Saturday, December 30, 2017

ABSOLUTE CONTROL OVER THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT

People who consider Trump's claim of an absolute right to control the Justice Department a threat to Robert Mueller, just are not looking deeply enough.  The potential threat is to the nation.  If the "absolute control" resides in one man, that man can control who gets investigated and who does not; who gets indicted, for Federal crimes and who does not; and since the Federal Bureau of Prisons is operated by the Justice Department, who serves hard time and who does not.    

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

WHY JESUS NEVER MENTIONED ABORTION

Jesus never mentioned abortion because the preferred method of population control, in those times, was infanticide.  

Abortion was more dangerous than bringing the pregnancy to term and trusting in the providence of God to provide for the sustenance of the infant, in the wilderness.  

Sunday, December 24, 2017

HOW THE TAX CUTS WILL WORK

The methodology of how Trump's tax cuts will work  to improve the middle class has been demonstrated by recent actions, of some corporations, to provide bonuses and salary increases.  The corporations ingest large amounts of taxpayer money, assimilate it and then pass it on, through their droppings, to their employees.

The Trump Administration contends that this is the traditional method of wealth distribution, and they do not wish to disturb it.

Friday, December 22, 2017

BETTER OFF DEALING WITH MUELLER

Based on glimpses into Mueller's investigative processes. and Trump's attorneys' reactions, I have arrived at a conclusion, albeit tenuous, that Trump's attorneys will do everything in their power to prevent Trump from firing Mueller.

There are no attornies, in Washington, so naive as to believe that any man will prevent his tax returns from being made public because "they are under audit".  They know, even if they are required to defend their client, that there is something damaging in those returns and they have to assume Mueller has access to them.

They also know that no one in the law enforcement community will ever buy the story that "he fired the F.B.I. Director because he was investigating a hoax".  The additional firing of a special counsel will not enhance the credibility of their client.

Mueller has "rigged" the system so that if he is fired, the investigations will continue under New York State law and that state's attorney will have access to Mueller's files.  

At some point, Trump's lawyers may have to enter into negotiations for leniency for Trump and his family.  If Trump fires Mueller, he can expect none.  Trump is better off dealing with Mueller than Mueller's replacement.

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

G.O..P. GIVES UP ON TRUMP?

Has the G.O.P. given up on any hope of winning, in the future, either the Presidency or majorities in the House or Senate, with Trump in office?  

A case can be made that they are preparing the groundwork for a situation that will be so dire it will leave the next Administration, which they expect to be Democratic, with almost insoluble problems.  While the Democrats labor to extricate the U.S. from the maze, Republicans can sit back and relax, enjoy the profits of their most recent tenure in office criticizing the new Administration for not resolving the problems more rapidly.  That way, they indicate, each party can do what each does best, Republicans create problems while Democrats resolve them.  Democrats have become pretty adept at cleaning up the mess; Republicans are getting faster at creating messes.

Sunday, December 17, 2017

RUSSIAN EMAIL LAUNDERING

There may be something ironic in the fact that lawyers of a man who begged the Russians to illegally hack 30,000 of his political rival's emails are now complaining that 10,000, I presume legally obtained, emails, in the course of an investigation, is tainted.  I presume that they were legally obtained because the complaint has not been made to a judge who would normally decide their status but to an extra-judicial political body.

It would appear, now, that any emails obtained, in the course of an investigation, should be laundered through the Russians, before having validity in an American court of law.


ROY MOORE WON'T CONCEDE

It is rumored that Roy Moore will not concede the Alabama Senatorial Election until Vladamir Putin gets a chance to review his appeal and rules on whether Russia will intervene on Moore's behalf.  Only when appeals to the highest court in the land, in election matters,  are exhausted, will Moore concede.

Saturday, December 16, 2017

PERHAPS SEN. GILLIBRAND IS RIGHT

Sen. Gillibrand thinks Bill Clinton should resign.  She may be on to something.  If Clinton resigns doesn't Gore become President?  If Gore is President wouldn't he have a better chance, running as an incumbent, to be elected?  After all, he did win the popular vote running as a sitting Vice-President.

If Gore is President, we avoid 9/11, two wars, destabilizing the Middle East, making Iran the hegemon of the Persian Gulf area, $3 or $4 Trillions in debt, the Great Recession.

How do we get Bill Clinton to resign?

WHINE MAKING SKILL

There can be little doubt that the whine making skills of Republicans far exceed those of Democrats who are woefully lacking in that category.

A particularly glaring example can be found in the handling of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  It is reported that the reason that Director Comey took the unprecedented tactic of exposing the fact that possibly unseen Clinton emails had been found, on a laptop belonging to Huma Abedin, mere days before the election,  an undoubtedly large factor in the electoral defeat of Hillary Clinton, was that an anti-Clinton faction in the New York office of the F.B.I. was threatening to publicly complain at what they felt was bias by the Director.  The emails turned out to be copies of what Clinton had already given to the F.B.I. but the damage had already been done to her campaign.  Trump publically praised Comey for his help; perhaps he privately thanked pro-Trump whiners in the F.B.I 
for their assistance

After firing of Comey, by Trump, and an ensuing ongoing investigation by a Speical Counsel into possible collusion with the Russians by the Trump campaign, private email correspondence between two F.B.I. agents, who were pro-Clinton in the same election was found.  Although private political views are not prohibited to F.B.I. agents,  Mueller immediately removed the two agents from his staff.  Nevertheless, the Republican whine making machinery went into full operating mode, and is even now threatening to derail the investigation into possible criminal acts of the current administration.  There can be little doubt of their whinemaking skill.

Friday, December 15, 2017

REASON TO BELIEVE

Trump says, "There was  definitely no collusion.  Believe me, because I was there!"

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

USA TODAY GETS IT WRONG

The USA TODAY  Editorial Board just stated that Trump was not fit to clean the toilets in Obama's Presidential Library.  I really believe that the publication is needlessly deprecating the President.

It is my considered belief that Trump, for all his faults, IS fit to clean the toilets of the Obama Presidential Library and should be considered for the position, effective immediately.

Sunday, December 10, 2017

DEBT AND ENTITLEMENTS

Economists try, in vain, to explain, to our Congress, that by the paying back, to the people, what has been already prepaid, to the Government, does not increase the debt of that Government, since the repayment actually reduces the debt.  Congress, however, will have no talk about having to repay any of the funds.

These funds, once commingled with other Government monies is needed for paying for tax cuts and subsidies for the "job creators" who paid it into the Government as part of the worker's salaries and deductions from worker's payrolls.  American workers should be happy to contribute to this worthy cause.  

Friday, December 8, 2017

BILLABLE HOURS

A news report states that Special Counsel Mueller has turned over 400,000 pages of evidence, to Paul Manafort's attorney, in the matter of the latter's pending indictment.  Now that's a hefty number but I have no way to grasp the concept and believe they should use another metric to help understand it.  It would be helpful if they gave us, for example, estimated billable hours for the attorney(s) to examine them.  That would put the number of pages in proper context.

HARD TO BE A STORM TRUMPFER

It's not easy to be a Storm Trumpfer.  At the same time, one is required to believe Sarah Huckabee Sanders' categoric statement that  "The President is not a liar", it is absolutely essential to believe that the President lied when he said, on the Access Hollywood video, that he groped women. 

If you can't believe both things at the same time, you really aren't good material for the Movement.

