Saturday, May 4, 2019

How Long is Trump Going To Get Away With Abusing His Power?

Good Day World!

"My birthstone is a coffee bean." -Anonymous

As usual, the news is as big an eye-opener as a couple cups of good strong coffee this morning.

Americans are faced with a Constitutional crisis over Trump's abuse of power. That's a fact. How we're dealing with the situation is another thing.

Trump and his minions have declared war on democracy by obstructing Congress at every turn. The war against democracy and truth began the day Trump slunk into office with the Russians help.

Related: Trump's Media Attacks Are An Abuse of Power

Related: House Panel Widens Trump Obstruction and Abuse of Power

Related: Trump's Sons Among the 81 Asked For Documents As Abuse of Power Investigation Widens

Related: 'Egregious Abuse of Power': Report Says Trump Offered Pardon to CBP Head If He broke Law and Blocked Asylum-Seekers

It's practically impossible to keep up with Trump's assault against everything this country stands for on a daily basis. His corruption has infected the West Wing and members of the DOJ. Attorney General, William Barr, leads the pack of puppets willing to break laws to protect Trump.

The question becomes, how long will this war go on? 

The answer is murky because most of the abuse issues will end up in courts and could easily drag through 2020...and beyond.

One last thing to keep in mind; GOP senators have been among Trump's many enablers, doing everything they can to parrot Trump's lies and to protect him from true justice.

It's going to make an interesting read someday when historians look back at our how the U.S. Senate was cowed by a con man.

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

Friday, May 3, 2019

7 Funny Quotes That Your Going To Want To See

Good Day World!

"I have measured out my life in coffee spoons." -T.S. Eliot

While satisfying my addiction to the common coffee bean this morning, I came across the above quote and found myself reflecting on it's meaning.

On the surface it means T.S. Eliot had a cup of coffee every day. But there could be other - shall we say - interpretations. Let's explore some possibilities... 

"I measure my life by telling a lie every day, and I get away with it." -Donald Trump

" I measure each day by kissing a portrait of Trump's ass before putting in my false teeth." -Mitch McConnell

"I've always measured my days with a racist attack against someone." -Stephen Miller

"My metric for measuring each day is to believe anything President Trump has to say." -Mick Mulvaney

"I have measured out my life with a new conspiracy every day." -Mike Hannity 

"I use to shower with teenage boys every day, but now I measure my days chasing male Congressional pages." -Jim Jordan 

"I have measured my days by trying to tell the truth every day; then Trump came along and I said Fuck it! -Lindsey Graham

One last thing...

Today is World Press Freedom Day - here's an excellent article about the meaning behind this day.

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

Thursday, May 2, 2019

Review: Senate Committee Charade 'Good Theatre'

Good Day World!

I'm ready to give a review of yesterday's theatrical performance at the Senate committee hearing.

It featured seasoned political actor, William Barr, masquerading as an unbiased Attorney General.

Meeting Notes:

Committee chairman, Lindsey (I'll kiss Trump's ass anytime) Graham, set the tenor for the charade by steering the investigation off course. 

The plot:

Instead of sticking with the reason why the committee was meeting regarding the Russians interference in the 2016 election, and how the Mueller report was handled, Graham promised to investigate Hillary Clinton and the "Deep State," in his opening statement.

It just went downhill from there, as each Republican puppet played along with that diversion.

Camera Comments:

There were some good shots of Barr sweating bullets while angrily denying facts being served up by Democratic senators. 

But Barr was more versatile than that. He demonstrated his acting chops with false bravado while being presented with evidence he was a lying shit. Some good close-ups of Barr smiling smugly for his daddy Trump were also captured.

Production values:

The setting was what you'd expect - a gaggle of politicians sitting - and coming in-and-out of the hearing constantly. Boring.

I think the setting should have been more dramatic. Maybe hints of the Roman Colosseum and the senators in red and blue togas?

Dialogue:

There were some pretty good verbal exchanges where senators left Barr nearly speechless. Barr's performance at hair-splitting realities was worthy of the most devoted Trump puppet's praise.

The lies rolled off of Barr's tongue like honey, as he dodged every question with the tact of a true Trumpie - deny, deny, deny the lie. Even if it's been fact-checked by reputable sources.

The ending:

Got to love the dramatic ending where a Democratic senator had just nailed Barr in a lie and we were waiting for a response, when Lindsey (Trump lackey) Graham grabbed his gavel and bellowed the meeting was over!

I rate the overall performance as "good theatre," with the caveat that the upcoming Senate and House committee hearings maintain at least the same level of drama. 

Curtain down...

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

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Dirty Tricks, Lies, and Corruption: Another Dysfunctional Day

Good Day World!

