraid of history.

Turning back the clock to the coup attempt on Jan. 6 is the last thing right-wing Trumpists want to see happen. The truth hurts.

History is not a strong point for the cult of Trump. Starting with their beloved leader, most Republicans have either forgotten history lessons learned in school, or they somehow skipped that part of their education.

To avoid accounting for the coup attempt on the Capitol, right-wing lawmakers are trying to reinvent history by whatever means possible.

But the attack against our democracy doesn't just stop there; whataboutism and outright lies are dished out like a moveable feast to the faithful.

In the last few weeks revelations about how Trump tried to cling to office by using his minions to overturn the election results have been pouring in.

As the evidence continues to unfold, right-wingers are becoming increasingly desperate to sell the Big Lie and cover Trump's treasonous tracks.

The right-wing spin machine is doing it's best to divert attention away from the coup attempt by throwing out shiny objects to draw attention away from the ongoing Jan. 6 investigations in Congress.

--Trump's sycophant's are busy trying to conduct fake audits in states where Biden won.

--Ignoring science, Trump cult followers are fighting the vaccines meant to save this country from more deaths and infections.

Homeland Security is warning people of potential conspiracy-fueled violence this month. That's because GOP extremists are openly plotting on the internet to overthrow our duly elected president.

It's hard to say what these treasonous cult followers will do next to disrupt the nation. Nothing is off the table for Trump and the fools who are enabling him.

Whatever new tactic is employed the result will be the same; truth and justice will prevail because the majority of Americans demand it.

The Mark of the Beast? Trump Supporters Embrace ;Membership' Cards

It was bound to happen.

In the ongoing loyalty tests to Trump a new test has emerged to fleece supporters; they can now become card-carrying Trump loyalists!

All supporters have to do is sign up for this latest Trump merchandize and they'll get the new loyalty card. The price is unclear. The fact is his minions aren't talking about issuing a physical card. At least not yet.

It's just the latest attempt in a long line of fundraising gimmicks used by Trumpworld to show loyalty to Trump and his "American First" vision.

Organizers rolled out four designs and Trumpies are supposed to pick the one they like the best.

It didn't take long for people on the internet to notice a few problems with the design of the cards.

For starters the word "official" was misspelled on one, and another featured an eagle logo that bore an uncanny resemblance to the Nazi eagle emblem first used by the party in the 1920s Germany.

The Lincoln Project (an anti-Trump group) tweeted, "Nothing spells official quit like...misspelling 'official.'"

"Sure they're Nazis, but they're not grammar Nazis," comedian Nick Pappas tweeted.

In a wonderfully vague statement organizers say the card will only be "reserved for President Trump's STRONGEST supporters, and will be carried by patriots across the country."

Presumably the STRONGEST supporters will be the ones who continue to give huge donations.

Trump and his fellow grifters are making millions by fleecing their own followers. The thing of it is, even though many followers realize his scams are bogus, they continue to give money to their "Chosen One." 

Why Hasn't Trump Been Indicted Yet For His Seditious Attempt To Overthrow Democracy?

          The evidence grows every day.

The facts are clear. Trump's coup attempt came closer than most Americans realize, and the challenge to democracy still exists.

As we learn more and more about the extremes that Trump minions were willing to go in an attempt to overturn the election, one thing is crystal clear:

Trump committed sedition. He tried to destroy our republic and is still actively pursuing his vendetta against free and fair elections.

The latest example of Trump's perfidy is just one more revelation of how close we all came to losing our freedoms.

Jeffrey Clark, a top official at the Justice Department composed a draft letter where he urged acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen and acting deputy Attorney General Richard Donoghue to sign onto a bogus claim that there was "significant concerns that impacted the outcome of the election in multiple states."

It was a bullshit attempt to invoke havoc and luckily for us all, it didn't succeed. Rosen and Donoghue refused to betray their country.

In the end the letter was never sent and Clark was blasted for his seditious attempt. 

