Friday, February 22, 2019

Part One: American Traitors: Trump's Enablers

Good Day World!

When ex-FBI chief Andrew McCabe told 60 Minutes and other press outlets that Trump was likely a Russian stooge, talk of traitors quickly circled the country.

Again. 

The subject has come up numerous times when talking about Trump's cronies actions during the 2016 presidential campaign.

(Editor's Note: This is Part I of a two-part series. In Part II we'll look at other traitors like Mitch McConnell.)

McCabe may be the first lawmaker to publicly come out and say Trump's a traitor. 

But what about the people who have been enabling Trump's treason? The one's who have lied for him, and who snuck around Congress leaking classified committee information to him?  

Like Rep. Devin Nunes, former chair of the House Intelligence Committee. 

He willingly became a mole on the committee and snuck over to the White House in the dead of night to share selected information that could be used to defend Trump.

Even though taken out of context Trump weaponized the information to attack the investigators. 

For example, in 2017 Nunes was the subject of an ethics investigation when he held a press conference to announce intelligence agencies incidentally collected information on some of Trump's minions.

It was another pathetic attempt to divert the ongoing investigation into Trump's ties with Russia. 

More importantly however, it outed one of Nunes' efforts to obstruct justice. Thus far, he hasn't had to answer to anyone for the illegal leaks, because of his loyalty to Trump - not the USA. But there's a possibility he'll have to answer to Mueller's investigators.

When you look at how many people that are blindly loyal to Trump in Congress, it's a snapshot of corruption at the highest level.

All - and let me repeat this - ALL of Trump's campaign cronies have either been caught lying (or will be) as the numerous investigations into our corrupt POTUS continues to unravel the whole sordid story.

Related: Here's all the indictments and plea deals Mueller has gotten thus far

This ongoing tale of traitors has many twists and turns. In Part II of this post, we'll look into them further.

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

Thursday, February 21, 2019

Three Thursday Stories Making History

Good Day World!

It took a couple of cups of coffee before I could even begin to analyze national and world events with any clarity this morning.

So much news, so little space here. A day in the Trump era has become like an instant mini-novel on corruption. 

Things that stand out in the news:

Mueller Probe Could End As Early As Next Week

Take note; this announcement comes upon the heels of William Barr being confirmed Attorney General. The question on everyone's mind is, How transparent will Barr be when the report is given to him?

I also question if this startling announcement's timing is just a coincidence or an end-around to halt the investigation and sanitize it?

Here's a particularly unsettling developing story:

Threatening U.S., Putin Promises Both Missiles and Butter

I hope someone other than me can see the irony of the upcoming meeting between Trump and Kim in Vietnam. While Trump claims to be making the USA and world safer with his excellent relationship with North Korea's bloodthirsty dictator, he's opened the door for another dictator to threaten the world.

This following story is kind of like an onion, as layers peel off with each report:

Judge Agrees To Postpone Michael Cohen's Prison Surrender Date

Let's remember Michael Cohen is slated to testify before Congress on Feb. 28th. To refresh, he was slated to speak at an earlier date and backed off because he felt Trump was threatening his family. Digest that for a moment.

After Congress promised to protect him and his family Cohen agreed to speak before the committee. This extension of his surrender date was supposed to be for medical reasons, but I think it's more likely the judge is giving him a break for testifying.

You know what? I think three stories are enough to contemplate today. There's not enough coffee in my kitchen to go on.

Enjoy your day.

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

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Don't Tell Trump Something He Doesn't Want To Hear - Especially If It's True!

Good Day World!

In Trump's world facts are like fleas infesting his dog and pony show.

The latest reminder of Trump's inability to accept facts that go contrary to his rhetoric is the recent rumbling from his regime that the Director of National Intelligence, Dan Coats, is undermining Trump by telling the truth.

When Coats testified before the Congressional committee last month he made it clear that North Korea was a direct threat to the U.S. and were never going to give up their nukes.

At the same time, Trump claimed he saved America from a nuclear war because Obama was ready to strike against North Korea, by using his masterful statesmanship to stave off the possibility.

In reality, Trump's historic meeting with Kim was nothing more than the usual dog and pony show that resulted in zero agreements.

The word in Washington is never tell Trump something he doesn't want to hear. Heads have rolled for lesser offenses.
When Coats told the truth in the hearing Trump immediately tried to make him walk it back after calling him in to the Oval Office for a scolding.

