Gun Deaths in America and How We Learned Nothing Can Be Done About Them

 
As one Republican senator said recently, "There's nothing we can do about the rising gun deaths in this country," and that seems to be the sentiment of most GOP lawmakers.

That frank admission of reality shocked Democrats and the majority of Americans. Sadly, it's true.

There's been more mass shootings than days this year and the outlook is bleak. Between the NRA and gun manufactures they have a stranglehold on greedy Republicans willing to allow the situation to get worse every year.

For every state like Colorado, who just passed four new gun safety laws last week, there's ten giving unfettered access to AR 15s (the mass murder's choice of weapon) and no permits for carrying concealed guns. 

Being anywhere in public these days may mean getting shot at or witnessing gun events in grocery stores or movie theaters. Foreign countries warn their tourists that gun violence in the states is an epidemic and may cost them their lives.

Yesterday on the first day of New Orleans annual Jazz Festival someone was shot dead in front of a restaurant.

And...

Five people were brutally murdered in San Jacinto, Texas. The suspect is still at large.

Here's what the rest of the world sees:

1. The USA is the slaughter capitol of the civilized world far surpassing any other countries.

2. US authorities are being out gunned by criminal elements and lone lunatics.

3. Lawmakers are helpless against the powerful gun lobby and crooked Republicans. 

4. America has more purchased guns than people.

As it stands, historians say Rome fell from within. America is on the same path as we kill each other in the name of money.

Are There Any Trump Lawyers Who Haven't Been Rebuked or Sanctioned by the Courts?

According to at least one political pundit Trump lawyers need to get lawyers for themselves when representing the most corrupt president in American history.

Good advice. Let's see why...

Here's a list of 40 Trump lawyers that have already been singled out for ethics violations. It's peppered with MAGA stars like Rudy Giuliana, John Eastman, and Christine Bobb.

Recently ex-Trump lawyer Jenna Ellis has been censured by the Colorado Supreme Court for violating rules that attorneys must not "knowingly {engage] in any {noncriminal] conduct that involves dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentations." 

She admitted to knowingly making false claims about the election being stolen.

More updates:

Notorious "Kraken" lady Sidney Powell faces defamation lawsuits from Dominion and Smartmatic, a reported federal investigation into her organization's fundraising arm, and sanctions in a case she and her co-counsel brought in Michigan alleging election fraud.

Attorney Alina Habba, who's been representing Trump in most of his post-presidency legal battles was sanctioned multiple times in Trump's failed lawsuit against Hillary Clinton.

She was ordered to pay $50,000 in sanctions and then sanctioned again in January for nearly $1 million payable to Clinton, her campaign and other Democratic operatives - the same punishment Trump faced.

Pending Complaints:

Jeffrey Clark who aided Trump's Big Lie is facing charges from the D.C. Bar that could result in him being disbarred.

Cleta Mitchel, who participated in Trump's "perfect phone call" in which Trump urged Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to "find" enough votes to overturn the state's election results is in legal jeopardy in AG Fanni Willis's case against Trump and his cronies.

Ethics complaints urging state bars and disciplinary boards to investigate attorneys have been filed and remain pending against multiple lawyers (including Boris Epshteyn) who worked for Trump.

Trump's latest edition to his legal team, Joe Tacopina, has already received warnings from a judge in the E. Jean Carroll case. It's just a matter of time before he gets caught lying in Trump's defense. 

When that happens, he'll be tossed under the bus like the other unfortunate lawyers who risked their careers for a con man.

As it stands, it appears that there will always be lawyers seeking fame and money by defending a traitor and accepting the risk to their careers.

What Would Happen if Trump Suddenly Died?

Trump is no spring chicken.

He's 76-years old, overweight, and doesn't do any form of exercise.

That isn't accounting for the medical conditions he wouldn't share.

His golf game eliminates exercise, especially since he rides his little cart right up to the tee. So...

What would happen if Trump suddenly died of a heart attack?

1. Would all the criminal investigations on him come to a screeching halt? 

2. Would the Republican Party finally grow a spine and go back to being just conservatives and not extremists and cult members?