For the record: Clark was acting with blessings from Trump. It was a coup attempt with the full knowledge of Trump. Of that, there is no doubt.

Reams of evidence keep turning up as we hear recordings of Trump threatening state officials not to certify the 2020 election. 

There's several investigations going on in Congress to address Trump's attempts to steal the election. Several states have filed lawsuits against Trump and his minions for their unlawful attempt to take over the country.

What I don't understand is why hasn't Trump been charged with sedition by now? The evidence that's already been revealed should be more than enough to indict him for treason.

There's an old saying that the wheels of justice move slowly. In this case eight months have passed since the insurrection and Trump still hasn't been charged.

A dozen of Trump's cronies have been sent to jail since he lost the election. Other MAGA followers are pushing lies, even as they're being called out for treasonous activities.

The Jan. 6 House Select Committee is crawling along and still hasn't named who they're going to question. 

Investigations revealing Trump's attempts to overthrow the will of voters in Georgia and Arizona, are also creeping along.

What the hell are we waiting for? The time for justice is long overdue. We can't afford to let him lead another assault upon American institutions.

Trump's Followers Are Actually Scarier Than he Is

Despite being kicked out of his highchair in the Oval Office in 2020, Trump continues to bring grief to our nation.

But, it's his followers who are doing the real damage to democracy by parroting his Big Lie, and all of his lesser lies.

Trump has united his supporters around an impulse to be openly racist and contemptuous towards anyone who doesn't drink his Kool aid. Simply put, he has normalized hatred.

While Trump holds quasi cabinet meetings at his golf resorts his minions are on the attack daily.

Sycophant's like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, are literally condemning Floridians to death by resisting masking rules in schools and threatening to defund them if they take the precaution to wear masks.

This outrageous demand comes as Florida is setting national COVID increase records and it's hospitals are near capacity with the new wave of the Delta Variant.

One-in-five Americans who have become infected with the new variant are from Florida. Under DeSantis - who has presidential aspirations - the state has become a killing ground with no relief in sight.

In a recent interview with Salon mental health expert Dr. Bandy X. Lee described the pathological relationship between Trump and his followers:

"Trump unites his supporters in a shared idea of opposition to some other groups or individuals they revile. It doesn't even matter whether they are Black or Muslim or immigrants or migrants from Latin and South America, or democrats for that matter.

"They are all to be dehumanized. Trump has found a way to unite his followers by granting them the freedom to normalize hatred."

In his capacity as political cult leader, Trump exemplifies what psychologists describe as 'the dark triad' of human behavior:

Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy.

With Trump minions infecting congress and state governments, democracy faces one of the biggest challenges our republic has ever seen.

Faced with an enemy inside our borders, the battles to defend truth and justice are increasing as the Republican party slimes all norms in their pursuit to reinstate the Chosen One.

While Trump is the north star of his fascist-minded followers, it's the rank and file who are fighting on the front lines. 

The Paul Gosar's and Marjorie Taylor Greene's are the foot soldiers in Trump's vile campaign to seize power again. They are the immediate threat to American democracy today. 

GOP Guide To Pushing Misinformation: Lies Equal Money

If someone wanted they could easily make a case that we've been living in an alternate America for the last five years.

Trump's short reign hit democracy like a tsunami, flooding facts with lies the size of whales. It provided hard-right extremist's with internet and cable platforms that sailed smoothly in a sea of falsehoods.

Most of all, Trump's Big Lie and ensuing lies are providing a steady stream of funds as false state audits cash in with the MAGA crowd. Just about any lie or outrageous claim is worth cash in TrumpLand.

People like GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene are proving how effective lies and accusations are as she's raised one of the biggest war chests of contributions in the House.

Denying facts and evidence compiled after the Jan. 6 insurrection has been a lucrative outlet for Republican politicians who blithely ignored what really happened on that tragic day.

Republican politicians seek Trump's blessings by wrapping their arms around his lies like proud parents of a rabid hyena.  

And why not?

