America? Or Amerika? You Decide

      The gauntlet has been thrown down.

The challenge issued.

Americans are going to have to decide what form of government they're going to have after the November election.

A Constitutional Democracy? An Authoritarian State? A Dictatorship? A Banana Republic? 

Americans face a stark choice this fall between President Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Both have low ratings in the polls because of the polarized politics dividing our country.

Americans don't know who to believe anymore. Once trusted institutions like our judicial system (in particular the Supreme Court) and Congress have the lowest approval ratings in the history of the republic.

As a Vietnam veteran I have seen this country torn apart over the undeclared war in Southeast Asia. I, and my returning comrades, faced a wave of hatred among young politically active students. 

As bad as that was, I was never worried that our republic would ever face a nationwide referendum on our Constitutional Democracy. That America would teeter on becoming an authoritarian state. 

But here we are.

It seems unreal that one party's candidate for president is a convicted rapist, was twice impeached as a former president, and is facing four criminal trials - with 91 felony indictments - for trying to overthrow the election he lost in 2020 and stealing secret government documents.

What kind of candidate is that? Trump is the complete opposite of law and order and he's a worshipper of dictators and strongmen around the world.

In what kind of world could this happen? 

In our world. Like it or not we're going to have to fight to preserve our democratic way of life by calling out MAGA lies and using truth and facts as weapons. 

There won't be any beach landings on other countries shores for this war to preserve our American way against Trump and his cult supporters. The battles will be fought in the voting booths of every state. 

The front lines are the mainstream media versus right-wing disinformation stations like Fox News and Newsmax. For every daily salvo of lies there needs to be the return fire of truth backed by facts.

We can't count on the courts holding Trump accountable for his crimes. His influence with the Supreme Court puppets he appointed along with a legion of MAGA judges in the federal and state courts, has been an effective counterattack against justice being served.

We have to fight for freedom at the ballot box like never before. Our votes are the ammunition against tyranny. What shall it be? America... or Amerika? You decide.

As it stands, it's not hyperbole saying this election will decide the fate of freedom in the United States of America.

Just What Americans Didn't Want - President Biden Versus Trump

After Super Tuesday's results it's official, Biden and Trump will be facing off for the presidency in November. 

Just what the majority of Americans didn't want to see.

Were there ever two opposing candidates more unpopular than President Biden and Trump? I don't think so. Voters will be holding their noses when they cast their ballot for America's next Commander-In-Chief this election.

Age plays a big factor in both men's profiles, but it goes much deeper than that. Biden doesn't need to take cognitive tests like Trump who apparently gets them quite often. 

Fun fact, doctors don't give cognitive tests to people that still have their marbles. On top of that he acts like his "passing score" means he's a stable genius.

Here's what we do know. Trump is a malicious sociopath who wants to be the country's first dictator. President Biden has a proven track record of improving the economy and fighting dictators around the world.

These facts should convince any sane person that Trump is a threat to our Constitutional Democracy. The key word is sane.

While President Biden is backed by the Democratic party, Trump is backed by a cult that was once the Republican party.

You can already see how awkward this contest is going to get when there's alternate realities vying for votes. Throw in the fact that Trump is facing four trials with 91 felony counts charged against him and it gets even crazier.

How is this going to work? The short answer is no one knows.

Trump's game plan is to delay his trials until after the election, which he's counting on winning and being able to shut down the criminal cases, and to pardon himself if he is convicted by any of the courts.

Special Counsel Jack Smith has had his hands tied behind his back when it comes to some judges like Aileen Cannon in the stolen documents case. Cannon has gone out of her way to accommodate the Trump team and has been admonished by the 11th District Court for violating rules twice.

Then there's the Supreme Court's "Trump Justices" obstructing state laws to keep him on their ballots. Legal experts are anxiously awaiting the Supreme Court's oral hearings on presidential immunity.

If that supposedly august body decides it's okay for a president to order Seal Team 6 to kill his political opponents, the results would be catastrophic for the republic. 

It would effectively shatter the Constitution and open the door for a fascist state under a twice-impeached former president and convicted rapist.

The Democrats need a resounding victory in November. I'm convinced there are more sane Americans than crazy cultists.

As it Stands, Democrats and Independant's are going to have to swallow their distaste over President Biden's age in order to preserve our freedoms and democracy.

MAGA House Members Find Another 'Perfect Witness' for Biden Impeachment Folly

GOP House chairmen Jim Jordon and James Comer have gotten themselves another "smoking gun" witness in the never-ending quest to harass President Biden and his son Hunter.

