Monday, February 25, 2019

Speculation On Reality and What We See

Good Day World!

Pundits from both sides of the political spectrum have settled into speculation as a talking point in the media.

The result is an unsatisfying menu of nothing burgers being served up by TV hosts from CNN to Fox News.

For those brave enough to surf the web, ultra-partisans (use to be referred to as crazies) speculate on stories from Pedophiles in Pizza parlors, to what Trump will say when he and North Korea's dictator meet this week in Hanoi for Gripe and Grin II in a Communist country.

Liberal hosts and special guests come just short of drooling as they speculate about impeaching Trump, what the Mueller report will reveal, and how far Trump can trample the Constitution with his latest trick toward seizing the power of the purse from Congress?

Conservative hosts go out of their way to avoid facts and rely heavily on speculating ways to stretch laws to favor Trump and his minions.

Their bubble includes ultra-partisan interpretations of reality.

While the majority of the country loathes Trump, as evidenced by the polls, Conservatives huddle together and speculate on investigating the investigators into Trump's corruption.

Americans can be excused for being a little confused
by the amount of speculation coming out in all forms of social media, and the so-called mainstream news outlets.

In the Trump era of fake news, where reality gives way to alternate realities, speculation is a weapon that motivates us all in one way or the other.

Whether we like it or not.

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


  





   




Sunday, February 24, 2019

Campaign Cons: Hanoi Meet With Kim/Trump Another Bigly Photo Op


                                         Good Day World!

Historians correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Trump was the first president ever elected that announced he was running for re-election the day after he was sworn into office.

It didn't bode well for the country then, and after two years of setting up international photo ops with dictators, Trump is gearing up his re-election campaign efforts to the determent of the country.

Trump's Art of the Deal ability was always a sham (a ghost writer wrote it) and to prove that he's been unable (and unwilling) to compromise with Congress.

Instead, Trump has attacked every government agency that didn't enable his corrupt plans, and is currently busy making an end run around Congress with his phony Emergency Crisis on the southern border.

Realistically, everyone involved in the upcoming Hanoi meeting knows nothing of substance will come out of it. Trump's plan (somewhere in his tiny brain) is to get Kim to give up his nukes.

That's about as likely to happen as Trump is to quit lying. It isn't going anywhere.


Kim is going to have a hard time concealing his glee at becoming an international star thanks to Trump's interest in him. Before Trump came along no world leaders were giving Kim the time of the day unless he agreed to denuclearization.

To Trump, these international jaunts with dictators is padding for his campaign portfolio. He thinks those visits make him look like a world class deal maker.

The only problem is, after two years he hasn't made a deal with Kim. 

Trump has managed to embarrass Americans with his Surrender in Helsinki - a meeting with Putin that resulted in a secret conversation that left our intelligence community in the cold. 

An update to that infamous chat: The House is looking at getting the transcript of the interrupter (Marina Gross) that was in the room. 

None of this will be mentioned in Trump's re-election campaign. 

Instead his minions will pass out photos of Trump's grip-and-grin tour of the international community. They might even put together a glossy picture yearbook of sorts for those Trump supporters who can't read.

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

Saturday, February 23, 2019

Part II: American Traitors: Mitch McConnell and Cronies

Good Day World!

As promised yesterday, here's Part II on American Traitors:

(Note: graphic via The Moderate Voice)

I left off talking about Trump mole Devin Nunes yesterday. Now it's time to take a closer look at some other GOP traitors in Congress.

Topping the list is Mitch McConnell who has known about the Trump campaigns suspicious activities months before Russia helped Trump over the top in the 2016 election.

The so-called Gang of 8 (4 Republicans and 4 Democrats) met with then FBI Director Andrew McCabe who told them about the intelligence agencies growing concerns.

Not one of them openly criticized the investigation. As a matter of fact McConnell has concealed that meeting as best as he could up until recently when the news about it came out.

From day one, McConnell chose to ignore the possible threat of a traitor in the White House and went out of his way to obstruct the investigations that followed.

McConnell cronies in the House, Mark Meadows, Jim Jordan, Devin Nunes (already featured in Part I) Matt Gaetz, Andy Biggs, and Kevin McCarthy, all chose to protect Trump despite the fact he had the stink of Putin on him.

Trumps current chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney (a Freedom caucus puppet) has done all he could to cover for Trump by lying to the press and working in tandem with the other traitors mentioned above.

Let's stop here for a moment.

The definition of traitor is someone who betrays a friend, country, or principal. Under United States Code 18 U.S.C. § 2381 is unambiguous:

"Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States." 

By enabling Trump and holding bogus investigations to divert from Robert Mueller's legitimate investigation this group of GOP traitors chose Trump over country. It's that simple.

Senate members like Lindsey Graham have not only chosen to align themselves with traitors, he's planning on investigating the investigators - just like the ploy the House used when they had the majority.

Graham, Chuck Grassley, and their Senate cronies are picking the wrong side of the law because they are knowingly obstructing it with the power they have to further muddy Mueller's upcoming report.

Political observers are even speculating the public may never see Mueller's report. No one is sure how far the new AG, William Barr, will go to protect Trump.

The gaggle of traitors stretching from the White House to Congress is shocking, as each new day reveals more corruption and obstruction of justice.

Related: How Donald Trump's Enablers Have Made His Unfitness For Office The New Normal

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

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...

Trump's Lowest Grift Ever Saved for Holy Week

This is a story about how the devil's puppet, aka Donald Trump, mocked Christianity by selling a book combining the Bible, the Constitu...