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

CATASTROPHE ON THE HORIZON

Some people claim that Republicans are increasing taxes on the middle class to pay off their donors for past favors.  I feel differently.  The way I see it, we are fast approaching the 10th anniversary of the last trillion dollar giveaway to the wealthy and Republican donors make it very clear, they launder money they receive from the  Government; they do not advance their own funds  and with the anniversary date fast approaching unless Republican donors get another infusion of cash with which to pay off, there will be a dearth of contributions to the Republicans which would be catastrophic for them

Monday, December 4, 2017

NOONE CAN EVER ACCUSE REPUBLICANS OF BEING PRUDENT

Noone can ever accuse Republicans of being prudent.  The last two Republican Presidents, before Trump, ended their terms, in office, with serious recessions despite having adopted "trickle-down" economics as their business model.

Trump, like G.W.Bush before him, has taken over a growing economy with increasing employment and decreasing deficits, and, instead of following in his predecessor's  footsteps, has gone back to the failed systems of the 2 Bushes, possibly on the theory that the third time will be the charm, and if not the American taxpayer, who assuredly are now enured, will pick up the tab.

REFORM OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM!

They are saying that Trump's next project is to reform our education system so that our children are educated to handle "doublethink".  Donald can see no reason why it should be so difficult for the American public to handle a simple concept like his reactions to the Access Hollywood video for which he apologized to the American public saying, he had said it and regretted having done so, and shortly thereafter said it was just locker room talk.  "Why", he asks, "should this conflict with my now declaring that the video is fake and is not my voice."

Trump avers that the intervening elections, which he won, verifies his veracity on any subject matter he chooses.

Sunday, December 3, 2017

TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION

Since polls indicate that the G.O.P. tax cut, on the brink of being enacted into law, is against the wishes of 75% of the population, by a legislature supposedly representing the people, is that not taxation without representation?   Will the American people, whose forefathers rebelled against a monarch for doing this,  supinely allow this to stand, in our time?

Thursday, November 30, 2017

FAREWELL GIFT TO THE KIDS

John McCain, by voting yes for the Trump Tax, is giving his kids a farewell gift, by eliminating the Estate Tax, which they would have had to pay on the death of their mother.  In the end, blood proves thicker than water. 

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

G.O.P. TO CRACK DOWN HARD ON SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

Republicans, in Congress, have sent out notice that, in response to reports originating in that body, it is adopting a zero tolerance stance,  toward any sexual misconduct whatsoever, demonstrated by Democrats.   They hope their actions will allay concerns voiced by female voters.

Thursday, November 23, 2017

WORKING OVERTIME

Donald Trump, presently at Mar-a-Lago for the Thanksgiving holiday, stoutly insists that it is a working vacation. I believe him.  He is hard at work for the Trump Organization earning big bucks, from the Government, for using Mar-a-Lago.

I really don't know why we are so suspicious of the man.

Saturday, November 18, 2017

A MAN AND TWO WEASELS

Donald Trump is concerned lest the world think more highly of Al Franken, for having "manned up" by having owned up to an act of sexual predation, than he or Roy Moore.  Trump wants to remind everyone that he admitted to it before he denied it and that should count for something. 

Thursday, November 16, 2017

BLACKMAILED BY THE OLIGARCHS

At the same time that the oligarchs, of Russia, have managed to have placed someone, highly susceptible to their blackmail, as head of the Executive branch of the government of the United States. oligarchs of the U.S. are blackmailing the leaders of the Legislative branch, by threatening to cut off their funds, which represent their sustenance, unless Congress gives the oligarchs a better return on their investments.  Between them, both the oligarchs of Russia and those of the U.S., they do not want the inhabitants, of our continent, to have ay doubts as to what form of Government they live under.   

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

A QUESTION THAT I HOPE IS ASKED

There is a question that I would  want to be posed, to Donald Trump, by the press: "Mr. President, if Vladimir Putin had  replied to your question whether he had meddled in our election, in the affirmative, just what actions would you have taken?"

Somehow, I have little hope of hearing the reply to the query.

Friday, November 10, 2017

EVANGELICALS AND THE UNABSOLVABLE SIN

To Evangelicals, all things,  save one, can be forgiven.  Adultery, pedophilia, theft, divorce, murder, embezzlement, forgery all can be forgiven by God's grace.  Even homosexuality could, under certain circumstance receive absolution.There is only one thing that cannot be forgiven and that is the sin of being a Democrat; God's bounty does not extend to people of that political leaning.

SERVING WITH DISTINCTION

Sen. Chris Murphey says that Roy Moore is unfit to serve in the Senate.   I say, however, that it is fitting that he serves, in the Senate, as part of the Republican caucus, a group where a hypocritical pedophile can serve with distinction.  

Thursday, November 9, 2017

ENHANCED VETTING

The planet would be infinitely better off if the energy for enhanced vetting of refugees was harnassed and used for enhanced vetting of gun owners, as well.

COMPLACENT DEMOCRATS

In 2016, complacent Democrats, for the most part, were sure that Hillary Clinton had the election in the bag.  They were, regrettably, wrong.  In the 2017 state elections, Democrats were jittery about their chances.  Forgive me, but, I like Democrats who are uncertain and worried about their chances of winning.  Democrats who are confident about their chances of winning should, bug off for the season.

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

TOO EARLY IN THE MORNING?

Some Evangelicals are saying that the recent mass shooting, in Texas, was God's response to the prayers of the parishioners, themselves.

This has led to speculation that God operates on California time and was peeved at having been awakened by prayers too early in the morning.

MIXED SIGNALS

In Seoul, South Korea, within easy range of  North Korean artillery, President Trump, today, delivered a conciliatory speech, without a single insulting remark addressed to the leader of the latter country.

The speech delivered mixed signals.  On the one hand, Trump tried to demonstrate his flexibility, on the other hand, the North Koreans only saw someone who acted civilly only when looking down the barrel of a gun.

Monday, November 6, 2017

AMERICANS FIRST!

To all those who wonder at the differences, in how we view mass shootings by one group as opposed to another, because of ethnicity, you are missing the whole point.  Mass shootings by immigrants take away legitimate targets from our local armed citizens and we must protect the rights of Americans first!

Friday, November 3, 2017

TRUMP THE CONSTITUTIONAL STRICT CONSTRUCTIONIIST

Trump is, openly, disgusted and, frankly frustrated by his Department of Justice and their advice as to what he can and cannot do as President.  He feels that many of their rulings are flat out unconstitutional.  He agrees that the Constitution specifically says that legislation calling for Bills of Attainder or post facto laws are prohibited, but he says that the Constitution does not prohibit Executive Orders of Attainder or issuing orders for the arrest of someone for a having committed an act after he had declared the action illegal.  If the Constitution, Trump argues, does not specifically prohibit an action, that action is permissible

As soon as Trump issues Executive Orders to arrest Hillary Clinton and Robert Mueller, the nation will be one step closer to being great again.





Thursday, November 2, 2017

DEFLECTION OF BLAME

Attempts, by Chuck Schumer,  to avoid charges, by Donald Trump, of being responsible for the "Diversity Lottery Visas", are doomed to failure,  Citing the facts that the law was passed in a year when there was a Republican President, a Republican Senate leader and a Republican Speaker of the House, is hardly grounds for deflection of blame from any Democrat.

AMERICAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Donald Trump says that the American criminal justice system is a joke.  The problem, however, is that  the joke is onto him.  

