Blog Break: I'll Be back In Time For Halloween

Good Day World!

It's that time of year...when I step away from my blogs. 

This one, and my Fiction Blog - Stories By Dave Stancliff.

As much fun as I have writing non-fiction and fiction, it never hurts to back away for a while (leaving today, back Oct.30th), and become computer free. 

I think we all need to stop and smell the roses sometimes. This fast-paced world we live in can become mentally (and physically) exhausting for anyone.

I invite you to check out my archives (they go back to 2008) on the right side of this page. The same invitation is extended to my fiction blog archives. 

If you're a regular reader, I thank you for spending time with me. If you're new, I hope you'll like what you see and subscribe to my blog(s).

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

Now, It's Time For the Rest of the Story About Kavanaugh

Good Day World!

There's still a rotten stench lingering after "Beer boy-I like beer, do you like beer?" Kavanaugh's confirmation process.

The aftermath of that stolen confirmation involves a dozen ethics complaints filed against him during the process. Instead of taking care of them in a timely way, they were held up somewhere.

That somewhere, it turns out, was supreme court chief justice John Robert's desk. The complaints sat there until the confirmation farce was over and Kavanaugh was on the supreme court where judges are in effect immune to disciplinary action by lower-court justices. 

The court is supposed to police it's own actions. Anyone who really believes they do are painfully naive about our crooked courts. It's apparent to most law observers that the supreme court is now fully politicized. 

So what are the chances that Kavanaugh will be called out for lying under oath, and eleven are charges? Zero. 

To illustrate that point let's look at who Roberts put in charge of reviewing the complaints; a good buddy of Kavanaugh's, Timothy Tymkovich.

Here's what's common knowledge: Kavanaugh once lobbied in support of a controversial judge who is now going to judge him. That judge is Tymkovich.
 

Kavanaugh was involved in a high-stakes campaign to ensure that Timothy Tymkovich, another staunch conservative and a former Colorado solicitor general, would secure a lifetime appointment as a federal judge.

Talk about convenient. Tymkovich's now chief judge on the 10th circuit court of appeals, in Colorado. That means just one thing; the process was a sham from the get-go.

Instead of Robert's going out of his way to choose a judge who did not have any ties to Kavanaugh, such as one nominated by Bill Clinton or Barack Obama, he has added to the perception that the nine supreme court justices are above the law.

Critics, including hundreds of law professors, legal experts and senators, have said that Kavanaugh’s performance, in which he lashed out at Democrats over allegations he committed sexual assault, lacked judicial temperament. There was also that little matter about lying under oath.

In summary, we have a chief justice(Roberts)who thinks he's fooling the world about adhering to a lawful investigative process, when in fact he stacked the deck.

And that, my friends, is the rest of this sorry story.

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

I Voted Today: Stay Posted For Your Turn

                                            Good Day World!

I love the voting system here in Oregon. It's by mail. This money-saving and secure way of voting went into effect in 1998.

I'm taking advantage of turning in my ballot early today. It's really too bad that most states don't use the mail-in system. There's only a few that currently do.

In 2016 California passed SB 450 which authorizes a roll out of 100% vote by mail across the state. However, only five counties are doing so for the midterms. All counties will be authorized by 2020, except LA County which will be authorized in 2022.

Washington, Colorado, and Utah have 100% vote by mail.

The majority of experts argue it's the safest way of voting in our world today. They nearly unanimous in praising paper trails. Better yet, there's no way in hell anyone can hack a mail-in election because no computers are involved.

It's common sense. Does that mean the rest of the states aren't far behind in adopting the system? Probably not. Most aren't even considering the idea.

There are some successful pilot programs going on this year in Anchorage, Alaska which had record (early voter) turnouts, and in Garden City, Nebraska which saw a much higher turnout versus the state average.

Wherever you live please remember to vote in November, or before, if possible. I truly feel this will be an historic election determining the course of our democracy. 

Trump has made it a referendum on himself so it's a great opportunity to send the narcissist in charge a clear message...we won't take your shit any longer!

