Liberty In Peril

                                                                                              formerly,

                                                                                       The Llano Ledger

1-20-17

The GOP witchhunt on behalf of the Trump nazi is on.  Think not?  Wake up.  The Washington Post reports:

"House Republicans have summoned the head of the independent federal ethics office to answer questions about his agency and his public criticism of President-elect Donald Trump’s plan to separate from his real estate empire."

Imagine that.  Couldn't be, could it?

"A letter sent late Thursday from Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), chairman of the GOP-led House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, was viewed by ethics experts as a veiled threat to the budget of the Office of Government Ethics unless its director changes his rhetoric and approach."

If true, that's called egregious abuse of power.

"The letter to Walter Shaub Jr., director of the Office of Government Ethics, asks him to appear before lawmakers in a closed-door, transcribed interview. Shaub is not being subpoenaed, but was asked to respond to questions in a setting much like a deposition, committee staff said."

Where is the transparency?  This hearing should be conducted in public.  What are Republican national socialists so afraid of?  What?

"Chaffetz’s letter was condemned early Friday by Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), the Senate minority leader."

As well it should have been.  It's egregiously un-American.  Smacks of McCarthyism.

“Mr. Chaffetz’s attempt to intimidate the office is deplorable, and would be a distraction that would make it harder for OGE to do it’s already difficult job,” Schumer said in a prepared statement. “It is totally out of line when Americans want clean and accountable government. Mr. Chaffetz should instead focus on his job and let Mr. Shaub and OGE focus on theirs.”

Indeed.  Not what national socialist Republicans want.  Rather, carte blanche to do as they please.  GOP nazis still don't understand peaceful resistance will be ferocious against their imposition of The Fourth Reich.  Determined, deliberate, concerted nazification of this country remains egregiously unacceptable, will not be tolerated.

Equally pointedly:

"Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), the top Democrat on the Oversight Committee, has called for a public hearing on Trump’s potential conflicts of interest featuring Schaub. He blasted Chaffetz’s letter Friday."

As well he should.

“The Oversight Committee has not held one hearing, conducted one interview, or obtained one document about [Trump]’s massive global entanglements, yet it is now apparently rushing to launch an investigation of the key government official for warning against the risks caused by [Trump]’s current plans,” Cummings said."

How about that?  The Republican Way, isn't it?  'Don't do as I do, do as I say.'  The hypocrisy?  Reeks.  "Drain the swamp?"  Give me a break.

“Rather than acting as a cheerleader for Donald Trump and attacking or intimidating his critics, the Committee should do its job under the Constitution and investigate his sprawling business deals around the world.”

They have absolutely no interest in doing that.  They want a coronation of the Trump nazi and his henchmen.

"Ethics experts assailed Chaffetz’s letter as a partisan attack on Shaub for doing his job."

Indeed.  That's exactly what it is.  The public has been bamboozled.  ... Right, TL?

"Richard Painter, who served as ethics adviser to former president George W. Bush, called the letter a “clear threat to pull the funding of the Office of Government Ethics” unless the agency follows the wishes of Trump and the Republican leadership."

Abuse of power by Republican national socialists.  ... Right, TL?

“They are saying lay off Trump and push through these nominees or we’ll kill the funding of OGE,” Painter said. He and other ethics lawyers from both parties said the agency plays an important role, and killing it or reducing its authority would be a blow to avoiding conflicts of interest in a new administration and enforcing basic standards of ethics and transparency."

The Republican Way, right, TL?  Can't dazzle 'em with brilliance, baffle 'em with bullshit.

"Shaub, appointed by President Obama to a five-year term that has a year to go, gave an extraordinary public admonishment on Wednesday of Trump’s plan to place his businesses in a trust managed by his elder sons. The ethics chief said the plan was “wholly inadequate” to protect the incoming president from conflicts of interest.  “Stepping back from running his business is meaningless from a conflict-of-interest perspective,” Shaub said at a forum at the Brookings Institution."

Exactly, right.  It is.  Precisely, why a truly independent watchdog like Shaub is so necessary, critical to ensuring some semblance of ethics in government.  Both major political parties have clearly lost themselves.

1-20-17

Trouble in paradise?  NPR reports:

"The top Republican and Democrat on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence say they intend to investigate the allegations of Russian meddling in the U.S. elections."

Truly believe it?

"In a joint statement, Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., chairman of the committee and Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., the vice-chairman, said "we believe that it is critical to have a full understanding of the scope of Russian intelligence activities impacting the United States."

Think anything will come of it?  Think it will extend to any possible collusion between the Trump nazi and Putin?

"They said their inquiry will include, but is not limited to:

    "A review of the intelligence that informed the Intelligence Community Assessment "Russian Activities and Intentions in Recent US Elections;

    "Counterintelligence concerns related to Russia and the 2016 U.S. election, including any intelligence regarding links between Russia and individuals associated with political campaigns;

    "Russian cyber activity and other "active measures" directed against the U.S., both as it regards the 2016 election and more broadly."

Interesting, isn't it?

"The lawmakers said they'll hold hearings on Russian intelligence activity, but also warned that much of their business will be conducted "behind closed doors because we take seriously our obligation to protect sources and methods." The committee will produce classified and unclassified reports on its findings."

Again, this is an ongoing problem.  The lack of transparency.  Always attributed to 'security' concerns, methods of intelligence gathering, etc..

"The Committee will follow the intelligence wherever it leads. We will conduct this inquiry expeditiously, and we will get it right. When possible, the Committee will hold open hearings to help inform the public about the issues," they said."

Any confidence?  Any at all?  That they'll deliver on anything?

"In separate comments, Burr said the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence already has held 10 hearings on Russia's activity around the world.  Warner invoked a more ominous tone, saying, "This issue impacts the foundations of our democratic system, it's that important. ... If it turns out that SSCI cannot properly conduct this investigation, I will support legislation to empower whoever can do it right."

Hard to believe Republican fascists will do the right thing.  Not stonewall.  We'll see.

1-20-17

Interestingly, there's been a demonstrable rift between Trump and his Cabinet nominations vis a vis policy.  ABC News reports:

"The first week of Senate hearings for Donald Trump's Cabinet picks have presented a number of clear divisions between the president-elect's policy positions and those held by his Cabinet selections.  Many of Trump's biggest talking points from the campaign trail -- building a wall along the southern U.S. border, a possible ban on Muslims entering the United States, climate change denials and a chummy relationship with Russia -- were discredited or disqualified by Trump's picks during their Senate hearings."

Fascinating, isn't it?  Trump's reaction?

"Trump is publicly supporting these differences of opinion, tweeting this morning that "All of my Cabinet nominee [sic] are looking good and doing a great job. I want them to be themselves and express their own thoughts, not mine!”

    "All of my Cabinet nominee are looking good and doing a great job. I want them to be themselves and express their own thoughts, not mine!
    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 13, 2017"

Truly believe it?  The rift in policy positions during their confirmation hearings was more than noticeable.  Regarding immigration, Sessions' thoughts were diametrically opposed:

"I have no belief, and I do not support the idea that Muslims, as a religious group, should be denied admission to the United States,” Sessions said.  Trump's position on such a plan has evolved over time, but in December 2015 he notably called for a "total and complete” ban on Muslims entering the U.S."

Regarding the border wall, Department of Homeland Security nominee retired Marine Gen. John Kelly testified:

"A physical barrier in and of itself will not do the job,” Kelly said at his Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday.  Trump has said that his "big, beautiful” wall, which was very much a cornerstone of his campaign, would be part of a multi-pronged plan to curb illegal immigration, which Trump tied to job loss and crime."

Regarding climate change, Secretary of State nominee former ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson had his own thoughts:

"Tillerson said that "the risk of climate change does exist," which stands in contrast to Trump, who has called the idea of climate change "a hoax" and previously said it was invented by the Chinese "to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive."  More specifically, Tillerson said he would want the U.S. to stay involved in the Paris Agreement on climate change."

Opposite to the position taken by Trump:

"As I indicated, having a seat at the table to address this issue at a global basis and I think it's important, better served by being at that table than leaving that table,” Tillerson said.  Trump has said he would "cancel" the Paris Agreement, but after the election told The New York Times that he was reconsidering his stance against the climate accord. "I'm looking at it very closely," Trump said. "I have an open mind to it."

Vis a vis Russia, Ret. Marine Gen. James Mattis, Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense took a far different stance than Trump:

"The most important thing is that we recognize the reality of what we deal with, with Mr. Putin, and we recognize that he is trying to break the North Atlantic alliance,” Mattis said at his hearing Thursday, referring to NATO.  Mattis strongly defended NATO, calling it the "most successful military alliance probably in modern world history” even though Trump has repeatedly been negative about the group."

Stunning, isn't it?

"Mattis said he saw the United States "maintaining the strongest possible relationship" with NATO. "My view is that nations with allies thrive and nations without allies don't," he argued."

Certainly, a far more sober view than Trump's.  Don't forget, however, it is the Trump nazi who makes the final policy decision.

"Trump has publicly discussed another difference in stance that he and Mattis have -- Mattis does not support waterboarding -- prior to the hearing, during an interview with The New York Times in late November.  "I said, what do you think of waterboarding?" Trump said of his conversation with Mattis. "He said -- I was surprised -- he said, 'I've never found it to be useful.' He said, ‘I've always found, give me a pack of cigarettes and a couple of beers and I do better with that than I do with torture.' And I was very impressed by that answer. I was surprised, because he's known as being like the toughest guy. And when he said that, I'm not saying it changed my mind."

The Trump nazi is a dangerous, unstable, loose cannon.  Certainly, won't be confused with the truth. Mattis is not the only one not on board with torture:

"Pompeo, Trump's pick to be the director of the CIA, also veered away from a position Trump took during his campaign.  When asked if he would reinstate "the CIA's use of enhanced interrogation techniques that fall outside of the Army Field Manual,” Pompeo said "absolutely not.”  Sessions also said that torture is illegal.  Trump said during a Republican primary debate that he wants to bring back waterboarding "and I would bring back a hell of a lot worse than waterboarding."

The last statement of the above quote is certainly proof positive Trump is unfit to be President.

1-20-17

Regarding the CIA Director nominee Rep. Mike Pompeo, The Washington Times reports:

"In a break from weeks of friction between President-elect Donald Trump and the Obama administration’s outgoing intelligence community chiefs, Mr. Trump’s nominee to head the CIA said Thursday that intelligence is the “lifeblood” of U.S. national security and “is more in demand than ever.”

This is a problem since the nominee strongly believes in domestic surveillance of the American public.

"In announcing Mr. Pompeo’s nomination in November, Mr. Trump said the congressman “will be a brilliant and unrelenting leader for our intelligence community to ensure the safety of Americans and our allies.”

This nominee may indeed present an exigent threat to all civil and constitutional rights and liberties vis a vis domestic surveillance.

1-20-17

Once again, the Trump nazi has disgraced himself and the Republican Party.  NPR reports:

"Donald Trump lashed out at civil rights hero John Lewis on Twitter Saturday morning, a day after the Georgia Democratic congressman said in an interview he didn't view the president-elect as "legitimate" amid questions of Russia's interference in the U.S. elections.

    "Congressman John Lewis should spend more time on fixing and helping his district, which is in horrible shape and falling apart (not to......
    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2017

    "mention crime infested) rather than falsely complaining about the election results. All talk, talk, talk - no action or results. Sad!
    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2017"

This is a civil rights icon Trump has taken a raucous hard dump on.  Readers are reminded the Congressman, standing tall for civil rights, endured a savage beating courtesy of the jackbooted bastards in blue half a century ago.

"While Trump has a well-known tendency to take to social media to push back against any slight against him, such a strongly-worded rebuke of Lewis and the criticism of his majority-black district was jarring on the holiday weekend celebrating the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr."

Aching aggressive stupidity on the part of the Trump nazi.

"Lewis was one of the original Freedom Riders and a top lieutenant of King's, helping organize the March on Washington in 1963 and marching with King across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., in 1965, where his skull was fractured."

The Trump nazi and his henchmen come nowhere near the stature of this truly great man.

"Lewis said during an NBC interview on Friday that he didn't view Trump as a "legitimate president" after reports that Russia had worked to influence the election in Trump's favor and to discredit Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton's candidacy. Trump has largely dismissed those reports and questioned the validity of U.S. intelligence findings, frequently praising Russia and its president Vladimir Putin throughout the campaign and the election."

Certainly, makes one wonder whether Trump and his henchmen may have colluded with Putin and the Russians.  Or, that the Russians have something on the Trump nazi.

"Lewis also said he wouldn't be attending Trump's inauguration on Friday, making it the first he's missed since he was elected to Congress in 1986.  "You cannot be at home with something that you feel that is wrong, is not right," Lewis told "Meet the Press" moderator Chuck Todd."

Indeed.  Why so many entertainers have refused to perform at the inauguration.

"Trump also claimed that Lewis's Atlanta-based district was "in horrible shape and falling apart (not to mention crime infested)."

Clearly, the Trump nazi remains out of control, a sad sack of shit unfit to be President.  Pence is no better.  Just as delusional.  Think not?  Wake up.  The Washington Times reports:

"Vice President-elect Mike Pence on Monday said it’s time to set aside the “baseless narrative” that President-elect Donald Trump was not legitimately elected because of alleged Russian meddling in last year’s campaign.  “This really is the time for us to set aside this narrative that is being pushed by many - this baseless narrative of illegitimacy - and see it for what it is,” Mr. Pence said on “Fox and Friends.”  “It is a distraction…just politics as usual, and the American people are tired of it,” he said."

This national socialist piece of shit has his head so far up his ass, his eyeballs have turned inside out.  Once again, this GOP nazi ignores reality.  Has no mandate.  Will receive ferocious, but peaceful resistance every step of the way.

“For someone of John Lewis’s stature to lend credibility to the baseless assertions of those who question the legitimacy of this election is deeply disappointing. I hope he reconsiders it,” Mr. Pence said."

Condescending, patronizing, galling, Aryan arrogant ignorance of reality by a nazi unfit to be Vice President.

Coup de grace?  Most revealing example of Republican Aryan arrogance, abject ignorance, closet racism?  Fox News reports:

"Democratic U.S. Rep. John Lewis, a civil rights leader who says he doesn't see Donald Trump as a "legitimate president," should be grateful for all that Republican presidents have done for black people, GOP Gov. Paul LePage said Tuesday."

This racist, fascist piece of shit has his head so far up his ass, his eyeballs have indeed turned inside out.  Consequently?  Can't see, can't think straight.

"LePage, who's white, said on WVOM-FM that the black Democratic Georgia congressman needs a history lesson on how Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves and how Ulysses S. Grant and Rutherford B. Hayes fought against Jim Crow laws, which enforced racial segregation."

Is that right?  This piece of shit needs a history lesson himself.  Think not?  Patience.  To become quite clear in a moment, but first:

"A simple thank you would suffice," LePage said."

The Aryan arrogance of this racist nazi is stunning.  His abject ignorance, appalling.

"Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 and pushed for the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery. But historians say LePage is wrong about Jim Crow laws.  Jim Crow laws didn't exist during the Grant administration and an electoral deal that put Hayes in office led to the end of Reconstruction and the removal of federal troops, setting the stage for the creation of Jim Crow laws that followed, said Colby professor Dan Shea."

To the hopelessly Aryan arrogant, achingly national socialist Governor of Maine, why not do the right thing?  Figuratively shove your goddamned racism up a bodily orifice seldom seeing the light of day.

1-20-17

Think the Trump nazi fit for office?  Does this sound like a man the rational want in the Oval Office?  The Washington Times reports:

"Edward Snowden, the man at the heart of the NSA information leaks, is nothing but a “traitor” — and America ought to recreate history in dealing with him, real estate mogul Donald Trump said on a “Fox & Friends” interview.  In other words, execute him, Mr. Trump implied.  “I think Snowden is a terrible threat, I think he’s a terrible traitor, and you know what we used to do in the good old days when we were a strong country — you know what we used to do to traitors, right?” Trump said, Politico reported."

Gets worse:

“Well, you killed them, Donald,” said fill-in host, Eric Bolling."

The Nazi Right in all its 'glory.'

"Mr. Trump’s response: Well, he is damaging America.  “This guy is really doing damage to this country, and he’s also making us look like dopes,” he said, Politico reported. “We can’t allow this guy to go out there and give out all our secrets and also embarrass us at every level. We should get him back and get him back now.”

Once again, the Trump nazi has displayed his Aryan arrogance, to say nothing of his profound ignorance, in all its 'glory.'  Snowden is a national hero.  A patriot.  Courageously exposed the corrupt, abusive, inept national socialist idiots in government for whom and what they are.  A public service.  Trump's remarks menacingly reflect the thinking of an Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini.  Not only disgraced himself, but our formerly great country as well.

1-20-17

The Trump nazi has not gone far enough vis a vis his 'ethics plan' according to experts in the field.  NBC News reports:

"Out of all the news from Wednesday -- Trump's comments on Russia, Rex Tillerson's confirmation hearing, the Senate taking its first major step to repeal Obamacare -- the biggest might have been ethics experts saying that President-elect Donald Trump's announced plan to separate himself from his business doesn't go far enough. And as a result, they say, Trump is potentially triggering a constitutional crisis. His plan includes handing over business operations to his sons and placing his assets in a trust, but not a blind one controlled by an independent actor."

Trump believes he's a law unto himself.  Doesn't seem to understand the Constitution provides for no monarch, no uncontrolled dictator, certainly not a President not subject to the checks and balances of the Legislative and Judicial branches of government.

"The problems with Trump's plan?  "Foreigners and others will continue to be able to ingratiate themselves by doing business with Trump organizations, which enriches Trump," Kathleen Clark, a law professor at Washington University specializing in ethics, told NBC's Benjy Sarlin. "It's really quite simple."

Indeed, it is.  Not to the Trump nazi, however.

"Stepping back from running his business is meaningless from a conflict of interest perspective. The presidency is a full-time job and he would've had to step back anyway," said Walter Shaub, director of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics. "The idea of setting up a trust to hold his operating businesses adds nothing to the equation. This is not a blind trust -- it's not even close."

The Trump nazi ludicrously believes he has the ability to run the country as well as his businesses.  Says he has the constitutional authority to do so, but doesn't want to do so due to image issues.  No more than a crock of shit.

"He has all of the conflicts of interest that he had before," Richard Painter, the chief ethics lawyer in the George W. Bush administration, told Forbes.  "We don't know who his business partners are, we don't know who he owes."

Be design.  We haven't seen his tax returns due to his refusal to disclose them.  What's the fascist piece of shit so afraid of?  The truth?

"The president-elect's disregard for ethics and precedent and the Constitution in his press conference today is going to precipitate an ethics and a constitutional crisis from the day he's sworn in," Norm Eisen, who served as President Obama's ethics lawyer said on MSNBC."

Indeed, it will.  His sick sycophants don't care.

1-20-17

Tillerson has no conception of the First Amendment.  Couldn't have possibly even read it.  CBS News reports:

"Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson did not rule out the idea of a U.S. registry for Muslims when he was asked about it his confirmation hearing Wednesday.  Asked by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., if he would support a U.S. registry for Muslims, Tillerson told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, “I would need to have a lot more information over how such an approach would be constructed.”

Say what?  This nominee presents an exigent threat to all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.  Clearly, places political expediency ahead of civil and constitutional rights and liberties.

"But Tillerson also added that if such a registry were used as a tool for vetting, it would probably extend to other groups."

Say what?  Thanks for the warning, you fascist son of a bitch.  Thanks also for proof positive you remain egregiously unfit for office in a democratic republic.

"Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, later pressed Tillerson on the registry again and Tillerson said, “I do not support targeting any particular group,” but he still seemed to leave the door open to some sort of database used for vetting people."

This piece of shit about to take office clearly does not understand this is supposed to be a democratic republic, not a goddamned fascist police-state.

"Shaheen also asked Tillerson to share his view on President-elect Donald Trump’s original proposal to ban Muslims from entering the U.S.   “No, I do not support a blanket-type rejection of any particular group of people,” he said."

An amazing contradiction.  The hypocrisy reeks.  Clearly, this oligarch is speaking out both sides his nazi ass.

NBC News reports:

"Donald Trump's pick for secretary of state boasts investments in Chinese and Russian firms among his almost $500 million in total assets, documents show.  NBC News obtained a copy of Rex Tillerson's Public Financial Disclosure Report that was submitted as part of the vetting process for the ExxonMobil CEO and chairman's nomination to the role."

Think this national socialist oligarch isn't bought and paid for by the Russians, Chinese, etc.?  Truly believe not?  That gullible?

1-20-17

The Trump nazi has again demonstrated his unfitness for office, his egregious inability to withstand any criticism.  CBS News reports:

"His inauguration days away, President-elect Trump is continuing to lash out at critics in the intelligence community.  In Sunday night tweets, the tough-talking Republican questioned whether the CIA director himself was “the leaker of fake news.”

The Trump nazi remains delusional.

"The extraordinary criticism from the incoming president came hours after outgoing CIA chief John Brennan charged that Mr. Trump lacks a full understanding of the threat Moscow poses to the United States, delivering a public lecture to the president-elect that further highlighted the bitter state of Mr. Trump’s relations with American intelligence agencies."

Can't have that, can we?  The Trump nazi cannot handle criticism.  Want his finger on the nuclear button?  Someone as delusional, unstable, narcissistic as this Republican nazi?

“Now that he’s going to have an opportunity to do something for our national security as opposed to talking and tweeting, he’s going to have tremendous responsibility to make sure that U.S. and national security interests are protected,” Brennan said on “Fox News Sunday,” warning that the president-elect’s impulsivity could be dangerous."

You think?

"Mr. Trump’s sustained criticism of the intelligence community is dangerous for more than just morale at the CIA or the FBI, Brennan said: It sends a message to other countries.  “The world is watching now what Trump says and listening very carefully,” he said. “If he doesn’t have confidence in the intelligence community, what signal does that send to our partners and allies as well as our adversaries?”

Indeed.  This is precisely what makes the Trump nazi so dangerous.  Worse?  An exigent threat to all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.

Further proof?  CNN reports:

"Donald Trump's accusation that NATO is "obsolete" has led to "astonishment and agitation" within the alliance, Germany's foreign minister has said.  Speaking in Brussels before a meeting of EU foreign ministers, Frank-Walter Steinmeier suggested the alliance was rattled by the remarks by Trump."

As well, they should be.  The Trump nazi remains egregiously unstable, unpredictable, viciously volatile.

"In a joint interview with the Times of London and the German publication Bild, Trump signaled that US foreign policy in a range of areas could be turned on its head. He suggested that sanctions imposed after Russia's annexation of Crimea could be eased in return for a deal to reduce nuclear weapons, that German Chancellor Angela Merkel had pursued "catastrophic" policies on refugees, and that his son-in-law Jared Kushner could lead a Middle East peace effort."

This nazi piece of shit is delusional.  Achingly reminiscent of Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini.  Has nothing to offer the Palestinians, -- other than an Israeli jackboot.

1-20-17

The Trump nazi continues to unethically use his political position to support businesses that financially supported his campaign.  NPR reports:

"President-elect Donald Trump took to Twitter again Thursday morning, this time to urge his followers to "Buy L.L.Bean," and support one of his campaign backers.

"Thank you to Linda Bean of L.L.Bean for your great support and courage," he tweeted Thursday. "People will support you even more now. Buy L.L.Bean."

    "Thank you to Linda Bean of L.L.Bean for your great support and courage. People will support you even more now. Buy L.L.Bean. @LBPerfectMaine
    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2017"

A boycott is being organized.  Surprised?

1-20-17

The hypocrisy, extreme disingenuousness, aching deception of the Trump nazi reins supreme.  NPR reports:

"President-elect Trump told a press conference Wednesday that he would step back from running his company to prevent possible conflicts of interest once he's in office. To help prove it, he said he had just rejected a $2 billion deal to develop a golf course in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, adding that he wasn't required to do so because he isn't bound by any conflict-of-interest laws once he's president. The statement was intended to show Trump was trying to avoid a conflict of interest.  In fact, he already has two golf courses in the works in Dubai."

This is precisely why a vibrant, aggressive, take-no-prisoners press is so vital to freedom, a democratic republic.

1-20-17

Apparently, the American public still values ethics.  NPR reports:

"The website at the Office of Government Ethics went down Friday afternoon, apparently overwhelmed with traffic, as the agency and its director found themselves at the heart of a growing political fight.  Walter Shaub Jr. is the director of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, which has tweeted about President-elect Donald Trump's potential conflicts of interest — and ethics.  OGE website administrator Michael Hanson told NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben the site failure came as a result of the usually sleepy office's website receiving 1 million visitors in just the last three days.  Normally, it gets about 300,000 — in an entire year."

This is a healthy sign resistance to the Trump nazi will be ferocious.  Must remain peaceful.

"There's a reason the website's traffic has spiked. The office's director, Walter Shaub Jr., has been conducting an unusually public discussion about ethics with the president-elect and the people he has chosen for his Cabinet.  Just Friday afternoon, OGE sent out a tweet that seemed aimed directly at the president-elect.

    "All executive branch employees must refrain from misuse of position, including endorsements. See Dir Shaub's note at https://t.co/kRLCLFeVlB
    — U.S. OGE (@OfficeGovEthics) January 13, 2017"

Fascinating, isn't it?  Good reason as well:

"Although the office didn't respond to a question about why the tweet was sent out when it was, it came a day after Trump tweeted praise of a business and encouraged people to shop there.

    "Thank you to Linda Bean of L.L.Bean for your great support and courage. People will support you even more now. Buy L.L.Bean. @LBPerfectMaine
    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2017"

1-20-17

Dr. Ben Carson is egregiously unfit for office.  Think not?  Wake up.  ABC News reports:

"Dr. Ben Carson today declined to say directly whether he can assure Americans that the Trump family would not benefit in any way from HUD incentives if he is confirmed as secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development."

This is a problem.  An egregious issue unresolved by the Trump nazi.

“It will not be my intention to do anything to benefit any American particularly,” he said in response to pointed questioning from Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., a member of the Senate committee holding his confirmation hearing today. “It’s for all Americans, everything that we do.”

Unadulterated bullshit.  An egregious failure to responsively answer the question.

"Warren responded, “I understand that. Do I take that to mean that you may manage programs that will significantly benefit the president-elect?“ referring to Donald Trump’s vast real estate holdings, which include a minor stake in a sprawling affordable housing development in Brooklyn, New York."

Go after him, Senator.  Hold his feet to the fire.

“You can take it to mean that I will manage things that will benefit the American people. That is going to be the goal,” Carson said."

Unbridled Aryan arrogance displayed by this goddamned clueless national socialist.  An egregious failure to responsively answer her question.

CBS News take on the very same matter?  Get this:

"When pressed by progressive firebrand Elizabeth Warren, the Democratic senator from Massachusetts, over where Carson stands on the issue, Carson responded: “I can assure you that the things that I do are driven by a sense of morals and values and therefore I will absolutely not play favorites for anyone.”

He won't?  Believe that?

"Warren attempted to pin down a more specific promise from Carson, saying “my concern is whether or not -- among the billions of dollars you will be responsible for handing out in grants and loans -- can you just assure us that not one dollar will go to benefit either the president-elect or his family?”  “It will not be my intention to do anything to benefit any - any American… it’s for all Americans, everything that we do,” Carson said to the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs committee."

Truly believe that?  The cagey son of a bitch refused to directly answer her pointed questions.

“Do I take that to mean that you may manage programs that will significantly benefit the president-elect?” Warren asked.  The neurosurgeon’s response: “You can take it to mean that I will manage things to benefit the American people.”

This unresponsive cagey bastard is unfit, egregiously unqualified for office.

Take of The Washington Times?  Get this:

"Ben Carson, the nominee to run the Housing and Urban Development Department, told a Senate panel Thursday that he wanted to create a “world-class housing plan” — whatever the cost."

This, sound conservative to you Llano County Republican fascists?

"Mr. Carson, a retired neurosurgeon and former presidential candidate, has been critical in the past of HUD’s programs and called for cutting all federal assistance programs by 10 percent, prompting questions about his advocacy for the agency budget at his confirmation hearing."

The hypocrisy of this national socialist reeks.  He talks out both sides his ass. ... Like his master, the Trump nazi.

“Not only do I want to advocate for the HUD budget but — in the process of doing a listening tour and talking to the people who are there already — I want to put together a world-class plan on housing in this country,” he said."

This, sound Republican?  ... Or, more like a liberal Democrat?

“I want to come to you with that world-class plan and I want to convince you all that this is what we need to do,” he said. “I do not know what that [budget] number is going to be quite frankly, it might be more. It might be less. But it will be what is required to accomplish what we need to do.”

He has no clue how much all this will cost, yet wants to convince you it's what's needed?  Sounds like a non-sequitor, doesn't it?  While it might not upset Democrats, doesn't rattle the cages of you Aryan arrogant, hopelessly haughty, self-righteous Llano County GOP fascists?

In another Washington Times article, Ben Carson displays his anti-LGBT Nazi Right views:

"Ben Carson pushed back Thursday against being labeled anti-gay and anti-affirmative action at a confirmation hearing on his nomination to run the Department of Housing and Urban Development, saying he believed in equal rights not “extra rights.”

This is the two-faced non-sequitor ubiquitously embraced by the 'Religious' Nazi Right.  No minority has ever sought “extra rights.” Not blacks, latinos, the LGBT community, etc..  The Nazi Right is certainly well aware of this fact.  They use the qualifier to 'justify' continued discrimination against all groups they shamelessly target.  It's called haughtily, hypocritically talking out both sides the ass.  To have their cake and eat it.  It's, indeed, shameless bullshit.  Clueless, double talk.

"Sen. Sherrod Brown, the top Democrat on the committee, pressed Mr. Caron on whether he would protect the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in public housing."

Did the Senator truly expect an honest, forthright answer from this goddamned national socialist?

“Of course, I would enforce all the laws of the land. Of course, I think all Americans should be protected by the law,” Mr. Carson said. “What I have said before is I don’t think anyone should get ‘extra rights.’”  That has been a common refrain from the conservative Christian which has drawn fire in the past from LGBT activists."

Carson may have been a great surgeon.  As a Cabinet member, however, heading an agency he egregiously has no clue about, remains grossly unqualified and unfit for office.

“That act says that we want people who are receiving HUD grants to look around and see if they find anything that looks like discrimination and then we want them to come up with a solution,” Mr. Carson said. “They’re saying go and look for a problem and give us a solution.  “We have people sitting around desks in Washington, D.C., deciding on how things should be done,” he said. “I don’t have any problem with affirmative action or integration, I have no problem with that at all. But I do have a problem with people on high dictating it when they have no idea what’s going on in an area.”

Aren't you talking precisely about yourself in the last quote, sir?  Isn't that exactly what you're doing during confirmation testimony?  Disingenuously, ludicrously feigning knowledge about an issue, a nation-wide problem you have absolutely no experience with?  That is, pontificating about something you have absolutely no knowledge of?

Sadly, you have no clue about housing.  No comprehension at all.  When was the last time you were homeless, you haughty, achingly uninformed, Aryan arrogant son of a bitch?  When was the last time you couldn't make a rent payment?  Under threat of eviction?  Coup de grace?  Get this:

"The biggest issue in his confirmation is his complete lack of government experience, but committee members appeared satisfied with the abilities of the world-famous pediatric brain surgeon from Johns Hopkins Hospital."

That's insanity.  Patronizing, condescending bullshit.  What are they so afraid of?  Being labeled a racist because they're criticizing someone who hasn't a clue about the office he's about to take and happens to be black?  Give me a break.  Wake up.

1-20-17

The Trump nazi continues to make false promises.  The Washington Post reports:

"President-elect Donald Trump said in a weekend interview that he is nearing completion of a plan to replace President Obama’s signature health-care law with the goal of “insurance for everybody,” while also vowing to force drug companies to negotiate directly with the government on prices in Medicare and Medicaid."

What plan?  Where are the details?  Other than a single payer system, there is no viable alternative to Obamacare.  None at all.  The insurance cartel, as middleman, has egregiously driven up the cost of care.  Conveniently, forget?  The cartel has to generate enormous profits and cash reserves for the corporate management suite as well as shareholders.  This expense gets added to hopelessly greedy out of control providers who also cannot ever get enough.

"Trump declined to reveal specifics in the telephone interview late Saturday with The Washington Post, but any proposals from the incoming president would almost certainly dominate the Republican effort to overhaul federal health policy as he prepares to work with his party’s congressional majorities."

Again, where are the details?  How will he rein in bottomless provider greed, which along with making it compulsory through tax penalties, has led to its pending failure, ultimate demise of its own weight?

"Trump’s plan is likely to face questions from the right, after years of GOP opposition to further expansion of government involvement in the health-care system, and from those on the left, who see his ideas as disruptive to changes brought by the Affordable Care Act that have extended coverage to tens of millions of Americans."

If there is no viable replacement upon repeal, egregiously national socialist Republicans will not be returned to office.

1-20-17

Sen. Ted "Screws Loose" Cruz is at it again.  An ignorant shill of the Trump nazi.  Get this.  In his recent newsletter, this insane national socialist opines:

"In Texas, we understand the principle of freedom, empowering every Texan to pursue their dreams. Our Great State was built on a frontier mentality. What Texas has demonstrated so powerfully is that when you get government off the backs of small businesses, and reduce the tax and regulatory burden, opportunity flourishes. It is my hope that together we can bring this Texas mentality and success to our nation’s capital."

What a crock of shit from a shameless GOP fascist unqualified to be dog catcher.  He has no clue what liberty is.  Certainly, does not believe a woman owns her uterus, has a right to do with it as she damn well pleases.  Certainly not a goddamned Republican nazi and his henchmen who haughtily dictate by law what she can and cannot do with it.  The only 'liberty' left is now reserved for the top 1% who run and own it all.  Are a law unto themselves.  ... Right, Senator?

"It is an honor to represent each and every one of you and the Great State of Texas in the newly formed 115th Congress. I look forward to leading the fight to honor the promises Congress has made to Texans and all Americans."

What promise is that, Senator?  Imposition of The Fourth Reich?  You don't represent me, you shameless nazi son of a bitch.

1-20-17

Trump's hypocrisy is clearly shown by those he's chosen to lead prayer at his inauguration.  NPR reports:

"The six faith leaders President-elect Donald Trump has invited to pray at his inauguration come from diverse backgrounds, but they have something in common: All have personal ties to Trump or his family or have in some way signaled their approval of him, his politics or his wealth."

Readers are reminded the Head Honcho of Trump's religion rode a jackass when he wasn't walking.  Dealt with the dregs of society of his time.  Despised haughty authority, roundly criticizing the Pharisees and Saducees.  Did not hang out with the rich.  In fact, cracked the whip, and turned over the tables of business people conducting trade in his Father's house.  Wake up.  The Trump nazi is a goddamned fraud.  A charlatan.

1-20-17

Interestingly, Trump nazi poll numbers are pitiful.  Breaks your heart, doesn't it?  Think they're accurate?  CNN reports:

"Donald Trump will become president Friday with an approval rating of just 40%, according to a new CNN/ORC Poll, the lowest of any recent president and 44 points below that of President Barack Obama, the 44th president."

Certainly, not hard to believe.  Especially, since he's received stiff resistance since the election.

"Following a tumultuous transition period, approval ratings for Trump's handling of the transition are more than 20 points below those for any of his three most recent predecessors. Obama took the oath in 2009 with an 84% approval rating, 67% approved of Clinton's transition as of late December 1992 and 61% approved of George W. Bush's transition just before he took office in January 2001."