For the record they've already presented a wanted international arms dealer and a rogue FBI agent working with Russian intelligence in their prior endeavors to discredit the Bidens, making absolute clowns out of themselves.

But Trump's three main butt boys in the House, Jordan, Comer, and Andy Biggs are completely shameless and there's no way they're going to let facts interfere with their disgusting mission to please their master.

So, who is this NEW smoking gun in the saga of liars, thieves, and miscreates that have paraded through House committees?

Here's the story...

the above-mentioned trio of MAGA morons held a transcribed interview with a guy named Jason Galanis who they expect will be their next star witness in their conspiracy theories.

Who the heck is he?

Jason Galanis is a federal inmate sentenced to 15 years in prison for scamming a Native American tribal entity out of tens of millions of dollars. Period.

The new prospective witness pleaded guilty in January 2020 to charges of multiple frauds, among them funneling about 8.5 million of Wakpamni Lake Community Corporation funds into his personal bank account, according to a lengthy release from the U.S. Attorney's office.

Here comes the best part, however. Galanis was part of a notorious New York crime family whose patriarch was targeted by then-mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Sounds like a perfect witness to me. Such credibility. But where's the connection to the Bidens?

Galanis was a partner with also convicted felon Devon Archer. Archer was a former business partner with Hunter Biden - who was not involved in the alleged bribery scheme.

But Hunter's name came up during the investigation as an unpaid member of the Burnham Group, of which both Galanis and Archer were also members, according to the Wall Street Journal. Hunter was not charged.

Going back full circle, the trio of idiots sent out angry letters to the Manhattan-based assistant U.S. Attorney Negar Tekeei and Federal Bureau of Prisons Director Collette Peters - demanding information why Galanis' 2023 early release was denied.

Why are the three stooges so interested in this felon? I'll tell you, in their twisted minds he could be a backdoor to attacking Hunter and allowing them to continue their assault against the Bidens. Something to keep the false narratives alive as it were.

You'd think they'd be too embarrassed to introduce another "key witness" straight from a federal prison. But no. Like I said they are shameless and without honor.

As it Stands, when it comes time to vote in November, I hope the American people remember what the conspiracy ranting Republicans did to the House this year and our country in general.

Creep in the House: MAGA Mike to Release GOP Video Version of Jan. 6 Security Footage

      Speaker of the House Mike Johnson 

...is a creep, a disciple of the Nationalistic Christian movement, and the coffee boy for a disgraced former president who wants to destroy our Constitutional Democracy.

"Why a creep," you ask?

For starters, I watched an old video of MAGA Mike taking his preteen daughter to a purity ball. 

"So?" You reply.

Do you know what a purity ball is? Extremist Christian fathers take their preteen daughters to an affair that looks very much like a wedding. The father gives his daughter a corsage and they dance around the ballroom full of groomers disguised as doting fathers.

In the climax of the creepy event the father puts a wedding ring on his daughter's finger and has her sign a covenant that states her father owns her body and she's not allowed to have sex until she gets married upon which time daddy's ring comes off.

There's more. The above is a brief summary.

In MAGA Mike's world it's okay to openly monitor his son for porn use on the computer, and the son monitors MAGA Mike's online surfing. This bizarre behavior is supposed to make them both more godly and good Christians. 

It sounds more like they have a porn addiction, and both are trying to quit. It's got creepy written all over it.

Why Release Jan. 6 Security Footage Now?

A few months ago, MAGA Mike told reporters that he and the GOP leadership team were going to release Jan. 6 security footage, though the videos would be slightly ...altered before reaching the public.

MAGA Mike explained that they had to blur the faces of persons who participated in the events of the day because "we don't want them to be retaliated against and be charged by the Department of Justice."

So according to MAGA Mike suspected criminals had to be protected from possible accountability, so he and his colleagues decided to take deliberate steps to obscure the identities of those who entered the Capitol during the Jan. 6 attack.

The idea of misusing cherry-picked scenes to justify a vast array of false claims and conspiracy theories about Trump's coup attempt, has been percolating for months in MAGA world.

Here's an interesting twist. I just found out that MAGA Mike said efforts to produce the videos have been going slowly because it takes extra time to blur faces - thus the delay before the big day. The unveiling as it were.

So MAGA Mike decided not to blur faces. Meanwhile the far-right fanatics are getting restless for results, so I expect to see the videos fairly soon.

As it Stands, the Creep just keeps rolling along believing he's Moses and parting the red sea of stupidity.