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

Midterm Alert: Georgia's Kemp Is Playing By Trump's Dirty Politics Guide

Good Day World!

The fix is on in Georgia.

Georgia's secretary of state, Republican Brian Kemp, is running for governor...which in itself is no problem, unless you factor in that he's also supervising the election!

He should have recused himself and let another pol take over the supervision of the election because of the obvious conflict of interest.

But that didn't happen. Instead, the bastard doubled down and purged 340,000 current Georgia residents from voting rolls, making them unable to participate in the November 6 election.

A recent analysis of records by the Palast Investigative Fund found that Kemp has overseen the removal of possible voters in the hotly contested race.

He didn't stop there however.

He's facing legal action over claims that he has hindered the voting registration of around 50,000 people, a group that is overwhelmingly black, Latino or Asian American, by implementing a new law just in time for the election.

In addition:

Georgia County Tosses Out Hundreds Of Minority Absentee Ballots


His opponent, Democrat Stacey Abrams, is running to be the first black female governor in American history.

Kemp is also talking a page from his Trump's Dirty Politics Guide by creating a miasma of fear over voting in Georgia. 

Without a shred of evidence, and taking another page from Trump's vile guide, Kemp claims Abrams wants illegal immigrants to vote.

He told the Republican propaganda outlet, Fox News, that,   “I think hard-working Georgians should decide who their governor is, not people here illegally like my opponent wants.”

The claim is, of course, a lie. In Trump's Dirty Playbook of Politics, lying is highly recommended. That and defying reality with an alternate reality conjured up by Republican's who kiss Trump's ass daily.

With just weeks remaining, we're going to find out just how effective a campaign of lies and voter suppression is. 

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

Trump Reinvents 'Bully Pulpit' - It Now Means Bullying People

Good Day World!

Let's start the day off explaining what a Bully Pulpit is and where the term came from:

Definition: A bully pulpit is a conspicuous position that provides an opportunity to speak out and be listened to.
Roosevelt used the word bully as an adjective meaning "superb" or "wonderful", a more common usage at that time.

One of Trump's favorite pastimes is holding hate rallies. They charge his batteries and give him an opportunity to bully people while being cheered by a crowd of crazed cult followers.

The definition of Bully Pulpit has gone from something positive, to an act of overt hatred used to attack anyone not drinking Trump's Kool Aid. 

The whole world is aghast at the murder of a journalist for the Washington Post, but Trump has taken no steps to do anything about it. His reluctance to stand up for a murdered journalist dovetails nicely into his war against the free press.

Related story: Democratic Lawmakers Seek Answers Over Trump "Personal Enrichment" From Saudi Government.

At one of his hate rallies yesterday in Montana he praised a Republican candidate for assaulting a reporter from the Guardian newspaper. He praised the candidate for throwing the reporter down and breaking his glasses.

"Now, that's my kind of guy," Trump boasted to the seething crowd of right-wing radicals.

The White House Correspondents' Association issued a rare public denunciation of Trump yesterday, one day after he praised the congressman for "body-slamming" a reporter last year.

The president of the organization, Oliver Knox told the press, "This incident amounted to a celebration of a crime by someone sworn to protect our laws and the First Amendment and by someone pledged to defend it."

There's no doubt in my mind that Trump could write (with the help of a ghost writer who knows how to spell) the definitive book on bullying. He's practiced the art all of his life. 

Money is power and Trump's god. He used it to ruin countless lives as a civilian, and now as the leader of the free world. His ability to harness hate and fear is only exceeded by his track record of bullying people.

Let's hold the bastard accountability in the midterms, and take back The House to show Trump that America is not going to stand for his bullying, lies, and fear-mongering any longer.

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

In Case You Think There's Adults in the White House, Read This

Good Day World!

In all fairness, the Trump regime had a few adults when they infected Washington DC shortly after the presidential election follies of 2016.