Hard to believe his polling won't continue to slide as he and his henchmen continue to nazify the country, -- sadly, after the inauguration of our first nazi 'President.'

"Trump's wobbly handling of the presidential transition has left most Americans with growing doubts that the President-elect will be able to handle the job. About 53% say Trump's statements and actions since Election Day have made them less confident in his ability to handle the presidency, and the public is split evenly on whether Trump will be a good or poor president (48% on each side)."

Hard to believe the natives won't get increasingly restless as Trump and his henchmen do all they can to impose The Fourth Reich.  Certainly, won't be clear sledding for this fascist as the public continues to mobilize, exert ferocious but peaceful resistance against this national socialist piece of shit.  Trump's reaction to the polling?  Just what was to be expected:

"The President-elect dismissed the poll findings on Twitter: "The same people who did the phony election polls, and were so wrong, are now doing approval rating polls. They are rigged just like before."

    "The same people who did the phony election polls, and were so wrong, are now doing approval rating polls. They are rigged just like before.
    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 17, 2017"

Talk is cheap.  Rhetoric, meaningless.  As the country deteriorates under his regime, talk, excuse making will do nothing to soften ferocious, but peaceful resistance.  This nazi, his henchmen, his achingly clueless supporters will indeed receive quite a rude awakening.

... Trump's approval ratings as poor as they are, look terribly good compared to Congress, -- 14%.

1-20-17

Another appalling, unfit Trump nominee disgraced herself during confirmation hearings.  NPR reports:

"The education philosophy of Betsy DeVos boils down to one word: choice. The billionaire has used her money to support the expansion of public charter schools and private school vouchers.  For more than three hours on Tuesday, President-elect Donald Trump's pick to run the Education Department handled tough questions on school choice, charters and the future of the nation's schools from the Senate committee that handles education."

The problem is she didn't "handle" them.  Was grossly unprepared.  Refused to directly answer.  This nominee has absolutely no understanding of The First Amendment Establishment Clause, that is, church-state separation, freedom from religion.  Believes in vouchers.  Why should taxpayers be unconstitutionally looted to send a kid, for example, to a Right Wing evangelical school that teaches its brand of religious fascism?

1-20-17

The LGBT community is taking preventative action prior to the Trump nazi inauguration.  NPR reports:

"Many transgender people in the U.S. are rushing to change their designated gender on government documents before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. They worry the next administration may take that ability away."

Highly likely, that will happen.

"There's no indication so far that this is a priority for Trump. Mara Keisling with the National Center for Transgender Equality says Trump's positions on trans issues are not clear. But she's concerned about people he's nominated for key positions in his administration."

Likely, just about a matter of time before this happens.  GOP nazis would certainly cheer this atrocity on.  Raising the question, who's next?

"Virtually every — if not every — appointment he has announced so far has been an extremely anti-LGBT person," says Keisling. She says trans advocacy groups around the country have been fielding calls from concerned people ever since the election. And they are not alone."

Indeed, the Trump nazi and his henchmen remain an exigent threat to all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.

1-20-17

Some comic relief.  CBS News reports:

"A Chinese factory has been doing a brisk business selling giant inflatable roosters, some as tall as 16 feet, based on a design widely perceived in China to resemble President-elect Donald Trump."

Don't you love it?  More than fitting, certainly highly appropriate for the nazi blow hard, isn't it?  After all, he is a prick.

"Yifang Inflatables, a factory in the city of Jiaxing, near Shanghai, began selling the inflatables after images of a large sculpture of a similar design outside a shopping center in the northern city of Taiyuan went viral on social media last month."

1-13-17

Election of the Trump nazi has certainly emboldened outrageously hypocritical, tone deaf Republican fascists.  Does the embrace of earmarks, that is, pork sound conservative to you?  The Washington Times reports:

"Senate Republicans are poised to restore earmarks unless opponents muster the votes to stop them in a secret ballot Tuesday. House Speaker Paul D. Ryan, Wisconsin Republican, is under severe pressure from his members and has agreed to study the issue."

This, what you GOP nazis here in Llano County want to see from the Trump nazi and his corporate bought and paid for Republican lackeys in Washington?

1-13-17

The Trump nazi cannot be confused with the truth.  The Washington Post reports:

"The country’s top intelligence official said Thursday that Russia’s meddling in the 2016 presidential campaign consisted of hacking, as well as the spreading of traditional propaganda and “fake news.”

Couldn't be, could it?  Trump certainly doesn't believe it.

“Whatever crack, fissure, they could find in our tapestry...they would exploit it,” said Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper Jr., testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee on foreign cyberthreats, and especially Russian hacking and interference in the campaign."

So what else is new?  This has been going on for years.  Suddenly, the Trump nazi doesn't believe it?  Did he collude with Putin?  If so, it's called treason.

"President-elect Donald Trump has loudly and repeatedly voiced skepticism that the Kremlin was orchestrating the effort, directly clashing with the view of the U.S. intelligence community and the committee’s chairman, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). Earlier this week, Trump praised Julian Assange, co-founder of WikiLeaks, the radical transparency group that has been criticized by the Obama administration for damaging national security leaks. Trump has also indicated that he believes Assange’s comments that Russia is not behind the Democratic Party hacks."

Why would he believe Assange?  Assange has been determinedly one-sided.  Certainly, did all he could to stick it to Democrats while leaving the GOP unscathed.  Remarkable, isn't it?  Truly believe Republicans don't have more than enough dirty laundry to be of interest to someone truly believing in non-partisan exposure?

"Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) on Thursday took a swipe at Trump for disparaging the intelligence community. “Who benefits from a president-elect trashing the intelligence community?...Who actually is the benefactor?” she said."

Point well-made.  Yet, made disingenuously.

"Clapper replied that “there is an important distinction here between healthy skepticism, which policymakers, to include policymaker Number 1, should always have for intelligence, but I think there is a difference between skepticism and disparagement.’’

His point?  Equally disingenuous.

The Washington Post had an interesting take on the hearings:

"McCain and others were careful to separate the issue of national security from the notion that Russia could have swayed election results. Clapper made this clear as well, saying that there is simply no way of knowing whether votes were changed. Trump has been using — or reacting to — the insinuation that he didn’t win without Russian help to dismiss the entire cyberattack issue, making him sound like Vladimir Putin’s defense counsel. Senators, by separating that issue from the Russian threat, will force the president-elect and his nominees to confront Russian interference with Western elections and other anti-Western activities."

Interesting, isn't it?  Think it will have traction?  Hard to believe McCain and Graham will back off.  Have been at it a long, long time.

"Trump’s ongoing defense of Russia and citation of Julian Assange look even more ridiculous. Both Clapper and Rogers said they didn’t have faith in Assange’s credibility. (That’s also bad news for the Fox News evening hosts who have feted him and cited him as a credible person.) The testimony that the witnesses jointly submitted was explicit: “Russia is a full-scope cyber actor that poses a major threat to the U.S. government, military, diplomatic, commercial and critical infrastructure and key resource networks.” Trump will have a hard time disputing this if he wants to maintain the support of Republicans and the public at large."

They have a point.  GOP stalwarts will not back off.  The last two quotes are from Jennifer Rubin.

NBC News reports:

"Director of National Intelligence James Clapper told the Senate Armed Services Committee that Russia had stepped up its cyber espionage operations, but stopped short of declaring the Russian election hacking an "act of war," saying that would be "a very heavy policy call" more appropriate for others to make."

Interesting, isn't it?

NPR reports:

"But Trump and his team continue to express doubts over accepting even the basic fact that Russia is responsible for the hacks into the Democratic National Committee's and Clinton campaign officials' emails and broader attempts by the Russians to try to influence the election. Instead, on Friday Trump dismissed the focus on Russian hacking as a "political witch hunt."  "China, relatively recently, hacked 20 million government names," Trump said in an interview with the New York Times. "How come nobody even talks about that? This is a political witch hunt."

Why would the Trump nazi continue to claim such?  Did he and/or his henchmen collude with Putin?

NPR reports:

"While many Americans have just awoken to the world of disinformation — sometimes known as "fake news" — in the recent presidential election, Moscow's efforts date back decades and have become increasingly prominent over the past decade as techniques have been updated for the digital age."

This is precisely what the Trump nazi and his henchmen themselves have been doing, not just during the campaign, but up to the present.  The bastard lies on a daily basis.  His henchmen defend it.  So do his shills.

"The spread of disinformation through active measures was a central tactic of Soviet information operations as a way to influence foreign governments and their populations, undermine relations between nations, and weaken those who opposed communism."

It's now common place in our formerly great country.  Worse?  The Trump nazi changes policy positions as often as he changes his clothes.  This, what you Republican nazis in Llano County now prize in a 'President?'

Can't dazzle 'em with brilliance, baffle 'em with bullshit.  The Trump nazi must be getting desperate.  The Washington Times reports:

"President-elect Donald Trump said Friday he’s asking the chairmen of the House and Senate intelligence committees to investigate how NBC got hold of details from what it says is the top secret dossier on Russian interference in the U.S. election."

Why?  Where did this suddenly come from?

"He issued the call in a Twitter post just minutes before he himself is scheduled to get a briefing on the information."

Further indication the Trump nazi is egregiously unfit for office.

"On Thursday he said someone was playing “politics” by sharing the top secret information with the television network."

Say what?

“I am asking the chairs of the House and Senate committees to investigate top secret intelligence shared with NBC prior to me seeing it,” Mr. Trump said in his Friday post."

He hadn't even been briefed before making wild accusations.  What secret information?

"Earlier this week NBC aired a story on the intelligence community’s findings, which were presented first to President Obama and then are being shared later today with Mr. Trump.  The intelligence community’s leaders say they are confident in their assessment that Russian leaders at the highest levels directed a hack that breached email accounts of both the Democratic National Committee and former Clinton campaign chief John Podesta, then had the information provided to WikiLeaks, which released it."

You GOP nazis here in Llano County still support this irrational, lying, fascist son of a bitch?

The White House quickly threw cold water on the Trump tweet.  CBS News reports:

"The White House says it was not the source of the leak on U.S. intelligence on Russian hacking to NBC. White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Mr. Trump’s tweet “leads me to conclude that his concerns are about something other than protecting classified information.”

You think?

In follow up to the above, NBC News reports:

"The official agreed to talk to NBC News after the Post published leaked details of the review because the official felt that the details the paper's report focused too much on the Russian celebration and not enough on the thrust of the report."

Trump is not just delusional, appears to be a pathological liar.  The Washington Post reports:

"President-elect Donald Trump emerged from a meeting with the nation’s top intelligence officials Friday declaring that the session had been “constructive,” but offering no indication that he would back down from his assertions that U.S. spy agencies have been wrong about Russia’s role in the 2016 election."

Why would he?  Especially, if he colluded with Putin.

"Instead, Trump said in a statement issued just minutes after the high-level meeting ended that whatever hacking had occurred “there was absolutely no effect on the outcome of the election.”

That's not what the intelligence chiefs said in the Senate hearing.  Not at all.  The Trump nazi remains delusional, a liar.

"Trump’s statement seemed designed to create the impression that this was the view of the intelligence officials, including Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper, Jr., and CIA Director John O. Brennan, who had met with him.  But weighing whether Russia’s intervention altered the outcome of the 2016 race was beyond the scope of the review that the nation’s spy agencies completed this week. And Clapper testified in a Senate hearing Thursday that U.S. intelligence services “have no way of gauging the impact...it had on the choices the electorate made. There’s no way for us to gauge that.”

You Republican nazis here in Llano County still support this delusional, lying, fascist son of a bitch?

The Washington Post reports:

"Senior officials in the Russian government celebrated Donald Trump’s victory over Hillary Clinton as a geopolitical win for Moscow, according to U.S. officials who said that American intelligence agencies intercepted communications in the aftermath of the election in which Russian officials congratulated themselves on the outcome."

You Republican fascists here in Llano County have no problem with that?  None at all?

"The ebullient reaction among high-ranking Russian officials — including some who U.S. officials believe had knowledge of the country’s cyber campaign to interfere in the U.S. election — contributed to the U.S. intelligence community’s assessment that Moscow’s efforts were aimed at least in part at helping Trump win the White House."

You Republican fascists here in Llano County have no problem with that, either?  None at all?  ... Almost forgot.  A nazi has no problem with deliberate interference in an election held in a supposedly democratic republic.

"Other key pieces of information gathered by U.S. spy agencies include the identification of “actors” involved in delivering stolen Democratic emails to the WikiLeaks website, and disparities in the levels of effort Russian intelligence entities devoted to penetrating and exploiting sensitive information stored on Democratic and Republican campaign networks."

Imagine that.  Couldn't be, could it?

"Those and other data points are at the heart of an unprecedented intelligence report being circulated in Washington this week that details the evidence of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign and catalogues other cyber operations by Moscow against U.S. election systems over the past nine years."

You GOP nazis here in Llano County have no problem with that, either?  Think it won't happen in the future to Republicans should they displease their Putin master in Russia?  Wake up.  You're clueless idiots.

NBC News reports:

"A Russian covert operation designed to undermine American democracy evolved into an attempt to help Donald Trump win, according to the declassified version of a long-awaited intelligence report released Friday."

Yet, GOP nazis will not accept the truth.  Does not comport with their perverse ideological beliefs and agenda.

"In "Key Judgments," the report says, "We assess Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the U.S. presidential election. Russia's goals were to undermine public faith in the U.S. democratic process, denigrate Secretary Clinton, and harm her electability and potential presidency. We further assess Putin and the Russian Government developed a clear preference for President-elect Trump."

Wouldn't want to confuse anyone with the truth, however.

"The report says that the Russian government tried to help Trump "by discrediting Secretary Clinton." It says that of the three agencies that prepared the report, the CIA, the FBI have "high confidence" in this judgment, while the NSA "has moderate confidence."

More of the same.

"The report also says that the Russian hacking campaign targeted or compromised "elements of multiple U.S. state or local electoral boards," but not systems involved in vote tallying."

Certainly, wouldn't want to confuse the Trump nazi and his henchmen with the truth.

Another writer for The Washington Post had the following take:

"The big, overarching reason that President-elect Donald Trump doesn't want to accept the conclusions of the intelligence community about Russia's alleged hacking is pretty simple: It would call into question whether he would have won the 2016 election without it. Trump is a winner, and it would hurt his brand."

Interesting, isn't it?  Could very well be right.  Hopefully, it's no more complicated than that.  That is, Trump's narcissism is at the root of his intransigence and not the possibility he traitorously colluded with the Russians.

"And he's making that very clear right now — in a deceptive way.  In a statement Friday afternoon and a tweet Saturday morning, Trump claimed that a. Russia had no actual influence on the election results and that b. the intelligence report says so. The first claim is unproveable; the second is just bogus."

He's right.  Multiple news sources back it up.

“While Russia, China, other countries, outside groups and people are consistently trying to break through the cyber infrastructure of our governmental institutions, businesses and organizations including the Democrat National Committee, there was absolutely no effect on the outcome of the election including the fact that there was no tampering whatsoever with voting machines,” Trump said in his Friday statement after receiving an intelligence briefing."

The Trump nazi is clearly a pathological liar.

"And here's the tweet:

    "Intelligence stated very strongly there was absolutely no evidence that hacking affected the election results. Voting machines not touched!

    "— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2017

Trump is using a clever bit of misdirection to argue that the report says something it doesn't. The report does say voting machines weren't hacked; it does not say there's “no evidence that hacking affected the election results.” In fact, on the latter count, it says pretty clearly that it isn't making any such determination."

Indeed, it's called deception.  Disingenuous bullshit.

"What the report clearly does not say is whether the influence of the hacking might have changed people's minds before Election Day, which is the goal of a propaganda campaign, after all. That's how Russia is really alleged to have swayed the outcome.  In fact, the report says clearly that it isn't weighing in on that question. Here's the operable part:

"We did not make an assessment of the impact that Russian activities had on the outcome of the 2016 election. The US Intelligence Community is charged with monitoring and assessing the intentions, capabilities, and actions of foreign actors; it does not analyze US political processes or US public opinion.

"So while Trump says the intelligence report “stated very strongly there was absolutely no evidence that hacking affected the election results,” the intelligence report itself says it “did not make an assessment of the impact that Russian activities had on the outcome of the 2016 election.” No assessment does not mean no evidence. It means they're not attempting to answer that question."

Exactly.  They're not.  Trump deceptively turned it into something it wasn't.

"Trump is trying to conflate the hacking of voting machines with “election results,” but they aren't the same thing, and the hacking of voting machines isn't really the issue here."

It isn't.  Can't dazzle 'em with brilliance, baffle 'em with bullshit.  Aaron Blake is the author of the above quotes.  Got it exactly right.  Spot on.

NBC News recently reported:

"U.S. intelligence officials now believe with "a high level of confidence" that Russian President Vladimir Putin became personally involved in the covert Russian campaign to interfere in the U.S. presidential election, senior U.S. intelligence officials told NBC News.  Two senior officials with direct access to the information say new intelligence shows that Putin personally directed how hacked material from Democrats was leaked and otherwise used. The intelligence came from diplomatic sources and spies working for U.S. allies, the officials said."

Trump has no issue with this?  Why not?  NPR after the Senate hearing reported:

"The intelligence report on Russia's interference in the U.S. elections concludes that Russian President Vladimir Putin personally ordered an "influence campaign" that aimed to help President-elect Donald Trump."

Yet, Trump remains clueless.

"Russia's goals were to undermine public faith in the US democratic process, denigrate Secretary Clinton, and harm her electability and potential presidency," the public version of the report from the FBI, the CIA and the National Security Agency states. "We further assess Putin and the Russian Government developed a clear preference for President-elect Trump."

This is nothing new.  Yet, Trump remains oblivious.

"This is the first time the U.S. government has leveled these accusations directly at Putin, as NPR's Mary Louise Kelly reports. "It's obviously a big deal to level that kind of charge at the head of state of a foreign country," she says."

You think?

"The report does not weigh in on whether this "influence campaign" changed the outcome of the U.S. election."

Yet, the Trump nazi even lied about this.  CNN reports:

"A top Russian lawmaker accused the Obama administration Saturday of undermining US democracy, saying Republicans had more trust in Russian President Vladimir Putin than in the Democrats."

What does this tell you?

1-13-17

Yet, another disturbing stonewalling problem with the Trump Transition.  NBC News reports:

"The office tasked with overseeing ethics and conflicts in the federal government struggled to gain access to leaders of the Trump transition team, and warned Trump aides about making decisions on nominees or blind trusts without ethics guidance, according to new emails obtained by MSNBC."

That come as any surprise?  From the nazi who to date has failed to release his tax returns for review?

"Office of Government Ethics Director Walter Shaub emailed Trump aides in November to lament that despite his office's repeated outreach, "we seem to have lost contact with the Trump-Pence transition since the election."

Imagine that.

"Trump aides may also be risking "embarrassment for the President-elect," Shaub warned, by "announcing cabinet picks" without letting the ethics office review their financial information in advance."

Clearly, they couldn't care less.  Nor does the Trump nazi himself.

"The perils for White House staff were even more severe, Shaub argued, because they might begin their jobs without crucial ethics guidance, raising a risk of inadvertently breaking federal rules."

Why would they care?  What fascist dictator gives a shit about ethics?

"They run the risk of having inadvertently violated the criminal conflicts of interest restriction at 18 USC 208," Shaub wrote, citing a federal conflicts law in an email to Trump Transition aide Sean Doocey."

If this continues, think his own party won't at some point impeach, convict, and remove the fascist son of a bitch from office?

Take of The Washington Post?

"A federal watchdog agency responsible for reviewing the backgrounds of White House Cabinet nominees has warned that the office has been overwhelmed by the task of vetting Donald Trump’s selections.  In a letter to Democratic senators dated Saturday, the head of the Office of Government Ethics also warned that Republicans are trying to take the unprecedented step of holding hearings for Cabinet picks before they have completed requisite paperwork to ensure there are no ethical, financial or criminal concerns."

Interesting, isn't it?  This, from the Trump nazi who claims he wishes to "drain the swamp?" Give me a break.  No end to the deception, disingenuous bullshit, and outright lying.

"Walter M. Shaub Jr., the ethics director, said it is “of great concern to me” that several of Trump’s nominees have not completed an ethics review before hearings are scheduled to begin next week."

This, what you nazi Right Wing GOP fascists here in Llano County want in the Oval Office?

1-13-17

Not the mark of a dictator?  You decide.  The Washington Post reports:

"HOUSE REPUBLICANS caused an understandable furor this week when they proposed to gut the House ethics office and then reconsidered. That two-day debacle diverted attention from another baleful “reform” that did succeed. Members of Congress awarded themselves the power to slash the annual pay of any federal employee to as low as $1, thereby essentially telling government workers to forget about civil-service protection: Their jobs now may rise or fall on political whim."

Think that won't get challenged in court?

1-13-17

The border wall f--king is on its way.  Guess who's going to foot the bill?  The Washington Post reports:

"In a bid to swiftly deliver on one of President-elect Donald Trump’s chief campaign promises, congressional Republicans are exploring ways to begin funding a barrier on the U.S. southern border starting as soon as April."

They certainly are.  Plan to loot American taxpayers.  This, now the American Way?  The Republican Way?  Haven't they claimed to be fiscal conservatives?

"Multiple lawmakers described the plans Thursday, which would use authority under a 2006 law supported by Republicans and Democrats alike to justify spending that could eventually reach into the billions of dollars."

Nothing quite like bastardizing a statute to get their way.

"From the beginning of this campaign, Trump pledged to “build a wall and make Mexico pay for it.” While the funding under discussion in Congress would be from U.S. taxpayer funds, it would not preclude Trump’s administration from seeking reimbursement from Mexico, as Trump himself has discussed on the campaign trail."

The Mexicans have already made it quite clear they're not paying.  What does the Trump nazi and his henchmen intend to do?  Invade Mexico?

1-13-17

The Trump nazi had better be very, very careful about whom he supports overseas and why.  Could certainly wind up making him appear hopelessly ignorant, aggressively stupid.  In follow up to an earlier report regarding Israeli Prime Minister Bebe Netanyahu, NBC News reports:

"Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has weathered no shortage of scandals — including controversy over a $127,000 plane upgrade for a single flight and criticism over his family's spending on everything from laundry to ice cream.  But some analysts are now wondering whether he can survive the latest storm."

We'll see, won't we?  The Prime Minister is indeed a politician's politician who should certainly make GOP national socialists in Congress proud.  Has certainly lived off the Israeli taxpayers' tit.  Firmly planted.

"Netanyahu was grilled by police investigators for more than three hours at his official residence this week on suspicion of receiving illicit gifts and favors from wealthy donors."

Couldn't be, could it?  Ole Bebe couldn't be bribed, could he?

"Police said Netanyahu was questioned "under caution," a term signaling that anything he said could potentially be used as evidence against him. The Israeli Ministry of Justice confirmed that investigators from a police fraud investigation and prosecution unit met with him on Monday. They had received authorization from the country's attorney general."

Doesn't your heart bleed for the blowhard fascist?

"His family's lifestyle — at taxpayers' expense — has also previously come under scrutiny.  In 2013, he was chided for reportedly spending $127,000 in public funds for a special sleeping cabin for a five-and-a-half hour flight to London for Margaret Thatcher's funeral. That came just months after the Netanyahu household's $2,700 annual budget for artisanal pistachio and French vanilla ice cream also made front-page news."

He certainly would fit in perfectly with our hopelessly patrician United States Senate.  Might even teach them a thing or two about how to better loot American taxpayers.

"In the first instance, Netanyahu is suspected of receiving favors and gifts from wealthy businesspeople. Police suspect that the value of the gifts Netanyahu received to be in the tens of thousands of dollars.  Few details have been made public about the second investigation."

Interesting, isn't it?

Our elected representatives in Congress still remain clueless, oblivious to the atrocities committed by the Israeli aggressor since Palestine was invaded in 1948 by Holocaust survivors, granted carte blanche by the United States, Europe, and the Security Council to do so.  Rep. Mike Conaway opines:

"Israel is our strongest ally in an increasingly unstable region, and to allow a resolution to pass the United Nations Security Council that states that Judaism’s holiest sites are an ‘occupied territory’ is absolutely unacceptable. The United States has a long history of voting down anti-Israel resolutions at the United Nations Security Council- in fact, the United States has vetoed 42 anti-Israel resolutions since 1972. Unfortunately, President Obama and his Administration have chosen to ignore the special relationship between the United States and Israel, which is reprehensible. We must continue our nation’s long tradition of standing with Israel."

Why?  To what end?  We're on the wrong side of history.  The Congressman cannot understand it is the invasion of Palestine by the Israelis in 1948 that made this part of the world "an increasingly unstable region."   About time, the United States finally did the right thing and stood up against the Israeli aggressor for continuing to steal Palestinian territory.  What is achingly "reprehensible" is the fact the United States stood by and did nothing about this until recently.

Sen. Ted "Screws Loose" Cruz opined in a recent newsletter:

"The anti-Israel U.N. Security Council resolution that passed during Chanukah with President Obama's and Secretary of State John Kerry’s active acquiescence is absurd. It declares much of Israel’s sovereign territory to be illegal and illegitimate. It declares the Temple Mount - the holiest place in Jerusalem for the Jewish people – not a part of Israel. It declares the Western Wall - where travelers from all over the world go to pray – not a part of Israel. For decades, the United States has stood as an ally against anti-Semitism, and I am committed to reversing the Obama administration’s despicable approach to our relationship with Israel and working with President-elect Trump’s incoming administration to restore the unshakable alliance between our two nations."

The Senator's head is so far up his national socialist, achingly fascist ass, his eyeballs are turning inside out, blinding his vision, to say nothing of his perverse judgment, irrational thought processes.  This sad excuse for a U.S. Senator remains a hopeless fanatic.  Blinded by tunnel vision, distortion of reality, re-write of history.  That is, what went down in 1948 and why.

The Senator cannot seem to grasp the fact the Israelis lost this land generations ago due to their egregious excesses.  Still seems to perversely believe the Israelis are somehow, someway, entitled to this land.  Apparently, by Divine Right.  They lost it, Senator.  Many, many, many years ago.  Their invasion of Palestinian land in 1948 is directly responsible for the origin of modern-day terrorism.

Their enemies quickly learned and embraced the terroristic tactics used by the Israelis to seize land they lost generations ago, continue to use to this very day to hold on to their spoils of the 1948 war and every subsequent one fought since.  Should Mexico invade Texas to recapture territory it once owned, think Texans wouldn't fight like hell?  Well before the United States military had a chance to react?

The Senator, as all hopelessly ignorant fascists, stupidly equates anti-Israeli government criticism with anti-Semitism.  They are not one and the same.  Just as it is not anti-Germanic to criticize Hitler and The Third Reich.  The criticism is directed against the atrocities committed by the Israeli aggressor, not a class of people.

The Senator remains so fanatical, short-sighted, hopelessly jaded he clearly doesn't understand the consequences of what he is proposing:

"Sens. Cruz, Heller, and Rubio Seek to Recognize Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel

"On Tuesday, Senator Ted Cruz, along with Sens. Dean Heller (R-Nev.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), introduced the Jerusalem Embassy and Recognition Act, legislation that would fulfill America’s commitment to Israel to relocate the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem."

This would likely quickly, ultimately lead to all Arab countries putting aside their differences to fight the Israeli aggressor.

“Jerusalem is the eternal and undivided capital of Israel,” Sen. Cruz said. “Unfortunately, the Obama administration's vendetta against the Jewish state has been so vicious that to even utter this simple truth - let alone the reality that Jerusalem is the appropriate venue for the American embassy in Israel - is shocking in some circles."

To whom, Senator?  A clueless, shortsighted, fanatical national socialist like yourself, sir?

"But it is finally time to cut through the double-speak and broken promises and do what Congress said we should do in 1995: formally move our embassy to the capital of our great ally Israel. I am pleased to co-sponsor this legislation with Senator Heller and Senator Rubio, and I look forward to working with the Trump administration to make this happen.”

You're a fool, Senator.  Doing so would likely wind up leading to ultimate demise of the State of Israel.  If all countries in the region unite, put aside all personal differences, this is not a war Israel could ultimately win, -- even with U.S. military involvement.  Would at best quickly become a quagmire.  A tragic mistake.

1-13-17

No end to aggressive stupidity.  NPR reports:

"Talladega College isn't known for its football team — because it doesn't have one. But it does have a band — the 200-member Marching Tornadoes. It is the pride of the campus in this small town about 50 miles east of Birmingham.  The Presidential Inaugural Committee included Talladega's band on its list of participants in the traditional inauguration day parade."

They intend to celebrate the bigot, his misogyny, national socialist, fascist ideology, to say nothing of his deception, daily lies, flip flops, etc..  Kicker?  Get this:

"But the invitation to Washington, D.C., stirred angst for some — because of President-elect Donald Trump's divisive campaign rhetoric.  Talladega was founded by former slaves 150 years ago and was the first college in Alabama to accept African-American students."

How about that?  Yet, they intend to participate in the charade.

"A debate erupted on campus and around the nation as to whether Talladega should go. Yesterday, college president Billy Hawkins announced the Marching Tornadoes will participate."

To celebrate the election of a bigot, misogynist, psychotic fascist.

"Band member Darrious Hayes agreed with the decision. He's been in the band since 2014, his freshman year, and sees the trip to the inauguration as an opportunity. He says this will be his first visit to the nation's capital.  "The alumni don't want us to go because of Trump," says Hayes. "But we're saying it's not because of Donald Trump. It's because of the experience."

What 'experience?'

1-13-17

Hat's off to Meryl Streep.  Stood tall at the Golden Globes.  Courageously stuck it to the Trump nazi.  The following is the text of her acceptance speech for the Cecil B. DeMille Award.  The quote is courtesy of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association:

"Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you. This town, thank you. I love you all, but you'll have to forgive me. I've lost my voice in screaming and lamentation this weekend, and I have lost my mind sometime earlier this year. So I have to read. Thank you, Hollywood Foreign Press, just to pick up on what Hugh Laurie said. You and all of us in this room really belong to the most vilified segments in American society right now. Think about it: Hollywood, foreigners and the press.

"But who are we? And what is Hollywood anyway? It's just a bunch of people from other places. I was born and raised and educated in the public schools of New Jersey. Viola was born in a sharecropper's cabin in South Carolina, came up in Central Falls, Rhode Island. Sarah Paulson was born in Florida, raised by a single mom in Brooklyn. Sarah Jessica Parker was one of seven or eight kids from Ohio. Amy Adams was born in Vicenza, Veneto, Italy. And Natalie Portman was born in Jerusalem. Where are their birth certificates? And the beautiful Ruth Negga was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, raised in — no — in Ireland, I do believe, and she's here nominated for playing a small-town girl from Virginia. Ryan Gosling, like all the nicest people, is Canadian. And Dev Patel was born in Kenya, raised in London, is here for playing an Indian raised in Tasmania. So Hollywood is crawling with outsiders and foreigners, and if we kick them all out, you'll have nothing to watch but football and mixed martial arts, which are not the arts.

"They gave me three seconds to say this. So an actor's only job is to enter the lives of people who are different from us and let you feel what that feels like, and there were many, many, many powerful performances this year that did exactly that, breathtaking, compassionate work. But there was one performance this year that stunned me. It sank its hook in my heart not because it was good. It was — there was nothing good about it, but it was effective, and it did its job. It made its intended audience laugh and show their teeth. It was that moment when the person asking to sit in the most respected seat in our country imitated a disabled reporter, someone he outranked in privilege, power, and the capacity to fight back. It kind of broke my heart, and I saw it, and I still can't get it out of my head because it wasn't in a movie. It was real life. And this instinct to humiliate when it's modeled by someone in the public platform by someone powerful, it filters down into everybody's life because it kind of gives permission for other people to do the same thing.

"Disrespect invites disrespect. Violence insights violence. When the powerful use definition to bully others, we all lose. Ok. Go on with that thing. OK. This brings me to the press. We need the principal press to hold power to account to call them on the carpet for every outrage.

"That's why our founders enshrined the press and its freedom in our Constitution. So I only ask the famously well-heeled Hollywood Foreign Press and all of us in our community to join me in supporting the Committee to Protect Journalists because we are going to need them going forward and they'll need us to safeguard the truth.

"One more thing. Once when I was standing around on the set one day, whining about something, you know, we were going to work through supper or the long hours or whatever, Tommy Lee Jones said to me, "Isn't it such a privilege, Meryl, just to be an actor?" Yeah, it is, and we have to remind each other of the privilege and the responsibility of the act of empathy. We should all be very proud of the work Hollywood honors here tonight. As my friend, the dear departed Princess Leia said to me once, "Take your broken heart. Make it into art." Thank you, friend."

Hat's off, Ms. Streep.  The Trump nazi's reaction:

    Meryl Streep, one of the most over-rated actresses in Hollywood, doesn't know me but attacked last night at the Golden Globes. She is a…..

    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2017

    Hillary flunky who lost big. For the 100th time, I never "mocked" a disabled reporter (would never do that) but simply showed him…….

    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2017

    "groveling" when he totally changed a 16 year old story that he had written in order to make me look bad. Just more very dishonest media!

    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2017

Trump's a liar.  Wouldn't know truth if it figuratively bit him hard on the ass.  His tweets are demonstrably false.  Pathetically, self-serving at expense of the truth.  Distortion of reality, desperately designed to do so by a narcissist who can withstand no criticism.  This nazi bastard has once again publicly demonstrated his gross unfitness for office.  Profound instability.

Even the White House entered the fray.  The Washington Times reports:

"The White House defended actress Meryl Streep’s criticism of President-elect Donald Trump Monday and said President Obama has been biting his tongue to keep from unleashing similar public barbs about the Republican.

"While Mr. Obama has strong feelings about Mr. Trump, said White House press secretary Josh Earnest, “he has to set aside those personal feelings.” He said Mr. Obama has “institutional responsibilities” to ensure a smooth transition which are preventing him from speaking freely about the president-elect."

The hell with the bullshit, Mr. President.  Let it rip.  The Trump nazi about to take office remains an exigent threat to all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.

1-13-17

The Sessions fiasco has begun in the Senate.  Just before, The Washington Times reported:

"The chair of the Democratic National Committee said Tuesday that Sen. Jeff Sessions should be considered too extreme to win confirmation in the Senate as Donald Trump’s attorney general."

No question.  Sessions has a history of bigotry, remains an adherent of national socialism.

“Sessions is worse than unqualified for the job — he stands for everything our Attorney General should be fighting,” Ms. Brazile said in a statement.  “Still more troubling is the fact that the Senate is rushing to hold this and other confirmation hearings before the Office of Government Ethics has finished reviewing the candidates’ financial and ethics information, increasing the likelihood that they could be compromised by their business ties or personal past.”

Nonetheless, Republican fascists are ramming through this nomination and others.

“Over the course of his career he has called protections for people with disabilities ‘dangerous’ and unnecessary,” Ms. Brazile said in a statement. “He has fought against women’s rights and women’s equality, voting against paycheck fairness, the Violence Against Women Act, voting to defund Planned Parenthood, and questioning the constitutional legitimacy of Roe V. Wade. He said he does not believe that grabbing women by their genitals against their consent is sexual assault."

All the above is well documented.

"She also said he applauded the gutting of a the Voting Rights Act, has opposed LGBT rights and has a “long history of making discriminatory and racially charged remarks.”