3. What would happen with the loyal lawmakers and activists who are still MAGA morons? Would they go back to their caves, basements, and other hidey holes?

Post Trump:

The temperature in this country would cool off considerably without the master grifter. Imagine not having Trump's hateful rhetoric blasted on media platforms every day. The nation would collectively exhale.

Russia, China, Iran and North Korea's disinformation outlets would lose their MAGA enablers in the United States.

The war against the LGBTQ community would lose its leader if Trump were out of the picture.

American allies would take a deep breath of relief knowing we're not going to turn into a fascist regime.

Dictators and authoritarians worldwide would declare his passing a dark day.

Conspiracies would be reduced without Trump's constant lies, rants, and grievances. The alternative realities Trump so carefully nurtured would fade away without his toxic input.

America would be free from the biggest threat ever against democracy.

As it Stands, I wouldn't be surprised if there was no state funeral and instead it was declared a national holiday.

Take a Deep Breath... Now Tell Me What Worries You the Most?

Are you worried about the debt ceiling collapsing and the country going into an economic depression like we've never seen before?

Does it keep you up at night? Your concern is certainly justified because the House of Representatives is run by a minority of MAGA morons willing to burn down the country.

But there's a lot of other things in our lives that we worry about. Let's see what you think about the following questions.

1. Are you concerned about climate change?

a. Yes

b. No

c. Who cares?

2.  Are you worried that we're going to have a second Civil War?

a. Yes

b. No

c. Who cares?

3. Which disease worries you the most?

a. Cancer

b. MAGAism

c. Dementia

4. Which GOP lawmaker do you worry about the most?

a. Marjorie Taylor Greene

b. Kevin McCarthy

c. Matt Gaetz

d. Ted Cruz

e. Mitch McConnell

f. Lauren Boebert

g. Andy Biggs

h. All of them equally

5.  Are you concerned people think you're a clown?

a. Yes

b. No

c. I don't care one way or another.

6. Does growing old worry you?

a. Yes

b. No

c. It's better than the alternative.

As it stands, there's a Pandora's Box of reasons why people worry about things in our chaotic culture. This was a tiny sampling.

Is it Time to Ban Viagra?

The rightwing conservatives war on women has gone into overdrive since the Supreme Court took away women's right to their own bodies.

The latest attack has been against using the abortion pill Mifepristone. After 20 years of safe use MAGA nuts are suddenly claiming it's not safe and should be taken off the market.

Okay.

If these extremists want to take a women's right's away, then it's only fair that men should be denied the right to a pill that gives them a hard-on and can also kill them.

Taking Viagra has serious side effects including:

* Cardiovascular events such as: chest pain (angina), heart attacks, and irregular heartbeats (Arrhythmias).

* Severe bleeding (hemorrhage) in the brain, lungs, or eye

* Vision loss

* Hearing loss

* Painful or prolonged erections

* Seizures

*Low blood pressure

* Low blood counts

* Severe allergic reactions

* Sudden death.

When you compare the two pills it's obvious which is the most dangerous pill to the user. Viagra. Despite these facts right-wingers are ignoring the health threats of Viagra and trying to demonize Mifepristone for political reasons.

Notably old white men lawmakers think Viagra is the best thing since sliced bread. Why would they do anything about it?

As it stands, it's time to ban this deadly drug designed to give men woodies because it's dangerous, unlike Mifepristone.

Tucker Carlson and Fox News Part Ways

After the Dominion lawsuit against Fox News and lying hosts cost Rupert Murdock nearly 800 million dollars Tucker Carlson is history.

In a stunning announcement today the network and extremist talking head severed ties. Why? No one knows for sure at this point.

Media experts believe the sudden separation of a top host and the network has come about because of the upcoming Smartmatic lawsuit.

Murdock is trying to cut his losses with Dominion by toning down the lies in anticipation of Smartmatic picking up where Dominion left off.

That parting will not slow down Carlson's lies, racism, and homophobia because right-wing outlets will be chomping on the bit to hire him. Nothing like a flamethrower for the rabid base to get viewership.