Tuesday, October 31, 2017

OUT OF DEFERENCE TO OUR PRESIDENT

Out of deference to our President, who continues to aver that there has been no collusion with Russia, we should, henceforth, stop all usage of the term, and use, instead, its synonym, "conspiracy".

Please do not say that "the Trump campaign colluded with the Russians to steal the 2016 election".  That is disrespectful.  Instead, say, "the Trump campaign conspired with the Russians to steal the 2016 elections".  See how much more elegant that is!

Monday, October 30, 2017

NOTHING TO GAIN

It is, unfortunately, undoubtedly lost on Trump supporters that even if his calls, for investigation of Hillary Clinton, were heeded, it would not in any way exculpate Donald Trump.

His investigation would go on; his trials, if any, would go on; the further investigation of Hillary will not make an iota of difference at the bar of justice, for either.

In the meanwhile, Hillary has withstood hundreds of hours of investigation, including an 11-hour stint where the combined might of the Republican caucus was unable to make a single crack in her defenses.  

By calling for investigation of Hillary, Trump has nothing to gain, and she has nothing to lose.

Sunday, October 29, 2017

ASSUMPTION OF GUILT

On the day before the possible revelation of the identity of someone who has been indicted, by a Grand Jury, I, too, am trying to guess who it will be.  Although  I think that the most probable candidate is Paul Manafort, on a charge unrelated to the Russian conspiracy matter, the thought has occurred to me that it could also be Donald, Jr., who by virtue of releasing his emails, has provided a prima facie case, for attempted collusion, to Mueller, in which case he may be tempting Trump to exercise his pardon power thereby  assuring legal assumption of guilt if Junior accepts the pardon.

Saturday, October 28, 2017

GUEST POST

New post on The Octogenarians

Exploiting dinosaur discoveries in Utah,bird,bear,and reindeer sanctuaries in pursuit of coal oil ,gold and lithium.POTUS the pariah rides on.

by daedal2207
There is method in the madness of this ruthless exploitation and destruction of wildlife past and present.Aside from giving more to the wealthy through their corporations,the opening up of federal reserved territories releases development monies which will serve to plug GOP budgetary shortfall as the budget( national) is developed.Borrowing from Peter to pay Paul comes to mind. So if unsuccessful at stealing money from health care subsidies( and the effort still goes forward),Trump and the ignoble congressmen and women followers will take their best shot at robbing the next generations of intellectual and spiritual property.There is no shame and little empathy.Democrats are having their own problems with party unity and view of the future but so far are holding firm in opposition.
CNN announced the first Mueller indictment( grand jury)maybe the mega cynical theft and exploitation can be slowed.

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

A LITTLE RECOGNITION

There can be little doubt that, little by little, Trump is learning self-discipline at his new job as President.  When Russian flags were thrown at him, by a protestor, Donald successfully resisted placing his hand over his heart in a reflexive gesture of respect and loyalty. 

A little recognition of his progress and growth in office might well be in order.

Sunday, October 22, 2017

VETTING OUR CREDITORS

Lately, I  have been receiving a fairly large number of Russian produced memes, purchased by Republican groups for distribution in our social media.  Most of them deal with terrible life in countries living under Socialism.

The problem, however, is that many of the  "Socialistic countries" also lend us money.  Borrowing from these countries is a slippery slope and we should be extremely careful of which countries are permitted to loan us money.

"INDEMNIFY MY LOSSES AND GIVE ME A TAX CUT, TOO"

Under our last Republican President, Wall Street received a trillion dollar gift when the U.S. Government covered the gambling losses of the financial sector.  Since the election of another Republican President, Wall Street is tingly in anticipation of another gift from the U.S. taxpayer.  The stock market began to edge up, in advance of promises of more goodies, and indeed, Wall Street has even warned that, if they don't get it, there will be a market retraction that could affect our economy.
 
During the Bush Presidency, a precedent was set that executives of businesses that were too big to fail had to receive their Christmas bonuses no matter the economic circumstances of the rest of the country.  Now not only do they expect the Government to indemnify their losses but to enable them to increase the size of the bonus.

Saturday, October 21, 2017

JOBS FLEEING THE U.S.

Despite  Trump's promises to bring back jobs that have been sent to other countries, evidence is mounting that more and more political memes  that Republicans like to send around, are originating in Russia.  Now we have reports that even Republican bumper stickers are being made in Russian owner factories in Macedonia. Looks like another initiative has gone down that drain. 

WHAT'S UP WITH KELLEY

I have been asked my opinion as to what has happened to John Kelley.  Nearest I can make out is that he is suffering from Stockholm Syndrome.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING FEDERICA

Some might think that Trump's continued attacks  on Congresswoman Wilson are frivolous and just another example of Trump craziness, are wrong.  Trump is being extremely serious.  He is well aware that should there be a turnover in either House of Congress, he and/or Tillerson are in for the mother of all hearings over the Niger affair, with revenge for Hillary's Benghazi hearings not being a prime motive.  There is enough negligence there and questions about the travel ban on Chad to fuel several years of hearings.  Trump is desperate to  divert attention from the substance of the issues to any hand.

MANY OF THE SAME PEOPLE

Many of the same people who strongly criticise athletes for their lack of patriotism, by kneeling when the national anthem is played, think they, themselves are being very patriotic when they help distribute Russian propaganda designed to subvert our democratic institutions.  

Friday, October 20, 2017

LACK OF EMPATHY

Trump, it is said, categorically rejects recent criticism leveled at him, by Obama and Bush on the grounds that they lack sufficient empathy to appreciate what he has to go through working in the Trump Whitehouse.

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

TAINTED ARBITERS, INDEED

Although a jury has yet to be asked to decide whether the Trump campaign actually conspired, or colluded, with respect to the hacking of the 2016 elections by the Russians, we do have prima facie evidence, in the form of emails, that the campaign, in the person of Donald Trump, Jr. tried  to collude with them.

 Donald Trump, Sr., by virtue of defending the actions of his son, has approved of his son having solicited the Russians to assist them in winning the elections.  The foregoing notwithstanding, the Trumps have decided to become the arbiters of what is and what is not patriotic behavior when it comes to NFL athletes.  So it seems, asking Russians to interfere in our election is A-O.K., but a Constitutionally protected activity, per Supreme Court rulings, is not.

The Trumps are tainted arbiters, indeed!


PERHAPS TRUMP HAS A POINT

Perhaps Trump has a point.  What right do blacks have for respectfully kneeling, in protest of the police shooting their unarmed children and brethren, at the singing of the national anthem?  They should be out looting and vandalizing businesses as they are supposed to.

Sunday, October 15, 2017

THE LAST GLIMMER OF HOPE

The last glimmer of hope for a nuclear detente with North Korea, that had resulted from negotiations with the Clinton administration, went out the window with the invasion of Iraq by George W. Bush.

From the viewpoint of North Korea, nothing demonstrated the perfidy of the United States than when Bush ordered U.N. arms inspectors, who were not finding any nuclear weapons, out of Iraq, and then invaded the smaller country for reasons of policy.

Their distrust was reinforced when Gaddafi, who had given up his nuclear ambitions, was bombed into submission by Western Powers, in Libya, during the Obama Administration.  The nuance that the West was trying to avoid a genocide by Gaddafi, was lost on the despotic leadership of North Korea.

With the Iran agreement now in jeopardy, it is doubtful that the United States will ever, ever again, be able to single-handedly broker and act as guarantor to any agreement between other nations, as in the past.  