Also, true.  Well documented.

“Thirty years ago, the Senate rejected Sessions’ appointment to a federal judgeship because he was deemed too extreme then,” she said. “If they confirm him now, Republicans will be turning back the clock on all the progress we’ve made as a nation. Donald Trump could not have nominated a worse candidate.”

Indeed, that's true.  Will likely confirm the nazi son of a bitch along a party line vote.  For the most part, questioning during the first day of hearings was softball.  A disgrace.  The second day ought to be far more interesting when fellow Senator Cory Booker courageously testifies against this nazi.

The Washington Times in another post reported:

"Protesters disrupted the hearing on Sen. Jeff Sessions’ nomination for attorney general as soon as it began, with police removing several people from the room as they called the senator “evil” and a “pig.”  A female activist from the liberal activist group Code Pink was ejected from the Senate hearing room, yelling that Mr. Sessions was “pure evil.”

Sadly, she's right.  Good to see someone was courageous enough to stand up to the bigoted national socialist.

"The woman, who was wearing a pink foam tiara, was removed from the audience by police after laughing loudly when Sen. Richard Shelby introduced Mr. Sessions and described the fellow Alabama Republican as someone committed to fairly enforcing the law."

Must have really irritated GOP fascists who expected the hearing to be no more than a coronation.  Pointedly, no bigoted fascist can be expected to fairly enforce the law.  The bastards become a law unto themselves.

“Why am I being taken out of here. This man is evil, pure evil,” called out the woman as she was forcibly removed by police. She continued to yell out as she was escorted to the door, imploring the senators to vote against Mr. Sessions."

Can't have that, can we?  Certainly, disturbed the phony sense of 'decorum' embraced by the hypocritical bastards who run and own the Senate.  To say nothing of their goddamned corporate masters who own them lock, stock, and barrel.

"A short time later, as Mr. Sessions began delivering his opening remarks, two men were removed from the room after they yelled out that Mr. Sessions and President-elect Donald Trump were racists and fascists."

Certainly, true.  Must have made Adolf and Benito proud.  Had to have been 'high-fiving' from their fiery perches.

“No Trump! No KKK! No fascist USA,” the two men yelled."

Indeed.  Sadly, a portend of things to come as our formerly great country becomes The Fourth Reich.

"After they were removed from the room, a woman stood up and began chanting the same slogan.  As she was forcibly led out by policy, she yelled at Mr. Sessions: “You are a pig. Stop this racist pig from getting into power.”

Shouldn't have called anyone a 'pig,' however.  Certainly, needlessly insults a highly intelligent, highly trainable farm animal that makes good eating.

One of the most disturbingly clueless quotes from the Sessions nazi during his first day of testimony?  ABC News reports:

"In the last several years, law enforcement as a whole has been unfairly maligned and blamed for the actions of a few bad actors and for allegations about police that were not true," he said. "I do believe that we are failing to appreciate police officers who place their lives at risk ... We need to be sure that when we criticize law officers, it is narrowly focused on the right basis for criticism. And to smear whole departments places those officers at greater risk."

This piece of shit is not qualified to be Attorney General.  Remains determinedly, achingly clueless to the ubiquitous problem nationwide of outrageously corrupt, abusive, murderous behavior perpetrated with virtual impunity by the criminal jackbooted bastards in blue.  As Attorney General, this nazi son of a bitch will do absolutely nothing to hold them legally accountable for their crimes.  As Attorney General, Sessions will be an exigent threat to all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.

In his opening statement, Sessions opining vis a vis crime remarked:

"It is a fundamental civil right to be safe in your home and your community."

The greatest threat in the community is not just the criminal element any longer.  It is out of control law enforcement that has no respect, no regard, no willingness to uphold their phony oaths of office to protect and defend the United States Constitution, all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.  We live in a goddamned fascist police-state that Sessions, Trump, and the Republican Nazi Right are determined to turn into The Fourth Reich.

How can anyone feel safe in their community and home when police have turned into out of control predators on the streets, use a battering ram to break into houses of people who have committed no crime?  This is happening all over the country.  Precisely, why there is increasing unrest.  Why an unwanted dreaded second American revolution catastrophically looms on the horizon.

Sessions has absolutely no intention of prosecuting murderous, abusive officers who continue to shake down the public to line government coffers.  Get their cookies off abusing power.  ... Right, Sheriff?  TL?  "Sonny Boy?"  Madam County Attorney?

On the second day of testimony, The Washington Times reported:

"Sen. Cory Booker took the unprecedented step Wednesday of testifying against the nomination of a fellow senator, saying that Sen. Jeff Sessions if confirmed as attorney general would not defend the rights of blacks, gays, immigrants or women."

He won't.  His past history precludes doing such.

"Rep. John Lewis, a hero of the civil rights movement, also testified against Mr. Sessions. He said the Alabama Republican’s rhetoric about “law and order” stoked fears of a return to the days when police beat down blacks who challenged segregation or sought to vote."

Indeed.  Sessions is a relic of the 1950s.  A throw back.

“Those who are committed to equal justice in our society will wonder whether Senator Sessions’ call for law and order means today what it meant in Alabama when I was growing up,” said Mr. Lewis, Georgia Democrat."

No question.  Sessions has a history of racism, misogyny, and is anti-LGBT.

"Mr. Booker, New Jersey Democrat, told the Senate Judiciary Committee that his colleague’s record on civil rights disqualified him from serving as the nation’s top law enforcement officer."

There is no question.  This fascist bastard will turn back the clock.  Precisely, why the Trump nazi nominated him.

“Senator Sessions has not demonstrated a commitment to a central requirement of the job — to aggressively pursue the congressional mandate of civil rights, equal rights and justice for all,” he said. “In fact, at numerous times in his career, he has demonstrated a hostility toward these convictions, and has worked to frustrate attempts to advance these ideals.”

Indeed, that's true.  Well documented.

“If confirmed, Senator Sessions will be required to pursue justice for women, but his record indicates that he won’t. He will be expected to defend the equal rights of gay and lesbian Americans, but his record indicates that he won’t,” Mr. Booker said."

Precisely, why Sessions poses an exigent threat to civil and constitutional rights and liberties.

"He continued: “He will be expected to defend voting rights, but his record indicates that he won’t. He will be expected to defend the rights of immigrants and affirm their human dignity, but his record indicates he won’t.”

That's true.  Precisely, again, why the Trump nazi nominated him.

NBC News reports:

"For years, Sessions was known as a fringe voice on the right in pressing for aggressive immigration enforcement, and even cutting down on legal immigration levels. He has fought to severely limit protections on civil rights and LGBTQ equality."

What racist, achingly bigoted, national socialist wouldn't?

1-13-17

Confirmation hearings have begun on the Tillerson nazi.  The Washington Post reports:

"Rex Tillerson resisted an effort from Democrats to get him to commit to hand over his tax returns before he is confirmed, asking senators to respect his privacy."

This national socialist is being vetted for high office.  The public is entitled to this information.

“I will do my best,” Tillerson said in response to a question from Senate Foreign Relations Committee ranking member Ben Cardin (D-Md.). “I hope you’ll also respect the privacy of myself and my family, and the longstanding tradition of the privacy of individuals’ tax returns.”

This is no more than unadulterated horse shit.  This fascist bastard has shamelessly lined his pockets, those of his corporation and shareholders at the expense of the public who has been egregiously looted on energy prices since January 1973.

1-13-17

Pressure has exponentially increased on the Trump nazi.  NPR reports:

"Top U.S. intelligence officials have briefed leaders in Washington about an explosive — but unverified — document that alleges collusion between Russia and President-elect Donald Trump, NPR has learned.  The brief, which NPR has seen but not independently verified, was given by Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain to FBI Director James Comey on Dec. 9. Details from it have been part of presentations by Comey and other intelligence leaders to Trump, President Obama and key leaders in Congress."

Trump and his henchmen have vigorously denied the allegations.  Be interesting to see where this all goes, -- if anywhere.  The 'President'-Elect's first news conference in months was highly contentious.  Asked several times whether or not there was any collusion between his henchmen and the Russians, the nazi did not answer.

"NPR is not detailing the contents of the brief because it remains unverified, but it describes a concerted effort by Russian President Vladimir Putin to cultivate a relationship with Trump and his camp. The document, which describes information provided by Russian government and other sources, details behavior by Trump that could leave him open to blackmail, as well as alleged secret meetings between Trump aides and Russian officials called to discuss the campaign against Clinton and potential new business relationships."

Again, none of this has been confirmed.  If true, however, it's called treason.  The document can be easily found online, but has not been posted here since there has been no confirmation of its veracity.

Bitterly bitching about the intelligence leak he blamed on the intelligence community, however, Trump haughtily, gallingly questioned whether this is Nazi Germany.  Imagine that.  Coming from the nazi himself.  Give me a break.  Not yet, Mr. Trump.  Not yet.  -- Despite the fact we're already living what's in effect a fascist police-state.  ... Soon to be, however, as you and your henchmen do your damnedest to impose The Fourth Reich.

You will receive ferocious, but peaceful, resistance, sir.  Should you and your fascist henchmen succeed, hear the rumble?  An unwanted dreaded second American revolution already catastrophically looming on the horizon quite some time now.  Don't blame the messenger, moreover, for the message.  Conveniently, forget?

Reality reeks as this formerly great country continues to nazify.  Precisely, why we're seeing increased unrest across the nation.  Most of it elicited by egregiously out of control murderous law enforcement.  The 'law and order' mentality embraced by Trump and his fellow nazis will only exacerbate the problem.  Likely trigger the unthinkable.  Certainly, hope not.

1-13-17

Trump reportedly stiffed contractors who worked on his Washington hotel.  NPR reports:

"In late October, just weeks ahead of the election, President-elect Donald Trump made a quick detour to Washington for the official opening of his new five-star hotel, just a few blocks from the White House.  During a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Trump told the crowd that the two-year, roughly $200 million renovation project at the historic Old Post Office Building was done ahead of schedule and under budget, thanks to what he called an incredible team of people — "including hundreds of construction workers, electricians, maintenance workers and so many others who helped make this project a reality. They're really the important ones."

Think so?

"Now some of those companies would like final payment for their work. Documents obtained by NPR show three Washington-area companies have filed liens against Trump International Hotel totaling more than $5 million."

Couldn't be, could it?  The 'President'-Elect wouldn't steal, would he?

1-6-17

Think the following won't rattle the cage of Trump nazis and their supporters in the Republican Party?  NBC News reports:

"The New York Police Department (NYPD) is now allowing officers to wear turbans in place of the traditional police cap and have beards up to an inch away from the face for religious reasons."

Nazis in the GOP must be shitting in their pants.

"Police Commissioner James O'Neill announced the new rules that affect all religious members on Wednesday following a graduation ceremony for new police recruits. Officers must first get approval and the turbans must be navy blue and have the NYPD insignia attached."

Haven't heard of a Trump tweet vis a vis this matter, -- yet.  ... Think the nazi won't have an opinion?

1-6-17

Republican lawmakers figuratively shot themselves in the ass just before returning to business in the new Congress.  An effort to weaken ethics standards quickly raised a public firestorm.  Even the nazi 'President'-Elect tweeted Congress had more important matters to attend to.  NPR reports:

"After a storm of criticism, including from President-elect Donald Trump, House Republicans have reversed themselves and restored the current rules of the Office of Congressional Ethics.  GOP members met Tuesday afternoon and agreed by unanimous consent to withdraw a change to House rules approved late Monday evening, before the new Congress was sworn in, that would have weakened the ethics office, an independent watchdog first established in 2008 under House Democrats."

Indeed, quite encouraging so many groups quickly came out in ferocious protest.

"Inclusion of the ethics measure threatened to bring down the entire rules package — the governing rules of the chamber — that is headed for a vote later Tuesday. The majority party traditionally passes the rules package on its votes alone, and a defeat would have been an embarrassing start for Republicans in the new Congress."

Breaks your heart, doesn't it?

"House Ethics Chairwoman Susan Brooks, R-Ind., said that the ethics panel will review the proposal and come back to the conference with any recommendations by late summer or early fall. Republicans said they would like to have Democratic buy-in to any proposed changes to the OCE. Several Democrats in recent years have also voiced criticism of the OCE, but Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who played a critical role in establishing the office, has fought back any efforts to reduce its role.  Pelosi said in a statement that "House Republicans showed their true colors last night" and decried "the toxic dysfunction of a Republican House that will do anything to further their special interest agenda, thwart transparency and undermine the public trust."

Too late for that, Madam Minority Leader.  All trust is gone.  Has been for quite some time.

"Judicial Watch, the conservative group that has led efforts to release former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's emails, called the House rules change "shady and corrupt" and a "drive by effort" to eliminate the OCE, as well as "a poor way for the Republican majority to begin 'draining the swamp.' "

Amazing how quickly politicians in either party allow power to trump all reason, to say nothing of principle.

1-6-17

Republicans are quickly moving on repealing Obamacare.  CNN reports:

"Senate Republicans took the first official step toward repealing President Barack Obama's signature healthcare law Tuesday afternoon, filing a budget resolution that puts the wheels of overhauling the Affordable Care Act into motion.  The budget resolution is the first in a two-part process to repeal Obamacare. It instructs relevant congressional committees to craft a budget reconciliation bill, which will include language repealing major parts of the law.  Congressional sources say the process of crafting the reconciliation bill could take weeks, and a vote on that bill may not take place until February or later."

This is just the beginning of an exceptionally complicated process.

"Broad legislation to repeal and replace Obamacare would require 60 votes in the Senate, and Republicans don't control enough seats to make that happen or to squash a filibuster by the Democrats."

Republicans can change the rules, if they so choose.  Impose the so called 'nuclear option.'

"Instead, Republican lawmakers are expected to use the budget process, which is limited to provisions that affect federal revenues and spending and requires only a simple majority to pass. It would enable Congress to repeal the Obamacare mandates that individuals have coverage and that companies with 50 or more employees provide workers with affordable insurance. Also, it can do away with the federal subsidies, eliminate funding for Medicaid expansion and cancel a multitude of Obamacare-related taxes."

The problem for the GOP is the fact they have no viable replacement for Obamacare.  If they have no replacement in place, the market could quickly collapse as insurers pull out, leaving policyholders with no insurance at all.  Would certainly ensure Republicans would not be returned to office.

"Republican leaders are considering a "repeal and delay" approach of preventing the repeal from going into effect for two or three years. This transition period would buy lawmakers some time to figure out a replacement plan, but already, insurance companies are balking at the uncertainty that this scenario would create."

An incredibly stupid idea.  The insurance market would likely quickly collapse as insurers immediately pulled out.  Forget?  They're already losing money.  Once they know the 'Affordable' 'Care' Act is formally doomed, they'll bail.

"GOP Sen. Lamar Alexander, the chairman of the Senate Health Committee, has gone as far as to say that it would be a mistake to repeal Obamacare before Republicans craft a replacement."

1-6-17

At a time of record corporate profits and cash reserves, we still have an enormous number of people in this country going hungry.  Will certainly worsen after the Trump nazi takes office.  CBS News reports:

"It is a sign of the uneven economic terrain impeding the recovery: Although U.S. consumer confidence is at its highest level in 15 years, a combination of stagnant wages and surging housing costs are leaving millions of people scrambling to afford food."

What consumers?  The top 1%?  Certainly, not the bottom of the food chain, and/or the rapidly shrinking middle class.

"Forty-one percent of cities surveyed by the U.S. Conference of Mayors reported an increase in demand for emergency food assistance. More than half of the Americans applying for emergency food are employed, while only 8 percent were homeless, the study found. The cities with the biggest increases include Des Moines, Iowa, where the number of requests for food help jumped 15 percent, and San Francisco, where it rose 3 percent."

All this will exponentially worsen, as carefully picked corporate titans in the Trump Cabinet line the pockets of the corporate management suite, the top 1%.  The have-nots will take the ungreased shaft hard in the ass.  ... Hear the rumble?

1-6-17

Think discrimination against Moslems in our formerly great country won't worsen after the Trump nazi takes office?  Wake up.  NBC News reports:

"After a multi-year planning battle that has involved dozens of public hearings as well as allegations of anti-Muslim animus, a federal judge ruled Saturday that a New Jersey township discriminated against an Islamic society by applying different parking standards in the group's bid to build a mosque, which the township rejected last January."

Never ends, does it?  Will get worse as the country continues to nazify.

"After a multi-year planning battle that has involved dozens of public hearings as well as allegations of anti-Muslim animus, a federal judge ruled Saturday that a New Jersey township discriminated against an Islamic society by applying different parking standards in the group's bid to build a mosque, which the township rejected last January."

Think the bastards would have done the same to Christians wanting to build a Baptist church?

"The ruling brings the Islamic Society of Basking Ridge one step closer to having a place to congregate and pray, according to the society's lawyer.  "This property was purchased in November of 2011. The development application was made in April of 2012. At this point, we're coming up on five years," Adeel Abdullah Mangi, an attorney representing the society, told NBC News. "This is a permitted use under the zoning ordinance. This bring the local community one step closer to have a place of their own in this township. That means everything to the local Muslims."

Five years.  Imagine that.

"U.S. District Court Judge Michael A. Shipp of New Jersey found that the Bernards Township planning board treated the Islamic Society of Basking Ridge differently when it required more parking spots for the proposed mosque than for Christian churches under a ratio of one spot for every three seats."

Amazing this shit still goes on.

1-6-17

Republican nazis are out of control.  Think Trump and his henchmen will support the arrest of the victims of human sex trafficking?  Specifically, those underage?  A GOP, highly delusional, national socialist in California wants to prosecute underage "sex workers."  NBC News reports:

"Senate Bill 1322, which was signed into law by Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown in September, goes into effect on Sunday.  "So teenage girls (and boys) in California will soon be free to have sex in exchange for money without fear of arrest or prosecution," Allen wrote.

    Read my oped that ran in the Washington Examiner today discussing the many harmful California Democrat policies... https://t.co/eJVzKbPlDa
    — Travis Allen (@JoinTravisAllen) December 29, 2016"

This lunatic Republican believes underage 'sex workers' are not victims.

"SB 1322, he added, "bars law enforcement from arresting sex workers who are under the age of 18 for soliciting or engaging in prostitution, or loitering with the intent to do so."

This GOP piece of shit thinks minors should be held legally responsible for their victimization.  ... Despite the fact the law does not allow anyone underage to give consent.  It's called statutory rape in most, if not all, states.

"And that's true — the law does state that minors won't be treated as criminals if they are caught under such circumstances. But state Democrats say that distinction was necessary so that the children aren't being blamed or punished for their situation."

Wouldn't want to confuse achingly psychotic Republicans with the truth, would we?

"They are instead to be treated as victims who can be placed into a safe environment by the Department of Social Services, keeping them out of the criminal justice system and potentially off the streets again as sex workers, said state Sen. Holly Mitchell, who introduced SB 1322."

1-6-17

Does this sound like someone rational?  Fit to be President?  CBS News reports:

"President-elect Donald Trump wished his “many enemies” a happy new year on Twitter Saturday morning, specifically calling out “those who have fought me and lost so badly.”

This is an irrational narcissist in desperate need of therapy.

"Mr. Trump, who will be sworn into the White House in three weeks, tweeted this ahead of the holiday:

    Happy New Year to all, including to my many enemies and those who have fought me and lost so badly they just don't know what to do. Love!
    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2016"

This, someone you nazi Republicans here in Llano County feel comfortable with his finger on the nuclear button?

1-6-17

Think this sounds like someone rational?  Fit to be Chief Executive?  CBS News reports Trump:

"In “The Art of the Deal,” he voiced positions on trade he still holds today. That book, which made him a household name when it was published in 1987, also holds many of the principles that guided Trump’s business career — and, decades later, his bombastic campaign for the White House."

This what we need in the Oval Office?  A charlatan narcissist?

“I play into people’s fantasies,” he wrote. “People may not always think big themselves, but they can still get very excited by those who do. That’s why a little hyperbole never hurts. People want to believe that something is the biggest and the greatest and the most spectacular.”

This, what you GOP nazis here in Llano County want in the Oval Office?  Nothing more than symbolism over substance?  A hopelessly psychotic nazi?

1-6-17

Hypocrisy reigns supreme for the Trump nazi.  Think not?  Wake up.  CBS News reports:

"Donald Trump spent the past two years attacking rival Hillary Clinton as crooked, corrupt, and weak.  But some of those attacks seem to have already slipped into the history books.  From installing Wall Street executives in his Cabinet to avoiding news conferences, the president-elect is adopting some of the same behavior for which he criticized Clinton during their fiery presidential campaign."

'Don't do as I do, do as I say.'  'Ignore the man behind the curtain.'

1-6-17

Can't dazzle 'em with brilliance, baffle 'em with bullshit.  CBS News reports:

"Asked Wednesday night about the Obama administration’s coming response to Russian interference in the 2016 election, President-elect Donald Trump said he thinks the country should move on from the issue.  “I think we ought to get on with our lives,” he said."

Bet he does.  Especially, if there was any collusion with Putin by the nazi or his henchmen.  If there was, it's called treason.

1-6-17

Trump will face intense resistance.  On many different fronts.  CNN reports:

"It's a fight President-elect Donald Trump might not see coming."

He knows it's coming.  Count on it.

"Dreamers, the children of undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children, are preparing to stand up for themselves and for their parents. Dreamers say they want a path towards citizenship and they are gearing up before Inauguration Day.  "We are a force to be reckoned with," Karina Solano Suarez told CNN. "I think he should be preparing himself for this sort of fight, for us trying to stay together with our parents and our community members."

Again, he knows it's coming.  Resistance needs to be ferocious, but peaceful.  The son of a bitch needs to be repeatedly sued.  Tied up in court.  Make it as difficult as possible for the nazi to rule.

1-6-17

Interestingly, even the British Royal Family understands the danger imposed by the Trump nazi.  NBC News reports:

"The heir to Britain's throne spoke out Thursday, saying the wave of anti-immigrant populism sweeping the world has "deeply disturbing echoes" of the Nazis' persecution of Jews in the 1930s."

It's called nazism.

"Prince Charles, the queen's eldest son, said his parents' generation "fought and died in a battle against intolerance, monstrous extremism and an inhuman attempt to exterminate the Jewish population of Europe.  "That nearly 70 years later we should still be seeing such evil persecution is to me beyond all belief," he added. "We owe it to those who suffered and died so horribly not to repeat the horrors of the past."

... Which is exactly where our formerly great country appears to be heading under the Trump nazi.

"We are now seeing the rise of many populist groups across the world that are increasingly aggressive to those who adhere to a minority faith," Charles said. "All of this has deeply disturbing echoes of the dark days of the 1930s."

Indeed, it does.  Yet, idiots in the United States remain determinedly clueless.

"The prince did not cite any politician or party but his comments apparently refer to the wave of anti-immigrant populism linked to the victories of Donald Trump and Britain's Brexit campaign."

How can it be anyone else?

"I wonder if this year we might remember how the story of the Nativity unfolds with the fleeing of the holy family to escape violent persecution," he said. "And we might also remember that when the prophet Muhammad migrated from Mecca to Medina, he did so because he too was seeking the freedom for himself and his followers to worship."

The Prince is quite right.  Quite surprising for a member of the British Royal Family to so courageously stand tall and tell it exactly as it is.  Usually, determinedly remain remarkably aloof, above it all.

"He made the comments as a guest contributor on "Thought for the Day," a scripted monologue broadcast each morning during BBC Radio 4's breakfast news show, Today."

1-6-17

Trump may be in store for some tough times vis a vis his support of Israel no matter what the aggressor does or doesn't do.  Especially interesting, is a pending investigation of the Israeli Prime Minister.  ABC News reports:

"An Israeli TV channel reported Thursday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is suspected of receiving valuable gifts from two businessmen."

Couldn't be, could it?  The American educated, highly U.S. savvy, Israeli Prime Minister wouldn't accept bribes, would he?

"The Channel 2 segment was the latest in a series of reports in Israeli media saying that police are close to opening a criminal investigation against the prime minister."

Is that right?  Hope it's true.  Would certainly expose Netanyahu and his activities to the glaring light of day.

"The station said Netanyahu had accepted large-scale "favors" from businessmen in Israel and abroad. It said there had been a breakthrough in the case three weeks ago, but gave no further details."

Interesting, isn't it?  Hope it's true.

"Channel 2 said Netanyahu was the central suspect in a second investigation that also involves members of his family. It said some 50 witnesses were involved in the case."

How about that?  Couldn't be, could it?

"The station, along with the Ynet news site, said a formal criminal probe is expected to be opened next week."

Netanyahu has again shown his true colors.  What he stands for.  Fox News reports:

"Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday called for a pardon of the Israeli soldier convicted of manslaughter for shooting a knife-wielding Palestinian attacker in the head, in a case that has deeply divided the country.  Sgt. Elor Azaria, an Israeli army medic who had been deployed to the West Bank at the age of 19, shot and killed the Palestinian attacker who lay wounded and motionless on the ground -- nearly 15 minutes after he tried to stab a soldier in Hebron. Azaria's supporters claimed the military made him into a scapegoat."

It's called murder.  The Palestinian attacker was wounded, incapacitated.  Yet, this bastard executed him with a round to the head.  Became judge, jury, and executioner.

1-6-17

There are people willing to stand tall no matter the consequences.  Jan Chamberlin is certainly one of them.  CNN reports:

"Jan Chamberlin, a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, sent a resignation letter to the group saying she will not sing for Donald Trump."

Uncommon valor to stand up to a nazi.  Hat's off.

1-6-17

Trump's businesses may be his Achilles' heel.  Despite all his bluster he isn't subject to the Ethics in Government Act, the 2012 Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK Act) may rein him in.  NPR reports:

"President-elect Donald Trump insists he can do all the business deals he wants while serving in the White House, but a 2012 law barring insider trading by government officials could make doing so a lot more complicated.  The Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge — STOCK — Act bars members of Congress and their staffs from buying and selling securities based on inside information. The U.S. Office of Government Ethics recently said the law also covers executive branch employees, including the president and vice president.  Some government ethics experts argue that the law should also apply to Trump and his family's network of businesses."  "If he continues to own his businesses and he uses insider information, or information he has as president, then arguably it's a violation of the STOCK Act," says Larry Noble, general counsel of the Campaign Legal Center, a nonpartisan advocacy group."

Trump seems to think he can do as he pleases.  Be interesting to see how quickly his own party reins him in.  Forget?  The most important consideration to a politician is being returned to office.  Both parties place nothing ahead of winning elections, certainly not what's in the best interest of the country they falsely claim to serve.  Only serve themselves and their corporate masters, -- who have bought and paid for them.

1-6-17

Much to the chagrin of the Trump nazi about to take office, the President finally took action against the Russians vis a vis their cyberattacks.  NPR reports:

"The White House has announced new actions targeting Russia in response to what U.S. officials say were cyberattacks intended to interfere with the U.S. election.  In a statement Thursday, President Obama said, "All Americans should be alarmed by Russia's actions," referring to hacks of the Democratic National Committee. Obama also cited an "unacceptable level of harassment" of American diplomats by Russian security services and police in Moscow."

The executive order is little more than symbolism over substance.   No more than a slap on the wrist.

"The immediate impact of the president's executive order is that 35 Russian diplomats will be expelled from the U.S. and two Russian compounds will be closed.  The statement also names Russian individuals and entities — including two intelligence services — to be targeted by new sanctions."

Putin's reaction?  Brilliantly took the high ground.  Announced the Russians would not respond in kind.  Trump thinks it's time to move on.  Bet he does.  Especially, if he or his henchmen colluded with the Russians.  Congressional hearings are about to start.  If collusion is discovered, that's called treason.  Think Trump wouldn't be impeached, convicted, and removed from office, -- by his own party?

ABC News reports:

"Malware associated with Russian hackers was found on a computer belonging to a utility company in Vermont, according to the company."

1-6-17

While the President has, indeed, not ruled out further retaliation, in fact stated further action would be taken that would not be publicly disclosed, consider the following.  NPR reports:

"The director of the Central Intelligence Agency, John Brennan, is warning against in-kind retaliation by the U.S. government for Russian hacking during the election.  In an interview with NPR's Mary Louise Kelly, Brennan said, "They do some things that are beyond the pale," referencing those who would undermine democratic processes, adding: "I don't think we should resort to some of the tactics and techniques that our adversaries employ against us. I think we need to remember what we're fighting for. We're fighting for our country, our democracy, our way of life, and to engage. And the skullduggery that some of our opponents and adversaries engage in, I think is beneath this country's greatness."

The hypocrisy of this piece of shit is stunning.  Must not be forgotten the CIA  tortured, abused, and murdered during the Bush "The Tush" and "Slick Dick" Cheney Regime.  The Regime and its henchmen remain guilty of war crimes.  Have not been held legally accountable for these war crimes.  Obama failed to take action at the beginning of his regime.  Apparently, gutlessly afraid the same would happen to him in retaliation by his successor.

1-6-17

Repeal of Obamacare will be politically costly for Republicans.  ... Who would have been smarter to have patiently waited for its ultimate collapse, -- of its own weight.  ABC News reports:

"A record number of people signed up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act for the coming year, Barack Obama's administration announced Wednesday, with the most people selecting coverage in states that Donald Trump won in November."

Fascinating, isn't it?

"Some 6.4 million people signed up by the mid-December deadline — 400,000 more enrollees than the same period last year, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.  In a twist, the states with the most people selecting coverage all went for Trump in the presidential election: Florida, with just under 1.3 million selections; Texas, with about 776,000; North Carolina, with 369,077; Georgia, with 352,000; and Pennsylvania, with 290,950."

When Republican national socialists repeal the law with no viable alternative in place, think they'll be returned to office?

1-6-17

The above will be exponentially exacerbated when Republican nazis attempt to force nationwide what is happening in Indiana.  The poor are forced to pay monthly for Medicaid.  Miss a payment?  Lose coverage.  GOP nazis in Indiana falsely claim they believe in 'personal responsibility.'  How is it 'personal responsibility' when Republicans insist on implementation of indentured servitude?  That is, do not support a livable minimum wage.

To line their pockets, -- and those of the businesses who have bought and paid for these very same government charlatans.  Won't insist on a livable wage. Forget?  How else could the corporate management suite so richly line its pockets?  To say nothing of small business, -- which certainly believes it has no right to fail.

Rather, conveniently loots labor by paying a non-livable wage.  -- Failure of a business is no option to a Republican nazi.  Looting labor remains an acceptable alternative.  Called legalized theft.  Yet, you aggressively stupid bastards on the bottom of the food chain and whatever is left of the middle class return GOP nazis to office.  You earned the f--king.  Richly deserve it.

1-6-17

The nazi about to take office better carefully consider what he does and doesn't do.  Might wind up dearly costing business he claims to support.  CNN reports:

"President-elect Donald Trump's vow to overturn an executive order that provides temporary protection from deportation to undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children could cost the country tens of billions of dollars, a new study finds."

Wouldn't want to confuse GOP nazis with the truth, would we?

"Put in place by President Obama six years ago, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program has helped hundreds of thousands of young people -- known as the DREAMers -- come out from the shadows and get valid driver's licenses, enroll in college and legally secure jobs."

Carefully consider the consequences should all this be suddenly reversed.

"If the DACA is repealed, roughly 645,000 people would lose their legal right to work in the U.S., putting them at risk of losing their jobs and possibly being deported, according to the San Francisco-based Immigrant Legal Resource Center. Terminating all of these workers and possibly finding and retraining replacements for them would cost businesses an estimated $3.4 billion, the nonprofit immigrant rights advocacy group estimated."

In effect, if this in fact comes to pass, Trump could indeed be figuratively shooting himself and the GOP in the ass.  To say nothing of ferocious, but peaceful resistance it would certainly generate.

1-6-17

Compounding the above is exponential increase in the negative effects of the zero-sum game, winner-take-all f--king currently eviscerating our formerly great country.  CNN reports:

"The gap between the "haves" and "have nots" is widening, according to the latest data out this week."

So what else is new?

"The rich are money-making machines. Today, the top mega wealthy -- the top 1% -- earn an average of $1.3 million a year. It's more than three times as much as the 1980s, when the rich "only" made $428,000, on average, according to economists Thomas Piketty, Emmanuel Saez and Gabriel Zucman.  Meanwhile, the bottom 50% of the American population earned an average of $16,000 in pre-tax income in 1980. That hasn't changed in over three decades."

Hear the rumble?  ... An unwanted dreaded second American revolution catastrophically looming on the horizon.

1-6-17

Sexism under the Trump misogynist will only worsen.  NBC News reports:

"This year's Fortune 500 list had a mere 21 female-helmed companies on it, down from 24 in the previous two years. Put another way, only 4 percent of America's top companies are run by women."

1-6-17

Republican nazis in Congress are desperately trying to put in the fix even before the Trump nazi takes office.  NBC News reports:

"The top Republican senator overseeing the confirmation of ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson to be secretary of state said Thursday that Tillerson will not be asked to release his tax returns as part of his confirmation process."

Why not?  Why are they protecting the corporate national socialist?

"Sen. Bob Corker's (R-TN) announcement comes after Democrats had been urging Corker to demand that that Tillerson's financials be thoroughly vetted.  Corker, head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement that it has been "long-standing precedent" for the committee not to require nominees to release their taxes."

Why not?  Why are they protecting nominees against full vetting?  Want to know the true obscenity in life?  NPR reports:

"Rex Tillerson, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for U.S. secretary of state, is severing his ties with Exxon Mobil. The former chairman and CEO is in line to receive a $180 million retirement package."

Think this son of a bitch is not owned?  Not bought and paid for?  Fit to be Secretary of State?  Hasn't contributed to the downfall of this country as the Nazi Right takes it all?  Zero-sum, winner-take-all perverse game that's f--ked over the bottom of the food chain and the vanishing middle class?  Hear the rumble?

1-6-17

Will certainly be no easy sledding for Sessions during confirmation hearings.  Ferocious, but peaceful resistance has already surfaced.  NPR reports:

"Several civil rights activists were arrested Tuesday night for staging a sit-in at Sen. Jeff Sessions' office in Mobile, Ala., to protest his nomination as U.S. Attorney General.  The sit-in was staged by the NAACP and portions were broadcast live online. The NAACP has sharply criticized Sessions' record on civil rights, voting rights and criminal justice reform. Six of the activists were apparently arrested, including NAACP President and CEO Cornell William Brooks."

Just the beginning.  Needs to stay peaceful.

"The NAACP highlighted Sessions' history with voting rights as a major factor in the protest. Brooks told The Associated Press that Sessions "does not acknowledge the reality of voter suppression while mouthing faith in the myth of voter fraud."  He also noted that Sessions once prosecuted civil rights activists on charges of voter fraud. As NPR's Nina Totenberg has reported, those charges were dismissed by a jury, and civil rights groups described the prosecution as attempted intimidation of black voters.  The NAACP cited Sessions' "record of racially offensive remarks and behavior" as another reason the group objects to his nomination."

All the above is true.  Well-documented over the years.  An appalling choice by the Trump nazi.

"As Nina explained in November, Sessions was nominated for a federal judgeship in the '80s. He was rejected by a Republican-controlled Senate after he acknowledged having made racially insensitive remarks and calling several civil rights groups — including the NAACP — "un-American." He later denied making some of the remarks, which "seemed to add a credibility problem to his troubles," Nina wrote.  After making public statements objecting to Sessions' nomination, the NAACP turned to civil disobedience. Brooks tweeted on Tuesday that the activists with him in Mobile were prepared to be arrested for their protest."