I predict he'll go with OAN, Newsmax, or a personal podcast. Maybe more than one of these outlets. He has loyal MAGA nuts willing to follow him into the jaws of hell if necessary.

Whatever Carlson does you can bet he'll continue to double down on misinformation and outright lies. Murdock knows this. So, their parting is no shock to close observers.

As it stands, sadly right-wing outlets are profitable because there's a segment of America that believes their lies and conspiracy theories. 

Way To Go Delaware! 'The First State' Becomes 22nd State to Legalize Recreational Marijuana

Welcome to the 21st century citizens of Delaware.

Lawmakers passed two pieces of legislation last month and sent them to Gov. John Carney, a rare Democrat who has opposed marijuana legalization.

While maintaining a personal opposition to legal marijuana Carney didn't sign or veto the bills. He had a 10-day window to sign, or let the bills pass into law. He chose the latter.

The measures take effect at midnight tonight.

The legislation also provides for amounts of concentrated cannabis and products containing 750 milligrams or less of delta-9-THC. 

This apparently was an act of staying on the fence with independent voters and Republican's thinking of flipping parties while not attacking Democrats.

Personally, I think it's an interesting political ploy that more governors should employ.

As it stands, as an old hippie I can't tell you how good this feels every time another state legalizes marijuana.

Covering Up the Big Cow Kill in Texas

No one knows what started the fire at South Fork Dairy Farm in Dimmitt, Texas on the 16th. It was the deadliest fire involving cows in over a decade.

More than 18,000 cows became crispy critters because they couldn't escape the burning pens. One person was rescued by responders and flown to a Lubbock Hospital.

While authorities say they are still investigating the cause of the fire it obviously involved the mountain of manure on the property that went off like a bomb. Residents in nearby counties could hear the massive explosion. 

It's interesting to note that authorities had recently allowed the dairy to increase its manure production by 50%. They went from producing 11,500 tons to 32,000 tons, and it required doubling their livestock.

Another footnote to the big cow kill, wastewater from the farm drains into the Brazos River Basin. The owners have assured authorities (here's some money) that they aren't aware of any environmental impacts because of it. 

The owners also claimed the explosion didn't cause environmental problems and that they will clean up the mess properly.

I would love to see what the state fire marshal's office concludes caused the fire. There are 13 million cows in the state and 59, 361 cows in Castro County alone where the Fork Dairy Farm is.

Just a hunch, but I suspect no one will get into trouble for what happened. There will be no new environmental regulations passed.

As it stands, after all, we're talking about the Republic of Texas protecting their cash cows while thumbing their noses at the environmental disasters their creating.

Elon Musk Knows All About 'Space Stuff'

Once upon a time there was a wacky billionaire who claimed to know "Space Stuff" despite the fact that he never had any schooling on the subject.

Elon Musk (SpaceX founder) who apparently considers himself an expert on space stuff launched a giant rocket yesterday and it blew up after three minutes in the stratosphere. 

The now defunct rocket set Musk back three billion dollars, but he still claimed it was a success and that he knew it would blow up. That can of logic epitomizes the craziest billionaire in the world.

Musk has been busy causing chaos on the internet after he purchased Twitter. It's become a landing place for extremists again. 

But I digress.

Back to space stuff. Musk has been bragging that he would be the first to learn about Aliens lately. An odd thing to do after your spaceship turned into celestial junk and you're trying to make a point about how savvy you are about all things in space.

The crazy claim was made on Tucker Carlson's show where crazy knows where to go. Musk bragged that if there were Aliens, he would've tweeted it. Thus, there can be no aliens because... well because Musk said so.

I wonder how NASA feels about that since they've been working with Musk's SpaceX company. A NASA spokesman did say while there's been no Alien sightings confirmed there's been a lot of unexplained flying objects spotted recently.

Well, be at ease knowing that if there's ever a confirmed contact with an extraterrestrial alien Musk will tell us all about it in a quasi-documentary praising his skills at space stuff. Personally, I'd be hesitant to believe the lunatic without confirmed evidence.

As it stands, Musk is making the personal appearance tour on right-wing platforms talking about space while his platform -Twitter - is a breeding ground for domestic terrorists.