Those adults, whose names are long forgotten, have slunk away to obscurity and hopefully peace in their last days. For the first year it was kinda fun watching the evolving carnage as one staffer after another left in disgrace and personal defeat.

As Trump's second year rolled around, it became obvious that the chaos in the West Wing was actually getting worse. Political pundits opined that the last adult left standing was chief of staff John Kelly.

Within months it was apparent not even a Marine Corps four-star general could control the "romper room" that the White House had become under the biggest baby of them all...Trump.

Just yesterday, Kelly and national security advisor, John Bolton, got into a real pissing match that left insiders thinking that one, or the other, might resign. 

Trump got involved and sided with Bolton about closing our southern border to immigrants, as reports of an immigrant caravan heading to the US from Central America came in. After Kelly tried to be the adult in the room for one last time, a line might have been crossed.  

Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the propaganda minister for the White House has basically melted into the shadows and is no longer holding White House Press briefings.

I suspect the daily lying finally got through to whatever Christian principals she still has left. No surprise here if she resigns before the year ends.

Here's an article dealing with the rapidly vanishing Sanders that you may find particularly interesting.

When I saw photos of the baby Trump blimp floating over a rally in Florida the other day it was a defining moment. 

Americans are aware that a bad-tempered baby with a heavy diaper, rules in Washington and is fouling discourse in our society.

I suspect we'll see more Trump Baby blimps in the remaining days before November 6. 

Please...get out and vote in the midterms. We need a change and this is the only way to make it happen!

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

Here's a Cookie - Now Take Your Polls With You!

Good Day World!

After Trump stole the 2016 election, I decided to never listen to pollsters predictions ever again.

It's not easy avoiding polls however, because the mainstream media and social media are crammed with useless polls. We hear their results of polls on TV, and radio every day. 

I'm not impressed by those polls that show "Blue Waves, or "Red Waves" going into the midterms. They're like cotton candy to encourage one base or another that they're doing well despite the fact no one has even voted yet.

I strongly suspect that some polls discourage voters from even voting, thinking their lone vote will make no difference in the outcome of an election.

If you plan on giving a poll a chance here's three things I recommend you pay attention too:

1.) If the poll doesn't disclose its methodology that's a red flag. Ignore it.

2.) Who are the pollsters asking you questions? Some are more credible than others based upon past performances. Knowing the source of a poll is important when it comes to evaluating veracity.

3.) When you look at polling data consider who has been questioned. Some polls will take answers into account from registered voters rather than people who are considered likely to cast a ballot.

I think the safest thing to do with polls is to look at them as less than perfect barometers in a complex guessing game. 

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

Trying To 'Stay Real' In The Trump Era

Good Day World!

In a true reflection of the times we live in, lying has become so common it's actually muddying truth into an afterthought in our public discourse.

The leader of lies, and unfortunately our country, has set a precedent for flagrant falsehoods that even the alt-right have to admit are pure propaganda.

Since Trump stole the 2016 election (with Putin's help) fact-checkers have been following his daily parade of lies (last count he's averaging seven per day).

My point is it's not easy being "real" in this new era of fabrication fostered by a reality show star. Being "real" includes telling the truth, and not claiming to be someone who you're not. Like the orange anus in the Oval Office for example.

Republicans have elected to '"go low" with Trump these midterms. The political adverts are "over the top" as state GOP politicians mimic their master.

When it comes to attack ads, both parties spend too much money and time on them. Most people are repelled when a candidate says he's going to kick his opponent in the face with golf spikes.

Nevertheless, this election cycle is seeing decades of past political attack ads boiled down to state-of-the-art shit-throwing.

A prime attack advert shows six of ten siblings of an Arizona Republican running for reelection throwing their weight behind his Democratic challenger. Now, that's cold.

Apparently the family of Rep. Paul Gosar didn't think he was "being real."

Is Beto-O' Rourke real? This young Democrat has shattered fundraising records, and fills stadiums with eager audiences.

He's not giving the money Texans raised for him to the Democratic National Party (like other members with riches too spare), and has said he's spending it all on his campaign. I personally love that kind of independent approach. 