Gambling Pandemic Sweeps America: No End in Sight

Welcome to the golden age of gambling in the good old USA.

Once upon a time gambling was looked upon as a cultural scourge. You couldn't openly bet on any sporting events like you can today. 

Most states didn't allow slot machines or public card games with the exception of Las Vegas, Nevada, that reveled in being called Sin City where gambling was legal.

That attempt to separate the seedier side of gambling from wholesome family driven sporting events - like baseball - is now dust in the wind. 

Odds for betting on games are shared by sports hucksters/announcers who are in the pockets of giant betting companies like Draft Kings and Fan Duel.

Here's a fun fact, gambling is addictive. That's one reason why it - along with the profit - has become legal in all forms today. Greedy politicians have gleefully accepted donations from gambling lobbies to make restrictions on gambling disappear.

Fact: less than six years ago, betting on sports in the United States was prohibited under federal law except in Nevada casinos and a smattering of venues in other states.

But in 2018, the Supreme Court ruled that the federal prohibition was unconstitutional and opened the floodgates to a field of fantasy sports companies that allow gambling on all sports.

The New York Times investigated the dark underbelly of these gambling companies a couple of years ago and discovered that state lawmakers were showered with money, gifts and visits from sports luminaries.

In addition, the article pointed out that the gambling lobby was using deceptive arguments to extract generous tax breaks and other concessions.  

Sports-betting firms cultivated friendly relationships with lawmakers and regulators who didn't have the taxpayers and people at risk of gambling problems best interests at heart.

This pandemic of gambling has spread to 31 states and Washington D.C. and isn't going away soon. Sports gambling is permitted online or in person. There are also five more states that will allow such betting in the future.

A study at the University of Connecticut showed that as many as three in four pre-teens that are exposed to internet gambling become addicted.

I've heard the saying "Money is the root of all evil," and I'm convinced it's true. A new generation of gamblers will suffer financial setbacks that will eventually land them in the streets with the other homeless Americans wondering how they got there.

As it Stands, I understand the attraction to gambling because it's a human thing. However, it's not a smart thing.

Why is Justice So Damn Slow in America?

Exhibit A: Donald J. Trump

After decades of dragging the justice system around by the hair one man has eluded, mocked, and used it with impunity.

Yet we claim no man is above the law.

Forget about Trump's ghost-written book The Art of the Deal... he should have written The Art of the Steal. Or "The Art in Delaying Justice in America.

Delayed justice didn't suddenly become a problem when Trump ambled upon the court scene. He just mastered the art.

Corrupt lawyers and judges have always infected our judicial system. It's a foul byproduct polluting our system of law from the earliest of days. There will always be bad actors in the courts because the world's not perfect.

Some decades are worse than others. Politics plays a major part in polluting both our government and judicial systems. Our Constitutional Democracy is struggling with the biggest challenge in America's history.

Can our republic stand up to a lunatic leading a cult that was once the Republican party?

With Trump judges in the Supreme Court, federal, and state courts, justice is slowly being choked via delays by corrupt judges. 

There's no excuse for the courts to move like arthritic turtles when it comes to making decisions.

Instead of the old hard copy searches for evidence and information, there's these newfangled things called computers that move with astonishing speed.

The Constitution supposedly guarantees everyone the right to a speedy trial, but when's the last time you saw that happen? Trials today are political minefields where lawyers plant delays to avoid adverse judgements for their clients.

Trump's masterclass performance in delaying justice sets new lows in America's court history. It has become the blueprint for MAGA crooks for the foreseeable future.

As William Gladstone said, "Justice delayed is justice denied."

As it Stands, because of justice delayed - all four of Trump's trials that should have begun two years ago - a sociopath is running for president in November.

MAGA World Offers 2024 Trump Trial Tour

                            Welcome!

I'll be your Trump Trial Tour guide today. First off, make sure you've purchased your tickets in advance for all the locations on this nationwide tour of the country's court houses. All proceeds will go directly into Trump's coffers.

As you know we're offering save spaces across from the nation's court houses that Trump will be visiting on a rotating basis the rest of the year.

In addition, there will be street vendors offering Trump merchandize from gold sneakers (now 50% off at all tour sites), Trump trading cards, and clothing with Trump's orange mug peeking out from behind bars with the saying, "Never Surrender."

Also, just a gentle reminder, there's no refunds if you can't attend due to the weather - like a 100-year blizzard, or you get arrested for rioting. However, the organizers will provide legal assistance at a Special Tour price. All proceeds go to Trump's coffers. 