Saturday, October 14, 2017

IN NEED OF DONALD AS A MENTOR

Harvey Weinstein is just in the wrong line of business.  If he were a star performer, as Donald Trump, could have told him, he could have groped all those starlets, with impunity.  If he had emulated Trump and ran for President, all those accusations of sexual harassment would have been met with a ho-hum from his adoring voters.

Harvey would be well advised to try to get Donald for a mentor.

Friday, October 13, 2017

WALLOWING IN SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS

Because some liberal supporters have been found to be sexual predators, some of my so-called "Conservative" friends have been gleefully wallowing in a puddle of self-righteousness.  

Forgotten are the Roger Ailes and Bill O'Rileys of their own party. Their President,  the Chief Executive of the nation, whom they faithfully follow,  a thrice-married philanderer and self-admitted sexual predator has been absolved of any sin by a Hollywood Liberal who has strayed.

Thursday, October 12, 2017

AD HOC TRUTH

I think that I may have figured out what Trump's problem is.  For practical people, like Trump, "Truth" is something to use to win the particular argument of the moment.  It exists for that moment and then disappears and should not be subject to recall.  If someone is so crass as to remind people that that old truth once existed, the new "truth" is that the old truth never existed, therefore, it is "fake news"

The constant referral to old truths by a group of people collectively called "the Press" is a constant distraction to an elderly gentleman set in the ways of  New York real estate developers.

Another thing is explained by the foregoing.  Trump is probably not angered by Tillerson calling him a moron; he is angry because Tillerson did not lie when asked about it.  If Truth is of so little worth, what is the value of a lie?  Why wouldn't Tillerson just be like a normal Trump person and just deny he had said it?

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

RAISING THE BAR

I am glad that Donald and Rex have raised the bar by engaging in an I.Q. contest instead of one that other little boys engage in to prove their superiority.

I doubt that any actual contest will ever occur, even though Mensa has offered to provide tests, because Trump guards his actual I.Q. number as secretively as he does his tax returns, and Tillerson, by virtue of having agreed to become Donald's Secretary of State, to begin with, has self-doubts about his own I.Q.

Sunday, October 8, 2017

TWITTER REACTIONS

In response to a  Trump twitter accusing Sen. Corker of  being cowardly, by not running for re-election to the Senate,   the Senator came back with a twitter saying that the President had turned the White House into an adult day care center.  Trump supporters have roundly criticized Corker for having. needlessly, personally attacked the President, in the twitter exchange.

Trump supporters  are also saying that they are waiting to see whether Democrats will react to Corker's comments, in the same way they so strongly reacted to Trump having mocked a reporter with a disability.   

Friday, October 6, 2017

LIBERALS ATTACKING TILLERSON FOR CALLING TRUMP A MORON?

Liberals, it is said, are furious about Tillerson calling Trump a moron.  They claim that it is a blatant attempt to upgrade Trump's intelligence status, and they will have nothing to do with it.

PUTIN'S RETURN ON INVESTMENT

Putin can, hardly, hope for no greater return on his investment in getting Trump elected President than having him abrogate the agreement with Iran to stop work on a nuclear bomb.  By doing so, Putin will have placed the first wedge in a system of alliances that the U.S. has successfully crafted over more than 70 years of hard work.

Not only will Trump have probably ruined, forever, the use of sanctions as a weapon to enforce agreements, in the long term, but will ensure that Iran joins the nuclear club, in the short term.  Who will be willing to cooperate in imposing sanctions with an inconstant partner, in the future?

The thought of engaging in a conventional war with Iran, a country with 2.5 times the population of North Korea and 10 times the size, is ludicrous, considering that such a war with the latter is inconceivable given its costs.

Thursday, October 5, 2017

HARD AT WORK

Tump detractors who are highly critical of all his visits to his property when they feel he should be working are ignoring the fact that while he is at said properties, he is working hard to increase revenue for them.

Every vacation Trump has taken while President has been a working vacation for the family breadwinner.  He deserves praise and recognition for his hard work.




WHY DON'T THEY SAVE THEIR MONEY?

The N.R.A., through  their influence on a group of Congressmen in Washington, have managed to prevent any legislation, regulating weapons, on a Federal scale.  Local regulations, as in Chicago, are thwarted by the fact that any resident of Chicago can cross the street to another jurisdiction and purchase any quantity he or she chooses.

The situation is little different in other States; it might be more convenient to take a vehicle to another jurisdiction to purchase one's weapons.

Even though it is the very actions of the N.R.A. that has rendered Chicago's efforts to control the availability of guns useless, the N.R.A. uses Chicago to demonstrate the ineffectiveness of  any legislation whatsoever.  

The question should be asked is, if Federal gun control legislation is ineffective, why does the N.R.A. spend millions, each year, in buying legislators?  Why don't they save their money and pass those ineffective laws?

Monday, October 2, 2017

THOUGHTS ON THE MUELLER INVESTIGATION

Despite the impatience of many Liberals, I,  personally, do not expect  the release of any report and/or indictment prior to the fall of 2018.  

I do believe that it is obvious, to Mueller, how, if High Crimes have been committed, the importance of the 2018 elections especially  he is in favor of impeachment which require a political vote from the House of Representatives.

A SINGLE GUNMAN WITH THE HIGH GROUND

I am sure that it will be lost on gun enthusiasts and N.R.A. supporters that the largest single weapon related massacre, in the history of the U.S., took place in the state with the laxest gun laws.

All those concealed carry good dudes were powerless against a single bad guy gunman with the high ground.  

THE N.R.A. AND NOISE ABATEMENT

The N.R.A., as we speak, is sheparding a bill through Congress which will lift restrictions on the sale of gun silencers.  Despite the meritorious work in noise abatement, critics, of the bill, offer petty arguments, like the fact that victims will not even know they are under attack, until they see people dropping around them, if silencers are used.  The N.R.A. says that the rights of the audience to hear the music undisturbed outweigh those of the victims.

Sunday, October 1, 2017

THE LAST REFUGE OF A SCOUNDREL

The question as to why a man, who has demonstrated a complete lack of patriotism, obtaining 5 deferments from  military service and bragging about not paying his taxes, and beset by charges for actions approaching treason to his country, suddenly becomes interested in patriotic symbols, was answered by Samuel Johnson, more than 200 years ago.  Johnson defined patriotism as the last refuge of a scoundrel.

Thursday, September 28, 2017

RESOLVING PROBLEMS ELEGANTLY

Say what you will about Donald J. Trump, he gets the job done. When faced with the prospect that his own cabinet is adding to what he calls the "Washington Swamp" by using taxpayer money to fund their use of private aircraft, he steps up and renames it the "Washington Wetlands",  Now, ask yourself how many Presidents could resolve problems so elegantly?  