I'm starting the first day of May off by thanking the 47,567 visitors who stopped by this blog in April.

I look forward to seeing you again this month, and (hopefully) many new visitors. If you'd like to contact me my email is: richarddavestancliff@gmail.com

Moving on...

Let's play in the mud for awhile, and look at some of the dirty tricks, lies, and corruption that are an everyday story in the Trump era:

* Two of the most notorious smear merchants in politics tried to frame presidential candidate Mayor Pete Buttigieg, but they failed. Urged on by Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman, a young man initially agreed to make accusations that Buttigieg sexually assaulted him.

Apparently the young man had a conscience, because he not only backed out of the scheme, he confessed on Facebook that he was tricked, enticed, and even intimidated to go along with the conspiracy.

* A combination of corruption, competing ideologies, and a "boycotted" Congress has millions of Americans struggling to meet health care needs. Related story: A dying man told Congress: 'GoFundMe is not a health care plan.'  

* Congratulations go out - from George Conway - to our liar in chief for reaching his 10,000th lie since he took office.

* Hate crimes have gotten worse every year since Trump became president.

Example: Anti-Semitic assaults in the U.S. more than doubled in 2018.

Example: Trump's Record on White Nationalism Under New Scrutiny After Synagogue Shooting

Example: Trump Discounts Threat Posed By White Nationalists: "It's a small group of people."

I think that's enough for today. I don't want to overwhelm you.

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

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

The Power of Coffee and Community


                                        Good Day World!

"I was taken by the power that savoring a simple cup of coffee can have to connect people and create community." - Howard Schultz

Like Schultz, a possible presidential candidate, I agree with the power of coffee.

Okay, so he's an-ex CEO of Starbucks. Let's move past that for a moment. I think coffee is one good way to stimulate conversation while getting comfort after awakening in the morning.

If you want the maximum experience in starting conversations I highly recommend the practice of "wake and bake." Coffee infused with cannabis is a hot item on the market these days.

Related: CBD Coffee - The New Cannabis-Infused Coffee Craze? 

It's important to note that CBD Coffee will not get you high. Now, if your a cannabis fiend like me, you put a cannabis oil in it that's high in THC.

Here's two ways to make your own Cannabis-Infused coffee.

I foresee more canna cafes springing up nationwide as marijuana continues to gain legitimacy. Online cannabis-infused coffee cafes are an option in the morning, for positive conversations in general.

If there's one thing that screams Americana it's coffee houses, with conversations ranging from politics to local gossip. Heated conversations are expected and actually enjoyed. 

I suspect, as cannabis-infused coffee goes mainstream in these established coffee houses, the conversations may not be quite as heated. 

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

Monday, April 29, 2019

Lost In Space: Patriot Patrol Enters a Black Hole

Good Day World!

Relax and have a cup of coffee with me this fine spring morning.

I've got a treat for you.

Prepare to go on a journey to an imaginary future where Trump has formed his Space Force!

Somewhere in outer space...

Navigator: "Captain, somethings pulling us off course!"

Captain: "Hold fast on course lieutenant. I'll contact Commander Trump and see what he wants us to do.

(He holds up a blackberry cell phone and begins speaking)

"Trump One to earth, can you hear me?"

Headquarters on Earth: "Hail Trump! Loud and clear. What can we do for you?"

Captain: "Hail Trump! We need the president's awesome advise. We're in a precarious position."

Headquarters: "Copy that. Are you sure you don't want to talk with one of our engineers or design analysts sitting right here? The president is a busy guy."

Captain: "No. Only a stable genius like Trump can help us. As you know he's an expert on everything."

Headquarters: Roger that. I'm dialing him right now..."

Meanwhile at the Southern White House, Mar-A-Lago; Trump is waddling around on his golf course with some loyal  conservative lackey's who pretend they don't see him cheating.

Trump's cell phone rings...

Trump: "This better be important, I'm kicking some golf pros asses right now!" 

Space Force Headquarters: Hail Trump! It is, sir! Our Patriot Patrol flagship Trump One is being pulled off course by some unknown gravitational pull..."

Trump: "Sounds like the work of those demon Democrats!

Headquarters: Or, aliens with an unknown technology.

Trump: Aliens! I've stopped them on our southern border, and I'll stop them in space! 

Headquarters: Yes, sir. What should I tell the captain aboard Trump One?

Trump: (ignoring question) "I'll build a wall! A shield like no one has ever seen before. It'll be like a yuge window that the alien hoards won't be able to break! Where's Stephen Miller?"

Headquarters: "About your flagship, sir...I just got another distress signal!

Trump: "Tell the captain to fire his retro jets in the opposite direction. If that doesn't work, thank him for his service." 