For your convivence the Trump Tour Association has chartered a Trump train that will have stops at all of Trump's court appearances. Fees will vary from state to state. All proceeds will go to Trump's coffers.

I can promise you will enjoy numerous personal sightings of Trump as he shambles in and out of court rooms. Don't be surprised if there's a bonus rant - especially if he gets convicted of some ruling goes against him.

Consider this, most Americans aren't going to have the opportunities you have to follow around the second coming of Jesus Christ. Orange Jesus, as Trump's referred to by loyal minions like yourselves.

By the end of this tour, you'll be able to share memories with friends and family who'll be wondering why you don't have any money and why you have to keep making so many personal court appearances.

As it Stands, "Gullibility is a knife at the throat of civilization," - David Wong.

Supreme Court Scheme & Photo Ops on the Border While Texas Experiences Worst Wildfire in State's History

Okay. I'm back despite my posting that I was taking a blog break. 

I just couldn't ignore what the Supreme Court has done with the Trump immunity case. The justices handed Trump his first clear victory for delaying his coup trial until after the election in November by postponing the case until April 22nd to "hear oral arguments."

To be clear the justices shouldn't have taken the case into consideration at all. They should have kicked it back to the federal courts who all ruled Trump can't order Seal Team Six to kill his political opponents.

SCOTUS has given a corrupt and treasonous man a free pass to be above the law. It's nearly impossible to hold the coup trial before the election with the obstacles that still lie ahead.

Looking back this was a foregone conclusion when Clarence Thomas didn't recuse himself despite his wife's efforts to overturn a fair election. The scheme to help Trump was baked in after he made three new puppet justices his lackies.

Wildfires and Photo Ops

Nothing can stop political photo ops... not even the worst wildfire in Texas history that has already consumer a million acres and currently is raging out of control.

President Biden and Trump are both campaigning on the southern border with conflicting visions for solving the immigration issue. 

Changing his narrative somewhat, President Biden talked about tougher border security measures while Trump took his usual racist message to his base ... "We don't need these people from other countries invading our border!" 

Meanwhile catastrophic wildfires are ripping across the Texas Panhandle and have killed at least one person and threaten to destroy more homes, cattle and livelihoods as it engulfs more land every minute.

To make matters worse Texas governor Abbott won't excerpt federal disaster help after declaring a state of emergency in the Lone Star state. Why? Because of politics.

As it Stands, watching border photo ops while the state burns are like watching Nero play a fiddle while Rome burns.

Blogger Hits Pause Button

I know. 

I just came back from a blog break and now I'm taking another one.

Some readers may be saying, "Hey Dave! What's with all the blog breaks?"

My answer is simple. Because I feel like it. This blog is my pastime not my job. I'm retired. I do however warn my readers when I'm going to skip school and when I'll be back. 

I'll be back on Monday March 1st, 2024.

Meanwhile, here's a few thoughts...

If you thought that Congress has become a big hot mess you haven't seen anything yet!

With Republican Mitch McConnell stepping down from his leadership in the Senate and opening a door for a new crazier successor, both houses will be on fire daily.

What semblance of sanity that was traditionally in the senate will disappear like smoke in a windstorm when the MAGA morons compete for McConnell's position.

On Our Justice System

The way Trump abuses our laws and continues to get away with high crimes is not only a crime within itself but a condemnation of our whole judicial system.

Footnotes:

See past posts on the right side of this page.

Take the last train to crazy town at The Creative Chronicles of Dave Stancliff – Prose and Poetry (asitstandsblog.com)

When As it Stands ran as a column in The Time-Standard daily newspaper - 5 years Dave Stancliff – Times-Standard

Here's a link to a novelette I wrote titled, RAFTER's REDEMPTION.

As it Stands, have a great weekend and I'll be back Monday.

Two Alien Anthropologists Were Talking One Day....

 

Excerpts from audio files recently discovered by the United States Space Force.

Start

"So, you see Xan humans aren't as advanced as one would expect after thousands of years of inhabiting Earth." 

There's a shrill sound of levels being pulled by one of the alien anthropologists as he puts their spaceship on cruise control.

"Do you know what fascinates me," Zur asked?" 

"What?" 

"How stupid humans are. I've been studying them for eons and every time they start making advances in their civilizations, they blow them up and have to start all over again."

"Speaking of stupid when was the last time you interviewed a human politician?"

"A few years ago, in the United States after their 2020 presidential election. I found this 77-year-old rotund human with tiny hands and hair that resembled a rooster in distress who was very talkative.