Monday, September 25, 2017

GUEST POST

Bribing our way to Trumpcare

by daedal2207
The disgraceful act under consideration by the Republican senators(the Democrats cannot propose any legislation) has never been openly promulgated,has no CGO analysis,eliminates medicaid,takes money from states that complied with law and hands it to states that did not,ultimately makes preexisting conditions uninsurable,provides for the destruction of medicare,is opposed by almost all the health care associations from AMA,RNA,APA,APHA,...on and on,
almost all of the health care ADMINISTRATORS,{CIGNA,UNITED HEALTH,HUMANA...on and on, almost all of the universities associated with medical education and research,Yale,Columbia,Harvard,Princeton,Stanford,UCLA,Rutgers,Northeastern,U.of Cincinatti,on and on.
The basic reason is that this proposed legislation has nothing to do with health but is a transparent way of using the health care budget(1/5 of the national budget) to effect tax reform in favor of a promised,wealthy few.
daedal2207 | 25 Sep 2017 at 11:06 am | Categories: The Republican PartyUncategorized | URL: http://wp.me/p4Gt4f-Ao

Sunday, September 24, 2017

A SOLUTION TO THE OBAMACARE PROBLEM

Reports have it that, in order to win the vote of Senator Murkowski, G.O.P. leaders are willing to allow Alaska, the Senator's home state to keep their Obamacare.  This solution could be sheer genius.  If all the Senators had such a deal, Trump could have the victory he has been looking for; a 100 to nothing win, on a bipartisan basis, in addition to uniting a divided society. 

Saturday, September 23, 2017

GRAVEN IMAGES

Attributing special values to an inanimate object, even a, so-called, symbolic object, is akin to worshipping a graven image, a practice prohibited by the second of the 10 Commandments.

When a tribute to a piece of cloth becomes more important than a man, there is much wrong in any given society.


Friday, September 22, 2017

A WIN-WIN SITUATION FOR THE NATION?

There is a potential win-win situation shaping up in the nation's present health care situation.  Wealthy donors have warned Republican legislators that they will stop donations to them unless Obamacare is eliminated and they get a tax cut, which has stimulated frenzied activity to try to ram a repeal bill through Congress by September 30.

Now if wealthy donors stop paying off Republicans, they will be increasing their disposable income to help offset their taxes; the middle class will not have to worry, as much, about their health care , and Republican legislators will have to go back to honing their legislative skills rather than begging for donations.  A win-win situation for the nation.

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

HEALTHCARE COVERAGE

If a large segment, of our population, supinely allows the Republicans to take away their healthcare coverage, they will deserve the consequences.  And to you senior citizens out there, if they can take away the healthcare from such a large group, what makes you think they can't take away your Medicare, as well?

Monday, September 18, 2017

WITHIN HIS RIGHTS

To all those liberals who cannot understand the difference between Trump's hundreds of insults, inveighed against his enemies, and the single charge of bigotry levied by a young woman, working for ESPN,  I say : "Look up the meaning of  Lèse-majesté.  

Perhaps the additional knowledge will enable you Liberals to understand why the young woman should be fired while Donald was within his rights.

Sunday, September 17, 2017

FIREABLE OFFENSE

To underscore the evolution, in the thinking of Donald Trump, we remind people that Trump, who kept on Michael Flynn, for 18 days after the Department of Justice advised his administration, that he had been compromised by the Russians, and allowed him to sit in on highly classified intelligence briefings during that time. 

One need only look at the risk, to his own administration and reputation, of asking the head of the Federal Bureau of gotInvestigations, to let Flynn go, and his reaction to an employee of ESPN, a sports channel, calling him a bigot.

He has gone from seeking mercy for what may be "high crimes or treason" of Michael Flynn, to demand the firing of  a lowly commentator on a sports station.

Thursday, September 14, 2017

RISING POPULARITY OF OBAMACARE AMONG REPUBLICANS?

Now that Democrats are beginning to press for a single-payer health care system, there's a good possibility that the popularity of Obamacare may begin to rise in Republican circles.

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

FATAL FLAW

Although Bernie Sanders is, undoubtedly, correct in saying that a single payer healthcare system has many advantages, in that it not only provides universal coverage at a lower cost but insures the entire population as well, however, it has a fatal flaw.  Sanders cannot point to a single example, in any country with a single payer system, of any billionaire that has derived his wealth from the healthcare insurance business, while we can, with pride, show several, under our system.

Friday, September 8, 2017

EVANGELICALS ASSURE ME

Evangelicals assure me that hurricanes approaching Florida, as well as Harvey, were sent by God in response to sexual perversions of the people of this country.  I wonder if they read anything into the fact that the first three states to be so-punished, namely Texas, Louisiana and Florida are states which voted for Donald Trump, a self-admitted philanderer, and alleged sexual pervert.

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

SLEEPING BETTER, TONIGHT?

Paul and Mitchel will certainly sleep better tonight, now that Donald has put professional lawmakers, Chuck and Nancy, in charge of Congress. don't you think?

PEOPLE HE LOVES

The fact that he ends up screwing many of the people he loves,  should not be grounds for doubting his sincerity.  Just ask Ivanka!

Monday, September 4, 2017

THOUGHTS ON NORTH KOREA

North Korea has decided to invest in 20th Century technology when already into the 2nd decade of the 21st Century.  Its entry into the thermonuclear club is at a time when the other members of the club have a successful countermeasure, namely MAD, or Mutually Assured Destruction, which makes thermonuclear weapons obsolescent, if not obsolete, It would seem that investments in them to be the height of folly.

China, to whom a millennium is a practical time frame, is probably perplexed at the impatience that a man like Trump has to solve a problem that, in effect, has been solved in the Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviet Union which has rendered nuclear weapons an expensive storage problem but not an existential threat.  If a nation wishes to invest their time and effort in old musketry, the Chinese feel that time itself will take care of that nation.  

As research, in the rest of the world, into guided anti-missile defenses, as well as laser technology, proceeds, it may very well be that all the North Korean labors will have been in vain. 

A UNIQUE FLEXIBILITY WHEN IT COMES TO CHRONOLOGY

Ever wonder about the singular lack of concern, by Republicans, about the Trump legacy on the future of their party?  They are unworried because just as they were able to update events,  such as the Katrina catastrophe so that they fell at the beginning of Obama's administration, the Trump year's will be collapsed into the ending of the Obama term.

Republicans have a unique flexibility when it comes to chronology.

Monday, August 28, 2017

THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON

The most important lesson, that the Trump Administration wants the American people to take away, from the current situation in Texas, is that global warming is a hoax.  There is nothing that cannot be remedied by another tax cut for the rich and increased consumption of fossil fuels.

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

THE EXTORTION OF A WALL

Last night, in a speech in Phoenix, Donald Trump threatened a Government shut down if the Congress did not fund a wall that he, Donald, had promised that the Mexicans would pay for. 

No finer example of Trump's negotiating skills can, probably, ever be found. 

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

P.C. RUN AMOK?

For many years the majority of citizens of New Orleans have been black.  For many years there has been a gigantic statue of Robert E. Lee, a man who had no direct connection with city,  dominating the skyline in a busy part of the city.  The statue was removed, after 133 years, against the protests of a minority of the city dwellers and is being stored until a final resting place is found for it.   

Now my conservative friends call that Political Correctness run amok.  They feel  that the fact that the statue was offensive to some of the citizens should have no bearing on what happened to the monument, however, if the majority of the citizens erected a monument to William Tecumseh Sherman, who likewise had no connection to the city of New Orleans, that indeed  would be offensive and beyond all understanding.

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

THE NEW PATRIOTISM: EXTOLLING ONE'S SWORN ENEMIES?

Can somebody explain to me just how carrying the flags of one time sworn enemies, who have killed and maimed our troops, and defending statues of their leaders, makes one a patriotic American?

While it is within the rights of Americans to walk around with Confederate flags and those of Nazi Germany, and to defend the placement of statues of sworn enemies of this nation, what gives neo-Nazis and their ilk, the right to declare themselves as better Americans than those who are against their agenda?  