Just the beginning.  Sessions is no more than a bigoted national socialist, fascist, nazi who will royally shit on the United States Constitution including the Bill of Rights.  This fascist bastard remains an exigent threat to all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.  A raucous, boot clicking, goose stepping, treasonous, treacherous, traitorous Sieg Heil!, Congressman?

1-6-17

Trump again lied.  A daily occurrence for the nazi son of a bitch.  The Washington Times reports:

"President-elect Donald Trump said Tuesday that an intelligence briefing on the Russian hacking allegations had been postponed until Friday, calling the delay “very strange.”  “The ‘Intelligence’ briefing on so-called ‘Russian hacking’ was delayed until Friday, perhaps more time needed to build a case. Very strange!” Mr. Trump tweeted.  Intelligence officials said there was no delay in the briefing schedule, The Associated Press reported."

Indeed, that's right.  Confirmed by other news sources.  Clearly, the nazi lied.

1-6-17

Trump will continue to face ferocious opposition after he's sworn in.  Think not?  The Washington Times reports:

"The Obama administration has made significant headway in cutting down the number of sanctuary cities, but 279 municipalities are still holding out, refusing to cooperate with federal authorities on at least some cases involving illegal immigrants, Homeland Security officials said as they detailed year-end enforcement numbers last week."

Interesting, isn't it?

"Those sanctuary communities released more than 2,000 illegal immigrants back onto the streets rather than turn them over to federal authorities in fiscal year 2016, and were on pace for even more in the first two months of fiscal year 2017, which began Oct. 1."

Think this won't continue?  No matter whether or not federal funding is cut off?  No matter what Congress passes or doesn't?  It's called principle.  Not only that, mass deportation would greatly damage businesses dependent on cheap labor.  To say nothing of those who were brought here as children, became highly-educated and wound up highly contributing to the advancement of society.  Then again, an ignorant nazi cannot, will not, be confused with the truth.

1-6-17

In follow up to the above, California has already hired one of Obama's 'big guns' to legally fight the nazi about to occupy the Oval Office.  Fox News reports:

"California lawmakers already are preparing for a legal brawl with the Donald Trump administration – and they’ve got President Obama’s former top attorney in their corner.  Top state Democratic lawmakers announced Wednesday that former Attorney General Eric Holder has been tapped as outside counsel to advise the Legislature on potential challenges with the Trump government. He will lead a team from the Covington & Burling law firm, where he’s been working since leaving the Obama administration in 2015."

No better choice.

“With the upcoming change in administrations, we expect that there will be extraordinary challenges for California in the uncertain times ahead,” California Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon said in a statement. “This is a critical moment in the history of our nation. We have an obligation to defend the people who elected us and the policies and diversity that make California an example of what truly makes our nation great.”  They said Holder and his team will advise “in our efforts to resist any attempts to roll back the progress California has made.”

Go for it.

1-6-17

Before leaving office, Obama needs to protect personal data DREAMERS presented the government.  CBS News Reports:

"Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson is warning that information the Obama administration collected on so-called “DREAMers” should be protected and not be used for deportation purposes."

There's little doubt the nazi about to occupy the Oval Office will use this data to do precisely that.

"Johnson made the argument in a letter released Tuesday in response to a letter more than 110 lawmakers sent to him in early December. He explained that since the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program was announced in 2012, the administration has made clear that the information collected by applicants would only be used to adjudicate requests for the program and would be safeguarded for other immigration-related purposes."

That's a real problem.

“More specifically, the U.S. government represented to applicants that the personal information they provided will not later be used for immigration enforcement purposes except where it is independently determined that a case involves a national security or public safety threat, criminal activity, fraud or limited other circumstances where issuance of a notice to appear is required by law,” he wrote in the letter dated Dec. 30.  “We believe these representations made by the U.S. government, upon which DACA applicants most assuredly relied, must continue to be honored,” he said."

Hard to believe Trump and his henchmen will do so.

"Several Democrats are not satisfied, however, with Johnson’s response to their original request, which called on President Obama to issue an executive order to protect the personal information of DACA recipients."

An executive order is insufficient since the Trump nazi could immediately cancel it upon taking office.

1-6-17

In an interesting twist, The Washington Post reports:

"A backlash to globalization appears to be gaining strength around the world. U.S. politicians on both the right and left have called for curbing free trade deals they say benefit foreigners or the global elite. President-elect Donald Trump has championed tariffs on imports and limits on immigration, and suggested withdrawing from international alliances and trade agreements. Meanwhile, populist and nationalist governments have gained ground in Europe and Asia, and voters in Britain have elected to withdraw from the European Union.  To some, it looks ominously like another moment in history — the period leading up to World War I, which marked the end of a multi-decade expansion in global ties that many call the first era of globalization."

While certainly understand the above argument, seems the current world situation more closely mirrors  Nazi Germany, circa 1933, rather than conditions in 1914.  No matter what, liberty  remains under ferocious assault in our formerly great country.  Certainly, all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.  That alone, makes the unwanted dreaded second American revolution already catastrophically looming on the horizon exceptionally frightening.

1-6-17

Even fellow nazis in the Republican Party are beginning to pressure Trump vis a vis conflicts of interest.  NPR reports:

"Some prominent conservatives have signed onto a letter warning President-elect Donald Trump that he needs to sell off his businesses to address his many conflicts of interest.  "Respectfully, you cannot serve the country as president and also own a world-wide business enterprise, without seriously damaging the presidency," says a letter sent Monday by a bipartisan group of politicians, ethics advocates and academics."

They're right.  This is a problem.

"The letter was signed by several moderate Republicans, including former New Jersey Gov. Christie Whitman, former Minnesota Gov. Arne Carlson and former Rep. Mickey Edwards of Oklahoma, who chaired the House Republican Policy Committee.  But the signers also include some further-right conservatives, including Peter Schweizer, president of the Government Accountability Institute, and political consultant John Pudner of Take Back Our Republic, which seeks to build GOP support for campaign finance reform."

The pressure will increase.  So will Trump's chances for impeachment if he fails to take action.

1-6-17

Trump and the GOP have another glaring issue that will likely figuratively bite them hard on the ass .  NPR reports:

"One in five Americans is religiously unaffiliated. Yet just one of 535 members of the new Congress is.  That's what the latest data from the Pew Research Center show on the opening day of the 115th Congress. The nation's top legislative body remains far more male and white than the rest of the U.S. population as well, but religion is one of the more invisible areas where legislators in Washington simply aren't representative of the people they represent."

As the country continues to nazify under the Trump nazi and the Republican Party, this disparity in representation will contribute to ferocious, but peaceful, resistance.  The hypocrisy is achingly stunning.

1-6-17

The following is certainly one reason why the medical profession and Obamacare are failing.  Courtesy of Trump's personal 'physician.'  ABC News reports:

"Dr. Harold Bornstein, who once claimed that his longtime patient Donald Trump would be “the healthiest individual ever elected president,” has raised eyebrows with what appears to be a new outlook on the president-elect’s health.  “If something happens to him, then it happens to him,” Bornstein told the health and medicine publication Stat, produced by Boston Globe Media. “It’s like all the rest of us, no? That’s why we have a vice president and a speaker of the House and a whole line of people. They can just keep dying.”  Bornstein took aim at Hillary Clinton, calling her an “old lady,” according to the interview, despite the fact that she is a year younger than Trump."

Think this charlatan deserving of a medical license?

1-6-17

In follow up to an earlier edition, CNN reports:

"The political battle between North Carolina's Republican-controlled legislature and Democratic Governor-elect Roy Cooper has moved into the courtroom.  Friday, Cooper asked a judge to block a new law that would have disbanded the state elections board. If that law goes into effect, the elections board's duties would be assumed by another agency that includes the state ethics board -- a move that would increase the legislature's appointive power and decrease the governor's.  Later Friday, Wake County Superior Court Judge Donald Stephens approved Cooper's request for a temporary restraining order, saying there might be irreparable harm in disbanding the board.  Stephens said he wanted additional time to hear arguments and he set another hearing for next Thursday."

Be interesting to see where this all goes.  Certainly, offers proof positive GOP nazis remain poor losers of elections.  Precisely, why they deliberately passed legislation limiting the new governor's powers even before he took office.  Treasonous in what is purportedly a democratic republic.

1-6-17

In an interesting twist, NBC News reports:

"The firebrand lesbian rabbi of New York City's Congregation Beit Simchat Torah, the country's largest LGBTQ synagogue, is bringing Jews and Muslims together to fight a rise in hate crime, which the F.B.I. reported has surged 6 percent in the U.S., particularly against Muslims. Kleinbaum said she is especially frightened over images of swastikas that have appeared on buildings and playgrounds throughout New York City, where she lives, since the presidential election in November."

This is a fascinating approach to a three-prong problem with achingly gutless bigotry.  Vis a vis three classes that have suffered egregious discrimination:  anti-Semitism, homophobia,  Islamaphobia.

"It's absolutely horrifying, and that's why we need each other more than ever," Kleinbaum told NBC Out. "This is a global phenomenon we're facing and as a religious person I need to join with those other religious groups who share my basic values of justice and God's call to us to act in moral ways. And it goes across religious lines and it goes across countries."

Indeed, it does.  Precisely, why protest must be ferocious, but peaceful.

"Under Kleinbaum's leadership, the synagogue is combating the rise in hate crimes by uniting with the Islamic Society of New York University. In November, Kleinbaum and her clergy staff showed up to the group's Friday prayer service to show their support."

How about that? Brilliant.  A portend of what is to come as the Trump nazi takes office.

12-30-16

Police-community relations will likely take a turn for the worse when the nazi 'President'-Elect takes office January, 20.  Fox News reports:

"For the last eight years, the Justice Department has sought to reform police practices considered discriminatory by any means necessary – something that has frequently involved the use of a statutory weapon that is little known by the public and even less well understood.  The DOJ’s so-called “consent decree” was established in the aftermath of the Los Angeles Rodney King riots, and it allows the department’s Civil Rights Division to sue local police forces that have been found to have “a pattern and practice” of violating people’s rights or the use of excessive force."

The only way, short of an unwanted dreaded revolution already catastrophically looming on the horizon, is for federal authorities to exert pressure on the criminal jackbooted bastards in blue.  That will apparently no longer occur during the regime of the nazi about to occupy the Oval Office:

“One of the most dangerous, and rarely discussed, exercises of raw power is the issuance of expansive court decrees,” Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama wrote in the forward to a 2008 report from the Alabama Policy Institute. “Consent decrees have a profound effect on our legal system as they constitute an end run around the democratic process.”

The direct opposite is the truth, -- and this goddamned lying, highly-delusional nazi knows it.  Sessions remains an exigent threat not only to all civil and constitutional rights and liberties, but the lives of innocent citizens murdered by officers.

"The way the decree works is this: The DOJ launches an investigation into a police department’s operations, frequently after a high-profile incident – such as the 2014 shootings of Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO, and Laquan McDonald in Chicago.  If the feds find that the departments operate with an ongoing pattern of abuse, they sue, effectively forcing the law enforcement groups to settle the cases and undergo a change to their culture to a degree deemed sufficient by the court and the DOJ."

Sessions and Trump clearly don't want this.  They want the fascist police-state we already live in extended to The Fourth Reich.  That will not stand.  The nazi does not enjoy a mandate.  Will be ferociously, but peacefully, resisted.

"Under President Barack Obama and his two attorney generals, Loretta Lynch and Eric Holder, nearly two dozen investigations have been launched against various law enforcement agencies, many of which are still open. That number is not far from the norm for the federal agency, similar to the number of investigations that were launched under the Bush administration.  Obama’s Justice Department has issued nearly four times the amount of consent decrees as his predecessor."

Rightfully, so.  Yet, these consent decrees have not successfully reduced the numbers of murders committed by the criminal jackbooted bastards in blue.  Or, the amount of harassment imposed by these bastards.

"Sen. Sessions’ opinion that consent decrees are “dangerous” is of more than passing interest, as he has been tapped by President-elect Donald Trump to replace Lynch as attorney general, so the activist approach taken by the current administration is likely to end on Jan. 20."

Indeed, that's true.  Precisely, why confirmation hearings for this nazi piece of shit should be far more interesting.

"According to the LA Times, civil rights advocates are bracing for the division to have a more limited role in the coming years."

Hear the rumble?

"Jeff Sessions has a decades-long record – from his early days as a prosecutor to his present role as a senator – of opposing civil rights and equality,” Sherrilyn Ifill, president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, told the Times. “It is unimaginable that he could be entrusted to serve as the chief law enforcement officer for this nation's civil rights laws.”

Indeed, the nazi will likely shit on them.  What racist national socialist, bona fide fascist wouldn't? Hear the rumble?

"Others believe that Sessions that will restore professionalism at the Justice Department.  “He will restore honor to a department that, under President Obama, perpetually pushed a political agenda while neglecting to enforce the law,” Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) told the paper. “It's time to end the politicization of the Justice Department and start defending the rule of law.”

This, coming from a Texas patrician GOP fascist, who as Texas Attorney General, refused to enforce the law against his corporate masters, to say nothing of the bought and paid for Texas officials who refused to enforce open records requests from this publication.  Including the piece of shit himself who ignored all requests for enforcement of the law from this publication vis a vis the Consumer 'Protection' Division when he was Attorney General.

In direct violation of the Texas Public Information Act.  ... Right, Senator?  Where is your goddamned swastika armband, you fascist son of a bitch?  You're out of uniform, Senator.  Indeed, a disgrace to the rule of law, the United States Constitution, all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.  An aching example of someone who has no clue what liberty is.  Indeed, a clueless piece of Aryan arrogant shit, an achingly sad excuse for a United States 'Senator.'

12-30-16

The hypocrisy among Republicans appears to be exponentially growing.  Don't do as I do, do as I say seems to be the order of the day.  ABC News reports:

"A South Carolina House member who rebuked his colleagues in a Christmas card for lacking morals when they took down the Confederate flag is accused of beating his wife and pointing a gun at her, deputies said."

Couldn't be, could it?

"Officers in Aiken County charged Rep. Chris Corley with a pair of felonies that could send him to prison for up to 15 years after he attacked his wife during an argument over infidelity late Monday night at their home in Graniteville, according to a police report."

Hard to believe, isn't it?  A GOP nazi wouldn't do anything like that, would he?  All he could get is up to 15 years?  That's all?

"The couple's young children were in the home, and the wife took the family to her mother's house across the street after Corley threatened to kill her, pointed a gun at her, then said he would kill himself, the report said."

Is that right?  This, the best the Nazi Right has to offer?

"Corley's wife said he stopped hitting her only after noticing she was bleeding and hearing the children screaming, deputies said."

This, the Nazi Right's idea of what it means to be a man?

"Corley told officers his wife tried to punch him after accusing him of cheating, and the police report noted a scratch on his forehead."

Is that right?  A Republican wouldn't cheat on his wife, would he?  Doesn't your heart bleed for the son of a bitch?

"Corley remained at the Aiken County jail on Tuesday morning. He is charged with first-degree criminal domestic violence, which carries up to 10 years in prison if convicted, and pointing a firearm at a person, which has a maximum sentence of five years. Neither charge has a minimum punishment."

How about that?  Warms the cockles of the heart, doesn't it?

"The 36-year-old Republican lawyer was just elected to a second term. It wasn't known if he had a lawyer, and no one answered a call to his phone.  Corley's arrest comes after a legislative session where lawmakers strengthened punishments for domestic violence and Gov. Nikki Haley made a high priority of reducing the state's high rate of women killed by men who know them. Corley voted for the legislation."

How about that?  This, now, what it means to be a goddamned nazi Republican?

12-30-16

Amazing how the Nazi Right distorts reality to make a phony point, justify the nazification of our formerly great country.  In an editorial, The Washington Times criticizing The New York Times opined:

"What the op-ed conveniently turns a blind-eye to is the left’s behavior since the election — and how they’ve been focused on delegitimizing our free and fair contest, because they lost."

Say what?   Conveniently, forget?  Among several other reasons, Clinton lost due to a Republican FBI Director introducing himself into the election process days before the election with a bogus letter to Congress that Republicans quickly leaked.  Worse, there is no question the Russians threw the election in favor of Trump by disclosing Clinton emails they hacked.  The question remains did Trump and his henchmen collude with the Russians?  If there was any collusion, that's called treason.

"Let’s be clear — there is zero evidence that the Russians hacked any voting machines to alter the results of the election. Mr. Podesta’s emails were leaked — but there’s been no dispute on their authenticity."

The Washington Times has clearly refused to see the forest for the trees.  Worse? Ignored it.  The Russians did not have to hack voting machines.  The damage was already done.  Apparently, does not concern the nazis at The Washington Times that GOP computers were also hacked by the very same bastards.  Yet, this data was not leaked by the Russians, -- yet.  Interesting, isn't it?  Should also be of concern to Republican nazis that Putin will certainly release whatever he has against the GOP should it suit his best interests.  Think not?  You're fools.  Bamboozled idiots.

12-30-16

No one should be forced to perform at the inauguration of any President, but especially a nazi 'President.'  NPR reports:

"Late Friday, following negotiations with the Rockettes owner, the Madison Square Garden Co., and the performers' union, The American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA), announced on Facebook that no Rockettes would be obligated to perform."

Was quite an issue for a couple of days.  Shouldn't have been.

"Fortunately, the Company has agreed that ALL participation in this particular event will be voluntary. We are greatly relieved and hope to work with our Members to inform them and alleviate the anxiety and fears that this has caused."

Indeed.  No company owns the asses of its employees, although nearly all corporations believe otherwise.

"Donald Trump's transition-team and the Madison Square Garden Co. confirmed that the Rockettes would perform at the president-elect's inauguration next month.  Almost immediately, the Rockettes were coming under criticism on social media — including from one Rockette herself."

This is most encouraging.  Clearly, not all the country will roll over and support our first nazi 'President.'

"In a since deleted post on Instagram, dancer Phoebe Pearl said she was "embarrassed and disappointed" to learn of the decision.  "The women I work with are intelligent and are full of love," Pearl wrote. "The decision of performing for a man that stands for everything we're against is appalling." She added, "We have been performing with tears in our eyes and heavy hearts," with the hashtag #notmypresident."

Indeed.  This is why it is so critical to stand up to the nazi son of a bitch.  Don't acquiesce.  All dancers should have stood tall, refused to perform.  If necessary, been willing to lose their jobs over the issue.  Expose the company for whom and what it is.  No longer tolerate being no more than corporate human chattel.  Owned.  Bought and paid for.

Hopefully, the nazi about to take office will generate renewed public interest in unionization, -- the only to rein in the hopelessly avaricious, greedy bastards.  Don't stand up to the pieces of shit?  You're cowards.  Get what you truly deserve.  Richly so.

"The Austin American-Statesman reported Thursday that Texas State University's dance team, The Strutters, had shut down its Twitter account following harsh criticism for agreeing to participate. It remained deleted as of midday Saturday."

That's good.  Pressure the bastards.  Exercise your right to free speech, protest.  Ferocious, but peaceful, resistance.  Give the fascist bastards no quarter.  No comfort.  Force them to question whether or not they can effectively govern when they don't have consent of over half the population.

"Several major acts, including Elton John, Garth Brooks, Celine Dion and Idina Menzel, have reportedly refused to participate in the inauguration celebrations. In response to a question from Vanity Fair about Trump's difficulty locking down performers, Menzel said, "It's karma, baby."

Indeed, it is.  Far more than that, however.  It is the people who are ultimately responsible for running this country.  That's why the Founders created a democratic republic.  With a Constitution and its Bill of Rights designed to control power, rein it in, offer recourse to those f--ked over by the corporate management suite and its bought and paid for shills at all levels of government.

12-30-16

Republican nazis will continue to raucously shit on all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.  ABC News reports:

"Republicans are poised to use their newly attained capitol dominance to make Missouri the 27th right-to-work state prohibiting mandatory union fees. That is unless Kentucky's recently crowned GOP majorities can beat them to it."

All the more reason to stand up to these goddamned fascists who want the top 1% to take it all.  Organize.  Unionize.  Protest.  Give the nazis no quarter.  Peacefully, stand up for your rights.  The Republican Party remains an exigent threat to all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.

"The race to expand right-to-work laws is just one of several ways that Republicans, who strengthened their grip on power in the November elections, are preparing to reshape state laws affecting workplaces, classrooms, courtrooms and more during 2017."

'Right-to-work?'  An achingly disingenuous misnomer.  Quite the opposite.  The right to indentured servitude imposed by the corporate management suite.  Imposed by its bought and paid for nazi shills in state legislatures.  The Republican agenda is unbridled repression,  suffocating oppression, lining the pockets of the top 1%.  Strangling the Golden Goose.

Clearly, the nazis have not thought it through.  Who do they think will line corporate coffers, as well as the pockets of their bought and paid for shills in government, when no one can afford to buy anything?  Pay any bill?  Due to the fact they've been looted dry by these out of control national socialists masquerading as Republicans?

"As President-elect Donald Trump leads an attempted makeover in Washington, Republican governors and state lawmakers will be simultaneously pushing an aggressive agenda that limits abortion, lawsuits and unions, cuts business taxes and regulations, and expands gun rights and school choice."

This is precisely why there must be ferocious, but peaceful, resistance.  The alternative?  An unwanted dreaded second American revolution already catastrophically looming on the horizon.  A raucous, boot clicking, goose stepping, treasonous, treacherous, traitorous Sieg Heil!, you insane, fascist son of a bitch?  You're out of uniform, Mr. Trump.  Where is your swastika armband?  Those of your nazi henchmen?

The only reasonable portion of the above quote is expansion of gun rights.  Will certainly be quite critical as an unwanted dreaded second American revolution continues to catastrophically loom on the horizon.  As our formerly great country continues to nazify under Trump.

12-30-16

Equally chilling as the above?  NPR reports:

"President-elect Donald Trump's transition team has asked the State Department to list its workers who focus on gender equality and ending violence against women, in what's being seen as an echo of an earlier request for the Energy Department to list employees who work on climate change."

Smacks of Sen. Joe McCarthy and his witchhunts back in the 50s.  The State Department should not cooperate.  Don't release any information.  The nazi son of a bitch has not yet been sworn into office.  Is not 'President' until January 20.  Even then, there should be stiff, ferocious, but peaceful resistance.  People willing to risk their jobs over principle.

Guess what?  The State Department reportedly caved.

12-30-16

White nationalists are certainly insinuating themselves into the Trump Regime.  Kicker?  NBC News reports:

"The federal government has allowed four groups at the forefront of the white nationalist movement to register as charities and raise more than $7.8 million in tax-deductible donations over the past decade, according to an Associated Press review."

Charities?

"Already emboldened by Donald Trump's popularity, group leaders say they hope the president-elect's victory helps them raise even more money and gives them a larger platform for spreading their ideology."

Why wouldn't it?  Trump's one of them.  Sympathetic to their nazi ideology.

"With benevolent-sounding names such as the National Policy Institute and New Century Foundation, the tax-exempt groups present themselves as educational organizations and use donors' money to pay for websites, books and conferences to further their ideology. The money also has personally compensated leaders of the four groups."

How did this get by the Obama Regime?  Where was the President?  Out to lunch?

12-30-16

Trump and his henchmen have what appears to be a novel approach to governing, don't they?  ... Actually, only novel for our formerly great country.  Prevalent in Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, however.  Ignore the law. Ignore the Constitution.  Think not?  Wake up. The Washington Post reports:

"Trump lieutenant Newt Gingrich this week proposed an elegant solution for all the conflicts of interest swirling around the president-elect and his team of billionaires: Ignore the law.  President-elect Donald Trump, Gingrich said, should let those in his administration do as they wish with their personal fortunes and business interests and pardon them if they are found to have violated laws against using public office for personal enrichment. “He could simply say, ‘Look, I want them to be my advisers, I pardon them if anybody finds them to have behaved against the rules, period’,” Gingrich said on NPR’s “The Diane Rehm Show” on Monday."

Indeed, he did.  Almost fell out of the chair listening to the nazi do so.  Hear the rumble?

12-30-16

Trump will get to appoint the labor board that regulates his hotels.  Convenient, isn't it?  NPR reports:

"Like other business owners, President-elect Donald Trump has often had a strained relationship with labor unions, sometimes resulting in regulatory disputes and legal battles."

As every corporate tycoon, the bastard wants something for nothing.  Indentured servitude.  Near free labor.  How else could he so extravagantly line his pockets, those of his henchmen, to say nothing of shareholders?

"Unlike the others, Trump will soon get to appoint the people who run the agency that hears many of those disputes, the National Labor Relations Board.  "We have never seen a situation like this in the 81-year history of the board, where the president who appoints parties has had a financial interest in a matter coming before the board," says William Gould, former NLRB chairman and professor emeritus at Stanford Law School."

This is a problem.  If unresolved, hear the rumble?

"As president, Trump will be able to name three of the five members of the NLRB, and after next year, he will also get to appoint the all-important general counsel, who decides which cases are heard by the board.  Trump is familiar with the agency already. Like other real estate developers, he has a history of NLRB complaints over labor practices, including some that are still pending."

Interesting, isn't it?  Think the shit won't hit the fan after the fascist bastard takes office?

"One of the most prominent cases occurred this year, when employees of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas sought to become members of the Culinary Workers Union.  Trump fought the effort at the NLRB, and when he lost he appealed the board's decision in federal court. The union retaliated by organizing a boycott of Trump properties."

This is precisely what it takes.  Ferocious, but peaceful, resistance.

12-30-16

Apparently, the nazi about to take office, has second thoughts about the Trump Foundation fiasco.  Now claims he's going to dismantle it.  Despite an ongoing criminal investigation.  Can't, however, legally do so.  The Washington Times reports:

"Donald Trump cannot move ahead with his plan to dismantle his charitable foundation because state prosecutors are probing whether the president-elect personally benefited from its spending, the New York attorney general’s office said Tuesday.  “The Trump foundation is still under investigation by this office and cannot legally dissolve until that investigation is complete,” said Amy Spitalnick, spokeswoman for state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman."

Think if the investigation determines he illegally lined his pockets, his own Party won't impeach, convict, and remove him from office?

"Trump’s charity has admitted that it violated IRS regulations barring it from using its money or assets to benefit Trump, his family, his companies or substantial contributors to the foundation.  The admissions by the Donald J. Trump Foundation were in a 2015 tax filing made public after a presidential election in which it was revealed that Trump has used the charity to settle lawsuits, make a $25,000 political contribution and purchase items, such as a painting of himself, that was displayed at one of his properties."

12-30-16

The President took some action to slow his nazi successor down.  The Washington Times reports:

"The Obama administration rushed Thursday to cancel a program set up in the wake of Sept. 11 to track and deport illegal immigrant Muslim and Arab men, hoping to hinder President-elect Donald Trump’s plans to impose “extreme vetting” on Muslim visitors."

This is precisely what the President needed to do to slow down the nazi son of a bitch.

"Civil rights and immigrant groups cheered the move and said they hoped it would force a rethink by Mr. Trump who, while softening some of his other positions postelection, has not budged on his call for more thorough checks on those coming into the U.S. from terrorism-connected countries."

It will slow him down.  Force him to start from scratch.  Give protesters additional time to ferociously resist the bastard, -- peacefully.

"The National Security Entry-Exit Registration System had been dormant for years, but activists demanded that the Obama administration take it off the books entirely. They feared Mr. Trump could use the program as a shortcut to starting his own vetting."

Indeed, he likely would have.  Nazism must be resisted.

“Keeping NSEERS out of Trump’s hands was the right thing to do,” said David Leopold, a prominent immigration advocate and former head of the American Immigration Lawyers Association."

Indeed, it was.  More than that.  Much more than that.  Heroic.

12-30-16

Does this sound like a man in control of his faculties?  Fit to be President?  The Washington Times reports:

"President-elect Donald Trump called for the U.S. to expand its nuclear arsenal, in a surprising Twitter post Thursday.  “The United States must greatly strengthen and expand its nuclear capability until such time as the world comes to its senses regarding nukes,” he said."

Has this national socialist, fascist son of a bitch lost his mind?  Why would this jackass stupidly trigger an arms race?  Decades ago, the United States and the former Soviet Union sanely came to an agreement to end the arms race.  Reduce the number of nuclear weapons to lessen the chance of confrontation no one could win, every one would lose.  To say nothing of the stunning cost of this weaponry.

The Washington Post reports:

"Russia and the United States have worked for decades at first limiting, and then reducing, the number and strength of nuclear arms they produced and maintained under a Cold War strategy of deterrence known as “mutually assured destruction.” Both Republican and Democratic presidents have pursued the policy of nuclear reduction, said Daryl G. Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association."

Why would this insane national socialist want to reverse all this?  To what end?  For what purpose?

"Currently, the United States has just under 5,000 warheads in its active arsenal, and more than 1,550 deployed strategic warheads, a number that fluctuates. Under the New START Treaty, the main strategic arms treaty in place, both the U.S. and Russia must deploy no more than 1,550 strategic by February of 2018. Both countries are on track to meet that limit, which will remain in force until 2021, when they can decide to extend the agreement for another five years."

Takes a handful of these enormously powerful doomsday weapons to place the entire world in what has been called 'nuclear winter.'  Yet, this insane nazi wishes to loot taxpayers additional trillions to satisfy his psychotic quest for insatiable power?

"President-elect Donald Trump suggested Friday that he is willing to engage in "an arms race," insisting that the United States will surpass its rivals and "outlast them all" in a push for global weapons dominance."

Abject insanity.  Further proof the nazi is unfit for office.  An exigent threat not only to all civil and constitutional rights and liberties, but life itself.

NBC News reports:

"President-elect Donald Trump suggested Friday that he is willing to engage in "an arms race," insisting that the United States will surpass its rivals and "outlast them all" in a push for global weapons dominance.  "Let it be an arms race. We will outmatch them at every pass and outlast them all," Trump said in a statement to "Morning Joe" host Mika Brzezinski of MSNBC."

Does this sound like someone of sound mind?  Fit to be President?  This, what you psychotic nazi Republicans in Llano County who voted for this lunatic want?  Approve of?  The expenditure of funds alone to finance such insanity would cripple our formerly great country.  You think such thinking 'conservative?'

"Newly-minted Trump press secretary Sean Spicer appeared to try to clarify Trump's remarks on NBC's TODAY show Friday, saying the president-elect's statements are meant as a "warning" to other nations not to undermine U.S. sovereignty."

How would you like to have Spicer's job?  Be forced to explain the insanely fluctuating whims of a lunatic?

"There's not going to be [an arms race] because he's going to ensure that other countries get the message that he's not going to sit back and allow that," Spicer said. "And what's going to happen is they will come to their senses and we will all be just fine."

This clueless son of a bitch, just like Trump himself, lives in an Alice In Wonderland world.  This insane billionaire national socialist about to occupy the Oval Office will apparently reverse U.S. nuclear policy dating back to the Nixon Regime.

12-23-16

Amazing how aggressively stupid our formerly great country is becoming.  Trump wishes to re-vitalize coal.  Despite the fact natural gas is cheaper, alternative forms of energy are growing increasingly more economical.  The real tragedy is the human cost.  Not only from the public that is forced to breathe the pollution generated by coal burning, but the damage done to the health and lives of miners.  NPR reports:

"Across Appalachia, coal miners are suffering from the most serious form of the deadly mining disease black lung in numbers more than 10 times what federal regulators report, an NPR investigation has found."

Wouldn't want to confuse the idiots with the truth, would we?

"The government, through the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, reported 99 cases of "complicated" black lung, or progressive massive fibrosis, throughout the country the last five years.  But NPR obtained data from 11 black lung clinics in Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Ohio, which reported a total of 962 cases so far this decade. The true number is probably even higher, because some clinics had incomplete records and others declined to provide data."

Imagine that.  None of this, however, means anything to those in coal country who were making the better part of a hundred grand yearly mining the coal.

"The actual extent of PMF in U.S. coal miners remains unclear," says the report, which appears in this week's issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  "I can't say that I've heard really anything worse than this in my career," says Robert Cohen, a pulmonologist at the University of Illinois, Chicago who studies and tracks black lung.  "I can't think of anything in this particular field ... that's more frightening than this," Cohen adds."

While the miners and their families are dependent on this income, it remains blood money.  Even if they're willing to continue to take the risk and the consequences, why should the rest of the public be subject to the pollution coal burning produces?  Since coal is not competitive with natural gas, the nazi son of a bitch about to take office is selling miners a phony bill of goods.  The days of coal are over.  To give miners false hope is no more than a cruel lie.

12-23-16

There is no question the election of Trump has had a profound impact on the over half of the electorate that did not vote for the nazi.  Think not?  Wake up.  The First Lady put it exactly right.  CBS News reports:

"During her final one-on-one interview as first lady with Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama weighed in with frank commentary on America’s future, even as she reflected on the hopeful legacy of her husband’s administration.  “So your husband’s administration, every -- everything, the election, was all about hope,” Winfrey said in a clip that aired Friday on “CBS This Morning.” “Do you think that this administration achieved that?”  The first lady responded in the affirmative.  “Yes, I do,” she said, “because we feel the difference now.”

Indeed, many feel exactly like this.  Not all of us, however.  Many intend to stand up to the fascist son of a bitch.  Ferociously, but peacefully resist.  Make it as difficult as possible for this piece of shit to effectively govern.  As any dictator knows, his power is based on consent of the governed.  For over half the population, he doesn't have it.  Far from it.

"Mrs. Obama, who was one of Hillary Clinton’s most powerful campaign surrogates, and a fierce critic of Donald Trump on the trail, emphasized the contrast in the nation’s mood, just weeks before Mr. Trump is inaugurated to the White House.  “See, now we’re feeling what not having hope feels like. You know? Hope is necessary. It’s a necessary concept,” Obama continued. “And Barack didn’t just talk about hope because he thought it was just a nice slogan to get votes. I mean, he and I and so many believe that if you -- what else do you have if you don’t have hope?”

Madam Obama?  Don't give up.  It's not over.  Just beginning.  Things will not stand.  If they do, the unwanted dreaded second American revolution already catastrophically looming on the horizon could indeed become reality.  Even his fellow Republicans do not seem willing to acquiesce to his imposition of The Fourth Reich.  Appear more than willing to offer stiff resistance in the Senate.  McCain and Graham certainly don't seem to be onboard with the son of a bitch.  ... And don't appear to be the only ones.

“What do you give your kids if you can’t give them hope?” said the first lady. “You know, our children respond to crises the way they see us respond. You know, it’s like the toddler that bumps his head on the table...they look up at you to  figure out whether it hurts.  And if you’re like, oh, my God, they’re crying. But if you’re like, you know what, babe, it’s okay.”

You need to stand tall, Madam First Lady.  This is not the end.  Just the beginning.

12-23-16

North Carolina certainly appears to have gone nazi.  Think not?  Wake up.  NPR reports:

"The Republican-controlled North Carolina Legislature has introduced measures to limit the powers of the incoming Democratic governor.  Roy Cooper, the state's current attorney general, beat current Republican Gov. Pat McCrory by a slim margin in the November election. McCrory initially refused to concede until a vote recount proved he had lost by about 10,000 votes.  On Wednesday, the state Legislature met for a special session called by Republican lawmakers ostensibly to pass a disaster relief bill for Hurricane Matthew."

No more than deception, a determined, concerted effort to thwart the will of voters.