"Okay. After your interview what did you think?"

"The planet is in peril. He's leading a cult that may upset the longest democracy in the world which would cause a catastrophic ripple effect across the rest of the nations on Earth."

"How much time do you think we have left to study the Earth's inhabitants before they blow the entire planet up?"

"It's hard to say. I remember when Alpha Centaur was vaporized by its clueless inhabitants after 120,000 years on that planet."

"I've nearly completed my studies here. What about you?"

"The same here, but I'm curious to see if that cognitively challenged zealot is the spark that ignites a nuclear holocaust that destroys humanity."

"I guess we could hang around a little longer and see how stupid these earthlings really are."

Audio Ends  

"Did you hear that General?"

"I did Lieutenant. Get me the President immediately!"

As it stands, if there are extraterrestrial beings observing us, they're going to have one hell of a story to tell other civilizations in the universe about Earth's demise.

Telltale Signs That Someone is a Modern Republican

 
By now it's obvious that the modern Republican party has nothing to do with conservatism and traditional values that they once touted.

All pretenses of normalcy have been stripped away in the last eight years and we're left with a cult that wants Trump as their dictator for life.

Here's some signs to tell if a person is a modern-day Republican:

- If they can't tell reality from fiction... they're GOP material.

- If they believe Trump is the Second Coming... they're MAGA Republicans blinded by Christian Nationalists who worship false prophets.

- If they still insist the 2020 election was stolen - the central focus of the Big Lie - they are true Trump loyalists.

- If they try to tell you that Putin is a good guy, and we shouldn't help Ukraine... they are probably a Republican politician trying to protect Trump.

- If someone thinks the earth is flat there's a good chance, they're a modern Republican.

- If someone thinks the Constitution needs some changes... it's fair to say they're a Trump toady Republican.

- If someone likes to cosplay with MAGA shirts and hats and fly American flags disgraced with Trump's face on them... they are truly representative of today's sad version of the Republican party.

- If someone tells you they'd rather die than see Trump lose the 2024 election... back away slowly because you've found the heart of his base!

- If you meet someone who brags about what a genius Trump is and how he keeps passing basic cognitive tests... back away because not only have you found a certifiable idiot, but you've also found a modern Republican.

- If someone tells you women shouldn't have autonomy of their own anatomy... they're a modern Republican.

- If someone admits they're still going to vote for Trump even if he goes to jail for numerous high crimes... you've met a modern Republican who swills orange Kool aid with every meal.

As it Stands, we have met the enemy, and they are modern Republicans. 

On Naps and Blog Breaks

I've always thought taking a nap during the day was the way to go even though Americans are not known for the habit.

Taking daytime naps is common in Mediterranean and Asian populations. In countries like Spain, Greece, Italy, Vietnam, and China, cultural traditions of long lunch breaks often include naps.

Perhaps the most famous of all midday rests is the siesta. Derived from Latin meaning "sixth hour," the siesta is a time for people to rest and recharge in the middle of the day. Though the time varies based on location, siesta usually occurs between 2pm and 5pm, about six hours after starting the day.

Experts have concluded that napping improves alertness, cognition, short-term memory, and mood all increase with a short rest at midday.

Taking a Blog Break

I'm stepping away from my blog for a week (back on Monday Feb. 26) to take an extended - if you will - nap break from the computer.

During this time, I plan to recharge my brain batteries and to chill out when it comes to public comments and opinions.

You're invited to read my past posts on the right side of the page.

Like poetry or short stories? Buckle up and go to The Creative Chronicles of Dave Stancliff – Prose and Poetry (asitstandsblog.com)

Here's links to a column - As It Stands - that I wrote for five years for the daily newspaper The Times-Standard. Dave Stancliff – Page 7 – Times-Standard

Some topics just never go old. For example - check out Controversial Conversations About U.S. Politics while you are there.

And just for laughs go here to view the great Gary Larson's FAR SIDE comics.

As it Stands, I'll be back in a week. Peace be upon you fellow traveler.

MAGA News: The Grift Goes On! Trump's Golden Sneakers

Donald J. Trump is a born grifter. 

It's in his DNA and he looks at every day as an opportunity to take suckers money away.

Here's one of his latest grifts...

Selling sneakers. A day after Trump was ordered to pay nearly $355 million in his New York civil trial he launched a sneaker line.

Don the Con announced he was selling gold sneakers for $399. The "Never Surrender High- Top Sneaker" is the top of the line that also features two versions that have "T' and "45" on the sides for $199. 