Monday, August 14, 2017

SO LITTLE CREDIT

So little credit is given the President for his evolving positions with respect those people who are losers.  He has gone from scorn for those who have been captured by the enemy, such as John McCain, to a much more humane view of those people who want to honor losers, such as Confederate Generals.  

Liberals just don't seem to want to take his change in position into account.

Sunday, August 13, 2017

WHAT RIGHT DO LIBERALS HAVE...?

What right do Liberals have, just because they march with Swastikas and stiff-armed salute, to call those demonstrators in Charlottesville, Nazis??

Saturday, August 12, 2017

SHOT ACROSS THE BOW OF CALIFORNIA?

Is the Trump threat, to exercise a military option against Venezuela, actually a veiled threat against California?  After all, if the Trump Doctrine calls for military options against states whose government Trump dislikes, is Jerry Brown safe?

Thursday, August 10, 2017

'GIVE HIM A CHANCE!"

If, in the next 100 days of the Trump Presidency, he succeeds in getting us into a nuclear war, I fully expect my, so-called, conservative friends to defend Trump by saying, "He's only been in office for less than a year.  Give him a chance!"

MILITARY JUNTAS THAT I HAVE KNOWN

As a former, long time resident of Latin America, I have known my share of military coups-de-etat some of which have resulted in military juntas which, temporarily,  took over the reins of power of the government.  One, in particular, reminds me so much of the present situation in the U.S.  After  much clamoring of various institutions in the public, against  a particularly inept President, the Army, rather reluctantly, overthrew the Government in a bloodless coup, described by the outgoing President as one in which he recognized he had been overthrown by the fact that his car and driver had not picked him up that morning.  A military junta of three generals took over the government of the country.  

I can not help but compare it to our present situation where three Generals, Mattis, and McMaster and Kelly have had to exert a level of control over the Chief Executive to keep things together.  We may not be too far away from just not sending a car and driver (as well as cutting off his Twitter account) to bring him back to the White House after golf.

BULL IN A CHINA SHOP

Donald Trump has been likened to a "Bull in the China Shop", one who clumsily breaks valuables in an inappropriate manner.  I believe it would be more accurate to describe him as a "Bullshitter in a China Shop" as he succeeds, actually, in befouling valuables in an otherwise ineffective manner.

Friday, August 4, 2017

THE DEPLORABLES

They tell me that when Trump was asked the difference between his telling the President of Mexico not to tell his followers that Mexico would not pay for the wall but to tell them only that we were working on it, and Hillary Clinton saying that they, his followers, were deplorable, Trump replied that the difference was that his deplorables belonged to him and he, unlike Clinton had the right  to call them anything he pleased. 

Thursday, August 3, 2017

INSANITY DEFENSE?

For those who think that the recent supposed phone calls, from the Mexican President, and the Boy Scouts, to Donald Trump, which never happened, and the report that the Special Counsel has impaneled a Grand Jury, are unrelated, you might want to consider the possibility that the Donald may be preparing an insanity  defense and those ghost telephone calls will be entered as evidence, along with many other items.

Wednesday, August 2, 2017

THEY'RE WORKING ON THAT

Robots are so cost effective for the very reason that, they do not have to consume the very goods that they are producing, as humans do.  This cost effectiveness makes them so efficient that they can replace all the humans with robots, passing on the savings to consumers, i,e, the robots who are the only ones working,  The problem that robots don't consume the things the robot makes will someday be solved by society.

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

SCARAMUZZI'S RECORD BREAKING TIME IN OFFICE

There are those who belittle Donald Trump's claim that he only nominates the very best people for this Administration.  He need but show Scaramuzzi's contributions to the English language to demonstrate the veracity of the claim, despite the shortness of his term in office.

THE ART OF THE STEAL

Donald J. Trump claims to be the greatest negotiator the world has ever known. yet I have never seen him enter into negotiations with anyone.  Instead, I have seen him only apply leverage, bully and try to extort concessions from people and call it negotiations.

Of course, in typical Trump fashion, it is not his fault.  If other people won't do what he asks,  what recourse does he have?


Saturday, July 29, 2017

ROOTING FOR TRUMPCARE

I'm all for everyone to get to enjoy the benefits of Trumpcare. Without the joy of losing their Obamacare, how can many of Trump's supporters regain the satisfaction of enjoying those Emergency Room visits, as in the good old days, when America was great.  Even the possibility of having less ERs, than before, should not be a hindrance to continued support of the Donald.   

Friday, July 28, 2017

"YOU'LL ALL BE SORRY!"

In Trump's latest hissy-fit over the Senate's failure to repeal Obamacare, he threatens,to sabotage the only heath care program, that the nation still has, in the way of retaliation for not doing his bidding.  In a like manner, should he ever have to leave the White House, he will trash the premises before leaving.  So there!

Thursday, July 27, 2017

GUEST POST

The Trumpeter Rages On.

by daedal2207
POTUS has decreed by Twitter that Transgender folk can no longer serve in the U.S. armed forces.This reverses a DOD long standing order and of course an Obama executive order.Taking just enough surcease from attacking Lisa Murkowski(Alaska) for leaving party solidarity in going against the latest ACA repeal efforts in the Senate,and his relentless humiliating assault on his sycophant Attorney General,Jeff Sessions,whose resignation would open the way,after sequential dismissals,to the firing of Robert Mueller,the F.B.I. Special Investigator whose strategy of following the money is driving Trump up the wall.It is obvious,even to the ideological faithful,that something is rotten in Trumpland.Only the conscience blind can believe that the special relationship with Russia is not based on huge indebtedness related to real estate/ bank borrowing and manipulation.The salacious/ scatological stuff is really quite unnecessary although I personally believe it to be valid as well.The alternative for Trump are few.Everyting rests on the unitary executive argument encompassing a dictator's power to pose and dispose and yes as a last resort to pardon,even himself!

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

REGIME CHANGE II

In order to allay the fears, expressed by certain nations, Putin, it is reported, will soon be presenting his Putin Doctrine, which will provide a Cyber Shield, to protect those countries within the Russian Orbit,  No longer will, for example, Donald Trump have to worry about regime change ever happening.  Trump can be assured that his fledgling kleptocracy can develop and prosper under the protective umbrella of his Russian comrades. 

Saturday, July 22, 2017

REGIME CHANGE

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in an interview, today, cautioned the U.S. strongly about regime change anywhere in the world.  His sound advice came too late to prevent meddling, by his Government, in the the U.S. elections in 2016.  

Somehow, I cannot shake the feeling that he exempted Russia from the equation.

REVOKING JARED/IVANKA SECURITY CLEARANCES

Sorry, fellas, can't sign that petition calling for revoking the Kushner/Ivanka security clearances.  If that's done and Trump wants them to know, he can just declassify the material so that anyone can read it.  I'd rather that Jared/Ivanka be subject to laws governing the dissemination of classified material than for having sensitive material being declassified. 

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

THE ARROGANCE OF IGNORANCE

While we all know of arrogant doctors who despite their learning, which should have taught them how little they know when compared to what they do not know, act as if they are infallible.  

We sometimes forget that at the other end of the spectrum, there are others, who know even less, who wear their ignorance as a badge of honor.  These modern day "Know nothings"  will blithely deny climate change or evolution or steadfastly subscribe to the flat earth theory.  Regretfully, the "Know Nothings" are more likely to vote as a bloc and may be more of a danger to society than arrogant physicians.