It sounds like something Texans could respect. O' Roarke has run an outstanding grass roots campaign. But, will all that money and popularity translate into a victory in the heart of red Texas?

Being real - for those Americans who've forgotten what it means - is simply telling the truth and being yourself.

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

Is Trump Aware of Saudi Coverup Plan?

Is

Good Day World!

We all know how this is going to end.

The Saudis Crown Prince bin Salman will get away with murdering an American resident, and reporter for the Washington Post, even though his thugs were caught red-handed and tried to cover it up.

I recall, not so long ago, when Trump told us that Putin said he didn't interfere with the 2016 election...and Trump believed him.

In a repeat of history - just changing the authoritarian leader - Trump has come out defending the Crown Prince after talking with him on the phone yesterday.

The same unreal response that accompanied his love fest with Putin has popped up (like a jaded pervert)…"He said he didn't do it. He really meant it," Trump said in both cases.

Make no mistake, Trump was never going to hold the Crown Prince liable for anything. He said as much to the press when he said he wasn't about to give up a $110 billion arms deal with the kingdom over one journalist. Which was in character for Trump. The opposite of American beliefs and values.

When Trump first heard the news of Kashoggi's murder he quickly called for calm, and made comments like it could have been done by rogue elements. I find that suggestion very telling.

Bin Salman's story follows that plot, claiming the murder was an accident by rogue elements in his government. Makes you wonder doesn't it?

When you take Jared Kushner, Bin Salman's new bitch, and throw his sneaky ass into the mix it's practically a slam dunk. Unreported calls between the White House and Saudi Arabia's new strongman are nothing new.

Can you say conspiracy?

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

Elite Cheating in Real Estate Goes Unchallenged

Good Day World!

I was talking with a neighbor the other day and he complained about how the IRS was pressuring him to pay $2,000 in back taxes because his tax consultant made an error when filing his tax forms.  

The conversation went from the IRS going after the little guys to how the elite in this country get away with cheating.

After I checked with the IRS Data Book, I discovered some alarming facts.

A recent government court filing stated that gift tax cheating in real estate is rampant, ranging from a low of 85% of gifts in the more honest states, to 100% in others.

The recently published expose of the Trump family's fraudulent real estate dealings in the NY Times is the perfect example. 

FYI: the federal statue of limitations has expired (6 years) in regard to holding the Trump family accountable for their past misdeeds. The state of new York however, has expressed some interest in investigating the charges in the article. 

Startling fact: in the US last year, just 865 people were pursued for tax cheating that did not involve drug dealing, bribing politicians or criminal enterprise profits, according to IRS.

Here's what that means; the odds that you'll be pursued are about one in 377,000. Add in those crooks and the risk of prosecution rises, but only to about one in 100,000.

Like my neighbor and I suspected, the working poor get extra scrutiny. We can thank Bill Clinton and Trump supporter Newt Gingrich, for making a deal in 1994 that assured the majority of Americans get screwed. 

One of the reasons the IRS has been hampered in making investigations is that the American population has grown 27% but the IRS staff has shrunk by 34% to less than 78,000 people.

Another big reason for the inequity of our tax system is Congress has added an enormous complexity to the tax code under Trump's regime. That opened more doors for the big accounting and law firms who devised a slew of complex tax shelters.

Finally, the IRS told Congress it lacks the expertise to thoroughly investigate such shelters and determine which are within the law, and which are fraudulent and should be shut down. 

Is it any wonder the wealthy love Trump?

He's proud of gaming the system and has stated such in his rallies. He calls it "being smart."

Another NY Times article that recently came out on Trump's smart-ass son-in-law Jared Kushner's getting away with paying no taxes despite being worth over 300 million dollars. I wonder what the majority of Americans thought after hearing that?

I think, I know. My neighbor confirmed my thoughts when he suggested the elite 1% that own America are laughing at the rest of us chumps who actually have to pay our taxes!

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