Deceit of the Highest Order: Getting Elected by a Political Party Then Flipping To the Other Party While in Office

Call them moles.

Call them blue or red dogs. 

Call them for what they are, sneaky power-hungry politicians with no conscience or morals.

A disturbing trend has popped up in the poppy fields of poison politics in the last few years. People running as Democrats are switching parties after getting elected and throwing their constituents to the wind.

One species of Cuckoo birds is known to be "blood parasites" that lay eggs in the nests of other species. When they hatch alongside the other babies, they feed on them.

Like the Cuckoo bird, these secret Republicans running in the other parties' races transform shortly after getting elected under false pretenses.

Recently northern Carolina Democrats called for one of their own to resign, Rep. Tricia Cotham, after she announced she was going to switch her party affiliation on April 5.

On Wednesday April 19 Cotham peeled off her blue disguise and officially joined the ranks of red MAGA followers.

The Mecklenburg Democrat was elected to represent House District 112 after she campaigned as a supporter of abortion rights, health care, gun safety, public education and civil rights.

The immediate effect of Cotham's desertion served as a blow to Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, essentially stripping him of his veto power by giving both chambers a narrow supermajority.

Cotham's bait and switch on her constituents reminds me of Kyrsten Sinema's move of flipping to the Independent Party disenfranchising the thousands of Democratic voters who thought she'd serve them well.

In the last few years there's been a migration of Democrats getting elected under false pretenses.

A Short List

Andrew Yang (2021), Malinda White (Louisiana State Representative), Betsy Johnson (Oregon State Senator), Tulsi Gabbard, (former U.S. Representative from Hawaii), "Bulldog" Ben Robinson (former Oklahoma State Senator).

When it comes to flipping parties it's not just Democrats that flip to Republicans.

Republicans switch to Democrats.

Independents switch to Democrats and Republicans. 

Democrats switch to the Independent Party.

Republicans switch to Independents.

And so on.

The common denominator is politicians with no morals, sense of duty to the voters who elected them, and no conscience.

As it stands, there's a reason politics are referred to as a dirty game in search of fame.

Accountability is a Fantasy in America's Judicial System

Accountability in this country is a hit-and-miss (usually a miss) exercise that's left the majority of Americans skeptical about true justice.

After hearing that the Fox/Dominion case was settled out of court the first thing that struck me was that Fox doesn't have to admit it lied on air to its viewers for years.

Fox owner Rupert Murdock shelled out a tiny portion of his wealth to appease Dominion, who were more interested in getting millions than in making a statement about media corruption.

The end result? No accountability.

The ultimate case of no accountability in our judicial system is the Supreme Court's justices. Regardless of what they do there's no recourse.

Clarence Thomas is the alpha dog of no accountability on the bench. His wife Ginni supported a coup attempt against democratically elected Joe Biden, but Clarence has not recused himself from one case about the insurrection.

On top of that he's been exposed as a lapdog for a Republican billionaire who idolizes Adolf Hitler and wants an authoritarian government.

For two decades Clarence and Ginni went on lavish - all paid for - vacations on billionaire Harlan Crow's personal jet and super yacht. The largess didn't end there, however.

Crow purchased three parcels of property that belong to the Thomas family - a house and two empty lots - for $163,000 and Thomas didn't declare the sale on his taxes. His mother - who doesn't pay rent - still lives in the house which is maintained by Crow and has been steadily upgraded over the years at no cost to her.

All of the above are perfect examples of corruption staring at the faces of millions of Americans and making a mockery of the highest court in the land.

Will Clarence Thomas be held accountable? The answer is NO. You can't count on Congress doing anything because they've known how corrupt Thomas is for a long time and fear the consequences of going after him. He's that powerful.

We no longer just have judges. They're all now either a Trump judge, Obama judge, or Biden judge. The concept of neutrality and equal justice is trampled on by political influences.

People talk about no one being above the law but reality disputes that fine notion. Exhibit A - Donald J. Trump.

As it stands, polls will back up the distrust most Americans feel towards our judicial system and especially the Supreme Court. Lady Justice weeps.