Saturday, July 15, 2017

RAKs THE NEW PEJORATIVE

For many years now, Conservatives have enjoyed using the phrase "Tree huggers", as a pejorative to describe Liberals.  It is not till now that, courtesy of Donald Trump, Liberals can return the favor by calling conservatives, RAKs: "Russian Ash Kissers" 

COLLUSION AND CRIME

To those who may be confused by those saying that collusion is not a crime: Two or more dieters colluding to sneak out to the ice cream parlor does not constitute a crime; two or more yeggs colluding to crack some safes are.

Collusion is a synonym for conspiracy, which most people think is illegal but which, like collusion, requires a criminal act to describe, before becoming a felony.  It has to be a conspiracy to commit a crime before it is actionable.  

So when Trump tells you there was no collusion, he is wrong, as usual.  There is no doubt that there was collusion; what remains to be determined is whether it was also a crime.    

Friday, July 14, 2017

IMPECCABLE LOGIC

When the Trump Family is criticized for coming up with different stories, almost daily, to explain a set of particular facts, surrogates rightfully place the blame on the critics, themselves.  "If people would just accept the first story, we wouldn't have to be changing them so frequently!"  The logic is impeccable but critics still try to imply that somehow it is the Trump Family that is trying to hide something.

Thursday, July 13, 2017

SPECIAL COUNSELS AND THE RENEWAL OF AMERICAN EXCEPTIONALISM

Much as American politicians try, through their venality and greed, to bring down the status of our nation, the existence of our peculiar office of a Special or Independent Counsel will renew our standing, among nations.  More than our nuclear bombs and supersonic aircraft; more than our missile submarines and our rapid deployment capabilities, it is our ability to, somehow, repair our institutions that make our country an island of stability in an unstable world.

I think that there is hope that one day, when we are cleansed of today's aberrations, we will regain our standing among nations.

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

DIVING FROM THE FRYING PAN DIRECTLY INTO THE FIRE

I believe that Donald Trump will forever rue the day that he fired James Comey, who was charged with finding any collusion with Russians in the election, which lead to the appointment of a Special Counsel, who is authorized to investigate anything and everything.

When one considers the target rich environment of Trump's life, with thousands of lawsuits, many settled with sealed agreements, others still pending; tax returns which Trump does not want exposed; possible illegal business dealings; it may have been most imprudent to fire the FBI Director even if we remove the possible   "obstruction of justice" charge from consideration.

Personally, I think that the really serious charges, that will make Donald, Jr.'s meeting,  with a Russian lawyer, pale by comparison, are yet to come. 

  

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

APPROVAL FIRST, THEN NOMINATION

Trump has unloaded on the Democrats, for not having approved people for Government positions, despite the fact that he has not nominated anyone for them.  Apparently, he wants to have pre-approval, so as not to waste his time with objections from Congress.

Monday, July 10, 2017

NARCISSISM AS VIEWED BY A CHILD

I divided my mother's siblings into two groups, the angelic souls who were generous to a fault, and those who I called "shrivelled souls".  I later learned that the "shrivelled souls" suffered from Narcissistic Personality Disorder.

Things that I learned early about the "shrivelled souls" is that sometimes they would recall a slight that had occurred more than a decade before and would work themselves into a frenzy over it as if it had occurred the day before.  They never forgot the slight.  Another of the things was the futility of holding a meaningful discussion as to the merits of an argument.  Any disagreement with a given point was viewed as a personal attack and responded to with an ad hominem attack.

"Shrivelled souls" lacked generosity and had a need for a proscribed environment where they did not have to confront new things; they would withdraw from the unfamiliar. 

Sunday, July 9, 2017

IS OBAMA OUR LAST ELECTED PRESIDENT?

Since there are doubts, as to the legitimacy of the 2016 election, that have only deepened by the recent meeting between Trump and Putin, will future events turn out to confirm the possibility that the Obama election of 2012 was the last in which the President was not appointed by a foreign power?

THE SLIPPERY SLOPE FOR AN EX-HEGEMON

China, once the hyperpower of the globe suffered indignities and abuse, including loss of sovereignty over its own territory when it lost hegemony of the world.  It has been a centuries-long process to even regain a fraction of their standing in the world.

Now that Donald Trump has ceded leadership to other countries, how far down the pike is it to lose the status of the U.S Dollar as a reserve currency thereby making our deficits unsustainable, and causing us to be unable to sustain our military because other countries will no longer finance our armed forces?  What indignities will the U.S. have in its future?

WHO BETTER TO CONSULT?

Of course, we should work with Putin on cyber security as Trump wants.  Who better to consult with, on keeping the fox out of the henhouse, than a coyote?

Saturday, July 8, 2017

RUBLES OR DOLLARS?

Negotiations between Putin and Trump, for the return of Alaska, appear to be going quite well.  Putin is optimistic that Trump will accept rubles if Putin provides the name of his personal money launderer.

Friday, July 7, 2017

WITH A WINK AND A NOD

I can just imagine the man who asked the Russians to intervene in his election campaign "pressuring" Putin on whether he, Putin,  did intervene in the election, without a wink and a nod.

NO COUNTRY FOR POOR PEOPLE

More and more, our wealthy are beginning to chafe under the burden of having to pay 12 to 14% of their income in taxes, and, in particular, are resenting having to pay for services to the poor, sick and elderly. As their discontent grows, pressure is mounting to deport the poorest Americans to allow for continuing tax cuts. even if it requires a Constitutional Amendment.

Thursday, July 6, 2017

FOR U.S. CONSUMPTION ONLY

On being lectured, by Trump, as to the need for action, by other countries, to contain North Korea, some responded that earlier this year, Trump promised that No. Korea would never have an ICBM, on his watch.

Trump immediately set them straight that this was for consumption by the American public only, since they are the only people, in the world, who believes anything he says.  Because the rest of the world knows better, they should pressure China and Russia to fix the problem.

Monday, July 3, 2017

THE IMPORTANCE OF NIELSEN RATINGS

Just as Nielsen Ratings were important to Trump when he was negotiating contract renewals with NBC, popular vote, in elections, is of utmost concern to him as well, and accounts for the reason he is trying, retroactively, to change the results of the 2016 election.

If he is successful in eliminating the 3 million vote margin in Hilary's favor, Trump will have greater leverage in contract renewal negotiations with Putin.

Sunday, July 2, 2017

MONUMENTAL STUPIDITY

At the onset of the Civil War, only less than 1/3 of the inhabitants, of the Confederacy, were slave holders.  Considering that the sons of very large slave holders were exempted from military service, the  percentage, of those fighting and dying for the Confederacy, that had no a dog in the fight, was even greater.

In essence, most of the Rebs were fighting against their own interests, and, it was they that suffered most from the destruction that the war wreaked on the South.  Therefore, in a sense, it was almost fitting that statues, honoring heroes of the Confederacy, losers all, be erected there.

If they had been a reminder of the Great Folly, that was the Civil War, they would have served a purpose.  Their becoming, instead, objects of veneration, by the  descendents of the people who were mislead,  they served only as a reminder of  the infinite capacity for folly, of our kind. 