"But once the relief bill had been passed, the Legislature moved to introduce a slew of new laws which, if passed, would go to McCrory to sign.  The proposed laws strip the incoming governor of powers his predecessor held, including the power to appoint his Cabinet without legislative approval, the power to appoint trustees for the University of North Carolina and the power to oversee the state's election board."

Be interesting to see where this all goes, won't it?

"The Charlotte Observer reported on Cooper's response to the 11th-hour changes to the state's executive branch powers:

"'Major changes in the way state government operates should be done deliberately, with input from all parties, particularly something as important as elections and making sure people have the opportunity to vote,' said Cooper. ... 'They shouldn't be pushed through in the dark of night.'"

That's not how things are now done in our formerly great country.  Certainly, a portend of far worse to come as the country continues to nazify.

Subsequent to writing the above, ABC News reports:

"North Carolina Republicans stripped the incoming Democratic governor of some of his authority on Friday and they were on the cusp of an even greater power grab, an extraordinary move that critics said flies in the face of voters.  Just last week, it appeared Republicans were ready to finally accept Democrats' narrow win in a contentious governor's race. As it turns out, they weren't done fighting. In a surprise special session in the dying days of the old administration, some say the Republican-dominated legislature has thrown the government into total disarray, approving two bills aimed at emasculating incoming Gov. Roy Cooper's administration. One of them was signed into law by the current governor."

Unbelievable, isn't it?

"Cooper, the current attorney general, has threatened to sue. And many in the state are accusing Republicans of letting sour grapes over losing the governor's mansion turn into a legislative coup. "This was a pure power grab," said retired school librarian Carolyn White, 62, a long-time demonstrator once arrested as part of the "Moral Monday" protests against GOP-led legislative policies. "I got arrested two years ago. Did it make any difference? No. But just like the civil rights movement, it's forward together. You just have to keep going forward."

It's good, indeed encouraging this travesty has attracted quite a bit of public attention.

"The protesters were so loud that Senate and House cleared the galleries — a highly unusual move. More than 50 people were arrested this week, and as demonstrators were led away from the Legislative Building, some chanted "all political power comes from the people." Those that remained behind could only watch the debate through glass windows or listen to it online.  Hundreds stomped their feet and yelled outside the gallery, causing several Republican lawmakers to note they were having trouble hearing during the debate. Democrats repeatedly stated their objections."

Just the beginning.  Think what things will be like when Trump takes office.  The resistance, though peaceful, will be ferocious.  Make it difficult for the nazi to rule.  Protesters are quite correct.  Power does come from the consent of the governed.  The nazi has no mandate.  Lost the popular vote by some three and a half million votes.  Yet, the nazi falsely claims to have a mandate?  What mandate?

12-23-16

Power does certainly come from the consent of the governed.  Think not?  Wake up.  NBC News reports:

"Close to 1,300 workers in the tech world have so far promised not to take part in building a database of Muslims if asked to do so."

That's called standing tall.  Peacefully,  but ferociously resisting the nazi.

"The online pledge comes as President-elect Donald Trump met Wednesday at Trump Tower with Silicon Valley executives, including those from Facebook and Apple. Trump solicited their advice and said he'll offer his help to allow them to continue innovating."

Big of the fascist son of a bitch, isn't it?

"As of late Thursday afternoon, more than 1,300 people have signed the pledge, many listing their professions as engineers, designers, and business executives at tech organizations and companies based in the United States.  "We are choosing to stand in solidarity with Muslim Americans, immigrants, and all people whose lives and livelihoods are threatened by the incoming administration's proposed data collection policies," the open letter reads. "We refuse to build a database of people based on their Constitutionally-protected religious beliefs. We refuse to facilitate mass deportations of people the government believes to be undesirable."

Certainly, makes one proud to be an American.  ... In an otherwise exceptionally dismal, dangerous time as our formerly great country continues to nazify.  Becomes The Fourth Reich.

"Among the promises made by those who signed the pledge:

"Refusing to participate in creating databases for the U.S. government to target people based on race, religion, or national origin.  Advocating within their tech organizations to minimize collection and retention of data that would aid the targeting of individuals based on ethnicity or religion.  Speaking out publicly if they discover the illegal or unethical use of data."

This is called standing tall, no matter the consequences.

12-23-16

Trump continues to have ethical issues vis a vis his vast business holdings.  This time, his daughter remains front and center.   NPR reports:

"As this post was publishing, the auction for coffee with Ivanka Trump was pulled from the Charitybuzz website. The link now redirects to its home page, with no explanation."

Interesting, isn't it?

"Our previous post continues:  On the auction site Charitybuzz, you could bid $3,500 to have tea with Sarah Ferguson, the duchess of York.  If you plunk down $5,000, you might be the top bidder for lunch with actress Julianna Margulies of The Good Wife.  Coffee with one Ivanka Trump, on the other hand, will cost you $77,888 — at least."

How about that?  At a time when she's deeply involved in the Trump Transition.

"The auction for coffee with President-elect Donald Trump's oldest daughter is a fundraiser for the Eric Trump Foundation, which says the proceeds will benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.  The New York Times has reported on the auction and raised questions about the ethical implications of selling off face time with the future first family — especially given Ivanka Trump's perceived influence over her father."

You think?  No problem with this?  No ethical issue?  None at all? Wake up.

"Ivanka has been seen as playing a particularly key, and controversial, role as Donald Trump transitions to the White House.  NPR's Jessica Taylor reported on one eyebrow-raising moment last month:

"Trump's daughter, Ivanka, sat in on a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last week, raising questions about the mixing of the family's business and politics. There were initial reports that Trump had inquired about security clearance for his children, but the president-elect has denied that. Still, it's clear his children have influence with their father when it comes to politics, and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, Ivanka's husband, figures to play a potentially prominent role in a Trump White House, formally or informally."

12-23-16

Think the fascist son of a bitch has the temperament to have his finger on the nuclear button?  NPR reports:

"One day after Vanity Fair printed a highly critical piece about one of his restaurants, President-elect Donald Trump escalated his feud with the magazine's editor, calling him a "no talent."

Can't have that, can he?

"Has anyone looked at the really poor numbers of @VanityFair Magazine," Trump said in an early-morning Tweet. "Way down, big trouble, dead! Graydon Carter, no talent, will be out!"

Is that right?  What will you do to force the issue, Mr. 'President'-Elect?

    "Has anyone looked at the really poor numbers of @VanityFair Magazine. Way down, big trouble, dead! Graydon Carter, no talent, will be out!
    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 15, 2016"

Frightening, isn't it?  The mark of a dictator.  A fascist, national socialist dictator.

"The tweet illustrates Trump's ability to use his very visible platform as president-elect to lash back at critics of his businesses and underscores the conflicts of interest he will face in office."

Indeed, it does.  A portend of things to come as the country continues to nazify.

12-23-16

Think someone with a thin skin qualified to be 'President?'  Fox News reports:

"Donald Trump fired back at Bill Clinton on Tuesday after the former president was quoted mocking the incoming president’s intelligence and blaming FBI Director James Comey and “angry, white men” for Hillary Clinton’s defeat."

Had Trump any brains, any restraint at all, he would have ignored the former President.

"The comments emerged after an editor at the Bedford-Pound Ridge Record Review caught an impromptu Q-and-A with Bill Clinton at a New York bookstore and published the details in the paper’s print edition. The editorial did not appear online but the contents were reported by Politico.  “He doesn’t know much,” Clinton said when asked if Trump was smart. “One thing he does know is how to get angry, white men to vote for him.”  He also said Trump called him the day after the election."

Any other President-Elect would have wisely not taken the bait.  Not Trump.

"Trump, on Twitter, disputed that detail and tried to turn the tables on the former president – questioning the Clinton team’s grasp of what it took to motivate voters in key swing states.

    Bill Clinton stated that I called him after the election. Wrong, he called me (with a very nice congratulations). He "doesn't know much" ...
    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 20, 2016

    especially how to get people, even with an unlimited budget, out to vote in the vital swing states ( and more). They focused on wrong states
    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 20, 2016"

Does Trump truly believe this flatters himself and his henchmen, -- or is it simply further evidence he remains egregiously unfit for office?

12-23-16

The President is placing pressure on Trump vis a vis his (Trump's) failure to back investigations into the Russian hacking.  The Washington Times reports:

"The White House doubled down Thursday on President-elect Donald Trump’s purported knowledge of Russia’s hacking during the election, saying Mr. Trump should “cooperate” with a government investigation into whether Moscow’s interference helped him to win the presidency."

Why shouldn't he?  Why wouldn't he, -- unless he was traitorously, treasonously in collusion with the Russian dictator?

"White House press secretary Josh Earnest said that rather than attacking the credibility of U.S. intelligence agencies, Mr. Trump should “actually be supportive of a thorough, transparent, vigorous, non-political investigation into exactly what happened, and to cooperate with it.”

Members of Trump's own party are calling for an investigation.  Rightfully, so.  What is Trump so afraid of?  The truth?  If he and his henchmen were not in collusion with the Russian dictator, they have nothing to fear.  Nothing at all.

"President Obama’s spokesman repeated the administration’s accusation that Mr. Trump “obviously knew that Russia was engaged in malicious cyber-activity that was helping him and hurting Secretary [Hillary] Clinton’s campaign.”

If that extends to collusion, it's called treason.  Is that what Trump and his henchmen fear?

The noose is figuratively tightening.  NPR reports:

"Two intelligence sources says the FBI agrees with the CIA assessment that Russia interfered in the U.S. election, in part, to help Donald Trump.  An intelligence source also notes that a memo went out from CIA Director John Brennan to the agency's workforce Friday. Intelligence chiefs, including Brennan, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and FBI Director James Comey met earlier this week, according to the memo, and, "There is strong consensus among us on the scope, nature and intent of Russian interference in our presidential election."

The question to be answered is whether or not Trump and/or his henchmen colluded with the Russians.

The President seems to be talking out both sides his ass.  NPR reports:

"The world is entering a new cyber era — one with no ground rules, and with the potential for traditional espionage to be "turbocharged" by the Internet, President Obama told NPR in an exclusive interview.  "Among the big powers, there has been a traditional understanding of, that everybody is trying to gather intelligence on everybody else," Obama told Morning Edition's Steve Inskeep in a wide-ranging interview on Thursday. "It's no secret that Russian intelligence officers, or Chinese, or for that matter Israeli or British or other intelligence agencies, their job is to get insight into the workings of other countries that they're not reading in the newspapers every day."

We should talk?  Our government has been engaging in espionage for decades.  Karma is indeed a bitch.  What goes around comes around.  We're learning that the hard way.

"One of the things that we're going to have to do over the next decade is to ultimately arrive at some rules of what is a new game," he said. "And that is the way in which traditional propaganda and traditional covert influence efforts are being turbocharged by the Internet."

That's a crock of shit.  We've never played by the rules.  Our enemies certainly won't.  The President sat on his hands during the campaign despite the fact he knew the Russians had hacked us.  Did so apparently because he didn't want to be accused of interfering in the election by the Republicans.  Besides that, he thought Clinton was going to win.

"President Obama says the United States will respond to Russian cyberattacks that the intelligence community has concluded were part of an effort to influence the 2016 presidential election."

A little too little, much to late.  The President concertedly did nothing during the campaign when the damage was being done.

"In an interview with NPR's Steve Inskeep that is airing Friday on Morning Edition, Obama said, "I think there is no doubt that when any foreign government tries to impact the integrity of our elections ... we need to take action. And we will — at a time and place of our own choosing. Some of it may be explicit and publicized; some of it may not be."

The President's rhetoric rings hollow.  He's talking out both sides his ass.  All talk, no action.  As in Aleppo, and how he failed to follow up against the Syrian dictator.

12-23-16

This is what happens when you cowardly fail to stand up to a dictator.  NBC News reports:

"Determined to stop Russia's interference in the presidential campaign, at least one of President Obama's senior advisers urged him to make the ultimate threat to Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.S. officials told NBC News:  Mess with the vote and we will consider it an act of war.  But Obama opted not to issue a warning that specific when he spoke to Putin about the hacking during a September meeting at the G-20 summit in China, said intelligence officials offering NBC News exclusive new details."

The above is one of several legitimate reasons our formerly great country is no longer respected.

"The president didn't want to inflame an already tense situation, the officials said. Instead, he used less specific language to warn Putin of consequences if Russian interference didn't stop.  The release of hacked Democratic emails continued."

That's called cowardice.  What did the President expect Putin to do?  Back off?

"A month later, the U.S. used the latest incarnation of an old Cold War communications system — the so-called "Red Phone" that connects Moscow to Washington — to reinforce Obama's September warning that the U.S. would consider any interference on Election Day a grave matter.  This time Obama used the phrase "armed conflict."  "International law, including the law for armed conflict, applies to actions in cyberspace," said part of a message sent over the Red Phone on Oct. 31, according to a senior U.S. official. "We will hold Russia to those standards."

Is that right?  Did they?

"Did the message work? "Look at the results," said an Obama administration official. "There was nothing done on Election Day, so it must have worked."

What goddamned idiots.  The damage had already been done.  The Russians didn't have to do anything on Election Day.  Their man won thanks to their interference. "What a country!"

12-23-16

The loading of corporate CEOs into Trump's Cabinet is quite deliberate.  How better to line the pockets of the top 1%?  NBC News reports:

"Outsized CEO pay is an issue coming under increasing scrutiny, and Donald Trump has already promised to do away with legislation that would require companies to be more transparent.  However, compensation experts say an executive branch filled with corporate titans could benefit the relative few atop the corporate ladder at the expense of everyone else."

Why else would the fascist bastard overload the Cabinet with corporate titans?  Has to take care of his own, doesn't he?  F--k the peasants, right, Donald?

"The implicit assumption is that these CEOs will look out for their own."

You think?

"Furthermore, because Trump is one of those CEOs himself, it might very well "put a halo effect around the whole issue [of executive pay] for a while," said John Challenger, CEO of executive outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas."

That's the intention.  Zero-sum game, forget?  Winner-take-all.  The clueless idiots who support this charlatan are in for a rude awakening.  Tough shit.  Enjoy the f--king.  You've been bamboozled.

12-23-16

Once again, Trump displayed abject ignorance of the Middle East, no understanding of what is likely to set off a powder keg in the region.  The Washington Times reports:

"President-elect Donald Trump has announced that he will nominate attorney David Friedman as U.S. ambassador to Israel, selecting an envoy who supports Israeli settlements and other changes to U.S. policies in the region. Friedman said he looked forward to carrying out his duties from “the U.S. embassy in Israel’s eternal capital, Jerusalem,” even though the embassy is in Tel Aviv."

This idiot obviously wants renewal of widespread fighting in the region which such policy will certainly trigger.

"Like some of his predecessors, Trump has vowed to move the American embassy to Jerusalem, a politically charged act that would anger Palestinians who want east Jerusalem as part of their sovereign territory. The move would also distance the U.S. from most of the international community, including its closest allies in Western Europe and the Arab world."

Should this happen, would likely eventually sadly result in the ultimate demise of the State of Israel.  With or without continued support of the Israeli aggressor by the United States.  This would quickly force all Arab countries in the Middle East to put aside their differences, concertedly fight the aggressor.

12-23-16

Does this sound like someone rational?  Qualified to be President?  CNN reports:

"President-elect Donald Trump said Friday his supporters were "violent" during the 2016 campaign."

He encouraged it.  Forget?

"Trump made the admission Friday night during a rally here on the Florida leg of his "Thank You" tour. During the campaign, he repeatedly downplayed violent outbursts his supporters displayed at times toward protesters and insisted that paid activists were instead responsible for inciting violence at his rallies."

It's called lying.  Saying one thing one day, the direct opposite the next.  Lying.

"You people were vicious, violent, screaming, 'Where's the wall? We want the wall!' Screaming, 'Prison! Prison! Lock her up!' I mean you are going crazy. I mean, you were nasty and mean and vicious and you wanted to win, right?" Trump said Friday. "But now, you're mellow and you're cool and you're not nearly as vicious or violent, right? Because we won, right?"

This sound like someone in control of his faculties?  The personification of stability?  ... Or, a clone of Adolf Hitler.

"During the campaign, Trump repeatedly referred to his rallies as the "safest place on Earth" and called them a "love fest."

Now, he says the direct opposite.  Called talking out both sides the ass.

"Meanwhile, some Trump supporters occasionally physically assaulted protesters at rallies across the country during the 2016 campaign. In several instances, Trump supporters were also assaulted by protesters after exiting Trump rallies.  Several Trump supporters were charged with assault after attacking protesters at different rallies."

These are precisely the very same tactics Hitler employed some eight decades ago at his rallies.  It's called national socialism, fascism, nazism.

"And while Trump suggested that his supporters had mellowed out in their rhetoric as well -- "now you're laid back, you're cool, you're mellow, you're basking in the glory of victory," he said Friday -- the crowd broke out in "Lock her up!" chants twice."

The nazi has lost his mind.  Remains an exigent threat to all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.  Yet, his sick sycophants support, defend, justify this shit.  Insanely believe Trump will somehow, someway, someday improve their lives.  While nomination of his Cabinet members scream otherwise.  Most of them are titans of the corporate management suite.  Only line the pockets of the corporate management suite and shareholders.

Do it at expense of laid off, middle class, corporate-owned, human chattel it now calls former employees.  The bastards executed these lay offs at a time of record corporate profits and cash reserves.  Now, you clueless idiots think somehow things will change?  Improve for the middle class?  By a 'President' who has fleeced millions from looted contractors?  Millions from students fleeced at Trump 'University?'  Used the Trump Foundation to line his pockets in direct violation of the law?  You're idiots.  Bamboozled fools.

"One Trump supporter who obtained a media pass from the Trump transition office shouted from the press pen that Trump's former opponent Hillary Clinton should be waterboarded.  And a Trump supporter threw an empty water bottle at a reporter following the rally, calling the reporter "trash."
That incident came after the President-elect repeatedly called reporters "very dishonest" and suggested without evidence that the media distorted exit polls on Election Day."

These are precisely the tactics employed by Adolf Hitler.  Wake up.  You've been bamboozled.  Had the wool pulled over your eyes.  Bought a phony bill of goods from a liar and his henchmen.

12-23-16

There are some courageous Christians willing to stand up to Trump.  NPR reports:

"A prominent evangelical leader who harshly criticized Donald Trump during the presidential campaign now faces a backlash from fellow evangelicals who backed Trump."

They backed Trump because the evangelical movement has gone nazi.

"Russell Moore, who presides over the political arm of the Southern Baptist Convention, called Trump "an awful candidate" and criticized "the old-guard religious right political establishment" for supporting him, notwithstanding Trump's "serious moral problems" and a Southern Baptist tradition of opposing politicians whose personal behavior is considered un-Christian."

At least there is one evangelical Christian willing to stand up to the nazi bastard.

"The religious right," Moore argued in an October speech, "turns out to be the people the religious right warned us about." As president of the Southern Baptists' Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Moore is in charge of his organization's policymaking and lobbying apparatus."

Indeed.  Quite right.  Christ called them Pharisees.  What ever truly changes in some 2,000 years?

12-23-16

China once again stuck it to the the United States in direct violation of international law.  NPR reports:

"China has seized an unmanned underwater vehicle deployed by a U.S. Navy ship in international waters, according to Pentagon officials.  The seizure of the underwater vehicle took place Thursday, about 50 nautical miles northwest of Subic Bay in the Philippines, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said in a statement Friday."

Why do we tolerate this?  Better protect our assets?

"The U.S. has issued a demarche — a formal diplomatic protest — and demanded the drone's return, Reuters reports.  "We call upon China to return our UUV immediately, and to comply with all of its obligations under international law," Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said in his statement.  The incident occurred in the long-disputed waters of the South China Sea, where several countries have various overlapping territorial claims. China has been the most aggressive in claiming the strategically and economically significant waters as its own."

Are we idiots?  Out to lunch?  Clueless?  This occurs in disputed waters and we don't better protect what's ours?  Don't have sufficient military assets there so we could have immediately and effectively reacted?

Subsequent to writing the above, China returned the drone.  Why do we put up with this shit?  Prior to its return, Trump advised China to keep the drone.  Does this sound like someone rational, fit to be 'President?"

12-23-16

In a humorous aside to all the crap going on, a cat got the best of a politician in Texas.   ... A feline that certainly has it altogether.  CBS News reports:

"A city councilman is out -- and the beloved library cat he tried to chase off gets to stay, CBS Dallas/Fort Worth reports."

Doesn't your heart bleed, -- for the councilman?

"Elzie Clements’ final meeting as a member of the White Settlement City Council was Tuesday night. Clements tried to have Browser, the city’s docile grey tabby library cat, fired this past summer."

How could he?

"Browser got his job at the White Settlement Public Library when he was just a kitten. That was in October of 2010, the library’s website says. He was recruited from a local animal shelter as an inexpensive, effective method of pest control."

No one does it better.

"In July, a city worker apparently demanded Browser’s removal after the worker was not allowed to bring a puppy to work at City Hall. Two-legged library workers were outraged, and many people who use the library often said that they were unhappy with Bowser’s dismissal."

Indeed.

"The White Settlement City Council took up the issue of what to do with Browser, with Clements being the lone vote to get rid of the favorable feline."

How could he?  This is one adorable cat.

"Browser got a reprieve following a world-wide backlash, and reports say there were still some hard feelings among council members after the cat fight."

Comic relief in a world that seems to be going to hell.

"Councilman Clements eventually ran out of his nine lives after he was defeated in a landslide in November’s election."

Who'd 'a 'thunk' it?

"Mayor Ron White says as far as he’s concerned, Browser’s job title is now “Library Cat for Life.”  “Browser is still employed and will be as long as he wishes to continue his duties as mascot and reading helper for the children at the library,” White said."

Happy end to a sad, sad story.  No?  With all the crap going on all over the country, however, think they'd have other more pressing issues?

"White said he’s gotten thousands of messages about the cat from around the world, and many families have already offered to adopt Browser."

Nothing quite like an animal to generate so much interest and concern.  While concern for an animal is indeed extremely important, so are all the kids across the country living in poverty with no future.

12-16-16

A fascist cannot be confused with the truth.  CNN reports:

"President-elect Donald Trump blasted the American intelligence community Sunday, calling its assessment that Russia interfered in the election "ridiculous."  "I think it's just another excuse. I don't believe it," Trump said in an interview on "Fox News Sunday."

Trump, unlike the Vice-President-Elect, refuses daily intelligence briefings by the intelligence community.  This fascist clearly thinks he knows better than those who dedicate their professional lives to the gathering of intelligence, risk their lives doing so.  To provide the best information they can to the President.  Trump does not think so.

"Trump's direct criticisms of the intelligence community are unprecedented for an incoming commander in chief. His comments come as some leading Republicans call for an investigation into the CIA's assessment that Russia directed the hacking of Democratic operatives and other moves intended to help Trump defeat Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential race."

His own party has turned against him on this issue.  Rightfully, so.  Republicans know full well it could be them next.

"Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain, R-Arizona, and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, joined incoming Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York and Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, in issuing a statement warning that "recent reports of Russian interference in our election should alarm every American."

Indeed, they should.  Certainly do, -- unless you're Trump or one of his sick sycophants.

"Once they hack if you don't catch them in the act you're not going to catch them," Trump said. "They have no idea if it's Russia or China or somebody. It could be somebody sitting in a bed some place."

Abject ignorance.  Chilling indifference.  Could be Trump is terrified of what the results of two probes might be.  The first has been ordered by the President.  The second, congressional.  Any collusion between Trump, his henchmen, and Putin would be devastating.  Treason.  Equally troubling?

"Trump also defended his decision to only occasionally receive the Presidential Daily Briefing -- an intelligence assessment offered every morning to the President-elect, matching information delivered to President Barack Obama.  Trump said he's told intelligence officials to tell him when something changes, and that he receives the briefing "when I need it."  That remark drew derision from Rep. Adam Schiff of California, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence committee.  "If Trump was as smart as he keeps telling us, he would appreciate all he has to learn. #TakeTheBriefings," Schiff tweeted."

This man is an idiot.  A dangerous idiot.  An ignorant idiot.  An Aryan arrogant idiot.  Aren't we lucky?

Amazing how the Nazi Right concertedly believes in baseless conspiracy theories.  The Washington Post reports:

"John Bolton, a former U.N. ambassador reportedly being considered for deputy secretary of state in the Trump administration, said Sunday that reports of Russian interference in the presidential election may be a “false flag” conjured up by the Obama administration."

This sick nazi son of a bitch is talking out his ass.  No proof.  Just like that coming from "Hump The Rump" Trump.

"In an interview with Eric Shawn of Fox News, Bolton claimed the Obama administration had “politicized” intelligence and suggested there may have been a hidden motive behind the CIA’s finding that Russians hacked computer networks belonging to the Democratic and Republican national committees."

This flaming, shameless, paranoid asshole has lost his mind.  Is not qualified for government service.  Remains an exigent threat to all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.  -- What nazi isn't?  ... Right, Donald?

Subsequent to writing the above, NBC News reports:

"Hillary Clinton's campaign has thrown its support behind an effort to provide members of the Electoral College with intelligence briefings on Russian breaches of U.S. political organizations before the College formally votes to elect Donald Trump president next week.  "The bipartisan electors' letter raises very grave issues involving our national security. Electors have a solemn responsibility under the Constitution and we support their efforts to have their questions addressed," Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta said Monday, responding to a request for briefings by a group of electors."

This is certainly a change in approach by the campaign.

"Podesta's strongly worded statement signals a clear shift in strategy from Clinton and her team, who have until now shown no interest in questioning the legitimacy of last month's election. And it could crack the door to further challenges or give succor to some Democrats' long-shot hope that Trump's election could be upended when the Electoral College convenes December 19."

This is precisely likely why Trump has come out so strongly against both investigations.

CBS News reports:

“Electors have a solemn responsibility under the Constitution and we support their efforts to have their questions addressed,” Podesta said in a statement Monday.  He was responding to an open letter to Director of National Intelligence James Clapper written by 10 electors (nine Democrats and one Republican) and posted on Medium. The electors wrote about their concern about the U.S. intelligence community’s assertion -- made with “high confidence”-- that Russia “acted covertly to interfere in the presidential campaign with the intent of promoting Donald Trump’s candidacy” and about Mr. Trump’s rejection of the intelligence community’s judgment."

Indeed, their concern is well-founded.

"In their letter to Clapper, the electors wrote that they want information from the intelligence community about “whether there are ongoing investigations into ties between Donald Trump, his campaign or associates, and Russian government interference in the election, the scope of those investigations, how far those investigations may have reached, and who was involved in those investigations.”  Moreover, they say they “further require a briefing on all investigative findings, as these matters directly impact the core factors in our deliberations of whether Mr. Trump is fit to serve as President of the United States.”

Must have indeed sent a chill up the nazi's gutless spine.  To say nothing of his henchmen.

12-16-16

The President has decided to 'preserve' the torture report by the Senate.  Nowhere near good enough.  Should have long since been declassified and released to the public.  The Washington Times reports:

"The 6,700-page Senate report on the “enhanced interrogation techniques” the CIA used on terrorism suspects held after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks will not be released to the public before President Obama leaves office next month, according to the top White House lawyer.  But the torture report will be preserved and archived in presidential papers, making it eligible for declassification at a later time."

How convenient?  Having his cake and eating it as well.  The President is protecting his predecessor, George "The Tush" Bush, his sidekick, "Slick Dick" Cheney, and all the rest of their henchmen who engaged in war crimes.  Obama is gutless.  What is he afraid of?  Trump doing the same to him?

12-16-16

Don't call a nazi a liar.  Especially, if he's "Hump The Rump" Trump.  May take personal offense.  Tough, isn't it?  The Washington Post reports:

"Jones, president of the United Steelworkers Local 1999, told The Post on Tuesday that he believed Trump had lied to the Carrier workers last week when he visited the Indianapolis plant. On a makeshift stage in a conference room, Trump had applauded United Technologies, Carrier’s parent company, for cutting a deal with him and agreeing to keep 1,100 jobs that were slated to move to Mexico in America’s heartland."

Trump is a liar.  Has repeatedly lied during the campaign.  To say nothing, after the election.  Trump's response?

    "Chuck Jones, who is President of United Steelworkers 1999, has done a terrible job representing workers. No wonder companies flee country!

    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 8, 2016

    If United Steelworkers 1999 was any good, they would have kept those jobs in Indiana. Spend more time working-less time talking. Reduce dues

    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 8, 2016"

Remarkably easy to get under the goddamned nazi's thin skin, isn't it?  Think he's got the temperament to have his finger on the button?

"Half an hour after Trump tweeted about Jones on Wednesday, the union leader's phone began to ring and kept ringing, he said. One voice asked: What kind of car do you drive? Another said: We’re coming for you.  He wasn’t sure how these people found his number.   “Nothing that says they’re gonna kill me, but, you know, you better keep your eye on your kids,” Jones said later on MSNBC. “We know what car you drive. Things along those lines.”

The Nazi Right loves this fascist son of a bitch about to take office.  Wonder why?  Wake up.

12-16-16

Trump and his henchmen are not happy campers.  The President recently rocked the fascist's cage.  Tough, isn't it?  Wouldn't want to confuse the nazi with the truth, would he?  NPR reports:

"President Obama has ordered the intelligence community to conduct a "full review" of "malicious cyber activity" timed to U.S. elections, the White House said Friday.  The review will go all the way back to the 2008 campaign when China was found to have hacked both the Obama and McCain campaigns, White House spokesman Eric Schultz said at a Friday press briefing."

About time.

"In the 2016 election, U.S. intelligence officials charged that Russia had interfered. In early October, they released a strongly worded statement saying they were "confident that the Russian Government directed the recent compromises of e-mails from U.S. persons and institutions, including from U.S. political organizations." The statement went on to say "these thefts and disclosures are intended to interfere with the U.S. election process."

Trump and his henchmen deny all.  Interesting, isn't it?  Wouldn't want to confuse a nazi with the truth, would we?

"Shortly after that, WikiLeaks began posting emails hacked from Clinton campaign Chairman John Podesta's Gmail account. The slow drip of those emails, including transcripts of Clinton's remarks to Goldman Sachs, hung over the campaign in its closing weeks and proved embarrassing at times. Podesta said he spoke to the FBI about the hacking, and intelligence experts blamed Russia for that as well."

Wouldn't the average non-partisan thought the GOP would have screamed bloody murder?  Then again, political expediency trumps principle.  ... Pun intended.  At least, before an election.  Then again, Republicans certainly know not to do so could indeed become a double-edged sword:

"This news comes as Republican members of Congress are promising their own investigations into Russian hacking around the election. But all of that would be in direct conflict with the view of President-elect Donald Trump, who, in a debate earlier this year, questioned whether Russia was even behind it."

The national socialist idiot about to occupy the Oval Office lamely opined:

"I mean, it could be Russia, but it could also be China, could also be lots of other people," Trump said. "It also could be somebody sitting on the bed that weighs 400 pounds, OK?"  In a recent interview with Time magazine, Trump went further, saying, "I don't believe they interfered."

How does he know?  Appears again to be talking out his nazi ass.  For the sake of political expediency.  Principle?  Doesn't matter to a nazi.

"Schultz deflected when asked whether Obama had let Trump know he was ordering this review.  The review is due to be completed before Jan. 20, when Trump takes office."

Interesting, isn't it?  The outcome could certainly make Trump and his henchmen look like idiots.  Worse, if there is any evidence of collusion.  Then again, the public has an attention span, of what, -- a nanosecond?

NPR followed up:

"U.S. intelligence officials have determined that Russia interfered with the 2016 election, specifically to help Donald Trump win the presidency, The Washington Post first reported on Friday.  In addition to hacking into Democratic organizations, Russians hacked the Republican National Committee's computer systems, according to a separate report from The New York Times — but they did not release any information that might have been retrieved from Republican networks."

Be interesting to see where all this goes, -- if, indeed, anywhere.  The rumble grows, however:

"Citing anonymous officials briefed on the issue, the Post says the CIA shared its findings with senators in a closed-door briefing last week, saying it was now "quite clear" that Russia's goal was to tip the presidency in Trump's favor:

" 'It is the assessment of the intelligence community that Russia's goal here was to favor one candidate over the other, to help Trump get elected,' said a senior U.S. official briefed on an intelligence presentation made to U.S. senators. 'That's the consensus view.' "

Think Trump might have stolen the election with a little help from his Russian friends?  If that's the case, it's called treason.

12-16-16

Trump's business interests will be a problem.  Think not?  Wake up.  ABC News reports:

"If Donald Trump decides not to give up ownership of his businesses, he could be at risk of violating the U.S. Constitution as soon as he’s sworn in.  Although he indicated that he has plans to separate himself from his businesses, he has also made the case that the law is “totally” on his side and that “the president can’t have a conflict of interest.”  But legal experts tell ABC News that’s simply not the case."

It's not.

"Article I, Section 9, Clause 8 of the Constitution reads, “No person holding any office of profit or trust under them, shall, without the consent of the Congress, accept of any present, emolument, office or title, of any kind whatever, from any king, prince or foreign state.”  “Emolument” is a fancy word that means compensation, profit or benefit.  And with a business empire that spans the world and includes a network of real estate properties and hotels that are patronized by representatives of foreign governments, how might Trump abide by the clause and still maintain his businesses?"

Indeed, not so simple.

"Richard Painter, a former ethics lawyer for President George W. Bush, says Trump needs to divest from any part of his businesses that interact with foreign governments.  “To satisfy the Constitution, he needs to make sure he does not own companies that are accepting payments from foreign government or corporations owned by foreign governments,” Painter told ABC News."

How does one easily do so when one is invested in businesses all over the globe?

"That means Trump would almost certainly need to give up his new D.C. hotel and other properties patronized by representatives of foreign governments, Painter said, but could keep other aspects of his businesses that involve only U.S. citizens or private foreign clients.  “Theoretically, he could keep businesses that don’t deal with foreign governments and corporations controlled by foreign governments,” said Painter, offering the example of an office building in which the tenants are only American firms or privately owned foreign companies as a permissible business venture."

Be interesting to see how all this plays out.  Already, the bastard is under enormous pressure not only from Democrats, but his own party as well.

“The Constitution was deliberately written to forbid a U.S. official, particularly a president, from accepting a profit from a foreign government or from some entity representing a foreign government. The reason for that was the long experience of European corruption,” Tribe said."

Wouldn't want to confront anyone with the truth, would we?

“Every minute of every day, one of his hundreds of enterprises around the world will be receiving benefits from foreign governments,” he continued.  It’s a principle that Tribe argues extends to Trump’s adult children."

Indeed.  It does.  Yet, principle no longer means anything in our formerly great country.  The public apparently has a growing problem with this.  NPR reports:

"Donald Trump was elected president promising to use his business-world experience and negotiating skills to help boost the American economy. Now that he's about to take office, a lot of people hope he'll leave the business world behind.  Two-thirds of those responding to a Bloomberg News poll said they think Trump needs to choose between being president and being a businessman, to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest.  "They want him to be president, and they want that to be a full-time job," says Ann Selzer, who carried out the survey, which was conducted Dec. 2-5."

Subsequent to writing the above, Trump postponed until next month his pending news conference detailing plans as to how his business affairs would be handled as 'President.'  Interesting, isn't it?  Postponing the inevitable?  Or, simply clueless as to what would and would not be acceptable to an increasingly concerned, skeptical public?