Headquarters: "Hail Trump! What's happening now captain? The president says to fire your retro rockets in the opposite direction of the pull."

Captain: "Are you fucking kidding me? Retro rockets? 

Wait! I can see what's happening now. We're getting sucked into a black hole! Oh. My. God! I can see the president's tax returns floating around and....(static)."

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

Sunday, April 28, 2019

'Trump Is Doing God's Work' and other Right Wing Blasphemies


                                          Good Day World!

"Women aren't supposed to make coffee"...the Bible says "He-Brews" - Anonymous


While enjoying my morning brew this beautiful Sunday morning, I recalled something I read last week about a right-wing Evangelical pastor's claim that God sent Trump to save America.

Trump's religious base, white evangelic men, seem completely untroubled by the most profane president in modern history. These 'Men of God" have an attitude toward women that's disturbing and defiantly not biblical.

According to one Evangelic thinker, Lance Wallnau, "Trump is a "modern day King Cyrus" an ancient king chosen by God to "navigate in chaos."

Okay. I'll go along with the chaos part. Trump has turned the White House and our government into one hot seething bed of chaos with his profanity and irreverence.

Oh yeah!...and his daily lies. Seems to me that one of the 10 Commandants instructs good Christians not to lie.

The King Cyrus comparison has become more explicit in the wake of Trump's presidency. 

For example; an Israeli organization, the Mikdash Educational Center, minted a commemorative "Temple Coin" depicting Trump and King Cyrus side by side, in honor of Trump's decision to move the American embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

For believers who subscribe to this account, Cyrus is a perfect historical antecedent to explain Trump's presidency. 

He was a nonbeliever who nevertheless served as a vessel for divine interest.

In backing our porn star president, evangelicals have chosen to turn their back on nearly every bad behavior listed in the Bible, to back someone willing to overturn laws - like Roe vs Wade - effectively taking away a woman choice over her own body.

Right-wing religious zealots do not represent Christianity honestly. For the sake of politics they are willing to worship at Trump's altar of greed and power.

According to the Bible, God sent Jesus down to teach us what's right and wrong. 

I can assure you God wouldn't have sent Trump on any kind of mission representing holiness. Let alone salvation.

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

Saturday, April 27, 2019

Time for Democrats to Chant 'Lock Them Up!'

Good Day World!

My morning coffee brought instant inspiration (as it often does) with it today. 

I clearly recalled the Trump rallies (from day one) that called for Hillary Clinton to be locked up for her supposed crimes.

"Lock her up! Lock her up!" the frenzied Trump supporters chanted mindlessly in 2016, 2017, and 2018 (they still may be doing it for all I know).

It's time for a new chant - but coming from the Democrats.

Trump has declared war on Congress and the Constitution by telling his minions not to appear when they get subpoenas from the House.

He even told his cronies to "flip off Congress," and to "...shit in their eyes."

The orange ape is so unhinged he's trying to sue the top Democratic in the House, Rep. Elijah Cummings, chair for the House Oversight Committee, to keep him from obtaining his tax returns and financial information.

The Democrats also requested "all communications with Stephen Miller," citing a Washington Post report and their concerns that "the president has sought to empower...Stephen Miller to "be in charge of handling all immigration an border affairs."

Defiant as ever, Deranged Don (thanks for the new nickname George Conway!) told Miller not to appear. Miller is gladly complying with his bosses order. Stay tuned, I sense another subpoena coming...  

Back to my coffee-inspired inspiration.

It's time for Democrats to gather everywhere in the country and start chanting..."Lock him up! Lock him up!" (using the names mentioned in this post) 

Starting with...Carl Kline (who overrode intelligence recommendations not to give Trump's daughter Ivanka, and her husband Jared top security clearances, and 23 other Trump minions). He's due to appear before the House Oversight Committee on May 1st.


We must not forget two other Trump puppets who have refused to appear despite getting subpoenas:

Treasury Secretary, Steve Mnuchin, and IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig.

Also summoned, but complying: 

Attorney General, William Barr, whose expected to appear on May 2nd; and former White House counsel, Don McGahn, two weeks later... if Trump doesn't somehow stop him from appearing.

Last, but not least, there's Robert Mueller. The House has indicated it wants to talk with him, but no date has been set yet. There's some question about his response - whether he will comply, or not.

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

Friday, April 26, 2019

Exposed: Trump/Kim Romance Based Upon Bribery

Good Day World!

Being the very definition of stupid, Trump continues to try to use his old negotiating (mob taught) tactics by paying a bribe to help his personal cause.

Our porn star loving, liar-in-chief, agreed to pay a bribe in 2017 (described by North Korea as a $2 million bill for the hospital care of comatose American Otto Warmbier) to get Warmbier released so Trump could use the news as a foreign relations victory while courting Kim at the time.