Related: Sen. King Warns Against Dismissing Intelligence Director for Disputing Trump

Another example currently in the news, comes from Andrew McCabe who told Scott Pelley on "60 Minutes" that Trump believed Putin more than his own intelligence community and told them that in no uncertain terms.

Trump's rejection of reality should be just cause for invoking the 25th Amendment. There's even a possibility it could happen in the near future, with the preponderance of facts supporting he's as crazy as a rabid dog.

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

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

The Effects of Trumpopoly: The Game of Cons


                                        Good Day World!

News from the gaming world is that the two-year long interactive Trumpopoly game is an international success.

Gamers worldwide, from Russia to North Korea, are raving about the accessibility to the U.S. president and his regime. The ongoing interactive cyber game of cons has produced a wave of nationalistic fervor throughout Europe, challenging democratic governments.

Going on it's third year of infecting societies, Trumpopoly has spread throughout the middle east, leaving death and despair in it's wake.

Avid players like Chinese dictator Xi Jinping; North Korean strongman, Kim Jong-Un; Russia's President for Life Vladimir Putin; Turkey's dictator Recep Tayyip Erdogan; Syria's strongman Bashar al-Assad; and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, have all successfully advanced their savage agendas.


Meanwhile Trump is doing his best to win the game he created. 

That means pulling out all the stops and openly defying the Constitution and weakening democracy to make way for an authoritarian government.

If that happens, the unwilling participants in Trumpology - the majority of Americans - will have lost the game.

Related: 10 Updated Monopoly Cards

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

Monday, February 18, 2019

What Would You Do For 15 Minutes of Fame?

Good Day World!

There's nothing like the aroma of that first pot of coffee to perk up my day. 

Which leads to today's topic: What would you do for 15 minutes of fame to perk up your day? 

I'll open the conversation with a recent event that struck me as odd, especially coming from an actor on a successful TV series.

One of the actors on the hit show "Empire" apparently staged a phony attack against himself. Jussie Smollett told police he was beaten up and had racial epitaphs hurled against him by two MAGA hat wearing racists.

A week after that allegation the police discovered it was a bullshit story and he paid two friends to help him stage the phony attack.

My question for Jussie is, Why in the hell would you risk losing whatever following you have by making up a story like that?

The answer, I suspect, is he didn't feel like he was getting enough press and a story like this would thrust him into the media limelight. 

He was right. The sad part is his career is probably over.

Let's go back to the concept of 15 minutes of fame.

The expression was inspired by Andy Warhol's words "In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes"

His prediction of ever expanding media coverage for non-celebrities leading to a moment of stardom was right on. We see examples every day.

From an 8-year old calling 911and saving his parents life, to Colin O'Brady, a Portland, Oregon man who was the first American to solo walk across Antarctica recently.

These intrepid souls and average folk are the stuff of fleeting fame thanks to our digital age.

In closing, have you ever had your 15-minute of fame? That moment when everyone knows your name? If so, please share with the readers of this blog.

I'm listening.

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

Sunday, February 17, 2019

Sunday Thoughts and Observations On a Winter Day

Good Day World!

A hawk wind is blowing in Medford this wintery morning as I sip my well-doctored coffee.

There's a winter wonderland of snow in the valley here.

I have some wandering thoughts and observations that may interest you while winter knocks at your door.

Under OMG! The Zombies are here!

Thus far, 24 states have reported "Zombie" deer roaming around in their borders. Seems they have an infection that could one day infect humans! Run! Hunters! Run! That might not be good meat to eat. Just saying...

Under really embarrassing for the USA:

Pence was at a NATO security conference a couple of days ago and was greeted by crickets when he announced he was there representing Trump

Under nightmare vacations:

A few days after snow drifted across Polipoli State Park in Maui for perhaps the first time in history, the island’s national park — Haleakalā — was pummeled with snow and ice!

Shades of the X-Files:

A team of former government officials, whose members are said to have been working under the shadows of top secrecy for decades believe UFO's are real.

Odd places to get married:

One couple decided to go all out for Valentine's Day and get married - in a Wal Mart Flower Department!

Under "Bad Boy, Bad Boy" what 'cha going to do department?

Looks like Mueller struck the mother lode with Roger Stone. He has proof Stone communicated with WikiLeaks during the 2016 election

Under when the rats jump ship:

Longtime Trump supporter, Ann Colter, said Trump is an Idiot. Apparently she's realizing what everyone else knows.