He's also selling cologne and perfume at $99 each. I can only imagine what he named this line with names like Grift de Toilette and "Putin Love De Parfum Spray."

Moving on, Trump showed up at Sneaker Con in Philadelphia hawking a pair of gold sneakers on the podium. I loved the reception he got as the audience booed and mocked him mercilessly.

Despite selling all 1000 "available" pairs I'm willing to bet this line of sneakers is not going to threaten Air Jordans or make $355 million. 

Or, as President Biden said, "Trump showing up to hawk bootleg Off-Whites is the closest he'll get to any Air Force Ones ever again for the rest of his life" referring to the popular sneaker brands Off-White and Nike. 

How did Trump pull off this grift despite his current financial situation?

He can't do any business in New York and the court appointed a monitor to watch the Trump Organizations finances after the court's decision.

So sneaky Don came up with an alternative. The products are "trademarks" of CIC Ventures LLC. Trump sneakers are not designed, manufactured, distributed or sold by Donald J. Trump according to the company's website.

Like a good serial grifter Trump continues to merchandize products from bottled water to Bobble Head Trump figurines. His face appears on American flags and mugs sold by entrepreneurs at all of his rallies. 

With an estimated half of a billion in fines thus far that Trump has to pay in court rulings it's going to take a lot of sneakers and mugs to meet his obligations.

As it stands, the real scary part is Trump's cult, who are willing to pay a supposed billionaire's (convicted of fraud) bills regardless of the laws he breaks.

Oh, the Guilty Pleasures People Have

Guilty pleasures are something one enjoys despite the notion that it's not held in high regard, or is viewed as unusual, socially unacceptable, or just plain weird.

One of my guilty pleasures is hurkle-durkling.

For the record, Hurkel-Durkle is a Scottish term for lounging in bed long after its time to get up. Have you ever done this?

Keeping track of spending makes some people happy. I know that sounds crazy but it's true.

Counting patterns pleases some people who could tell you how many tiles there are in their bathroom.

Some people eat colored cereals according to their shade: first green, then yellow, and finally orange.

Eating a piece of bread in circles can be a guilty pleasure.

Fundamentally, guilty pleasures are still pleasures. And there's nothing wrong with that.

Here's eight no-guilt guilty pleasures that we all love...

1. Social media stalking

2. Ordering takeout when you run out of groceries.

3.Playing app games before bed.

4. Knowing the ins and outs of celebrity gossip

5. Putting things in your online cart and never buying them.

6. Binging on reality shows.

7. Wearing pajamas all day.

8. Giving your pet a pep talk.

Why Guilty Pleasures?

Because the activities or habits that bring us joy can also makes us feel slight shame. Maybe you don't want people to know you hold long conversations with your pets.

The truth is these types of indulgences make life more fun and bearable when your bogged down by the chaos in our society.

As it stands, I would caution people with guilty pleasures to not let them get out of hand - like hoarding for example.

Trump Barred from Doing Business in New York for 3 Years and has to Pay $354 Million

The myth of Trump being a great businessman has taken a further beating today when Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron fined him $354 million and barred Trump from being an officer or director of any New York corporation or other legal entity in New York for three years, and also barred his sons for two years apiece.

In addition, the court will continue with an independent monitor who will continue to oversee the Trump Organization's compliance with the rulings. It could have been worse had the judge chosen to completely dissolve the organization.

This ruling is a turning point for Trump's future.

To begin with where is Trump going to get the money to post the bail for this massive fine?

I ask that for a reason. Let's change trials for a moment to a recent one Trump already lost.

A jury awarded $83.3 million to columnist E. Jean Carroll for ongoing defamations following a prior trial after Trump was convicted of rape.

Thus far it's not clear if Trump has the money to pay the bond to stay out of jail, or even appeal the decision. And if he can't do that it should help people understand that is money is all smoke and mirrors.

Which brings us back to today's ruling.

It was a financially crippling blow to a man who claims to be a billionaire. Experts for years haven't believed his audacious claims of being one of the richest people in the world.

We'll find out about that when he looks around for bail bond companies for both trials. Trump's own lawyers don't even believe he has the liquid cash to post bail in either case.

Trump is appealing the decision(s) of course. Those two appeals will cost a lot of money so it's not entirely clear if he'll be able to pony up that cash yet.

As it stands, I fully expect Trump to grift his clueless cult for his legal expenses. Just like he's been doing throughout his numerous trials for years.

Now That's Entertainment! AG Fani Willis Calls Out MAGA Liars

Step aside judge Joe Brown and judge Judy... because there's a new judge on TV captivating American viewers...

meet Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee.