12-16-16

Think Trump can't be bought?  CBS News reports:

"The woman Donald Trump chose to lead the Small Business Administration gave $1 million in October to a super political action committee that supported him."

Imagine that.  Couldn't be, could it?

"That brings Linda McMahon’s total pro-Trump super PAC donations to $7 million."

She certainly has the bucks.

"The former wrestling executive gave $6 million over the summer to the group Rebuilding America Now and another $1 million in October to the group Future 45. Both spent money primarily on television advertising."

Why not?  Has to take care of her own, doesn't she?

"McMahon’s most recent contribution was disclosed for the first time in a Federal Election Commission report filed late Thursday.  Mr. Trump tapped McMahon as the leader of the Small Business Administration on Wednesday."

It's called political patronage.

"She also poured $100 million of her fortune into two unsuccessful bids for a U.S. Senate seat in Connecticut and has become an influential Republican donor."

Certainly, lining the pockets of the top 1%.

“Linda is going to be a phenomenal leader and champion for small businesses and unleash America’s entrepreneurial spirit all across the country,” Mr. Trump said in a statement Wednesday."

That's a crock of shit.  Only the top 1% have the spending cash to do so.  They've certainly managed to thoroughly loot the bottom of the food chain as well as the middle class.  Nearly strangled the Golden Goose.

"Mr. Trump said she shares his vision of decreasing “burdensome regulations that are hurting our middle-class workers and small businesses.”

Another crock of shit.  Translation?  More global warming, black lung, earthquakes resulting from fracking, etc..  The list can go on and on.  Know what's really hurting small business?  Endless corporate greed, egregious wholesale prices for shoddy corporate products that don't stand up, aren't worth a shit.  Cost of which is always passed on by small business to an egregiously looted public.  Deliberate strangling of the Golden Goose.

12-16-16

Yet, another extremely poor choice made by the Trump Transition.  The Washington Post reports:

"President-elect Donald Trump is expected to name fast-food executive Andrew Puzder, a vocal critic of substantially increasing the minimum wage and an opponent of rules that would make more workers eligible for overtime pay, as head of the Labor Department, according to a Republican briefed on the decision."

This piece of shit clearly believes in indentured servitude.  How else can the corporate management suite so handsomely line its pockets and those of shareholders?

12-16-16

In follow up to the above, The Washington Post reports:

"Fast food executive Andrew Puzder, who President-elect Donald Trump is expected to tap as labor secretary, has advocated replacing some human workers with machines as a way for businesses to reduce costs associated with rising wages and health-care expenses."

Still think Trump a champion of the working class?

"While machines require regular maintenance and can sometimes malfunction, Puzder said, they are also easier to manage than humans and don’t pose the same legal risks. “They’re always polite, they always upsell, they never take a vacation, they never show up late, there’s never a slip-and-fall, or an age, sex, or race discrimination case,” Puzder told Business Insider in March."

This Aryan arrogant nazi remains hopelessly clueless.  Who the hell does he think will buy corporate products and services if they're replaced with machines?  If there is no labor market, there are no consumers.  If there are no consumers, ultimately, there are no corporations.

12-16-16

Yet another pending exceptionally poor choice by the Trump Transition.  NBC News reports:

"Donald Trump is expected to nominate Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson as his secretary of state, two sources close to the transition process told NBC News on Saturday.  Tillerson, 64, became president of the Texas-based oil company in 2004 and has a close business relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He has spent his entire career at the company now known as Exxon Mobil."

The 'President'-Elect continues to line his cabinet with the corporate bastards responsible for strangling the Golden Goose in our formerly great country.  -- The pieces of shit indeed responsible for determinedly eviscerating the middle class to line the pockets of the top 1% of the foodchain, those of shareholders, to say nothing of the corporate management suite itself.

... Deliberately, concertedly, turned laissez faire capitalism into a zero-sum game, winner-take-all.  -- As the national socialist bastards laid off employees at a time of record corporate profits, cash reserves.  ... Condemned the middle class to service level jobs at or slightly above a minimum wage with no benefits.  The American Way.  ... At least, the last two decades or so.

Subsequent to writing the above, the 'President'-Elect announced Tillerson would be his choice at State.  The fascist son of a bitch will likely receive stiff opposition during hearings, -- by both parties.  Forget?  Tillerson has close ties to  Putin.

With all the corporate titans Trump is nominating to his Cabinet, the question must be asked will the nazi "drain the swamp," or fill it with the corporate assholes who are responsible for bringing our formerly great country to its knees?

12-16-16

Yet another pending exceptionally poor choice by the Trump Transition.  NPR reports:

"It's a good thing former Texas Gov. Rick Perry once forgot he wanted to eliminate the Department of Energy, because President-elect Donald Trump is nominating him to lead the agency. That's according to reports by multiple news outlets.  Perry, who served 14 years as governor of energy-rich Texas, blanked on the Department of Energy's name during a televised gaffe that was probably the most high-profile moment of his troubled 2012 presidential run. It's become known as the "Oops Moment."

Rick "The Prick" Perry is an idiot.  Not surprisingly, Trump wants him at the Department of Energy.

12-16-16

In follow up to an earlier edition, seems Trump's national security advisor has an issue handling classified information.  The Washington Post reports:

"A secret U.S. military investigation in 2010 determined that Michael T. Flynn, the retired Army general tapped to serve as national security adviser in the Trump White House, “inappropriately shared” classified information with foreign military officers in Afghanistan, newly released documents show."

Couldn't be, could it? This, from a piece of shit who now wants to be national security advisor?  Anything wrong with this picture?  Anything at all?

"Although Flynn lacked authorization to share the classified material, he was not disciplined or reprimanded after the investigation concluded that he did not act “knowingly” and that “there was no actual or potential damage to national security as a result,” according to Army records obtained by The Washington Post under the Freedom of Information Act."

Although the General doesn't have to be confirmed, it certainly provides proof positive Trump's head remains securely up his ass.

12-16-16

While Republican national socialists rightfully skewered Hillary Clinton for being a liar during the campaign, they gutlessly ignored daily lies, obfuscation, inconsistencies, contradictory statements perpetrated by Trump.  For all her prevarication, however, Clinton didn't hold a candle to Trump.  Yet, his deluded sick sycophants determinedly ignored those perpetrated by the nazi himself.

Indeed, a double standard.  Especially, since the lies from Trump were constant, made no sense, made him look like an incompetent jackass.  Interestingly, lies perpetrated by Trump seemed to have lit a fire under the lying, convoluted, hypocritical asses of other members of the GOP, including Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller.  PolitiFact Texas reports:

"On Nov. 27, Miller posted a new unattributed photo, this time of the muscled actor Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, shown wearing a T-shirt with a message Miller endorsed.  Johnson's shirt read: "We stand for the Flag.  We kneel for the fallen," along with this Miller caption: "Thanks to Dwayne Johnson AKA "The Rock" for standing up and defending our Flag.  There are a few good guys left in Hollywood and The Rock is one of them."

Miller indeed has a history of such subterfuge, dishonesty:

"But when we saw the photo presentation, it looked to us like the unsourced photo's shirt text had alignment problems.  Also, the text on the T-shirt looked skewed, and a smudge next to Johnson's right arm looked as if there might have been additional removed text or imagery.  We knew that Miller had previously posted a photo lacking accuracy.  In March, we gave a "Pants on Fire" rating to what turned out to be Miller's Facebook post of a fake image of President Barack Obama holding a T-Shirt with Marxist revolutionary Che Guevara's face on it.  Separately, the Texas Tribune has compiled 10 Miller posts of "demonstrably false, misleading or unsupported information."

This is the mark of a fascist.  Hitler did the same.  So did Mussolini.  So does Trump.  Truth no longer matters.  Only ideology.  To both extremes, Right as well as the Left.  Why is it so many Republicans hypocritically accuse Democrats of lying when they do precisely the same themselves?  In fact, they seem to have taken it much, much further.

While Clinton got rightfully tagged for lying about the mail server, that was about the extent of it.  The Benghazi fiasco was no more than a ruse perpetrated by Republicans.  Yet, Trump lied day after day after day and still received unwavering support.  Interesting, isn't it?  The fascist continues to lie on a daily basis on issue after issue yet is still supported by his determinedly blind, sick sycophants.

"Our ruling
"Miller posted a photo of "The Rock" wearing a T-shirt with a message calling for people to "stand for the flag" and "kneel for the fallen."  That image, we found, was a product of photo manipulation.  It looks to us like Johnson actually posed in a plain shirt without any message.  We rate this photo post as False."

Deceit, deception, open lying runs rampant in political circles.  Certainly, within the Trump Transition.  Truth?  What's that?  Trump certainly won't be confused by the truth under any circumstances.  NPR reports:

"For more than 50 years, it's been a tradition at the White House — a concise daily intelligence briefing, presented to the president and a small group of top officials.  It is also tradition for the winner of the presidential election to start receiving the same briefing during his transition, as a way to start preparing for the world he will face once he moves into the Oval Office.  Most days he has declined to receive the briefing, making it more of a weekly occurrence than a daily one."

The 'President'-Elect clearly believes he knows it all:  "Well, I get it when I need it."

12-16-16

The pending Trump Regime already smacks of McCarthyism.  Think not?  Wake up.  NPR reports:

"Among his campaign promises, President-elect Donald Trump vowed to increase domestic energy production and roll back President Obama's efforts to combat climate change. A lengthy questionnaire recently sent to the Department of Energy suggests that effort may dig deep."

The witch hunt appears to be on.

"Among the transition's inquiries, NPR's Jennifer Ludden reports:

 "It wants to know who at the Department of Energy attended domestic and international climate talks. It wants emails about those conferences. It also asks about money spent on loan-guarantee programs for renewable energy. ... The Trump team questionnaire also asks about the Energy Department's role in the Iran nuclear deal, which Trump has called 'stupid.' And it asks for the 20 highest paid employees at the department's national laboratories."

This, what you Right Wing nazis in Llano County want in the Oval Office?

"The questionnaire brought immediate negative reaction from Democratic lawmakers and environmental groups, including a letter to Trump from Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts:

"This request suggests that your administration may intend to retaliate against career employees who faithfully executed their responsibilities. ... If any of this information is used to demote, sideline, terminate or otherwise discriminate against federal civil servants whose only 'crime' was to execute the lawful policy directives of their supervisors, then your administration would violate U.S. law that protects employees against such wrongful acts of retaliation."

This is the problem with a nazi.  This is what to be expected.  Should send a chill up the spine of those who treasure a democratic republic.  This is why this nazi must be ferociously, but peacefully, resisted.  The power of a dictator always resides in the consent of the governed.  If you gutlessly tolerate imposition of The Fourth Reich, you get what you truly deserve.  Too bad the rest of us suffer for it.

In follow up to the above, NPR reports:

"The Department of Energy is refusing the Trump transition team's request to name those who have worked on climate change within the department, because of concerns about what the incoming administration will do with the names."

A nazi must be peacefully, but ferociously resisted no matter the cost.

12-16-16

Truth, public exposure, freedom of press are already under attack as the country prepares for its first national socialist, fascist 'President.'  CBS News reports:

"The Trentonian newspaper says a judge has ordered it to stop publishing articles about a child custody case, a ruling that has sparked concerns about press freedom and violation of First Amendment rights.  Superior Court Judge Craig Corson issued a temporary injunction in October against the 30,000-daily circulation newspaper over its reporting on the case of a 5-year-old who allegedly brought drugs to school multiple times."

This is a chilling, vicious attack on freedom of the press, the public's right to know.  Determined imposition of The Fourth Reich.

"On Oct. 26, the paper published a piece by reporter Isaac Avilucea, who had obtained court documents about a 5-year-old in Trenton who was placed in foster care after heroin was found in his lunch box. About a month later, crack was allegedly found in one of the boy’s folders.   Corson’s injunction against using the documents was followed by a New Jersey Attorney General’s Office request to continue the order."

The bastard rubber stamped an egregiously unconstitutional court order in a fascist police-state.

"The paper said they were immediately filing a motion to unseal the documents related to the case.  NorthJersey.com reports Avilucea got the documents when he was approached by the parents of the boy in question outside the courtroom. Prosecutors claim Avilucea stole the documents, but the paper claims the boy’s parents asked him to write the story."

The government indeed has the habit of lying when things don't go its way.  ... Right, Sheriff?  TL?

"Avilucea was confronted by state officials in the courthouse after getting the documents, but did not turn them over, and reported on the case despite Corson’s oral injunction from the bench."

Did the right thing.  No matter the consequences.  Tyranny must be ferociously, but peacefully resisted.  This is going back to court:

"After the story was published, the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office filed a motion to continue Corson’s injunction. Judge Rodney Thompson is scheduled to hear arguments for and against the injunction Wednesday in Superior Court.  Prosecutors argue the documents contain sensitive, confidential material -- such as biographical details and addresses -- that could harm the child and damage their investigation.   Attorneys for the paper are arguing that the boy’s parents parted with the documents willingly, and that filing a prior restraint order is a clear violation of well-tested First Amendment rights."

This is no more than a chilling attack on the First Amendment Freedom of the Press.  If precedent is of any account, the government will likely lose.

"In addition to the editorial merits of the story, the newspaper and others argue a prior injunction against reporting is a clear violation of First Amendment rights, and similar injunctions have been repeatedly struck down in the courts."

Indeed, they have been.

"The issue was most famously litigated before the Supreme Court in New York Times Co. v. United States over the Pentagon Papers, which detailed the U.S. government’s history in Vietnam from 1945 to 1967, and exposed government deception surrounding the Vietnam War."

The government lost its ass in this famous case.  Rightfully, so.

"The Nixon administration vociferously fought their publication, arguing it would do irreparable harm to national security. The Supreme Court ruled that essentially the government cannot tell the press what it does and does not publish."

That ruling occurred at a time when we had some semblance of liberty left in our formerly great country.  Now, we live in what amounts to a goddamned fascist police-state where nearly anything goes.  The Fourth Reich.  Nazi America.

12-16-16

Trump has his panties in a wad over the new presidential jet and its enormous cost.  Needs to take a look at the presidential limousine about to go into service.  CBS News reports:

"The car that will roll down Pennsylvania Avenue on Jan. 20 will look something like the photo above, according to a rendering done by Autoweek. General Motors (GM) is building the heavily armored vehicle that’s expected to have a front end resembling a Cadillac Escalade SUV. But the Cadillac resemblance ends there. The rest of the vehicle is set on a medium-duty truck frame with custom-made body panels."

The cost?  Seatbelts on:

"Informed estimates put the cost for each vehicle between $1 million and $1.5 million."

That all?  The taxpayers can take the f--king, can't they?  After all, the corporate management suite needs to be well taken care of, doesn't it?

12-16-16

Sen. Ted "Screws Loose" Cruz certainly appears to have lost his mind.  From his latest newsletter:

"Sen. Cruz: Given Our Current Global Commitments and Tremendous Challenges Facing the New Administration, It Is Imperative to Equip Our Commanders for the Tough Task Ahead."

With a new defense budget approximately $600 billion loaded with pork, it's never enough?

"Sen. Cruz on Thursday released the following statement after voting in favor of the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act:

“This legislation is a major step toward improving readiness and enhancing the ability of our servicemen and women to defend our nation. The NDAA is not a perfect piece of legislation; inevitably bills of its size and scope fail to address every concern and often interfere in issues unrelated to a bill’s core mission. However, the damage done to our military by its own civilian leadership over the past eight years has placed our service members in a precarious position."

The last statement above is a disingenuous crock of shit.  Simply, not true.  The Senator is again talking out his ass.  Remains determined to display his determinedly partisan insanity no matter the facts.

12-16-16

The income gap is certainly growing.  Will likely exponentially increase when Trump takes office since nearly all his Cabinet members remain anti-labor.  NPR reports:

"The widening gap between rich and poor Americans has pushed the chances of children earning more money than their parents down to around 50 percent, economic researchers say. That's a sharp fall from 1940, when 90 percent of kids were destined to move up the income ladder."

Hear the rumble?

12-9-16

Ferocious, but peaceful protest will continue unabated to the nazi about to become 'President.' The Washington Times reports:

"Rep. Luis Gutierrez said Friday that he will be attending Donald Trump’s inauguration in January, but to march with protesters against the president-elect’s policies.  In an interview with CNN’s “New Day,” the Illinois Democrat said that he’s attended the inaugurations of Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama, but he is choosing to protest Mr. Trump’s."

Protest must be ferocious, but peaceful.  Resistance so stiff it makes it difficult for the nazi to impose his national socialist agenda.

“I’m not going to this inauguration, I can’t go to this inauguration, because he continues to spew hatred, bigotry and prejudice even after he said he was going to bring us all together, he was going to unify,” Mr. Gutierrez said.  “But he’s not,” he added. “He continues to spew this kind of hatred. And so I’m not going to be there.”

Hatred is indeed a problem.  It's part of the nazi agenda, national socialist ideology.  Implementation of The Fourth Reich.

12-9-16

Trump has made his selection for Secretary of Defense.  NPR reports:

"At a rally in Cincinnati on Thursday night, President-elect Donald Trump said he would select retired Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis to lead the Defense Department, filling a key role in the incoming administration. Mattis, 66, is famous for both his blunt talk and his engaging leadership in recent U.S. conflicts.  Mattis "is the closest thing to Gen. George Patton that we have," Trump told the Ohio crowd. "And it's about time."

Mattis is indeed a remarkable Marine.  Not only has he distinguished himself in combat, is well-respected by his fellow Marines as a leader.  But not by all in the military.  Be interesting to see how hearings turn out in view of his most colorful history.  The man is an intellectual:

"Mattis, a bachelor whom friends call the 'warrior monk' for his devotion to the military, is known to carry books of Roman philosophy with him on every combat mission. He has a personal library of 6,000 books that he insists on taking with him from post to post. But beyond the books and bravado is a general who can connect with his troops."

Certainly, didn't want to make the same mistakes his forebears made in battle.

"In March 2003, the same month U.S. forces invaded Iraq, Mattis wrote a letter to everyone under his command, encouraging them to think before firing their weapons — and to "Fight with a happy heart and strong spirit. Demonstrate to the world there is no better friend, no worse enemy than a U.S. Marine."

Nothing wrong with the above.  In fact, it's a most admirable approach.  But that's not all there is to this man.  NBC News reports:

"A former Army Special Forces officer is accusing retired Marine General James Mattis, President-elect Donald Trump's pick to be defense secretary, of "leaving my men to die" after they were hit by friendly fire in Afghanistan in 2001.  Mattis has not commented publicly on the incident, which was chronicled in a 2011 New York Times bestselling book, "The Only Thing Worth Dying For," by Eric Blehm. The book portrays Mattis as stubbornly unwilling to help the Green Berets.  His actions, which were not formally investigated at the time, are now likely to get far more scrutiny during the retired general's Senate confirmation process."

Be interesting to see if there is any substance to the above.

"Trump's transition team did not respond to request for comment from NBC News. Nor did Mattis, whose 2013 retirement from the military means he would need a waiver from Congress to serve as the civilian Pentagon chief."

Why wouldn't they?  Do so quickly?  Lay the matter to rest if there is indeed no substance to the allegations.

"Mattis is a highly decorated former wartime commander who became famous for leading the 1st Marine Division's lightning fast movement into Baghdad during the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003."

Didn't nickname him "Mad Dog" for nothing.  But there's also the following, alluded to above, that needs to be addressed in hearings:

"On December 5, 2001, as the wreckage of the twin towers still smoldered in lower Manhattan, a team of Army Green Berets accompanying Hamid Karzai, the future president of Afghanistan, was hit by a U.S. smart bomb in a case of friendly fire.  Two American soldiers died instantly and a third was badly wounded. He would later die. Dozens of Afghans also were killed, and the CIA officer who now runs the agency's spying arm protected Karzai with his body."

Heroic, isn't it?

"Mattis, then a brigadier general commanding a nearby group of Marines, refused repeated requests to send helicopters to rescue the Green Berets, people involved in the operation tell NBC News. The helicopters under Mattis' command at Camp Rhino were about 45 minutes away, according to the book.  And, as commander, Mattis had final approval for the decision not to dispatch a rescue mission from there."

Interesting, isn't it?

"He was indecisive and betrayed his duty to us, leaving my men to die during the golden hour when he could have reached us," Jason Amerine, who led the Army special forces operation as a captain, said in a Facebook post Friday morning.  "Every element in Afghanistan tried to help us except the closest friendly unit, commanded by Mattis," added Amerine, who retired as a lieutenant colonel and made news in recent years as a prominent critic of the Obama administration's hostage policies."

Be interesting to see how Mattis responds during pending hearings.

The problem with this nomination goes much further than past history, however.  Mattis would first require an act by Congress since he is not retired the seven years necessary.  More importantly, the Defense Department needs to remain under civilian, not military control.  There is also the issue of Trump having drawn a number of retired high ranking officers into his pending regime.  May cause undue military influence on what is supposed to be civilian control of government.

NPR further reports:

"The question is, how big of a problem is this for Mattis' confirmation chances? A few Democrats have already weighed in. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York issued a statement Thursday, saying:

    "While I deeply respect General Mattis's service, I will oppose a waiver. Civilian control of our military is a fundamental principle of American democracy, and I will not vote for an exception to this rule."

"The top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, Adam Smith of Washington, says hearings will be needed if he is to support a waiver:

    "[While] I like and respect General Mattis a great deal, the House of Representatives would have to perform a full review, including hearings by the Armed Services Committee, if it were to consider overriding the statutory prohibition on recent military officers serving as the Secretary of Defense."

Ordinarily, this might not have been that much of an issue.  With a nazi about to take office as 'President,' however, careful thought must be given to consideration of every candidate for his Cabinet, including this one.

12-9-16

Think poor judgment, rabid insanity runs in the family?  CBS News reports:

"The son of Lt.-Gen. Michael T. Flynn, Donald Trump’s pick to be national security adviser, Michael G. Flynn, resigned from the Trump transition team Tuesday, CBS News’ Major Garrett reported.  He offered his resignation when it became clear that he was becoming a significant distraction and his position helping his father was no longer tenable."

Could it be dear old dad isn't any better?

"Flynn the younger was given the distinct impression that his tweets on fake news had become problematic and the transition did not intend to expend the energy or political capital necessary to defend him."

No question.  At least someone in the transition smartened up.  Think not?

"Michael G. Flynn afterward tweeted that #Pizzagate would remain a story until it’s “proven to be false.”

    Until #Pizzagate proven to be false, it'll remain a story. The left seems to forget #PodestaEmails and the many "coincidences" tied to it. https://t.co/8HA9y30Yfp
    — Michael G Flynn???? (@mflynnJR) December 5, 2016"

Unbelievable.  Then again this clueless son of a bitch is no better than Trump himself.

"Flynn has also trafficked in other conspiracy theories and fake stories, including one that said former President Bill Clinton had raped a 13-year-old and another that accused Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, of being a gay cocaine user.

    @AnnCoulter HAVE YOU SEEN! Rubio's coke house, gayish dance troupe, and foam parties - Wayne Madsen Report https://t.co/lgSwhXUmek
    — Michael G Flynn???? (@mflynnJR) March 4, 2016"

This is what's coming January 20, 2017.  The fiasco's just beginning.  You national socialist Republicans in Llano County still impressed with your guy?  Trump, still the man?  Your man?

12-9-16

-- Another exceptionally poor choice made by the nazi about to take office.  NPR reports:

"President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Dr. Ben Carson to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development in his incoming administration.  "Ben Carson has a brilliant mind and is passionate about strengthening communities and families within those communities," Trump said in a statement released Monday. "We have talked at length about my urban renewal agenda and our message of economic revival, very much including our inner cities."

Carson has absolutely no government experience of any kind.  Knows nothing about housing and urban development.  Is not qualified to run a huge, approximately $50 billion federal bureaucracy.

12-9-16

Yet another exceptionally poor choice made by the nazi about to take office.  NBC News reports:

"Retired Marine Gen. John F. Kelly has been selected to serve as President-elect Donald Trump's secretary for homeland security, NBC News has confirmed."

Trump is surrounding himself with high-level retired military personnel.  What fascist wouldn't?  This government is supposed to be run by civilians, not recently retired military personnel with an agenda.

12-9-16

Trump has embarked on what he calls a 'Thank-You Tour.'  At the first stop in Cincinnati, NPR reports:

"We are going to reduce taxes ... for the middle class in particular but for our companies." [Trump quote]

Economists are already questioning whether or not what he's proposing will in fact lead to an increase in taxes for at least some in the middle class.  Simply outrageous the national socialist 'President'-Elect is proposing tax relief for the corporate management suite at a time of record corporate profits and cash reserves.  Readers are reminded the middle class has dearly paid for the current highly unsustainable status quo.

That is, the hopelessly greedy corporate management suite has laid off many to generate those record profits and cash reserves.  To line not only its bottomless pockets with multi-million dollar compensation packages, but the pockets of shareholders.  Meanwhile, the laid off middle class has been forced to find service level jobs at or slightly above the minimum wage with no benefits.  Convenient, isn't it?

Now, the son of a bitch nazi wants to give these very same corporate bastards a corporate tax break.  If they're not hiring, still continuing to lay off people at a time of record corporate profits and cash reserves, why would they then start hiring now if given an additional tax break?  Why?  Especially, since Trump cannot prevent all of them from leaving the country, going overseas in an effort to find what amounts to slave labor?

Even his effort to retain part of the Carrier work force in this country comes at a horrendous price, -- corporate welfare at expense of looted taxpayers.  His sick sycophants have been bamboozled yet again.  Bought his phony bullshit.  Think the fascist son of a bitch can create similar 'deals' for hundreds of other corporations planning to leave?  Truly believe it?  Think the taxpayers won't wind up in open revolt?  Think the Carrier deal that great?  Reportedly, some 800 people will retain their jobs.  Another 1,300 will get the boot.

NPR reports:

"In its latest form, Trump's tax plan does reduce taxes for the middle class, but not "in particular." In fact, it's much kinder to the highest-income Americans than to anyone else, according to an October analysis from the Tax Policy Center."

Again, the fascist son of a bitch is clearly taking care of his own, the top 1% of the food chain.  Yet, his sick sycophants can't seem to understand he's bamboozled them:

"It found that the middle 20 percent of earners would see their after-tax incomes go up by 1.8 percent under Trump's plan. The next 20 percent upward would see an increase of 2.2 percent, and the top 20 percent would see their incomes jump by 6.6 percent. At the very highest levels, among the top 0.1 percent, after-tax incomes would rise by 14.2 percent. Long story short: The higher the income group, the bigger the tax break in general."

For you clueless Right Wing fascists out there, you're getting royally f--ked by this charlatan.  Yet, remain too aggressively stupid, hopelessly ignorant to understand.

"Trump has proposed a major corporate tax cut, as he indicates here. His plan would bring the top federal corporate income tax rate down to 15 percent from 35 percent. (Many businesses actually pay a much lower effective tax rate than 35 percent, thanks to deductions and other loopholes.)"

Wouldn't want to confuse anyone with the truth.

12-9-16

Sen. Ted "Screws Loose" Cruz opined in his most recent newsletter:

"Greetings,

"This week, with the death of Cuba’s brutal Communist dictator Fidel Castro, we witnessed a powerful moment for people all across the country, particularly Cuban-Americans like myself. Many families in our great state have suffered at the hands of the brutal Castro regime and have come to Texas to escape the hopelessness and evil that consumes the island."

Only to find similar evil right here in our formerly great country courtesy of law enforcement that remains out of control, murderous, shakes down the innocent to line government coffers.  Whether repression comes from the Extreme Left as in Cuba or from the Extreme Right as in our formerly great state, the end result remains the same.  Repression, oppression, murders committed by government goons with impunity, shake downs, intimidation, etc..  The Senator is too clueless to understand this.  To say nothing of the innocent executed by the state.  As well as those with mental issues the state continues to execute despite pending law suits.

"While Fidel Castro’s death is cause for celebration, the tyrannical regime remains ever-present under his brother, Raul. Unfortunately, under President Obama, the United States has adopted a position of weakness and appeasement when dealing with hostile dictators. Change can come to Cuba, but only if America learns from history and prevents Raul Castro from perpetuating his brother’s oppressive legacy."

Once again, our clueless Senator is a liar.  What "appeasement," Senator.  That's unadulterated bullshit.  Where is your opposition to the criminal jackbooted bastards in blue who continue to murder on the job with impunity?  Your hypocrisy is stunning, you fascist son of a bitch.

"It is my hope and prayer that with a new president coming into office in January, American foreign policy will be one of strength and that one day we will see a free Cuba, where people can live according to their beliefs without fear of imprisonment, torture, or oppression.

Keep Texas Strong,

TC Sig
Ted Cruz"

You remain out of your mind, Senator.  Achingly clueless.  You rightfully condemn Cuban communism, while gleefully supporting a nazi 'President'-Elect about to take office.  A national socialist, fascist, self-serving piece of crap who plans to do all he can to shit on the United States Constitution, particularly, the Bill of Rights to fully implement a goddamned fascist police-state, The Fourth Reich.  A raucous, boot clicking, goose stepping, treasonous, treacherous, traitorous Sieg Heil!, you hopelessly fascist son of a bitch.  Where is your swastika armband, brownshirt, you nazi bastard?

The Senator apparently believes elections should be bought by those with the capital.  Somehow believes full disclosure will prevent those bought and paid for from being bought and paid for:

"Sen. Cruz and Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) on Wednesday introduced the SuperPAC Elimination Act of 2017, which champions free speech in the election process and effectively eliminates SuperPACs by allowing unlimited individual contributions to candidates with immediate disclosure."

The Senator is clueless.  Think any candidate who knows who contributed to his or her campaign will not be beholden?  The Senator clearly does not live on the same planet as the rest of us.  Day is night, night is day, and shit smells perversely sweet to the nazi element.  All ass backwards, right, Senator?

12-9-16

Trump will certainly be looking to the corporate management suite for approval as he continues to line the pockets of the top 1% of the food chain.  Think not? Wake up.  ABC News reports:

"Donald Trump has enlisted a number of top business leaders for an advisory committee in order to help "bring back jobs and Make America Great Again," according to a statement from his transition team."

This is unadulterated bullshit.  The jobs are not coming back when the corporate management suite has access to what amounts to slave labor overseas.  Why pay Americans a livable wage when you can get something for nearly nothing overseas?  Trump has no plans to seize corporate assets, remove citizenship from top executives should they relocate overseas.  Does not have the authority to do so.  Would be unconstitutional.  Unless corporate assets are seized, citizenship revoked, there is no meaningful, effective way to prevent these greedy traitors from leaving for the sake of profits.

"The group, called the President's Strategic and Policy Forum, will be headed up by Blackstone co-founder Stephen Schwarzman and includes the CEOs of well-known companies."

Who else?  Who else would this fascist son of a bitch be beholden to?  Certainly, not the middle class, or bottom of the food chain.  He's already looted them dry.  Forget?

"General Motors CEO Mary Barra, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, Wal-Mart Stores CEO Doug McMillon, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink and Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger are among the members of "The Forum."

How about that?  The bastard is certainly revealing his true colors.  What he stands for.

"Former CEOs like Jack Welch, who was the head of General Electric, Jim McNerney, the former CEO of Boeing, and Paul Atkins, who was the former commissioner of the Securities and Exchange Commission, are also on the list of 16 members."

Amazing, isn't it?  No more than the fox guarding the chicken coop.

"This forum brings together CEOs and business leaders who know what it takes to create jobs and drive economic growth," Trump said in the statement announcing the group."

The hell they do, you clueless nazi.  They do know, however, how to cleverly line the pockets of the corporate management suite and shareholders at expense of the work force, looted consumers, shoddy products that aren't worth a shit.  Don't last.  Aren't worth what consumers are looted to pay for them.

"My administration is committed to drawing on private sector expertise and cutting the government red tape that is holding back our businesses from hiring, innovating, and expanding right here in America," he said."

That's more double talk.  Unadulterated bullshit.  What this really means is more climate change, shoddier products, more pollution, more pipeline ruptures, more fracking-induced earthquakes, more black lung, etc..  The list can go on and on.  Will the nazi call for the re-introduction of leaded paint, gasoline, known carcinogens?  In other words, grant the corporate management suite carte blanche to do as it pleases sans any regulation at all?

The nazi in waiting continues to falsely claim he's going to bring the country together.  The Washington Times reports:

“We’re not unified. We’re going to be,” Mr. Trump told the energetic crowd of thousands. “I’ve always brought people together. I know you find that hard to believe, maybe you don’t."

It's not going to happen, Donald.  Half of this country intends to ferociously, but peacefully, make it impossible for you to effectively govern, that is, impose your brand of nazism, national socialism, fascism on our formerly great country.  You will receive concerted opposition every step of the way.  As the unwanted dreaded second American revolution already catastrophically looms on the horizon.

"He continued: “We are going to find common ground, and we are going to get the job done properly. America is going to start winning again big league.”

There is no common ground with a nazi, Donald.  None at all.

"The president-elect also called for healing the racial division in the country.  “We condemn bigotry and prejudice in all of its forms,” said Mr. Trump, who throughout the presidential race was accused of stirring racism and bigotry."

The hell you do, you lying son of a bitch.  You've done all you could to date to inflame racism, bigotry, anti-LGBT sentiment, etc..  You concertedly talk out both sides your sorry, lying ass.  Change policy positions daily like you do your underwear.

"The president-elect said he was going to fight the forces in Washington that for too long have divided citizens and pitted them against each other based on age, race, sex and income."

That's crap.  He got it achingly ass backwards.  It's the top 1%, including the corporate management suite that has done precisely what he now decries to line its bottomless pockets.  You've been, and continue to be, bamboozled by a charlatan.

“For too long, Washington has tried to put us in boxes,” Mr. Trump said. “We spend to much time focusing on what divides us. Now is the time to focus on the one thing that truly unites us. You know what that is? It’s America.”

Spoken like an Adolf Hitler some eight decades ago.  "Deutshland Uber Alles."  Germany Above All.

12-9-16

A nazi portend of things to come?  CBS News reports:

"President-elect Donald Trump wished the Philippines well in its bloody war on drugs during a call with President Rodrigo Duterte Friday, according to statements by the Philippine leader.  Duterte said in a video that Mr. Trump was “quite sensitive” to the nation’s controversial drug crackdown, which has resulted in thousands of extrajudicial killings since June, when Duterte first took office.  “[Trump] wishes me well in my campaign and said that we are doing it as a sovereign nation, the right way,” Duterte said of the Friday call, in which he described an “animated” president-elect.  “I could sense a good rapport,” the Philippines leader said. “He was wishing me success in my campaign on the drug problem. He understood the way we are handling it and he said that there’s nothing wrong in protecting your country.”

This, what you clueless, shameless fascists here in Nazi Llano County want in the Oval Office?

12-9-16

Protesters stood tall at Texas A&M.  CNN reports:

"Richard Spencer, the white nationalist who helped found the so-called alt-right movement, embraced the conflict as he spoke at Texas A&M Tuesday night.  For roughly two hours, Spencer delivered his message of white supremacy to a room of 400 people, the vast majority of whom were there in protest.  "At the end of the day, America belongs to white men," Spencer said.  Outside the banquet hall, thousands of protesters made their presence known throughout campus. They, along with university officials, criticized Spencer for showing up."

If nazism is ignored, history repeats itself.  Must be ferociously but peacefully resisted.