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

Saturday, February 16, 2019

King Trump's Intent: Upsurp Congress' Power of the Purse


                                       Good Day World!

Our petulant POTUS broke out of the White House pre-school yesterday and went after Congress and the Constitution.

In a Rose Garden speech he repeated every (fact-checked) lie he's ever told about the southern border to justify getting around the will of Congress and declaring a national emergency.

His public address was more of a campaign rant than an excuse for declaring a national emergency. He buttered up his base by reciting his list of most popular lies.

This latest temper tantrum to get a vanity wall has become a constitutional crisis thanks to the man-child who thinks he knows how to make deals.

His tactic of executive overreach ramped up to dizzying new heights with the declaration of an emergency to make his campaign promise come true.

The scary part of his action is that there will be severe lasting consequences to our Constitution long after Trump's regime is a dank memory. It's like breaking a clay pot and putting it back together again. It'll never have it's original integrity.

Trump's fit of presidential pique constitutes a reordering of the power dynamic between the branches of government. His aim is obvious, he intends to usurp one of Congress' most basic responsibilities, the power of the purse.

In the days, weeks, and months ahead America is going to be further torn apart by bitter court battles which Trump anticipates will end up in the Supreme Court that he's recently stacked with supporters.

But there was one line in Trump's rambling speech that can derail his efforts. He said the move (declaring a national crisis) was unnecessary, but he "...wanted to speed things up."

Doesn't sound like much of an emergency to me. I have a hunch the courts will agree.


At stake, an imperial presidency seizing control of the country...for our own good!

Related: Here's Where the Money for Trump's Border Wall Will Come From

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

Friday, February 15, 2019

How Trump 'Drained the Swamp' Then Restocked it


                                        Good Day World!

Throughout Trump's 2016 campaign there were a few repeating themes, always accompanied by numerous signs at rallies.

One of the rally cries was "Drain The Swamp!" Remember that one? 

Trump's interpretation of draining the swamp consisted of getting rid of as many Democrats in government as he could. He told his gullible supporters that he was going to get rid of career lobbyists and unethical people in the former administration.

Looking back at that piece of hypocritical rhetorical bullshit is revealing. Here's what is really happening:

Days after Trump was elected he signed an executive order to require all political hires to sign a pledge. Upon leaving his administration they had to promise they wouldn't lobby for the agencies they worked in for five years.

Of course, that executive order was nothing more than window-dressing. There's loopholes as big as semi-trucks in that agreement. At least 33 former Trump officials have found their way around that pledge.

The most prominent is former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, who resigned in December after a series of ethics investigations.

Guess what he announced yesterday? He's now working for Turnberry Solutions...wait for it...a lobbying firm.

At least 18 of those former officials have recently registered as lobbyists. The rest work at firms in jobs that closely resemble federal lobbying.

Not counting Zinke, here's a list of Trump cabinet members who have had to leave with their tail between their legs because they were caught engaging in unethical activities.

I noticed in Trump's 2020 campaign rally the other day there was one guy in the front row holding up a sign that said "Drain The Swamp!"

In 2016 there were rows of the same sign prominently displayed at every rally. I'm curious at what changed. Is it possible that even his die-hard supporters find the subject touchy? 

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



Thursday, February 14, 2019

3 Simple Questions For Trump's Base

Good Day World!

Shout out today to core Trump supporters. 

Especially the one's who agree with Trump that he's starting something new by proposing a 4th of July parade in Washington DC.

(Just for the record for all readers: America has held 4th of July parades for over 200 years in Washington DC. The biggest one, attended by 200,000 marching soldiers was in 1865 after the end of the Civil War.)

Moving on...to Trump Supporters

Do you have mind if I ask you three questions?

1. If Trump says the sky is green, are you okay with that?

2. If Trump declares a crisis on our northern border and sends troops there, is that okay with you? (Please note we're not at war with Canada).

3. When Trump whips up crowds with attacks against our mainstream media, does that inspire you to bite a liberal reporter?

Thanks to all of you hardcore Trumpies who read all three (even if you had to get help) questions.

For you non-Trumplicans here's a current article on Trump's base;

Trump Approval Down, Slips With Base

One more thing to think about; the majority of Americans don't trust Trump and believe he's a flagrant liar

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

Here's a Collection of Cartoons Because You Need to Laugh

It's time for a laugh break. With all the chaos and hatred engulfing our country we need to divert our attention toward something positi...