So, here's what transpired today:

Judge McAfee allowed Trump's lawyers to argue a frivolous challenge against Fulton County DA Fani Willis claiming she got money from her illegal relationship with Lead Prosecutor Nathan Wade in the Trump RICO trial.

The so-called evidentiary hearing to disqualify Willis from the Trump RICO case was full of lies and innuendos, but no real evidence.

McAfee went out of his way to put up with Ultra Trumper Ashleigh Merchant's repetitious accusations but as the hours crawled by his impatience was painted on his boyish face.

Hands down, Fani Willis was the star today. Wow! She roasted some ass right out of the gate. "So, let's be clear because you've lied in this," Willis snarled, pointing to copies she held of the filings and adding, "Right here, I think you lied right here."

After engaging in a tense back and forth with Ashleigh Merchant, the attorney for defendant Mike Roman, Willis had the best line of the day, "You think I'm on trial. These people are on trial for trying to steal an election in 2020," she charged, pointing towards the table of attorneys representing defendants in the criminal case.

"I'm not on trial, no matter how hard you try to put me on trial," she told the MAGA loyalists poising as real lawyers.

Ashleigh Merchant, who is leading the removal effort to get Willis off the case, said she had two witnesses to call Friday in what should be the last day of the hearing.

Judge McAfee said in closing today's hearing, "I'm not ruling on any of this tomorrow.  This is something that's going to be taken under advisement on all aspects."

The goal according to McAfee is that the evidence phase will end tomorrow, and to take it from there. He also raised the prospect of scheduling final arguments from the parties at a later date.

Meanwhile, if you're interested in a REAL reality trial (with some drama) don't forget to tune in on Friday.

As it stands, I have a feeling court room dramas are going to be on everyone's must see trial TV for the rest of the year to find out if our judicial system can hold Trump accountable for his numerous crimes against our republic.

Trying to Rewrite Reality ... a Day at a Time

In Trump's never-ending quest to defy what's really happening in the world he keeps adjusting his cons, so he can use new ways of spreading misinformation.

Recently the orange buffoon rolled out his latest strategy to create fake news by scrubbing portions of articles he doesn't like. This blatant form of media manipulation is what we've come to expect from the twice-impeached former president.

It's nothing new that Trump loves to post right-wing propaganda articles about himself, but this new spin in his never-ending siege against our freedoms, is disgusting.

Now Trump is taking mainstream articles that have a more balanced approach onto his timeline: screenshot them and remove unfavorable content.

For example, a recent Newsweek article - "Donald Trump Poised to Be First Republican to Win Popular vote in 20 Years" - was reposted on Truth Social and lines of texts (even paragraphs) were removed from the original article.

One of the missing paragraphs contained comments by University of Surrey professor Dr. Mark Shanahan who said Trump's goal to win the "popular vote" is a "pipe dream." 

He went on to say it is "unlikely" for Trump to create "an alliance of young voters, women and minorities" in order to secure a popular vote win."

I'm no lawyer but it seems like Newsweek could go after Trump for willfully changing and removing content. It does have a copywrite. 

However, it might not be worth spending millions to call Trump to account. He just keeps getting away with things that no one else in this country could do without consequences.

As a matter of fact, Trump has based his entire life and career on lies, with very few repercussions. 

That might change this year with four criminal trials adding up to 91 felony charges. But these are strange and dangerous days for our democracy where a cult has co-opted the Republican party.

As it stands, I don't think there's any hope that Trump minions will ever leave their alternate universe, so that leaves it up to the rest of us to protect our freedoms from the far-right propaganda machine.  

We Need to Develop a Vaccine to Protect Us from the Trump Cult

Racism and stupidity are infectious if allowed to spread, like in a cult.

Sadly, there's no vaccine to prevent them.

Why?

We only survived the COVID-19 pandemic because scientists developed a vaccine that worked. Those nasty germs wouldn't have gone away if we just tried to ignore them.

The same is true for Trump's cult.

How to Inoculate Trumpies

The vaccine is going to have to be disguised as something MAGA morons would drink like orange Kool Aid.

Then there needs to be a national effort to put up free Orange Kool Aid Stations - particularly in rural areas. 

Advertising efforts should be directed to how viral men and women feel when they slurp Trump's Own (@copyright 2024) Orange Kool Aid.

The vaccine doesn't cure people right away. It's a slow process for the person to be able to clearly recognize reality. They will go through a stage of recovery where they'll be forced to see the emperor has no clothes. 

