MUCH BETTER AS A MINORITY PARTY

I believe that it is self-evident the Republicans are much better at being the minority party than the Democrats. As an example, just how long would, say, Barack Obama have stayed  in office had he told some visiting Russian officials that it was O.K. for Russia to meddle in our elections because after all, we meddled in theirs?

KREMLIN APPROVED DISINFORMATION DEBUTS

Yesterday I posted an article titled "The Plot Thickens" which met with disbelief among some correspondents, nevertheless, that same day, "Forever Trumpers" were parroting the new Gospel according to St. Vladamir on TV.  It goes something like this: In July Trump called the newly elected president of the Ukraine not to collude with him but to get his assurances that Ukraine would not interfere in they did in the 2016 elections and shift the blame onto the Russians.  It's no longer a possibility, it's already a G.O.P. bumper sticker.

THE PLOT THICKENS

Last night, a very erudite T.V. commentator clarified some cryptic language Trump used in his call to the newly elected President of Ukraine and also cleared up a nagging question of my own, as to how Trump was able to get Putin's permission to offer arms, to Ukraine, for use against Russian tanks. as a part of Trump's offer which Zelensky would not be permitted to refuse.  Ukraine was supposed to take the blame for being the real culprit behind the Russian attack on our elections clearing Putin of charges of a cyber attack and getting some sanctions lifted.  Perhaps, too, Trump might be hoping, with the pressure off, Putin would be more willing to interfere in the 2020 elections.

WARPED REASONING

The rationale to justify Trump's actions with the newly elected president of the Ukraine is an example of the warped reasoning  exhibited by Trump and his followers.  Joe Biden is said to have used his influence to hold back $1 billion in funds to Ukraine, to get a corrupt Ukranian prosecutor fired.  Somehow, this is made to appear as the worst scandal in the U.S. since Teapot Dome.

At the time, Biden openly informed the public of his intention to use his influence to block a loan guarantee, in the amount of $1 billion, unless the prosecutor was fired.  It was public knowledge and no U.S. funds were involved although our credit would be involved if there was a default.

Now, the entire affair was public knowledge both in the U.S.and the Ukraine in 2017 when Trump took office. In the U.S., investigations are done by the F.B.I or the Department of Justice, both of which have been under control of  Republican appointees including those appointed by Trump, himself, for most of the time since.  Neither have even found enough evidence of criminal wrong-doing to initiate an investigation.  An investigation by Ukranian authories also found no evidence of wrongdoing. 

So what is Trump's beef with the new President of Ukraine?  He thinks that Ukraine owes him the favor of coming up with something, anything that will help him in the 2020 elections.

A DEAL FOR HIS RESIGNATION

Sometime early in the Trump Administration, I made an observation, erroneously considered a prediction by some of my correspondents, that Trump might not finish out his first term because of his many legal problems.  At this point in time, my observation has been reinforced not by Trump's impeachment  so much as the prospects of impeachment and possibility of contempt charges for not providing documents requested by Congress in other matters, which could possibly make matters worse, for Donald than a phone call to Ukraine.  For example, Barr may decide to turn over D.O..J. documents dealing with the Mueller investigation, or Mnuchin may give up those tax return as the law requires, and things could get even worse for the Donald than they 

are now.  I think the possibility that Trump might start angling for a deal in exchange for his resignation still remains strong.

"IT'S GOOD TO BE THE KING!"

If you or I were under suspicion of having committed a felony but claimed that we had a document exculpating us from the crime, but refused to allow that document to be seen, it would be only considered more evidence of guilt.  However, the words of a monarch, as to his innocence, are supposed to bear more weight than his deeds.  If Donald Trump says he is innocent of having committed a crime but won't allow the document, which could prove it, to be seen, his royal voice should be enough for his subjects. Yes, it's good to be the King!

"ONE THING WE CAN BE PRETTY CERTAIN ABOUT"

One thing we can feel pretty certain about is that Trump and his cohorts do not have anything on Joe Biden or his son or they wouldn't still be looking.  Trumper's say, "we know there is evidence but it just hasn't been manufactured yet.  That's why we're offering a potential producer hundreds of millions of dollars for it."