With a war chest of 100 million dollars from donors, Trump sets the standard for other corrupt minions to follow. Lies are golden for Republicans right now.

How long will the master puppeteer be able to perform, is a question worth an answer. Without the ability to foresee the future, I suspect the tide will turn if the people Trump is endorsing keep losing.

He's currently 0-1 with his Texas endorsement of Susan Wright who lost last week. 

Another test will be in Ohio tomorrow. Trump's endorsement of Mike Carey to represent Ohio's 15th Congressional District against against a field of other Republicans will give another clue to how effective Trump's strategy is.

It's possible that two defeats in two weeks will dull the golden goose's attraction. But the real test comes during next year's midterms.

Meanwhile the Republican party will continue to cash in on lies about the vaccine, the 2020 election, Hunter Biden, immigration, and the rest of Trump's assaults on our democracy.

The Delta Variant Is Killing Unvaccinated People and Spreading Faster Than The Original Virus: America's Response? Confusion

                  It should be clear cut.

America was rebounding from the challenges that COVID-19 brought earlier this year. There were positive vibes rippling throughout the country.

More people were being vaccinated in record numbers every day. Businesses we're re-opening. Masks were not needed if we were fully vaccinated.

Then the Delta Variant struck 

It came like a thief in the night and nearly all of the progress made against the pandemic was lost.

The death toll among the unvaccinated went from just a few cases across the country in several months - to over 100,000 a day nationally.

The Delta Variant turned out to be more contagious and more severe than the original COVID-19.

Inject partisan politics and mass disinformation campaigns and the result has been chaos.

The CDC had to issue new masking regulations because of the new challenges the Delta Variant is presenting. 

Among the most challenged guidance is that vaccinated people have to wear masks again inside. It turns out they can infect others in this new reality.

However, this new guideline has been a river too far for Republicans, and some Democrats. Science deniers have seized on the change as proof the CDC doesn't know what its talking about.

Despite the explanation above, conspiracy theorists are using the changing rules as a cudgel against the CDC.

The worst part is that we've lost a lot of the progress made against the virus, and it's looking like last year as the infections continue to grow daily.

Because we live in a polarized country there's no unified effort to combat the variant. Being unvaccinated has become a badge of honor for Trump followers.

Now we're seeing people who are vaccinated getting pissed off at others who aren't following safety guidelines. 

This toxic atmosphere in our society, while facing the biggest health challenge in 100 years, is crippling the country. 

The confusion and chaos must end, or else democracy will.

You Have a Right to Be a Moron: Just Don't Expect The Rest of Us To Follow

MEMO: To all Americans who choose to deny reality and science;

-- You have the right to be a moron. 

Just don't expect the rest of us to go along with your conspiracy theories, lies about the 2020 election, and voter suppression.

-- You have the right to deny facts.

The rest of us have the right to ignore your lies and not be afraid to tell the truth.

-- You have the right to live in an alternative universe.

Just don't expect the rest of America to join you in fantasyland.

-- You have the right to worship Trump and kiss his ass daily.

Just know the rest of the world sees Trump as a malicious narcissist, world-class liar, and sociopath.

-- You have the right to call people libtards and communists if they don't believe in Lord Trump.

Americans have the right to denounce extremist Republicans and the trolls who support them.

-- You have the right to sow fear with false narratives among yourselves to get fired up.

The rest of us have the right to reject the malicious attacks you wage against reality and democracy.

-- You have the right to join cults like Trumpism.

We have the right to expose cults that are anti-American.

-- You have the right to deny history when it doesn't fit into your agenda.

-- The rest of us have the duty to preserve history - the good, bad, and the ugly for future generations.

In summary;

We live in a society where freedom is highly valued. We're willing to fight, and die for it. But freedom also brings other unintended price-tags that cost lives every day.

Americans have more guns than any nation in the world. We also lead the world in mass shootings. It's an uncomfortable fact that is imbedded into our society.

The bottom line however, is that we are free to do great things and stupid things.