12-9-16

The Nazi Right is out of control in our increasingly national socialist state.  The Statesman reports:

"Federal District Judge David Ezra said in the ruling that he was going to order a permanent injunction against Williamson County officials against asking "any questions, written or oral, of any applicant to an appointed constable position, regarding their views on same-sex marriage, abortion or religious affiliation."

Williamson County paid a stiff price for doing as it pleased, violating Robert Lloyd's 14th Amendment right to equal protection when he was asked irrelevant personal questions:

"The ruling was made after a trial in late September on the lawsuit Lloyd filed against the commissioners in June 2013.  Lloyd said in a statement released by the Texas Civil Rights Project, which represented him, that he hopes "Judge Ezra's ruling sends a message to Williamson County officials that they can't impose their beliefs and values on others."

Indeed.  They did pay a steep price:

"Williamson County has paid about $398,000 to defend the Commissioners Court in the lawsuit, according to a county spokeswoman.  The county also agreed to settle for a total of $100,000 with two other candidates--Fred Churchill and Robert Goodrich."

Doesn't your heart bleed?  The following is chilling:

"Birkman was the commissioner who had asked four of the candidates questions about gay marriage and abortion during the March 2013 interviews, according to the ruling.  She also asked a fifth constable candidate questions about gay marriage and abortion during a prior interview he had for a justice of the peace position, the ruling said."

The following clearly articulates her agenda:

"Birkman said that when she interviewed Lloyd about the constable job, his answers about his views on gay marriage and abortion were "wordy and long," so she told him if he wanted to be elected constable, he needed to have a better answer according to the trial transcript."

Clearly, achingly rabid partisanship of a Republican nazi:

"Long testified during the trial that the applicants' responses to questions about their views on same-sex marriage and abortion mattered because "the voters in Precinct 3 have a history of electing people who subscribe to the Republican platform and are staunchly conservative," the trial transcript said."

Indeed, the Aryan arrogance of a Republican nazi.

12-9-16

Republicans in the GOP and now about to be ensconced in the Oval Office couldn't be too happy about the following.  Tough shit.  ABC News reports:

"Internal emails show that city and state officials blame a North Carolina law limiting LGBT protections for a company's decision to pick another state for a new project that includes 700 jobs.  The Charlotte Observer (http://bit.ly/2gI2CAn) reports that emails obtained through public records requests show that the law known as HB2 was cited as a key factor in CoStar Group's decision not to put its hub in Charlotte."

When it costs national socialists in the GOP dearly financially, change will finally come.  Nazis in the Republican Party still don't understand they simply can't force their outrageously perverse ideological and religious views on the public by statute.

12-9-16

Republicans certainly haven't encountered a defense bill they couldn't overwhelmingly support due to financial considerations, -- including egregiously wasteful overspending.  The latest, certainly, no exception.  Will likely exponentially increase when Trump takes office.  ABC News reports:

"The Republican-led House on Friday overwhelmingly backed a $611 billion defense policy bill that rejects a number of President Barack Obama's key proposals for managing the nation's vast military enterprise.  Lawmakers passed the legislative package, 375-34. The bill now goes to the Senate where a vote is expected early next week."

Think it won't pass there?  Well over a half trillion bucks.  How much is waste?  Neither party will ever tell.  Why would they?

12-9-16

Kiss whatever privacy is left vis a vis the Internet.  CBS News reports:

"Under a President Donald Trump, cable and phone companies could gain new power to influence what you do and what you watch online — not to mention how much privacy you have while you’re at it."

It's how the corporate management suite lines its pockets.  Aids and abets its bought and paid for shills in law enforcement.

"Many experts say that Republicans who generally oppose regulation are likely to take charge at the Federal Communications Commission, the government’s primary telecom regulator. That alone could mean the end of rules designed to protect privacy and individual choice on the internet. Those rules were enacted over the past several years under the Obama administration."

This is precisely why sophisticated encryption, taking years to break, is so exceptionally timely.  To protect us against the corporate management suite, law enforcement on fishing expeditions.

12-9-16

The Trump Transition, apparently, cannot withstand criticism, to say nothing of the truth.  Tough, isn't it?  CBS News reports:

"Kellyanne Conway, a senior adviser to Donald Trump’s transition team, weighed in Friday on the public feud with top Clinton aides, telling “CBS This Morning” that accusations of race-baiting during the campaign were “completely false.”

The hell they are.  It's how Trump energized and gained the supposedly unwanted support he garnered from white supremacists in the Alt Right.

"When asked whether the Trump campaign felt it had given voice to white supremacists, Conway said “it’s just completely false.”

Conway is either delusional, -- or a liar.  Possibly, both.

“I took that personally, and I know that’s not true,” Conway said. “President-elect Trump has denounced every single element of that awful movement. He’s never met these people. He doesn’t ask for their endorsement.”

He didn't have to.  Got it anyway.  Knew full well he would.  He is a national socialist just like they are.  Has his own history of discrimination detailed both in an earlier edition here and elsewhere.  To claim otherwise is no more than disingenuous bullshit, more pointedly, a bold faced lie.

12-9-16

Trouble in Trump paradise?  CNN reports:

"Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin -- an early supporter of Donald Trump who is under consideration to serve in his Cabinet -- is criticizing the use of subsidies to keep an Indiana-based air conditioning company from sending jobs to Mexico, a move the President-elect has spotlighted as one of his first victories since being elected.  "When government steps in arbitrarily with individual subsidies, favoring one business over others, it sets inconsistent, unfair, illogical precedent," she wrote Friday in a "Young Conservatives" column. "Meanwhile, the invisible hand that best orchestrates a free people's free enterprise system gets amputated. Then, special interests creep in and manipulate markets."

One of the few times Palin has indeed been right about anything.  She also rightfully accused it of being crony capitalism.  Indeed, it is.  Seatbelts on!  You 'ain't' seen 'nuttin,' -- yet.

12-9-16

More trouble in Trump paradise?  ABC News reports:

"When Donald Trump named his Treasury secretary, Teena Colebrook felt her heart sink.  She had voted for the president-elect on the belief that he would knock the moneyed elites from their perch in Washington, D.C. And she knew Trump's pick for Treasury—Steven Mnuchin—all too well.  OneWest, a bank formerly owned by a group of investors headed by Mnuchin, had foreclosed on her Los Angeles-area home in the aftermath of the Great Recession, stripping her of the two units Thshe rented as a primary source of income."

Tough, isn't it?  What the hell did she expect from a goddamned national socialist?

"I just wish that I had not voted," said Colebrook, 59. "I have no faith in our government anymore at all. They all promise you the world at the end of a stick and take it away once they get in."

So what else is new?  Like the rest of you, she was bamboozled.

"Less than a month after his presidential win, Trump's populist appeal has started to clash with a Cabinet of billionaires and millionaires that he believes can energize economic growth."

You think?

"The prospect of Mnuchin leading the Treasury Department drew plaudits from many in the financial sector. A former Goldman Sachs executive who pivoted in the early 2000s to hedge fund management and movie production, he seemed an ideal emissary to Wall Street."

Of course he is.  What did you expect?  You got what you deserved.  F--ked.  Royally.

12-9-16

Clueless nazis in the GOP are about to stupidly, figuratively shoot themselves in the ass.  Are planning to quickly repeal Obamacare about the time "Hump The Rump" takes office.  Will certainly benefit Democrats as the healthcare system quickly disintegrates.  Forget?  Republicans have no quick solution to the void left by quick repeal.  What they've proposed to date in terms of tax breaks and healthcare savings accounts will do nothing to stall complete collapse of the healthcare system upon repeal.

Putting off complete repeal for several years until there is a replacement will likely cause immediate collapse as insurers quickly pull out of the exchanges, what would quickly be viewed as an expiring system.  What many of us can't understand is the aching aggressive stupidity of Republican nazis.  Their lack of patience is truly stunning.  Obamacare is already collapsing of its own weight.  A matter of a year or two before the shit finally hits the fan no matter what.  Forget?  Neither party has shown any willingness to rein in the bottomless greed of providers.  Until that happens, the system is not sustainable.  Cannot work long-term as is.

Should Republicans stupidly repeal the not-so-'Affordable' 'Care' Act with no viable alternative in place, they will own its utter failure.  Democrats have already informed GOP nazis they can expect no help from their side of the aisle.  Will certainly filibuster any move to repeal.  Even if Republican nazis force through repeal through the 'nuclear option,' they have no viable alternative.  Voters will certainly remember that during midterms, -- to say nothing of the next presidential election.  The only permanent solution to this issue is reining in bottomless provider greed.

That's not going to happen since no one is willing to do what's necessary.  For different reasons.  Different agendas.  Bi-polar hopelessly rigid ideologies, both extremes of which have proven to no longer work for decades now.  Yet, the public can't seem to understand neither the Extreme Right or Extreme Left offer any viable solution to any and or all of these increasingly pressing issues that are clearly leading to the downfall of our formerly great nation.

12-2-16

In follow up to the last edition, The Washington Post reports:

"Richard Bertrand Spencer had just told his guests how inspired he was by their presence when the rising sound of fury outside the dining room’s double doors reached his ears. He knew what it meant."

Protesters.  ... Protesters who intend to give the Nazi Right no quarter.

"Spencer stepped into the open hallway and, there, beneath the wooden second-floor railing at Maggiano’s Little Italy in Northwest Washington, more than 30 protesters were marching up the stairway toward him. Several held posters — “No to Racism and Fascism” — and blew whistles. “No Nazis! No KKK! No fascist USA!” they shouted, their voices intensifying as he came into view."

If you remain silent, you get what you deserve.  Too bad the rest of us suffer for your cowardice, aching ignorance.

"Ten feet from the top of the stairs, a Maggiano’s employee — a black man in a light-blue button-down and red tie — spread his arms wide, blocking the mob from reaching the 100 or so white nationalists who had gathered at the restaurant Friday for a private dinner. Spencer walked behind him and looked down at the activists. Then the man who had coined the term “alt-right” grinned and waved."

The Aryan arrogance of these nazis remains highly reminiscent of Hitler and his Brownshirts.

"For years, Spencer and his followers worked in obscure corners of the Internet to promote pride in white identity and the creation of an “ethno-state” that would banish minorities. Then came the presidential campaign of Donald Trump, whose attacks on undocumented immigrants, Muslims and political correctness deeply resonated with them."

This is precisely what Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini stood for.  Fascist principles they imposed on cheering masses.

"Though Trump denounced the alt-right Tuesday, its adherents had crusaded for him on Twitter before the election and celebrated his victory as a seminal moment for their cause."

Indeed, it is.  ... As the rumble of an unwanted dreaded second American revolution catastrophically looms on the horizon.  Too deaf to hear?

"They exulted again when Trump announced that his chief White House strategist would be former Breitbart chairman Stephen K. Bannon, who once called his website “the platform for the alt-right.”

Trump is a nazi.  His rhetoric is that of a nazi.  His plan to mass deport millions is that of a nazi.  His intention to perniciously blend government, business, and religion is that of a nazi.  Unlike decades ago, however, his planned nazification of our formerly great country into The Fourth Reich will not stand unchallenged.

"And no one is more critical to the alt-right movement than Spencer, its carefully crafted public face. Last weekend, the articulate, highly educated 38-year-old hosted a conference in the nation’s capital that drew nearly 300 white nationalists and at least 50 reporters. But his agenda reaches far beyond any single gathering. Spencer envisions a world in which his ideals are embraced by the mainstream, and he has vowed to keep pushing until that happens."

This is what makes this piece of shit and his nazi henchmen an exigent threat to a democratic republic, to all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.  This is precisely why the Alt Right has embraced Donald Trump.  He's one of them.  He's embraced their national socialist, fascist, nazi ideology.

"But from a distance, almost everything about him appears as innocuous as the term “alt-right” — and that’s by design. Spencer heads a pair of organizations with unremarkable names: the National Policy Institute and Radix Journal. He dresses in three-piece Brooks Brothers suits, gold-coin cuff links and $5,000 Swiss watches, and he sports a swept-over hipster haircut known as a “fashy” (as in fascist). Spencer, who has degrees from the University of Virginia and the University of Chicago, dismisses such labels as Nazi, racist and white supremacist, preferring to describe himself as an “identitarian.”

This fascist son of a bitch is no “identitarian.”  He is no more than what he is, -- a goddamned nazi.  An exigent threat to a democratic republic, all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.

"Even before Twitter banned him and other white nationalists last week, he seldom trolled his enemies.  But to those who track hate groups, Spencer is dangerous because, when he doesn’t want to, he doesn’t look or sound or act dangerous."

Neither did Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini.

"With the protesters gone, he returned to the private room, which had been reserved under the name “Griffin family reunion.” Inside, former reality-TV star Tila Tequila — who claims she is Adolf Hitler reincarnated — joined two men in the movement in a Sieg Heil salute posted to Twitter. A young blond man who wore a tight shirt and thigh-high shorts in the style of a Nazi youth mingled with a gray-haired, 69-year-old lawyer in a dark suit and tie who once represented the KKK. (On Monday, the restaurant apologized for hosting the gathering, saying it didn’t know anything about the National Policy Institute.)"

How could it not know?  Didn't vet the group before taking their money?

“Let’s party like it’s 1933,” he declared, referencing the year Hitler was appointed Germany’s chancellor and the Nazis embarked on the creation of their own ethno-state.  Beneath chandeliers and amid dark, wood-paneled walls, the alt-right erupted in cheers.  Spencer, his expression now serious, waited for them to quiet, then spoke once more.  “Let’s party like it’s 2016!” he shouted, raising his bare arms and pumping them in the air as the room roared even louder."

You Republican fascists here in Nazi Llano County cheering for this piece of shit?  This, the man?  Your man?

"How, he was asked, in a nation with more than 100 million blacks, Asians and Latinos, could a whites-only territory be created without overwhelming violence?  Over chocolate croissants and an Americano coffee at a Corner Bakery Cafe, he avoided the question, discussing Nietzsche, communism’s origins, history’s unpredictability.  Then, at last, he offered an answer.  “Look, maybe it will be horribly bloody and terrible,” he said. “That’s a possibility with everything.”

This is the bottom line for a nazi.  ... What makes a nazi such an exigent threat to everything our formerly great country used to stand for.  The quotes are from a most gifted, insightful Washington Post writer, John Woodrow Cox.

12-2-16

The Washington Times reports:

"Thirty civil liberties groups on Monday presented President Obama with a laundry list of recommendations they want him to make before Donald Trump’s inauguration, a last-ditch attempt to prevent the president from passing down certain policies that risk being preserved indefinitely."

Too late.  Even if Obama did what they asked, Trump would immediately reverse all.  This is precisely why an unwanted dreaded second American revolution catastrophically looms on the horizon.  Law makers have betrayed their oaths to protect and defend The United States Constitution from at least the early 50s, through the reigns of Nixon, Reagan, Bush 1&2, right up to the very present.  Both parties.  Falsely, in the name of "national 'security.'"  In reality, to consolidate Executive Power, create a goddamned fascist police-state.

12-2-16

Once again, Trump has contradicted himself.  Come out against free speech as guarantied by the First Amendment, contradicting his earlier view.  Surprised?  CNN reports:

"Trump himself has tweeted about the importance of free speech, including a message he sent in 2013, quoting George Washington.
"'If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.' - George Washington,"

    "If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter." - George Washington
    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 15, 2013"

Now, he's changed his mind.  Imagine that.  Couldn't be, could it?

"President-elect Donald Trump proposed on Tuesday a penalty -- including possible jail time or loss of citizenship -- for burning the American flag, in spite of two US Supreme Court rulings that protect the act under the First Amendment as a form of free speech."

Wouldn't want to confuse the nazi with the truth, would we?

"Nobody should be allowed to burn the American flag -- if they do, there must be consequences -- perhaps loss of citizenship or year in jail!" Trump tweeted.

    Nobody should be allowed to burn the American flag - if they do, there must be consequences - perhaps loss of citizenship or year in jail!
    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 29, 2016"

Who the hell is this nazi son of a bitch to shit on the First Amendment?  The Supreme Court has ruled otherwise.  Repeatedly.

"In a 2012 interview with CNN, Justice Scalia defended the right to burn the flag, explaining the difference in his personal and judicial opinions on the subject.  "If I were king, I would not allow people to go around burning the American flag -- however, we have a First Amendment which says that the right of free speech shall not be abridged -- and it is addressed in particular to speech critical of the government," Scalia said."

This coming from a national socialist who repeatedly himself deliberately shit on all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.  Yet, on this issue the otherwise fascist Justice remained firm.  Interesting, isn't it?

"I mean that was the main kind of speech that tyrants would seek to suppress," he added. "Burning the flag is a form of expression -- speech doesn't just mean written words or oral words -- burning a flag is a symbol that expresses an idea. 'I hate the government, the government is unjust,' or whatever."

About this, he was indeed quite correct.

"Steve Vladeck, CNN legal analyst and professor at the University of Texas Law School, said Trump's suggestion that citizens possibly be expatriated as a penalty is also a non-starter."

Simply put, it's unconstitutional.

"In addition to ignoring the Supreme Court's clear teaching that flag burning is constitutionally protected speech, Mr. Trump's tweet also casually suggests that citizens should lose their citizenship as a 'penalty' for such acts," Vladeck said. "Even if flag burning wasn't protected, it would still be unconstitutional to deprive someone of their citizenship without some voluntary act on their part to renounce their allegiance to the United States or pledge fealty to a foreign sovereign."

Does this fascist son of a bitch, think he, as nazi dictator, can do as he pleases?  Think his own party won't, should he try, impeach, convict, and remove his sorry ass from office?

12-2-16

Appears to be continuing problems in paradise.  NPR reports:

"As he campaigned for president, Donald Trump spoke favorably about using waterboarding, torture and "much stronger" techniques on terrorism suspects. But in addition to likely legal challenges if Trump attempts to bring those practices back, two prominent Republican senators signaled he could face opposition from within his own party.

You think?

"On Saturday, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) got animated at the Halifax International Security Forum, when a moderator asked about waterboarding and what powers congress has to "reign in a president who does things which you find intolerable?"

McCain had every right.  This man, as a prisoner of war, endured torture for some six years at the 'Hanoi Hilton.'

"If they started waterboarding, I swear to you there's a whole bunch of us that would have them in court in a New York minute," said McCain. "So I don't give a damn what the president of the United States wants to do or anybody else wants to do, we will not waterboard, we will not torture. We will not torture people."

He's right.  If Trump does, his nazi ass will be impeached, convicted, and removed from office.  Highly unlikely as well, the military and CIA will torture.  They know it's a war crime.  Have been put on notice it will not be tolerated.  They also know it's ineffective, doesn't work.

Trump nominee for CIA director Congressman Mike Pompeo opined:

"Our men and women who were tasked to keep us safe in the aftermath of 9/11—our military and our intelligence warriors—are heroes," Pompeo said in a statement. "These men and women are not torturers, they are patriots. The programs being used were within the law, within the Constitution..."

The hell they were.  ... This what you Republican nazis here in Llano County want in a CIA Director?  Where are your brown shirts, swastika armbands?

12-2-16

Yet, another poor choice by Trump and his henchmen.  NPR reports:

"South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley has been selected as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations in President-elect Donald Trump's administration, according to Trump's transition team.  Haley has accepted the position, which requires Senate confirmation."

This nominee has virtually no experience in foreign policy.  Also, it must be asked how this woman could possibly serve under a 'President' who is clearly a misogynist?

12-2-16

Trump continues to talk out both sides his ass.  The Washington Times reports:

"President-elect Donald Trump didn’t take off all of Thanksgiving Day while enjoying a long holiday weekend with his family at his Mar-a-Lago estate, saying he was working to keep the makers of Carrier air conditions from relocating from Indianapolis to Mexico."

Symbolism over substance.

"During the presidential campaign he often cited Carrier’s decision last February to relocate some 1,400 jobs to its plant in Mexico as an example of jobs leaving the country — and how he as president would slap a tax on any units manufactured in Mexico and sold in the U.S."

When corporations are allowed to relocate overseas with virtual impunity, without penalty of any kind, what do you expect them to do?  They want indentured servants. Not employees.  Why pay a livable wage and benefits when you can get it on the cheap overseas?

“I am working hard, even on Thanksgiving, trying to get Carrier A.C. Company to stay in the U.S.,” Trump tweeted on Thursday. “MAKING PROGRESS — Will know soon!”

"The company confirmed Thursday that it had discussed the move with the incoming administration but that there was nothing to announce."

Surprised?  Why?

Just prior to posting this edition, seems there's been an agreement made between Carrier, Trump, Pence, and the State of Indiana.  -- Terms of which are not yet clear.  Bet it doesn't involve corporate welfare?  More on this as it becomes available.

12-2-16

Trump continues to stonewall all attempts to force him to separate business interests from his duties as President.  NPR reports:

"Donald Trump's name is affixed to skyscrapers, or soon will be, in major cities from Istanbul to Mumbai to Manila. He has luxury golf resorts in Ireland and Scotland. His hotel projects span continents, part of a global empire fueled by bank loans from Germany and China.  So when Trump enters the White House, his foreign policy decisions could have an impact, for better or worse, on his global financial holdings. The question is whether those holdings will influence his decisions."

Think they won't?  If they do, think his own Party won't impeach, convict, and remove him from office?

12-2-16

Trump's Aryan arrogance remains stunning.  He's informed Britain whom they should appoint Ambassador to the United States.  NPR reports:

"In a break with diplomatic protocol, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has recommended that pro-Brexit politician Nigel Farage become the United Kingdom's ambassador in Washington, D.C.  In a tweet Monday night, Trump said: "Many people would like to see @Nigel_Farage represent Great Britain as their Ambassador to the United States. He would do a great job!"

Amazing, isn't it?  The 'President'-Elect doesn't make the call.  The British do.

"The U.K. prime minister's office rejected the idea, pointing out that it already has an ambassador to the U.S., Sir Kim Darroch.  "There is no vacancy," a Downing Street spokesman said dryly."

Indeed.

"The choice of ambassador is up to Prime Minister Theresa May. To have a foreign leader publicly lobby for his or her choice is extremely rare. BBC Radio London talk show host Vanessa Feltz likened Trump's recommendation to a father telling his unmarried daughter whom she should marry."

Think Trump hasn't considered it?

"It's not considered diplomatically appropriate," Feltz said on air Tuesday morning. "It's not good manners to say, 'Hey, you'll be sending us an ambassador and we want that guy, Farage.' It's like saying, 'You know, when you buy me a Christmas present, I want a pair of shoes from Gucci.' "

Then again, the British should never forget this is to be expected from a man who is both a national socialist and a billionaire.

12-2-16

Not surprisingly, Trump has made an exceptionally poor choice for Education Secretary.  NPR reports:

"President-elect Donald Trump has picked billionaire Betsy DeVos, a Michigan Republican activist and philanthropist who is a strong supporter of school choice but has little experience with public education, as his secretary of education."

The fascist bastard intends to take good care of his own, doesn't he?

"DeVos, 58, is a former chairwoman of the Michigan Republican Party and helped push a failed 2000 ballot proposal to amend the Michigan state Constitution to create a voucher system for students to attend nonpublic schools."

This alone makes her an exigent threat to the First Amendment Establishment Clause, that is, church-state separation, freedom from religion.  Why should taxpayers be looted to send a kid to a school where he or she will be educated in the values of Nazi Right 'Christians?'  That is, misogyny, racism, homophobia, bigotry against the entire LGBT community, to say nothing of fascism?  That is, the pernicious blend of government, business, and religion, justified by perversion and deliberate bastardization of the latter.

"DeVos is chairman of The Windquest Group, a Michigan-based investment management company. She is married to billionaire Richard DeVos Jr., the son of Richard DeVos, who co-founded the home care products company Amway."

Got to take care of the top 1%, doesn't he?  This, despite the fact she did not support him in the primary, was in fact quite opposed.  Fascinating, isn't it?

12-2-16

Never ends, does it? The Washington Post reports:

"Donald Trump just wrapped up a meeting with editors and reporters of the New York Times. Reporter Maggie Haberman relays that this happened:

    "I might have brought it up," Trump says of Farage meeting and wind farms.

    — Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) November 22, 2016

In saying this, Trump may have flatly and openly admitted to a conflict of interest, according to Noah Bookbinder, the executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington."

Just the beginning.

12-2-16

Think not?  Wake up.  NPR reports:

"Donald Trump's extensive business dealings around the globe have focused attention on an obscure provision of the Constitution most law professors barely look at — the Emoluments Clause. Now, one of the hottest legal debates around is whether the president-elect is going to violate the Constitution if he continues doing business with companies controlled by foreign governments."

Trump's business interests are so intertwined with his duties as 'President,' Republicans themselves will wind up forcing the issue.  To save their Party.

"The Foreign Emoluments Clause can be found in Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution. It provides that "no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under [the United States] shall, without Consent of Congress, accept ... any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State."  The clause has been interpreted as an anti-bribery provision by constitutional scholars."

Indeed, it has.  So much so, Trump's predecessors, unlike the nazi himself, have done all they could to insulate their duties as President from their business holdings.  Usually, through blind trusts.

"The underlying concern of the clause is divided loyalties," said Erik Jensen, a law professor at Case Western Reserve University. "The founders wanted U.S. officials not to have any arrangements under which there could be questions about whether they were acting in the best interests of the United States, or in the interests of a foreign state."

Indeed, a valid concern.  To this very day.  Trump doesn't think so.

12-2-16

Trump announced his selection for Treasury Secretary.  Guess what?  Who else?  A Wall Street banker.  Think Trump a true populist?  Looking out for your best interests?  Wake up.  NPR reports:

"President-elect Donald Trump has picked his campaign finance chairman, Steve Mnuchin, to be his Treasury secretary. The Wall Street banker spent 17 years at Goldman Sachs, where he was a partner, and is now chief executive of Dune Capital Management, a privately owned hedge fund."

Democrats will have a field day with this son of a bitch during confirmation hearings.  Trump couldn't have made a better choice for the corporate management suite and the top 1%.  No question.

12-2-16

Once in awhile, there is indeed great comic relief to all the ongoing bullshit.  CNN reports:

"For a few hours, Trump Tower in New York City turned into "Dump Tower" on Google Maps.  By early Sunday morning, it appeared "Dump Tower" was gone and restored to its proper name on the map service."

Breaks your heart, doesn't it?

"CNN affiliate WPIX had reported that a second location, the Trump International Hotel & Tower in Columbus Circle had also been renamed Dump International Hotel & Tower earlier Saturday. By Sunday morning, that reference had also been removed."

Just beginning, just beginning.

12-2-16

Trump continues to piss and moan regarding the supposed rigged election.  Contradicts himself day to day, as a recount starts.  NPR reports:

"President-elect Donald Trump won a convincing electoral vote victory on Nov. 8, but he is claiming falsely that widespread voter fraud cost him the popular vote."

This achingly ill fascist changes his tune day to day.  Can't be pinned down.

"The latest totals show Hillary Clinton leading Trump in the popular vote by more than 2 million. Trump tweeted on Sunday afternoon, "I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally." He did not provide evidence to back up that claim, and Trump's representatives did not immediately respond to a request for more information.

    In addition to winning the Electoral College in a landslide, I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally
    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 27, 2016"

Has no proof.  Lies out his ass.  Yet, his sick sycophants believe every lie.  ... Right, TL?

"Trump's unfounded claim appears to have originated with the website Infowars and radio host Alex Jones, who reported that 3 million people voted illegally, citing flawed evidence. Jones frequently promotes conspiracy theories, including a false story in 2015 that President Obama was planning to use special forces to impose martial law in Texas that got traction with the state's governor for a time. Jones has also said the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., was "fake."

Years ago, Jones had some modicum of credibility on some of his issues.  No longer.

"Trump has appeared on Jones' radio show and praised him. "Your reputation is amazing. I will not let you down," Trump told him during the campaign."

This fascist son of a bitch is one sick puppy.  Yet, was elected 'President' by a public that currently has its head so far up its ass its eyeballs turn inside out.

"PolitiFact tracked down the claim of millions of illegal votes from people who are not citizens and rated it "false." It found that the Infowars story cited a report that did not exist and tweets from an individual who claims to have such information about illegal voting but would not provide it."

Then again, a sick Trump sycophant can't, won't be confused with the truth.  ... Right, TL?

"Trump started tweeting on Sunday amid a push for recounts in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin by Green Party candidate Jill Stein.  Those states essentially delivered Trump victory in the presidential election, as they had made up the Democrats' so-called "blue wall" — industrial states that secured victories for Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012."

Talk about looking a gift horse in the mouth, no?

"Trump's tweets over the weekend have both criticized the calls for recounts in the three key industrial states he won, while simultaneously raising questions about the integrity of the vote nationwide. Trump tweeted another claim without evidence on Sunday evening, regarding voter fraud in Virginia, New Hampshire and California — all states Clinton won.

    Serious voter fraud in Virginia, New Hampshire and California - so why isn't the media reporting on this? Serious bias - big problem!
    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 28, 2016"

Well, Donald, and tongue firmly planted in cheek, if there is indeed voter fraud supposedly nationwide, could it be your sick sycophants tampered with the vote?

"California Secretary of State Alex Padilla responded with a statement: "It appears that Mr. Trump is troubled by the fact that a growing majority of Americans did not vote for him. His unsubstantiated allegations of voter fraud in California and elsewhere are absurd. His reckless tweets are inappropriate and unbecoming of a President-elect."

Indeed.  No one could have said it better.

12-2-16

Amazing how outrageously corrupt, abusive, murderous law enforcement delusionally believes Trump can clean up their increasingly sordid image.  -- An image that remains well-deserved.  The Washington Times reports:

"Police organizations have high hopes for President-elect Donald Trump. But at the top of their wish list isn’t proposed legislation or policy — rather they hope the self-proclaimed “law and order” candidate can usher in a new era of respect and support for law enforcement."

That can only happen when corrupt, abusive, inept, murderous officers are brought to justice.  Until that happens, nothing improves in the perception of law enforcement. Nothing.  The criminal bastards in blue are literally getting away with murder.  That's egregiously unacceptable in a democratic republic.

“The first thing, and something Mr. Trump has already done well, is use the bully pulpit to improve the perception of police officers,” said James Pasco, executive director of the National Fraternal Order of Police."

That's goddamned bullshit.  Phony distortion of reality.  Since Trump became 'President'-Elect, the determination to hold corrupt, abusive, criminal, murderous officers fully legally accountable has exponentially increased.

"Under the Obama administration, law enforcement leaders say their officers have felt unfairly characterized as villains amid the movement for policing reform and have become targets for hostility."

More goddamned bullshit.  Re-write of reality.  An officer who murders on the job is no more than a criminal.  An officer who shakes down innocent citizens to line his or her pockets is no more than a criminal.  An officer who writes phony tickets to line Llano County coffers is no more than a criminal.  ... Right, Sheriff?  TL?  -- Any 'hostility' officers sense directed against them is well-deserved.  Well-earned.  Forget?  Too many, especially here in Nazi Llano County, are no more than jackbooted thugs.  Remain out of uniform.  No swastika armbands.

“We welcome a reset button,” said Ron Hosko, president of the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund and a former assistant director of the FBI."

You're achingly delusional, Mr. Hosko.  The election of a national socialist, fascist, nazi as 'President,' who is egregiously unstable only redoubles efforts of critics to expose him for precisely whom and what this nazi son of a bitch truly is.

"When law enforcement now uses deadly force against civilians, there is too often a rush to judgment that condemns officers for their actions even before all the facts are known, said National Sheriff’s Association President Greg Champagne."

Again, that's unadulterated bullshit, Mr. Champagne.  -- Sounds like you're on the bubbly yourself, sir.   There have been murder after murder after murder committed by the criminal jackbooted bastards in blue that have gone unprosecuted.  You criminal bastards in 'law' 'enforcement' continue to enjoy a free ride.  Exempt from criminal statutes the rest of the public is rightfully expected to obey.  That's precisely why an unwanted dreaded second American revolution catastrophically looms on the horizon.  Too deaf to hear the rumble?  ... Or, too damned clueless?

“Together we must reshape the conversation to one which is supportive of law enforcement officers,” Mr. Champagne said. “We must work to reverse the hostility by some towards law enforcement officers that has been allowed to creep in over the last couple of years.”

That won't happen until you criminal bastards stop murdering on the job, end the shakedowns.  Get prosecuted, convicted, and executed for committing murder.  Go to prison for stealing, looting, shaking down the innocent, needlessly beating the shit out of someone.

"Mr. Trump’s nomination of Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions for attorney general already is well regarded among law enforcement groups. Bill Johnson, executive director of the National Association of Police Organizations, said his group will be looking for strong allies within the Justice Department."

Sessions is a racist, a national socialist, that is, a fascist, nazi.  Should he execute his national socialist predilections as Attorney General, he could very well trigger an unwanted dreaded second American revolution.

“Whoever is in charge of the Civil Rights Division, they must have close and trusted relationships with police officers and agencies,” he said. “The Obama administration failed miserably in that regard.”

Translation?  The criminal jackbooted bastards in blue expect and want the 'Justice' Department to march in goose step with them.  Should that happen, the revolution dooms day clock will accelerate to midnight.

"Following a series of recent attacks carried out by gunmen armed with high-powered rifles — including the terrorist attack in San Bernardino, California, the mass shooting inside an Orlando nightclub and a sniper’s fatal shooting of five Dallas police officers — law enforcement has sounded the alarm that they need militarized equipment to be able to respond in such circumstances."

The achingly evil duplicitous bastards in blue got it achingly ass backwards.  It's precisely due to the fact police have militarized, become increasingly violent, aggressive, murderous these attacks against them have occurred in the first place.  That is, however, not to justify violence against police.  It is simply to state the truth which the nazi bastards in both parties and law enforcement can't seem to grasp, understand, and accept.

“This type of equipment is not offensive, it is defensive in nature,” said Mr. Champagne, who believes the 1033 restrictions could be quickly reversed by Mr. Trump via executive order. “Let us have the equipment that will otherwise be in rust heaps somewhere.”

Day is night, night is day, and shit smells perversely sweet in the delusional world of the nazi.  ... Right, Sheriff?  TL?  The last quote above is proof positive the criminal jackbooted bastards in blue have become psychotic.  Present an exigent threat not only to all civil and constitutional rights and liberties, but to life itself.  Continue to militarize the criminal jackbooted bastards in blue?  They'll continue to murder with impunity.

"The fear of an increase in targeted attacks on law enforcement also has led groups to advocate for increased penalties for those who harm or kill officers."

Kill an officer in self defense, in most states, you get summarily executed.  Physically defend yourself from being criminally attacked by one of these bastards, guess what?  You spend the rest of your life in prison for attempted capital murder in most states.  What is this clueless jackbooted son of a bitch talking about?  He remains achingly delusional.  Out to lunch.  Clearly, does not live in the same world as the victims he allegedly 'serves.'

"The National Association of Police Organizations is among those urging Mr. Trump to support legislation on a national level that would make the murder or attempted murder of a police officer a federal crime."

Why?  The penalties are already execution and/or life in prison.  Symbolism over substance by the nazis in law enforcement wanting to federalize a state 'crime.'  Don't Republican nazis continually scream states rights?  Hypocritical fascist bastards.

“At one level it would send a powerful message that this president is saying this Justice Department is different — they stand up for the men and women of law enforcement,” Mr. Johnson said. “Given the current climate and the tacit support by the administration of these violent protests, that would be a powerful change.”