It's now known that the U.S. envoy sent to retrieve Warmbier had to sign an agreement to pay the bribe on instructions from Trump.

Quick thought: I wonder if that big envelope Trump was showing everyone (in 2018) from Kim was really a love letter like he claimed...or was it the itemization for Warmbier's alleged hospitalization?

Meanwhile...

The bill went straight to the Treasury Department, where it remained unpaid throughout 2017. It's unclear whether Trump's puppet Secretary of the Treasury, Steven Mnuchin, paid the bill later, or whether it came up during preparations for Trump's two summits with Kim Jong Un.

It's a vivid insight into Trump's pea brain... finding out how he deals with foreign affairs. We'll talk about what Putin must have on Trump another time. 

Trump paid, or at least agreed to pay - but may have broken that agreement (as his history shows it's a habit dating back to his mob-loving days in New York City) to make himself look like a good negotiator/deal maker.

At what price?

Kim and Putin cozied up in a one-on-one meeting recently. Not good news for the U.S. It's apparent Kim has jilted his wannabee paramour Trump like a sack of potatoes.

Could it be Trump that didn't pay Kim as promised, and that's why their last meeting really spiraled out of control? 

As mentioned earlier, Trump is a one-horse pony who believes bribery is good for all occasions - even foreign affairs. 

Apparently he's forgotten about the porn star whose going to get him charged with campaign violations. 

Trump's headstone someday will sum up his life with this comment from Forrest Gump, "Stupid is, as stupid does."

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

Thursday, April 25, 2019

Coffee Talk: Toxic Appointees and Trump's Big Adventure

Good Day World!

There's nothing like a good cup of coffee to get things moving in the morning (yes, this is a double entendre).

That's assuming you like coffee. If not, substitute your drink of choice to greet each new day.

Coffee Quote for the Day:
______________________________________________
The most dangerous drinking game is seeing how long I can go without coffee - Anonymous
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now it's time to chat...

One of Trump's recent picks - Steve Moore - to sit on the Federal Reserve Board is about as toxic as you can get. Check this out - and this.

Have you ever heard of Steve Moore? Probably not. As usual Trump turns over stones to find his appointment selections. 

His other recent selection for the Federal Reserve Board was Herman Caine , who had to turn down the offer because no one was going to give him a positive vetting.

Update on Trump's Big Adventure Not To Get impeached

Trump's is threatening to go to the Supreme Court if Congress attempts to impeach him.

My first reaction is the orange baboon knows nothing about the impeachment process, and he's just throwing a temper tantrum to sound tough. Kinda like monkeys who throw their feces to show how fierce they are. 

One of his numerous lawyers needs to take him aside for a moment and explain that the Constitution delegates impeachment proceedings to Congress...not the courts!

Trump is becoming increasingly desperate as further crimes (beyond the Mueller report's examples) are going to be exposed by Congress, New York, Virginia, and Washington DC.

Let's hope that in Trump's panic he doesn't try pulling a "wag the dog," scenario. 

It's Trump First...not America First.

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

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Wanted: 20 Patriotic GOP Senators Willing To Stand Up For America

Good Day World!

I'm enjoying my coffee this morning and a wake-and-bake buzz. 

In the background, the airwaves are buzzing with the talk of impeaching Trump after the release of the redacted Mueller report.

Social media activism...for impeachment

Trending on Twitter: Republicans For Impeachment

Trending in the mainstream media...

NBC News: Kamala Harris Says House Should Begin Impeachment of Trump

ABC News: Russians and Trump Camp, Friends with Mutual Benefits

NBC News: Mueller Didn't Charge Trump - But His Report Is a Brutal Indictment

Fox News: Potential GOP Challenger Hogan takes Aim at Trump, Calls Mueller Report 'Disturbing' 

CNN News: Warren on Impeaching Trump: 'If Anyone Else Did What He Did, they Would Be arrested and Put in Jail'

So what happens next?

If (and that's a big IF) the House goes with impeachment proceedings, their efforts will amount to nothing - if at least 20 Republicans in the Senate don't agree Trump should be impeached.

What's More Likely To Happen...

The Democrats will follow the path Mueller laid out for obstruction of justice. They'll hold off on impeachment while the House committees investigate Trump and minions to add to their impressive array of crimes.

If their further research shows more evidence of deep corruption (including abusing his presidential powers) they'll likely take a run at impeachment later this year.

One caveat: The polling numbers will have to show a sharp upswing of voters wanting Trump to be impeached, or that will take the steam out of the effort.

In the end however, there's a need for 20 patriotic GOP senators who'll put their country before the authoritarian ape currently residing in the Oval office.

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...