Saturday, July 1, 2017

GUEST POST

New post on The Octogenarians

Seeing Red

by The Octogenarians
The "Morning Joe" tweeting is another example of how demeaned the office of President has become. We have spoken, before, about the Trumpeter-in-Chief's eerie attraction/aversion to female bodily functions, particularly those that may involve blood.
This brings to mind the history of the Marquis de Sade, who was attracted to beautiful women, but sought their destruction, when their natural functions destroyed his fantasy. This is the dynamic behind serial rapists.
Non-linearly but also apropos, this also brings to mind Rappaccini's gardens and the poisoned blood of his daughter, remediation of which caused death.
Trump's garden does not contain beautiful flowers, just a lot of stinkweed.
The Octogenarians | 1 Jul 2017 at 7:33 pm | Categories: Uncategorized | URL: http://wp.me/p4Gt4f-Bz

Thursday, June 29, 2017

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RUSSIA AND THE U.S.A.

 The recent announcement, by the Koch Brothers, that they were going to withhold funding, to the Republicans, unless they passed legislation reforming both health care and taxes, favorable to them, demonstrates the difference between Russia and the U.S.A.

In the U.S.A. the oligarchs determine the make-up of the Government, and in Russia, the Government, embodied in Putin, determines who the oligarchs are.

Either way, it is the public that gets screwed.

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

TRUMP EXPERTISE TRUMPS OBAMACARE

Trump has reacted calmly to what should be a debacle, for him, the blocking of the latest Republican health care bill.  If the public doesn't like Trumpcare, they're going to have to lump it as he slowly strangles Obamacare.  All he has to do is delay reimbursements to the insurance companies and they will, one by one, pull out of the market.  And there is nobody in the U.S. who has more expertise in delaying payment, or even non-payment, to suppliers, for work performed, than Donald J. Trump.

Oh, and all you Trump voters, in those states that put him in office, relying on his promise to keep you insured, you'll find the Donald is pretty adept on breaking campaign promises, as well, so just keep voting Republican, and praying that one day you and your family will once again have health care.  Pray to  Him to suffer fools more kindly.

Sunday, June 25, 2017

HOW TO GET REPUGS TO ACT ON RUSSIAN HACKING

Republicans are doing nothing to prevent the Russians from hacking our elections again.  To change their lack of concern, Democrats might send a message, to the Russians, that they have a better chance of lifting sanctions if they rectify their transgressions by helping the Democrats, in the forthcoming elections.  Then you will see action on the part of the Republicans. 

Friday, June 23, 2017

UNFAIRNESS

Trump, once again, is complaining about the unfairness of his potential adversaries.  Just he complained about Judge Curiel being unfair because of his Mexican ancestry, in the Trump U. case, he his complaining of the fact that because the Special Counsel, in the Trump Russian case, was acquainted with James Comey, the former FBI director, was therefore a good friend and prejudiced against Trump.

The whole problem, Trump indicates, can readily be resolved, by just replacing Mueller with a Trump supporter; he is sure that there are many out there with sufficient qualifications to serve.

INCREASED INVESTMENT IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR?

Want to get increased investment in the private sector?  Giveaways and tax cuts won't do it; they only lead to 2nd and 3d homes for executives of big corporations.  The way to get more investments in the private sector is the old fashioned way:  increase marginal tax rates to 92% as we did in the 1950s and watch the corporations pour the money into investing in their own companies rather than give it to their government.

CONGRESSIONAL COMMISSIONS

In the first two decades of this century, I have seen massive trillion dollar transfer of wealth from the middle class to the wealthiest Americans.  The transfers ranged from bailouts for gambling debts of  our banking industry, to unnecessary wars which benefitted only our military industrial complex, to giveaways to Big Pharma.

Now that the beginning of the third decade of the century is almost on us, the question is "What have you done for me lately?"  

To begin the third decade of the century, there will be a massive transfer of wealth from the poorest to the richest via a large tax cut compensated by a large cut in medical services, but with the added advantage that with tax cuts, that great body of self-made millionaires, the U.S. Congress, get their commissions, in the form of campaign donations.

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

PUTIN MAY HAVE ESTABLISHED A NO-RESPONSE ZONE FOR TRUMP

Prior to the election, the British intelligence services commissioned a study of , then Presidential candidate Donald Trump, and his dealings with the Russians.  The study claimed that Trump had been compromised by the Russian government who held damaging material which they could use to manipulate him.

It is hard to discredit that report when one looks at the present situation in Syria.  The Russians have just established a "No-Fly" Zone west of the Euphrates River, in Syria, where our aircraft become targets, if they intrude.  What has been the response of our government?  Nothing.  It's as if Putin has also established a "No-Response" Zone where his asset, Trump, cannot cross without peril of exposure.

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

2ND AMENDMENT REMEDIES

From time to time, in the recent past, Republicans have referred to "2nd Amendment Remedies", that their supporters, gun lovers, all, might resort to if liberals got too far out of line.

 Now that, it would appear, much of the proposed Republican legislation will adversely affect those same supporters, are those same remedies no longer available to that heavily armed segment of the population? 

Sunday, June 18, 2017

TAKING ON THE BURDEN

Senate Majority Leader McConnell is said to have voiced his unhappiness with the Democratic response to his changing of the tone, in the Senate, for greater civility.  The Democrats are not at all appreciative of the fact that Republicans have spared the Democrats from having to deal with the arduous task of working on or even having to review a health care bill that will come to the floor, of the Senate, at an appropriate time, possibly at 2:00 am on at some future weekend.  

Instead of being appreciative of Republican efforts of collegiality, Democrats just keep bitching, proving yet again that it is impossible to work with Democrats.


Saturday, June 17, 2017

NOT TOO GOOD AT CONNECTING DOTS

It must be a frightening time to be a Republican member of Congress.  At the same time that their diligence has made owning a firearm as common as taking an aspirin tablet for a headache, their party  is working, in secret, to take away health care from millions of Americans.

Fortunately, for those who will become beneficiaries of the large tax cuts which will be provided as the result of elimination of health care, Republican members of Congress aren't too good at connecting dots. 

SCANT CONSOLATION

Investigators, of Donald Trump, have probably encountered the most unusual subject, in all their experience.  Normally, they painstakingly move up a chain of associates before they can corner the main subject.  

With the Donald, however, through his own actions, during the investigation, itself, he has incriminated himself, and investigators will be moving down the chain to mop up.  

Trump associates can take scant consolation, in the fact,  that Donald is quick to throw colleagues under the bus for his personal advantage.

Friday, June 16, 2017

THE INFALLIBLE TRUMP

Trump tweets that he is under investigation, for firing Comey, by the man who told him to fire Comey.  Of course, Trump leaves out a few facts, which is that man, Trump refers to, was never told:


  • Trump would never have even faced obstruction charges if he had never asked Comey to not investigate the Russian matter as it related to Flynn.
  • Trump might never have faced obstruction charges if he did not admit, on television that Comey's firing had was because of the investigation into the "Russian matter"
  • Trump might never have faced obstruction charges if he had never asked at least 2 other officials to also lean on Comey, which tended to corroborate Comey's story.
But, of course, since Trump is infallible, the fault must lie not with him but with an employee who was asked to provide a reason to fire Comey without knowing the other things going on.

FORWARD TO THE PAST

Donald Trump has just announced that he is scrapping a 2 year old program, instituted by Obama, thawing relations with Cuba, because it has not accomplished its goals.  He is substituting it with a 52 year old policy which didn't work either.

DEAR DONALD

After 7 months of investigations & committee hearings about my "collusion with the Russians," nobody has been able to show any proof. Sad!

Dear Donald:

Have patience.  If they show you proof now, it would be a leak which you hate so much, The final report which will include little forensic forays into things like money laundering, tax evasion and other petty crimes,  will, I am sure, please you, no end.

Sincerely,