Again, that's more goddamned phony bullshit.  The President and his henchmen have never supported violent protests.  Never.  These criminal jackbooted bastards in blue are liars.  Wouldn't know truth if it figuratively bit them hard in the ass.  What these clueless lying bastards in blue are truly saying is they want the 'President' and his henchmen to support whatever they do or don't do.  Regardless of law.  Regardless of the Constitution.  A raucous, boot clicking, goose stepping, treasonous, treacherous, traitorous Sieg Heil!?

11-25-16

Trump's pick to head the CIA raises questions.  NBC News reports:

"Rep. Mike Pompeo, the Kansas congressman Donald Trump picked to lead the CIA, is a former Army officer and Harvard Law School graduate who is widely respected within the intelligence community for his intellect and his low key, analytical manner behind closed doors."

Think so?  Believe it?

"He also happens to be a conservative firebrand who sought to blame Hillary Clinton for the 2012 deaths of four Americans in Benghazi and vehemently opposed the Obama administration's nuclear deal with Iran, which intelligence officials say has kept Iran's nuclear weapons capability in check."

Clinton is not a security specialist.  She followed their advice.  Benghazi is a bum rap raised by Republicans desperate for an issue.  The mail server fiasco clearly wasn't enough.  The United States was not going to get any better agreement from Iran on the nuclear issue.  The alternative was an unwanted war.

"Pompeo sought to blame Hillary Clinton for the deaths of Americans when a U.S. Consulate was attacked Benghazi, Libya — and he accused her of misleading the American public. He also implied that the U.S. military should have been able to intervene to save the Americans. Multiple investigations found that no military response would have been possible in time, and failed to establish any wrongdoing by Clinton."

Then again, the Right cannot, will not, be confused with the truth.

"When Rep. Mike Rogers, then the chairman of the House intelligence committee, published a report that debunked some of the longstanding right-wing Benghazi theories, Pompeo added his own dissident views and criticized the Rogers report behind the scenes. Rogers was initially under consideration for CIA director, but he was ousted from the Trump transition team. It's unclear to what extent, if any, the Benghazi case, an important factor for many Trump voters, played a role."

What webs we weave.

11-25-16

As Trump's nominee for U.S. Attorney General, Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) poses an existential threat to all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.  The Washington Post reports:

“From his time as U.S. attorney through his service on the Judiciary Committee, he has left serious doubts about whether he would faithfully enforce civil rights laws as attorney general,” said former Justice Department spokesman Matthew Miller. “The civil rights division was gutted during the last Republican administration, and the burden of proof is on Senator Sessions to show that he would not follow that same path.”

The mark of a nazi is not only to shit on all civil and constitutional rights and liberties, but eviscerate them.  Sessions clearly fits the bill for the Nazi Right.

"Obama’s Justice Department stopped defending the Defense of Marriage Act and successfully argued the historic same-sex-marriage case last year before the Supreme Court. Sessions has opposed same-sex marriage and has a zero rating from the nation’s largest LGBT advocacy group, the Human Rights Campaign."

This should be a wake up call to the LGBT community.  All gains recently made could be reversed by the courts.  Especially, as Trump fills all vacancies right up to and including the U.S. Supreme Court with national socialists.

“Senator Sessions brings experience, intelligence and passion to Justice,” said Robert Raben, an assistant attorney general under President Bill Clinton and now president of the lobbying and consulting firm the Raben Group. “Regrettably, it is likely to be exercised toward the attempted elimination of civil rights, environmental and antitrust enforcement."

Wake up.  If you don't resist, The Fourth Reich will be imposed by Trump and his fascist henchmen.  Sessions certainly has his problems:

"In 1986, Reagan nominated him to be a judge for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama, but at his Senate confirmation hearing, Justice Department lawyers who had worked with him testified that he had made racist statements. One of those lawyers, J. Gerald Hebert — now the director of the voting rights and redistricting program at the Campaign Legal Center — said that Sessions had called the NAACP and the American Civil Liberties Union “un-American” and “Communist-inspired.”

This, what you nazi bastards here in Llano County want as Attorney General?  A racist?  Misogynist?  A nazi?  This, now,  The American Way?  In yet another Washington Post article:

"Ryan J. Reilly at the Huffington Post wrote up Sessions’s greatest hits yesterday. They include allegedly calling a black attorney “boy” and agreeing with the description of a white attorney representing black clients as a “race traitor.” He was also accused of referring to organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union and the NAACP as “un-American.” And alleged racism is not the only worrisome thing on Sessions’s résumé."

Again, this what you racists here in Nazi Llano County want in a U.S. Attorney General?

"In 1986, he was denied a federal judgeship after former colleagues testified before a Senate committee that he joked about the Ku Klux Klan, saying he thought they were “okay, until he learned that they smoked marijuana.”  “If you have nostalgia for the days when blacks kept quiet, gays were in the closet, immigrants were invisible and women stayed in the kitchen, Senator Jefferson Beauregard Sessions is your man,” Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) said in a statement. “No senator has fought harder against the hopes and aspirations of Latinos, immigrants, and people of color than Sen. Sessions.”

Indeed.  Then again, wouldn't want to confuse anyone with the truth.

CNN reports:

"Under Donald Trump, Jeff Sessions has been pushed from the fringe into the center of American politics," said Marielena Hincapie, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center. "As a result, women, immigrants, the Black community, the LGBTQ community and anyone who cares about justice and equality for all being are being pushed out."

Indeed, they are.  This is precisely why all the communities mentioned in the above quote need to stand up.  Stand tall.  Resist.  Help those of us who are fighting for your rights.  To expose all this to the light of day.

"But Sen. Ted Cruz, who himself was under consideration for the post, struck back at Sessions' critics at an appearance at the conservative Federalist Society on Friday and said that Sessions is a necessary change of course from the Obama years."

Once again, "Screws Loose" Cruz has demonstrated his egregious unfitness for office, his growing insanity.  As all remaining civil and constitutional rights and liberties remain under vicious, ferocious attack by the Nazi Right.

"We need all hands on deck," Cruz said, and noted that many of the lawyers in the room might land in the new administration. "Do not follow the example of the previous administration," he warned, speaking about the need for deregulation and a reining in of the power of administrative agencies.  "We must rebuild our legal culture," Cruz said."

What culture is that, Ted?  The Fourth Reich, you hopelessly fascist, achingly clueless son of a bitch?

11-25-16

Resistance grows.  Fox News whines:

"Democratic mayors in so-called "sanctuary cities" are poised for a major clash with President-elect Donald Trump as city officials from Los Angeles to Washington vow not to cooperate with his administration on deportation orders for illegal immigrants."

Indeed, good news.  Nazism must be resisted.  Peacefully.  No matter the cost.

11-25-16

The fix may be in. The Washington Post reports:

"President-elect Donald Trump, who has repeatedly bragged he never settles lawsuits despite a long history of doing so, is nearing a deal to end the fraud cases pending against his defunct real estate seminar program, Trump University, according to a person familiar with the negotiations."

Just make it go away, right, "Hump The Rump?"

"If finalized, the settlement would eliminate the possibility that Trump would be called to testify in court in the midst of his presidential transition. A deal would end three suits against him, including a California class action case that was scheduled to go to trial later this month, as well as a second suit in that state and one brought by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman."

Why wasn't this fascist son of a bitch criminally prosecuted?

"Settlement terms under negotiation could result in a payment from Trump in the range of $20 million to former customers of the business who have claimed they were defrauded, the person said. Trump would likely admit no wrongdoing, however."

This is the problem if the fix is indeed in.

Subsequent to writing the above, NPR reported:

"A $25 million settlement agreement has been reached in the civil fraud lawsuits against President-elect Donald Trump and Trump University, according to New York's state attorney general."

Why no criminal prosecution?  Why are the top 1% nearly always granted special treatment?  Allowed to gleefully skate?

"Eric Schneiderman called the settlement "a stunning reversal by Donald Trump and a major victory for the over 6,000 victims of his fraudulent university" in a written statement. The allegations have been a major point of controversy for the President-elect for years.  "Donald Trump fought us every step of the way, filing baseless charges and fruitless appeals and refusing to settle for even modest amounts of compensation for the victims of his phony university," Schneiderman added. "Today, that all changes."

Certainly, better than nothing.  But nowhere near good enough.  He should have been criminally prosecuted.  Held to the same standard as the public.

"Schneiderman's office told NPR's Ina Jaffe that the settlement agreement applies to three separate lawsuits. Schneiderman filed the lawsuit in New York, and there are also two federal class-action lawsuits in California.  "Every victim" will receive a share of the settlement, Schneiderman said. He added that Trump has agreed to pay $1 million in penalties to the state of New York "for violating state education laws."

Be interesting to see precisely how much each victim receives.  While the bastard criminally skates.

11-25-16

The Mayor of New York has not been shy about making his views known to ole "Hump The Rump" Trump.  CNN reports:

"New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday he conveyed to President-elect Donald Trump concerns he has about immigration policies that would merge the roles of police officer and immigration agent, and how "fearful" citizens are about proposed changes.  The liberal mayor met with Trump Wednesday, despite de Blasio's frequent criticism of Trump."

Resistance to the rise of The Fourth Reich needs to be swift, uncompromising.

"It was important for me to explain to him how fearful people are in this city, in this country, that not just the rhetoric but some of the policies that have been proposed literally have people wondering whether their family members might be deported, whether because of their religion they are going to be discriminated against," de Blasio told CNN's Alisyn Camerota on "New Day."

This is what nazis do.  Certainly, what Hitler and Mussolini did decades ago.

"The mayor also said he told Trump Steve Bannon, recently appointed as Trump's chief strategist, "did not belong" in the White House.  "Look, a lot of things happen in transitions," De Blasio said of Breitbart News' executive chairman. "I think when people look at someone associated with a website that has been divisive and extremist and, obviously, has talked about white nationalism, for example. There's a chance for the President-elect to rethink that person's role."

Hard to believe the nazi will smarten up.  Adolf and Benito certainly didn't.

11-25-16

Democrats seem ready to stand up to Trump's Supreme Court nominations.  The Washington Times reports:

"Senate Democrats’ new leader claimed the right Wednesday to filibuster Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominees, making clear Democrats won’t give the president-elect much of a honeymoon on the most significant of his upcoming appointments."

Resistance to the nazi needs to be swift, intense.

"Sen. Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat, said nominations to the high court should get support from both parties, and said the filibuster is a way to enforce that on a president. He pointedly noted that when his party changed filibuster rules three years ago, they left intact the ability to filibuster at the Supreme Court level."

That will likely change as GOP nazis impose The Fourth Reich.  Forget?  Fascists have no respect for the Constitution, rule of law.  They become a law unto themselves.

“I’ll underline that we did not change the rules for Supreme Court because we thought on something as important as this, there should be some degree of bipartisan agreement,” Mr. Schumer said."

Good luck, Senator.  Don't hold your breath.  Should Republican national socialists change the rules to prevent a filibuster, time to walk out of the Senate.  Should push come to shove, every non-Republican could resign in protest.  Principle over political expediency.  As the country continues to nazify, all bets are off.  Resistance has to be swift, intense, unyielding, but non-violent.

11-25-16

Nazism is quickly overtaking Trump's transition.  NPR reports:

"Steve Bannon, the newly named chief strategist for the nascent Trump White House, boasts a resume packed with a series of seeming non sequiturs. He had a stint in the U.S. Navy, worked for a stretch at Goldman Sachs, became a Hollywood investor who made a fortune off Seinfeld reruns, and ran the secretive experimental community Biosphere 2 outside Tucson, Ariz."

Bannon, as chief strategist, sets the national socialist stage for Trump and his henchmen.  Think not?  Wake up.

"Bannon's appointment has been cheered by leaders of the Ku Klux Klan, the American Nazi Party and other white nationalist groups."

Why wouldn't it be?

"Then there's the line on the resume drawing all the controversy: Bannon's time as executive chairman of Breitbart, turning the right-wing news site into the platform of the so-called alt-right, as he once told Mother Jones magazine.  That online community coalesced around the conviction that the Republican Party and establishment conservatives have turned their backs on a vision of America deeply influenced by nationalist thought, some of which is overtly racist. Certain alt-right adherents have unleashed a wave of anti-Semitic, racist and misogynist vitriol online against supporters of Trump's rival Republicans, Clinton voters and journalists during this campaign."

This is precisely how Hitler bamboozled Germans during his rise to power.

"Under Bannon, Breitbart spoke increasingly to that alt-right audience with headlines and stories seemingly designed to offend African-Americans, Latinos, Muslims, women, gays, transgender people and others. The site already had built a following among the more conservative wing of Republicans for its gleeful stunts and the outrageous rhetoric of its founder, the late Andrew Breitbart."

This is precisely what you achingly clueless Trump sycophants voted for.

"Bannon pushed the boundaries further, according to Kurt Bardella, the site's top public relations consultant for three years until his resignation earlier this year. I asked Bardella what he made of the criticism that the site published racist stories. "I thought [the criticisms] were all completely valid and all true," he responded."

This man is a racist, a nazi, a misogynist.  Precisely, why Trump selected him.

"One Breitbart headline declared: "Birth Control Makes Women Unattractive And Crazy." Another called former Arizona Rep. Gabby Giffords, who suffered near-fatal wounds during an assassination attempt in which six others died, "The Gun Control Movement's Human Shield."

This, what you old, achingly clueless, national socialist, fascist, nazi bastards here in Llano County want in office?

"What we need to do is bitch-slap the Republican Party, and get those guys heeding, too," Bannon told the conservative talk show Political Vindication Radio in 2010. "And if we have to, we'll take it over."

Indeed, they did.  A raucous, boot clicking, goose stepping, treasonous, treacherous, traitorous Sieg Heil!, you fascist bastards?

11-25-16

The Federal Reserve Chair intends to remain a figurative thorn in the side of our nazi 'President'-Elect.  That's certainly good news.  NPR reports:

"President-elect Donald Trump has pledged a $1 trillion infrastructure spending program to help jump-start an economy that he said during the campaign was in terrible shape.  Speaking on Capitol Hill Thursday, Federal Reserve Board Chair Janet Yellen warned lawmakers that as they consider such spending, they should keep an eye on the national debt. Yellen also said that while the economy needed a big boost with fiscal stimulus after the financial crisis, that's not the case now."

No matter what, the nazi fuhrer won't be confused with the truth.  Neither will his henchmen.

"Yellen cautioned lawmakers that if they spend a lot on infrastructure and run up the debt, and then down the road the economy gets into trouble, "there is not a lot of fiscal space should a shock to the economy occur, an adverse shock, that should require fiscal stimulus."  In other words, lawmakers should consider keeping their powder dry so they have more options whenever the next economic downturn comes along."

Highly unlikely, Trump and his henchmen will follow her advice.  Political pressure on this nazi son of a bitch will exponentially increase after he takes office.  The national debt will skyrocket as he desperately tries to quell protest, growing unrest, with an increasingly unmanageable public that realizes they've been bamboozled.  Sold a phony bill of goods.  He's made promise after promise after promise he cannot keep.  Can't deliver on.

"Trump was harshly critical of Yellen during his campaign. But testifying before the Joint Economic Committee, Yellen said she is not going to quit just because Trump won the election. Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., asked Yellen, "Can you envision any circumstances where you would not serve out your term as chair of the Federal Reserve?" "No, I cannot," answered Yellen, "It is fully my intention to serve out that term." Yellen's appointment goes through January 2018."

This is precisely what this fascist son of a bitch and his henchmen need.  Resistance.  Unwavering, intense, determined, concerted, but non-violent.

11-25-16

There is some dissent in the corporate management suite.  Don't think so?  Think again.  NBC News reports:

"Ford CEO Mark Fields warned that President-elect Donald Trump's proposed trade plans — which include a 35 percent tariff on motor vehicles imported from Mexico — would have a "huge impact" on the entire American economy, not just the auto industry."

Indeed, it would.

Compounding the above, NPR reports:

"President-elect Donald Trump took to Twitter on Thursday night to say Ford Motor Co. executive chairman William Ford Jr. had called to say the company would not move production of the Lincoln MKC from its Louisville Assembly Plant to Mexico.

    Just got a call from my friend Bill Ford, Chairman of Ford, who advised me that he will be keeping the Lincoln plant in Kentucky - no Mexico
    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 18, 2016"

Any problem with this?  Any at all?

"A second Trump tweet claimed credit for the decision.

    I worked hard with Bill Ford to keep the Lincoln plant in Kentucky. I owed it to the great State of Kentucky for their confidence in me!
    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 18, 2016"

Still no problem?  Wake up.  You've been bamboozled.

"Ford, however, said it neither planned to close the Louisville, Ky., plant nor reduce jobs there. The company said it had considered moving Lincoln production to Mexico to increase production of the Ford Escape in Louisville."

Then again, wouldn't want to confuse anyone with the truth.

11-25-16

Trump has appointed another rabid nazi as national security adviser.  This fascist son of a bitch will not need to be confirmed by the Senate.  Ret. Lt. Gen. Mike Flynn.  Think this piece of shit a good choice?  NBC News reports:

"Flynn, 57, a 33-year veteran of the Army, was director of the Defense Intelligence Agency from 2012 to 2014.  As speculation about Flynn's appointment spread Thursday night, critics highlighted some of his controversial past statements. In February, Flynn said on Twitter that "fear of Muslims is rational."

    Fear of Muslims is RATIONAL: please forward this to others: the truth fears no questions... https://t.co/NLIfKFD9lU
    — General Flynn (@GenFlynn) February 27, 2016"

Think this won't lead to profiling?  Won't result in intentional bigotry directed against Muslims?

"Shortly after the announcement, Democratic Rep. Elijah Cummings sent a letter to Vice President-elect Mike Pence, who is leading Trump's transition effort, questioning possible conflicts of interest Flynn may have because of his work consulting foreign clients."

Then again, does Trump truly believe opposition, resistance won't be stiff as he desperately attempts to nazify our formerly great country?  In yet another NBC News report:

"The well-received expose propelled Flynn's rise to become the head of the Defense Intelligence Agency in 2012, serving as a senior figure in an intelligence apparatus ultimately reporting to President Barack Obama.  But two years later, Flynn was forced out — accused, by officials speaking not for attribution, of being a bad manager who left a chaos in his wake. Initially quiet but increasingly embittered, Flynn ultimately hitched his wagon to Donald Trump and began to appear at rallies complaining of Hillary Clinton's "criminal activity" in stark language that stunned many of his former colleagues."

Interesting, isn't it?

11-25-16

Amazing how national socialist media expects anti-Trump protest be quelled by Democrats.  Fox News reports:

"President Obama, speaking at a press conference in Germany, passed up the opportunity Thursday to tamp down the anti-Donald Trump protests back home -- urging those taking part not to remain "silent."

Why should protesters remain silent?  When it is their duty to peacefully resist the imposition of nazism by Trump and his henchmen.  Do these fascist bastards in the Trump transition and their shills at Fox expect protesters to goose step in unity with these nazis?

11-25-16

Further trouble in the corporate management suite?  NPR reports:

"Hundreds of businesses such as Starbucks, General Mills and Hewlett Packard are asking President-elect Donald Trump to follow through on U.S. commitments to combat climate change. They argue it's good for business."

Think not?  Especially, since climate change is nearly universally accepted as true by the scientific community.  Then again, a nazi won't, can't be confused by the truth.

11-25-16

As things deteriorate in our formerly great country, there are an increasing number willing to stand up.  CNN reports:

"International human rights lawyer Amal Clooney warned that President-elect Donald Trump's policies would harm Muslim Americans in the US and across the world."

Already happening.

"Speaking at a Texas women's conference this week, she said some of Trump's ideas would break international human rights laws.  (His comments) that there should be a religious test imposed on entering the US or the fact that there should be state-sponsored torture or that families of suspected terrorists should all be killed -- all of those things are violations of international human rights law and the values that underlie that," she said at the conference, according to The Hollywood Reporter."

Indeed, they are.  If Trump proceeds, not only will this fascist piece of shit quickly display his true colors, he will be exposed for being a war criminal.

"She continued: "I think there's some concern from abroad as to, 'Are these things actually going to happen or is the US going to lose some of the moral standing that it has internationally?'"

It already has.  Be interesting to see how quickly Trump proceeds imposing The Fourth Reich.  ... Whether or not those who claim they support all civil and constitutional rights and liberties truly do so.  That is, maintain pressure on the fascist bastard and his henchmen no matter what.  No matter the personal cost.  Do so non-violently, while offering ferocious, unyielding resistance.  Make it as difficult as possible for the nazi to govern.  Do so within the law, exercising the First Amendment.

11-25-16

No question, the nazi elected 'President' of the United States continues to have a thin skin.  Can't take criticism.  Tough, isn't it?  CBS News reports:

"President-elect Donald Trump is demanding an apology from the “very rude” cast of “Hamilton,” the hit Broadway musical, after Vice President-elect Mike Pence was addressed directly by the performers following a Friday night show."

Tough shit.  Doesn't your heart bleed.  Good to know there are people willing to stand up to this nazism.

"Mr. Trump sent tweets Saturday morning saying the vice president-elect was “harassed” when he attended the musical:

    Our wonderful future V.P. Mike Pence was harassed last night at the theater by the cast of Hamilton, cameras blazing.This should not happen!
    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 19, 2016

    The Theater must always be a safe and special place.The cast of Hamilton was very rude last night to a very good man, Mike Pence. Apologize!
    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 19, 2016"

A crock of shit.  Neither Trump, Pence, and their nazi henchmen can withstand pointed, ferocious criticism.  To say nothing of the truly softball criticism Pence actually received:

“Vice President-elect Pence, we welcome you, and we truly thank you for joining us here at ‘Hamilton: An American Musical.’ We really do,” Dixon said to further applause. “We, sir, we are the diverse America who are alarmed and anxious that your new administration will not protect us, our planet, our children, our parents, or defend us and uphold our inalienable rights, sir. But we truly hope this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and work on behalf of all of us. All of us. Again, we truly thank you truly for seeing this show, this wonderful American story told by a diverse group of men and women of different colors, creeds and orientations.”  [The Washington Post]

Give me a break.

11-25-16

Prior to posting, an exceptionally disturbing video made the rounds on the Internet showing white nationalist nazis celebrating Trump's election victory with nazi salutes, anti-Semitic commentary, etc. remarkably similar to old news reels of Adolf Hitler circa 1933.  The following is from The Atlantic:

“Hail Trump, hail our people, hail victory!”  That’s how Richard B. Spencer saluted more than 200 attendees on Saturday, gathered at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, D.C., for the annual conference of the National Policy Institute, which describes itself as “an independent organization dedicated to the heritage, identity, and future of  people of European descent in the United States, and around the world.”

The video is indeed sickening.  Appalling indication of how far we've regressed in the United States.

"Spencer has popularized the term “alt-right” to describe the movement he leads. Spencer has said his dream is “a new society, an ethno-state that would be a gathering point for all Europeans,” and has called for “peaceful ethnic cleansing.”

Sound familiar?

"For most of the day, a parade of speakers discussed their ideology in relatively anodyne terms, putting a presentable face on their agenda. But after dinner, when most journalists had already departed, Spencer rose and delivered a speech to his followers dripping with anti-Semitism, and leaving no doubt as to what he actually seeks. He referred to the mainstream media as “Lügenpresse,” a term he said he was borrowing from “the original German”; the Nazis used the word to attack their critics in the press."

This is chilling reincarnation of Hitler's Third Reich.  The Fourth Reich.

“America was until this past generation a white country designed for ourselves and our posterity,” Spencer said. “It is our creation, it is our inheritance, and it belongs to us.”

The hell it does, you nazi son of a bitch.

"The audience offered cheers, applause, and enthusiastic Nazi salutes."

The video is horrendous.  If I find a transcript, will certainly post it.

11-25-16

Just prior to posting as well, a corporate management suite bought and paid for national socialist Texas 'judge' put on hold the President's Executive Order requiring employers to pay overtime.  Can't have that, can we?  CEO, CFO, etc. pay packages come first.  So do shareholder dividends.  A livable wage?  What's that?  "Let 'em eat cake."  ... Right, TL?  Ben?  Tim?  Lou?

11-25-16

Just prior to posting as well, Trump also admitted he may have improperly mixed discussion of personal financial business and U.S. Government business with foreign leaders as 'President'-Elect.

11-18-16

Nazi Right media has a most intentional way of distorting reality to its perverse advantage.  Manipulating reality to adhere to its distorted views and agenda.  None of it jives with reality.  Didn't stop the Right, however.  NPR reports:

"A young boy desperately pulling back on a woman's arm, as she shouts at an impassive police officer.  The photo — one of many from an anti-Trump protest distributed by Getty Images — showed up in People. It popped up on right-wing websites. And it appeared on NPR's website, with this caption: "A woman argues with NYPD officers as she takes part in a protest against President-elect Donald Trump in New York City."

Disingenuous bullshit.

"The full story is more complicated, says Erin Michelle Threlfall — the woman in the photo.  "I would really like the world to know what happened," she told NPR."

Didn't stop the Right, however, since the truth did not jive with its perverse, distorted view of reality.

"Threlfall, a writer and teacher in New York City, posted about the photo's backstory on The Huffington Post. She says she was traveling home with her son when their bus driver stopped a few blocks from their subway stop and told all the passengers they'd have to walk.  They stepped out to discover the reason — a large anti-Trump protest."

Their 'lucky' day, no?

"Had I been alone, I might have joined the crowd, but I had my son, and we were coming off a long and emotional day," Threlfall wrote on The Huffington Post."

Got caught up in something she had no way of anticipating, but stood tall.

"She says she tried to cross the street, along with some other people:

    "When one man jostled into me, and yelled, I turned to see that the man who was walking alongside us had been grabbed by the police. He yelled that he was just crossing the street, and they threw him to the ground. When he tried to get up, they started hitting him with their batons.

    "I didn't think things through at that moment, I just followed my instinct and started screaming: 'He was just crossing the street! He was being peaceful! Stop hitting him!' And they hit harder. So I screamed louder. Two officers stepped between me and the scene of the man on the ground, and I screamed one more time: 'He was being peaceful! Stop hitting him!'

    "A crowd was gathering, my son was pulling my arm, and the woman police officer kindly said: 'Ma'am, I'll let them know, just walk away with your son.'

    "We pushed our way through the crowd, and relief washed over me when I turned to see that a crowd had gathered with their cameras raised high: others had captured what we just saw. Little did I know that someone else in the crowd captured me."

How many of you would have had her courage?  Certainly, none of the cowardly fascist f--kers who defend the criminal jackbooted bastards in the Llano County Sheriff's Office.

"Another woman, Hilary Udow, who has provided NPR with cellphone video of part of the confrontation, also says that officers detained a man who was walking across the street near Threlfall. "I was there when the police grabbed him and threw him down," she says, although she didn't see an officer beat him.

"Udow recorded video showing the man pinned face down on the ground as a crowd, including Threlfall, confronts the officers detaining him. In the video, Threlfall is heard telling Udow to keep filming because the police were beating the man up. The video doesn't show any beating or how the incident began."

Again, readers, if you can safely video criminal officers engaging in criminal wanton violence, it would be most useful for the victim in a lawsuit.

"NPR asked the NYPD for comment on these allegations; we'll update this post if we receive a reply."

The only way for this criminal jackbooted bastard in blue violence to end is to expose it to the light of day.  Sue the living shit out of the jackbooted bastards, their handlers, and the County.  When taxpayers get repeatedly soaked, the violence will end.

"At The Huffington Post, Threlfall writes that she woke up to find her photo in various publications, and "comments were flying in about the kind of mother people assumed me to be."  "I might have shared some of those judgments, had I not known first hand what really happened," she wrote, "and now, you do too."

Again, the Right will never, ever, never, be confused with the truth.  ... Right, TL?

"That's the story of the photo, but not the end of the night for Threlfall and her son.  After safely making it to the subway stop, Threlfall says she answered her son's questions about what the police were doing — "the police are trying to do their job to keep the streets safe, and sometimes, misunderstandings happen, and that's when we have to raise our voices to help protect one another," she remembers saying."

Indeed.  No matter the personal cost.  If not, the unwanted dreaded second American revolution already catastrophically looming on the horizon could indeed become reality. Hear the rumble?

Days after the election, protest continues across our formerly great country.  It needs to remain peaceful.  If not, you become no better than the criminal jackbooted bastards in blue.  No better than our national socialist 'President'-Elect and his Aryan arrogant henchmen.  Protest must continue.  One cannot capitulate to a national socialist.  Neville Chamberlain did so vis a vis Adolf Hitler.  At appalling cost.

11-18-16

Trump may certainly grant criminal jackbooted bastards in blue carte blanche to do as they please. The Washington Post reports:

"The Justice Department is set to significantly shift its priorities under Donald Trump, reflecting the themes of a candidate who consistently described the country as driven by chaos and in need of more powerful law enforcement."

These are the themes of a nazi dictator, not a President of the United States.  Hear the rumble?  Think protest across our formerly great country will decrease as this nazi bastard implements The Fourth Reich?

"The department, which under President Obama built an aggressive civil rights division, is likely to take a more hands-off approach toward police departments alleged to have overused force and loosen restrictions on surveillance in Muslim communities, according to legal analysts and Trump’s own public statements."

The unwanted dreaded second American revolution doomsday clock strikes ever closer to midnight.

"Trump sought to position himself as the candidate of law and order, delivering apocalyptic speeches describing an America torn apart by crime and terror."

Nazi Fuhrer Adolf Hitler did the very same.  Trump seems to be reincarnation of the Nazi bastard.

"He said police in Chicago could stop a spate of deadly violence by being “very much tougher than they are right now,” and wrote to the International Association that he would generally keep the federal government out of local law enforcement’s business. He has been critical of President Obama’s effort to give clemency to inmates serving long prison terms for nonviolent drug offenses. In response to the terrorist attack in Orlando, Trump said he'd renew surveillance on mosques."

This nazi is clueless.  Increased police use of force will do no more than trigger the unthinkable.  An unwanted dreaded second American revolution already catastrophically looming on the horizon.  Think harassment and surveillance of Moslems won't backfire?  Generate more domestic terror?  The 'President'-Elect continues to have his head lodged so far up his ass, his eyeballs continue to bulge inside out.

“This is a guy who will have no problem targeting civil rights leaders, targeting reporters. We’re back to a Nixon enemies list world,” said the Rev. Al Sharpton, president of the National Action Network. “We’ve got to get ready to fight, this is serious.”

Indeed, it is.  The struggle needs to be non-violent.  Peaceful resistance, stiff, unyielding.

11-18-16

The Washington Post reports:

"Angelia Williams Graves says she didn’t have some grand plan to compare police to the Ku Klux Klan when she took the stage at an NAACP luncheon in Virginia on Oct. 1. But days after the Norfolk city councilwoman ignited a firestorm, she wasn’t taking her words back, either.  Modern racists, Graves told the mostly black crowd of more than 200, have “taken off their white hats and white-sheeted robes and put on police uniforms. Some of them have put on shirts and ties as policymakers and some of them have put on robes as judges.”

This is precisely why law enforcement is so pleased that a national socialist has been elected 'President.'  ... A raucous, boot clicking, goose stepping, treasonous, treacherous, traitorous Sieg Heil!, to our criminal jackbooted bastards in blue.  Right, Sheriff?  TL?

11-18-16

The 'President'-Elect continues to talk out both sides his fascist, national socialist ass.  NPR reports:

"In his post-election victory speech, Trump said he would be a president for all Americans, and that it was "time to come together as one united people."

That will not happen.  Half of our formerly great country remains determinedly opposed to this shameless racist, homophobic bigot, misogynist fascist.

"I pledge to every citizen of our land that I will be president for all Americans. And this is so important to me. For those who have chosen not to support me in the past, of which there were a few people, I'm reaching out to you for your guidance and your help so we can work together and unify our great country."

Empty talk out both sides his ass.  Compromise with a nazi is not possible.  Is un-American.  We now live with the chilling, pernicious vestige of the rise of the Nazi Right during the McCarthy era, the determined nazification of our country during the Nixon Regime, continued during the Reagan Era, further implemented during the George "The Tush" and "Slick Dick" Cheney debacle, culminating now in the pending rise to power of our first bona fide nazi 'President'-Elect.

A catastrophe this country has never seen before.  During the Campaign, "Hump The Rump" Trump embraced racism, homophobic bigotry vis a vis his selection of anti-LGBT Vice-'President'-Elect Pence, to say nothing of Trump's perverse misogynist view of women expressed over and over and over again during Campaign rallies.  Attended by clueless sick sycophants who had no idea what they were truly cheering.  As the fascist bastard lied over and over, and over again as his achingly ignorant shills cheered the liar on.  ... Right, TL?  Ben?  Lou?  Tim?

As The Washington Times reports:

"A day after Donald Trump’s election to the presidency, campaign divisions appeared to widen as many thousands of demonstrators — some with signs with messages declaring “NOT MY PRESIDENT” — flooded streets across the country to protest his surprise triumph."

Indeed, he's not.  Will be in name only.  Does not enjoy a mandate.  At time of writing, lost the popular vote.  No one who believes in liberty, the United States Constitution, all civil and constitutional rights and liberties can embrace this nazi and what he stands for.  This fascist piece of shit will be peacefully resisted every step of the way as he eviscerates whatever is left of liberty.

Be interesting to see if his own Party, which will now own both Houses of Congress as well as the Oval Office, will ultimately rein him in.  If not, the unwanted dreaded second American revolution already catastrophically looming on the horizon could indeed become reality.  Sadly, his loading of an already nazi Supreme Court with additional nazis sufficient to repeal Roe v. Wade could be the trigger of that unwanted dreaded revolution since if there is no reproductive freedom, there is no freedom at all.  -- Something Republican fascists cannot quite seem to understand.  To say nothing of their backing of the criminal jackbooted bastards in blue despite the fact these criminal officers are shaking down, assaulting, and murdering the innocent.

ABC News reports:

"Reports of anti-Trump and even Nazi graffiti have emerged after tens of thousands of demonstrators in cities across the country took to the streets Wednesday night to protest President-elect Donald Trump's unexpected victory.  On Wednesday morning, just hours after Trump was declared the 45th president of the United States, the emblem of the Nazi Party was found spray-painted on the glass window of a building in South Philadelphia. The graffiti also included the words "Seig Heil 2016" as well as the word "Trump" with the T replaced by another swastika, according to the Philadelphia Police Department."

While Trump is indeed a national socialist, vandalism and violence are criminal activities that grant law enforcement and corrupt, abusive government carte blanche to engage in criminal violence of their own.  Protest that becomes violent and destructive is always counterproductive.  Always.  Those who engage in such become no better than their oppressors.

CNN reports:

"An anti-Trump rally in Portland, Oregon, revved up as protesters confronted police Thursday night. What started out as a peaceful march, with more than 4,000 people, quickly turned violent.  Over the course of the evening, "anarchists" in the crowd threw objects at officers, vandalized local businesses and damaged cars, Portland Police Sgt. Pete Simpson said."

This is criminal activity.  Outrageously, counterproductive.  Sadly, a portend of things to come as our country continues to nazify.

Trump initially had the following reaction to all the protest:

    "Just had a very open and successful presidential election. Now professional protesters, incited by the media, are protesting. Very unfair!
    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 11, 2016"

This man remains clueless.  Can't, won't comprehend at least half this population will not accept, or tolerate imposition of The Fourth Reich.  What "professional protesters,"  you clueless fascist son of a bitch?  How are they "incited by the media," you arrogant jackass?  Thankfully, the media is reporting the truth.  Can't have that, Mr. 'President'-Elect?