There are no guarantees the vaccine will be 100% effective. Some Trumpies have their heads so far up his corpulent ass they won't be able to drink the orange Kool Aid.

It's imperative we reclaim our country from this corrupt cult and restore sanity to the national dialogue. The malicious members of MAGA don't want our republic to be a Constitutional Democracy.

It's going to take time to restore order because Trump supporters have infected our state and federal offices, the judicial system, the electoral system, and even our families.

So scientific community when are you going to save this great nation with a freedom vaccine?

As it stands, I really wish there was a cure for the hate, stupidity, and racism that's so prominent in today's society. 

Clueless Quotes That Show America's Challenges

When GOP Sen. John Cornyn told the press he doesn't take Trump "literally" I instantly could tell he was clueless.

After nearly eight years of Trump being in the national limelight political analysts have concluded that when Trump says something out loud, he means it.

Here's a classic clueless rant from former GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann:

"What we have to do today is make a covenant, to slit our wrists, be blood brothers on this thing (health care)...We are looking at reaching down the throat and ripping the guts out of freedom. And we may never be able to restore it if we don't man up."

Color that not only cluses but also psychotic.

But wait! There's more...

"I'm sick and tired of stupid people in Washington" Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green told reporters recently.

You see what I mean when I say clueless?

"My opinion of a white nationalist, if someone wants to call them white a nationalist, to me is an American." GOP Sen. Tommy Tuberville opined recently. 

To be clear, white nationalists are not your average Americans - they're domestic terrorists who are on the DOJ's list of hate groups. 

Looking at Tuberville's career, I'm reminded of Groucho Marx's classic quip in Duck Soup (1933) that brother Chico "may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot."

Here's what North Carolina's Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson recently said at a campaign rally about arresting transgender individuals using women's restrooms,

"We're going to defend women in this state. That means if you're a man on Friday night, and all of a sudden on Saturday, you feel like a woman, and you want to go to the women's bathroom in the mall, you will be arrested - or whatever we got to do to you."

He further emphasized, "If you are a man, you better go to the men's bathroom. If you are confused find a corner outside."

Besides being clueless about the LGBTQ community, Robinson's apparent anger towards people he doesn't understand only promotes hate.

High on the list of conservative idiots, Megyn Kelly, showed why she's clueless when she tweeted on X yesterday,

"The so-called Black National Anthem does not belong at the Super Bowl. We already have a National Anthem, and it includes EVERYONE," she ranted on social media."

To be clear, "Lift Every Voice and Sing" did not replace the National Anthem. It was part of a tribute that included the National Anthem and America the Beautiful.

Of course, when you're clueless those kinds of facts never sink in.

As it stands, this country faces numerous challenges and clueless, bigoted hatemongers are top among them. 

Interviews from the Far Side of Sanity

I'm guessing that by now you have probably seen at least one interview with a Trump supporter who sounds like an escapee from a mental institute.

For years reporters and comedians have been attending Trump rallies to mix with MAGA morons and get some great quotes from the far side of sanity. It seems people never tire of the stupidity spewed from a convicted rapist's mouth.

I imagine that someone, somewhere, sometime is going to make a full-length documentary (and possibly a movie) about these lost souls.

The MAGA minions gather at rallies wearing outfits that border on blasphemy (desecrating the American flag with Trump's orange face). 

They proudly wear profanity laced slogans somewhere on their body - hats, t-shirts, and even tattoos. 

It's like a cosplay event at a looney convention.

I have to admit a certain fascination with people who say things like...

"If Trump doesn't get re-elected, I want to die."

or

"Trump has been the president all along and Joe Biden is a fake - it's some actor playing a game with the Deep State."

or

"Trump closed the border with his wall (a lie) and the economy thrived (another lie) when he was in office."

or

"Trump was sent by God to save this nation."

or

"All the court cases against Trump are fake news. The Democrats made them all up to stop Trump from being elected in November." 

I could go on with pages of examples, but for the purpose of this post's length the above will suffice. 

I'd love to see my favorite cartoonist, Gary Larson, feature a Far Side series on Trump's cult members. Can you imagine?

Something to keep in mind about these MAGA morons - they may create great entertainment for the Late-Night comedy shows but there's a sinister side to the cult.

They're serious about wanting to overthrow our democracy and make Trump dictator for life. If enough of these clowns turn out in November, the rest of America will find out that the joke is on us!

As it stands, one of the things I detest most about MAGA morons is they're destroying family units and friendships across the country.